All Beings Are Equal
"Supernatural power?"
Luo Jun and Ailongtan exchanged glances, then turned to look at Xiao Hui.
"I think we still need to trust science..."
"Science?" Xiao Hui chuckled. "Science is a method of understanding the world; it evolves with the times. Who says that Supernatural Phenomenon that science can't explain now won't be explained in the future? If you take a mobile phone or computer from 500 years ago, that would be considered Supernatural Phenomenon. If an objectively existing phenomenon doesn't conform to current scientific theories, then it means that science still needs further refinement!"
"That makes some sense." Luo Jun nodded. "So, has Sister Xiao Hui discovered some objective phenomenon that science cannot currently explain?"
Xiao Hui's gaze swept over Luo Jun and Ailongtan: "Are you willing to believe me?"
"That depends on whether we can understand what you're saying," Luo Jun said.
"Since I'm just killing time anyway..." Xiao Hui sighed. "My mom told you I'm from Tianjing University, right?"
Luo Jun nodded. "I know, it's one of Zhendan's top-tier institutions of higher learning."
"But you probably don't know that Tianjing University hides an institution that deals with and studies Supernatural Phenomenon!"
"This... I haven't heard of it." Luo Jun stroked his chin. Tianjing University did indeed have Explorer Academy: "You saw it? Or went inside?"
"I don't think I've ever been there..." Xiao Hui shrugged. "This is just a deduction based on some clues I've seen."
"What exactly happened?" Luo Jun pressed.
"It all started four years ago, when I first enrolled in school," Xiao Hui said. "When I went to register, I got lost on campus. I wandered around and somehow ended up in a quiet grove of trees."
"That woods was eerie. There was no phone signal, and it was like walking in a maze. I wandered around for ages without finding a way out. Just as I was wondering what was going on, I suddenly heard a dog barking. I turned around and saw a big dog pounce on a calico cat, biting it and shaking its head violently. The poor little cat struggled a few times, then stopped struggling."
"I was startled by what I saw and screamed. The big dog looked up and saw me, its eyes flashing with ferocity. It was about to pounce when a long-haired girl suddenly appeared and yelled. The big dog heard this and turned away."
"I was so scared I couldn't move. When the girl saw me, she came over, looked me over, and asked if I was lost. I nodded, and she said her surname was Bai, that she was also a freshman this year, and that she could lead me out of the forest. But before we left, we went to check on the cat that had been bitten."
"The cat's neck had been bitten through, blood was everywhere, and its belly was still slightly bulging, but it was clear it wouldn't live much longer; it was very pitiful. The girl sighed, pressed her hand on the cat's neck for a while, and then got up and led me away. I don't know if it was just my imagination, but I felt that the cat's breathing seemed to have become stronger."
"Later, the girl led me out of the forest, and I successfully completed my freshman year. Before I could even thank her, she disappeared. Then, a few days later, I saw that calico cat, bitten and barely alive, on campus..."
"Are you sure it's the same one?" Luo Jun asked.
"Yes, because the injured cat had very unique markings on its face, like it had two little mustaches. I don't think I could mistake it," Xiao Hui said. "But at the time, it seemed like the cat was going to die from its injuries, so it's only been a few days and it's already lively and energetic again. It just doesn't make sense..."
"What's even stranger is that I never saw that girl surnamed Bai again in the following years. She said she was a freshman like me, but I asked in various departments of Tianjing University and there was no such person at all. It's as if she vanished into thin air."
"Even so, it doesn't necessarily mean it's some kind of Supernatural Power," Luo Jun said. "That girl might have dropped out of school, or maybe she was lying at the time... As for the cat, maybe you misremembered the markings? What does that have to do with this supernatural research institution you mentioned?"
"I thought so too..." Xiao Hui smiled, resting her chin on her hand, "But last year, I saw that girl again."
"Oh?" Luo Jun asked, somewhat surprised, "How did you run into him?"
"I don't remember the specifics very well," Xiao Hui recalled. "It was a weekend, and my classmates and I went hiking in the suburbs of Tianjing City. We encountered a landslide, and several of us were swept away. One of my classmates died on the spot, while the rest of us, including myself, only suffered minor injuries and were fine when we woke up in the hospital."
