Xia Zhiyuan put away his smile and said seriously, "The Ling family's ambition is not small. The key is that they know."
Ding Meng's interest was piqued. "What do you mean?"
Xia Zhiyuan put his hands behind his back and paced back and forth in the room. "There are indeed all kinds of wonderful energy sources in the universe, but their existence is one thing, and knowing about them is another. I've only heard about the Divine Light Energy and the legends of the Divine Light martial artists in recent years. I know that you, Ding Meng, also control the Divine Light Energy, but you might not know that the Ling family knew about it before we did."
Ding Meng said, "How can you tell?"
Xia Zhiyuan looked at him. "You've worked for the Starbow Corporation before. You should know about the Curved Mirror technology they're working on, right?"
Ding Meng said, "I heard that this is a technology project that the Federation government subcontracted to them for research and development."
Xia Zhiyuan said, "This project was established many years ago. If I remember correctly, it should have been more than half a century ago. At the time, the Starbow Corporation, Shenghao Corporation, and Tianhang Corporation were fighting fiercely. In the end, the Starbow Corporation took the lead, and it was not something that one person or a few people could develop. It required the efforts of several generations to realize …"
Ding Meng and the others listened quietly.
Xia Zhiyuan continued, "Actually, the biggest use of the Curved Mirror technology is not to accurately transmit long-distance information, but to use a powerful energy source to sense other energy sources. To put it bluntly, it makes it easier to discover the Inverse Source Crystal and the new energy source. Ling Xingqi and Dai Dai are about the same age, and Dai Dai has many enhancing treasures here to help her cultivate. But how did Ling Xingqi cultivate to such a high level in just twenty to thirty years?
Not to mention that she was busy with various corporation affairs in outer space. She rarely had time to cultivate … "
Ding Meng hesitated and said, "Old man, you mean that the Ling family came into contact with the new energy source before we did?"
Xia Zhiyuan said seriously, "The reason is the Curved Mirror technology."
Ding Meng and the other two immediately understood. Qu Jing had been instructed by the higher-ups of the Federation, which meant that Ling Zhixing had learned about the new energy source from the higher-ups. Furthermore, the Ling family had known about the existence of the Divine Light energy source for more than half a century. Perhaps the higher-ups of the Federation had known about it even earlier.
Of course, that level involved the president or the cabinet. This kind of analysis was too shocking, and it was impossible for Xia Zhiyuan to say it personally. However, Xia Zhiyuan was the sect leader of the Rainbow Family, and as one of the top explorers of the Federation, this analysis was infinitely close to the truth.
Ding Meng suddenly felt a little confused, but he also felt that Xia Zhiyuan's seemingly irrelevant words seemed to be hinting at something. Unexpectedly, Xia Zhiyuan changed the topic. He patted Eisendale's shoulder and said, "Dai Dai, as the younger generation, don't be lazy. There are no shortcuts to martial arts. If there really is, then traveling is the best way to practice."
"I will remember, Grandpa!" Eisendale replied obediently.
Xia Zhiyuan then looked at Ding Meng and said, "You guys have also come to the Holy Planet. What are your plans?"
Eisendale quickly said, "Grandpa, the Galactic War Carnival's Storm Gathering is the tenth one this year. We all want to participate."
Xia Zhiyuan smiled. "It's not a bad thing to participate. I think many old monsters will appear this year. It will be a good opportunity for you guys to learn."
Eisendale was a little unhappy. "Grandpa, look at what you're saying. It's as if we will be eliminated halfway."
Xia Zhiyuan smiled. "Dai Dai, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. If an old man like me signs up, it will be difficult for you to enter the top 20. Therefore, I won't join in the fun."
Eisendale would never believe such a thing. "Really?"
Ji Chenxue also found it hard to believe. "Does the Holy Grail Federation really have so many experts?"
Xia Zhiyuan smiled. "That's why I said you guys are still young. Do you guys usually think that the experts are in those big groups and sects?"
Ji Chenxue did not answer, but the expression on his face showed that he agreed. At least, the Beidou Group that he used to be in was like this.
Xia Zhiyuan said, "You're all wrong. The truly strong experts are often unknown because you're not on the same level. It's normal that you don't know about them. After all, there are actually more experts on the Empire's side. The Federation's vitality was greatly damaged by the war a hundred years ago, but the Empire has been operating steadily. Those old monsters who have cultivated for hundreds or even hundreds of years will probably come out this time, and those forces hidden in the dark will also make a move."
Ding Meng suddenly said, "For example, the Hidden Front?"
Xia Zhiyuan was also a little surprised. "You've met the people from the Hidden Front?"
Ding Meng nodded without batting an eyelid. "I've met them before. They give me the feeling that they are quite powerful."
Xia Zhiyuan said, "With your strength, it's inevitable that you will have to deal with them. This organization has existed for thousands of years and naturally has its reasons for existing. However, it is not the most powerful."
Ji Chenxue was also surprised. "Is there an organization stronger than the Hidden Front?"
Xia Zhiyuan smiled. "Of course there is, but that is not something that you young people should worry about. What you need to do now is to cultivate well. Since you are going to participate in the Storm Gathering, you have to prepare well for it."
