Star Dome Railway, I am surrounded by strange things!

"Hey, do you know how many calls I've received tonight? People all over the universe are looking for you. After failing to find you, they all turned around and finally came to me. What are you doing at the Black Tower Space Station? The key to the path of knowledge? Is this true or not?"

Looking at this innocent friend who was implicated, Jiang Yan also said with a smile:

"It's true. Speaking of which, this inspiration stems from your power relationship with diamonds."

If it were someone else, Topa would have thought they were joking or talking nonsense, but if it was this ruthless master... Topa quickly emphasized:

"Hey, hey, hey, don't talk nonsense. If someone impeaches me for this at the next department roundtable meeting, I won't admit it."

"What? Do you want me to record a disclaimer in advance saying, 'This inspiration comes from Mr. Gold Dust'?"

Topa was so amused by Jiang Yan's joke that he trembled with laughter:

"Haha, that's not necessary. Thanks to you, I'm at home and have already raked in a huge commission. But I won't accept a favor for nothing. While they're desperate, I've compiled a list of their demands and goals and will send it to you later, Mr. Galaxy Heartthrob!"

Jiang Yan was in awe of Topa's miraculous maneuvering. Most ordinary people, faced with a plethora of connections, would simply avoid them, even if they weren't just looking for a few perks. How many people, faced with this kind of sudden crisis, could immediately think of using rhetoric and turning it into leverage?

"Thank you so much! I'll treat you to dinner later."

Time was running out, so Jiang Yan certainly had no time to chat with Topa. He quickly ended the call and immediately started looking through the information she sent him.

Looking at the request list that this workplace legend of Interstellar Peace Company had sorted out according to power and purpose in a short period of time, he was shocked by the ideas of these uninvited guys.

The Polytechnic Society wanted to send a group of scholars as temporary staff members, and many at the Interstellar Peace Company hoped to maximize the valuation of the space station as a testament to their support... These ideas weren't excessive. But their leader, Veritas Latio, was actually trying to acquire this technology at a significant price. That was a bit outrageous.

Knowledge should be shared, and so should truth?

Then it’s time to show you what a real lion’s mouth looks like!

Oops, I'm Being Haunted by a Genius!: Chapter 175: High Price Tickets

If one were to ask which organization in the universe could offer the highest price for the Key of Inspiration, both Jiang Yan and Esther would first think of the Polymath Society.

Even without a genius leading and taking charge, with the help of the "company's" strong strength and cross-world mobile technology, the Polytechnic Society still relies on the method of cultivating knowledge as land and trading it as a commodity, gathering a vast amount of knowledge and talents in the universe, and becoming an organization that even geniuses have to take seriously.

However, while the convergence of wisdom can bring endless knowledge and wealth, it cannot allow anyone to take even one more step on the path of knowledge. Without the qualifications to move forward, the recognition gained in exchange for one's best efforts is ultimately just a saying: "Geniuses have their own way of living, and mediocre people have their own self-sufficiency." That's all.

In this situation, how much can a lighthouse that illuminates the way forward, the dream of all intellectual practitioners, be priced at?

Are you kidding me? How can something as sacred as destiny be desecrated through buying and selling?

We are only responsible for telling stories, and then we can wait for them to come up with their own "sincerity" and move us.

However, Jiang Yan felt that storytelling was not his strong point, so at this time, it was time for the chief representative of the Tianbosi Merchant Group to step in:

"Help me, sister!"

Facing Jiang Yan's pleading words, Tingyun wanted to say, "I've been 'dead' for two years. Can this character be turned over a new leaf?"

However, facing the emotions that Jiang Yan actively fed into her mouth, she, as an energy creature, had absolutely no resistance in this regard. By the time she reacted, she was so full that she had no reason to refuse, so she had to continue to do the work for her brother.

With the help of this immortal ship sales champion who, simply for the sake of character creation, had single-handedly broken the Interstellar Peace Company's dominance over the galactic trade routes and connected sixteen worlds, a complete brand story, including everyone's "role," was soon thrown into the three-person group, leaving Estelle and Yuluo with only shouts of "666":

"You're amazing! My company is in need of a capable general manager who won't annoy me. Do you want to give it a try?"

"I've long heard that the chief representative of the Minghuo Merchant Group is a rare business genius. Today, I finally got to see some of that from you, Xiao Jiang. It's no wonder you have such a long family background! If your sister saw your current abilities, she would definitely be very pleased."

