Chapter 705: The Invitation
Chapter 705: The Invitation
Ling Zhuli smiled at Chen Chuan and greeted him, then gestured towards a glass cup on a nearby table. The cup contained a liquid that shimmered with the hues of a colorful sunset, seemingly floating and dancing within.
"This is a new drink from Jingbei Convergence Zone, called 'Colorful Nebula.' It's also beneficial for nourishing the spirit. I personally enjoy it, so please give it a try, Chen Supervisor."
Chen Chuan walked over, setting his Snow Lady Sword aside and picking up the cup. He took a sip, sensing a secondary self within it, but he wasn't concerned about any potential dangers. The drink itself was indeed quite ordinary, but after drinking it, he felt a sense of spiritual repair and nourishment, similar to sitting in meditation before the lotus seat of a Grand Master.
He placed the cup down, "Speaking of the beverage itself, it's indeed quite good."
Ling Zhuli responded, "With the advancement of technology, we can taste and experience more. However, those in the lower strata may never come into contact with such things in their entire lives."
She paused, then continued, "But what about those in the higher echelons? How can we know what they experience?"
Ling Zhuli stepped aside and gestured towards the interior, inviting Chen Chuan, "Please, Supervisor Chen."
Chen Chuan glanced forward and saw a rotating wooden boardwalk below, seemingly leading upwards through the shade of trees. He knew that the scenery here was a mix of reality and illusion, and without detaching from the field, it would be difficult to truly discern what was real. He nodded, picked up his sword again, and proceeded towards the boardwalk.
As they walked, Ling Zhuli spoke, "Supervisor Chen, you've been busy lately and haven't had the chance to visit us. It's a shame. We had an exchange with Dome Sword Academy, and although our students lost most of the matches, the teachers' performances barely managed to turn the tide in a few matches. On the surface, it looked like a draw, but in reality, we were defeated."
"From what I've heard, the students from Dome Sword Academy were indeed elite, selected from various states, but there's no shame in losing to such a formidable group."
Ling Zhuli smiled, "Yes, but I believe that if you were there, whether as a student or a teacher, no one from Dome Sword Academy could defeat you."
"Different roles come with different responsibilities. I can only do what's most needed at the moment."
"Of course."
Ling Zhuli showed understanding, "What you're doing now is more important than winning temporary victories. But I thought that with your capabilities, Supervisor Chen, you could achieve even more."
As they spoke, they reached the upper end of the rotating corridor, which was about twenty meters above the ground. It was a spacious platform that could accommodate a dozen people.
What stood out the most was the metal wires hanging around the platform like chandeliers, and there were over a dozen similar platforms nearby, though they had been obscured by dense foliage earlier.
Chen Chuan looked around but didn't see anything unusual. He turned back and asked, "So, Assistant Ling, what is it that you wanted to show me? I have many tasks to attend to, so let's be concise."
Ling Zhuli smiled, "Then I'll be straightforward. Since our last conversation, I've wanted to discuss this with you, Supervisor Chen, but the opportunity never seemed right. Now, however, is the perfect time."
"What is it now?"
"Is there something special about this moment?"
Ling Zhuli smiled but didn't answer directly. Instead, he said, "You asked me what I possess last time, Supervisor Chen. Now, I'll show you. After you see it, perhaps you'll understand."
He snapped his fingers, and the surroundings transformed instantly. All the colorful flowers, plants, flowing rivers, and flying birds disappeared, replaced by an endless expanse of green wilderness.
A long, white river snaked across the land, extending into the distant mountains that blended with the sky. Beneath the rich palette of colors, there was an indescribable sense of grandeur.
Yet, all of this paled in comparison to one thing. At a glance, one's gaze would be drawn to it. In the center of the grassland, stood a tree, roughly thirty meters tall by estimation.
Its roots bulged out of the ground, spreading like a dense spider web, intertwining intimately with the earth. Its trunk was thick and towering, standing like a giant, seemingly capable of supporting the entire sky.
The tree's canopy resembled a massive green cloud, hovering above the trunk. Within, countless twisted and rotating branches formed intricate patterns, and where they curled together, there were numerous glowing orbs, like twinkling stars.
The tree was encircled by a layer of milky white mist, which drifted outward into the wilderness, enveloping most of the lush green tree.
