Chapter 3: Buddha's Relics

Li Weiyi clutched the Yellow Dragon Sword tightly, gazing outside through the cracked cabin window. The boundary between the sky and the snow was already blurred. Only occasional flashes of lightning could tear open the blizzard and mist, briefly illuminating the chaos.

Thunder roared, and the wind howled. Ice-blade-like snowflakes furiously hammered the ship's hull, sounding like rapid gunfire. The bear-like creature was nowhere to be found, untraceable.

"University student, there's no need to be so nervous! No matter how strong that bear-like creature is, it's as vulnerable as us in such severe weather. Faced with such a violent snowstorm, it must have already retreated to its lair."

Xie Jin was Deputy Captain Xie Tianshu's cousin. Although somewhat connected by nepotism, he had been selected through official channels and therefore believed his position was entirely due to his own abilities. Consequently, he never considered himself and Li Weiyi to be in the same league, holding himself in very high regard. Of course, even if he looked down on this naive university student, he wouldn't deliberately target him in such an ill-mannered way. The main reason was that Xie Tianshu had already given instructions regarding the matter, which involved the open rivalry between the First Mate and the Second Mate.

Li Weiyi held the opposite view but chose not to argue with Xie Jin, responding with silence. He continued to scan outside the window vigilantly.

"Tap! Tap! Tap..."

A cool, clear female voice came from the direction of the stairs: "That bear-like creature is no longer a normal Earth lifeform. Bullets can't even penetrate its bones, so how could a mere blizzard harm it?"

Cai Yutong descended the stairs, appearing before the security team members. She was a female PhD student in Chemistry from Capital University, the nation's top institution, who had unexpectedly gone viral online due to her exceptionally high beauty. The security team members all knew this beautiful woman was on the research vessel, but she was such a homebody, spending most of her time in the lab, that for many, it was their first time seeing her in person. She looked exactly as she did in online videos, without excessive filters or beauty enhancements. In fact, she possessed even more poise in person.

"Dr. Cai, let me help you with that. What are these?" Xie Jin quickly walked up to her, acting gentlemanly, but his overly eager and fawning expression detracted from the impression. Extending his hands, he attempted to take the box Cai Yutong was clutching tightly.

Cai Yutong did not let him touch it, speaking in a tone that kept people at a distance: "Some concentrated acids strong enough to dissolve bodies, and freshly made explosives. You'd best not touch them."

Xie Jin's outstretched hand retracted with a mix of apprehension and embarrassment. He forced a stiff smile and said, "That's wonderful! Truly worthy of a Chemistry PhD. Knowledge is power."

Cai Yutong, carrying the box, walked towards the window where Li Weiyi stood. "I know you," she said. "The sports specialist from Capital University, first year. What should I call you?"

"Li Weiyi." Li Weiyi hadn't expected her to know him.

"I was asking what you should call *me*?" Cai Yutong's expression and tone were very cold, and she was tall, over 1.7 meters. Her features were exquisitely beautiful from every angle.

Li Weiyi gave an embarrassed chuckle. "Senior."

"Lend a hand, gently, and keep it steady," Cai Yutong said.

Li Weiyi quickly leaned the Yellow Dragon Sword against the wall, then carefully used both hands to help Cai Yutong support the box, placing it steadily on the ground. Even among alumni who had never met before, there was always a special bond and trust when they encountered each other away from campus. Li Weiyi's academic performance wasn't top-notch, but he had practiced martial arts since childhood, and his physical fitness far surpassed that of ordinary people. According to his coaches and physical education teachers, he had the potential to challenge for world championships in multiple events. His sports scholarship was certainly not based on false pretenses.

Xie Jin returned to the security team members, maintaining a smile on his face. Seeing the security team members who had once complimented him now winking and giving him strange looks, Xie Jin naturally felt a surge of shame and annoyance, and the forced smile on his face could no longer be maintained. Then, seeing Li Weiyi and Cai Yutong's familiar and close interaction, his heart was filled with a different kind of feeling. If his previous targeting of Li Weiyi was at Xie Tianshu's behest, then now, he genuinely felt a touch of envy and resentment!

