I fabricated myths to guide the revival of spiritual energy.

Chapter 35 The Materialist's Wavering

[Beijing, 749 Bureau Headquarters, Supreme Strategic Analysis Room]

On the giant electronic screen, the golden swarm of insects, resembling an hourglass, suspended in the night sky of western Hunan, is ticking away second by second.

Each grain of "sand" falling represents tens of thousands of Gu worms awakening from their dormancy.

The air in the conference room was oppressively heavy. Those seated there included not only high-ranking officials from Bureau 749, but also top experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and even the military's strategic department.

If you randomly grab someone on the street and ask them, "Are there ghosts in the world?", they might hesitate.

But if you ask these academicians and generals present, they will tell you unequivocally: No. Everything is matter, everything is physics.

However, this conviction is now crumbling.

"The report... is out."

Professor Zhang Bowen's image appeared in the corner of the screen. He was still in the P3 laboratory on the front lines in western Hunan, but at this moment, he looked ten years older, and his eyes, which always shone with wisdom, now held only deep confusion.

"Tell me the results," Li Guozhong said in a hoarse voice.

"We conducted a comprehensive test on the sample of that 'Golden Silkworm Gu'."

Zhang Bowen held up a spectral analysis chart, his hand trembling slightly:

"First, its shell is harder than any known biological chitin. This means that... conventional small arms bullets will most likely bounce off it."

A collective gasp filled the conference room.

"The second point, and the one that I find most incomprehensible."

Zhang Bowen took a deep breath, as if to pronounce a death sentence on some kind of faith:

"We cut off its oxygen and food supply in a sealed container. According to common biological sense, it should have died from metabolic failure within ten minutes. But... three hours have passed."

He pointed to the transparent observation box behind him.

Inside the box, the golden beetle was still full of energy, tirelessly banging against the reinforced glass, making a "thump-thump" sound.

"What is its energy source?" a physics academician couldn't help but ask. "It can't generate kinetic energy out of thin air; that violates the first law of thermodynamics!"

"Good question." Zhang Bowen gave a wry smile. "We wanted to know that too. Tests showed that its ATP (bioenergy currency) content was extremely low, far from enough to support such high-intensity exercise. But we discovered that the 'field' around it had changed."

"field?"

"Yes. The heat, electromagnetic waves, and even the faint radiation around it are all mysteriously disappearing. It's like..." Zhang Bowen swallowed, "...like there's a miniature 'converter' inside it that can directly convert all the free energy in the environment into kinetic energy."

"To put it bluntly... it is 'absorbing the energy of heaven and earth'."

boom!

This statement was like a bombshell, creating a breach in the fortress of materialism.

"Absorbing the energy of heaven and earth"?

Isn't this a term from martial arts novels? Isn't this feudal superstition?

But the scientists present, looking at the perpetual motion machine-like insect, could not find any reason to refute it.

"And that 'green shield' that blocked the orbital weapon..."

Li Guozhong spoke slowly, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, "Everyone knows the power of kinetic weapons. An impact force equivalent to tens of tons was blocked by a few vines. The physics team ran the model thousands of times, and the conclusion was only one: the data is wrong."

"Everyone, we need to face reality."

Li Guozhong stood up, placed his hands on the table, and his eyes were sharp and heavy:

"Our enemy does not speak of Newton's laws, nor Darwin's theory of evolution."

"Our proud technological path... might be a bit off track compared to them."

……

[Xiangxi, temporary frontline shelters]

On a clear morning after a rainstorm, the air was filled with the scent of earth and vegetation.

Zhao Feng sat on a charred rock, holding the compressed biscuit in his hand, but he couldn't swallow it.

His gaze remained fixed on the broken sword lying across his knee—the Tiger Warrior.

Ever since that "female ghost in red" went inside last night, this sword has changed.

Although it looks like a piece of "rusty" scrap metal, Zhao Feng can feel that it has warmth.

That temperature didn't feel like the heat conduction of metal; it was more like... human body temperature.

"team leader."

A team member approached, his eyes darting around. "We've been ordered to hand over this sword...to be tested for radiation and materials."

Zhao Feng did not move.

His fingers gently traced the rough texture of the sword.

"Detect?" Zhao Feng sneered. "How? With a spectrometer? Or a microscope? Can they detect the 'soul' within this sword?"

The team member was stunned: "Captain, you...you used to hate all this superstitious stuff, didn't you? You said it was psychological suggestion."

"The past is the past."

Zhao Feng raised his head and looked at the golden hourglass floating in the air in the distance.

"Do you know what I was thinking last night when that big guy (the Hive Man) pointed at us and said 'extinction'?"

The team member shook his head.

"I was thinking, if my gun can't penetrate its skin, if my bombs can't kill it, then what can I use to protect the civilians behind me?"

Zhao Feng gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

"Buzz!"

As if sensing his emotions, the broken sword emitted a clear, ringing sound. The crimson pattern on the blade glowed faintly, and a sharp, menacing aura instantly repelled the surrounding cold wind.

The team member took a step back in fright: "This sword..."

"It's responding to me."

A light, unlike anything seen before, flashed in Zhao Feng's eyes. It wasn't the fanaticism of superstition, but the resolute determination of a warrior grasping his last weapon in a desperate situation.

"I don't care if it's science or metaphysics."

Zhao Feng stood up, slung the broken sword back over his shoulder, his movements firm and powerful.

"As long as it can kill the enemy, it is the truth."

"Tell those above that the sword is with me and I am here. If you want the sword, wait until I'm dead and take it from my corpse."

……

[Changsha, Hotel]

Gu Qing looked at the constantly changing data on the system panel.

[Integrity and Purity Analysis:]

Fear level: 40% (decreasing)

[Awe Level: 30% (Rising)]

[Self-doubt/Cognitive Disruption: 30% (Explosive Growth)]

"very good."

Gu Qing snapped his fingers.

The hardest step has already been taken.

When scientists begin to doubt formulas, when warriors begin to idolize swords, when the ice of materialism begins to crack...

Only a new belief system can be instilled.

"They're confused right now." Gu Qing looked out the window. "They've discovered that guns and cannons aren't working properly, but they don't know what to use instead."

"At times like these, they need a 'mentor' to show them the way."

Gu Qing extracted something from the system space.

It wasn't some kind of world-destroying magic weapon, but rather a seemingly ordinary piece of yellow paper covered in scribbles.

[Item: Basic Exorcism Talisman (Mass Production)]

[Effect: Repels low-level spirits/insects.]

[Exchange Price: 10 Credits/card]

"Since you believe this is magic."

A playful smile appeared on Gu Qing's lips.

"Then I'll teach you how to use 'magic' to defeat 'magic'."

"System, issue a side quest guide."

Target: Zhao Feng.

"Trigger condition: When he faces a desperate situation again, give him a 'flash of inspiration' prompt."