by <unknown>
…
Five days passed.
The major discovery on Kunlun shocked the entire world of Cultivators.
A dead body of the member of the Pangu Clan, which still boasted a lot of living cells and intact gene strands, a living Immortal Cultivator, an undamaged war base of the Immortal Cultivators, and a Colossus, which hopefully could still be recovered, had been captured!
The good news was making the Cultivators seethe with joy. Nobody could have hoped for a bigger windfall!
However, the formidability of the Imperium of True Human Beings, the dreadfulness of the Alliance of the Holy Covenant, and the mysterious truth about the origins of human beings cast an unpredictable dark cloud over the future of the New Federation, too.
Burning Prairie brought a lot of star beacons.
A space gate made of more than three hundred star beacons was slowly unfolded above Kunlun.
When the three hundred star beacons broadcast waves of special frequencies toward the Heaven's Origin Sector, the Blood Demon Sector, and the Flying Star Sector at the same time, a broad, unhindered gate was opened.
A lot of starships jumped to Kunlun from the three Sectors, projecting a large batch of mobile camps and laboratories to Kunlun.
Right near the primeval battlefield that Li Yao and his fellows discovered, a base that belonged to the Star Glory Federation had been rooted and was expanding on a daily basis.
In the near future, the federation would extend their hands to the deepest parts of Kunlun, chewing and absorbing every component and even every screw on the planetary warship for their own use!
Due to the heavy wounds and his dry soul, Li Yao was not able to shoulder the side effects of a space jump yet.
Moreover, he could not bear to leave such a paradise.
Kunlun was indeed a place of fortune. He could dig out the debris of a few pieces of magical equipment anywhere randomly.
Even though he was not healthy enough to study them yet, he could always satisfy himself for the time being by looking at the sophisticated ancient runes.
Therefore, Li Yao simply decided to treat his wounds on Kunlun. After all, Ding Lingdang had come over on Burning Prairie. With her company, this place was no different from home.
After five days of rest, his wounds were more or less recovered. Having had enough rest, Li Yao almost could not wait to explore the depths of Kunlun again.
However, before that, another mission that was more urgent was awaiting him.
"Su Changfa wants to talk to me?"
The news that Guo Chunfeng brought to him made him scratch his head for quite a while.
The Immortal Cultivator and his war base were perhaps trophies more important to the federation than the relics of the Pangu Clan on Kunlun.
The reason was simple. The primeval treasures in the relics of the Pangu civilization, however incredible and powerful they used to be, came from hundreds of thousands of years ago. After such a long time, most of them were already too rusted to be studied.
Even the intact treasures might not be readily usable because the body structures of the Pangu Clan and human beings were slightly different anyway.
The Immortal Cultivators and the Cultivators, in comparison, belonged to the same civilization of the same era. There was no gap between them.
The two parties differed in their ideology, but when it came to Cultivation arts, there was not the slightest disparity.
The Cultivators could pick up and use the Immortal Cultivators' Cultivation arts, magical equipment, and techniques without any obstacles.
Besides, an expedition fleet of the Imperium of True Human Beings was now marching toward the federation aggressively.
According to Su Changfa and the other Immortal Cultivators, the soldiers of the fleet from the Black Wind Sector were a notorious, unpardonable race even within the Imperium.
So, it was all the more important to grasp as much intelligence about them as possible!
For the federation at this moment, Su Changfa, as a living Immortal Cultivator, was definitely much more valuable than the dead member of the Pangu Clan.
Su Changfa was heavily wounded and unable to survive long-distance space jumps. Therefore, Guo Chunfeng simply brought a team of his elite subordinates to Kunlun to interrogate him.
But naturally, the old and cunning fox's mouth would not be opened so easily.
Li Yao found it more or less understandable that the guy wanted to meet him.
After all, the old Immortal Cultivator had been 'trapped' by him and was probably unwilling to admit his failure just like that.
