Forgotten Photo Studio

Chapter 169 Extraordinary Blueprint
Xu Yan carried Chen Zhiwei as they climbed inch by inch up the dark, steep passageway.

The dual exhaustion of his mind and body caused his vision to blur, and every step felt like he was walking on the edge of a shattered dream, or like he was dragging the weight of the entire world along.

Besides his own heavy breathing, all he could hear was Chen Zhiwei's faint, almost fading breath.

The voice was like a thin thread, binding his crumbling will, and like a dull knife, repeatedly cutting into his heart.

In this darkness that cuts off the sun and sky, on the border between life and death, many thoughts that I had never thought about before suddenly surfaced with unusual clarity.

He recalled the years he spent fleeing alone in his previous life, when he fought only for his own survival, and even if he ultimately perished, it would only be an end that belonged to him alone.

But now, the weight of the girl in his arms made him truly realize that carrying another person's life was a responsibility that was heavier than facing any powerful enemy, yet also one that could generate boundless strength.

He once thought that the word "love" was nothing more than a hindrance to the weak, a worldly bond that needed to be severed on the road to growth.

But at this moment, Chen Zhiwei's unreserved protection, as well as the surging, almost painful anxiety and regret in his heart, were all silently telling him.

This may be the most resilient source of strength deep within human nature, the only glimmer of light that can illuminate the abyss amidst cold rules and brutal battles.

In this world, the strong prey on the weak, and might reigns supreme.

He once firmly believed that this was the only truth.

But now, he vaguely grasped another layer of truth: true power may not just be about destroying something, but also about having the ability to protect something.

Pure destruction only brings nothingness, while protection, however small or difficult, can give birth to new possibilities in despair.

This deep and long passageway seemed to have become his inner purgatory and training ground.

The extreme physical pain, the near collapse of his mind, and the fear of loss were all forcing him to transform.

He was no longer just a vengeful figure seeking power and burdened with secrets; he began to truly understand the immense weight of the word "responsibility."

After struggling for an unknown amount of time, as if traversing an entire cycle of reincarnation, a faint yet incredibly real ray of light finally seeped in from the corner of the rock wall ahead.

That was not just simple light; it was a symbol of "life," the embodiment of "hope," and the other shore that must be reached.

He took a deep breath of the cold, earthy air, hugged the person in his arms tighter, and with all his remaining strength, continued upward toward that glimmer of light.

At the same time, faint human voices and the hum of psionic machines could be heard.

Xu Yan felt a pang of anxiety, unsure whether those outside were friend or foe.

But he had no choice but to grit his teeth and strive upwards.

When he finally held Chen Zhiwei in his arms, staggering out of the pit that resembled a scar on the earth, and came back into contact with the murky yet familiar air outside, the blinding light made him subconsciously squint.

"over there!"

"Mr. Xu! Ms. Chen!"

Several figures quickly surrounded them, their movements professional and vigilant.

They wore uniform combat suits bearing the Han Group emblem and carried various detection and rescue equipment.

The person in the lead was none other than Han Wenshan's trusted assistant, who had previously been in contact with Xu Yan.

"Quickly! Medical team!"

When the assistant saw Xu Yan covered in blood and in a disheveled state, and Chen Zhiwei lying unconscious and pale in his arms, he immediately shouted loudly.

Well-trained medical personnel quickly stepped forward and carefully took Chen Zhiwei from Xu Yan's almost stiff arms, placing her flat on the unfolded portable medical bed. Various life-sustaining talismans and detection devices, flashing green light, were immediately attached to her, emitting a stable and soft glow.

Xu Yan's tense nerves finally relaxed the moment he saw the Han Group logo and these professional rescuers.

With this moment of relaxation, the willpower that had been holding him up crumbled instantly. He felt dizzy, his legs went weak, and he fell forward.

His assistant quickly caught him.

"Mr. Xu! How are you?"

Xu Yan opened his mouth as if to say something, but only managed to utter a series of indistinct breaths.

Extreme exhaustion overwhelmed him like a tidal wave, and everything went black before his eyes as he completely lost consciousness.

