Volume 3: Deep Blue Sea
After a night of precipitation, the vast expanse formed by the gathering rainwater appeared exceptionally clear. It was tinted with the rich emerald green of the thriving branches and leaves overhead. The water surface was as smooth as a mirror, and a bamboo raft glided steadily across, leaving behind a trail of gentle ripples. On the bamboo raft, a refined man in ancient attire stood quietly, with a small round creature resembling him seated on his shoulder. The little being occasionally turned its small head, marveling at the picturesque scenery surrounding them.
Ye Qian and Meng Muyu were also on the bamboo raft, sitting or standing. This bamboo raft was truly magical, moving smoothly without any need for manual operation. Meng Muyu carefully examined the bamboo raft from front to back but couldn’t comprehend how this bamboo raft, which seemed to violate the law of energy conservation, was created. Intrigued, he inquired with Shu Xun, and in response, Shu Xun waved his hand, causing several brightly colored circular patterns to illuminate on the bamboo raft. Most of these patterns consisted of inner and outer rings rotating in opposite directions, and according to Shu Xun, the complex designs on these concentric circles were the key to the energy conversion and source of the bamboo raft.
Meng Muyu listened with a puzzled expression, acknowledging that even his supposedly clever mind was insufficient. He couldn’t comprehend the concept of the five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, nor did he understand the principles behind the so-called array patterns. Determined, Meng Muyu sat in front of the array, earnestly studying for a whole morning, yet yielding no results.
Just when Meng Muyu felt that this peculiar skill of drawing diagrams must be based on the spacetime that Shu Xun had gone to, Ye Qian, surprisingly, traced a faint, mist-like mark with his finger beside him. The trace disappeared extremely quickly. But Meng Muyu was certain he hadn’t mistaken it. The chat room exploded in an instant.
After all, a completely new way of energy circulation could potentially change the world. In the interstellar era, technological advancements were approaching saturation, and the aspiration of leaping into a new civilization was the goal pursued by various races. While Meng Muyu delved into the study of array patterns, numerous viewers in the chat room were trying to follow Shu Xun’s instructions to guide their internal energy and draw patterns. However, this proved to be a challenging task, as only a few illusionary beings and those with high mental prowess could control their energy. Even if they managed to draw similar patterns, there was no energy fluctuation. After countless failures, many gave up, sharing the same sentiment as Meng Muyu.
Unexpectedly, Ye Qian, who had been maintaining a poker face, casually drew a mark in the air. Although it disappeared quickly, there was a clear energy fluctuation! What did this indicate? It suggested that the array patterns mentioned by Shu Xun could be applied in the present era! Almost everyone realized that if, in the interstellar era, they could leap into a new civilization using this method. Then today, they might have witnessed the beginning of that leap.
Standing at the front of the bamboo raft, Shu Xun clearly felt the spiritual power fluctuations behind him. Astonished, he turned around just in time to witness the spiritual power disappearing from Ye Qian’s fingertips. His refined expression couldn’t contain the shift to surprise. Although Shu Xun had explained the basic principles of array patterns when Meng Muyu asked earlier, he hadn’t held much hope himself. The forms of energy in each world differed, much like the various races’ supernatural abilities in interstellar space. After millions of years of evolution, the recycling of this energy had formed its own system. Attempting to break this pattern with one person’s power was as challenging as creating history.
Ye Qian raised his hand to examine his fingertips, speaking in a calm tone. “It seems that mental powers can be converted into other forms of energy, but it’s extremely difficult to control. Moreover, this sensation is elusive, and currently, I can’t master it.”
Shu Xun tugged at his own hair. “The operation of spiritual power involves an incredibly complex process. The Twelve Meridians, the Circulation of Qi through the Meridians, the Three Heaters in the Lower Dan Tian, the Gathering of Spirits, and Qi cultivation—all are indispensable. It’s quite complicated to explain briefly. I’ll tell you in detail when we have the chance…”
Excitedly, Meng Muyu stood up in an instant. “No! No need to wait for a chance. I want to hear it now! We might be creating a miracle; how can we stop talking about it…” Meng Muyu, now in full chatter mode, seemed even more enthusiastic than Ye Qian.
Shu Xun helplessly smiled. “Let me explain the basic Twelve Meridians circulation. The Three Yin of the hand circulate from the organs to the hand, the Three Yang of the hand circulate from the hand to the head, the Three Yang of the foot circulate from the head to the foot, and the Three Yin of the foot circulate from the foot to the abdomen. The organs intersect, converge at the Lower Dan Tian, and repeat in a continuous cycle. This is the most fundamental operation of meridian spiritual power. Besides this, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians also have their own operations and effects, known as the Greater and Lesser Circulations…” After a moment, Shu Xun turned to the two who were already in a daze. “Did you understand?”
Ye Qian maintained his poker face.
Meng Muyu scratched his head. “Let’s discuss it in detail when we have the chance…”
Big Bliss slightly raised his small head. “A young one cannot be taught, and rotten wood cannot be carved1a proverbial expression in Chinese, and it essentially conveys the idea that it is difficult or impossible to teach someone who is not receptive or unwilling to learn. The comparison to “rotten wood” implies that individuals who are morally corrupt or set in their ways may be resistant to positive influences or changes. In a broader sense, it underscores the importance of receptiveness and openness to learning for personal growth and development.~”
Little Bliss, who was observing the scenery at the edge of the bamboo raft, earnestly nodded in agreement.
Meng Muyu had a black line on his face and poked Little Bliss’s wing. “What are you nodding at? Did you understand?”
Little Bliss turned his head, leisurely flew to the other side, and continued to enjoy the scenery.
Meng Muyu, who had been inexplicably disliked, turned tearfully to Ye Qian. “I heard that Blue Butterflies inherit some traits and preferences from their main spiritual entities?”