Faced with such praise, how could Jiang Yan have the nerve to accept it?

A business genius? I'm just being teased in that fox den of Tianbosi, okay?

He didn't know whether he would be relieved or not if he continued to be praised like this, but his sister, who was unhappy about it, would probably comfort him again.

So after casually responding with a few words, Jiang Yan decisively said good night. After clearing away his worries after a battle with Sam, he fell asleep with a peaceful mind, ready to face the upcoming big show.

He was calm, but the seekers who were hooked by his key and became black carp were not calm.

After countless urgent discussions, countless spaceships had already rushed madly along the star tracks from all directions of the starry sea.

How great is the temptation on the road ahead? How could Jiang Yan, who has already opened the door, know it better than those who are still lingering in front of the door?

If you are late, not to mention participating in the press conference, it will be a problem whether you can squeeze into the star field!

Their idea was absolutely correct. Just a few hours after Estelle released the news, the exchange delegation from the Bozhi Society, which had quickly dealt with the opposition and the competitors, had already broken through the defense:

"Flash Sequence 1,345? Estimated Time 12 System Hours? Where do all these academic groups come from? Why are they so fast?"

Roses, a famous professor of the synesthesia school, paced anxiously back and forth in the hall of the bridge. From time to time, he looked up at the slowly decreasing warp sequence on the big screen, turned his head to look at the unchanging scenery outside the viewing window, and finally grabbed his hair with both hands and complained madly.

In this universe, not having the power of destiny will affect more than just combat effectiveness and lifespan; even the path to knowledge will often be cruelly cut off.

Instruments are not omnipotent, and assistants are not omnipotent either. What is the point of an experimenter who cannot perceive or observe the subtle changes in imaginary forces, no matter how powerful his theoretical knowledge is?

Countless talented scholars have been cruelly rejected by their own research directions, or have been unable to make any progress after reaching a certain level. The professor in front of us is one of them.

What’s the difference between not being able to continue your research and being dead?

In order to continue on the intellectual path and to be able to continue his research, he has long been prepared to give up everything. How can he accept an outcome that ends foolishly at the starting point before everything even begins?

"Because they don't need to deal with a bunch of self-aware idiots first, and then deal with a bunch of ignorant idiots before they can set off, and the academy has the most of these people." Professor Latio, who was sitting in a chair, put down his coffee cup and said coldly.

Obviously, he was not in a very good mood at the moment.

"Those damn idiots!"

When Latio mentioned the despicable deeds before the trip, Professor Roses became furious. He slapped the wall of the bridge hard and cursed angrily.

The strength of the Society of Knowledge comes from the equality and unity among scholars, but as a price, vulgarity and compromise are inevitably ironically growing in this place where the smartest minds in the universe gather.

Due to their close partnership with the space station, when Ester's announcement reached the Polytechnic Society, a group of clever individuals not only failed to capitalize on this precious time to seize the initiative, but instead, with extreme "efficiency," restricted any private contact with the space station under the name of a single school, preventing the interests of the entire society from being compromised. They even attempted, through lengthy discussions, to define the scope of benefits that could be exchanged with the space station, ultimately resulting in an endless argument over who would be allowed to participate in the exchange group.

Fortunately, the top brass of the Society of Knowledge weren't hopelessly stupid. Perhaps it was the legendary "House of Ordinary People," which brought together the society's strongest minds, that wielded its might, and all objections collapsed under Professor Latio's sharp words. He was eventually able to lead an exchange group composed of renowned scholars from various schools to the Black Tower Space Station to witness for themselves whether the facts were as these mysterious immortals had said. They had created landmarks and miracles never before seen in the path of knowledge.

But even so, they were seriously delayed and not only would they not be able to take the initiative, but even this opportunity would be completely shattered in the long wait.

"What should we do now? Latio, you look like you have another solution."

Being elected as a communication representative by such a huge organization as the Society of Knowledge, Roses was naturally not a fool, and he quickly discovered Latio's abnormality.

Roses certainly understood this talented colleague. If there was really no other way, he would never wait here meaninglessly. Instead, he would directly order the spacecraft to return in the name of the head of the delegation, saving time to continue his research.

"What can we do? When we tolerated those idiots' two systems, the result was irreversible. Our relationship with the space station cannot affect the jump sequence of the Milky Way."

