The group of geniuses sitting at the main table chatted on and off.
To outsiders, their conversations sounded completely disconnected.
They only needed a glance or a small movement to understand what the others were thinking.
Their minds were enough to shake the universe.
This time, instead of devoting themselves to research, they had crossed several star systems to attend the wedding on the Luofu.
Before this, Zandar had taken out the keepsake they had always carried and treasured.
They instantly guessed the truth.
The universe had gone through many cycles.
Otherwise, how could one explain what Zandar held in his hand?
Some refused to change the direction of their research and declined Zandar's invitation.
Others entrusted him without hesitation and came to the Luofu.
None of them cared about the change in the "Eighth Seat."
To them, research came above everything. After briefly meeting the newlyweds, they immediately started talking with the people beside them.
As for Zandar, who had invited everyone here, he seemed absent-minded.
He held his teacup without touching it.
Polka rested one hand under her chin and picked up her teacup with the other. From the corner of her eye, she noticed the distracted expression on the person beside her. Picking up her purse, she asked, "Where's the smoking room?"
Zandar appeared to think for a moment and pointed.
He understood the hidden meaning behind Polka's words and got up, leaving the banquet hall with her.
The two walked through a Xianzhou-style covered corridor and arrived at a pavilion.
Willow branches swayed and the lake water was clear.
No one was around. Only the faint sound of koi flicking their tails disturbed the silence.
Zandar wanted to speak, but hesitated. After a long while, he said uncertainly,
"Polka, is there a possibility..."
"That his IQ isn't 140?"
Although Eric had never studied these fields before and couldn't compare with the other members, among ordinary people he barely qualified as talented.
During this period, the student had improved rapidly. He performed well and occasionally could even keep up with Polka's train of thought.
Was Zandar... showing off his student?
Showing off how gifted his student was?
Polka took out a cigarette from her purse and casually asked, "You think he's mentally disabled?"
Staring at the colorful koi churning in the pond, Zandar softly said, "...No. I mean, Eric's IQ may be higher than 140."
"The academy he attended on the Xianzhou uses the same teaching methods as the best schools in the universe."
"They said self-study started at eight... but it all depended on self-discipline."
"They didn't even have self-study classrooms. Students could only go to the library."
"Classes started at nine and ended at three. During that time, the school even set aside morning tea and afternoon tea breaks."
Polka patiently chatted with him.
"Those two schools have completely different teaching methods."
"That school only had five-minute breaks between classes."
"Xianzhou people spend less than six hours in class each day."
Zandar's eyes flickered.
"The StarNet says most students reach their peak mental performance around major exams."
"A few years ago, he completed all his credits and graduated early."
"And now, he can still keep up with us."
Seeing the worry on Zandar's face, Polka knew he wasn't pretending.
She lit her cigarette and stared at the white smoke.
If what the First Seat said was true, and his student had been trying throughout countless cycles to use the Ether Phase Engine to bring the universe into a higher dimension...
Then how could someone with an IQ of only 140, someone who was merely somewhat talented among ordinary people, catch up with their thoughts in such a short time?
How had he done it?
He was almost like a scholar who had already come into contact with "Universe Creation."
Polka's hand froze.
In previous cycles, had that student participated in this project?
Could it be that no matter how many times he tried, he could never succeed?
She had come here for research.
To her, research took priority over everything.
But that didn't mean she would waste time on a project destined to fail.
Polka calmed herself.
She needed to reassess the "Universe Creation" project.
Thinking of this, she immediately understood Zandar's concerns.
He was simply worried about his student.
Worried that he had suffered somewhere without his knowledge.
Since Zandar could preserve their keepsakes through time, he could naturally preserve some important information as well.
He must have recorded information about his student.
Through Eric's growth experiences, Polka could infer his family background, personality, and way of doing things.
Then she could decide whether to continue cooperating with Zandar.
Putting out her cigarette, Polka extended her hand.
"Your journal."
When she saw that Zandar didn't move, she let out a soft laugh.
