Perspective: Expert: Li Jian
Rocky City, 300 meters underground. Federal Technology Department, A-level authorized core laboratory.
Expert Li Jian was completely focused on a giant holographic screen covering the entire wall. Dozens of new recruits' physiological data streams and mental fluctuation curves were densely displayed on the screen.
Suddenly, a small data window in the bottom right corner of the main screen labeled "Special Sample SCK01 Under Observation" erupted with a bright red skull warning—the Federal Government's alert symbol for "Highest Priority-Sigma Level Catastrophic Anomaly"!
An encrypted data stream, temporarily labeled "From the 'Pioneer' Squad's accompanying observer—recording target SCK01—core type unidentified," took over the center of the screen.
The dynamic curve representing Shen Kai's "colorless core" real-time energy characteristics displayed an eerily flat state that Li Jian had never encountered in his decades of research.
This did not mean there was no energy. In fact, the instantaneous energy radiation peak and information entropy density captured by the instruments at the moment of contact far exceeded the theoretical upper limit for a new recruit who had not undergone formal core adaptation by hundreds of times.
However, this terrifying energy, which could instantly destroy any conventional detection device, was perfectly "neutralized," "constrained," and "reset to zero" by a more powerful, more primordial unknown force in the very first instant of its eruption.
Ultimately, what was presented to the outside world was nothing but an almost absolute "void," an irrational "silence"!
"This... this... this..."
Li Jian jumped up from his magnetic levitation seat. His hands were braced on the control panel. He stared intently at the eerily straight energy curve and the series of warnings generated by the central AI, Xuanji. The warnings were filled with jarring terms like "unknown parameters," "unresolvable," and "logical paradoxes."
His breathing became rapid, and his eyes flickered with a mixture of extreme shock, disbelief, and almost pathological fervor—the unique glow of a mad scientist upon discovering the "ultimate truth."
"It actually exists. This 'primordial core' can contain all chaos or negate all existence..." he muttered, his voice trembling with excitement.
"No, this may even transcend the definition of 'primordial'..."
Li Jian nearly roared at his stunned assistant, issuing the highest-level order:
"Immediately!"
"Immediately elevate all relevant data related to target SCK01, including this collection record and historical archives, to the highest strategic security level, 'Omega-class'!"
"Set access permissions to 'Xuanxu-class'!"
"Without direct authorization from me or the Xuanxu Commander-in-Chief, no one is permitted to access it under any circumstances!"
"Also, prepare the highest-level 'Zero Observation Contingency Plan,' and activate the standby procedures for the 'Pandora's Box' project sequence."
"No! Wait..." He suddenly waved his hand, his gaze flickering rapidly between fervor and calmness.
"Now is not the time to alert him. I need a more meticulous plan, an opportunity that will make him 'voluntarily' cooperate..."
His gaze fell on the electronic profile photo of the young man named "Shen Kai" on the screen. That face, which had seemed calm and ordinary in the crowd, now appeared shrouded in a deep mist that could overturn the entire power structure of the Ring Abyss Federation and touch upon the mystery of the "End Code."
A faint, enigmatic smile curved the corners of Li Jian's mouth.
He glanced at the profiles of the other two new recruits, Ryan Flame and Sakuraba Nadeshiko, who were about to enter the adaptation process.
The "Red Effect" and "Emerald Green Effect" were standardized "products" thoroughly researched by the Federation's Technical Department. By forcibly implanting the "Allochromatic Core," condensed from individuals who died under extreme emotions, into the bodies of adapters, a "soul imprinting" with less than a 100% success rate is performed.
This method is crude, inefficient, and full of side effects that cannot be eradicated.
But for those mass-produced "soldiers," it is sufficient.
However, Shen Kai is different.
He is not a "product"; he is the "key."
This young man, whose core is "absolutely straight," might become the most critical and indispensable piece in his ultimate plan, which his colleagues have labeled "blasphemous" and "madness."
The chessboard has been set, and the pieces are about to take their places. He will be the hand that moves the pieces.