143: Chapter 143 Official Stance Shift: "We Will Provide Protection"

Section 1: Unexpected Visitors Before the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures: The Sudden Arrival of High-Level Officials

Just as Chen Wu's team and Zhao Feng's special department were preparing to step through the hidden door at the bottom of the pool, a subtle mechanical sound suddenly emanated from the Qi Energy skylight at the top of the Secret Realm—the pale golden sunlight was blocked by a metallic shadow. Three helicopters emblazoned with the "Traditional Martial Arts Protection Bureau" insignia slowly hovered above the skylight. Their fuselages gleamed with the pale silver luster of anti-Spirit-Devouring alloy, forming a sharp contrast with the black helicopters of the Spirit-Devouring Organization seen previously.

"Are those... official helicopters?" Lin Mo's tablet instantly identified the hull numbers, and a "Special Level Authorization Equipment" prompt popped up on the screen. "It's the 'Traditional Martial Arts Guardian' series from the Traditional Martial Arts Protection Bureau. They are specifically responsible for protecting national-level traditional martial arts resources. Previously, they've only appeared in the Secret Realms of top-tier sects like Wudang and Shaolin. Why would they come to the Taiji Secret Realm?"

The main perspective of the global livestream immediately turned toward the skylight. The bullet comments, which had been filled with "Looking forward to the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures," were instantly replaced by surprised messages like "The officials are here!" and "It's people from the Protection Bureau!" Chen Wu instinctively expanded his Four Symbols Qi Energy, but he felt that what was coming from the helicopters was not hostility—a pale golden "Orthodox Qi Energy" seeped in through the skylight, resonating with the pure Origin Qi of the Origin Pool. The petals of the inheritance grass on his chest not only failed to turn red but instead bloomed with a richer green light. Dewdrops rolled on the leaves, reflecting the figures at the helicopter cabin doors.

The cabin door opened, and an elderly man dressed in a deep gray Zhongshan suit, accompanied by two staff members, slowly descended on a Qi Energy levitation ladder. The old man's hair was white, yet he was full of vigor. A jade "Traditional Martial Arts Guardian" badge hung at his waist, and his Qi Energy was as steady as the deep sea, faintly reaching the level of the Early Stage of Brute Force—this was the Director of the Traditional Martial Arts Protection Bureau, Zhang Qiming. Previously, he had only appeared publicly at traditional martial arts culture summits and had never stepped foot into any sect's Secret Realm.

"Mr. Chen Wu, Sect Head Yang Mingyuan, Group Leader Zhao Feng of the special department, sorry for the intrusion." Zhang Qiming walked forward quickly, his tone humble yet carrying official solemnity. "I am Zhang Qiming, Director of the Traditional Martial Arts Protection Bureau. I have come today on behalf of the state to formally convey the official's latest attitude toward traditional martial arts—starting today, the state will fully launch the 'Traditional Martial Arts Guardian Program' to provide all-around protection and support for orthodox traditional martial arts worldwide, including the Taiji school."

These words were like a bombshell, leaving everyone present stunned. It must be known that the official attitude toward traditional martial arts had previously been one of "guidance and regulation." While they didn't oppose its popularization, they rarely provided direct resources or security protection, especially for core inheritance sites like Secret Realms, which were mostly left to the sects to guard themselves. As a group leader of the special department, Zhao Feng was only responsible for "emergency incident handling" and had never received a "comprehensive protection" directive.

"Director Zhang, do you mean..." Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan's voice carried disbelief, and the Taiji Sword in his hand trembled slightly. "The state is going to formally include traditional martial arts within the scope of key protection?" Zhang Qiming nodded and took a gold-stamped document from an assistant, handing it to Chen Wu and Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan. "This is the 'Traditional Martial Arts Culture Protection and Development Regulations' just issued by the State Council. It clearly designates traditional martial arts as a 'Core National Intangible Cultural Heritage Project.' Secret Realms, ancient manuals, Origin treasures, and the like are all included as national-level protected resources. The Traditional Martial Arts Protection Bureau, in conjunction with the special department, will provide 24-hour security, technical support, and resource prioritization."

Section 2: The Deep-Seated Reasons for the Attitude Shift: The Logic from Watching to Guarding

Zhang Qiming sat down on a stone bench by the Origin Pool and slowly explained the reasons for the official attitude shift: "In fact, as early as three years ago, the Traditional Martial Arts Protection Bureau began paying attention to the development of traditional martial arts. But at that time, there were two concerns—first, some unorthodox practitioners used the names of 'wellness' or 'combat' to mislead the public, so the market needed to be regulated first; second, the 'Qi Energy System' of traditional martial arts lacked scientific verification, and there was a worry that blind protection would spark controversy."