……

When Xu Yan regained consciousness, the first thing she felt was the soft touch of the bed beneath her, and the faint smell of disinfectant and calming spices in the air.

He suddenly opened his eyes and found himself lying in a simply furnished yet technologically advanced room. His wounds had been properly treated, and he had been dressed in a clean hospital gown.

"Zhiwei!" He immediately thought of his companion and struggled to sit up.

"She's fine, her vital signs are stable, and she's resting in the next room." A calm voice came from the side.

Xu Yan turned her head and saw Han Wenshan sitting on the sofa not far away, holding a steaming cup of tea in his hand. His expression was as gentle as ever, but there seemed to be more genuine concern between his brows than usual.

"President Han..." Xu Yan's voice was hoarse, and this time, his gaze towards Han Wenshan held less of the previous wariness and more of a complex emotion. "Was it your people who saved us?"

"It was just a coincidence." Han Wenshan gently placed his teacup on the coffee table, his tone gentle. "The monitoring station I set up outside the subsidence area detected unusually violent energy fluctuations. Worried that something might have happened to you, I immediately dispatched the nearest rescue team. Fortunately, they made it in time." He carefully examined Xu Yan's face, his expression filled with genuine relief. "Seeing that you are safe and sound puts my mind at ease."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yan remained silent for a moment, seemingly processing the information and reassessing the person before him.

He took a deep breath and looked at Han Wenshan with an honest gaze:
"Mr. Han, thank you very much." He said these two words with particular solemnity. "First, thank you for your timely arrival of the rescue team. If it had been a moment later, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Second... I apologize for my previous... unnecessary malicious speculation about you. Third, thank you for the timely help of nine million. It really helped us a lot."

This gratitude and apology come from the bottom of my heart.

Regardless of Han Wenshan's motives, he did save their lives at that moment, and his previous financial support also played a crucial role.

Having narrowly escaped death, Xu Yan's mindset underwent some subtle changes. At least when faced with the "kindness" before him, he chose to give it due respect and gratitude first.

Han Wenshan seemed somewhat surprised that Xu Yan would apologize and thank him so directly. He paused for a moment, then a more sincere smile appeared on his face as he waved his hand:
"Mr. Xu, you flatter me. Cooperation is based on honesty, and some misunderstandings can be cleared up. As for funds and rescue, that is simply my duty. We have a very pleasant cooperation, and without you, we would not have made any money. Ensuring your safety and providing necessary support is a basic moral obligation and the foundation of our cooperation."

His tone was sincere, carrying a gentle and comforting quality.

He naturally changed the subject, his tone still gentle, but with a subtle hint of guidance: "It seems that your experiences down there were indeed extraordinary. Could you tell us briefly? Of course, if it's inconvenient, you don't have to force yourself."

Xu Yan's mind raced. Knowing that completely avoiding the question would seem suspicious, she went along with the other person's words and responded with a mix of truth and falsehood:

"The place below was indeed far more dangerous than we anticipated. We seemed to have stumbled into a very ancient underground structure, like some kind of ruin, filled with a large number of wandering spirits and chaotic energy fields. We were almost trapped inside. Thanks to your people, we were able to escape."

He still omitted Jiang Yuhe and the core of the altar, but gave the information point that Han Wenshan was interested in: "ancient ruins".

Han Wenshan nodded, not pressing for details, his face showing understanding.

“Ancient ruins? That’s quite a discovery. Your safe return is the most important thing. Mr. Xu, you and Ms. Chen can rest and recover here. I will cover all your expenses. Once you are fully recovered, if it’s convenient, we can discuss the subsidence zone in detail. I believe your experience is crucial to our next exploration.”

He stood up and said considerately:

"You've just woken up and need to rest, so I won't bother you any longer. If you need anything, please have a staff member contact me."

After saying that, he nodded gently to Xu Yan, then turned and left the room, his demeanor full of just the right amount of care and respect.

The door closed gently, leaving Xu Yan alone in the room.

He leaned against the headboard, not letting his guard down despite Han Wenshan's apparent goodwill.

