Chapter 91 - 90: Young Hero
A sudden storm had erupted, and behind it were the "subversive forces" lurking on Cyan Blue.
But the even greater impact that followed was the discovery of a "new Exotic Realm."
This was a discovery that could shake the entirety of Cyan Blue!
The last time a new Exotic Realm had appeared was over a hundred years ago. No matter how vehemently they denied it when accused of being a "predatory civilization," the nations of Cyan Blue had indeed relied on the development of one Exotic Realm after another to grow and prosper.
The appearance of each new Exotic Realm represented infinite opportunities.
Each Exotic Realm was completely different, offering natural resources, novel technologies, biological samples, land and population, and even... a unique heritage in the application of the Source.
Great nations wished to grow stronger, and small nations wished to change their fate...
The six surviving strange visitors were detained and protected under the highest standards. The medical resources allocated to them were two levels higher than those for the Yanhu People injured in the incident.
The order from above was: Not a single one of them was allowed to die!
With Yanhua Country’s authorities taking action, there was no possibility of failing to extract the truth. It was only a matter of time.
Before long, a great tremor would likely shake Cyan Blue, originating from a certain location deep within the sea.
And the "Rebel Species" organization had achieved its "overt scheme"... Regardless of the role they played, Cyan Blue’s attention would gradually turn there.
Yang Shen had some faint suspicions about the undercurrents at play; after all, he had personally witnessed Wu trick more than a dozen of the strange visitors to their deaths.
It had to be said, after experiencing a few major events, the young man’s mind was growing increasingly meticulous.
No one explained the full picture to him, but Yang Shen still had his own intuitive sense of the situation.
But all of this was still distant from him.
Without absolute power and influence, rushing into that vortex would only mean becoming Nourishment to be devoured.
For now, he just needed to enjoy the part he deserved.
And that part was already quite substantial.
By the time Yang Shen was dragged to the hospital for a minor scrape, passersby were already frantically spreading related content online.
With such a major incident happening in public, the news couldn’t be contained. At most, the authorities could only shift the focus to the "surface level" aspects, such as heroic acts of bravery, the lack of casualties, and the brilliance of certain individuals.
In comparison, Director Liu’s gains were naturally within the system, and a middle-aged cadre was a much less compelling topic than a "young hero." So, as the story spread...
Yang Shen became the main character!
A young hero!
All sorts of short videos and photos spread like wildfire: the strange, giant black sphere, the image of Yang Shen and the other two emerging from the ruins, and a sea of half-true, half-false news.
This probably suited the authorities’ intentions perfectly, diverting public attention.
In the two-plus hours from the end of the incident until evening, his "Family Reputation" had already shot up from 23 to 42!
It had nearly doubled, surpassing the total he had accumulated before!
He was now very close to completing the main quest of reaching 50 points.
Although the "Jianghuai Yang Family" was still just an internal concept, the reputation of a family member—let alone the Patriarch—was undoubtedly a crucial component of it.
Previously, Yang Shen had a minor reputation as a "fledgling genius," but it was completely confined to the school. Even at Nanliang High School, many didn’t think he was truly stronger than the "top ten of his grade."
Not everyone was interested enough to look into the details. For most, it went in one ear and out the other, not to be taken seriously.
But now, his reputation had completely broken out of the campus, and its reach was on a whole different level.
’This reputation feast might last for a month! At least, until something else captures everyone’s attention, or the authorities start suppressing the news.’
’Or maybe I’ll pull off another big stunt?’
’Hmm... probably not. How could there be so much drama...’
Yang Shen actually missed the peaceful life of a student.
’Since when did it get like this, where either someone wants to kill me, or I have to kill someone else...’
In the hospital room, his aunt, Tao Ying, who had rushed over after being notified, wore a helpless expression.
"It hasn’t even been a month, and I’m back at the hospital looking for you..."
Yang Shen just smiled. "I couldn’t help it. When I saw Ms. Zhou’s ashes being stolen, it would’ve been absurd if I didn’t give chase..."
’If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be a young hero; I’d have been called a spineless coward.’
Yang Shen rolled up his sleeve, revealing a dark mark on his arm. It was his only injury from the day: a small bruise.
He was only being kept in the hospital because he was forced to stay for observation—or rather, because the police wanted to control the situation. In reality, all they did was apply a bit of iodine.