"The Xianzhou have an old saying. Those involved can't see clearly, but outsiders can."
Zandar stared at her for a long time and sighed.
The scholar no longer hesitated. He took out a thick journal from his neat suit pocket.
He accurately turned to a certain page, tore out several sheets, then handed it to Polka.
Polka didn't ask about the missing pages.
Everyone had secrets.
She had no interest in prying into other people's secrets.
Opening the journal, she saw extremely messy lines on the title page.
This must be very important information.
Without changing her expression, Polka flipped a few pages.
Zandar had recorded the entire process of meeting Eric.
The two couldn't understand each other's language and relied entirely on gestures.
Polka automatically skipped their daily interactions and focused on what happened after Eric entered school.
When faced with bullying, he took the initiative to help and assisted his classmates in fighting back.
He became friends with those people after fighting them.
No, to be more accurate, everyone in the class was his friend.
Wanting more information, Polka deliberately praised him.
"I can tell he's a good child."
Just as she expected, Zandar immediately started talking.
"Yes, he's a very good child."
"As long as he can do something, he'll definitely do it."
"When something happens, he's calm and collected..."
Polka pondered.
'As long as he could do it, he would.'
'Why?'
'Because he believed Zandar would clean up after him?'
'Well, he was a fifteen-year-old boy. It was normal for him to have stubborn moments.'
'Without parents, and suddenly meeting an elder who guided him, naturally he would place his trust in him.'
Polka continued asking, "Sounds like he's emotionally stable."
Zandar agreed wholeheartedly, "Yes. Even when a thief broke into the house, he still greeted the thief."
"He ran into robberies three times in one month. There were gunfights, explosions, people throwing themselves onto train tracks..."
"How should I put it? He doesn't seem to care much about the process. As long as the result is right, that's enough."
Polka lowered her eyes and silently overturned her earlier assumption.
Ordinary people couldn't raise a child with this kind of personality.
Whose emotions were the most stable?
People who could easily solve problems.
Such people had enough confidence and ability, so problems wouldn't trigger emotions in them.
As long as the result was correct, they ignored the small issues in the process.
Take Polka's trip to the Luofu.
Those in power throughout the universe had accepted the invitation.
There were too many fleets and docking was slow.
Polka had to change course halfway and switch to a starskiff before arriving at this realm.
The staff receiving her felt deeply apologetic and repeatedly apologized.
Polka didn't care.
It was like airplanes still used on some planets.
Due to certain reasons, passengers couldn't sit in first class.
Some people would become furious.
For Polka, as long as she reached her destination, it didn't matter where the ship stopped.
She didn't care about exercising privilege.
As long as the destination remained the same, nothing else mattered.
Following this logic, Eric's family must have been able to support him, with enough wealth to allow him to do whatever he wanted.
Combined with how he got along with all his classmates...
What kind of people cared so much about maintaining superficial relationships?
It seemed Eric came from an excellent family.
Better than she had expected.
So good that Eric rarely argued with those around him.
If relationships completely broke down, it would affect the older generation's ties and, in turn, their cooperation.
Polka spoke as if sighing with emotion, "His family must be very wealthy."
"Are they as rich as that High Elder?"
Zandar waved his hand, "Not that exaggerated."
When speaking about his student's family, he looked lost and asked uncertainly, "Do you think I've led him astray?"
Polka answered casually, "How could that be?"
Zandar continued, sounding afraid of letting down the student's parents.
Polka's expression sharpened.
From Zandar's tone, it sounded like he expected to meet the student's parents someday.
But wasn't Eric's home planet already destroyed?
He had encountered a starquake and crossed time to meet Zandar, barely surviving.
Polka lowered her head and turned another page.
One day, Zandar had received a signal from a black hole.
He and several researchers boarded a ship and entered it to investigate.
Not long afterward came Eric's graduation ceremony.
Zandar had approached Polka in advance.
If he hadn't finished his research, Polka would attend in his place.
This time, Zandar had written down the university's name.
