Pansy
Previously in Hard Rock Canyon, Su Ming and Zijin successfully recovered a large number of lost skeletal components from the White Bone Fortress, significantly expanding the overall size of the train.
In addition, the ship also seized approximately two thousand tons of various materials during its deep dive into the Northern Lands. The old "White Triangle" ship design was no longer usable.
To this end, a new project team codenamed "Ocean Fisheries" was established more than a month ago, specifically to tailor a brand-new hull construction plan for Su Ming.
At this moment, three 1:1000 scale ship models, created using 3D printing, have been assembled in another world through "Summoning of All Things" and are now quietly placed on the long table in the center of the workshop.
Zijin curiously circled the table, her gaze lingering between the three models of different shapes.
The first model presents a classic streamlined nautical design, smooth and elegant, full of speed; while the latter two have completely different shapes, both quite strange - one is extremely long and narrow, and the other is unusually wide, like bizarre deep-sea creatures.
"Does this mean we have to choose one of three?" she asked.
"No, it's the same ship," Su Ming replied. "We don't need to make a choice."
"The same ship?" Zijin pointed to the model. "But these are clearly three different things!"
"A variable-form design," Su Ming explained. "By adjusting only about 20%-30% of the bone and metal components, this ship can switch between three forms to adapt to different combat requirements."
Upon closer inspection of the models, Zijin discovered that despite their vastly different appearances, the core units, keel structure, and main load-bearing components maintained a considerable degree of consistency.
"That's really amazing!" she exclaimed.
From the outset, the "Ocean Fisheries" project team abandoned the standard thinking of Earth-based ships. In some aspects, they needed to fully leverage the engineering advantages of the technology side; while in other designs, they boldly broke through constraints, making full use of the material properties of the White Bone Fortress and the magical advantages of the otherworld.
Modern supercomputing and digital modeling systems have made it possible for this unprecedented design to emerge out of thin air.
"We've sent a kid out here, so we have to make sure it's the most impressive boat ever!" the project manager said to Su Ming as he explained the design blueprints.
"I've already synced the detailed information and blueprints for this ship to your laptop," Su Ming said to Zijin. "This design incorporates many new pieces of equipment. Newman is temporarily unavailable, so only the two of us can handle the core mechanical work." He then realized he'd forgotten someone, "No, it's the three of us."
"Even three people aren't enough," Zijin sighed. "Such a big ship."
"It's alright," Su Ming said. "The debugging work will be handled by the other side on Earth, but we must know how to install and use it."
The skeletal structure of the new ship can now be entirely entrusted to the necromancers for assembly. However, the technological aspects, particularly the equipment, are beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Especially when it comes to assembling large-scale mechanical equipment, unless one is at the pinnacle of otherworldly alchemy or an elite proficient in top-tier mechanical engineering, it is simply impossible to understand and quickly master it in a short period of time.
Zijin was already used to this kind of work. She opened the data package that Su Ming had sent her, quickly browsed through it, and printed out the flowchart for the equipment installation. She soon became immersed in it, studying it intently, her slender fingers occasionally sketching and simulating on the paper.
"This time the scale has expanded so much!" The scholar seemed to have thought of something and suddenly looked up. "Su Ming, shouldn't it be my turn to name the new ship this time?"
"Whatever you want," Su Ming chuckled. "Anyway, I'm terrible at naming things."
The girl tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over the three differently shaped ship models on the table. "Since there are three shapes—" a lively smile appeared on her lips, "Then let's call it ' Pansy '!"
****
All morning, Su Ming and Zijin were immersed in the new equipment drawings and technical documents, with only the sound of turning pages and pens scratching across paper filling the workroom.
Shortly after lunch, Stacy came looking for her.
"Chestnut! You promised me you'd take me to see that DNA analysis equipment! I've practically devoured those thick biology textbooks." She said, then suddenly leaned closer to Zijin, gently poking her chest with her Zijin finger, and lowered her voice, "Didn't you want to know what's wrong with your body? I've found some clues!"
