After Shen Feng explained the situation to his wives, he had already decided that he needed to achieve the goal of striking first, which required sufficient strength. This would give him an overwhelming advantage when he entered the fray later, thus securing victory in one fell swoop.
To achieve this, he immediately returned to the Wind God Palace. Within the underground castle, he found a red crystal hidden in the deepest room. This red crystal was as large as a human head. To consume it, it needed to be smashed with a hammer, and then piece by piece placed into his mouth, otherwise, such a large crystal could not be swallowed.
When an esper breaks through the second evolutionary barrier, a small nodule crystal appears in the human brain. When they reach the eighth-tier esper, it becomes a fist-sized crystal. As for ninth-tier espers, this is only theoretically possible; in reality, ninth-tier espers may not appear.
Shen Feng fell into a deep sleep within the underground castle, entering a state of evolution.
Meanwhile, many people in the city had already smelled the scent of war. This was because many of Shen Feng's disciples had been sent home to bid farewell to their families. Although the situation was not explicitly stated, any discerning person could connect the dots and understand that battle was imminent.
Under these circumstances, some were happy and some were worried. Those who were happy believed that after the battle, the doomsday would truly end, and they would usher in peace. Those who were worried feared what would happen if the war affected their families. Especially the families of Shen Feng's disciples, their parents were filled with anxiety, fearing their children would be sent to the front lines and die there.
However, regardless of their feelings, once they became subjects of discussion, they could no longer defy orders. This was the right they had earned and the obligation they had to fulfill. At this point, they could only go to the battlefield. In this crisis, some parents began to arrange marriages for their sons, and they needed them to get married and have children in such a short time. This way, even if they died on the battlefield, they would at least leave behind descendants for their families.
It was very difficult for espers to have children. Because human evolution had led to extended lifespans, and extended lifespans meant that the human body did not need to strive for reproduction, having children became very difficult.
However, where there was a will, there was a way. Even knowing that it was very difficult for espers to have children, these parents, for the sake of their children, tried their best to ensure they left behind some chromosomes, so that in the future, they could at least cultivate test-tube babies.
There were also many people who gloated over all this, and they uttered many mocking words: "I said it long ago, these children were selected in large numbers to become cannon fodder. Now it's proven, these cannon fodder are about to go to war!"
However, such gloating individuals soon faced the angry glares of those around them.
"Can't you have a little sympathy? Is war something anyone wishes for? This is something that has to happen now. They are fighting for our future, so show some restraint with your words!"
The children who had participated in the selection but were not chosen had now grown into young adults. Hearing the people around them discussing the matter, they felt fortunate that they had not passed the selection, and therefore did not have to go to war.
Meanwhile, Chu Chaoyan found her daughter, Shen Yishi. She saw her daughter reading a book in a corner, with no playmates around her. Thus, she could only read books to alleviate her loneliness.
"Yishi, my darling, why aren't you playing with your fellow disciples? Why are you reading alone here?" Chu Chaoyan asked with a smile.
Shen Yishi replied sadly, "My fellow disciples all wanted to go home to say goodbye to their families, so they all went back. I can't find anyone to play with. I am also an esper, and I want to go to the battlefield!"
Chu Chaoyan quickly said, "Don't say foolish things. For now, you should just focus on your studies. Next, I will take you to meet someone. Don't be nervous, what I say is absolutely true! You need to be prepared!"
Shen Yishi did not understand who she was going to meet and could only look at her mother with confusion.
Not long after, a very beautiful woman appeared in the Wind God Palace, and that was Mu Ying.
Du Fansheng accompanied Mu Ying. Lin Xiushen did not come. Shen Yishi was brought here.
"This is your aunt. Quickly greet her!" Chu Chaoyan said.
Shen Yishi obediently said, "Hello, Auntie. We haven't seen each other for a long time!"
