Chapter 24: The Hero Volunteers

In fact, over these years, He Yunfei has often had the same recurring dream: he falls into a bottomless ice abyss, his body firmly adhered to by a substance resembling gel. Every time he wakes up from such a nightmare, he is drenched in cold sweat.

He Yunfei believes that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, especially the Great Canyon area, has an extremely complex mountain structure, belonging to a deeply metamorphosed rock system interspersed with gneiss strata. After countless violent orogenic movements, the original rock regions have long been unrecognizable and disfigured, leaving them filled with endless unknowns and variables.

He clearly remembers that at the time, due to the influence of El Niño, glacial melting occurred in the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, leading to changes in the geological structure. Three years ago, when he and his mentor, Ding Bonian, were conducting field research, they encountered danger multiple times. Now, the scale, speed, and duration of these changes are unprecedented. In some areas where the surface was originally covered with granulite, special substances from the high-pressure environment of the deep crust have even appeared.

At that time, he could not help but wonder: could such rapidly rising terrain trigger the release of certain special elemental materials from the Earth's core? Especially isomers suspected to be of Theia origin. Given such geological conditions, astonishing secrets are likely hidden beneath. Therefore, it is imperative to invest the latest cutting-edge equipment to conduct a re-evaluation and study of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Consequently, he applied to the Chinese Academy of Sciences for six newly developed trans-temporal imaging devices. These devices feature an advanced design philosophy, specifically engineered to detect and receive mirror planes from different spacetime dimensions. While they cannot alter the structure of spacetime, they are capable of keenly detecting and capturing the presence of these spacetime mirror planes.

He Yunfei’s application was quickly approved by Dean Ji Dongsheng, with plans to ship the equipment to the Southwest Institute of Science and Research.

Looking at the approval document, He Yunfei deeply felt the nation's firm resolve in exploring new energy and facing future challenges. Subconsciously, he reached out to touch the amulet on his chest, his thoughts involuntarily drifting back to that glacial expedition three years ago.

It was during that expedition that he, along with Professor Ding Bonian and other plateau researchers, endured countless hardships and risks—even risking their lives—to obtain the first-hand, precious data on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau that belonged to the Chinese people themselves. It was also during that journey that he truly learned that Yunnan was home to numerous ethnic minorities, a land teeming with hidden talents and masters.

That year was his first time in Yunnan. As he prepared to head to Tibet for field research, he happened to coincide with the International Tourism Festival in Kunming, the Spring City. It was during that dazzling festival that an unexpected encounter took place, one he finds impossible to forget to this day.

At that time, the streets of Kunming were exceptionally lively, filled everywhere with a festive atmosphere. Colorful decorations intertwined with the bustling crowds, composing a vibrant picture.

A magnificent, brilliant golden dragon danced majestically through the air, its powerful frame and agile movements seemingly poised to break through the sky. Simultaneously, a vigorous green dragon soared from the ground, aggressively joining the grand competition. The two giants then clashed intensely in mid-air, vying for a multi-colored pearl.

They followed each other, tail to head, soaring and diving with fluid grace and bold actions. At times, they tilted their heads high, charging forward as if to reach the ninth heaven and enter a celestial palace; at other times, they dipped and circled, skillfully maneuvering as if threading through clouds and mist, galloping with an unstoppable, majestic momentum.

The enthusiastic parade procession moved orderly along with the joyful beat of drums and passionate rhythms. People were immersed in this ocean of joy, laughter echoing everywhere, with happy smiles blooming on everyone's faces.

He Yunfei clearly remembers that the surroundings were overwhelming, as if he were in a dreamlike, carnivalesque feast. Even Qu Mu Gewu, his Yi brother born in Chuxiong, Yunnan, who was accompanying him at the time, was filled with amazement.

On a high observation deck, He Yunfei witnessed for the first time in his life the shocking performance of climbing a ladder of knives and descending into a sea of fire.

The knife ladder extending toward the sky was constructed of eighteen rungs of sharp, gleaming steel blades tied horizontally, each blade flashing with a chilling cold light. The young Lisu men stepped onto the sharp edges barefoot without hesitation, their expressions calm and steady, as if they were walking on a flat road instead of sharp steel.

Watching them walk on the blades, the sensation of steel slicing into flesh made everyone present tremble, not daring to even draw a full breath.

The scene of descending into the sea of fire was even more thrilling.