Unconsciously, her fingertips rubbed the corner of the blanket, her mind replaying every subtle expression and word the other person had just uttered.

"Ancient ruins..."

Xu Yan sneered inwardly.

Han Wenshan's reaction was too calm and too passive.

He clearly knew far more than he showed, both the true extent of the subsidence zone's underground conditions and the level of danger he and Chen Zhiwei encountered within it.

The meticulously arranged altar, the ancient patterns, and the secret that Jiang Yu personally guarded... all point to a truth that has been deliberately buried.

And this truth must have some unknown, profound connection with the restless "abyss" in his arms.

This feeling is not unfounded, but a resonance and pull from the depths of one's blood and soul.

He looked away and gazed out the window.

The sky above Liuquanji, a unique blend of neon lights and sparse shimmering light, was still shrouded in a persistent gloom, dark and unclear, much like his current state of mind and the road ahead.

Every step from here on must be taken with extreme caution.

Jiang Yu's revenge was like a sword hanging over his head, ready to fall at any moment;

Han Wenshan's schemes are like an invisible net, seemingly providing protection but actually pressing forward step by step;
Most importantly, it is essential to clarify the connection between the subsidence zone, the "abyss," and the mysteries left behind by the father, Xu Haoyu, as soon as possible.

Time was not on his side.

This is far from over; in fact, the real game is only just beginning.

Xu Yan took a deep breath, suppressed her surging thoughts, and struggled to get out of bed.

Every joint in his body was protesting with aches and pains, and the mental exhaustion felt like a heavy shackle, but he had something he needed to confirm immediately.

He steadied his somewhat unsteady steps and gently pushed open the door to the next room.

The room was dimly lit, with only the regular, soft ticking of medical equipment.

Chen Zhiwei lay quietly on the clean white hospital bed, her face still pale, but her breathing had become much more steady.

Various life-sustaining talismans were affixed to her forehead, wrists, and other important acupoints, emitting a soft, healing glow. The Han Group's medical team had clearly used the best equipment and resources.

He walked slowly to the bedside and gazed silently at her sleeping face.

The image of her struggling to get up to protect him in the underground cave, disregarding her own safety, replaying uncontrollably in her mind, only to be sent flying backward, coughing up blood, by Jiang Yu's casual flick of the wrist.

The heart palpitations and tearing pain of that moment are still crystal clear to me.

He carefully reached out his hand, his fingertips gently brushing against a strand of her black hair that had fallen onto the pillow, his movements as tender as if he were touching a fragile treasure.

A strong emotion, a mixture of heartache, guilt, and indescribable gratitude, welled up inside him, almost suffocating him.

"I'm sorry, Zhiwei..." he murmured softly, his voice hoarse and full of apology, "It's because of me again... that you were put in danger and suffered such serious injuries."

He remembered how she was so scared, yet she resolutely held the talisman tightly in front of him;
Even though she was struggling to stay afloat, her last words before she fainted were still to tell him to leave quickly...

why?
Xu Yan was deeply moved by this question.

They are not related by blood; they only met and became acquainted through their master.

Yet she stood by his side time and time again without reservation, accompanying him into dangerous situations, shielding him from open and hidden attacks, and even risking her life, without ever asking for anything in return.

Even though they were a couple, Xu Yan found it almost unbelievable that their protection and devotion were so pure and untainted.

It was like a warm yet blinding light shining into his world, which had become cold and dark because of hatred and secrets, making him feel helpless and even more so, a heavy responsibility that he had to protect with his life.

“Silly girl…” He looked at her peaceful sleeping face, a complex emotion surging deep in his eyes, “What have I, Xu Yan, done to deserve such a thing from you…”

He gently held her slightly cool hand, feeling her faint pulse, as if confirming her presence.

He secretly vowed in his heart that no matter how difficult the future might be, no matter what kind of enemies he would face, he would never let her suffer such serious harm because of him again.

He must become stronger, strong enough to protect this precious friendship, strong enough to clear all obstacles in his path.