"At the time, besides feeling sad for the classmates who died, we were also very fortunate to have escaped. My Mom came to Tianjing to see me. She was terrified. She is a superstitious person and thought it would be unlucky for me to stay in Tianjing. It was from that time that she insisted that I return to Ningdong after graduation."
"I see..." Luo Jun nodded. "What does this have to do with you meeting that woman surnamed Bai?"
Xiao Hui sighed, "Others can't remember anything after they were in danger, but I've retained some memories."
"In my Blur memory, my lower body was crushed and Blur rubble, and I was barely clinging to life. At that moment, a girl came to my side and placed her hand on my body. I felt a warm current spread throughout my body, and my numb lower body began to regain feeling... With my last bit of strength, I saw the girl's face. It was the same girl surnamed Bai from back then!"
"You mean..." Luo Jun narrowed his eyes, looking at Xiao Hui, "She's treating you?"
Xiao Hui nodded. "She didn't use any equipment, just her hands, to treat a potentially fatal injury!"
"Could you be dreaming?" Luo Jun had already guessed, so he took out his phone and started looking up news about the landslide in Tianjing.
"I've had that thought too..." Xiao Hui nodded. "Maybe because of the cat incident, I subconsciously believe that the girl surnamed Bai has some kind of special ability, which is why I had that kind of dream."
"But in that memory, besides her, there was another man. The girl called him Professor Lu... I'm pretty sure I've never met this Professor Lu before. Normally I shouldn't dream about him, but strangely, in my memory, Professor Lu's face is very clear..."
"Just as I was wondering what was going on, the school's teachers and students came to visit us at the hospital, and I discovered that Professor Lu was standing right in the crowd!"
"This person, who just appeared in my dream but has never seen in reality before, is now standing right in front of me!"
"Did he introduce himself?" Luo Jun asked. "Is his surname Lu?"
"I don't know..." Xiao Hui shook her head. "No one introduced him. He was just standing at the back of the crowd, looking like a complete stranger, just there for the fun of it all. I was terrified at the time and didn't dare ask any questions... After I recovered, I subtly inquired about his background, but no one knew him. The teacher who came to visit him said he was arranged by the department head to help with some manual labor. He assumed he was some kind of school janitor and didn't ask any further questions." At this point, Luo Jun was basically certain that this Professor Lu was from the Explorer Academy of Tianjing University. He was in charge of the rescue operation and later came to the hospital with the visiting team to check on the patients' conditions. As is customary, the rescued survivors' memories are erased, and no one would remember Professor Lu's existence. But for some reason, Xiao Hui's memory was preserved, and she actually recognized Professor Lu.
"Do you know what this means?" Xiao Hui continued, her hands still pressed on the table. "It means my dreams were real! That girl surnamed Bai really did save me, using a supernatural healing ability that I can't understand!"
"Furthermore, she once said that she was also a student at Tianjing University, and she called that mysterious man Professor Lu, which means they must both be from Tianjing University! This suggests that there must be a mysterious major at the university that none of us students know about... or rather, a mysterious institution that studies this kind of Supernatural Power!"
"That does sound a bit scary..." By this time, Luo Jun had already found related reports. Back in April of last year, he hadn't even come into contact with Yuan Qi yet...
Afterwards, Luo Jun opened the Cultivator Forum, searched for keywords, and quickly found relevant posts.
Contrary to reports of landslides in the mainstream media, the forum explicitly stated that this disaster was caused by a battle between Cultivators. The culprit was the Mountain Shaking Ghost, ranked fifth on the wanted list. When the Tianjing branch was arresting him, it triggered a landslide, resulting in injuries and deaths among many hikers.
The Mountain Shaking Ghost... Luo Jun remembered that this guy was still on the Wanted List, with a bounty of 30 million Zhendan Coin, or five Tier A Merit Points. With that kind of value, he would be a major wanted criminal anywhere in the world.
"So you believed it?" Xiao Hui looked at Luo Jun and Ailongtan with some surprise.
"Although this matter is somewhat unbelievable, what you said is reasonable and logically sound, so I think it's highly credible." Luo Jun nodded in approval. "I think we should have a sense of awe for all unknown things."
