Chapter 319

"Before we start eating, I want to introduce tonight's menu to you first."

Cassandra elegantly picked up a menu made of living paper, the text on it seemed to adjust its content automatically according to the reader's emotional state.

"Every dish tonight has its special origin and meaning."

The first dish was served quickly.

It was a plate of seemingly ordinary deep red fruits, but Luo En immediately sensed the abnormality.

These fruits had fine pores on the surface, and were performing weak breathing movements.

"This is 'Blood Fruit', from the Treant tribe of the Nordra Great Forest."

Cassandra introduced, her voice carrying a sense of satisfaction:

"Treants use this fruit as their staple food, and the fruit contains concentrated life essence and memory fragments."

She cut open one of the fruits gently, and faint green mist rose immediately.

The air was filled with the fresh fragrance of the forest, while also mixed with some indescribable rotten smell.

"Eating it can temporarily gain the Treant's life perception ability, and also experience the memory fragments sealed in the fruit." Cassandra continued to explain:

"Of course, most of these memories are about death and pain, but there is also some very valuable information."

Luo En tasted a small piece and immediately felt a large amount of chaotic memory fragments pouring into his brain:

Laughter in the forest, sudden terrifying flames, the desperate wails of the Treants, and... the indifferent face of the conqueror.

"How are the Treants of Nordra now?" Youteer asked calmly.

"They chose to resist." Cassandra's tone became cold,

"It's a pity, now the Nordra Great Forest has become a scorched earth.

However, we preserved enough biological samples, including the seeds of these blood fruits.

Perhaps one day, we can re-cultivate this race in a more suitable environment."

Hearing this, Princess Yi Fu's tableware trembled slightly: "The entire race was..."

"All ended by my own hands." Cassandra said without concealment,

"Their civilization level is too low to provide valuable contributions to our development. Retaining them would only waste resources."

The second dish made everyone present feel deep discomfort.

It was a semi-transparent fish still swimming, and its beating heart and flowing blood could be clearly seen inside its body.

What was even more terrifying was that there was a clear light of wisdom flickering in the eyes of this fish.

"This is 'Thought Fish', from the deep-sea intelligent race of the Crystal Sea."

Cassandra used a special fork to fix the fish that was still struggling:

"They possess intelligence levels close to humans and can perform complex thinking activities through bio-electricity."

When the fork pierced into the fish body, the fish let out a sound that was almost like a human scream.

At the same time, the light in its eyes flickered sharply, as if it was performing its final thinking.

"Eating fresh Thought Fish can temporarily improve brain activity and enhance logical thinking ability."

Cassandra continued, seemingly completely unaware of the expressions on the faces of others:

"Of course, it must be eaten while alive, this effect will disappear quickly after death."

"Cassandra..." Youteer was a bit annoyed: "This is vivisection, not dining."

"What's the difference?" The witch asked back, a look of confusion appearing in her eyes:

"Aren't the animals we usually eat also living? Just because these fish possess thinking ability, they should be given special status?"

She elegantly sent a piece of fish meat into her mouth: "Wisdom should not become a 'get out of jail free' card, especially when this wisdom cannot serve a higher civilization."

Luo En looked at the fish still struggling weakly on the plate.

From a purely logical perspective, Cassandra's point of view was indeed impeccable.

But looking at those eyes that were losing their light, he still felt instinctive discomfort.

The appearance of the next dish made the atmosphere of the dining room completely solidify.

It was a bowl of seemingly ordinary thick soup, but some semi-transparent spherical objects were floating on the surface of the soup.

Careful observation would reveal that each sphere contained a shrunken brain, and those brains were still performing weak neural activities.

"This is 'Wisdom Soup'," Cassandra's tone became exceptionally solemn,

"Made from the brains of the 'Scholar Race'.

The Scholar Race is an intelligent species completely dedicated to the accumulation of knowledge, their brains have evolved over tens of millions of years and possess unparalleled information storage and processing capabilities."

