209: 209. The Helmsman's Invitation

In Eagleland, the sudden emergence of the “Dragon Soul” chip plunged the nation into self-doubt, initiating a massive internal investigation; however, to their dismay, no source of leakage could be found.

They could only attribute it to Andrew possibly leaving behind undiscovered research notes, or his computer being attacked by a mysterious hacker.

This unknown intensified their unease.

In stark contrast to the chaos across the ocean, the Xia Nation was in a state of extreme excitement.

The internet was filled with cheers, celebrating the nation's development of this epoch-making chip, and all previous doubts had vanished.

“Awesome! So awesome! To achieve an overtake on the curve without a sound?!”

“Absolutely brilliant! Eagleland must be furious, they thought they had it in the bag, hahahaha… Congratulations!”

“They secretly held back such a big move, hiss hiss hiss… When exactly was this Dragon Soul chip invented?”

“Although I don't understand it, it looks very powerful.”

“You don't know, the foreign internet has exploded. I estimate that tonight, not a single chip company will be able to sleep. This time it's truly a shock.”

“...”

The outside world was bustling, but Lu Feng's life at Jiangcheng University remained calm and undisturbed.

On the podium, an elegant old professor wearing gold-rimmed glasses was lecturing on “Introduction to Depth Psychology.”

“...Jung proposed the concept of 'collective unconscious,' believing that beneath the personal subconscious, there exists a deeper psychological layer. It does not originate from personal experience but is inherently present, containing a generational accumulation of human experience, like ocean currents deep in the sea, silently yet powerfully influencing our dreams, intuition, and even creative outbursts...”

The old professor's voice was calm and magnetic, and chalk outlined the hierarchical structure of consciousness on the blackboard.

Lu Feng's originally calm eyes rippled slightly as the professor spoke.

“Collective unconscious,” “innately existing experience base,” “deep psychological layer”... these terms made him think of associations related to his own abilities.

His dream space, that unique realm capable of containing and peering into others' consciousness and memories, was, to some extent, a concretization of this “collective unconscious”?

Or rather, a higher-dimensional interface?

Were those floating dream bubbles ripples connecting individual consciousness to this “deep sea”?

The professor continued to delve deeper: “...And Neumann, building on this, further expounded on the relationship between the 'center of consciousness' and the 'ocean of the unconscious.' He believed that individual consciousness is like an island, seemingly independent, yet its roots are deeply embedded in the vast unconscious. True potential breakthroughs often lie not in strengthening the island's defenses, but in whether one can establish deeper, more stable channels to draw strength from that ocean, and even... to a certain extent, guide it.”

Lu Feng thought to himself, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on his notebook.

He thought of the recent anomaly in his abilities, the crack that appeared in the dream space, the incomprehensible geometric symbols, fragmented images, and the sense of dread.

Did that crack connect to a realm older, more fundamental, and more dangerous than the “collective unconscious”?

Was the expansion of his abilities opening up new “channels”?

And the act of resurrecting Andrew, an act against heaven's will, was it like forcibly extracting soul fragments from the depths of the “ocean,” thereby triggering some kind of backlash or a deeper connection?

These psychological theories, in a mysterious way, provided him with a new perspective for understanding his own extraordinary abilities.

The bell for the end of class rang, interrupting Lu Feng's contemplation.

He walked out of the teaching building with the crowd, his mind still processing the content of the class, when suddenly, a loud shout came from behind him.

“Old Lu! Lu Feng! Stop right there!”

Zhang Wenfa caught up, panting, and threw an arm around Lu Feng's neck, feigning dissatisfaction as he complained, “You've been so elusive lately! Not returning to the dorm is one thing, but I can't even catch a glimpse of you! Tell me, have you been secretly doing something big?”

Lu Feng said helplessly, “I have been quite busy lately.”

“What could be more important than you getting your diploma? I see you skipping so many classes, aren't you afraid of failing and not graduating?” Zhang Wenfa asked, puzzled.

Lu Feng shook his head, “It should be fine.”

“I don't care, you have to treat us today, our dorm needs a good get-together, otherwise my poor heart can't take it!”

Lu Feng was amused by the chokehold and nodded, “Alright, then let's get together...”

Before he could finish, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He motioned for Zhang Wenfa to wait, took out his phone, and saw it was Lü Chenxing's encrypted line.

Connecting the call, Lü Chenxing's voice carried an unprecedented solemnity: “Young Friend Lu, there's a very important meeting. The Helmsman, the highest-level leader, wants to personally meet you and your core team, especially the scientists in the energy and chip fields. The time is set for tomorrow morning, what do you think...”

The highest-level Helmsman (Leader) personally inviting him?

Lu Feng's eyes flickered. This was unexpected, yet also within reason.

The value of the “spirit core” architecture had clearly touched the nation's most core strategic nerves.

“No problem, Minister Lü. I will bring the people and arrive on time.” Lu Feng calmly agreed.

