Chapter 832: The Weight of Ultimate Consequences

What the hell?

Lu Xin’s unexpected reply left the assembled researchers utterly shocked.

Refusing to step onto the Sixth Stage out of fear of destroying the world?

Moreover, when he had just retorted at the Research Institute, everything seemed connected, making the question sound like:

“You deliberately slack off because studying properly would bring about the world’s end?”

……

Amid the stunned stares of everyone present, Lu Xin slowly nodded his head.

It really was so.

Now that he had come to wield an ability that could affect reality to some extent, it was thanks to the resonance between his Unique Consciousness and Black Particles.

Moreover, he truly felt that as long as he continued to comprehend and assimilate Unique Consciousness, his power to influence reality would steadily grow. Perhaps, step by step, he could even reach the level of True Creation.

But for now, he had already sensed a certain danger and dared not continue the process.

Consciousness!

Just like when he first saw that gaze emanating from the ruined throne room of a shattered palace, so close to him.

Every time he attempted to dig deeper into the information within his Unique Consciousness, he would feel the same.

The primal gaze, endlessly drawing near.

He could feel that gaze—it was profound, vast, and boundless.

When he began to understand the Unique Consciousness, it felt as if he were sinking into an ocean, descending infinitely.

He recalled the words Director Xue had spoken to him before their parting.

“Avoid the Origin,” she had warned.

Originally, he thought that after his encounter at the Ruined Research Institute, rejecting Lu Tianming had earned him independence.

But now, it was clear that this was far from the case.

In other words, Lu Tianming and the Origin could not be equated.

Earlier, the one he evaded was merely Lu Tianming.

But if he were to drown in his Unique Consciousness, what might be drawn in its wake could very well be the Origin.

Before Mom went to rest, she had expended all her Insight Power to help him digest the Unique Consciousness—but only managed half of it.

At first, he assumed it was because her strength had dwindled…

But now, Lu Xin was certain that Mom had only processed the part she dared to handle.

The other half was something she was too afraid to help him understand.

And if he were to sink into the mental ocean of the Origin, what could be the worst possible consequence?

Other than the world’s destruction, Lu Xin could not think of a harsher term.

Sigh—he really was someone who could do nothing but destroy the world…

……

……

“Perhaps we should set aside some time to discuss this matter in private,” someone remarked.

Amid the astonished gazes and Lu Xin’s composed demeanor, Professor Bai suddenly broke the silence, interrupting the murmurs and low discussions. He looked at Lu Xin with an unprecedentedly serious expression and said, “I have a second question for you.”

Instantly, everyone in the room turned to Professor Bai with admiring looks.

Professor Bai fixed his intense gaze on Lu Xin and asked, “From your perspective, what do you really want to know?”

At these words, Lu Xin’s expression also grew more serious.

After a moment of thoughtful pause, he answered in a low voice, “I want to know what Unique Consciousness truly is.”

“I also want to know how to defeat an Ultimate, assuming there are no constraints from opposing forces…”

“…”

“Unique Consciousness?”

“Defeating an Ultimate?”

Lu Xin’s words suddenly sparked a subtle stir in the meeting room.

Even though Qinggang had already begun researching the mental palaces of the Ultimate level, everyone couldn’t help but be surprised.

To many, the term Ultimate was to be taken literally.

It represented a supreme, almost unfathomable level, untouchable by ordinary means—so how could one defeat it?

Professor Bai’s brow furrowed deeply as he looked at Lu Xin, speaking in a low tone, “You seem in a hurry.”

“Yes,” Lu Xin replied.

Nodding, he said, “I’ve got enemies now.”

“They bear a tremendous grudge against me. I want to wipe them out—and for the sake of this world, they bear an inescapable responsibility. I need to capture them, but at present, they’re guarded by an Ultimate force.”

“That’s why I want to know how to get rid of it.”

“In that case…”

After a pause, he slowly raised his head and said, “Then I can finally go after them.”

……

……

The objective was clear.

The First Researchers, protected by the power of ‘Nothingness’.

Due to the clash of abilities, Lu Xin’s own power couldn’t conjure any way to deal with them.

So, he was left with only two paths:

One was to find another way to annihilate the ‘Nothingness’ power they wielded.

The other was even simpler: transcend the Ultimate level by using an even greater force to suppress it.

Of course, Unique Consciousness was equally important—it needed to take precedence even over Nothingness.

For one, Lu Xin could clearly feel that Unique Consciousness provided him with a significant advantage.

Secondly, Unique Consciousness was crucial for the First Researchers.

Thus, from every perspective, understanding it was of utmost importance.

If he had to figure all this out on his own, who knew how long it would take?

So Lu Xin sought out the experts from Qinggang.

Revenge was a matter to be taken very seriously.

Lu Xin was in no mood to delay any further.

