Lu Zhi's heart was pounding, but before he could react, Shen Qi had pulled him into the inferno. The flames, nearly three meters high and radiating an intense heat, were enough to turn a person to ash. Yet, the moment Shen Qi stepped into them with him, they vanished, leaving only a cool sensation on his skin.
"Is this fire a projection?" Lu Zhi's mind could only grasp at this thought. "No, I clearly felt the temperature."
Though fleeting, his skin had genuinely felt the stinging heat of the fire.
Shen Qi calmly explained, "It's merely an illusion."
Lu Zhi’s gaze shifted from the flames beside him with surprise. When his eyes fell upon Shen Qi's back, he was astonished to see Shen Qi enveloped in a scarlet glow that flowed along his hand and onto Lu Zhi, shielding him from the approaching flames.
Lu Zhi wondered, if it was an illusion, why was Shen Qi using telekinetic energy, something only extraordinary individuals possessed, to protect him?
"The real is false, and the false is real. Unable to discern the false, and firmly believing it to be true, the false becomes true." A wise and benevolent voice, aged but full of wisdom, echoed from behind them. "This is a saying from ancient texts."
Lu Zhi started abruptly. The flames by the passage vanished instantly, and an old man in a Zhongshan suit slowly approached. His hair was white, his face etched with wrinkles, but his eyes were deep, as unfathomable as those of a sage.
"Elder Hong, it has been a long time," Shen Qi said, shaking hands with the elder.
Lu Zhi had never seen Shen Qi show such respect to anyone before. It wasn't a superficial courtesy, but genuine deference to the elder.
"It's rare for you to visit, and you've even brought a young friend," Elder Hong chuckled, looking at Lu Zhi. His gaze then fell upon Shen Qi's hand.
Lu Zhi finally realized his hand was still being held by Shen Qi. Elder Hong's look felt as if he were observing a curious creature. Feeling a bit awkward, he gently pulled his hand away from Shen Qi and respectfully greeted, "Hello, Elder Hong. I am a freshman from the school, Lu Zhi. I hope you'll forgive my impudent visit."
Elder Hong laughed heartily and patted Lu Zhi's arm affectionately as he walked past. "There's no need to be so nervous. Do I look that fierce? You're so young, don't be so reserved. Feel free to be yourself here."
Lu Zhi smiled shyly. He always felt a little awkward around elders.
"Little Shen, since you're here, come with me first. Let's check on the progress of deciphering the ancient stele you brought back," Elder Hong said, placing his palm on the fingerprint scanner on the wall.
With a beep, the metal door opened. Several men and women in white research coats were moving about inside.
Lu Zhi was immediately captivated by the towering stone stele placed in the center of the research lab. On the descending elevator, researchers were busy deciphering the inscriptions on the stele.
Lu Zhi tilted his head back, estimating the stele's height to be nearly twelve meters. Moss grew on its surface, and researchers were meticulously cleaning it from top to bottom with tools. The upper section already revealed half-finished carvings on the stele.
"This way," Elder Hong said.
Lu Zhi retracted his gaze. Recalling Elder Hong's earlier words, he couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "How did you bring back such a large stele?"
Lu Zhi was certain Shen Qi didn't possess any spatial abilities.
Shen Qi glanced at him. "You'll know in the future."
Lu Zhi asked no further questions and followed Elder Hong to a man seated at a computer. Elder Hong inquired, "How is the progress?"
The man turned his head, a lollipop sticking out of his mouth, yet he wore gold-rimmed glasses, exuding a refined demeanor mixed with a hint of roguishness. "It's the same old story. We've only cleaned about a third of the moss and grime on the stele. That one section of the pattern provides too little information. Take a look yourself."
Lu Zhi noticed a name tag clipped to the man's breast pocket: Du Ximing, Chief Engineer of the Network Security Department.
"It's less than half a month, and reaching this point is already excellent," Elder Hong said to Shen Qi, his voice filled with admiration as he focused on the screen. "Every item Little Shen brings back from ruins provides incredibly valuable insights."
Du Ximing rapidly tapped the keyboard. On the large screen, one side displayed the surveillance video recorded from all angles, while the other showed photographs of the cleared patterns on the stele. Though only a third was visible, it gave Lu Zhi a sense of familiarity.
"I cross-referenced it with the database, and indeed, I found something useful," Du Ximing said, the screen's brightness reflecting in his glasses. Two crests that Lu Zhi had seen before popped up on the screen – the divine imprints Shen Qi had shown him.
However, when Shen Qi had shown them to him, the imprints were reversed. Seeing them now in their proper orientation, Lu Zhi felt that familiar sense of recognition, as if he should know these imprints and crests.
"There's a twenty-six percent chance that the patterns on this stele are new divine imprints," Du Ximing said, crunching on the candy. He pulled another one from his pocket and suddenly looked at Lu Zhi, asking, "Want one?"
Lu Zhi blinked. He hadn't eaten candy in years. Looking at the colorful, childlike wrapper, he accepted it. "Thank you."
Du Ximing then offered one to Shen Qi. "Brother Shen, want some candy?"
Shen Qi accepted the candy without hesitation, which surprised Du Ximing. It wasn't the first time he'd offered Shen Qi candy, but it was the first time it wasn't refused.
However, when he saw what Shen Qi did next, Du Ximing was stunned.
"Here you go." Shen Qi, in turn, handed the candy to Lu Zhi.
Lu Zhi, who had already half-unwrapped the candy, paused, his eyes blank. "I already have one."
Shen Qi took the candy from his hand and placed his own into Lu Zhi's. "I like yours." The last words were as if spoken with a mouthful of something.
Du Ximing: !!! Holy crap, what did I just hear?
Elder Hong, focused on the patterns: ...Heh, youth is indeed wonderful.
Lu Zhi suddenly understood. "So Teacher Shen likes orange flavor. I'll remember that."
Shen Qi stared into his bright eyes for a moment before nodding. He normally put the lollipop into his mouth. The white stick dangled outside his mouth, making him look as if he were holding a cigarette from a distance. Seen from the side, his eyes drooped, exuding an elegant yet somewhat roguish air.
Lu Zhi unwrapped the strawberry-flavored lollipop and sucked on it with relish, completely oblivious to the teasing undertone in Shen Qi's earlier words.
Of course, perhaps he had heard it but decided to pretend not to understand.
"Good. Once everything is cleaned, we'll know. If it truly is a divine imprint, it will be another major discovery," Elder Hong said, happily patting Du Ximing's shoulder. Then he turned to Shen Qi and said, "You don't come to me without a reason. Is there something you want to ask me? Is it related to this young friend beside you?"
The lollipop in Lu Zhi's mouth spun, and his eyes drifted towards Shen Qi.
"Yes, it's about the divine imprints. I wanted to ask you about it," Shen Qi said directly, without any preamble.
Elder Hong's eyes lit up. He looked at Lu Zhi and excitedly clasped his hand. "Could it be, could it really have appeared? Quick, let me see."
Lu Zhi was startled by Elder Hong's excited demeanor and hesitated. "Do... do I have to take off my clothes here?"
"I don't mind," Du Ximing said.
Shen Qi gave him a sidelong glance. Du Ximing flinched and quickly turned away.
Lu Zhi unbuttoned two buttons. Suddenly, a sharp warning siren blared, and the blue screen flashed with numerous red warning windows.
Du Ximing's expression shifted slightly. "It's the Longkan. The Longkan is about to descend."
Lu Zhi was inwardly shocked. Wasn't it still night? Why would the Longkan descend early?