Embers Ad Infinitum

Beside the grayish-green jeep.

Shang Jianyao showed the Six Senses Beads in his hand and asked in anticipation, “Notice anything different about it?”

Although Long Yuehong always felt that it was inappropriate for a healthy man to talk to others while holding the Six Senses Beads—which would be too rude—he resisted his exaggerated curiosity’s urge to look at Shang Jianyao’s crotch. Instead, he seriously sized up the prayer beads. “It doesn’t seem to have changed. At least on the surface…”

Jiang Baimian clearly acted in a more natural and open-minded manner. She thought for a moment and said, “It’s more lustrous?”

“No.” Shang Jianyao shook his head. “I’ve rubbed it out a texture!”

Without waiting for Jiang Baimian and Long Yuehong’s response, he added, “Also, I originally needed to strip the target’s five senses first before I could strip him of his consciousness. I can do so directly now.”

“Amazing!” Long Yuehong blurted out.

This wasn’t weaker than the Life Angel necklace’s Cardiac Arrest. The Six Senses Beads’ new 80-meter range far exceeded the former 40-meter range.

Shang Jianyao smugly shook the Six Senses Beads. “Its effective range is now 120 meters.”

“An increase of 50 %…” Jiang Baimian was rather envious. She didn’t have her own items yet.

Of course, the Six Senses Beads and the Life Angel necklace were essentially the Old Task Force’s common property. Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao’s role was equally crucial when dealing with the Eighth Research Institute’s commissioner, Khal. Therefore, Jiang Baimian also had the right to use them. However, she felt that these two items were clearly more effective in Shang Jianyao’s hands in the current situation.

She was currently looking forward to obtaining other items in the future or finding items more suitable for the Shattered Mirror domain during Shang Jianyao’s exploration of the Mind Corridor.

For some reason, Shang Jianyao suddenly sighed. “But it seems like it can only be used three times as a result.”

Through Shang Jianyao’s previous experiments, the Old Task Force had already grasped how much energy the Six Senses Beads still had—it could be used five to six more times. A single use referred to the complete cycle from Visual Deprivation to Consciousness Deprivation.

Shang Jianyao now meant that if he directly used Consciousness Deprivation, the Six Senses Beads would lose its powers in not more than three attempts.

“Still, it’s not bad. It can save lives at critical moments.” Although Jiang Baimian found it a pity, she still felt that the pros outweighed the cons.

Long Yuehong deliberated and asked, “How many more times can it be used based on the original usage?”

Shang Jianyao’s smile lit up. “Nine times.”

He immediately jumped out of his depression because he was already a different person.

The honest Shang Jianyao then took the initiative to brag. “My abilities have also improved. The range hasn’t changed, but the affected number of people has increased from 20 to 50.”

“…” Jiang Baimian was first stunned before she commented, “This suits the Subhuti domain’s characteristics very well.”

She thought of DiMarco. Apart from Destiny Connection, the Underground Ark’s former owner had another ability that allowed him to split his consciousness and possess multiple targets. Therefore, it was completely understandable for Shang Jianyao’s abilities to double the number of targets affected after clearing the psychological trauma that the Buddhist Holy Land was part of.

Jiang Baimian also believed that Shang Jianyao’s harvest this time was definitely far greater than normal.

As these thoughts raced through her mind, Jiang Baimian sighed with emotion. “Room 522’s owner was unknowingly affected a little back then. The effects remain until now.”

“But in that case, he shouldn’t have been able to enter the Mind Corridor.” Long Yuehong expressed his confusion.

Jiang Baimian exhaled deeply and said, “I originally thought so too, but I found it understandable when considering Destiny Connection’s characteristics. At a certain level, Destiny Connection should be able to make one’s aura attach to another person in minute amounts and hide in their psychological trauma. It won’t affect the target’s actions, including their advancement. It can only be triggered at critical moments.”

Long Yuehong slowly nodded when he thought of DiMarco and Shang Jianyao’s experience and gains.

Suddenly, he recalled something, and his heart tightened. “Could the aura left in the room owner’s psychological trauma have partially infiltrated Shang Jianyao’s mind world?”

“It seems like it has been absorbed by the person’s own kind in the form of the Six Senses Beads.” Jiang Baimian didn’t use a firm tone.

Shang Jianyao wore a nonplussed expression, considering how this wasn’t new. “I’ll take a look later. If there is, I’ll invite him to play games with Xiaochong and me.”

“…” Both Jiang Baimian and Long Yuehong were speechless.

After more than ten seconds, Jiang Baimian said, “It’s necessary to return to the steelworks factory ruins next and see if we can find the patient named Fan Wensi’s whereabouts after the Old World was destroyed.”

Although most people hadn’t survived the Old World’s destruction back then, there was still hope and direction for the investigation since they couldn’t confirm Fan Wensi’s death.

“It’s also necessary to schedule Iron Mountain City’s Second Food Company.” The one who spoke was the calm and rational Shang Jianyao. “I hope we can find the missing photo and the relevant introduction.”

Jiang Baimian tersely acknowledged his words and quickly made a plan. “When Little White is almost recovered, I’ll arrange for another field training session. The target is the steelworks factory ruins. After the Lunar New Year, we will pass through Redstone Collection and head to Iron Mountain City’s ruins. We will then go to First City to prepare for the exploration of the Holm Fertility Center in Wasteland Ruin 13. If everyone’s mental and physical condition is still up for it after completing these matters, we will consider going to the city ruin in the north to search for the former Old Task Force. Heh heh, I’ll give you a chance to spend the Lunar New Year at home this year no matter what.”