He waited quietly by her bedside for a long time, until he was sure that her breathing was becoming more and more stable and that the color in her face had returned. Only then did Xu Yan gently put down her hand and tuck her in.

He took one last deep look at her, burying his feelings of emotion and determination deep in his heart, then turned around and gently closed the door.

After confirming that Chen Zhiwei's condition was stable and that he had been properly settled, Xu Yanqiang, despite his physical weakness and mental exhaustion, returned to the temporary room that Han Wenshan had arranged for him.

At this moment, he needs strength and needs to break the deadlock as soon as possible.

He locked the door from the inside and quickly set up several simple soundproofing and detection-proof talismans.

Although they knew these measures might be ineffective on Han Wenshan's turf, they at least provided a sense of psychological security.

The lopsided duel with Jiang Yu underground served as a cold quenching agent, bringing Xu Yan to his senses.

The power of the Gold level is like an insurmountable chasm. Relying solely on momentary courage and a few immature trump cards, one is still too fragile to withstand a real storm.

He forced himself to calm down and clearly took stock of everything in his hand that could be called a "card":

The Soul-Sealing Camera, the most mysterious relic left by the master.

Not only can it seal spirits and glimpse the truth, Xu Yan has always had a vague intuition that there is a deeper connection between this camera and "Abyss".

It may be more than just a tool; it could be a special interface or device that leads to the "abyss," helps us understand the "abyss," and even allows us to "use" the abyss to some extent.

However, he has yet to fully grasp the key to it.

The Soul-Suppressing Iron Brand, the brand on the palm originating from the ancient "Soul-Suppressing Iron," is the key barrier to suppress the rampage of "Abyss."

It is indestructible and has a natural resistance to evil energy, but it is mostly in a passive defensive state. How to actively stimulate its deeper power remains a mystery.

The Jade Cicada is an exceptionally effective amulet that perfectly conceals one's aura and evades wandering spirits and most detection methods.

It is an excellent tool for infiltration, concealment, and survival, but it does not directly enhance combat power.

The Eighteen Gates Secret Records are incredibly powerful and unpredictable. They can summon hordes of ghosts to form a ghost realm, enough to disrupt the situation and make even the strongest hesitate to act.

However, the cost is high and the backlash is severe. Every use is like dancing on a knife's edge, and the slightest carelessness could lead to self-destruction.

It is a double-edged sword that can hurt both others and oneself, and cannot be used as a regular means.

The inheritance sealed by his father, the wisp of thunderous power belonging to his father that was accidentally activated by Jiang Yulei's thunder magic within his body, is rich and pure, with enormous potential.

It seems to have a remarkable effect on suppressing the "Abyss," and may even be hiding a deeper power.

But it is only just beginning to emerge, like a dormant volcano. I have yet to find a way to guide and control it, let alone use it in actual combat.

Upon review, although he had some trump cards, none of them gave him the capital to confront Jiang Yu head-on in the short term.

The connection between the Soul-Sealing Camera and "Abyss" is still speculation; the Soul-Suppressing Iron focuses on defense; the Jade Cicada emphasizes concealment; the Eighteen Gates Secret Records come at too high a price; and the father's power is still dormant.

A strong sense of urgency gripped him.

He must be faster; he must find a shortcut to increase his strength before the next storm arrives.

Or perhaps there's a way to combine his existing trump cards, especially the mysterious Soul-Sealing Camera, with the inheritance within him to unleash effects beyond their limits. Without further hesitation, he took out the specially encrypted silver-grade terminal, steadily inputting a long string of complex commands with his fingertips, connecting to an extremely secretive communication channel.

Now, he needs to know how those "future cards" that are still in development and could potentially break the deadlock are progressing.

After a brief pause, a processed young male voice came through the terminal, sounding urgent: "Brother Yan? Your vital signs are very wrong! What happened?"

It's A-Zhe.

"I was slightly injured, but it's nothing serious." Xu Yan cut straight to the point, "How's the psionic infusion research and data bomb project progressing?"

"A major breakthrough in psionic infusion!" A Zhe's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement. "Brother Yan, you don't know, ever since you sent me that encrypted file about the principle of psionic resonance, I've been studying it almost non-stop!"

