Chapter 385: Chapter 320: Encyclopedia: Xu Zilan and Guan San’s Meeting
"Super-evolution, so to speak, is a special kind of evolution that has freed itself from a Source of Evolution." Xu Zilan considered it for a moment, then gave an explanation.
But Gao Neng didn’t quite understand.
’Freed itself from a Source of Evolution?’
"For example, the Dark Night Elf Clan’s Ancient Tree of Life, the Celestial Race’s White Tower, and the Barbarian Race’s Blood Pool. These may seem like ’objects,’ but they are actually alive. What’s more, they are Sources of Evolution themselves, so they naturally wouldn’t disappear even if a Source of Evolution were destroyed," Xu Zilan said again when she saw Gao Neng’s silence.
"Mom, you don’t mean that Gao Xiaomeng, she..."
"I’m only saying it’s a possibility. Because, at least for now, Xiaomeng is able to live in the human world. That means her Source of Evolution probably isn’t one belonging to the other races."
’A guess?’ In his heart, Gao Neng actually understood the situation better than Xu Zilan. He knew Gao Xiaomeng was very likely the ’super-evolved’ type she was describing.
Because he knew Gao Xiaomeng’s true origin.
She came from the Magnet Mounds!
’And what exactly is in the Magnet Mounds?’
In truth, even now, humanity hasn’t provided a clear explanation.
But based on what was known, the Magnet Mounds had changed the world’s fundamental structure, triggered the Great Cataclysm, and caused the Sources of Evolution to appear among the other races.
So, the ultimate source had to be within the Magnet Mounds!
"Alright, that’s all I know, and I’ve said all I should. What Xiaomeng becomes in the future is for you to guide." Xu Zilan looked at Gao Neng.
"I understand." Gao Neng didn’t need to ask any more questions; he understood what Xu Zilan meant.
Regardless of Gao Xiaomeng’s origins, it was clear that, for now, her way of thinking was being influenced by the ’human world.’
And the person directly influencing her thoughts...
...was him!
It was like she was a blank sheet of paper. What that paper ultimately became wasn’t decided by the paper itself, but by the artist who drew on it.
"Tell me about the Underground City. What do you know?" Xu Zilan poured herself a glass of water, clearly intending to change the subject.
"I know a few things. It’s all stuff Ning’Er and Tangtang told me." Gao Neng didn’t hide anything, directly relaying everything he had been told.
Regarding the Underground City, his knowledge was actually quite shallow.
Li Tiannan had given him a piece of advice: "Don’t be too curious in the Underground City, or you’ll end up dead."
Fang Tangtang, on the other hand, had said that the Underground City was filled with tons of good stuff. If you were willing to risk it all, you could definitely become incredibly powerful.
Of course, Gao Neng basically took that advice with a grain of salt.
Shen Ning’Er’s information, however, was a bit more detailed.
Shen Ning’Er had told Gao Neng that there was a real city within the Underground City, and it covered a massive area.
According to the Human Alliance’s plans, the Underground City was humanity’s true "base."
However, this base wasn’t open to everyone. It was only accessible to those recognized by the Alliance, or in other words, those whose power had reached a certain tier.
As for what "being recognized" entailed, Shen Ning’Er hadn’t explained in detail.
But there was one thing Shen Ning’Er was certain about.
There are no other races in the Underground City!
Gao Neng recounted everything he knew.
Xu Zilan sank into thought.
About ten minutes later, she finally spoke again. "What you know is the current state of the Underground City, and on that front, you’re pretty much up to speed. Besides, once you go inside, you’ll be able to see for yourself what’s there. I don’t have much to say about that. But I can tell you about its history."
"History?"
"Yes. Like I said before, the Underground City is where the first Energy Warriors found the ’Source.’ It’s where humanity mastered the power of Elemental Energy. In fact, you could think of the Underground City as being like the Elf Race’s Tree of Life or the Celestial Race’s White Tower."
"Are you saying the Underground City is humanity’s Source of Evolution?!" A corner of Gao Neng’s mouth twitched.
"That’s more or less it. While it’s not a perfectly accurate description, you can understand it that way. This is precisely why humanity chose to withdraw all its forces from the Forgotten Land and build the City of Hope on top of the Underground City," Xu Zilan explained.
"So that’s why." Gao Neng finally understood why the Human Alliance had abandoned the defense of the Forgotten Land to move all its forces to the City of Hope, which was still under construction at the time.
The Underground City beneath the City of Hope was humanity’s ’Source of Evolution’!
...
Gao Neng and Xu Zilan talked for a long time that day.
Xu Zilan told Gao Neng in detail about the events leading up to the great war eighteen years ago, as well as the history of the Underground City’s discovery and construction.
Much of what she said was information Gao Neng had never come across in any books.
’Sometimes... Gao Neng couldn’t help but wonder if Xu Zilan knew a little too much about these things. It felt less like she was recounting stories she’d heard and more like she had witnessed them firsthand.’
Her accounts were simply too detailed.
Of course, Gao Neng wouldn’t truly suspect anything. The reason was simple: Xu Zilan was his mother. Who’s ever heard of a son doubting his own mom?
He wouldn’t press her on matters she was unwilling to discuss.
’After all, he knew his mother’s personality quite well.’
’It would be useless to ask!’
But this day had certainly not gone as Gao Neng had expected.
He had originally thought he would just come home, check in on Xu Zilan, and then tell her about some of the interesting things that had happened in the City of Hope.
Like how he had fought his way onto the combat rankings at the Eastern Capital Military Academy.
Or what his state of mind was like when he challenged the Dragon List.
