Chapter 1: Voluntarily Entering the Trap
The decision had been made, and action could not be delayed. Chén Shǒuyì utilized every resource at his disposal to begin preparations for the "job application" of Lín Fēng and Old Yang. The first requirement was a plausible identity and a point of entry. Lín Fēng’s original identity had long since been flagged by Weyland and his minions; it could never be used again.
"From today on, you are 'Lin Xiao.'" Chén Shǒuyì handed a set of forged identity documents to Lín Fēng. The person in the photo bore a seventy to eighty percent resemblance to him, but with a colder temperament, and eyes that held the pointed, unapproachable sharpness deliberately cultivated to fit the description of a "special constitution." "You are a recluse martial artist from the mountainous regions of the Southwest. You are gifted, but lack familiarity with modern technology and society. Due to a family legacy, you came into contact with 'Psionic Energy,' causing a benign mutation in your body. This background is vague enough to be credible and explains your combat skills and uniqueness, making it difficult to uncover the truth."
Lín Fēng took the documents and silently memorized every detail. "Lin Xiao"—the name foretold that he would need to remain as sharp and composed in the darkness as a night owl.
Old Yang’s identity required little disguise. He was already a highly respected elder in the world of Guoshu who had long refrained from worldly affairs. His return was framed as a desire to "cherish talent," claiming he was personally guiding a promising junior. His face itself served as both proof of identity and, to a certain extent, a protective talisman.
Next came the specialized training. It was not focused on improving combat power, but rather on acting and information control. Chén Shǒuyì brought in a retired elder who had once been a top intelligence operative. He conducted crash courses for Lín Fēng on how to control micro-expressions, manage his gaze, handle interrogations, and choose how to selectively display "value" without exposing core secrets. He learned how to tell half-truths, how to use facts to mislead, and how to construct a behavioral pattern that fit the "recluse successor" persona.
At the same time, Lín Fēng needed to cram public information regarding the Kunlun Research Institute (though it was extremely scarce), current trends in cutting-edge technology, and even the basic landscape of global politics and economics, to avoid showing major flaws during conversation. He absorbed this knowledge like a sponge, cross-referencing it with his own theoretical system.
Most importantly, there was the control of his own power. He had to hide the coldness of the Star Fragment even deeper, displaying only a "rationally" enhanced level of Hidden Energy - roughly at the peak of Hidden Energy, bordering on the threshold of Transformative Energy. This was already shocking for a genius, but not so outrageous as to warrant immediate dissection. Only at a critical moment could he use that sliver of coldness as his trump card.
The Star Fragment had been further sealed by Old Yang using special medicinal solutions and ancient techniques, hidden within the lining of a custom-made lead box, which Lín Fēng kept on his person, to be used only in a life-or-death situation.
A few days later, everything was ready. Through channels secretly arranged by Chén Shǒuyì, an anonymous report regarding "Lin Xiao" and his "special constitution," along with a letter of recommendation from Old Yang, was skillfully delivered to the attention of a liaison department at the Kunlun Research Institute.
Like a stone tossed into a deep pool, it quickly stirred up ripples.
A low-profile but high-performance black SUV quietly pulled into the farmhouse, picking up Lín Fēng and Old Yang. The driver was a reticent young man in a well-fitted suit. He was capable, with sharp eyes that were not overly aggressive, and introduced himself as Secretary Li.
The vehicle did not head toward the center of Nandu City, but instead drove toward a heavily regulated technology park on the outskirts. From the outside, the park appeared no different from any other high-tech hub, with rows of glass-curtained buildings. However, as they ventured deeper, the security level rose sharply. Armed guards and advanced scanning equipment were everywhere, and the air was filled with an intangible, unsettling pressure of an energy field.
Lín Fēng silently took it all in; his Qi and Blood accelerated slightly, and the suppressed coldness seemed agitated, but he forcibly forced it down. He acted the part of a "mountain man" full of wariness and slight curiosity, his gaze scanning the window with vigilance. Old Yang closed his eyes, as if accustomed to all this.
The car finally stopped in front of a building with a peculiar shape, resembling a massive silver ring. Secretary Li led the two out of the car. Only after passing through layers of iris, fingerprint, DNA sampling, and energy fluctuation detection were they allowed to enter the interior.
The inside was a world of pure white. The light was soft, the air so clean not a speck of dust could be seen, and the corridors spread in all directions, so quiet that only their soft footsteps and the low hum of some energy core could be heard. Researchers in white coats or special uniforms walked by, all in a hurry with serious expressions, their eyes lingering on Lín Fēng and his companion with scrutiny and investigation.
They were led into a spacious reception room. Beyond a massive floor-to-ceiling glass wall lay a giant atrium. It contained no flowers or plants, but rather various strange crystals and flora that Lín Fēng had never seen, emitting weak energy fluctuations. There were even some shadow-like substances, constrained by force fields, slowly squirming.
"Please wait, the person in charge will be here shortly," Secretary Li said with a slight bow before withdrawing.
The wait was not long. A few minutes later, the door to the reception room slid open, and a middle-aged man around forty, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and exuding a gentle, scholarly temperament, walked in. He wore a fitted researcher’s uniform, with a badge on his chest reading: "Director, Biological Potential Project Department, Qin Huairen."
"Old Yang, I’ve long admired your name. So this must be the young Mr. Lin Xiao? Truly, an extraordinary presence," Qin Huairen said with a warm smile, taking the initiative to shake hands with both Old Yang and Lín Fēng. His hand was warm and dry, his grip moderate, and his eyes were clear, carrying the focus unique to a scholar and a hint of precisely the right amount of curiosity, revealing no hostility or hypocrisy.
