After the episode with the mysterious person in the cave, Zhang Zhi and Lin Wan'er remained unsettled for a long time. A steady drizzle pattered against the world outside the cave, mirroring the drumming of their uneasy hearts.
"Zhang Zhi, what should we do now?" Lin Wan'er asked, her brow slightly furrowed, her gaze filled with confusion and helplessness. She looked at Zhang Zhi, her voice soft yet laced with deep anxiety.
Zhang Zhi raised his head slightly, his gaze profound as if deep in thought. After a moment, he said, "Wan'er, never mind that mysterious person for now. Let's continue searching for the sage. I believe only he can help us figure out the secrets of this jade pendant and the cultivation technique." His tone was firm, carrying a sense of unquestionable determination.
The two stepped out of the cave. The rain had gradually eased, and a hazy light was dawning on the horizon. They continued their journey into the unknown. The road beneath their feet was muddy and slippery, and the trees on both sides looked even greener and more vibrant after being washed by the wind and rain.
They passed through a lush forest where tall, thick trees intertwined their branches and leaves to form a green canopy. The sunlight struggled to pierce through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled light and shadows. Lin Wan'er couldn't help but sigh, "This place is so beautiful, but unfortunately we don't have time to stay." A trace of longing for beauty and helplessness regarding their current situation flickered in her eyes.
Zhang Zhi comforted her, saying, "Wan'er, once we resolve the trouble at hand, we'll have plenty of time in the future to enjoy the beautiful scenery of this world." His gaze was steady and warm, bringing a touch of comfort to Lin Wan'er.
Just then, Zhang Zhi suddenly felt his foot step on something hard. He looked down and saw a stone emitting a strange glow, half-buried in the soil. The light flickered on and off, as if calling out to him.
"What is this?" Zhang Zhi squatted down curiously and gently brushed the soil away from around the stone with his hand.
Lin Wan'er also leaned in to observe closely. "It doesn't look like an ordinary stone," she said, her voice filled with doubt.
Zhang Zhi picked up the stone and examined it closely. Its surface was smooth and warm, and light circulated within it. A sudden thought stirred in his heart: "Could this be some kind of legendary treasure?" His heartbeat involuntarily accelerated.
At that moment, the light on the stone suddenly intensified, illuminating the surrounding area.
"This light..." Lin Wan'er covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Zhang Zhi was also startled by this sudden change, but he quickly calmed down and pondered the origin of the stone.
"I feel like I've heard of this kind of glowing stone somewhere before," Zhang Zhi muttered, racking his brain with a deeply furrowed brow.
Lin Wan'er asked anxiously, "What on earth is it? Think carefully!"
Zhang Zhi's eyes lit up as he said, "I remember now. This might be Moscovium, something scientists of later generations have reportedly been frantically searching for."
"Moscovium? What use does it have?" Lin Wan'er pressed.
Zhang Zhi shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure either, but since it can make scientists of later generations so obsessed, it must possess extraordinary value." His gaze remained locked on the Moscovium in his hand, as if trying to pierce through its secrets.
Element 115—Moscovium—is a very mysterious element. Although it was first discovered in a laboratory only in 2003, it was not officially added to the periodic table until 2016. So where did people hear about it in the first place? They heard about it from a scientist who claimed to have worked exclusively on alien spacecraft and the anti-gravity technology they used at Area 51. That scientist was Bob Lazar. On November 11, 1989, scientist Bob Lazar broke the news to journalist George Knapp that the U.S. government had long possessed the wreckage of alien spacecraft and had achieved extraordinary technological breakthroughs from them! Lazar also stated that he had worked in Area 51's Sector S-4, located in the mysterious state of Nevada. In a corner of the test site, he had read documents indicating that the U.S. government at the time was conducting research on "anti-gravity reactors" for propulsion systems, which had already blown his mind.
Even more shocking was that upon opening the hangar, nine "alien" flying saucers were actually stored inside.
Without exception, they all used anti-gravity propulsion. The most crucial factor enabling this anti-gravity capability was the use of an element unknown on Earth—Element 115. In Lazar's own words: they, meaning the aliens, could not possibly synthesize such a heavy element on Earth, so this substance must have come from a place capable of producing it naturally.
