Everyone's playing Red Giant? I, Black Hole, devour everything!

About two hours later.

As the sky outside the porthole gradually transitioned from late night to dawn, a vast complex of buildings appeared on the horizon.

That is Xinghua University.

Even viewed from above, the campus is still ridiculously large.

The endless green trees, the well-arranged teaching buildings and research institutes, and the observation towers at the foot of the distant mountains.

It's less like a university and more like a small, independent city.

The aircraft landed on a dedicated helipad on the west side of Xinghua University.

The moment the hatch opened, a rush of fresh air rushed in.

Lu Xuejian followed Lin Tian off the aircraft, her eyes involuntarily sweeping around.

Xinghua University was much bigger than she had imagined.

And it's not just about area.

That kind of profound heritage, accumulated over a century and nurturing countless top observers, is something that no luxurious building can replace.

Chen Wang walked ahead, introducing himself to the two as he went.

"Xinghua University was founded 102 years ago, which was the second year after the will of the universe descended upon Earth."

"At that time, the Great Xia Kingdom had just come into contact with the observer system, and the whole country was exploring how to cultivate observer talents."

"Xinghua University was established that year—the country spared no effort to gather the nation's top observers and scientists here."

His tone revealed an undisguised pride.

"Later, Xinghua University never participated in any rankings."

"It's not because it lacks strength; quite the opposite, it's because its strength has transcended the significance of ranking."

"The two most prestigious universities in China, Kyoto Star University and the Federal First Military Academy, poach many graduates from Xinghua University every year, but no one has ever been able to take away Xinghua University's profound heritage."

Lu Xuejian listened attentively, while Lin Tian remained silent as always.

However, Chen Wang knew that although the young man didn't speak, he must be plotting something in his mind.

The three walked along a wide, tree-lined path into the depths of the campus.

After walking for about ten minutes, a gray administrative building came into view.

"This is the academic affairs center." Chen Wang pushed open the glass door. "We'll process your enrollment procedures first."

There weren't many people in the lobby.

After all, it's only a little past six o'clock, and most students are still sleeping in the observation chamber or in their dormitories.

The person on duty was a middle-aged woman in her forties.

"Teacher Liu, could you please process two enrollment procedures?" Chen Wang stepped forward and handed over two pre-admission notices.

Teacher Liu raised her head, her gaze lingering on Chen Wang for a second before falling on Lin Tian and Lu Xuejian behind him.

Her movements suddenly stopped.

"Teacher Chen...and who is this?"

"Lin Tian," Chen Wang said casually, "the one who triggered the black hole route a while ago, you should have heard of him."

Teacher Liu's mouth opened slightly.

Of course she had heard of it.

It's not just that people have heard of him—now, everyone at Xinghua University, from the president to the cleaning lady, knows the name Lin Tian.

Black hole routes, tests of cosmic will, quasars... each of these is enough to leave a significant mark on the history of the Great Xia Kingdom.

And now, this legendary boy stands right in front of her.

"Lin... Lin, it's an honor to meet you." There was a hint of barely perceptible excitement in Teacher Liu's voice.

But having worked at Xinghua University for over a decade and seen many big events, she quickly regained her composure.

"Thank you for your help, teacher." Lin Tian's voice was very soft.

The procedures were completed very quickly.

Teacher Liu operated the light screen for a while, and then handed the two documents to Lin Tian and Lu Xuejian respectively.

"Lin, your student status has been entered into the system. As for your professorship and appointment as head of the Black Hole Research Institute—"

She paused for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, "It needs to be handled separately at the Research Management Office. Director Wang there is already waiting for you."

Thank you.

……

The three left the academic affairs center, turned a few corners, and arrived in front of an even more impressive building.

Research Management Office.

There are significantly more people in this building than in the academic affairs center.

Moreover, many people showed the exact same expression as Teacher Liu the moment they saw Lin Tian.

surprise.

Then came the excitement.

