Chapter 155: On the Brink

Chapter 155: On the Brink

Summer is here, and Ye Yuqing has returned for a follow-up. The crystal core transplant has been very successful, including Ge Chen's case as well. Both are over three months post-transplant with no abnormalities in their physical indicators—electrocardiogram, heart function, liver and kidney functions are all normal, with no rejection reactions, infections, or complications. Their psychic powers are functioning well, their cells are rejuvenating, and there is a noticeable improvement in their overall physical health.

Ge Chen had previously been forcibly implanted with psychic powers, but now the side effects are gone, allowing him to use his water psychic powers normally, making his case unremarkable.

Therefore, the results of Ye Yuqing's crystal core transplant, being an ordinary person, are highly informative. Ye Yuqing has his own family doctor at the Lin Dong Base, and recent data has been meticulously sent as per Zhou Yun's requirements.

He joked with Zhou Yun, "According to the continuous observations by my family doctor, the gray hair at my temples has all turned black. My skin has also noticeably become smoother, regained its vitality, and wrinkles have disappeared. My appetite has improved, and my metabolism has accelerated."

"My hearing has greatly improved, likely due to my blindness, allowing me to hear fainter sounds, broadening my hearing range, and enabling me to more accurately distinguish different sounds and identify their directions."

"My running and jumping have improved, muscle strength has noticeably increased, reaction speeds have quickened, and I've had all these data recorded."

"Additionally, my sexual function has improved, and my desires seem to have returned to when I was eighteen."

Ye Yuqing said with a smile, but Zhou Yun remained serious, "Be careful; if it's too strong, it could be hyperfunction, possibly indicating an endocrine system abnormality."

Ye Yuqing: "..."

Zhou Yun laughed, "Just joking—your body is regenerating and healing, so various hormone levels are significantly increasing. Growth hormones promote muscle and bone growth and repair, while at the same time, testosterone and other sex hormone levels also increase, which is why your body strength and endurance have noticeably improved."

Ye Yuqing: "..." He breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhou Yun smiled, "Based on the test results, your bone density has improved, cell activity has greatly increased, and the speed of cell division and proliferation has accelerated. Therefore, your body tissue renewal and repair are in a phase of rapid development. You need to supplement a lot of energy, eat more mutated plants and animals."

Ye Yuqing said, "I've been trying to eat as much mutated fish, meat, and vegetables as possible. This time, I've also brought some for General Guan and Dr. Zhou, as well as some mutated oysters we raise on our island, plump and tender, you must try them."

Zhou Yun smiled, "Air-freighted seafood, thank you so much, I'll steam them tonight." He humbly asked, "Any fresh cooking methods to recommend?"

Ye Yuqing: "..." He just eats, never paying attention to how they're cooked, "They're all steamed..."

Zhou Yun was somewhat disappointed, "Your lives seem so dull."

Ye Yuqing: "You mean?"

Zhou Yun said, "I mean, you soldiers seem to lack any hobbies."

Ye Yuqing: "..." Feeling unjustly generalized, he finally thought of an exception, "Ren Yuefei seems to be quite particular about eating."

Zhou Yun nodded, "I know, mainly because his partner has a taste for life."

Ye Yuqing felt like he was being mocked but couldn't think of a comeback.

Zhou Yun had already unwrapped the bandage from Ye Yuqing's eyes, carefully observing the regeneration of the eyes, "Currently, only some lower-level animals like mollusks and amphibians can regenerate eyes, such as snails and salamanders, which have stem cells to regenerate damaged eyes."

Ye Yuqing: "..." He really wasn't being sarcastic, was he.

Zhou Yun was very focused, "The eye is a highly complex and delicate organ, and I'm not entirely sure how it will regenerate in humans, but it must be closely related to psychic abilities."

"I've seen the report from the ophthalmology experts who examined you. Currently, the main parts of the eye, including the cornea, iris, lens, and retina, have not yet regenerated, but the eyelids have regenerated, and the orbicularis oculi muscle and some eye muscles around the eye socket have regenerated."

"The ophthalmology experts believe that your optic nerve, oculomotor nerve, trochlear nerve, as well as sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, should have all regenerated."

"The next step is the most critical part, the main body of the eyeball."

"You should rest as much as possible, avoid overworking, and not stay in very bright places for too long."

"Yao Lao said that while you're here these days, he'll perform acupuncture on you to stimulate your eye nerves and acupoints, which might speed up the regeneration of your eyes."