Over there, Cai Yutong opened the box and explained how to use the items inside and the precautions. Her gaze frequently met Li Weiyi's at close range, and her beautiful hair, carried by the cold wind, brushed against his face, accompanied by a faint fragrance.

"Senior, are you going to give me the entire box?" Li Weiyi asked.

Cai Yutong, not skilled in social niceties, retorted, "I am a researcher. Do you want me to go fight that bear-like creature?"

"I didn't mean that... I, I think all the security team members could learn how to use them," Li Weiyi said.

Cai Yutong looked at Xie Jin and the others.

Xie Jin chuckled, "Dr. Cai, your junior here is a martial arts master. See that sword? In his mind, that sword is probably more useful than all your things; others wouldn't think much of them."

A security team member close to Xie Jin echoed, "I heard that practicing traditional martial arts can cultivate internal energy and true qi. Little Li is the First Mate's junior, able to get specially recruited into the security team, so he must be one of those kinds of people."

Anyone could hear the provocation in their words. Specifically pointing out that Li Weiyi was Zhao Meng's junior was to tell Cai Yutong that the university student before her was unreliable, just someone with connections.

Li Weiyi remained calm: "What internal energy or true qi? Practicing traditional martial arts only strengthens the body. It's not that mysterious; everyone should believe in science."

Having started martial arts at five, training diligently through the coldest winters and hottest summers, Li Weiyi's martial arts skills were naturally exceptional. However, he merely possessed greater strength, faster speed, and more refined moves and techniques than ordinary people; there was absolutely no internal energy or true qi.

When the old sect master spoke of the decline of martial arts, Li Weiyi had also asked questions. The old sect master sighed, saying that Li Weiyi was born at the wrong time; his physical body was already near its critical point, and if he had been born in ancient times, he would certainly have been able to cultivate some extraordinary abilities. Li Weiyi then pressed him, asking why extraordinary abilities could be cultivated in ancient times but not in this era. How far back was this "ancient" time? The old sect master remained inscrutable, simply stating: "Myths fell, confined endlessly." Although Li Weiyi didn't understand, at that moment, he firmly planted the martial arts ideal of "pursuing the extraordinary." He was determined to deeply cultivate martial arts, break through the limitations of a mortal body, even if it meant going against the tide of the times. Young people always have a surge of competitive spirit. The more elders spoke of hardship and said he couldn't do it, the more he wanted to achieve it.

Xie Jin said, "Little Li, don't be modest! We're all on the same team; there's no need to hide anything. Show us a few moves. I don't believe someone as upright as the First Mate would specially recruit a slacker. We're very curious about internal energy and true qi. Will you let us see it?"

Xie Tianshu's instruction for Xie Jin to target Li Weiyi was fundamentally aimed at undermining Zhao Meng's prestige. If Li Weiyi proved to be easily defeated and a fraud, then Zhao Meng, who had specially recruited him into the security team, would undoubtedly see his image among the crew plummet.

It wasn't the first time Li Weiyi had been deliberately challenged. He wasn't made of clay, and he naturally possessed a youthful spirit that said, "If people don't offend me, I won't offend them; but if they offend me, don't blame me." He said, "Since Brother Jin insists so much, we can indeed have a friendly spar."

A chorus of cheers erupted in the boarding hall. Even Cai Yutong, who was usually indifferent to everything, showed a hint of interest.

Xie Jin had been waiting for this opportunity for over a month, and to have it happen in front of the beautiful Cai Yutong naturally put him in a great mood. He smiled gracefully and said, "Alright then, but let's agree beforehand that we'll stop before anyone gets hurt and certainly not jeopardize our good relations." In his heart, however, he had other intentions. Once they engaged, how could it truly be just a friendly tap? In front of a beautiful woman, no one could possibly concede defeat. One side simply had to beat the other into submission.

The two briefly faced off. After Xie Jin closed the distance, he let out a low cry and lunged forward. His hands formed claws. As he sidestepped to the left, his right leg performed a knee strike.

