Otherworld Bone Dragon Operation Guide

Chapter 298 Pansies

Previously in Hard Rock Canyon, Su Ming and Zi Jin successfully recovered a large number of lost skeletal components from the Bone Fortress, significantly expanding the overall size of the train.

In addition to the approximately two thousand tons of various materials seized during this deep dive into the north, the old "White Triangle" ship's design was no longer usable.

To this end, a new project team codenamed "Distant 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 through 3D printing, have been assembled in another world using the "Summoning of All Things" technique 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?" Violet pointed at the model. "But these are clearly three different things!"

“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 needs.”

Upon closer inspection of the structures of these models, Zijin indeed discovered that despite the vast differences in their appearance, the core units, keel configurations, and main load-bearing components maintained a considerable degree of consistency.

"That's really amazing!" she exclaimed.

From the outset, the "Distant 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 Bone Fortress and the magical advantages of the otherworld.

Modern supercomputing and digital modeling systems have made it possible for this unprecedented design to be born 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 Zi Jin. “This design incorporates many new types of equipment. Newman is temporarily unavailable, so only the two of us can handle the core mechanical work.” He then realized he had forgotten one person, “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 taken care of 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 mechanical equipment, unless one is at the top of otherworldly alchemy or an elite proficient in top-notch mechanical engineering, it is simply impossible to understand and quickly get started in a short period of time.

Zi Jin 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 engrossed 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 ship models on the table, each with a different shape. "Since there are three shapes—" a lively smile appeared on her lips, "then let's call it 'Pansy'!"

****
All morning, Su Ming and Zi Jin 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 volumes of biology materials." As she spoke, she suddenly leaned closer to Violet, gently poking her chest with her index finger, and lowered her voice, "Didn't you want to know what's wrong with your body? I've found some directions to explore!"

Upon hearing this, Violet 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, Yunier, 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," Yunier 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…” Yunier still wanted to insist.

Su Ming pointed resolutely towards the restaurant. Seeing this, Yunier 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 thought that after finishing Yunier's report, he should perhaps take a short nap.

In the corridor, Stacy followed Violet. "So, DNA determines the differences and diversity of all things in the world?" she asked as they walked.

"Mm," Violet replied simply.

"So how exactly does DNA achieve heredity?" Stacy continued to ask.

“Hmm,” Violet replied, a faint blue light shimmering in her left eye.

"Hey!" Stacy narrowed her eyes, took a few steps around to stop Violet in front of her. She stared into Violet's eyes, "What are you looking at with that 'omniscient vision'? You immediately activated it after that junior clerk carrying the documents came in! And you started to become absent-minded when you talked to me!"

“Nothing special.” Violet’s eyes drifted to the side, she gently pushed her arm away, and continued walking.

Stacy ran her fingers through her loose curls and quickly caught up. "Actually... when you suddenly contacted me and asked me to help investigate your physical problems, I felt something was off—you never cared before whether Elisa's form was purely human, so why are you suddenly concerned about this now..."

As they talked, the two entered the quiet laboratory and closed the heavy door behind them. At Violet's prompting, Stacy began to change into a sterile lab coat, while Violet demonstrated how to properly put on a mask and hair cap.

"So?" Violet asked calmly, fastening 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 appeared on her cheeks.

"Wait! Wait a minute!" Stacy grabbed Violet's wrist as she 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 just like that!"

“Denial…” Zi Jin paused, her voice very soft, “…would it help?”

"Wow...you...you've admitted defeat?" Stacy's expression changed 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,” Zi Jin retorted.

"How can you expect me to stay calm in something like this—" Stacy grabbed Violet's arm. "Hey, tell me about it!"

"What are you talking about?" Violet 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 Violet 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?" Violet 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 Violet's body. Then, under Violet'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?" Violet turned her head 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. "Focus! 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'?" Violet'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." Zi Jin's lips curved upwards almost imperceptibly.

“And couples,” she added, her tone as rational as if she were 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,” Violet replied, her tone carrying a hint of resentment.

Stacy wanted to give some counterexamples, but after thinking about her observations over the past few days, she couldn't come up with any. So she said dejectedly, "Well... he seems to, indeed, not to have any special behavior."

