Chapter 396 My Lord, We Meet Again
“…Next one!”
Outside the seminar room of the "Virtual Realm Asset Restructuring Committee", a mentor who had just finished an interview strode out of the seminar room with his head held high.
Although the seminar was still going on, he couldn't wait to share his joy with his long-awaited friends.
"Saint Sith, I've passed! The Chairman actually approved my research project on 'Mimic Monsters in the Virtual Realm'!"
"Haha, congratulations, man! I told you that as long as we have real talent and knowledge, His Highness Colin will definitely give us a chance!" His friend responded excitedly, feeling genuinely happy that his theories were finally appreciated.
The tutor was probably so excited that he forgot his last name and clenched his fists excitedly.
"Indeed! Unlike before, good resources were either absorbed by the university faction or fell into the hands of the Thorne Society!"
"Yeah... Hush, keep your voice down!" His friend came to his senses and hurriedly stopped him. This guy seemed to be a little too happy...
Similar conversations can be heard everywhere in the corridor outside the committee office.
Thanks to the fairness and foresight demonstrated by Luo Yan during the selection process, the reputation of the "Restructuring Committee" has grown.
Many scholars who were previously marginalized due to lack of background and even gave up hope for fair distribution of resources also came to apply with their research results that had been shelved for many years, hoping to gain the favor of the prince.
They all have good abilities. Although they are not geniuses, they are considered to be the backbone of the field they are good at.
In a sense, this can be regarded as a reshuffle within the Tower of Great Sages.
Driven by both interests and ideas, a "scientific" school with Luo Yan as its core gradually formed among the middle and upper-level scholars in the tower.
Its momentum is so great that it seems to be on par with the old interest group "Thorne Society"!
after all--
When people talk about the distribution of virtual resources, they always compare the current situation with the past decade.
This was a loss for Ariste no matter how he compared it. After all, dividing his own property could never be more satisfying than dividing someone else's property.
In the office, Luo Yan had just finished a conversation with the new project leader.
After expressing his gratitude, the well-informed mentor hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to offer some "insider" advice to the loyal and kind prince.
"Mr. Chairman, you act fairly. We scholars see this and are deeply grateful. But... please be careful. By doing this, you're actually affecting the Thorne Society."
Luo Yan smiled inwardly upon hearing this, and calmly poured the other person another cup of tea.
"Oh? The Thorne Society?"
The instructor nodded and said nervously.
"Yes... to be precise, it's Professor Alistair Thorne's faction."
Luo Yan said thoughtfully.
"I've heard he's a respected scholar."
"That's natural, but you don't know..."
Seeing that he didn't seem to understand the situation, the instructor lowered his voice and continued.
"Professor Alistair Thorne is the Great Sage's most favored student and the most prestigious Void Realm researcher in the academy over the past decade. He is even considered the most qualified to inherit the Great Sage's legacy. With the support of the Great Sage, he and his disciples have spent more than a decade forming a vast network within the Great Sage's Tower, infiltrating all areas of the Mage Tower beyond the reach of the Sage Council and even interacting with the nobles of the Kingdom of Rhodes. Of course, he is certainly not as good as you, but—"
Luo Yan coughed lightly, interrupting him.
"Thank you for your reminder. However, I don't think you need to worry too much. Professor Thorne and I have no grudges against each other, and I believe that he is a person who would not care about such a small matter."
Seeing His Highness Colin's oblivious look, the tutor opened his mouth but swallowed the words back.
He secretly sighed in his heart, this prince is too kind after all, and he is afraid that he will fall into the dark side of this school...
As soon as Luo Yan saw his expression, he guessed that this guy was probably judging others by his own standards.
After the conversation, Luo Yan personally escorted him out the door.
When the office door closed again, the loyalty and gentleness on his face disappeared instantly, replaced by a deep understanding.
He walked to the window, overlooking the foggy streets and spires below the Mage Tower, with a faint smile on his face.
All the clues were connected at this moment.
He understood why the great sage would give such great power to an "outsider" like him, and why he would leave the academy at the "right time".
"...I see. The old man doesn't trust me. Instead, he wants me to be a catfish, stirring up this stagnant water. He wants to use a foreign prince to check and balance Alistair Thorne, that intractable spider."
interesting……
But then again, it seems that the people in this university are much colder than those in hell.
In fact, he had sensed something as early as the "Winter Recruitment File Swapping Case" that the power struggle within the academy was heating up. However, there were many possibilities, and the probabilities were almost the same, so he couldn't be sure which one it was.
Luo Yan couldn't help but think of Goligo, the religious minister of Hell.
Although the old lich was also good at calculating, when he wanted to deal with his useless "good student" Elder Zakro Dragon, he would repeatedly remember their old friendship and deliberately let him go.
On the other hand, Dosulfk, the demigod-level strongman born in the tower, is more "pro-foreign" when faced with a choice.