Upon hearing this, Zijin rolled her eyes at her, then silently put down the blueprints in her hand, stood up, and gestured for Stacy to follow. The two of them left the workshop together.
As the two left, Younier, carrying a thick stack of documents, skipped in, her forehead still damp with fine beads of sweat. Su Ming immediately stood up and took the heavy pile of documents from the girl's slightly strained arms.
"President Su, this is a summary of the inventory data from the warehouse over the past few days," Younier reported, taking a breath.
"Let's go have lunch first!" Su Ming frowned slightly. "I didn't see you when I was in the restaurant earlier!"
"But there's something..." Younier still wanted to insist.
Su Ming pointed towards the restaurant, his attitude resolute. Seeing this, Younier had no choice but to obediently turn and leave.
Su Ming sat back in his chair, rubbing his throbbing temples with a hint of weariness. He pondered that after finishing Younier's report, he should perhaps take a short nap.
In the corridor, Stacy followed Zijin. "So, DNA determines the differences and diversity of all things in the world?" she asked as they walked.
"Mm," Zijin responded simply.
"So how exactly does DNA achieve heredity?" Stacy continued to ask.
"Hmm," Zijin replied, a faint blue light shimmering in her left eye.
"Hey!" Stacy narrowed her eyes, took a few steps to stop Zijin in front of her. She stared into Zijin's eyes, "What are you looking at with that ' Omniscient Vision '? You immediately started using it after that junior clerk carrying the documents came in! And you started getting distracted when you were talking to me!"
"Nothing special." Zijin glanced to the side, gently pushed her arm away, and continued walking.
Stacy ruffled her tousled curls and hurried to catch up. "Actually... when you suddenly contacted me, asking me to help investigate your physical issues, I felt something was off—you never cared before whether Ailisha's form was purely human, so why are you suddenly concerned about it now..."
As they talked, the two entered the quiet laboratory and closed the heavy door behind them. At Zijin's prompting, Stacy began to change into a sterile lab coat, while Zijin demonstrated how to properly put on a mask and hair cap.
"So?" Zijin asked calmly, while tying the straps of her lab coat. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
"It can't be... because of Su Ming, right?!" Stacy blurted out, and even she herself found the answer somewhat unbelievable.
Surprisingly, Zijin did not refute, but continued to put on disposable sterile gloves as if nothing had happened.
A slight blush rose to her cheeks.
"Wait! Wait a minute!" Stacy grabbed Zijin's wrist, which she had just put on her gloves, her voice rising in shock, "Chestnut! My God! You really like him?!"
"Is it strange?" Zijin rolled her eyes at her, pulling her hand away. "You count how many boyfriends you've had. What's wrong with me starting to like someone now?"
Stacy's eyes widened in shock. "With your incredibly awkward personality, you actually didn't deny it! You actually admitted it!"
"Denial..." Zijin paused, her voice soft, "... Would it help?"
"Wow... you... you've admitted defeat?" Stacy's expression shifted from shock to incredulous inquiry. "No, no, this doesn't feel like the stubborn, even more stubborn, Chestnut I know!"
"You're so noisy, it's not like the Dai Dai I know, the one who's always pretending to be so quiet," Zijin retorted.
"How can you expect me to stay calm in something like this—" Stacy grabbed Zijin's arm, "Hey, tell me about it!"
"What are you saying?" Zijin asked helplessly. "What do you think I should do? Fall in love with someone else without realizing it? Or know it in my heart but stubbornly deny the facts that are right in front of me?"
Stacy thought carefully about the scene Zijin had described, and couldn't help but chuckle, "But... wouldn't that be more fun? That's what makes it fun!"
"You want to make fun of me?" Zijin glared at her angrily. "Dai Dai, are you asking for a beating?"
****
After donning their protective gear, the two officially began their work.
Stacy carefully collected trace tissue samples from several key areas on Zijin's body. Then, under Zijin's guidance, she proceeded with complex sample pretreatment, cell lysis, and DNA purification procedures.
