Embers Ad Infinitum
chapter-893-30041322

Jiang Baimian didn't end their break immediately. Instead, she patiently waited for half an hour to end before turning to Du Heng. "Teacher Du Heng, I think it's about time. We can continue forward."

Du Heng closed the Notes on the Three Metaphysical Classic in his hand and smiled. "How punctual. Actually, there's no rush. I'm used to taking things easy, and I'm not the kind of person who's impatient."

Jiang Baimian smiled under the visor and sincerely said, "Shang Jianyao gained something from the dream. This has boosted my confidence for the subsequent explorations."

As for what he gained, it was naturally inconvenient to say.

It was precisely because it was inconvenient to talk about it that it was reasonable for her and Shang Jianyao to use the exoskeleton's communications system to communicate privately. There was no need to hide anything.

"That's right, that's right," Shang Jianyao echoed proudly.

Du Heng threw down the book, stood up, and smiled. "Let's go then."

He then cast his gaze at the tightly shut silver-white door.

Shang Jianyao and Jiang Baimian—who were wearing military exoskeletons—walked over, stretched out their hands, and clasped one end of the doors each.

Amidst the heavy rattling and ear-piercing noise, the silver-white door opened.

At this moment, Shang Jianyao exclaimed, "So this is a password door!"

A door that required a password to open by itself.

"Do you think I don't know?" Jiang Baimian replied angrily.

Old Ge wasn't here. It was very difficult to break through the Eighth Research Institute's system in a short period of time with just the auxiliary chip in her electric eel-like biomechanical limb and Shang Jianyao, who was an undergraduate-level electronics specialist. In that case, it was better to try opening it by force.

Jiang Baimian felt that if she couldn't get it open, she would've used the laser launcher, electromagnetic weapon, and other weapons to destroy the door after confirming that there were no traps. Who knew that the power of a military exoskeleton and a biological prosthetic limb was indeed extraordinary?

Jiang Baimian didn't discuss this matter with Shang Jianyao because she could imagine this fellow saying: "Why don't we just nuke it? It will be a clean open without leaving any repercussions."

Shang Jianyao had already forgotten about the door and cast his gaze ahead.

It was a corridor large enough for two large trucks. The ground was paved in concrete with two metal rails laid over them. Under the light from the ceiling, they shimmered with a cold luster.

Apart from these, the passage was empty. It was so quiet that it seemed like no human had entered for decades.

The heavy and oppressive feeling in Jiang Baimian's heart intensified as if the source of the storm lay ahead.

"It's a little dark." Shang Jianyao sighed with emotion.

Du Heng smiled and said, "A problem with the electromagnetic environment."

He strode forward, passed Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao, and entered the passage.

The footsteps echoed in the distance, accentuating the dead silence.

Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao followed closely behind and walked to the end of the corridor.

"It's not too bad. There's a little wind." Shang Jianyao seriously evaluated the working environment.

Jiang Baimian nodded slightly and said, "It seems like it leads outside."

On the way, they saw abandoned railcars, a few robots standing quietly to the side, and a small number of metal components scattered on the ground.

"From the looks of it, this place relies on robots to maintain automatic operations," Jiang Baimian said thoughtfully. "But with the Eighth Research Institute's migration, most of the robots in good condition have been taken away. Work here has stopped. Yes, I wonder what they were transporting deep inside…"

It was obvious that the remaining robots were under maintenance.

"Sigh, there's nobody," Shang Jianyao said in disappointment. "It's actually like this the entire way in. It's too unreal and fake—it's like an illusion!"

"It's not an illusion," Du Heng replied firmly.

"Then, what do you want it to be?" Jiang Baimian casually asked.

Shang Jianyao said in a hopeful tone, "Us battling the Eighth Research Institute from the moment we approach the entrance. The enemies go from weak to strong until we finally arrive here."

"That's fantasy." Jiang Baimian scoffed. "When facing an intruder like you, the strongest will definitely join forces to kill you."

Du Heng also chuckled. "It's definitely best if there aren't any conflicts. What we pursue is subduing an enemy without a fight."