Li Yao intended to find out more about the world of the Immortal Cultivators. Therefore, he agreed without any hesitation and went to the single prison cell that the Secret Sword Bureau had specially prepared for Su Changfa.
Out of his expectations, he ran into an unannounced guest in front of the prison cell.
"Master Gui, what brings you here?" Li Yao asked, somewhat surprised.
The old man standing in front of him looked like both a giant tortoise that had stood on its feet and a mottled rock statue. It was Gui Suishou, the most famous guy who had outlived his usefulness, an 'absolute pessimist', and the proposer of the Monument Plan!
"My young friend Li Yao, greetings!"
Gui Suishou seemed to be quite unused to the high gravity on Kunlun because his tortoise shell was apparently much heavier than before. Yet, his face was as delighted as ever when he said with a smile, "As you know, I am a historian, and it is my responsibility to record every groundbreaking event while our civilization is walking toward its doom!
"The discovery of Kunlun is certainly a groundbreaking event. Of course, I had to come to this place and witness everything our legendary parent civilization once created in person.
"I'm told that you, my young friend, even killed a member of our parent civilization with your own hands. That was indeed incredibly courageous of you!"
Chapter 1294: Old but Never Die |
"Master Gui…" Having just killed a member of the Pangu Clan in personal, it would have been too hypocritical for Li Yao to say that he did not feel particularly good about it. "Do you still insist that 'a son will be dead if his father wants him dead'?"
Gui Suishou smiled causally. "Of course I still do. After hearing the history of the Imperium of True Human Beings' rise and the truth about the Path of Ultimate Benevolence, I am even more convinced!
"I believe that the Pangu civilization might've implemented their version of the Monument Plan when they were coming to their doom. However, it was not monuments that they sprayed into the sea of stars but seeds.
"Now, after hundreds of thousands of years of growing, the seeds are sprouting, blossoming, and yielding fruit again.
"Li Yao, my young friend, you are truly worth complimenting for killing a member of the Pangu Clan, but the greater enlightenment of the incident should be that a living member of the Pangu Clan can survive hundreds of thousands of years or even longer through hibernation!
"The universe is a boundless place with infinite worlds. You don't think that there is just this one member of the Pangu civilization in the hibernation state in entire universe whom you have accidentally encountered and killed, do you?
"What if other members of the Pangu civilization wake up from their hibernation elsewhere, not to be killed by heroes like you but to be embraced by the people of the Covenant Alliance dominated by the Path of Ultimate Benevolence?"
Clear, innocent brilliance beamed out of Gui Suishou's dirty eyes.
Li Yao was so angry that his teeth were itching. It was what the old tortoise did all the time. He always liked to propose theories that would extinguish other people's delight but were irrefutable!
"Then, you are free to study the relics of the Pangu Clan carefully, Master Gui. What are you doing here?" Li Yao snapped with a gloomy face.
"I'm here specifically for you, my young friend," Gui Suishou said unhurriedly. "I wonder, can we talk
more after you finish your conversation with the Immortal Cultivator?"
Li Yao scratched his head. "Is it for the Monument Plan? We can talk about it later. Most of the resources of the Glorious Sunlight Group will still be focused on the development of Kunlun for the time being."
"Yes and no," Gui Suishou said. "It's true that the Monument Plan is in dire need of funding, but it is not a project that can be rushed. I'm simply curious about you, Li Yao, and I'm hoping to record your words and actions, as many as possible!"
This time, Li Yao was truly puzzled. "Why?"
"I am a historian. I want to keep the marks of the last glory of our civilization as best as I can. But the so-called civilization is not just about cities and relics but, more importantly, about people!
"Cities are not a civilization, and magical equipment is not a civilization. Only people are what makes a civilization!
"I feel that you are a very interesting example of our civilization. Your life experience, your quotes, and your anecdotes should be built into a vivid 'monument' to tell the brand-new civilizations in billions of years what a 'Cultivator' really is.
"Therefore, I'm planning to write a biography for you to add to the 'monuments' in the future, which will be passed on for millions if not billions of years!
