American variety show world begins with subduing Jason

She carefully wiped it clean, sheathed it, and then pulled a blanket over her breasts.

Within minutes, the room was filled with soft breathing sounds, and the woman quickly drifted into a deep sleep.

Perhaps due to exhaustion, the usually meticulous designer failed to notice that, under the light of the bedside lamp, a faint, dark golden light was quietly flickering in the cracks of the wide grille.

The shape vaguely resembled... a patterned metal disc.

……

……

Police cars lined up in long queues underground, helicopters roared overhead, and large numbers of people, awakened by the commotion, poured into the streets.

The bustling and noisy atmosphere of the metropolis tonight is comparable only to that of a mysterious night more than seventy years ago.

Well, perhaps the former is better. After all, stories like giant gorillas climbing the Empire State Building and shooting down airplanes are just childhood legends passed down from grandmothers, while the current magical drama is right before our eyes.

Media professionals with keen instincts swarmed out, displaying their speed and resourcefulness as they frantically gathered information. Countless phone calls were made, and it was expected that major news stories would be produced by dawn at the latest.

As for the specific parties involved in the incident, the adventurers who survived the ordeal can relax and sleep peacefully, but the other beings in this chaotic game may not be so fortunate.

"Mr. Frank, please wait a moment, the director is still resting..."

In the spotless, tidy corridor, several office workers in skirt suits strode forward, frantically chasing after the figure in front of them.

However, their dedication to their duty was met only with a harsh and vulgar rebuke.

"roll!"

The black chestnut wood door was suddenly flung open, slamming against the doorstop with a buzzing sound. A middle-aged man with black hair and brown eyes burst in like a whirlwind. His face was contorted with grimaces as he roared at the person huddled in front of the fireplace:

"Maxwell, what right do you have to suspend me!"

The man forcefully ripped off his bow tie, his eyes filled with a brutal ferocity, like an enraged lion. The oppressive atmosphere he exuded frightened the secretary behind him, causing her to shrink back in fear.

"Things have gotten so ugly, someone has to take responsibility." The old rocking chair creaked, and a thin, bony finger reached into the nightcap to scratch a few strands of white hair. The figure yawned, turned his head, and muttered something.

Even with good skincare, time has still left a few dark spots on her sagging skin, and her thin, bony body is faintly visible beneath her loose cotton bathrobe.

His body, now in his eighties, has long lost its former strength and vigor. His eyes are dull and he looks dazed, as if he has just woken up from a dream.

"Nonsense! Everyone present is dead. What can they do if we don't admit it? Without your suggestion to the Supreme Council, there's no way they'd trace it back to me!"

The newly appointed deputy director of the Special Investigation Bureau, who had been rising rapidly through the ranks and enjoying a smooth career, had never suffered such a great loss. He waved his hands in a fit of rage, and the elegant demeanor he usually cultivated was completely gone.

He glared at the other person through gritted teeth: "You did this on purpose, didn't you!"

"Oh dear, Frank, how could you say that?" The old man pouted innocently, looking as aggrieved as a wronged young wife.

"Although I'm retiring in a few months, since I'm still the director-general, I have to report things truthfully when something happens, and I have to live up to my salary."

"Why didn't you call off the plan in the first place?" Frank felt his brain boiling from this unexpected betrayal.

"Just like the last few times, you didn't report it to me either..." The old man's cloudy eyes rolled blankly, and he stammered with his wrinkled lips: "I thought it was some heartless guys under me acting on their own, who knew it would involve you in the end?"

"You—!" Frank nearly lost his composure on the spot, speechless with anger.

So many personnel and resources were being allocated right under your nose, and you clearly acquiesced to it, yet now you're pretending to know nothing. What a hypocritical and shameless old bastard! He cursed loudly in his heart, wishing he could rush over and strangle this old geezer.

With the support of his powerful backers, he was confident that he would be appointed as the director of the bureau. His only concern was the attitude of his current superior.

However, the other party ignored his several probing moves, appearing as a mediocre old man just waiting to retire and enjoy his old age, which emboldened Frank day by day.

Unexpectedly, he struck swiftly and ruthlessly, seizing the victim's weakness and exerting sudden force, nearly sending him tumbling into the abyss.

“Maxwell Jimmy…” The man’s gaze was as cold and venomous as a viper’s, stripping away the other man’s aged and senile appearance, as if he were seeing him for the first time.

"I really underestimated you, senior!"

