Embers Ad Infinitum

Chapter 569: Spirit of Experimentation

Shang Jianyao’s answer to Jiang Baimian’s guess was very simple: “I’ll give it a try later.”

The Life Angel necklace’s negative effects affected the body, while the Six Senses Beads targeted the mind. Both situations were covered.

As it wouldn’t be dangerous to transfer the items’ aura to the Mind Corridor or other people’s psychological traumas, Jiang Baimian didn’t object to Shang Jianyao’s suggestion and only reminded him, “Take it easy.”

After returning to their seats, Long Yuehong looked at Bai Chen and sighed with emotion. “Your Merfolk biological prosthetic limb is really strong...”

“That’s right, that’s right.” The one who replied wasn’t Bai Chen but Shang Jianyao. He further suggested, “Why don’t you amputate your other arm and replace it with a biological prosthetic limb? That way, you will truly be Superman!”

Long Yuehong retorted angrily, “Why aren’t you doing the switch?”

“Huh?” Shang Jianyao said seriously, “Can’t you see me filling up an application?”

Most of the Shang Jianyaos were very proactive.

Words failed Long Yuehong.

Jiang Baimian facepalmed, but she didn’t stop him.

...

After returning to the 495th floor, Long Yuehong turned his head and asked Shang Jianyao, “Heading to the Rec Center?”

“I’m busy with my gaming.” Shang Jianyao waved his hand, slung his tactical backpack, and walked toward Zone B.

Long Yuehong stared at his back, unsure if he was going home to play a real game or if he was treating the exploration of the Mind Corridor as a game.

With Long Yuehong’s understanding of Shang Jianyao, he felt that it was most likely the latter. This was because his friend spent half of the afternoon reading information regarding Iron Mountain City’s ruins and half the time watching Old World entertainment on his laptop—he didn’t game at all.

To put it simply, there were no signs.

Long Yuehong retracted his gaze and strolled toward the Rec Center.

It was the peak hour after everyone had dinner. He saw many familiar faces from just walking a short distance.

Long Yuehong was just about to raise his left hand to greet them and make some small talk when he realized that his acquaintances had awkwardly turned their gazes away and quietly took a few steps away from him as if they didn’t see him coming.

His left palm froze in midair and slowly fell.

After a few seconds, Long Yuehong exhaled silently. He lowered his head slightly and quickened his pace toward home.

Zone B, No. 196.

As soon as Shang Jianyao returned to the room, he hung his tactical backpack on the wall. He then took out the jewelry box with the Life Angel necklace from his pocket and slapped down on the bed with his body as though in free-fall.

Bang!

He wasn’t fat at all, but he was tall and very muscular, so he naturally wasn’t too light. His smash down on the bed made it shake a few times, almost causing it to fall apart.

The honest Shang Jianyao said to the Shang Jianyao that was wearing the caricature version of his childhood clothes, “You’re no longer a child. You have to be careful.”

The duo didn’t argue—their attention was focused on the Life Angel necklace in their hands.

This time, his paralyzed limb was his right leg, so it didn’t stop his hands from moving.

Shang Jianyao massaged his temples and entered the Mind Corridor.

After leaving Room 131, the cautious him transferred the Awakened aura in the Life Angel necklace over.

An old silver pendant with an angel carved on it immediately appeared in his left palm.

Shang Jianyao held it and strode forward. He then realized that his right leg was still weak and paralyzed.

Shang Jianyao stroked his chin and muttered to himself, “Big White’s guess seems wrong. Is this considered a cognitive disability? The essence of the price is to affect one’s self-awareness?”

The other Shang Jianyaos didn’t answer him because there were too few data points. They couldn’t conclude a pattern.

Shang Jianyao then split into ten and made the second attempt.

Only the Shang Jianyao who wore a deer-hunting hat with a pipe in his mouth held the Life Angel necklace in his hand. The others were either empty-handed or held small speakers and other items.

The nine Shang Jianyaos took steps in different directions. They dragged their right legs behind them as they limped and hobbled.

“This influence doesn’t seem to change because of a split personality,” concluded the Shang Jianyao wearing a deer-hunting hat.

“Then, how should we operate in the future? There’s no actual substance in the Mind Corridor that can be used to separate us from this necklace,” asked the weak Shang Jianyao.

He could conjure a jewelry box or paper ball, but this was essentially his mind. They couldn’t isolate him from the Awakened aura in the Life Angel necklace that represented an Awakened who had explored the Mind Corridor’s depths.

“Isn’t that simple?” The honest Shang Jianyao laughed. “Bring the aura back to reality and transfer it over when required.”

“Will it be too late?” The weak Shang Jianyao didn’t like this plan.

It was obvious that transferring required time, and a personality was needed to be split off to carry out the operation.

