Chapter 288 - Falling Stars
17 years ago, the long-range intercontinental missile, code-named Aurora, had developed into the third generation. Now, it was still the main missile of Zhongzhou State. Fourteen years ago, the Black Dragon Battalion that was subordinated to the Border Praetorian Corps was equipped with the Great Wall Defense System of the Dongcheng Clan. After simple upgrades for several times, it still functioned perfectly. 12 years ago, Mad Shot, an individual combat weapon that could be mass-produced, was launched. Eight years ago, after consideration, Zhongzhou State finally gave a few precious materials to the Dongcheng Clan. Zhongzhou State ever paid an enormous price to get them. Over the next less than three years, the Dongcheng Clan proved itself to be the best in the domain of individual combat armor. Over the three years, the military earmarked funds to the Dongcheng Clan for six times, and they made a total of four armors. They were Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Spirit Tortoise. Nowadays, they were the well-renowned Four Spirits Armor in the Dark World. Five years ago, the Dongcheng Clan began to develop the upgraded Mad Shot. So, three years ago, Li Tianlan got the first finished product Skyline developed by the Dongcheng Clan in the battle of Heaven Capital. It could threaten the firearms of the experts of the Thunder-shocking Realm. The most important thing was that it could be put into mass production. It was a magic word. That was what the Dongcheng Clan was. It shined with wisdom and technology in the bloody war. It was strong, huge, and deep-rooted, with a galaxy of talents. Few people knew where its most quintessential and secluded weapon laboratory was. Most people could only guess that it was in Zhongyuan, but they did not even know the general location. However, Dongcheng Hanguang had 100% confidence in Li Tianlan. On the way to Spirit Treasure City, Tribulation was privileged to walk with him. In the laboratory, murderous weapons were tested and reformed. How important it was! Even on the road, Li Tianlan could feel the heaviness behind his trust. The vehicle ran on the highway in the night. Dongcheng Hanguang, who was sitting with Li Tianlan, patted his palm and said softly, “Our laboratory in Spirit Treasure City is a metal laboratory, and it’s also the most secluded. The murderous weapon is made of special materials, so in the end, it needs to be activated there.” “My nephew, you should call him uncle. He has a lot of inspiration while reforming the murderous weapon. Now, he is researching a new alloying technique. I don’t know it, but it’s said that if there is a technical breakthrough, the defensive power of the active armor tanks will be doubled. Today, you can know each other. If you need any weapon in the future, you can get the approval paper from Wudi and ask Wujin to do it. We’re a family, so you don’t be too polite.” Li Tianlan shook his head, not knowing what to say. “Your Highness, if Sigh City has needs, we’re willing to do our best.” Dongcheng Hanguang looked at Tribulation sitting in the passenger seat and slowly said, “Thank you!” Tribulation nodded and sighed inside. It was probably that Old Master’s love for him extended even to everything relative to him as well. It was not far from Luojing to Spirit Treasure. Uncle An, the butler of the Dongcheng Clan, was driving and kept moving after reaching Spirit Treasure City. When it went out of Hangu Pass, it stopped in a manor less than two kilometers away Hangu Pass. Li Tianlan, who was a little uncomfortable, got off the car first. There was a breeze blowing in the surrounding country. Li Tianlan, who was already sweaty, felt clear-headed. His eyes turned to the manor. At the gate of the manor, a red sports car stopped there. A tall and slim girl stood by the car and looked at Li Tianlan quietly. Li Tianlan was stunned and opened his mouth. He did not expect that he saw Dongcheng Rushi at first sight after he got off. It seemed that Dongcheng Rushi, who had been here for a while, slowly came over. On the early summer night, it was pleasantly cool. Dongcheng Rushi was scantily cladded. She wore a white off-the-shoulder short-sleeved T-shirt. She wore a pair of blue denim shorts. The denim shorts were short. Two snow-white, delicate, straight legs were exposed. Dark stilettos struck a clear sound on the ground. Dongcheng Rushi came to Li Tianlan and stared at his eyes. She had a light and fresh scent. Li Tianlan’s eyes shifted from her face to her shoulders, and then to her long and straight legs. The night wind blew Dongcheng Rushi’s hair. Her eyes were bright and quiet. She was his fiancée. Li Tianlan suddenly came up with a thought. After three years, Dongcheng Rushi was elegant and beautiful, but she was a little