Superhumans of the Dome City-Chapter 1372 - 21: Parent-Child Festival (Conclusion) (2)

"All university students will undergo changes."

"Your change is especially significant." Mr. Gongsun agreed.

"Me?" Gongsun Ce was surprised, "Aren’t I still the same... carefree person?"

Mr. Gongsun adjusted his glasses and looked up at the sunset on the horizon.

"Ah Ce, I told you this morning, I never believe what you say. Because you’re a smart kid, you love to keep things to yourself and not talk about them. As you grow, you’re becoming a better actor, which worries your mother and me. Because we are your parents, no matter how well you act, we can see there’s something on your mind and that you’re unhappy."

Gongsun Ce was speechless, and his father didn’t look at his expression but continued: "This time we came over because your interpersonal relationships made us a bit annoyed, but on the other hand, we were pleasantly surprised. Although you still shoot off at the mouth and are still not upright, you’re happier now. The gloom in your eyes is completely gone. Before, we could only see a few of your good friends, but this time you’ve greeted and interacted with many people. I can sense from the children’s eyes that you’re someone adored by them, someone they trust."

Mr. Gongsun extended his hand and patted his shoulder.

"This makes us happier than any act of bravery or any research project." Mr. Gongsun smiled, "It shows you’ve grown up."

Gongsun Ce touched his nose, feeling warm inside, and was unsure how to express his myriad thoughts. He merely said, "Ah."

He scratched his head and said softly, "Actually, I’ve done a lot in the past year, but some things are hard to discuss with you... well, I know you’re not foolish, dad..."

"I’m certainly not foolish. Within days of you visiting the Spencers, there was the Meteor City incident, do you think there’s no connection?" His father replied with a half-smile.

"Ah..." Gongsun Ce lowered his head, "But, how should I say... I didn’t do anything wrong, really didn’t do anything wrong. The current project isn’t finished yet; when it’s all done, I’ll tell you the details, okay?"

"Your mom and I will always patiently wait for your details." Mr. Gongsun said, "And hope that whatever projects you’re involved in, you pay attention to your safety. Now you’re a family man, which means you need to be even more careful about your safety, understood?"

"Understood, completely."

"It’s good if you understand." Mr. Gongsun turned around, "I’ve been busy all day and am tired; take me home first. You hurry up and thank each one of those who stayed to join your antics during the big holiday."

"Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you." Gongsun Ce responded repeatedly.

He gently lifted his father using Telekinesis and sent him home. He anticipated his mother’s upcoming evening gossip and nagging, fearing the night might be longer than the day.

As he spoke, most of the stalls on the playground had been closed down, and far away, a few varied-height attendants carried boxes, preparing for the nighttime fireworks. Laughter resounded from all directions, as students circled their parents, animatedly talking about mundane life affairs. "Mundane" and "stable" remained the basic tune of their speech, even for those who were fighting on the streets just days ago, today donned neat outfits, trying to play good citizens in front of their parents and elders. The twilight sun cast a warm glow upon them.

Watching the various happenings on campus, Gongsun Ce whistled comfortably. A certain sense of accomplishment welled up in him, making him feel his past year’s efforts weren’t in vain. He saw a man in a baseball cap carrying a coat approaching from afar, greeting him, "Hey! Any projects tonight?"

"No, the missions are finished; this is my personal outfit." The man in the cap shook his coat and laughed brightly, "Brother Gongsun, is everything going smoothly with you?"

"Very smoothly, my parents are quite happy." Gongsun Ce smiled at him, "Thank you for your help."

"Oh, you’re too formal..."

The cap wearer spoke while putting on his coat, its material glowing in the twilight like it was stitched from clouds in the sky. As he casually took off his cap, Gongsun Ce realized his hair was blue, with not a hint of any other color, akin to the azure sky on a clear day.

He smoothly brushed back his hair, letting the blue get neatly arranged. He winked at Gongsun Ce, his smile full of warmth and sincerity.

"No need for formality, we’re friends!" Mr. Lan said.

A nearly suffocating tension grasped Gongsun Ce’s heart instantly, making his tumultuous thoughts feel as if they might burst his mind. The background noise seemed suddenly distant to him, as if the world were stretched out like a zoomed-out camera lens, with only the blue-haired Mr. Lan quietly smiling.

Gongsun Ce returned the smile, "Long time no see."

"So composed, so dignified! I always knew I had an eye for talent. This is the reaction you should have now." Mr. Lan clapped, languidly sitting on the bench nearby, resting his arms over the back, "In our line of work, we despise those who get startled easily, exclaiming, ’Ah! Eternal King!’ ’How can this be! Why are you here!’, making a fuss and losing interest. Your kind of response is amazing, truly strong. A simple ’long time no see’ waiting for good news, that’s what friends should say!"

"I don’t need to repeat the other two sentences that you’ve already said." Gongsun Ce said, "Why are you here? Want to chat? How about we go outside for that?"

Mr. Lan sighed, "It’s just like you, everything turning businesslike at the drop of a hat, getting profit-driven. Don’t worry, The Silent King won’t come out raging, I’ll assure your family and friends’ safety..."

"Reassuring indeed." Gongsun Ce smirked, "Hard not to believe your promise. So amicable. The most trustworthy man in the world."

"See, you’re being sarcastic again, truly heartless." Mr. Lan pretended to wipe tears, "What ill intentions could Mr. Lan have? Only fulfilling promises by checking in and lending a helping hand! We agreed before, after the half-roll passed, we’d meet again."

"Wow, so you came to see me the first chance you got; I’m truly flattered." Gongsun Ce said dryly, "Now that the matter is done, where are you off to next?"

Mr. Lan raised three fingers, "That’s actually a great question. Let me give you three clues for you to deduce... Clue one: General Zhenwu is a Desolate FormMage, and he is Sky Extreme’s teacher. They both vanished starting mid-year.

Clue two: Gun of Punishment is also a Desolate FormMage. He received an important task to go to the Imperial Capital, disappearing without a trace.

Clue three: Chi Zijing, President of the Mutual Assistance Association, usually loves participating in student events, but he’s been absent from today’s afternoon gathering."

Mr. Lan folded one finger after another and said leisurely, "Given these three points, what conclusion do you reach?"

Gongsun Ce narrowed his eyes, "Did you make a move?"

"I must say your thought process needs to be broader; there are many times when we don’t need to act... " Mr. Lan chuckled, "We just need to observe, and events will unfold naturally."

"The holiday is over, my friend! Get ready, brace yourself with courage and determination, see you later at the Imperial Capital!"

He snapped his fingers, disappearing like drifting clouds. Almost at the same moment, a sharp sound echoed across the campus. Chi Zijing darted to Gongsun Ce, his face showing no emotion.

"Emperor Yong Guang is missing, the Fan Ding Realm of the Empire is unusually active, incidents are occurring globally." Chi Zijing said, "Brother Gongsun..."

"Talk on the way." Gongsun Ce took the lead in turning around, "We’re leaving now."

Only then did the sound of Chi Zijing’s return arise, the whistling wind inciting gasps from the crowd, echoing the calls of actors before the curtain rises on new stories on an ancient stage of the Empire.