Within Qingxu Temple, the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion had already become the most vibrant and imaginative place in the sect. This special hall, proposed by Tang Xiaoqi and constructed under the leadership of second senior brother Luo Feng (in spirit form), was not constrained by traditional scripture pavilion models but was more like a massive, open research and experimental center. The pavilion was divided into numerous areas, displaying all kinds of cultivation method fragments, artifact refining blueprints, array models, and spirit plant specimens from all corners of the Three Realms, and even some bizarre objects seized from demonic cultivators that had been strictly sealed.
Second senior brother's spirit core hovered in a "main control room" deep within the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion, constructed from countless rune circuits and spirit crystal screens. There were no physical bookshelves here, only ceaselessly flowing data streams and complex models constantly calculating and deducing. Though he had lost his physical body, existing in this special digital life form actually freed second senior brother from the shackles of flesh and blood, allowing him to process information and conduct deductions at speeds far beyond ordinary people, his thinking becoming even more unconstrained and unfettered.
On this day, after completing a portion of the "World-Purifying Dao Canon" compilation, Tang Xiaoqi strolled to the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion to see what novel things second senior brother was working on lately. As soon as he stepped into the main control room, he was slightly startled by the scene before him.
In the center of the main control room floated an extremely complex three-dimensional energy structure model. The model roughly presented a peculiar balanced state—one half representing pure, vital pale blue spiritual energy flow, the other half representing chaotic, erosive pitch-black demonic energy flow. These two completely opposite energies that should have repelled and annihilated each other were now forcibly bound together by countless intricate, silver-light-flashing rune arrays, maintaining a dynamic balance in an extremely exquisite yet fragile way. Even at the model's central node, wisps of gray, neutrally glowing energy radiating strange fluctuations were being derived.
"Hehe, Xiao Qi, you've come at just the right time! Look, look!" Second senior brother's excited thought waves surged like a tide, and the hovering puppet core's light flashed urgently. "How is it? My preliminary model for the 'Spirit-Demon Dual-Spin Stable Reaction Core'! Isn't it beautiful? Quite subversive?"
Xiao Qi stared at that dangerously balanced model, his brow slightly furrowing: "Second senior brother, are you... researching demonic energy?" His tone carried a trace of gravity. The harm of demonic energy had just passed, the memories still fresh.
"Wrong! Completely wrong!" Second senior brother's thoughts carried the feverish excitement of a researcher. "I'm not researching demonic energy—I'm researching the essence of 'energy'! I'm conceptualizing an entirely new era!"
He manipulated the model to rapidly rotate and enlarge, pointing to those rune arrays binding the two energies: "Look at these runes—they combine ancient array formations, parts of the energy constraint technology I decoded from the silicon-based civilization's database, and seventeen new energy circuits I deduced myself! Their function is not simply to seal demonic energy, but to 'guide' and 'transform' it!"
"Demonic energy, in the end, is also a form of energy—an extremely violent, high-density energy leaning toward chaos and destruction! In the past, we viewed it as a flood and beast, knowing only how to seal, purify, and expel it. But isn't this a massive waste?" Second senior brother's thoughts fired like rapid cannon fire. "After the demonic tribulation, residual demonic energy pollution points remain everywhere, taking time and effort to purify. Why not change our thinking? Since we cannot completely eliminate it, why not try... utilizing it?"
"Utilizing it?" Xiao Qi's gaze sharpened.
"Yes! Utilizing it!" Second senior brother's core light blazed brightly. "My concept is to establish a 'spirit-demon symbiotic' energy system! Using special devices to capture and bind those residual demonic energies that are difficult to purify, then using this 'reaction core' I designed to guide demonic energy and spiritual energy into a controlled, slow annihilation reaction!"
He pointed to the gray energy at the model's center: "Look! This is the reaction product! A neutral energy I've temporarily named 'Chaos Origin Energy'! It's neither as gentle and full of vitality as spiritual energy, nor as violent and erosive as demonic energy, but it's extremely stable, with very high energy density, and... can be converted almost without obstruction into any attribute of spiritual power, or drive any type of magical artifact or array!"
