Chapter 34: The Great Figure

Shangguan Qianhua's visit was like a stone cast into a lake—the ripples had not yet fully spread when a true storm quietly plunged "Yunshan Manor" into the eye of the vortex.

On the evening after Shangguan Qianhua left, as the last rays of sunset had not yet been fully swallowed by Xishan, three black Hongqi sedans, devoid of any markings, slipped silently to the closed gates of "Yunshan Manor" like phantoms of the dark.

The doors opened, and out stepped not burly men, but several middle-aged men dressed in plain Zhongshan suits or dark jackets, their steps steady, their eyes sharp as hawks, radiating an aura of long-standing authority and quiet dominance. Especially the elderly man flanked in the center—his hair combed immaculately, his face lean, his gaze calm and profound, as if capable of holding the entire universe.

Merely standing there, he exerted an invisible, overwhelming pressure, as if the air itself had thickened.

The security chief had no time to report—before him, the lead middle-aged man produced a document bearing a special steel seal, his voice low yet piercing with undeniable authority: "Open the gate. The First Leader wishes to see Qin Feng."

The security chief's pupils contracted sharply; sweat instantly soaked his back. Without the slightest delay, he swung open the heavy manor gates.

The convoy drove straight in and halted before the main building.

Qin Feng had already seen everything outside through the surveillance feeds. He straightened his collar, his expression calm, and walked to the door to greet them. Sun Zhe followed behind, his breathing involuntarily lightened—he could feel these visitors were far above the previous Mr. Yang, and perhaps… truly beings dwelling among the clouds!

The elderly man stepped down from the car, his gaze landing calmly on Qin Feng, scanning him up and down, a faint, unreadable smile touching his lips.

"Young Qin Feng, I come uninvited—forgive the intrusion," the elder said, his voice gentle yet naturally commanding.

"Your Excellency's arrival brings honor to this humble abode. Please, come in," Qin Feng stepped aside slightly, neither humble nor arrogant, guiding the group into the parlor.

After seating, the elder skipped small talk and cut straight to the point—but his topic sent a subtle shock through Qin Feng.

"I hear, young man, you acquired three intriguing items in Switzerland recently?" The elder lifted the Clear Tea offered by the servant, gently blew away the floating foam, his tone casual, as if chatting over tea.

Qin Feng's eyes flickered. That underground auction had been extremely secret; all participants had signed strict confidentiality agreements. How could this elder have learned of it so quickly—and come directly to his door? His influence was evident.

"Yes, just minor hobbies," Qin Feng replied without revealing anything.

"Minor hobbies?" The elder smiled, set down his teacup, and his gaze suddenly sharpened, as if piercing through Qin Feng's soul. "An Obsidian Statue, an Incomplete Metal Plate, a set of Bone Calculating Rods—eight hundred million euros. Young Qin Feng's hobbies are truly priceless."

He paused, leaning forward slightly; an invisible pressure spread through the room. "I'm curious—why did you spend such vast sums on objects most would consider 'rubbish'?"

The air in the parlor seemed to freeze. Sun Zhe, standing behind Qin Feng, felt his heart pounding against his throat. The elder's question, though casual, struck straight at the core—with an unyielding scrutiny that brooked no deception.

Qin Feng fell silent for a moment. He knew that before a man of this stature, evasion or lies were foolish. He had to offer a plausible explanation—or reveal a portion of his value.

He raised his head, meeting the elder's gaze—the kind that seemed to see through all things—and spoke calmly: "Your Excellency, I admit I am deeply interested in Prehistoric Civilization and phenomena beyond current scientific understanding. I believe human technology did not emerge from nothing—that ancient eras may have harbored wisdom we have yet to comprehend. The patterns and structures on these items may conceal principles of technology far ahead of our time."

He chose his words carefully, half-truthfully explaining: "For instance, the Obsidian Statue—its material and the faint energy response within it are highly unusual. My research team is attempting reverse-engineering, hoping to derive inspiration for new materials or energy sources."

This explanation acknowledged his "research" intent while framing it as "technological inspiration," fitting his persona as a tech investor, while subtly implying he was no mere collector.

The elder listened silently, his fingers lightly tapping the rosewood armrest, revealing nothing—whether he believed or not.

"Technological inspiration… an interesting notion," the elder nodded noncommittally, then abruptly shifted tone, his voice growing grave. "But while analyzing these 'inspirations,' have you discovered anything… unusual? Such as star maps pointing to unknown regions? Or cryptic… warning messages?"

Boom!

Qin Feng's heart surged like a tidal wave!

Star maps! Warnings!

This elder—he knew! He knew the information hidden within the Obsidian Statue!

How could he know?! Unless… unless the state—or the force this elder represented—had long been investigating such "Source Technology Imprints"!

Seeing the fleeting shock in Qin Feng's eyes, the elder's expression turned understanding. He waved a hand, signaling Qin Feng not to be alarmed.

"It seems, young man, you too have touched that level," the elder said, his voice tinged with both awe and gravity. "Do not be startled. Regarding the Observers, the Barrier, and the 'keys' scattered through history's dust—we are not entirely ignorant. But even our knowledge remains incomplete."

His gaze drifted toward the darkening sky beyond the window, as if gazing into infinite cosmic depths.

"The universe is far vaster—and far more… dangerous—than we imagine. The world we inhabit is not nearly as peaceful as it appears."

The elder turned his gaze back to Qin Feng, his eyes carrying a weight he had never shown before.

"Qin Feng, your wealth, your technological vision and boldness—and especially your apparent ability to 'understand' and even 'harness' the power within these ancient relics—have all entered our awareness."

"Today, I come not as an official, but as a fellow traveler who knows part of the truth—extending an invitation."

"Join us. Join the Guardian Project. We need your strength—together, face the unknown that may come from the Star Sea."

Guardian Project! The unknown from the Star Sea!

The elder's words exploded like thunder in Qin Feng's mind!

He had believed his system made him unique—yet he had not imagined that, at the state level, a secret force already existed to explore the unknown and protect civilization! And they seemed to mistake him for another "special individual" capable of deciphering ancient technology!

This was an unprecedented choice: continue alone, relying silently on his system—or join this state secret project, gaining resources but risking exposure of deeper secrets?

Qin Feng met the elder's gaze—filled with expectation and solemn gravity—and felt the weight of responsibility and latent danger within his words. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

Finally, he took a deep breath, his eyes hardening with resolve.

Walking alone might be safer—but he would remain weak. Aligning with the state's power, though it might bring constraints, could accelerate his unlocking of the system's secrets, grant access to more "Source Technology Imprints," and help confront the "unknown" that even his system had warned of!

"Your Excellency," Qin Feng spoke slowly, his voice clear and firm, "could you tell me precisely what the Guardian Project is—and what we might face?"

He did not immediately accept—he needed to understand the risks and responsibilities first.

The elder studied Qin Feng's gaze—not frightened, but calmer, more resolute—and a flicker of approval passed through his eyes.

"The details will be revealed once you formally join," the elder rose, placing a hand on Qin Feng's shoulder. "I give you three days. After that, someone will come for you."

He said no more, turned, and departed—as quietly as he had arrived.

After seeing off this unimaginable great figure, Qin Feng stood alone in the empty parlor, gazing out at the night sky now fully dark, stars scattered like dust.

Shangguan Qianhua's Imperial Capital rules? Wang Hongyuan's petty business grudges?

To him now, they were as insignificant as dust.

His path had been redirected by this sudden invitation—toward the vast, unknown Star Sea, and the immense crisis and mission hidden within the deep void.

"Guardians…?" Qin Feng whispered, his eyes burning with a fire he had never known before.