It was the finest institution in the universe.
Its high tuition fees discouraged most people.
The students there were either rich or powerful. After graduation, they would inherit their countries or families.
Before coming to the Luofu, Polka had inexplicably wanted to prepare a gift for the wedding's protagonist, whom she had never met.
Would Zandar mistreat his student?
Of course not.
So Polka investigated the traditions of that university's graduates.
Graduates wore laurel wreaths.
Students who hadn't yet graduated would ask graduates for laurel leaves on graduation day, praying for a smooth graduation themselves.
If it were Eric...
The leaves on his wreath probably wouldn't survive.
Polka curled her lips upward.
Then she lowered her head again.
The handwriting in the journal became increasingly messy.
The situation had taken a sudden turn for the worse.
Zandar's group had lost contact with the outside world.
How long had passed?
Polka couldn't tell from the journal alone.
After discussions, they discovered they had encountered a higher-dimensional existence.
Just as Zandar was about to explain further, Polka raised a hand, "Stop."
"Why are you so sure your student wouldn't lie to you?"
"The nanomachines he gave you only know what he wants you to know."
Zandar's expression changed instantly.
Polka fell into thought.
Humans didn't care about ants beneath their feet.
If it really was a higher-dimensional existence...
Then it wouldn't care about humans either.
To it, they were like insects accidentally crushed underfoot.
It didn't stop.
It didn't even look.
Without doing anything, it could easily turn their fate upside down.
Polka collected herself and flipped back to the title page.
In messy handwriting, Zandar had written three words.
"Time Bug."
Below them were strange symbols.
Before Polka could make sense of them, Zandar reached out and took back the journal.
In the next moment, it vanished from his hand.
Polka carefully recalled the symbols.
After a while, she barely recognized them as "Eric" and "Nous."
Zandar had drawn a huge X over "Nous."
What did that mean?
His handwriting was so messy, yet he had deliberately written it on the title page...
Polka's thoughts circled repeatedly around those three names.
She focused on "Nous," the one crossed out.
Before ascending to godhood, the Aeon had been a celestial computer created by Zandar.
It was his life's work.
What had happened to make Zandar reject his creation so strongly?
Polka thought of the pages Zandar had torn out.
Her thoughts shifted to the name "Eric."
What if Zandar's creation would kill the student he loved in the future?
Eric had grown up pampered. His family had given him the courage to move forward and the confidence to face difficulties.
He was emotionally stable and calm.
After meeting Zandar, he had entered a top university alongside royalty and nobles.
He hadn't suffered much. Influenced by his surroundings, his values had gradually approached those of the universe's ruling class.
Profit above all.
Results above everything.
Someone like that...
Under what circumstances would he abandon his principles and seek death with single-minded determination?
Unless...
Zandar died because of him.
Higher-dimensional beings didn't care about humans.
But what if this human... Was special enough?
Special enough to attract Its attention.
After a moment, Polka said firmly, "His home planet wasn't destroyed."
Zandar's expression changed slightly.
At that moment, Polka finally had her answer.
She slowly spoke her conclusion, "Your meeting had nothing to do with the starquake."
"He is a higher-dimensional being."
Seeing Zandar's increasingly cold gaze, Polka glanced at him.
"Don't look at me like that."
"After you disappeared, I attended his graduation ceremony in your place."
"After you died, I looked after him and cleaned up your mess."
"He might even call me teacher."
The veins on Zandar's forehead bulged.
'Who was taking care of whom?!'
'Besides, don't you have your students?'
'If not, then go find one!'
'Why steal mine?'
Polka laughed softly.
Now she was very interested in Eric.
The Time Bug could travel through space and time.
What about Eric?
He seemed to come from an even higher plane.
When facing enemies, Eric never showed mercy. He would rather kill by mistake than let anyone go.
If the Time Bug could enter their world, who could guarantee there wouldn't be a second or third invader?
Better to strike first and erase potential enemies in advance.
Since Eric could descend into their world, he could use his own abilities to travel to the world of the culprit.
