American Comics: Tales of Cultivator

Chapter 100: Forced Invitation to the Subterranean World

A banner, adorned with colorful illustrations of the magnificent Subterranean World.

In front of the New York Public Library, a long queue had formed. A book signing event was being held here.

Trevor Anderson, wearing black-rimmed glasses, signed his name on the book cover. At the request of the fan before him, he added a line at the end.

"To Peter Parker!"

Smiling, he handed the travelogue titled *Journey to the Center of the Earth* to the boy in front of him.

"Professor Anderson, is the Subterranean World you mentioned in the book real?"

Peter Parker looked at Trevor Anderson with a hopeful expression, his eyes full of curiosity and inquiry.

As a biology enthusiast, Peter Parker had been full of longing for the world described in the book ever since he read *Journey to the Center of the Earth* written by Trevor Anderson.

Glowing moss that emitted light, glowing birds that guided the way, Plesiosaurs and Tyrannosaurus Rex from the Jurassic Period.

Hearing that the author of *Journey to the Center of the Earth* was holding a book signing at the New York Public Library, he specifically took time off and dragged his best friend along.

Not far from the Public Library, Harry Osborn was playing on a skateboard on the steps nearby, looking bored. If Peter hadn't dragged him over, he wouldn't have bothered coming to some book signing event.

Harry's skateboard skills were impressive, his movements smooth and stylish, attracting quite a few young girls to watch for a while.

"Of course it's real. The world is vast, so vast that humanity has explored less than one ten-thousandth of it. The Subterranean World truly exists, I can guarantee you that!"

Trevor Anderson smiled and ruffled the high schooler's head. After watching him leave, Trevor rubbed his somewhat stiff cheeks, maintaining his smile as he continued to greet the next fan.

Since returning from his Iceland expedition, Trevor Anderson had written his experiences into *Journey to the Center of the Earth*. Unexpectedly, this travelogue became a hit in the Federation, selling nearly a million copies in a year.

Trevor Anderson transformed from a Natural Science Professor at New York University into a sought-after author in the Federation.

The fans were enthusiastic, and the book signing event continued until noon. He finally finished signing the last book.

Putting away his pen, Trevor stood up, shaking his sore wrist.

"Congratulations, Uncle Trevor! I never thought you'd become a famous author one day. I thought you only liked dealing with those ores!"

A boy in a denim jacket walked up to Trevor Anderson, grinning as he handed him a hamburger and a cold cola.

"Sean, what are you doing here!"

Trevor Anderson took the hamburger with a look of surprise and hugged the boy.

"I heard you had a book signing here, so I rushed over to check it out!"

Sean Anderson waved his hand, "Looks like you're quite popular, Uncle Trevor!"

"It's all the publishers' promotion!" Trevor Anderson chewed on the hamburger heartily, leading Sean towards his car parked nearby.

A flashy red convertible Ferrari sports car.

"Where's Aunt Hannah? I don't see her."

Sean skillfully hopped into the passenger seat. Trevor finished the last bite of his hamburger, threw the trash away, pulled open the door, and sat down in the driver's seat.

"She's at home researching some geological data!" Trevor patted his nephew's shoulder and started the car casually.

"What do you want to eat? My treat!"

"How about French cuisine? I remember you always wanted to try Foie Gras!"

"Forget it, we might as well eat seafood. I'm practically sick of Foie Gras lately!"

Sean, wise beyond his years, shrugged. Ever since they brought back a few pounds of gemstones from the Underground mine, the uncle and nephew hadn't been short on money.

"Alright, seafood it is! Buckle up!"

Just as Trevor Anderson was about to step on the accelerator, two black Mercedes-Benz cars suddenly boxed in his Ferrari, one in front and one behind.

"Hey, I say!"

Trevor Anderson took off his glasses, pushed open the door, and pointed at the Mercedes-Benz car, about to demand an explanation.

The doors of the two Mercedes-Benz cars were pushed open from the inside. Two Big men in black suits and sunglasses got out of the passenger seats, walked silently to the back of the cars, opened the doors, and stood respectfully to the side.

Seeing this stance, Trevor Anderson took a step back and gave his nephew a look.