Although he understood it, Luo Yan didn't care about it.
Being used is not necessarily a bad thing, especially for his purpose of coming to Xuebang, it can even be an opportunity.
Dosulfuk wanted to use him to trim the branches in the garden, so that he and Ariste would both suffer losses in a fight, or even remove himself from the garden...
But this wise man probably hasn't realized that the ashes withering in the flowerpot may bring not only nutrients, but also corrosion.
All greatness is forged through sacrifice, and this sacrifice does not necessarily have to be death.
A playful smile appeared on Luo Yan's lips.
Perhaps, he should start thinking about planning a glorious exit for himself...
…
In the afternoon, in the seminar room of the "Virtual Realm Asset Restructuring Committee", a meeting on the low-value virtual realm recycling plan was proceeding in an orderly manner.
The virtual resources approved for restart are still being released continuously, but the committee's work is far more than just signing.
His Royal Highness Colin also provided very considerate "after-sales service".
After all, whether these resources can be studied correctly is also related to the evaluation of the committee's future work.
Because too many people's interests were touched, scholars led by Professor Camirel have been reporting to the board of directors and questioning the committee's work.
He believed that Colin chose the researchers of the virtual world based entirely on personal preference and did not seriously review the researchers' academic resumes.
To be honest, this sounded more like an accusation against Professor Ariste's work over the past decade. Luo Yan had heard similar veiled complaints from Professor Hector more than once.
Obviously, even with Professor Hector's qualifications, there are some things he dare not say openly.
But no matter what, the great sage is not in the academy now, so even if the council hears Professor Camille's voice, they can only respond in an official tone.
Luo Yan believed that this was definitely not the instruction of Professor Alistair, after all, that guy was a smart man.
Even if such a person wants to do something bad, he will definitely make a big news, rather than this kind of "flirtatious criticism like a little girl".
Luo Yan was playing his own cards while patiently waiting for Professor Ariste to make his official move.
Just as a topic had just ended and the scholars at the seminar were preparing to take a break, the door of the conference room was suddenly pushed open.
Miller rushed in without regard for etiquette. He even forgot to salute his boss, his face filled with incredible ecstasy.
"Teacher! Void Realm No. 440! Its passageway... is showing signs of recovery! The energy fluctuations are steadily recovering!"
The entire seminar room fell silent in an instant, and everyone's eyes were focused on Miller and Luo Yan, with surprise written all over their faces without exception.
Virtual Realm No. 440 had been dormant twice before, a fact known to all scholars in the academy. Almost everyone thought that this dormancy would last longer, after all, the world behind the virtual realm had undergone tremendous changes, but they did not expect it to return so soon.
Luo Yan was the same, with a barely perceptible hint of surprise flashing across his eyes.
He originally thought that Virtual Realm No. 178 would make progress first, but he didn't expect that Virtual Realm No. 440, which had been silent for a long time, would suddenly revive.
Looking at the whispering seminar room, he smiled and nodded to the scholars present, signaling everyone to stay calm.
"It seems we've made some progress... Everyone, please continue our discussion. Today's topic remains unchanged. Please don't let my personal research delay everyone else's work."
"It makes no difference whether I'm here or not."
After saying that, Luo Yan ordered Weiliqi beside him: "I leave this to you. Everything proceeds as usual."
Velich straightened up immediately and nodded enthusiastically.
"Understood! Instructor! Leave it to me!"
Luo Yan smiled and nodded, then immediately stood up and quickly left the seminar room with the impatient Assistant Miller.
Since the atmosphere of His Royal Highness Colin's seminars has always been very relaxed, more like equal academic discussions than serious work reports, the scholars present were not dissatisfied with the sudden interruption, but instead expressed understanding.
As they watched His Highness Colin disappear at the door of the seminar room, the scholars at the long table began to chat excitedly.
"There are new results in Virtual Realm No. 440?!"
"As expected of His Highness Colin! He solved the reconnection problem so quickly..."
"I'm really looking forward to it! I wonder what interesting things Corinta will find behind the 440th virtual realm next time!"
Everyone is looking forward to it.
…
Colin Tower, Virtual Realm Laboratory No. 440.
All the teaching assistants have arrived. They nervously and excitedly gathered around the virtual lens that had been silent for a long time, waiting for their backbone to arrive.
When Luo Yan appeared at the door, everyone immediately quieted down and nodded respectfully to the prince.
"tutor."
Luo Yan nodded, without saying anything more, he walked straight to the center of the magic circle and gave orders in a concise manner.
"Activate the magic circle, open the channel, and then limit the efficiency of energy output to a low level... Let's see what happened on the other side after waiting for so long."
In previous research, the "Pope" of Void Realm No. 440 overthrew the old order under the oracle of "The Time Has Come" and dominated the new world in the name of the Holy Light Society. After all the dust settled, he retreated into the shadow of history with his disciples and established the Shadow Association with the purpose of studying the void as a check on the ancient god Colin.