"So when are you planning to confess your feelings?" Stacy continued gossiping while learning how to use a pipette to draw small amounts of liquid.
"Confess your feelings?" Zijin turned to look at Stacy, her eyes filled with genuine confusion. "Why confess your feelings?"
This time, it was Stacy's turn to be stunned, the pipette in her hand frozen in mid-air. "Huh? You like Su Ming? Don't you plan to let him know? We're all adults—" She suddenly remembered something, "Wait, let me figure out first, are you even an adult yet...?"
Zijin raised her hand and flicked Stacy's head hard with her knuckles. "Concentrate! Don't think about these things. Is there any necessary or logical connection between liking someone and confessing your feelings?"
Stacy was startled again, her wrist wobbling so hard she almost knocked over the reagent bottle beside her. "My God! Haven't you ever thought about becoming his girlfriend and being together?"
"Why do we have to be 'together' on purpose?" Zijin's answer drove Stacy crazy. "Aren't we already together as we are? Traveling together, working side by side, researching new things together—I'm quite happy!"
"..." Stacy was speechless, choked by this powerful logic. After a long while, she said angrily, "I take back what I just said! Chestnut, you're still as awkward as ever! You haven't changed at all!"
"Thank you for the compliment." Zijin's lips curved upwards almost imperceptibly.
"And couples," she added, her tone as rational as if analyzing experimental data, "Require mutual consent for the relationship to be valid, right?"
"Isn't Su Ming treating you quite well?" Stacy asked, puzzled.
"He's kind to everyone," Zijin replied, a hint of resentment in her voice.
Stacy wanted to offer some counterexamples, but after carefully considering her observations over the past few days, she couldn't come up with any. She could only sheepishly say, "Well... he seems, indeed, to be honest, not particularly remarkable."
"So, I guess so." Zijin couldn't help but sigh softly, her voice tinged with an indescribable melancholy. "Let's just leave it at that. You know how complicated my birth and upbringing are anyway. I myself am often confused—what am I, really? Human? Dragon? Undead? Or some kind of alchemical life form?"
"Life itself shouldn't be rigidly defined by origins or forms. Perhaps..." Stacy thought for a moment, "your very existence is the definition of 'life'—"
****
Zijin's expression changed drastically, and she raised her hand to stop Stacy from speaking, but it was too late!
A certain law-like ripple originating from the depths of Zijin's soul suddenly surged violently! A colorful, unstable nascent domain instantly and uncontrollably spread out from her body, filling the laboratory, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment!
"Chestnuts!" Stacy exclaimed in shock.
Fortunately, Zijin quickly regained her composure and forcibly cut off the remaining power. The nascent, magnificent domain vanished abruptly like a burst soap bubble.
In the chaos, several reagent bottles fell to the ground, shattering with a crisp sound. Zijin knelt on the ground, her hands supporting her on the cold edge of the lab table, breathing slightly heavily.
"I'm fine." Zijin steadied her breathing, a hint of anger and lingering fear in her voice. "Don't discuss these fundamental concepts with me anymore!"
"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" Stacy was also quite frightened and immediately knelt down to check on Zijin's condition anxiously.
After carefully sensing the situation, Stacy confirmed that her loss of control had not caused any further deterioration or damage, and only then did she breathe a sigh of relief, leaning against the lab table with lingering fear.
Stacy seemed quite familiar with the situation where Jielusi lost control after violating the rules. This was because she had already encountered a very similar case: Zijin!
Even more so, Zijin's situation was more unique and dangerous. While Jielusi was only dealing with secondary laws that could be sealed or suppressed, Zijin was encountering a fundamental concept law that could not be sealed and was unfathomable—life!
The faint, colorful halo that had appeared around Zijin due to the disturbance of the laws finally dissipated completely, and the laboratory returned to normal lighting.
The two silently got up from the ground.
"You still can't accept any light magic healing at all?" Stacy asked.