She picked up the soup spoon and stirred the soup liquid gently:

"Each brain sphere contains the knowledge accumulation of a scholar's life.

Eating this soup has a chance to obtain certain knowledge fragments."

Luo En looked at the brains still flickering weakly in the soup, and a surge of nausea rose in his heart.

"I think I have understood the point the Tower Master wants to express."

He said calmly, without the slightest emotional fluctuation in his voice:

"The strong have the right to use everything of the weak, including life, wisdom, and even existence itself."

"Exactly." Cassandra nodded with satisfaction,

"I knew you could understand. This is the basic law of the universe—survival of the fittest, the strong are king."

"But I have one more question." Luo En continued: "If this plunder model continues, what will we eventually become?"

This question made Cassandra pause: "What do you mean?"

"I mean, when we have devoured enough civilizations and absorbed enough wisdom, will we still be the original us?"

Luo En's eyes became deep: "Or will we become monsters pieced together from the memories of countless dead?"

The dining room fell into a deathly silence.

This question touched the deepest fear in everyone's heart.

In the process of endless conquest, what kind of changes will the conquerors themselves undergo?

"Interesting philosophical question." Cassandra answered steadily, but there was some confusion in her voice,

"But I think this worry is superfluous. The strong are always the strong, and will not change their essence just because they have absorbed some memories of the weak."

However, Luo En noticed her left hand trembling slightly under the table, which was a habitual action when people felt uneasy.

Clearly, this question touched a string deep in her heart.

Youteer's phantom became dimmer: "Perhaps... we should reconsider the long-term consequences of this development model."

"What consequences?" Cassandra's tone became a bit impatient:

"Becoming more powerful? Gaining more knowledge? Mastering more resources? These are all good things."

"A greater possibility is becoming a mixture of those civilizations we have devoured." Luo En added calmly:

"Losing one's identity and becoming a ghost of history."

This sentence was like a bomb, completely shattering the final peace on the dining table.

"Enough." Cassandra said coldly:

"We are here to celebrate the beginning of a new era tonight, not to engage in philosophical debates."

This was the first time she tore off the gentle mask she wore.

Princess Yi Fu looked at the bowl of soup, her face turning pale: "Mother, I think..."

"You think what?" Cassandra's eyes became sharp: "Think it's too cruel?"

She shook her head gently:

"Princess Yi Fu, you must learn to look at these problems from a higher perspective.

There is no absolute good or evil in the universe, only the distinction between strong and weak.

We have the ability to provide these civilizations with value they cannot obtain, and correspondingly, we also have the right to demand returns."

"This is the topic I want to discuss with Luo En today." She turned to Luo En: "About the true structure of the multi-world."

Cassandra stood up and walked toward a wall of the dining room.

When she touched the wall, the entire wall immediately turned into a huge projection screen, showing a complex three-dimensional universe map.

"First, you need to understand where we are."

Cassandra pointed to a shining area in the center of the map:

"We live in the Seventh Quadrant, which is a relatively young universe region with a history of about several hundred million years.

Within this quadrant, the basic laws of life are basically the same: carbon-based organisms, energy cycles, linear flow of time..."

Her finger slid across the map, marking several different areas:

"Beast race, Lizardmen, Dwarves, Half-orcs, Goblins, Elves... these sub-human races are actually not indigenous to the main world.

They originally lived in other planes within the Seventh Quadrant, possessing their own independent civilizations and histories."

The projection began to play historical footage, showing the spectacular scene of the "Plane Great Navigation" period of the Second Era:

Countless portals opened in the void, and armies of various races shuttled between different worlds.

Some were conquests, some were alliances, and more were forced fusions.

"The wizard predecessors at that time believed that unified management of these races could bring greater benefits."

Cassandra's tone carried appreciation:

"Facts have proven they were right.

The fusion of multiple races brought us technological leaps and cultural prosperity. Dwarves' forging technology, Elves' magic attainments, Beast race's combat instinct... these have all become important components of our civilization."

