PCJ – Chapter 646 Researchers Enter the Secret Realm

Huang Zhongfang was very upset about Mei Qing’s decision to leave. Zhang Jiaohua had only just left, and now Mei Qing was going too. This meant that the pillars of the research group were all gone. Thankfully, Ma Nanli was stepping up, and a few other PhDs and postgraduates had also made noticeable progress. But compared to Zhang Jiaohua and Mei Qing, the gap was still significant. It would take time to restore the group’s strength to the level it had when those two were around.

“Mei Qing, you’re in a critical phase of career growth. If you continue working in this field, you’ll make a name for yourself both nationally and internationally. Research requires patience. Not every project can be groundbreaking. Scientific work builds up slowly until it finally bursts forth. With enough accumulation, you’ll achieve significant results. I think your expectations are too high right now. Ma Nanli is the same—he’s still a master’s student, yet he’s already talking about original research all the time,” Huang Zhongfang said with a frown.

“Professor Huang, it’s not what you think. I’m not really leaving the research group; it’s just a temporary departure. I want to further investigate some aspects based on Zhang Jiaohua’s project. As you know, we don’t have the active reagents here, but Zhang Jiaohua does. I plan to work with him for a while, and I’ll likely be back soon,” Mei Qing explained.

Hearing that, Huang Zhongfang finally relaxed a bit. “You could’ve just done the work in our own lab. We already have all the necessary equipment and conditions.”

“The problem is security. The potential value of this research is enormous—no pharmaceutical or biotech company could resist such a huge benefit. If we continue working here, I fear it won’t just be Japanese spies; spies from all over the world will be circling our lab. I heard the group’s computers have been malfunctioning lately, and some files were mysteriously damaged. Do you think our lab would remain peaceful if we keep going with that project?” Mei Qing asked.

Huang Zhongfang fell silent. He knew Mei Qing was right—if they continued with Zhang Jiaohua’s line of research, the lab would indeed become a hotspot for trouble again.

“Where’s Zhang Jiaohua’s lab? Is it in that little mountain village where he worked as a village official? That place must be inconvenient for getting supplies and reagents,” Huang asked.

“I’m not exactly sure, but I don’t think it’s there. He’ll take me once I’ve wrapped things up here. But from what he said, he probably won’t be coming out again for a while,” Mei Qing replied honestly.

“Alright then. Leave the lab in Xiao Ma’s hands for now. When you return, it’ll still depend on you,” Huang Zhongfang said after some thought.

“No, no, Professor Huang. Even if I come back, I won’t take over the lab again. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, and by then, I won’t be up to date with everything. Besides, I’d prefer to focus solely on research in the future. I don’t want to deal with administrative stuff anymore. Surely you don’t want me to be a lifelong spinster PhD? I still need to resolve my personal life,” Mei Qing said with a smile.

“Fair enough. You should take this time to sort that out. So, got someone in mind yet? If you need help, just let me know,” Huang said kindly.

“I’d rather handle it myself, Professor,” Mei Qing blushed and looked away shyly.

Originally, Ma Nanli was quite unwilling to take over Mei Qing’s responsibilities. He was content with doing his own research and enjoying a peaceful life. Plus, he was only a master’s student—what weight would his words carry among a group of PhDs? But Huang Zhongfang gave him no room to refuse.

“Xiao Ma, after thinking this over, you’re the most suitable person to take charge of the lab. Those other senior students leave as soon as they graduate. Even if we put them in charge, we’d have to find someone else to replace them soon after. And now that you’ve led a major national project, you have the credentials. If any PhD questions your authority, just ask them what they’ve achieved. In our lab, it’s not about seniority, it’s about capability. There’s not much day-to-day work anyway, so just take charge boldly.”

After a pause, Huang added, “Also, our lab probably won’t need me to go out looking for projects anymore. I’ll be spending more time here and plan to finally settle down and focus on real academic work.”

“That’s great news!” Ma Nanli said enthusiastically.

“So, are you finally willing to take charge of the lab?” Huang asked.

“Sure, sure. As long as you’re around often, I’ve got no problem,” Ma Nanli replied with a grin.

A few days later, Zhang Jiaohua took Mei Qing and Ji Jiaxin to the Xiyun Reservoir.

“Zhang Jiaohua, you didn’t bring us here just for sightseeing, right?” Mei Qing asked suspiciously.

