Resurrection from the Dead

Night was as dark as ink, and the city's neon lights had long since fallen behind them. Lin Fan drove an ordinary black sedan, with Chen Jing sitting in the passenger seat, her expression calm but her gaze sharp. Following her directions, they left the main road and turned onto an inconspicuous side street, eventually stopping in front of a compound on the outskirts of the city bearing a sign that read "Cadre Training Center of a Certain Organization." The compound looked ordinary, but Lin Fan could sense at least a dozen wary gazes sweeping over the car from the shadows. An invisible air of murderous intent and isolation hung over the place.

"We're here." Chen Jing got out first and nodded to Lin Fan.

Lin Fan took a deep breath and glanced in the rearview mirror. Yuanshi Tianzun, Taishang Laojun, and Goddess Nüwa were all sitting in the back. Master Tongtian had chosen to stay behind at the rental apartment to watch over Gong Gong, whose condition remained unstable. As he put it, "Bickering with mortal officials is utterly tedious." But Lin Fan knew this was also a decision the Sages had made together. They needed to leave someone with enough authority behind in case anything went wrong.

Yuanshi was still wearing a perfectly pressed dark suit, his ancient features stern and imposing even in repose. Laojun still had on his gray jacket and held an enamel mug, smiling like a kindly old neighbor. Nüwa had changed into an elegant, simple modern dress, her presence ethereal. The three Sages' outfits seemed completely out of place in this solemn setting, yet their transcendent bearing made the several capable-looking staff members leading them unconsciously hold their breath, their eyes filled with awe and tension.

After passing through several heavy metal doors that required special clearance to open, the group entered a simply furnished conference room equipped with the most advanced security and protective systems. Five or six people were already seated on one side of the conference table. At the head sat a white-haired old man, vigorous and imposing, whose shoulder insignia indicated his high rank. Beside him sat several men and women of varied temperaments: a military officer in uniform, a bespectacled official with the air of a scholar, and a senior leader in charge of health technology whom Lin Fan had seen on television. Chen Jing took a seat off to the side, responsible for taking notes and coordinating.

The atmosphere was so tense it felt as though water could be wrung from the air.

"Welcome, everyone." The old man at the head, known as Old Zhou, spoke first, his voice strong and steady, carrying the authority of someone long accustomed to high office. "I'm Zhou Zhenhua, and I'll be conducting this discussion with you. Time is precious, so let's get straight to the point."

His gaze, sharp as a hawk's, slowly swept over Yuanshi, Laojun, and Nüwa before settling on Lin Fan for a moment, scrutinizing him.

"We've made many conjectures about your identities, but haven't reached a conclusion. We've also recorded a great deal of unconventional data about the... abilities you've displayed. We've invited you here today to clarify several key questions." Old Zhou spoke evenly, yet his words carried immense pressure. "First, who exactly are you, and where did you come from? Second, what is your purpose in coming to this world? Third, what are the limits of your abilities? And most importantly, do you bear this world goodwill... or hostility?"

These questions went straight to the heart of the matter. They were also what the authorities were most concerned about—and most wary of.

Everyone's gaze focused on the three Sages.

Yuanshi Tianzun slowly raised his eyes and met Old Zhou's gaze calmly. His deep eyes seemed able to see through every illusion. Rather than answer directly, he asked, "How much do you know of this world? Do you know anything of the old tales of the Primordial Era?"

Old Zhou furrowed his brow slightly and glanced at a scholar-looking official beside him. The official adjusted his glasses and spoke cautiously. "We understand the world through the scientific framework available to us. As for the 'Primordial Era,' it belongs to the realm of myth and legend and lacks empirical evidence."

"Science? Empirical evidence?" A faint, almost imperceptible curve tugged at Yuanshi's lips, carrying a trace of disdain. "Do you know that the 'science' you rely upon is no more than the outward appearance of this world's Heavenly Dao Rules? Like a frog in a well gazing at the sky, you see only a corner of it."

His words carried an air of condescension, and several officials present looked displeased.

