Chapter 1255
[Immortal Realm Chapter] Approaching the Truth, the Hunting Moment
"what?!"
Lin Shan was shocked, his pupils contracted sharply, and he could hardly believe it.
"Congress just passed several bills recently, ordering the Secret Service and Customs and Immigration to jointly eliminate cultivators who have infiltrated our country, and authorizing the Star Warriors Association to cooperate in investigations among the civilian population. How come this happened so soon after? Could it be retaliation against us?"
Seeing that his expression didn't seem fake, the vice president slightly lowered his gaze and softened his tone.
"It shouldn't be. The Immortal Remnant Alliance has been making big moves in the interstellar space recently, causing turmoil in various countries. It's said they're secretly investigating something."
He paused deliberately at this point to observe Lin Shan's reaction.
The latter said frankly and decisively:
"I have heard that it is about the mystery of the Kongtong Realm recorded in the immortal scriptures. They want to find that last spiritual realm to save the crumbling immortal civilization."
This matter is no secret; it has been circulated among high-ranking officials in various countries. If he pretends to be confused, it will only arouse suspicion. It would be better for him to speak frankly and openly.
The vice president nodded, giving a knowing look.
"That's right. The other party's appearance near the Federal Astronomical Observatory Research Institute is probably for this matter. What are your thoughts?"
Lin Shan frowned, making a face that showed a sudden realization mixed with anxiety.
"Could it be...could it be..."
"What is it?"
The vice president urged him to speak quickly.
"I suspect that they might be after our observatory, perhaps?"
As Lin Shan pondered and reasoned, he rejected his previous idea.
"That doesn't make sense. Even if they kidnapped the observatory scientists, they couldn't have moved all those large instruments! And even if they did, there are tracking devices inside, and without the manufacturer's authorization, you can't unlock the tracking permissions. That doesn't make any sense! But if that's the case, why hunt down the Secret Service team? Wouldn't alerting them just expose them even more?"
He racked his brains, scratching his head hard, but no matter how he looked at it, it just didn't make logical sense.
Seeing this, the vice president breathed a sigh of relief, sat back down in his chair, and tapped the table with two fingers.
"Is it possible that they came for our research findings?"
"how do I say this?"
"As the director of the Space Strategy Office, how could you not know? The Observatory Research Institute started the project on Kongtong Realm more than a year ago, and the budget for the project has been handled by you for two consecutive years!"
Only now has the Vice President revealed the reason why he summoned Lin Shan.
So they suspect he, the office director, is up to something, which is why they came to question him in person!
Lin Shan, who had been completely open and honest before, suddenly started to act bewildered.
"What? The observatory had already approved the observation of Kongtong Realm a long time ago? Is this even possible? What's wrong with the space agency? How could they not have discovered and reported this beforehand? Who gave them permission to do this?!"
When it comes to shifting blame, Lin Shan is second to none.
He immediately stated that he was completely unaware of the matter and that if he had known the other party dared to secretly initiate the project, he would have discovered and rejected it immediately.
"But aren't all the funding proposals concerning the Federation's space strategy your work?"
"Ahem, I was only responsible for signing off; actually, my subordinates did all the work."
Lin Shan awkwardly shifted the blame to his subordinates, saying that as the office director, he was too busy every day to read through every document from beginning to end, and that he would just sign it as long as his subordinates brought it to him.
Who would have thought this would happen?
The vice president was speechless, but he didn't doubt him anymore, because this guy got the position not because of his ability or experience, but because he hitched a ride on the president's faction.
Neglecting work and doing things carelessly isn't a big problem, but the excuse is a bit clumsy.
"Hmph, you think you're so busy every day? I bet you're busy trying to please rich women and having promiscuous relationships in the socialite circles of the federal capital."
Lin Shan's lips twitched; it seemed his reputation was already somewhat tarnished.
It was completely ruined by the Annihilation Avatar!
This kid is always causing trouble everywhere, which has already damaged the government's image to some extent. So the vice president is subtly reminding him that it's time to rein himself in!
"Yes, yes, you're right. I must reflect on my actions. When I get back, I'll distance myself from them and never dare to do anything reckless again."
"It's good to know."
The vice president wasn't too concerned about his private affairs; instead, he was making excuses for him.
"In fact, Congress and the Treasury Department also bear responsibility for approving the budgets of various projects, which is why this project has been running for more than a year without us realizing it."
