The Return of Stars to the Jianghu

Chapter 199 Planting Tomatoes to Refuse the Order of the Phoenix's Invitation

Chapter 199 Growing Tomatoes to Refuse the Order of the Phoenix's Invitation

Among the vast expanse of stars and planets, humanity has discovered numerous Earth-like planets. Deep within the universe, many unknown star systems still lie hidden, including an Earth-like planet called Floating Continent.

The Floating Continent not only comprises two major landmasses, east and west, but its vast sea surface is also dotted with numerous islands. Among these islands, at the northernmost point, on Arctic Island, lies a village called Far North Village.

Ding Wenyuan and his group arrived at the vast lake on the west side of the village.

Ishikawa lightly touched the lake water and said softly, "The water is warm." Ding Wenyuan did not respond, but simply stared quietly at the thick ice layer that stretched from the center of the lake to the opposite shore.

"The area outside the barrier begins in the center of the lake, where it is naturally freezing cold," Old Qin said to the two with a smile.

"Are the snow-capped mountains on the other side of the river just like the glacier we saw when we arrived, an illusion?" A young woman holding a book in her left hand and a sword in her right asked Old Qin.

Old Qin shook his head, a profound look flashing in his eyes: "That snow mountain is not an illusion, but a real place. However, it is closely related to the barrier in this lake, and they depend on each other. Do you see the faint light flowing beneath the ice?"

Upon hearing this, Ding Wenyuan focused intently on the lake surface. Sure enough, beneath the ice, a faint blue light flickered in and out, as if some mysterious thing was breathing underwater.

"What is this?" Ishikawa asked curiously, having never seen such a strange sight before.

After a moment of contemplation, Elder Qin slowly said, "This lake is called Mirror Heart Lake. Beneath the ice layer lies the interior of the snow mountain, where the Divine Tomb is located. The place emitting blue light is the gateway to the interior of the snow mountain. You should think carefully, as this journey may very well be a one-way trip."

“If what Wen Bin said is true, then the Divine Tomb must contain the method to open the secret realm and fold space,” Ding Wenyuan replied.

Old Qin didn't say anything more, and silently handed Ding Wenyuan a prepared waterproof package.

The package contained several sets of specially made cold-weather clothing and some dry rations, clearly preparations for their upcoming entry into the Divine Tomb. Ding Wenyuan took the package, a firm resolve welling up within him. He turned to look at Xu Xiaohong and Shi Chuan, their eyes also revealing fearlessness and determination.

“We are ready, Elder Qin,” Ding Wenyuan said firmly.

Old Qin nodded, his eyes filled with both worry and expectation: "Well, from now on you'll have to rely on yourselves. Be careful on your journey."

Xu Xiaohong took a deep breath, feeling the fresh air around him, as if trying to absorb the tranquility and strength into his body: "We will be careful, Elder Qin."

......

The Earth is now facing unprecedented changes.

The civil aerospace sector is experiencing explosive growth, with various airlines springing up like mushrooms after rain, and humanity's footprints are gradually moving towards more distant stars and seas.

Domestically, the Phoenix Group and Xinghai Group are among the fastest-growing companies. Phoenix Group has consistently focused its development on lunar exploration, aiming to establish a stable base on the moon.

In less than two years, the construction of the Phoenix Lunar Base has made significant progress, currently in its sixth phase. This phase of construction not only includes the improvement of infrastructure but also the upgrading of scientific research equipment and the improvement of living conditions for personnel, aiming to provide stronger support for future lunar exploration.

Meanwhile, Xinghai Group harbors even grander ambitions: to achieve human settlement on Mars within a century. To reach this goal, Xinghai Group has launched a series of experimental base construction projects. Reportedly, the construction of its experimental base has progressed to its fourth phase. This phase focuses on testing and validating various technologies and equipment required for Martian settlement, including life support systems, energy supply systems, and the construction of habitable environments.

