Steel torrents pioneering a different world

Chapter 104 Master Chen: We cultivators take pride in upholding justice (3 bonus chapters, three chapters combined)

"Taoist Master, come on, today's otherworldly fish soup is very nourishing!"

Deng Dakang carefully placed a bowl of milky white fish soup in front of Master Chen.

"Drink more to nourish your body and replenish your blood and energy, so that we can better explore the mysteries of the universe!"

Master Chen didn't even lift his eyelids, stirring the rice in his bowl with his chopsticks, and said calmly, "Layman Deng, I cultivate the mind, not the body. With your eagerness for quick success and instant benefits, and your restless mind, how can you possibly glimpse the Great Dao?"

"Yes, yes, yes! The Taoist priest is right!"

Deng Dakang nodded repeatedly, like a humble primary school student seeking knowledge.

"Master, is there a specific definition of this 'calm mind' in neurology? For example, does it mean that the frequency of the brain's alpha waves should be maintained within a specific Hertz range?"

Master Chen picked up a shiitake mushroom with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth, and chewed it slowly.

He glanced at Deng Dakang, whose face was full of curiosity, and said slowly, "Professor Deng, you use microscopes to look at things. But sometimes, to see things clearly, you have to close your eyes first. Feel with your heart!"

After saying that, he stopped talking and focused on eating.

Deng Dakang was left alone, holding a pen, staring blankly at the questions in his notebook.

Close your eyes?

What does this mean? Meditation? Or... is this some kind of mystical jargon?
A moment later, Deng Dakang suddenly opened his eyes: "Master Chen, Master Zhou, there's something else I forgot to mention."

Master Chen and Master Zhou drank the fish soup without taking it seriously.

"That's right. The higher-ups said that Wudang's discovery of the talisman method is a great achievement, and they will be commended and rewarded soon. They will also provide funds for the repair of the main hall in modern times."

"Nothing~"

The two Taoist priests then raised their heads and looked at Li Weiguo with a puzzled expression.

"The Taoist traditions at Tokyo University are numerous and excellent. To allow more Taoist cultural traditions to take root and flourish in this other world, the higher authorities have specifically approved the transfer of more authentic Taoist masters to this world to experience its customs and culture and spread its moral principles!"

Master Chen's face turned pale, while Master Zhou gritted his teeth.

After a few breaths, a bright smile suddenly appeared on Master Chen's face.

“Layman Deng, I cultivate not only my mind but also my body! I know that the unity of knowledge and action is of utmost importance.”

"Master Chen is truly virtuous!"

"We cultivators uphold justice and vanquish evil! For the sake of righteousness, I am willing to go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Deng Dakang looked at Master Zhou.

Master Zhou nodded vigorously, "Senior brother is right!"

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they returned to the talisman-making site.

Deng Dakang rubbed his hands together, looking excited, and then looked at Master Chen.

"Master, you've lost a lot of blood recently, you need to rest well. For this experiment, I'd like to try using Comrade Wang Hu's blood!"

Upon hearing this, Master Chen frowned almost imperceptibly: "This... Layman Wang tried it before, but I'm afraid it won't work, and it would just be a waste of his essence and blood."

"It's alright! It's just some trial and error research."

Deng Dakang adjusted his glasses and explained.

“Two Taoist priests, the reason why my blood didn’t work before is probably because I’m old and frail and my blood and qi are insufficient. Comrade Wang Hu is young and strong, with excellent physical condition. In scientific terms, his bio-energy field is stronger, which may be able to cause the talisman to resonate.”

Master Chen pondered for a moment, then glanced at Wang Hu, who stood ramrod straight beside him, his face showing unease.

The thought of the "colleagues" that his superiors were about to send instantly dispelled any remaining reserve he might have had.

"Alright then, let's verify it."

Master Chen nodded, then turned to Wang Hu and solemnly performed a Taoist bow.

“Layman Wang, the last time I failed to make a talisman, I thought about it and the key was that my heart was not sincere. This time you need to recite the scriptures with me and sincerely pray to the ancestral master.”

