You, a living person, are telling me I've served in the underworld for ten years?

"This is where my sect is located."

Chen Yang gave a brief introduction.

Before they could recover from the shock of this "legendary immortal cultivation sect," Chen Yang's voice rang out again.

"Li Rou".

With a flash of light, Li Rou's elegant and otherworldly figure appeared beside Chen Yang.

"This is Li Rou, the daily manager of this blessed land."

Chen Yang introduced them to the father and daughter.

Then, Li Rou explained in detail the essence of the "Blessed Land" to Lina and her father, who were still in a state of shock—a complete small world independent of reality.

The source of spiritual veins, the difference in the flow of time, the self-contained laws, the indestructible spatial barrier, and the characteristic of being completely isolated from the outside world... When it was mentioned that only the Realm Lord Chen Yang could open the portal, Li Rou's cold gaze swept over Jack and his daughter.

"The security you're worried about is governed by the highest rules here! The Heavenly Alliance? They can't even touch a speck of dust in this space!"

Finally, Chen Yang led them to a vast, flat area located behind the sect, near a large spiritual spring river.

This place is rich in spiritual energy, far from the core cultivation area, and the ground is solid and flat.

"This is the place reserved for your future gene research base."

Jack Nolan remained silent for a long time.

He slowly crouched down, grabbing a handful of soil, fragrant with the scent of damp earth and glistening with spiritual light, feeling the vibrant life force it contained. He then looked up at the distant flowing spring and river, the strange birds, and the mist-shrouded mountains in the distance… His blue eyes, brimming with the wisdom and adventurous spirit of a merchant, burst forth with an unprecedented, pure, ecstatic light!

"A land of dreams! It's practically the ultimate dream land for life sciences!"

He suddenly stood up, looked at Chen Yang, and every wrinkle on his face seemed to be glowing.

"Sect Leader Chen! Mr. Chen! I agree! I will dedicate the Nolan family's most core life science and technology team! The highest-level equipment! All consumables! All will be moved here! In the shortest possible time, I will build this world's, no, the universe's, most advanced and most secretive gene research fortress for you!"

He waved his arms excitedly.

"I will personally assemble a reliable core team!"

All they need to know is that they are working on an extremely noble, extremely secret, ultimate life exploration project! As for the location of the base? I'll tell them it's a top-secret deep-sea fortress, far from any land and any signal!

They never need to leave the base, so there's no risk of exposure!

"very good."

Chen Yang extended his hand.

"I will reserve a sufficiently large entrance space for you here. Bring in all the supplies and equipment you have! The time laws of the Sumeru Realm are unique; I will try my best to adjust the time difference of the outflow channels to facilitate the transport of your supplies. The location of the outer channels..."

A glint flashed in Jack's eyes, and he instantly understood the brilliance of Chen Yang's previous concealment of his identity, and said decisively.

"It's located in the very heart of the Nolan Group, in the strategic material transshipment warehouse that my daughter and I personally control! It's the safest place! And the least likely to be suspected!"

He grasped Chen Yang's hand.

"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Lord Chen!"

Back on the top floor, in that luxurious yet suddenly somewhat cramped modern office.

Outside the window, the bustling traffic and flashing neon lights of Haicheng continued as before. Inside the office, however, all was silent.

Jack and his daughter stood there, watching Chen Yang close the chaotic portal to the other world with complicated expressions, as if they had just experienced an incredible dream.

"Remember, Jack, Lina."

Chen Yang's gaze swept over the two of them, carrying a heavy weight.

"Regarding the name 'Sumeru Realm,' all its coordinates, characteristics, location... are absolute core secrets known only to the three of us! Not a single detail can be revealed to your most trusted scientist or anyone within your group!"

Even those who enter will only see it as some large, cutting-edge underground base built by your Nolan Group! Understand? This is the foundation for cooperation and survival!

"I see!"

Jack's expression was extremely solemn, and his eyes held the resolute determination befitting the head of a multinational corporation.

"Only technicians and researchers went in; they neither need nor are qualified to know the base's true secrets!"
That would be the highest level of information confinement! Once all the supplies are in, I will immediately arrange for the relevant personnel at the entrance to undergo a long-term vacation, cutting off all contact with the outside world!

He used the word "vacation," and all three of them knew what it meant.

"here."

He pointed to the building below.

"Including the soon-to-be-activated strategic warehouse, which will become our only visible point of contact."

He looked at Chen Yang, his face showing unprecedented seriousness.

"Lord of the Realm, your blessed land is the true support against the Heavenly Dao Alliance. I will get it running as soon as possible!"

