Endless Ocean: Escape Starting from a Canoe

Chapter 297 Heading to the Breath of Earth Research Institute
Shi Ming had long suspected that the Second Blade Storm, a regional disaster with terrifying destructive power that did not exist in the land era, was likely the product of the fusion of three forces: ice and snow, life, and space rift.

The power of ice and snow comes from the unique environment of the mountaintop.

The power of life originates from the primordial essence of the Sanctuary of Life revealed by the Pillar of Creation.

Shi Ming initially thought the power that pierced through the air came from the "Jianmu" tree's ability to travel.

Now, there are new suspects.

With the reminder from the black cube in the Eye of the Mortal Realm, he was almost certain that the "terrifying thing" that was drawing nourishment from the corpse of the Pillar of Creation and growing could use the power of breaking through the void, and the Second Blade Storm was most likely its creation.

If the judgment is true...

It has been lurking here for at least 30 years! For 30 years, it has completely eroded the interior of the Creation Pillar, causing the ferocious beast to perish. It then took over its body to absorb nutrients. Now, its unconscious power is leaking out, generating such a long-lasting and terrifying secondary blade storm. Its true form, buried deep within the mountain, is something that even A-Jian finds "terrifying"!
Shi Ming felt a sense of urgency.

We must become stronger as soon as possible!

The dragon-slaying plan is urgently needed!
……

……

……

It was probably because the three of them failed to conceal their detection that they disturbed the terrifying thing. The sudden storm disrupted their plans. With the help of the power of "Azure Sea and Azure Phoenix", the three of them quickly retreated from the peak of Mount Everest and headed in another direction to the Xirang Research Institute located at the snow line.

This is the nearest supply depot to them.

It is the safest sanctuary on this mountain peak.

It was also a research institute that Yu the Great built with all his resources at the end of the land-based era.

The name "Xirang" is taken from the classical text "Huainanzi":
"Yu then used the soil of the earth to fill the flood."

Compared to the pale landscape of the mountains, this building appears exceptionally warm. Although its shape doesn't resemble a research institute or a refuge, it looks more like a sentry post standing on the edge of the world, overlooking the desolate landscape. The entire building occupies approximately 800 square meters, which is much smaller than the research institutes that often spanned tens of thousands of square meters in the land era. However, in such an environment, it is already a miraculous building!

Most of its volume is hidden inside the mountain, with only one curved front made of a special material exposed, covered with traces of erosion.

This makes it look like a battered and bruised behemoth.

But only those who have entered it know the true extent and power of this behemoth.

The Xirang Research Institute has two S-class Awakened individuals stationed here year-round, carrying out a special mission assigned by the Jiuzhoutai.

What kind of mission is it? There are all sorts of speculations.

There are different opinions.

Spies from the lighthouse once infiltrated the place but failed to uncover anything.

However, this does not mean that the Xirang Institute is closed off from the outside world or works in isolation. On the contrary, it remains open and is a sacred place for scientific research and academia in this era of wandering. Moreover, for the past thirty years, some adventurers and captains who have come to explore Mount Everest have been able to obtain some humanitarian assistance here, which has made the Xirang Institute have an excellent reputation on the endless ocean.

"Phew~ We've finally arrived."

The three arrived at a corner of the research institute building, slightly out of breath. Rong Bing patted the thick layer of snow and ice covering his body, put away the magical artifact "Azure Sea and Azure Phoenix". Below the snow line was a relatively safe area. The snow and ice were beginning to melt, revealing the brown rock base on the mountain. The secondary blade storm rarely reached this area, and no other sea monsters dared to roam and settle here. Therefore, there was no need to maintain a high level of vigilance.

"That was thrilling! This storm really came out of nowhere. I was hoping to earn some extra contribution points, but now I'm forced to stop the operation. Once I get to the research institute, I'm going to have a serious talk with the storm monitoring department about how such a blunder could have happened."

"The Second Blade Storm is unpredictable and strange, and any abnormalities are within the scope of our contingency plans."

"That's true, but it's a real pity. By the way, Shi Ming, this should be your first time visiting the Xirang Research Institute, right? Now, let our host, Guide Jiuyuan, give you a tour?"

"my pleasure."

Li Jiuyuan, the third S-class Awakener of the Xirang Research Institute, is also the only S-class Awakener in Xirang who stays on the King-class drifting ship Dayu for many years. Unlike the other two S-class Awakeners, his mission is not secret. He helps Dr. Chongwen decipher the text in the holographic projection of the Great Stone Tablet. At the same time, he uses idealism to buff some of the warriors of Dayu who are carrying out missions!

Support type player.

"Haha, I know this place much better than any of you."

"Let's go in first."

Li Jiuyuan extended his right hand, and the palm print echoed the structure of the Xirang Research Institute. Soon, a hidden door appeared in the structure built on the mountainside, opening a gap large enough for one person to pass through.

The three stepped inside and immediately felt a long-lost warmth.

Inside the protective shield was a small, semi-underground three-story building, which was the main body of the research institute. Bright flags fluttered in front of the building, and people could be vaguely seen coming and going inside. The moment Shi Ming and his two companions stepped into the protective shield, the researchers in charge of receiving them had already taken action.

The long-dormant eye of the mortal world has finally become active again.

As long as it doesn't involve any information about terrifying things in the mountains, it will most likely be displayed normally.

A research institute built on land—that's truly remarkable!

Aside from the adrift ships on the endless ocean, living hand to mouth, this research institute probably has the largest number of "chipless individuals"! They have never set foot on a drifting ship in their entire lives, confined to the only land they have, and naturally unbound by the "net."

They have three research topics, all of which are kept secret!

But from the perspective of the mortal world, you might find it very interesting:

……

[Topic 1: Methods to control the "unceasing flow of water"]

How can the ceaseless waters that fill the endless ocean and the wondrous "Nine Provinces Terrace" be controlled? Perhaps solving this problem will end the era of wandering. While the sunken and collapsed continents will not rise again, there will undoubtedly be more foundations for survival.

[Topic 2: Methods to crack the "net".]

Fish that slip through the net are confined to a small space, while those caught in the net roam freely in the endless ocean. If you were a fish, which way of life would you choose?

[Project 3: Research on the man-made wonder "Breath Soil".]

Thirty years ago, the six King-class drifting ships proposed six savior theories: "Ark of Creation," "Reclaiming the Sea," "Stabilizing the Sea," "Celestial Evolution," "Reflection of the Sky," and "Deep-Sea Capsule." Now, times have changed, and among the King-class drifting ships, how many still retain their original aspirations?

(End of this chapter)