The projector continuously cycled through photographs and videos across the screen. There were red-skinned monsters, a madman wearing a clown mask, and a killer wielding a spear. The videos showed the three monsters fighting their way out of heavy encirclement with unstoppable strength, tearing through building walls and smashing cars as they swung them around. Firearms were as laughable as toys before them.
There was also the Eramon Necro Tree, dancing wildly like a rampaging demon, along with the scene of its single strike condensing into a smoke pillar that reached the heavens and seizing an armed helicopter.
"These are the extraordinary beings we recently discovered and faced. We have given them the codenames Red Devil, Clown, Killer, and Mist God Tree!"
"But they all died at the hands of another, even more powerful existence. With almost unmatched strength and bearing, it directly killed these terrifying and dreadful monsters to us, as well as an extraordinary lifeform that was practically a god or devil."
At last, the image on the screen froze on a Taoist dressed in a moon-white robe, with silver hair covering his head.
The picture had been selected by Lin Shu during the preparatory meeting. It showed an immortal above the clouds holding the glowing Necro Tree and gazing indifferently at the earth, as though looking down upon all living beings.
The meeting room was occupied not only by members of the Abnormal Affairs Investigation Team, but also by Taoists and monks dressed in robes and Kasaya, along with scholars, academics, and researchers.
Zhou Yang looked at everyone below the stage. "We use the codename 'Sword Immortal' to refer to him. Where he came from, what his identity is, whether he is human or some other creature, and exactly how powerful he is—we know none of it."
At that moment, the image changed to darkness. A light pulled a gigantic Water Dragon from the ground, stretching hundreds of meters across and coiling around a building as it rose. Then it transformed into that streak of sword light that had shot into the heavens above Yellow Goat Mountain.
Everyone present had already watched the video countless times, yet at this moment, they still felt shock and trembling surge from the depths of their hearts. This terrifying power was the kind that could run rampant even in modern society.
"But after investigating during this period, we can say that we have achieved some preliminary results!"
Zhou Yang brought up another image. It was not a photograph, but a hand-drawn picture. It depicted a barren wilderness, a huge red moon, mountain ranges rising and falling beyond sight, and an ancient pastoral village. It was precisely the Necro Tree Realm they had fallen into before in Yellow Goat Mountain.
"Sword Immortal, Clown, Red Devil, Killer, and Mist God Tree had no records or information beforehand. They seemed to be existences that had appeared out of thin air. It is highly likely that they do not belong to our world, but came from another world—a world we have never discovered or understood."
"Everyone who once became lost in Yellow Goat Mountain gave the same account. They said they entered another world. Of course, I was one of them." Zhou Yang spoke to the people below with certainty.
"Then, a few days ago, those of us who had once fallen into that world all had the same dream again. We dreamed of a special and miraculous world. We can say with certainty that it absolutely was not Earth, and more than one hundred and seventy people had the same dream. That definitely wasn't a coincidence!"
"I would rather call everything we saw fact. We discovered and entered another wondrous world."
The image showed a huge, ancient-style gate. Within it was a constantly spinning silver vortex. On the other side of the vortex, they could see a vast ocean, peaks standing like swords, and immortal palaces.
"We don't know what to call this place. Perhaps the Immortal Realm, Hell, the Spirit Realm? Or perhaps another world?"
"Perhaps this world is gradually connecting with ours and opening an entrance to us. Or perhaps some change has occurred in the world, causing this world to gradually awaken."
A Taoist stood up. "Are you saying that we're gradually returning to the age described in ancient legends, and that Immortals and Demons and gods and Buddhas may very well reappear in the world?"
Zhou Yang shook his head. "I don't know. I'm only explaining some of our conjectures and the information we currently possess."
"Absurd! I absolutely refuse to believe in gods, immortals, or other worlds. None of this is scientific!" A bespectacled researcher with thinning hair stood up and said angrily.
