The Return of Stars to the Jianghu

Chapter 50 Communication Establishment: Qi Yuan Meets with Li Chao

Earth, Phoenix Forest, Underground Base.

In the makeshift central control room, Nie Ri, Luo Yan, and Shen Cheng were nervously watching the television screen in front of them.

The screen displays the words "Loading..."

"Communication has been established, and the image is being transmitted back," the technician said to the group. This person was Jing Yun, a former member of the Phoenix Team who had come from the space agency to assist.

Finally, the screen displayed an image, but the image quality was extremely poor, and it was only a black and white image.

However, everyone present knew that this was the clearest image that Earth's current technology could transmit.

"Because the footage was transferred from Mars, and due to accumulated delays caused by various hardware issues, this footage is from half an hour ago," Jing Yun said to everyone.

The screen displayed the face of Lin Hai, a founding member of the Phoenix Team. He seemed to be saying something, but his voice couldn't be heard.

……

"Lin Hai?" Wan Li asked, looking at the person in front of him. "Is it really you?"

"It's me." Lin Quan, the leader of the Red-Clothed Cult, and Lin Hai, a founding member of the Phoenix Group, nodded and said with a smile, "Go change your clothes. There are all kinds of clothes prepared in the room, and there will definitely be something suitable for you. Don't rush, we have plenty of time."

Suppressing the thousand words in his heart, Wan Li went to the door of the room on the side of the pagoda. There were two rooms, thoughtfully labeled "male" and "female." Wan Li entered the room on the left.

Nan Tian didn't go directly to the room on the left. Instead, he went to the room on the right and made sure there were no problems before letting Ye Xuehan in.

Lin Hai silently watched Nan Tian's actions, smiled, and said nothing.

After the three of them changed their clothes and came out, Lin Hai had already brewed tea on a table near the window. In addition, there were some snacks that had been prepared in advance. They were not exquisite, but in the Emei Mountain area where refugees gathered, they were definitely considered a luxury.

"Come and sit down, Wan Li, Nan Tian, ​​Ye Xuehan," Lin Hai called out the three names.

"You know our names?" Nan Tian asked in surprise.

"Of course, after four years, the communicator has finally received a message from Earth again." Lin Hai said, pouring a cup of tea for everyone.

"More than ten years have passed, I wonder how you've been doing here?" Wanli asked Lin Hai.

"Nothing's wrong, everything's fine. It's just like what I said in my reply four years ago, nothing's changed," Lin Hai replied. "More than ten years have passed, and the Phoenix Team still hasn't been able to figure out the pattern of the tunnel's opening and closing."

"No," Wan Li replied, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.

"How is Lin Fan?" Lin Hai asked about his son's condition. Lin Fan had just been born when they left Earth.

"I studied at school and had excellent grades," Wan Li replied.

After listening, Lin Hai smiled and continued, "You know, I'm not talking about Lin Fan in the current timeline, but Lin Fan in the future timeline."

“I know. He made a meritorious contribution four years ago, but all the tunnels were closed at the time, so he couldn’t go back. He stayed in the team for two years and is now studying at Tsinghua or Peking University with excellent grades,” Wan Li said, revealing what he knew.

Lin Hai smiled and nodded, seemingly very satisfied with his son's grades.

“Some people here already know about the tunnel. If it can’t be controlled, both worlds could fall into chaos.” Lin Hai’s smile faded.

“I know, but we must bring Luo Yifei back before the tunnel closes. If we can find the four missing children, we should bring them back too. I just don’t know if we have enough time.” Wan Li’s expression also became serious.

Nan Tian and Ye Xuehan listened without saying a word.

"Currently, we have plenty of time, as many people want to open the tunnel. However, we don't have the means to close it. We'll probably still need that Wen Bin to make the move," Lin Hai replied.

......

In the outer galaxy, on planet Z, within the courtyard of the Huangjue Temple in the capital of the Tang Dynasty on the floating continent.

Following the direction pointed out by Tang Clan leader Li Chao, Luo Yifei arrived at the courtyard where Qi Yuan, Bi Li, and Song Han were.

"Young Master Qi, Sect Leader Tang also wants to see you. He's waiting for you over there." Luo Yifei called Qi Yuan to see him as instructed by Sect Leader Li Chao of the Tang Clan. He was holding a wooden box in his hand, which contained the Xiao Jiang drone that Li Chao had returned to him, along with a hand-cranked generator.

Qi Yuan nodded after hearing Luo Yifei's words, but did not say anything. He went straight to the courtyard where Luo Yifei had just been.

The wooden drone was still on the stone table, and Tang Clan leader Li Chao had brewed tea and was waiting for Qi Yuan.

“Jack Qi, Qi Yuan, legendary figures who have left their mark on both the Eastern and Western continents. Truly remarkable,” Li Chao said to Qi Yuan, who was walking over.

"Sect Leader Li, is there something you need from me?" Qi Yuan asked respectfully.

"Not long ago, I went to Mount Emei and met Lin Hai." Li Chao paused, took a sip of tea, and gestured for Qi Yuan to sit down.

“He talked to me about Luo Yifei, and he also talked to you.” Li Chao looked at Qi Yuan and continued without waiting for his response, “He does not recommend that you go back to Freedom City to set things right. Now that Freedom City is under the control of the Shi family army, it may be the best outcome for the people in the city.”

"I'll have to go back and check to be sure," Qi Yuan replied firmly.

“If altars appear everywhere on this Floating Life Continent, and the five-colored stones near Free City can be sold through trade routes, Free City might be acceptable to various hidden forces in other countries if it is in the hands of the Shi family. Anyway, your going there is very likely to plunge the people into war.” Tang Clan leader Li Chaoyu said in a gentle and unhurried tone.

"With the people's hearts united and everyone fulfilling their duties, I simply want to give those pitiful people justice," Qi Yuan replied.

“You kill those powerful and wicked noble families who bully the market and rob the rich to help the poor. Although I don’t agree with your methods, I won’t stop you. But the injustices of the world cannot be solved by a few wandering knights. The emergence of the altar will inevitably lead to chaos in the world, far more brutal than the wars of a decade or so ago. That’s why I had Lin Hai build a shelter.” Li Chao finished speaking and stood up.

Qi Yuan also stood up.

"Walk with me for a bit, this temple is quite big."

Qi Yuan followed Li Chao out of the courtyard gate and headed towards another exit.