第25章 七态能量的构建规律

Content worth a hundred million, and he was telling it to me alone... am I even worth it?

Jiang Qian opened his notebook and listened intently.

Lan Junxian seemed satisfied with Jiang Qian's earnest attitude.

He smiled faintly and began to speak with ease:

"If bottom-up represents the 'capacity for strength' of a License Holder from the first state to the seventh, what kind of structure do you think is the most stable and solid?"

"A cone, a cylinder? The base area needs to be large, and the lower the center of gravity, the more stable it is," Jiang Qian replied.

"Exactly right, and it's certainly not an inverted cone." Lan Junxian shrugged, then continued, "What determines the foundation of a License Holder's strength is not the speed or height of their level progression, but the stability of their energy structure."

"First, regardless of where a License Holder stands within the seven states, their 'vertical space' for strength is strictly limited. Every promotion to the next state must be completed through an evolution instance. However, the horizontal boundaries—the cross-section of each state—can be expanded through human effort."

"Experiencing crises, rigorous and severe training, extreme sports, and other high-stimulation activities are all proven methods to broaden that 'cross-section.' To summarize: do things that challenge your physical and mental limits."

"This law of vertical constancy and horizontal plasticity is the governing principle for the energy construction of the seven states."

Lan Junxian slowed his speech to ensure Jiang Qian grasped the meaning.

"Because of this, every License Holder's energy structure is unique. A 'seven-state energy structure' encompasses a License Holder's experiences, knowledge, and even their lifestyle, including every stage of growth and every life-or-death crisis."

"With a sufficiently robust energy structure, the path of ascent becomes increasingly smooth, like this..."

The water condensed in the air took on the shape of a mountain, with a solid base and a structure that was wider at the bottom than the top.

"Conversely, an unstable energy structure not only leads to a lack of power in the License Holder's ascent, making them all show and no substance, but the higher they climb, the greater the risk of falling into a Mutant."

As Lan Junxian explained, the water in the air shifted, re-forming into a chaotic structure with uneven widths at each level.

It looked like a pile of haphazardly stacked blocks, as if the slightest breeze could cause it to collapse and disintegrate.

It was a vivid example, and Jiang Qian understood it at a glance.

"The collapse of the energy structure is the direct cause of mutation. A Mutant's energy structure stops growing, and their genes cannot be sustained; they must constantly hunt for the energy of others to maintain their own balance. The Peacock Spider is a prime example."

Lan Junxian took this opportunity to educate Jiang Qian.

A normally evolving License Holder versus a Mutant with a collapsed energy structure—these were new concepts for Jiang Qian.

That wasn't important for now.

What mattered was that Jiang Qian realized what Lan Junxian was trying to tell him: hope.

"Having said that, I suspect you've already understood."

Lan Junxian pointed to the water that had re-condensed into a symmetrical cylinder and looked at Jiang Qian: "Tell me, which layer is the most important?"

"The very bottom layer." Jiang Qian's gaze gradually cleared. "The First State: Cognitive Form."

Only if the horizontal range of the base is wide enough can this mountain of an energy structure support sufficient height; even if it towers into the clouds, it remains unshakable... Jiang Qian summarized in his heart.

"Yes. The horizontal range of the first state directly determines the height and stability of a License Holder's career. The first state is the origin of cognition, representing infinite possibilities. There will never be a better time than now to broaden the horizontal range of your energy base. You understand, don't you?"

"I understand."

"Do you remember how to broaden the horizontal range of the base?"

"Experiencing crises, rigorous and severe training, extreme sports, challenging physical and mental limits," Jiang Qian answered without hesitation.

Lan Junxian nodded solemnly: "Few people are fortunate enough to experience what you are going through during the First State: Cognitive Form stage. In my view, you have already died at least twice."

"Hold on, survive. Even those scions from prestigious families who sit on a mountain of resources will be left in the dust by you, staring at your back and sighing in despair."

"A License Holder's foundation can only be broadened with blood and sweat. This is a trial that background influence and family support cannot bestow."

"So, rather than saying you are encountering a rare and major crisis in your life, it is better to say you are facing a unique opportunity in your career as a License Holder to build an absolutely solid foundation."

With that, Lan Junxian looked at Jiang Qian with a firm gaze.

Unlike the young girl, Lan Junxian's explanation was more vivid, rigorous, and highly persuasive.

If one had to describe it in four words, it would be "well-trained"!

Jiang Qian let out a long breath, resisting the urge to hand over his wallet...

"Thank you for still having expectations for a dying man like me, though it's a pity I can't pay the tuition."

"Haha, no need. Sharing my research results with the right person is a very high-level emotional experience."

Lan Junxian straightened his suit and sat back down.

The water suspended in the air suddenly dissipated, leaving no trace.

Water control? No, something more advanced than that; his ability could condense liquid water directly from the gas in the air... Jiang Qian sighed inwardly.

"Do you have any other questions for me?" Lan Junxian's smile was as refreshing as a spring breeze.

Jiang Qian hesitated for a moment.

