Chapter 780 - Bestowed With an Opportunity? (2/2)
“You’re really putting on airs, aren’t you, kiddo? To think that you dare to make these two old men wait until now… you’re really making me… irritated!” Tang Guosheng intentionally greeted his grandson with a scolding even though he was very excited to see him.
Duanmu Lin waved and smilingly interjected, “A young man that is always busy is actually a good thing, Old Tang. There’s no need to discipline him like that. He’s really very good. I just got a message from Mist Source Island’s authority who have reported that he had done an excellent job in solving the issues over there. I want to praise him for it.”
Tang Guosheng smiled, then pointed to Duanmu Lin and said, “Alright, this elderly man is Duanmu Lin, how about you greet him and call him Grandpa Duanmu?”
Tang Xiu observed Duanmu Lin and smilingly said, “This Tang Xiu feels very flattered to have the elderly take a very long hard trip just to see me. There are only a few people worth my respect in China nowadays and you’re definitely one of them.”
“Not bad. I finally found another strong point of yours. You can butter people up,” replied Duanmu Lin with a smile.
Tang Xiu couldn’t help but laugh. He didn’t act with restraint in front of Duanmu Lin. However, since this person held great power in his hand, Tang Xiu didn’t want to be too casual either and mixed intimacy and humility in balance. He continued inquiring, “Anyways, there’s no way you came to Jingmen Island just to give me praise, right? May I know what you need from me?”
Duanmu Lin could smell the fragrance of medicinal herbs from Tang Xiu after he entered the room, thus proving that Tang Xiu was really able to concoct medicinal pills. Facing the inquiry from Tang Xiu, he didn’t beat around the bush and smilingly said, “You’re right. I came here to personally ask you something.”
“And… what is that exactly?” asked Tang Xiu.
“Life Essence Pill,” answered Duanmu Lin
Tang Xiu was a bit stunned but then let out a wry smile. “I didn’t expect you to be this well-informed, you caught the news already. Li Juren seems like the one who has revealed it, am I right? Nevertheless, I do still have several Life Essence Pills which I prepared for my family members. But since the elderly have already spoken about it, I’ll give them to you first. You have been working hard for the country, after all. It’s been rough on you.”
After saying that, Tang Xiu put his hand into his pocket to conceal the fact that he took out the jade bottle from his interspatial ring. He then spoke to Duanmu Lin, “The Life Essence Pills are in this bottle. Taking one can increase a lifespan for three to five years.”
Duanmu Lin couldn’t help but be shocked inside. He received the jade bottle with both of his hands, carefully scrutinizing it for a long time before speaking with satisfaction, “No one is exempted from Mother Nature, for everyone wants to live for several more years. Tang Xiu, you have a special identity and you may not have a liking for wealth. In this case, I’ll give you an opportunity. Aren’t you cultivators always speaking about fortuitous encounters?”
“Exactly what kind of fortuitous encounter are you talking about?” Tang Xiu was both startled and puzzled.
“Three-star vestige,” answered Duanmu Lin.
“Three-star vestige? What exactly is it?” asked Tang Xiu again.
“Some extraterrestrial beings have appeared on our planet. This is an extremely important national secret and few people have the right to hear this information. You’re not an outsider, so I can take responsibility and tell you about it. The unexpected arrival of these extraterrestrial intelligent beings could be said to bring calamity, yet it could also bring about a good opportunity for study and research. Abiding by the international law on this issue, humanity has found some vestiges and classified them into ranks: One Star, Two-Star, three-star, Four-Star, and Five-Star Vestiges respectively.
“I have never heard of the appearance of a Five-Star Vestige, but the Four-Star ones have appeared twice. The first one being the Pyramids in Egypt, and the second one being the Bermuda Triangle. The two vestiges have been explored and various countries have obtained some good treasures, strictly speaking. Yet, they have not been able to obtain the most important core secret so far. In addition, the second vestige can’t be explored due to some special restrictions.
“The three-star vestiges similarly bring about fatal temptations for all countries. The science and technology of all countries have been developing very rapidly in the last 2-3 decades. It could be said that they are a byproduct from the shadows of the technology obtained from these vestiges. The United States has even found a worn-down alien spaceship in the Amazon rainforest. That established the United States as a great world power, advancing their science and technology by leaps and bounds.”
“As for the two-star and one-star vestiges, they are classified as small vestiges. Some are left on Earth by the progenitors of mankind, while some originate from extraterrestrial beings. The treasures obtained by various countries from these vestiges are rather insignificant.”
As Duanmu Lin spoke up to this point, a bit of helplessness appeared in his eyes. He forced a smile and continued, “I did say that I want to bestow upon you an opportunity. But truth be told, I want you to also contribute to the country. As a matter of fact, this three-star vestige is a very recent discovery and obtaining a massive number of alien technologies would be a great boon to our country’s power.”
Tang Xiu only had a bit of interest himself, if any, towards alien science and technology. He was an immortal cultivator, after all, and he would rely on his own strength to smash the void and break the shackles of heaven, then ascend and eventually become an immortal.
After listening to Duanmu Lin’s explanation, however, he made up his mind to take a trip there, because he currently still needed to make a fortune. He could earn massive wealth if he was able to obtain this alien technology, which would be helpful in his endeavor to obtain more cultivation resources in the future.
“Could you tell me the situation with this newly discovered three-star vestige?”
“It’s located in a place known as the Maritime Crossroad, the Straits of Malacca,” answered Duanmu Lin. “To the west is the Burmese Sea, with the southeastern side connected to the South China Sea. The entire length of the strait is about 1080 km, with its southeastern part connecting to the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. This newly discovered three-star vestige is located at the junction near the bottom of the sea, however.”
“Huh?” Tang Xiu was surprised and interjected, “What kind of people can countries send to explore this three-star vestige at such a location?”
“Our country itself will dispatch people with at least at the martial art grandmaster level, along with some ability users, of course,” replied Duanmu Lin with a solemn expression. “As a matter of fact, we have assembled a team for it already and they are rushing to the destination before May 1st. Some other countries will also dispatch people with extraordinary abilities. Although I don’t know exactly what kind of people will be dispatched by the other countries, I’m sure that none of them will be ordinary people.”