Chapter 231: The Real World
Chapter 231: The Real World
On the National Highway, an off-road vehicle was heading towards the center of Central City.
On both sides of the highway, there was a desolate wilderness and seemingly endless guardrails, with the unobstructed sunlight glinting off the metallic surfaces of the vehicles.
The highway from Yangzhi City in the east led in two directions; one route went to the Distant Port in the east, and the other was the one they were currently on, leading directly to Central City.
There was very little traffic on this road because people from Central City rarely went outside, and those from the outside rarely chose to enter through this route unless they had official identities.
Cheng Zitong drove steadily, maintaining a good speed. They had set off in the morning, and after five hours, they approached the area near the outer checkpoint of Central City.
Cheng Zitong slowed down and stopped the car, saying, "Xiao Chuan, beyond this checkpoint, we'll be in the territory of Central City. Teacher will see you off here, and someone from the Central Academy will come to pick you up. Just wait for them there."
Chen Chuan replied, "Okay, Teacher."
He got out of the car, took the Xuejun Blade from the back seat, and retrieved his luggage from the trunk. Cheng Zitong also got out of the car and looked up at the sky, saying, "Ah, this sunlight is still so dazzling." As he spoke, he put on his sunglasses.
He walked over and patted Chen Chuan on the shoulder. "Xiao Chuan, after you settle down there, don't forget to send a message to Teacher. Take care."
Chen Chuan nodded and said, "Teacher, I'm leaving now."
Cheng Zitong waved goodbye and said, "Go ahead."
Chen Chuan bowed to him and then straightened up, walking towards the checkpoint.
At the mobile isolation barrier, two checkpoint officers approached to check his travel documents. Seeing that everything was in order, they allowed the barrier to be moved, letting him through. It wasn't until he had walked out from the other side that he heard the sound of the car driving away.
At that moment, he looked up and saw the highway stretching ahead, and in the distance, he could faintly make out the buildings of Central City.
The cityscape, a mix of light and dark gray, stood tall on the horizon. Countless towering buildings of various heights were scattered across the landscape. The high bridge leading to the sea resembled a flying rainbow, drawing an arc that gradually disappeared into the sea mist. Compared to Yangzhi, which was now far behind him, Central City seemed like another world.
Under the vast blue sky, Chen Chuan held the Xuejun Blade and his luggage, facing this new world. The road beneath his feet was the only connection between the two.
He glanced at his watch; it was 2:00 pm. According to what Cheng Zitong had told him, the person coming to pick him up would likely arrive around 2:00 pm.
However, the entry procedures for Central City were complicated, and those without proper identification might find it inconvenient. There might be delays, so he was advised to wait patiently. Fortunately, there were telephones, telegrams, and even simple accommodations available at the checkpoint, all for a price.
He stood there quietly, silently guiding his Furnace Breath Method. As it approached 3:00 pm, he heard the sound of a vehicle on the road.
Hearing the noise, he looked up and saw a half-old, half-new armored off-road vehicle approaching. When it was about five or six meters away, the car slowed to a stop, and a man stuck his head out. "Chen Chuan, the student?"
Chen Chuan took a good look; it was a man in his forties, wearing polarized glasses. His hair was slightly disheveled, and his nasolabial folds were deep. His beard looked like it had been trimmed not long ago, and his lips were slightly chapped.
However, contrary to his expectations, this man showed no signs of being a fighter, and he didn't seem like a teacher from the school. Perhaps he was a staff member?
It made sense, as it was the New Year holiday, and those teachers had no particular relationship with him, so there was no need for them to come and pick him up personally. Usually, those sent for such tasks were of a lower status.
He replied, "I am Chen Chuan."
"Good enough," the man said, not requiring Chen Chuan to show any identification. He gestured behind him, "Get in the car and sit in the back."
Chen Chuan walked over, opened the rear door, and got in. After closing the door and settling in, he noticed a line on the man's neck, indicating an implanted device. He glanced at it and asked, "How should I address you, Teacher?"
"Oh, don't call me Teacher," the man quickly waved his hands. "I'm not one of your teachers from Wu Yi Academy. It's the New Year, and I was asked to pick up a student. I have some credibility, and I've been to Yangzhi a few times before, so they sent me. Now, sit tight."