Chapter 365 The Temptation of Immortality

"Okay, very good. I admit defeat this time."

A flicker of resentment crossed the man's face, but it was quickly replaced by calmness and resolve. He took a deep breath, straightened his back, as if he had rediscovered his pride from the depths of his heart.

"But if you think you can use this to kick me out, you're probably not up to the task. What does it matter if a few lower-class people from the slums die for the benefit of the Federation?" The seasoned political animal instantly regained his composure, slowly straightening his collar and smoothing out the wrinkles in his shirt.

The old director's droopy eyelids trembled slightly, and the coldness vanished in an instant as they opened and closed.

“The poor are people too, and the life of any federal citizen is priceless. Frank, if outsiders get this out, it could cause trouble.”

"The Cold War era is over, dear Director. You need to change your old ways of thinking." Frank regained his capable politician demeanor and said with composure:

"At that time, the creation of a welfare society, the imposition of heavy taxes on wealthy gentlemen, the subsidies for lazy poor people, and the emphasis on equality and procedural justice were all in order to uphold the banner of freedom and fight against the Red Alliance."

They have long since collapsed and disintegrated, while the Eastern Dragons are only concerned with their own affairs. We no longer have any real competitors, and there is no need to maintain that ridiculous chivalrous demeanor.

Therefore, trivial matters such as image and public opinion can be set aside for now. When it comes to securing benefits for the Federation, some sacrifices are unavoidable.

A sarcastic smile played on his lips: "Do you know why Grant defeated Lee during the Civil War? Because he had more troops, and he was willing to sacrifice them. Killing, not strategy, won that war!"

Mocking his former boss's soft heart, Frank bowed casually, his manners impeccable. "Please immerse yourself in your old dreams and get some rest. I won't disturb you any longer. I'll be back after this temporary leave."

"Let me say one last thing... Do you really think I'm acting arbitrarily? Heh, the gentlemen upstairs know very well that every action, every decision here, is actually under the control of Washington!" The man's light, detached voice echoed down the corridor.

"What they need is a bureau chief who can read the air and will take the initiative to fight for them, not a Don Quixote who adheres to rigid chivalric dogma."

"Dear Agent 86, that radiant beacon in your heart never existed..."

Silver flames of positive energy were contained within a pure white crystal sphere, blowing a gentle life force into the old man's frail body. Maxwell remained silent, staring blankly at this priceless psionic heater.

He picked up the glass beside him, took a sip of the pure white, sweet liquid, and gave his secretary, who was standing silently outside the door, a witty smile:

"You're almost finished. Could you please have another cup? Without enough sweetened milk, the elderly person's sleep quality can't be guaranteed."

As the light footsteps faded into the distance, his shoulders slumped, as if all his energy had been drained away. He sank into the soft cushions of the rocking chair, and an aura of senility and old age filled the air, thick enough to suffocate anyone who looked away.

He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a dull brass pendant. With trembling hands, he gently opened it. The old man's eyes were hazy, as if covered by a layer of dust from the years.

"Number 99, you intelligent people should be able to easily accept the current state of the country, but why is it that everyone else is dead, while only I, this stubborn and senile old fool, have survived?"

Two drops of water burst open on the small color photograph. Under the moist glow, the girl is serene, beautiful, and smiling. She has a 60s-style beehive hairstyle and gazes quietly at the world she once fought for.

……

……

"Is it all resolved?"

Dark red, blood-like mist swirled and writhed, eventually transforming into a human figure that sat comfortably in the back seat of the car.

"Of course, just a stubborn old man abandoned by the times, trying to block my way?" Frank leaned back comfortably in his large chair, asking without turning his head:

"Where is that arrogant old bald man? After getting his hands on that broken stone from their sect, he's become increasingly simplistic and brutal in his actions. I clearly instructed him to try to avoid conflicts with the church."

The handsome, black-haired youth crossed his legs, and as if by magic, a glass of fragrant red wine appeared in his hand. "The order from above is to urgently recall Centria for support. His strength attribute is relatively effective against the monsters that have emerged from the virtual purgatory."

As the shimmering liquid in his glass danced, Alex, the "Night," casually reassured his political allies:

"I sensed endless darkness and destruction in that black rock. The old bald man was too eager for quick success and was probably influenced by it. Don't pay too much attention to him."

Frank did not understand, nor did he intend to understand, profound and extraordinary knowledge. As cunning as a fox, he only recognized the workings of power, and everything else was trivial.

