At eight-thirty in the morning, Gu Jianlin arrived at the Deep Space Technology Building.
The elevator's floor indicator flickered rapidly, and the walls, smooth as a mirror, reflected his expressionless face, along with his expensive, crisp black suit and neatly tied black bow tie. His polished leather shoes gleamed brilliantly.
He moved his neck slightly, feeling a little uncomfortable in a suit for the first time.
However, it undeniably fit well, accentuating his sharp, striking aura even further.
Of course, that was if one could disregard the birdcage he was carrying.
And the green-feathered parrot inside the cage.
Lin Wanqiu had bought it for him before bringing him here. It was a custom-made item crafted with alchemy technique, costing over seventy thousand, a price that truly bordered on absurd.
Thanks to his excellent physique, the suit fit perfectly without any alterations.
Initially, Lin Wanqiu was aligned with the Judgement Court faction, which should have made her his adversary. However, this encounter carried a distinct air of camaraderie, as she accompanied him to the tailor to measure his proportions, select styles, swipe her card generously, smooth out the creases of his clothes, and even tie his tie.
The charm of a wealthy older sister was on full display.
Lin Wanqiu had explained that the suit was necessary because the conversation would be recorded.
Later, the President would personally review it.
Apparently, the President appreciated meticulous, serious young men.
Gu Jianlin then asked what kind of person the President was.
After hesitating for a long time, Lin Wanqiu finally uttered just one sentence.
"A woman made of steel."
That was when Gu Jianlin learned that the Ether Association's President was, surprisingly, a woman.
He had originally imagined someone like a white-haired elderly gentleman.
As the elevator doors opened, Gu Jianlin walked into the division office.
Numerous investigators bustled around, along with several technicians in lab coats.
And high-ranking officers from the Dawn Combat Sequence.
The expedition into the Qilin Immortal Palace had already begun, and everyone was busy.
Yet for some reason, when these people saw him, their expressions turned to shock and disbelief.
Their gazes conveyed surprise, astonishment, fear, reverence, and admiration.
Complicated emotions indeed.
And when their eyes fell upon the parrot in the cage, their expressions could only be described with four words:
Grieving as though they'd lost their parents.
Though not entirely accurate, it certainly felt that way.
Gu Jianlin remained silent for a moment before heading to an office under Taixu's holographic projection guidance.
Before he could knock, Lu Zijin's authoritative older sister-like voice rang from inside the room.
"Don't say anything improper."
Gu Jianlin glanced down at the green-feathered parrot in the cage and spoke coolly, "Otherwise, I'll roast you."
The green-feathered parrot rolled its eyes slightly and nodded in agreement.
Only then did Gu Jianlin feel reassured and pushed the door open.
Inside the elegantly minimalist office, Lu Zijin sat in a comfortable chair, her desk piled not with files but with various fried chicken, French fries, hamburgers, and rows of milk tea.
She was still wearing her Lolita-style dress, looking like a porcelain doll, her hands smudged with tomato sauce.
And when she drank milk tea, she took a sip from each cup.
On the sofa opposite her sat two people.
One was a man in a red suit, whose features weren't particularly remarkable, except for the blood-red fissure on his forehead. It emitted a sinister glow, appearing eerily peculiar.
He sat on the sofa with a warm smile.
The other was a black-haired woman in a black trench coat, seemingly in her forties, her face sharp and stern, covered in snowflake-like marks that extended down her neck.
It almost felt as though her presence lowered the room's temperature.
No need for air conditioning.
"These two are high-ranking officials from headquarters. The man in red is named Hua An, a confidential secretary to the President, code-named Heavenly Eye. As for the woman, she was your father's comrade in arms back in the day and is now the Night Watcher's deputy leader. Her name is Han Jing, code-named Frost."
Lu Zijin spoke indifferently, "Be polite, don't provoke them."
Gu Jianlin thought to himself that his bad reputation was unlikely to be washed away.
At that moment, Han Jing glanced at him coldly. Her gaze felt as though it could drill a hole through him—utterly inscrutable.
"No worries, take a seat."
Hua An smiled warmly and said, "The President has always been very tolerant of geniuses, and geniuses often have distinct personalities. But before we go forward, I have a question to ask."
Gu Jianlin sat across from him and replied, "Go ahead."
Hua An smiled faintly and asked, "Are you one of the Fallen?"
For a brief moment, the blood-red fissure on his forehead abruptly expanded, revealing a sinister crimson vertical eye, emitting an eerie and profound light that seemed to contain countless wailing evil spirits in a sea of blood.
Gu Jianlin seemed to hear his heartbeat tremble. Such a simple question echoed around him like a haunting melody, and a terrifying, blood-red demon appeared in his vision.
An immense spiritual pressure descended upon him.
But then, the Black Qilin in his mind opened its sliver of golden eyes, with a detached and commanding gaze.
Instantly, that overwhelming bloodlust evaporated completely.
"Don't worry. My eyes are harmless to you; they merely ensure you cannot lie."
Hua An reiterated, "Are you one of the Fallen?"
Gu Jianlin replied calmly.