This time I chose Paladin.

Chapter 221 Technology Transfer

At this moment, in a desolate mountain valley, several garrison cities away from the core area of ​​Pingdu.

Bai Yu, looking somewhat disheveled, struggled to crawl out of the dense bushes, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat and his breathing rapid.

He gazed at the distant, dazzling halo of light in the direction of Pingdu, like a sea of ​​stars, his pale white pupils filled with disbelief and a hint of frustration.

"How...so fast...!" he gasped softly, his voice filled with helplessness.

Even though he used all his speed and stealth techniques to catch up, he couldn't even see the outline of the outermost city of Pingdu, while his target had probably already reached the core area.

This absolute difference in speed made him acutely aware of the enormous gap between himself and that being named Nie Weiyang.

……

Meanwhile, under the personal guidance of General Zhao Wei, Nie Weiyang passed through layers of strict checkpoints and arrived at a unique architectural complex.

This place isn't buried deep underground, but rather built on the surface, yet it's clearly protected by the highest level of barriers. Rather than a research institute, it's more like a miniature academic city, blending characteristics of multiple civilizations and eras.

A fantastical rune tower stands side by side with glazed tile eaves reminiscent of the wuxia (Chinese fantasy) genre; a modern minimalist tempered glass curtain wall reflects a futuristic, ethereal blue energy flow, while its interior may be an antique study furnished with huanghuali wood tables and thread-bound books; a researcher in a white lab coat may be discussing issues side by side with a Taoist priest in a Taoist robe holding a compass.

This is the special functional building that Heito painstakingly constructed after using the Guardian Force Badge—the [Universal Research Institute]. It transcends the limitations of a single cultural background or era, aiming to gather the wisdom of all visitors from Earth to conduct cutting-edge research and exploration.

Nie Weiyang's arrival attracted some attention, but with Zhao Wei accompanying him, it did not cause a commotion.

They went straight into a building with the words "Spell Theory and Application" written on the door, passed through several gates that required identity verification and energy detection, and finally stepped into a laboratory filled with various sophisticated instruments and complex spell arrays.

The head of the laboratory was an elderly man with gray hair and thick glasses, but he was still very energetic. He had just been notified to wait here. When he saw Zhao Wei and Nie Weiyang enter, he immediately went to greet them, his eyes burning with enthusiasm, as if he had seen a rare treasure.

Zhao Wei quickly and quietly exchanged a few words with the old person in charge. The old man's breathing became noticeably rapid, and his gaze instantly locked onto Nie Weiyang.

Nie Weiyang didn't say much, and directly took out the two skull beacons he had obtained from the Sun Lord from his backpack—they were emitting faint spatial fluctuations at the moment.

He handed them to the old manager, whose eyes were shining and who was almost lunging at him.

“Basic samples and application examples.” Nie Weiyang’s voice was calm and even. “I can explain the relevant theoretical framework and energy formulas to you, either orally or in writing. But please note that those with a mental attribute below 70 points are prohibited from reading related information.”

The old supervisor's hands trembled slightly as he accepted the two skull beacons, as if holding the most precious spark in the world. He was so excited he could barely speak, only nodding repeatedly. Then he turned abruptly to the other equally alarmed researchers in the lab and shouted, "Activate all analysis spells! Highest priority! Quickly!"

The entire laboratory instantly started operating at high speed, as if wound up.

Seeing this, Zhao Wei suppressed his surging emotions and turned to Nie Weiyang again, his tone even more respectful: "Mr. Nie, is there anything you need? Or would you like to meet with the highest decision-making level in Pingdu now?"

This gift is too heavy, heavy enough to change the course of civilization!

Nie Weiyang shook his head slightly, his gaze calmly sweeping over the busy scene in the laboratory before finally settling on Zhao Wei.

“No need.” His voice was not loud, but it seemed as if he had thought about it a thousand times. “I have other things to do.”

His mind is connected to the minds of Homo sapiens, and human thoughts are not an impenetrable wall to him.

Every piece of information from the decision-making level can affect the fate of countless people. And the invisible and vast power in the hearts of wise men is clearly not just goodwill.

For the sake of basic security, he must maintain a distance from the decision-making core of China.

In a physical sense.

This is not a polite refusal, but a clear-headed and self-aware statement.

Although Zhao Wei didn't know why, he nodded in agreement.

"Thank you for the gift, and even more so for your prudence." His voice regained its military composure.

Nie Weiyang was silent for a moment, then said helplessly, "You can just call me by my name, and, could you please not use the formal 'you'? It gives me the creeps..."

Zhao Wei was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then burst into hearty laughter, his black, downy ears twitching happily. Nie Weiyang's tone, tinged with helplessness and disdain, dispelled the almost inhuman sense of distance he had just felt, making him seem much more real.

"Okay, okay, Comrade Nie, I'll listen to you!" Zhao Wei readily agreed, and his tone became much more natural.

Soon after, under the excited arrangement of the laboratory director, Nie Weiyang was invited to a position resembling a lecture platform, where scholars who had heard the news and met the mental strength requirements quickly gathered. Their eyes were burning with enthusiasm, like the most devout students, waiting to listen to the crucial lecture.

Nie Weiyang stood at the front of the stage, his gaze sweeping over the eager faces below, including many elderly people with white hair, who at this moment all looked like novice apprentices.

He's afraid he'll mislead children if he teaches them, but he doesn't have that problem teaching adults.

He smiled slightly and broke the silence with a self-deprecating honesty: "Let me make it clear beforehand that I don't know any advanced physics theories—as you may have heard from some reports, I'm better at using physics to solve problems than solving physics problems."

A few good-natured chuckles rippled through the audience, livening up the atmosphere slightly.

“So,” he continued, his expression turning serious, “the theoretical foundations and mathematical modeling of space are things that truly brilliant minds like yours need to tackle. I am merely a martial artist, and all I can offer are some rudimentary frameworks of magical knowledge based on practical applications, and my experiential understanding of energy circulation. Now, I can share some of that with you.”

He paused, then emphasized again, his gaze sharpening: "One last time, those with a mental strength below 70 points must leave now. Forcing anyone below this level to receive the following information will cause irreversible damage to their sea of ​​consciousness."

The laboratory was completely silent. The scholars, regardless of age, did not move an inch. Their eyes were all incredibly firm, even carrying a sense of martyrdom.

Those who stand here are all elites who have gone through layers of selection, and they have long been psychologically prepared to face any risks.

Of course, most importantly—can any of you chosen ones here have a mental strength of less than 70?

Impossible, absolutely impossible. Many of these people have already surpassed the 100 mark in mental strength—their average level is less than 30, and they still have to allocate points to ensure their physical health. This is the talent of Pingdu, with a handful of people having an initial mental strength of over 30!

Nie Weiyang nodded and proceeded directly into the lesson.

And in the distant old city—

Chaos is brewing.

(End of this chapter)