The Pope of Virtual Realm No. 440 is different from John of Virtual Realm No. 178. Their identities, backgrounds, and final outcomes are very different, including their attitudes towards the virtual realm.
As a Pope who has seen everything, it is of course impossible for him to truly offer his piety, and Luo Yan had already anticipated all this.
He was just a little curious.
How do these Solipsis people, who have already set their sights on the future, plan to deal with the "covenant concerning the future" written in the New Testament?
Following His Highness Colin's order, the teaching assistants immediately took action.
The runes on the magic circle lit up one by one, accompanied by a low humming sound, and ripples like water waves appeared on the surface of the virtual lens, and then a soft light bloomed from it.
The space turned into a soft gel, completely wrapping the first floor of the Mage Tower.
As the passage opened, the gray lens was lit up again!
However, when the azure light faded, what came into everyone's eyes was a scene that shocked them.
It was not the industrial world with numerous factories and steam in their memory, but a pastoral landscape that was so quiet that it was almost eerie.
Their "viewpoint" returned to the huge stone tablet, but the magnificent church and square that originally surrounded the stone tablet had disappeared.
All that came into view was an endless and sparse wheat field...
As before, these Solipsis were unfit for farming; they seemed to have been forcibly thrown into this world.
Miller was stunned and didn't move for a long time. Finally, he couldn't help but exclaimed.
"What...what is going on?"
Time went back?!
But--
How could this happen?!
The researchers standing around were the same, whispering among themselves, with disbelief written all over their faces.
As we all know, time in the virtual world can only be accelerated or delayed, but cannot flow backwards!
“Unbelievable…”
"What on earth is going on?"
"Have the Solepsi people reverted to the days of slash-and-burn agriculture?"
"Impossible! And... even if that's true, how could the scenery here be exactly the same as what we recorded?!"
Of course, it is impossible to turn back time.
Luo Yan was also surprised by the scene before him, but he did not fall into surprise and confusion like others. Instead, he fell into deep thought.
Moreover, his eyes were not focused on the vast farmland, but on the Solepsi people working in the fields.
Their actions are serious, but not the kind of seriousness that comes from "making a living at this." It's more like an adult deliberately imitating a child's game.
This is not farming, but meticulously completing a ritual.
More than that—
This countryside is so "perfect", like a carefully painted vintage painting, so perfect that even the sparseness of the wheat seedlings is just right, without any natural clutter.
Combining all these details, he soon realized that something was wrong, and some careful researchers apparently noticed it as well.
"Your Highness..." Miller swallowed and was about to speak.
At this moment, a Solipsi farmer who was working in the field behind the virtual world suddenly stopped his hoe.
He slowly raised his head, and his "eyes" that seemed to have no focus, buried deep under countless tentacles, seemed to penetrate the endless void in an instant and "look" directly at the laboratory where they were.
Then, the meticulous expression on his face was quickly replaced by genuine joy.
The researchers standing in the hall of the Mage Tower all keenly captured his emotions through the ripples of their mental power.
The Solipsi man dropped the farm tools in his hands like a happy child and turned to run towards the village.
Then, a large group of people gathered from the edge of the village.
"They can see us!" Miller exclaimed, and the words he was about to say were blocked by this incredible situation.
Luo Yan also frowned slightly and nodded slightly.
"It's a little... unusual."
In the past, the magicians of Xuebang all played the role of observers, unilaterally observing the changes of civilization in the virtual world from behind the virtual world.
And now, the other side seems to have become an "observer" in a sense.
This astonishing change means that in the two months he was away, the Solipsi people's understanding and control of the virtual world has reached a whole new level!
At least, their understanding of the virtual world is no less than that of the magicians in Xuebang!
Maybe even above them...
All the researchers were aware of this incredible situation and were whispering excitedly, sharing their inner thoughts.
There is no doubt——
Their Mage Tower has produced another achievement worthy of being featured on the cover of The Sage's Newspaper!
While they stared into the void, the void was also staring back at them!
Soon, a Solipsian in a simple white robe slowly came to the stone tablet surrounded by a crowd of people.
His tentacles had turned gray, and the marks of aging were like mottled lines on every inch of his exposed skin.
He did not kneel like the others, but looked up at the invisible "viewpoint" with a kind and pious smile on his face.
Luo Yan could clearly feel that the smile contained not only the awe of the believers when they saw the gods, but also the joy of reuniting with an old friend after a long separation.
Clearly, they have been through a lot since this separation and are eager to share their experiences on the journey with the voices that once enlightened them.
This is probably the first time in the history of Xuebang that the creatures behind the virtual world have taken the initiative to invite the "master" behind the virtual world to communicate.
His voice echoed clearly in the minds of everyone in the laboratory through spiritual resonance.
That was a declaration of goodwill.
"My Lord, we meet again."
(End of this chapter)
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