In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 162 Marriage
Ant Ridge, 1 p.m.

As soon as Han Dong put down the phone, the surroundings quieted down, and the way the expert team looked at Lu Zhao changed.

Damn it, this kid has connections; we can't take him to the Divine Power Academy. He'll be using the benefits of five social insurances and one housing fund, one day on, three days off, and a monthly income of over ten thousand to raise pigs.

Zhao De had anticipated this; he had told his teacher when he arrived that Lu Zhao had connections.

However, his teacher was used to being domineering in academic matters. As a top-notch scholar, he was generally respected by all sectors of society, including Zhuge Liang.

Today we've run into a tough opponent; even saving face isn't a magic bullet.

Lu Zhao possessed two supernatural powers and had a relationship with the only daughter of the Lin family, so it's not hard to guess why Marquis Liu refused.

But... why does this kid get all the good things?!

Zhao De's heart clenched, and he forced back the overwhelming bitterness in his heart.

Zhao De had previously gotten into trouble because of his good looks, but later gained favor because of them, which is understandable.

Lu Zhao has truly endured hardship and is capable.

But he truly couldn't comprehend the dual supernatural powers that came with it. The thought that Lu Zhao was very likely to inherit the Heavenly Gang supernatural power sequence made Zhao De want to vomit.

You, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, still ended up using connections.

Disgusting! Disgusting!

The Heavenly Divine Power is a ticket to the top of the Federal Pyramid.

"Teacher, I have something urgent to attend to, so I must go now."

Zhao De broke the silence by speaking, and then hurriedly left.

Staying here any longer is too torturous.

Lu Zhao also took the opportunity to leave to handle his work.

He desperately wanted access to the resources of the Shintsune Institute, but he couldn't bring it up himself.

In personnel matters, whoever speaks first is at a disadvantage.

Inside the reception room, only the expert team remained, and some people were making a fuss about submitting a report to the capital.

Han Dongcai always issues stern warnings for such reckless behavior.

While a bachelor's degree does not require taking sides in politics, it does not mean that one is exempt from following the instructions of superiors.

Even if it is reported to the federal government, there will be no effective response.

The fact that they possess dual supernatural powers is indeed unprecedented, but they haven't yet figured out the principles behind it or produced any results, so naturally they will only attract attention.

There are too many unsolved mysteries in the world, and acquiring dual supernatural powers is important but not necessary.

Han Dongcai then realized something.

Lu Zhao is no ordinary person; he receives direct attention from the chief of the South China Sea region.

Such a person is not someone you can easily control.

One p.m.

Han Dongcai changed his strategy. He asked Lu Zhao to cooperate in conducting simple research, such as drawing blood and examining everyone's body.

Then, the other members of the expert team were instructed to return to the city to study the newly collected data, without disturbing Lu Zhao's daily work.

He stayed behind alone, abandoning his self-centered attitude and transforming into a gentle and refined old scholar, engaging in therapeutic conversation with Lu Zhao.

"Comrade Lu Zhao, how are you feeling right now? Is there anything bothering you? I have some tonics here, would you like to try them?"

"Um... Scholar Han, could you wait until I finish processing these documents? I'll probably have time after five o'clock."

Lu Zhao sat at his desk, on which were stacks of thick documents.

He also needs to hold a special meeting on border ports, and tomorrow he will convene farmer representatives to promote the importance of legal trade. The day after tomorrow is the slaughterhouse bidding.

Every day, Lu Zhao processes massive amounts of information, balances the interests of all parties, and makes decisions only after careful consideration.

Although the area under their jurisdiction is only the size of a county, the work is by no means easy.

There's a saying that three people are enough to create a political environment; politics is about cultivating interpersonal relationships and fostering cooperation.

Lu Zhao wants to develop a port economy, which requires the support of farmers, investment from professional companies, and management by professional talents.

How these people came to be, and how they cooperate, is the task that Lu Zhao needs to accomplish.

