Chapter 84: Preparing for the First Conversation with the Divine

At these words, everyone seemed to hold their breath.

The people of Great Xia watching the live broadcast widened their eyes in disbelief.

The Empress of Great Tang!

The Vermilion Bird, Protector of Great Xia.

Wu Zetian!?

What on earth…

“Did I just mishear her? Did she just say she’s the Empress of Great Tang, Wu Zetian!”

“And what is the Protector Vermilion Bird?”

“Heavens, she must be lying. The Great Tang… how many centuries ago was that!”

“Lying? Did you forget how she appeared just now? That was a fiery phoenix emerging from the Empress’s phoenix cloak!”

Some viewers refused to believe it.

But recalling how this woman had appeared… The phoenix had surged forth from the Empress’s cloak!

For a moment, all of Great Xia was shaken to its core!

“Wu Zetian… you mean, you…” A few esteemed historians could no longer contain their excitement. They stepped forward, eyes wide, gazing in awe at this figure seemingly arisen from the annals of history.

This was a miracle for historical scholarship!

She was living history, embodied.

Wu Zetian turned to look at the historians, a gentle smile on her lips. “I know you have many questions you wish to ask me.”

“In those days, the Great Tang flourished with boundless vitality and dazzling splendor.”

“But all of that is past. Now, the Tang is no more, but China remains!”

“I can sense a power descending upon this world.”

“Rather than dwelling on the past, it’s better to focus on the present—and prepare for the dangers that await Great Xia.”

The National Leader nodded. “Indeed.”

“If the former emperors could see Great Xia as it stands today, they would surely feel pride.” The Empress smiled as she glanced around. “Let Great Tang once more protect Great Xia for another thousand years!”

“However, I am soon to fall into slumber.”

“My strength now is limited.” The Empress looked solemnly at the elderly man who bore the fate of Great Xia. “If the opportunity arises to connect with the other national artifacts, I will awaken them!”

With those words, the woman radiating imperial majesty grew insubstantial, transforming back into a phoenix cloak that drifted into Lin Fan’s hands.

The room was silent.

What had just occurred was simply too fantastical.

Suddenly, the National Leader began to laugh.

“May heaven protect Great Xia!” he declared.

Lin Fan shouted, “May heaven protect Great Xia!”

In that instant, everyone present echoed with one voice: “May heaven protect Great Xia!”

On every live-streaming platform, the screen was filled with those four words.

“May heaven protect Great Xia!”

The thunder of countless voices shook the mountains and rivers.

Above Great Xia, a phoenix sang softly.

The next day.

Inside the National Leader’s office.

The familiar redwood desk, and on the wall still hung the sweeping landscape that seemed to shake the world.

“Lin Fan.” The National Leader looked at him with a smile. “This time, you have rendered great service to Great Xia!”

“Now that you’re back, take a good rest.”

“In a little while, the initial construction of the Iron Great Wall will be complete. Oh, and there’s another matter for you tomorrow.”

Lin Fan was slightly surprised. “Is it what Elder Jin mentioned before—contacting the deities?”

“Yes, that’s right.” The National Leader smiled. “But for the details, you’ll have to speak with Chen Yan. It was his research, after all.”

He picked up the phone on the desk and spoke softly, “Have Chief Scientist Chen Yan from the Supreme Command Center come over.”

Half an hour later.

The wooden door to the National Leader’s office opened quietly.

“Sir.” Elder Chen had clearly just come from his research, still in his white coat. He gently pushed the door open and smiled, “You called for me?”

“Yes.” The National Leader nodded, gesturing to a sofa. “Please, have a seat.”

Elder Chen sat down, glancing at the healing wounds on Lin Fan’s face and rubbing his hands together. “Commander Lin, I heard you returned last night. I’d hoped to visit, but Elder Jin said you needed rest. I was quite concerned.”

“Heh, there’s nothing to worry about. Arms and legs are still attached.” Lin Fan grinned. “But as for Gongshu Ming…”

“I heard. I was just organizing a team to see if we can develop a prosthetic.” Elder Chen sighed. “In any case, it’s a loss for Great Xia. He was a member of the First Squad of the Godslayers.”

Elder Chen knew well how crucial the First Squad was.

“Thank you for your efforts,” Lin Fan nodded.

“Elder Chen, I asked you here to explain your new device,” the National Leader said softly.

Chen Yan nodded, pulling out a stack of documents, and spoke in a low voice, “Ever since I heard of the existence of the Divine Realm, I’ve been pondering.”

“Could it be another universe?”

“Physically speaking, there is only one universe. But according to the theory of parallel worlds, there are countless universes existing simultaneously, though their base frequencies differ, so they do not merge…”

“So I developed a sound frequency converter, adjusting the frequencies little by little. We tested thirty-two thousand frequencies at first, but received no response.”

Chen’s expression suddenly grew tense. “But when we adjusted to frequency 0.1542…”

“We heard a sound.”

“The person on the other side seemed to sense our listening, and spoke a single sentence.”

Lin Fan was taken aback, frowning. “What did he say?”

‘You hiding behind the door—can you hear me?’

You hiding behind the door!

Lin Fan’s face darkened. “It’s those two deities trying to break through the barrier and descend upon us!”

“Exactly. That’s our suspicion as well,” Elder Chen said gravely. “And this frequency can communicate with the so-called Divine Realm. We call it the ‘Divine Frequency.’”

“Through this frequency, we can talk to the gods.”

“I wonder if, through negotiation, we might persuade the gods to abandon their invasion?”

Elder Chen looked at Lin Fan with a complex expression.

Lin Fan’s breathing grew slightly heavier.

This had never happened in his previous life!

Before, the gods had simply descended without warning; humanity had no preparations, let alone any possibility of communication.

But in this life, thanks to his early actions, the gods had not yet arrived, and humanity now had a chance to communicate.

This was a turning point!

“If negotiation could prevent invasion, that would be wonderful.” Lin Fan’s eyes lit up, but his tone quickly grew somber. “But I fear the odds are slim… The gods exist to invade realms and gather followers.”

“We must try nevertheless,” said the National Leader softly. “After hearing of this, many scientists and officials still hold out hope.”

“If a truce can be reached, so much the better.”

“But if these so-called gods still insist on war, then at least we can give up hope and prepare for battle with all our might!”

Lin Fan nodded. “Understood!”

“It’s settled, then. You will conduct the first dialogue with the gods.” The National Leader finished, then picked up the phone and said quietly, “Inform all departments.”

“At three o’clock this afternoon, Great Xia will hold its first dialogue with the gods.”

This was a directive from the National Leader himself!

Ten minutes later.

Just as Great Xia was still reeling from the Empress’s appearance the previous night, the nation was shaken once more.