Wang Hu was stunned, looking embarrassed: "Huh? I... I'm just a common soldier, worshipping your ancestor, wouldn't that be disrespectful?"

"It's alright!" Master Chen waved his hand, with an encouraging smile on his face. "Our ancestral master is all-encompassing and would surely like a young man like you."

"All the patriarchs descended to earth in the form of ancestors. You are not worshipping a god, but our ancestors! Come, little layman, don't think about anything, just silently and sincerely welcome him. Imagine the patriarch standing here, cheering you on!"

Master Zhou, who was standing nearby, chimed in, "That's right! That's exactly the attitude our patriarch wanted!"

Wang Hu glanced at the two serious-looking Taoist priests, then at Deng Dakang's expectant and encouraging gaze, and had no choice but to nod reluctantly.

Next, Master Chen gave Wang Hu a live lesson.

Deng Dakang, who was standing nearby, took out a magic detection device and found that the magic interference today was two points higher than yesterday.

"The magical interference is a bit too strong today!"

Seeing that Wang Hu had everything ready, Deng Dakang quickly turned on the camera recording function and then took notes with pen and paper.

the other side--

"Jade Purity Sacred Realm, Primordial Chaos and Limitless Realm—Disciple Chen Shixing… respectfully invites all the holy beings of the heavens to step on the nine-colored lotus platform, ride on phoenixes and cranes, and temporarily reside in the mortal world!"

"Please, Ancestral Master, descend to command your spirit!"

With Master Chen having completed the ritual, a solemn shout rang out, signaling the start of material preparation.

Wang Hu took a deep breath, picked up the cleaned magic sword beside him, closed his eyes, steeled his resolve, and struck his palm hard.

As blood gushed out, Wang Hu quickly caught it in a jade bowl and poured it into an inkstone to grind it together with cinnabar and other materials.

With focused expression, Master Chen flicked his wrist, and the talisman brush, soaked in Wang Hu's blood, danced across the yellow paper with fluid, graceful movements. In no time, a brand new talisman was completed.

Deng Dakang, on the other hand, had already arranged several pieces of the dead's bones.

"Taoist Master, please!"

"it is good!"

Master Chen, holding the still-warm talisman, quickly stepped forward and precisely affixed it to one of the broken skull pieces.

Everyone held their breath; the scene was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

One second, two seconds...

Deng Dakang's heart was in his throat as he stared intently at the pile of bones.

Just when they thought they were about to fail again, a soft white light suddenly appeared on the talisman.

The white light quickly transformed into flames, engulfing the entire skeleton.

However, the flames seemed to lack staying power, far less intense than those formed from Master Chen's essence and blood. They barely managed to burn the bones to a pitch-black state before flickering a few times and gradually going out.

Become!

Deng Dakang was so excited he almost jumped up, grabbed the notebook, and the pen tip scratched across the paper.

Wang Hu was completely stunned. He looked at his still bleeding palm, then at the pile of charred bones, and his mind went blank.

Is that... all it takes?
However, Master Chen and Master Zhou were the quickest to react.

The two exchanged a glance, a glint of shrewdness flashing in their eyes.

Master Chen saw Master Zhou's surprise, and Master Zhou saw the joy in Master Chen's eyes.

When the two then looked at Wang Hu in unison, their eyes held a hint of fervor.
Master Chen cleared his throat, his face beaming with a warm, spring-like smile. He walked a few steps to Wang Hu and patted him affectionately on the shoulder.

"Layman Wang, I observe that you possess extraordinary talent and abundant vital energy, making you a rare and exceptional cultivator. I wonder... if you would be interested in coming to our Wudang Mountain and becoming a lay disciple?"

Master Zhou quickly joined in, nodding vigorously: "Yes, yes, yes! Layman Wang, you have a special connection with Wudang!"

Wang Hu opened his mouth, looking at the two Taoist priests who were being overly enthusiastic, and after a long while, he managed to squeeze out a single word.

"……what?"
-
More than 40 kilometers away, Zhao Chong led his special forces squadron to be stationed here for the second day.

crunch--

Wang Kang picked up a mouthful of vibrant green vegetable leaves, stuffed it into his mouth, and squinted his eyes happily.

