Genius Club

Previously, Lin Xian discovered from the safe company staff that an oxy-acetylene torch could forcefully cut open a safe. This revelation meant that the safe in his recurring dream was also vulnerable to this method.

He booted up his computer and began his research. According to online resources, the oxy-acetylene torch is a popular high-temperature gas cutting tool used across various industries. Its primary use is in cutting through irregular steel shapes like coils, ingots, and frames, which are often tricky to secure. The process involves two high-pressure liquefied gas tanks—one containing acetylene and the other oxygen, the primary fuel for the torch. These tanks connect via a hose to a high-pressure spray gun. When adjusted to the correct pressure and gas ratio, and ignited, it produces a potent “flame blade”—akin to the flame from a windproof lighter, but significantly larger and longer.

At the center of this high-speed jet flame, temperatures soar to 3000 degrees Celsius, well above steel’s melting point of 1500 degrees Celsius. This intense heat easily melts steel, allowing for swift, effective cuts. Lin Xian watched several videos on video-sharing platforms demonstrating safe cutting with oxy-acetylene torches. In every instance, the torch’s white-hot flame sliced through the safes effortlessly, emitting a shower of tiny, glowing metal sparks. Within mere seconds, the safes were breached.

The edges of the cuts, glowing with residual molten steel, seemed almost to concede defeat to the overpowering heat. Lin Xian knew the safe from his dream well. Its paint was mostly chipped off, revealing layers of rust beneath—a clear sign of its steel composition and age. Given steel’s melting point, cutting the dream safe with an oxy-acetylene torch would pose no difficulty.

Further research confirmed the widespread availability and mature technology of oxy-acetylene torches. They could be found at construction sites, steel markets, and even online. Small roadside shops crafting steel frame billboards typically possessed such equipment.

“If it’s this common, it should be easy to find one in the dream too,” Lin Xian mused. He recalled how, during elementary school, he and his friend Gao Yang would pass a street lined with billboards. The workers there used both electric welders and oxy-acetylene torches. The intense light and heat from these tools forced the workers to wear heavy goggles. The accidental glances Lin Xian and Gao Yang stole at the flames left spots in their vision, similar to looking directly at the sun.

Finally shutting down his computer, Lin Xian began contemplating his strategy for that night’s dream:

“Locating an oxy-acetylene torch in the dream should be manageable. The challenge lies in transporting such bulky and complex equipment to the bank vault.”

The tanks were hefty, requiring two people to carry each one—hence, a minimum of four individuals was needed for the task. Additionally, hoses, spray guns, and goggles were essential, meaning five or six participants were necessary to execute this plan.

“Five or six people… Where can I find so many allies in the dream?” He considered his potential allies—Big Cat Face and CC. Even if they set aside their past conflicts and collaborated, they would still fall short in numbers.

“Should I involve Big Cat Face’s unreliable underlings?” Lin Xian reflected on Old One, Old Two, and Old Three—their earlier demise in the story due to their respective flaws: greed, lust, and treachery. “Can I depend on such flawed characters?” Despite his reservations, he recognized that he had little choice but to risk it.

“To pull this off, I’ll need to unite these self-serving, unreliable individuals and coax them into cooperation… This is going to be quite the undertaking.”

Lin Xian closed his eyes, envisioning the plan for the forthcoming dream—the “aggressive safe-cracking operation”:

Convince Big Cat Face and CC to resolve their differences and collaborate.

Lead them to secure the oxy-acetylene torch equipment, load it into a van, and transport it to the designated bank.

Prevent Big Cat Face from dismissing his underlings, utilizing them instead as labor to transport the heavy gas tanks to the vault.

Assemble the torch components and employ the high-temperature flame to breach the safe effectively.

“Yes, this plan is logically sound.”

With the 3000-degree Celsius oxy-acetylene torch at his disposal, traditional passwords were irrelevant.

After a routine day at work, Lin Xian returned home for a rare on-time departure. He ate a simple dinner, watched some television, and prepared for his nightly adventure. Having navigated this dream for over two decades, he knew precisely where to find construction markets and advertising shops to acquire an oxy-acetylene torch. The real test would be ensuring Big Cat Face and CC’s cooperation. With his extensive knowledge of the dream world and enough leverage, persuading them seemed feasible. After completing his nightly routine, he switched off the lights and settled into bed.

“Let’s go.”

A familiar summer breeze caressed his face as he entered the dream. It had been some time since Lin Xian had felt such warmth in a dream, his body instantly responding to the temperature. He glanced at a nearby electronic sign:

[August 28, 2624]

[21:42]

Everything around him—people, scenes, and the environment—remained unchanged. However, Lin Xian anticipated significant developments once Professor Xu Yun’s research was published, propelling human technology forward. He speculated about the potential transformations in the square, envisioning changes in technology levels, building architectures, lifestyles, and even children’s toys.

“The dream that has been consistent for 23 years is finally on the cusp of transformation.” “Will this square still exist? What will the surroundings look like?” As he pondered the inevitable changes, a sense of reluctance washed over him. “While there’s still time… let’s open the safe. I’m quite curious about what’s inside.”

He noticed two boys abandoning their Ultraman role-play nearby. Lin Xian stepped forward, picked up a discarded Ultraman mask, and donned it. Approaching a burly figure disembarking from a van, he called out: “Big Cat Face!”

“Huh?” The figure, masked as Rhine Cat, turned. Lin Xian placed his hand on Big Cat Face’s shoulder, leaning in to whisper:

“Listen carefully, I have something important to tell you…”

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