He pointed to the screen on Lin Mo's tablet showing the Spirit-Devouring Organization's declaration of war, his tone becoming grave: "It wasn't until the Spirit-Devouring Organization began attacking traditional martial arts Secret Realms on a global scale that we realized traditional martial arts is not only a cultural treasure but also an important force for countering unconventional threats. Your Qi Energy can resist Spirit-Devouring Energy, and your Secret Realms hide Origin treasures that can purify evil. These are things modern technology cannot replace."

Zhang Qiming called up a set of data and projected it onto the stone wall: In the past three months, the "Anti-Spirit-Devouring Alliance" spontaneously formed by global traditional martial arts schools has assisted the special department in destroying 12 Spirit-Devouring strongholds. Chen Wu's team's global livestream has allowed 2 billion ordinary people to understand the true value of traditional martial arts, with 50 million of them starting to systematically learn orthodox traditional martial arts. Resources like the inheritance grass and ancient Taiji manuals have demonstrated characteristics such as "Vitality Qi Energy" and "Yin and Yang Fusion," providing key ideas for developing anti-Spirit-Devouring technology. "These results prove that traditional martial arts can play an irreplaceable role in both cultural inheritance and national security. The officials have no reason to watch from the sidelines anymore; we must step forward and provide protection."

"Then what are the specific protection measures?" Chen Wu was most concerned about practical support, as there were still unknown dangers within the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures, and the global clearing operation also required stronger backing. Zhang Qiming immediately gave the answer: "First, security—we will equip every orthodox traditional martial arts Secret Realm with a 'Qi Energy Defense System' capable of resisting all attacks below the level of Brute Force. We will also station 'Traditional Martial Arts Guardian Teams,' whose members are at least at the Late Stage of Brute Force, to cooperate with the special department on 24-hour patrols. Second, technical support—the Traditional Martial Arts Protection Bureau, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has developed 'Qi Energy-Technology Conversion Equipment,' such as mass-production machines that can convert the Vitality Qi Energy of the inheritance grass into anti-Spirit-Devouring potions, and AI Systems that can analyze the Qi Energy trajectories of ancient manuals. Third, global collaboration—we have signed agreements with traditional martial arts protection agencies in 150 countries to share intelligence on the Spirit-Devouring Organization and conduct joint clearing operations. Your subsequent exploration of the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures and the seizure of the fusion jade will all receive support from global official forces."

In the global livestream's bullet comments, viewers were shocked by the official statement, and the messages changed from "surprised" to "exhilarated": "Finally, official protection! traditional martial arts has a backer now!" "The state is awesome! Support Teacher Chen and traditional martial arts!" Amir from Egypt sent an "Egyptian Traditional Martial Arts Protection Bureau Statement": "We have received the collaboration invitation from the Chinese officials and will fully support the exploration of the Taiji Secret Realm!" Data from the Technical Department showed that the topic "Official Protection of traditional martial arts" hit the top of the global trending lists within 5 minutes, with views exceeding 10 billion. The consultation lines of the Traditional Martial Arts Protection Bureau were flooded, receiving 3,000 protection applications from orthodox traditional martial arts schools in just half an hour.

The Flower Girl walked up to Zhang Qiming holding the inheritance grass, and the eight-colored petals gently pressed against the old man's palm. Pale green Vitality Qi Energy seeped in through the petals, and a hint of surprise flashed in Zhang Qiming's eyes: "Is this the inheritance grass that can purify Spirit-Devouring Energy? It truly lives up to its reputation!" He took a silver "Traditional Martial Arts Guardian Badge" from his pocket and handed it to the young girl: "From today on, the inheritance grass is also included as a national-level protected plant. We will establish a specialized cultivation base so that its Vitality Qi Energy can help more people."

Section 3: Capability Verification: Establishing Trust Through Practical Combat

Despite the official promise, Zhang Qiming also made a reasonable request: "To ensure that protection resources are invested accurately, we need to verify your strength. After all, the fusion jade within the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures is vital to the global anti-Spirit-Devouring plan. The Protection Bureau needs to confirm that you have the ability to safely seize and guard it."

Zhao Feng took the initiative to suggest a "practical combat simulation test": "Using the special department's 'Spirit-Devouring Energy Simulation Equipment' to simulate a Spirit-Devouring attack at the level of the Early Stage of Brute Force. Chen Wu's team will cooperate with the official 'Qi Energy Defense System.' If you can successfully resist and counterattack, it will prove you are qualified for the highest level of protection support." Zhang Qiming nodded in agreement, and the accompanying staff immediately deployed a half-person-tall black device. The interface on the device's surface glowed with a faint black light, capable of releasing Qi Energy equivalent to a main force attack from the Spirit-Devouring Organization.

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"The simulated attack will begin in 30 seconds, targeting the secret door area of the Origin Pool."

Lin Mo's tablet synchronized the device data, projecting the attack range and intensity onto the global live broadcast screen.