The leafy greens are sweet and have a unique fresh aroma, which blends perfectly with the rich flavor of the shiitake mushrooms, creating an indescribable taste.

"Mmm, delicious! This is exactly the taste!" Wang Kang exclaimed indistinctly. "Old Wang really struck gold this time; vegetables from another world are truly extraordinary!"

Beside him, Captain Zhao Chong was focused on preparing a braised fish.

The fish were caught from a lake near the base; their flesh was firm and chewy, and they were more delicious than any other mackerel on Earth.

"The fish from another world tastes the best. Let's go fishing together during our vacation in a couple of days!" Zhao Chong swallowed a mouthful of fish, but paused slightly.

"Okay!"

"Captain, do you think these things were nourished by some kind of magical element, which is why they taste so good?"

Wang Kang shoveled a large mouthful of rice into his mouth.

"I feel like if I went back to Earth now, everything I ate would taste like chewing wax."

Zhao Chong did not answer immediately. He put down his chopsticks and subconsciously rubbed his right knee.

"What's wrong, Captain? Is your old problem acting up again?" Wang Kang asked with concern.

Zhao Chong shook his head, a strange expression on his face.

He slowly and tentatively moved his leg, then stood up and did a standard squat.

The whole process was incredibly smooth, without the slightest stagnation or the usual aches and pains from joint friction.

"No...it doesn't hurt anymore."

Zhao Chong's voice carried a hint of surprise that he himself was unaware of.

"Recently, I have noticed that the pain in my knees has gradually subsided, and it has even stopped hurting altogether."

Wang Kang's mouth opened into an "O" shape.

He knew very well that the captain's leg was an old injury sustained during a mission years ago.

It hurts a lot when it's cold. The doctor said the cartilage is worn down and there is also slight nerve damage.

Zhao Chong's words started a conversation.

"Captain, now that you mention it, I also feel that my body is getting better!"

"Captain, me too! Before, my legs would feel like they were going to break after patrolling for 20 kilometers, but now I feel refreshed after running a round trip! I have inexhaustible energy!"

"Perhaps it has something to do with this world!"

Zhao Chong sat down again, his eyes becoming deep.

He has been in the other world for twenty-four days and is among the second batch of experimental personnel approved to consume otherworldly food and be exposed to the otherworldly air for an extended period.

At first, he was worried about what unknown side effects might occur.

But now it seems that, apart from a very small number of people who had adverse reactions to magical elements and were sent back to Earth, the remaining team members are all undergoing strange changes in their bodies.

Moreover, they are all positive!
Physical strength, endurance, energy... all the data are steadily improving.

Are my old injuries to my knees and lower back starting to heal?

If this is true, it would be a medical miracle!

"I'll talk to the team doctor another day and get a thorough check-up." "Okay, sure!"

"The captain's insight is brilliant."

Wang Kang picked up a piece of Shanghai bok choy that Li Donglai had been longing for and said with a happy smile, "Captain, I heard from Old Wang from the mess hall that Professor Li really cares about these vegetables."

"If he knew that the experimental vegetables he treasured were being treated so carelessly by us, wouldn't he be so angry that he'd faint on the spot?"

Zhao Chong smiled, a rare occurrence for him: "He'll probably request an autopsy to examine whether that piece of vegetable leaf was digested normally in your stomach!"

Wang Kang shrank his neck and quickly swallowed the food in his mouth: "Then forget it, let it shine for the country in my stomach."

After the jokes, everyone continued eating and drinking.

People who work hard need to eat and drink their fill to have the energy to work!

The atmosphere gradually calmed down.

The wind and snow outside seemed to be getting heavier, and the tent was being blown around loudly.

After finishing the remaining food in his lunchbox, Zhao Chong slowly said, "I feel that we could also apply to learn some of the Taoist priest's internal martial arts. Now that we've come to another world, no matter what the principles are, we're all getting stronger."

"Once Master Chen and Professor Deng figure out the reason, perhaps... each of us can become a key force."

"That's great!" Wang Kang's eyes lit up.

Zhao Chong smiled too.