He felt a bit envious: "The teacher hardly gives me acupuncture anymore; he hasn’t been doing it much in recent years." Nowadays, Yao Huan mostly only helps Zhao Yi with acupuncture for his eyes. Zhao Yi is starting to regain light perception in his eyes, so there’s hope for his vision to recover.

Ye Yuqing: "Thank you, Yao Lao. I’ll try to stay a few more days."

Zhou Yun said: "Staying won’t make a difference. He’s urging me to perform the crystal core transplant surgery on him too; he’s too eager to wait."

Yao Huan, after seeing Ye Yuqing’s experimental records and some records of previous transplant surgeries provided by Qi Shuhong from Cangshan City, was already eager to attempt it. After a successful transplant, apart from increased strength and endurance, abilities like vision and hearing should also improve, cellular antioxidant capacity would improve, the immune system would be strengthened, the basal metabolic rate would increase, and the body would become younger. It’s believed that psychics might outlive ordinary people. This is like rejuvenation, hence he strongly urged Zhou Yun to perform the surgery on him as soon as possible.

Ye Yuqing was somewhat worried: "Is Yao Lao really going to be in the second batch? Isn’t that too risky given his age? Maybe we should do a few more rounds of experiments and select more volunteers to be more cautious."

Zhou Yun said: "That was indeed the initial plan. The second batch originally selected one healthy male and one female volunteer, but the teacher insisted on being included. We couldn’t talk him out of it. Fortunately, we already have some successful experiences. Thanks to General Ye for his contributions to medicine."

Ye Yuqing: "..." He used to think the Lord of Dongjun was mysterious and benevolent, but as he got to know him better, he went from being an untouchable god to a real person. He always detected a touch of mischief in Dr. Zhou’s deadpan jokes.

Zhou Yun said: "Your current condition is very good. We plan to publish a paper; it won’t name names, but I’m afraid some people might guess. Do you agree?" He looked at Ye Yuqing: "Don’t let gratitude or anything else influence your decision. If you don’t want it, we won’t publish it."

Ye Yuqing smiled: "Dr. Zhou, you’re selling me short. I agree. But don’t worry too much. To the outside world, General Guan and I are still sworn enemies, and I’ve kept the matters of the Lindong base to a minimal number of people. You don’t need to worry too much. Instead, publishing the paper might stir up some envy towards Guixu and the Lord of Dongjun."

Zhou Yun said: "Expected, but in fact, I suspect these transplants have already been conducted privately by some institutions. It’s better to share some experiences and warnings early on to prevent others from going astray. Especially, it should be announced early that plant and animal crystal cores can also be successfully transplanted, to prevent people from plundering human crystal cores just for transplantation."

"In the long run, increasing the number of psychics is a good thing. With the continuous increase of mutated plants and animals, and the upgrading of zombies, the natural world is getting more perilous, and humanity’s living space will keep shrinking."

Ye Yuqing understood Zhou Yun’s meaning and provided information: "Currently, according to the information held by my intelligence department, no institution has been able to achieve a completely side-effect-free crystal core transplant. Some didn’t develop psychic powers after the transplant, and some had severe side effects, needing another surgery to take out the transplant."

Zhou Yun said: "Currently, the method I provide involves high-level wood psychic abilities to handle the crystal core transplants. Other institutions likely rely more on light psychics."

He thought for a moment and added: "As psychic powers continue to evolve and improve, there might be more and better ways to achieve this in the future."

Ye Yuqing nodded: "True, if everyone has the chance to become a psychic, then maybe some current social issues could be improved." He thought for a moment: "But you’d better discuss it with General Guan. The north is not peaceful now; the Zhongzhou base is sending tax officers to start collecting taxes."

"The north is still frozen; it’s too harsh. Tensions might escalate."

Zhou Yun asked Ye Yuqing: "How are your grandfather and the others in Zhongzhou?"

Ye Yuqing said: "The transplant surgery is over, but it has taken too much toll on the body. They’re just recovering. Now they’re entirely dependent on the Psychic Research Institute to support him and Ye Shiqing, two who can’t move, and they’re broke. I wonder how long they’ll hold out. Speaking of which, the Psychic Research Institute is very cautious about your research findings. The son-in-law of the Gong family in Beiming City, you know he’s the vice president of the Psychic Association, right? It seems they’re putting pressure on the Gong family."

"But it’s also strange. Beiming City is closest to you; why do you avoid them and collaborate less on key research projects?"