But alarm bells began to ring in Lín Fēng’s heart. He could sense that beneath Qin Huairen’s mild exterior hid an extremely powerful mental force and a profound, bottomless steadiness. This was definitely no simple researcher.
"Director Qin is too kind," Old Yang replied indifferently. "I’m just an old man bringing a junior here to see the world, nothing more than a coincidence."
"I’ve read young Mr. Lin’s files, very interesting," Qin Huairen’s gaze turned to Lín Fēng, filled with appreciation. "A natural affinity for 'Psionic Energy,' and the ability to cultivate traditional martial arts to the peak of Hidden Energy without any guidance, even deriving certain benign mutations... It’s quite a miracle. Could you describe your feelings in detail? Especially your experience when contacting 'Psionic Energy'?"
The test had begun. Following the prepared script and combining it with some real experiences (omitting the key aspect of the fragment), Lín Fēng described a vague process where a "special energy" derived from a family heirloom gently strengthened his body, as well as the more acute "Qi sensation" and power control he felt while practicing martial arts. His expression held the appropriate level of confusion and a hint of imperceptible arrogance (fitting the persona).
Qin Huairen listened very carefully, occasionally asking a few key questions that fell right within the scope of what Lín Fēng had prepared.
"Very interesting... a gentle, steerable, benign mutation..." Qin Huairen nodded thoughtfully. "Our project is in need of talent like you. We believe that human potential is far from being fully tapped, especially in the current Age of Great Discovery; 'Psionic Energy' may be one of the keys. We are not looking to create monsters, but to guide this power to benefit humanity and explore more possibilities for the evolution of life."
His words were filled with idealism and were highly infectious. But both Lín Fēng and Old Yang remained calm, knowing well that there was surely another objective behind this high-sounding rhetoric.
"We need to subject young Mr. Lin to a series of more precise tests so we can better understand your constitution and tailor a partnership plan for you," Qin Huairen smiled. "Of course, this is completely voluntary. We provide top-tier confidentiality agreements and the best tilt of resources, including a promise to help you resolve any external troubles."
He gave Lín Fēng a meaningful look, as if pointing to something specific.
Lín Fēng knew this was the bait, and also a trial. Not accepting the test would seem guilty, and cooperation would never be discussed. Accepting it, however, meant the risk of his secrets being exposed.
"That’s fine," Lín Fēng nodded, agreeing with almost no hesitation. Retreat meant all previous efforts would be in vain. He trusted Old Yang’s seal and his own control, and he also longed to use their equipment to gain a deeper understanding of himself.
"Excellent!" Qin Huairen’s smile grew brighter. "Then, please follow me. Old Yang, you may rest here, or have Secretary Li give you a tour of the non-classified areas."
Lín Fēng glanced at Old Yang, who gave a slight nod.
Following Qin Huairen through several security doors, Lín Fēng entered a testing center full of futuristic technology. Various pieces of precision equipment he had never seen before emitted faint blue light, and in the center sat a full-body scanning pod resembling a crystal coffin.
"Relax, young Mr. Lin. These are just non-invasive tests," Qin Huairen said, operating the console himself.
Lín Fēng took off his jacket and lay inside the scanning pod. The pod door closed, soft light swept over his body, and at the same time, various intangible energy fields began to take effect.
He immediately felt tremendous pressure! These energy fields seemed to be trying to penetrate his body, peeking into his deepest secrets! The sliver of Star Fragment chill inside him began to stir violently, almost erupting uncontrollably!
He immediately exerted his family’s internal breathing technique to the limit, spreading his Hidden Energy throughout his body to form an invisible barrier, while at the same time tightly locking down that sliver of coldness, simulating it into a more gentle, primitive trait of "Qi and Blood mutation."
The scan lasted a long time. Beads of sweat trickled down Lín Fēng’s forehead; he was under high mental tension, as if walking a tightrope. He could feel those probe energies sweep across the sealed fragment and the core area of the chill several times, each time successfully twisted and misled by his delicate energy control and Old Yang’s sealing methods.
Finally, the scan ended. The pod door opened.
Qin Huairen looked at the cascading data on the console, his eyes flickering with excitement and a hint of imperceptible doubt.
"Incredible... the strength of the meridians, the quality of Qi and Blood, cellular activity far beyond normal people... there is indeed an unknown energy affinity characteristic... it has some overlap with the 'Psionic Energy' spectrum but is also different... almost like a more ancient, gentler variant..." He muttered to himself, his gaze toward Lín Fēng becoming even more ardent.
"Young Mr. Lin, your constitution is even more excellent than I imagined!" Qin Huairen said enthusiastically. "On behalf of the 'Kunlun Research Institute, Biological Potential Project Department,' I officially welcome you! We will provide you with the best resources to help you fully master this talent!"
He had passed the preliminary test!
Lín Fēng felt a weight lift off his heart, but his vigilance did not diminish in the slightest. He knew this was only the beginning. The other party would certainly have more, deeper tests and measures.
"Thank you, Director Qin," Lín Fēng revealed a "surprised" smile that was appropriately slightly stiff to fit the persona.
"Just call me Senior Brother Qin," Qin Huairen patted his shoulder cordially. "From now on, we are colleagues. Let’s go, I’ll take you to the residence and laboratory arranged for you. You’ll like it here."
Walking along the pure white corridor behind Qin Huairen, Lín Fēng looked at this massive, advanced, and mysterious research institution, his heart full of turbulent waves.
He had successfully taken the first step into this dragon’s den. Next, it was a matter of how to grow crazily in this whirlpool using the other party’s resources, while carefully hiding himself, and finding an opportunity to uncover the truth and stir up the heavens and the earth!
His "Kunlun" career had officially begun.