Chapter 368: The Star-Suppressing Tower
Chapter 368: The Star-Suppressing Tower
After leaving the hill, Chen Chuan did not return directly to Xuan Gong Mansion. Instead, he drove towards Black Ink Mountain, as Cao Guiqi seemed to have known about this matter beforehand, and perhaps more information could be gleaned from him.
Since he had contacted Cao Guiqi through the Boundary Vessel during the journey, when they arrived at the Cao Family Estate, Ding Shu was already waiting for them outside.
This was a rare treatment.
After parking the car, Chen Chuan walked up and followed Ding Shu into the estate. Upon seeing Cao Guiqi, the latter's first words were, "Did the Specialist Liang tell you about this?"
Chen Chuan nodded, "Yes."
"Follow me," Cao Guiqi said, then turned and walked towards the back of the courtyard.
Chen Chuan followed him out of the courtyard and boarded an antique carriage. Ding Shu climbed onto the carriage driver's seat and drove the two towards the mountain behind the estate.
Chen Chuan looked outside and recalled noticing the tower standing atop Black Ink Mountain during his previous visit. It was hidden among dense trees, making it hard to see clearly. But now, the carriage was heading straight towards it, and as they drew closer, he could make out its general shape.
The tower had eight sides and a distinct style of the old era's religion. Judging from its ancient exterior, it was not a retro building but had stood here since the old era.
The carriage arrived at the base of the tower, and Chen Chuan, along with Cao Guiqi, alighted and entered the tower. In contrast to its dilapidated exterior, the interior was completely different, adorned in the style of the new era. It was not merely an old structure but had undergone reinforcement and remodeling.
The original staircase had been removed and replaced with a sightseeing elevator.
Ding Shu stepped forward to operate the elevator for the two of them. After Chen Chuan and Cao Guiqi entered, he pressed the button again but did not follow them in, instead standing at the entrance.
Cao Guiqi remained silent throughout the journey. The two rode the elevator to the top of the tower. He exited and walked to the railing, his hand resting lightly upon it.
Chen Chuan approached and looked out. This was the highest point of Black Ink Mountain, with estates and villas scattered across the landscape, and the vast central city visible in the distance.
"This tower, known as the Star-Suppressing Tower, was a pivotal place for the imperial family to resist and interact with another 'world' during the old era," Cao Guiqi explained.
Chen Chuan's heart stirred slightly, "So, is this the central city of the old era?"
"In a way, but it's not exactly the same," Cao Guiqi replied. "Specialist Liang told you that the central city is the forefront of resistance against that world, the anchor point between the two worlds, and the closest place to the other side?"
"That's what he told me," Chen Chuan confirmed.
"These places weren't always like this," Cao Guiqi continued. "They were scattered all over the world, like countless black dots on a white sheet of paper if you compare our world to one.
During the old era, the understanding of the transition period among the various nations was still based on past records. Therefore, the imperial families did not adopt a method of resistance. Instead, they established these Star-Suppressing Towers at the more intense gaps and sought to obtain power and valuable technologies from them.
Later, they gradually realized what was happening and began to strictly seal off the gaps, attempting to guide and concentrate them, gathering them together and placing them under the management and control of the various empires.
However, due to the lack of advanced technology at the time, information transmission and surveillance were inadequate. Despite implementing numerous remedial measures, countless loopholes and gaps remained worldwide, allowing many things to leak through while also providing opportunities for many people."
"I heard from Specialist Liang that the empires collapsed due to technological advancements," Chen Chuan said.
Cao Guiqi shook his head, "Not entirely. The real situation is more complex, but it's true that the old empires' unfinished business was completed in the new era.
After the Grand Alliance was established, most of the discovered gaps and anchor points were eliminated, guided, and gathered. They built central cities on top of them and constructed the World Ring for defense and resistance.
In this sense, the Grand Alliance made a significant contribution to the entire world.
Moreover, in the new era, fighters at least have a chance to rise. In the old era, everything was determined by birth and lineage, and the path to advancement was completely blocked. The empires failed to fulfill their responsibilities, and instead... they were eventually pushed out, a fitting end for their negligence.
However, the Grand Alliance only lasted for thirty years before it collapsed. Specialist Liang was correct in saying that the central city is the forefront of resistance, but the various governments and companies also gained many benefits from it. If these resources are considered, the governments and companies almost monopolized all of them.
