Embers Ad Infinitum

Chapter 574: Full Members

Long Yuehong found Jiang Baimian’s new suggestion a little unacceptable. “Doesn’t this mean that the room owner’s mind world has become a sieve? That thing that is even more terrifying can interfere however it wants? He’s already a Mind Corridor-level Awakened...”

According to this, isn’t the room owner equivalent to that terrifying thing’s puppet?

“It’s only a possibility, but it’s actually not a highly probable one,” Jiang Baimian replied. “Actually, based on the fake Father’s condition, it’s impossible for the room owner to accommodate himself and enter the Mind Corridor without him noticing if he was secretly affected before he became an Awakened or before entering the Mind Corridor. However, our knowledge on this matter isn’t sufficient, so we can’t make a 100% judgment. Maybe there are special situations?”

“That’s right.” Shang Jianyao chose to agree. “Just like how Awakened won’t encounter each other in the Mind Corridor under normal circumstances, there are always exceptions.”

The Mind Corridor in his words referred to the corridor with a dark-yellow carpet, excluding the rooms on both sides.

Jiang Baimian made a terse grunt. “If you don’t want to give up on this room and don’t plan on finding other places to practice, stick to your previous plan. Uh, try your best to avoid that strange woman to prevent yourself from suddenly stiffening and crashing into the wall. Then, seize the opportunity to go to the fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh floor to take a look.

“There’s a high chance that these are areas that the room owner didn’t enter when he first explored the Food Company. Once you enter, his subconscious will definitely have to obtain the relevant details from his memories to perfect the scene. The corresponding memories will most likely come from his second or third exploration. Those experiences helped him overcome his psychological trauma.”

Jiang Baimian said this because the room owner had clearly fainted on the third floor during his first exploration.

“Alright.” Shang Jianyao raised his head and massaged his temples.

“You want to give it a try now?” Long Yuehong was shocked.

Shang Jianyao glanced at him strangely. “I just have a headache.”

This was the aftereffect of last night’s encounter. Fortunately, it was relatively mild; he would be fine in a few days.

Upon hearing their conversation, Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and said, “Since you have a headache, take the next few days to rest. Try again after I successfully apply for the bionic artificial intelligence armor for adaptive training.”

Such training definitely required them to go to the surface.

“Why?” Long Yuehong wanted to ask, “Aren’t we waiting for Little White?” However, he changed his question just before he voiced it.

Jiang Baimian looked at Shang Jianyao and said, “This psychological trauma has already shown obvious strangeness. Hey, you might trigger something if you continue exploring. When the time comes, the company definitely won’t be able to immediately react even though it has many powerhouses. The population density in your residential area is very high. Hey—who’s a Mind Corridor-level Awakened—may not suffer any serious repercussions once something ‘strange’ leaks, but it’s difficult to say the same for his neighbors. This is the same as dismantling bombs in residential areas. Since there are other ways to avoid it, why choose to be rash?”

Long Yuehong accepted this explanation without hesitation because his parents, brother, and sister were Shang Jianyao’s neighbors.

“Then, send in the application quickly.” Shang Jianyao rushed Jiang Baimian.

The rash him was always anxious.

Jiang Baimian didn’t do it immediately, and her eyes flickered slightly. “Recall your sudden stiffness, your frozen thoughts, and your experience of crashing into a wall. Do you find it familiar?”

“Destiny Connection.” Shang Jianyao had a look of ‘isn’t this obvious’ and ‘wasn’t that what DiMarco did back then?’

Jiang Baimian raised her hand and pressed the corners of her mouth. “Indeed. However, it doesn’t seem too strange to encounter Destiny Connection in one of Buddhism’s five Great Holy Lands...”

She muttered a few words and began busying herself.

After Jiang Baimian submitted the application through the intranet, Long Yuehong hesitated and said, “Shall we visit Little White today and train when we return?”

He remembered that today was the day Bai Chen would be rolled out of the ICU and transferred to an ordinary room.

Jiang Baimian was stunned for a moment before she smiled. “Alright.”

She then looked at Shang Jianyao. “Look, look. Little Red is much more attentive than you. He still remembers that Little White will officially be out of observation today.”

“I remember it too!” Shang Jianyao didn’t wish to be one-upped.

“Then, why didn’t you take the initiative to mention it?” Jiang Baimian chuckled.

“This will embarrass you and make you look like you’ve forgotten.” The weak and timid Shang Jianyao always focused on analyzing the human heart.

Uh... Long Yuehong couldn’t help but reflect on himself.

Jiang Baimian spat. “Am I such a person? I’ve always been broadminded. Let’s go—let’s not waste any more time. Otherwise, Little White’s transfer will already be done.”

As Jiang Baimian spoke, she stood up, left her seat, and led the way to the door.

