Chapter 2017 August 9th

More than a month had passed since the Taling and Kro people descended upon the solar system, followed by the explosion of their ships, forcing them to become interstellar refugees.

During this time, the official stance of various countries remained consistently silent. Only a few specialized news programs acknowledged 'the existence of intelligent aliens capable of interstellar travel.' Beyond that, there was no news about them worldwide.

Naturally, as everyone knew, the more officials tried to cover things up, the greater the interest became. Many curious netizens also keenly noticed that literary genres like 'science fiction novels' and 'science fiction movies,' which had been gradually declining due to the revival of spiritual energy, as well as their representative creators and directors, were receiving support from a mysterious foundation. In addition, various popular science articles related to interstellar travel appeared in the corners of news reports, alongside the activities of national space agencies.

Not to mention the obvious fact that various new energy stocks, aerospace stocks, and aviation technology stocks were all rising at a visible rate.

"There's no point in hiding it! I can tell with my eyes closed that the whole world is analyzing alien technology right now!"

"Thanks for the invite, currently in the solar system, my spaceship just exploded. Stuck on Earth, I implore all kind brothers and sisters to donate some materials, and I will surely repay you when I rebuild my spaceship!"

"Yay! I made money!"

"Speaking of which, the Taling people we saw a glimpse of, why do they look so much like crabs? And so big... I have a bold idea! (Drooling picture)"

"The state has strict laws regarding your bold ideas. jpg"

Although most netizens were using a joking tone to deal with all of this, everyone knew what it meant.

—The calm before the storm.

Only when thunder rumbles in the sky does the torrential rain pour down. Everyone was anticipating and discussing what amazing things would be revealed to the public when officials were fully prepared and officially lifted the curtain.

"Seriously, even if the government is secretly developing spaceships, there's nothing to be excited about, right?"

Of course, there were always doubters. Whether in Zheng Country or on international forums, there were always people who said: "Think about it, ancient immortals and gods had their own teleportation techniques and could survive in space—do we really need spaceships? Look, Su Zhou shot one down."

"In the end, spaceships, even battleships, are just like that, there's nothing to look forward to."

There were objections, and naturally, there were objections to the objections. Originally, a fierce debate was supposed to erupt in the replies below this dissenter's comment, lasting a long time.

However, due to an accident, all the debates and discussions that should have appeared fizzled out.

Global First Judge - Su Zhou (Officially Verified v): "I can say this kind of thing, but what are you saying when you probably haven't even cultivated to the level of Extraordinary? Just because everyone cultivates and can swim, does that mean we don't need boats? Just because everyone can fly, does that mean we don't need airplanes? You can walk, so you don't need bicycles, cars, subways, or any transportation?"

Tapping out this reply on his phone screen with one hand, a certain Big V unhesitatingly cursed: "Anti-intellectualism, get lost!"

—In the final analysis, the ancient immortals and gods were indeed powerful, but their civilization was not a system that allowed everyone to be happy. People relied on immortals and gods, but did not have the power to belong to themselves and protect themselves.

The path of technology is also truth. Although it also requires selecting talent, it is, after all, a power rooted in the collective. There is no reason to say that if you have spiritual power, you cannot develop technology.

Su Zhou knew very well how many forwards, replies, likes, or dislikes his speech would attract, as well as more derivative topics.

But now, he didn't have time to keep scrolling on his phone.

Turning his head in the dense primeval forest, Su Zhou looked at the five poachers he had tied to a tree, barely breathing, and couldn't help but click his tongue. "Each one has pretty good strength, but they don't do anything good. They learn to poach wild spiritual beasts. If I hadn't happened to encounter them, who knows how many more protected species would have been poisoned."

Today was another good day to randomly select a few criminals to eat in jail. While inspecting the country, Su Zhou discovered these guys in the Southeast Primeval Forest Reserve of Zheng Country, attempting to hunt spirit deer and steal spirit plants.

Although the beast god realm's divine beasts were already familiar with the industry of raising spiritual beasts, and their technology and development had reached the peak of perfection, that didn't mean that the ecological reserves on Earth should be abandoned just because there was a beast god realm. Therefore, taking advantage of the opportunity of the expansion of several primeval forest areas during the revival of spiritual energy, the Zheng Country official announced several large biological reserves, where the ecology of wild spiritual beasts and spirit plants was cultivated, as observation and cultivation sites for the extraordinary academies' students of related disciplines.

However, as long as there are profits, there will be trouble—the prices of various monster cores and spirit plants in the global market are simply sky-high. Even if they are not processed by professional refiners, most of these things are poisonous, but consumers can't resist the blind impulse... In addition, some people need spirit plants and monster cores that can't be bought on the normal market, so the poachers' market arose and became one of the mainstream of global crime.

