Aura Field! Emotion Lock!

In a transparent chamber measuring 5 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 2.5 meters high, a heart-like object, covered in tubes, was pulsing with a steady rhythm of fifty times per second.

Each beat was accompanied by a dull thunderous sound that made eardrums ache.

The moment the door opened, an invisible yet palpable aura of brutality surged towards them!

In that instant, Zhou Zhe's "Absolute Comprehension" talent activated.

In the blink of an eye, he grasped the existence of the "Aura Field."

He expanded his own aura field, combining it with the "Majesty +3" attribute granted by the three apprentices, to counteract the oppressive feeling emanating from whatever that thing was.

Huang Tiankai, standing nearby, was overwhelmed by the invisible pressure. He stumbled back three steps before taking a deep breath and saying softly, "Its name is... Essence of Xingtian!"

His expression was complex as he uttered those words. "Speaking of which, it has a deep connection with you!"

Huang Tiankai paused for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts and choosing his words carefully.

Zhou Zhe didn't interrupt, simply listening quietly.

"Your mentor, Mr. Lin Ye, exchanged Gladiator Points for advanced technical data on 'Power of Belief'!"

"This data directly led to our China's current highest achievement in scientific research, the Extraordinary Crystallization, a bio-energy battery closest to a perpetual motion machine!"

"Which is what you see before you, the 'Essence of Xingtian'!"

Zhou Zhe's eyes flickered.

Legend had it that Xingtian fought the Yellow Emperor for a divine position, and was ultimately beheaded by the Heavenly Emperor, buried on Changyang Mountain.

But Xingtian did not cease his struggle even in death—he used his nipples as eyes and his navel as a mouth, wielding his Gan and Qi, continuing to dance.

Some people, even after death, continue to fight!

Although this was merely an ancient myth and might not have truly happened, this story embodied the essence that Chinese people had carried for five thousand years!

Fighting against heaven, contending with heaven, never ceasing!

Zhou Zhe's heart surged, and he blurted out, "Xingtian dances with Gan and Qi, his fierce spirit forever remains!"

The cutting-edge scientific achievement before him also carried the will and aspirations of the ancient sages!

Modern Chinese people, carrying this belief, embarked on a journey to conquer the unknown in the Supernatural Era!

And he himself was a trailblazer leading the way on this journey!

Zhou Zhe took two deep breaths, calming his turbulent emotions. "I really like the name 'Essence of Xingtian'."

What's wrong with being a villain?

A role defined by "The Way" didn't necessarily mean he had to follow the path it laid out.

Even as a villain, one had their own ideals!

The Chinese people have always been those who, when in poverty, cultivate themselves, and when prosperous, benefit the world.

The Zhou Zhe of the past dared not speak of ideals, content to drift along, even harboring severe self-destructive tendencies.

But now, he could even loudly declare his ideal: "The spirit of striving will never diminish! As long as the Chinese people unite and work together, with one heart and mind, one day, the Chinese nation will stand at the pinnacle of all heavens!"

An ideal is not a dream; at least it has the possibility of being realized.

One percent, one thousandth, or even one in a hundred million!

It didn't matter!

Even if the possibility was low, at least it existed!

Hearing Zhou Zhe's words, Director Huang beside him applauded with a complex expression. "Mr. Lin Ye didn't misjudge you, you..."

"Have ambition!"

"But... alas!"

There was no need to say too much or too clearly.

Zhou Zhe understood the unspoken part of his words.

But he didn't agree.

Zhou Zhe looked into Director Huang's eyes and said earnestly, "China, and even the Earth today, is still very weak. But with the advent of opportunities, as the world enters the great supernatural era, who can say for sure what the future holds?"

"Perhaps in less than ten years, we will develop to a level that no one can currently imagine, and firmly establish ourselves in the myriad planes!"

"Every child of the appropriate age can receive free supernatural education."

"Every citizen can obtain cultivation resources."

"Every person chosen to be a Cosmic Gladiator will be resurrected by the state after dying in battle."

"We can even create a virtual reality competitive online game with 100% realistic simulation, combining education and entertainment, allowing every Chinese person to continuously improve their combat capabilities within the game."

"And also..."

At this point, Zhou Zhe realized he had spoken too much and smiled slightly. "Sorry, I got carried away."

"Those things are too far off, let's not talk about them for now."

A resurrection method that could be used repeatedly over a long period was not only something Earth lacked, but it was also a very difficult hurdle for some advanced civilizations to overcome.

One of Zhou Zhe's three apprentices, Dugu Xiu, said something these days that Zhou Zhe found very reasonable: "Might makes right. Those whose fists aren't strong enough, no matter how right they are, don't even have the right to speak!"

Ideals are ideals, reality is reality. You eat one bite at a time, and you walk one step at a time.

Right now, doing every task at hand well and continuously improving his strength is the most important thing.

"Good!"

Director Huang tidied up his emotions and, with the help of the staff, escorted Zhou Zhe to the "Essence of Xingtian." "Try it and see if you can channel its energy?"

He said this with a hint of trepidation.

The core technology of the Essence of Xingtian originated from the data on the Power of Belief that Lin Ye had exchanged before his death. It...

was not mature.

Although the Power of Belief was extremely powerful, with energy generation efficiency far exceeding nuclear power plants, it was very difficult for individuals to channel it, and it could only be applied in the field of electrical energy conversion.

To date, over seven hundred superpowered volunteers had participated in experiments related to the Essence of Xingtian.

Among these volunteers were those with firm faith, great strength, rich experience, and high prestige...

However...

To date, not a single person had been able to successfully channel the Essence of Xingtian!

This even included Mr. Sun, who was a Bronze Two Stars from Sichuan.

To be honest, although Huang Tiankai thought highly of Zhou Zhe, he didn't believe he could accomplish what others couldn't.

After all, in terms of raw strength, Zhou Zhe was only at the Black Iron Five Stars level.

While Huang Tiankai's thoughts were in turmoil, Zhou Zhe's palm had already touched the constantly pulsing Essence of Xingtian.

In an instant, countless emotions surged into his heart!

Curiosity, sentimentality, bravery, cowardice, love, fear, hatred, worry, terror, regret, fearlessness, self-mockery, joy, sorrow...

These emotions came from the providers of the Essence of Xingtian.

These intangible, chaotic emotions converged into an invisible lock, completely sealing the Essence of Xingtian!

Those who could not bear all emotions could not open this lock at all.

"Ugh..."

The emotional impact from the Essence of Xingtian caused Zhou Zhe's forehead veins to bulge, his heart rate to suddenly soar to around two hundred beats per minute, and his breathing to become rapid.

Even though he had been using Triple Focus all month, and through training, had significantly improved his mental strength, he still hadn't reached the standard to open that lock.

[Self-Configuration] activated—a steadfast heart that embraced all emotions, allowing any emotion to appear, because no emotion would affect him in the slightest!

In the blink of an eye, Zhou Zhe's heart rate and breathing returned to a calm state.

He transformed into an emotionless observer, experiencing the myriad states of the world without ever merging into them.

The invisible emotional lock was broken!

The originally wild and untamed Essence of Xingtian, in Zhou Zhe's palm, was like a pampered, tsundere cat being petted, appearing to both welcome and resist.

An seemingly inexhaustible power surged into Zhou Zhe's body.

The mysterious notebook materialized as a stream of light before his eyes.

[Heart of Heavenly Tribulation, current development...]

Dinner time~