After cleaning up the dishes, he gazed at the unfamiliar world outside the tent, shrouded in wind and snow, his eyes distant.

Although the place they lived in was a land of ice and snow, it was extremely rich in natural resources.

I wonder if the products from here, when brought back to the modern world and rebranded, would cause a huge sensation!
"Captain, the electromagnetic interference is quite strong today!"

"Oh~ Can you get through to headquarters?"

"Yes, but the power needs to be increased."

"Report the anomaly here to headquarters. We will continue to protect the mineral exploration team."

"okay!"
-
The interdimensional landing site for the pioneering army.

The new aircraft testing base is bustling with activity.

hum-

A piercing buzzing sound cut through the sky.

A medium-sized quadcopter drone, entirely black and exuding an industrial, brutal aesthetic, is hovering a hundred meters in the air.

It is equipped with a constantly rotating lidar on its head and fisheye lenses all over its body, enabling it to monitor without blind spots.

The most eye-catching feature is the futuristic-looking rifle mounted under the fuselage, its muzzle pointing flexibly in all directions as the gimbal rotates.

The drone is mounted on a third-generation electromagnetically driven blast-proof rifle, equipped with a co-track optical locking lens, enabling 355-degree shooting and tracking.

This third-generation electromagnetically driven blast-proof rifle has adjustable power and can fire lethal/non-lethal projectiles to strafe birds within a range of 50 to 250 meters.

With its special ammunition supply and electric motor power drive, it can continuously fire thousands of live metal rounds for fifteen minutes without interruption.

At a distance of 50 meters, it will not cause fatal damage to humans. When fired from a height of 200 to 1000 meters or higher, it will not pose a threat to human pilots wearing helmets on the ground.

However, it is extremely lethal to all kinds of birds.

Countless live-fire impacts will let any bird that dares to attack a drone experience what an electromagnetic bullet storm is like!

The drone is equipped with a powerful fault-tolerant motor, so even if it is attacked by birds, several birds will not damage the drone.

This is a killer bird specifically designed to lure and kill birds that dare to attack them. It is also the first product of these young researchers at Institute 207.

Outside, in the makeshift control area, several young people were intently watching the screens.

"Qin Longlong, how's the signal?" It was Senior Brother Zhang who spoke, his arms crossed and his expression serious.

"Electromagnetic interference level four, two levels higher than yesterday! Wind force level five, one level stronger than yesterday. Signal delay five milliseconds, laser link communication stable!"

Qin Longlong, who is proficient in gimbal performance, is very suitable to be a pilot.

His fingers danced nimbly across the control panel.

"Senior, requesting to fly!"

"Okay, raise it to 500 meters and test its maneuverability under extreme conditions," Senior Brother Li gave the order from the side.

"Roger that!"

Qin Longlong gently pushed the joystick, and the drone on the screen suddenly shot upwards.

With the help of AI algorithms, the ultra-wide-angle lens, combined with optical capture, rapidly scans and models the surrounding terrain and landforms, and updates them synchronously with the map in the database.

"Come on, let's do something exciting!" Senior Brother Li's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Simulate a bird strike, shut down both diagonally opposite engines!"

"Ah? Senior Brother Li, this..." Qin Longlong's hand trembled.

This is their precious treasure that they've been working on for days; if it falls, everyone will be heartbroken.

"What are you afraid of? We tested it at low altitudes and it worked fine. How will we know its limits if we don't test it at high altitudes? Execute the order!"

"Yes!"

Qin Longlong gritted his teeth and quickly operated in the developer options.

High in the sky, the drone suddenly veered off course, like a drunkard about to lose control and plummet.

In the makeshift ground control area, everyone instinctively held their breath.

Qin Longlong's forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat.

Just a few seconds later, the drone, powered by only two engines, managed to regain its stability in the air!
"Propeller speed is normal! Attitude is stable!"

"Good job, kid!" Senior Brother Li slapped his thigh. "Well done! Prepare for the attack test, altitude 200 meters, target: moving target!"

"Roger that!"

Qin Longlong perked up and switched his view to the gun camera.

