103: Chapter 103 Li Yong – The Great Roc Rises with the Wind, Soaring Ninety Thousand Miles High

Zhang Mu stood on a high slope outside the camp, looking down at the noisy crowd of citizens gathered together, bidding for the White Porcelain Bottles.

The White Porcelain Bottles were ones he had bought to store potions when he was brewing them in Bala City.

He had happened to see them in a shop back then and bought a few on a whim because he thought they looked nice.

Upon arriving in the mountains, he figured using translucent Crystal Bottles didn't quite fit the aesthetic, so he switched to the white porcelain ones.

He had simply left them in the tent carelessly, and he hadn't expected it to result in an auction.

Shaking his head with a wry smile, he looked around.

The people camping in the mountains didn't seem willing to leave anytime soon, but staying there indefinitely wasn't a solution either.

If they stayed too long, it wouldn't be good if someone actually fell down the slope.

After a moment of thought, Zhang Mu used his Mental Energy to amplify his voice: "Everyone, there is nothing more. Please disperse."

His voice echoed through the mountains, lingering for a long time.

Zhang Mu pulled out his phone and glanced at it; it was past seven, and he had to go back, otherwise Leah would make a fuss if she woke up and didn't see him.

Shaking his head, he stopped paying attention to the people in the suddenly quiet camp and turned to head home.

...

Su City Municipal Building.

The building originally used by the Su City leadership was now occupied by the Special Investigation Bureau, which held significantly more power.

To save on funds, the Director hadn't changed much of the building's internal structure, simply adding some desks and chairs, as well as specialized detection instruments.

In the top-floor conference room, Zhao Qi sat in the first seat on the right side of the table, an open notebook lying on the desk in front of him.

He looked at the Director, his mouth moving incessantly.

Finally finishing, he swallowed to moisten his somewhat dry throat. "Director, that's how things stand."

Beside him, Yue Ruo added, "All the citizens have already returned home."

The Director nodded and asked a question that left them both a bit dazed: "How much did the immortal bottles sell for?"

"This... the reports didn't mention that?" Zhao Qi looked down at his notebook. "I'll call and ask."

With that, he pulled out his phone and pushed open the door to head into the hallway.

"Does the Director want to collect the immortal bottles?" Yue Ruo guessed his meaning and asked tentatively.

"It depends. I'm afraid the owners might not want to sell. Well... mainly, I'm worried Immortal Xu might be unhappy. After all, those were things he gave out personally."

"Who knows what Immortal Xu's thoughts are."

There was no exaggeration in his words.

Although someone who could beat many strong competitors to win an immortal bottle was surely an elite with certain financial resources and background,

the Director held power, the state machinery; an individual simply couldn't compete, and couldn't even manage a bit of resistance.

Yue Ruo opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by Zhao Qi pushing the door back in.

"Director, the woman whose child was healed by Immortal Xu didn't sell her immortal bottle."

"Didn't sell?" the Director and Yue Ruo confirmed in shock.

"Yes, she already went home with the immortal bottle and her child. Fearing someone might have bad intentions, I sent people to protect them along the way."

"That really is rare." The Director tapped the table with emotion. "What was the highest bid?"},{

"Ten million, in cash."

Ten million didn't sound like much; it wasn't even enough to pay in full for a hundred-square-meter apartment in a first-tier city.

But this was cash, to be produced on the spot.

Being able to produce ten million in cash on short notice, plus the fact that the vast majority of those in the mountains were locals from Su City, with no world-renowned corporate conglomerates competing,

and not even a single large domestic enterprise having arrived, this price was already terrifying.

"Since she's keeping it, let's not touch it. If we really want one, we can discuss it with Immortal Xu."

Zhao Qi raised both hands in agreement, then continued: "Also, the girl who spoke a few words with Immortal Xu has been found.

She's an outdoor streamer, and not the kind who just finds a small hill and calls it 'outdoors'.

That girl often climbs high mountains and ventures into primeval forests. I've checked her previous videos; only she appears on camera, but there should be a team behind the scenes."

"But she's still quite impressive." Zhao Qi sat back in his wooden chair. "At least she climbs the cliffs herself."

"Furthermore, Immortal Xu told her that Liu Yuxi had met him."

"Liu Yuxi?" Yue Ruo felt it was strange. "Wasn't he from the Tang Dynasty?"

"Yes."

"You mean, Immortal Xu has lived for at least a thousand years?"

"I'm not that surprised." Zhao Qi shook his head. "Immortal Xu's Mountain Gate has witnessed the changing of the world; his actual age is definitely greater than a thousand years."

