Chapter 712: A Lesson in the Mental Core

Mom taught Lu Xin a lesson that was supremely vivid.

Never before had Lu Xin experienced such a clear understanding of the Mental Core.

Something that can be destroyed yet never tainted…

Standing by Mom’s side, Lu Xin lowered his head for a long time before looking up at the impossibly enormous Red Moon hanging in the sky.

He could feel the immense pressure this abnormal Red Moon exerted, even sensing how its reflection in his pupils made everything shockingly clear—as if for the first time, he finally saw the world for what it was.

Mental pollution, Mental Core, self…

The human will, principles, bottom line, the purest essence or the most intense desire…

……

……

“I’ve felt all of that, you know…”

Suddenly, Lu Xin turned his head and looked at Mom with a hint of delight.

“That’s right.”

Mom nodded with a smile and said, “The Mental Core isn’t some mysterious entity…”

“In fact, it’s quite ordinary.”

“It’s been with us in our lives and our thoughts, accompanying our every breath.”

“We’ve long sensed its presence, though few truly understand its importance.”

“Just as few people truly understand themselves in this world…”

……

……

Memories of his time at the orphanage, followed by leaving it and going through so many experiences, then meeting one person after another and facing events he could hardly comprehend—all surged in his mind.

Black Particles in Lu Xin’s eyes began to swarm densely, like a raging hive of bees.

Their movement reached a point of intensity that even Mom beside him could feel the violent tremors.

Then, she gently released the arm Lu Xin had been clutching and stepped back.

Her eyes shone with a look of relief as she observed him.

For the first time, as the Black Particles appeared, Lu Xin made no effort to suppress them.

He simply allowed the particles to vibrate and unfold, giving him a full, raw sensation.

He savored the feeling of the Black Particles coursing through his body, the tearing sensation they brought with them.

Before, his subconscious had always feared these Black Particles, not knowing what disastrous consequences might result if they ever were to break free completely.

But now, he wanted to try.

Through this lesson, he truly understood the meaning of the Mental Core…

…the Mental Core is the key to keeping himself from losing control.

……

“Buzz, buzz, buzz…”

At the peak of the Black Particles’ tremors, ripples began radiating through the air around Lu Xin.

Across the entire city, countless Ability Users—or perhaps even the Mental Monsters lurking in the Abyss beneath Qinggang City—suddenly tuned in, their gazes snapping up toward Lu Xin.

At the same moment, in the Old Apartment Building of Qinggang Satellite City No. 2, windows burst open suddenly then slammed shut.

Countless windows were pounded to shreds in that very instant.

Inside each room, ancient telephones burst to life with a jarring clamor of ringing.

Televisions, which hadn’t even been plugged in, suddenly filled with snowy static and layers upon layers of distorted images.

“Clap, clap, clap…”

Around the old building, sparks flew from the electrical wires connecting to it, briefly lighting up the deep night.

The building itself trembled as though it might uproot and burst upward.

But as the trembling reached its zenith, a sense of despair slowly settled, bringing a heavy quiet.

“Hey, it stopped?”

In Room 401, Sister pressed her face against the door, straining to catch the sounds from outside.

Father peeked out from the kitchen, his posture ready to retreat back at a moment’s notice. “Everything’s calm now?”

“Seems like it,” Sister replied, listening carefully to the vanishing commotion.

“Hmm…”

Father pondered for a moment before suggesting, “Why don’t you go take a look?”

Sister immediately shot him a glare. “Do you think I’m stupid?”

Annoyed, Father retorted, “Do you want me to throw you out?”

Sister promptly stood up, hands on her small hips, and said, “You dare?”

Father was left speechless, sinking back onto the small stool in the kitchen’s shadows as he stewed in silence.

Although winning their first argument against Father, Sister didn’t seem too pleased. “What on earth did they do?” she asked.

Father first shot her a disdainful look before conceding, “Strictly speaking, they were finalizing a plan long overdue.”

Sister thought for a moment, clearly not grasping the meaning.

Sensing the despair echoing through the corridor, she asked, “So, is that good or bad for us?”

With a cold sneer, Father replied, “Now that it’s settled, you needn’t worry about them tearing you to shreds anytime soon. So tell me—do you think that’s good or bad?”

“Brother would never tear me to pieces…”

Sister replied confidently, slightly scrunching her nose.

In Father’s dismissive gaze, he then looked out the door and asked, “Then what are they afraid of?”

“It’s a complicated matter…”

After a moment of silence, Father continued, “At least they won’t be destroyed anytime soon.”

