The research institute was located not far from the ruins. On the surface, it looked like an inconspicuous three-story building, fifty meters long and wide. In reality, it had another six floors underground, with even more space than aboveground.
The researchers mainly came from Europe, China, India, and the Soviet Union. There were only two researchers from North America, and even they had only made it over by following a super expert through the Soviet Union via the Bering Strait.
The ocean was now a forbidden zone, leaving the Americas effectively isolated overseas. If not for Alaska at the northernmost tip being close to northern Siberia, separated only by the narrow Bering Strait, they would have been completely cut off. At least now, there was still a tiny connection.
More than thirty researchers and several hundred research assistants worked around the clock at the institute, tackling one challenge after another.
Wang Ji lived a leisurely life. Yuan Zhi never left the research building, so Wang Ji had nowhere to show off even if he wanted to. Every day, he could only practice his swordsmanship and ponder force amplitude.
"Yuan Zhi!" Wang Ji and Dong Tao were drinking tea in the first-floor lobby. When he saw Yuan Zhi emerge from underground, he eagerly went up to greet her.
"Mm." Yuan Zhi nodded lightly in greeting. She treated everyone this way—not cold, not arrogant, just calm and reserved, always wearing a tranquil expression.
Wang Ji led the way, and the two soon reached the third floor. It was an elegant room, with solid wood flooring in natural timber tones and pure white marble windowsills decorated with patterns unique to Central Asia.
Wang Ji said to the pretty waitress, "The usual. Two bowls of pearl rice, six light dishes, and a pot of