Even with the ambiguous acknowledgment from the Sui Xing people, the researchers of Jiuzhou Star still found it hard to accept Britz’s viewpoint.
They applied to awaken more than twenty Shadow People in the control center of the Shadow Spaceship to communicate with them individually. In the end, the conclusion was consistent: Britz had not lied.
The universe outside the domain and the universe inside the domain are different. The way celestial bodies move, and even the definition of space-time, are different.
At least, that is how the Shadow Star civilization understands it.
Qiemu and Charles wore heavy expressions, their rationality and understanding tearing at each other, making them a complex bundle of contradictions.
“What you see is not necessarily true. Looking at the universe from different angles leads to different understandings. The only truth is the Grand Unified Model of the universe!”
“That’s right. Once we escape our survival crisis, we must perfect the Grand Unified Model.”
This emergency did not affect the first Ark admissions exam of Jiuzhou Star University.
Yi Jian became the biggest dark horse of this exam, ranking in the top 10, demonstrating solid fundamentals and extraordinary learning ability.
When Qiemu introduced Yi Jian to Lin Xiaohe, he did not hold back his praise at all: “He is a true genius! He is the scientific prodigy best suited to adapt to change in this rapidly shifting historical opportunity! He possesses astonishing learning ability and willpower. Honored Lord, he will become the brightest pearl of our Arbiter!”
Lin Xiaohe watched Qiemu, his face flushed, hands waving, spit flying, eyes shining like light bulbs.
The disappointment and confusion Britz had brought him were swept away completely. He was like a warrior putting his armor back on, holding a long sword, cutting through thorns on the path to truth.
Lin Xiaohe developed a bit of interest in the Yi Jian he could not stop praising: “So, you want to recommend this peerless genius to me?”
“Hahaha, Honored Lord, please forgive my recklessness. When I find a grain of gold in the sand, my first reaction is to hold it up and beg for your glance.”
Lin Xiaohe rubbed her forehead: “Mm, Qiemu, this speaking style doesn’t suit you. Just tell me directly, what do you want?”
Qiemu rubbed his hands and said without any politeness: “I want to tilt the resources of Jiuzhou Star University toward him. I want to gather the strength of every civilization to cultivate him into an all-around composite talent!”
“Honored Lord,” Qiemu’s eyes were especially sincere and serious, “in theoretical physics, the Grand Unified Model of the universe is the ultimate goal. It attempts to use a single, self-consistent theoretical framework to describe and reveal all known fundamental forces and matter particles in the universe. Simply put, it is the ultimate formula that can explain everything in the universe.”
“If we compare the Ark to a small universe, with each civilization and race as its fundamental forces and matter particles, then it also needs a unified model!”
Beside them, Wesley’s gaze shot toward Qiemu like a thousand-year-old ice.
Qiemu shuddered all over, then realized that what he had just said could easily be misconstrued. He quickly explained: “I mean in the scientific sense! The only Grand Unified Model of the Arbiter Ark is naturally you.”
Lin Xiaohe looked thoughtful: “I understand what you mean. You want to cultivate Yi Jian into the scientific leader of the Arbiter.”
Not only for ordinary humans, but also for the Witch civilization, the Boulder civilization, the Ocean civilization, the Gaia civilization, Stardust humans, the Giant Sound Whales…
No wonder Qiemu had come to her about this. This really was something he could not decide on his own.
Lin Xiaohe did not make a hasty decision. Instead, she emphasized the importance of the matter: “Qiemu, if this were peacetime, I would be very happy to cultivate a new scientific star. But this is no ordinary moment. First, we are pressed for time. Every new research result could determine whether we win or lose the final battle.”
The final battle naturally referred to the world-ending crisis.
If they won, they still had a future.
If they lost, everyone would be destroyed along with this star domain.
“Second, our resources are limited. The entire Arbiter has 46,723 members. Everyone is tightening their belts, investing limited resources into scientific research and the construction of the Ark. What we need is the greatest result at the smallest cost.”