"Wasn’t it said that Qingniao Pharmaceuticals basically developed from there? I’ve met the Lord of Gong; although he’s an ordinary person, he’s straightforward, a real character."

Zhou Yun said: "Yes, the Lord of Gong is a good person. We have deep cooperation with Beiming now, in terms of dividends and personnel."

Ye Yuqing keenly asked: "Just haven’t gained the trust of the Lord and the General?"

Zhou Yun smiled without speaking, but Ye Yuqing said: "How fortunate I am, as an adversary, to be entrusted by the Lord. I’m overwhelmed with favor."

Zhou Yun said: "Rarely do people willingly offer themselves as experimental subjects. Why wouldn’t we want that?"

Ye Yuqing: "..."

Zhou Yun smiled: "General Ye, rest well. I’m looking forward to the day you regain your sight."

After the examination of Ye Yuqing was completed, he returned to the villa. Sure enough, Dong Kexin had sent fresh mutated oysters over, all very large, each the size of a basin. It seems they can only be grilled directly in their original shells, requiring quite a lot of garlic.

He first made a garlic sauce himself, thought for a moment, and went to the 30th-floor rooftop, where he set up an outdoor grill.

As the sunset filled the sky, Guan Yuanfeng returned to Yunding Mountain Villa. Not finding him in the villa, he called him. Zhou Yun smiled: "Grilling oysters on the 30th-floor rooftop. Come up."

Guan Yuanfeng changed into casual clothes and brought Comet up.

It was early summer, and it had just rained a few days ago. The rooftop was lush with various plants and flowers, thriving in the cool breeze at the thirtieth floor, which felt incredibly refreshing.

As soon as the dog reached the rooftop, it began to run around happily.

The poultry and livestock that were originally in the rooftop shed had long been moved to the ground, and the shed was converted into a greenhouse, housing some particularly delicate mutated herbs. The vegetable plot only grew some common green onions, ginger, and spices for cooking, with most of the space occupied by flowers and plants.

The huge oysters on the grill sizzled with their tender and juicy meat, already topped with minced garlic, green and red chili rings, and chopped green onions. Thin slices of beef had also been placed on the adjacent griddle.

In the ice bucket, there were several bottles of sparkling juice, beer.

Guan Yuanfeng asked, "Is it a special day?" His birthday had just passed, and it wasn't Zhou Yun's birthday either... He wondered if it was a holiday.

Zhou Yun: "..." He smiled and said, "Today we have the big oysters sent by Ye Yuqing. It's been a while since I had a chance to relax and enjoy myself."

Guan Yuanfeng sat down and relaxed, "Yeah, it’s been pretty busy lately."

Zhou Yun poured him some sparkling juice, "Ye Yuqing mentioned that the north is unstable? Could a conflict break out? No wonder I've seen you training so diligently recently, often staying at the camp and not coming back."

Guan Yuanfeng seemed a bit sorry, "The south is still fine, but the situation in the north is indeed not good. Ye Yuqing probably doesn't dare to stay here for long and will be heading back soon. The eastern sea is also quite unstable. We even have internal conflicts among our own people." It seemed like all the bases were holding an invisible tension. Even if the north starts a conflict first, the south wouldn't fare well either.

Zhou Yun asked, "Will there be a war?"

Guan Yuanfeng replied, "Possibly, but the south is still okay for now." He didn't want to make Zhou Yun too nervous. He handed the juice to Zhou Yun, "You drink, I still have training tonight, so I can't have alcohol."

Zhou Yun, however, seemed thoughtful, "No wonder Ye Yuqing suggested that I should ask for your opinion before publishing the paper on crystal core." If the results were published now, it might indeed invite trouble.

Guan Yuanfeng said, "Do what you want; don’t stress over it. Ye Yuqing is too cautious, always planning, never acting."

Zhou Yun: "..."

Zhou Yun thought for a moment, "I think we should speed up the production of crystal core weapons. We should flex our muscles first before showing off the good stuff."

Guan Yuanfeng laughed at his analogy. He looked around at the rooftop scenery and couldn't help but reminisce about the past, feeling nostalgic, "Remember before the apocalypse, we used to have barbecues like this here too." Back then, the crisis was just beginning to show, and it was the last peaceful time of the prosperous era. Now, looking back, it felt like a warm memory in those anxious and depressive times.

Zhou Yun handed him a bowl of meat porridge, "Didn't you say you have training tonight? Eat first." It was the most relaxing when it was just the two of them.