He spoke rapidly, as if he were pouring out all the words he had accumulated over the past few days in one breath:
"The data in that document is amazing! The 'chaotic psionic frequency anchoring' theory proposed in it directly solved my biggest problem in the energy capture process, which was how to accurately separate usable psionic frequency bands from environmental clutter."

And that design concept of a 'multi-phase resonant cavity' is simply audacious! I wouldn't have dared to even consider that direction before, fearing the structure would be too unstable, but according to the mathematical model in the document, it's actually feasible!

Xu Yan could clearly feel A Zhe's excited gestures on the other end of the communication.

“I took the 100,000 yuan you transferred to me before and ran all over the black market and secondhand market in Liuquan Town where I could find parts. I finally managed to gather the basic materials and stayed up for several nights in a row. I finally made this theoretical thing a reality!”

Ah Zhe's voice carried the pride of a completed project, "We've built a prototype! Although it looks a bit rudimentary, it actually works!"

Xu Yan's spirits lifted, and he involuntarily sat up straighter: "Tell me more about the results."

"Simply put, it's like an extremely sensitive and self-tuning 'psychic radio'," A-Zhe tried to explain with the most vivid analogy. "It can capture those ubiquitous but chaotic psychic fluctuations in the environment, which are like noise. Then, through a specific frequency field built inside, it filters, resonates, and amplifies them, ultimately 'sorting' them into a relatively stable energy flow that can be guided and utilized!"

He paused, his tone calming slightly, and began to report the specific data: "According to preliminary tests, the theoretical conversion efficiency that can be achieved so far is around 15%. But this is only the peak under ideal conditions, and it will definitely be reduced in actual applications. Moreover, the biggest problem is still stability."

A Zhe's voice became more serious: "The core resonant cavity of the prototype has limited capacity. If it operates under high load for more than three minutes, the internal spiritual pressure will become unbalanced, leading to structural overload and a risk of... a blowout. We are trying to use powdered Thousand-Refined Star Iron mixed with a specific spiritual guide adhesive to reinforce the inner wall runes of the resonant cavity in hopes of improving its durability."

Upon hearing the words "exploded," Xu Yan frowned slightly, but then relaxed.

Any new technology that moves from theory to practice is bound to be accompanied by risks. A conversion efficiency of 15% and a duration of three minutes is already a milestone breakthrough.

"What about the receiving end?" Xu Yan pressed, as this was the key to determining whether the technology could be put into practical use.

“This is precisely the next challenge,” A-Zhe’s tone turned serious. “Safely channeling the converted energy into the target’s body is extremely difficult. We’ve tried several common talisman carriers and low-level magical artifacts, all of which experienced varying degrees of overload and damage within a short period. Unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Unless we can find a special biocompatible receptor, or specifically modify and strengthen the recipient's meridian system,” A-Zhe's voice lowered, filled with obvious concern, “but that involves direct human trials, and the risks are too high. We haven't even solved the most basic problem of energy output stability yet, so we are completely unqualified to conduct human trials.”

Xu Yan answered without hesitation, "I can be the test subject."

"What? No! Absolutely not!" A-Zhe immediately objected excitedly. "Brother Yan, this is too dangerous! We can't even control the most basic energy fluctuations right now. The resonant cavity could explode at any moment, and the output energy flow is extremely unstable. If the energy gets out of control inside your body, the consequences would be unimaginable!"

“There’s no ‘what if’,” Xu Yan said firmly. “What we lack most right now is time. Jiang Yu has already noticed us, and another encounter won’t be far off. As long as you can ensure it won’t be fatal, any risk is worth taking.”

He paused, then pressed further, "When can the first experiment begin at the earliest?"

There was a long silence on the other end of the communication line, with only A-Zhe's heavy breathing audible.

After a long pause, he reluctantly spoke, his voice hoarse: "We'll have to wait until the next prototype is finished. I need to completely upgrade the security system, design multiple safety mechanisms, and prepare emergency treatment plans. It will take at least 24 hours."