Yes, that was exactly the kind of practical urgency they needed.
The direction of research was not to seek truth, but to pursue usefulness.
Lin Xiaohe asked seriously: “So, Qiemu, do you still insist on your idea?”
Giving Yi Jian one more share of resources could affect the progress of other projects.
Qiemu nodded heavily: “Yes, Honored Lord. Please believe me, Yi Jian will be the future of the Arbiter!”
Of course, Lin Xiaohe could not be easily swayed by Qiemu, but she agreed to go see the top 10 of this admissions exam, with a focus on observing Yi Jian.
She found Yi Jian in the control center of the Shadow Star people’s spaceship.
The first time she saw Yi Jian, Lin Xiaohe knew why Qiemu had chosen him.
Because Yi Jian was a blank sheet of paper in the scientific world. Although he had learned a lot of knowledge, that knowledge only existed in his mind and had not been carved into his soul to become a creed.
He was like a sponge, madly absorbing knowledge from every race and civilization, even from the Shadow Star civilization, whose level was lower than human civilization!
Lin Xiaohe appeared behind Yi Jian. Yi Jian was using his hands and simple vocabulary to communicate with Britz.
They were so engrossed in their conversation that they did not notice Lin Xiaohe and the other person arriving at all.
Qiemu wanted to remind Yi Jian, but Lin Xiaohe stopped him.
Lin Xiaohe heard a few familiar terms: [Big Bang], [time], and so on.
It seemed that Yi Jian and Britz were discussing scientific questions.
Lin Xiaohe did not disturb them and left with Qiemu.
“Bring Yi Jian to see me in two days.”
“Yes, Honored Lord!”
When Lin Xiaohe was troubled, she liked to run into space and feel the dead silence around her.
Quiet and darkness made her thinking more agile.
Qiemu had set up a huge bet, and the stake was the Arbiter.
Melina quietly stayed by Lin Xiaohe’s side, admiring the boundless darkness together.
“Melina, if I can’t lead the Arbiter through the cage, I will choose to escape alone.”
Melina’s tone did not carry the slightest fluctuation, as if they were chatting casually: “That’s very normal. If it were me, I wouldn’t even bother with the Arbiter.”
“Sigh.”
“Honored Lord.”
“Hm?”
“Do you still remember the scene when you took the college entrance exam practical test? To be honest, my first impression of you wasn’t very good. I thought you were especially arrogant and conceited, and you even caused Wesley to fall into danger.”
Lin Xiaohe pouted.
Melina suddenly smiled: “Honored Lord, are you thinking that plenty of people hate you, so who do I think I am?”
Lin Xiaohe…
The downside of being too close was this: some things did not need to be said aloud for the other person to guess.
Melina looked at Lin Xiaohe seriously, a trace of reminiscence in her eyes: “Honored Lord, you haven’t been wild for a long time.”
Back then, how wild she had been, like a newborn calf, smashing the Federation to pieces.
Lin Xiaohe sighed: “Maybe because I’ve grown up.”
Melina’s eyes were especially focused: “What is the sign of growing up? Wesley still seemed like a child at 20. His real growth began with the Xinghe Party. Because from then on, he understood what responsibility and commitment meant.”
“Honored Lord, what I want to say is, you don’t have to carry so much responsibility on your own. All of us Stardust humans are willing to help you share it.”
Lin Xiaohe’s eyes lit up: “Melina, the time has come when I need you. Please tell me, do we bet or not?”
“Sorry, only you are qualified to make that decision.”
Lin Xiaohe was dissatisfied: “Just now you said you were willing to help me share it!”
“Yes, I meant that if the Arbiter’s technology falls behind, Stardust humans are willing to protect it.”
Lin Xiaohe sneered: “Hah, politicians’ mouths, liars’ ghosts. Melina, you truly live up to being a top student of the Political Academy.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
