Chapter 544

"Zhadeweike's greatest achievement in his life was a weapon called 【Imaginary Number Collapse Pulse】—that weapon once took away the homes and lives of countless people."

"Finally, Luosi Gu Mu decided to go to Pinokangni together with Xing, and personally visit Dr. Zhadeweike."

"Upon arriving at the front desk of the Daydream Hotel, the two decided to first go to the front desk to search for Zhadeweike's whereabouts and room information."

"The receptionist Ellie at the front desk didn't remember the name Zhadeweike; she was about to use the system data to look it up, but suddenly the two from the hound family standing nearby walked out, interrupting her action."

"\"Unfortunately, gentlemen. Dr. Zhadeweike is not available to receive visitors. \""

"The two hounds immediately recognized Xing, and the scene instantly became tense, but Luosi Gu Mu intended to mediate from within, and indicated that Zhadeweike is a long-lived species, and the last time they communicated traces back to two amber eras ago."

"\"Question: What means did the family use to extend Zhadeweike's lifespan? Has that means been approved by the Interstellar Medical Organization, and does it comply with the rules Pinokangni itself has established? \""

"The leading hound fell silent, but still refused to yield: \"I have no permission to answer this question, sir. I also have no permission to allow anyone to privately visit Dr. Zhadeweike... Please go back, there is no room for compromise here. \""

"\"Understood. All your actions stem from loyalty to the family. \" Luosi Gu Mu said in a flat tone, \"Then may I consider that, to uphold your principles, you would rather push the entire family into opposition to the Screw Star (Intelligent Machine Planet IX)? And can you bear the consequences of being enemies with the 【Genius Club】? \""

——

Death God.

"\"Hey hey, what's going on with this guy? Don't make starting a war sound as simple as skipping breakfast tomorrow! \""

"In a small clinic in Karakura Town, Ichigo widened his eyes in surprise, \"Besides, he couldn't possibly be saying he has an entire planet, could he? \""

"Ishida Yulong, who came as a guest to Ichigo's house, seemed far less excited than Ichigo—or rather, from the start he didn't believe that Luosi Gu Mu, such an intelligent machine appreciated by the Intellect Envoy, was anything more than merely \"talented, \" and the timing of his revealing his sharpness was unfortunately a bit too deadly."

"If one overlooks Luosi Gu Mu's almost offhand attitude, this statement could almost be seen as a declaration of war for an interstellar conflict."

"\"It's hard to imagine the pressure this hound feels inside… Clearly Mr. Luosi Gu Mu is usually mild-mannered in his dealings, so how did he suddenly become so oppressive? \""

"Inoue Orihime felt a pang of sympathy as she glanced at the lady on the skyline whose complexion had turned deathly pale, almost transparent; although she was just doing an ordinary day's work, she was suddenly told to become an enemy of the Genius Club while carrying out orders… Not having her legs go weak would already be good."

"Ichigo laughed: \"Being gentle doesn't mean lacking sharpness; when dealing with reasonable people, one naturally shows a friendly side, but when facing unreasonable people… you have to raise your fists and try to make them listen to your reasoning, right? \""

"Ishida Yulong nodded in approval: \"Exactly. \""

——

"Under Luosi Gu Mu's pressure, the leading hound finally chose to compromise, indicating she would first consult the family head. She left for a while—when she returned, her face had lost its earlier sharpness."

"She said she could let them through, and personally escorted the two to Zhadeweike's room, also standing guard for them."

"Upon entering the room, the two found that this guest room was no different from the others, merely somewhat lifeless; the only thing that could remind Xing that time was still flowing was the breathing, drifting bubbles in the dream pool."

"There was no Dr. Zhadeweike in the room, and the bubbles wouldn't tell him where he currently is."

"\"Where could such a big person be hiding…\" Xing looked around here and there; aside from an empty suitcase covered in dust, there was nothing else in the room."