Hearing Luo Jun say this, Xiao Hui seemed relieved. "I've mentioned this to people more than once, but most people think I'm making up stories, or that I've watched too many anime and novels... You're the first person to give me a positive review."
"Have you told anyone else?" Luo Jun asked. "Have you posted anything related to this online?"
The error-free version can be read at 69 Book Bar! 6=9+shuba is the first site to publish this novel.
"This is also evidence that I believe in the existence of supernatural organizations." Having finally found an interested listener, Xiao Hui became enthusiastic. "I once posted something on a forum, but it was deleted the next day... And that was a section where people often discussed Paranormal phenomena; others could post even more outrageous information without any problem, and leave comments and discussions freely, but not this one..."
"After that, no one came looking for you?" Normally, if Yuan Cultivation Society have come to erase your memory.
"I didn't use my own real-name account; I posted it from an unlicensed internet cafe far from the school. Furthermore, the content was written from the perspective of a tourist who witnessed the disaster, and they can't contact me, the person directly involved."
"Quite cautious indeed..." Luo Jun nodded. "So, the question is, what are your thoughts on this possible Supernatural Phenomenon?"
"To be honest, there's nothing particularly special about it..." Xiao Hui sighed, "It's just that after experiencing a life-or-death situation and learning the truth hidden behind the world, everything around me seems meaningless."
As she spoke, she rested her chin on her hand and looked out the window. "Look at those busy crowds, because the wealth, achievements, and even their lives they pursue may be meaningless in the eyes of those with Ability User who are above ordinary people."
"The statement 'Everyone is born equal' may seem naive, but we are still willing to believe it. At least, once we strip away fame, wealth, and background, from a biological perspective, we are indeed equal."
"But if, after losing all external advantages, some people still possess power that others do not have, then this so-called equality will completely vanish..."
After saying that, Xiao Hui sighed. Luo Jun could sense that she seemed to be somewhat depressed because of this experience.
"I don't think so," Luo Jun said with a smile, shaking his head.
"Mice are born to be preyed upon by cats; animals are inherently less intelligent than humans... If these creatures give up hope because of the so-called inequality among all living beings, then ultimately, only one dominant species will remain in the world."
"But mice and cats aren't the same species!" Xiao Hui retorted.
"Then how can you be sure that we ordinary people and those with Ability User are the same race?" Luo Jun asked with a smile. "If these so-called Supernatural Power have existed since ancient times, does that mean that the history of Ability User is the same as the history of us ordinary people?"
"For so many years, Ability User have coexisted with us humans, and according to you, they even tried to rescue you after the disaster... Does this mean that we ordinary people are also meaningful, or even indispensable, in their eyes?"
"What is the meaning of being an ordinary person?" Xiao Hui blinked.
Luo Jun nodded. "Once upon a time, humans were just an ordinary link in the food chain, but through a long process of evolution, we eventually relied on intelligence and tools to defeat those once invincible and powerful beasts, and became the Master of the world."
"All beings are not born equal, but destiny is not immutable!"
Hearing this, a glimmer of light appeared in Xiao Hui's eyes, and she no longer seemed as lifeless as before.
Luo Jun sighed inwardly. As an orphan who had only gained power for a little over half a year, Luo Jun could actually understand Xiao Hui's thoughts. Ordinary Cultivators were one thing, but those who Mind Condensation, the Peak, or even the Feather Transformation stage were also human, yet they possessed miraculous abilities, and some even had world-destroying power.
Even Luo Jun himself owes his current power to good luck in obtaining the Dice of Heavenly Secrets.
Effort is important, but what truly determines ultimate success are often factors beyond effort.
But this reality is not something Luo Jun can change. At least for now, the only thing he can do is to comfort the girl in front of him.
"Thank you for chatting with me for so long." Xiao Hui smiled gently, "Cousin, my opinion of you has changed a bit."
"Oh, Sister Xiao Hui, I'm flattered!"
As they were talking, the waiter brought over the drinks and desserts they had ordered. Luo Jun picked up the cup and had just put it to his lips when suddenly the ground shook violently, and the hot milk was shaken out!
(End of this chapter)