Chapter 4: Golden Crow and Black Jiao

Zhao Meng looked away from the microscope, his mind reeling.

Looking again at the pea-sized Buddha relic in the crystal container, it appeared ordinary and unremarkable. However, the image he had just seen under the microscope lingered in his mind, like a nuclear bomb exploding in his thoughts. How could he possibly view it with an ordinary mindset now?

Seeing Zhao Meng so visibly shaken, the other research team leaders, including Xie Tianshu, approached the Buddha relic one by one, their expressions a mix of caution and bewilderment, eager to see what astounding secret it held.

After everyone had taken their turn observing, silence descended upon Laboratory 705.

One of the older research team leaders gasped, nearly fainting outright. Fortunately, he was noticed in time and helped to a seat by Zhao Meng and Xie Tianshu to rest.

It severely defied common sense and completely overturned their understanding. The worldview they had constructed over decades within the framework of science collapsed in that moment.

Professor Xu had recovered. He looked at the Buddha relic under the microscope with a reverent gaze, lamenting, "What in the world is this? How can the microscopic world be like this? My understanding of the microscopic world involves bacteria, cells, atoms, molecules... Why, why is there such an incomprehensible aspect to the microscopic?"

The older research team leader weakly asked, "On Earth, at the microscopic level invisible to the naked eye, is this the norm, or is this the only place like this?"

If Earth's microscopic world was truly so terrifying, what kind of planet were they actually living on? And what was the connection between the microscopic and macroscopic worlds?

Director Yang found it difficult to answer this question. Despite decades of research, his understanding of the microscopic world remained minimal. However, he did know that besides Laboratory 705, there were four other super-cognitive projects: 701, 702, 703, and 704. Each project was independently advanced and highly confidential. They only knew of each other's existence.

Zhao Meng said, "The Buddha relic itself is very special; it's a treasure of Buddhism. The bronze ship resting on it might be a fated event, not a mere coincidence."

"Buddhism speaks of 'one flower, one world; one leaf, one Buddha.' It's highly probable that ancient Buddhist masters had long discerned the secret of the relic, which is why they left behind such sayings."

Zhao Meng's eyes never left the Buddha relic. The more he looked, the more familiar it seemed, and a flash of insight struck him. That's right! The fish eye on the Daoist Ancestor's Tai Chi symbol was similar in shape and size to this relic. However, the Daoist Ancestor's brow bone was pale green, while the Buddha relic was light red.

Could it be such a coincidence? Was the missing fish eye from the Daoist Ancestor's Tai Chi symbol actually the Buddha relic?

Unlike the bewildered and distraught old scholars, Xie Tianshu's eyes sparkled with wonder. As a scion of a prominent family, he had always gotten what he wanted; anything money could buy was practically within his grasp. His participation in the Arctic expedition was actually to gild his resume, adding an impressive credential that would make it easier to gain recognition in cultural and scientific circles in the future. This was precisely why he was extremely unwilling to accept losing the first mate position to Zhao Meng. For such a high-born individual with a high threshold for excitement, the appearance of the bronze ship and the opening of the mysterious gate undoubtedly provided immense stimulation.

He exclaimed excitedly, "A single relic, as vast and magnificent as a planet! On the bronze ship, there's clearly a massive corpse resembling the mythical phoenix. And the other python corpse, with a horned crown, definitely isn't just a python anymore; it has transformed into a legendary flood dragon!"

"Gentlemen, does this mean that ancient myths weren't mere fabrications? That immortality, flying, and escaping underground were all real?"

"The ancient world of myths might have been even more glorious and brilliant than legends describe, but its traces were erased by an unknown force, forgotten, and overthrown."

"Now, these erased traces of the mythical era have been found again! In the microcosm, in the microscopic world!"

"Myths never truly vanished! Where else are traces of other myths?"

No one could answer; all were lost in stunned contemplation.

Xie Tianshu's excitement remained undiminished. He continued, "I've heard that drinking the blood of a phoenix grants eternal life. If we could salvage this bronze ship and bring it to our macroscopic Earth, or if we could descend into the microcosm, would it mean gaining immortality? Gaining extraordinary power to rule Earth?"

Director Yang shook his head. "Actually... that's not a phoenix corpse; it should be the corpse of a Golden Crow, because it has three legs. In mythology, the Golden Crow represents the sun, and destruction. Drinking its blood would most likely not grant immortality; instead, you'd probably turn to dust."

Laboratory 705 had been observing this Buddha relic and the bronze ship for decades, meticulously studying and uncovering various details. Their extensive knowledge far surpassed what could be gained from a brief observation.

Zhao Meng looked at Director Yang and said, "I'm very curious, is this really a Buddha relic? I feel like it's more like a macroscopic planet that has been compressed into the microscopic."

"Exactly," Professor Xu added. "If it truly is a Buddha relic, wouldn't that imply the Buddha cultivated a planet, an entire world, within himself?" After saying this, he felt a sense of disbelief, as if he didn't recognize himself. How had he also become so mystical?

"There's more than one Buddha relic!" Xie Tianshu stated. "It's said that after the Buddha's death, his disciples found enough relics in his ashes to fill eighty-four thousand measures."

