Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1485 - 715: You Are Truly the Head of Our Dragon Assembly! (Part 2)
Previously on Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups...
Fang Cheng’s expression did not waver in the slightest; he calmly averted his gaze, pretending he didn’t recognize them at all.
He had already determined in his heart that the people before him were members of the Truth and Meditation Joint Practice.
Thus, it could be inferred that they were still on Yong’an Island, perhaps located in some secret underground sacrificial site at the True Thought Society headquarters.
Thinking of this, Fang Cheng’s eyes flickered slightly.
He decided to go with the flow, first using the title of "Chairman" to clear up the many doubts lurking in his mind.
Especially regarding the origins of the ancient underwater city and some details concerning the "Silver Key."
"Stand up first to speak."
Fang Cheng looked down at the two from above, neither affirming nor denying, and remained silent.
Seeing Fang Cheng’s softened attitude, Zheng Hongxin was overjoyed.
He propped himself up with both hands on his knees, slowly standing with Chen Jiandong’s support, a trace of excitement reddening his wrinkled face.
"Chairman, there’s much you don’t know. The True Thought Society is now on the brink of life and death."
Zheng Hongxin sighed, using the opportunity to lament:
"Ever since President Feng decided to go to the Changyuan Trench three years ago, searching for the place of bloodline origin, we’ve lost contact with him for too long."
"Currently, the True Thought Society is reluctantly led by this useless old man, leaderless and in gradual decline."
"Externally, we’ve already made numerous enemies over hundreds of years. Those guys have been watching us like hawks, waiting for signs of our weakness to exact revenge."
"Especially the extreme organization called ’Noah,’ like sharks smelling blood. Although we thwarted their raid for the Saint Relic half a year ago, they definitely won’t give up and might launch a major attack on Yong’an Island at any time."
The old man coughed twice while speaking and patted his chest.
"Internally, it’s even worse. Like my old bones and a batch of older core members in the society, who’ve excessively borrowed bloodline strength for years, both physical and Spiritual erosion are nearing critical points, softening bones and scaley skin are minor."
"Perhaps some night, I can no longer withstand the whispers in my mind, completely mutating into madness."
His words conveyed deep exhaustion and anxiety, staring up at Fang Cheng standing on the altar.
His gaze was like a drowning person grasping the final straw.
Hoping desperately that the other would provide clear and reliable news to lead them out of the predicament.
"The teacher’s words are correct."
Chen Jiandong chimed in at the right moment:
"The whole society is now in panic, like a water-leaking ship, ready to sink at any time."
"Although the Truth Stele recently underwent an unknown change, restoring some Spirituality, it only buys us some time to prolong, not fundamentally solving the issue."
"Therefore."
Zheng Hongxin stepped forward, eyes full of fervent hope:
"We urgently need Chairman Shen and you to return to preside over the situation and stabilize morale."
Fang Cheng quietly listened to their appeals, secretly calculating in his heart.
The Truth and Meditation Joint Practice seemed truly beleaguered, beset by both internal strife and external threats.
But he had no interest in continuing his role, taking over a sinking ship, bringing trouble on himself.
Nonetheless, regarding the so-called "President Su" and where he might have gone in the Otherworld, he was quite intrigued.
"Since you deem me the new Chairman, let me ask you."
Fang Cheng crossed his arms, looking down at Zheng Hongxin:
"About the Otherworld and the place of bloodline origin you mentioned earlier, what’s specifically going on, I’d like to know."
Zheng Hongxin was slightly taken aback, then hope kindled in his eyes; he eagerly countered:
"Chairman, that’s precisely what we want to ask you. Has President Su entrusted you with any message for us?"
Fang Cheng shook his head, responding calmly:
"He only mentioned some things about his own origins, saying he’s the Chairman of the True Thought Society. As for the rest, he didn’t elaborate."
Zheng Hongxin showed a hint of disappointment upon hearing this, quickly asking:
"Then how is he now? Why after entrusting you with the key, does he still hesitate to return?"
Chen Jiandong couldn’t help but inquire:
"Where exactly did President Su go? Has he found the door to the Otherworld yet?"
Fang Cheng lowered his gaze, observing their eager anticipation.
That President Su was most likely already buried within the ruins of the ancient city deep beneath the ocean, even his bones morphed into marine sludge, how could he possibly return.
Yet, seeing Zheng Hongxin’s and Chen Jiandong’s hopeful eyes, Fang Cheng couldn’t bring himself to bluntly say, "Your former chairman has long since died."
If their beliefs collapsed and they went mad in this enclosed underground cavern, it would be a hassle.
Fang Cheng stroked his chin, spontaneously weaving a tale:
"He... indeed entered the Otherworld."
Upon hearing "entered the Otherworld," Zheng Hongxin and Chen Jiandong both let out a long sigh of relief, staring at Fang Cheng.
The tension in their hearts finally subsided.
"He said he’s already found the way to enter through that door, and has an important task over there, concerning the secret of bloodline origin."
Fang Cheng spoke in a deep tone, continuing to act mysteriously:
"Moreover, he mentioned that it is the sole opportunity to permanently sever the bloodline’s curse of backlash, and he must personally complete the final plan."
"As for his exact status now, I’m unclear, too. Before leaving, he departed hastily, seemingly avoiding pursuit from an organization."
"Wonderful, President Su indeed fulfilled his wish!"
Zheng Hongxin cried with joy, nodding repeatedly:
"As long as he’s there, the True Thought Society has hope."
Chen Jiandong was also thrilled, clenching fists tightly before him, the shadows haunting him for days finally dispersing somewhat.
Zheng Hongxin wiped his eyes, then pursued a detail:
"May I ask Chairman, about when did you meet President Su, accepting the inheritance, oh, accepted this key?"
"About... over half a year ago." Fang Cheng casually provided a time.
"Over half a year ago?"
Zheng Hongxin furrowed his brow, a glint of doubt crossing his murky eyes.
He bowed his head, muttering to himself.
"That’s odd... President Su clearly left Yong’an Island three years ago to find the Otherworld, with no messages since."
"If he handed you the key over half a year ago, does it imply he returned from the Otherworld once?"
The old man increasingly confused, looked up at Fang Cheng:
"But since Chairman already successfully returned to the present world, why didn’t he return to Yong’an Island to explain the task and situation to society members?"
Fang Cheng, outwardly calm as an Old Dog, internally felt a hint of nervousness.
Initially, he intended to casually lie to get by, not anticipating the old man’s sensitivity to the timeline.
Telling one lie truly necessitates endless lies to cover it.
He couldn’t allow the topic to persist, lest he inadvertently reveal the truth.
With this realization, Fang Cheng decisively adopted a proactive strategy.
"President Su’s whereabouts and plans—who are we to guess randomly?"
Fang Cheng’s face darkened, assuming a superior stance in rebuking:
"Regardless of half a year ago or three years ago, since he chose not to return, surely he has his reasons."
"I’m now more interested in what the Otherworld and place of bloodline origin you mentioned earlier signify."
"This could be closely related to President Su’s eventual whereabouts and well-being."
Seeing the new Chairman displeased, Zheng Hongxin hurriedly set aside his doubts, adopting a more respectful demeanor.
"Chairman is right, I spoke out of turn, my insight is too shallow."
Zheng Hongxin slightly bowed, composing his thoughts, and began a detailed explanation:
"In the ancient records remaining in the society, the so-called Otherworld is not the Netherworld after death, but another mysterious world hidden beneath Earth’s deepest ocean, isolated by a spatial fault."