"Qi Energy intensity: Early Stage Dark Energy, attack method: Spirit-Devouring Energy storm, defense priority: secret door entrance, prevent destruction."

Chen Wu's team and Zhao Feng's special department quickly took their positions: Chen Wu stood before the secret door, his Late Stage Brute Force Fusion Energy Technique unfolding around him, while his Four Symbols Qi Energy formed a protective barrier interwoven with pale gold and pale green.

Lu Feng and two security team members gripped the officially provided "Qi Energy Enhancement Guns" (which could convert Xingyi energy into anti-Spirit-Devourer bullets), aiming them toward the device.

Zhang Qiming's entourage activated the "Qi Energy Defense System," causing pale silver metal barriers to rise from the ground, creating a dual defense with Chen Wu's barrier.

"3, 2, 1—attack start!"

A pale black Spirit-Devouring Energy storm erupted from the device, rushing toward the secret door like a black tornado.

Wherever it passed, the pure Origin Qi of the Origin Pool was stained black, and even the Taiji carvings on the stone walls began to show faint black veins.

The global live audience held their breath, and the chat was filled with comments like "Go!" and "Hold the line!"

"Qi Energy Defense System, full output!" the official personnel shouted.

The pale silver barrier glowed intensely, blocking the first wave of the storm.

Chen Wu increased his Fusion Energy Technique to 90%, and his Four Symbols Qi Energy barrier proactively met the storm.

The pale gold hard energy pierced the outer layer of the storm like a sharp sword, while the pale green soft energy guided the inner layer of Qi Energy like flowing water.

The Yang energy dissipated the corrosiveness of the Spirit-Devouring Energy, and the Yin energy stabilized the defensive trajectory of the barrier—a miraculous scene occurred: the black storm was gradually decomposed by the barrier, and the pale black Spirit-Devouring Energy was purified by the Yang energy, converting into harmless Qi Energy particles that merged into the pure Origin Qi of the Origin Pool.

"Counterattack!"

Seizing the moment the storm weakened, Chen Wu condensed his Four Symbols Qi Energy into his palm, forming a pale gold "Qi Energy Cannon," and fired it toward the simulation device—the device's black shell was hit by the Qi Energy Cannon, instantly losing power, and the storm came to an abrupt halt.

Lu Feng's Qi Energy Enhancement Gun also fired simultaneously, and the pale brown anti-Spirit-Devourer bullets struck the core interface of the device, completely destroying the simulated attack function.

"Perfect!" Zhang Qiming stood up, his eyes full of admiration.

"Not only did you defend the secret door, but you also purified the Spirit-Devouring Energy and destroyed the attack source. Your strength completely exceeded expectations!"

He immediately ordered: "Traditional Martial Arts Guardian Squad, immediately enter the Taiji Secret Realm and take over perimeter security; Technical Department, transport the 'Qi Energy Defense System' and the 'Spirit Medicine Mass Production Machine' into the Secret Realm to provide support for the exploration of the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures; Intelligence Group, synchronize the latest intelligence on the Spirit-Devouring Organization regarding the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures to Chen Wu's team!"

The Implementation of Protection Resources: From Promises to Practical Support

The official efficiency far exceeded expectations—within half an hour, 10 members of the "Traditional Martial Arts Guardian Squad," dressed in silver tactical suits, arrived at the Secret Realm.

Each was equipped with an "anti-Spirit-Devourer alloy blade" and a "Qi Energy communicator."

The team leader, Li Gang, was at the Early Stage Dark Energy level and had previously participated in protection missions in the Wudang Secret Realm: "Mr. Chen, we will set up three layers of defensive perimeters outside the secret door. Any abnormal Qi Energy fluctuations will be warned immediately. If you encounter danger inside the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures, just press the communicator, and we can provide support within 5 minutes."

The Technical Department brought two key pieces of equipment: one "Vitality Qi Energy Conversion Machine"—by placing the dew of the inheritance grass into the machine, 100 bottles of anti-Spirit-Devourer medicine could be produced in 10 minutes, with effectiveness 30% higher than previous handmade versions; and one "Ancient Manual Qi Energy Analyzer"—by placing the "Taiji Thirteen Forms" ancient manual into the instrument, it could analyze the Qi Energy trajectories in the Moves in real-time, providing Chen Wu with optimal attack and defense plans.

"This analyzer can also link with your Fusion Energy Technique," the Technical Department head explained. "It will recommend the most suitable Taiji Moves based on your Qi Energy state, increasing the power of your Fusion Energy Technique by another 20%."

The Intelligence Group brought the latest deployment of the Spirit-Devouring Organization regarding the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures: "According to satellite monitoring, the Spirit-Devouring Organization has set up a 'Spirit-Devouring Puppet Array' inside the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures, with 10 Early Stage Dark Energy Puppets guarding the storage location of the fusion jade. The core area also has a 'Qi Energy Interference Field,' which will suppress Qi Energy below Late Stage Brute Force. You need to use the officially provided 'Qi Energy Amplifier' to counteract the interference."

