Chapter 7: Jade Void Breathing Technique

“Our Yutong is usually quite reserved and not good at expressing herself, so I'll speak on her behalf.”

“Little handsome Li, three days ago we all fell onto this enormous bronze ship, so vast we couldn't find our bearings. You had severe blood loss and were in critical condition, desperately needing a transfusion. Only your senior brother and my good sister here were willing to donate blood.”

“However, your senior brother's blood type didn't match, so the entire donation fell to her!” Qi Shanshan's lips were rosy and lustrous, and a charming smile always graced her face, giving her an alluring demeanor.

A captivating healer like her was a remedy in herself.

Only then did Li Weiyi realize he had been unconscious for three days.

“Thank you, senior sister. Thank you, Dr. Qi.”

Li Weiyi tried to prop himself up, but his left arm, apart from a searing pain, had no other sensation. His right arm, currently receiving a blood transfusion, also had little strength.

His injuries were more severe than he had anticipated.

Qi Shanshan said, “Just keep lying down. The wound on your left arm has nearly torn through the muscle, deep enough to expose bone, and there are hairline fractures. Although we've cleaned and stitched it, almost all the medicine in the medical bay was destroyed; we found very few usable items. The fact that you've pulled through for now doesn't mean there won't be lingering issues.”

“Rest well and drink some water.”

Cai Yutong, a woman of few words, handed him an opened bottle of water before leaving the medical tent with Qi Shanshan.

The deck of the bronze ship was immensely vast; its width alone stretched five hundred meters. The fog was so dense that one could not see from one end to the other.

Outside the medical tent lay a gloomy and misty graveyard, a forest of tombstones, each enveloped in an eerie, netherworld fog. It created a terrifying and haunting atmosphere, reminiscent of a ghost realm.

It was like a heavily fogged winter morning.

A few nearby grave mounds were still visible, reaching seven or eight meters high, resembling small hills. It was unclear what kind of beings were buried within them.

In front of some graves stood tattered, ancient “ghost flags,” fluttering in the wind, adorned with strange patterns.

The stone tablets were immense, weighing tens of thousands of pounds, with severely flaking surfaces. The ancient texts carved on them were blurred, and several old professors were studying and debating beneath them.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

The hundred-meter-long research vessel lay on its side like a steel beast on the vast deck, broken cleanly into two sections. Various steel structures, some extending, some bent, were exposed at the fracture points, forming passages into the ship's interior.

A large number of strong, young research team members were inside, salvaging supplies and transferring everything usable out.

Shouts, the clanging of supplies, and footsteps... all intertwined in the dense fog.

Cai Yutong, unlike her usual bulky cold-weather gear, wore a leather trench coat over a knitted half-skirt. Her chest and waist curves were smooth, and tight jeans accentuated the long, straight lines of her legs.

Without needing elaborate or deliberate adornment, she already drew frequent glances and distant stares from many passing research team members.

Some attention also turned to Qi Shanshan. The smooth, jade-like long legs beneath her doctor's uniform were highly eye-catching, and her beauty was only marginally less striking than Cai Yutong's.

“Do you feel a change?” Qi Shanshan whispered with a subtle smile, gazing at the ethereal fog and gloomy clouds beyond the ship's railing.

“What change?” Cai Yutong asked.

“You're too focused on academics with all your intelligence!” Qi Shanshan's expression grew much more serious, and her voice dropped even lower. “Haven't you noticed that the way they look at us has become bolder and more aggressive than before?”

“Has it?”

Cai Yutong glanced at the busy research team members, deckhands, and security personnel.

Qi Shanshan looked a little forlorn. “Do you think we can still go back?”

“To Earth... the macroscopic Earth?”

Cai Yutong thought for a moment. “We don't even know how we ended up on this bronze ship. Returning seems impossibly difficult; the micro and macro realms are fundamentally two different worlds. Where do you think this bronze ship is heading? What kind of 'other shore' will it take us to?”

The netherworld fog was too dense to see the sea below the ship, but they could feel the bronze vessel moving at great speed.

Qi Shanshan had no interest in discussing matters beyond her control. “If we can't go back,” she said, “do you think people will still be constrained by laws and morals as they were before?”