The AI ​​algorithm instantly locked onto the target vehicle below that was moving irregularly, and the gun barrel automatically predicted its trajectory.

"Fire!"

"Da da da da——"

There was no explosion of gunpowder, only the teeth-grinding, fine whirring sound of bullets being propelled.

A storm of metal projectiles erupted instantly, precisely engulfing the moving target. Approximately thirty out of fifty bullets hit the target.

The electromagnetic rifle's ultra-low recoil effect is evident.

Even with strong winds and snow, the drones in the sky did not lose aim or control.

"The distance has been reduced to 150 meters!"

The hit rate soared again.

When the drone descends to 100 meters, it can hit the target almost exactly, with 100% accuracy!

"Great!" Senior Brother Zhang's tense face finally broke into a smile. "This thing was tailor-made for those hairy beasts! With this, let's see who dares to ram our planes again!"

The test was successful, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Senior Brother Li, however, was still not satisfied. He rubbed his hands together and suggested, "Let's go, just shooting at targets isn't enough. Let's do some real combat! Let's find some birds to test our guns!"

Qin Longlong's eyes lit up, and he became excited: "Where are we looking?"

"Over there by the lake, the mining area hasn't been operating for long, and the air-raid shelters haven't been put up yet. There are a lot of crows there!"

Senior Brother Li pointed in a direction.

"It's a good time to target them. Even if the plane crashes, the brothers stationed over there can help us retrieve the wreckage as soon as possible."

"okay!"

Qin Longlong pushed the joystick again, and the drone let out a whoosh, turned around, and quickly flew towards the distant lake. It soon became a small black dot and disappeared from everyone's sight.

Everyone crowded around the main screen, staring at the live feed transmitted from the drone.

Qin Longlong licked his slightly dry lips and reported in a deep voice, "Arrived at target airspace, ascending, beginning target search... Hey, found it!"

The drone skimmed across the lake and then gradually rose into the air. With the help of AI algorithms, it was difficult for any flying animal to escape detection.

“Ha, found it!”

Qin Longlong gave a soft shout, and in the corner of the screen, several black crows were perched on a withered branch, turning their heads back and forth, appearing unusually alert.

"Don't rush to fire, these hairy beasts are very clever," Senior Brother Li warned. "Get closer, wait until they huddle together before you act, then wipe them all out at once!"

"understand!"

Suppressing his excitement, Qin Longlong carefully controlled the drone, using the sparse dead trees as cover to approach stealthily.

The distance is 350 meters.

The crows seemed to sense something, cawing as they prepared to take flight.

"Now! Close in and fire!" Senior Brother Li slammed his hand on the table.

Qin Longlong pressed the tracking button, and the crow fled in a sorry state.

However, the drone was also very fast, reaching speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour, and its high altitude allowed it to easily approach the crow. Then, Qin Longlong's finger touched the trigger.

"Da da da da——"

A fine, sharp electromagnetic excitation sound rang out, and a net of death composed of metal projectiles instantly enveloped the fleeing crow.

The crow in the air was hit by the whistling bullets, its feathers and flesh flying everywhere, before it fell to the ground with a few thuds, without even having time to let out a scream.

"Brilliant! Total annihilation!"

"Good job,"

Senior Brother Zhang nodded in satisfaction.

"We've collected most of the test data, so we're heading back now. Next, we should apply for interception tests on large, aggressive birds."

Qin Longlong nodded, controlled the drone to turn around, and easily embarked on his return journey.

On the return flight, he deliberately lowered his altitude and flew along the base's buildings.

The outline of the human base is clearly visible through the drone's ultra-wide-angle lens.

The frigid temperatures of minus forty degrees Celsius froze the earth, and the road construction workers deliberately chose a gravel area, which ironically created the most solid ground.

Hundred-ton transport trucks shuttle back and forth on the makeshift roads cleared by road rollers, while snowplows rumble and push fresh snow to the sides of the road.

Looking around, the barbed wire fences were already densely packed, blocking the movement of any nocturnal creatures!

The entire base is like a steel behemoth in the dead of winter, brimming with vitality.

"Hey, what is that?"

(End of this chapter)