Chapter 6 The Goddess
Under the night sky, a silver light streaked across, gradually approaching and descending into the depths of the campus.
"Is the UFO from New Star the goddess returning?" Qin Cheng looked up, pulling Wang Xuan along to take a look.
"There's your goddess; don't drag me into this," Wang Xuan replied, finding Qin Cheng a bit too excitable at times like this.
"It's the same for everyone; nearly everyone acknowledges her as a goddess," Qin Cheng insisted, wanting to see her one last time, fearing he might never have the chance again.
Wang Xuan was speechless—was she really his goddess? It felt more like viewing a relic.
"Don't worry, it's pure admiration; I have a girlfriend and principles!" Qin Cheng emphasized.
Wang Xuan considered that the area was close to Professor Lin's residence, and he wanted to visit since the professor would be leaving for New Star soon. He knew the professor had wanted to discuss ways to help him secure a spot for the trip.
Wang Xuan usually didn't want to impose, especially knowing the project behind old techniques was heavily backed and difficult for outsiders to influence.
As they approached the campus, they found the landing pad quiet; everyone had likely left.
Wang Xuan glanced at the silver-gray UFO and told Qin Cheng, "Go see your goddess; I'll visit Professor Lin."
"Never mind, it's too dark. If Zhao Qinghan misinterprets this, and there are bodyguards, I'd have nowhere to complain. I'll join you to see Professor Lin," Qin Cheng decided, wanting to be a good boyfriend.
Professor Lin's residence was a small courtyard, just a few hundred meters away. They quickly arrived, and unexpectedly encountered someone outside.
Zhao Qinghan, the goddess in Qin Cheng's eyes, had an impressive presence on campus and was undeniably beautiful.
In the streetlight, her shoulder-length hair fluttered slightly in the breeze, her fair face framed by bright eyes and glossy red lips, exuding an exquisite charm.
Her white shirt was casually unbuttoned at the top, revealing a glimpse of her collarbone, paired with relaxed pants, yet she still appeared stunning under the night.
"Zhao Qinghan," Qin Cheng called out, surprised to see her outside Professor Lin's residence.
"Oh, it's you! What a coincidence," she greeted with a smile, her beauty radiating freshness. "Professor Lin hasn't returned for a while; I was asked to bring him some specialties from New Star."
It was clear that her simple evening outfit was for comfort, yet it couldn't hide her fantastic figure.
Qin Cheng grinned, "Specialties from New Star? Are there any for us?"
As he spoke, several black-clad individuals appeared, watching cautiously.
Qin Cheng froze momentarily—did he really give off such an unsafe vibe? He thought he looked friendly enough.
"They're my classmates; you don't need to be so tense," Zhao Qinghan reassured the bodyguards with a wave.
Then, smiling at Wang Xuan and Qin Cheng, she said, "I'll head out now. I'm a bit tired from just arriving."
Only after walking a distance did Zhao Qinghan stop and ask the bodyguards why they were so wary.
"That young man seemed formidable. After just a glance, we felt a threat," one of the black-clad men replied.
Zhao Qinghan was taken aback but then smiled brightly in the evening breeze.
"Qin Cheng? No way; he's no match for me."
If Qin Cheng had heard this, he would've felt like crying, realizing that in the eyes of his goddess, he was no threat at all.
The bodyguard shook his head, saying, "It's not him; it's the other young man who just smiled and didn't say much. After looking at him, we sensed something was off; he's strong."
"You mean Wang Xuan?" Zhao Qinghan nodded thoughtfully. "I always thought he didn't measure up in terms of old techniques. But it seems he's succeeded in gathering energy during my time away; I wish I had looked more closely."
She recalled Wang Xuan's calm demeanor, his serene smile, and the depth in his clear eyes, which radiated confidence.
It seemed he hadn't been watching her at all but quietly assessing the black-clad men around her.
Zhao Qinghan glanced back, murmuring, "I'll find a chance…"
In that instant, she felt someone watching from the darkness several hundred meters away.
She turned to leave, sensing that Wang Xuan had noticed her gaze just as she looked back at the courtyard.
Meanwhile, Qin Cheng grumbled, "This is the first time I've ever been labeled as a dangerous person!"
Wang Xuan comforted him, "They weren't on guard against you; they were wary of me."
"Wait, what terrible thing have you done? You didn't do anything to Zhao Qinghan, did you?" Qin Cheng's imagination ran wild.
"Not at all. I was curious about their techniques; I wanted to see if they practiced old techniques or if they had taken another route to New Star."
Qin Cheng perked up, "Good for you, old Wang! You managed to dig up their foundation without making a fuss!"
Wang Xuan immediately corrected him, "Change how you address me!"
Qin Cheng chuckled.
Wang Xuan mused, "I believe it's still rooted in old techniques, but their reactions and movements aren't pure; it seems they've incorporated other methods."
He added, "Also, Zhao Qinghan isn't as weak as you think; you're no match for her."
"Seriously? Has she mastered the old techniques to a certain level?" Qin Cheng muttered, feeling stunned. "Among those just now, am I really the weakest?"
At that moment, the courtyard door opened, and Professor Lin appeared.
"I just sent Zhao Qinghan off and heard talking outside; it turns out to be you two," he said.
Professor Lin, with his graying hair and a bit of a paunch at sixty, had once been a master of old techniques but had suffered severe injuries that prevented him from engaging in practice anymore.
Since then, he focused on theoretical research, and he was well-known in the exploration of old techniques.
Wang Xuan stepped forward, saying, "Professor Lin, I wanted to visit for a while but didn't want to trouble you."
"You're too polite!" The elder ushered them into the courtyard, shaking his head. "I really can't help you; I've been turned away."
Wang Xuan felt a warmth in his heart, realizing how far the professor had gone for him, but the investors had been unyielding.
"Sorry to trouble you," Wang Xuan sincerely said, feeling guilty for the professor's efforts being in vain.
Professor Lin waved it off, unconcerned.
The courtyard was small, filled with flowers and a fish pond, where lilies floated, and koi swam, bringing vitality to the space.
The soft light in the living room illuminated a somewhat worn photo album on the coffee table.
One page showed a stunning young woman with a rare beauty.
"Professor Lin, who is this? She's beautiful," Qin Cheng asked.
"A famous painter and singer; she was adored for a long time. Everyone from my generation liked her," Professor Lin replied.
Wang Xuan studied the photo, noting its worn edges; it must have been kept for decades.
Qin Cheng, feeling familiar enough, joked, "You're quite the sentimental one, still liking the same person after all these years."
Professor Lin nodded, "Yes, I liked her in high school, and I still do now."
Both Wang Xuan and Qin Cheng were left speechless.
"What are your plans now?" Professor Lin asked Wang Xuan.
Wang Xuan replied honestly, stating he would start working but wanted to continue exploring old techniques.
"You need to go to New Star!" Professor Lin asserted.
Then, he lowered his gaze to the photo album, pondering.
Wang Xuan quickly said, "Professor, you don't have to look for me anymore."
Professor Lin looked up and asked, "Do you believe in the existence of celestial immortals?"
Wang Xuan keenly sensed that the professor hadn't been looking at the young woman's photo but rather one beside it.
That photo was yellowed with age, blurry but suggested a scene underground—on a stone table lay a collection of bamboo slips, commonly found in ancient tombs.
This prompted many associations in Wang Xuan's mind.
Before he could respond, Professor Lin continued, "What do you think they found in New Star?"