Lin Shu, who was seated in the front row, stood and turned around. "Then may I ask how you intend to rationally explain all this? These aren't isolated accidents, but a series of events occurring one after another. This is fact. All we can do is accept it!"
"What we should be doing now is not questioning it, but approaching it and understanding it. That is what we should be doing."
A chaotic discussion erupted below the stage. Everyone began talking at once. Most of the Taoists and monks were incredibly excited, barely able to contain themselves, while the others wore faces full of worry and dread.
An elderly man with graying hair, dressed in a gray shirt and holding a porcelain cup, looked toward Zhou Yang. He appeared kind and benevolent, but his eyes were sharp and spirited. "If everything you've said is—hypothetically, I'm only saying hypothetically—truly real..."
"How are you going to find the entrance to this so-called other world?"
Zhou Yang looked at everyone. "We currently have three ideas. First, if we can find the Sword Immortal, we can naturally enter that world with ease!"
"Second, gather the more than one hundred and seventy people who once fell into that world. I believe that since we once entered that world and later dreamed of it, there must be some kind of connection between us and it!"
"Third, Yellow Goat Mountain and Three Goat Temple. As places that once opened an entrance leading to that world, and since the Sword Immortal may very well have some special connection with Three Goat Temple, we cannot afford to overlook them either."
The elderly man stood. "Your Abnormal Affairs Investigation Team will take full responsibility for this matter. If you need any assistance, call me directly. I hope you can make progress and achieve a breakthrough as soon as possible."
After the meeting ended, most of the attendees dispersed. Only the members of the Abnormal Affairs Investigation Team remained. Zhou Yang sat down and breathed a sigh of relief. The meeting just now had practically determined his work for this period and his future fate. For now, it seemed that he had succeeded.
The formerly temporary Abnormal Affairs Investigation Team had finally gained the attention of those above, and the word "temporary" had been removed.
Zhou Yang stood and spoke to his subordinates. "Everyone, we're truly going to begin our operation now. This operation may very well change the world, and even alter the future fate of humanity."
Every member of the Abnormal Affairs Investigation Team present immediately stood ramrod straight. As they listened to Zhou Yang's words, excitement shone in everyone's eyes.
Because they might very well become the first department in the country specifically responsible for handling and investigating extraordinary cases—a genuine special agency.
In Harbor District, on Xinhe Road, Fang Xiu returned home carrying a large bag of food and drinks. He went about his days as calmly as ever, completely unaware that the so-called Abnormal Affairs Investigation Team was already searching for him far and wide while exhausting every means to find the so-called Immortal Realm.
Even if he knew, Fang Xiu probably would not care much. Recently, there had been at least eighty organizations searching for Fang Xiu across television, newspapers, and the internet.
Large numbers of netizens and cultivation enthusiasts paid their own way to Wei Port City, traveling to various immortal sites on pilgrimages. The abandoned building Fang Xiu had collapsed, the Ming Mansion Hotel that had once burned down and was now being renovated, and even Yellow Goat Mountain, which had been sealed off—all of them saw groups of people charging inside every day without regard for anything.
A wave of immortal-seeking fervor had swept across the whole of Wei Port City. Adding one more group to the crowd hardly mattered.
Fang Xiu bit into a carton of yogurt and kicked the refrigerator door shut. At that moment, Chen Jin, who had been listening to the radio nearby, suddenly changed channels. Immediately, the Otherworld Radio began broadcasting the extraordinary knowledge program Fang Xiu was most interested in.
"Welcome to the Tower of Truth Channel. This is our first program. We will explain the most basic sorcery, the origins of Bloodline Sorcery, and the basic theories and knowledge of the Body Modification Technique. We hope everyone enjoys it."
Fang Xiu instantly pulled the yogurt from his mouth and hurriedly hopped onto the sofa. His face lit up as he looked down at the Otherworld Radio. "There's a new extraordinary program? This is great! Body Modification Technique—just hearing the name makes it sound awesome!"
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