Chapter 780: Chapter 501: Solving the Mystery (2)

Xu Fang nodded slowly: "From a certain perspective, you can understand it this way."

"Human perception is far more complex than we imagine. Certain instincts may be deeply hidden in the genes. That urgent feeling of wanting to escape may be the organism’s warning signal about the aura of a top predator."

"But this also involves psychology and cannot be simply classified as pheromones."

"The oppressive feeling of the environment, fear brought by the unknown, coupled with the possible existence of weak biological signals, collectively work to form your impression at the time."

"I see..." Qi Yun slightly nodded, resolving the doubt in his mind.

He then pulled out the tablet and handed it to a few people to view: "These are the photos I took in Qinling. Is its body the same as the creature inside the eggshell?"

Although they had speculated before, upon truly seeing this photographic evidence, Wei Xueming and Hua Weiguo were so shocked they couldn’t speak for a long time.

Xu Fang took the tablet, carefully enlarging those photos, especially examining the two pairs of empty-shell positions within the abdomen of the remains, and the detail of the horns on the head.

Her fingers sliding on the screen were also trembling slightly...

This discovery is absolutely groundbreaking.

After a long time, she finally took a deep breath, trying to calm her excited state: "Judging from a biological standpoint, I think there’s a high similarity."

"The physiological structure of this remains has similarities with the partial genetic trait model we deduced from the eggshell residues, particularly its body length..."

"Then... can we confirm that this organism is the ’jiao’ described in the literature?" Qi Yun asked the key question.

Xu Fang ceased speaking.

Wei Xueming pushed his glasses and solemnly stated, "There are numerous descriptions of ’jiao’ in ancient texts. For instance, ’Baopuzi·Neipian’ records, ’The mother dragon is called jiao, the child is called qiu, it has the shape of a fish’s body but a snake’s tail, with skin adorned with pearls. It can lead fish to fly, or dwell in water, or land on the earth.’

"And ’The Book of Han·Records of Emperor Wu’ mentions that in the fifth year of the Yuanfeng era, one floated down the river from Xunyang, and a jiao was personally hunted in Jiang, its form like a snake but large, head resembling a tiger, length reaching several zhang..."

"All these prove that jiao indeed existed. And the remains in the photos perfectly match the biological prototype that the jiao might correspond to in the real world."

Qi Yun nodded: "Someone told me that he had seen an identical fresco in an ancient Tang Dynasty tomb."

Ignacio excitedly joined the conversation, "It’s not only Eastern texts that have records, but in my field, there are similar descriptions of this creature in Ancient India’s, Mesopotamia’s, and even Central American civilizations."

"They are often portrayed with scaled armor, long horns, and possessing incredible power and longevity..."

After the discussion, the group reached a unanimous conclusion that the remains in Qinling came from the legendary jiao!

Moreover, the creature may very well still be alive.

Not only in the depths of Qinling, but also in Kunlun.

The thing that attacked the Gwen Clan’s team is most likely a jiao living within!

And it’s not just these two places; those satisfying conditions for their survival—deep mountains, lakes—could possibly bear traces of their existence.

If this news were disclosed, it would surely spark a colossal upheaval, its significance not less than the first discovery of dinosaur fossils by humanity, and potentially even more astonishing.

Legendary creatures coming into reality would thoroughly overturn our scientific understanding, as well as our perception of history and myth.

"Please keep this matter a secret for now, and do not reveal it to anyone," Qi Yun emphasized with great seriousness.

The others nodded in understanding, aware of its gravity.

....

After departing New University, Qi Yun and Ignacio followed Hua Weiguo to the Bureau of Cultural Relics.

Some time ago, Qi Yun had handed two stone eyeballs separately to the two, asking them to help with research. Now, after so long, both had new discoveries.

Arriving at Hua Weiguo’s office, he took two boxes out of the safe.

One contained the stone; the other opened, and both Qi Yun and Ignacio were left stunned on the spot.

"Did you steal this thing?" Qi Yun asked incredulously, eyes widened.

The box held none other than the world-renowned Sanxingdui Bronze Mask with Vertical Eyes!

Hua Weiguo hurriedly waved his hands in explanation: "Hey, I’m not that capable. It’s a replica I had made, almost identical in appearance."

Speaking, he spread a velvet cloth on the table, then took out the replica bronze mask with vertical eyes and laid it flat, carefully aligning the stone eyeball with the mask’s left eye.

"Click~"

A faint sound, the stone eyeball snugly fitted into the groove, dimensions perfectly matched.

"See, my prior conjecture was correct. This eyeball is indeed related to the bronze mask with vertical eyes."

Qi Yun leaned in for a closer look, and sure enough, it was the case.

Ignacio, seeing this, also took out the stone eyeball he brought from his backpack and placed it on the table.

Understanding Hua Weiguo took it up and fitted it into the empty right eye socket of the bronze mask with vertical eyes.

The same gentle "click" sounded, and the second stone eyeball also fit snugly, forming symmetry with the left eye.

In an instant, though a replica, while embedded with two stone eyeballs, the bronze mask with vertical eyes seemed to be imbued with an indescribable charm...

The majesty of the vertical eyes, the listening of the giant ears, and the slightly open mouth combined to give off a strange feeling.

Hua Weiguo removed his gloves and, with earnestness, said to Qi Yun, "We might really need to use the national treasure."

As the words fell, the atmosphere froze instantly.

The bronze mask with vertical eyes isn’t merely a typical national treasure; it’s a crucial symbol of Huaxia civilization’s origin and one of the most observed artifacts in recent years.

Even many foreigners learn about Huaxia culture, starting from being captivated by this mysterious bronze mask with vertical eyes.

Qi Yun pondered for a moment, turning to Ignacio nearby: "What do you think?"

Ignacio’s gaze locked on the mask, he spoke in a deep voice: "I once conducted secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis in Madrid’s laboratory. Its material is very peculiar; the outer layer indeed is a weathering layer formed over extended time, the inner layer being similar in construction to the eyeballs..."

"Perhaps to uncover the hidden secrets, it must be under specific conditions."

Qi Yun nodded and made a decision: "How about this, I’ll arrange for you two to head to the Sanxingdui Museum. I’ll manage the formalities."

"Just one request: regardless of whether the secrets are uncovered, do your utmost to secure the safety of the mask. If things do not go well, quit and do not take risks."

"If you need any other assistance, feel free to ask, and I’ll handle it."

Hua Weiguo solemnly promised: "Don’t worry, I’ve researched for some time now, there shouldn’t be any problems."

Ignacio’s eyes sparkled with excitement. His coming to teach in Huaxia was driven by his fascination with Huaxia’s ancient history, and now, having the opportunity to closely encounter the top-tier national treasure like the Sanxingdui Mask with Vertical Eyes was a dream come true.

With the decision made, Qi Yun immediately moved to the stairwell outside and made a call to Director Fu.

This matter likely wouldn’t be solved on his behalf, since it’s about moving their museum’s prized possession. He would have to ask Director Fu to help with the arrangements.

Although local museums and the Country’s museums don’t have an administrative relationship, but with Director Fu’s influence, involving him would make things go much smoother.

The phone barely rang twice before it was answered.

Each time Qi Yun visited Beijing, he would pay a visit, coupled with the fact that the other party originally quite appreciated him, and with the relationship of Xiao Hanguang, thus there’s no unfamiliarity.

Even so, when he mentioned borrowing the bronze mask, Director Fu on the other end of the line was deeply surprised.