Volume One: The Beginning of the Path Chapter 101: Awakening

The two walked quietly, exchanging only a few words from time to time before each lost themselves in their own thoughts, hurrying along the path.

Before long, they followed closely behind the rescue team and returned to the building.

Entering the building, they headed straight for the location of the convalescence room. At the door, two rescue team members were waiting.

Upon seeing the doctor and Wu Jiang approach, both greeted them in unison, “Good day, Doctor. Captain.”

“Thank you, you’ve all worked hard,” the doctor replied with a smile.

Wu Jiang nodded and asked, “How are things? Have the three people we rescued just now been taken care of?”

The team members responded promptly, “Reporting to the captain, we have arranged the three rescued individuals inside according to your and the doctor’s instructions. The other team members have gone back to standby, leaving just the two of us here to keep watch.”

“Good, well done. I understand,” Wu Jiang praised them briefly before adding, “There’s nothing more for you to do here. You two can head back. Oh, and tell the others they can return for a meal and some rest, but to remain on standby at all times.”

The two nodded solemnly, “Understood, Captain. We will take our leave.”

“Alright, go on,” Wu Jiang waved them off.

Once the two had left, Wu Jiang turned to the doctor and said, “Shall we go in and have a look?”

The doctor nodded in agreement, “Yes, let’s go in.”

With that, the doctor lightly tapped the door of the convalescence room with his finger. Instantly, the familiar red glow that Wu Jiang had seen before entering the laboratory swept over them.

“Identity verification passed, please enter,” an electronic voice announced.

The doors of the convalescence room slid open to the sides, slowly revealing the interior. They exchanged a glance and stepped inside.

As soon as they entered, the doors slammed shut behind them.

Inside, three beds lay nearby, each occupied by a person with eyes closed and steady breathing, appearing as if in deep sleep.

The doctor and Wu Jiang approached and examined them. Their appearances suggested no serious injury, though it was unclear when they might awaken.

“Doctor, how are they? Should be nothing serious, right?” Wu Jiang asked, looking at the three on the beds.

The doctor withdrew his gaze from the patients and examined the display panels beside each bed.

After a moment, he replied, “Their vital signs are all normal. They should be fine.”

Wu Jiang, still puzzled, said, “They’ve been asleep for quite a while then. They look so young—how did they end up here, falling from the spaceship?”

“I have some guesses about that,” the doctor said, his eyes thoughtful.

Wu Jiang couldn’t help but ask, “Oh? What are they?”

“That’s not urgent; I’ll tell you later,” the doctor waved him off and continued, “For now, let’s take a closer look at their condition.”

“All right, I’ll follow your lead,” Wu Jiang said, though his curiosity lingered.

The doctor tapped on a watch-like device on his wrist, causing a familiar holographic screen to appear.

As the projection activated, he directed it toward the three patients and quietly instructed, “Switch to treatment mode. Scan the vital signs and all data for these three.”

“Received. Switching now,” the electronic voice echoed from the hologram.

In an instant, the voice announced, “Switch complete. Beginning scan.”

Wu Jiang watched as three faint blue beams of light emitted from the hologram, shining upon the three beds.

The doctor observed calmly, waiting patiently.

Though Wu Jiang did not understand the process, he trusted his duty and watched attentively by the doctor’s side.

...

The scan did not take long. Soon, the electronic voice announced again, “Scan complete. Results have been displayed on your terminal. Please review.”

The doctor nodded softly, “Thank you.”

He adjusted the hologram and began to study the data carefully.

After a while, having grasped the situation, he closed the projection and looked up.

Wu Jiang hurriedly asked, “Doctor, how are they?”

The doctor replied, “The scan shows they likely suffered a strong impact that compressed their nerves, causing their prolonged unconsciousness as a side effect. Fortunately, their physiques are decent, and the nerves are gradually easing. I believe they will wake soon.”

Wu Jiang breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s good to hear. It would be distressing if such young souls had something truly wrong.”

The doctor nodded in agreement, then pondered for a moment before seeming to think of something. He looked at Wu Jiang and said, “You’re right. Let’s give them a little extra help.”

“Help? Is there something I need to do?” Wu Jiang asked, curious.