But before he got the chance to bring any of that up, he found himself engrossed in listening to Xu Zilan’s history lesson about the other races and the Underground City.
’Did my mom, Xu Zilan, become a walking encyclopedia?’
’How incredible!’
He and Xu Zilan talked late into the night. Afterward, he found another blanket and they slept in the same bed.
As mother and son reuniting, there was nothing awkward about it.
「The next morning.」
When Gao Neng woke up, Xu Zilan had already left.
According to Xu Zilan, she had found a job at a factory in the City of Hope. She was earning one or two thousand Alliance Coins a month, so she was doing pretty well.
Of course, today Xu Zilan had just gone out to buy groceries.
She had already taken time off from her factory job.
While Xu Zilan was out, Gao Neng began his preparations. He took out some medicinal pills and other items he had purchased in advance.
He wanted to improve Xu Zilan’s physical condition. He wasn’t trying to turn her into a super-powered expert, but he at least wanted to ensure she would live a longer life.
As for money... he didn’t bring it up.
Since Xu Zilan knew about his challenge on the Dragon List, there was really no need to spell out how much money he had now.
’Hey Mom, I earned billions! Can you believe it?’
There was no need for that.
Xu Zilan hadn’t even asked about his assistant, Hua Quanquan. Saying something like that now would just feel like he was showing off to his own mother.
Before long, Xu Zilan returned.
Gao Neng placed the pills and other items in front of Xu Zilan.
"For me?" Xu Zilan glanced at the pile of pills in front of her.
"Yes, they’re to improve your health and strength," Gao Neng nodded.
"Okay." Xu Zilan didn’t refuse. She gathered all the pills and items, then hurried into the kitchen to make breakfast for Gao Neng.
"Mom, I have a suggestion. I’m not sure what you’ll think of it." Seeing Xu Zilan preparing breakfast, Gao Neng thought for a moment before finally voicing his idea.
"What is it? Go on."
"Would you consider working somewhere else?"
"Where to?"
"How about the Celestial King Group?"
"Hmm... You want the Celestial King Group to protect me?" Xu Zilan fell silent in the kitchen for a moment before speaking again.
"Yes. I’m worried about you being on the surface by yourself, and I’m about to enter the Underground City soon." Gao Neng didn’t hide his reasoning.
"Alright, I’ll go work at the Celestial King Group." As she spoke, Xu Zilan brought the warm breakfast out from the kitchen.
"Then I’ll find you a new place to live, too?" Gao Neng added.
"Okay." Xu Zilan nodded.
"Should I also get you..."
"No need for a maid. I’m not used to that," Xu Zilan cut him off, shaking her head. She then placed a steamed bun into his bowl.
"Alright, then I’ll find you a place to live within the Celestial King Group’s compound?"
"That’s fine."
"Then what about your current factory job..."
"I already quit my job when I went out earlier. I’ll pack up the room today, and I can go with you tomorrow," Xu Zilan stated plainly.
"Okay, then I’ll go make the arrangements." Gao Neng immediately nodded.
"Mm."
...
After breakfast, Gao Neng called Fang Yuan.
When it came to his mother, he wasn’t going to be coy. Her safety was far more important than any sense of pride.
If Xu Zilan could work and live within the Celestial King Group’s compound, he could at least rest easy about her safety.
The call connected.
Fang Yuan’s voice came through.
"Oh? Young Gao Neng, it’s rare for you to call an old man like me." Fang Yuan’s voice was filled with surprise and affection.
"I wanted to ask you for a favor, Grandpa Fang."
"’A favor from me? Of course, go ahead!’"
"I’m about to enter the Underground City, and I’d like my mother to work at the Celestial King Group," Gao Neng said without beating around the bush.
"Done. I’ll have Guan San arrange it personally. The accommodations will be inside the Celestial King Group compound. I happen to have a vacant house—it’s a small, independent courtyard surrounded by my top engineers. Her safety will be guaranteed. You can rest completely assured!" Fang Yuan immediately understood Gao Neng’s intentions.
"Thank you, Grandpa Fang. I’ll bring my mom over tomorrow."
"Heh, no need to be so formal. Entrusting me with this shows you have faith in this old man." Fang Yuan chuckled and then hung up.
...
「Early the next morning.」
After confirming the time with Guan San, Gao Neng had Hua Quanquan drive him and Xu Zilan straight to the Celestial King Group headquarters.
When they arrived at the Celestial King Group headquarters, it was already noon.
But Guan San had been waiting in front of the Celestial King Group’s main building the entire time. It wasn’t until Gao Neng’s party arrived that he came forward to greet them with a warm smile.
Of course, ever the professional, Hua Quanquan was also very proactive.
She greeted him before Guan San even had a chance to speak.
"President Guan, it’s good to see you!"
"Mm. Hua Quanquan, you handled this matter well." Guan San nodded in satisfaction before his gaze shifted to Gao Neng, who was just getting out of the car.
As a junior, Gao Neng naturally couldn’t let Guan San greet him first.
"Good day, Elder Guan."
"Yes, yes, very good. I hear you’ve finally decided to enter the Underground City?" Guan San replied with a smile.
"That’s right. I’m going in tomorrow," Gao Neng confirmed with a nod.
"Excellent. Chairman Fang has already personally prepared everything you might need for the Underground City. When you go tomorrow, bring a little something extra for Tangtang." After speaking, Guan San’s gaze shifted to Xu Zilan, who was slowly emerging from the back seat of the car.
He maintained a kindly smile on his face.
However, the moment his eyes fell upon Xu Zilan, that amiable smile froze solid on his face.
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