Meeting

After Wu Ming finished speaking, the other end of the phone remained silent for a long time, seemingly stunned.

A moment later, Zhao Minghui's voice finally sounded again. "Student Wu, I have a question I hope you can answer."

"You said Gene Evolution, and I can understand that. But what exactly is Cosmic Energy? Some kind of dark matter?"

"Perhaps. I don't know the true nature of Cosmic Energy either."

Wu Ming answered truthfully, "I only know that once one's genes have been optimized to a certain degree, combined with specific techniques, one can sense this energy and draw it into the body, causing an all-around transformation."

"As for the physical abilities after that transformation... my strength has now exceeded four thousand kilograms. However, that is the result of training for some time. Right after the transformation, it should be around 2,700 kilograms."

After a pause, he added, "Oh, right. Jia Qingshan, the master of the Kyoto Xingyi Martial Arts Hall, has also successfully absorbed Cosmic Energy. He is right beside me."

"I am Jia Qingshan." Jia Qingshan took over at the right moment. "I can testify for young friend Wu that everything he said is true. I have just completed my transformation myself, and my physical abilities are currently around 2,800 kilograms."

"..." Zhao Minghui fell silent again. It was unclear whether he was processing this information or reporting it to his superiors.

Wu Ming was in no hurry. He knew this was simply too unbelievable to accept easily, but faced with solid evidence, the other party could only accept reality.

More importantly, he was not an isolated case. Jia Qingshan's success made the claim of "Gene Evolution" reproducible and universal. Since there could be a second case, there would inevitably be a third, a fourth, and many more.

Likewise, the firsthand accounts of two Genetic Warriors provided strong supporting evidence for the hypothesis of "Animal Evolution."

After a long while, Zhao Minghui finally spoke. "This is no small matter. The country needs conclusive evidence before making further arrangements."

"Are you at the Kyoto Xingyi Martial Arts Hall? If it is convenient, I will bring people over immediately to verify it."

Wu Ming glanced at Jia Qingshan. Only after seeing him nod did he say, "That is fine. Please come over, Mr. Zhao. I also have something I need to discuss with you face-to-face."

"Alright, I'll be there shortly." Zhao Minghui hung up after saying that. He did not even ask for the hall's exact location, clearly already knowing it.

Having listened to the entire call, Jia Qingshan had already guessed at Wu Ming's plan.

Now that the call had ended, he said, "So you intend to promote your cultivation method after the country verifies the feasibility of Genetic Warriors?"

"That's right." Wu Ming nodded and answered honestly, "However, I had not planned to hand over the cultivation method so soon. The requirements for sensing Cosmic Energy are simply too demanding."

"But after seeing your situation, Hall Master, I realized that there are probably many people in the country similar to you. Releasing the cultivation method early would allow them to become Genetic Warriors sooner."

"Young friend, your idea is good, but you are still being too optimistic."

Jia Qingshan gently shook his head. "In truth, Internal Martial Arts is a very niche circle. There are fewer than five people in the country like me who have reached Dark Force Completion."

"Even counting every Martial Artist who has stepped into Hidden Strength, there are at most a dozen or so. And not everyone can reach the limits of the human body."

"I was able to reach this point so quickly because of the Jia Family's secret Jade Lock Golden Pass Formula and Nine-Dragon Decoction. Without comparable methods, practitioners of other schools would have a hard time achieving it merely through years of grueling fist training."

The moment he finished speaking, he suddenly froze.

As though realizing something, he immediately looked up at Wu Ming and asked warily, "Young friend, surely your plan does not include the Jia Family's secret teachings as well?"

"Of course not." Wu Ming smiled and shook his head. "Rest assured, Hall Master. I have no designs on the Jia Family's possessions."

"It is simply that... these two things truly play an irreplaceable role in advancing human evolution. It would be a lie to say the thought has never crossed my mind."

"But ultimately, they belong to the Jia Family. Whether to hand them over should be your decision, Hall Master."

"And please rest assured that before you make your decision, I will not disclose any related information."

Jia Qingshan fell silent. He gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "Young friend Wu, you have truly given me a difficult problem."

"This concerns my family's inheritance and is of great importance. Please allow me some time to consider it carefully."

"Of course." Wu Ming said no more.

As time passed second by second, Jia Qingshan's brow remained tightly furrowed. During that time, he even went out to make a phone call, presumably to report to his elders. Yet even after returning to the room, the worry on his face had not faded.

Wu Ming did not try to persuade him further. As he had said, these were the Jia Family's possessions. It was not for an outsider like him to make the decision.

Whether Jia Qingshan handed them over or not was his choice, and Wu Ming would not interfere.

Yet even by the time Zhao Minghui arrived with his people, Jia Qingshan had still not made up his mind.

Hearing the sound of a horn outside the window, Wu Ming said, "Hall Master, the people from above have arrived. Let us conduct the tests first."

Jia Qingshan nodded with a complicated expression, and the two of them headed to the training ground together.

Through the security office's surveillance cameras, they saw a military-green heavy truck parked silently on the small road outside the martial arts hall. It was unclear how the other party had managed to drive such a massive vehicle into the mountain roads.

Fortunately, the martial arts hall's gates were wide enough. Jia Qingshan instructed his disciples to open the main gates fully, allowing the huge vehicle to slowly drive in and eventually stop at the edge of the grounds.

The cargo doors opened, and a squad of fully armed soldiers filed out in succession, quickly forming ranks on either side of the truck.

The last person to step out was a middle-aged man in his forties. He had a solemn face and walked over to Wu Ming under the escort of the soldiers on both sides.

"Student Wu, this should be our first time meeting offline."

The middle-aged man extended his hand. "Allow me to formally introduce myself again. I am Zhao Minghui, director of the Supervision Office under the Huaxia Information Security Department. I am currently mainly responsible for maintaining security and stability, as well as handling the series of effects caused by the RR Virus."

"Director Zhao, it is a pleasure." Wu Ming reached out and lightly shook his hand. "I am Wu Ming, a senior high school student."

"Haha, you are no ordinary senior high school student." Zhao Minghui smiled. "By the way, since you are not in the system, there is no need to address me by my title. Just call me Mr. Zhao."

Wu Ming did not stand on ceremony and readily agreed. "Mr. Zhao."

At that moment, Jia Qingshan, who had gone to disperse the gathered trainees, also walked over and exchanged introductions with Zhao Minghui.

After the three had formally met, Zhao Minghui stopped making small talk. Turning slightly, he pointed at the truck compartment behind him and said, "I have brought all the testing equipment. You only need to go inside and complete the tests according to the procedure."

"It is equipped with a dedicated network. The results will be transmitted to the higher-ups in real time. The leaders above are currently waiting for this data, so please cooperate as quickly as possible."

Wu Ming and Jia Qingshan exchanged a glance. Then Jia Qingshan stepped forward first, pushed open the cargo door, and entered.

A few minutes later, he appeared again, clearly having completed the tests.

Zhao Minghui wore a wireless earpiece and seemed to receive the test results at the same time. His expression changed slightly.

"Hall Master Jia's physical data has been confirmed."

He turned to Wu Ming, his expression solemn. "Now, only your test results remain. Once they are confirmed, the higher-ups will immediately launch a comprehensive eradication plan against the mutated creatures."

Wu Ming nodded and stepped into the cargo compartment.