A security team member exclaimed, "Black Dragon Eighteen Forms!" This was a style of boxing so vicious that it was forbidden for military personnel to learn. The move Xie Jin started with was 'Green Dragon Probing Claw' from the Black Dragon Eighteen Forms, executed with full mastery, clearly the result of years of arduous practice. This was clearly not meant to be a friendly tap; he was evidently preparing to at least dislocate one of Li Weiyi's arms.

With a muffled "thump." In the blink of an eye, before anyone present could clearly see what had happened, Xie Jin had already fallen sideways, stiff as a board. Only Li Weiyi's right hand, poised like a 'palm-knife', was still angled in mid-air.

Li Weiyi knew nothing of the Black Dragon Eighteen Forms; he only knew that if his speed was fast enough and his strength great enough, any of the opponent's moves were just flashy displays. Furthermore, no one knew when the bear-like creature would attack the research vessel again, so he had to finish quickly, not wanting to delay the critical matter of survival due to Xie Jin's antics.

The security team members all stood up, exchanging glances, their hearts considerably shaken. Even if Xie Jin's crushing defeat was due to underestimating his opponent, his physical condition was undeniable. To be struck by Li Weiyi's angled palm chop and rendered unable to stand, the speed and power of that blow truly astonished them.

Cai Yutong stood several meters behind Li Weiyi, near the window. When Xie Jin made his move, even she felt a palpable sense of danger and pressure. But how did he end up lying down in an instant? "All show and no substance?" The thought had merely surfaced in her mind, but inadvertently, the words slipped from her lips as if she were talking to herself.

Xie Jin's neck hurt as if it had cramped, and his head swam with dizziness and ringing ears. Just as his hearing finally returned, he heard Cai Yutong's words and was so enraged he nearly died on the spot.

"Thump! Thump! Thump..." Running sounds came from the stairs.

The short student who loved reciting poetry and telling myths was beside himself with excitement. He rushed into the boarding hall and exclaimed, "I know! I know! That bear-like creature is the legendary Ghost Bear Emperor! Legend says it's a polar bear king that mutated after absorbing the aurora and a large amount of carrion, gaining ghost-like spiritual powers!"

Silence. A long silence. The short student chuckled awkwardly, then looked at Xie Jin, who was being helped into a corner, and gasped, "What are you doing? Have you already been attacked?"

Another silence.

"I'm leaving this to you. I'm going back to the lab."

"Boom!"

Just as Cai Yutong reached the staircase, a familiar, heavy thud echoed on the deck outside the cabin door, causing the boarding hall floor to shake violently. Everyone's faces changed in alarm, and they quickly grabbed their weapons. It's here!

The leadership of the *Dragon's Reach* took the elevator down to the lower cabin. As Director Yang walked, he explained: "The crypt of Ganlu Temple's stupa was sealed during the Song Dynasty and remained untouched until it was opened in 1960, a thousand years later. The archaeological team packed up the unearthed rectangular stone casket and transported it to the laboratory."

"Inside the stone casket was a small silver coffin. After opening the silver coffin, there was an even smaller golden coffin. It wasn't until the golden coffin was opened that the Buddha's sarira, preserved in a crystal container, finally became visible. Gentlemen, please come in!"

Why mention the Buddha's sarira so suddenly? The door to Laboratory 705 opened, and the group filed in, their confusion deepening. Inside the laboratory, various precision instruments were arranged. On the central table was the crystal container holding the Buddha's sarira. Inside the container, the Buddha's sarira was about the size of a soybean and pale red in color.

Director Yang stood beside the sarira and asked with a smile, "You are all highly knowledgeable. What are your thoughts on the microscopic world?"

Seeing their puzzled expressions, Director Yang began to explain: "At the microscopic scale, many classical laws of physics no longer apply. They are replaced by the laws of quantum mechanics, such as quantum entanglement, quantum superposition, and the tunneling effect. There's a theory that for humanity to leave Earth and the solar system, it won't be through traditional interstellar travel, but by exploring the microscopic world. It's like how we can transmit sound thousands of miles away with a phone, not by shouting louder, but through microscopic-level information transfer. Space wormholes, which we've never been able to find, might not be uncommon in the microscopic world. In short, the strangeness and profoundness of the microscopic world will undoubtedly challenge our conventional understanding. Some say humanity understands only five percent of the ocean. How much do we understand of the microscopic world? One in a billion? I'd say not even one in a hundred billion."