fashionable and proud. Li Tianlan was somewhat dazzled. He coughed and pointed to the manor door as naturally as possible, “Why don’t you go in?” “I don’t have permission.” Dongcheng Rushi blinked and looked at Li Tianlan’s face, “Are you alright?” “Not bad.” Li Tianlan nodded. They were not familiar before, and they had not seen each other for three years. Now, he felt awkward. He touched his nose and braced himself to make an awkward conversation. Dongcheng Rushi already opened her arms. “Hug.” Her voice was soft, and she looked at Li Tianlan gingerly. Li Tianlan saw Uncle An, the butler of the Dongcheng Clan, go to the manor gate. Tribulation got off the car and stood together with Dongcheng Hanguang. Tribulation looked at the scenery in the night. Dongcheng Hanguang looked away. Li Tianlan saw that the older man was watching him and Dongcheng Rushi. His eyes were full of expectation. This kind of emotion was too strong and even like pleading. Li Tianlan’s heart twitched powerfully. At this moment, he found out that in this engagement, he had no retreat now. Dongcheng Rushi opened her arms in front of him, with careful eyes. Li Tianlan stepped forward and held Dongcheng Rushi in his arms. She was light, soft, and fragrant. Dongcheng Rushi circled his waist with her arm, gently rubbed his chin with her face, and whispered, “I miss you so much.” Li Tianlan had mixed emotions inside. Meanwhile, Dongcheng Rushi’s eyes were complicated and blank. Three years. She didn’t know if she missed Li Tianlan. Just as she opened her hands in front of Li Tianlan, she was not sure if she really wanted to hug him. She only knew that her grandpa would be happy if she did it like this. Her parents would be happy too. That was enough. Everything else was not important at all. She did not think that Li Tianlan would not accept her. Not at all. She accepted too much from since her childhood. Music, dance, poetry, painting, calligraphy, massage, embroidery, cooking… She had been learning these things since her childhood because Li Tianlan might like these. Martial Arts, finance, politics, power, psychology, interpersonal relationship… She also had been learning these things since her childhood because she could help Li Tianlan with these things. She knew Li Tianlan when she was a little girl. From the moment that she could remember, countless people told her that her future husband was Li Tianlan. This name was like an instinctive charm, which had been deeply engraved into her bones. Even most of the time, Dongcheng Rushi felt that she was not herself. In this world, her only identity seemed to be Li Tianlan’s fiancée. It did not really matter whether she liked it or not. She must stand with him. Only in this way could Dongcheng Rushi feel the sense of existence. … Uncle An’s figure was stopped at the gate of the manor. Several middle-aged men, who looked reserved and ordinary, appeared at the gate. Uncle An meticulously registered and entered the password three times on the gate. Then, the gate slowly opened towards both sides. A middle-aged man, who looked a little dull and old-fashioned, seemed to have gotten the news and sped out of the gate. He went to Dongcheng Hanguang first. He seemed to show a little expression. He looked at Dongcheng Hanguang and gave an unpleasant smile from his stiff face. He meticulously bowed and said, “Little Uncle.” Dongcheng Hanguang nodded and pointed to Tribulation around him, “This is Prince Situ Wanjie of Sigh City.” As if he had never heard of the name, the middle-aged man mumbled and turned to look at Li Tianlan and Dongcheng Rushi who hugged each other. He walked over quickly. The footsteps awakened Dongcheng Rushi, who was a little confused. She straightened up from Li Tianlan’s arms. Looking at the middle-aged man who came over, she said softly, “This is uncle.” Before Li Tianlan came to his sense, the middle-aged man introduced himself, “I’m Dongcheng Wujin.” Dongcheng Wujin could not know how many people were in the Dark World. However, all the people in the Dark World knew him. He was the Honorary Dean of Army Academy of Zhongzhou State, the senior academician, Doctor in Metallography, Precision Machinery, and Physics. He was one of the pioneers in weapons research of Zhongzhou State and the soul of all secret weapon laboratories of the Dongcheng Clan. Dongcheng Wujin was thin. Standing in front of Li Tianlan, he only felt that he was a dull man of few words. Li Tianlan could not call him uncle. He vaguely called him School Master. Dongcheng Wujin did not mind and said indifferently, “Your weapon is behind.” He extended his finger. Inside the manor, a young man with glasses ran out with a silver suitcase. Everyone stared at the suitcase in his hand. Dongcheng Wujin looked grim, but his eyes were scorching. The silver