Just then, Taishang Laojun spoke with a chuckle. He gave the enamel mug in his hands a shake, interrupting the growing tension. "Mr. Zhou, everyone, there's no need to be so nervous. We ended up in this world by accident and mean no harm. As for our identities..." He glanced at Yuanshi and Nüwa, then continued leisurely, "Names are mere illusions. You may call me Li Er, this gentleman Mr. Yuanshi, and this lady Ms. Wa. We come from a... former homeland that has been shattered and destroyed. You could say we're... refugees."

He had casually defined the three supreme beings of the Primordial Era as "refugees from a shattered homeland." This explanation preserved their mystery while also easing their perceived threat to some extent, making them seem helpless and harmless.

"A shattered, destroyed homeland? An extraterrestrial civilization? Or a parallel universe?" The scholarly official immediately pressed, his eyes full of curiosity.

"You may understand it that way." Laojun didn't elaborate, instead steering the conversation toward practical matters. "As for our purpose, it's simple: to find a place to settle down and make a living while we wait for... a chance to return home, if one exists. In the meantime, we're willing to follow this world's rules and live peacefully alongside you."

"Follow the rules? Live peacefully alongside us?" Old Zhou's gaze sharpened. "Mr. Li, your so-called 'Qingre Pill' has already dealt a serious blow to the existing medical system and scientific understanding! Can that really be called following the rules?"

"A physician's heart is a parent's heart. To stand by and watch the dying perish is not something we would do." Laojun's tone remained calm. "That 'Qingre Pill' merely stimulates the body's own potential, harmonizes yin and yang, and dispels toxic heat. Its effects may be remarkable, but its principles amount to nothing more than 'restoration.' If you believe it's inappropriate, I won't use it on anyone else."

He was yielding while putting the choice back in their hands. If they didn't want him using it, fine—but would the authorities take responsibility for the life or death of General Manager Wang and all the other terminally ill patients?

Old Zhou and the others were left speechless. They were indeed under immense pressure, with countless eyes watching the effects of the "Qingre Pill." Ban it? How could they answer to the dying patients and the forces behind them?

"Then what exactly are the limits of your abilities?" another military officer asked in a deep voice. This was what they cared about most. "Aside from treating illnesses, do you have other... more destructive abilities? For example, the unfinished building incident and... the water crisis that was resolved in an instant?"

His gaze swept over Yuanshi and Laojun, deep with wariness.

This time, Yuanshi Tianzun spoke, his voice imbued with natural authority and coldness. "Though we have fallen on hard times, you are not in a position to fathom us. Even so, we have our own principles. If no one provokes us, we will not provoke them. But if ignorant ants dare to challenge us..." He left the sentence unfinished, but an immense Dao rhythm suddenly descended, as if the order of the entire world were pressing down upon them. Everyone in the conference room felt their breathing catch, as though they would be crushed to pieces by invisible rules the very next moment!

The battle-hardened officers turned deathly pale, sweat appearing at their temples. They had no doubt that, if the other party wished it, this heavily guarded base could be reduced to dust in an instant!

"Senior Brother, please, no need to lose your temper." Laojun smoothly stepped in to defuse the situation. The terrifying pressure of order vanished in an instant, as if it had never been there. He was still smiling amiably. "As for our abilities, they differ. This old man has some knowledge of alchemy and medicine. Mr. Yuanshi is skilled at... setting rules in order, while Ms. Wa excels at creating life. As for destruction... it's not something we want. As long as this world remains peaceful, we can live here in peace and contentment."

Once again, he emphasized their desire for "peaceful coexistence," but also subtly demonstrated their strength: they had the power to act, but simply didn't want to use it.

Old Zhou drew a deep breath and forced down his shock. He knew that the initiative in today's discussion wasn't in his hands. The other party's strength and attitude had already put them beyond the scope of "control." This was closer to... an equal exchange, perhaps even one on a higher level.

"I understand." Old Zhou spoke gravely. "We can recognize your special identities and provide you with a certain degree of... freedom to live and move about. But there are a few conditions."

"First, the use of your abilities must be monitored and reported in advance, especially any actions that could cause social unrest or disrupt existing systems, such as mass use of the 'Qingre Pill.'"

"Second, we need to establish a regular channel of communication. Lin Fan will act as the liaison, but for major matters, we need to be able to speak with you directly."