Seeing the burning passion for his career in Jack's eyes and his extremely cautious attitude, Chen Yang finally slowly revealed a satisfied and sincere smile.

"Then, let's await Mr. Jack's good news. The day the equipment enters the country will be the starting point of our real counterattack."

Jack's eyes, a mixture of fervor and caution, shone through the neon lights reflected in the floor-to-ceiling windows, and his tone was resolute.

Chen Yang finally showed his most genuine smile of the night and said in a deep voice.

"Happy cooperation!"

The heavy wooden door to the office slid open silently, revealing the assistant and security personnel waiting outside with their eyes lowered. Lina strode forward, her face a mixture of lingering excitement and the solemnity of a new beginning, and spoke to Chen Yang.

"Chen, Father and his team need more time to plan in detail to prepare equipment and personnel. It will take at least a week to coordinate the core team and key equipment."

But tonight…” She paused slightly, revealing a charming smile unique to business elites.

"I've reserved a fantastic private restaurant spot for you. Would you be so kind as to join me? There are some details we can perhaps discuss further over dinner."

Chen Yang looked at Lina's deep blue eyes and saw the sincere invitation and a hint of probing in them, and nodded in agreement.

"it is good."

In the elegant rooftop restaurant, the melody of a violin flows in the candlelight.

Outside the window, an endless, dazzling starry sky and the myriad lights of homes below formed a double backdrop. Amidst delicacies and fine wine, Lina smiled sweetly, filled with anticipation for the earth-shattering plan about to begin. The conversation skillfully centered on the fundamental theories and potential applications of gene technology, making no further mention of the Sumeru Realm.

Chen Yang seamlessly switched back to his former role as the mysterious and erudite collaborator, and the two maintained a tacit understanding on the surface.

The night breeze dispelled the city's heat. After dinner, free from the noise of traffic, the two strolled along the riverside promenade, chatting about trivial yet down-to-earth topics. The cool river breeze caressed their cheeks, and the river, reflecting the vibrant lights of the city, flowed silently beneath their feet.

Only after escorting Lina to her secluded lakeside villa nestled in the shade and watching her slender figure disappear into the brightly lit courtyard entrance did Chen Yang turn and leave.

He was about to raise his hand to hail an oncoming taxi when the encrypted communicator in his pocket emitted a short, distinctive vibration, like a bird's chirp. It was Ali's contact signal.

"Ah Li?" Chen Yang answered the call, his steps wandering aimlessly along the dimly lit street.

Ali's clear voice, filled with joy and a touch of grievance, came from the other end of the communication line, like a mountain stream that instantly cleansed the city's hustle and bustle.

"Chen Yang! I can finally hear your voice! How are you doing? Is everything alright? When will you be back?"

A series of urgent questions, filled with deep longing and concern.

A gentle smile unconsciously spread across Chen Yang's face, and his tone relaxed.

"It'll be soon. Things here are basically done, and it's going more smoothly than expected. In about another week, I can go back after the handover is completed."

He subconsciously avoided mentioning the core secrets of the blessed land and gene base, but he did describe the thrilling journey of encountering the ambush, discovering the new Heavenly Dao Alliance's henchman "Chang Sheng Trading", and even finally killing the black-clad powerhouse in the end, using words that were as concise as possible but still full of tension.

"...In short, we gained a lot, but the opponent's counterattack was fierce."

"Ah! That's too dangerous!"

Ali exclaimed in surprise, then added a hint of smugness.

"But don't worry! Things are lively here too! Grandmaster Gu is in a great mood lately, saying that our sect is blessed with good fortune, and he's taken in over a dozen promising young talents with excellent aptitude and comprehension as his personal disciples! The mountain is bustling now, and you can hear the shouts of new disciples practicing everywhere..."

She chattered on and on about all the trivial changes in the sect, which peak had opened a new spirit garden, and how she had just researched a new spirit fruit porridge... like a traveler returning home after a long absence, longing for the familiar warmth and comfort of home.

Chen Yang listened quietly, and the tension in his heart, which had been taut due to days of fighting, gradually eased with the girl's clear and warm nagging.

The two poured out their longing and worries to each other across the vast distance, and a tender atmosphere flowed through the communicator.

After ending the communication, Chen Yang returned to the secluded and secure hotel suite in a high-rise building, arranged by Qiu Niu. It was already late at night.

But the meeting room inside the suite was brightly lit.

Qiuniu, towering like a mountain, sat in the main seat, with Luanfeng beside him, exuding a calm yet sharp aura.

Li Mingrong and Xiao Wanlou, dressed in black combat uniforms, stood by the window, while Liu Yu, still gentle and graceful, sat in the corner carefully wiping the small equipment parts in her hands that gleamed with a cold metallic luster.