Cai Yutong was far from foolish; she was exceptionally intelligent, though her focus on tasks made her less calculating than Qi Shanshan.

Since Qi Shanshan had posed the question, Cai Yutong naturally began to consider it. “When human nature loses its constraints,” she mused, “civilization and morality will collapse. Former social statuses will become meaningless, replaced by savagery, or rather... power, absolute power.”

“Whoever possesses greater power will inevitably refuse to be led or commanded, choosing instead to resist and seize control, accompanied by bloodshed and violence.”

“This bronze ship has now clearly become an independent small world.”

Qi Shanshan added, “What's more, it's a small world with scarce resources. If this bronze ship continues sailing without end, it won't be long before power struggles and the darker aspects of human nature are brutally exposed. Neither of us possesses any physical strength, and we have the kind of beauty and figures that are a liability in chaotic times. If we don't plan ahead, our outcome could be very grim.”

“How afraid are you of being targeted?” Cai Yutong asked.

“It's not about being afraid of being targeted,” Qi Shanshan corrected, “but about clearly knowing that, stripped of all knowledge and status, I am truly just a weak woman. Why don't you have this sense of crisis?”

Qi Shanshan, somewhat annoyed, corrected her, then added, “The strongest person on this ship, in terms of physical ability, is undoubtedly First Mate Zhao Meng.”

Cai Yutong's eyes held a hint of a smile. “Do you have an idea? You're not actually thinking...”

Qi Shanshan shook her head before Cai Yutong could finish. “Zhao Meng is personally very strong, full of integrity, and has the makings of a leader. However, his awareness of changing circumstances is too low; he's still preoccupied with salvaging supplies from the research vessel.”

“Conversely, Second Mate Xie Tianshu—I've been observing him secretly. For the past three days, he's been cultivating relationships with the security team members and getting close to the younger research crew. Someone from his background understands power and human nature better, and he's more ambitious.”

Then, Qi Shanshan, in a half-joking tone, continued, “I've noticed Xie Jin, Xie Tianshu's cousin, is quite keen on you. How about we each take one, use our own methods, and fairly divide them? No fighting over them, just secure these two brothers beforehand?”

Cai Yutong knew Qi Shanshan wasn't exaggerating, but she had no interest whatsoever in her talk of “planning ahead.” “If civilization and morality truly collapse,” she said, “why would I bother to survive in this living hell? Jumping off this railing isn't a difficult thing to do.”

Qi Shanshan rolled her eyes. “Don't I know you?” she said. “You've clearly taken a liking to that well-built junior inside, haven't you? Let me remind you sternly: don't be so infatuated. Handsome guys are useless in our current predicament.”

“Besides... his situation is very bad. Even if the wound on his left arm heals, he'll definitely be unable to lift heavy objects in the future, effectively making him half-disabled.”

“Furthermore, most animal claws carry viruses, and the virus on that bear-like creature's claw is likely even more virulent, posing a significant potential threat.”

“So are you truly certain you want to choose such a liability in a future where resources are scarce and unrest could erupt at any moment?”

Cai Yutong extended her slender, white fingers and stated with extreme seriousness, “Firstly, I haven't chosen anyone. Secondly, on the research vessel, if he hadn't stepped forward to draw away that bear-like creature, I might already be dead! Separate matters are separate; what I owe, I will certainly repay. Also, you'd better not keep using the word 'liability.' Imagine the psychological burden on him if he were to hear it?”

Qi Shanshan smiled. “You say you don't care, yet I've never seen you so concerned about any man. What was that popular saying from our old school? 'Senior sisters are affectionate, junior brothers are handsome; first teach studies, then teach love...' Alright, alright, I won't mention it again... Are you truly not going to consider planning ahead? Don't regret it!”

Cai Yutong ignored her and walked directly towards the open-air kitchen tent set up below the overturned and broken research vessel.

Li Weiyi couldn't find the Yellow Dragon Sword, and the Daoist Ancestor Taiji Fish pendant, which should have been around his neck, was also missing. His body was extremely weak, and he only regained some strength after drinking less than half a bottle of water.

But a strong sense of hunger soon followed.

Cai Yutong walked in, holding a steaming bowl of fish soup.

The aroma instantly filled the tin medical tent.