This meant it was extraterrestrial, and the U.S. government had recovered about 500 pounds of this "anti-gravity fuel" from those spacecraft. This was the origin and mystery of Moscovium.
As they were discussing this, a low roar suddenly echoed from the surroundings. The sound seemed to come from an ancient giant beast, carrying endless anger and menace.
"Not good, danger!" Zhang Zhi pulled Lin Wan'er up, shielding her behind him as he scanned his surroundings with vigilance.
A massive monster rushed out from the woods, its huge body resembling a moving hill. Its fur was rough and hard, flashing with a metallic sheen. Its eyes were bloodred, like burning coals, exuding a fierce aura.
"Where on earth did this monster pop out from?" Lin Wan'er asked, her face turning pale with fright and her voice trembling.
Zhang Zhi gripped his sword tightly, his eyes devoid of the slightest retreat as he said, "Don't be afraid, Wan'er, I will protect you!" His voice was steady and powerful, instilling a hint of courage in Lin Wan'er.
Zhang Zhi engaged in a fierce battle with the monster. Displaying the swordsmanship he had learned, his agile figure moved like a ghost weaving through the monster's attacks. Every swing of his sword carried fierce sword qi. The monster's claws were incomparably sharp, rushing at Zhang Zhi with a whistling wind. Zhang Zhi sidestepped to evade, taking advantage of the opening to thrust his sword at the monster's belly. The monster dodged with a flash and fiercely counterattacked.
Determination and grit showed on Zhang Zhi's brow. He unleashed the exquisite swordsmanship he had studied for years, his movements supremely agile as he darted like a ghost through the monster's ferocious assaults. Every sword strike carried peerless, sharp sword qi, the blade flashing with cold light as if intending to cleave away the surrounding darkness.
The monster was huge and ferocious in appearance, its sharp claws flashing like gleaming cold blades as it lunged at Zhang Zhi time and again with a whistling gale. Zhang Zhi nimbly sidestepped without a trace of fear, seizing the momentum to drive his sword toward the monster's belly.
"Vile creature, today is your day of death!" Zhang Zhi shouted angrily.
The monster let out an angry roar, as if responding to Zhang Zhi's provocation: "Insignificant human, don't even think about defeating me!"
With blazing eyes, Zhang Zhi concentrated wholly on countering the monster's attacks. He flashed to the monster's rear and swung his sword once more; the sword qi was like a rainbow, leaving a deep gash on the monster's body. Smarting from the pain, the monster attacked even more frantically.
Sweat beads rolled down Zhang Zhi's forehead, but the sword in his hand never faltered. "I will surely slay you and rid the world of this scourge!" he said through gritted teeth.
Amidst this intense clash, relying on his tenacious will and exquisite swordsmanship, Zhang Zhi gradually gained the upper hand.
"Roar!" Feeling the pain, the monster attacked with redoubled frenzy.
Lin Wan'er watched anxiously from the sidelines, silently cheering Zhang Zhi on in her heart: "Zhang Zhi, you must be careful!"
After a grueling battle, Zhang Zhi finally found an opening in the monster. Seizing the moment when the monster lunged and missed, he leaped into the air and drove his sword fiercely into the monster's eye.
Howling in agony, the monster collapsed to the ground, struggled for a few moments, and vanished into a puff of smoke.
"Phew, it's finally settled." Zhang Zhi let out a sigh of relief, sweat soaking through his clothes.
However, just as they were preparing to leave, another group of mysterious figures appeared in the distance.
"Who are these people?" Lin Wan'er's heart filled with dread.
Zhang Zhi frowned and said, "I don't know, but they don't look friendly."
The mysterious figures slowly drew closer. They were dressed in black robes and wore masks, revealing only pairs of cold eyes.
"Hand over the Moscovium!" one of the mysterious people shouted, his voice dripping with greed.
Zhang Zhi gripped the Moscovium tightly and said, "We found this! What right do you have to demand it?" His eyes flashed with anger and resolute defiance.
The mysterious person sneered, "Then don't blame us for being unpolished!"
With that, they drew their weapons one after another and closed in on Zhang Zhi and Lin Wan'er.
Would Zhang Zhi and Lin Wan'er be able to fend off the attacks of these mysterious people? What massive secret did Moscovium conceal? All of this remained an unknown suspense, waiting for them to uncover.