Chapter 240

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Chapter 240: Title

/ Blue Star /

/ Zhongxia Qionghai City /

Qionghai City last captured national attention through an earthquake-triggered tsunami.

Months had now passed since the disaster, its lingering impacts long buried beneath the fleeting memory of internet users and the ever-scrolling digital world.

After all, it hadn’t been particularly consequential.

But while netizens forgot, the Special Bureau remembered.

In truth, coastal nations across the globe—Zhongxia included—maintained vigilant watch over the seas. The recent seabed earthquake evoked memories of a far more destructive event decades prior. Had Zhongxia not devised countermeasures against this tsunami, history’s horrors would have resurged.

This successful defense left certain nations disgruntled—those who’d hoped to witness Zhongxia’s calamity now fretted over their own vulnerability. They knew their capabilities paled against Zhongxia’s; such disaster would spell their doom.

Zhongxia’s dispatched aircraft carrier patrolled the South China Sea under the pretense of seismic monitoring, though its true purpose swifter lay in rapid response coordination.

—Support operations for the Special Bureau.

"Chief Tang, you actually convinced them to come. Remarkable."

Her deputy flashed an approving thumbs-up. "Only you could pry resources from that miserly Chief Liang."

"Enough chatter. Have them acquaint themselves with the systems—we’ve squandered enough time already."

"Understood."

The cruiser formed the fleet’s centerpiece, flanked by support vessels ready to mobilize.

Tang Tong stood at the prow, her gaze dissolving into the oceanic horizon. Humanity’s comprehension of the seas had been fragmentary even before the Awakening of Spiritual Energy.

Now the waters whispered deeper secrets. Recent intelligence revealed marine intelligent creatures restrained yet not fully tamed by the dragon race’s governance—countless ships still met grim fates despite these pacts.

Colossal beings roamed the depths, their sheer scale turning chance encounters into bloodied tragedies. On Blue Star, intelligence bloomed beyond humanity; creatures once simple now shared cognitive realms. Through agreements with spirit cultivators, Zhongxia pursued coexistence with animals becoming spirits—finding common ground while honoring differences.

Still, friction sparked between human cultivators and spirit cultivators—inevitable growing pains between nascent intelligent races.

Tang Tong wondered about her assignment’s duration. Two paths stretched before her: either enduring calm would let the tsunami threat fade, permitting her return to headquarters, or she’d unravel the disaster’s origins through investigation.

Retrieving her phone, she contacted her secretary. "Any response from the dragon race? Division 2’s involvement hasn’t broken the deadlock… Ah, the appointment’s secured?"

"Schedule it during my patrol period and inform me. Accommodate the dragon race’s timetable first…" She paused, listening, before ending the call.

The draconic affairs rested with Ao Yuan—their sovereign and one of the Nine Extreme Demon Lords.

Unfortunately, the Dragon Lord hadn’t been seen for a year, rendering current search efforts nearly impossible. The second option involved seeking Ao Ming, current leader of spirit cultivators, hoping the dragon race’s intervention might solve the predicament.

Though this ranked as the least favorable among undesirable choices, continuing to expend excessive time and energy here proved unsustainable. Mutual assistance clauses within the human-spirit cultivator alliance treaty obligated cooperation between these supposed allies.

*

Deep in the South China Sea’s remote waters beyond coastal zones, the unremarkable seabed hosted nothing but a shipwreck and transient marine creatures.

Countless vessels had sunk along this ancient maritime corridor, most never recovered. Many wrecks lacked archaeological significance, remaining eternally entombed among the Xisha Islands’ depths.

Until recently.

Post-tsunami investigations by the Special Bureau had meticulously charted these waters, inevitably discovering this particular wreck.

Yet Bureau agents dismissed it – ordinary in appearance, devoid of valuables, and distanced from recent anomaly epicenters. They merely cataloged its coordinates.

The oversight proved typical. None suspected that beneath routine aircraft carrier patrol routes lay the Bureau’s long-sought quarry.