Second senior brother grew more excited as he spoke: "Just think! If this system succeeds, what does it mean? It means we've found a completely new way to handle demonic energy residue, turning waste into treasure! It means we've obtained a universal energy source more efficient and powerful than supreme-grade spirit stones! It can be used to drive super-large mountain protection arrays, can increase flying boat speeds several times, can support large-scale engineering projects we never dared to imagine before, and can even... bring the dawn of cultivation to those remote regions with thin spiritual energy! This will be an energy revolution! An entirely new era!"
Xiao Qi listened quietly, his heart also surging with waves. Second senior brother's concept was indeed crazy, bold to the extreme. This was no different from dancing on a cliff edge, attempting to harness a power that could destroy the world for one's own use. Once out of control, the consequences would be unthinkable.
But he also saw from second senior brother's rigorous model and passionate exposition the subversive potential contained within. If successful, it truly might, as second senior brother said, open an entirely new era. This shared a similar underlying principle with the concepts of "transformation" and "guidance" in his own "purification" Dao. It was just that second senior brother had gone further, leaning more toward the ultimate application of technology.
"How great are the risks?" Xiao Qi asked in a deep voice.
"Uh... well..." Second senior brother's thought waves calmed slightly, "the theoretical model pass rate is currently seventy-three point four percent, but actual construction... especially large-scale application, the risk coefficient is definitely high. Energy loss of control, demonic energy leakage, rune array collapse... all are possible. It requires extensive experimentation, taking it step by step, starting from miniature reaction furnaces."
Xiao Qi contemplated for a long time. He looked at that energy model struggling to maintain balance under the rune constraints, then at second senior brother's expectant "gaze" (though it was just spirit light flashing).
He knew that blocking was not as good as guiding. For something like demonic energy whose roots were difficult to eliminate, blindly sealing and purifying was not the only way out. Second senior brother's concept, though crazy, represented a positive, exploratory spirit attempting to solve problems at their root. This aligned perfectly with the original purpose of establishing the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion.
"This matter is of great importance and cannot be taken lightly." Xiao Qi finally spoke slowly. "In principle, I agree to list this project as the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion's highest-secret research project. But there are several bottom lines that must be observed."
Second senior brother's core light immediately stabilized, assuming a "listening" posture.
"First, all experiments must be conducted in absolutely controlled, multiply-sealed environments, with initial scale restricted to the minimum." Xiao Qi's tone was serious. "Second, relevant research personnel must be strictly screened and sign soul contracts to ensure confidentiality and safety. Third, once any sign of loss of control is detected, immediately terminate, sealing or destroying the experimental subject at any cost. Fourth, the application of research results must go through the highest-level decisions of the Alliance and sect, absolutely not recklessly promoted."
"Understood! Understood! Will absolutely abide!" Second senior brother hurriedly agreed, excited thoughts surging again. "I knew Xiao Qi you have the best vision! Don't worry, I'll formulate the strictest safety protocols! This is epoch-making great research!"
Xiao Qi nodded, his gaze once again falling on that dangerously balanced model, his eyes deep.
Second senior brother's "new era" concept was like a double-edged sword. Used well, it could benefit the common people and advance civilization; used improperly, it could bring about destruction.
But the steps of exploration could not stop due to fear of risk. Perhaps this was precisely another kind of challenge and opportunity that needed to be faced on the "World-Purifying" path.
He patted that hovering puppet core (though just making a gesture): "Work hard, second senior brother. Whatever resources you need, apply directly to senior brother. But remember, safety first."
After speaking, he turned and left the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion. Behind him was second senior brother's excited light falling into a new round of crazy calculations and deductions.
A crazy concept about "spirit-demon symbiosis" had thus quietly planted a seed within Qingxu Temple's Myriad Phenomena Pavilion. It might require decades, even centuries of long research, might ultimately fail, but also might, on some future day, ignite a subversive energy revolution and open an unimaginable... new era.