After sitting for a while, Yang Shen took the initiative to speak.
"Auntie, you should go home. I’m alive and kicking. The doctor already checked me out. I just need to get some sleep."
Speaking of being tired, it had been more exhausting dealing with the police, comforting Xu Bamboo, and accepting the gratitude of Zhou Yao’s parents.
Tao Ying shot Yang Shen a look but ultimately agreed. After all, there were four younger children at home.
"Then I’ll come back tomorrow morning. If they can process your discharge papers, let’s get you out of here. Even though it’s not costing us anything, it never feels good to stay in a hospital."
She always felt that staying in a hospital for too long would drain away one’s Yang Qi.
After his aunt left, Yang Shen took out his phone and scrolled through the news for a bit.
Just as the system’s feedback indicated, he had truly become famous this time.
’It’s a shame I can’t just shout out the "Jianghuai Yang Family" concept. The reputation feeding back to the family is only a small fraction of the total.’
’But personal reputation isn’t meaningless either.’
’A family... a Family... is really a "concept of consciousness."’
Every household in this world, strictly speaking, could be called a "family," but only a small fraction are truly recognized as such by society.
Either they are numerous and cohesive.
Or they possess extraordinary wealth that can be passed down through generations.
Or they have many accomplished members, each with their own achievements.
But no matter which path...
...it always requires the rise of an initial "key figure."
’So gaining personal reputation is also about earning the right for a "family" to break out of its cocoon.’
’To go from existing only within the system and at the dinner table to gradually gaining widespread recognition in society.’
As Yang Shen scrolled for these few minutes, his reputation rose by another 3 points, to 45.
’Looks like I can complete the mission tonight...’
However, when he saw the "side quest," Yang Shen’s expression turned much more serious.
"Option Two: To turn down a gift from the heavens is to invite disaster. Five kilometers to the north of here, there is an Exotic Treasure of considerable value. You may take it for your own use."
’That ’Exotic Treasure,’ which had always been vague and unclear, was getting closer... ridiculously close, even.’
’Only five kilometers...’
’Should I go check it out...? I wanted to go during the day...’
But the thought of the police officer sitting right outside his door made Yang Shen suppress the idea. He would have to wait until he was free to move around again.
In the end, Yang Shen sat cross-legged on his hospital bed.
He took a deep breath, slowly suppressing the impulse in his heart.
’I’m in a weakened state right now, and I’m also under surveillance.’
’I can’t act impulsively. Instead of letting my mind wander, I might as well get today’s Cultivation done.’
’Ultimately, every gain must be built on a foundation of strength.’
The more one yearns for a "fateful encounter,"
the more one must endure the solitude.
Otherwise... what you think is your fateful encounter might just become someone else’s.
——————
「Meanwhile, in the same hospital, just one floor away.」
Nearly half of this floor was sealed off. Every entrance and exit was guarded by police, because lying here were the six surviving strange visitors.
They would certainly be moved to a better hospital later, but it was not advisable to transfer them hastily before their vital signs stabilized.
These people had not yet opened their eyes, but the great machine of Yanhua Country was already in motion, focused on discovering their origins.
The authorities were giving this matter their utmost attention, but the first problem was the language barrier.
A completely unknown, undocumented language was both a pleasant surprise and a major headache.
While Yang Shen was suppressing his restlessness and diligently cultivating in his hospital room upstairs...
...a figure, surrounded by a large entourage, walked toward the area where the strange visitors were being treated.
The newcomer appeared to be in his thirties. He wore black-rimmed glasses that gave him a scholarly air, and his short hair was neat but not severe. He looked like a gentle, good-tempered university lecturer.
Captain Wang, who was temporarily in charge here, was already waiting outside the door.
"Professor Xu, two of the six have woken up, but they’re resisting strongly. We’ve temporarily controlled them with sedatives and restraints. Should we go see the ones who are awake first?"
The man called Professor Xu, however, shook his head. "Let’s go see the ones who are still unconscious."
"Huh?"
Professor Xu smiled. "People who are awake can lie, but those who aren’t, can’t."
Captain Wang said no more. This man was the nearest "specialist," urgently summoned from Jianghuai City.
A professor at the Jade Viscera Realm.
And one with special methods and a profound background!