Chapter 1391: Fool

By Sanjiu YinyuWord Count: 1251

This was the first time Wu Tongyuan became aware of his own abilities.

He first sensed the existence of "K" on his way back to the institute from Shennongjia. He was bored on the high-speed train, and his eyes caught the red scrolling text above the compartment, which read "High-speed rail: 347 km/h." He suddenly wondered if the train's speed was controlled by a predetermined curve or if it changed in real-time.

Wu Tongyuan had been fascinated by all sorts of sudden ideas since childhood. However, unlike others, he would genuinely try to prove these "whims." So, he immediately asked for paper and a pen, intending to try and build a speed curve model for the high-speed train. But as he wrote down the first line of the initial velocity formula, v=S/t, something unexpected happened.

He sensed an indescribable presence, like a being conceived deep within his mind. The moment the formula appeared, it manifested.

It was a coefficient that could be freely manipulated.

When the coefficient was increased, the mathematical models within an area would be affected, and the physical rules based on those mathematical models would change accordingly.

Wu Tongyuan tried placing the coefficient on the S/t side. When he increased the coefficient, the train's speed directly exceeded its maximum limit, causing alarms to blare wildly. When he decreased the coefficient, the train's speed rapidly slowed down.

Initially, Wu Tongyuan didn't notice the coefficient's adjustment affecting the train itself. It wasn't until the train was directly stopped by central control and a maintenance team was dispatched for an emergency inspection that he realized what he had done.

Yet, after the maintenance team thoroughly inspected the train, they found no malfunctions. The train was completely normal; all its parts were operating as usual, and there was absolutely no brake failure.

The high-speed train continued to operate as usual; only the mathematical model used in that area to balance the physical rules of speed, distance, and time had been altered by Wu Tongyuan.

After that, Wu Tongyuan tried adding this coefficient to different formulas. He was amazed to discover that any formula humanity had ever derived could incorporate this coefficient. It was like a bug, one that could perfectly embed itself into any corner of the mathematical pyramid humans had meticulously constructed.

Wu Tongyuan was very excited. After much thought, he gave this coefficient a name: the "Lingxu Number."

However, he soon discovered that the Lingxu Number's ability often failed, and the more Wu Tongyuan experimented, the higher the frequency of failure. Every time he tried to put a wild idea into practice, reality would slap him hard.

While in America, he even tried adding the Lingxu Number to probability models, attempting to make some money this way. As a result, he couldn't even influence the probability of a single die roll, and was severely beaten after being accused of cheating.

Now Wu Tongyuan understood that altering probability models was far more complex than altering general physical models. With his current power, he simply couldn't significantly adjust the value of K in formulas.

Wu Tongyuan was a mathematician, not a dedicated physicist. Therefore, he needed to extensively collect and understand physical formulas to better utilize the Lingxu Number's power. The physical formulas he used in this battle were all the ones he had learned recently.

Wu Tongyuan glanced at the two assassins who were still screaming. After a moment of hesitation, he decided not to finish them off. He knew there were military personnel nearby who would likely arrive soon, and leaving them alive would make interrogations much easier. Of course, this was also an excuse Wu Tongyuan made for himself; he simply didn't dare to kill someone with his own hands.

"Old Lu!" Wu Tongyuan checked Lu Xun's presence.

Still there!

Wu Tongyuan unhesitatingly hoisted him onto his back and sprinted towards the research camp.

*Clang—**Rustle—*

With each swing of the shovel, a scoop of earth flew out from the meteorite crater. Under the beam of a spotlight, a sweating figure was tirelessly digging.

A persistent drizzle fell upon him, and wet raindrops rolled down his hair. The young man's eyes were filled with determination and persistence.

"Damn it..."

"...Why isn't it here yet?"

Ji Xuan wiped the sweat from his brow and, looking at the large pit dug at his feet, muttered softly.

"Lou Yu, do you have anything?" he asked, turning his head.

On the other side of the pit, a figure in a black raincoat was also swinging a shovel. Hearing Ji Xuan's call, he shook his head helplessly.

"No... It's all just dirt down here, nothing else."

"Didn't you meet someone like yourself? He told you to dig here, did he specify where exactly?" Ji Xuan asked, not giving up.

"...No."

Ji Xuan's brows furrowed tightly.

He glanced in the direction of the research camp, then continued to swing his shovel, relentlessly digging deeper.

Lou Yu hesitated for a moment, then walked over to him.

"I think I heard gunshots just now. Shouldn't we go back? Is it dangerous outside?"

"If you want to go back, you go first." Ji Xuan's eyes were fixed on the chaotic deep pit he was digging. "I need to dig a bit longer... What if it's just a little bit deeper?"

"Is gaining abilities that important to you?"

Ji Xuan didn't answer. After silently putting all his strength into another shovel stroke, he looked at Lou Yu: "Isn't it important to you? If you don't want it, why are you here?"

Lou Yu fell silent.

"I simply want it," Ji Xuan replied directly. "I pursue scientific research to become a great hero, like Watt and Tesla, who pushes human society forward. Now there's a better opportunity right in front of me, allowing me to do things even more remarkable than before... Why wouldn't I want it?"

"..." Lou Yu opened his mouth. "Is your original intention for scientific research truly that pure?"

"Pure? You're quite good with words. Most people would call it 'foolish.'" Ji Xuan chuckled self-deprecatingly, his tone remarkably calm.

"When I was in elementary school, I'd say my dream was to become a great hero who advances humanity, and I'd be met with applause from classmates and teachers. In middle school, I'd still say it, but I'd only get laughter from everyone. By the time I truly entered academia, if I said this, they'd all think I was crazy."

After speaking, Ji Xuan looked up at Lou Yu.

"I heard about you from Lu Xun. If it's you, you should understand how I feel."

Rain pattered softly on Lou Yu's black raincoat. He watched Ji Xuan quietly, offering no reply.

Lou Yu understood, of course. Among the Nine Monarchs, no one understood the true grassroots academic world better than he did; he had climbed up from there step by step. In an era where most people chased fame and fortune, treating academia as a tool for making money and gaining power, Ji Xuan's existence was definitely an anomaly.

Or rather, a fool.