suitcase was not big, but inside it was the highest achievement of his life. A new murderous weapon in the Dark World! Dongcheng Wujin took the suitcase. Under Li Tianlan’s fiery eyes, he entered the complicated password to open the suitcase. There was another layer inside the suitcase. Entered the password. Opened. There was another layer… Another layer… A layer… Li Tianlan’s eyes went glassy. He meticulously looked at Dongcheng Wujin who made his own movements and doubted if this dull man was deliberately playing a trick on him. The suitcase was opened layer by layer. It got smaller and smaller. Dongcheng Wujin finally took out a palm-sized square box from the suitcase. “Here you are.” Dongcheng Wujin gave it to Li Tianlan. Li Tianlan took it with a blank look. The box was simple black and obscure. He looked at Dongcheng Wujin. “Open it.” Dongcheng Wujin stared at the box in Li Tianlan’s hand and breathed hard. Li Tianlan touched the iron box. He opened the box cover directly because there was no password. A faint silver light emanated from the box. The light was flowing and gorgeous. Li Tianlan almost broke down. He had a strong will that was comparable to Heavenly King Heart in the wasteland. From Huating to Polar Ground, he hiked tens of thousands of miles. For three years, his willpower was more and more focused, and his mentality was more and more stable. But at this moment, looking at the things in the box, he could not help but almost burst into tears. This was the f**king new murderous weapon?! Dongcheng Hanguang said that it was the most suitable murderous weapon? Li Tianlan doubted if the Dongcheng Clan had any misunderstanding about him. In other words, it was merely a misunderstanding. Or… Did he take the wrong things? He looked at the things in the box and looked awkward. The silver radiance was flowing softly in the box. “It’s so beautiful.” Dongcheng Rushi looked stupefied and whispered. She reached out his hand as if she wanted to touch the things in the box. However, when she reached it halfway, she subconsciously pulled it back. Li Tianlan’s mouth twitched and finally could not help but say, “This is…” This was a bracelet. The facts were clear in front of Li Tianlan. Inside the box was a silver bracelet. Or it was a wristband. It was a gorgeous bracelet, with natural Occult lines and soft silver light. Even a man could wear it. But the problem was… He ran here not for the so-called bracelet. “The murderous weapon is a metal far surpassed the technology of Zhongzhou State. About it, there are many sayings: meteorite or unknown energy. There is probably some truth. But in my opinion, it’s more like a life, the life of silicon.” Dongcheng Wujin said with eager eyes, “The murderous weapon is not out of the research. What we can do now is activation, because they are powerful weapons.” “I tested it many times during activation. In different situations, the metal will give out various bands. I can’t understand the meanings of these bands temporarily, but I prefer that they are their own emotions. However, we can’t communicate.” “I think that this metal is a kind of energy that we can’t understand for a while. The so-called murderous weapon plays a part of its power. If one can study thoroughly the murderous weapon, the energy that the metal contains can drive an aircraft carrier for a long time.” Dongcheng Wujin’s eyes were fierce. He looked at Li Tianlan and immediately said, “But now, it seems that in the Dark World, it’s the most appropriate as a murderous weapon.” “What should I do with it?” Li Tianlan felt a headache. “It can be stimulated.” Dongcheng Wujin looked at the bracelet in Li Tianlan’s hands, “Any energy can stimulate it.” “The murderous weapon needs energy storage time. I studied the Legend of Qin, so I roughly know that any murderous weapon has two states: Storage and Activation.” “Activation is before the murderous weapon is launched when it’s full of energy.” “At that time, it will easily burn up energy. With its volume, it’s most suitable to become various firearms. And that’s why I think they are more like a kind of life.” “Storage is their original form. Originally, the Legend of Qin was something similar to a wand. I mixed it with the fragments of the Infinite Sky, and it finally becomes like this.” Li Tianlan listened seriously. The 12 Murderous Weapons were the extremely mysterious things in the Dark World. Most people only knew their irresistible power, but few people knew the secrets in them. “If only it would be filled up! I made a database about the power of the murderous weapon. The Dongcheng Clan also has model data.” Dongcheng Wujin said. Li Tianlan was shocked inside and thought of the battle that Wang Tianzong, the Sword Emperor of Zhongzhou State, became famous more than 10 years ago. Tens