Sean Anderson, wise beyond his years, immediately understood his uncle's meaning. He quietly pushed open the passenger door, planning to slip away.

"Are you Professor Anderson!"

A Big man in a black tuxedo with a silver-white buzz cut got out of one of the Mercedes-Benz cars.

His white face, with obvious Germanic blood, combined with a somewhat serious expression, gave the immediate impression that he was not someone to be trifled with.

"I am Trevor Anderson! And you are?" Trevor looked at the Big man in front of him, his expression somewhat puzzled. His hand, however, quietly slipped into his pocket, where a pair of brass knuckles for self-defense was hidden.

Uh, as for why he carried this thing with him to a book signing, one could only say that sometimes readers' love for authors was truly profound.

"My Boss has a commission he'd like to entrust to you!"

Lane extended his hand towards Trevor Anderson, inviting him, "We need you to grace us with your presence for a trip. There are some commission details that need to be discussed with you!"

"Commission?" Trevor Anderson shook his head, "I think your Boss is mistaken. I am just a Geology professor, not a detective. If there's a commission, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it!"

Lane remained silent, simply keeping his hand extended.

"You people, really..."

*Whoosh*, Trevor Anderson took advantage of Lane's inattention and suddenly pulled his hand out of his pants pocket, throwing a heavy punch towards Lane's face.

Trevor Anderson wasn't just a simple Geology professor. If he didn't have a few tricks up his sleeve, how could he have returned alive from the Subterranean World?

Trevor Anderson was the third-place winner in the Federation's boxing competition.

He was confident that with a five-hundred-pound heavy punch, even a male lion would tremble.

"Slap!"

Trevor Anderson's supremely confident heavy punch landed squarely in Lane's palm.

Immediately after, Trevor Anderson felt as if his fist was clamped by a vice.

"Professor Anderson, you are being very impolite!"

Lane squeezed Trevor Anderson's fist, his thumb pressing hard on the brass knuckles Trevor Anderson was wearing on his fingers.

*Clang!*

To Trevor Anderson's astonished gaze, the brass knuckles, made of fine steel, broke into several pieces, falling to the ground.

"I forgot to tell you just now, Miss Osgerson is also a guest at the Manor at the moment. I believe she would be very happy to meet you!"

A Geology professor who dared to pull out carnivorous plants with his bare hands and provoke Tyrannosaurus Rex would naturally not be intimidated by Lane.

This world did not lack superpowered individuals. The strength Lane displayed, strictly speaking, had not exceeded Trevor's understanding.

Just as Trevor was about to kick Lane in the groin.

Lane's next sentence completely enraged this seemingly gentle and refined, but actually muscular, Geology professor.

"You kidnapped Hannah!"

Trevor Anderson questioned Lane with a face full of fury. Although one hand was tightly clenched, it did not affect his momentum in the slightest.

"You misunderstand. Like you, our Boss merely wishes to give her a commission. Not only Miss Osgerson, but also young Mr. Anderson here, are included in our invitation!"

Sean Anderson had already quietly left the Ferrari sports car and was planning to sneak over to a nearby patrol car to call the police.

Lane's words immediately made him stop in his tracks, and he awkwardly turned his gaze towards his uncle.

"Are you after the Subterranean World?" Besides the Subterranean World, Trevor couldn't think of anything else that could involve all three of them simultaneously.

"I think your Boss is mistaken. The Subterranean World was merely my brother's fantasy. I organized his manuscript and wrote this *Journey to the Center of the Earth*. As an adult, you wouldn't actually believe there's an underground world, would you? That's just a science fiction novel!"

Trevor glanced out of the corner of his eye. A patrol car seemed to have noticed the commotion here. Two police officers got out of the police car and were walking towards them.

Lane also noticed the two police officers, but he merely nodded slightly. A Big man in black walked over.

To Trevor's disappointed gaze, the Big man in black simply took out a business card and handed it to the two police officers. The two police officers merely glanced at it, then turned around and returned to their police car.

Then, this patrol car fled as if chased by dogs, hurriedly leaving the area.

The attitude of the two police officers explained everything. Trevor knew very well what this represented.

