I can receive unlimited protection; my parents handed me over to the state.

Just as the atmosphere in the seminar room became incredibly oppressive and eerie due to the arrival of this mysterious girl.

An old man in a white coat, with messy hair, yawned and walked out from behind the podium.

It was Qian Sen.

"Ahem, everyone's here, right?" Qian Sen rubbed his sleepy eyes and glanced at the crowd below the stage. When his gaze swept over the silver-haired girl in the first row, his eyes paused for a moment, but he quickly returned to normal.

"Alright, let's begin the lesson."

Qian Sen snapped his fingers, and the holographic screen behind him lit up instantly.

What appeared on the screen was not some complicated formulas and theories, but a huge and vast dynamic star map.

On the star map, countless points of light twinkle, representing known planes and worlds.

At the edge of this star map, there is a vast, dark area that seems to be stained with ink, constantly writhing and expanding.

That is—the void.

"Today, we won't talk about those textbook clichés," Qian Sen said, pointing to the dark area, his voice suddenly becoming serious. "Let's talk about something practical."

"Let's talk about who our enemy really is."

He zoomed in on the star map, bringing it closer to the edge of that dark area.

At the boundary between darkness and light, countless bizarre, nightmarish-like void creatures were frantically attacking a defensive line composed of numerous star fortresses and interstellar fleets.

The cruelty of war was vividly presented to everyone through those silent images.

"Our understanding of void creatures remains at a very superficial level."

Qian Sen's voice echoed in the quiet research room.

All we know is that they are a high-dimensional, collectively conscious life form that feeds on 'information' and 'rules'.

"They have no fixed form and can simulate all sorts of forms according to the rules of the worlds they devour. Most of the star beasts we encounter now are essentially 'projections' and 'degraded versions' left behind after they devoured other planes."

These words deeply shocked most of the geniuses present.

They always believed that the star beasts they fought were the enemy themselves.

Now we realize that it was nothing more than the "scraps" left over by the enemy?

"Our approach to fighting them has always been passive," Qian Sen said, a hint of helplessness and exhaustion on his face. "We can only passively defend ourselves, sealing off the spatial rifts they've torn open. Because we don't understand them, we don't know their weaknesses, and we don't know how to fundamentally kill them."

"Conventional physical and energy attacks have negligible effect on high-level void creatures. This is because their essence may simply be a piece of 'information.' Even if you destroy its physical form, it can quickly 'download' a new body elsewhere."

"This is also the fundamental reason why we have been fighting this war for so many years but have never seen any hope of victory."

Qian Sen's words made the atmosphere in the entire research and discussion room extremely heavy.

Even Xiang Batian and Gu Tianye, the two most warlike guys, toned down their arrogance considerably.

For the first time, they realized what a desperate enemy they were about to face.

Qian Sen's words weighed heavily on the hearts of every bright young person in the seminar room, like a boulder.

Most of them, though exceptionally gifted, were ultimately students living in an ivory tower. Their understanding of war came more from the cold words in textbooks and the beautified, heroic propaganda films projected in holograms.

The enemies they perceived were those ferocious but traceable star beasts. The war they envisioned was about using their own powerful talents and strength to achieve glory and establish their careers.

But now, Qian Sen has torn away that veil of warmth in the most cruel and straightforward way, revealing the most real and despairing side of war to them in a bloody manner.

It turns out that their prized talents might be utterly insignificant in the face of truly high-dimensional enemies.

It turns out that the battlefield they longed for was not a stage to achieve great things, but a real meat grinder that could be "contaminated," "assimilated," or even erased from their "concepts" at any time.

The atmosphere in the entire seminar room became incredibly oppressive.

Even the most warlike and arrogant Gu Tianye and Xiang Batian had serious expressions on their faces. They were battle maniacs, that didn't mean they were fools. They could clearly tell that the monsters on the screen were from a completely different dimension than the ones they encountered in the dungeon.

"What? Scared?" Qian Sen looked at the young faces below the stage, which had become solemn and even somewhat pale, and a mocking smile appeared on his lips. "Can't take it? Feeling like your worldview has collapsed? Let me tell you, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The real abyss and void are ten thousand times more terrifying than what you see."

"The reason we gathered you little monsters here is not to make you into some kind of heroes charging into battle. China has no shortage of heroes, and it certainly doesn't lack cannon fodder."

Qian Sen's voice suddenly rose, like a heavy hammer striking everyone's soul.

"What we need are true 'chess players' who can see through all of this, understand all of this, and find a way out for China and for all of human civilization in this darkness of despair!"

"And you are the 'chess players' we have chosen for the future!"

These words replaced the initial wavering in the hearts of the geniuses present, caused by fear, with a profound sense of mission.

Lu Yuan listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the armrest of his seat.

His brain was working at an incredibly high speed, frantically.