"Luosi Gu Mu stared at the dream pool before him for a long time, then slowly said: \"If my hypothesis holds… the secret is right before our eyes. \""

"Luosi Gu Mu slowly reached his right hand into the dream pool… carefully, he scooped up a crystal-clear bubble from the liquid. The moment it left the liquid surface, the bubble began to slowly rise… until it hovered in midair."

"\"Finally meeting again, Dr. Kardelon Zhadeweike. \""

"Xing still didn't quite understand: \"This bubble… is it Zhadeweike? \""

"\"Inference: As a short-lived species, Zhadeweike's probability of surviving to the present in a physical body is infinitely close to zero. As of today, no one's life-extending technology can extend the natural lifespan of an ordinary human by two amber eras. \""

"\"But the Pinokangni family has a deeper understanding of memory substance. Even if they cannot let the doctor's physical body persist, they can still extract the underlying material of his brain, allowing his thoughts to continue 【existing】. \""

——

Qin Shi Ming Yue.

"\"As expected, immortality does not exist. \""

"The setting sun was like blood, casting its glow over a patch of woods outside the city. Tianming was idly chewing on a blade of grass, lying on his back on the lawn."

"\"Even those who can travel between stars cannot achieve immortality, no… not even that Zhadeweike doctor glanced at by the Sage of Broad Knowledge can do it. \" Tianming spat out the grass stem in his mouth, muttering that strange name, and mumbled: \"Why do so many people still want immortality? I see the emperor and those Daoists begging for immortality and elixirs all day—it's utterly pointless! \"

"Gai Nie sat quietly on the green stone, the Yuanhong sword resting across his knees, his voice calm and firm: \"The longing for longevity has existed since ancient times. Emperors, generals, ministers, and common folk alike cannot escape the fear of death. Moreover, this Zhadeweike actually amounts to achieving 'eternal life,' just in a different form. \""

"\"If there's no body left, can that still be called alive? \" Tianming pursed his lips, \"If you ask me, the only reliable way to achieve longevity nowadays is still the pharmacist of 【Abundance】—though his longevity side effect is also rather strong. \""

"He had heard that in Xianyang there were originally diviners praying for blessings from 【Abundance】, but upon seeing the demonic Yin‑shadow's appearance, recently they haven't even performed the ritual."

"\"Uncle Nie, why is it that even those in the heavens cannot achieve immortality, and even the astral voyagers who dress similarly to us cannot, yet why are there still so many people in the world seeking it? \""

"Gaoyue couldn't help but let out a \"pfft\" laugh, speaking softly: \"Tianming, do you still remember the medical teachings Elder Sister Rong taught us? The harder a disease is to cure, the more people try various methods. Perhaps in their view, death is simply the most intractable disease. \""

"\"What Yue'er said is correct. However, those who pursue longevity often overlook the true meaning of life. If one cannot attain insight into the mind and nature, even if they gain longevity, they are nothing more than walking corpses. \""

"\"I think just being happy while alive is enough! \" Tianming sprang up from the grass, \"Just like the Astral Express, being able to go to so many places and experience so many interesting things—what does it matter if one doesn't live long enough? \""

"Gaoyue was amused by his words: \"Tianming is always so simple and straightforward. \""

"\"Simplicity is not necessarily untrue. \" Gai Nie's eyes flashed with a hint of approval, \"The Way of the Sword is ultimately simple, and so is life. Being overly obsessed with longevity only makes one miss the scenery before one's eyes. Tianming being able to think this way, I think that's great. \""

——

"Xing stared at this pool of water for a moment, dazed: \"Is this really still considered alive? \""

"\"Well… it depends on each person's beliefs, faith, or way of reasoning. \" Luosi Gu Mu lowered his head in thought, \"The remaining question is: why did the family go to such lengths to store Zhadeweike's memories here; what significance does this memory hold for them? \""

"\"Perhaps it is that kind of 【weapon】 you just mentioned. \""