Darts Pierce the Door, Black Tortoise Acknowledges Its Master?

"Director Meng, how long are you planning to go into seclusion for?" Chen Qiushui, the other future decision-maker of the Future Research Institute besides Dong Yue, asked with a smile.

Then she changed the subject and began considering things on his behalf. "While you're in seclusion, whether people come to visit you or seek your guidance, Grandmaster Dong and I will turn them away for you first."

"Thanks." Meng Chuan made a rough calculation. "Around late summer or early autumn. If anyone comes looking for me, help me turn them away first. Cough, cough... except for Chen Zhiming, Liaohuo, and Wang Chongyi. If those three come, explain things to them properly first..."

"Understood. Don't worry."

The three people Meng Chuan had mentioned were all pillars of their respective lineages in the future, possessing both strength and potential.

If figures like them came calling, they naturally would not slight them.

But why would they come?

Chen Qiushui did not understand and could not guess. She merely nodded to show that she understood.

"We're done with the serious business, right?" Dong Yue asked. Seeing Meng Chuan nod, he rose to his feet and laughed heartily. "Come, come, raise your glasses! A toast to Little Meng for taking First of the Generation! A toast to his imminent breakthrough into the fourth rank and attainment of Grandmasterhood!"

Somewhere in a scorched land, darkness stretched deep and boundless.

Charred broad leaves lay blackened across the ground, spreading on and on without end.

Crack...

A gigantic foot crushed a swath of fallen leaves into powder.

"Meng Chuan seems to have returned to Yong'an..."

As it examined the intelligence relayed from the outside world back into the dimensional interlayer, a huge, brawny man with a black lion's head pondered inwardly.

The two subordinates it had assigned to