Lisu men and women fearlessly moved back and forth through blazing charcoal capable of heating a plowshare to a glowing red. Their feet seemed impervious to the scorching heat, suffering no harm at all. This sight left He Yunfei stunned, his heart deeply shaken, and filled with admiration for the courage and resilience of the Lisu people.

He also clearly remembers Qu Mu Gewu, from the Botanical Institute of the Southwest Academy of Science and known as "Mr. Plant," explaining that the Lisu people living along the Nujiang Grand Canyon in Yunnan perform these feats of courage and strength every year during the Kuoshi Festival. This unique skill of climbing knife ladders and walking on fire, along with their indomitable spirit, is a precious treasure passed down through generations.

At the time, He Yunfei could not help but marvel at the greatness of the human spirit. Facing the tests of nature and the myriad difficulties created by so-called "gods," they have broken through time and again with tenacious will and fearless courage.

Although legend says the "gods" inflicted many severe punishments upon humanity, they never dared to annihilate them, perhaps because the human legacy ensures their stories will be told forever.

Just as he was lost in thought, a stir rippled through the crowd, and a powerful surge of people swept him and the reporters into the parade. Like waves in the sea, they were carried forward involuntarily.

A group of girls dressed in gorgeous Dai skirts drifted toward them as lightly as celestial beings. The leading girl, smiling brightly, shouted to them, "Is Yunnan beautiful?"

He Yunfei hurriedly turned his head and shouted back, "Beautiful! Beautiful! It's too beautiful!"

Gewu seemed to sense something and warned quickly, "Brother Fei, we must leave quickly! If we don't, we might get trapped here!"

However, before they could escape, the graceful Dai girls quickly surrounded them. In an instant, cool, clean water droplets drifted down like fine rain.

The Dai people were sharing auspicious and beautiful blessings with everyone attending the festival in their unique way of splashing water.

When the parade reached the fountain pool in the city center, the originally civilized and orderly water-splashing blessings were disrupted by some mischievous young men.

These energetic youths brought out basins and buckets they had prepared in advance, eagerly splashing the clear water from the pool onto the thinly clad Dai girls and the surrounding tourists.

For a moment, water splashed everywhere, and screams and laughter intertwined, bringing the atmosphere of the scene to an unprecedented climax.

He Yunfei soon realized this was a carefully prepared carnival full of joy and passion. He and Gewu were already soaked to the skin, and the Dai girls, drenched by the water, appeared even more graceful and charming. Their dark, lustrous hair clung wetly to their cheeks, highlighting their fair, delicate faces, while their form-fitting skirts clung to their lithe figures, every movement seemingly plucking at the restless heartstrings of those around them.

In the crowd, He Yunfei was already infected by the joyous atmosphere, temporarily forgetting the pressures and troubles of scientific research, and fully enjoying this rare, happy moment. He laughed and dodged along with the people around him, feeling the charm of this unique festival. At this moment, his heart was full of love for this land and anticipation for future research, as if all this had injected new vitality into his scientific journey.

A group of foreign friends, holding digital cameras, were caught off guard by this sudden "water war" and appeared quite disheveled. But soon, they too were infected by the joyful atmosphere, simply taking off their shirts and rushing into the crowd, cheering and reveling to their hearts' content.

Yunfei shouted excitedly, "This is the real carnival! Ethnic minority regions are truly extraordinary!"

Amidst the chaos and jubilation, Qu Mu Gewu shouted over the noise to explain, "This is our Yunnan festival; there are many other interesting activities like this. Things like the Achang people's 'Dengwole,' 'Chuan Guniang,' and 'Qiangqin' are all very fascinating. Wait until tonight, and you'll see our Yi people's Torch Carnival Night; that scene is truly spectacular..."

Just then, a beautiful elephant from Xishuangbanna walked slowly by with a steady gait. In front of it, gongs and drums paved the way with lively rhythms, while behind it, girls and boys of various ethnic groups followed, dancing joyfully with happy smiles on their faces.

The elephant's head and body were draped with countless exquisite, handmade embroideries, every stitch filled with ethnic wisdom and passion. Coupled with its inherent dignified temperament, it appeared luxurious and noble, like an elegant aristocrat.

On its back, it carried a large flower basket decorated with colorful, fresh flowers, on which sat the beautiful Tibetan girl Jimei Qingyuan, the winner of this year's "Sun Girl Beauty Pageant" at the tourism festival.

She wore a colorful floral crown and the gorgeous, traditional festival attire of the Tibetans, inlaid with precious jewelry that glittered enchantingly in the sunlight.

Every detail of her appearance perfectly highlighted her ethnic identity.