CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: DATA COLLECTION

"Dr. Kaiwen, there’s something you overlooked. Times are changing, humanity progresses. People five hundred years ago would never have imagined that the strongest human today could have a lifespan exceeding three hundred years, and it will only get longer in the future. What’s considered a terminal illness now might not be one decades later. Furthermore, Blue Star has resources that Terra doesn’t. An incurable disease on Terra doesn’t necessarily mean it’s incurable on Blue Star."

As they talked, a translucent crystal and system page, visible only to Lin Guang, appeared before his eyes.

"Even if no one else can solve it, who can say I can’t?"

At the center of the two core abilities, "Power of Whole Heart and Soul" and "Eye of Omniscience and Omnipotence," at the bottom of the entire talent tree, was one last core skill that hadn’t been illuminated.

It was a silhouette of a hand.

"However..." Lin Guang paused, "becoming a researcher wasn’t solely for this reason."

After waiting a moment and seeing that Lin Guang didn’t intend to continue, Dr. Kaiwen said nonchalantly, "We’ll talk about it another time. For now, focus your energy on training to gain the greatest benefits."

After instructing Miaomiao to continue focusing on the project and giving some precautions, Dr. Kaiwen led Lin Guang out of the lab, and the two took the elevator to the first floor.

"Kaiwen... doctor? Or is it better to address you as an instructor or teacher?"

"..." Kaiwen seemed to pause in silence before replying, "My main role is a doctor."

"Alright, Dr. Kaiwen."

Dr. Kaiwen glanced at the watch on her left arm, "By this time, he should already be here."

Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

"Yo."

The greeting from behind made the two turn around, and Lin Guang said somewhat unexpectedly, "Instructor Yu? Is it really you?"

"It’s me," Yu Haidong said with a smile, "Dr. Kaiwen asked me to help with the data collection for your spirit... partner today."

This was yet another unexpected piece of news. Lin Guang hurriedly said, "Thank you, Instructor Yu, sorry for the trouble."

"No problem."

Yu Haidong waved his hand, "Dr. Kaiwen already compensated me, so this is like a side earning from a task. I heard you were chosen as the representative for next month’s freshman exchange competition, so you better put in some effort."

At this time, it seemed Vishdair’s testing was complete. She was sitting cross-legged on a bench by the entrance, looking a bit bored. Hearing footsteps, she looked up, and the moment she saw Lin Guang, the slender black and red tail behind her began to wag faster.

"Are you guys finally done? I’m bored to death here. That cold-hearted old woman was way too long-winded."

Vishdair stepped several paces to Lin Guang’s side, nudged his right arm with her elbow, and suggested, "Why don’t we take a shot at her when we get a chance?"

Just as she spoke, Vishdair noticed Kaiwen’s gaze fall on her, and she couldn’t help but mutter quietly, "What are you looking at? It’s not like you understood a word, menopausal old hag."

"...Tone it down a bit."

Lin Guang said somewhat awkwardly.

Given that Kaiwen might understand a fair amount about Ore Disease, it wouldn’t be surprising if she can actually comprehend some of it—after all, though Terra is vast, the entire continent does have a language called "Common Tongue."

He couldn’t quite bear to think more about it.

As Kaiwen shifted her gaze away from Vishdair, Dr. Kaiwen said blandly, "Translate for her; we have work to do."

Lin Guang began to "interpret" their earlier discussion for Vishdair.

Today wasn’t for formal training but to understand Vishdair’s data as much as possible.

Apart from raising Vishdair’s level, the goal of the training plan also included enhancing her combat abilities and adapting her to battles against Spirit Masters.

Therefore, before officially starting, Kaiwen needed to know all of her data, such as the power of various skills, how they’re triggered, the physical strength required to activate skills and the proportions of different ethers used, how much ether her body can store, her reaction speed, her tolerance to different environments, and so on.

"Wear this, it’s for data collection."

Lin Guang attached two wristband-like devices to Vishdair’s forearms, making sure they would barely affect her movements, and then said, "Next, go with the instructor to the battle arena where you went last time. The instructor will switch various attributes and environments for you, and you just need to use whatever skill is indicated... Though there might be a language barrier, I guess the instructor will have his Earth Guard Doll draw in the sand, and you should be able to understand the illustrations."

"Well, if I misunderstand, don’t come blaming me."

Vishdair looked at Kaiwen, then at Lin Guang, "But why aren’t you coming with us?"

"I’ll join you in formal training later, but today I also have to provide some data."

"Alright then, let’s get this over with quickly."

Vishdair was always in a hurry, and after understanding the rules, she rushed out towards the center’s gate like a cockroach without waiting for Yu Haidong to lead the way.

...Who knows if she even knows the way.

"Let’s go."

Kaiwen turned around and led Lin Guang back into the elevator.

But unexpectedly, after the elevator doors closed, she didn’t press any buttons but slightly raised her head and said to the camera:

"To basement level one."

Lin Guang’s gaze was inexplicably puzzled as he looked at the elevator’s lowest button for the first floor—there was actually a basement level in the research center?

The next moment, a sterile electronic voice sounded, "Voice recognition, pupil pattern recognition."

With a rumble, the elevator slightly trembled and began descending slowly.

Soon, with a ding, the elevator opened, and bright white light flooded in—

This was a gigantic white square space, the walls seemingly made of metal, divided into enclosed rooms by partitions resembling transparent glass, creating a dazzling effect.

"Follow closely."

Lin Guang followed Dr. Kaiwen’s steps, passing through rooms filled with imposing research equipment, and finally entered a room.

Inside, there was a huge metal cabinet, its surface smooth, exuding a curious mix of technology and nostalgia within its streamlined exterior.

It seemed nostalgic because it somehow resembled a coffin.

Kaiwen went to the machine, pressed a few buttons, and white lights illuminated around the machine. The next moment, as Lin Guang gazed in puzzled wonder, the cabinet, which looked like a metal coffin, suddenly began to slide open, revealing enough space for a person to lie down. She then turned to Lin Guang:

"Strip, then lie inside."

"..."

If it weren’t for the fact that Dr. Kaiwen always gave off a stone-cold aura, such a wild suggestion would have shocked Lin Guang into speechlessness for eight centuries.