Chapter 327: This Universe

Chapter 327: This Universe

"Before we begin dinner, allow me to introduce tonight's menu." Cassandra elegantly lifted a menu crafted from living paper, its text shifting subtly to reflect the reader's emotional state.

"Each dish tonight carries a unique origin and significance."

The first course arrived swiftly.

It appeared to be a plate of ordinary deep-red fruits, but Luo En immediately sensed something unusual. The fruits' surfaces bore tiny pores performing faint respiratory movements.

"These are 'Blood Fruits' from the Tree Clan of the Nodra Great Forest." Cassandra introduced with quiet satisfaction. "The Tree Clan sustains themselves on these fruits, which contain concentrated life essence and memory fragments."

She sliced through one fruit, releasing wisps of pale green mist. The air filled with forest fragrance mingled with an indescribable decaying scent.

"Consuming them temporarily grants the Tree Clan's life perception ability and access to sealed memories", she continued. "Though most memories involve death and pain, some contain valuable information."

Luo En tasted a small piece, instantly flooded with chaotic memory fragments: forest laughter, sudden terror of flames, the Tree Clan's despairing cries... and the conquerors' cold faces.

"What became of the Nodra Tree Clan?" Uther asked calmly.

"They resisted." Cassandra's tone turned frosty. "Regrettably, Nodra Great Forest has become scorched earth. We preserved sufficient biological samples though, including Blood Fruit seeds. Perhaps someday we'll cultivate this species in more suitable environments."

Eve's utensils trembled slightly. "The entire species..."

"Were personally eradicated by me." Cassandra stated bluntly. "Their civilization held no value for our development. Preserving them would only waste resources."

The next course unsettled everyone present.

A semi-transparent fish still writhed on the plate, its beating heart and flowing blood visible internally. More disturbingly, its eyes gleamed with unmistakable intelligence.

"This is 'Thought Fish' from the Deep Sea Sage Race of the Crystal Sea." Cassandra pinned the struggling creature with a specialized fork. "They possess human-level intelligence, conducting complex thought processes through bioelectricity."

As the fork pierced its body, the fish emitted a scream-like sound. Its eyes flickered wildly, as if performing final calculations.

"Consuming fresh Thought Fish temporarily enhances brain activity and logical thinking." She continued, seemingly oblivious to the others' expressions. "It must be eaten alive - the effect vanishes rapidly post-mortem."

"Cassandra..." Uther's voice hardened. "This is vivisection, not dining."

"What difference does it make?" The witch countered, her eyes widening in feigned confusion. "The animals we normally consume aren't alive? Should intelligence alone grant special status?" She gracefully placed a fish morsel in her mouth. "Wisdom shouldn't be a death sentence, especially when it serves no higher civilization."

Luo En observed the fish's dying struggles. Logically, Cassandra's argument held. Yet watching those fading eyes stirred instinctive discomfort.

The following course froze the dining hall.

A seemingly ordinary soup contained semi-transparent orbs. Closer inspection revealed each held a shrunken brain performing faint neural activity.

"This 'Wisdom Broth' contains brain specimens from the Academic Species", Cassandra spoke with unusual gravity. "This knowledge-obsessed race evolved unparalleled information processing capabilities over millions of years."

She stirred the soup, lifting her spoon. "Each brain orb contains an Academic's lifetime of accumulated knowledge. Consuming the broth might grant fragments of that wisdom."

Luo En felt nausea rising as he stared at the faintly pulsing brains.

"I understand Tower Lord's message now." His voice remained perfectly steady. "The strong have rights over the weak - their lives, wisdom, even their very existence."

"Precisely." Cassandra nodded happily. "This is the universe's fundamental law - survival of the fittest, might makes right."

"One question remains." Luo En continued. "If this plundering continues, what will we become?"

Cassandra paused. "What do you mean?"

"When we've consumed countless civilizations and absorbed infinite knowledge... will we still be ourselves?" His gaze deepened. "Or become monsters stitched together from countless dead memories?"

Silence fell like a tombstone. This question struck at everyone's deepest fears. Would conquerors remain unchanged through endless consumption?

"Interesting philosophical question." Cassandra answered steadily, though her voice wavered slightly. "But unnecessary concern. The strong remain strong - absorbing weak memories changes nothing."

Yet Luo En noticed her left hand trembling beneath the table, betraying unease.

Uther's Phantom Husk dimmed. "Perhaps we should reconsider this development model's long-term consequences."

"What consequences?" Cassandra's tone sharpened. "Becoming stronger? Gaining knowledge? Resources? These are good things."