As an outsider, he wouldn't turn himself into a target and openly appear before the natives.
Instead, Eric would hide behind the scenes and quietly guide their world toward destruction.
In his mind, profit came first. Naturally, he wouldn't let any spoils of war escape.
After thinking for a moment, Polka quickly thought of the "Suppressor Core."
To commemorate humanity's victory over the out-of-control machines, the Xianzhou had placed it in a museum.
Now it was in Zandar's hands.
The Suppressor Core could greatly increase the efficiency of building robots and giant structures.
It was one of the trophies Eric had brought back.
During that time, he had obtained many trophies.
That explained why Eric was so familiar with the "Universe Creation" project.
At the same time, he had attracted the Time Bug's attention.
At that time, Eric had encountered a higher-dimensional being that had not yet met him.
For some reason, It had developed great interest in him.
Perhaps It regarded Eric as one of Its own?
For now, assume they were special beings who casually crossed boundaries and entered other worlds.
Thus, It crossed worlds and time and arrived here.
One day, Zandar received a signal from a black hole.
Polka's expression changed slightly.
This was a dead end.
She sighed.
"This is fate."
She took out another cigarette and lit it.
"One piece of good news and one piece of bad news."
"Which do you want first?"
Zandar looked impatient, but Polka ignored him and continued, "The good news is, your student loves you very much."
He entered another world for your sake and for this universe, eliminating danger before it appeared.
But in doing so, he accidentally attracted the Time Bug.
He became one of the culprits responsible for your death.
Through the white smoke, Polka smiled, "The bad news is, he's very smart."
Zandar didn't want Eric to meet an Aeon.
But Nous's answer didn't matter.
When people suffered and faced despair, they placed their hopes in gods.
Only a "Higher-Dimensional Descender" wouldn't.
Whether an Aeon answered or not...
Eric would die.
Rarely moved by pity, Polka softly comforted Zandar, "Have some faith in him, Zandar."
"He's your student."
"How could he possibly suffer losses?"
"He went to another world and brought back a mountain of trophies."
"For example, your Suppressor Core."
Zandar finally relaxed.
That explained why Eric learned so quickly despite his IQ.
He had already known about the "Universe Creation" project long ago.
Zandar had no desire to uncover the truth.
Other than bringing more sadness, what good would it do?
He should live in the present.
From now on, Polka had better stay away from his student.
Collecting himself, Zandar said, "I have a lot of faith in him."
"It's just... troubling."
"He's too kind. He brought the 'Higher-Dimensional Descenders' here for the sake of other worlds."
Polka thought to herself, was that really trouble?
It was a warning.
A display of power.
Since Eric could scheme against other Higher-Dimensional Descenders and drag them into lower-dimensional worlds, he could also crush lower-dimensional Polka as easily as stepping on an ant.
Shaking ash from her cigarette, Polka said, "If he dares to bring them into the game, why worry that he can't suppress them?"
"Who do you think he is?"
"He's Eric."
She thought of the former Marshal's obsessive desire for control, which outsiders often criticized.
It seemed there was only one Higher-Dimensional Descender in the universe.
Someone like that would never tolerate any variables.
Putting out her cigarette, Polka said, "Perhaps... from the moment they descended into another world, they were already being observed and controlled by him."
"Maybe... he can even take their lives whenever he wishes."
After hearing these praises, Zandar's expression eased.
The two returned the way they came and met a black-haired, black-eyed man on the road.
The flower pinned to his chest showed he was a groomsman.
Zandar smiled without warmth.
"Guanliang? Why are you here?"
The man called Guanliang returned an equally fake smile.
Chuckling, he didn't answer.
"Don't worry, Mr. Zandar. Your student... will always stay with you."
Zero had already been opened up by Guanliang.
Besides studying, what else could Zero do?
After saying that, Guanliang quickened his pace and left.
If he didn't leave the Luofu soon, Zero would start causing trouble again.
Zandar and Polka returned to the banquet hall.