Xinghai Group hopes that by building these experimental bases, it can gradually solve the technical problems that humans may encounter in the process of settling on Mars, and lay a solid foundation for the ultimate realization of Mars settlement.

Abroad, the two fastest-growing civilian aerospace companies are Malone Group from country A and Origin Group, which was formed by country B in conjunction with neighboring countries.

With its strong technological capabilities, Malone Group has achieved remarkable success in the fields of space tourism and satellite launches, becoming a leader in the global civilian aerospace industry. Their space tourism projects have attracted considerable attention, giving ordinary people the opportunity to experience the mysteries of the universe firsthand.

Origin Group, on the other hand, places greater emphasis on international cooperation, integrating resources from multiple countries to jointly advance the space exploration cause, and has achieved remarkable results in space station construction and deep space exploration.

In Ye Family Village, on the western outskirts of Qianmo City in eastern Country C, Ye Xuehan watched the morning news and couldn't help but sigh, "These people are really quick. By the time the rest of the world reacts, we'll probably be on our way to Mars." After turning off the TV, Ye Xuehan went to the vegetable garden in the yard and began planting the prepared tomato seedlings as planned.

At this moment, Zhang, the team leader from the Phoenix Society, walked up to the gate of Ye Xuehan's house and gently knocked on the door. Actually, the courtyard wall wasn't high; Ye Xuehan had already spotted Zhang as he approached from afar. However, she remained focused on planting vegetables, and didn't look up even when Zhang knocked.

Team Leader Zhang walked to the courtyard wall and said to Ye Xuehan, "The Mars tunnel has also been closed." Ye Xuehan continued digging on her own.

"Before the tunnel closed, Luo Yifei, Shen Lixi, Nan Tian, ​​and Su An had already gone to the Illusionary Continent through the tunnel," Captain Zhang continued. Ye Xuehan looked up at Captain Zhang, then looked down again and placed the tomato seedling in the dug hole.

“The oases on Mars are spreading rapidly, and many demons have already transformed into human form,” Captain Zhang added. Ye Xuehan put down the tomato seedlings and hoe, turned and walked towards the courtyard gate. She gently opened the latch, let Captain Zhang into the courtyard, then closed the gate again, and the two of them walked together to the stone table in the center of the courtyard and sat down.

"Did you come to me to send me to Mars, or to the Illusionary Continent?" Ye Xuehan asked. Captain Zhang shook his head, his eyes filled with seriousness: "Neither. I came to you because the Phoenix Society has discovered some new clues related to the death of your father, Ye Yu, or rather, related to your mother."

Upon hearing this, Ye Xuehan's expression changed slightly. She stared at Captain Zhang, waiting for him to continue. Captain Zhang took a deep breath and took out a diary: "This is your father's diary, which records how he met your mother."

Ye Xuehan took the diary with both hands. The cover was yellowed, clearly indicating its age. She gently turned the pages, browsing through them one by one, her eyes revealing complex emotions. In the diary, her father, Ye Yu's, words were filled with deep love for her mother, as well as the various adventures and challenges they had experienced together.

Looking at Ye Xuehan's focused expression, Captain Zhang slowly began, "Your father mentioned in his diary that during an expedition, they accidentally discovered an ancient ruin that hides secret passages to different worlds. Your mother seems to have some connection to this ruin."

Ye Xuehan looked up, her eyes flashing with doubt and shock: "You mean, my mother also knows these secrets?" Captain Zhang nodded: "Not only that, according to our Phoenix Society's investigation, your mother frequently visited that ruin before she disappeared. We suspect that she may hold the key to opening these passages."

"In other words, this might be the last usable time tunnel. You can leave, I won't go." Ye Xuehan had already guessed Zhang's true purpose for this trip.

"This is a change unprecedented in billions of years," Captain Zhang continued.

Ye Xuehan walked to the courtyard gate, opened it, and gestured for them to enter.