What Qian Sen said had a similarly huge impact on him. But unlike the fear and heaviness felt by others, he felt more of...excitement.

Because the higher their dimension, the higher their own capabilities can also be.

Just as Lu Yuan's mind was still in a state of confusion, Qian Sen on the podium cleared his throat, interrupting his thoughts.

"Alright, that's enough about the theory for now." Qian Sen clapped his hands, a somewhat malicious smile spreading across his face. "Theory without practice is never enough; true understanding comes from experience."

"Next up is your favorite part."

"Practical training!"

Upon hearing those four words, the heavy atmosphere in the seminar room was instantly dispelled.

Gu Tianye and Xiang Batian, these two battle maniacs, stood up directly from their seats, their joints cracking and popping, their eyes filled with undisguised excitement and fighting spirit.

For them, attending classes is pure torture.

Only battle, only the thrill of obliterating the enemy into dust, can bring them true pleasure!

"Today's training is very simple." Qian Sen pointed to the huge open space behind the seminar room. "Two-on-one battles, free pairings. No restrictions on methods or abilities, until one side concedes or loses its fighting ability."

"Of course, for your own safety, I'll activate the life support system in the training ground. So, fight freely, no one will die."

These words were like a shot of adrenaline for these belligerent geniuses.

Can we fight freely now?

That would be so awesome!

Almost everyone's gaze unconsciously swept back and forth between Gu Tianye, Xiang Batian, and Mu Bingli, these top combatants.

They were eager to know what a spectacular sight it would be when these monsters faced off against each other without any reservations.

"Alright, stop standing there, go find your own opponents." Qian Sen waved his hand, as if shooing away flies.

The group immediately stood up and began to walk in twos and threes toward the training ground, looking for opponents who interested them.

However, just as Lu Yuan was preparing to get up, find a corner to watch the battle, and take the opportunity to process the shock he had just experienced.

Qian Sen's voice rang out again.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot."

Qian Sen pointed to Lu Yuan, who was still sitting in his seat, and announced to everyone:

"Except for one person."

"Lu Yuan, you don't need to participate."

Chapter Forty: Your World Is Too Small

When Qian Sen said, "Lu Yuan, you don't need to participate," the entire seminar room fell silent instantly.

All the steps that were about to lead to the training field stopped abruptly.

A series of gazes, filled with doubt, confusion, and... a hint of "I knew it," instantly focused on the boy who remained calmly seated in the first row.

No need to participate?

On what grounds?

Everyone is a member of the "God-Making Project," so why should he be given special treatment?

Even Xiang Batian and Mu Bingli, who had just joined and were not yet familiar with the situation, frowned slightly, their eyes filled with scrutiny.

Although they were arrogant, they also acknowledged the prestige of the program. Those who could enter were undoubtedly the most outstanding geniuses. So why did this seemingly ordinary boy possess privileges that even they didn't have?

Lu Yuan seemed oblivious to the complex gazes around him.

He simply nodded calmly at Qian Sen on the podium.

"Understood, Dean Qian."

He never intended to participate.

Are you kidding me? You want a level 33 blacksmith who relies mainly on equipment and brains to fight against a bunch of combat maniacs who are all at least level 40 and have SSS-level freakish talents?

Isn't that just asking for trouble?

He knew his place perfectly. He wasn't a warrior; he was a "master craftsman." His battlefield was before the forge, not this fighting arena.

Seeing Lu Yuan's matter-of-fact attitude, many people's expressions turned somewhat unpleasant.

Especially Gu Tianye, who was sitting next to him.

"Why should I?!"

Gu Tianye slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly. His massive, bear-like body cast a huge shadow, and a wild and domineering aura of a beast king erupted without reservation, making the surrounding air thick and sticky.

"Dean Qian! I need an explanation!" Gu Tianye stared intently at Qian Sen on the podium with his bull-like eyes, his voice booming like a bell, making the entire seminar room buzz.

"We're all part of the 'God-Making Project'! We undergo hellish training every day so we can kill more enemies on the future battlefield! Why should he be able to sit here comfortably and receive special treatment?"

His voice was filled with undisguised anger and injustice.

"Even new recruits like Xiang Batian and Mu Bingli have to participate in combat training. Why should he, a guy whose spiritual energy fluctuations are pitifully weak, be an exception?"

Gu Tianye's words can be said to have expressed the sentiments of the vast majority of people present.

Yeah, why should we?

Which one of them wasn't a chosen one who fought his way through countless battles? Which one of them wasn't proud, arrogant, and unwilling to admit defeat?

They can accept that others are better than them, but they cannot accept that someone can be on equal footing with them, or even be in a higher position, simply by virtue of "privilege," without any real ability!

