Chapter 642 - 381: Avenue

After leaving the Fighting Hall, Chen Chuan drove away.

Chen Bitong’s final request carried a lot of weight.

He hadn’t been asked to do anything specific, but Chen Bitong’s information had allowed him to obtain Pure Essence, learn two of his methods for using Fist Force, and receive other forms of guidance and instruction.

He felt deeply indebted.

Therefore, he was willing to look after Chen Xiaojin to the best of his ability.

Chen Bitong had died a hero in name, but the higher-ups were certainly displeased that he had leaked Pure Essence. While these powerful figures might not take an interest in Chen Xiaojin themselves, it was inevitable that some parasites under them would resort to despicable means.

If he showed he was willing to look after Xiaojin, it would act as a deterrent.

Just then, he suddenly felt as if someone was watching him. He thought he recognized one of the gazes, but it darted away before he could look over.

’A thought crossed his mind. He’d heard a few days ago that the captured Fang Zhixin had been rescued en route, so they hadn’t managed to get any information out of him.’

’He had a feeling that was who had been watching him just now.’

’Only he would be so concerned about Xiaojin.’

’It seemed the man was also worried about Xiaojin training at the Fighting Hall alone and wanted to protect her in secret.’

Since the matter with Chen Bitong was officially closed, Fang Zhixin, his nominal assistant, wasn’t on any wanted list, though some were secretly searching for him. Besides, the Temporary Special Action Committee had taken over the case, and it had nothing to do with the Processing Bureau. So, Chen Chuan pretended he hadn’t seen a thing.

He found the contact on his Realm Token and said, "Gao Ming, I’m heading over to your place now."

He had told Gao Ming yesterday that they would meet today to discuss some matters. So, after leaving the Deep Unexplored District, he headed toward Weiguang District.

Before the Fumu split, he had notified Gao Ming in advance, so Gao Ming had been staying at his Litigation Master’s office in Weiguang District during that time.

The district’s defenses were the strongest, and it remained under the most thorough protection from beginning to end. The most one saw during the incident were some Rifts and ever-present bugs.

Upon arriving at the office building where they last met, he parked his car and took the elevator to the seventieth floor. When he entered the reserved meeting room, Gao Ming was already waiting for him.

Chen Chuan walked over to the conference table by the floor-to-ceiling windows and sat in the chair opposite Gao Ming.

Outside the window, an Airship drifted past. As it passed through the iridescent light screens, it created a fantastic, fleeting sense of intersecting layers.

He glanced at the freshly brewed tea on the table, then looked up. "A few days ago, I went to a screening at the Emergency Affairs Center. On the surface, it was to see if any of us had been externally contaminated, but the real purpose was something else entirely."

"The Upper Layer is concerned about a certain substance that various governments and companies keep under lock and key. They don’t permit this substance to be leaked."

Gao Ming pushed up his glasses. "Cousin, could you be more specific?"

Chen Chuan assented and proceeded to explain the details about Pure Essence and the higher-ups’ stance on it. He didn’t hide what had happened during the screening, either.

Although he didn’t spell everything out, he trusted that Gao Ming would understand once he heard the full context.

After listening, Gao Ming said, "Because you were the last person to see Chen Bitong, Cousin, the City Council... hmm, let’s just assume it was them for now... they suspected you obtained the Pure Essence and arranged this screening."

"So, regardless of whether you actually obtained it, we must first make an assumption. A hypothetical one, of course."

He smiled. "Let’s assume, Cousin, that you’ve already obtained the Pure Essence and now qualify to reach a higher limit. However, due to the strict regulations from above, even if you do advance in the future, you will absolutely need a plausible explanation for where your Pure Essence came from."

"Your power might be immense by then, Cousin, but I believe you’ll still need that justification."

Chen Chuan nodded. "That’s right."

’Even if he reached the Fourth Limit and his power became incomparable to his current strength, he could never fight the whole world alone. Where did his Pure Essence come from? That was a question he absolutely could not evade.’

’Unless he was willing to leave Central City and never return, but that wasn’t the best option. He didn’t believe the Fourth Limit was the true peak, either. He wanted to see the view from even greater heights.’

Gao Ming steepled his fingers over his stomach and said with a smile, "Then that leaves one question. You’re unwilling to sign their agreement, Cousin, so how do you plan to acquire Pure Essence?"

"Based on your description, the Merging Land might have some, but we don’t know the specifics and lack the information to make a proper judgment. Still, I imagine it can’t be easy to get. You mentioned that Teacher Chen, Cousin—his power is considerable, yet he never obtained any Pure Essence from there. Doesn’t that suggest this path is also incredibly difficult?"

’Chen Chuan agreed it would be very difficult. Pure Essence was so important that even if the Merging Land had it, it would surely be treated as a strategic resource. Someone without the right connections could forget about it.’

