Theoretically, if one possessed an incredibly vast amount of True Essence, the simulated universe might even completely break free from its virtual constraints and transform into a truly existing world.
However, the amount of True Essence required for that would be an astronomical figure, truly daunting.
After exiting the simulated universe, Ju Zi tightly clutched the Honkai Crystal in her hand, her shock refusing to subside.
"It actually worked! I can really take a real item out of a virtual world!"
At this moment, she deeply realized that she had still underestimated Lu Jingming's unfathomable power and capabilities.
Recalling the tyrannical and cruel Xu Tianran, and then comparing him to Lu Jingming, it was like the difference between clouds and mud.
She couldn't help but inwardly mock herself, for having been so frightened and on edge because of Xu Tianran all these days, living in constant anxiety.
Now it seemed she had been utterly ridiculous. As long as she calmly focused on her own tasks and perfectly completed the missions Lu Jingming assigned, everything she had ever dreamed of would naturally fall into her hands.
Ju Zi took a deep breath, calming her excited heart, then carefully placed the Honkai Crystal back into her storage soul tool. She tidied her clothes, ready to return to the laboratory and resume her soul tool research.
"Ju Zi, where did you run off to? I've been looking for you forever!" Suddenly, a clear, sweet voice called from behind her.
Ju Zi turned around to see a short, red-haired girl happily running towards her. Joy sparkled in the girl's eyes, and her tone was full of affection.
"Nowhere special, just wandered around a bit. Let's go back, Ke Ke." Ju Zi looked at the red-haired girl before her, a gentle smile appearing on her face.
From their interaction, it was clear their relationship was very close, like that of actual sisters.
"Did you hear, Ju Zi? Dean Jing Hongchen's grandson and granddaughter also joined our academy! I heard they're both super geniuses, already Level 4 Soul Engineers at just eleven years old!" Ke Ke's eyes sparkled, her voice full of awe and envy.
"Oh? Level 4 Soul Engineers? That truly is exceptionally gifted talent; the academy must be quite stirred up!" A hint of surprise flashed in Ju Zi's eyes upon hearing this.
To become a Level 4 Soul Engineer at eleven years old, logically, their soul power level should be at least that of a high-level Soul Elder, or perhaps even have reached the Soul Sect realm.
However, Ju Zi knew that most Soul Engineers in the Sun-Moon Empire had a habit of using elixirs to boost their strength.
As the grandson and granddaughter of the Ming De Hall Master, they would undoubtedly possess abundant resources that ordinary people couldn't hope to match.
As long as their talent wasn't too poor, coupled with the immense accumulation of resources, achieving such a feat didn't seem entirely impossible.
But in her opinion, compared to the mysterious and unfathomable Lu Jingming behind her, these so-called geniuses who had shocked the entire academy upon their enrollment seemed somewhat overshadowed.
"They did! As soon as they enrolled, the whole academy was shaken. So many teachers were scrambling to take them on as students. Only our Teacher Xuan isn't interested in them," Ke Ke said, gesticulating exaggeratedly, her expression incredibly lively.
"You know Teacher Xuan's personality. Besides soul tools, he's not interested in anything else," Ju Zi shook her head slightly, a hint of a helpless smile on her face.
"Oh, right, I forgot to ask. What are their names?" Ju Zi suddenly remembered she didn't know the names of these two geniuses, and a touch of curiosity arose in her heart.
After all, she herself had struggled for two years just to barely advance to a Level 2 Soul Engineer. This was largely thanks to the simulated universe helping her save a lot of time in finding materials, which allowed her to progress so quickly.
"I think they're called Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen. That Xiao Hongchen is so arrogant, always looking down on everyone, it's really annoying. But Meng Hongchen is really pretty, I think she's no worse than you, Ju Zi!" Ke Ke had clearly already met these two geniuses.
"Heh heh, I'm not that pretty. Why are you comparing me to her!" Ju Zi gently patted Ke Ke's shoulder, her tone playful.
"Oh, come on, Ju Zi! It's not like I haven't seen you without your glasses. Don't intentionally seal your beauty with glasses! Even with glasses, you still attract a whole bunch of admirers," Ke Ke winked mischievously, teasing her with a smile.
Ke Ke wasn't wrong. Although Ju Zi intentionally tried to hide it, her tender skin and usual lazy demeanor still attracted a large number of 'licking dogs' (a slang term for overly fawning admirers).
However, Ju Zi wasn't interested in those people. After interacting with Lu Jingming, it was hard for Ju Zi to feel that 'spark' with anyone else.
After all, everything suffers from comparison. Not to mention Lu Jingming, even Xu Tianran before he became corrupted was very excellent and considered a 'male god' by many girls in the Sun-Moon Empire.
"Hey, Ju Zi, look! It's them!" Ke Ke suddenly pointed excitedly ahead.
Ju Zi followed the direction of Ke Ke's finger and saw two young individuals, a boy and a girl, walking side by side not far away.
The boy had dazzling silver hair and a pair of unique heterochromatic eyes. His face carried an innate arrogance, as if the entire world wasn't worth his attention, clearly someone who hadn't yet experienced the harsh realities of society.
As for the girl, just as Ke Ke said, she was exceptionally beautiful.
She also had long silver hair, cascading smoothly down her back like a waterfall, all gathered to the right side and meticulously styled into a ponytail.
Her eyes were blue like the clear sky; staring at them for too long gave one a feeling of being drawn in.
The girl always wore a faint smile, completely devoid of the annoying arrogance of the silver-haired boy, instead giving off an approachable vibe.
The siblings, one arrogant like the scorching sun, the other gentle like moonlight, had completely different personalities but were equally eye-catching.
The siblings also noticed Ju Zi and Ke Ke, but didn't pay much attention, only assuming they were passing classmates. Xiao Hongchen grandiosely ignored the two girls, while Meng Hongchen merely gave them a polite smile.
Two years flew by in a flash. Since Lu Jingming's arrival in this world, Haiyuan City (Ocean Abyss City) had undergone several expansions and was now completely transformed.
The city's scale had rapidly expanded, its area multiplying several times, and a dazzling array of soul tools could be seen everywhere, overwhelming the senses.
Looking up, small soul-guided airships patrolled orderly above Hǎiyuān City. Between the tall buildings, soul-guided screens were ubiquitous.
At this moment, a concert performance by a stunningly beautiful girl was playing on the screens.
The girl's light purple hair was like a dreamlike silk ribbon, and she wore magnificent attire, exuding elegance in every gesture.
Her singing was like a clear spring in the mountains, crisp and melodious, like a celestial melody, effortlessly drawing people into its beautiful musical world, intoxicating them beyond escape.