"More likely becoming the Chimera Form of those we've consumed." Luo En added calmly. "Losing identity to become history's ghost."

This statement shattered the final pretense of calm.

"Enough." Cassandra's voice turned icy. "We're here to celebrate the new era, not debate philosophy."

For the first time, her gentle mask cracked.

Eve stared at the soup, her face pale. "Mother, I think..."

"What?" Cassandra's gaze pierced. "That this is cruel?"

She shook her head. "You must learn to see from higher perspectives. The universe holds no absolute good or evil - only strong and weak. We offer these civilizations value they could never achieve. In return, we claim our rightful rewards."

"This brings me to my discussion topic with Luo En." She turned. "Concerning the true structure of the multiverse."

Cassandra rose, approaching the wall. At her touch, it transformed into a colossal projection displaying a complex 3D cosmic map.

"First, understand our location." She indicated a shimmering region at the map's center. "We dwell in the Seventh Quadrant - a relatively young cosmic region, several hundred million years old. This quadrant shares foundational life laws: carbon-based life, mana cycles, linear time flow..."

Her fingers traced several areas. "Beastkin, Lizardfolk, Dwarves, Half-Beasts, Goblins, Spirits - these demi-human species weren't native to the prime world. They originated in other Seventh Quadrant planes, each possessing independent civilizations."

The projection displayed history - the Second Era's "Age of Planar Exploration." Countless portals opened across the void, armies of various species traversing worlds. Some conquered, some allied, most forcibly fused.

"Our mage ancestors believed unified management would maximize benefits." Cassandra spoke approvingly. "History proved them right. Multispecies fusion catalyzed technological leaps and cultural prosperity. Dwarven forging, Spirit magic mastery, Beastkin combat instincts - all became civilization's cornerstones."

Her finger moved to another region. "Those more exotic beings you mentioned - Dragonkin, Time Hounds, elemental entities, Eye Tyrants - they originate from completely different quadrants."

The projection shifted to a broader perspective, revealing dozens of massive quadrant zones:

"Each quadrant operates under different foundational laws."

"But inter-quadrant travel isn't easy", Cassandra continued, her voice smooth as silk.

"It requires extremely complex technology and enormous mana consumption. This is why cross-quadrant beings are so rare in our world."

She leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming with avarice. "But precisely because of their rarity, their value becomes even more precious."

Her gaze swept across the room. "A Time Hound's ability to manipulate time, an element lord's pure mana physique, a true dragon's power source - these are invaluable resources our civilization can study and utilize."

"Now, let's discuss something more practical."

Cassandra returned to her seat with elegant grace, sipping glowing liquor from an otherworldly goblet. "Regarding the policy reforms I announced earlier, I imagine you might have some concerns."

Her tone softened, almost like chatting with an old friend. "Many believe I'll immediately impose harsh rule, forcing everyone into conquest campaigns. But contrary to assumptions, I'm actually quite patient."

Luo En maintained a polite posture of attentive listening, but silently activated his Hermit's Insight to perceive the truth behind her words.

"Reforms take time. More importantly, people's hearts require time to adapt."

Cassandra chuckled lightly. "I've provided the School Alliance with a three-year transition period. During this time, traditional academic research will continue, and the existing management system will remain stable."

"Only when people gradually recognize the superiority of the new system will deeper reforms occur."

Her slender fingers traced the rim of her glass. "After all, forced changes often provoke unnecessary resistance. Voluntary transformation brings higher efficiency and less internal waste."

Eve sat quietly listening, occasionally casting worried glances at Luo En.

Uther's Phantom Husk maintained its observational stance. The silver glow in his eyes deepened under the starlight crystal's reflection.

"Speaking of which, I just remembered something amusing."

Cassandra's tone shifted subtly, her gaze piercing. "Over a year ago, I actually mentioned handling your case during a high-level internal meeting."

Luo En's heart rate increased imperceptibly but maintained outward calm.

"Some suggested imposing special restrictions and surveillance on you - after all, a primordial mage carries too many variables."

"Others advocated immediately bringing you into the core circle to prevent rival factions from recruiting you."

She chuckled again, shaking her head. "Various radical suggestions flooded in. But my answer was simple - 'Treat him normally.'"

"Normal treatment?" Luo En repeated the phrase, probing its deeper meaning.

"Precisely", Cassandra confirmed. "Neither special favors nor deliberate suppression. Evaluate his performance objectively, just as we would any talented young mage."

Her gaze turned meaningful. "Of course, this 'normal' standard might be higher than most imagine. After all, your innate talent is genuinely exceptional."