Han Dongcai said, "I remember that once mental superhumans reach the second level, they can multitask. We were just chatting."

Lu Zhao knew he might need the other party's help in the future, so he had no choice but to nod in agreement.

If it's just casual conversation, he can indeed multitask.

"You're in the Department of Psychiatry at Teikyo University. Who is your advisor?"

"Chang Chongjiu".

"I met him at the beginning of the year. He is a comrade who studies humanities and history. He is trying to find a way out for the new era through history, to find the cause of the great catastrophe, and has put forward a new theory."

"What is it?"

Lu Zhao became interested and looked up at Han Dongcai.

The cause of the cataclysm has always been shrouded in mystery.

All that is known is that one day, all the ancient god circles around the world suddenly erupted with power dozens of times greater than before, and many ancient god circles that had long been dormant with history were also awakened.

For example, the Great Wall of Qin was already under control as early as the Han Dynasty, and it remained completely deserted until the end of the Song Dynasty, when the wall that had been blocking the north for thousands of miles collapsed.

This allowed the steppe cavalry to advance unimpeded, indirectly leading to the downfall of the Jin Dynasty.

The ancient god circles left over from the previous dynasty pose the greatest threat.

Han Dongcai asked, "Before this, you should have known the difference between natural ancient god circles and man-made ancient god circles, right?"

Lu Zhao nodded.

As its name suggests, the Ancient God Circle has always existed and is the Federation's greatest threat.

For example, the ancient glaciers are divided into the northern and southern glaciers, which exist at the two poles of the earth. Each eruption can cause the temperature of the entire world to drop sharply.

The artificial ancient god circles are remnants left behind by each dynasty after its demise; some formed naturally, while others were man-made.

It was bound to happen no matter what, but the Federation still hasn't figured out the underlying principles.

Han Dongcai replied, "Leaving aside the natural ancient god circles, which are difficult for us to study with our current conditions, the academic community has reached a basic consensus on the artificial ancient god circles."

"For five thousand years, all dynasties and all people have been pursuing one thing: immortality. Everyone has been trying to extend their own existence, and the final result is the formation of ancient god circles of various forms."

"Your mentor's research focuses on exploring the origins of each ancient god realm."

Lu Zhao thought of his master and asked, "Are there any successful ones?"

Han Dongcai laughed and said, "The ancient god circles you've seen are all successful ones, but they don't appear as individuals."

Lu Zhao put down the documents in his hand and pressed on, "Is there no one who can achieve immortality while retaining their self-awareness?"

"Have."

Han Dong smiled mysteriously, then changed the subject, saying, "However, this is all federal secret, and only members of the Divine Power Academy can know it."

So that's what I came here for.

Lu Zhao shook his head and said, "I can cooperate with the Divine Power Academy in the research, but before that, I am the chief official of the Federation and have my own work to do."

He doesn't plan to go to the Divine Power Academy. It may offer very good conditions and environment in the short term, but these are not what Lu Zhao is looking for.

Once you enter the Divine Power Academy, your official career is over.

If he wants to come back, he has to go through special channels. For example, his guardian in the orphanage, Tang Fen, said that Lu Zhao should first go into academics and start as a clerk in a small research institute.

The academic world is a system of 'truth-seeking,' and even Zhuge Liang would find it difficult to get involved.

Unless he is the Federal Treasury Director-General.

If Lu Zhao achieves great success in his academic career in the future, he will be able to enter officialdom and rise through the ranks.

It's absurd to say that he achieved great success in academics. To succeed in academic research, luck, ability, and time are all indispensable.

Given Lu Zhao's current circumstances, there's no need for him to create unnecessary trouble for himself.

If he agrees, Miss Lin can fly over and strangle him.

Han Dongcai had anticipated this and said, "If Comrade Lu Zhao doesn't want to go to the Divine Power Academy, that's fine too. We can sign an unofficial contract."