Hanging up the phone, he met Zhang Wenfa's curious, puppy-like gaze.

“Who was that? So mysterious.”

Lu Feng apologized, “Something urgent came up. An elder asked me to go to the Imperial Capital tomorrow for something. Let's talk about treating you when I get back.”

Zhang Wenfa looked at Lu Feng's calm yet undeniable expression, and the vague words “highest-level” and “personally meet” that he overheard from the call. Although he didn't understand, he knew it was definitely not a small matter, so he just clicked his tongue: “Alright, alright, busy man! Don't forget when you get back!”

...The next day, in the VIP lounge of Jiangcheng Airport.

Lu Feng was still in his simple casual attire, accompanied by Yu Tianxiong, Qin Tian, and Andrew, preparing to board the plane to the Imperial Capital.

For the convenience of conversation, Yu Tianxiong had booked business class.

Coincidentally, in the boarding gate, Lu Feng unexpectedly ran into a family of three.

It was his aunt, Lu Mang, along with her husband Yu Dongyang, and their son Yu Hai.

When Lu Mang saw Lu Feng, her face instantly became somewhat unnatural, and a hint of unconcealed apprehension and panic flashed in her eyes.

She clearly remembered that her calculating elder brother and arrogant second brother had both met their demise or ended up in prison because they targeted Lu Feng's family.

Deep down, she was already a little afraid of this seemingly ordinary nephew.

Yu Dongyang and Yu Hai, however, did not think so much.

Her husband, Yu Dongyang, a middle-aged man in a branded polo shirt, and their son, Yu Hai, had no such vigilance.

Yu Dongyang followed his wife's gaze and also saw Lu Feng. He was stunned for a moment, then an undisguised look of disdain appeared on his face.

“Lu Feng? What are you doing here? And business class? Your parents worked so hard to earn money, is this how you squander it?”

He was clearly still stuck in the impression of Lu Feng's family's past financial struggles.

Yu Hai even sneered and echoed sarcastically, “Exactly, just trying to look rich. He probably got lucky and won a small prize, right?”

Lu Feng didn't even bother to lift an eyelid, as if he hadn't heard their words, and walked straight ahead.

Lu Mang was so scared that she quickly tugged at her husband's and son's clothes, whispering, “Say less!”

Just then, Yu Tianxiong and Qin Tian finished their procedures and walked over, naturally standing slightly behind Lu Feng, respectfully saying, “Sir, everything is handled.”

Yu Tianxiong was as steady as a mountain, his aura restrained yet impossible to ignore. Qin Tian, though dressed casually, could not hide his academic gravitas.

Yu Dongyang's gaze was instantly drawn to them. With one look, both he and his son were frozen as if by a spell!

Yu Dongyang was a businessman. He had seen President Yu, Yu Tianxiong, the CEO of Tingfeng Capital, who had recently risen to prominence in the business world and was hailed as a “capital giant,” countless times on financial news!

And Professor Qin, Qin Tian, as the scientist who conquered solid-state batteries and became famous throughout the world, frequently appeared in exclusive interviews on national science and technology channels!

These two influential figures, who could shake their respective fields with a mere stomp of their feet, were now... now, like attendants, respectfully following behind his “poor nephew” Lu Feng?!

Yu Dongyang's mind went blank, his mouth agape enough to fit an egg. His pathetic sense of superiority was shattered, leaving only boundless shock and fear.

A coincidence?

Lu Mang saw her husband's and son's reactions, and her heart grew even more bitter and fearful, confirming her conviction of Lu Feng's unfathomable depth.

Yu Dongyang recovered, his face instantly plastered with an extremely fawning smile, his waist unconsciously bending a few degrees. He stammered, trying to strike up a conversation: “President... President Yu?! Professor... Professor Qin?! You two... it's truly an honor, I never expected to meet you here! I am...”

Yu Tianxiong merely glanced at him indifferently. His eyes were calm and unwavering, yet carried a condescending indifference, without even the slightest interest in responding with a single word.

Professor Qin's gaze had already passed them, falling on the boarding gate.

Lu Feng never looked back, and under the invisible aura created by Yu Tianxiong and Qin Tian, he walked unimpeded towards the boarding gate.

This complete disregard was more damaging than any verbal retort.

Yu Dongyang's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, his smile solidified, becoming incredibly awkward and ugly.

It wasn't until the backs of Lu Feng and the others disappeared down the passage that he recovered, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.

He turned sharply, lowering his voice, and questioned Lu Mang with a hint of annoyance, “Your... your nephew... who exactly is he?! Why didn't you say anything earlier?!”

Lu Mang looked at her husband's despicable display of being obsequious after being arrogant, and thought of the fates of her two brothers. Her heart was icy cold as she murmured, “I... I don't know either... I only know, whatever you do, don't provoke him...”

Yu Hai was even more silent than a cicada in winter, no longer daring to mention anything about “trying to look rich”...