The scene shifted abruptly, revealing ten identical doors before Zhong Yun, each marked with a number in sequence, starting from one on the far left, totaling fifteen.

"What are these doors for?" Zhong Yun inquired.

To his surprise, the cold, emotionless voice responded, "Behind these doors are panoramic videos of past practitioners with styles similar to yours, available for your reference and study."

"Oh." Zhong Yun paused in thought, then attempted to push the second door. He strained against it a few times, but it wouldn't budge.

"Since you have only passed the first trial, you may only open Door Number One. The others will remain inaccessible until you pass their corresponding stages."

"You should have said so earlier," Zhong Yun muttered, rolling his eyes, and then opened the first door.

As the door swung open, an option box popped up before him, reading: Please select Combat Proficiency Level (1–9).

He casually selected Level Five. The option box vanished, and the scene transitioned to a vast, open arena. In the center stood two figures: the taller one was the opponent Zhong Yun had struggled so mightily to defeat, **. The other was of similar stature, presumably the challenger.

The fight commenced. ** lunged forward again with a fierce Rushing Tiger Emerging from the Cave attack. Zhong Yun widened his eyes, eager to see how others handled such aggression.

The challenger raised a leg. The limb whipped through the air like a living whip, leaving a visible afterimage. A vertical kick. It struck ** precisely on the jaw. ** was propelled upward, pausing momentarily at the apex of his arc before plummeting down.

Thud. He hit the ground.

The entire exchange took less than a second. Zhong Yun watched, utterly dumbfounded. So strong.

He returned to the options menu and dutifully selected Level One.

Watching the video this time, he finally relaxed. Indeed, the challenger’s skill level here was only slightly above his own.

Soon, he was completely immersed in the videos. As an observer, he analyzed every move, every reaction. He constantly posed the internal question: If I were in that situation, what would I do?

The featured challenger invariably offered him inspiration. When ** executed a particularly intricate move that seemed to leave the opponent with no means of escape, the challenger would often employ an entirely unexpected countermeasure.

After reviewing four or five videos, Zhong Yun felt profoundly enlightened.

Just as he was eager to attempt the next stage, the system notified him that someone was calling him in the real world. Reluctantly, he exited the simulation.

The caller was Yang Siqing; the food from Yun Lai Restaurant had arrived.

While eating, Yang Siqing suddenly stated, "All the equipment has been ordered. When are you planning to start treating Qingqing?"

"So soon?" Zhong Yun was taken aback. He had expected it to take at least ten to fifteen days, considering the list he provided contained many components that were simply unavailable on the open market.

"We can start immediately once the equipment is in place," Zhong Yun admitted, wanting to resolve the matter quickly himself.

"I've already purchased a laboratory, and the equipment has been moved in," Yang Siqing replied. Her urgency to heal her niece was palpable; she had even secured the location, showing how desperately she wanted this to begin. If propriety allowed, she would likely have urged Zhong Yun to depart right then and there.

"I still need to make a few preparations," Zhong Yun considered. "How about tomorrow? I’ll request a leave of absence."

As he was contemplating how to draft a leave request, Yang Siqing handed him a document. "I've already prepared the note."

"..."

====================================================================================

Upon receiving Zhong Yun's call, Elder Huang felt a stirring of excitement even in his usually still heart—a sensation he hadn't experienced in years.

For days, he had utilized his vast network to search for any information regarding the "Crystal Rose," but he found absolutely no precedent for reviving a naturally withered plant.

He even initiated video conferences with other masters of floriculture, discussing the feasibility of his plan. Every master who heard him shook their heads vehemently, deeming it impossible. Had Elder Huang not held such a respected position, they might have openly accused him of fantasizing.

Reviving a dead plant lay entirely outside the boundaries of conventional science.

That remark served as a reminder. He had traveled extensively, not only across Dawu but to several other nations, witnessing numerous gifted individuals possessing genuine miraculous abilities. Even he himself possessed strange capabilities uncommon to ordinary people. Perhaps reviving that "Crystal Rose" would rely on his own "gift."

Elder Huang tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep—a recurring affliction whenever he encountered an unsolvable problem concerning botany. Yet, despite his advanced age, his stamina was excellent; he remained vigorous despite the sleepless night.

Finally, dawn broke. Watching the clock hands creep like snails, Elder Huang paced restlessly at home, fidgeting like an impatient child. Unable to bear waiting any longer, he arrived at the location Zhong Yun had given him an hour early.

Seated in the plush shuttle-car, he instructed the driver to keep an eye out for passersby and closed his eyes, finally allowing himself a moment of rest.

He was jolted awake by a ringing phone—it was Zhong Yun. Hearing that they had arrived, he instantly became alert.

Alighting from the car, he saw Zhong Yun and the older gentleman named Yang standing beneath a large building. He offered greetings as he walked over.

Without preamble, the three followed Yang Siqing upstairs. A long-forgotten tension welled up in Elder Huang's chest, reminiscent of when he was twenty and first entered a laboratory under his mentor’s guidance to explore the secrets of plant life.

Upon entering a room, they were met by a bald, middle-aged man dressed in a black jumpsuit. "Hello, I am Huang Jian, a B-Class Mechanical Engineer."

Zhong Yun turned to Yang Siqing, who explained, "I hired him to assist you. With all those complex devices, I worried you might manage alone."

Zhong Yun glanced at him, understanding that the engineer doubted his ability to handle such advanced machinery, but he chose not to comment. "Very well, he can stay and assist," he murmured to himself. "Is this our laboratory?"

Looking out over the cavernous space filled with hundreds of bizarre, large and small pieces of machinery, Elder Huang couldn't help but ask. As a master in floriculture, he knew the equipment used for plant research intimately, yet not a single device here was familiar.

"It is," Zhong Yun confirmed with a nod.

"What are these devices for?" Thinking this was a chance to learn, Elder Huang asked humbly, pulling out his recorder.

"These devices? They are for dismantling."

While Elder Huang stood utterly baffled, Zhong Yun pulled on a jumpsuit and announced, "You two wait on the sofas over there for an hour or two. I estimate it will take that long to take this pile apart."

The two older men exchanged mystified glances, unsure what Zhong Yun was playing at. However, being men of vast life experience, they were not impulsive youths; they remained patient and said nothing, sitting aside to observe Zhong Yun's performance.

Zhong Yun opened the toolbox in his hand, retrieved a strangely shaped miniature apparatus, lowered his face shield, and began his work.