Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1168 - 567: [The Ruins] 2
Previously on Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups...
"We safeguarded the scientific expedition team as they gathered samples and pushed ahead into the unknown.
"Roughly half a day later, in the heart of this ancient forest, we stumbled upon a colossal ruined city that left us in awe."
"It looked like a once-thriving modern city ravaged by catastrophe, radiating a chilling, lifeless silence."
The Professor halted, as though reliving the moment vividly, and continued his tale in a measured voice:
"From afar, we saw towering skyscrapers snapped in two, slanting against one another precariously.
"Vines entwined the leftover steel and concrete, forming a vast network that enveloped the whole apocalyptic urban sprawl."
"As we scoured the wreckage, we unearthed plenty of golden artifacts, along with old coins from forgotten nations—rusted and worn, yet obviously priceless."
"The mercenaries went wild, cramming them into their packs; even I gave in and grabbed a couple of gold bars."
"Back then, I figured that even without any fabled treasures, hauling out this gold alone would secure my future wealth forever."
"Meanwhile, the expedition scientists stayed eerily composed. They overlooked the riches and concentrated on soil samples, plant samples, meticulous notes, and extracting crystals from the monsters' brains that we'd slain."
"What occurred next?"
Lin Chuqiao asked eagerly, "Did you find any traces of advanced tech in that city?"
"Nothing like that."
The Professor shook his head, his regret plain to see:
"Twilight was falling, and as we delved deeper into the ruins, the monsters grew fiercer, the surroundings more treacherous."
"We faced swarms of flying lizards that spat poisonous fog, plus horrifying humanoid beasts; our group took devastating losses."
"With our ammo nearly gone and oxygen in the suits dwindling fast, we had no choice but to retreat in defeat along the path we'd come."
"From almost twenty in the team, fewer than ten made it back alive; we even lost a few key researchers."
The Professor let out a heavy sigh, lifted the glass Xiao Shuai had freshly poured, and downed it in one go.
"Yet, in that misfortune, I found some luck."
He set the glass aside, a spark igniting in his gaze:
"During our frantic escape, to hold off the pursuing monsters, I desperately swallowed a crystal I'd extracted earlier from an insect's brain."
"I wasn't thinking straight then—just desperate for survival, grasping at anything for power."
"To my surprise, upon escaping, not only did my injuries vanish, but my psychic abilities exploded in strength, letting me shatter my barrier and reach S-Class easily."
The listeners at the table, Fang Cheng included, sank into quiet reflection.
A cool night breeze rustled through Yunlin Cottage's courtyard, the coals popping with sharp cracks.
Li Dingjian, fired up, blurted out:
"Professor, could you share the precise spot of that ruin?"
"With all those valuables in there, why not round up folks to retrieve them?"
"The Illuminati's power now far surpasses that old mercenary crew, doesn't it?"
The Professor eyed Li Dingjian, gave a wry smile, and shook his head:
"Crow, you're making it sound too easy."
"Forget the dangers lurking within—even getting past the entry barrier is impossible for us."
Noting the puzzled looks around, unfamiliar with these secrets, the Professor explained calmly:
"A century back, when these ruins first surfaced, folks might have seen them as mythical paradises, like hidden utopias."
"But with deeper exploration and study, nations quickly recognized them as vital strategic vaults of resources."
"The Borneo site I explored is controlled by the local regime and global finance giants, patrolled by troops so tight not even an insect slips through."
"How does that Otherworld stack up against the Inner World we discuss, or the Secret Realms passed down in elite bloodlines?"
Lin Chuqiao then chimed in with curiosity.
"Fundamentally distinct."
Lin Chuqiao, unable to hold back his interest nearby, voiced it.
"Totally different in essence."
The Professor replied firmly:
"The 'Inner World' typically means the dark underbelly linked to our reality, a hub of dark energies."
"Many elite family Secret Realms are compact realms crafted by old masters through unique techniques, featuring straightforward laws."
"Whereas the Otherworld..."
