Ninth class citizen

Chapter 257 The Origin of the Universe

The jelly dumpling was both anxious and angry, spinning around in Nan Rong's palm, unable to think of anything to say.

"Oh, right," Nan Rong added, "Since I've decided to give up, can I have my spatial abilities returned to me after I lost them in the trial? Great Demon King, since your Dean is omnipotent, this little thing should be a piece of cake for him."

The jelly dumpling paused for a second, as if it had heard something, and its eyes widened even more.

"Master!" it suddenly exclaimed, "The Dean just contacted me!"

"Oh? What did he say?" Nan Rong's eyes narrowed slightly.

"He already knows your thoughts and doesn't intend to force you. He just asked me one last question: Do you still want to save that child?"

The question seemed abrupt, and it took Nan Rong a moment to realize who he was referring to. Her eyes immediately lit up: "Merisa? Does the Dean have a way to bring her back to life?"

“I told you long ago, the Dean is omniscient and omnipotent. But he won’t help you; you have to rely on yourself,” Jelly Dumpling said. “As long as you agree to become a student of the Cosmic Heritage Academy, you will naturally learn the corresponding techniques.”

"I'm willing!" Nan Rong's answer was resounding. "Actually, I've always felt that a person must have ideals, beliefs, and a sense of responsibility to live in this world. One must never be greedy, cowardly, or a lazy bum. Since the Dean has recognized my talent, I must step up, shoulder the responsibility, face the challenges head-on, and forge ahead."

A thick book covered with a soft, golden-white light suddenly appeared in her field of vision, interrupting Nan Rong's unfinished statement.

"Master, you explained it so well!" Jelly Dumpling's eyes sparkled with tiny stars. "This is the teaching material that the Dean just bestowed upon you. After you finish studying the whole book on your own, you will be able to enter and leave the Cosmic Inheritance Academy. After all, crossing the world barrier to enter the core of the universe places extremely high demands on the body. Even a ninth-tier professional in this world cannot withstand it."

"So this is considered a preparatory course before starting school?"

"You're not wrong to think that way."

"Then what about my spiritual sea? When will it recover?"

"That was sealed by the Dean himself," Jelly Dumpling said helplessly. "He refuses to unseal it for you, and no one can do anything about it. But don't worry, Melissa's consciousness is absolutely safe inside, and no force can harm her."

Nan Rong was worried about this, and now that Guo Dong Tuanzi had made a guarantee, her anxiety was completely relieved.

"Oh my god! How could it be this one!" Jelly Dumpling suddenly exclaimed in a shrill voice.

Nan Rong looked up and saw the precious light on the book gradually fade, revealing five large golden characters: The Theory of the Origin of the Universe.

"What's wrong with this book?" she asked, arms crossed, wary.

"Wow, the Dean is so good to you!" The dazed look on Jelly Dumpling's face disappeared, replaced by a face full of envy:
“Ordinary students receive introductory textbooks before formal enrollment, and even after enrollment, only a very few have access to these advanced textbooks,” Jelly Dumpling explained. “The Dean really admires you!”

"Would he really be so kind?" Nan Rong reached out to touch the book, but the moment her fingers touched it, it turned into a stream of light and entered her brow.

Many obscure and difficult symbols and contents appeared in her mind. She tried to read the first short passage, but felt dizzy and overwhelmed, completely unable to understand it. "Your Dean," Nan Rong asked, "must personally teach quite a few students, right?"

The jelly dumpling shook its body vigorously: "Who said that! For at least the past six thousand years, you've been the only one I know, which is why the other domain spirits are so envious of me!"

“But I still don’t quite understand.” Nan Rong sighed. “He clearly expressed his dissatisfaction with me before and even proposed a third trial. Why did he change his attitude so quickly?”

“Master, don’t you know? Just now in the arena, you transformed the free particles in the world into extraordinary power and explored the threshold of utilizing the energy of the universe on your own—exceeding the Dean’s expectations. Naturally, you passed the third trial—that’s why I can explain everything to you.”

"But that was something I released in a moment of desperation, it's impossible to repeat it." She stretched out her hand, only to feel extremely weak, unable to sense any extraordinary particles at all, let alone condense them into an extraordinary technique.

“Once is enough, so there will be countless times,” Jelly Dumpling said confidently. “Besides, you now have the ‘Theory of the Origin of the Universe.’ With your wisdom and intelligence, it won’t take you long to learn it thoroughly.”

"When can I leave this awful place?"

"This..." The jelly dumpling looked hesitant.

"Tell me the truth, how did the dean make the arrangements?"

“You must leave the Chaotic Starfield on your own; he won’t offer any help,” Jelly Dumpling said quickly. “But Master, don’t be discouraged; you still have the ‘Theory of the Origin of the Universe’!”

"I hope so." Nan Rong sighed and casually asked, "How long did it usually take for students in the preparatory class to enter the core of the universe you mentioned?"

“It will take at most twenty or thirty years, and at least ten or eight years,” said Jelly Dumpling. “But Master, you are a rare genius with extremely strong comprehension. Even if the ‘Theory of the Origin of the Universe’ is a tiny bit more difficult than other introductory textbooks, your progress should not be much slower than theirs.”

Nan Rong rolled her eyes and threw herself onto the bed: "Ten or eight years? In this godforsaken place?"

"It might even be shorter! You're a student personally mentored by the Dean, so you're sure to break the precedent. At that time, the other domain spirits will be so envious and jealous that their faces will be twisted with envy!" Jelly Dumpling said excitedly.

"Alright. I need to get started studying now, otherwise how will you be able to walk with your head held high among your friends?"

The jelly dumpling obediently disappeared into her hair. Nan Rong gritted her teeth and carefully reread the first paragraph of the first section of the introductory part of "The Theory of the Origin of the Universe," trying her best to understand its profound meaning.

The deeper meaning is hard to grasp, but sleepiness comes quickly.

That night, Nan Rong slept very soundly and didn't even have a dream.

When the two burly men who rushed in dragged her off the bed, bound her with energy-suppressing rings, and took her away, there was still a red mark on half of her face.

"Wait a minute, where are you taking me?" Nan Rong could no longer maintain her composure as she looked at the approaching grille leading to the arena.