“So, I guess so.” Violet 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 often wonder myself—what am I? 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 Violet'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, Violet 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 gripping the cold edge of the lab bench, slightly out of breath.

"I'm fine." Zi Jin steadied her breathing, a hint of anger and lingering fear in her voice. "Don't discuss these fundamental concepts with me anymore!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Stacy was also quite frightened and immediately squatted down to check on Violet's condition.

After careful observation, 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 Gerald lost control after violating the rules. This was because she had already encountered a remarkably similar case: Violet!

Even more so, Zijin's situation was more unique and perilous. While Jelus had only touched upon secondary laws that could be sealed or suppressed, Zijin was encountering a fundamental, unfathomable concept law—life—that could not be sealed!
The faint colored 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.

"Are you still completely unable to accept any light magic healing?" Stacy asked.

Violet nodded.

Su Ming had always believed that Zi Jin 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 her exploration after her rebirth in the form of Elisa, driven by a strong curiosity about the essence of life.

Already a top-tier scholar in the field of biology, her technical analysis of her own birth and rebirth process progressed rapidly. However, this naive yet profound research inadvertently led her to an extremely dangerous, abyss-like realm: the origin of the laws of life. A single accidental encounter nearly caused Zi Jin to lose herself within it. Although she managed to escape, she suffered a severe backlash from the laws themselves.

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 health defects in Elisa's form later on.

Violet 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 a little hoarse, “Why… is the backlash so severe…”

“Precisely because it represents the authority over life, which is incredibly powerful,” Violet’s voice was filled with profound awe, “this is not a territory that humans should ever dabble in.”

After that painful lesson, Violet 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 all sorts of equipment. A thought flashed through her mind, and she suddenly realized, "You're trying to take the technological route to explore the backlash problem in your body?"

“Yes.” Violet nodded. “The laws of life are too profound and too terrifying! I will never again attempt to touch them from a transcendent perspective; even just getting close is extremely dangerous!”

But Violet 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 Elisa's health deteriorated to the point of no return, she attempted to explore the deeper mysteries of necromancy by summoning and constructing a bone fortress 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.

Violet turned to Stacy, her tone solemn, "That's why I thought that if I turned to the research path of technology, perhaps I could find a way to completely remove the backlash curse that was placed on me, under safe conditions."

"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. Violet picked up the required reagent bottle and began demonstrating the next steps to Stacy.

“Hey,” Stacy mimicked Violet’s movements as she operated the device, “Su Ming… does he still not know about you touching the laws of life and the backlash?”

Zi Jin nodded. "His spatial ability is also a fundamental-level conceptual law, and its potential danger is probably even greater."

She noticed one of Stacy's mistakes 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 and easily held them between her fingers, "Like this, it's much faster to take five at a time."

"Oh!" Stacy immediately began to try out the technique of clamping five glass test tubes.

“I’m worried that if he gets too involved, he might become confused. It’s better to proceed gradually,” Zi Jin 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,” Violet shook her head gently, a soft glimmer seemingly appearing deep in her eyes, “I was lucky.” Her voice was very soft, “I was able to suppress the out-of-control domain 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 in a low voice.

“I’m also very afraid that Su Ming will repeat my mistakes.” Zi Jin’s voice carried a hint of worry. “The concept of origin is such a contradictory existence. The more one desires great power, the easier it is to be ruthlessly torn apart by it. On the contrary, those who can hold on to their true nature have the opportunity to go further on this path.”

“So… that’s why you said,” Stacy murmured, “that these powers may never have existed in the first place, not meant to be mastered 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 why you care so much about whether this body is purely human... is it because of the troubles brought about by the laws of life, or because of... Su Ming?"

Zijin paused slightly in her movements.

She suddenly realized that, despite facing the problem of the backlash of the laws of life, when she discovered the scales on her chest, her first thought was of a different reason.

This discovery surprised her, and she felt a slight sense of panic.

Violet 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…” Stacy looked at her profile and couldn’t help but worry, “Won’t you regret it later? What if…”

"What if?"

