I am the creator of New Life on the Earth
Chapter 257: The Invitation

Chapter 257: The Invitation

Chapter: The Invitation

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The soft hum of the computer filled the room as Adam sat in his chair, deep in conversation with Pratham.

The glowing screen highlighted the intensity in Adam’s eyes as he listened to Pratham’s report.

Outside, the world seemed calm, but inside this room, Adam’s mind was focused on the many challenges that lay ahead.

Suddenly, the room shimmered with energy. A faint hum of power filled the air as two figures materialized behind Adam—Phantom and Ninja had teleported directly into his quarters. Adam’s sharp instincts immediately shifted his attention from the screen to his unexpected visitors.

Phantom’s ethereal, glowing body illuminated the room in a soft blue light, her presence exuding an almost hypnotic calm.

Her translucent form pulsed gently, like a living beacon of energy. Beside her, Ninja knelt silently, his head bowed in deference. His posture was one of respect, his presence calm yet powerful.

Adam arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "This is a surprise," he said, leaning slightly back in his chair. "Is there a reason for your unannounced visit?"

Ninja remained in his kneeling position, his voice steady and formal. "Lord Adam, we are here to extend an invitation."

Adam’s curiosity deepened. His gaze shifted briefly to Pratham, who appeared on the computer screen, his expression composed as always. Pratham gave a small nod. "Lord Adam," he said, his voice even, "this invitation is worth your time. I would encourage you to accept it."

Turning back to Ninja and Phantom, Adam leaned forward, intrigued. "What kind of invitation?" he asked, his tone light yet probing.

Ninja lifted his head slightly, his piercing eyes meeting Adam’s. "We have completed the most advanced base of The Union," he explained. "It is fully operational and ready for your inspection. We wish for you to see it."

Adam’s lips curled into a faint smile as he leaned back in his chair. "So, the long wait is over?" he mused. "You’ve finally finished the renovations?"

Phantom floated forward slightly, her soft voice chiming in. "Yes, Lord Adam. The base is complete. We’ve made every preparation for this moment."

Rising from his chair, Adam’s smile widened. "I’ve waited long enough for this. Let’s go."

Standing beside Phantom and Ninja, Adam prepared for the journey. Ninja rose smoothly from his kneeling position and placed a steady hand on Adam’s shoulder. With a quick nod, he activated the teleportation.

The room dissolved into a blur of colors and motion. Adam felt the familiar, weightless sensation of shifting through space, and within moments, the world around him reassembled.

They stood in a quiet marketplace bathed in the warm light of the afternoon sun. The cobblestone streets beneath their feet gave the area a rustic charm, and a gentle breeze carried the faint scent of freshly baked bread from a nearby stall.

Adam took a moment to survey his surroundings. The marketplace was peaceful, with only a handful of people wandering between small, unassuming shops.

Vendors at nearby fruit and vegetable stalls quietly attended to their customers, adding a sense of calm normalcy to the scene.

His attention was quickly drawn to a two-story building directly in front of him. Its exterior appeared worn and aged, with faded paint and a facade that looked neglected. Yet, despite its unassuming appearance, Adam could sense something unusual about it.

Pointing toward the building, Adam turned to Ninja with a smirk. "This?" he asked, his tone half-amused. "This is what you’ve been working on?"

Ninja met Adam’s gaze with a faint smile of his own, lowering his head respectfully. "It may look modest, Lord Adam," he replied, "but appearances can be deceiving. The interior is entirely transformed. This building is designed to serve as the ultimate headquarters."

Adam studied the structure with newfound interest. His eyes flickered to a shop sign on the ground floor, where bold lettering spelled out "Zero Electronics." The words made him chuckle softly, a mix of amusement and admiration for their ingenuity.

"Zero Electronics," Adam repeated, crossing his arms. "Not bad. It’s a clever cover."

Ninja’s slight smile deepened, and even Phantom, hovering silently nearby, seemed to emit a faint pulse of satisfaction.

Adam turned his attention to the other shops nearby. The adjacent buildings housed small, bustling businesses—local bakeries, clothing stores, and hardware shops.

The unremarkable location gave the building an added layer of security, blending it seamlessly into the ordinary surroundings.

Adam nodded approvingly. "I’ll admit," he said, his tone light but impressed, "you’ve done a good job choosing this spot."

As Adam prepared to step toward the building, Phantom floated closer, her glowing form casting a soft blue hue over the cobblestones. "Lord Adam," she said gently, "what lies inside will surprise even you."

Adam raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her cryptic remark. "Well then," he said, gesturing toward the building, "let’s not waste any more time. Show me what you’ve been hiding."