"Third, when necessary, we hope you'll help deal with major crises that... ordinary forces cannot resolve, provided it doesn't affect you."

"In return, we can provide you with legal identities and necessary resources, and ensure the highest level of secrecy and protection for your presence."

This was the authorities' initial bottom line and offer of cooperation.

Yuanshi Tianzun nodded slightly. "Agreed. However, any oversight must have limits and must not touch what is fundamental to us. Lin Fan may serve as the channel of communication. As for assistance... it will depend on the circumstances."

The negotiations reached a preliminary agreement, and the tense atmosphere eased somewhat.

Just then, someone knocked softly on the conference room door. A staff member hurried in and whispered a few words into Old Zhou's ear.

Old Zhou's expression instantly turned grave, almost disbelieving. He waved the staff member away, then looked toward Laojun again, his voice complicated. "Mr. Li... Central Hospital just sent word. The tumor in Wang Jianguo's brain... disappeared in his latest scan after he took your 'Qingre Pill.' It didn't just shrink—it vanished completely! And every one of his bodily functions has returned to the level of a healthy young adult!"

Resurrection from the dead!

Despite their preparation, when the news was officially confirmed, all the government officials in the conference room were shaken more than ever before. Late-stage brain cancer, one pill, a complete recovery! This was no longer medical skill—it was a miracle!

Laojun seemed completely unsurprised. He merely said, "Oh," as if he'd just heard that the weather was nice. He lifted his enamel mug and took another sip of tea, then looked at Old Zhou and said leisurely, "It seems the people of this world respond reasonably well to my medicines. So, regarding what I mentioned earlier—practicing medicine in the Residential Complex and occasionally making harmless medicines like the 'Qingre Pill'—do you think that still counts as 'disrupting the system'?"

He had casually defined the miracle of resurrection as a "reasonable response" and "harmless." The contrast left all the officials feeling helpless.

Old Zhou looked at Laojun's smiling face, then at the calm expressions of Yuanshi and Nüwa. The last trace of wishful thinking in his heart vanished. He understood that traditional methods of control would no longer work with beings like these. They would have to change their approach and seek cooperation and mutual benefit.

"...All right." Old Zhou finally forced out the words. "But we'll need to work out the details and draw up a thorough set of regulations. The eligible patients and scope of use for the 'Qingre Pill' must be strictly limited."

"We can abide by your regulations," Laojun readily agreed.

Thus, the first official meeting ended amid a subtle and complicated atmosphere. The authorities had provisionally accepted the Sages' presence and limited activities, while the Sages had gained relatively legal identities and a degree of freedom. Lin Fan's position as the key liaison was also officially confirmed.

Just as Lin Fan was driving the three Sages away from the secret base and back toward the city, another change occurred in the rental apartment!

Gong Gong, who had been curled up asleep in the corner, suddenly began to tremble violently! The three damaged relics in his arms—the Cracked Wooden Tablet, the Chipped Pottery Bowl, and the Rusty Metal Shard—burst into unprecedented light at the same time!

Silver spatial ripples, a jade-green purifying glow, and dark-red, savage baleful energy intertwined, forming a chaotic, powerful pillar of energy that shot into the sky! Had Master Tongtian not been prepared, forcefully suppressing the energy and warping the light and radiation in the surrounding space with his Sword Domain, the phenomenon would certainly have been detected by monitoring equipment outside!

"Ahhh—! I remember! I remember!!!" Gong Gong suddenly opened his eyes. They were no longer clouded and blank, but filled with endless pain, regret, rage, and... a trace of clear reason!

Clutching his head, he let out a heart-rending roar. The vast will of an Ancestral Shaman swept through the cramped room like a storm!

"Mount Buzhou!!! I was the one who broke it!!! It was me!!! Witch Clan... my brothers!!! I'm sorry!!! And... 'they'!!! 'They' bewitched me!!! 'They' stirred up my rage!!! Aaaaaah—!!!"

Along with his roar, a secret memory buried for countless ages—the truth behind the Primordial Era's shattering—broke through its seal like a flood bursting through a dam and surged into his mind!