Within the decaying hull’s waterlogged chambers,

A hand abruptly emerged from the darkness.

Bony fingers gripped rotting timbers as faint bioluminescence – barely perceptible in the abyssal gloom – pulsed outward, generating concentric ripples through the water.

A bare-chested young man surfaced, clad only in swim trunks that revealed defined musculature across his shoulders when he turned.

"Come out," he mouthed soundlessly into the aqueous silence.

Moments later, a face appeared behind the dimly glowing barrier, followed by a slender form.

Jet-black hair swirled around a heart-shaped face with porcelain skin, scarlet lips, and sapphire eyes that mirrored the ocean’s depths. A powerful caudal fin undulated with effortless grace.

"So this…is your world?"

Lin Fan observed the tilted head gesture as the telepathic words formed. After days of mental communication with the mermaid, he’d grown accustomed to this silent dialogue.

"Home," he confirmed through clenched teeth, immediately regretting the reflexive response as briny seawater flooded his mouth. Even had he spoken aloud, she couldn’t comprehend his language.

"The currents here…they sing sweeter than my homeland’s tides." Her fishtail propelled elegant spirals through the confined space. "This shell constrains me. Beyond lies true freedom."

"Freedom?" Lin Fan’s mental projection carried urgency. "We’ve discussed this, Blue. Surface waters teem with dangers."

"Yet certainty eludes us." The mermaid’s aquatic pirouettes continued unabated. "What if…"

Lin Fan’s anxiety spiked. Bringing an extradimensional being to Blue Star breached countless protocols. Human history showed little mercy to outsiders – recent panic about "Another world invaders" had required months to quell.

His own accidental crossing over still haunted him. Only after prolonged interaction with Another world’s inhabitants had he relaxed – their ignorance of parallel worlds and non-aggressive society contrasting sharply with humanity’s expansionist nature.

This dual-formed civilization fascinated him. Intelligent beings existed as either animals or humans, some shapeshifting freely while others remained fixed. Unlike Blue Star’s spirit cultivators who mastered seamless transformation, their counterparts occasionally became trapped in single forms – an evolutionary divergence that defied his understanding.

"Alright," Blue replied with a hint of melancholy, though she nodded in agreement.

"May I explore this area?"

Under the weight of Blue’s imploring gaze, Lin Fan found himself unable to refuse. After a brief hesitation, he acquiesced with a nod.

"You may, but stay within these boundaries. I’ll investigate the surroundings and return shortly. Wait here for me, understood?"

Lin Fan emphasized, "Should I not return and danger arises, retreat immediately. Above all, avoid capture."

"Understood," Blue responded with obedient inclination of her head.

Lin Fan pivoted and swam through the skeletal remains of the shipwreck.

His previous underwater search for sunken vessels had inadvertently transported him to Another World. Having dwelled there for more than half a year, he remained unaware of recent events on Blue Star. Prudence dictated he personally survey the surface before risking Blue’s exposure.

Meanwhile, aboard the surveillance vessel.

Tang Tong was mid-bite into her lunch.

Field operations ensured well-stocked provisions – the steaming hotpot before them stood testament to this logistical assurance.

The Special Bureau’s unconventional structure, lacking rigid military discipline, permitted such liberties. Under Tang Tong’s relaxed leadership, the atmosphere resembled a lakeside picnic more than official duty, complete with lamb slices swirling in broth and suppressed laughter that might erupt into song.

Recent days of stagnant progress and the dragon race’s preoccupation left little beyond routine monitoring and culinary indulgence.

As chopsticks clinked against bowls, Tang Tong’s deputy entered the mess.

The control panel watch had been determined by lottery – the unlucky draw that relegated the deputy to duty during mealtime.

"Report," Tang Tong commanded, chopsticks suspended above simmering broth.

Her subordinate wouldn’t abandon post without cause.

"Patrol craft retrieved a survivor five minutes ago. Facial recognition indicates high probability match with our missing persons registry."

"Chief, your presence is requested."

Tang Tong’s brow furrowed. "Lead the way."