Helping Li Weiyi to sit up, she said, “I knew you were hungry, so I managed to get you a bowl ahead of time. Cherish this delicious meal, as the freezer is broken and refrigeration has failed. Meat and fish will likely only be edible for a few more days. Vegetables and fruits won't keep for much longer either.”

The reason she added that last remark was clearly due to Qi Shanshan's earlier words, showing her concern for their future predicament.

Li Weiyi's right arm was still receiving blood, so he couldn't use it on his own.

Cai Yutong had to feed him spoon by spoon.

It had to be said that Cai Yutong, with her beauty and figure no longer concealed by the cold-weather gear, was an absolute top-tier beauty. Her eyes were cool yet bright, her skin delicate and fair, and her lips elegant. Seen through the faint white mist rising from the fish soup, she gained an added ethereal charm.

No matter how dire the circumstances, having such a caring senior sister looking after him would surely be a source of comfort.

Knowing Cai Yutong's typically reserved nature, Li Weiyi was naturally very touched.

He thanked her again.

Just then, Qi Shanshan and two students entered, carrying fish soup to visit Professor Xu, who had broken both his legs.

“Your senior brother asked me to take good care of you,” she said. “With so many injured and dead right now, and a shortage of hands, I can't just stand idle, can I?” As Cai Yutong spoke, she strongly wished to put the fish soup down and let Li Weiyi drink it himself, feeling that the three people passing behind them were all giving her strange looks.

At that moment, there was a certain ambiguity between her and Li Weiyi, which could easily lead to misunderstandings.

Professor Xu lay on the bed next to Li Weiyi, his eyes lacking their former light, his emotions unstable. “We definitely can't go back,” he murmured. “Since the freezer is damaged, our food will last a maximum of half a month. No, in ten days, there will be chaos. Once all the perishable food spoils, there will certainly be widespread unrest... survival of the fittest... I can already see that day... animals will revert to their true nature...”

Hearing the worries expressed consecutively by Cai Yutong and Professor Xu, the delicious fish soup in Li Weiyi's mouth gradually lost its flavor. He desperately wanted to go outside immediately and see what awaited them.

Ten days.

His arm injuries certainly wouldn't heal by then.

Filled with doubt and confusion, Li Weiyi drank all the fish soup. His body gradually warmed, and he felt a return of strength.

After Cai Yutong, Qi Shanshan, and the two graduate students left, he inquired with Professor Xu about the “Buddha's Sarira” and the true nature of the “Microscopic World.”

After learning the truth, he pondered, “The Buddha's Sarira must be the lost-and-found fish eye on the Daoist Ancestor Taiji Fish! Could it be that the Daoist Ancestor Taiji Fish activated this bronze ship, causing the entire research team to fall into the microscopic realm and embark on this unknown journey?”

“Microscopic? Is this truly the 'microscopic' described in textbooks?”

Li Weiyi felt that all of this was too incredible, completely beyond his comprehension. Coupled with his severe injuries, he felt extremely insecure, and his emotions, like Professor Xu's beside him, became unstable, gradually growing restless.

“No, I can't let this happen.”

“Even women like senior sister and Dr. Qi can remain calm and composed after experiencing such monumental changes. Is my state of mind truly inferior to theirs? That would be a disservice to Master's many years of teaching.”

“A disturbed mind leads to a wavering spirit; chaotic thoughts lead to a lost soul.”

The phrase his master often repeated echoed in Li Weiyi's mind. Immediately, he took a deep breath and, following the Jade Void breathing technique, began to absorb and release the energy of heaven and earth.

On Earth, he had practiced the Jade Void breathing technique for at least three hours daily, continuously for over a decade.

Although he hadn't cultivated any internal force or true qi.

Yet, with each breath, his mind would quickly become tranquil, and all distracting thoughts would vanish.

This was why he could remain calm in the face of danger and avoid being dominated by inner fear. When confronting the bear-like creature, he had actively employed the Jade Void breathing technique to achieve that state of tranquil, clear-mindedness.

Lying on the bed, after about half an hour of breathing exercises, Li Weiyi became completely calm, entering a profound state of mental clarity.

The sole of his right foot suddenly became scalding hot, as if it were burning.

This had never happened before.