Chapter Four: Crossing Over Once Again

As Wang Jing patiently waited for his next crossing, Song Guohua walked in. The moment he entered, Song Guohua spoke gravely, “We don't have much time. I’m here to learn the basic situation of that world from you. This is crucial for your next journey.”

“I don’t remember all the details very clearly.”

“That’s alright, just tell me everything you do remember.”

“Alright,” Wang Jing nodded.

“I recall that world discovered the sun would soon be destroyed. So, they united all the world’s resources to build over ten thousand planetary engines, intending to push Earth out of the solar system. Those are the pyramid-shaped structures with blue flames you saw in the video.”

“The planetary engines are powered by heavy nucleus fusion reactors, apparently using stones as fuel.”

“To escape the cold and disaster, they built underground cities hundreds of meters below these engines to house the population.”

“Not everyone could enter the underground cities—only half the population was allowed in, and selection was by lottery.”

“The first time I crossed over, it was just as their planet was captured by Jupiter’s gravity.”

“An earthquake caused all of Earth’s planetary engines to shut down. By the time they managed to restart all the engines, it was too late—Earth had already been captured entirely by Jupiter’s gravity.”

“What happened in the end?” Song Guohua asked.

“They piloted a space station to ignite Jupiter, pushing Earth out of Jupiter’s Roche limit. But they paid a terrible price—not only did they lose a space station, but millions died.” Wang Jing tried hard to recall.

Song Guohua nodded thoughtfully, then looked at Wang Jing. “One more question: were the leaders of the countries in that world the same as in ours?”

“Um…” Wang Jing thought for a while before replying, “The United States should be the same, but as for the others, I’m not sure.”

“Alright, I understand.” With that, Song Guohua stood, shook Wang Jing’s hand once more, and thanked him. “Thank you very much for your information. If you remember anything else, tell Qiu Ruoxue directly—she’ll pass it on to me.” He nodded in Qiu Ruoxue’s direction.

“I will,” Wang Jing replied.

Watching Song Guohua’s hurried departure, Wang Jing began to ponder how he might help the Wandering Earth world to better weather this crisis—after all, he had always quite liked the actor who played Liu Peiqiang.

While Wang Jing was deep in thought, two hours quickly passed. The door opened again, and it was Song Guohua once more, but this time he carried a thick stack of documents.

“These are your action plans for the crossing. And this—” Song Guohua took a heavy phone from his pocket and handed it to Wang Jing. “This contains explanatory videos about the previous two, and current, leaders of the world’s nations. It may help you.”

Wang Jing took the phone and quickly flipped through the action files. Since there was so much content, he only read the headings, diving into details only if something was unclear.

When he came across the plan to ignite Jupiter with nuclear bombs, Wang Jing looked at Song Guohua in surprise. “Will that really work? Is the power of a nuclear bomb enough to ignite Jupiter?”

“Absolutely. We’ve calculated it. As long as Jupiter has absorbed enough of Earth’s oxygen, just the force of the nuclear explosion will be sufficient to ignite it,” Song Guohua replied with certainty.

“Then can I take a nuclear bomb with me when I cross over?” Wang Jing asked uncertainly.

“You should be able to. Judging from the dust and small stones on your wounds, clothes, and shoes last time, you can actually bring objects with you. We just don’t know how large an object you can carry. So for testing and your safety, this time a top special forces soldier will accompany you.”

“What? Someone’s crossing with me?” Wang Jing shot to his feet, shocked.

“Don’t be nervous. There’s some risk, but we don’t have time for further tests. Still, don’t worry too much. We believe you can bring living things across with you,” Song Guohua reassured him.

“So, who’s coming with me?” Wang Jing asked.

“He’s on his way and should be here any moment.” As Song Guohua spoke, the door opened. A tall, sturdy soldier with a resolute expression stepped in.

“Speak of the devil. Let me introduce you: this is Li Xian, codename Wolf, the one who will cross with you,” Song Guohua said, rising to make the introductions.

Li Xian saluted Wang Jing and Song Guohua, then shook Wang Jing’s hand. Wang Jing could feel the thick calluses on Li Xian’s palm.

“Hello, my name is Wang Jing. I’ll be counting on you,” Wang Jing said, looking up at the man who was a head taller than himself.

“Rest assured, I’ll ensure your safety,” Li Xian replied solemnly.

Glancing at his watch, Song Guohua interrupted, “Alright, any further conversation can wait. Time is running out—you still need to put on your special protective suits.”

Wang Jing and Li Xian followed Song Guohua to the center of the base, where a temporary open space had been cleared. Although called “empty,” the area was now crowded with various instruments.

Navigating through the unfamiliar equipment, Wang Jing saw the protective suits fixed to their racks. They were noticeably less advanced in appearance than those from the Wandering Earth world.

As they approached, three lab technicians in white coats immediately stepped forward to help Wang Jing and Li Xian suit up and performed some basic tests.

Once Wang Jing donned the round space helmet, Song Guohua’s voice came through the communicator, “Wang Jing, can you hear me?”

“Loud and clear!”

“Li Xian?”

“Clear!”

“Good. Now, Wolf, grab Wang Jing’s hand. Remember, don’t let go during the crossing.”

“Understood!” Li Xian nodded.

“Wang Jing, in a moment we’ll electrify you. The voltage will gradually increase. If you can’t stand it, just say so or drop the wire.”

“Got it!” Wang Jing replied.

As Song Guohua finished, a technician handed Wang Jing a wire as thick as a finger.

“Electrification countdown: 3, 2, 1—power on.”

“Wang Jing, the voltage is now at 12 volts. How do you feel?” Song Guohua asked.

“No sensation at all. You can increase it,” Wang Jing said.

“Li Xian, anything?”

“Nothing!” Li Xian replied.

“Alright, raising to 36 volts.”

“Any feeling now?”

“None,” both Wang Jing and Li Xian answered.

“Next, 60 volts.”

“Still nothing,” Wang Jing responded.

“120 volts!”

“I feel a surge of strength throughout my body, but no discomfort,” Wang Jing reported.

“I feel nothing,” Li Xian said.

“Wang Jing, I’ll keep increasing the voltage. If you feel unwell, speak up immediately!”

“Understood!”