“Okay, 24 hours it is,” Xu Yan said without room for argument. “Let me know when it’s over.”

Xu Yan knew that this was the biggest concession A Zhe could make under extreme worry.

In these perilous times, any opportunity to quickly enhance one's abilities is worth the risk.

Once psionic infusion technology matures, it will not only be a trump card, but could also become the key to changing the course of the battle.

“Continue to optimize, safety first.” Xu Yan’s tone softened slightly. “Also, I’ll transfer another million to you. Configure the equipment and materials to the highest standards; don’t skimp on the investment.”

He knew that these cutting-edge studies were their true foundation.

"Understood! Once the funds are in place, I will immediately purchase a batch of high-precision psionic sensing equipment and protective materials. The progress will definitely be accelerated to another level!"

Ah Zhe responded quickly, then switched to the next topic, his tone becoming unusually serious.

"As for the 'data bomb,' Brother Yan, the progress on this thing might surprise you."

"Oh?"

Xu Yan raised an eyebrow slightly.

"We have not only completed the first phase of the core algorithm, but more importantly, we have achieved revolutionary breakthroughs in 'carrier' and 'trigger'!"

Ah Zhe's voice carried a hint of excitement unique to tech enthusiasts.

"Now, we can compress massive data bomb programs and carry them on all sorts of unexpected everyday carriers."

For example, a special talisman, a treated spirit stone, or even a seemingly ordinary audio clip or the psionic patterns on a painting…

Xu Yan's breath hitched slightly: "What's the trigger method? We can't just rely on manually pressing a switch, can we?"

“Of course not!” A-Zhe’s voice was filled with excitement over the technological breakthrough. “We have developed an extremely sophisticated ‘biometric key system’! Users need to use special instruments in advance to combine their specific biometric information, such as a unique spiritual energy fluctuation spectrum, with an encrypted neural signal. Just like recording fingerprints and voiceprints, it is ‘imprinted’ onto the core carrier of the data bomb.”

He explained in detail: "After the binding is completed, when you want to detonate it, the user only needs to send an 'authentication request' to the carrier through a tiny, specific action or by activating their own encrypted neural signal within a very close distance, such as within ten meters."

Once the carrier receives the request, it will instantly scan and match the user's real-time biometrics with the reserved 'key'.

Only a perfect match will activate and detonate the bomb!

“This method,” A Zhe summarized, “almost eliminates the possibility of being accidentally triggered or cracked and used by the enemy, making it extremely safe. At the same time, it ensures that it can be activated quickly and covertly when needed, truly achieving surprise.”

A sharp glint flashed in Xu Yan's eyes; this was far more perfect than he had anticipated! "How powerful is it? Can it deal with a gold-level psionic defense or the core system it relies on?"

“Gold level…” A Zhe paused, his tone becoming pragmatic, “Not yet. The personal psionic barriers of Gold level experts are too strong, and their core equipment usually has multiple physical isolations and the highest level of psionic network firewalls. The current data bomb strength is difficult to penetrate instantly and cause a decisive paralysis.”

He then changed the subject confidently, saying, "However, this bomb is enough to cause devastating damage to contractors below the gold level, or to their non-core data nodes, auxiliary systems, intelligence networks, etc., which have a slightly lower level of protection! Once detonated, it can cause the target system's logic to collapse, data to be contaminated, and to fall into complete chaos and paralysis in a very short time!"

"That's enough!" Xu Yan clenched his fist tightly, feeling extremely excited.

The fact that it can threaten the Silver level and its related systems means that it is already an extremely powerful trump card.

This means that he now has the ability to confront Jiang Yu's forces and disrupt some of Han Wenshan's plans, instead of being almost powerless to fight back as before.

"Excellent, A-Zhe, you've far exceeded my expectations!" Xu Yan didn't hold back his praise. "These two projects will continue to be the highest priority. The stability and security of the psionic infusion need to be addressed, and the power of the data bomb needs to be further optimized, while ensuring its stealth and controllability are absolutely foolproof."