Chu Chaoyan then revealed the truth: "Actually, there is a huge secret about your life. I never told you before, but now that the situation is so critical, I have to tell you this: I am not your biological mother! Your mother is still sleeping underground, and Miss Mu Ying is actually your aunt, and Xiao Long is your biological brother!"
Shen Yishi was so shocked upon hearing this news that her mouth fell open. Her mind went blank. After another two minutes, she shook her head and said, "It's impossible, Mom, you must be lying to me! This doesn't make any sense, why would you lie?"
Chu Chaoyan knew that it would be very shocking for a child to learn that the woman who had raised her for more than ten years was not her mother. But this was the reality, and she could only tell the truth because Du Xinshi was about to wake up.
"This is a long story, but your aunt was a witness to this. As for your brother, he was young at the time and didn't know anything. He was taken in by Zhang Xixi, so he doesn't know about this. No one else could have heard about this because this information has been sealed, and outsiders have no way of knowing..." In the following time, Chu Chaoyan prepared to tell the story of what happened back then, so that the child could have a clear understanding.
Later, through Chu Chaoyan's narration, a secret that had been sealed for many years was finally revealed. Even then, Shen Yishi still could not accept that the person who had raised her was not her mother.
"This is impossible! I am your child. Am I too naughty, so you are making up this lie to deceive me? Don't you want me anymore?" Shen Yishi cried out, hugging Chu Chaoyan.
Mu Ying earnestly explained the matter and even took out many photos from herself. With the photos as proof, her identity became even more certain.
After a long time, Shen Yishi finally accepted the reality, but she still did not understand why her mother had to reveal the truth at this time. Couldn't this secret have been kept forever?
"Your biological mother is about to wake up, so it's time for me to tell you this news. You are already 13 years old now, so you should be able to remain calm after hearing this. If you still consider me your mother, then continue to treat me as before. However, you must also show at least basic respect to your biological mother!" Chu Chaoyan said.
Mu Ying also said, "Your mother was frozen by me to preserve her life. Now, there are people who can instantly cultivate organs and create a heart to replace a failing one. Your mother has been asleep for a long time, and now, you are going to meet your mother!"
Shen Yishi gradually stopped her tears, as she could not accept this fact. But now that the truth was before her, she had to admit it.
Afterward, the three of them walked towards the underground castle. Upon arriving at a room, they found the cryo-chamber stored inside. Shen Yishi could see the face of a pale woman inside, with what seemed to be traces of frost all over her face.
Upon seeing this face, Shen Yishi felt a different sensation, a feeling of blood connection.
Shen Yishi now understood why she was given this name. It was because her mother was Du Xinshi, and her father missed his mother dearly, so he gave her this name.
Du Fansheng could not help but shed tears upon seeing his mother's gentle face. While crying, he eagerly anticipated meeting his mother again. He wanted to tell his mother that he had grown up and become a strong man.
After finding the cryo-chamber, everyone headed towards the hospital. They needed to thaw her at the hospital and also replace her organs instantly to revive her body.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Wang Xiran had already been waiting for a long time. When she saw Chu Chaoyan, she quickly asked, "Shiniang, is it time to begin?"
Chu Chaoyan nodded and said, "Prepare for surgery now. First, cultivate the organs and ensure they are ready to function at any time!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiran quickly nodded. Then, with a wave of her hand, a test tube appeared in her hand. This test tube contained the patient's stem cells, which could divide many times without becoming cancerous.
As she held it, a flash of light appeared, and under her influence, countless cells rapidly divided and proliferated. After reaching a certain degree of division, they formed a heart in just one minute. This heart was completely normal, and although it was not yet beating, it would function again with electrical stimulation.
Afterward, Mu Ying took Du Xinshi into the operating room. The thawing process also required her presence, as she was the one who had frozen the body in the first place.
After a few minutes, the thawing process was completed, and then the work began in earnest. Experienced doctors from the hospital had already arrived, and the most experienced doctor was selected as the chief surgeon.
Shen Yishi did not know what it would be like to meet her biological mother. In her mind, her mother had always been Chu Chaoyan.