Zijin nodded.
Su Ming had always believed that Zijin was harmed and rejected by light-based healing spells because of her undead attributes in her Bone Dragon Form.
However, this is not the case. Only her skeletal dragon body became undead; her soul core remained normal throughout. The root of everything can be traced back to the exploration she embarked on after being reborn in the form of Ailisha, driven by a strong curiosity about the essence of life.
Already a leading scholar in the field of biology, her technical analysis of her own birth and rebirth process made rapid progress. However, this naive yet profound research inadvertently led her to an extremely dangerous, Abyss -like realm: the origin of the Law of Life.
With just one accidental contact, Zijin nearly lost herself in it. Although she managed to break free, she also suffered a severe backlash from the laws of nature.
From then on, her soul seemed to be branded with a special mark, making her unable to receive any form of light magic healing, which directly led to the health defects that Ailisha's form later developed.
Zijin can manipulate light elemental energy normally, and can even use light magic to heal others. But she can't do that to herself!
"That was clearly... a powerful force representing life..." Stacy's voice was somewhat hoarse, "Why... is the backlash so severe..."
"Precisely because it represents the authority over life, an authority that is incomparably powerful," Zijin's voice was filled with profound reverence, "This is a realm that humanity should never tamper with."
After that painful lesson, Zijin completely stopped her direct research into the concept of "life".
"So, all of this now?" Stacy glanced around the biological laboratory, which was filled with a dazzling array of equipment. A sudden realization struck her, and she exclaimed, "You're trying to take the technological route to explore the backlash problem within you?"
"Yes." Zijin nodded. "The Law of Life are too profound, too terrifying! I will never again attempt to touch them from a transcendental perspective; even approaching them would be extremely dangerous!"
But Zijin never gave up seeking a solution. She chose to study at the Temple of Light Academy hoping to find answers in the organization with the deepest research on light, but she never found a direction.
After Ailisha's health deteriorated to the point of no return, she attempted to construct White Bone Fortress to explore the deeper mysteries of necromancy in search of an alternative, but encountered setbacks as well.
It wasn't until Su Ming's time travel brought advanced medical technology that she was pulled back from the brink of death.
Zijin turned to Stacy, her tone solemn, "That's why I thought that if I turned to a research path focused on technology, perhaps I could find a way, safely and completely, to remove the backlash curse that's been placed on me."
"Understood!" Stacy's eyes became incredibly serious, and she nodded vigorously. "I will do everything in my power to assist you!"
****
A soft beep signaled the end of a sample processing procedure. Zijin picked up the required reagent bottle and began demonstrating the next steps to Stacy.
"Hey," Stacy mimicked Zijin's movements, "Su Ming... does he still not know about you touching the Law of Life and the backlash?"
Zijin nodded. "His spatial abilities are also at the origin level of conceptual laws, but their potential danger is probably even greater."
She noticed a mistake Stacy made and corrected her, "Discarded reagents should be poured into the waste container, not directly into the sink." Then, she naturally picked up five test tubes, easily holding them between her fingers, "Like this, taking five at a time will be much faster."
"Oh!" Stacy immediately began to try out the technique of clamping five glass test tubes.
"I'm worried that if he tries to understand things too deeply, he might become confused. It's better to proceed gradually," Zijin continued. "Fortunately, Su Ming is the kind of person who isn't easily swayed by power. And," she paused, "He listens carefully to my suggestions and arrangements, without delving into the underlying reasons."
"He's so lucky," Stacy remarked.
"No," Zijin shook her head gently, a soft glimmer seeming to appear deep in her eyes, "I'm lucky." Her voice was very soft, "I was able to suppress my out-of-control state in time, partly because of the influence he had had on me during this period."
"A dangerous and terrifying power, it's like lighting a bonfire on a pile of dynamite..." Stacy couldn't help but sigh again.