"Lin Tian! I'm so glad to finally see you!"

Director Wang was an old man in his fifties, with most of his hair already gray, but he was in good spirits and spoke in a loud voice, as if he were shouting commands on a playground.

He stood up and shook hands firmly with Lin Tian.

"That kid Chen Wang has been talking about you for days, saying you're a once-in-a-century genius. I didn't quite believe it at the time, but now that I've seen you in person, I believe it."

Lin Tian smiled but didn't reply.

Director Wang didn't mind, took a document from the drawer, and spread it on the table.

"This is the appointment letter for the highest-ranking person in charge of the Black Hole Research Institute! Sign it, and you will become the youngest research institute director in the history of Xinghua University, and the only person to hold the position of director while still a student."

Lin Tian's gaze swept across the documents.

The terms were very clear, exactly the same as what Chen Wang had promised before.

Research autonomy, personnel appointment rights, and funding control—all belong to him personally.

He picked up the pen and signed his name on the last page.

Looking at his signature, Director Wang suddenly sighed, "The younger generation is truly formidable."

After all the formalities were completed, Chen Wang checked the time: "That's about it. The research institute is still waiting for you."

Lin Tian was slightly taken aback: "Waiting for what?"

"A welcome party, huh?" Chen Wang's tone held a hint of helpless amusement. "Those guys heard you were coming and insisted on having a welcome ceremony; I couldn't stop them!"

……

The Black Hole Research Institute is an independent research park located on the north side of Xinghua University.

The entire research institute covers a vast area and consists of three connected buildings: a theoretical research laboratory, an observation and data center, and an experimental verification center.

The welcome reception was held in the conference room, which is located at the end of the experimental verification center.

Since the event was specifically for Lin Tian, ​​Lu Xuejian and Chen Wang did not go together.

There are already more than thirty people sitting here, all of whom are the top scholars in the field of astrophysics in the Great Xia Kingdom.

The moment Lin Tian walked into the conference room, everyone stood up from their seats.

"Professor Lin, welcome." An elderly professor with gray hair spoke first.

Others also chimed in.

They were all looking forward to this "pioneer of the black hole route," this professor who was only eighteen years old.

The elderly professor who spoke first had gray hair and looked to be at least sixty years old, but he was in good spirits.

He smiled and extended his hand to Lin Tian: "Professor Lin, my name is Zhou Haiming. I have worked in the research institute for more than 30 years. I always thought I would never live to see the black hole route succeed. I never thought I would be able to see you before I retire."

Lin Tian shook hands with him: "Professor Zhou, you're too kind. I was just lucky."

"Luck?" Zhou Haiming shook his head, a profound meaning in his smile. "More than thirty years of research, the hard work of countless people, cannot be summarized by a single word: luck."

Lin Tian didn't say anything more, and just then—

A voice suddenly came from behind the crowd.

"Wait, wait—I haven't seen it yet!"

The sound was as clear and crisp as a small bell, carrying an undisguised curiosity and excitement.

The crowd automatically parted to both sides, making way for them.

Then, a young woman pushed her way out from the back of the crowd.

She is a little over 1.6 meters tall, with waist-length, naturally curly hair that looks fluffy and makes you want to reach out and ruffle it.

Her features were exquisite, her skin was so white it looked like you could squeeze water out of it, and her eyes were especially big and bright, like a little fox.

"You're Lin Tian?" Her gaze fell directly on Lin Tian.

Then he tilted his head, as if he had seen something interesting, and the corners of his mouth slowly curved up.

Lin Tian paused for a moment, then nodded: "Yes."

"Wow, you're much more handsome than in the photos! I thought you'd be one of those wrinkled old scholars—Professor Zhou, don't glare at me, I wasn't talking about you!"

Zhou Haiming shook his head helplessly behind her, clearly used to her personality.

"My name is Su Li." She took two steps forward and extended her hand to Lin Tian. "The youngest professor in the research institute! But now that you're here, I have to take second place."