Chapter 5: Props, the Sculpture of the Divine Immortal Sister

Previously, each time after Ji Tianqi crossed into the otherworldly realm and then back again, the medical (research) group would show him videos of his crossing.

They wanted to use this tangible evidence to make Ji Tianqi face reality, abandon unrealistic fantasies, and thus no longer be diagnosed as a mental patient.

But this time, they didn't show Ji Tianqi the videos!

It seemed they were afraid that doing so might actually cure Ji Tianqi of his mental illness, causing him to lose the chance to gain adventures in the otherworldly realm, or in other words, to lose the superpower of drawing strength from fantasies.

If that could be considered a superpower.

Bai Xiuchu didn't contact her former colleagues at the Security Administration Bureau, even though both were official institutions. But this kind of thing... well, it was related to mental illness after all.

So, she and the people at the research center concocted a well-intentioned lie.

At least in their view, it was well-intentioned.

"He's run off, and my former colleagues at the Security Administration Bureau are tracking him. Once they ascertain his location, they'll ask for your help in capturing him."

Bai Xiuchu, as if afraid that Ji Tianqi wouldn't believe her, quickly added after speaking.

"For this target, the Security Administration Bureau is not suited to use weapons, and the available superpower users are either too weak or too powerful to be suitable, so we need your help."

"Good," said Ji Tianqi excitedly, "just as my martial arts have made great progress, let me see what kind of creature the first super criminal I catch is."

"..."

Bai Xiuchu, who was at a loss for words, tactfully stepped aside. As the security personnel nervously brought over the Genetic Lock, Ji Tianqi frowned slightly but did not refuse.

After he took it and put it on willingly, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The constantly running surveillance equipment nearby showed that Ji Tianqi's energy value had dropped significantly, just slightly above that of a normal person.

It seemed Ji Tianqi's superpower had been completely suppressed.

But Bai Xiuchu, who had been watching Ji Tianqi's eyes the whole time, detected a hint of mockery in his expression — however, since it seemed to stem from a woman's innate intuition, Bai Xiuchu couldn't be sure and did not say anything.

The medical (research) group's personnel had begun the routine questioning.

"Can you talk about your journey this time?"

"Of course."

Ji Tianqi began narrating honestly.

"I was looking for the Wave Striding Steps and the Beiming Skill, but along the way, I heard a martial arts world rumor saying that a master had set up the Linglong Chess, claiming the one who solved it would become their successor.

I knew right then it was an adventure, so I hurried over.

I don't know how to play Go, but I figured if worst came to worst, I could record the game and then use an artificial intelligence program to solve it when I got back.

Though it might be too late, since I was there anyway, there was no harm in trying.

While playing, I had this strange feeling of enlightenment. It was as if a voice from somewhere was telling me how to play, so I followed the voice's guidance and made my moves.

Hey, and I actually won."

Ji Tianqi paused here, turning his gaze to Bai Xiuchu and frowning slightly.

"The more I thought about it afterward, the more that voice sounded familiar. It was like, her voice."

Although many questions arose, everyone held back and continued listening to Ji Tianqi's story.

"Then I met You Yazi, that master.

He originally didn't think highly of me, because I was too old. But when I mentioned that I knew the Nine Yang Skill and could perform the Yijin Marrow Cleansing, he happily transferred seventy years of his inner strength to me.

Afterward, I also asked him some questions about the Nine Yang Skill. I wasn't afraid of him stealing my martial arts, because I knew he was close to death.

After answering my questions, indeed, he died."

Ji Tianqi's tone carried a hint of helplessness and sighing.

"I originally wanted to learn the Wuxiang Technique and the Beiming Skill directly from him, a pity though.

Never mind, I can continue to my original destination. Now, with me being who I am, as soon as I get the Beiming Skill secret manual, I'll master it in minutes because You Yazi was practicing the Beiming Skill."

He paused again, and during this narration, Ji Tianqi, who kept staring at Bai Xiuchu, spoke with a strange tone.

"With seventy years of inner Qi and the initial success of Nine Yang Skill, I planned to kill Niu Chunqiu and avenge You Yazi. But he fled too quickly, and since I don't know any qinggong, I couldn't catch up.

I was planning to ask Wang Xinghe to teach me some martial arts, but then I heard her voice."

Ji Tianqi pointed at Bai Xiuchu, speaking assertively.

"I'm sure it was her voice, saying that our world needed my help. So, I found a place without people. Then I kept thinking about wanting to cross back, and then I really did cross back.

Yep, that's it."

After the story ended, the expressions of those present varied.

The person in charge received a report with the questions everyone most wanted to ask. He selectively began asking them one by one.

"You really don't know how to play Go?"

"No, I'm alright with Connect Five."

The question about the Go game he had set up earlier... remained unasked.

"You've mastered the Nine Yang Skill?"

"Only the initial success, like the level of the guy in the novel who practiced for five years in the mountains before leaving. To reach great success, like the protagonist's breakthrough after the second adventure in the novel, it might take another twenty or thirty years."