Chapter 68: Juzi and Keke

In theory, if one possessed enough of the Authority of Reality, the simulated universe could even shed its virtual shackles and become a real world.

But the amount of power required was astronomical.

After exiting the simulated universe, Juzi tightly gripped the gem in her hand, unable to calm her shock.

"Can you really take real objects out of a virtual world?!"

At that moment, she fully realized she had underestimated Lu Jingming's unfathomable abilities.

Thinking back to the cruel, violent Xu Tiannan and comparing him to Lu Jingming, it was like night and day.

She couldn't help but laugh at herself—how these days she had been living in fear, anxious and frightened by Xu Tiannan.

Now, it seemed laughable. As long as she focused on her tasks and completed Lu Jingming's assignments, everything she wanted would naturally come her way.

Juzi took a deep breath, calmed her emotions, and carefully stored the collapse crystal into her storage soul tool.

She straightened her clothes and prepared to return to the lab to continue her research on soul tools.

"Juzi, where did you go? I've been looking for you forever!" Suddenly, a clear, sweet voice sounded from behind.

Juzi turned around to see a red-haired girl running toward her, her eyes sparkling with joy and affection.

"Nothing, just wandered around. Let's go back, Keke." Juzi smiled gently at the girl.

From their interaction, it was clear they were very close—like sisters.

"Did you hear, Juzi? Hall Master Jing Hongchen's grandson and granddaughter have joined our academy! They're both super geniuses—only eleven, and already level-four soul engineers!" Keke's eyes shone with awe and envy.

"Oh? Level-four at eleven? That's certainly extraordinary—must have caused quite a stir at the academy!" Juzi was surprised.

At that age, a level-four soul engineer would have at least high-level Soul Elder power, maybe even Soul Ancestor.

But Juzi knew that soul engineers in the Sun Moon Empire often used drugs to boost their abilities.

As the grandchildren of the Illustrious Virtue Hall Master, they would have far more resources than ordinary people.

With decent talent and tons of resources, such achievements weren't entirely impossible.

Still, compared to her own mysterious backer Lu Jingming, these new geniuses seemed to pale in comparison.

"Exactly! The whole academy was in an uproar when they joined. Lots of teachers are fighting to take them on as students—only our Teacher Xuan isn't interested." Keke gestured animatedly, her expressions varied and lively.

"You know Teacher Xuan—other than soul tools, nothing else interests him." Juzi shook her head, smiling wryly.

"Oh, I forgot to ask—what are their names?" Juzi suddenly realized she didn't know the names of these two geniuses and felt curious.

After all, she had struggled for two years to become a level-two soul engineer, only managing it thanks to the simulated universe saving her lots of time gathering materials.

"I think it's Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen. That Xiao Hongchen is really arrogant, always looking down on everyone. But Meng Hongchen is really pretty—I think she's just as beautiful as you, Juzi!" Keke had clearly met the two already.

"Heh, I'm not that pretty. Why are you comparing me to her?" Juzi lightly tapped Keke's shoulder, feigning annoyance.

"Come on, Juzi, I've seen you without your glasses. Don't pretend you're hiding your looks! Even with glasses, you've still got tons of admirers." Keke winked teasingly.

Keke wasn't wrong—even though Juzi tried to hide it, her fresh skin and lazy demeanor still attracted many admirers.

But Juzi wasn't interested in them. After meeting Lu Jingming, no one else could catch her eye.

After all, everything is relative. Even before Xu Tiannan blackened, he was outstanding—a prince admired by countless girls in the Sun Moon Empire.

"Hey, Juzi, look—it's them!" Keke said excitedly, pointing ahead.

Juzi followed her finger and saw a boy and girl walking side by side.

The boy had dazzling silver hair and heterochromatic eyes, with an innate arrogance as if the world meant nothing to him—a young man who hadn't yet tasted hardship.

The girl, as Keke said, was strikingly beautiful, with long silver hair tied into a ponytail draped over her right shoulder.

Her eyes were sky-blue, deep and captivating.

She always wore a gentle smile, lacking the arrogance of her brother, and seemed approachable.

Brother and sister: one proud as the sun, the other gentle as the moon. Different personalities, but both eye-catching.

They noticed Juzi and Keke but didn't pay much attention—Xiao Hongchen ignored them, while Meng Hongchen gave a polite smile.

…

…

…

Haiyuan City had expanded several times and become unrecognizable.

The city's size had multiplied, soul tool airships patrolled the skies, and soul tool screens were everywhere. On them, a beautiful girl with lavender hair was performing.

Her singing was crisp and melodious, drawing listeners into a world of music.