"Understood, Brother Yan! Be careful over there. I'll send you the new test data and analysis report as soon as possible."

After ending the call, Xu Yan leaned against the headboard, breathing slightly heavily from excitement.

In his mind, the blueprint of the psionic resonant cavity intertwined with the invisible and intangible data bomb that could be detonated at will.

Psionic infusion represents a potential shortcut to accelerate the improvement of his personal strength.

The data bomb signifies that he possesses unconventional attack methods capable of altering a larger situation.

With these two cards in place, he was no longer forced to passively endure attacks when facing Jiang Yu's hatred, Han Wenshan's scheming, and the unknown secrets of the subsidence zone.

He must recover as soon as possible and seek opportunities to transform this nascent power into real strength.

Deep within the subsidence zone, there must be a key that will allow him to master these powers more quickly.

After ending the call with A Zhe, Xu Yan did not hesitate at all. He immediately used the encrypted terminal to transfer one million of the nine million that had just been deposited into his anonymous account to a highly confidential research funding account provided by A Zhe.

The funds were transferred quickly, leaving no trace.

He knew that these investments were crucial to their future survival and whether they could break through the impasse.

After doing all this, he sat cross-legged on the bed, the safe house's temperature control system emitting a very faint hum.

Outside the window, the ever-burning neon lights of the flowing spring cast ever-changing patches of color on the wall through the gaps in the heavy blackout curtains.

What exactly did my father leave behind?

With this question in mind, he slowly closed his eyes, and his silver-level spiritual perception, like invisible mercury, began to seep inward and sink into his own microcosm.

Initially, it was a chaotic ocean of energy, representing his relatively loose and peaceful psionic foundation at the Silver level.

But soon, his "gaze" was drawn to the stable and dazzling platinum light deep in his dantian, which was the inherited power that Jiang Yulei had accidentally activated.

"This path..."

Xu Yan's mind emitted a silent gasp of amazement.

He "saw" that the platinum energy was not flowing along the familiar meridians, but rather, deeper inside, it outlined a more complex and precise three-dimensional network composed of countless tiny points of light.

"It's like...reconstructing my energy cycle?"

This discovery gave him a jolt.

Is the leap from silver to gold not simply an accumulation of psionic energy, but a fundamental transformation of the life structure?
As if to confirm his conjecture, changes quietly occurred wherever the platinum energy flowed.

Outside the window, the faint roar of hovering traffic could be heard, further emphasizing the silence inside.

Time slips away silently.

"Are the cells...resonating?"

Xu Yan's thoughts captured the changes at the most basic level.

The countless cells that make up his body, under the influence of platinum energy, seem to be infused with new vitality, their metabolism accelerates, their structure is fine-tuned, and they become more resilient and better able to bear and transform energy.

"This is not about accumulating quantity, it's about... optimizing quality! It's about building a more robust 'container' to hold higher levels of energy!"

He recalled the power of Jiang Yu's every move, which stirred up the rules of thunder. It was not simply a matter of immense energy, but a suppression at the level of life itself.

"Neural networks are also changing!"

His attention turned to the nervous system responsible for information transmission.

Platinum energy permeates it, significantly increasing the speed of nerve signal transmission. Key nodes even begin to shimmer with psychic light, as if transitioning from a purely material structure to a semi-energetic, semi-material extraordinary form.

"Reaction speed, mental agility, precision in controlling energy... it turns out that all these transformations begin from these most fundamental aspects!"

A realization dawned on him: "The transformation from silver to gold is not simply a doubling of psionic energy. It is a leap in life form! It is the beginning of the evolution from mortals who 'use' tools to extraordinary beings who 'become' carriers of rules and energy hubs!"

This realization thrilled him, as if he had opened a door to a new world.

As the energy flowed, he sensed that the internal structures of several important energy nodes—the dantian, the heart aperture, and the ancestral aperture—were undergoing a deeper restructuring, becoming more complex, as if a small "spiritual energy reactor" was being constructed.

"Is this the physiological basis for a Gold-level being able to invoke the power of external rules?" he wondered, seemingly enlightened.