“For example,” Stacy carefully chose her words, “that Su Ming is with another girl or something.”

Zijin paused briefly in her hand holding the test tube.

“Actually…” she finally said softly, her tone carrying a rare hint of confusion, “I can’t imagine what it would be like to be with him as a ‘lover’.”

“No need for that, just imagine what it would 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, and he gets together with 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 completely helpless, but then she thought that Su Ming hadn't really said anything special, so perhaps maintaining the status quo was the most natural thing to do.

However, her mind started racing with ideas, wondering if she should find an opportunity to subtly probe Su Ming...

“Everyone’s been incredibly busy lately, with mountains of work piling up.” Violet saw through her thoughts and, without looking up, said calmly while recording experimental parameters, “Don’t do anything unnecessary or detrimental.”

"...How did you know what I was thinking?" Stacy was surprised.

Violet finally raised her head and looked at Stacy, a "you're too naive" smile appearing on her lips. "You've liked to cause trouble for me since you were five years old. Do you think I don't know what you're thinking, little Stacy?"

****
Yunier finished her meal in a few bites and ran back like a little deer. Su Ming couldn't help but feel envious of her boundless energy.

“Mr. Su, our coal reserves are insufficient!” she reported anxiously, counting on her fingers. “We have already consumed about 42% of our coal reserves. At this rate of consumption and considering the remaining distance, we may not 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 be gradually consumed, the vehicle's weight will decrease, and the amount of coal consumed per 100 kilometers will naturally decrease accordingly."

“This factor has already been taken into account!” Yunier answered confidently. “In addition, I’ve calculated that for the middle and later sections, 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 that, as I prioritized burning the portion of coal with a lower calorific value?" he prompted further.

Yunier looked down in surprise and re-examined the supply list in her hand. "Ah! You burned those smokeless coals first? —Is it because they have 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,” Yunier murmured softly, her face slightly flushed. “So I always took it for granted 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 and 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 gathering of such a large group of people with extraordinary powers, it was only natural that some friction and conflict would occur.

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, Catherine 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, "Azure Sea 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, which is expected to include about ten heavily armed warships, participated in this operation to encircle and annihilate them.

Then there was communication that the supply ship was in place.

****
Zijin returned to the workroom not long after, and immediately saw Su Ming's figure engulfed in documents.

Her footsteps paused almost imperceptibly at the doorway.

Unbeknownst to Stacy, Violet had actually taken to heart her words about emotional issues in the lab. She was already considering whether 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 Plane Scepter and the Bell of Calamity 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 pointing to some extremely bad outcomes.

So this really isn't a good time, Violet sighed softly.

"What's wrong?" Su Ming turned his head and asked, "Is Stacy doing well 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 Violet Earth's language, Su Ming also cast a spell on Stacy that granted her "language comprehension."

This is actually a very troublesome matter.

"Language proficiency" is normally cast using the gentlest water-based techniques. Even wind-based techniques would cause the target's head to feel like it's being sliced ​​by the wind, let alone Su Ming's dark techniques, which would directly pierce the soul.

The violet's unique nature makes her unable to withstand light-based healing while also being immune to the erosion of the soul by dark elements, so it doesn't bother her.

Moreover, she possessed strong mental power and managed to endure Su Ming's spellcasting process.

However, Stacy's talent for language learning is clearly not as outstanding as Violet's. She currently only knows Chinese, and it will take her a considerable amount of time to consolidate and master it, especially in terms of specialized vocabulary.

"Next, I plan to sample all the members who have joined the team and sequence them all," Zi Jin said, explaining her plan. "As the samples gradually accumulate, we will be able to initially complete the human gene bank for the Taiya dimension."

Having a gene bank allows for a systematic comparison of the genes from the Taiya dimension with those of humans on Earth, enabling a source analysis from an evolutionary perspective. This helps clarify many mysteries and trace the origins of the superhumans who invaded Earth, as well as the Jackal Wars and Jackal Slaughter.

"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 Violet and smiled, "And you've worked just as hard—I learned my current schedule from you."

Zijin gently patted Su Ming's hand, then returned to her seat.

(End of this chapter)