of thousands of meters away, the Human Emperor soared to the sky and killed Divine Spirit, an expert of the Invincible Realm from the organization Night Spirit. The battle happened at the border of Zhongzhou State. Dongcheng Wudi controlled the Border Control Corps, so he could definitely acquire detailed knowledge about the power of the Human Emperor. “If the murderous weapon in your hand is filled up, and you’re not weaker than Wang Tianzong at that time, the power it can exert should be infinitely close to that of the Human Emperor at that time.” Dongcheng Wudi whispered, “But there are some side effects after the Legend of Qin mixed with the Infinite Sky. Its energy storage time becomes longer. I can’t calculate the specific time for the time being.” Li Tianlan nodded. Among the 12 Murderous Weapons, the Human Emperor was of the maximum power, the most extended range, and most prolonged duration. Now, the bracelet in his hand was infinitely close to the Human Emperor, so the storage time would naturally be infinitely close. So… He smiled and asked Dongcheng Wujin, “So for the moment I can only bring it with me in this way?” “If you’re not distressed, you can use it as a cold weapon.” Dongcheng Wujin calmly looked and said, “Any energy can stimulate the murderous weapon. After being stimulated, it can be transformed into any shape. Qi-controlling Realm, Ice-condensing Realm, Fire-flaming Realm, and Thunder-shocking Realm. Theoretically, these are all energies and can stimulate it.” To treat a murderous weapon as a cold weapon. No force could be so extravagant. But Li Tianlan had no choice at all. He narrowed his eyes. Theoretically, Four Realms of Martial Arts were energies. In other words, these energies were sword intents. He wore the bracelet and suddenly clenched his fist. The invisible sword intent in the air began to converge toward his palm wildly. His figure almost became nothing in sword intent. In an instant, the silver bracelet on his wrist began to move and change. The silvery light radiated along with his sword intent. His sword intent was moving forward, and silver light was moving forward too. The bracelet began to disappear. An extra long sword with silver light appeared in his hand. Through the sword intent, the long sword changed its look. Silver light moved forward. The sword became a silver spear. Then, it changed into a silver Sky Halberd. In the state of storage, the shape of the murderous weapon was completely stimulated or shaped by sword intent. Li Tianlan’s eyes lit up. He looked at Dongcheng Wujin and solemnly said, “School Master, can you give it a name?” “Falling Stars!” Dongcheng Wujin said without hesitation. He did not look dull but brimmed with energy and vitality. “The murderous weapon is called the Falling Stars!” Dongcheng Hanguang and Tribulation, who stood nearby, were stunned at the same time. Falling Stars. These words themselves were a kind of memory. There was an expert of the Invincible Realm in Dongcheng Clan. That was Dongcheng Hanguang’s father. Many years ago, he ranked third in the Divine List. In the Dark World, only the patriarchs of the Wang family of Beihai and the Li family ranked ahead of him. It was the most glorious period of Zhongzhou State, and it was also the best time of the Dongcheng Clan and Jade Pool. His most powerful unique skill was the Falling Stars. Falling Stars Sword was the eighth move after the Seven Swords of Jade Pool. However, the unique skill vanished as soon as it appeared in the Dark World. Finally, it failed to be handed down from past generations, leaving only the name. Li Tianlan took an in-depth look at Dongcheng Wujin, “Thank you.” The Falling Stars in the form of the Sky Halberd vibrated wildly in his hand. He took a deep breath. His figure suddenly disappeared, and it had gone straight into the sky the next moment. The Sky Halberd had been up to three meters long. Li Tianlan held the murderous weapon and stabbed into the sky. When the night passed and the morning sun rose, outside Hangu Pass, silvery flowing light went across the fields like a choppy sea with soundless waves. Golden Retriever stood on the ground and looked up at the sky, barking. The silvery flowing light exploded in the sky. Silver lights were flowing in the sky like falling stars. Li Tianlan stood at a high altitude, and he was in a white coat. The Sky Halberd was still sparkling with silver light. In the night, Golden Retriever’s barking was dissipating. The morning light came down and fell on Li Tianlan. He slowly descended with all the light between heaven and earth, like the gods. His style was unparalleled. His feet fell to the ground. In the early summer morning, the sun was shining brightly. A burst of thunder resounded through heaven and earth in the sky over Zhongyuan Province.