Yes, mainstream.

It must be said that since the revival of spiritual energy, the various petty thefts and even robbery and murder cases that Su Zhou could see had become increasingly rare. Perhaps in countries and places outside the three central areas, there were still evildoers who could oppress ordinary people with extraordinary power, but in Zheng Country, most serious crimes had disappeared.

Not to mention a randomly refreshing big boss like Su Zhou, who had nothing to do and flew around the country to see if there was a chance to eradicate evil, just the Yansheng's 'Dao One Central Celestial Calculation Hub', which could determine whether a person was likely to commit a crime through divination, could prevent most crimes.

But poachers are different. First of all, this profession earns a lot, so there are always lucky people who take risks. And because they are not dealing with people, and there is no saying about cause and effect for wild things, it is difficult to calculate and measure by divination.

After all, when the technique of divination was invented, the ancient immortals and gods did not expect that wild animals would need to be protected one day.

"Who cares about that kind of thing?"

Of course, this did not prevent them from being caught by Su Zhou.

At this time, the five poachers were hanging on the tree like bacon, completely unconscious, while seven or eight spirit deer, originally their intended targets, were kicking them with their hooves.

Su Zhou did not intend to stop them. He called the nearby forest police to collect these criminals and then prepared to leave to continue his cultivation today.

But just at this moment, he sensed a palpitation of the heart.

That was... the aura of the Wisdom Tree.

"Oh, it's awake!"

Immediately, Su Zhou was delighted, and then opened his personal space to look inside.

"This is..."

And when he opened the door to his personal space, Su Zhou was shocked.

Because the entire personal space was covered in warm, white light, shining brightly. An incredibly rich, pure aura permeated the air, making it feel as if he were in a treasure trove that contained countless inheritances of immortals and gods, and great Dao scriptures.

Although it sounds a bit exaggerated, this was Su Zhou's true inner thought. He even felt like he had been attacked by the spiritual energy of the Wisdom Tree and almost comprehended the supreme truth of the culinary Dao on how to use chili peppers to make nine kinds of stir-fried meat.

But after being with the Wisdom Tree for a long time, and with the Wisdom Tree's spirit residing in his soul space, Su Zhou quickly got rid of this influence and looked at the center of his personal space.

There, he saw a 'divine tree' that had shed all its mortal shells and shone brightly.

—Originally, the Wisdom Tree was just a dried branch that had been collected by the Holy Serpent Litanies and had been dried for who knows how long.

It was not until Yala reawakened it and ordered Su Zhou to use his own essence, mixed with the fragments of the True Cross, to nurture its spirit and attach it to a potted apple tree that it was considered to have been born.

For three years, the Wisdom Tree had been growing and expanding, but the outer shell of the apple tree had remained unchanged. Even if an angel spirit holding a fire sword was born on the branches, and the whole body was shrouded in a cyan-white light, this point had never changed.

But now, after absorbing the dragon blood of the Primordial Dragon, Matvey, which contained the three dragons of heaven, earth, and man, and absorbing most of the blood of the opponents Su Zhou had killed, the Wisdom Tree had finally grown to the point where it had 'shed its mortal shell'.

It could be seen that the body of the Wisdom Tree had transformed into a 'light divine tree' with a flowing white light and faint cyan patterns. It was rooted in the four founding elements of the reincarnation world, spreading its flame-like buds and leaves. A faint fragrance of grass and trees, mixed with a spirit light that cleared the mind, was released from it, filling the entire personal space.

And at this moment, the spirit of the Wisdom Tree also slowly awakened the moment its body finished growing.

"So... comfortable!"

It let out such a cheer, and the spirit of the divine tree, which was also emitting a great light, illuminated Su Zhou's personal space like a searchlight: "I'm—so bright!"

Then, the spirit of the Wisdom Tree noticed Su Zhou, and it immediately became excited, swaying its branches: "Fertilizer... Master!"

Entering his personal space and approaching the Wisdom Tree, Su Zhou walked forward and touched its trunk, causing the Wisdom Tree to tremble all over, as if it felt very comfortable.

Then, he raised his head, looked at the Wisdom Tree, which was already more than ten meters high, and smiled softly: "Not bad, it feels very smooth—little tree, you've grown up too."

"Not big, not big!"

In response, the Wisdom Tree, which was a little more mature and spoke more fluently, shook its branches, causing bursts of white light powder to fall like particle effects: "Master is strong, I'm bigger!"

Then, a leaf fell, and Su Zhou, who had raised his hand, caught it. But before he could clench this flame-like white divine tree leaf, it turned into a ball of soft light and entered the youth's palm.

The warm feeling seemed to run through his soul, and a faint leaf-like pattern appeared on Su Zhou's palm.