Her finger moved to another area of the map:

"And those more strange existences you mentioned—Dragon species, Time Hounds, Elemental creatures, Beholders, they come from completely different quadrants."

The projection switched to a more macro perspective, showing dozens of huge quadrant areas:

"Each quadrant has different basic laws."

"But communication between different quadrants is not easy." Cassandra continued to explain:

"It requires extremely complex technology and huge energy consumption, which is why exotic quadrant creatures are so rare here."

"But precisely because they are rare, their value is even more precious."

Her eyes were full of greed:

"The time manipulation ability of a Time Hound, the pure energy constitution of an Elemental Lord, the power source of a True Dragon... these are all precious resources our civilization can learn from and utilize."

"Now let's talk about more practical issues."

Cassandra sat back in her seat, elegantly sipping a glowing alcoholic liquid from another world:

"Regarding the policy reform I announced earlier, I think you might have some doubts."

Her tone became more intimate, as if just discussing daily topics with a friend:

"Many people think that I will immediately implement harsh rule and force everyone to participate in conquest operations. But in fact, I am a quite patient person."

Luo En maintained a polite listening posture, but activated "Hermit's Insight" to perceive the true intention behind her words.

"Reform takes time, and hearts need more time to adapt."

Cassandra chuckled:

"I have prepared a three-year transition period for the School Alliance. During these three years, traditional academic research will continue, and the existing management system will remain stable."

"Only when people gradually realize the superiority of the new system will deeper reforms be carried out."

Her fingers stroked the edge of the wine glass:

"After all, forced change often triggers unnecessary resistance. While voluntary transformation can bring higher efficiency and less internal friction."

Princess Yi Fu listened quietly on the side, occasionally looking at Luo En with worried eyes.

Youteer's phantom still maintained that observer stance, the silver light appearing exceptionally deep under the reflection of the starlight crystal.

"Speaking of which, I remembered an interesting thing."

Cassandra suddenly changed the subject, implying something:

"More than a year ago, I actually mentioned the treatment plan for you at an internal high-level meeting."

Luo En's heartbeat accelerated slightly, but he remained calm on the surface.

"At that time, some people suggested that special restrictions and supervision should be imposed on you, after all, the variables of a Primordial Wizard are too great.

Some people also suggested that you should be immediately included in the core circle to prevent you from being contested by other forces."

She chuckled and shook her head:

"Various suggestions were all-encompassing, some even quite extreme. But my answer was very simple—'Treat normally'."

"'Treat normally'?" Luo En repeated the word, trying to understand its deeper meaning.

"Yes, treat normally." Cassandra nodded to confirm,

"Neither special care nor deliberate suppression. Give corresponding treatment according to your actual performance, just like treating any young wizard with talent."

Her eyes became meaningful:

"Of course, this 'normal' standard might be higher than what most people imagine. After all, your talent is indeed outstanding."

"Those high-level officials had interesting expressions when they heard my answer." She continued:

"Some were confused, feeling that I was playing mystery; some tried to interpret deeper meanings from it; others simply thought I was lying."

She sipped her wine, slightly proud:

"But in fact, what I said was the truth. I indeed intended to treat you normally—according to the normal treatment a treasure-level genius should receive."

"Today's appointment and reward are exactly the embodiment of this 'normal treatment'."

Luo En began to understand her intention.

Cassandra was actually implying that she knew he had learned about that high-level meeting through some channel.

"The Tower Master is quite frank." Luo En responded carefully, "This transparent communication method indeed makes people feel at ease."

"Frankness is the privilege of the strong." Cassandra nodded with satisfaction,

"Only when you are strong enough can you afford the consequences of telling the truth. This is also an important principle I hope you can understand."

She put down the wine glass, her tone becoming more serious:

"In the next three years, you will have many opportunities to choose. You can continue to focus on academic research, or you can try to participate in some conquest projects."

"I will not force you to make any decision, but I hope you can maintain an open mind. After all, only by experiencing it personally can you make a truly wise judgment."