Ling Zhuli turned and spoke with restrained fervor, "Allow me to introduce this tree, named 'True Form Tree,' native to Jingbei Convergence Zone. However, it's also quite elusive there, not because it's rare, but due to its symbiotic nature with other organisms. It often abandons its true self before reaching full maturity."
Once it reaches maturity, it can merge with and absorb other organisms, accepting them as part of itself. It is an extremely unique field-based life form, capable of both humility and greatness.
"He will be our stepping stone, our ladder to rise!"
Chen Chuan focused his attention on the tree. At that moment, he thought of the place in Hong Sheng District where Teacher Wu used to live. Chang Dong had mentioned that a plant grew beneath the ground there, but it disappeared later on.
"Does it need to mature? How long has this tree been growing?" Chen Chuan asked.
"It's been a long time; this tree is over thirty years old," came the reply.
Chen Chuan nodded. Thirty years ago, Ling Zhuli had not yet come to the center of Jingbei Dao. Therefore, this tree was likely not planted by her. However, she had previously mentioned having a team, and the sheer power required to accomplish such a feat was indeed formidable.
"Assistant Ling, is this your reliance? Perhaps it is grand enough, or perhaps it is unique, but how can it do what you say it does?" Chen Chuan inquired.
Smiling, Ling Zhuli replied, "That's because you haven't seen its true nature yet, so you can't comprehend it... But, like this..."
She made a gesture, and in an instant, the surrounding scene transformed again.
Chen Chuan found himself and Ling Zhuli standing directly on a branch extending from the tree trunk. The mist was left behind, and he could now see the details more clearly.
As he looked up, his gaze intensified.
From a distance, the leaves and branches seemed to twinkle like morning stars, but upon closer inspection, they were not mere lights—they were human brains, at least several hundred of them, encased in crystal-like white fibers that reflected starlight.
What was even more startling was that these brains seemed to be writhing slightly, as if they were still alive.
...
Ling Zhuli smiled and said, "Supervisor Chen, don't be surprised. They are indeed not dead, or rather, the original consciousness of their owners still exists. They have temporarily abandoned their physical bodies and entrusted their consciousness to this place."
Chen Chuan's eyes narrowed with intensity. "Setting aside the reason for doing this, how did you obtain so many brains, Ling Zhuli?"
Ling Zhuli glanced at him, seemingly surprised that he was concerned about this question first. Nonetheless, she patiently explained that some were purchased, as fighters' brains were always valuable experimental resources.
"Some signed agreements before their deaths to donate their brains," she continued, "and some came from less talented students. We couldn't bear to see them walk a path with no end in sight, so we gave them a second chance at life here."
At that moment, Chen Chuan thought of the duel arena held by the academy, where the battles were fought without regard for casualties. He looked up and said, "I'm sure many of them were once students of Wu Yi Academy."
Ling Zhuli, without any hesitation, replied, "Yes, but we didn't abandon them. We placed them here, making them a part of us. Here, they can continue to pursue their dreams."
"Dreams?" Chen Chuan asked.
"Yes, dreams," Ling Zhuli affirmed. Her tone became more excited as she continued, "You know, once a True Form Tree matures, it can create a field-based consciousness space. It can simulate an almost perfectly identical world within, allowing the consciousness inside to act and grow."
"The limitations of reality are merely a matter of resources," she explained. "Imagine in this simulated environment, where all necessary resources are infinitely available, and talents can be supplemented through various conditions. In theory, every person here can cultivate and reach the third limit, or even higher limits. Here, every fighter can fulfill their dreams and realize their visions."
"But all of this is fake," Chen Chuan said, gazing at her.
"Yes, it is fake for now," Ling Zhuli acknowledged.
Turning to Chen Chuan, she offered a mysterious smile. "But it doesn't have to stay that way. It just requires certain conditions, and it's up to people like us to create those conditions."
She spoke with sincerity, "Supervisor Chen, you need not bear the moral burden. We are engaged in a noble endeavor. Imagine, when we succeed in this path, when everyone can benefit from it, won't the sacrifices along the way be worth it?"
Extending her hand in invitation, she said, "Supervisor Chen, if you're willing to join us, we can make it happen together and change this world."
Chen Chuan stood there, holding the Snow Lady Sword, his gaze calm and unwavering, ignoring Ling Zhuli's outstretched hand. "I'm sorry, sorry, I refuse."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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