In light of the recent ambush of the Federal Secret Service, the project to investigate the Kongtong Realm was finally put on the table.
"Go to the Observatory Research Institute immediately and find out who initiated the project and who is behind the conspiracy. There must be a traitor among the higher-ups, a cultivator. This person must be found!"
"Furthermore, halt this project as soon as possible. Don't let our observatory work for cultivators for nothing. This project has no return on investment whatsoever. Shut it down immediately!"
"Soon, the opposing party will launch an attack in parliament and make a big deal out of this. The president and I need to prepare to mitigate the negative impact of this, so we can only send you to take charge of that matter first."
"Remember, you absolutely mustn't cause a major disaster."
Lin Shan left the Presidential Palace and received a new assignment, letting out a long sigh of relief.
Fortunately, he has connections who can provide him with a safety net, not only helping him withstand pressure from all sides but also buying him time!
Another important reason why Lin Shan was sent to the observatory this time is that he is the Star Martial King!
Ordinary cultivators, unless they are Nascent Soul stage cultivators, should not expect to get away with this, which is why the Vice President felt comfortable entrusting this matter to him.
I never suspected that the mole was him!
After returning home and tidying up his office, he immediately drove to the Federal Astronomical Observatory Research Institute with his entourage. Shortly after his departure, representatives from another part of Waghha's upper-class circle began a secret meeting, the key objective of which was to obtain evidence from the observatory!
"Rest assured, sir, the Star Warrior Association will definitely handle this matter properly. We will expose the current government's scandals before the election begins. We have dispatched three Star Warrior Kings for this purpose. That kid surnamed Lin is no match for us!"
"Go ahead, I'll get the Secret Service to fully cooperate with you. That lecherous man climbed the social ladder by clinging to a rich woman; he'll fall from grace eventually, and then he'll know how terrible it will be."
Deep in the valley, at the Federal Sky Eye.
Here you'll find the world's top astronomical team, constantly conducting cosmic calculations. They'll be the first to detect any natural phenomena that could affect the future of the world!
It is also one of the federal agencies with the highest level of secrecy.
When Lin Shan arrived here, he met with the charming Dr. Selena again. She was still dressed provocatively and aroused the passion of the men in the research institute all day long. But who didn't know that she was the mistress of NASA's chief scientist?
Who would dare to cuckold someone?
"Director Lin, you've finally arrived! The other day, the Secret Service agents barged in without warning and stole a lot of important data from our observatory. Could it be that they..."
"You mean this? Here you go!"
Lin Shan tossed the briefcase to the woman. Cui Yuan had already snatched it back halfway through the journey. He had already looked inside; although it was all research data, it contained detailed evidence about the calculation of the Kongtong Realm.
The consequences would be unimaginable if they were taken out!
"From now on, the research institute will be completely closed to all information. Just focus on your own tasks and don't overthink things. I will ensure your safety."
Upon hearing this, Selena immediately understood that a storm was brewing.
The Secret Service is just the appetizer; who knows what other dangers lie ahead? The Observatory is about to be caught in a political vortex!
"In addition, bring me the research progress of all your current projects. I want to review them personally."
After Lin Shan finished speaking, a glint of light flashed in his eyes!
Selena dared not resist and quickly went down to organize the data. That evening, she summarized the progress of all current projects and sent it to him.
In just half a day, Waghha received several phone calls.
The Vice President inquired about his current situation, Ivanka complained about when she would propose to his father, Genevieve angrily berated him on the phone for having her hotel records accessed, and even more surprisingly, there was concern from her former superior, Brigadier General Brun.
Since returning from the space ruins, the Fifth Fleet has changed personnel, and Brigadier General Brun has successfully entered the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a powerful department with the authority to make decisions on military wars!
Feeling a warmth in his heart at his former boss's sudden concern, he told him not to worry, as he was now fully capable of handling things on his own.
"You must be extremely careful. The cultivators' obsession with the Kongtong Realm is beyond imagination. They might be planning an unprecedented attack. If you need anything, notify me immediately, and I will contact the surface-to-air missile force for support!"
Especially recently, the outside world has been quite turbulent. It is said that the actions of the Immortal Remnant Alliance have become increasingly frantic. There was even a case where a Nascent Soul stage cultivator attacked a country's space agency, looting all the data and equipment inside, and even taking away all the scientists!