"The expressions on those officials' faces were quite entertaining", she continued. "Some were baffled, thinking I was being cryptic. Others tried reading hidden meanings. A few even believed I lied."

She sipped her wine, clearly amused. "But in reality, I meant exactly what I said. I genuinely intend to treat you fairly - according to the standard befitting a treasure-grade genius."

"The appointments and rewards today perfectly demonstrate this 'normal treatment.'"

Luo En was beginning to grasp her intent.

Cassandra was subtly implying she knew he had somehow learned about that high-level meeting.

"The Tower Lord is remarkably candid", Luo En carefully responded. "This transparent communication style indeed provides reassurance."

"Candor is a privilege of the strong", Cassandra nodded approvingly. "Only when you possess sufficient power can you afford to speak truthfully. This is an important principle I hope you'll understand."

Setting down her glass, her tone turned serious. "In the coming three years, you'll have many choices. You may continue focusing on academic research, or attempt participating in some conquest projects."

"I won't force any decisions upon you. But I do hope you'll maintain an open mind. After all, only through personal experience can one make truly wise judgments."

At that moment, Steward Sebastian entered, carefully carrying a tray of potions.

"Tower Lord, Eve's medicine is ready", the butler announced.

Luo En noticed Eve's face instantly paling, her body trembling slightly.

"Thank you, Sebastian", Cassandra accepted the tray gracefully. "Eve, it's time for your medicine."

Three small vials sat on the tray, each radiating different colored light.

Through Transcendent Perception, Luo En immediately detected abnormalities in the potions.

These weren't ordinary healing elixirs, but something far more sinister.

Each drop contained violent soul fluctuations - despair, pain, and fear woven into the very fabric of the liquid.

"Mother..." Eve's voice trembled. "I feel much better today. Could I possibly..."

"No", Cassandra's tone remained gentle yet unyielding. "While your mana corruption symptoms have eased, the root issue remains. These potions are essential for maintaining stability."

She affectionately stroked Eve's hair, her touch exuding maternal warmth. "I know the taste is unpleasant, but it's necessary for your health."

Eve turned to Uther, her eyes pleading.

The old professor gave a barely perceptible head shake, signaling her not to resist.

With a heavy sigh, Eve picked up the first vial.

As she brought it to her lips, her entire body began trembling violently.

This wasn't mere aversion to bitterness - this was soul-deep instinctive fear.

The moment the potion touched her tongue, Eve's face turned ghost-white, nearly vomiting.

She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, forcing herself to swallow, but tears streamed uncontrollably.

Through his special perception, Luo En saw grotesque, writhing matter within the vial.

Deeper Hermit's Insight revealed something even more horrifying - faint, silent screams from the extracted souls themselves.

Uther's Phantom Husk suddenly transmitted spiritual energy:

"This is 'Absurdist King' technology... forcibly compressing and refining the souls of sentient beings to create universal cure-alls that suppress symptoms."

"Each drop represents dozens of complete lives."

The old professor's spiritual transmission carried profound sorrow: "Cassandra has maintained Eve's condition this way for years."

A chill crawled up Luo En's spine.

If Uther spoke truth, then every day Eve lived required consuming countless lives.

All this happened beneath Cassandra's gentle, motherly smile.

"The second vial." Cassandra's tone remained warm, the voice of a caring mother.

Eve trembled more violently. Still, she obediently took the second potion.

This time the reaction intensified, her gag reflex nearly overpowering her.

But under her mother's watchful gaze, she forced herself to swallow completely.

"The final vial, my dear."

The third potion's color ran darker, radiating an even stronger soul aura.

Eve's hands shook uncontrollably, the vial rattling in her grasp.

"Shall I assist you?" Cassandra asked, her voice filled with concern.

"No... no need." Eve shook her head, summoning every ounce of strength to finish the last potion.

When the ordeal ended, Eve collapsed into her chair, her face pale as parchment, breathing ragged.

Strangely, her mana fluctuations had indeed stabilized.

"You see?" Cassandra turned to Luo En, her voice carrying a sinister pride. "Sometimes saving someone requires paying other costs. But as long as the results are good, temporary discomfort is justified."

Her gaze deepened. "This is the strong one's responsibility. We must make difficult decisions to sacrifice lesser things for greater benefit."

"Eve's life outweighs any moral doctrine. If sacrificing lesser beings' souls can save my daughter, I'll make that choice without hesitation."

Luo En observed the scene, his mind a tempest of conflicting emotions.

Cassandra hadn't displayed simple evil, but a twisted logic system.

In her value system, the needs of the powerful superseded everything, and family safety outweighed moral principles.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end