Annual maritime disappearances rarely concluded with rescues. Their current mission had exhaustively eliminated pre-tsunami cases, and post-disaster restrictions should have prevented new incidents.

"Which case?" Tang Tong inquired while striding through narrow corridors.

"Lin Fan."

The name gave Tang Tong’s steps fractional hesitation before resuming their rhythm. She recalled this particular file – the seafarer who’d vanished amidst tsunami warnings, his chartered vessel never making port.

Plausible, given the catastrophe’s abrupt fury that swallowed vessels whole.

Official reports downplayed casualties, but seawater graves didn’t lie. Controlled statistics merely masked the truth. Rescue efforts had persisted, yet hope dwindled with each passing tide.

Civilian cases closed after fifteen days. Extraordinary individuals and Practitioners enjoyed extended deadlines, but months transformed missing persons lists into death lists wearing thin disguises.

Lin Fan’s file stood out – survival probabilities heightened by documented capabilities, coupled with evidence of meticulous preparation.

Pausing at the consultation room’s threshold, Tang Tong turned with razor focus.

"Has he spoken?"

"No, he insisted he wouldn’t speak until meeting you personally," the deputy shook his head, hand resting on the doorknob. He waited for her nod before opening the door and gesturing her inside.

The ship lacked proper interrogation facilities – this makeshift meeting space had been hastily cleared from their usual conference room.

Several figures turned as she entered.

"Chief."

"Leave us. Mu Qing and I can handle this." Tang Tong waved dismissively, her eyes settling on the uneasy young man shifting in his seat. "Lin Fan. We’re aware of your circumstances."

"Now that we’re face to face – anything to share?"

Lin Fan studied the division chief he’d only seen in official bureau profiles. The website photo hadn’t captured her piercing gaze that now seemed to catalogue his every twitch.

"Hello," he blurted, rising too quickly.

When he’d emerged gasping from the waves, Lin Fan never imagined becoming a maritime disaster statistic. The supposed "shipwreck victim" title baffled him – he’d heard nothing about any tsunami.

"At ease," Tang Tong settled into the chair opposite. Her calm tone contrasted with Lin Fan’s discomfort in borrowed clothes – ill-fitting pants and a stiff-collared shirt replacing the soaked shorts he’d been pulled from the sea wearing.

The chief’s brief glance felt like full-body scan. Her deputy Mu Qing materialized with a dossier. "Chief, the preliminary report."

Tang Tong flipped through pages detailing Lin Fan’s ordinary existence: third-year Financial Management student at Eastern Sea University, orphaned at twenty, utterly unremarkable until his nautical preparations. "Tell me about your sea voyage, Mr. Lin. Our records show you departed Qionghai Port before the tsunami. How does someone with your… cultivation level survive such an event?"

Lin Fan’s throat tightened. His actual cultivation had indeed advanced since those records, but not enough to explain surviving apocalyptic waves.

"And your purpose?" Tang Tong pressed. "Thorough preparations for… maritime research?"

The truth stuck in his throat – shipwreck salvaging meant prison time. Worse, explaining his accidental interdimensional journey would land him on every watchlist.

"Relax," Tang Tong’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. "Standard procedure for missing persons cases." She slid the dossier across the table, exposing his life’s inventory. "Lin Fan, 23. Half a semester from graduation. Orphaned. Currently…" Her nail tapped the final page. "…exceptionally prepared for deep-sea operations."

The apologetic tilt of her head chilled him more than any threat. They knew everything – except what really mattered.

"I trust you’ve seen online how the Special Bureau operates. We never resort to violent enforcement until conclusions are formally reached."

True enough—until judgment falls. Once a Practitioner’s crimes are confirmed, they face thunderous retribution.

"Your cultivation surpasses our initial intelligence reports. Should this stem from some… extraordinary encounter, you’re under no obligation to disclose it."

Lin Fan stared at the documents, momentarily at a loss.

After a weighted pause, he managed, "I’ve committed no crimes. I merely wished to test my abilities, hence renting the boat for sea trials."