Ye Qian, still maintaining his poker face, turned his face in another direction, took a few steps, and went to the side to appreciate the scenery.
In the live stream chat:
“Hahaha! It’s confirmed. Little Bliss’s dislike for Meng Muyu definitely comes from Ye Qian. The reactions of the man and the butterfly are so similar!”
“Is it because chatter attracts Shu Xun’s attention? That’s why God Ye dislikes him so much.”
“Why does Ye Qian suddenly seem a bit cute?”
“I’m still stuck in the part about what Little Dumpling said. I understood every word but didn’t comprehend a single sentence. What kind of experience is this?”
“I feel like that passage does form a cycle, but I can’t make out anything beyond that. What are the Three Yin and Three Yang, Twelve Meridians, and Eight Extraordinary Meridians? It sounds mysterious. I’ll patiently wait for Little Dumpling’s detailed explanation in the future.”
“Not only can’t I understand Shu Xun’s words, I also can’t comprehend what Big Bliss is saying. But the disdain is evident.”
“What’s shining upstairs! This word was just added to the language database yesterday, categorized as Northeastern Mouse language. There are many more of Shu Xun’s words below; anyone interested can go take a look.”
“What, what, what? I didn’t understand?!”
“Gah, can’t we talk normally anymore?”
…
The atmosphere in the live stream room gradually took a strange turn, and this peculiar Northeastern Mouse language seemed to spread like a toxin. At this moment, Shu Xun, immersed in the gaming world, remained unaware that when he returned to the real world, he would face various bizarre Northeastern phrases.
In the serene jungle, the bamboo raft glided gently. Occasionally, the shadows of animals passing through the jungle branches could be seen, accompanied by the occasional crisp chirping of birds, creating an atmosphere of a leisurely fairyland. On the bamboo raft, the idle Big Bliss had taken out his small fishing rod, sitting at the edge and fishing. However, in the moving state, there was obviously no catch; it was simply a way to pass the time. Little Bliss landed beside Big Bliss, flapping its wings open and closed, idly grooming its antennae.
Holding the small fishing rod in his hand, Big Bliss yawned, and a mist covered his large eyes. Suddenly, the small fishing rod in his hand sank, as if hooking onto something. Before Big Bliss could react, he was pulled into the water with a splash. The calm water surface splashed with small droplets, and Little Bliss, who was nearby, paused. The two small legs, used to groom his antennae, remained frozen in place. After two seconds, Little Bliss seemed to realize what happened and instantly leaped off the bamboo raft, a blue light descended, and he plunged into the water.
Meng Muyu was also momentarily stunned, looking at the clear water surface below. He saw that Big Bliss’s fishhook had caught a palm-width, two-palm-long blue fish by its tail. The blue-tailed fish, mistaking itself for under attack, darted frantically in all directions. Big Bliss was suspended behind the blue-tailed fish, forced to roam swiftly, while Little Bliss followed closely, flapping his wings in an attempt to catch up and pull Big Bliss back.
Meng Muyu: “…” Why does the scene seem a bit comical? After enduring for a while, he couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter, pointing at the fish and the two butterflies circling underwater.
Shu Xun also smirked, bringing his index and middle fingers together, preparing to cast a spell. Suddenly, the blue-tailed fish that had been swimming ahead flashed with light and transformed into a humanoid figure with a fishtail. The little figure seemed to realize that the hooked item posed no threat. It stopped, unwrapped the fishhook from its tail, and then crossed its arms, looking indignant at Big Bliss and Little Bliss.
With no more tension, Big Bliss naturally came to a halt, floating in the water using his short legs. Little Bliss caught up, stopping in the water, and facing the strange fish at a distance.
In the live stream room, what started as laughter took an unexpected turn. According to the theory of humanoids being the ultimate evolution of advanced intelligent life forms, humanoid creatures are indeed beings with a certain level of intelligence.
The mermaid-like figure was slightly larger than an adult palm. Seeing that Big Bliss and Little Bliss didn’t approach, it slid its tail and swam to them. Then, it extended its short hand toward Big Bliss. “@￥%……￥&%……” It spoke with a look of indignation.
Big Bliss, not understanding a single word, released a string of bubbles.
Having a brief conversation with the mermaid-like creature, the two butterflies spread their wings, rose to the water’s surface, and then fanned the water droplets off their wings. They leisurely returned to the bamboo raft.
On the bamboo raft, the three individuals who seemed a bit dumbfounded appeared less composed than the two blue butterflies. Big Bliss set up a small tent and went inside to change clothes, while Little Bliss continued grooming his slightly damp antennae as if nothing had happened.
Just as Shu Xun and the others were in a daze, there was a splash at the front of the bamboo raft. A little humanoid figure emerged from the water, the same blue-tailed mermaid from earlier. The small figure floated in front of the bamboo raft, looking furious. One short hand pushed against the bamboo raft, and the other pointed towards the location of Big Bliss’s tent. “@￥￥@%&……”
Shu Xun and the others: “…”
Seeing no response from the three on the bamboo raft, the little humanoid seemed even angrier. With both hands supporting the bamboo raft, it leaped up, but the fishtail clearly wasn’t suitable for walking. With a flop, it fell onto the bamboo raft. Undeterred, the mermaid-like figure flapped its tail, arching and crawling persistently towards Big Bliss’s small tent. Then, it swatted the tent away with its tail.
Big Bliss, who was changing clothes inside the tent: “…”
The mermaid-like figure angrily spoke another long string of incomprehensible words, then pointed to the spot on its tail where it had been scratched by the fishhook. Fearful that Big Bliss might not notice, it grabbed its tail and lifted it high, presenting the almost perfect circle formed by the tail.