“But they’ve forever lost the freedom to choose.”

“…”

“…”

“Buzzz…”

As the Black Particles in Lu Xin’s eyes grew more pronounced and turbulent, not only in Qinggang City and the Abyss below Qinggang, but even in the sky, something sensed it and was suddenly startled.

Next to the immense Red Moon, two fissures appeared in the sky, as if tearing open deep gashes.

Within those gashes, cold, indifferent eyes gazed downward…

At that moment, a massive mental pressure, like an ocean suspended above Qinggang, slowly sank.

Simultaneously, Lu Xin’s eyes shifted slightly as he fixed his gaze on it.

Their eyes met, and in that clash, the ocean above Qinggang suddenly roiled with enormous waves.

In an instant, those eyes closed, disappearing without a trace.

The Black Particles in Lu Xin’s eyes began to fade, gradually transforming into clear, defined black and white eyes.

But this time was different.

It wasn’t the result of an outburst of anger or a sudden shift in emotion.

This time, Lu Xin chose to let them vanish.

For the first time, feeling such freedom, a genuine smile spread across Lu Xin’s face.

“Clap, clap…”

It was Mom, smiling as she applauded softly from the side.

Lu Xin noticed that the previously enormous and abnormal Red Moon had disappeared.

In its place, a slender crescent of pale moon emerged from behind distant, dark clouds.

The long lines of people that had formed outside were gone, the city returned to normal, and he now stood atop a high-rise overlooking the city below—the very building once under construction for the children of Qinggang.

Turning to look at Mom, Lu Xin expressed a hint of regret, “It still can’t be done perfectly.”

“That’s enough.”

Mom looked at Lu Xin and said softly, “Just like empty promises cost nothing, your direction can only be chosen by yourself.”

“Don’t rush into any decisions, because what you decide now will be significant—not just for you, but for the world.”

“…”

Seeing the contentment on Mom’s face, Lu Xin suddenly had many questions.

For instance, about those blank three years, an emptiness still unfilled in his memory.

He knew that everything happening now might somehow be linked to that gap.

Also, he wondered about the unique ability that allowed Mom to experience such extraordinary changes.

But finally, he only smiled at Mom and said, “Once we find it, does that mean I no longer need to follow the rules?”

Mom smiled and replied, “What do you think?”

Lu Xin shook his head with a laugh, “I finally understand why I must follow the rules.”

“It also explains why I felt so powerless when facing Number Eight before.”

“…”

As he spoke, he slowly crouched down and watched the once quiet Qinggang Armed Forces below—a sight made chaotic again by the eyes in the sky reopening—with each light turning on and electromagnetic cannons revealing their forms one after another.

He sighed softly, “Just as I once believed I loved Qinggang…”

“But in truth, Qinggang is my teacher.”

“…”

The surrounding clamor grew louder. Various electromagnetic sounds whistled through the wires or rippled through the air.

In the distance, a twisted shadow began to appear, gradually stabilizing and taking the form of a little girl holding an umbrella.

“It’s me…”

Lu Xin gently waved to the little girl to clear up the misunderstanding.

The little girl drifted over slowly with a sweet smile on her face, as if to say she had known all along.

At that moment, Mom beamed with happiness.

She casually slung her bag over her shoulder and walked toward the little girl, lifting her chin gently.

The little girl stood dumbfounded, too shy to move as Mom examined her from side to side.

Lu Xin watched from the side, slightly dazed.

Something about the scene just didn’t seem right…

……

……

“Not bad.”

After inspecting the little girl, Mom gently pinched her small face and laughed, “If only she were a bit smarter…”

The little girl blushed and lowered her head, looking rather shy.

“Let’s go!”

Mom nodded contentedly, turned to Lu Xin, and extended her arm.

Lu Xin hurried to catch up, linking his arm with hers as they walked side by side.

“Get a good rest tonight…”

Mom said cheerfully, “Tomorrow we’ll go on stage to teach those Researchers with thinning hair…”

“Huh?”

“What’s wrong? Afraid I won’t be able to teach them a thing?”

“No, it’s just that I’m not very good at lecturing…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll do it. Didn’t Qinggang teach you so much? We naturally have to pass some of that on.”

“But…”

“A world capable of birthing a savior is fortunate, but one that needs a savior is truly tragic!”

“So, it’s best they learn as much as possible…”

“…”

Lu Xin didn’t know how to reply. He could only turn to the little girl, who was standing obediently at the back, wave, and silently mouth, “See you tomorrow…”