Just as she stepped out of the room, Jiang Baimian suddenly paused and looked around.

“What’s wrong?” Long Yuehong turned inexplicably nervous.

Jiang Baimian laughed to conceal her feelings. “I suddenly thought of something. I’ll deal with it when I return.”

She then chose the right direction.

Shang Jianyao stroked his chin and smiled.

...

In the research institute on the 12th floor of the underground building.

Jiang Baimian, Shang Jianyao, and Long Yuehong lined up at the visitation window and greeted Bai Chen inside.

After they completed this matter, the researcher in charge said, “The various reactions in the patient’s body have stabilized. What’s next will be some form of self-recovery. In theory, there won’t be any danger of a genetic breakdown. But as you know, there can be exceptions for everything...”

“There are no exceptions to the rule that humans will eventually die,” the honest Shang Jianyao immediately retorted.

He then raised a problem with his claim. “Eternals are an exception!”

“How many years has it been? Who knows if the Eternals will experience a consciousness decline in the future...” The Shang Jianyaos began arguing.

The researcher’s forehead twitched. He pretended that this fellow didn’t exist and said to Jiang Baimian and Long Yuehong, “In short, the patient still has to be kept here for a period of time and receive many auxiliary treatments. She can leave after she fully recovers—I told you about this after the surgery.”

“Back then, you mentioned it would take about a month?” Long Yuehong took the initiative to ask.

The researcher nodded. “Normally, that’s the case. However, one of your companion’s modifications include Enhanced Self Recovery. It’s obvious it has been in effect over the past few days. Coupled with the various recovery methods we provide, she should be able to completely return to normal in two weeks or less.”

“How can that be considered normal?” Shang Jianyao quickly asked.

Everyone fell silent. This question was really difficult to answer.

After settling the procedures, Jiang Baimian, Shang Jianyao, and Long Yuehong waited at the ICU door and watched the research institute’s specialized personnel push Bai Chen out.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Shang Jianyao applauded. Not only did he clap, but he also shouted, “Welcome back!”

Bai Chen closed her eyes and had the urge to pretend to disavow this fellow.

Long Yuehong volunteered to help push the bed.

After arriving at the ordinary ward, Jiang Baimian smiled. “Little White, do you want to try getting off the bed and taking a few steps?”

This was already permissible.

“Alright.” Bai Chen was already sick of lying down.

Jiang Baimian immediately stretched out her hand and helped her companion up.

Upon seeing Bai Chen’s unsteady footsteps shift bit by bit, Long Yuehong heaved a sigh of relief and smiled sincerely.

After a while, Jiang Baimian informed Bai Chen just before visiting hours were almost over that the team would head outfield for training one day.

Jiang Baimian joked, “Don’t worry. We plan to go out in the afternoon, spend the night on the surface, and return the next morning. We won’t leave you alone.”

Bai Chen tersely acknowledged her words. “Alright.”

Upon seeing this, Jiang Baimian raised her eyebrows slightly and didn’t say anything.

On the way back to the 647th floor, she sighed with emotion. “Although Little White looks strong and often puts on a front of nonchalance, there are still parts of her that are weak and fragile in her. I was clearly joking, but she took it seriously. This means that she really doesn’t want to be alone anymore and has now unconsciously started to rely on her companions...”

Long Yuehong turned agape and fell silent.

After returning to the Old Task Force’s office, he finally mustered his courage. “Team Leader, I want to stay with the team a little longer.”

“Have you decided?” Shang Jianyao asked seriously instead of Jiang Baimian.

Long Yuehong exhaled. “Yes, I’ve decided. I’ll stay a little longer while my abilities can still keep up.”

Jiang Baimian slowly nodded. “No matter what the reason is, I believe you’ve thought it through. In that case, let’s...”

She then smiled. “Welcome back to the team!”

Long Yuehong’s eyes reddened as he replied loudly, “Yes, Team Leader!”

After calming down a little, he quickly asked, “Should I apply for a biological prosthetic limb transplant, genetic modification, and Awakening experiment as well?”

With that said, he recalled that he didn’t have that many contribution points. He had helped his parents change to a bigger room and had lived extravagantly for some time.

Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and said, “There’s no need for a biological prosthetic limb. Your mechanical arm isn’t bad at all. You can give the genetic modification and Awakening experiment a try, but not now. Your physical condition is far from optimal. When the time comes, I can lend you contribution points if you don’t have enough. After all, I usually freeload off my parents.”

“Yes, yes.” Long Yuehong nodded repeatedly.

...

Two afternoons later, the remaining Old Task Force members—who had obtained approval—left Pangu Biology with two military exoskeletons and the acquired Chameleon bionic artificial intelligence armor and arrived on the Ashlands’ surface.

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