And at this moment, Su Zhou understood that this was the divine tree's true recognition of him!

Originally, the divine tree was just a spirit residing in Su Zhou's soul space. This was the path that Yala had paved for him, allowing the independent divine tree to have a connection with Su Zhou, with mutual cause and effect, helping each other. You give me nutrients, and I give you back divine fruit, it was that simple and practical.

But in essence, they were both independent lives. If they ever parted ways, there would be no connection in the future.

But now, with Su Zhou's help, the Wisdom Tree, which had grown rapidly to this point, willingly called him 'Master' and recognized Su Zhou's power and everything he had done for it.

—That was not a relationship that could be explained by a simple equivalent exchange.

At this moment, Su Zhou even had a sense of clarity in his heart.

The Wisdom Tree that had grown to this point... was no longer purely the 'Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil' in that covenant.

This was a 'symbiotic divine tree' that was nurtured by him, influenced by him, achieved him, and was also achieved by him... a kind of mutual reliance.

【——In the southern wilderness, there is a god named Zhuzhou, with a dragon head and white wings, who can discern people's hearts, who dwells in the wind and eats fire, who dwells in the rain and eats thunder.】

It was as if some legend had been shattered, and some new legend had been integrated into it... In an unknowable realm, everything new began to reorganize.

【——In the southern wilderness, there is a god named Zhuzhou, with a dragon head and white wings, who can discern people's hearts, who dwells in the wind and eats fire, who dwells in the rain and eats thunder, who does not dwell in un-wise wood, seeing which brings wisdom, prevents people from being bewitched, and whose scales can ward off evil.】

However, the trance was only a moment. Su Zhou only vaguely grasped this imperceptible thought, but had not yet reached the realm where he could clearly understand the meaning behind it.

So, he was just slightly puzzled and then became happy.

"I won't say any pretty words. Since you recognize me, then I recognize you too."

Saying this, Su Zhou laughed loudly. Then, he looked around his personal space and shook his head: "Well, although it can barely accommodate you, this personal space does indeed need to be strengthened... When Yala wakes up, ask it if there are any materials that can strengthen the space and allow you to grow faster."

"Master, you're the best!"

In response, the Wisdom Tree cheered again, because it knew very well that if Su Zhou said it, then he would do it. This master of his might be irritable, extreme, and his actions might seem more evil than good, but he could do everything he promised.

Su Zhou accepted the Wisdom Tree's flattery and praise without any shame—because he was indeed the best tree planter and fertilizer official in this world.

However, in the end, when leaving his personal space, Su Zhou still turned his head and took a deep look at the small soul that had been newly added, as well as Yala, who was still sleeping at the top of the Wisdom Tree.

Then, he closed the gate of time and space and returned to Earth.

A few days later, August 16, 2017.

While Su Zhou was in the Tiandu Security Bureau's conference room, discussing the work content for the second half of the year with Tang Yuan and other security bureau action team leaders, he suddenly received a message from Yansheng.

"What's the matter, Yansheng?"

Opening the proxy terminal on his left hand, Su Zhou said with some confusion: "I'm in a meeting, discussing a plan to crack down on poachers—although it was Tang Yuan's idea, I think it's a genius idea! Investing in games, linking with market games, and then for every bit of money players spend on the game, a corresponding amount of funds will be invested in independent poacher hunting teams... It's just genius!"

In response, Tang Yuan waved his hand. The pale-faced youth shook his head shyly and said: "I also saw it on the internet... It's not my credit..."

【Ah, this idea is indeed worth trying...】

Yansheng, who had been quite serious, was a little confused by Su Zhou. He paused for a long time before slowly saying: 【Although it may be a bit of a disturbance, the committee has a top-secret mission that requires your strength. You should know what it is.】

【I'll be waiting for you at the hub.】

"Oh... I think I know. After so long, it should have been found."

In response, Su Zhou nodded thoughtfully—since you've said this, what other result could there be? After getting up, he looked around the conference room and decisively said: "You guys discuss the rest on your own, I'll take a step first—Tang Yuan, remember to take meeting minutes, I want to see them when I get back."

Then, amid the response of 'Yes, Chief Captain,' he came to the Tiandu underground secret subway that could go to the area where Yansheng's main body was located.

"Those human races that the Scarlet Firmament Sword warned about..."

Sitting on the subway, Su Zhou couldn't help but think to himself: "More than two months have passed, so they should have calculated the orbits of those human-inhabited planets in the Qingqiu Secret Realm, right?"

"However, why is Yansheng acting so mysteriously? This is not something that can't be said openly..."

Thinking about it would not lead to any results. After thinking about it briefly, Su Zhou, who gave up on thinking, closed his eyes.

And when he opened his eyes, he had arrived at his destination.