He asked politely: "If my remains are mangled, or if the state is too poor, could you please not notify my family to claim them? I mean, once the outcome is irreversible."

Hearing such a question, Lan Junxian's smile froze; he suspected his lecture had been in vain.

But he couldn't entirely blame this guy for being so stubborn.

How to put it? It was just human nature.

"I will do my best to accommodate you."

"Thank you, I have no more questions."

"Then it's my turn," Lan Junxian sighed softly, straightened his posture with gravity, and said, "Although you are not yet out of danger, we must still confirm your intentions through strict procedure: Jiang Qian, as a newly minted License Holder, do you choose to join the official ranks and become a member of the official License Holder team?"

What was meant to come would come.

Join the official side to serve the people, or be a happy rogue cultivator?

Under these circumstances of internal and external trouble, Jiang Qian had no reason to say "no."

As long as the Peacock Spider remained, his and his family's survival would be threatened. The opponent was a Fourth State: Perfect Form, far higher in level than himself. Aside from the official organization, it would be difficult for him to find another organization with the strength and adherence to rules to provide this protection.

He needed to lean on the official tree.

"I choose to join the official ranks and serve the people."

"Excellent!"

Having received a positive reply, Lan Junxian stood up crisply and picked up his notes:

"Wait for my news, prepare for surgery, and I hope you are still alive by then."

With that, he left Jiang Qian with a graceful back.

The entire Safe House fell silent once more.

Having just gained "a hundred million's worth of research results," Jiang Qian summoned a hundredfold of his spirit and activated Spirit Vision to explore his own body.

Lan Junxian walked out of the Safe House, and the colleagues outside all stood up.

This Safe House was indeed designed with the layout of an interrogation room.

The colleagues standing guard outside could observe every move inside the Safe House at any time. Team Bear and the others had heard the entire conversation between Lan Junxian and Jiang Qian.

"Teacher Lan, are you really confident you can save him?" Team Bear asked first.

Lan Junxian was silent for a moment: "There is hope, but the confidence is not high."

"Then... then why did you tell him so much, and even say you could locate the Peacock Spider..."

"Those were just conjectures remaining at the theoretical stage; I couldn't exactly tell him to prepare for his funeral, could I?" Lan Junxian turned his head with a complex expression, looking at Jiang Qian, who was closing his eyes and focusing on the monitor. "After all, he is a rare talent; let's treat a dead horse as if it were alive."

At this moment, a girl wearing a beret and carrying two swords pushed the door open:

"Boss."

"What is it? New developments?" Lan Junxian looked at his personal assistant with a sharp gaze.

"Just received an email. The headquarters special task force has different opinions regarding the retention of those who cleared 'Whispers of the Inner Demon.' They hope you will pause your intervention and wait for the resolution of the task force before proceeding."

"Different opinions?" Lan Junxian frowned slightly.

Capital Public Security Bureau.

Inside a holographic conference room at the Special Affairs Center headquarters.

A multi-person holographic meeting was underway.

This meeting was different from ordinary ones; the participants were not on-site. They all entered the meeting via holographic projections, and although their clothing styles were vastly different, they all wore masks of similar styles.

They gathered here for only one thing: the resolution on how to handle the person who cleared "Whispers of the Inner Demon."

"The monster filtered out by 'Whispers of the Inner Demon' has no destination other than life imprisonment or being cleared. I do not believe the official organization has any need to absorb such a 'special' talent." A man wearing a mask carved with canine fangs stated his opinion first.

Sitting next to him, a woman wearing an exquisite feline mask nodded: "Indeed, from a risk perspective, absorbing such a special talent would consume too much of the official organization's energy; the cost outweighs the benefits."

She then changed her tone: "However, imprisonment and clearing are too heavy-handed. Judging from the information provided by the Jinping Operations Department, this newcomer seems to have had some friction with the Peacock Spider. Even if we don't intervene, I'm afraid he will find it difficult to survive."

An older man wearing a large bear mask corrected: "To be precise, it was he who took the initiative to contact the official organization, which led to the friction with the Peacock Spider."

"This is a potential candidate who is determined to defect to the side of justice. If we not only fail to absorb him but instead kick him while he's down... I would like to ask everyone, how many potential candidates will be willing to lean toward the official organization in the future?"

The participants fell into silence.

Until a hoarse voice came from the corner: "But the risk is still too high! Looking at every License Holder who debuted from 'Whispers of the Inner Demon,' which one of them wasn't an extremely dangerous existence? At first, we also tried our best to win them over, hoping to include them in the side of justice, but what was the result? Without exception, all failed."

The mask worn by the speaker was carved with a scaled, ancient beast.

"They are born to discuss the Dao with demons; they are natural rebels and destroyers of order. If we are soft-hearted or harbor wishful thinking now, we will surely pay a painful price in the future."

He seemed to feel strongly about this: "We should not make the same mistake repeatedly. I agree with using the Peacock Spider case to clear the target."

After speaking, he nodded slightly toward the old woman at the head of the table, who wore a mask with feather patterns.

"Elder Jin, what is your opinion?"