Chapter 64: Danger Zone

Ding Bonian asked perplexedly: "Does that mean in the tachyonic universe composed of tachyons, no tachyon can travel slower than the speed of light; whereas in our tardyonic universe, no object can exceed the speed of light, which implies that the speed of light serves as the dividing line between the two universes?"

Su Chunyang could not conceal his excitement: "Yes, that is one way to understand it. If a black hole is an absolute 'cold-blooded diner', then we have every reason to believe that the ultimate point of a black hole is the ultimate point of the speed of light, which will end the real world and open the door leading to another world..."

"This is no joking matter; it is much better to maintain regional stability!" Ding Bonian emphasized with a serious expression.

At this moment, Lin Yizhou formally introduced the topic: "The reason we have gathered together today is to jointly discuss the matter of traveling through space and time..."

Meanwhile, in the distant wilderness of the Cretaceous period, towering pillars of black meteoric iron stood abruptly. Having suffered severe lightning strikes, they were long charred and blackened. Yet, the tall, golden-gourd-like structure located right in the center shimmered with golden light, as though it had never been touched by lightning at all.

The Longshan people were tidying up the chaotic aftermath. Ximolamu, accompanied by Waza, Lalong, Xinrang, and others, carefully inspected the situation around the Golden Gourd Celestial Furnace, cleared away the debris, and prepared to empty the residual energy in the core material-melting pool.

At that moment, two children came dashing over like wild horses let loose from their reins. Without a moment's thought, one of the little boys plunged headfirst right into the mysterious golden gourd.

This scene panicked the tribal shaman Ximolamu immensely. She shouted loudly in the ancient Longshan tongue: "Awu, come out quickly! Do not go in..." Her voice was filled with anxiety and worry, and she immediately hurried in after him.

The little boy named Awu, as if intentionally playing hide-and-seek with his shaman grandmother, crouched low and quickly hid in a secluded corner, refusing to come out no matter what.

Ximolamu hurried through the intricate network of pipes, casting anxious glances all around, yet she could not spot the little boy anywhere. She could not help muttering to herself: "This mischievous imp, where on earth has he run off to?"

Just then, a strange and eerie sound of "creak, creak..." drifted over leisurely. Evidently, the little boy seemed to have opened a small, mysterious door.

Ximolamu's heart skipped a beat, and she cried out in alarm! She knew very well that the little boy must have entered the material-melting pool, which was the core area of the entire golden gourd where all moonstones were transformed to generate the core energy of the Golden Gourd Celestial Furnace.

This was catastrophic; an accident here would cost lives! Should there be any residual energy blocks left in the material-melting pool, even just a tiny fraction, it would be enough to destroy the entire Longshan settlement.

Panicked to the core, Ximolamu called out in a trembling voice, shouting loudly: "Awu, come out quickly! It is dangerous in there!!"

Hearing the cries, Waza immediately realized the severity of the situation. Burning with anxiety, he rushed inside and sprinted toward the core material-melting pool. Yet at that exact moment, for reasons unknown, the mystic door of the material-melting pool clicked shut and locked itself.

Overwhelmed with anxiety, Ximolamu shouted at the top of her lungs, nearly shrieking: "Waza, you must... you must save your younger brother!"

Waza replied, "Don't worry." His brows were tightly knitted, his eyes wide open, and his muscles taut as he mustered all his strength and hurled himself against the sturdy mystic door made of special materials.

"Bang, bang, bang..." The massive impact echoed through the space, yet the golden mystic door remained as motionless as a towering mountain.

When Waza had caught his breath and prepared to charge forward recklessly once more, a hand suddenly grabbed him firmly. He turned his head and saw that it was the tribal elder Lalong, who was holding a hexagonal object in his hand and said, "Try this."

Upon seeing this, the shaman Ximolu anxiously asked: "Lalong, where did you get that?" As far as she knew, the "Divine Turtle Mirror", the key to unlocking the energy pool of the Golden Gourd Celestial Furnace, had been lost ever since the time of their migration through space.

Lalong explained, "Ever since our 'Divine Turtle Mirror' was lost, I never dared to let this door stay fully closed. Fearing an emergency, I made this replica key just in case, though I am not sure if it will be of any use."

Waza took the key, examined it from left to right, and for a moment had no idea how to use it. At that moment, urgent shouts came from outside regarding the clearing of residual energy.

The situation was critical. Lalong quickly inserted the key, meticulously crafted from jade, into the hexagonal hole of the mystic door, and then cautiously turned it left and right a few times. Miraculously, the golden gourd's mystic door indeed stirred into action, yet it still could not be opened completely.

Ximolamu's eyes grew red with worry, and she shouted through the mystic door: "Awu, come out quickly, or you won't be able to return to the Bafang Valley..."

Just as everyone was filled with anxiety, whether because the key finally took effect or due to some other mysterious reason, the golden mystic door slowly and gently pushed open.

A little boy of about seven or eight years old appeared before everyone's eyes. He was pitch black all over, as though he had just crawled out of a coal pile, revealing only a row of pearly white teeth as he stood inside with a silly grin.