Ding Meng said decisively, "Grandpa, I came to the Holy Planet this time not only to visit you, but also to visit Master Lin Kejia from the Federation."
Xia Zhiyuan was stunned. "Why do you want to visit her?"
Eisendale explained, "Grandpa, Ding Meng and Miss Ji have invested in their friend's company. They want to do energy research. Can you show them the way?"
If this request had been made by someone else, it would have probably been rejected. However, Ding Meng was no longer an outsider. It was very likely that he was his great-grandson-in-law. Moreover, this great-grandson-in-law was very likely to achieve great things in the future. He was the symbol of the Rainbow Family.
Xia Zhiyuan smiled. "Alright, I still have to give face to this old man, Lin Kejia. When do you plan to go?"
Ding Meng said, "It would be best if it was within the next few days."
Xia Zhiyuan said, "I will contact her in a moment. You can go directly to her research center tomorrow."
Ding Meng was overjoyed. "Thank you very much, Grandpa."
After that, Ding Meng and Ji Chenxue helped Xia Zhiyuan appraise four or five items, as well as some collectibles. It was not until evening came that Ding Meng and Ji Chenxue said goodbye to Xia Zhiyuan.
The Rainbow Family's transport boat sent them directly to the "Azure Sea and Clear Sky" hotel in the city. This was a famous scenic hotel in Saint Splendor City. It was located in the center of the city and had a thousand floors, overlooking the beautiful scenery of the city.
This time, Ding Meng did not share a room with Ji Chenxue. After getting a single room, he turned on his wrist device and contacted Xin Jie through the Divine Arrow spaceship's GPS chip.
Currently, Xin Jie was at the border of the Empire, so the real-time image could not be synthesized. The two could only talk through voice.
"Why would you think of Lin Kejia's research center?"
Xin Jie felt strange after listening to his description. "I don't understand the cultivation of martial artists like you. However, based on Ji Chenxue's visit route, the possibility of the Starry Rainbow Corporation's Frost Building is higher."
Ding Meng was puzzled. "Why is that?"
Xin Jie explained, "Any form of energy has wave-particle duality, and Divine Light energy is no exception. Ji Chenxue's Divine Light necklace undoubtedly absorbed Divine Light energy. It is built on the foundation of waves. You can think of the necklace as a high-level radar, and it undoubtedly captured the signal. The Star Rainbow Group's headquarters must have an energy development organization. My judgment is that there is a high probability that she encountered this signal."
Ding Meng said, "That's reasonable, but don't forget that Lin Kejia is the authority that specializes in servers. The energy consumption of the latest spatial network server is simply too huge. The research center may also have a huge reserve of energy. The necklace may have sensed it."
Xin Jie pondered for a moment before saying, "If you are really going to the research center tomorrow, I don't recommend that you and Ji Chenxue go alone."
"Why?" Ding Meng was stunned.
Xin Jie said, "She is a real top authority, and you two are pure idiotic rookies in the field of professional knowledge. I think that if you go, she won't be interested in talking to you. Instead, you will waste a huge favor from Master Xia. It's better to bring one or two professionals with you. Only then will she be willing to talk to you."
Ding Meng was speechless. "Where do you want me to find professionals in the middle of the night?"
Xin Jie laughed. "Actually, you have two friends who can come in handy, and they are now in the capital of Saint Brilliance."
Ding Meng hurriedly asked, "Who are they?"
Xin Jie said, "Doctor Xueyan and Senior Ren Tianlan."
Ding Meng's eyelids drooped. "Aunt Xueyan is a doctor, not an energy expert. What's the use of her going?"
"Ha —" Xin Jie laughed mercilessly. "That's why I said that you're an idiot rookie. Lin Kejia isn't just an authority on energy. She's a data master who's proficient in all fields. It can be said that she's proficient in all fields except for a few unpopular professions. She's proficient in all fields. This person's medical skills are superb, and she's also highly specialized in medicine. A hundred years ago, during the Devouring Realm War, she was on the opposing side. She's a staunch supporter of Doctor Zhu Lixian. Doctor Xueyan is still alive to this day, so she's a senior to her. She's someone who deserves respect. If you go with Doctor Xueyan, at least there won't be an awkward silence.
Ding Meng immediately gave him a thumbs-up. "You are the best. You even know such secret information."
Xin Jie said: "Don't underestimate a data guru. I estimate that for a top authority like Lin Kejia, her brain is like dozens of smart computers. Her computing speed, knowledge reserves, and command analysis are all first-class. She's at least a Senior Warlock."
Ding Meng was stunned. "Can a non-combat profession cultivate telekinesis?"
Xin Jie said, "Of course. Recently, I feel that my telekinesis is about to awaken, let alone Lin Kejia. If she is an application type or fusion type telekinesis, then her combat ability will not be weak. However, I have heard of the Xiao Lin Technological Research Institute. That place is a bit special. You should be careful along the way."
"What's special about it?" Ding Meng was curious again.
Xin Jie laughed. "You will know when you go tomorrow!"