Tang Tong’s seasoned eyes pierced through his deception effortlessly, yet she let it slide with practiced grace.

"Understood. How then did you survive the tsunami?"

The specter of prison meals, criminal records, and community service loomed large. Lin Fan knew they’d chosen leniency. His thoughts drifted to Another World before he rasped,

"I did encounter something… beyond ordinary."

Tang Tong’s lips thinned in silent confirmation.

Blue Star’s current chaos defied quantification—where righteous and vile mingled freely since the Great Shift. Ancient relics and spiritual items now dotted the landscape, their discoverers crowned as Lucky Charms. None could map this new wilderness.

A sharp knock interrupted them.

Tang Tong stilled Lin Fan with a raised palm. "Enter."

The returning agent’s grim expression tightened the room’s atmosphere. Bending close, she whispered, "Chief—an unidentified lifeform. Photographic evidence here…"

The phone screen illuminated a black-haired, azure-eyed hybrid—human above the waist, shimmering fish tail below. Tang Tong’s sharp nod urged continuation.

"No Identity Card. Non-verbal. Physical markers align partially with database entries for jiangshi and mermaids, but taxonomically distinct… Isolation protocols initiated."

"Psionic communication confirmed…"

Though hushed, the words carried. Lin Fan’s composure shattered. "You took Wei Lan?"

The agent’s retort died under Tang Tong’s quelling glare.

"We’ve detained no one," Tang Tong countered, thrusting her phone forward. Two taps magnified the image. "Unless this is your Wei Lan?"

The photo struck like a gut punch—there she was, radiant scales glinting defiantly. He’d warned her! Begged her to stay hidden! Yet here she swam into the Special Bureau’s nets.

His subterfuge collapsed.

"The individual was discovered entering without a permit," the agent recited. "Found near your coordinates in a shipwreck at the sea bottom. Protective custody seemed prudent given…"

Tang Tong overrode smoothly, "This maritime zone remains restricted. Unauthorized presence demands intervention."

"We act in her interests."

"Designation as hostile would prove… problematic."

Lin Fan’s nails bit palms. Hostile classification? Nightmare scenarios cascaded—precisely why he’d left her! Yet concealment now mocked him.

"She is Wei Lan." The admission scraped his throat raw. "My ‘extraordinary encounter’ refers to her origin."

"Origin?"

"You’ve seen the shipwreck. Inspect thoroughly—you’ll find the barrier that spans two worlds." Defeat weighted his words. "No use hiding truths you’ll soon uncover."

The dam broke. Lin Fan’s secret history unfurled—beginning months prior…

Lin Fan rented a boat to search for shipwrecks and made a discovery in one – unexpectedly, this wreck harbored a gateway to an interconnected space.

He stumbled into the space before realizing the danger, and the link between the two worlds shattered before he could retreat. Trapped without escape, he had no choice but to venture deeper.

Though his abilities as a Practitioner allowed prolonged underwater survival, his limitations remained. Even with oxygen tanks, he still needed to surface periodically for air.

The ocean’s perpetual dangers made him cautious against diving further, wary of encountering marine creatures beyond his capabilities.

During one ascent, he emerged in unrecognizable waters. The surrounding seawater glowed with an unearthly blue lightly tinted purple, making him initially suspect severe pollution.

Disoriented with malfunctioning navigation tools and no positioning signals, Lin Fan gambled on swimming blindly toward what he hoped would be shore.

His Practitioner training proved vital – he resorted to catching fish to eat raw and distilling water when thirsty. Pre-journey preparations and wilderness survival knowledge saved him from starvation or dehydration during this ordeal.

After ten sunsets of relentless swimming, fortune finally granted him a glimpse of white shoreline.

Approaching the coast, he spotted an ethereal figure perched on jagged rocks.

"That’s Wei Lan."

"Only later did I understand it was Another World – at first I thought I’d simply wandered too far. Since Wei Lan appeared as mermaid or jiangshi… I didn’t question it until our conversations revealed…"

Lin Fan sighed. "Without knowing how I arrived, I stayed there until recently discovering the return method."