The doctor waved his hand dismissively and said, “Don’t forget where we are. This convalescence room isn’t just a name.”

“Oh, you’re right, Doctor. I was momentarily forgetful,” Wu Jiang said, patting his head with a smile.

“Then let’s proceed with a treatment targeting their cerebral nerves,” the doctor said as he operated his terminal again.

At his command, a blue light arch suddenly appeared at the head of each of the three beds.

The light panels swept from left to right, covering their heads as if enveloping their brains.

Having completed the setup, the doctor clapped his hands, a satisfied expression on his face. “All that can be done now is done. The rest depends on them.”

Wu Jiang nodded in acknowledgment.

The two then waited patiently nearby.

“Wake up quickly,” Wu Jiang silently wished.

...

“Where am I?”

“How did I get here?”

“Did I forget something?”

“No... this can’t be... I shouldn’t be here.”

In the silent space, a familiar voice suddenly spoke. Following the sound, it was Ye Junze, who had been unconscious.

He sat up, clutching his forehead, frowning as he pondered.

Suddenly, blue light panels scattered throughout the space. Seeing them, Ye Junze murmured, “What are these?”

As the blue lights touched him, his pained expression softened instantly, his brow relaxed. He whispered, “So gentle… so comforting.”

As if these blue lights held a special healing power, Ye Junze bathed in their soothing glow, his face serene, the earlier pain vanishing.

...

After some unknown time, Ye Junze suddenly stood, his eyes clear and enlightened. “Right, I remember now. I shouldn’t be here. They don’t know how things are—I have to go save them immediately.”

Having said this, he seemed to sense something. The space began to shatter, emitting a dazzling white light so intense Ye Junze raised his hand to shield his eyes.

As the light engulfed the space, Ye Junze’s form blurred and was swallowed by the radiance.

...

Inside the convalescence room.

Wu Jiang had been casually chatting with the doctor when he suddenly recalled something and asked, “Doctor, you mentioned you might know why they ended up here. What is it?”

“Oh, that,” the doctor said, pondering for a moment. “I think it might be because that day is approaching.”

“That day? What day?” Wu Jiang asked, confused.

The doctor shook his head, “It’s a long story. That was...”

Before he could finish, a sudden disturbance interrupted him.

They exchanged a glance and immediately turned to the beds.

“Ah!” a startled cry rang out.

Ye Junze, who had been lying with eyes closed for a long time, suddenly opened them and sat up, looking around the unfamiliar surroundings in confusion.

Seeing the doctor and Wu Jiang, his gaze instantly shifted to alertness. “Who are you? Where is this place?”

The two exchanged looks.

The doctor nodded and addressed Ye Junze with a kind expression, “You’re awake? Don’t worry, we mean no harm. In fact, we were the ones who rescued you from outside.”

Though Ye Junze could tell the elderly man seemed sincere, his vigilance remained. “Who are you? And you say you rescued us? What about my friends?”

“Look beside you—isn’t that your friend?” the doctor said with a smile, unfazed by the wariness in Ye Junze’s eyes.

Ye Junze turned his head and saw Qi Yi and the others, still appearing asleep. He relaxed.

Realizing these people were likely not enemies, his alertness eased, and he clasped his hands in gratitude. “I must have misjudged you. Thank you for saving my life. May I ask your names?”

The doctor waved off the thanks. “No need. I’m Kong Qing, a doctor here at the research institute. You can just call me Doctor. This is Wu Jiang—he and his rescue team played a major role in bringing you back.”

“Thank you, Doctor Kong. Thank you, Brother Wu Jiang,” Ye Junze replied sincerely once more.

Wu Jiang smiled and said, “It’s nothing. Besides, we were only responsible for bringing you back from the ship. The real credit for rescuing you inside and helping you wake up belongs to the doctor.”

Ye Junze thanked them again and then asked, “What is this place? And how are my friends?”

Kong Qing waved a hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry. I’ve already treated each of you. It seems your recovery is faster, so you woke earlier. But they should be waking soon as well.”

Ye Junze nodded.

“As for this place...” The doctor’s eyes grew distant, his voice somber.

“This is... the Lost City.”