"Gu Tianye, watch your words!" Qian Sen's face darkened. He hadn't expected Gu Tianye's reaction to be so intense. "This is the committee's decision; you simply need to obey!"

"Obey? I won't obey!" Gu Tianye's temper was clearly flaring. He took a step forward, causing the alloy floor beneath his feet to slightly sink. "In my creed, Gu Tianye, there is no such word as 'injustice'!"

"The 'God-Making Project' is to cultivate leaders and warriors who can lead us to victory over the Void! Not to cultivate a hothouse flower that hides in the background and enjoys privileges!"

He suddenly stretched out his hand, his large, fan-like hand pointing directly at Lu Yuan, who was sitting next to him and had remained calm throughout.

"I don't care what his background is, or whose relative he is! Today, he either stands up squarely and fights me! Let me see what qualifications he has to live in Villa S-0 and enjoy privileges that even we don't have!"

"Either he gets out of the project himself! Our 'God-Making Project' doesn't support useless people!"

"Well said!"

Xiang Batian also stepped forward. Although he wasn't as excited as Gu Tianye, his arrogant eyes were also fixed on Lu Yuan, full of fighting spirit.

"I, Xiang Batian, also want to see just how capable this person is who can earn Elder Su's special attention."

For a moment, the atmosphere in the entire seminar room became extremely tense.

Almost everyone's gaze was filled with provocation and scrutiny, pressing down on Lu Yuan in unison.

They wanted to use this method to force Lu Yuan to step forward.

They will use their best and most prized fighting skills to defend their dignity as geniuses and tear off the hypocritical veneer of this "connected" individual.

Seeing this, Qian Sen on the podium was so angry that his beard almost stood on end.

"Rebellion! Rebellion! You bunch of little brats, aren't you all trying to rebel?!"

He originally wanted to protect Lu Yuan and not expose him to these warmongers too early, so as to give him a stable environment to develop.

But to my surprise, these guys are so ungrateful!

"Gu Tianye! I'm warning you one more time! Lu Yuan's situation is special; he's different from you! He..."

"What's the difference!" Gu Tianye interrupted him directly, his voice full of sarcasm. "Is his talent more noble than our SSS-level talent?"

"In the end, isn't he just a support staff member? A blacksmith! When did our 'God-Making Project' degenerate to the point where we need a blacksmith as our core member?"

"We are the main force in the fight! We are the key to deciding the outcome of the war! All resources should be prioritized for our combat personnel! Why should a logistics staff member enjoy better treatment than us? Is it just because he knows how to flatter and please Old Su?"

Gu Tianye became more and more excited as he spoke, feeling that he was fighting for the rights and status that all combat personnel deserved.

"A deification program should serve us, not make us protect and support a support staff member!"

These words can be said to have completely ignited the powder keg.

Most of the people present possessed combat-oriented talents. Deep down, they held a disdain for support personnel. In their eyes, support staff were there solely to serve the soldiers fighting on the front lines.

Now, a "logistics staff member" in their eyes has a status that is above theirs, which is something they simply cannot accept psychologically.

Even Ye Cang, the "Shura" who had been silent all along, slowly opened his eyes. A barely perceptible hint of approval flashed in his cold eyes.

Although he disdained being as loud and boisterous as Kotenno, he also believed that combat personnel should be the core of this plan.

Looking at the group of passionate "geniuses" below the stage, and listening to their prejudiced and arrogant remarks, Qian Sen's face darkened completely.

He originally wanted to offer a few more words of advice.

But now, he has changed his mind.

He felt it was time to bring these arrogant youngsters to their senses.

It's time to make them realize how ridiculous and ignorant their prized talents and abilities are in the face of true "outside-the-rules" power.

"Logistics personnel?"

Qian Sen suddenly laughed.

That smile was cold and full of mockery.

He slowly walked down from the podium and came to the group of "geniuses," his gaze sweeping over the faces of Gu Tianye, Xiang Batian, Mu Bingli, and others.

"Do you think he's a support staff member?"

"Do you think this 'god-making project' is for your own benefit?"

"Do you believe you are the core of this plan?"

With each question he posed, his aura grew more imposing. The oppressive presence of a top scholar and a high-level decision-maker sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

"Good, very good." Qian Sen nodded, his smile becoming increasingly eerie.

"Since you're so eager to know, what gives him the right?"

"Then today, I'll let you die knowing why."

After saying that, he turned around and pointed at Lu Yuan.

"Don't you want to know what his talent is?"

"I can tell you right now!"

Qian Sen's voice echoed clearly in the deathly silent seminar room, each word sounding as if squeezed out from between his teeth.

"His talent is F-rank!"

"blacksmith!"

"But it possesses top-tier ACE-level talent effects!"

"Any item he forges can be forcibly enchanted and blessed. The more resources he has, the greater the limit on the number of blessing layers."