On Blue Star, eastern jiangshi clans and western merfolk tribes might seem similar at first glance.

Yet distinctions exist: jiangshi boast translucent ornamental ear fins aligned with Eastern beauty standards, while western merfolk exhibit sharper facial contours with fins matching their fish tails’ coloration.

Wei Lan bore neither race’s characteristics.

"She’s just a little girl, innocent – not some Blue Star invader."

Tang Tong’s expression hardened at his mention of Another World. "Mu Qing, arrange comprehensive medical screenings for Lin Fan and Miss Wei Lan who entered without a permit immediately."

Interdimensional organisms could carry pathogens threatening Blue Star’s ecosystem, justifying precautionary measures despite current peace.

Thorough examinations would bring necessary reassurance.

"Yes, Chief."

"Also assign someone to debrief Lin Fan about Another World."

"Understood."

While Tang Tong drafted reports, western seas churned with chaos.

Across the Atlantic, grotesque sea beasts emerged from unknown depths, summoning storms to batter ships. Their eldritch forms – impossible terrestrial mutations – tested sailors’ sanity.

Meanwhile at East Sea’s shore:

"These unregistered sea beasts – any records?" Ao Ming demanded without turning.

"None matching their profiles, sir."

"Could they be newly awakened intelligence…"

Ao Ming shook his head. "Impossible."

Recently awakened intelligence? In these seas, the dragon race reigns supreme. Any aquatic creature developing intelligence within their domain immediately receives registration directives disseminated by the dragons to formalize their status.

In modern society, even human cultivators find themselves immobilized without an Identity Card, let alone spirit cultivators. Adopting humanity’s systems, the registration of tiers and identities has streamlined spirit cultivator governance beyond measure compared to ancient times.

"No spiritual aura detected. Not a spirit cultivator."

The speaker belonged to the narwhal tribe – one of the rare shape-shifting spirit cultivators serving among Ao Ming’s aides.

Ao Ming’s entourage comprised both human and spirit cultivators. Beyond the handful capable of human forms, many retained their primordial shapes while working… Entering the spirit cultivator headquarters often felt like wandering through a sanctuary of critically endangered species.

"Your Highness, how shall we proceed?"

Ao Ming’s gaze remained fixed on the churning waves. "Regardless of origin, prevent their shore approach."

"Acknowledged." The horned man touched his comms device, barking orders to subordinates. "Execute His Highness’ command!"

Flashes of light erupted along the coastline, converging on the coordinates of the marauding sea beasts. Beneath the waves, aquatic clans joined the assault against the mindless invaders.

"There’s a puppeteer."

Ao Ming’s draconic vision pierced the distance without optical aid, locking onto the silhouette commanding the largest beast. "Decapitate the snake, and the body withers. I’ll greet our guest personally."

"Let no trespasser breach Zhongxia’s shores. Failure means disciplinary reckoning."

"By your will!"

The spirit cultivator hierarchy operated with military precision – high-level practitioners wielded absolute authority over low-tier counterparts. This pecking order, combined with their reverence for pure bloodlines, made Ao Ming both commander and object of worship among them.

They prostrated themselves willingly, forming the bedrock of his influence.

Ao Ming’s draconic transformation cut through the waves, materializing before the intruder in moments.

Interlopers.

Only deranged outsiders would dare assault Zhongxia’s coasts. Any Blue Star nation attacking this realm would be signing their own death warrant – did they think their skulls harder than Zhongxia’s iron fists?

The dark-robed dragon sovereign stood en pointe upon the swells, sleeves billowing in the salt wind as he glared at the fur-clad figure astride its Strange Beast. Neither the primitive bronze weaponry nor the alien garb matched any Blue Star culture.

"State your name and purpose in Zhongxia." The mental projection transcended language barriers.

The interloper brandished his crude spear, howling through cracked lips: "@￥%#@!"

Decrypted, the guttural cry translated: "By solar prophecy – purge this heretical world!"