Zhang Qiming added, "We have already contacted sects such as Kunlun and Emei. They will send experts to the perimeter of the Secret Realm to contain the reinforcements of the Spirit-Devouring Organization, ensuring you can focus on exploring the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures."

Chen Wu's team tested the equipment provided by the officials on-site: the dew of the inheritance grass was placed into the conversion machine, and 10 minutes later, it indeed produced 100 bottles of green-glowing anti-Spirit-Devourer medicine.

Lin Mo's tablet detection showed that the anti-Spirit-Devourer efficiency of the medicine reached 95%; placing the "Taiji Thirteen Forms" ancient manual into the analyzer immediately displayed "Optimal Move Combination for Pavilion of Supreme Treasures Exploration" on the screen, recommending "Peng Energy Defense + Elbow Energy Armor Breaking + Ding Energy Stabilization" to deal with the Puppet array, which coincided with Chen Wu's judgment.

After the Qi Energy Amplifier was activated, Chen Wu's Fusion Energy Technique was indeed unaffected by the interference field's simulated signals, and the Qi Energy stability rate remained at 100%.

"With this support, we are more confident in seizing the fusion jade!"

Lu Feng checked the Qi Energy Enhancement Gun; the anti-Spirit-Devourer effect of the bullets was 50% stronger than before.

"Even if we encounter Early Stage Dark Energy Puppets, we can handle them!"

Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan bowed deeply to Zhang Qiming: "Thank you to the country for protecting the Taiji sect. We will certainly live up to the trust, guard the fusion jade well, and contribute to the global anti-Spirit-Devourer action!"

A New Starting Point for Exploring the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures: A Journey Under Official Escort

When all protection resources were deployed, Zhang Qiming stood before the secret door at the bottom of the pool and said solemnly to Chen Wu's team: "Mr. Chen Wu, the exploration of the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures concerns not only the Legacy of the Taiji sect but also the success or failure of the global anti-Spirit-Devourer plan—the country believes in you, and traditional martial arts practitioners worldwide believe in you. Go ahead and do it; you have the support of all of us behind you."

Chen Wu held the Qi Energy Amplifier in his hand. The Four Symbols Qi Energy pellet in his Dantian rotated steadily, and his Late Stage Brute Force Fusion Energy Technique emitted a pale gold light around his body: "Please rest assured, Director Zhang. We will definitely seize the fusion jade safely, thwart the conspiracy of the Spirit-Devouring Organization, and protect the Legacy of traditional martial arts."

He turned around and, together with Lu Feng, Zhao Feng, and Lin Mo, stepped into the secret door—the official Qi Energy Defense System automatically closed behind them, the Traditional Martial Arts Guardian Squad formed a defensive perimeter outside the secret door, and Zhang Qiming remained by the Origin Pool, following the exploration process through the global live broadcast.

The passage behind the secret door glowed with pale gold light, and the stone walls on both sides were carved with the pattern of "Taiji and Xingji Symbiosis," which resonated with Chen Wu's Fusion Energy Technique.

Lin Mo's tablet showed that the Legacy point System had recorded the achievement of "Official Protection Resource Acquisition," gaining 100,000 base points, which doubled to 200,000.

The total points exceeded 17.586 million, and they were only 2.414 million away from redeeming the "Taiji Xingji Fusion Module"—as long as they seized the fusion jade, they could gather enough points to complete the ultimate upgrade of the Xingji Fist.

The final scene of the global live broadcast lingered on the backs of Chen Wu's team as they moved forward in the passage—Chen Wu walked in the front, holding the Qi Energy Enhancement Gun, with the petals of the inheritance grass on his chest glowing green; Lu Feng and Zhao Feng followed closely behind, with the Qi Energy Armor-Piercing Gun and the jammer ready at any time; on Lin Mo's tablet screen, the positions of the Puppet array in the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures had been marked by official intelligence, and the Move combination recommended by the analyzer flickered on the screen.

The chat finally scrolled a neat line of text: "Official escort breaks through ten thousand difficulties, traditional martial arts guardianship begins a new chapter; seek the true jade within the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures, defeat the Spirit-Devourer evil and secure victory!"

This message was lit up simultaneously by 130 billion viewers, like a river of light interwoven with pale gold and pale silver, illuminating the passage behind the secret door.

Chen Wu knew that with the comprehensive protection and support of the government, the exploration of the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures was no longer a lonely battle; after seizing the fusion jade, the global cleanup operation would also have national-level support—the Legacy and development of traditional martial arts had finally ushered in the most solid backing, and they were standing at the critical node of this anti-Spirit-Devourer war and the revival of traditional martial arts, about to start a new journey.