"However, I believe there is a gambler who will not miss this opportunity. After all, I can be of some use to him."

"Gambler?" Rosseth asked suspiciously.

As soon as he finished speaking, Latio's portable terminal rang with a contact request. He opened the communication without any surprise or hesitation and said indifferently:

"Tell me, gambler, what do you want?"

On the other end of the line, the Strategic Investment Department official with seven-colored eyes responded with his characteristic exaggerated expression:

"You make me sad, Professor. I just want to make friends with the famous Veritas Latio."

During this time, Shajin had been trying to win Latio over to his plans, but with limited success. After all, for this scholar, renowned even within the Society of Knowledge, ordinary power and wealth were clearly meaningless. Most civilizations would gladly offer these coveted possessions, simply to have him conduct a research project in their region.

However, Gold Dust did not give up at all. He was still within the limit of Latio's patience, madly making his presence felt, and this time was no exception.

"Mind your own business, gambler. I don't need your concern."

Even though he was extremely annoyed with the gambler in front of him, through the contact they had over this period of time, Latio was also very clear about the other party's abilities.

At such a young age, he holds a high position in such a giant company as the Interstellar Peace Company. Needless to say, his ability and wisdom are self-evident.

More importantly, in terms of efficiency alone, the madness of gamblers far outweighs careful thinking. Latio doesn't think the other party will miss this great opportunity to exchange interests.

This idea was absolutely correct. Even in the face of his rejection, Shajin simply shook his head and said, half explaining, half demonstrating his ability:

"That's not the case. As the Director of the Strategic Investment Department, I won't miss any sure-win deals. It's just that this time, I was lucky as always, and the chips I got just happened to be useful to you."

This was not a lie. Out of lingering fear of Jiang Yan's ability to make things happen, Sha Jin had paid special attention to what happened at the Black Tower Space Station since Jiang Yan arrived there.

After discovering Ester's shocking announcement at the first time, he allocated all the transportation resources he could without hesitation, and ordered them to go to the jump node in their star field and start applying for a jump to the Azure Star Field in the next few hours, as well as an application for airport entry into the Black Tower Space Station.

Having successfully become an interstellar scalper, he initially wasn't expecting the Polytechnic Society, despite its close partnership with the space station, to be so slow to act, or even to leverage that relationship to seize the initiative. However, this didn't stop him from preparing to sell his warp sequence and reserved berth for a good price once he discovered Latio needed it.

"Damn my luck!" Latio complained unhappily.

As a scholar who viewed and considered the world rationally, he couldn't accept the other person's luck, which defied any scientific principle, and even more so, his "self-introduction" of shooting himself in the chest three times upon meeting him. This guy's existence was a denial of his own self-consistent worldview.

But unfortunately, in the face of the ideal he had been pursuing for a long time, Latio could only tolerate this guy's existence and demands for the time being, and turned to calmly ask:

"I heard that you recently dealt with that mysterious immortal shipman on Yalilo VI. How well does he control his intellectual power? Is it possible for him to do something like this?"

Facing Latio's question, Gold Sand smiled wryly and said:

"At least before he left Yalilo 6, I didn't find any signs of him opening the path to knowledge."

"But, Professor, since you can accept my good fortune, why not accept the miracle of my friend? No matter what unreasonable things happen to him, I won't be surprised anymore."

Gold Dust's firm assessment, unfounded in reason and facts, made Latio frown.

Another gambler?

Damn, isn’t it enough that there is only one person like this in this universe?

But this answer wasn't essential to him. The mere fact that this press conference was being held at the Black Tower Station was enough for him and the entire Polytechnic Society to take it seriously. After all, no one could imagine a con artist daring to so brazenly and openly deceive on Lady Black Tower's territory. Deceiving in the name of intelligence before the Envoy of the Intellectual Order? That's not the way to seek death.

After learning from Shajin that the other party was not a pure seeker of knowledge and that a simple exchange of knowledge would not be enough to complete the transaction, Latio replied coldly:

"If you win the bet, I'll go to Pinocchio. But please note, I can't guarantee that when the time comes, I won't betray you for greater benefits."

Faced with this long-awaited answer, Shajin said excitedly:

"Of course, no problem. Please wait and see. I will always make sure to bid the highest, Latio."