The so-called Boss who invited him definitely had great power and influence in New York.

Moreover, Hannah was still in their hands.

"Mr. Anderson, please get in the car!"

Seemingly sensing Trevor's softening attitude, Lane released his hand, maintaining his polite demeanor. Trevor helplessly waved at Sean, called his nephew to his side, stroked his head, and asked Lane.

"Can we drive our own car?"

......…

"Uncle Trevor, why don't we shake them off at the next intersection!"

The flashy red Ferrari drove on the Highway, with the two black Mercedes-Benz cars escorting it in the middle, one in front and one behind.

Sean sat in the passenger seat of the Ferrari, turned his head to look at the black Mercedes-Benz car following closely behind, and suggested to Trevor.

"Hannah is still in their hands!"

Trevor frowned, somewhat helplessly stepping on the accelerator, following closely behind the Mercedes-Benz car in front.

"Sean, if there's a problem, I'll create an opportunity for you. You run as fast as you can, understand!"

Trevor turned his face, looking seriously at his nephew beside him.

His brother had died in the Subterranean World. He didn't want his nephew to also get into trouble.

"Don't worry, Uncle Trevor, we and Aunt Hannah will be fine. We made it through the Subterranean World, which was so dangerous!"

Sean, wise beyond his years, comforted Trevor.

Soon, the two followed the Mercedes-Benz car in front into a wealthy Villa area.

The black Mercedes-Benz car stopped at the entrance of a Chinese-style Manor.

Trevor turned the steering wheel and parked the Ferrari sports car.

"Tang Mansion!"

Trevor looked up at the large characters on the Manor's plaque, reading them out in his awkward Chinese.

"Professor Anderson, please come in!"

Lane had already gotten out of the car by this time. Hearing Trevor's Chinese accent, he was a little surprised.

However, he still politely invited the two in.

Lane led Trevor and Sean through the pavilions and water features within the Manor, arriving at the Reception Hall.

Along the way, a small water system flowed through the Manor, with streams winding their way. The path was paved with stone slabs, only three inches above the water surface. There were gaps between the blue stones, and from time to time, fish swam through beneath their feet.

The artificial stream flowed into an artificial lake within the Manor. Lotus flowers the size of bowls bloomed competitively in the lake.

Amidst the lotuses, one could occasionally see koi carp swimming in the lake, nibbling on the lotus petals floating on the water surface.

The water system created in this Chinese-style Manor left the two of them dumbfounded.

This was a beauty completely different from the magnificent and magical Subterranean World they had seen.

However, unlike his nephew Sean, Trevor had been paying attention to the security situation of this Chinese-style Manor along the way.

The result was somewhat disappointing. Throughout the Manor, there were Bodyguards in black suits everywhere. These people patrolled the Manor in pairs. From the bulging waistbands, Trevor could clearly see that these people were carrying guns.

These patrolling personnel dispelled some unrealistic ideas in Trevor's mind.

In the Reception Hall, Skye was chatting with a blonde woman wearing a T-shirt and jeans.

Seeing Trevor and Sean walk in, the blonde woman quickly stood up and greeted them somewhat cheerfully.

"Trevor, is this really your friend's house? I thought it was fake! How was the signing event today? Was it smooth?"

Seeing his girlfriend who hadn't fully grasped the situation, Trevor forced a smile onto his face and stroked his girlfriend's face, "It was very smooth. You wouldn't believe it, the fans were so enthusiastic, my hand is still sore from signing!"

"Sean, weren't you always asking to see the koi carp in the artificial lake? Let Hannah take you to see them!"

After dallying with his girlfriend for a while, Trevor used the excuse of looking at fish to send his girlfriend away.

"Now then, let's get straight to the point. I wonder what your Boss wants us to do?"

After his girlfriend's figure disappeared outside the door, Trevor's complexion became serious. He frowned, staring at Lane.

"No need to rush, Mr. Anderson. Before that, our Boss has some questions he'd like to ask you first!"

Lane mixed a drink and brought it to Trevor.

Meanwhile, Skye activated the projection device in the Reception Hall!

Trevor held the wine glass, watching a virtual projection appear before his eyes.