At the same time, he could clearly "see" that wherever this platinum energy passed, the "Abyss" power lurking in his right arm became unusually quiet, as if it had encountered its nemesis, and was firmly confined to a specific area.

"Father's legacy indeed has a very strong restraining effect on 'Abyss'..."

After an unknown amount of time, the neon lights outside the window seemed to dim a little, indicating that the long night was coming to an end.

Xu Yan slowly opened his eyes, and a faint flash of lightning seemed to appear deep in his pupils.

He exhaled a long breath, hot and with a strange metallic quality.

He lowered his head, clenched his fist, and felt not just an increase in strength, but a sense of "gravity" and "transparency" in the essence of life.

With the body's "foundation" strengthened and optimized, the door to potential was opened a crack.

“So that’s how it is…” he murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming with an unprecedented light. “The path to gold begins with the reshaping of one’s own life structure. My father’s legacy is this ‘evolutionary blueprint’.”

He stood up, his bones making a soft, tapping sound, like jade being gently knocked.

Although he still has a long way to go to reach true gold level, he has found his direction and seen the essence of the next stage.

He must conduct psionic infusion experiments as soon as possible to inject enough "fuel" into this optimized "container".

At the same time, we must delve deeper into the secrets of the father's legacy.

He pushed open the door and walked towards Chen Zhiwei's room. The sense of urgency in his heart had not diminished, but the confusion had been replaced by a firm goal.

He knew what kind of peak he was climbing, and how to climb it.

Chen Zhiwei remained peacefully asleep, the aura of the medical talisman steadily enveloping her, her complexion even more rosy than before.

Xu Yan stood by the bed, silently watching for a moment, then gently put her hand, which was sticking out of the blanket, back under the blanket, and carefully tucked the corner of the blanket in.

A thousand words stuck in my chest, ultimately turning into only a barely audible sigh and a heavy promise:
"Get well soon... I will never let this happen again."

He turned and left the room, gently closing the door behind him, the last trace of softness in his eyes replaced by determination.

He needed to set off immediately to meet with A-Zhe in person, to understand the details of the research, and to discuss the next steps.

Some things are difficult to explain over communication, and it's also unsafe to do so.

However, just as he stepped out of the temporary ward area and into the relatively spacious reception hall of the Han Group's safe house, a familiar figure walked over from the other side, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

Han Wenshan was still wearing a well-tailored suit, with his signature gentle smile on his face.

"Mr. Xu, you seem to have rested well; you look much better."

He greeted him with a smile, but his gaze, like the most sophisticated scanner, subtly swept across Xu Yan's face, seemingly assessing his true state.

Xu Yan felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that this encounter was no accident.

He stopped, a hint of weariness and gratitude on his face: "Thank you for your concern and help, Mr. Han. Otherwise, Zhiwei and I would probably be in grave danger this time."

"It was nothing, no need to mention it." Han Wenshan waved his hand casually, but then changed the subject, "Mr. Xu, are you going out? Your injuries haven't healed yet, why rush? Liuquan Village has been rather unsettled lately..."

"It's a personal matter that I have to deal with," Xu Yan replied calmly. "I can't keep bothering President Han. Besides, you saved my and Zhiwei's lives, and I'll remember that favor."

He deliberately pointed out "human relationships," which was both a statement and an invisible demarcation—our relationship is one of cooperation and human relationships, not subordination.

A hint of appreciation flashed in Han Wenshan's eyes, seemingly quite satisfied with Xu Yan's "getting the hang of it".

He took two steps closer, lowered his voice, and spoke with heartfelt sincerity:
“Mr. Xu is a smart man, so I won’t beat around the bush. The water below the subsidence zone is deeper than we imagined. The fact that you were able to come out and trigger such a large energy reaction means you must have gained a lot.”

He paused, observing Xu Yan's expression, and continued.
"I've invested a huge amount of money, so naturally I hope the project will make a breakthrough. Since Mr. Xu has personally experienced it, I wonder... if he discovered anything special? For example, some unusual energy nodes? Or... traces of ancient ruins?"

(End of this chapter)