Chapter 375

Luo En stood alone in the laboratory of his new residence.

Tomorrow's academic review meeting would be an important appearance for him after returning to the Central Lands.

"Must not repeat the same mistakes..." he muttered in his heart.

At the last academic review meeting, he almost pushed himself to the edge of danger because of his overly idealistic expression.

That grand concept of an "consciousness sharing network," although indeed revolutionary at the technical level,

was undoubtedly an extremely dangerous topic of discussion based on the reactions of several reviewers.

"The destruction of the 'Dream-Weaving Civilization'..."

The Phantom King's warning echoed in his mind like the whisper of an ancient curse.

That civilization, which once mastered virtual world technology, was completely erased by the "Anomaly Catcher" because it violated certain unspeakable rules.

Along with their history, culture, and even existence itself, they were completely deleted from the timeline.

This terrifying fate made Luo En deeply vigilant about his own research direction.

He took a thick ancient book from his space bag; it was "Chronicles of Lost Arts" that he had borrowed not long ago.

The author was the late historian Vasi Gould, the same author as the previous "Legacy of the Annihilation Era."

Opening one of the pages, the name Lance Hewitt caught his eye.

"Lance's death is full of doubts. According to the records in his notes, it seems like he was cursed by the enemies of the Phantom King due to excessive contact with him..."

Luo En read the book carefully, his brows gradually furrowing.

"Alexander Moss, Lance's chief assistant, inherited most of the research materials after his mentor's death.

He tried to continue some of Lance's unfinished research, but went missing on the seventh day of the project's launch.

The search and rescue team found his body on the fourth layer of the Abyss; the cause of death was 'mental breakdown'."

"Tessaya Smith, a genius scholar who was once personally guided by Lance.

While studying Lance's secret notes, she claimed to have discovered an astonishing theory about the 'Key of Harmony'.

But when attempting to conduct related experiments, the entire laboratory was completely destroyed by an unknown force, and she herself turned into fly ash."

"Dimitri Kaufman, an alchemy master in the late Third Era.

He claimed to have mastered the core principles of Lance's consciousness weaving technology and tried to combine it with his own soul forging skills.

As a result, during a public demonstration, he suddenly began to self-mutilate in front of hundreds of spectators, as if countless different personalities were fighting for control of his body..."

Every case pointed to the same terrifying conclusion:

Any scholar who attempts to delve into the various concepts he left behind will eventually encounter misfortune.

And these ways of death are extremely bizarre, far beyond the scope of normal experimental errors.

Luo En closed the book and activated "Hermit's Insight" for deep thinking.

In this state, he could more clearly analyze the connections between various pieces of information.

"Lance's friend... the Phantom King."

The Phantom King once warned him that the "Anomaly Catcher" would not intervene directly.

Instead, it would use subtle influences to make off-track research naturally head toward failure.

The brilliance of this method lies in the fact that no one can detect the existence of intervention; everything looks like normal academic risk.

"But Lance's death, judging from the description, does not look like the result of such 'subtle intervention'."

Luo En reached this unsettling conclusion in his heart.

First of all, the other party's experiment hadn't produced any results yet; acting so impatiently is completely inconsistent with the characteristics of "subtle intervention."

And after Lance died, those juniors who inherited his research died even more tragically before they could make any major achievements...

The "Anomaly Catcher" can clear an entire civilization; it is an approximation of the manifestation of cosmic rules.

Such a rule-based existence targeting a few small scholars doesn't seem to make much sense.

According to Luo En's own thoughts, this is more likely some of the Phantom King's enemies hiding in the dark.

Didn't Lance's notes also say that he was subjected to a "curse from another world"?

This also explains why every time the Phantom King contacts him, he has to be so untraceable and sneaky.

But this leads to another deeper question.

Why doesn't the Phantom King explain his possible enemies to Lance and himself?

Luo En felt that the doubts at this time were wrapped in one another, forming a thick mystery clouding his thoughts.

He sighed and stroked the silver pocket watch in his arms.

This relic from Clock King Erica is not only a powerful trump card but also a warning to him.

Even a powerful existence like Erica, who could contend with a Wizard King at the Great Wizard level, could only choose to perish with the enemy in the end.

"The stronger the power, the more attention it attracts..."

He remembered what Youteer once said: "The brighter the candle, the fiercer the storm."

Luo En took a deep breath and took a set of portable divination tools from his space bag.

He came to the carpet in the reception room, set up a divination array, and took out several specially made astrological dice.

Each face of these dice is engraved with different astrological symbols, which can reflect the basic destiny trend.

"Regarding the research on virtual world interaction technology..."

He muttered the question in his heart and then lightly threw the dice.

The three dice rolled on the carpet, and the combination displayed when they finally stopped made his heart sink.

"Star of Destruction, Wheel of Chaos, Gate of Death..."

This was one of the most dangerous combinations he had ever seen.

No matter which angle it is interpreted from, it points to the same conclusion:

Advancing consciousness sharing technology at the current stage will lead to disastrous consequences.

But when he changed the question to "research this technology after being promoted to an Ancient Alchemist," the result displayed by the dice was completely different.

"Star of the Hermit, Wheel of Balance, Gate of Opportunity..."

This stark contrast gave him a deeper understanding of the importance of timing.

Clearly, the difference in strength level will directly affect the risk factor when researching certain forbidden technologies.

The four-star professional rating of an Ancient Alchemist might be the minimum threshold for touching this type of technology.

"So the current strategy should be..."

Luo En put away the divination tools and formulated his speaking strategy for tomorrow's review meeting in his heart.

Absolutely do not mention any content related to consciousness sharing or virtual world interaction.

Even if the review committee members ask proactively, he must use "the technology is not mature enough" as an excuse to shirk.

His research focus must be strictly limited to safe areas that have already been verified.

Abyssal adaptability training, mobile portability improvements, and basic simulation effect optimization are all relatively safe development directions.

Standing up, Luo En walked to the window and stared at the spires flickering in the night sky in the distance.

Each tower represents a different research direction, and each ray of light carries the hard work of a scholar.

But under this superficial prosperity, how many unknown dangers are hidden?

And how many researchers have unknowingly stepped into death traps on the road to pursuing knowledge?

"Tomorrow's review meeting..."

He confirmed the main points of his speech again in his heart.

Only when he truly possesses enough power and influence can he consider pushing for some more idealistic changes.

Before that, maintaining a low profile and being cautious is the wisest choice.

He took another item from his space bag; it was the "Eye of True Knowledge" amulet gifted by Chester.

This heirloom of the Black family not only has extremely high practical value but also represents a certain connection with the traditional faction.

Although Chester is currently at a disadvantage, the deep foundation of the traditional faction will not disappear completely due to a temporary political setback.

At the right time, this connection might play an unexpected role.

Carefully putting away the amulet, Luo En began to prepare for rest.

Tomorrow's review meeting starts at nine in the morning; he needs to ensure he has enough rest time.