Ninja stepped forward, leading the way toward the entrance.

The marketplace buzzed softly in the background, but Adam’s focus was entirely on the building before him.

Adam stood outside the building, his sharp gaze sweeping over the bustling marketplace around him.

His posture was relaxed, but his eyes betrayed his analytical nature as he observed every passerby. He noted how their attention briefly landed on him before quickly shifting away.

Satisfied, Adam smirked, realizing that Ninja and Phantom had activated their invisible mode. Neither figure garnered a single glance from the onlookers. He nodded slightly, his thoughts confirmed.

Turning to the seemingly empty space beside him, Adam said, "Alright, let’s go. Show me what changes you’ve made to our base."

As he stepped forward, a voice called out from within the building, startling him slightly.

"Lord Adam, welcome to our first base!"

The bamboo-style sliding gate opened with a soft swoosh, revealing Zero standing just inside. He had taken on a strikingly human appearance, his synthetic skin mimicking the real thing almost perfectly.

Despite the realism, faint blue lines glowed subtly along his form, a quiet reminder of his true nature.

Adam smirked, walking toward him. "So, this was your idea, Zero?"

Zero offered a small, polite smile, his tone respectful yet enthusiastic. "Lord Adam, it wasn’t just mine—it was a collective decision. We believed having a shopfront would make the base more inconspicuous."

Adam chuckled lightly. "Clever. Blending in with the mundane to hide something extraordinary. I like it."

Stepping past the threshold, Adam entered the shop. Phantom and Ninja followed silently, their presence more felt than seen. The shop’s interior was humble—a compact space with neatly arranged shelves displaying a variety of common gadgets.

The walls bore muted colors, and the lighting was soft, creating a welcoming yet forgettable atmosphere.

Adam glanced around, taking in the shelves lined with smartphone accessories, small electronics, and basic tools. The room smelled faintly of polished wood and plastic, blending seamlessly with its disguise.

"This shop looks ordinary enough," Adam remarked, raising an eyebrow. "A little too ordinary."

Zero chuckled, his synthetic voice carrying a light tone. "Precisely, Lord Adam. We wanted it to appear unremarkable. A small shop like this is less likely to draw unnecessary attention."

Adam nodded, impressed. "Well done. You’ve covered your tracks well."

Adam’s eyes wandered to a side door tucked inconspicuously in the corner of the shop. Its placement was subtle enough to escape casual notice but stood out to Adam’s trained eye. Intrigued, he walked toward it.

As Adam approached, the door slid open with a soft mechanical hum, revealing a corridor that starkly contrasted with the shop’s humble appearance.

The wooden flooring gave way to gleaming white tiles, their polished surfaces reflecting the bright LED lights embedded in the ceiling. The walls, once simple and painted, were now smooth and metallic, exuding a futuristic vibe.

Adam took a step into the corridor, his boots clicking softly against the tiles. The transition was seamless yet striking, like stepping into an entirely different world.

"Impressive," Adam murmured, his voice laced with approval.

Zero followed behind him, his glowing form casting faint blue light on the walls. "This is only the beginning, Lord Adam," he said, his tone filled with pride.

The corridor stretched ahead, lined with soft white lights that illuminated the path. Adam noticed subtle technological details—a faint hum of energy resonated from the walls, and small sensors blinked periodically.

As Adam moved further down the hallway, another door caught his attention. Unlike the wooden and bamboo-styled designs outside, this one was made of sleek metal, its surface reflecting the corridor’s light.

Without hesitation, Adam stepped closer, and the door slid open with a soft hiss.

Inside, Adam entered a room that could only be described as the pinnacle of modern design.

The entire space was bathed in pristine white, with every surface—from the floors to the walls and even the ceiling—seamlessly tiled. The room glowed with a soft, ambient light that emanated from invisible sources.

Floating holographic screens filled the air, displaying streams of data, schematics, and detailed maps. Each screen flickered gently, the images and text glowing in vibrant colors.

Adam approached one of the screens, watching as lines of code scrolled rapidly across its surface.

His sharp mind quickly absorbed the information, recognizing the incredible potential of their setup.

"This," Adam said, his voice low but filled with admiration, "is more than I expected."

Phantom floated beside him, her ethereal form glowing faintly in the bright room. "Lord Adam, this is only the command hub. The true depth of the base lies ahead."

Adam turned to her, his curiosity piqued. "Then let’s not waste any more time," he said, motioning for her and Ninja to lead the way.

The Chapter concludes with Adam standing in the command hub, anticipation building as he prepares to explore the depths of the newly unveiled base.