"I'm also afraid that Su Ming will repeat my mistakes." Zijin's voice carried a hint of worry. "The concept of origin is such a contradictory existence. The more one craves power, the more easily it tears one apart mercilessly. On the contrary, those who can maintain their true nature have the opportunity to go further on this path."
"So... that's why you said," Stacy murmured, "That these powers might never have existed in the first place, not meant to be wielded by humans."
****
Time slipped away quietly during the experiment, and another batch of reagents completed its pretreatment.
"Then," Stacy finally couldn't help but circle back to the previous topic, "The real reason you care so much about whether this body is purely human... is it because of the troubles brought about by the Law of Life, or because of... Su Ming?"
Zijin paused slightly in her movements.
She suddenly realized that, despite facing the problem of the backlash from the Law of Life, when she discovered the scales on her chest, her first thought was of a completely different reason.
This discovery surprised even herself, and left her with a slight sense of panic.
Zijin didn't directly answer Stacy's question, but simply lowered her head and continued her work. "There's still a difference between being able to do it and not doing it, isn't there? If I'm not even human," her fingertips unconsciously traced the cold test tube, "Then there's even less need to consider those... extra problems, isn't there?"
"What if you regret it later?" Stacy looked at her profile, unable to suppress her worry.
"What if what?"
"For example," Stacy carefully chose her words, "that Su Ming is with another girl or something."
Zijin paused briefly in the hand holding the test tube.
"Actually..." she finally said softly, a rare hint of confusion in her voice, "I can't imagine what it would be like to be with him as a 'lover'."
"No need for that, don't try to imagine what it'll be like!" Stacy immediately urged, her tone earnest. "The unknown doesn't mean you can't try. If it turns out to be a mistake, you can just go back to being friends. But if you miss the opportunity, he and another girl—"
Zijin placed a processed sample into the centrifuge, pressed the button, and the machine began to hum.
Her tone suddenly returned to calm, and she said matter-of-factly, "Doesn't that just prove that he and I were never meant to be together?"
Stacy was utterly helpless, but then she thought that Su Ming hadn't really shown any particular reaction, so perhaps maintaining the status quo was the most natural thing to do.
However, her mind started racing with ideas again, wondering if she should find an opportunity to subtly probe Su Ming...
"Everyone's been incredibly busy lately, with mountains of work piling up." Zijin, sensing her thoughts, said calmly without looking up from her experimental parameters, "Don't do anything unnecessary or detrimental."
"... How did you know what I was thinking?" Stacy was surprised.
Zijin finally raised her head and looked at Stacy, a "you're too naive" smile appearing on her lips. "You've been causing trouble for me since you were five. Do you think I don't know what you're thinking, little Stacy?"
****
Younier quickly finished her meal and ran back like a little deer, her boundless energy making Su Ming envious.
"Mr. Su, our coal reserves are running low!" she reported anxiously, counting on her fingers. "We've already used up about 42% of our coal reserves. At this rate of consumption and considering the remaining distance, I'm afraid we won't be able to complete the last few hundred kilometers."
"Have you taken the 'weight reduction' factor into account?" Su Ming prompted, "As the journey progresses, our fuel will gradually be consumed, the vehicle's weight will decrease, and the coal consumption per 100 kilometers will naturally decrease accordingly."
"That factor has already been considered!" Younier replied confidently. "And I've also calculated that for the latter part of the journey, we plan to travel on the frozen river surface, which will reduce road resistance and further improve the efficiency of coal utilization!"
Su Ming looked at the girl in front of him with some surprise. Her calculation accuracy and logical thinking were definitely at an excellent level in this other world.
"Have you considered this as well?" he prompted, "I actually prioritized burning the portion of coal with the lower calorific value?"
Younier looked down in surprise and re-examined the supply list in her hand. "Ah! You burned those smokeless coals first? -- Is it true that this has a lower calorific value?" Her face was full of surprise.
"Anthracite has a lower calorific value than the highest quality bituminous coal." Su Ming was even more surprised. "Didn't you grow up in a coal mining area? You should know this."