…

Plans almost never kept up with the changes in life. After Bai Chen recovered, Long Yuehong’s application for genetic modification was approved as soon as it was submitted.

He had always been conservative and careful. He gave up on a few tempting modifications and chose the options with the overall lowest risk—Enhanced Self Recovery, Increased Immunity, and Increased Reaction Speed.

In Shang Jianyao’s words: “How is this different from not doing anything?”

Even such options cost Long Yuehong 30,000 contribution points, considering his rank.

Due to the low risk, success was only natural. However, Long Yuehong remained in bed for more than two weeks.

After he recovered and underwent training to boost his physical condition to an optimal state, it was already January, Year 48 of the New Calendar—a few days short of the Lunar New Year.

Jiang Baimian could only give up on her field training plan and directly scheduled the mission of exploring the steelworks factory ruins to their next mission.

The Lunar New Year was always exciting. Among them, the end-of-year report performance—which had been influenced by the Old World’s entertainment—received great reviews. Shang Jianyao’s applause almost made his palms swell. He was filled with regret that the Entertainment Department only borrowed a computer from Long Yuehong and didn’t get him to provide guidance.

Considering how Shang Jianyao and Bai Chen didn’t have family, Jiang Baimian specially held an internal team reunion at noon on New Year’s Eve. During the Lunar New Year, she also took the time to bring Bai Chen, Shang Jianyao, and Long Yuehong on a tour of the Rec Centers on the busiest floors.

She nearly lost her way!

During the break after the Lunar New Year, Long Yuehong and Bai Chen participated in Awakening experiments, only to meet with miserable failure. Fortunately, there were no repercussions.

…

“Good evening, everyone. I’m Newspoint broadcaster, Hou Yi. It’s 8 p.m. now…

“First, let’s review the Ashlands’ situation in the past week…

“First City’s new consul and commander-in-chief, Gaius, issued an order to dismiss two generals and further consolidate a few divisions…

“The White Knights and the Salvation Army have reached an agreement to exchange food for genetic enhancement serum…

“…”

A slightly childlike voice echoed in Zone B, Room 196 on the 495th floor. Shang Jianyao lay on the bed in the darkness with a calm expression.

He had fallen asleep at some point in time and had forgotten to explore the Mind Corridor.

Shang Jianyao woke up the next morning. He quickly washed his face, brushed his teeth, and went to the public bathroom to relieve his bladder.

After doing this, he packed his tactical backpack and stuffed all the useful items inside.

With a click, Shang Jianyao slung his backpack over his shoulder, locked the door, put away the key, and walked to Zone C.

…

349th floor, Zone C, Room 12.

In order not to be late, Jiang Baimian decided to set off early. She stood in front of a full-body mirror and checked her appearance.

At this moment, her mother—Xue Sumei—appeared behind her with a livid expression.

“Mom, you gave me a fright.” Although Jiang Baimian had sensed something in advance, she still protested.

“Why didn’t you think about how it would give me a fright when you did the Awakening experiment without informing me?” Xue Sumei didn’t give her daughter a pleasant expression.

Jiang Baimian laughed dryly. “It’s not like it’s anything dangerous.”

This topic had been repeated many times.

Xue Sumei didn’t say anything else and asked faintly, “When can you return this time?”

Jiang Baimian deliberated and replied, “As early as July, but if it drags on, the end of the year.”

This depended on whether they wanted to go to the city in the north that had already become a Heartless paradise.

She flipped her wrist to look at the time and pointed at the door. “I’m leaving.”

She picked up her tactical backpack, walked out the door, and turned somewhere.

“Where are you going? That’s the wrong direction!” Xue Sumei shouted at her.

Jiang Baimian was just about to repent for her hasty departure when Xue Sumei came in front of her and nagged, “Don’t you know how to straighten your clothes?”

As she spoke, she lowered her head and helped Jiang Baimian straighten her clothes that were actually fine.

Jiang Baimian pursed her lips and didn’t say a word.

…

622nd floor, Zone B, Room 59.

Bai Chen looked back at the table and bed that had been cleaned. She then slung her tactical backpack over one shoulder and walked out.

Thud!

She closed the door.

…

495th floor, Zone C, Room 11.

Long Yuehong waved at his parents—who had sent him to the door. “I’m leaving.”

Gu Hong opened her mouth and finally said, “You have to be careful outside. Don’t put on a brave front. I know that you have your own ideas now and have secretly undergone genetic modification. You might not listen to us, but we still have to say what needs to be said.”

His mother’s grumbling made Long Yuehong scratch the back of his head. “I will.”

He then made a promise. “When my abilities can’t keep up, I’ll apply to be transferred. I have the right now!”

Without waiting for his parents to say anything else, Long Yuehong waved his hand again and left, afraid that they would say something else.

After walking for a distance, he encountered Shang Jianyao.

Shang Jianyao glanced at him and suddenly ran. “Don’t be last!”

Thud! Thud! Thud!

His figure disappeared from Long Yuehong’s line of sight.

You’re nuts… Long Yuehong felt very helpless. Finally, he caught up to Shang Jianyao in the elevator.

Not long after the two of them arrived at the 647th floor, they saw Bai Chen coming from the other end.

“Morning!” Shang Jianyao greeted. He had already forgotten about not being in last place.

“Morning.” Long Yuehong nodded.

Bai Chen smiled and replied, “Morning.”

The three of them came to Room 14 together to find Jiang Baimian already inside.

Upon seeing that her team members were all here, she cleared her throat and smiled. “Let’s set off!”