Chapter 149: Evidence

The Mysterious Rank Lower Grade Origin Force Cultivation Method, Thick Earth Art, had surpassed Yellow Rank cultivation methods. It completely outdid Primordial Ultimate Art. Jiang Xincheng never imagined that a Mysterious Rank cultivation method could appear so early, just Year 5 of the New Era.

The strength of the 327 Research Institute was terrifying. In just a few years, they had developed a Mysterious Rank cultivation method. And now, the enemy nation thief, Zheng Zhong, had set his sights on it.

In the past life, Thick Earth Art became widespread across the Shenxia Alliance only after New Era Year 30. And even by New Era Year 65, few Primordial Warriors in the whole world could cultivate it. Yet it appeared now, in Year 5 of the New Era.

This suddenly gave Jiang Xincheng a sense of urgency. He had thought that returning from sixty years in the future, with his knowledge of Origin Force cultivation methods and combat techniques, gave him enough advantage to reach the peak quickly. No one could catch up.

He never expected Earth’s Origin Force cultivation methods would develop so fast. Those peerless geniuses, with such cultivation methods and plenty of Yuan Crystals, wouldn’t fall too far behind him. To stay ahead and seize those unparalleled opportunities, he had to train even harder.

But thinking carefully, it made sense. Using the whole nation’s resources, its most powerful researchers working day and night, and countless death-row convicts as test subjects… Creating Thick Earth Art in a few years wasn’t impossible.

Don’t underestimate the heroes of the world, Jiang Xincheng sighed inwardly. The pride he felt from his rapid progress faded away.

The cultivation path was like rowing a boat upstream; if he didn’t advance, he’d fall back. Muttering this thought, Jiang Xincheng resolved to accelerate his training speed.

Listening to Zheng Zhong’s words, Yang Wen’s face turned serious. “Thick Earth Art,” he said helplessly, “was just created. It’s only the second Mysterious Rank technique globally, incredibly precious, priceless. So the 327 Research Institute has guarded it fiercely. The researchers we bribed only got scattered bits of its secret. They know very little – not even one percent of the art. We can’t reconstruct it. Getting Thick Earth Art quickly will be very hard.”

“We must speed up,” Zheng Zhong stressed gravely. “We already stole three powerful cultivation methods from the 327 Research Institute. The Flourishing Tang Empire might suspect something. They recently warned the Institute to tighten security. That’s why Thick Earth Art’s protection suddenly increased tenfold. Otherwise, even considering its value, the secrecy wouldn’t be this extreme.” He added, “Two deputy directors from our Empire’s SGB Organization S Archives Bureau are coming to Tianhai City in half a month. They will personally escort the cultivation methods we obtained back to the Empire. We need Thick Earth Art before then. Otherwise, even if we succeed otherwise, they will punish us.”

Yang Wen nodded. “Minister, rest assured, I’ll dedicate myself to this. I’ve tentatively bribed a chief research doctor at the 327 Research Institute. He personally helped create Thick Earth Art and knows much about it. If we fully turn him, we could get at least half the art, maybe even more.”

“He doesn’t know the whole thing?” Zheng Zhong asked.

Yang Wen shook his head. “No. Only the Institute’s director knows the complete Thick Earth Art. Even the deputy directors only know most of it. If not for this chief doctor’s role in its creation, he’d probably only know ten percent.”

“The 327 Research Institute’s secrecy was astonishing this time,” Zheng Zhong frowned. “Later, I’ll order Team Leader Chu Ding, responsible for the Institute’s outer security, to assist you fully. Use force if necessary. We must get Thick Earth Art. Our Empire must lead globally, not fall behind the Shenxia Alliance.”

Yang Wen brightened. “Thank you, Minister!”

“By the way,” Zheng Zhong remembered, “I have detailed information on the 327 Research Institute Director here. It includes his family and friends. Highly confidential. Take it. See if it’s useful for the next steps.” Zheng Zhong took out a key. He unlocked the floor under his desk, revealing a hidden compartment made of special wood. Filled with documents, he pulled one out and handed it to Yang Wen, who accepted it respectfully.

Hidden in the bookshelf corner, Jiang Xincheng was using his Dragon Concealment Art flawlessly. He watched, shocked, as Zheng Zhong retrieved the document. He hadn’t found this hidden compartment earlier.

Now, seeing the wood surrounding it… sandalwood! It blocked spiritual sense. No wonder he couldn’t detect it. That compartment held so many documents. They must be Zheng Zhong’s detailed criminal records.

A faint smile touched Jiang Xincheng’s lips. He carefully adjusted the camera on his handheld computer to avoid detection by Yang Wen and Zheng Zhong. He recorded their conversation and images clearly, saving it as evidence.

After discussing more about the 327 Research Institute and Thick Earth Art, Zheng Zhong and Yang Wen left the study. Yang Wen went back to find a way to steal the art. Zheng Zhong went to the bedroom next door. Inside was a stunning girl with an oval face, big eyes, a great figure, and dark hair – easily rating over 90 points.

Seeing Zheng Zhong, the girl greeted him with a smile, wrapping her arms around the neck of the man old enough to be her father. “Brother Zheng,” she giggled, “you’re finally here! I’ve been waiting forever. Missed you!”

“Ruirui, I missed you too,” Zheng Zhong scooped her up, heading for the bed. “Just get back from school? Why bother with that dump? Didn’t you graduate?”

Had Jiang Xincheng seen this girl, he’d recognize her as Tianhai University student Wu Ruirui. Ranked top ten in the university’s All-School Martial Examination for graduating seniors – the absolute beauty among them. Known as the department queen of Humanities and Arts, skilled in both arts and combat, proud but capable. Who knew she was Zheng Zhong’s lover?

Wu Ruirui cooed. “I had some stuff left at school. Needed to pick it up. Oh, Brother Zheng! That job you set me up with is awful! Too many men. Always bothering me. I can’t train properly. Get me another one?”

“More guys ain’t bad! Lots of handsome men to admire daily. Cheer you up,” Zheng Zhong teased wickedly.

Wu Ruirui shook her head. “Nuh-uh! I only like you, Brother Zheng. Don’t look at anyone else.”

“No worries, my heart’s big,” Zheng Zhong grinned strangely. “Even if something happened with them… I wouldn’t mind. Such a pretty Ruirui, wasted on me alone. Maybe next time, I’ll bring another man for us to play together?”

“Ah!” Wu Ruirui gasped, then protested sweetly, “No way! I don’t want that! I don’t like those games. I want only one man.”

Zheng Zhong smiled mildly. “But I like it.”

Wu Ruirui fell silent.