As they spoke, their voices echoed into the distance.

They walked for more than half an hour in the tunnel that only had tracks, special trucks, robots, components, and oil stains.

Finally, they saw the end of the tunnel. There was an equally heavy iron-black door.

Jiang Baimian felt that behind the door was the source of the storm—the direct reason for the area's oppressiveness, depression, and darkness.

At this moment, Du Heng said in a slightly pained tone, "I remember now. That thing is behind the door…"

"Shall we open it now?" Shang Jianyao was eager to give it a try.

"You decide." Du Heng returned to normal and smiled. "If you don't dare, return to the place you previously rested at. I'll do the opening."

Jiang Baimian didn't immediately respond. She switched to the exoskeleton's communications system and said to Shang Jianyao, "What do you sense behind the door?"

"I don't know," Shang Jianyao replied bluntly.

"Describe the feeling," Jiang Baimian asked.

Shang Jianyao began to organize his words. "How should I put it? It's similar to the feeling you get every time you raise your left hand at me and make lightning flash. Yes, it also seems like there's a sea outside. We came straight to the bottom of the sea and will see a crystal palace the moment we leave."

Jiang Baimian was nearly bemused by the first sentence, but the latter sentence gave her a direct understanding.

The water pressure at the bottom of the sea was very strong.

"No other abnormalities?" she asked again.

"No." Shang Jianyao was very certain.

Jiang Baimian thought for a moment before saying, "Make the best use of your time to go to Room 205 and confirm if the New World door in the dream can be opened. Make sure not to enter; the main thing is to confirm it. Otherwise, it will be a joke if you discover that the door can't be opened by ordinary means when we encounter an accident and need you to enter the New World to resist the danger."

"Alright!" Shang Jianyao agreed without hesitation. He then said to Du Heng, "Teacher Du Heng, I'll make some preparations before we open the door."

"Okay." Du Heng nodded.

Shang Jianyao leaned against the military exoskeleton and fell asleep standing up.

…

Pangu Biology, underground building entrance.

Bai Chen and Long Yuehong arrived at the inspection area in the jeep.

Due to the suitable season, good road conditions, and the fact that they weren't afraid of common dangers, they entered an expressway not long after heading south from Gesterbourg. It only took them half a month to return to the company.

Looking at the metal door in front of him, Long Yuehong sighed heavily. "We're back again."

"Yeah." Bai Chen pursed her lips.

…

Mind Corridor, Room 205.

The moment Shang Jianyao entered, he stood in front of the dark door that was both real and illusory.

Without hesitation, he stretched out his hands and pushed forward with all his might.

Rays of light shone into the dark corridor, and Shang Jianyao's eyes reflected a tall tower that pierced the clouds.

Surrounding the tower were various buildings that were lit up. They formed a small city.

Shang Jianyao felt the tower's summoning—a fatal attraction.

He forced himself to take a few steps back, turned around, and left Room 205. He didn't enter the New World.

…

After returning to reality, Shang Jianyao opened his eyes and nodded at Jiang Baimian, indicating that he was certain the New World's door could be opened.

Jiang Baimian exhaled and calmed down. "Open the door."

As she spoke, she stretched out her metal skeleton-covered palms.

Shang Jianyao assumed the same posture.

The two of them began to exert strength, and the heavy iron-black door creaked slightly.

As the gap widened, gentle natural light shone into the silent corridor.

Shang Jianyao and Jiang Baimian then saw a tall tower. It was located in the middle of the valley, and it was surrounded by all kinds of buildings and roads that connected them.

These formed a small city.

After a brief silence, Shang Jianyao said, "New World…"

Jiang Baimian's heart palpitated as she suddenly turned her head. The next second, she saw Du Heng—who was wearing a black robe—shatter bit by bit like a dream and disappear.

Just as Jiang Baimian's pupils dilated as if she were hallucinating, figures walked out from the city outside the valley. Their clothes were rather old, and their eyes were dull and listless. They ambled around like zombies.

Whoosh!

The wind blew into the valley and sounded what appeared to be ear-piercing instruments.

(End of Volume 7—Fantastique)