Volume One, Chapter Forty-Three: Li Xiang

From the moment the alarm sounded, the man realized his secret had been exposed; someone was tampering with his computer in the underground laboratory. Without hesitation, he stuffed the unopened package he was holding into his chest, rushed to the room where he kept the Void Stones, swept all his treasures into a massive bag, and leapt through the window, sprinting madly toward the Sanctuary Barrier. Now that the experiment was essentially a success, he decided to seize this opportunity, revealed at last, to begin the final experiment directly.

The man’s surname was Li, and his given name was simply “Aspiration.” Before he was known as a member of the Doomsday Cult, he was first and foremost a scholar—a researcher, a passionate pursuer of truth. Twenty years ago, Li Aspiration graduated from the capital’s premier academy of abilities and was soon invited to join the “First Research Institute.” He was a young prodigy, quickly becoming the center of attention among society’s elite. For a brief period, Li Aspiration was unrivaled in fame.

Yet the road from young genius to scientific giant was not smooth. At that time, Li Aspiration lacked the qualifications and experience to lead his own research project. Thus, in his first year at the institute, he served as an assistant on one of the major projects in the “001” series. There, he discovered an ideal worth dedicating his life to—and met the mentor who would change the course of his existence.

Xie Lihua, deputy director of the First Research Institute of Huaxia Domain, was the lead of the major project “001-3.” That year, she had just celebrated her fortieth birthday when she met Li Aspiration. Awaiting his first encounter with a national-level scientific giant, Li Aspiration felt nervous and uneasy, but Xie Lihua, accustomed to prodigies, wasted no time on pleasantries. Instead, she directly introduced the broad direction of the project.

The “001-3” project, codenamed “Dimensional Action,” aimed to explore dimensions beyond this universe.

Since the end of the Old Calendar, the world’s fundamental structure and laws seemed to shift continuously. Countless bizarre events defying the law of conservation of mass and energy emerged, striking a heavy blow to science. As humanity gradually found its footing in the New Era, the flame of science was not extinguished by the rise of individual powers; instead, it was protected by those powers, continuing to flourish.

The advent of the “Exon Theory” temporarily resolved the most vexing issue for scientists: “creation from nothing.” Exons could not be seen with the naked eye, but they permeated every corner of the new world. Through exons as a medium, humanity’s greatly enhanced willpower after the calamity could influence and change the external world, thus acquiring the new weapon of supernatural abilities.

Techniques like snapping one's fingers to conjure a flame, initially recorded and passed down by fire-ability users in various manuals, are now taught in “Vibration Systems” courses at ability universities, explaining the principles and teaching students how to manipulate exon movement to produce different temperatures. Controlling exons with consciousness to unleash powers has become common knowledge in human society. Though many phenomena in this new world remain scientifically inexplicable, the tree of science has taken root, sprouted, and grown anew in the wasteland left by disaster.

Exons are the fundamental particles constructing supernatural abilities, but from where did these ubiquitous exons originate? The academic world has proposed several models, and Xie Lihua’s “Dimensional Hypothesis” school posits that exons appeared alongside “dimensional rupture.”

This school believes that a “world membrane” envelops the observable universe and unknown regions, forming an egg-like cosmic embryo. The world membrane isolates all substances from other dimensions, creating a relatively sealed box. Its “selective permeability” rejects a series of extradimensional substances, exons included. But during the era of calamity, something violently struck this membrane, temporarily altering its permeability. Exons from higher dimensions seized the chance to flood into our universe, profoundly transforming the world. Though the membrane gradually reverted to its original state, the exons already present began reshaping the land. Humans, other earthly creatures, and even inanimate objects were affected. Henceforth, all things gained spirit; heaven and earth changed fundamentally.

The “Dimensional Action” project led by Xie Lihua sought to trace the hypothesized “world membrane” by researching spatial abilities. If Xie Lihua could prove the membrane's existence, not only would they uncover the source of the calamity that changed human civilization, but mankind would climb another peak of scientific achievement, drawing closer to the elusive “truth.”

Sharp-minded and resolute, Xie Lihua’s character was best captured by the words “efficient and indomitable.” More than her enduring beauty, it was Xie Lihua’s unwavering and inspiring personality that fascinated others. During the three years Li Aspiration spent in the project group, he too was captivated by her charm. Once arrogant, Li Aspiration gradually matured, treading steadfastly along the arduous scientific path. As the experiments progressed, he eagerly awaited the day results would emerge.

In the final phase of “Dimensional Action,” scholars of the “Dimensional Hypothesis” led by Xie Lihua decided to simulate intense spatial tremors, inducing “spatial folds” to make the world membrane observable and open to study.

Sadly, in the last “spatial tremor” experiment, the spatial ability of a participant suddenly went out of control, erupting violently. The entire base was obliterated by cascading spatial ripples. All researchers and staff involved in “Dimensional Action”—except Li Aspiration, who had returned to the capital for routine project reports—perished.

He had been prepared for the possibility of final failure, yet a spatial explosion instantly swallowed all his hopes. The data he calculated day and night, the precise equipment, the united partners, and the guiding light of his life—all destroyed in an instant.

With trembling hands, he signed his name on the project cancellation form. All materials were packed into boxes marked “High-Risk Confidential,” sealed, and taken away forever. It was as though those three years were nothing but a dream, leaving not the slightest trace.

Even when the institute’s director personally tried to comfort Li Aspiration, urging him to move on and join the ancient artifact replication project, he numbly refused, placed the pen he’d used to sign the cancellation into his pocket, and left without taking anything else.

A single accident had robbed him and his comrades of their work, and the survivor was forced to sign the proof of their project’s burial. Li Aspiration knew he could never again devote himself to scientific research. There was a lingering ember in his heart that would not extinguish, a shadow that would not depart.

“In comparison to the vast universe, humanity is so insignificant as to be almost negligible. Yet you and I, these two specks of dust, can meet here, discuss cosmic mysteries, and seek the truth because we possess unwavering will and ideals. We strive and fight for what we wish to do. That’s why I say your name is a good one, Li Aspiration—‘Aspiration.’ If you have ideals in your heart, no matter how vast the world, how boundless the sea of knowledge, there is nowhere you cannot go, nothing you cannot explore!” Once, after a group outing, Xie Lihua, half-drunk, slung her arm around Li Aspiration’s neck and spoke these bold words. Helping the heavily intoxicated Xie Lihua back to her apartment, Li Aspiration gently laid her on the bed, placed a glass of water on her nightstand, and quietly left.

Is “Li Aspiration” truly a good name? He had once been teased by peers for its homophonic sound. Despite his academic brilliance, friends were few and far between. As his talent gradually revealed itself in the academy, no one dared mock his name anymore, but they kept their distance from the genius, watching from afar without approaching. Just as in his childhood, he remained alone.

Leaning against the apartment door, Li Aspiration recalled the afternoon he first met Xie Lihua. Perhaps for her, it was merely the arrival of a new colleague at the institute. But for him, she was a ray of light, piercing the reputation of genius, shattering the clouds that weighed upon him. Unlike the flattery of peers or the excessive expectations of mentors, she was like an old friend, direct and frank in conversation. Xie Lihua’s straightforwardness and sincerity made Li Aspiration feel genuine warmth. As their time working together increased, Li Aspiration, like other young men and women at the institute, began to admire her vibrant energy and unwavering conviction.

“Li Aspiration, it really is a good name,” the young man murmured to himself, then descended the apartment steps. Back then, hope and vitality shone in his eyes.