Chapter 244: Shenhua Tianfu

The aftermath of "Wonderful Island" and the incident of the Wishing Key had both passed; the New Era, like tempered steel, possessed unprecedented internal cohesion and ever-growing external deterrence. Qin Feng's primary focus remained on the construction of the Deep Space Mothership, the advancement of Rule Analysis, and the deep exploration of the upgraded system.

On this day, he was reviewing a report on optimizing the energy shield flow structure using Obsidian Type-C crystals when Su Wenqian knocked and entered, her face carrying an unusual gravity.

"Mr. Qin, we received a communication request from Dragon Country's highest leadership, encrypted at Top Secret · Universe level. The sender is Han Lao." Su Wenqian's tone was cautious, "Han Lao wishes to hold an informal but highest-level conversation with you, concerning… Shenhua Tianfu."

"Shenhua Tianfu?" Qin Feng lifted his eyes. He had heard the name before, but knew little. He only knew it was a legendary top-secret project of Dragon Country, said to be tied to the search for ancient civilization relics and Earth's lost history, its secrecy even surpassing that of some strategic weapons programs. Han Lao's sudden mention of it must be significant.

"Connect it." Qin Feng set down the report.

Soon, a virtual screen lit up on one wall of the office, heavily encrypted and shielded against eavesdropping. Han Lao's figure appeared on the screen, dressed in a Chinese stand-collar casual outfit, his expression solemn, eyes bearing unmistakable fatigue and… a deep unease.

"Mr. Qin, I apologize for the intrusion." Han Lao's voice came through the encrypted channel, still steady, yet carrying the pressure of a storm gathering.

"Han Lao, speak." Qin Feng's tone was calm.

Han Lao skipped pleasantries and cut straight to the point: "Mr. Qin, you've likely heard of the Shenhua Tianfu project. It is a top-secret endeavor spanning decades, uniting our nation's finest experts in archaeology, history, geology, and even select cutting-edge physics, aimed at uncovering the truth behind Huaxia civilization—and even earlier Earth civilizations."

He paused, as if choosing his words carefully: "Seventy-two hours ago, while attempting to excavate a tunnel toward an unknown subterranean structure at one of Shenhua Tianfu's core survey sites deep within the Kunlun Mountains, an… unexplainable anomaly occurred."

"Anomaly?" Qin Feng's gaze sharpened.

"Yes." Han Lao nodded, his face darkening further. "According to the final, extremely brief and heavily corrupted signal, the moment the tunnel was breached, intense energy radiation, localized gravitational anomalies, and… spatial distortion appeared within and around the site. All communications ceased within thirty seconds—we lost all contact. Three rescue/ reconnaissance teams equipped with our most advanced gear, upon entering within five kilometers of the site, also… vanished without a trace."

The screen switched to several blurry photos and energy readout charts, as if taken through thick Mist. The twisted light and abnormal energy peaks all indicated phenomena violating known physical laws.

"We've deployed every available method, including highest-resolution satellite reconnaissance—but that area seems shrouded by an invisible 'curtain.' No detection can penetrate; we see only blur and distortion." Han Lao's voice carried a hint of helplessness. "We dare not even test it with large-scale weapons, fearing worse, uncontrollable consequences."

He looked at Qin Feng, his eyes holding unprecedented candor and a hint of… almost pleading urgency:

"Mr. Qin, we face a situation beyond our comprehension, beyond the limits of our current scientific understanding and response capability. We know you possess technology—and power—far beyond your time. We beg you: could you lend your aid? At least help us understand what is happening inside? What lies there… may hold ancient secrets of this planet, and may even… be connected to the threats you are currently confronting."

Han Lao's words carried immense weight. Kunlun Mountains, subterranean structures, energy radiation, spatial distortion, vanished elite teams… all pointed to one possibility—that the so-called Shenhua Tianfu project had touched upon some forgotten, or deliberately concealed, ancient secret tied to Earth itself—and perhaps the wider universe. And this secret might be intricately linked to the Star Ring, the Watchers, even the system itself.

Qin Feng fell silent, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the desk.

Dragon Country's leadership had truly lowered themselves, approaching him in near-desperation. And the anomalies of Shenhua Tianfu had indeed caught his interest. The characteristics of the spatial distortion and energy radiation bore subtle resemblance to fragments of information he had deciphered from Mu Zhaoxue's data and the Watchers' Honor and Responsibility Badges.

This might not be a problem—but an opportunity. An opportunity to deeply understand Earth's past and uncover more truths about the Star Ring, even the system itself.

"Coordinates." Qin Feng spoke without hesitation.

Han Lao's eyes instantly lit with hope, and he immediately recited a set of highly precise latitude and longitude coordinates.

"Send me the related data," Qin Feng continued.

"Already prepared—Top Secret encryption, transmitting immediately!" Han Lao replied urgently.

"I will send someone to investigate." Qin Feng made his promise, yet his tone remained level. "Have your personnel withdraw at least fifty kilometers from the perimeter. Do not approach without my authorization."

"Understood! We will follow your orders exactly!" Han Lao answered without hesitation. At this moment, Qin Feng was their only hope.

The communication ended.

Su Wenqian turned to Qin Feng: "Mr. Qin, who will you send? Lei Dong leading the team? How much security and scientific personnel should we mobilize?"

Qin Feng shook his head, his gaze deep: "The situation inside is unknown. Conventional methods may be ineffective."

He subtly shifted his awareness, sinking into the slowly rotating 3D star-loom system.

【Analyzing anomaly data at target coordinates… matching known information fragments (Star Ring, Watchers)…】【Risk assessment: High (involves unknown spatial rules and energy fields)…】【Recommended action: Deploy high-adaptability unit with rule resistance and information collection capability…】

The system's feedback was swift and clear.

A flicker of understanding passed through Qin Feng's eyes. He raised his head and instructed Su Wenqian:

"Notify Xia Wan. Have her come to me."

Su Wenqian blinked in slight surprise.

Xia Wan? That unnaturally quiet girl?

Was Mr. Qin really assigning her to such a dangerous and critical mission?

But she asked no further questions and immediately obeyed: "Yes, Mr. Qin."

She sensed vaguely that Mr. Qin had long recognized Xia Wan's unusual nature—and that this anomaly at Kunlun's Shenhua Tianfu might be the moment to test—or reveal—the secret within her.

Qin Feng gazed out the window, his eyes seeming to pierce through thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, landing on the Kunlun Mountains veiled in Mist.

Shenhua Tianfu…

What sleeps within—ancient heritage… or something more dangerous, a forbidden thing?

We'll know soon.