"Click--"
The sound of the laboratory door hinges turning was exceptionally clear in the silent space, like a small hammer gently tapping on Huo Yuhao's heartstrings. His body reacted before his mind could react; his neck turned three times faster than usual, and his gaze was fixed on the doorway as if drawn by a magnet.
Morning light streamed in through the crack in the door, outlining a languid silhouette.
The girl's fingertips, glistening like pearls, rubbed her eyes. A few strands of her long black hair stood up unruly, trembling slightly as she yawned.
The collar of the loose school uniform was askew, revealing a section of porcelain-white collarbone—with the marks of a pillow still visible on it.
Ju Zi.
The name churned in his chest, carrying a rusty, bloody taste mixed with a honeyed sweetness. Huo Yuhao's nails dug unconsciously into his palms, only to abruptly loosen when he smelled that familiar citrus scent. His gaze was complex; he simply stared at the Ju Zi. His true first love was right before him. Seeing her again, he couldn't help but feel a flutter in his heart.
"Teacher, why are you up so early? That's unusual!"
Her voice, like sunshine coated in honey, softly entered his ears. Huo Yuhao watched as she curled up in the lab chair like a sleepy cat, rubbing her cheek against the cool metal tabletop.
Xuan Ziwen's cough startled Huo Yuhao from his daze. " Ju Zi, wake up! Can't you see there are new people here?"
"Let me sleep a little longer..." Ju Zi's voice trailed off, her waving wrist almost transparent in the sunlight, "I stayed up too late last night researching Soul Tool."
Her voice was soft and gentle, with a hint of coquettish nasal tone that made one's heart flutter.
A gentle smile unconsciously curved Huo Yuhao's lips as he softly said, "It's alright, Teacher Xuan, let her sleep a little longer."
His gaze was so gentle it was almost indulgent, and even his tone revealed a careful and cherished tenderness.
The moment the words left his mouth, Huo Yuhao knew something was wrong. His tone was too familiar, too gentle for someone he'd just met. Sure enough, Xuan Ziwen paused in adjusting his glasses, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the two of them. Huo Yuhao could almost hear the speculation running through his mind: Why would the genius boy from Shrek Academy show such tenderness towards a female student from the Sun Moon Empire?
Why is this guy giving a girl he's just met that kind of look?
--Could it be... love at first sight?
Ju Zi suddenly stirred. She slowly propped her head up, and when her sleepy eyes met Huo Yuhao's gaze, they widened slightly. Huo Yuhao held his breath—her irises shimmered with tiny amber-colored specks in the sunlight, exactly as he remembered.
"You are..." Ju Zi tilted her head, a tuft of hair sticking up and swaying with the movement, "The new exchange student?"
Xuan Ziwen pushed up his glasses, the metal frames gleaming coldly under the Soul Guidance Lamp. He pointed to Ju Zi, who was lying on the table, his tone a complex mix of helplessness and pride. "Her name is Ju Zi, one of the four students I'm mentoring. You can call her senior, or just call her by her name."
He glanced helplessly at the girl slumped over the table. "She must have stayed up until midnight last night to complete a Soul Tool experiment, that's why she's so tired now."
"I currently have four students with me," Xuan Ziwen continued, "The other three have gone out for training and are expected to return in a few days."
Huo Yuhao nodded slightly. "I see." His gaze unconsciously fell on Ju Zi again, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
The current Huo Yuhao is no longer as obsessed with the research of Soul Tool as he was in his previous life. Those so-called Soul Engineer titles are no longer important to him, after all, the technology he has mastered is far beyond this era.
At most, it will help cultivate some talent for the future Spirit Pagoda.
Thinking of this, Huo Yuhao's eyes became profound. He was well aware of the potential dangers that the Spirit Pagoda might bring in the future, but for now, this organization was a necessary transition—a bridge that could temporarily achieve peace between Soul Beast and humans.
Once Gu Yuena achieves the position of Dragon God and opens up a new dimension, the Spirit Pagoda will lose its special aura.
Returning to being an ordinary Soul Tool research institution, focusing on developing Soul Tool products needed for daily life for ordinary people, and promoting the progress of human society.
The lab was quiet. Ju Zi, who was lying on the table, had heard everything the two were talking about. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, but she maintained her feigned sleep. No one knew what she was thinking at that moment.
The air in the laboratory suddenly froze.
Until, with a soft "click" from the soul-guiding component in Xuan Ziwen's hand, he looked up, his gaze behind his glasses becoming unusually profound. " Yuhao, what would a world without war be like?"
Huo Yuhao paused slightly with the Soul Power carving knife at his fingertips, carving a mark off track on the metal surface. He raised his head, his gaze passing over Xuan Ziwen, as if piercing through the laboratory walls, looking towards a distant time and space.
Huo Yuhao's gaze deepened, his fingertips lightly tapping the lab table. "There can never be a completely peaceful world. As long as people exist, there will be war. The contrast between the strong and the weak is something you, teacher, are well aware of."
His voice was calm yet carried a world-weary air, "The strong rule the weak, that's an eternal truth, but the balance of power can shift, causing chaos in the world. Complete world peace is simply impossible."
Ju Zi, who had been languidly lying down, stirred slightly. This topic had clearly touched a deep part of her heart. Her fingers unconsciously clenched her sleeves. She remained in a prone position, but the trembling of her eyelashes betrayed the fact that she was already awake.
"Therefore, complete peace is just a pipe dream," Huo Yuhao continued. "Our current goal is only to create a temporary peace. All we can pursue is temporary peace. Conflict between people is ultimately unavoidable."
"Why not?" Ju Zi suddenly sat up, wide awake, her eyes gleaming with an unusual light.
"Why can't people be at peace with each other? If we unify the continent and establish absolute order, at least we can achieve true peace."
Huo Yuhao turned to look at her, a bitter smile playing on his lips, "Perhaps you are right. But war always hurts ordinary people the first to suffer. When the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire clash, it will only be innocent civilians who bleed."
He sighed softly, "Love and peace are beautiful, but someone always has to sacrifice for them."
"If it can bring lasting peace, these sacrifices are worthwhile!" Ju Zi's voice was filled with unwavering determination.
Huo Yuhao gave her a deep look. "Your idea might be correct, but it takes time to implement, and you need to use the right methods to achieve this goal." He suddenly changed the subject, "However... in terms of military strategy, Senior Sister Ju Zi has demonstrated extraordinary talent."
Ju Zi then realized her lapse in composure, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I... I'm sorry."
"Using war to stop war is the best medicine for a chaotic world," Huo Yuhao said in a low voice.
"However, war is like a never-ending game. Perhaps the game ends well, but whether this good outcome truly marks the end of one war or the beginning of another, no one can say for sure."
Don't do things you'll regret.
Ju Zi didn't reply, but silently slumped back onto the table, burying her face in her arms. But this time, she couldn't fall asleep as peacefully as before. Huo Yuhao's words were like pebbles thrown into calm water, stirring up ripples in her heart that were hard to calm down.