The two newlyweds were still making rounds.
The guests all looked emotional, tears in their eyes as they looked at Eric.
Knowing these were Eric's former subordinates, the two quickly withdrew their gazes and returned to their seats.
Polka noticed the wedding favors prepared by the couple and immediately laughed.
There was a hint of schadenfreude in her voice.
"If I remember correctly, when you met him, he'd just finished middle school, right? You're his teacher. How exactly are you going to explain this to his parents?"
Zandar, "..."
It's fine.
Eric's parents were very open-minded.
Getting married... wasn't such a big deal.
Zandar's expression changed repeatedly. Even after the wedding ended and the guests left, he remained sitting there.
Standing up, he accidentally knocked over a box of wedding favors.
After staring at it for a while, he sighed.
Resigned, he picked up the box and walked through the messy rows of chairs and over the flower petals scattered during the entrance, arriving at the banquet hall's entrance.
The Xianzhou had erected a six-meter flower wall.
It was made of roses of different colors.
The top was crimson, almost blood-red, with the color gradually becoming lighter below.
In one corner of the flower wall crouched someone.
Walking closer, Zandar recognized her.
It was Hua, Eric's chosen successor.
Hua had trained in martial arts since childhood and had already recognized the approaching footsteps.
Without turning around, she plucked a rose from the wall.
The staff had removed all the thorns.
She spoke to Zandar behind her, "Would you like one?"
Zandar asked, "Why are you here?"
Hua smiled, "I'm used to it."
She was used to being the last to leave.
She had also been the last person to leave her father's funeral.
Standing up, Hua examined the flower wall.
Compared to the dozens-of-meters-high wall at the funeral...
She sighed.
"This flower wall is too small."
Zandar raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. It probably can't even compare to Imbibitor Lunae's garden."
"I heard that no matter how many scenic spots the Xianzhou has, they can't compare to the Dragon High Elder's private property."
Hua raised her gaze and carefully selected flowers.
Pointing out a subordinate's wealth right in front of the Xianzhou Marshal...
It was obvious that Zandar held a grudge against Imbibitor Lunae.
Back in Scalegorge Waterscape, Dan Feng had nearly killed Father. Yet he hadn't been punished. Instead, he had solved the problems plaguing their entire race.
The Vidyadhara had gained the most from the incident.
To say Hua held no resentment would be unrealistic.
Fortunately, Dan Feng had enough self-awareness.
He had shown enough sincerity to dispel her dissatisfaction.
At the risk of ending the Vidyadhara's inheritance, he allowed Hua to erase his memories and donated the assets Father had once given him to the Xianzhou.
Hua pulled out a rose.
"How long ago was that?"
"Imbibitor Lunae donated all his assets."
"It won't be long before the people of the Xianzhou can tour his residence."
In other words, Dan Feng had already received punishment.
Walking over, Zandar casually yanked out a handful of roses.
His rough movements caused several nearby flowers to fall out as well.
He said coldly, "You're as soft-hearted as he is."
Hua bent down to pick up the fallen flowers and soon had an idea.
Praising Father couldn't go wrong.
She sighed helplessly, half serious and half joking.
"Father values old friendships."
"He and Imbibitor Lunae were once close friends."
"It's a pity Father never saw him one last time."
"And Imbibitor Lunae knows nothing about it."
Zandar sighed as well.
Dan Feng had once known the secret of Eric's flesh.
Now that part of his memory had been erased.
He said, "Then there's nothing to be done."
Hua tore off the ribbon used to cover the floral foam and tied together the dozen roses in her hand.
Though the colors differed, they looked beautiful together.
Zandar glanced at them.
Hua's eyes curved with a smile.
"Father taught me."
The corner of Zandar's mouth twitched.
"...He even learned flower arrangement?"
Hua nodded and naturally began talking about the various classes Father had taken at Luofu Academy.
"The academy he attended offered many subjects."
"Physical education included horseback riding, swimming, diving..."
