Chapter 8: Extraordinary Results

This was clearly not right.

Li Weiyi wanted to stop, but the sole of his right foot felt like a volcano, uncontrollably gushing out a scorching, lava-like current of energy.

At the same time, a silver vein-like mark grew from the sole of his right foot. Like a vine sprouting from a seed, it guided the energy current as it spread upwards. It snaked up his calf, to his thigh, through his internal organs, past his neck...

Whoosh!

The moment Li Weiyi opened his eyes, the silver mark and the energy current converged there, causing his pupils to emit a faint silver glow. His entire world became clearer, colors more vibrant, and details more intricate. Above his head, the rust and fingerprint marks on the corrugated iron roof of the makeshift clinic were clearly discernible, allowing him to deduce the sequence and process of its construction.

In the air, imperceptible dust particles moved with the airflow created by his rapid breathing. Outside the clinic door, wisps of faint mist, like fine, translucent gauze, were omnipresent and pervasive, drifting with the wind.

“What... what is this?”

Li Weiyi was bewildered and uncertain, his heart pounding like a drum. The world he saw now was completely different from before! It was as if his eyes had been covered by blurry lenses, causing him to live in a haze for nineteen years. Now, he felt as though he had leaped out of a cage and a mire.

The silver light in his pupils faded. But his eyes seemed to have been reshaped; his vision was far superior to before. Looking at Professor Xu on the adjacent bed, Li Weiyi could even perceive his inner emotions from the subtle changes in his facial muscles, wrinkles, pores, and fine hairs.

After a long time, having regained his composure, he began to think seriously.

“Could this be what Master called the ‘extraordinary’?”

“Master said my physical body had already approached its critical point, but because I was born at the wrong time, in the wrong era, I couldn't advance further. Now that I’ve fallen into the microscopic world, the environment has changed, so I instantly broke through the critical point?”

Various conjectures and thoughts arose in Li Weiyi's mind. However, he felt that although the situation within his body was unknown, it was certainly not a bad thing, so he began to actively explore it.

He once again performed the Jade Void Breathing Technique. As the scalding energy current surged from the sole of his right foot, he consciously guided it towards his left arm, which had been severely wounded by the bear-like creature.

Whoosh!

A second silver mark grew, guiding the scorching energy current along another path, extending towards his left arm, all the way to his palm. As the scalding energy current flowed through the wound, the fiery pain immediately eased considerably. It then turned to an itching sensation, like flesh growing during wound healing. His injuries were improving.

“The silver marks must be channels opened before the energy current, as fine as hair, with winding paths, guiding the current to various parts of the body. Wherever the current passes, it nourishes and transforms flesh, bones, muscles, internal organs... and even the eyes. My whole body is transforming.”

“Perhaps soon, the injuries to my left arm will heal under the nourishment of this scalding energy current. And like my eyes, it should also undergo incredible, extraordinary changes.”

Li Weiyi felt as though he had opened a mysterious gate connecting heaven and earth. Overjoyed, he completely immersed himself in the exploration of the extraordinary realm.

“Haha, Weiyi, Weiyi…”

Zhao Meng hurried in, bursting into the clinic joyfully, covered in dust and grime. Having finished his tasks, he had just learned of Li Weiyi's awakening and rushed over immediately.

Li Weiyi temporarily halted his exploration of the extraordinary realm, propped himself up, and sat leaning against the bed frame. He no longer appeared weak and powerless; his spirit and energy were much fuller.

Zhao Meng examined him thoroughly for a moment, then became even more delighted: “Haha, amazing, truly amazing! You look so good, your complexion is rosy, your eyes are bright. It seems there's no problem at all! Doctor Qi’s medical skills are truly admirable.”

“Doctor Qi’s medical skills are indeed excellent, but Dr. Cai’s fish soup is even more effective,” a faint voice echoed from the bed deepest in the clinic.

It was the short man who liked to tell mythological stories. His neck and right arm were bound with splints, and his eyes were dull, staring straight at the ceiling. His name was Gao Huan, one of Professor Xu’s students. However, he was neither happy nor joyful at this moment. While Cai Yutong feeding fish soup to Li Weiyi was certainly enviable, the fact that his two classmates had brought fish soup for Professor Xu earlier but forgotten him was what truly added insult to injury.

Outside the clinic, a flurry of hurried footsteps could be heard. Zhao Meng’s expression shifted slightly. He quickly leaned into Li Weiyi’s ear and whispered, “Something happened after you fainted. I’ve hidden the Dao Ancestor’s Tai Chi Fish, and the sarira is on it too. But later, if they ask, you must pretend you know nothing.”

Captain Gao Xin, Director Yang, Xie Tianshu, Xie Jin… In a moment, over a dozen people squeezed into the clinic, surrounding Li Weiyi’s bed.

“You just woke up; your body is still very weak. You need to rest and recover. Lie down quickly!” Zhao Meng, with his back to the others, supported Li Weiyi’s neck and back, gently lowering him back onto the bed.

Xie Tianshu, impatient, asked, “Little Li, since you’re awake, we have an urgent matter we need to question you about.”