"To some extent, you will be sort of 'immortalized' in such a way, my young friend Li Yao!"
Gui Suishou spoke delightedly with a 'now-come-on-and-thank-me' face.
However, Li Yao had goosebumps all over his body as he put on an extremely weird expression.
He had never thought that his tales would be passed on to others millions of years in the future, not even in his wildest dreams. It was… too creepy!
The old tortoise's head was indeed abnormal!
For a moment, Li Yao felt that he had turned into a relic himself, or perhaps a well-preserved dry cadaver, which was being sliced for research and commented on by some green-skinned, three-headed, and six-armed creatures.
Shuddering in coldness, he made a few empty promises to Gui Suishou and walked into the prison cell.
"Senior Su!"
Su Changfa and Guo Chunfeng were alone in the prison cell, one sitting and the other lying.
The place was not creepy at all for a prison cell. Instead, the ivory ceiling and the wall that was the color of a green apple made it look more like a ward with full facilities. Except for the barriers around the sickbed, there was not the slightest intimidating vibe of interrogation.
Compared to five days ago, Su Changfa looked much better. It seemed that he had adapted to the lifestyle in the world of Cultivators. At this moment, he was sitting cross-legged on the bed with a crystal processor in his hands, reading a jade chip carefully.
The five days did not prove to be entirely futile. Su Changfa had traded some valuable intelligence for a crystal processor and a brief introduction to the Star Glory Federation.
Right now, the two parties both had a basic understanding about each other.
"Fellow Cultivator Li, we meet again." Seeing Li Yao walk in, the old Immortal Cultivator put down the crystal processor and smiled calmly. "I didn't know that you have achieved so many astonishing accomplishments despite your young age. You are truly a pillar in the world of the Cultivators of the Heaven's Origin Sector. How blind I was!"
Li Yao's lips curled up.
He did not find Su Changfa too distasteful.
Perhaps, it was because the two of them had once fought side by side, or perhaps it was because Su Changfa had not committed any inhuman crimes in his presence.
"Is there anything you want to say to me, Senior Su?' Li Yao directly got to the matter at hand.
"Yes. In the past few days, I have exchanged some intelligence for your files. The more I read, the more I was surprised. Such a young hero like you is a rarely-seen talent even in the Imperium!"
Su Changfa glanced at Guo Chunfeng and sneered, "If I must confess, I would rather communicate with a frank and forthright Cultivator such as you than fall into those who are willing to do anything to achieve their goal!"
Guo Chunfeng scratched his nose. Even if he was embarrassed, his face certainly did not betray his feelings.
Li Yao raised an eyebrow and said, "Senior Su, have you thought everything through? Are you ready to confess?"
"Yes, I can confess, but I want to confirm something first." Su Changfa smiled. "Fellow Cultivator Li, if you consider yourself to be the most standard Cultivator, you will definitely persevere in your bright and righteous belief and will not waver easily, right?"
Li Yao nodded. "Of course!"
"I'm aware that there is a 'Constitution of Cultivators' in the Star Glory Federation. The law is the lowest criterion of the Cultivators' belief. Therefore, you will certainly abide by the law. Correct?"
"Yes!"
"If somebody else is violating the law, a 'true Cultivator' such as yourself will absolutely not idle by but help serve justice, right?"
"Naturally."
"If you watch and do nothing, your belief will be sullied, and you will not stop questioning yourself. In the worst case-scenario, your belief will collapse, and your level will plummet, right?"
"So what? What are you trying to say, Senior Su?"
Su Changfa nodded quickly. "Then, I'm truly confused now. Fellow Cultivator Li, you and I have fought a bloody battle together. We should be acquaintances even if we are not friends. Why are you doing nothing while I'm in prison, Fellow Cultivator Li?
"If I may ask, what law of your country have I violated exactly, and why do I deserve to be confined and even interrogated by the agent organization of your country without good reason?
"This is a heinous action that is seriously in violation of human rights. Are you not going to stand out and serve justice, Fellow Cultivator Li? Where's your belief?"