"John Hammond!"

Trevor looked at the background appearing in the virtual projection, and the Asian man in a white suit petting a dinosaur in his arms, and immediately understood the reason for this unexpected disaster.

He muttered someone's name fiercely.

......…

The reason Dr. Hammond was able to clone dinosaurs was not because of that ancient mosquito in amber.

It was the T-Rex skin tissue obtained from Trevor. It was precisely this fresh DNA that allowed him to replicate these giant beasts from ancient times.

The reason he publicly announced that the DNA was provided by dinosaur blood preserved in a mosquito in ancient amber was twofold: firstly, his company and the Jurassic Park plan needed such a gimmick.

Secondly, he had promised Trevor to keep his secret.

Clearly, Dr. Hammond had broken his promise.

There was nothing he could do. Because the plan to build Jurassic Park required a large amount of funds investment, and Hammond's company had been operating at a deficit for years researching and cultivating dinosaurs.

If there wasn't a new injection of funds, let alone building Jurassic Park, his company and the island itself wouldn't survive.

"Professor Anderson!"

Tang Song sat on a bamboo chair, holding a recently hatched Velociraptor cub in his arms, stroking its chin as if petting a cat!

The Velociraptor cub curled up in Boss Tang's hand, feeling the terrifying aura emanating from him, and obediently emitted a series of chirping sounds.

"What was the light source you saw in the Subterranean World?"

"You are the Boss? I don't understand your reason for wanting to find the Subterranean World, but I'm telling you, whatever ideas you have are useless now. The Subterranean World has been destroyed by lava eruptions!"

Trevor looked at Tang Song in the virtual projection, who was lowering his head and stroking the Velociraptor cub, and spoke directly without politeness.

"What was the light source you saw in the Subterranean World?"

Tang Song pinched the Velociraptor cub's chin, twisting its head, and repeated the question without raising his head.

Trevor was about to argue, but at this moment, he suddenly felt a chill from behind. He turned his head, meeting Lane's expressionless face.

"It was some glowing moss, and some glowing birds... In the Upper layer space, there seemed to be a glowing sphere. As for what it was, I'm not very clear!"

Trevor honestly answered Tang Song's question.

"A glowing sphere," Tang Song reached out and took a fresh meat strip from Fox beside him, feeding it to the Velociraptor in his hand.

"Tell me in detail about the changes when you entered and escaped the Subterranean World!"

Hearing the unquestionable meaning in the Asian man's words, Trevor described in detail the experience of the three of them escaping the Subterranean World.

His brother's conjecture about the Subterranean World, the miraculous experience of accidentally entering the Subterranean World through an Underground mine, and how the Subterranean World's temperature rose, being directly swallowed by lava, and their adventure of bursting out of the ground using steam and a dinosaur skull.

"Underground Killing Intent eruption, Killing Intent that can be used as a sun," Tang Song murmured to himself, lowering his body and casually placing the small Velociraptor on the ground.

Clapping his hands, Tang Song raised his head and looked at the image of Trevor presented by the virtual projection.

"Lane must have already told you. My apologies for inviting Professor Anderson and your friends here so abruptly. I have no other purpose. I want to go to the Subterranean World once, and I would like to invite you to be our guides for this trip."

Although Trevor had vaguely guessed Tang Song's idea, he was still startled.

"Hey, listen to me, the temperature in the Subterranean World has already soared to one or two hundred degrees Celsius. Its ecosystem has been completely destroyed. Whatever you're looking for, it's impossible for it to exist anymore!"

Trevor gestured excitedly with his hands, trying to dispel the crazy idea of the Asian man before him.

"Our last entry into the Subterranean World was an opportunity. There was a water channel under the fractured quartz layer that allowed us to enter the Subterranean World safely,"

Trevor spread his hands, "There's no method to find another water channel now!"

"Those are not problems!" Tang Song stood up, taking a cane from Fox beside him.

"If time is sufficient, we will depart in a month. Lane, take good care of Professor Anderson during this time, consult him frequently, and prepare for the trip to the Subterranean World. After I return from Antarctica, we will depart!"

"Yes, Boss!"

(end of chapter)