Chapter 8: Official Visitors! (On Realm Divisions)
Lin Chen spent over ten minutes giving a general account of what he had seen and experienced in the cultivation world.
While recording, Wang Xinyu also listened intently.
She was utterly captivated by the world Lin Chen described.
As a scholar specializing in Martial Realms, the cultivation world was nothing short of a dreamlike existence to her.
After hearing everything Lin Chen had to say, Wang Xinyu pondered for a moment.
"Have you ever read the myths and legends from the era before the Old Epoch?"
"Some of the stories seem eerily similar to your descriptions... soaring through the sky, traveling underground, seeking immortality, even omnipotent immortals…"
"Up until now, we've always treated those as myths. But today, it seems they might be real."
Her eyes shimmered with excitement.
Lin Chen also seemed thoughtful but simply shook his head and said:
"I don't know if they're related. My understanding of the cultivation world is still very limited…"
He paused, then added:
"But I'm certain that this cultivation world might have a major impact on our own world… Please take this seriously."
Wang Xinyu nodded solemnly.
"Don't worry. A discovery of this magnitude won't be taken lightly…"
Just then, the sound of uniform footsteps came from outside.
Dozens of fully armed military martial artists arrived, weapons in hand, surrounding the institute to secure it.
A burly middle-aged man in military uniform strode inside.
He had a square-shaped face, thick eyebrows, a straight nose, and an air of righteousness.
"Greetings, Commander Wang!"
Wang Xinyu quickly put on a formal posture and saluted when she saw him.
"All right, Xinyu, there's no need for formality here."
The man waved it off with a smile. He looked friendly and approachable.
"Hehe, Dad! Still gotta follow protocol!" Wang Xinyu winked playfully.
Lin Chen silently observed the whole scene.
This man was one of the main reasons Lin Chen had come to see Wang Xinyu at the research institute.
His name was Wang Lishan, a Martial Venerable-level powerhouse, a national hero of Great Xia, and a general.
A man of such stature would normally be out of Lin Chen's reach.
But through certain means—and through Wang Xinyu—he'd managed to make contact.
As Lin Chen observed Wang Lishan, the man was also sizing him up.
"You're the young man who made the report?"
"Discovering another world is no trivial matter…"
After saying this, Wang Lishan waved his hand and said:
"You all step outside for now. I need to speak with this young man privately."
"Yes, Commander!"
The dozen soldiers answered in unison and exited the room to stand guard outside.
Soon, only Lin Chen, Wang Xinyu, and Wang Lishan remained in the room.
"You're Lin Chen, right? I've heard the general situation. Would you mind going over everything with me in detail again?"
Lin Chen nodded slightly and, without complaint, recounted everything he had previously told Wang Xinyu.
"Cultivation world… spiritual energy… cultivators… heavenly treasures…"
Wang Lishan listened, visibly surprised. He had already heard a bit from Wang Xinyu about Lin Chen's dimensional travel.
"But still, this all sounds too far-fetched… So, do you have any proof?"
Just as he finished speaking, Wang Xinyu raised her hand eagerly and said, "Dad, we've got surveillance footage—you can check it!"
Wang Lishan then walked over to the computer and repeatedly watched the surveillance video of Lin Chen's return.
Even at the slowest playback speed, the video showed Lin Chen standing one moment, then suddenly crouching with a wooden table and chair in his hands.
Even with his Martial Venerable-level insight, he couldn't make sense of it.
His eyes grew more astonished as he looked back at Lin Chen and asked:
"Besides this footage, do you have any other evidence of that world's existence?"
Wang Xinyu quickly handed over the spirit stone Lin Chen had given her.
Wang Lishan carefully examined it. Though he had never seen such a stone before, he could sense a pure energy radiating from it.
At this moment, Lin Chen extended his arm and displayed his wristwatch.
"If you're looking for further proof… my own blood energy should be the best evidence."
"Previously, my blood energy value was around 9.7. Now it's 10.7. I've broken through the Martial Disciple bottleneck and officially become a Martial Artist…"
Wang Lishan looked at the number on Lin Chen's watch, unable to hide his shock.
"You mean… you gained a full point of blood energy in just seven days in that world—and smoothly advanced to Martial Artist?"
Compared to how abundant Lin Chen claimed the cultivation world was, Wang Lishan cared more about this tangible result.
And to think that within just seven days, a Martial Disciple could break through and become a Martial Artist… That is truly astonishing!
Or rather, it could even be called a miracle!
Seventeen-year-old Martial Artists aren't unheard of.
But those prodigies are usually born into prestigious families, receiving scientific training from a young age, supplemented by various nutrient solutions for cultivation.
Even so, it would be impossible for anyone to break through the Martial Disciple bottleneck in just seven days.
It's not an exaggeration to say that if this could be replicated, all the youths of Great Xia would become genius martial artists!
That would usher in an era where… everyone is like a dragon!
With such an army, who would fear demonic beasts?
Thinking of this, Wang Lishan spoke in a deep voice:
"Lin Chen, this matter is too significant. I fear I cannot decide it alone…"
"I will report it to the higher-ups of Great Xia for a joint discussion…"
Lin Chen nodded slightly. Great Xia was not a place where decisions were made by a single person, especially not for something this major. It was only natural that the higher-ups would need to discuss it together.
Lin Chen's goal was simply to prove the existence of the cultivation world.
As for the extent of the benefits the cultivation world might bring to the country, or the level of support he could receive…
Time would tell!
However, after reviewing the evidence, Wang Lishan already believed about seventy to eighty percent of it. He knew that talents like Lin Chen were incredibly valuable.
"Xiao Li!" Wang Lishan called out.
"Sir, I'm here!"
Soon, a man in his thirties with a heroic face and an imposing presence walked in.
"This is Li Nian, my bodyguard. He's a Martial Spirit-level martial artist…"
"Given the internal and external turmoil our human race faces, many traitors have infiltrated various places… If they discover your existence, you could be in danger…"
Wang Lishan spoke slowly:
"Don't worry, I'm not asking Xiao Li to monitor you… He's here to ensure your safety!"
Lin Chen nodded in understanding. He naturally trusted Wang Lishan's words.
If the country wanted to monitor him, they could just place him under house arrest. Why go through all this trouble?
And why send a Martial Spirit-level powerhouse to guard him personally?
A Martial Spirit-level fighter! Truly a once-in-a-lifetime powerhouse, an existence that ordinary people might never encounter in their entire lives…
"Li, please take good care of me from now on!" Lin Chen said politely.
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PS: Explanation of the cultivation realms in this book:
In addition to the nine levels of Martial Disciple, each martial realm is divided into three stages: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. For the settings, when relevant realm powerhouses appear later, if you forget the specifics, you can refer back here.
Cultivation World Realms: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Divinity, Returning to Void, Fusion, Great Ascension. These are the classic cultivation realms. There may be slight modifications, but they will generally be similar.
(End of Chapter)