……

……

Nevertheless, seeing Lu Xin’s calm demeanor left everyone in the meeting room dumbfounded.

A Single Soldier with enemies?

What kind of grudge required one to break through the Ultimate level’s defenses just to avenge it?

He even mentioned that if a solution wasn’t found, they should simply surpass the Ultimate level. How did that roll off his tongue so easily?

But that was the Ultimate, my friend…

Although his words sounded a bit insecure, many researchers couldn’t help but mutter under their breath:

“Isn’t the Single Soldier a bit overconfident about Qinggang?”

“Both your demands sound a bit…”

“…”

“Very good.”

Amid an atmosphere of overwhelming pressure, Professor Bai’s reassuring voice broke through.

With calm confidence, he nodded at Lu Xin and said, “With clear objectives, there’s always a possibility of success. After all, although the Ultimate level is incredibly high, Qinggang has already begun researching the mental palace of the Sword Bearer, hasn’t it?”

“…”

Lu Xin couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement at Professor Bai’s words.

He looked up at Professor Bai and asked in a lowered voice, “Do you think there’s a way?”

“Right now, what worries me is how to break through the ‘Nothingness’ power within the Thirteen Ultimate.”

“It’s the strongest shield among all mental powers.”

“Because it is Nothingness, no force can contaminate it, nor can any power break through it.”

“The first time I encountered such mental power, I could never have imagined how to overcome its restrictions…”

“…”

“Nothingness…”

Everyone present was utterly baffled by that name.

In fact, most—if not all—could barely recall even hearing of such an Ultimate existence.

“Nothingness…”

Professor Bai savored the name with a slight smile and said, “Interesting.”

“But you need not worry.”

He looked at Lu Xin and smiled, “Even though I know nothing about this mental power, I’m certain of one thing:

“There must be a way to break it.”

“After all, if it were truly Nothingness, how could anyone exploit it?”

“Since there’s a chance to exploit it, there must also be a possibility to break it.”

“…”

“Hiss…”

The surrounding researchers fell into a stunned silence at his words.

Lu Xin couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath—it all felt incredibly strange…

That old man shamelessly admitted his complete ignorance of this mental power.

Yet somehow, his words gave him the confidence to believe he could actually pull it off…

“Alright.”

With a gaze of near-reverence directed at him, Professor Bai casually cleared his throat.

Waving his hand, he said, “We will make these two questions the focus of our future work.”

“In a short period, using the Sword Bearer as an example, we will prepare a report analyzing Ultimate-level powers for you.”

“Although the Ultimates may differ from one another, their levels should provide a useful benchmark.”

“As for Unique Consciousness…”

He paused before adding, “The most crucial issue before us is…”

Lu Xin’s eyes lit up with fervor, and the Doll beside him, noticing his excitement, grew equally animated.

Then Professor Bai, clearly struggling to keep his composure, coughed lightly and said to Lu Xin,

“We first need to figure out what Unique Consciousness really is.”

“I’d never even heard that name before…”

“…”

The once buoyant atmosphere in the Office suddenly began to show signs of collapse.

“This…”

Lu Xin paused, as if searching for the right words, only to find that nothing seemed adequate.

Then it struck him: “The Moon Eclipse Research Institute should have some relevant materials we can use for our study.”

“If you have trouble obtaining them, I can help.”

He looked earnestly at the assembled researchers and said, “I’m their biggest creditor right now.”

“They owe me several hundred million…”

“…”

“Hiss hiss…”

Immediately, a chorus of gasps erupted around the room, sounding like a symphony of panic.

Whether it was Lu Xin demonstrating his reality-altering ability, or him casually mentioning that even a slight edge over the Ultimate could doom the world by stepping onto the Sixth Stage, none of it packed as heavy a punch as his latest remark.

The Moon Eclipse Research Institute’s biggest creditor?

Several hundred million?

Many even began to wonder if they should have the Single Soldier step in to secure a few study positions at the Research Institute for Qinggang.

……

……

“Hehe, doesn’t this suddenly make our work much clearer?”

Amid the excitement, Professor Bai chuckled softly, gesturing for the Students and Colleagues to remain calm.

Then he looked up at Lu Xin and asked, “Any other questions before we proceed?”

“Well…”

After a moment’s hesitation, Lu Xin asked, “If possible, could you arrange a dormitory for me here?”

He paused and added, “I really don’t feel like going home right now.”

The question was so abrupt that even Professor Bai was momentarily stunned, while the Doll beside him suddenly had a brief flash of surprise.

Then, with a swift motion, she grabbed Lu Xin’s arm, smiling as she pointed to the west side of the Special Cleaning Department.

That was the direction of her villa.

“…”

Doll’s initiative was completely unexpected.

After a moment, someone laughed and said, “That might not be a good idea…”

The Doll’s expression soured immediately upon hearing this, and she glared at him.

She said nothing more—just stared him down.