This was necessary, but when these resources gradually flowed to the top and were tightly held by the governments and companies, the situation changed..."
At this point, he sighed, "The imperial families and their relatives and nobles also desired this. They wanted to obtain favorable things from the other side and sit on their thrones for eternity. But what remains of them now?"
He patted the railing beneath him, "But these are just remnants of ruins from that time.
It's just that during their era, the two worlds hadn't come into such close contact as they do now, so the world could still afford to make mistakes. But this time, we absolutely cannot afford to make another mistake."
However, that's just for us. For the world itself, it may not make a difference. From the limited records, it seems that a situation like the Great Collision may have occurred in history, but that was likely before the rise of civilization, long buried in a past that we can hardly fathom..."
He turned his head and said solemnly, "Chen Xuedi, in this upcoming new era, you personally must seize this opportunity and ride the wave. Otherwise, you won't be able to control your own destiny."
Chen Chuan nodded solemnly as well. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Specialist Liang told me that some cultivation resources of the Third Limit can only be obtained by making contributions and achievements during the recruitment."
Cao Guiqi spoke seriously, "He's not wrong. From the First to the Third Limit, that's already the limit of what a human body can achieve. No matter how you cultivate, you won't be able to break through this level as long as you remain human.
But because of the fusion of that world with ours, the material world we live in has changed, becoming less tightly bound, turning the impossible into the possible.
That world brings danger, but it also brings opportunities.
Some important resources, including certain technologies, have been obtained from that world or through the collision of the two worlds, and these resources are completely controlled by the government and major corporations."
Looking at Chen Chuan, he said, "Chen Student, when you were weak, it's best to join them first and gradually obtain what you desire from within. Use these opportunities to strengthen yourself, and do your best to reach the next limit before the Great Collision. Only then will you have the qualifications to negotiate with them."
Chen Chuan understood his meaning and knew that this path was the most suitable one for now. However, there was a more realistic problem before him; this alone couldn't satisfy his cultivation needs.
So, after some thought, he asked, "Senior Cao, may I ask if there are any other paths besides joining the government or companies?"
Cao Guiqi didn't answer immediately. After a while, he slowly said, "Outside the Central City, there are still scattered gaps that haven't been filled, some of which appear from time to time due to the collision of worlds.
Many of these gaps are controlled by fringe forces, who use them to recruit people and try to gain benefits. However, most of these gaps are very unstable, and it's hard to predict what might appear within them. Without sufficient strength, one might face sudden destruction at any moment.
Moreover, governments and companies closely monitor these situations, and once discovered, they are promptly cleared up. Aside from these options, there's no other path to take."
Chen Chuan pondered for a moment and sincerely thanked him, "Thank you, Senior Cao, for telling me this."
Cao Guiqi said, "It's nothing. You'll gradually come across these things. But Xuedi, if you've made up your mind, be cautious." He reminded him again, "The things that slip through the World Ring are not easy to deal with, and the information they convey may not be trustworthy."
"I understand, Senior Cao. Thank you for the reminder," Chen Chuan said.
Cao Guiqi looked outside, his robe fluttering incessantly in the wind. He said, "The convergence of worlds profoundly affects us all, each and every one of us, from ancient times to the present. I don't know what the outcome will be, but if we can get through this, perhaps an even newer future awaits us."
After staying a while longer, Chen Chuan bid farewell and left. Uncle Ding, after seeing Chen Chuan off, turned back to the tower and bowed, saying, "Young Master, Chen Student has left."
Cao Guiqi hummed in response, still standing there, gazing at the area below Black Ink Mountain, lost in thought.
Uncle Ding hesitated before looking up and saying, "Young Master, at Chen Student's current level, he should know about that matter. Young Master, you didn't mention it to him..."
With his back to Uncle Ding, Cao Guiqi said, "Uncle Ding, I've said that I'm helping him because of his character and personality, which are worth supporting. But I don't need to burden him with my past experiences."
"But Young Master, isn't this also an opportunity for Chen Xiongdi?" Uncle Ding asked. "If the Young Master doesn't tell him, it's like missing a chance."
Cao Guiqi waved his sleeve dismissively, "No need to say more. A path once missed cannot be retraced."
Uncle Ding lowered his head, "Yes..."
...
(End of Chapter)
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