Chapter Thirty: The Pillar of Heaven

“Sir, thank you so much for your patronage. I still have many antiques left behind by my great-great-great-grandfather—true collector’s items. Would you like to take a look?” Sam seized the chance to pitch his other goods, hoping to make a little more money from this lavish spender, who was clearly a rich kid.

Wang Jing bent down to examine the car’s interior, his gaze lingering especially on the emblem at the center of the steering wheel—the mark of an Autobot. “If you’re willing to sell me this car as well, I’ll buy everything you have. And you can name any price.”

Sam’s heart began to race uncontrollably at Wang Jing’s words, his breath quickening. But as he thought of his imminent plans to impress a girl, he hesitated.

Seeing Sam’s uncertainty, Wang Jing pressed on, tempting him further. “Money isn’t an issue. I just really want your car, so I can surprise my dad on his birthday. And if selling the car to me feels like too much trouble, I can give you my Porsche.”

The directness of Wang Jing’s offer instantly swayed Sam. That Porsche 911 was far beyond anything he could ever afford—even if he sold himself, he couldn’t buy it. If he agreed, it would be a sure profit, and he could really show off during his plans later.

Putting on a show of reluctance, Sam said, “Alright, the car’s yours.”

Though his words sounded regretful, his body betrayed him—he immediately clambered out of the window. Wang Jing stepped back two paces, and as soon as Sam was fully out, he handed him the Porsche’s keys.

“She’s yours now.” With that, Wang Jing slowly circled the yellow Camaro, while Sam, now the proud owner of a supercar, couldn’t contain his excitement. He jumped into the Porsche, revved the engine, waved at Wang Jing, and wished his nonexistent father a happy birthday before speeding off.

Once Sam had gone, the abandoned warehouse fell silent.

Wang Jing patted the car roof and called, “Bumblebee, come out!”

But two seconds passed without a sound or a movement, leaving Wang Jing a little embarrassed, especially with Alice watching from the side.

He cleared his throat and spoke in a lower voice, “I know where the AllSpark is.”

The moment he said this, static crackled from the radio, and then a series of mechanical clangs and clicks filled the air as the car swiftly transformed into a towering robot.

Next, Bumblebee’s right arm morphed into a cannon about the size of Wang Jing’s head, which he aimed directly at him.

Seeing this, Alice immediately reached for the gun at her waist, while Liu Peiqiang, stationed outside, rushed in at once.

But Wang Jing stopped them at once. “Don’t move!”

A cowboy’s voice, resonant and twangy, came from Bumblebee’s mouth. “Who are you?”

Then, in the voice of a gentle woman, “How do you know all this?”

“Bumblebee, I’m sure Optimus told you not to harm humans,” Wang Jing replied, sidestepping the questions and invoking Optimus Prime.

At the mention of Optimus, Bumblebee lowered his cannon slightly, but repeated the earlier questions.

“We’re human, but not from this world. You’re familiar with the theory of parallel universes, aren’t you?”

Bumblebee looked visibly shocked, bowing down to study Wang Jing with curiosity. “How can you prove it?” he asked.

“That’s simple.” Wang Jing opened his arms and vanished, crossing back to the primary dimension.

Bumblebee stood up in disbelief, scanning the surroundings when Wang Jing suddenly disappeared. After swapping in a new battery, Wang Jing returned.

“Is that enough proof?” To be even more convincing, Wang Jing tossed the glasses case in his hand to Bumblebee.

Bumblebee fumbled to catch it, then gingerly took out the glasses, examining them with fascination.

“Alright, now you should know I mean no harm,” Wang Jing said.

Bumblebee carefully put away the glasses and nodded at Wang Jing. “You’re someone worthy of trust,” he said, pointing at Wang Jing.

“Then call Optimus and the others over. I have something to discuss with him—something about the Autobots’ home.”

Bumblebee nodded and transformed back into a car, opening the door for them.

Wang Jing exchanged a glance with Alice, then climbed inside. Liu Peiqiang and the rest, stationed outside, quickly followed in their van.

They followed Bumblebee to a secluded spot on the outskirts, where Bumblebee sent a signal to Optimus and his comrades in space.

Soon, four shooting stars streaked across the sky—Wang Jing knew these were Optimus and the others.

The four meteors soon crashed to earth, causing a minor commotion.

Though it was out in the country, there were still small towns nearby, and the arrival of Optimus and the others stirred up quite a disturbance.

But as Autobots, they quickly transformed into nearby vehicles and slipped away, leaving the scene. Wang Jing and his companions followed Bumblebee to an even more remote location.

Meanwhile, the arrival of Optimus and the others alerted Sector Seven, which kept watch over the globe. Led by Simmons, a team was swiftly dispatched to the landing site.

In an abandoned mining pit, Wang Jing met Optimus Prime, Ironhide, Jazz, and Ratchet.

“Greetings, humans from a parallel world. My name is Optimus Prime,” said Optimus, his truck cab form echoing his voice just as in the movies.

Facing the massive robotic face looming close, it would be a lie to say Wang Jing wasn’t nervous. Yet, he kept his composure, maintaining the same calm expression as before. “Hello, Optimus Prime. I’m Wang Jing, this is my partner Alice, and these are my team members.”

Optimus looked at Wang Jing and the people behind him, exhaled, and straightened up. “Bumblebee says you know where the AllSpark is?”

“That’s right. It and Megatron are both kept in Hoover Dam. Right now, the Decepticons on Earth are searching for them. I believe it won’t be long before they find Megatron’s location,” Wang Jing replied.

“Then we must reach the AllSpark before they do, or the entire universe will be in peril.” With that, Optimus prepared to set out for Hoover Dam, but Wang Jing stopped him.

“You’re just going to go there like this? And once you have the AllSpark, what then? The humans of this world aren’t going to let a group of aliens live on their planet, especially when one race wants to rule the universe.”

Ironhide, at the side, brandished his weapon confidently. “Those Decepticons are nothing to fear. I can blast them to scrap with a single shot!”

Wang Jing looked at the boasting Ironhide and retorted, “If that’s so, then why were the Autobots driven from Cybertron, forced to wander the cosmos?”

Stung by the reminder, Ironhide angrily aimed his cannon at Wang Jing’s head. “Kid, I don’t know how you got all this information, but you’ve managed to piss me off!”

As soon as Ironhide drew his weapon, Liu Peiqiang and the others raised their guns—but in the next moment, Wang Jing and Optimus shouted in unison, “Lower your weapons!”

Their unexpected synchronicity made both Wang Jing and Optimus exchange a look of mutual understanding.