"Comrade Lu Zhao was only at the second stage some time ago, and he should be preparing to break through the Heart Gate at this stage. The Divine Power Academy can provide you with resources."

Lu Zhaodao said, "The Federation will also provide me with resources."

Han Dongcai added, "The potion to break through the five barriers was developed by my South China Sea Divine Power Academy. I can provide you with the highest quality potion." Lu Zhao feigned interest and asked, "How exactly is it calculated?"

Han Dong then briefly explained the contract, which stipulated that Lu Zhao would come to the South China Sea Divine Power Academy once a month and receive a T9 purity breakthrough potion each month.

If Lu Zhao thinks it's too slow, he can come once a week, so that two servings can be provided every month.

The number of potions required to break through the Heart Barrier varies from person to person, averaging 5-10 doses.

Lu Zhao really wanted to ask for the raw materials directly, but he thought that being too hasty would make it easy for problems to be noticed, so he didn't bring it up.

A Federal Scholar is definitely not a fool, especially when it comes to their field of expertise. If he took the raw materials, he would be suspected of trying to concoct the elixir himself.

Lu Zhao did not want to reveal anything about his master.

On the one hand, it was difficult to explain, and on the other hand, the master did not want to expose it.

Lu Zhao eventually agreed verbally.

Han Dongcai left his phone number and said, "You can call me if you have any questions in the future. Although I am not as good as Liu Wuhou, I am still more professional than him when it comes to academic issues."

"By the way, come to the city center tomorrow when you have some free time, and we'll give you a check-up using professional equipment."

Just as Han Dong was about to leave, Lu Zhao asked, "Scholar Han, you haven't answered my question yet."

Han Dongcai said, "You haven't signed a contract, so you're not considered an external staff member of the Divine Power Academy. How can I tell you? Remember to come to the city center tomorrow."

After saying that, the old man left in a hurry, seemingly eager to go back and do his research.

His attitude was no longer as gentle and refined as before.

Lu Zhao found the old man quite interesting; he was polite and courteous when he needed something, but his attitude changed immediately when he didn't.

Half an hour later, Lu Zhao finished processing the documents and took advantage of his break time to enter Hunyuan.
-

Hunyuan.

The old Taoist priest remained seated by the pool, holding a stick wrapped in yellow cloth, stirring the water from time to time.

At the center of the whirlpool, the blue goldfish struggled incessantly, but no matter what it did, it could not break free of the whirlpool.

He was practicing alchemy, and at his current level, alchemy was no longer confined to appearances.

The stone fish pond is the alchemy furnace, and the water is the Samadhi Fire.

The void trembled, and Lu Zhao stepped into the Hunyuan realm.

After advancing to the second tier, he became adept at navigating the 'tsunami' of the spiritual world.

"Master."

Lu Zhao approached the old Taoist priest three steps away, cupped his hands, and said, "Someone promised to give me the medicine to break through the five barriers. I want to know how to use it to refine the Five Elements Pill."

"Come sit down and watch."

The old Taoist priest didn't turn his head and continued stirring the pool.

Lu Zhao came to the side, sat cross-legged on the ground, and looked at the blue goldfish in the pool.

I looked at it for a long time, but I still couldn't figure it out.

In his eyes, the old Taoist priest was just stirring up the pool, and the blue goldfish was constantly crashing into the whirlpool, but it was always trapped in the center.

This was the only place where Lu Zhao could find something unusual; normally, fish would be swept into the whirlpool.

The old Taoist priest said slowly, "The art of alchemy requires three years to learn about herbs, ten years to prepare them, and fifteen years to master alchemy. It cannot be taught in a few words."

Lu Zhao was extremely talented, but there were also things he wasn't good at. The more basic the techniques he learned, the less he could master them.

For example, alchemy and illusion.

Both of these require systematic learning and a thorough understanding of a large amount of theoretical foundation before they can be applied.

Pharmacology is a discipline that explores the ultimate theoretical aspects.

"If you get the potion, you can store it away first. Once you have accumulated enough, I will help you refine it into a pill."

