Chapter 253: Spring and the Visitor

Bai Lao's words left Zheng Fa silent.

Tang Mudao said, "To be honest, the data I can access isn't the most precise or complete... some data still has a very high security clearance."

"On the other hand, to find candidate spirit-wood lightning more quickly, borrowing computing power from a powerful supercomputing platform is another method, but such things are only accessible to large academic institutions and official bodies."

Zheng Fa understood the meaning of both men.

He too fell into thought.

He was by nature a relatively conservative person, preferring to proceed step by step.

On the other hand, Zheng Fa had always regarded the modern world as a pure land—not meaning that everything in the modern era was good, but rather that he was already tired enough in the Xuanwei Realm and simply wanted something simpler in the modern world.

For Zheng Fa, the modern world was, on one hand, naturally a place to acquire knowledge and conduct experiments.

On the other hand, it was a harbor for relaxation.

It was just that thinking of Shijie Zhang and the others...

"Do you have any ideas..."

As soon as he spoke these words, the others understood that his heart had already leaned in a certain direction.

Old Bai remained silent, merely looking at Tang Mudao.

Among the people here, Tang Mudao was likely the most skilled in this aspect.

"Most importantly, what goal do you, Zheng Fa, wish to achieve..."

Zheng Fa looked at him, not understanding why he said this.

"Simply put, do you want to acquire certain power and status, or are you limited to cooperative research?"

Zheng Fa understood his meaning, thought for a moment, and spoke: "For me, the value of cooperative research is greater."

Tang Mudao nodded, as if he understood his meaning: "Then it's relatively simple—with a personality like yours, the harm to society is minimal..."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Fa also realized in his heart:

To the authorities, he was actually an uncontrollable factor; one need only think of the qigong turmoil of earlier years, and then think of those ancient sects.

Zheng Fa's kind of pursuit, conversely, could put many people at ease.

Tang Mudao continued:

"First, we need to demonstrate respect for social order."

"Second, we need to clearly state our purpose."

"Third, as Professor Bai said, we need to demonstrate our value."

Zheng Fa fell silent for a moment, then nodded gently.

He looked toward Old Bai and Tang Lingwu beside him.

None of them were fools; all knew that once this step was taken, their future lives would likely undergo earth-shattering changes.

Zheng Fa made this choice naturally because of the crisis on the Xuanwei Realm side, a practical necessity.

But for Old Bai and the others, it was another matter entirely.

Old Bai seemed to understand the look in his eyes, pursed his lips, and said, "You're just overthinking it."

Goddess Hongshan was located in the far suburbs of Jingcheng, with distinct seasons.

It was now late winter; the vegetation on the mountain had withered, covered in dead branches and fallen leaves, appearing somewhat desolate.

In the homestay at the foot of the mountain, the owner, wrapped in a thick down jacket, was still livestreaming.

But now, in this freezing cold, even the number of people watching the livestream had dwindled—his streaming room was far more desolate than the scenery on the mountain.

He was not anxious, merely chatting with the few viewers in his streaming room.

They were all old viewers, so he felt at ease, speaking as if chatting casually with friends.

"Hongshan Niangniang? I didn't believe it before, but last time I did!"

He vividly recounted the incident of his previous visit to the Hongshan Niangniang Temple.

The viewers in the streaming room naturally did not believe him.

The owner swore an oath: "If I speak a single false word, I... will never find a wife in this life!"

At this moment, a viewer posted a comment:

"Is that a poisonous oath? As if anyone hasn't been married?"

The owner paused, feeling somewhat sympathetic in his heart.

"Then like this! If I speak a single false word, let me never make a fortune in this life!"

"..."

This oath... was truly vicious.

It immediately stunned the viewers in the streaming room.

After a while, that viewer posted another comment: "Bro, I want to believe you, but what you're saying is just too fantastical..."

The owner shook his head, looking as if he didn't want to say more, and said, "Whether you believe it or not, I haven't lied... if you don't believe, just take it as a story."

"Only a fool would believe this sto—Holy crap!"

The owner froze, not knowing what madness had seized this viewer.

He saw the comments saying: "Look behind you!"

"Turn around!"

"Your Niangniang has manifested her power again!"

The owner turned to look, his mouth gaping wide, unable to believe his eyes.

Behind him, the mountain range that had just been silent and desolate suddenly burst forth with vigorous life.

From the peak to the foot of the mountain, tree after tree bloomed, and blade of grass after blade of grass sprouted.

As if within this gray, bitter cold, the crimson and verdant hues covering the entire mountain carried a kind of sacred vitality.

The birds and beasts of the mountains seemed awakened by this spring light.

From within the woods came their cheerful chirping.

Watching this scene, the boss suddenly felt an inexplicable thought arise in his heart—as if something extraordinary had occurred.

……

Watching the Evergreen Talismans scatter across the mountainside, Bai Lao nodded and said, "This is enough."

Tang Mu Dao also said, "We just need to wait for people to come find us."

Zheng Fa looked at Tang Lingwu beside him, only to see her holding a mobile phone, sending messages to someone.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm chatting with my mother," Tang Lingwu started slightly, then looked up and said, "I told her not to worry if she can't reach me in a few days."

"……"

Zheng Fa stood stunned for a moment, then looked toward Bai Lao and the others.

The few of them couldn't help but smile wryly.

After all, Tang Lingwu lacked social experience.

Zheng Fa's life experience differed from that of ordinary people; his hesitation stemmed only from finding things troublesome, but to be honest, he actually feared nothing.

Tang Lingwu, however, came from a privileged background, having sailed smoothly since childhood, making her prone to imagining situations as far more serious than they were.

It was just that…

"So… aren't you afraid?"

Bai Lao glanced at Zheng Fa and asked with a sighing smile.

Clutching her mobile phone, Tang Lingwu thought for a moment, then shook her head: "As long as we are together, I am not afraid."

Hearing this, a faint smile inevitably touched Zheng Fa's lips.

……

Three days later, in the twilight, a black car quietly entered Goddess Hongshan; the driver was a young man with a straight-backed posture, while seated in the passenger seat was a woman with short hair, her face etched with worry and solemnity, so much so that her exact age was indiscernible.

Resting on the woman's knees was a file folder, its mouth open, revealing sheets of documents inside.

On the very top document was a photograph of Zheng Fa.

The woman looked at the documents, muttering to herself.

"Twelve years old, parents died in an accident, personality changed drastically."

"Did not leave home for five years, reclusive by nature."

"High school grades improved by leaps and bounds, ranking first in the entire city."

"Extremely diligent since junior high, never revealing any other special traits."

"Interpersonal relationships…"

"Financial status…"

"Preferences…"

"Neighborhood committee evaluation…"

Within these documents, Zheng Fa's past was recorded in extreme detail.

Besides him, the file folder also contained information on Tang Lingwu and others.

Looking at these files, the woman frowned, seemingly unable to understand.