Life Solidification Technology could solidify life energy itself.
By re-infusing that solidified life into a deceased subject,
it could revive the dead—
to a degree, it was almost a form of immortality.
The birth of this technology ensured the survival of interstellar peacekeeping forces,
greatly reducing battlefield casualties.
Because of this, Hikari was awarded a medal.
Yet the Baltan aliens coveted the technology.
In the finale of Ultraman Jack, they launched a full-scale invasion of the Land of Light.
That incident plunged Hikari into doubt over his own research.
He voluntarily departed for Planet Arb to observe and reflect.
Then—
Bogal destroyed Arb.
Hikari lost his way,
became Hunter Knight Tsurugi,
and walked the path of vengeance.
All of that—
Was merely background context.
After Evan briefly explained the core concept of Life Solidification Technology—
The group chat fell silent.
All three geniuses stopped speaking.
Only Ruan Mei, after a short pause, replied.
[Ruan Mei]: An interesting project.
But where does life originate?
How does it end?
And by what mechanism can life be solidified into matter?
[Ruan Mei]: With sufficiently advanced instruments, such a level may indeed be reachable.
[Ruan Mei]: However, this carries a significant uncertainty—
the source of life itself.
[Ruan Mei]: And… if this project were made public, it could cause enormous trouble.
[Ruan Mei]: Still, this is an idea worthy of Genius Society consideration.
Ruan Mei was emotionally distant from life—
Yet deeply enamored with its brilliance.
She studied life not to dominate it,
but to witness every miracle of evolution.
Life Solidification was theoretically feasible.
But if abused by chaotic forces in the universe—
That would be catastrophic.
After all, even Aeons can be slain.
What, then, of Emanators or geniuses?
Ruan Mei was not yet an Emanator.
Still, Evan's proposal genuinely intrigued her.
Genetic modification.
Life experiments.
Emanators.
Nine-tailed foxes.
And now—
A new concept: Life Solidification.
Yet there was a fundamental difference between her and Evan.
She cared little about the form of life—
only its evolution.
Evan?
She couldn't see through him.
First the Plasma Spark Tower,
then this life-defying proposal.
[Herta]: Interesting topic, but it's still just a concept. No need to worry yet.
[Herta]: And this group only has the five of us—no risk of leaks.
[Screwllum]: Life solidification… a fascinating hypothesis.
[Stephen]: Evan, you keep surprising me.
[Evan]: You flatter me. It's just an idea for now—whether it's feasible is another matter.
[Evan]: Ruan Mei, Tingyun's situation is in your hands. Just don't turn her into a monster.
[Ruan Mei]: Don't worry. I'll be careful.
…Careful, huh.
You already turned an adorable foxian girl into this.
Still—
Nine-tailed foxes existed in Xianzhou legends.
So maybe it didn't count as a monster.
A nine-tailed fox…
That was actually something to look forward to.
Yet as Evan mentioned Life Solidification—
He felt as if something was watching him.
Another Aeon?
Aha, perhaps?
Turning life into entertainment sounded right up that god's alley.
Or Equilibrium—
Life and death were opposing forces,
or rather, perfectly balanced ones.
The Path of Equilibrium demanded equality in all things.
The last possibility—
Nous, the Erudition itself.
Fortunately, Evan's ideas didn't conflict with the others—
Especially Ruan Mei.
After all, geniuses in the Genius Society were… eccentric.
Take Polka Kakamond, for instance—
The one who casually played with a scalpel at the banquet.
Rumor had it she personally eliminated the Seventh Seat of the Society over ideological differences.
Before killing Emperor Rubert,
she'd also murdered a genius investigating the Swarm Disaster.
Who knew when that Silent Lord might come knocking?
[Ruan Mei]: The little fox seems to be showing signs of life. I'm heading over.
[Ruan Mei]: Evan—if we meet someday, let's have a deeper discussion.
About the birth and continuation of life?
Her last message was sent as a voice note.
Clear. Elegant.
Independent—like a plum blossom in winter.
Yet when Evan heard it—
He shuddered.
Deeper discussion?
How deep, exactly?
What kind of "birth" and "continuation" was she talking about?
Jarilo-VI — Belobog
"Herta-sis! Herta-sis!"
"Come play with us!"
Herta turned around irritably—
Only to find Hook leading a crowd of children, surrounding her.
"No, Hook! Evan assigned you homework!"
"No homework done, no playing!"
"Got it?!"
"Huh? But Evan isn't here. He took the train to another planet!"
"Herta-sis, you're lying!"
Hook exposed her instantly.
Damn Evan!
Me—Herta,
a Genius, an Emanator—
Stuck babysitting?!
Unacceptable!
Xianzhou Luofu — Sky-Faring Commission, Stellaron Palace
Yukong stared at familiar objects, lost in thought.
She had already guessed—
Tingyun was fake.
But she never expected the impostor to be this convincing.
If only she hadn't been so similar…
If only…
"Beep—beep—beep!"
A new message arrived.
From General Jing Yuan.
It was a photo.
The familiar silhouette made Yukong's expression change instantly.
She stood up.
"Investigate all Sky-Faring Commission traffic records!"
"All personnel entries and exits from the past thirty years—recheck everything!"
"Full operation—twenty-four hours!"
"No one leaves their post!"
"All leave requests cancelled!"
"Anyone not back within one hour—
dispatch the Cloud Knights!"
The Luofu was strangely quiet today.
With the Alchemy and Artisanship Commission traitors exposed,
both departments quickly returned to operation.
Compared to other cavern realms,
Cloud Knight patrols were noticeably heavier here.
Outworlders could clearly feel the tension.
All—
Except one person.
A woman walked alone through the Alchemy Commission.
Her eyes were covered with black silk.
"So dense… Path energy."
"Half the refining district was destroyed."
"And traces of the General's power…"
She examined the cavern realm as she walked.
I miss this place.
How many years had it been since she last returned?
The familiar surroundings stirred old memories.
"Miss, who are you?"
A voice suddenly spoke behind her.
She paused.
"…Are you talking to me?"
She turned, seeing nothing—
Then realized something and lowered her head.
A small girl stood before her.
Two soft dragon horns on her forehead.
A faintly familiar aura.
And at her waist—
A gourd.
In an instant, her mind returned hundreds of years into the past.
Five people.
Jing Yuan. Dan Feng. Yingxing. Baiheng. Herself.
They drank together beneath the Dragon Sovereign statue in Scalegorge Waterscape.
She wanted to become the strongest swordmaster—
To cut down the stars themselves.
Jing Yuan wanted to be a general.
Dan Feng wanted nothing—
He'd been a Dragon Sovereign since rebirth.
Yingxing wanted to forge the greatest weapons in the world—
Including her sword.
Even Jing Yuan coveted his creations.
But—
All of that was gone.
Of the five—
Only Jing Yuan remained.
Yingxing fell into mara.
Baiheng died fighting Shuhu.
Dan Feng…
And herself.
All of it belonged to the past.
"Yeah, yeah! Big sis, I don't think I've seen you in the Alchemy Commission before."
"Your eyes are covered—are they hurt?"
"I'm really strong, you know! I'm the Healer Dragon Lady!"
The woman smiled slightly—
Then lowered her head again, hiding it.
Bailu felt uneasy.
The woman's eyes were covered—
Yet it felt like she saw everything.
Her body.
Her gourd.
Even the restraint sealing her power.
And on this woman—
Strange emotions.
Nostalgia.
Joy at seeing an old friend.
But more than that—
Regret.
And quiet acceptance.
So strange…
I've never met her before…
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