Just then, the butler Sebastian pushed the door and entered, holding an exquisite potion tray in his hand.

"Tower Master, the potion for Miss Princess Yi Fu is ready."

Luo En noticed that Princess Yi Fu's face instantly turned pale, and her body trembled slightly.

"Thank you, Sebastian." Cassandra took the tray, her tone still gentle,

"Princess Yi Fu, it's time to take the medicine."

There were three small bottles of potion on the tray, each emitting different light.

But through "Extraordinary Identification", Luo En immediately sensed the abnormality of these potions.

These were not ordinary healing potions, but some kind of extremely special substance.

Each drop of potion contained intense soul fluctuations, and that fluctuation carried emotional characteristics of despair, pain, and fear.

"Mother..." Princess Yi Fu's voice trembled slightly, "I feel much better today, can I..."

"No." Cassandra's tone, although gentle, was irresistible,

"Your 'Magic Devouring' symptoms have been alleviated, but the root problem still exists. These potions are necessities to maintain your stable state."

She stroked Princess Yi Fu's hair gently, her movements full of maternal care:

"I know the taste is bad, but for your health, you must persist."

Princess Yi Fu looked at Youteer, her eyes carrying a look for help.

But the old professor just shook his head slightly, signaling her not to resist.

Helplessly, Princess Yi Fu could only take the first bottle of potion.

When she brought the potion to her lips, her whole body began to tremble violently.

That reaction was not like resistance to bitterness, but more like instinctive fear from the depths of the soul.

The moment the potion entered her mouth, Princess Yi Fu's face turned pale as paper, and she almost vomited directly.

She bit her lower lip tightly, forcing herself to swallow the potion, but tears flowed out uncontrollably.

Luo En used his special perception and only saw the parasitic evil things in the bottle.

Through the deep perception of "Hermit's Insight", he could even vaguely hear the silent screams of the refined souls.

Youteer's phantom suddenly sent a mental power message to him:

"That is the technology of the 'King of Absurdity'... forcibly compressing and refining the souls of living intelligent beings into universal potions that can suppress various symptoms."

"Each drop of potion represents the dissipation of dozens of complete lives."

The old professor's mental transmission carried deep pain:

"Cassandra has been using this method to maintain Princess Yi Fu's state for several years."

Luo En felt a chill rising from his spine.

If what Youteer said was true, then Princess Yi Fu was forced to "consume" countless lives every day to survive.

And all this was carried out under Cassandra's loving smile.

"Second bottle." Cassandra still maintained a loving mother's tone.

Princess Yi Fu's body trembled even more violently, but she still obediently took the second bottle of potion.

This time the reaction was even more intense, and she almost couldn't control her vomiting reflex.

But under her mother's gaze, she still forced herself to finish taking it.

"Last bottle, dear."

The color of the third bottle of potion was darker, emitting a stronger soul aura.

Princess Yi Fu's hands were completely unable to control the trembling, and the potion bottle swayed in her hands.

"Do you need my help?" Cassandra asked with concern.

"No... no need." Princess Yi Fu shook her head and used all her strength to take the last bottle of potion.

After the whole process ended, she slumped in the chair, her face pale as paper, breathing rapidly.

But strangely, her magic power fluctuation indeed became more stable.

"See?" Cassandra turned to Luo En, her tone carrying a kind of eerie pride:

"Sometimes, saving a person requires paying other costs. But as long as the result is good, the discomfort in the process is all worth it."

Her eyes became deep: "This is the responsibility of a leader. We must make difficult decisions and sacrifice some things for greater benefits."

"Princess Yi Fu's life is more important to me than any moral standard.

If sacrificing the souls of some lower-level creatures can save my daughter, I will make this choice without hesitation."

Luo En looked at everything in front of him, his complex emotions reaching their peak.

Cassandra showed not simple evil, but an extremely twisted logic.

In her value system, the needs of the strong are higher than everything, and the safety of relatives is more important than moral standards.

(End of chapter)