The Professor stopped, his voice growing solemn:
"It's an entire genuine realm, boasting its own ecology, even traces of past societies—vast in scale and peril, dwarfing the others by thousands-fold."
Fang Cheng absorbed it all silently, giving a pensive nod.
The Masked Guest's earlier remarks aligned perfectly with the Professor's firsthand account.
His questions stemmed not from scholarly curiosity about lost eras, but to confirm his inner suspicions.
That realm teeming with beasts and boons served as his ideal training ground.
The brutal conditions others dreaded could be his gateway to shattering bodily constraints and boosting his might dramatically.
Sadly, the Masked Guest met his end too soon, leaving details untold.
And the deceased stay silent, after all.
Fang Cheng felt a twinge of disappointment.
"Chairman."
The Professor, sensing his mind, raised his eyes to meet his, and said deliberately:
"The Masked Guest is gone, but his partner Fire Dragon lives on."
"He's fresh from an operation, still unconscious and critical. Once he stirs, we might coax some truths from him."
Fang Cheng dipped his head; that idea had just crossed his thoughts.
"Plus..."
The Professor hesitated, his eyes turning profound, before adding:
"From the Masked Guest's sparse hints, combined with intel I've collected this year, I believe the relic's gateway he referenced is likely at West Mountain."
"West Mountain?"
Fang Cheng started at the words.
"Exactly."
The Professor affirmed confidently, breaking it down:
"Chairman, recall last November's blast at the West Mountain dig site that sparked a blaze?"
"The forces moved with startling speed, locking down the area for a full month post-fire, then imposing a permanent military cordon in the mountain's core that's still active."
"Officially, it's for disease control, claiming mutated creatures spread plagues—but that's mere cover for the masses."
"In mutant circles, the top rumor is a hidden trove under that buried palace, akin to the Golden Benba Bottle that emerged from it."
"I reckon it hides the portal to a freshly uncovered ancient site."
Hearing this, Fang Cheng's gaze showed dawning clarity, resolving long-held puzzles.
The troops' massive maneuvers and multi-tiered seals pointed to ambitions exceeding a mere burial mound.
"Looks like, when that poor sod Fire Dragon regains consciousness, I'll need to have a thorough discussion."
Fang Cheng's mouth twitched into a faint smile; his resolve was set.
"Fine, we'll handle that later."
Li Dingjian, noting the mood turning somber, lightened it promptly:
"This is the Illuminati's bonding evening—skip the heavy topics, let's dive back into drinks and barbecue!"
Fang Cheng laughed softly, reining in his musings.
True enough, live in the moment, revel heartily.
He glanced around at the vibrant gathering.
Charcoal blazed in the outdoor grill, lanterns casting a cozy glow over the yard.
Nearby, Pan Wendi and Fatty Hu, defeated in a game of rock-paper-scissors, endured penalty push-ups, their strained faces drawing hearty laughs from onlookers.
Even the women at Bai Ling's table peeked over now and then, eyes twinkling with amusement, stifling chuckles behind their hands.
Fang Cheng observed these lively expressions, the boisterous yet warm banter, and felt a surge of emotion.
With Chen Xu’an away in Cui City, Tian Nan Province, every core founder of the Illuminati was assembled here this night.
In this enigmatic, peril-laden world, he stood as their strongest pillar and the guide they chose to follow.
"Everyone!"
Fang Cheng rose abruptly, hoisting his wine glass.
The lively yard fell hushed at once.
Activities ceased across the board.
From Pan Wendi's mock tussle to the Professor's soybean cracking, all eyes turned to the young leader at the head table.
No elaborate pep talks or showy declarations required.
Fang Cheng scanned the group, a grin spreading, as he lifted his glass high, voice firm:
"To every soul in the Illuminati—from this day, we'll advance side by side, united!"
"Cheers!"
Smiles broke out; they all stood, glasses aloft, shouting in unison:
"Cheers!"
The clear tinkling of clinking glasses echoed into the night.
Amid joyful mirth, like a vow's opening note, it heralded the ascent of this budding faction.