"In a way, we have to thank him. It was because of helping him find the Holy Stone that we had the opportunity to discover this earth-shattering secret... Professor Helena Jones is still unwilling to cooperate with us and hand over the last hidden information of her grandfather?"

His gaze was calm and unwavering, as if he were simply giving routine instructions, yet what flowed from his mouth was a chilling, bloody stench.

"Didn't you tell that woman to come to her senses? The famous adventurer has been dead for decades, and she's an adopted daughter with no real blood relation. The little bit of family connections she has left can't protect her for long!"

The young vampire lord poured the wine into his glass and raised an eyebrow indifferently: "That annoying Antonio is keeping a close eye on me. It's best to hold off for now. If the news gets out, the Holy City Catholic Church will definitely get involved."

Alex's eyes were as dark as night. "After all, it's already a disgrace that the sacred relic symbolizing the [Divine Contract] has fallen into the hands of the Federation. If the supreme sacred relic symbolizing [Eternal Life] were to fall into the hands of others, they should all commit suicide and go to God to repent."

"It's good that you know what's going on. Keep a close eye on things and don't let your guard down. All the top powerful families have secretly expressed their support for me to take over the White House, as long as I can get what I want."

Frank licked his lips. Even someone as shrewd as him felt a surge of emotion, for the target he had unexpectedly discovered was the most fundamental desire of every life.

Relying on its superpower status, the Federation has amassed countless treasures through cunning and plunder, including many legendary artifacts. However, no matter how powerful or wondrous their functions, they cannot compare to true miracles.

Immortality is humanity's ultimate dream!

He solemnly took out an old notebook, turned the yellowed and fragile pages to the last page, and murmured the words on it with a dreamy expression:

"If anyone drinks the water I give them..."

They will never thirst again; the water I give them will become in them springs welling up to eternal life…

The voice, brimming with ambition and desire, abruptly ceased. He gritted his teeth, rubbing the jagged, torn marks—the crucial information that had been ripped away.

"Once I get my hands on it, I want to be the first to taste the gift of the Most High God!"

Chapter 366: Refining Divinity, [Famine] [Cold]

No matter how turbulent the winds of evil may be in the halls of power, they will never reach the small antique shop on the West Coast.

The morning sunlight streamed through the crystal-clear glass window of the bedroom, like strands of golden velvet, playfully sweeping across the young man's face.

He lazily squinted his eyes, shifted his position on the bed, and continued giving instructions while holding his phone.

"...In short, it's best to stay away from anything involving the power struggle between the government and the church."

“I understand. Aunt Eileen said that now that things have come to light, there’s no risk of them silencing us. There are many factions within the government. They just sent someone to give us a warning and scare us, to make sure we keep our mouths shut.” The girl’s frustrated and tired complaint came through the microphone.

After receiving a call from his girlfriend to let her know he was safe, Zhu Mingyao chatted briefly before coaxing her to go back to sleep.

He stretched lazily, unconsciously crumpling the blankets, struggling internally with the thought that achieving success in cultivation and indulging in laziness were two completely unrelated things.

The urge to stay in bed longer is a human instinct.

"The important thing comes first, the important thing comes first..." After trying his best to convince himself, the young man nimbly flipped himself up and stood up steadily. He didn't even bother to slip on his shoes and just stood lightly on the floor.

In early spring, the temperature in Jinzhou was still a bit chilly, and it was inevitably uncomfortable to walk barefoot. However, Zhu Mingyao looked completely unaffected.

This was not due to his extraordinary physique and insensitivity to heat and cold, but rather because a pure aura resembling lotus flowers and Ganoderma lucidum arose out of nowhere, supporting his bare feet an inch off the ground, appearing mysterious and wondrous.

According to the classification of Xuanmen realms, being able to remain suspended in mid-air with a single breath of true qi is considered a significant achievement in cultivation, something to be proud of even in ancient times.

However, the light shining from above is ultimately an illusion, and soaring through the clouds beneath one's feet does not necessarily make one an immortal... He muttered to himself with a good sense of self-awareness.

Suddenly, he sank, as if passing through several floors like a phantom. The light and shadow shifted before his eyes, and his figure appeared on the altar in the basement.

With the protection of the Four Spirits activated, a mystical and ethereal celestial palace descends.

Zhu Mingyao clasped his hands together and flipped them over, revealing two orbs of light, one gray-black and one frosty-white, which lingered and floated in his palms.