The man waited for Chen Chuan to fasten his seatbelt before skillfully reversing the car and heading towards Central City.
After driving for a while, the man introduced himself, "I'm Old Qi, just call me Old Qi. Hey, classmate, do you have all your identification documents with you? The checks in the city are strict, and it's difficult to get in if you don't have everything."
Chen Chuan confirmed, "I have them all." He then asked, "So, can one enter the city without any documents?"
"Well, you can get in, but it would mean taking a detour and facing some risks. I'd be taking a risk, and so would you. It's better to avoid trouble if we can."
Old Qi glanced at the rearview mirror and asked, "Chen, is this your first time in Central City?"
There was no point in hiding it, so Chen Chuan admitted, "Yes, it is."
Old Qi smiled mysteriously, "Up ahead is the city's entry checkpoint. You'll need your documents there, and then you'll understand."
Along the road, less than half an hour later, the city ahead loomed closer. In the nearer areas, silver-gray skyscrapers could be seen under the blue sky.
The roadside barriers had long disappeared, replaced by bowl-shaped mounds with no visible pillars, resembling pillar bases without columns. It was as if one could walk on them, but their purpose was unclear.
Old Qi, noticing Chen Chuan's gaze, said, "Look at that, Chen. Get out of the car."
Chen Chuan stepped out, feeling a chill as he did so. He opened the box and threw a few ice cubes to the ground, revealing a sealed bag. He opened it and took out its contents, a mask covering the upper half of the face.
The mask felt lightweight, almost like bone, with transparent film-like membranes over the eye areas. Two small white worms wriggled along the edges of the mask, seemingly growing directly from it.
"Put on the mask," Old Qi instructed.
Chen Chuan placed the mask over his face, feeling it adhere easily. The sides of the mask curved over his ears, forming a perfect fit.
With the mask on, the bright light was blocked, creating a sense of detachment despite only the eye area being covered.
As he watched, the worms slowly extended and crawled into his ears, adjusting their size to fit perfectly.
At that moment, his Second Self appeared with a faint distortion, almost imperceptible. He decided not to let the Second Self transfer this external assault.
As he made this choice, the world before him darkened, then flashed like a flickering light. A hissing sound filled his ears.
When he looked up again, the city was transformed. The once pale and gray buildings were now adorned with vibrant rainbow-colored neon lights and swirling, dancing light bands. These lights stretched towards the clouds, reaching into the sky!
Huge, floating figures and flickering scenes danced above, blending old and new, reality and fantasy, as if time itself had been distorted and merged in a chaotic space.
The sounds around him became a cacophony of various languages and noises, overwhelming his senses.
The lights and sounds enveloped him, each vying for his attention. But as he tried to focus, they were swept away by a flood of information, fleeting and elusive.
"Hey, Chen, can you hear me?" a distant voice called out.
It was the only coherent sound amidst the chaos. Chen Chuan turned to see Old Qi waving at him, his hand over his ear.
Old Qi's gesture, like soothing a child to sleep, seemed slightly comical, but the message was clear.
Chen Chuan lightly patted his ear, and the worm in his ear curled up. The mask darkened again, and the world returned to normal.
He removed the mask, feeling the wind blow across his face, carrying a hint of dust. The surroundings were quiet and vast, with the buildings across the street standing silently, as if the previous spectacle had been a mere illusion.
Old Qi stared at him, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Chen, are you okay? Most people can't handle this on their first try. Some even faint. You're tough, staring at it for so long without flinching."
Chen Chuan held up the bone mask, asking, "Old Qi, what is this?"
Old Qi shrugged, "The Da Shun government calls it a 'Yin-Yang Device,' but we usually refer to it as the 'Yin-Yang Device.' There's another official name for it..."
A spark of recognition flashed in his eyes. "Oh, right, 'Biofield Interaction Linking Technology.' Other companies have different names for it, but there are many. You must have seen the Central City, right?"
Chen Chuan nodded.
"Then... welcome to the real world."
Old Qi spread his hands, his expression a mix of excitement and madness. His voice, filled with both hatred and admiration, continued, "What you saw when you arrived was just a glimpse of its broken, hidden side. What you just experienced is its true, complete form."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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