Li Yao was dazed for a moment before he blurted out, "Are you not an Immortal Cultivator?"
"So what?" Su Changfa replied frankly. "Is it a crime to be an Immortal Cultivator in your country?"
Dumbfounded for a long time, Li Yao turned around and asked Guo Chunfeng, "Brother Guo, is it a crime to be an Immortal Cultivator?"
Guo Chunfeng frowned. "It… doesn't seem to be a crime to be an Immortal Cultivator."
"That's it. Whatever the law does not forbid, you are free to do. Now that being an Immortal Cultivator is not a crime in your country, for exactly what reason have you captured me?"
Su Changfa leaned against the wall and said like a rascal, "Even if being an Immortal Cultivator is truly a crime, how do you determine that I am an Immortal Cultivator? Are there any unique physiological features about the Immortal Cultivators? Are the two words 'Immortal Cultivator' on my forehead? Or is it simply because I said I was one?
"Yes. I'm indeed from the Imperium of True Human Beings, and I mentioned that I was an Immortal Cultivator, but is it really evidence?
"Tang Qianhe was from the Imperium of True Human Beings, too. She claimed to be an Immortal Cultivator, too. What happened later?
"You are convicting me based on just a few words and tales that I told Fellow Cultivator Li. I don't think it is appropriate, is it?"
Li Yao blinked. "Indeed, it is not."
"There must be a misunderstanding, Senior Su." Guo Chunfeng coughed and said, "We did not capture you because you are an Immortal Cultivator. Part of your freedom is only limited because you are believed to be a threat to the national security of the federation. That's why we are investigating you."
"What a joke!" Su Changfa snapped. "I had not heard the name 'Star Glory Federation' before I jumped to this area. Also, my original destination was not the Heaven's Origin Sector, either. We were merely using this place as a platform because we were attracted by the waves caused by the integration of the Heaven's Origin Sector and the Blood Demon Sector!
"How could I be a threat to your national security when I didn't even know the name of the Star Glory Federation?"
Li Yao frowned. "But you
were planning to launch an invasion to us!"
"As far as I know, the Imperium of True Human Beings has never declared war on the Star Glory Federation or any other political entity in the universe," Su Changfa replied innocently. "What's 'invasion' all about?
"Even if a war between the two nations does break out, does it have anything to do with smallfolk such as myself? I'm just a traveler in the sea of stars who enjoys the ecstasy of discovering more Sectors!"
"Smallfolk?" Li Yao sneered. "Anyone who is not blind can see the huge war base outside! Besides, are you not an official of the 'Immigration Bureau' of the Imperium?"
Li Yao took out the 'green card' that Su Changfa had issued him.
"I'm just a regular civil official." Su Changfa did not even bat an eye when he was lying. "I can't see how an official of the Immigration Bureau is a threat to the national security of your country. As for the war base… the universe is a vast and perilous place. Everybody brings some self-defense magical equipment with them. Are the carriers of your country not armed at all?
"Most importantly of all, even if I was indeed armed to my teeth, I didn't land on the territory of your country! Your territory is the Heaven's Origin Sector. Is this place Heaven's Origin Sector? This is not your jurisdiction. On what basis are you arresting me?
"Fellow Cultivator Li, you are a kind, noble Cultivator. How can you do nothing about such absurd actions? Can the law be overlooked and the innocent such as me be sacrificed easily just because a groundless indictment of 'national security'? How is it different from the Immortal Cultivators' actions?"
Chapter 1295: Thorn on the Belief |
Li Yao and Guo Chunfeng were both dumbfounded.
It was not because Su Changfa's brazenness was beyond their expectations, nor because they had no rebuttals, but because they were shocked by Su Changfa's childishness.
Did the guy think that they would set him free after he won a game of words?
Li Yao's eyelids were twitching.
He believed that Su Changfa was definitely not such a boring man. The man was the soul of the three Immortal Cultivators!