"They're not only stealing data and equipment, they've even started stealing people. It's said they've established their own space observation station in a desolate corner of the universe, working tirelessly to pinpoint the whereabouts of the Kongtong Realm! The Aether Federation Observatory ranks among the top three in the faint universe; you absolutely cannot be careless, beware of cultivators infiltrating."
Lin Shan was slightly surprised when he heard the warning.
Over the past year, the Yixian Alliance has gone all out and indeed caused quite a stir. They are willing to do anything for their last chance to survive, and it is said that many cultivators have begun to study astronomy and physics on their own!
It is well known that cultivators have sharp ears and eyes, and excellent comprehension and talent, so they can learn things far beyond ordinary people!
The fact that they've been pushed to this point speaks volumes about how bad the environment in the Microcosm is.
Looking at the project report in my hand, which listed thousands of suspected Kongtong Realm location data, as well as multiple spatial fluctuations related to abnormal spiritual energy, and mirror analysis from hundreds of space telescopes, it was enough to show the high level of the Federal Astronomical Observatory!
"No, I have to go and see for myself."
He couldn't sit still any longer, so he went to the lab and immediately saw an eight-person team comparing various data and performing calculations using spectral and wave images.
Scattered manuscripts lay scattered around, while multiple computers ran programs and performed calculations under the coordination of AI. Spatial variables were merely the most basic unit here!
"Dr. Punaraf, after detailed and cyclical exploration, we have finally made our first major discovery: the Kongtong Realm was briefly glimpsed three hundred years ago."
The news immediately alarmed the research team, and the group gathered around to watch as a corner of an icy green secret realm appeared on the large screen, only to disappear just a second later.
Three hundred years ago? That seems to be around the time when the True Immortal Dongting Old Man met his demise!
Not only that, they actually discovered some of the routes taken by the old man of Dongting during his lifetime, especially his long stays in certain places and spatial nodes. By deducing from his various explorations, they gained more information about the Kongtong Realm.
Lin Shan saw this and was filled with anticipation.
Compared to the Old Man of Dongting, these scientists, by learning from his work, quickly caught up and came very close to the exploration process of the true immortals back then.
The young man named Punaraf was actually a cultivator secretly supported by Cui Yuan. No wonder he was able to gradually stand out; it turned out that his comprehension had greatly increased after becoming a cultivator, so he was divinely aided in scientific research and was quickly discovered and promoted.
Just then, news came from the outside world.
He walked to a secluded corner and answered the call; Cui Yuan's voice came from inside.
"Sir, something terrible has happened! Three armored vehicles have launched a night attack from the northeast, breaching several of our pre-planned defenses and are now charging into the valley!"
Lin Shan asked with some surprise:
"You didn't forcibly stop it?"
"I can't do it. There are beings on the other side with higher cultivation levels than me, and there's more than one!"
Even Cui Yuan, a Golden Core cultivator, didn't dare to stop the other party. The newcomer must be a Star Martial King.
He immediately sneered. It was nighttime now, so he could eliminate this uninvited guest and pin the blame on the cultivators. This would not only earn him credit but also buy him more time.
A short while later.
Outside, a rumbling sound could be heard, along with three pairs of high-beam headlights rapidly approaching in the night. As they entered the observatory's area, they not only failed to slow down but also aggressively attempted to break through the checkpoint!
The guardrail was smashed and sent flying, and even the security booth was blasted into the air.
The other side blocked the main entrance directly. Without saying a word, one after another, elite soldiers with agile movements and full of various tactical equipment jumped out of the car and stormed into the research institute in echelons with headlamps on their heads!
cascading.
The silenced gunshots rang out in the night, barely alerting anyone, and the gunmen stormed into the hall without any resistance.
With a few hand gestures from the leader, three teams immediately split up behind him to flank and outflank the left and right gates, taking turns providing cover as they advanced.
These people kill anyone they see, regardless of their identity. It seems they would rather kill a hundred innocent people than let one guilty person go free!
The sudden, loud gunfire shattered the tranquility, followed by fierce resistance that sent a slight unease through the intruders.
"A resistance group has appeared in Operations BT-2 area. They are firing heavily. We request clearance for close-quarters combat!"
"Melee combat is permitted, but no survivors are allowed."
As soon as he finished speaking, orange lightsabers activated, their buzzing sound instantly drowning out the screams, and a brutal massacre unfolded in the darkness! (End of Chapter)