Chapter 144: We

"Welcome, Miss Lin, Miss Chen."

Yang Mingqing smiled warmly as he greeted them, and the office director, quick to read the situation, immediately held an umbrella over Lin Ying as they walked toward the Dongxiang Research Institute.

This building, which appeared to be an abandoned industrial park, was primarily used for storage and as office space.

The true research institute lay further inside; along the way, Director Yang spoke to Lin Ying and Chen Zhiyu about the resurgence of spiritual energy, concluding overall what Lin Ying's great-grandfather had once told her: the "Glacial Period Theory."

Spiritual energy has always existed, but it behaves like tides, with cyclical rises and falls.

Each resurgence of spiritual energy brings new changes to Blue Star, making it more habitable.

Director Yang even suggested that human origins might be linked to the substance known as 【Code: Spiritual Energy】.

As Blue Star's native species, humans, over millions of years of evolution, should have fully adapted to Blue Star's gravity and sunlight—yet we still suffer sunburn or allergic reactions after just ten minutes under the sun.

We also face difficulties in reproduction and are prone to various incurable chronic diseases.

That such a fragile species, with a prolonged juvenile phase lasting over a decade, has not gone extinct on Blue Star is nothing short of miraculous.

Not to mention that humans now reign at the very top of the food chain.

"Of course."

Yang Mingqing smiled and said: "When I've said this before, some straightforward people scoffed, insisting chronic illness is simply aging, comparing ancient lifespans to modern ones—utterly foolish."

"Some even argued with me in the car about biological evolution, claiming human physical peak occurs at twenty-three, after which every decade brings obvious signs of aging and declining vitality."

Yang Mingqing's lips curled slightly. "I actually enjoy debates, because our current 【Spiritual Energy and Lifespan】 research is based on skeletal remains excavated from an ancient emperor's tomb."

"Bone age analysis revealed he lived seven hundred and forty-nine years. One of his tibia bones remained intact even after detonation with RDX and could withstand temperatures of around three thousand degrees."

"Our research progress, in plain terms, is an archaeological discovery based on reverse inference."

Lin Ying's expression remained impassive, offering no comment on Yang Mingqing's words.

Whether true or just empty promises.

Even if humans could live ten thousand years, what difference would it make? The world's scenery remains the same.

Moreover,

Based on Lin Ying's work experience and her dealings with entrepreneurs, Yang Mingqing's words contained both truth and fiction—a common tactic to lure investors with grand visions.

"Is your research funding particularly tight?" Lin Ying asked Yang Mingqing slowly.

"The 【Spiritual Energy Resurgence】 is a systemic subject—the system doesn't lack funding, but who ever turns down a sufficient budget?"

Yang Mingqing smiled. "Annual allocations pass through three academies before reaching the institute, then get distributed among teams. Here in our 【Spiritual Energy and Lifespan】 division alone, besides our main research, dozens of pending projects remain locked in filing cabinets."

"Unfortunately, we can't openly seek investment—only those who pass political vetting are allowed here."

Yang Mingqing spoke bluntly, with no concealment.

Adults operate on clear, straightforward terms.

Even with someone you dislike, if interests align, cooperation is possible.

The Dongxiang Research Institute's primary focus is the impact of spiritual energy on the human body and lifespan changes.

Throughout history, every emperor or general who lived during a spiritual energy dormancy period sought immortality.

Even Yang Mingqing himself—once smoked two packs a day and drank three jin of baijiu—after turning forty-five, quit smoking, gave up alcohol, and replaced bottled cold drinks with a health-preserving thermos.

"Spiritual energy resurges first in heaven and earth, then manifests in beasts. Humans are part of the ecological chain too—only our structure is more complex and older, so our response is delayed."

"Our research aims to forcibly shorten this delay—just like the 【Longevity Club】."

Yang Mingqing casually mentioned the name of an organization to reinforce his credibility.

He spoke as if making idle small talk.

Because Lin Ying's great-grandfather from the overseas Lin clan was a member of the 【Longevity Club】.

In Yang Mingqing's mind, Lin Ying, as the current leader of the Xia nation's Lin clan, might not interfere with the overseas branch—but she certainly knew about their affairs.

Even the overseas Lin clan's medical group was developed around the goal of extending lifespan.

From Yang Mingqing's perspective, Lin Ying's purpose in coming to the Dongxiang Spirit Beast Research Institute via the Anquan Bureau was clearly to place a bet on Xia nation's side.

The overseas Lin clan had already placed their bet; it was natural for Lin Ying's branch to do the same.

"Hss."

Sitting in the car, Chen Zhiyu had remained silent, listening to Yang Mingqing and Lin Ying's conversation, when suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her buttock. She instinctively looked down.

The business car's rear seats were custom-designed: Yang Mingqing faced Lin Ying and Chen Zhiyu directly.

Lin Ying sat sideways toward the aisle, reaching for water beside Chen Zhiyu's seat—and in doing so, secretly poked Chen Zhiyu's buttock with something.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Ying turned to Chen Zhiyu, her expression still blank, but her eyes flicked toward Yang Mingqing.

Chen Zhiyu was no naive newcomer—she immediately understood Lin Ying's hint.

"The Longevity Club? Is that one of our domestic spirit beast research departments? It just feels…" Chen Zhiyu feigned ignorance as she asked Yang Mingqing.

"Hm?"

Yang Mingqing looked at Chen Zhiyu, recalling her file in his mind, then glanced oddly at Lin Ying before saying: "The Longevity Club is a global organization with little connection to our domestic institutions—its fame is just widespread."

Lin Ying cast a sidelong glance, slightly reproachful, and cut in to stop Chen Zhiyu.

Seeing Lin Ying's displeasure, Yang Mingqing smoothly defused the tension:

"It's normal for Miss Chen not to know about the Longevity Club—they're a private, non-official membership organization that doesn't operate publicly. Fundamentally, it's a medical club serving families, aristocratic clans, and newly rich elites."

"Since Miss Lin didn't mention them to you, she probably doesn't want you to get involved with them. I won't say more—it's better not to know those people."

"They're short-sighted, reckless, and greedy—true disgrace to researchers!"

Lin Ying's gaze lifted slightly, carrying a faint air of detached condescension.

But if An Sheng were here, he'd instantly recognize: Lin Ying wasn't being aloof—she was rolling her eyes.

In the Xia nation's Lin clan, only the leader may directly communicate with the Great Grandfather.

Though Lin Ying was appointed by the Great Grandfather, her tenure has been too brief; aware of her health issues, he gave her no major tasks, only told her to rest and recover.

He never disclosed any specific business matters or information known only to the Lin Group's chairman.

(End of Chapter)