Captain Gao Xin said, "Director Yang, could you please explain why Laboratory 705 came to the Arctic? And why you speculate that those two fierce beasts were drawn here by the Buddha relic?"

At the thought of the terrifying bear-like creature and the even more monstrous Nine-Headed Beast beneath the ship, their minds were instantly pulled back to harsh reality. The sense of crisis felt even more intense than before. It was like a group of mortals caught in a struggle between gods and demons, leading to a feeling of despair and powerlessness, of being as insignificant as dust.

Director Yang collected his thoughts and said, "As Mr. Xie, our Second Mate, mentioned, there are many high-ranking officials aware of Laboratory 705's existence who desire immortality and extraordinary power. They have consistently urged us to find a way to retrieve the bronze ship and bring it to macroscopic Earth."

"For decades, we've studied numerous ancient texts, searched for items related to the Buddha, used various scientific instruments, and tried countless methods, but the bronze ship showed no reaction."

"It wasn't until this year, during a long-distance journey, that we unexpectedly discovered the canvas on the bronze ship's mast had rotated."

At this point, someone couldn't help but go back to observe the bronze ship under the microscope.

Director Yang continued, "Later, through numerous tests, we found that the angle of the ship's canvas changed with latitude. The higher the latitude, the more directly the canvas pointed."

"Calculations showed that if it were brought to the North Pole, or 90 degrees North latitude, the canvas on the mast would completely align."

Xie Tianshu excitedly asked, "What happens once it fully aligns? Will it set sail?"

"There's that possibility, which is why we came here to test," Director Yang replied.

"Right now... aren't all the canvases on the ship already aligned?" said the person looking through the microscope.

"Because we are very, very close to the North Pole now."

Director Yang's expression grew visibly excited. He added, "Just last night, as the canvas almost completely aligned, the bronze ship began to shake slightly. Strange patterns, like mountains and seas, appeared in the space around the ship's hull, as if... another unfathomable world was unfolding."

"Bang!"

"So last night wasn't a fire at all; the bronze ship shook the *Dragon Pole*? You're hiding the truth!" one of the research team leaders exclaimed, slamming the table in anger.

Professor Xu suddenly understood. "I get it! It was the vibrations from the bronze ship last night that attracted the bear-like creature and the Nine-Headed Beast. What do we do now? We can't possibly fight those two beasts. Should we just turn back and get away from the North Pole? Or should we throw the Buddha relic into the sea and abandon this menace?"

"No!"

Xie Tianshu's eyes darted around as he pondered for a moment before saying, "We've been targeted. If we turn back, the Nine-Headed Beast under the ship might attack prematurely. With its power, the research vessel would be instantly dragged to the bottom of the sea, and we'd all perish without a trace."

"As for the Buddha relic, it's a treasure of humanity on Earth. It might even restart the age of myths; how can we just abandon it? Besides, it's just our speculation that the two beasts were drawn here by it!"

"Alright then... I'll take this risk."

"I'll take the Buddha relic and leave by helicopter, drawing the danger away from the research vessel."

Zhao Meng chuckled, "You've certainly calculated this well! If the danger truly comes from the Buddha relic, you, in a helicopter, wouldn't fear the bear-like creature on the ground or the Nine-Headed Beast in the sea. And if the danger isn't from the Buddha relic, all the better; you'd get the treasure and escape the danger."

"Zhao Meng, stop slandering me! I have no selfish motives; I just want all the crew members on the research vessel to survive," Xie Tianshu retorted.

"Alright! In that case, the Buddha relic is yours," Zhao Meng said.

Xie Tianshu paused, slightly taken aback, not understanding why Zhao Meng had suddenly changed his mind.

Zhao Meng listened to the intense sound of ice and snow pelting the ship like bullets outside. "The blizzard has arrived," he said, "and the helicopter certainly can't take off. Since you, Xie Tianshu, are so dedicated, take the Buddha relic and leave the ship to draw the danger away for us. You didn't want this human treasure to be lost, so now, it's up to you to protect it."

Xie Tianshu's face darkened as he heard the furious and howling winds outside. "Are you mad? In such a blizzard, even without the bear-like creature, going out would be certain death. Do you dare to go out yourself?"

Zhao Meng shot him a sarcastic look, then his expression turned serious. "Who said I don't dare?"

He looked at Captain Gao Xin and Director Yang. "Leaders, we currently have only two options. Either we throw the Buddha relic into the sea and abandon this great calamity, or I take the risk. If I'm lucky enough to survive, that's naturally for the best. If I die in the blizzard, you can install a tracker on the Buddha relic beforehand and search for it using its location."

This time, Xie Tianshu didn't argue with Zhao Meng! Because he could see that Zhao Meng was serious.

Director Yang had studied the Buddha relic for decades, and now that the bronze ship had finally shown activity, how could he willingly hand it over to a fierce beast? The Buddha relic was more important to him than his own life.

"Then..." Director Yang had just begun to speak.

"Boom!"

"Rumble!"

Above the ship, first came the muffled sound of impact and the destructive tearing of the hull. Immediately following, a series of explosions erupted. The ship shook violently, and the sounds grew louder with each successive blast.

Inside Laboratory 705, everyone's faces changed drastically.

"It didn't leave after all; it's back!"

"Why are there explosions? Who brought explosives onto the ship?"