Su Meng was practically buried in front of a terminal that was processing data at high speed, with complex data chains refreshing like a waterfall on the screen. Only her ponytail could be seen swaying gently with her movements.

As soon as Chen Yang pushed the door open and came in, everyone's eyes were focused on him.

"Brother Yang!"

"Sect Leader!"

Chen Yang waved his hand, gesturing for everyone to sit down.

"Prepare for the next step. The bait of 'Bai Cao Sheng Hui' has failed, but the clues point to Changsheng Trading Group, and something deeper behind them. We must hold onto this fish, Changsheng, firmly!"

Qiuniu immediately responded, his voice sharp as grinding iron.

"Target confirmed. I will personally lead the monitoring of the pharmaceutical factory and Dave Trading's small outposts. Liu Yu's tracking talisman has been deployed."

He gestured to Liu Yu with his eyes.

Liu Yu smiled gently, her hands still moving.

"The latest three batches of serum all point to a vague area in the west. The fluctuation signal is very weak and needs calibration, but it is only a matter of time before we pinpoint the specific location."

"What about Lillian?"

Chen Yang looked at Su Meng.

Upon hearing this, Su Meng pressed the Enter key and turned the screen around, displaying a densely packed global map of signal points. She then rubbed her slightly sore eyes.

"All the communication relay nodes provided by Lillian for Tianye Group are connected to the monitoring system."

She sent back a new report saying that the group seems to be frequently mobilizing its core security forces in Hainan Island recently, with unclear directions, unlike routine rotations! I suspect it might be related to that vague western region!

"it is good!"

Chen Yang's eyes narrowed.

"Luanfeng, send half of your men to the vicinity of Wang Shengxiong's bar, and work with the undercover agents left behind by Uncle Li to thoroughly investigate the connections along this line."

Li Mingrong and Xiao Wanlou, you two are in charge of providing support, and pay special attention to any secret transaction channels that Wang Shengxiong may have!

"understand!"

"Roger that!"

Everyone readily accepted the order and quickly understood their respective responsibilities.

As night deepened, the brief strategic meeting concluded. The participants dispersed, returning to their rooms to prepare for tomorrow's operations.

Chen Yang returned to his room and had just taken off his coat to wash up when his ordinary cell phone rang urgently and shrilly—the words "Chen Tingting" appeared on the screen.

An ominous premonition instantly gripped Chen Yang's heart.

Chen Tingting has a strong personality, and unless there is a major change, she would rarely call him directly at this time!
He answered the phone, and as soon as he said "hello," Chen Tingting's trembling voice, filled with sobs and barely suppressed emotion, came from the other end of the line.

"Brother Chen Yang...it's me...my dad...my dad...he was beaten to a pulp! He's in the hospital...it's so awful...waaaaaah..."

"what?!"

Chen Yang's aura suddenly exploded, and it was as if a cold wind swept through the room instantly!
"Where are you? How badly are you injured?"

"After coming out of the emergency room at the First Municipal Hospital... I was transferred to the special care ward..." Chen Tingting choked up as she spoke intermittently.

"It's those people from the Sea Shark Gang... Wang Fade... He saw that we raided his casino in South Alley, cutting off his source of income... and took advantage of my dad... My dad was alone today... Waaaaah..."

"The Sea Shark Society...Wang Fade!"

A cold light flashed in Chen Yang's eyes, like solid ice shards!

"Very well! Keep watch, I'll be right there!"

Late at night, the emergency room of the city's First Hospital was filled with the mixed smells of disinfectant and faint traces of blood.

Outside the intensive care unit, Chen Tingting, wearing a black long-sleeved t-shirt stained with blood, her eyes red and swollen like peaches, her face covered in tears, sat alone curled up on a cold plastic chair. When she saw Chen Yang, it was as if she had seen her only pillar of support. She rushed over to him, and her tears flowed uncontrollably once again.

"Brother Chen Yang!"

Chen Yang gently patted her back.

"Don't be afraid, let me see your godfather."

The two quickly entered the ward. On the hospital bed, the "Living Yama" was wrapped in bandages all over his body, and the exposed skin was bruised and swollen, with almost no good flesh left.

One leg was suspended in mid-air with a heavy cast, the right arm was fixed in a splint, and the chest and abdomen were wrapped in blood-soaked gauze.

The most terrifying thing was that once imposing face, now covered in horrific bruises, its cheekbones visibly sunken and deformed, its nose broken, and its lips ripped open with grotesque, centipede-like stitches left after the stitches. (End of Chapter)