CHAPTER 197: CHAPTER 184: NEITHER MATERIALISTIC NOR SCIENTIFIC_4

"It was archaeology," Lance seemed to be reminiscing, talking to himself. "I was just a university student back then, completely unaware of any Supernatural Power, until..."

But just as he began, Lance suddenly stopped. This riddler-like behavior directly piqued the doctor’s curiosity. For a moment, she forgot her recent emotions and reflexively asked, "What happened?"

"My initial reaction to Supernatural Power was similar to yours. It felt unimaginable; I simply couldn’t believe it. I tried to use my limited knowledge to explain it away, to resist, stubbornly refusing to accept that such a force could exist.

But that’s just how it is. During my investigations, I kept learning and discovered a very real situation: the existence of Spiritual Essence is like the wind. We can’t see it, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

On the contrary, it has always been around us; we just haven’t noticed it. Transcendents are trying to control these ’winds’ through various means to accomplish different things."

Lance didn’t answer her question. He couldn’t be bothered to invent something that hadn’t happened, so he just rambled on about unrelated things.

"People always tend to use their existing knowledge to explain everything. Staying within their established understanding gives them a sense of familiarity, like a Sanctuary in the wilderness. Even if it seems dilapidated and drafty, it still offers a sliver of security.

But stepping into an unknown domain implies risk and signifies danger. It’s like how you might find food and water in the wilderness, but you could also encounter wild beasts. People always crave that little bit of security.

However, as researchers, we are the ones who proactively leave the Sanctuary to explore the wilderness. If you choose to confine yourself out of fear, you are destined to gain little more."

The doctor fell into deep thought upon hearing this; his words sparked a glimmer of understanding in her.

It was like when she had made a new discovery during a dissection and corrected the professor’s mistake in class, only to be refuted.

Those old codgers clung to their outdated notions, completely unwilling to accept new things.

Am I not doing the same thing now?

Have I become the very person I despise most?

Then who am I?

Lance noticed her rapidly changing expression and sensed something was amiss. Could it be that my words hit too hard and broke her?

Thinking this, he quickly reached out and patted her shoulder comfortingly.

"Making mistakes isn’t terrible. On the contrary, mistakes are stepping stones to the correct answer. In the process of exploring the unknown, errors are bound to occur. As long as you recognize and correct them, it’s fine."

"Do you think I still have a chance?"

"Of course. If I can do it, so can you."

Sure enough, this statement pulled her out of her obsessive state. At the same time, Lance, by sharing a similar experience, had made her unconsciously rely on this ’senior’ figure.

However, to prevent her from overthinking again, Lance gestured for her to take out her research findings so they could discuss them.

"This is a corrosive Potion I’ve developed. It’s stronger than what they have in the school laboratory; it can even corrode bone."

The doctor produced a small vial, swirling the thick, murky green liquid inside. She looked quite pleased with herself, and her words implied this was likely the method she used to dispose of the stolen bodies and eliminate all traces.

Seeing this, Lance was relieved she hadn’t weaponized it yet, using it merely as a means to dispose of corpses. Otherwise, he reckoned several people would have died that night.

"I have a few interesting things here." Lance took out the pills used for the evil cult’s Incense. "This one can stun enemies, this one can make people agitated, and this one can arouse desire. I need you to help me analyze their ingredients and formulas. I’ll provide you with the materials, of course."

Lance guessed these items were likely concoctions derived from Herbology by the Ancestor and the Witches back in the day, possessing no corrupting power.

Therefore, he could naturally make use of them.

In fact, there was something even more pressing: the Aphrodisiac. As long as humans were alive, there would be a need for it.

But that particular formula hadn’t been fully deciphered yet; it required further validation.

He was immune to corruption, but others were not. Therefore, he didn’t dare show the original text to anyone else; it had to be translated and reviewed by him first.