“I’ve got tons of stuff to do. You think I have time for a leisurely trip?” Zhang shook his head.

“Then why are we here?” Mei Qing was puzzled.

Ji Jiaxin chimed in, “I know this place well. Our class has held several outings here. The scenery’s great. It’s also one of the key water sources for the capital.”

“You’ve only seen the surface. There’s more hidden beneath. Come with me,” Zhang Jiaohua said.

He led them to the reservoir’s edge. Not long after, a small covered boat emerged on the water.

“Huh? There are boats here?” Ji Jiaxin said in surprise.

“We didn’t see any boats earlier. Where did this one come from?” Mei Qing asked, equally astonished.

“Get on,” Zhang said simply.

Ji Jiaxin climbed on without hesitation. Mei Qing hesitated for a moment but followed. Though she found this hard to believe, she trusted Zhang Jiaohua.

“Professor Mei, Ji Jiaxin—do you remember Liu Zongyuan’s Peach Blossom Spring?” Zhang asked.

“Of course. ‘In the Taiyuan era of the Jin dynasty, a fisherman from Wuling was making a living…’ I can recite the whole piece!” Ji Jiaxin launched into a full recitation and then asked, “But what does this place have to do with Peach Blossom Spring?”

“What if I told you that places like Peach Blossom Spring really exist?” Zhang looked at them, watching their reactions.

Sure enough, both women were stunned.

“You mean it’s real? Is it here? Where’s the entrance?” Ji Jiaxin asked excitedly.

“I don’t know if Peach Blossom Spring is real,” Zhang replied. “But I do know that places like it exist. We call them secret realms. There’s one right here at Xiyun Reservoir. It’s called the Xiyun Secret Realm. I’m taking you there now—but I hope you won’t tell anyone about it.”

“Secret realm?” the two women said in unison.

Zhang nodded. “We’re here. Get off the boat.”

They looked around—still surrounded by water. Getting off the boat now would mean falling straight in!

“If you’re scared, close your eyes and just follow me,” Zhang said, placing a plank across the boat’s edge. The far end of the plank seemed to disappear into thin air.

He walked ahead and turned back. “Professor Mei, Ji Jiaxin—just follow me. If you’re scared, close your eyes and open them when I say so.”

“I’m not closing my eyes. I want to see what this secret realm looks like,” Ji Jiaxin said boldly—true to her journalist training.

Zhang stepped forward with them, and in the blink of an eye, the scenery around them shifted dramatically—they were in a completely different world.

“No way! This can’t be real!” Ji Jiaxin gasped, stunned by what she saw.

“It’s beautiful. The air is so fresh,” Mei Qing said, equally enchanted.

Even though it was still autumn outside—a beautiful season—the scenery here was on a whole other level. It was like paradise.

“Doing research in a place like this wouldn’t be bad at all,” Mei Qing smiled.

“Too bad I studied journalism. Working in a place like this would be a dream,” Ji Jiaxin said, a little regretfully.

“Professor Mei, before starting your experiments, I suggest you get familiar with the local resources and processes. If you need any materials or reagents, speak to Zhu Wanze,” Zhang said as he took her to the alchemy room.

Zhu Wanze was currently in charge of growing spiritual herbs. But since the herbs had long growing cycles, he was mostly idle.

When they entered, Zhu Wanze was engrossed in a thick ancient text.

“Deacon Zhu, Professor Mei will be conducting research here in the alchemy room. Please assist her,” Zhang instructed.

“Of course, of course,” Zhu quickly replied.

“And since Professor Mei and Ji Jiaxin aren’t familiar with this place yet, please brief them on the situation,” Zhang added, handing over the responsibility to Zhu Wanze.

Once they learned the truth about the Meishan Sect, Mei Qing and Ji Jiaxin found it hard to believe their ears.

“The so-called active reagent is actually spiritual spring water. Our Xiyun Secret Realm has one too, but it’s nearly dried up. The sect leader has managed to acquire some through special means to temporarily sustain the spiritual energy here. If the spring dries up completely, the secret realm will become a desolate place,” Zhu explained.

“I never imagined cultivators really existed in this world. Can you really become immortals?” Ji Jiaxin asked.

“I don’t know. They say it used to be possible, but no one has seen it with their own eyes. Who knows if it’s true? Either way, these things should stay between us. The sect leader has shared this with you because he trusts you,” Zhu reminded them.