After that, he sent two long strings of appointment verification keys:

"I wish you a pleasant stay with my friend."

Imagining the new friend he had finally made was being made to doubt his life by his old friend, Sha Jin rarely showed a sincere smile and ended the call very readily.

In this time of racing against time, why waste time on a fish that's already been hooked? Even if I have to give half of the chips I've got to Topa, there's still plenty left!

On the other side, after Latio sent the key given to him by the gold sand to the captain, soon, amid cheers, the four-digit sequence turned into a two-digit number. Soon after, with the huge impact brought by a jump, the exchange group finally ended their arduous wait and successfully arrived at the Azure Star Region.

Looking at the scene before him, which looked like a cosmic war and with ships filling the sky within the star field, the value of the second friendship fee from the gold sand was undoubtedly verified.

The Black Tower Space Station is not a planetary logistics port. Even large ships need to be docked via space shuttles. Faced with docking requests from all directions, it can only honestly play it down:

—You can dock, but only for short periods, in the same four-digit order. After unloading, you can leave as you please. The spacecraft will find a safe place to wait for the arrival of passengers. If you are short on time, you can only stay in the spacecraft and watch the live broadcast.

If it were normal times, as the most important partner of the space station, it would not be a problem for the Boshi Society to cut in line.

But when a group of people like this are about to explode in their mentality, who would dare to openly incite hatred?

At this time, the "scalper tickets" that Latio bought at a high price came in handy. When the spacecraft successfully docked at the airport, there was still some time before the press conference started, which finally made all the members of the exchange group breathe a sigh of relief.

What surprised them even more was that when the hatch opened, they discovered that the station commander, Esther, who was supposed to be busy preparing for the press conference, was already waiting on the platform:

As important partners, the Space Station and the important figures of the Polytechnic Institute were no strangers to each other. As soon as the exchange group stepped out of the cabin, Estelle came to greet them:

"Professor Latio, I'm glad you can attend this press conference."

However, at this moment, Latio was unable to respond to Ester's greeting immediately, because his eyes were fixed on the waist of the young man next to Ester, a key that was enough to attract all his attention.

At this moment, his heart was full of excitement.

Is this what they call "no sign of opening the path to knowledge"?

Go to hell, you lying liar!

Oops, I'm being haunted by a genius! : Chapter 176 A Key

Everyone in the Academy knows that Professor Latio is only one key away from a fulfilling life.

When he demonstrated incredible intelligence at a young age and wrote several influential papers, many believed he was bound to be the next member of the genius club;

When he lived up to everyone's expectations and made outstanding contributions in a wide range of disciplines, including biology, medicine, natural theology, philosophy, mathematics, physics, engineering, and planetary energy, during his time at the university, becoming a lecturer in fifty-two courses at the First Truth University, everyone who knew him believed that once Professor Latio completed a work worthy of his talent, the temple of truth would surely open its doors to him.

However, even though Professor Latio never wasted his talent, and was unanimously accepted as a member of the Society of Knowledge with his world-shaking discoveries one after another, and soon became one of the Society's signature figures, the invitation he had been eagerly awaiting since childhood still did not arrive.

Discovery after discovery, paper after paper, invention after invention... Until Latio followed the example of Calderon Chadwick, the 79th member of the Genius Club, and successfully developed a powerful anti-planet weapon in conjunction with the Interstellar Peace Company, and the gods remained unmoved, he finally realized the cruel fact - he was not chosen by the Master of Knowledge.

After heavy sighs and self-mockery, Latio reconciled with his first half of life, and transformed from a fierce, profound and passionate "genius" to the "Doctor of Truth" today.

However, when Latio felt the "Key of Knowledge" that he had long dreamed of around Jiang Yan's waist, he painfully realized that he had never let it go, but was just trying not to think about it.

The magical material based on truth that cannot be observed by the naked eye, and the powerful intellectual force flowing through it at all times, this extremely distinctive characteristic allowed Latio to immediately recognize the strange object on the waist of the young man in front of him. It was the invitation letter he had been seeking all his life.

He had spent the first half of his life with one goal in mind—joining the Genius Club. He had read the description of this invitation countless times, imagining the scene of receiving it himself. However, he had never imagined that the moment he actually saw the key, he would feel such bitterness.

Where did this young man, who looked like he'd just reached adulthood, come from? Just how many scientific achievements did he have? Were they really more than mine?