’However, that didn’t necessarily mean Chen Bitong never had a chance.’

’It’s just that Chen Bitong had guarded the World Ring for twenty years. He was loyal to his duty and would never compromise with the people on the other side. And toward the end, he likely had more than just himself to think about.’

Gao Ming continued, "So on the surface, there are only two ways to acquire Pure Essence: from the various governments and corporations."

"But I remember you told me, Cousin, that there are Schools out there with lineages stretching back to the old era. It’s possible those Schools have their own Fighting Masters."

"Take Langtao Hall, which you saw after you last returned, for example. They’re said to have a Fighting Master. The Outer Ocean doesn’t even have a Central City right now, meaning no channels to acquire Pure Essence. So, can we assume they have their own supply?"

"You said that in the old era, Pure Essence was scattered all over the world, Cousin. By that logic, any School or major faction that has survived since that time very likely has some of this substance in its possession."

"Obtaining Pure Essence from them could be another avenue. Though it would also be difficult, it would surely be less so than trying to get it from the government and the corporations."

"If you have, in fact, already obtained Pure Essence, Cousin—and this is still a hypothetical—then all you need to do is find a way to acquire a bit more from one of those places. You don’t need much; just a small amount will suffice. What you need is a verifiable record of acquisition. The rest is unimportant."

Chen Chuan couldn’t help but nod. Gao Ming was absolutely right.

’There used to be over twenty halls in the Outer Ocean, but now only three remain. It’s highly likely that’s because those three still have a supply of Pure Essence.’

’But with the higher-ups’ blockade, their supply of Pure Essence is bound to run out eventually. Without their own Central City and megacorporations, they are doomed to decline.’

’This helped him understand why at least some people in these halls supported the Ferris Wheel Company.’

’Only if the Ferris Wheel Company became powerful enough and joined the Federation would they have a chance at acquiring such resources.’

Gao Ming said, "Aside from that, I don’t think other methods are completely off the table."

"I saw some news recently. With the fall of the Ferris Wheel Company, the Administrative Affairs Hall wants to prop up a new company to take over its former operations."

"The Administrative Affairs Hall is leaning toward establishing an entirely new enterprise, or else splitting up the operations and handing them to other companies with which they have close ties, rather than just giving everything to Canglong Company and the Overseas Development Group."

"This is to prevent those two companies from growing too large, even though they’re also National Enterprises."

"If—and this is just a hypothetical—the Fusion Boundary Company where you work, Cousin, could take over a part of those operations, or even all of them, then as the company expands, it might also get a chance at an allocation of Pure Essence."

"This is just an example, of course. There would be many difficulties and uncertainties to overcome."

"My point is, while this issue with Pure Essence appears to be a dead end on the surface, if your goal is simply to acquire it for yourself, rather than for some grander purpose, there are still cracks you can exploit."

Chen Chuan nodded slowly. ’That’s true. Actually, there was one other method, one that many Fighters had tried—to sneak across to the other side of the World Ring.’

’But that method was simply too dangerous. He wasn’t prepared to take that path unless it was his absolute last resort.’

Gao Ming reached for his teacup and took a sip. Instead of putting it down, he cradled it in his hands as his expression grew serious.

"Cousin, there’s one more thing I think you need to start considering. Someday, if you achieve a breakthrough, you’ll surely obtain a higher position. And if you don’t stop there, Cousin, if you keep climbing, you will interact with more people and compete with more factions and individuals."

"Not to mention, after that, there’s the Great Collision."

"No matter how immense your personal power becomes, Cousin, you can’t do everything alone. You might find yourself up against an entire corporation or a power bloc."

"Cousin, to fight them, you’ll need more than just support from your superiors and allies. You also need your own power base beneath you, with its own reach."

He pushed the glasses up the bridge of his nose. "And Yangzhi, Cousin, is your natural power base."

"In all these years, you’re arguably the highest-ranking official to have come out of Yangzhi. Anyone who arrives from Yangzhi will naturally gravitate toward you."

"I suggest that in the future, Cousin, you find ways to bring more people from Yangzhi to Central City and give them plenty of support."

"This won’t conflict with your own advancement, Cousin. A group with shared interests and goals moving forward will always have an easier path than a person walking alone."

Chen Chuan thought for a moment before saying, "I understand. Thanks, Gao Ming. I’ll give your suggestions serious consideration."

He stayed for a while longer, drinking tea and chatting about lighter topics, before leaving the office building.

After getting into his car, he rested his hands on the steering wheel, lost in thought. ’I can mull over Gao Ming’s other suggestions later. The most pressing issue right now is solving the problem of my Pure Essence’s origin.’

’The most sound and feasible method for now is to acquire it from one of the ancient Schools. And the first one that came to mind was the Pure Sect.’

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