Chapter 134: The Man Who Rejected the Erudition Star God

After eliminating the summoned antimatter legion, the wisp of netherfire was completely drained of energy. Its previous summoning had clearly consumed all its reserves, leaving it weakly floating in mid-air.

"Hmph, it's just a small spark from Aflet; nothing more than that." Ratio took out a container resembling a lantern and contained the netherfire within it.

"It's a pity that the Netherfire Duke himself didn't show up this time," Gu Tang murmured. If Aflet had come, he would have personally torn him into pieces. Unfortunately, the opportunity didn't present itself, but he would find a chance to settle the score later. Hopefully, Aflet would meet his end in some distant corner of the universe before then.

With the matter resolved, Ratio turned his gaze towards Gu Tang. The usually eloquent man seemed at a loss for words.

"It appears that the situation is now under control. Just hand over this netherfire to the station's personnel," Gu Tang nodded at Ratio, ready to leave.

"Wait… I haven't even asked for your name," Ratio quickly interjected.

"Oh right, I almost forgot." Gu Tang removed the plaster headgear he had been wearing.

The revealed face was handsome, causing Ratio's eyes to widen. He knew this face well, having seen it countless times in the station's records.

"I'm Gu Tang, Chief Scientist of the Space Station," Gu Tang introduced himself as he put away the headgear.

Ratio's mind went blank, a chaotic whirl of thoughts swirling around like stars performing a cosmic dance. The shock was so great that Ratio collapsed to the ground, his face twisted in agony—similar to discovering that the idol he had admired for years turned out to be his own father.

He lay flat on the ground, eyes closed, and brow furrowed, as if he was suffering. Despite calling himself the "Doctor of Truth," he looked like someone in desperate need of a real doctor.

"Well then, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving," Gu Tang shrugged and turned to go.

"Wait… I have a question I've always wanted to ask you," Ratio bounced up like a spring, calling out to him with unprecedented seriousness.

Gu Tang turned back, looking calmly at Ratio, waiting for his question.

"I heard that you had an audience with the Erudition Star God but refused to become an Intelligence Envoy. Is that true?" Ratio asked.

Gu Tang nodded. "It's true."

Ratio found it difficult to believe. Being graced by the Erudition Star God and joining the Genius Society was a dream he had long pursued—a dream that still remained unfulfilled. Yet Gu Tang had easily discarded that opportunity.

"Why?" Ratio frowned and pressed on.

He was prepared for Gu Tang to say something utterly shocking.

Gu Tang scratched his head. "Because it seemed like too much trouble… Research is just a hobby for me. I don't want my hobby to become too burdensome."

"…That's it?" Ratio stared at Gu Tang in disbelief.

He never expected the answer to be so simple.

Just because… research is a hobby?

"Yup, it's just a hobby. There's no need to elevate it beyond that, nor diminish it below that." Gu Tang nodded.

Ratio rubbed his chin. He had always considered himself to be unconventional, but compared to Gu Tang, he was no more than an amateur. After all, this was someone who maintained his indifference and disregard for others even in the presence of a Star God.

"Seeing research as a hobby…" Ratio fell into contemplation.

How pure.

He had once stated that truth avoids the impure, and only those who are pure can approach it.

So, when did he stop being pure?

When did he start seeing knowledge as a means to gain the Erudition Star God's favor?

——Several minutes later.

Ratio raised his head, his clear eyes fixed on Gu Tang.

"Hmm, I've figured it out," Ratio said slowly.

Gu Tang raised an eyebrow. "So soon?"

"There's nothing to be proud of. The faster you realize something, the more mistakes you've made before," Ratio replied self-mockingly, shaking his head.

"Well, tell me what you've realized," Gu Tang crossed his arms, curious.

"I don't care about others' opinions because they won't change my way of life or my principles… The same goes for the Star Gods, doesn't it?" Ratio looked down at his palms. "Whether or not I gain the Erudition's favor, what I want to do will not change. If that's the case, then what is there to care about…"

He clenched his hand into a fist.

Ratio tapped his forehead twice with his fist. "It's such a simple truth, and yet it took me until now to understand it. How foolish. The inner turmoil I struggled with for so long was nothing more than… senseless self-torment."

Gu Tang spread his hands. "At least you figured it out now."

"You're right. No matter how much time it takes, as long as I make progress, it's something to be acknowledged. Mediocrity is like that." Ratio exhaled deeply, then extended his hand to Gu Tang. "I have to thank you, Gu Tang. It was your unwavering stance before the Star Gods that inspired me."

Gu Tang shook his hand briefly. "I didn't really do much…"

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In Herta's office, Stelle had just finished a round of testing in the simulated universe.

Stelle seemed to remember something and asked Herta, "By the way, I heard that Gu Tang rejected the blessing of the Erudition Star God. Is that true?"

"Oh, that? Actually, at the time, the Erudition's blessing was repelled by his brain," Herta replied casually.

"Uh, what???" Stelle was utterly confused.

"Haha, it seems Gu Tang is a 'Mental Insulator.' Not even the Erudition Star God could change that," Herta chuckled.

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"By the way, I need to borrow this netherfire for a while. I have a plan that can help the Space Station people break free from their blind faith in geniuses—at least partially," Ratio said, shaking the lantern in his hand.

"I don't mind, just don't let it escape again," Gu Tang waved his hand dismissively.

"Thanks. Hmm… But I mainly came to the Space Station to give a lecture," Ratio said with a troubled expression.

Gu Tang immediately patted his chest. "If it's a lecture, I'll do it for you."

He had never given a lecture before, so he wanted to take this rare opportunity to try it out.

Ratio gave a light smile and handed over a thick stack of documents. "Then I'll leave it to you. This is the relevant material. You should be able to grasp it all at once, right?"

Gu Tang accepted the thick stack of documents and confidently said, "Of course. I guarantee you'll have a perfect lecture."

"I owe you one. Feel free to come to the Erudition Society or the First Truth University sometime. I know a great hot spring planet," Ratio said to him.

…

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In one of the rooms on the Space Station, staff members had arrived early and were fully prepared.

After all, Veritas Ratio, a genius with countless brilliant achievements, was supposed to deliver the lecture.

His lecture was sure to be valuable and packed with insights!

That was what the staff firmly believed.

Then Gu Tang walked in and stood at the podium.

The staff: "???"

"Hello, everyone. Ratio couldn't make it, so I'll be filling in for him," Gu Tang said to the crowd.