Lu Zhao asked, "How much do you need?"

The old Taoist priest replied, "It depends on the dosage of the medicine in your hand. After you take a sip, I can roughly calculate it based on the changes in your spirit."

Lu Zhao nodded, then asked, "Master, someone told me that the Ancient God Circle appeared because people throughout history have sought immortality, and those who succeeded became members of the Ancient God Circle."

Do these ancient god realms still possess self-awareness?

"That depends on how you define self-awareness."

The old Taoist priest replied, "If it's like me, then there's only me. If it's like the ancient divine circle, where every being possesses consciousness, they are in a state of selflessness, which is closer to the Tao."

Lu Zhaodao asked, "So, Master, you're also considered an ancient god?"

The old Taoist priest was slightly taken aback, not expecting this young man to set a trap for him.

Sure enough, they started to suspect me.

He shook his head and said, "I am on the same level as them, but I am also different. I am an immortal, and they are gods."

"The world is like the sea, and the sea embraces all rivers. Countless sages throughout history have pursued the goal of transforming into a river and flowing into the ocean, but I do not think so."

"Heaven and earth gave me form, yin and yang bestowed upon me life. I am an integral part of heaven and earth, so why do I need to merge with them?"

To answer Lu Zhao's question, one cannot simply answer the surface-level questions.

Throughout history, many ancient deities sought immortality, and I myself sought immortality.

They are essentially the same, but there are differences.

The ancient god was in harmony with the Dao and lost his self-awareness as a human being, but the old Taoist priest was not.

The truly clever deception is to selectively tell the truth. The old Taoist priest was not afraid of Lu Zhao's suspicion. As long as everything he taught was true, it was not a big problem.

"They are nothingness, which becomes part of heaven and earth. I am existence, which replaces part of heaven and earth."

Lu Zhao looked at his master and for the first time felt a ripple in those calm, still eyes—a kind of obsession.

Even if his master wasn't that person, he certainly wasn't a Taoist priest who lived a quiet and inactive life.

The old Taoist priest asked, "Disciple, don't you want to live forever?"

Lu Zhao followed his heart and said, "I think so, but this disciple will not prioritize immortality."

The old Taoist priest shook his head and said, "You are still young and do not understand. When your body begins to age and your will begins to dull, one day you will do your best to pursue immortality."

"Looking back at Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han, how spirited they were in their youth, and how they almost went mad in their pursuit of immortality when they were old and frail."

If a disciple seeks immortality, then all problems will be solved.

The word "immortality" can make people abandon all ideals and conscience.

Lu Zhao simply shook his head and said nothing more.

He rarely spoke; future history will tell his story.

Did this life forge us into steel, or did it turn us into ash after the furnace fire died down?
-

September 8th.

The militia stationed at Ant Ridge convened a meeting of farmer representatives to promote the importance of legitimate trade.

The farmers in the area were quite happy to learn that they could legally trade with foreign countries.

Nobody likes to break the law if they can make money legally. They participate in smuggling simply to supplement their family income.

They are all engaged in porterage work; it's impossible for them to actually engage in a firefight with border guards.

After the meeting ended, Lu Zhao took out his phone and saw five missed calls, all from Lin Zhiyan.

He always silences his phone during meetings.

Lu Zhao called back and asked, "What's up?"

Lin Zhiyan said, "There's something I need your help with."

Lu Zhao asked, "What is it? If it's urgent, I can take my annual leave."

The matter of Shentong Academy can wait, but Lu Zhao felt that they should take a stand on the matter of Lin Xuemei.

After all, the other party had helped him so much. He had been raising an army for a thousand days to use it for one day, and he couldn't just enjoy the benefits and then shirk his responsibilities when it came to helping him.

As long as it's not illegal or criminal, Lu Zhao can handle it for Lin Zhiyan.

After a long pause, the person on the other end of the phone stammered:
"Let's get married."

"what?"

(End of this chapter)