At this moment, the Shang Jianyao wearing a deer-hunting hat laughed. “I have an idea. Let’s gather and give it a try.”

“Why should I?” The honest but stubborn Shang Jianyao expressed his unhappiness about deferring to him.

After an argument and a vote, they combined into one again. Shang Jianyao then moved his right leg behind his butt, allowing another leg to grow out where the leg originally was.

In any case, it was only a spiritual body or consciousness. He could change his body structure however he wanted.

Shang Jianyao—who had three legs—tried walking again. He realized that he didn’t feel much discomfort and could walk normally if he ignored the leg behind his butt.

He paced back and forth a few times as he clicked his tongue.

As expected, the corresponding problem wasn’t too difficult to resolve. However, one needed to get used to the balance required in such a state.

How big of a deal was that?

...

Three days later, in Room 14 on the 647th floor.

Bai Chen was informed by phone that she would undergo surgery in the afternoon, and Shang Jianyao also received feedback from the higher-ups regarding his application. “As a Mind Corridor-level Awakened, it’s not recommended for you to modify the body and transplant a prosthetic limb unless absolutely necessary.”

“On what basis?” Shang Jianyao voiced his displeasure.

Big White was clearly a genetically modified person with a biological prosthetic limb and also an Awakened!

Jiang Baimian fell silent for a few seconds before subconsciously looking around. “Do you still remember what the teacher said? As he seeks to enter the New World through the Mind Corridor mentally, his body also needs to enter the New World through reality. Will the latter require a relatively pure body?”

“That’s true...” Shang Jianyao stopped protesting. After some deliberation, he looked at Jiang Baimian and said, “Then, you...”

Big White had undergone genetic modification and had an electric eel biomechanical limb. Her body was already somewhat different from normal people and couldn’t be considered pure.

Jiang Baimian smiled broadly. “How can so many people be qualified to enter the New World? When the time comes, I’ll enter purely through my consciousness if I have to go and if there’s a chance. In any case, I’ll take it one step at a time.”

After they finished discussing this question, Long Yuehong looked at Bai Chen and helped her complain. “Isn’t this surgery schedule too unreasonable? They only inform you in the morning, and the surgery will be carried out in the afternoon. They don’t even give you time to get prepared.”

“That’s right, that’s right,” Shang Jianyao echoed.

Bai Chen pursed her lips and smiled. “It’s actually not that bad. This means I won’t have time to be afraid or regretful.”

Jiang Baimian smiled and nodded. “A fighting spirit is aroused by the first roll of drums, depleted by the second, and exhausted by the third.”

She continued, “I’ll accompany you there in the afternoon.”

“There’s no need...” Bai Chen wasn’t too firm.

“It’s mandatory.” Jiang Baimian smiled. “You will feel much more at ease with someone accompanying you before the surgery. After the surgery, you probably won’t be able to move any time soon. Someone has to run around and help with the chores.”

Bai Chen accepted this explanation. “Alright.”

“Then, I’ll go too,” Long Yuehong blurted out.

When he realized what he had said, embarrassment rose in his heart.

Fortunately, Shang Jianyao also said, “Me too!”

“You guys...” Jiang Baimian chuckled. “What’s the use of you going? Can you help Little White wipe her body?”

“We can cheer her on!” Shang Jianyao had a serious expression.

“Alright, alright.” Jiang Baimian couldn’t be bothered to argue with him—no, them.

This was one reason, and the other was that she was afraid of getting lost.

At 2:30 p.m., in a research institute on the 12th floor of the underground building.

Bai Chen was escorted here by her three companions. After a series of inspections, she changed into her scrubs.

She pointed at the prep room with a glass wall and said to Jiang Baimian, Shang Jianyao, and Long Yuehong, “I’m heading in.”

“Go on.” The three of them nodded at the same time.

Bai Chen turned around and walked in.

The researcher in charge of the genetic modification said to her, “I’ve already told you all the things that need to be told. I’ll emphasize it one last time. Although you chose an option with a lower risk, it’s only relative. For ordinary people, this isn’t safer than undergoing all kinds of difficult surgery. There’s a high chance that you will have a genetic breakdown and die from the pain. You still have a chance to back out now. Please consider it seriously.”

Bai Chen listened silently and didn’t interject.

At this moment, another voice suddenly echoed in her ears, making her subconsciously turn around and look at the glass wall that isolated her from the outside world.

Shang Jianyao, Jiang Baimian, and Long Yuehong were squeezed there. The former’s face was tightly pressed against the glass, making him look a little strange. The latter two were relatively reserved and had obvious, encouraging smiles.

They waved their fists and shouted, “All the best!”

“We’re waiting for you!”

“It’ll be fine!”

Bai Chen couldn’t help but close her eyes and turn her head.

She paused and looked at the researcher in charge of the surgery before quietly saying, “I’m ready.”