Blue Star, Group 749's underground base.
An emergency scientific research meeting was held overnight.
Wang Zhiwen, Li Yuanchao, and numerous researchers watched the simulated experiment footage replaying on the big screen.
Their breathing was rapid, and their expressions were exhilarated.
"We did it!"
"It really worked!"
"Even though it was a simulation, all the parameters were based on actual conditions!"
"As long as we can reproduce the simulation exactly... there's a very good chance the actual experiment will succeed too!"
Wang Zhiwen had lost some of his composure.
His graying hair trembled, and he was as excited as if he'd been pumped full of chicken blood.
He wasn't the only one. Every researcher present was the same.
They couldn't wait to start the physical experiment right away.
"Elder Wang, from what you're saying, can we start the physical experiment immediately?"
"Well... I suggest we don't act rashly."
Wang Zhiwen shook his head. "The experimental materials are precious. We can run a few more simulations and make sure the data is sufficiently optimized before starting the physical experiment."
"But... there are some preliminary preparations we should make as soon as possible."
"Oh? You mean..."
"Director Li, for experiments on artifact-refining residue from the cultivation world, we'll need a large particle collider."
"And... we'll need a huge power reserve, preferably backed by controlled nuclear fusion. Otherwise... the results will be severely affected."
Wang Zhiwen's meaning was clear.
Group 749's current research base could no longer accommodate an experiment of this scale.
They needed to move to a more suitable base and upgrade the equipment and machinery.
Even the power supply had to come from controlled nuclear fusion, a core national asset in Great Xia's possession.
"This..."
Li Yuanchao hesitated briefly.
Without a doubt, it would be no exaggeration to call what Wang Zhiwen wanted a pillar of the nation.
Even he hesitated for a moment.
But only for a moment.
"In that case... let's go to the outskirts of the capital."
"The outskirts? That place..."
"A nuclear weapons division guarding the capital was originally stationed there."
"I'll go make the arrangements and move Group 749's research base there. It'll also make transferring the controlled nuclear fusion system convenient."
"As for you... carry on with your research."
Li Yuanchao waved a hand and quickly rose.
With his security detail making the arrangements, he traveled by car through the night to seek instructions from the Supreme Council.
By the time daylight fully broke,
A new order had already been signed and announced.
"By decision of the highest authorities."
"The personnel structure of the Security Bureau's former Group 749 is hereby reorganized."
"Group 749 is separated from the Security Bureau and independently elevated to Bureau 749, with the full name '749 Cross-Realm Civilization Strategic Research Bureau.'"
"Comrade Li Yuanchao shall serve as bureau director, with several departments and groups under him. Academician Wang Zhiwen shall serve as head of the research group."
"As well as the external relations group, military group, strategy group... and so on... numerous other matters..."
"Bureau 749's new research base shall be relocated to the outskirts of the capital..."
"In addition, Comrade Lu Li is specially appointed honorary group leader of Bureau 749!"
"This order officially takes effect on October 18, 2099."
With the latest order issued,
A swift and monumental relocation rapidly got underway.
Although Bureau 749 had been separated from the Security Bureau, most of its members had still been transferred from within the Security Bureau.
Military heavy trucks formed convoys and drove out of the city.
All the way to a vast, remote, and silent valley on the outskirts of the capital.
"Rumble!"
"Rumble!"
"Quick, quick, quick! Get all the Z-20s airborne and turn on the searchlights! Make sure the research equipment reaches its designated location safely!"
"Where are the comrades from the maintenance team? Tell them to inspect the entire base's electrical system immediately!"
"And... where are the people from the nuclear energy group?"
"Director Li said the controlled nuclear fusion power system has to be connected tonight!"
"..."
A clamor of voices echoed through the valley.
Armed helicopters circled overhead, their enormous searchlights illuminating the dim valley as brightly as noon.
Military heavy trucks drove in an orderly line to the center of the valley.
Then two enormous steel doors, like something out of a science fiction film, slowly parted from within the mountainside.
The massive alloy-steel doors were a hundred meters high and immensely thick.
They revealed the entire mountain, hollowed out long ago!
Countless lights, bright silver alloy floors, and massive steel frameworks.
At that moment, the entire Mount Baiwang was like a land-based aircraft carrier.
The members of Bureau 749 who had just relocated there marveled in amazement.
"I never imagined the country had a place like this on the outskirts of the capital!"
"It's magnificent. Did they start building a project on this scale when the country was founded...?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk! Forget a few particle colliders. There'd probably be more than enough room for two more armies in here!"
"Stop standing there with your mouths open and get to work."
"Get the experimental area and laboratories ready, then continue the simulations."
Wang Zhiwen had no time to marvel at the nation's might and hurriedly gave orders.
Just as the researchers were preparing the experimental data,
An ultra-heavy armored transport vehicle with the highest level of protection available in the country slowly drove into the base.
After the entire vehicle descended in an elevator,
It arrived at a brightly lit command hall.
"Click!"
The vehicle door opened.
A squad of fully armed soldiers with fierce bearing stepped out of the armored transport vehicle.
After confirming that the surroundings were safe,
They carried a pitch-black alloy combination case out of the vehicle.
Only after it was placed inside a glass case in the center of the command hall
Was the alloy combination case opened.
Inside lay the fish-shaped jade pendant used to contact Lu Li...
Imprisoned Dragon Realm, Azure Pool Sect.
Six days had passed since Lu Li last went to the Artifact Hall to clear out furnace slag.
And today, it was time for his task again.
"Hum!"
As daylight fully broke, he completed the final circulation of his cultivation.
Lu Li opened his eyes.
He had long since absorbed all ten portions of Azure Gold Spirit Liquid.
His cultivation had also been firmly consolidated at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.
"It's just a pity... I was afraid someone would catch me in the mine back then, so I couldn't save up more Azure Gold Spirit Ore."
"And there I was, doing the math and saying I could save over two thousand pieces of Spirit Ore... ridiculous."
Shaking his head, Lu Li slowly rose and walked out of his cave abode.
Only after joining the outer sect and reading many cultivation texts did he learn the value of Azure Gold Spirit Ore.
Although it was only a first-tier Spirit Ore,
It was an auxiliary material needed for refining many artifacts.
It wasn't expensive, but it was still worth one Spirit Coin.
Ten Spirit Coins equaled one Spirit Stone.
In other words...
"The hundred-odd pieces of Spirit Ore I saved up altogether were worth about a dozen Spirit Stones."
"That's more than an outer sect disciple's stipend for three months."
"It wasn't cheap. It's just a pity I couldn't save up more..."
As his thoughts wandered, the Artifact Hall's buildings appeared before him.
Lu Li made his way with practiced ease to the side hall he had visited last time.
As soon as he pushed the door open, he saw a broad-shouldered, thick-waisted figure.
"Hmm?"
Before Lu Li could react, the figure turned around.
A familiar face covered in stubble came into view.
"Huh... it's you?!"