Ao Ming’s eyebrow arched in amusement. Heretic? Him? The novelty almost outweighed the insult.

"Your sun god condemns us as blasphemers? Amusing."

The Long Knife shimmered into existence, its edge humming with restrained power. "Let’s measure your conviction’s weight. If wanting, I’ll collect the difference in blood."

…

Coastal defenders scrambled to intercept infiltrators along Zhongxia’s vast shores. No wall could fully guard such expanse – gaps inevitably appeared.

Were this not their own territorial waters, missile barrages would’ve already scoured these fools from existence.

South China Sea, theater of chaos.

Aboard Tang Tong’s vessel.

The crew had learned of the disturbances in the East China Sea region and the coordinated attacks along foreign coastlines – these alien entities emerged mere days after Lin Fan and Lan Lan’s appearance.

Though direct correlation remained unproven, an undeniable connection lingered in the air.

These humanoid yet non-human creatures matched Lin Fan’s earlier descriptions perfectly. Neither demons nor mortals, they uttered guttural alien syllables while projecting crystalline thoughts directly into minds.

"Miss Lan Lan," Tang Tong inquired with velvet-edged authority, "what ties bind you to these beings?"

Lin Fan’s face paled to parchment when Tang Tong displayed surveillance footage, his reaction suggesting deeper implications than the sea-dweller beside him could fathom.

"Lan Lan knows nothing of this…" the young man’s voice wavered like reeds in storm.

The investigator’s hawkish gaze pinned him mid-sentence. "This inquiry isn’t for you, Student Lin Fan." Her smile carried winter’s chill. "Kindly observe silence."

The student’s jaw snapped shut, thoroughly outmatched by the seasoned operative’s presence.

Lan Lan twisted the borrowed shirt’s hem – a charitable replacement from crewwomen for her impractical seaweed garments.

"#%&*△♢!"

Melodic alien vowels danced through the cabin before she caught herself. Flustered, she switched to mental speech: "I followed Brother Lin Fan here. Please don’t blame him! This was my childish insistence…"

Her shimmering caudal fin stretched longer than a man’s torso, yet the pleading eyes and delicate features softened even hardened hearts.

Tang Tong’s scrutiny lingered, then relented. A woman’s compassion surfaced as she noted the genuine distress. "Standard procedure only. No harm will come to innocents."

Her sidelong glance caught Lin Fan’s protective tension. Interesting dynamics indeed.

Brushing aside speculation, Tang Tong refocused: "Do you recognize these attackers? Any information could prove vital."

A timid nod set Lan Lan’s aquamarine hair rippling. "Sun Tribe warriors. They bear solar sigils on their shoulders… Masters of sea beast warfare and tidal conquests."

"Elaborate everything – no detail is too small."

*

Within the Galactic Empire’s crystalline spires…

Ye Er studied her reflection – silver-templed, military-straight, the embodiment of a sixty-year-old warlord. Medals clinked against her parade uniform as she adjusted the commander’s cap. Finlano Ichou’s identity carried weight: one of twelve Elder Council oligarchs, overlord of five star regions, second only to the Emperor himself.

Had fortune smiled, or was her True Form pulling cosmic strings? She dismissed the thought. Priorities first.

The desk hologram flared to life beneath her fingers. Biometric seals yielded to her touch, revealing her new reality:

DECREE FROM IMPERIAL HIGH COMMAND

SUBJECT: ANOMALOUS ENTITY SURVEILLANCE

Recent epidemic of mass delirium across sectors 5-10. Investigate possible foreign infiltration…

Ye Er’s lips curved. "Madness" indeed – these were taskers blundering through alien hosts. The Empire was awakening to the invasion.

Her polished nails traced battlefront reports. This borrowed authority could ignite interstellar wars… or reshape destinies. A double-edged blade requiring perfect control.

Methodically, she began replicating Finlano’s bureaucratic patterns. First: consolidate power. Second: vanish into the role. The ultimate sleeper agent’s dance commenced.