"'A mountain need not be high...' The Director didn't pay attention to their chat, his gaze thoughtful. 'At the time, I wondered why Immortal Xu was muttering this line,'

'thinking he had encountered ancient poetry and prose and simply liked this poem, but looking at it now, did the immortal come before the poem?'"},{

"Director, that's not a poem; it's an Inscription."

"It's the same thing." The Director waved his hand dismissively. "If we infer from this, were the authors of China's ancient poems about immortals,

all like Liu Yuxi, fortunate enough to have met a Cultivator?"

Hearing this speculation, Yue Ruo's interlaced fingers tightened. "If that's true, then what about other things that seem like fantasy?

For example, the classic of mountains and seas?"

Their back-and-forth exchange sparked Zhao Qi's inspiration: "Are you saying those poems that modern people think use the exaggeration of the ancients,

are actually not exaggerations, but based on real events?

Like 'The roc rises with the wind one day, soaring ninety thousand miles'?"

He leaned back against the chair. "If a Kunpeng really flew above the nine heavens, it definitely wouldn't be visible from the ground, unless..."

"Unless Li Bai was standing on the Kunpeng's back, watching himself fly from the ground to the nine heavens!"

"That's getting a bit ridiculous." The Director interrupted them. "If the Kunpeng is real, then are dragons and phoenixes real too?

Satellites monitor the entire Blue Planet 24/7. If something that big were flying in the sky, how could it not be seen?"

Yue Ruo was a bit unconvinced. "Then Immortal Xu's Mountain Gate—satellites can't find that either, can they?"

"It really is strange." The Director scratched his head. "Next time we meet Immortal Xu, we'll have to ask him no matter what."

To the side, Zhao Qi crossed his arms, his head lowered as he muttered to himself, "I actually hope the Kunpeng is real.

Once we get to know Immortal Xu better, I'll ask him to let me ride it once. Damn, riding a Kunpeng straight to the nine heavens... just thinking about it is thrilling."

"If you really went up without any protective gear, let alone the nine heavens, you'd pass out from hypoxia at ten thousand meters." Yue Ruo rolled her eyes.

"How could that be!" Zhao Qi slapped the table excitedly. "How was Li Bai fine after going up? Did he bring an oxygen tank?"

"It's just a hypothesis; there's no evidence to prove Li Bai actually went to the heavens."

"Alright, alright, why are you two arguing?" The Director spoke up to stop them. "How is things with Ye Ming?"

"He's busy with his girlfriend, setting up the new team."

"Tsk." The Director clicked his tongue. "The lad is quite capable. If everyone under me was like him, why would I need to worry?"

"Director? What do you mean by that?" Zhao Qi and Yue Ruo were unhappy. "I've shed blood for the Special Investigation Bureau!"

"Yes, yes, your wallet bleeds every day at the amusement park snack street. Now get out."

The two were kicked out of the conference room and ran together to the office downstairs, where they found Ye Ming busy with recruitment matters.

They took turns explaining their recent speculation. Ye Ming smiled and said he was busy, suggesting they chat later.

Working until eight or nine o'clock, Ye Ming stood up and stretched, then left with Lin Miao.

Walking down the brightly lit corridor, Ye Ming thought for a moment, pulled out his phone, and dialed Zhang Mu's number.

"Zhang Mu, have you found a job yet?"

...

"Not yet, why?" Zhang Mu stood before the summoned Portal, phone to his ear.

"Work at your place? No, I plan to rest for a while first.

Yeah, don't worry, you know me. Are you afraid I won't find a job?"

On the other end of the phone, Ye Ming saw that he had no intention of changing his mind and didn't continue to push, but couldn't help nagging him:

"Seriously, don't spend all your time on that Subculture stuff and Cat Girls. You're not a child anymore; find a good job, date a nice girl, and start making a life for yourself."

The corners of Zhang Mu's mouth curled up. "I don't play with figures anymore."

Ye Ming, unable to see his strange expression, assumed he had truly quit the Subculture and said happily, "That's good then,

then rest for a while. When you want to find a job, call me anytime."

"By the way." Just as he was about to hang up, Ye Ming suddenly recalled the speculation Zhao Qi had discussed with him. "Where do you think Li Bai got the inspiration for 'To Li Yong'?

Could Li Bai have really seen some huge thing flying straight to the nine heavens?"

Zhang Mu was dazed for a moment, realizing that his senior was referring to the line in the poem—The roc rises with the wind one day, soaring ninety thousand miles.

"Maybe Li Bai rode a UFO," he brushed it off with a joking tone. "Let's leave it at that, I'm going to take a shower."

Pressing the end call button, he tucked his phone into his pocket and stood before the Portal with his arms crossed, deep in thought.

A Kunpeng flying to the nine heavens... interesting. He'd have to spend some time thinking about it.

Putting the matter aside for now, Zhang Mu stepped into the swirling Portal.