"It's because... because anthracite is the most expensive where we are," Younier murmured softly, her face slightly flushed, "So I always naturally assumed that its calorific value must be higher..."
"..."
****
Shortly after, another member of the management team came to report: several serious fights had occurred at the construction camp.
Su Ming did not ask for the specific reasons or details, and directly gave Rupert full authority to handle the matter.
The problem itself is not particularly complex or difficult to solve. However, being on a constantly moving train journey, the limitations of space and environment restrict the measures that the management team can take.
It is inconvenient to carry out ideological education such as collectivism and group activities that increase team cohesion.
After several days and nights of train travel, coupled with the presence of such a large group of people with extraordinary abilities, it was only natural that some friction and conflict would arise.
After pondering for a moment, Su Ming arranged for a batch of playing cards to be printed and distributed, to give these energetic guys something to do and distract them.
Incidentally, he also included instructions on how to play "Piggyback".
During this time, Katharine transmitted the latest intelligence through an encrypted communication array, updating the enemy situation in the North Sea.
Based on the types of supplies carried by the supply ships departing from the ice-free port of Moon Bay, such as dragon-flavored food and large livestock, it can be clearly determined that the massive dragon-carrying aircraft carrier, "Jade Sea and Tang Valley," has arrived at the front line of the war zone, and intelligence clearly confirms that it carries a giant dragon entity.
Furthermore, intelligence has confirmed that the main naval fleet of the Temple of Light, estimated to include around ten heavily armed warships, participated in this operation to encircle and annihilate them.
Then there was communication that the supply ship was already in place.
****
Zijin returned to the workroom shortly afterward and immediately spotted Su Ming's figure engulfed in documents.
Her footsteps paused almost imperceptibly at the doorway.
What Stacy didn't know was that Zijin had actually taken to heart what she said about emotional issues in the lab. She was already thinking that perhaps she could try to discuss this topic with Su Ming.
However, things are complicated right now, and she herself has a lot of problems. Moreover, there is something Stacy doesn't know: the problems represented by the Planar Scepter and the Plundering Clock may be far more serious than previously estimated.
She and Su Ming haven't reached a final conclusion yet, but more and more clues and speculations are vaguely pointing to some extremely bad outcomes.
So this really isn't a good time, Zijin sighed softly.
"What's wrong?" Su Ming turned his head and asked, "How's Stacy's learning going with the DNA testing?"
"Yes, I taught her some basic operating procedures." Zijin suppressed her chaotic thoughts and took a few steps closer to answer, "She learned very quickly and got the hang of it well."
Using the same method he had used to teach Zijin Earth's language, Su Ming also cast a "Comprehend Languages" spell on Stacy.
However, Stacy's talent for language learning is clearly not as outstanding as Zijin's. She currently only knows Chinese, and she needs a considerable amount of time to consolidate and master it, especially in terms of specialized vocabulary.
Considering the numerous issues involved in Earth's writing system, the two concluded after discussion that this knowledge was not suitable for further dissemination at present. Newman was originally an ideal candidate, but he was a pure undead being, and the spell was ineffective against him.
"Next, I plan to sample all the members who have joined the team and sequence them all," Zijin stated her plan. "As the samples gradually accumulate, we can initially complete the human gene bank for the Taya Plane."
Having a gene bank allows for a systematic comparison of the genes from the Taya Plane with those of humans on Earth, enabling an evolutionary analysis that helps clarify many mysteries and trace the origins of the superhumans who invaded Earth, Chai Zhan and Jackal Shatter.
"I'm sorry, my knowledge in the field of biology is really limited," Su Ming said. "I'll leave this entirely to you. If you need technical support from Earth, just coordinate through Miao Xin."
Zijin nodded. "You already have enough to do."
"It's alright, a lot of the workload has been shared now," Su Ming said. "There are more people helping me with my work."
He extended his hand to Zijin and smiled, "And you've been working just as hard—I even learned my current schedule from you."
Zijin gently patted Su Ming's hand, then returned to her seat.