Scholar’s Advanced Technological System

After less than two hours of commuting, Lu Zhou traveled from the ILHCRC chairman office to the underground laboratory of the Institute for Advanced Study. He went inside and put on a VR helmet.

Previously, the user would not be able to see anything after putting on the helmet. However, the engineers at the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study added a built-in interface screen for all Phantom system helmets. This made it more convenient for users to independently operate the Phantom system.

“Xiao Ai.”

Xiao Ai: [Hello, Master. (u003e▽

Lu Zhou: “Do I have to play through the mission myself?”

Xiao Ai: [No need, Xiao Ai thinks Master won’t be able to pass the level even with the optimal strategy. (≧∇≦)]

Xiao Ai: [So Xiao Ai created a special 100% synchronization play-through mode. The user can watch the game from a first-person perspective. The user can stop the synchronization play-through at any time. However, if the user wants to synchronize again, the user will have to start from the beginning! ́∀`]

Lu Zhou: “… Thanks.”

Xiao Ai: [Haha ┌( ಠ‿ಠ)┘]

Even though Lu Zhou felt like he was just insulted by an artificial intelligence software, Xiao Ai did a huge favor for him, so he decided to ignore the insult.

After Lu Zhou muttered “link start”, the screen inside the helmet gradually began to darken as he entered the virtual space…

…

The username of the player that defeated the level was: Professor Lu’s Fanboy

When Lu Zhou saw this username, he instantly blushed.

What surprised him was that someone in the Respawn Team actually passed this level.

Even though he didn’t know what Li Gaoliang’s username was, he knew there was no way Li Gaoliang would have such a “disgusting” username.

The player synchronization began.

Lu Zhou was watching the gameplay in the first-person perspective of his “fanboy”. After he followed Captain Ince and extracted Professor Lane, they were attacked by a group of unknown armed forces.

As usual, the escort team was divided into two teams; one team continued to fly forward, while the other turned to ground combat. After five minutes of an intense battle, two huge support drones arrived, decimating the scene.

What happened shook Lu Zhou.

The player immediately rolled toward the bottom of a car.

The player used the energy shield on the top of the car to block the first wave of energy rays. He then smoothly rolled out from the other side of the car and picked up an EMP transmitter from the ground. He aimed it at the sky and pressed the trigger.

A light blue wave spread out like a giant net, and the two drones instantly fell to the ground, like birds that had been shot. The car that he used for cover also exploded.

The explosion smoke covered his tactical mask. It was as if everything was executed perfectly, down to the second. If he were one second faster or slower, he would have died.

Lu Zhou was dumbfounded. Captain Ince was nearby, and he spoke to Lu Zhou.

“…¥#@%, What just happened?”

A word in the communication channel was censored. It was obviously a swear word.

The player glanced at Captain Ince. He then immediately raised his rifle and began shooting at the remaining enemies.

Even though Lu Zhou wasn’t playing himself, experiencing the battle from a first-person perspective felt pretty awesome.

Suddenly, a thought flashed in his mind.

He had always wondered what the best way of showing a movie using VR technology was. But now he realized that a first-person movie might be the best way.

Lu Zhou made note of this thought and placed his attention back onto the battlefield.

After suffering heavy casualties, the opponent chose to retreat.

Lu Zhou was praised by Captain Ince for shooting down the two drones. Since his flying car was damaged from the battle, Captain Ince asked him to join the other car instead.

There were two more thrilling battles along the way. Professor Lane was finally escorted to the Empire council. Lu Zhou could finally witness the rest of the storyline.

Inside the majestic Empire council building.

Honestly, Lu Zhou didn’t expect the Calans to be an artistic and creative species. However, this changed when he saw the magnificent building.

Two black pyramid-shaped buildings were stacked on top of each other, tip to tip. One was on the ground while the other was standing upside down in the air. The building looked like an hourglass. It was a symbolization of order and equality, the pyramids corresponded to the upper and lower houses of the Empire parliament.

Anti-gravity technology?!

When Lu Zhou saw the upside-down pyramid, he was astonished.

They arrived at the bottom of the pyramid. Professor Lane looked at the tall building and sighed in relief.

This was the safest place in the Empire.

Lu Zhou finally completed his mission.

Professor Lane looked back at Lu Zhou and smiled. He reached out his hand.

“Thank you so much, soldier. You just saved our civilization… Speaking of which, I don’t know your name yet.”

Lu Zhou’s character saved Professor Lane numerous times across the three battles. This was why Professor Lane was so appreciative of Lu Zhou.

Otherwise, a distinguished scholar like Lane would never take the initiative to talk to an ordinary soldier.

The Calan civilization had a strong social class structure. Generally speaking, one’s occupation determined their identity and status, as well as what kind of house they could live in, and how much material resources they had access to.

Lu Zhou had a guess as to why the soldiers were at the bottom of the class structure. Perhaps the Calan Empire had been at peace for centuries, marginalizing the military.

Seeing how Lu Zhou’s character didn’t say anything, Lu Zhou quickly ended the synchronization mode and took control of the character.

“My name is Lu Zhou.”

“Lu… Zhou?”

Professor Lane looked at Lu Zhou and said, “What an interesting name, I’ve lived in section c-12-01 for many years, but I’ve never heard of a name like that.”

Lu Zhou tried to make up a reason. “That’s because I’m from an agricultural planet… We have different names there.”

Professor Lane asked curiously, “Interesting, I have a friend that studies agricultural planets that would be interested in talking with you… If you want, I can introduce him to you.”

Lu Zhou: “I’m more interested in physics… Can I talk about physics with you?”

As if Lu Zhou had just told a funny joke, Professor Lane smiled and said, “Physics? That’s too esoteric and broad at the same time. Before we discuss, I suggest you go through the system and try your best to study. If you’re still interested in physics after your military service, you can find me at the Institute of Physics in district c-12-01.”

Lu Zhou still wanted to talk with Professor Lane, but Captain Ince walked over.

The captain looked at the scholar and spoke.

“Dear Professor Lane, your identity has been verified. The council invites you to enter the council house. Your meeting will begin soon.”

Professor Lane said in a sincere tone, “Thank you all for this. Also, I hope you report the attackers to the Empire intelligence department, I never would have imagined someone having the audacity to do such a thing.”

Captain Ince spoke solemnly.

“Our intelligence department is already collecting evidence. I’m certain we will find out how the attackers got their hands on the weapons.”

Professor Lane nodded and didn’t say anything. He turned around and walked toward the main entrance of the building.

Captain Ince looked at Lu Zhou and pondered for a second before he spoke.

“You want to come too?”

When Captain Ince said this, Lu Zhou noticed the other soldiers looking jealous.

Lu Zhou knew that this was a show of respect in the Empire army.

Therefore, he followed Captain Ince’s footsteps and handed over his weapons to the guards at the council house entrance.

This was the center of the Empire.

Secrets of the highest level were stored here.

Lu Zhou followed Captain Ince’s footsteps into this majestic hall.

He had a feeling that…

Professor Lane would soon reveal the Oracle.

He would finally know what the high tech system was trying to tell him.