Zhao Meng turned around, displeased. “Haven’t I already said that the Buddha’s sarira fell into the sea during the attack by the bear-like creature and the Nine-Headed Serpent? I don't know what happened afterward, and my junior brother knows even less.” Zhao Meng was not good at pretense or lying; his absolute statements only aroused suspicion.

Xie Tianshu smiled, “But, someone saw through the cabin window at the time that the green mist and red glow that caused us to fall onto the bronze ship were emitted from Little Li. The only treasure capable of producing such a miraculous phenomenon could be the Buddha’s sarira.”

Zhao Meng countered, “I was so close and didn't notice. You were thrown into the Arctic Ocean by the Nine-Headed Serpent at the time; how perilous was the situation? Could anyone truly see clearly?”

“The First Mate knows the truth,” Xie Tianshu calmly replied. Many present were skeptical of Zhao Meng’s words.

Director Yang, highly concerned about the Buddha’s sarira, said, “Mr. Zhao, please calm down! Our situation was critical then, but wasn’t yours too? You can’t guarantee that you didn’t overlook any important details, can you? The Buddha’s sarira is crucial for us to return to the macroscopic Earth; it’s better to clarify this.”

Li Weiyi, having understood, naturally followed his senior brother’s lead. So, he weakly began, “Regarding the Buddha’s sarira, I just asked Professor Xu about it. It’s truly incredible. Have we really fallen into a microscopic world? What is the origin of this bronze ship? Where is this ship sailing to?”

No one present could answer these questions, because many things they themselves couldn't ascertain.

“If we find the Buddha’s sarira, we can return? But what is the connection between the Buddha’s sarira and the bronze ship? Will they be under our control?” Li Weiyi asked again.

Xie Tianshu said, “At the very least, the Buddha’s sarira wouldn’t just disappear without reason. If it’s on you, Little Li, you should still produce it so everyone can study and analyze it. Even if we can’t return to Earth, it would at least provide an extra layer of security in this unfamiliar world.”

Li Weiyi understood. Talk of returning to Earth was just an excuse; they had no confidence in it whatsoever. Their true aim was to seize the Buddha’s sarira to increase their leverage in this unfamiliar world. If the Buddha’s sarira hadn’t returned to the Dao Ancestor’s Tai Chi Fish, Li Weiyi wouldn’t have minded returning it, giving it back to its rightful owner. He disdained to claim what wasn't his.

However, if the Buddha’s sarira was indeed one of the eyes of the Dao Ancestor’s Tai Chi Fish, then its current state was truly a return to its rightful owner. How could he possibly hand over the sect leader’s token of the Chan Gate to others?

Zhao Meng was enraged. “My junior brother has been unconscious for three days. If the Buddha’s sarira were truly on him, you would have taken it long ago.”

“Not on him, perhaps, but inside… who can say for sure?” Xie Tianshu could say this because he had already considered the idea of simply swallowing the Buddha’s sarira. Possession truly begins when the treasure enters the body.

Zhao Meng said, “Are you suggesting you want to cut open his stomach?”

“I’m just stating a possibility.”

“Stop arguing!” Captain Gao Xin, though elderly, possessed considerable authority. He reprimanded Zhao Meng and Xie Tianshu, who were on the verge of fighting. “The Buddha’s sarira is, after all, the treasure that carried the bronze ship. It’s quite possible it’s still in the macroscopic world.”

After everyone quieted down, Li Weiyi was the first to speak: “Senior brother, their real objective isn’t the Buddha’s sarira at all. They’re using the sarira as an excuse to turn everyone on the ship against us, thereby isolating us.”

“The freezer is damaged, and most of the food carried on the research vessel will spoil quickly. In ten days, whoever controls the distribution of the remaining food will have a greater chance of survival.”

“The Captain and other leaders are getting old. The only one who can threaten him is you. Naturally, he needs to find an excuse to deal with you.”

What Gao Xin and Li Weiyi said, one after another, made everyone present fall into deep thought. Clearly, the practical issue of “food” was far more important and pressing than a vague treasure like the Buddha’s sarira.

One by one, the people exited the clinic. As they left, some politely, others disingenuously, urged Li Weiyi to rest well.

Xie Jin caught up with Xie Tianshu and whispered, “Shu Ge, did you notice anything?”

“Zhao Meng’s junior brother is much harder to deal with than Zhao Meng himself,” Xie Tianshu said. “He seems simple and kind, but he unintentionally ruined our big plan. Fortunately, he was severely injured by the bear-like creature!”

Xie Jin’s eyes turned cold. “With that kid’s warning, Zhao Meng will definitely become vigilant. Should we make our move earlier?”

Xie Tianshu shook his head. “There are three guns on the ship! The rifle has three remaining bullets and is held by Zhao Meng. The shotgun is with the people from Lab 705 and likely still has bullets. Gao Xin also has a pistol... None of the three guns are in our hands. We cannot rush this. Once we act, we must ensure absolute certainty.”

Xie Jin scoffed, “Zhao Meng’s biggest weakness is that kid, Li Weiyi. As long as we control that kid, Zhao Meng will surely hand over the rifle obediently. As for those old, weak, and disabled people in Lab 705, leave them to me.”

Xie Tianshu frowned slightly and said sternly, “Don’t act rashly! Stick to the original plan. First, win over Chief Chef Kong Fan. He is the key to achieving our goals without shedding blood.”