Everyone present stared at him coldly, as if he were an academic heretic. Director Yang understood that further explanation was useless. So, he pointed to the high-magnification scanning tunneling microscope aimed at the Buddha's sarira and said, "Seeing is believing, everyone!"

"I'd like to see what nonsense you're spouting." Professor Xu, who had tolerated him for a long time, was the first to step forward and gaze intently at the Buddha's sarira under the microscope.

A moment later, the nearly sixty-year-old professor, though still robust, trembled in his legs, slipped, and collapsed onto the ground. His eyes were filled with shock and bewilderment, and he began to mumble words no one could understand.

Zhao Meng was extremely curious. How could Professor Xu, who could calmly face monsters like the bear-like creature and the Nine-Headed Beast, be so terrified? It was just a sarira! What did he see?

After helping Professor Xu up, Zhao Meng was the second to approach the microscope. Inside the crystal container, the Buddha's sarira was only the size of a bean, but under the microscope, it appeared like a massive, pale red planet, with towering, perilous mountains, dry ancient riverbeds, and a desolate, vast landscape that was magnificent and deeply stirring. It was like standing in space, looking down at an endlessly vast, barren Mars. A tiny sarira actually contained another world. This was incredible! No... Being so small, what the microscope should show was the sarira's crystal structure. Why was it like this?

Suddenly, Zhao Meng felt a sudden constriction in his breath, seeing an even more preposterous sight on the Buddha's sarira. At the end of the ancient riverbeds was a vast, deep-red, withered sea, its vibrant seabed appearing as if steeped in blood. An ancient and strangely-shaped bronze ship rested quietly on the shore of the withered sea, its origin unknown, its destination uncertain. It had been dormant for so long that even its hull had become thoroughly rusted, with only the strange mast and sails still clearly discernible.

Director Yang, standing nearby, adjusted the microscope's magnification. Zhao Meng immediately saw it more clearly, and his scalp tingled involuntarily. In his vision, the bronze ship became incredibly massive. Its deck was covered with countless bones: armored human skeletons, phoenix corpses, and python remains, as well as an endless forest of tomb steles. The phoenix corpses and python remains were particularly enormous. A single feather from a phoenix corpse was dozens of times larger than the armored human skeletons. It lay near the ship's bridge, one wing covering a part of the stele forest, the other draped over the nine-story bridge. He wasn't sure if his eyes were playing tricks on him, but Zhao Meng clearly saw faint glimmers of light emanating from the phoenix's feathers.

The microscope's magnification was limited, making many details unclear. But one could imagine that if there were an opportunity to board this magnificent and mysterious colossal ship, the sights would only be more shocking, perhaps even opening the door to a fantastical and uncanny world.

Colossal ship... Yet it was clearly only four hundred and sixty nanometers long, like a speck of dust resting on the Buddha's sarira. Without a microscope, it would be as unnoticeable as billions of other dust particles on Earth.

***

**Author's Note:**

This is a new, fledgling book. Please help me, Old Fish, by adding it to your favorites and giving monthly votes. On the first day, let's aim for 100,000 favorites to build momentum! Qidian has a new book event where favoriting allows you to participate in raffles and such.

I'll also run an event myself: for every additional 10,000 favorites on the first day, I'll give away a custom-made "Yellow Dragon Sword." After favoriting, please casually post in the fan community on the book's cover page. I'll randomly select winners from those posts (five winners for 50,000 favorites, ten for 100,000 favorites). Everyone can consider this a free chance to win a prize. What if you win?

For those who become Alliance Leaders (highest tier of patron), no drawing is necessary; it's a direct gift. Join the Zu Yuanshi QQ group via the cover page and send a screenshot of your Alliance Leader status to the group admin.