SoulLand:Ascending to Godhood through Science

Inside a medium-sized laboratory at Spirit City's Third Research Institute, a group of young researchers wearing lab uniforms weren't conducting experiments. Instead, they pretended to be crunching data while actually playing cards.

Yes, cards.

The Douluo world originally had no such thing, and its origin—and "inventor"—needed no explanation.

The researchers knew their supervisor detested such games. After all, "cards" were invented by none other than the man their supervisor loathed the most. If caught, they knew the consequences would go far beyond mere salary deductions.

Of course, slacking off by playing cards in the lab was outrageous from the start.

However, in this particular lab, it was oddly normal.

Besides the three playing cards, the rest of the research groups weren't engaged in their projects either. All were blatantly idling.

The lab's poor work ethic reflected its leadership. The research supervisor himself spent his work hours reading explicit literature instead of focusing on experiments.

That said, this lab wasn't an outlier. In recent years, many research labs across Spirit City exhibited similar laziness.

The reason was simple: the man who had once revolutionized their field had left behind an insurmountable legacy. Most projects now merely extended or reworked his breakthroughs. However, under orders from the current Supreme Pontiff, many of his works had been suppressed.

In essence, trying to innovate without referencing his contributions was like studying classical mechanics while ignoring Newton's laws—a futile endeavor.

But this particular supervisor had a different reason for his inaction.

After being utterly defeated by You Chen in a competition years ago, José had given up entirely.

"Damn You Chen… serves him right, serves him right, hehehe."

José, the research supervisor, sat at his desk, chuckling madly.

The strange sound, paired with the risqué cover of the book he held, could easily lead to unsavory rumors.

In truth, the book wasn't explicit literature at all.

It was one of You Chen's academic papers!

To José, being caught reading You Chen's work was more humiliating than being mistaken for indulging in vulgar materials.

Having lost to You Chen years ago, José's career had plummeted after a subsequent experimental failure. His resources were drastically cut, deepening his resentment toward You Chen.

Despite his bitterness, José couldn't resist the pull of You Chen's papers.

This phenomenon wasn't unique to José. Many in the academic community harbored a twisted fascination with You Chen. They privately studied his works while publicly deriding him, forming a hidden network of scholars both admiring and despising him.

Everyone in the lab was idling, and groups took turns watching their supervisor's movements to avoid being caught slacking.

Ironically, this vigilance made them the first to notice a black-robed figure wearing a faceless mask boldly approaching José.

Had they been immersed in their work, they might not have noticed until it was too late. But their idleness heightened their awareness.

Unfortunately, by the time they realized what was happening, it was already too late.

The masked figure moved with terrifying speed, appearing behind José and grabbing his head like an apple.

"Hmm?"

José barely had time to furrow his brows at the pressure on his skull before his head burst like a rotten tomato.

If José had known it was his long-despised "idol," You Chen, who ended his life, he might have died feeling conflicted satisfaction.

The researchers screamed in terror, but when they looked again, the masked figure had vanished.

---

Not everyone who opposed You Chen became twisted admirers.

The next day, You Chen passed by another laboratory and noticed Professor Placido on stage, lambasting You Chen's supposed errors.

Placido proclaimed that while You Chen's contributions appeared significant, they were actually regressive, hindering progress.

Placido's open use of "forbidden texts" was a clear sign of his allegiance to the Supreme Pontiff.

Maintaining his bold approach, You Chen walked directly onto the stage.

In front of a stunned audience, he twisted Placido's head off and calmly walked away.

---

Two consecutive murders in Spirit City's research institute sent shockwaves through the community.

The city's law enforcement teams scrambled to respond, immediately launching investigations.

However, before they could gather significant leads from José's murder, Placido's death followed.

Red-Clad Archbishop Salamander, furious with their inefficiency, demanded results within three days.

The unreasonable deadline left the enforcement teams in disarray.

"The killer's targets are both researchers. Could this be a rival faction targeting promising projects?"

"No, José hadn't produced anything new in twenty years and was just coasting. He's hardly a valuable target."

"Ha, a leech on Spirit Hall's resources. Good riddance. What about Placido?"

"Placido was less a researcher and more someone obsessed with finding flaws in You Chen's old works to attack him."

"Enough of this discussion."

The lead investigator wisely ended the conversation, shifting focus.

"The killer's appearance is obscured by a mask. All w

e know is he's approximately 1.9 meters tall—a male adult. What matters more is his method of killing."