"There were even more art classes. Tea ceremony, flower arrangement, painting, pottery, design. Teachers also had them learn instruments and form bands."
Zandar, 'You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?'
'Tea ceremony was one thing, but flower arrangement too?'
After pausing, Hua suddenly remembered something and smiled brightly.
"Oh, there was handicraft class too."
"They had to learn baking and making desserts."
Zandar, 'People said daughters were their fathers' little padded jackets.'
'Why was this jacket leaking air?'
'Should Eric thank you for showing mercy?'
'Thank you for not including knitting sweaters and scarves in the exams?'
Hua tied another ribbon around the bouquet and made a beautiful bow.
"You've finally come all the way to the Luofu-"
Zandar interrupted her.
"Stop."
"That's exactly what your father said."
After thinking about it, Hua realized it really was.
When Zandar had come to the Yaoqing, Father had kept him there.
Under the excuse of sightseeing, Father had even made him teach Hua.
Naturally, Hua skipped that topic.
Most guests didn't know the truth.
Following Xianzhou customs, they prepared another wedding.
This time, only close people who knew the truth were invited.
Hua brought it up and invited Zandar.
There had to be at least one elder present.
If Father wasn't going to bow to heaven and earth, he should at least bow to his elders.
Otherwise, only the couple's mutual bow would remain.
Zandar said, "...No."
His creation had killed his student.
He wasn't a qualified teacher.
He had no right to act as an elder, nor replace the parents and accept the couple's gratitude.
How was he supposed to explain things to Eric's parents?
Right now, Zandar didn't even want to see Jingliu.
He didn't even want to see Eric.
Full of worries, he left.
After parting with the scholar, Hua boarded a starskiff and headed to the estate where the wedding was held.
Passing the screen wall behind the entrance, the first thing she saw were the red silk decorations.
This property had been bought by Father for Jingliu.
Architectural design was one of the subjects taught at the academy.
Perhaps considering Jingliu's tastes, the courtyard and buildings were simple and ancient in style.
A few minutes later, Hua entered the main building.
Seeing her arrive alone, Zero froze for a moment.
———
On the other side, Jingliu had all her hair tied up beneath a golden phoenix crown and wore a red wedding dress embroidered with dragons and phoenixes in gold thread.
She held a fan in front of her face, revealing only her eyes and brows decorated with makeup and rouge.
Compared to other Xianzhou weddings, theirs was very simple.
No bows to heaven and earth.
No bows to elders.
Holding the red silk tightly, they bowed to one another.
After witnessing this scene, everyone smiled and offered blessings before leaving.
Afterward, only the sharing wine and hair-binding ceremony remained.
The two entered the bridal chamber.
Red silk hung everywhere and the character for happiness had been pasted on the walls.
Red candles stood beside the table holding the wedding wine.
Putting away the red silk they had used earlier, Zero led Jingliu to the dressing table.
Standing behind his lover, he gently touched her cheek and softly asked, "You've worked hard."
"That crown is heavy, isn't it?"
Jingliu instinctively said, "There's still the wedding wine..."
Zero pressed down on her shoulders, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Take these things off first."
Holding his breath and concentrating, he carefully removed her hairpins one by one.
Soon, her long hair flowed down.
Feeling Zero's intense gaze, Jingliu's eyes wandered.
This time, Zero wore a red robe. His bangs were completely swept back, and his black hair was secured by a golden crown.
It was a look Jingliu had never seen before.
Her face grew hot, and even the tips of her ears hidden by her hair turned red.
As she thought about it, Zero lifted her chin and firmly pressed a makeup-removing pad against her lipstick-covered lips.
After removing the lipstick, Zero moved to the flower mark on her forehead, then to her cheeks.
Perhaps the room was too warm, or perhaps he had used too much force while removing her makeup.
Jingliu's cheeks were flushed.
Zero lightened his touch and gently wiped away the rouge at the corners of her eyes.
She lightly bit her lip, met her lover's eyes in the mirror, and softly said, "Husband..."