"Where are the new spirit liquid stabilization components?"
"No matter what, they have to be in place by tomorrow night!"
"Director Li gave an absolute order: the new spiritual solution purification experiment must begin this week!"
Inside Group 749's underground base.
Researchers rushed about, busy at work.
Wang Zhiwen held a piece of Azure Gold Spirit Ore, his expression vacant.
During his last call with Lu Li two days ago, he had obtained this batch of precious experimental samples.
But now the experiment was progressing slowly, and Lu Li was in danger.
It left the elderly academician in a daze.
"Elder Wang, how is it going?"
"Do you have any results on the molecular sequence of spiritual power?"
Just as Wang Zhiwen was lost in thought, Li Yuanchao's voice sounded behind him.
"Not yet, Director Li."
"The quantum computer is still trying to simulate it. It has run 1.28 million times, but it still doesn't quite match."
Wang Zhiwen set the spirit ore on the lab table and stood up.
Several scholars beside him rose as well.
Li Yuanchao nodded, his brows tightly furrowed.
He stepped forward, picked up the piece of Azure Gold Spirit Ore from the table, and examined it closely.
"If we don't know what this so-called spiritual power actually is,"
"Great Xia's research into immortal cultivation civilization will come to a halt."
"After all, without spiritual power, we can't cultivate even though we now have a Cultivation Method."
"For now, we can only pin our hopes on purifying the spirit ore."
"If we can manage to purify enough spiritual power, that alone will be a major breakthrough."
"We might even be able to get to the bottom of what spiritual power really is! Keep at it, Elder Wang."
Li Yuanchao spoke in a serious tone.
"I understand, Director Li."
"The seventh physical experiment will begin on schedule this week."
Taking a deep breath, the graying Wang Zhiwen led the researchers to the experiment site.
Watching the crowd hurry away, Li Yuanchao had mixed feelings.
He thought of that courteous young man, whose trust in the nation was etched into his bones, and who supported it unconditionally.
His heart tightened slightly.
Such an outstanding young man, a patriotic compatriot, was now in danger.
They had to speed up every part of their work.
Not only for Great Xia's own cultivation research, but also for their compatriot's safety!
"Comrade Lu Li, you must stay alive!"
Li Yuanchao clenched his fist hard.
He turned to look at the clerk behind him.
"Get moving on the matter of Comrade Lu Li's status!"
"We can't let our heroic compatriot shed both blood and tears. Make sure his family is properly reassured."
"At the very least, we can make life a little better for his family. We must make the occasion an honorable one!"
"Don't worry about secrets getting out or anything. No one can pull any tricks within Great Xia's borders."
"Make sure the follow-up security arrangements are handled properly too."
"Go on. Take care of this today."
Li Yuanchao waved a hand.
His words brought a faint redness to the eyes of the clerk in soldier's uniform.
The soldier straightened, raised one arm in salute, and answered firmly.
"Yes, sir!"
With that, the soldier turned and strode away, taking the elevator to ground level.
The next second.
Eight military jeeps with Jing A license plates divided into two groups and drove out of the parking lot...
Fengnan Machinery Factory, on the outskirts of Jing City.
It was working hours, and machines roared in the workshop.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar engine sound approached from afar, deep and powerful.
"What's going on outside?" a curious worker asked, poking his head out.
Four dark green military jeeps, carrying a grim, imposing air, drove straight to the workshop entrance and came to a neat halt.
The doors opened, and a group of solemn-faced soldiers in immaculate uniforms stepped out.
The noise of the machines in the workshop gradually died down, and all the workers stopped what they were doing.
They watched the mysterious visitors with shocked, uncertain eyes.
Lu Dahai and his wife, Liu Xiulan, also looked up in confusion, an inexplicable unease rising in their hearts.
The factory director, who had received word, felt his heart skip a beat.
Last time it had been National Security; this time, soldiers had come in person.
What on earth was going on? Lu Dahai and his wife flashed through his mind.
"This is bad!"
"Could it have something to do with them again?"
Sweat instantly broke out on his forehead. Not daring to delay, he rushed into the workshop at a jog.
Sure enough, he saw the officer in command sweep a sharp gaze over the crowd before finally settling on the anxious Lu Dahai and his wife.
Under the shocked gazes of all the workers.
The officer marched up to Lu Dahai with crisp steps, snapped to attention with a slap, and gave a textbook military salute. His voice rang out:
"Comrade Lu Dahai, Comrade Liu Xiulan! We were sent by our superiors to report to you both!"
A report? To us? Lu Dahai and his wife were utterly bewildered.
The officer continued, "Your son, Comrade Lu Li, was called upon by the nation several months ago because of his special professional talents."
"He is taking part in a special mission! Because of the nature of the mission, he was previously unable to contact his family. The mission has now achieved a major breakthrough, and Comrade Lu Li's contributions have been invaluable!"
As he spoke, the officer presented a check with both hands.
"This is the first special reward the nation has granted Comrade Lu Li: one million yuan! You two will keep it on his behalf for the time being!"
A million-yuan check!
A chorus of sharp intakes of breath sounded throughout the workshop.
Before anyone could recover from the shock.
Two other soldiers had already carefully carried a plaque covered with red cloth down from a military vehicle.
The officer stepped forward and whipped off the red cloth-
The four gilded characters for "Household of Merit" gleamed in the sunlight, dazzling everyone's eyes.
"This... this is..."
"My son... he didn't go missing... he didn't go missing!"
Lu Dahai's lips trembled as he looked at the weighty plaque and the check. Three months of worry and grievance turned in an instant into scalding tears.
Liu Xiulan covered her mouth, weeping with joy, unable to stop crying.
The surrounding workers erupted into an uproar!
Envious, admiring, and astonished gazes all turned toward Lu Dahai and his wife.
"Heavens, Old Lu's boy has become a pillar of the nation!"
"A special mission, and he's made a great contribution! He's brought glory to his ancestors!"
"Honestly! It's just like a movie! This is wonderful-I thought Dahai's son had gone missing!"
"Who would've thought he'd gone off to make such a great contribution!"
"..."
The factory director stood behind the crowd, looking at the "Household of Merit" plaque.
Listening to the noisy discussions around him.
His suspicions were completely confirmed, and he was shaken beyond measure.
He had known there was something out of the ordinary about the couple, and it turned out to be because of their son, Lu Li!
Meanwhile, at the gates of Jing City No. 3 Middle School, a similar convoy of military vehicles slowly approached.
Under the astonished gazes of countless high school boys and girls in uniform.
A group of solemn-faced soldiers in immaculate uniforms stepped out of the vehicles.
The major in the lead looked at the school gate and confirmed it was the right place.
He walked straight up to a group of students nearby, who were already staring in a daze.
"Excuse me, where can I find Lu Yao from Class Two, Senior Year?"