Zhao Jingyuan did not expect such an answer. He could not help but look up at the sky. Beyond the sky, were there truly countless worlds? How was this different from myths?
Mo Shen, standing behind Zhao Jingyuan, could not help but interject: “Miss Tong, isn’t the place beyond the heavens where immortals live? Are you truly an immortal?”
Tong Shuxue lightly shook her head. “No. I do not know whether ghosts or gods truly exist in this world. It is only that where I once lived was far more advanced than here by countless times.
People in our world were already able to build structures on the moon and study the changes the moon had undergone over billions of years. We could also mine and utilize mineral resources beneath the ocean floor. Traveling into the sky and diving into the sea had long since been achieved in our world.”
Everyone inside the cave looked at Tong Shuxue, as though they were listening to a myth.
Zhao Jingyuan could not imagine how human beings could possibly reach the moon. What kind of advanced world would that be?
He struggled to swallow before asking again: “Then how did you come here? Why did you come? Did your sudden disappearance just now mean you returned to your world?”
“I was accidentally swept into a spacetime black hole and fell here by mistake. I also have a portable dimensional space, which is a small world that exists only within my consciousness. Just now, I simply returned to my dimensional space.”
This answer once again exceeded Zhao Jingyuan’s understanding. For a moment, he did not even know what else to ask.
Seeing his stunned expression, Tong Shuxue understood that he had not comprehended her explanation. After all, one’s vision was limited by one’s experience, so she patiently explained again.
“A spacetime black hole is a passage that can connect different worlds. You can think of a portable dimensional space as a residence that exists only within my consciousness.”
If he still could not understand that, she truly did not know how else to explain it.
Zhao Jingyuan seemed to finally regain his senses. “So… earlier, you returned to your dimensional space? Your people usually remain inside your dimensional space as well?”
It seemed her people did not possess portable dimensional spaces; otherwise, there would have been no need for her to personally go to the cremation site.
Tong Shuxue smiled and nodded. “That is correct. Do you have any more questions?”
“No more. Thank you, Miss Tong, for clearing my doubts.”
In truth, Zhao Jingyuan still had many questions, but he felt it was inappropriate to probe further. He believed what Tong Shuxue said was true. She was so powerful that there was no need for her to deceive him.
They had been speaking for quite some time. Zhao Jingyuan’s strength was beginning to wane, and his consciousness grew dull once more—his fever likely had risen again.
The antipyretic medicine Tong Shuxue had given him was effective, but once its effects wore off, the fever would still return repeatedly.
With modern medical techniques, Zhao Jingyuan’s injuries had at least an eighty percent chance of being cured. However, before confirming that Zhao Jingyuan was not a malicious person, Tong Shuxue had not intended to treat him.
Yet looking at his condition, if no measures were taken, he likely would not last much longer. Considering that he was the first living person she had met on her side, she decided to stabilize his injuries first.
“Zhao Jingyuan, would you like my physician to take a look at your injuries? I cannot guarantee that they can be cured.”
Zhao Jingyuan had already resigned himself to the belief that his days were numbered and had begun arranging matters for after his death. Tong Shuxue’s words unexpectedly gave him a trace of hope.
“Alright. Thank you, Miss Tong. Regardless of whether it can be treated, I will pay the consultation fee.”
Mo Shen was overwhelmed with excitement and repeatedly expressed his gratitude, nearly kneeling to kowtow.
Tong Shuxue returned to her dimensional space and gave Doctor Jian a few instructions. She then brought the medical capsule out of the dimensional space, along with Doctor Jian and the robot nurse, Nurse An.
Doctor Kang and Doctor Jian, the two robot physicians, relied entirely on medical data stored in their quantum systems. In order to treat Zhao Jingyuan’s injuries, a full examination was necessary first. Based solely on external wounds, Doctor Jian could only perform basic hemostasis and bandaging.
The medical capsule resembled a small shipping container. The upper half of its walls was made of panoramic glass, and it was equipped with a complete set of diagnostic equipment. It functioned both as a comprehensive examination unit and a sterile operating room.
Doctor Jian and Nurse An were appearing in front of people for the first time. Both wore white coats and, compared to the combat-oriented robots like Ling Yi, they appeared far less aggressive.
Zhao Jingyuan had likely endured a difficult few days. His clothes were stained with blood and dirt and had not been changed. There was no sign that they had brought spare belongings; he likely did not even have clean clothes.
Doctor Jian instructed Mo Shen, who was guarding Zhao Jingyuan, to carry him onto the seat inside the medical capsule, and then asked Nurse An to bring out a set of patient clothing.
Mo Shen was asked to leave the medical capsule, and the panoramic glass was covered by curtains.
Inside the capsule, Doctor Jian adopted a strictly professional attitude and instructed Nurse An to help Zhao Jingyuan change into patient clothing. His current clothes were too dirty, which would be harmful for wound treatment.
Nurse An, being a robot, had no concept of gender boundaries. Zhao Jingyuan felt extremely awkward and refused her assistance.
“Doctor, could my attendant help me change instead? There are differences between men and women. It is truly inappropriate for me, as a man, to allow Nurse An, a lady, to do this.”
Doctor Jian’s voice was set to a gentle male tone, but it did not make Zhao Jingyuan feel any gentleness in his words.
“No. Your attendant carries too many bacteria. After your wounds are treated, it is best for all attendants caring for you to bathe and change clothes. Cleanliness is beneficial for wound recovery.”
Nurse An displayed a standard smile. “I am not human; I only have a female appearance. Please do not concern yourself with gender distinctions.”
Zhao Jingyuan was deeply troubled. This was already the second time he had heard that they were not human. Could it be that Miss Tong’s people—these humanoid beings—were truly not human?
Then… was Miss Tong even human?
He still could not accept having a woman-like figure change his clothes. However, Nurse An’s strength was astonishing. Given his current weakened condition, he had no ability to resist.
Originally, based on Doctor Jian’s professional judgment, he should have asked Zhao Jingyuan to take a bath first. However, Tong Shuxue had previously told him that there were currently no bathing conditions outside, so a full-body disinfection would have to suffice for now.
Mo Shen watched the medical capsule with both curiosity and concern, but the curtains were completely opaque, revealing nothing.
He recalled what he had seen when carrying his master inside earlier. The light at the top—he did not know what it was made of, but it was astonishingly bright. Inside were all sorts of strange devices he had never seen before.
Could it truly be that Miss Tong was not an immortal?
Outside, the sky had already darkened, and the cave grew even dimmer.
Tong Shuxue checked her wristwatch. It showed 5:10.
She took out two military camp searchlights from her dimensional space and asked Mo Shen to find a way to hang them on the cave walls.
“This button is the switch. Remember to bring them outside during the day to let them absorb sunlight.”
Mo Shen saw that this “lamp” resembled the light source at the top of the medical capsule. It was far superior to night pearls.
Fifteen minutes later, one side of the medical capsule curtain was drawn open. Zhao Jingyuan’s examination had been completed, and he had been transferred onto a nearby hospital bed, where he was now receiving an intravenous drip.