Ximolamu felt a warmth in her eyes, and tears streamed down her face as she pulled little Awu into a tight embrace. She harbored no intention of scolding the little boy, but instead showered him with affection as she led him away from the golden gourd.

Once outside, Ximolamu's expression darkened as she sternly reprimanded the young girl standing outside: "Milu, why are you so insensible? How could you let your younger brother run around everywhere?"

Awu and Milu were the golden boy and jade girl of the Longshan people, and also the apple of old Ximolamu's eye. One was her own grandson, and the other was her niece. Milu looked to be around thirteen or fourteen, with skin fairer than Awu's. She wore a short top exquisitely woven from soft meadow grass, paired with an ultra-short skirt made from the fur of some unknown animal, exuding both youthful vitality and a wild, unbridled charm.

She fluttered a pair of bright, intelligent eyes, whose expression seemed to say: Grandmother, he is simply too mischievous; I truly cannot keep him under control. Seeing this, Ximolamu shook her head helplessly...

As evening fell and the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the earth, He Yunfei returned from the Southwest Research Institute of Science. Remembering his appointment with his elder brother Bao Tianxi, he hurried to change out of his work uniform upon returning to his residence, pondering to himself: Are we going to drink ourselves into a stupor again today?

Boarding the car sent by Boss Bao Tianxi, they soon stopped in front of the Cornucopia Future Development Company. A horizontal banner was seen hanging high overhead, bearing the words: "Friends from Beijing, Welcome You."

With a single glance, He Yunfei knew this must be Bao Tianxi's customary style.

Amidst several thunderous salutes, the welcoming crowds on both sides of the road instantly erupted into excitement. Flowers formed a brilliant sea of blossoms, and smiling beauties rushed forward, creating a lively scene resembling the reception of a distinguished foreign head of state.

At the head of the procession, Boss Bao Tianxi and Qumu Gewu, an ethnic Yi man with a striking scar across his face, greeted them warmly with broad smiles. Old friends meeting again felt exceptionally intimate: "Brother Yunfei..." "Brother Fei..."

The brothers embraced tightly, their bonds fully manifested in that moment.

Qumu Gewu pulled He Yunfei into a tight embrace. Although the scar on his face looked somewhat startling, his inner excitement could not be concealed and was evident in his expression. Ever since he accompanied this big brother from Beijing to the Kunming International Tourism Festival three years ago, the connection between them had never been broken.

He Yunfei scanned the crowd and noticed the absence of Guo Zhenhu and Bao Xiaotong, so he asked, "Where did the two of them go?"

Bao Tianxi replied, "Guo Zhenhu went to manage business in Heijing Town, Chuxiong Prefecture, and Bao Xiaotong is on her way here."

At that very moment, someone was heard shouting at the top of their lungs: "Step aside, step aside, everyone make way for me!!" Following the sound, the crowd watched as several men with the clear demeanor of thugs escorted a gorgeously dressed, seductive woman toward them. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Du Yanxiang from the Fuqui Group.

Perhaps because the previous attempt to seize the book *The Frozen DF Project* had failed, Yao Kuei had deliberately sent her to investigate.

Heavily made up, Du Yanxiang swayed her hips with every step, striking a rather alluring posture. She wore a black dress embedded with diamond-like ornaments and clutched a bouquet of delicate, vibrant flowers in her hands, wriggling her body as she walked straight toward He Yunfei.

With lips painted blood-red, she called out sweetly, "Oh, Brother Fei, you truly are full of heroic spirit!"

He Yunfei was filled with puzzlement, having no idea what this woman intended to achieve by coming here, and quickly said, "Miss, it seems we do not know each other, do we?"

Putting on a coquettish act infused with a spoiled tone, Du Yanxiang introduced herself: "What Miss? My name is Du Yanxiang. I came here today specially to see you, you know!" This affection, whether genuine or feigned, caught everyone present completely by surprise.

As soon as her voice trailed off, she held the bouquet and gracefully leaned toward Yunfei, even offering a cheek kiss. This intimate gesture instantly left Yunfei somewhat flustered and at a loss.

Bao Tianxi interrupted impatiently, showing no courtesy whatsoever: "Miss Du, who sent you here? Could it be that you are here to pester me again over that wretched stone?"

Previously, due to the matter of gemstone appraisal, the Fuqui Group and Bao Tianxi had clashed fiercely, creating a very tense atmosphere.

Duan Jinhu, Du Yanxiang's bodyguard, was thoroughly provoked by Bao Tianxi's attitude. His muscles tensed, his hands instinctively curled into fists, and he stood poised and eager, looking ready for a fight at any moment.

He Yunfei cast his gaze toward Duan Jinhu, and his pupils instantly contracted. He clearly remembered that this man was the very ruffian who had disrupted the Taoist ritual at Mount Wudang years ago, only now he possessed a much sturdier build and radiated a fierce, ruthless aura.

At that instant, a large group of people suddenly surged out from around the Cornucopia Company, each wielding a wooden club. It was evident they had come prepared, and the atmosphere at the scene instantly grew tense and ready to explode.