Chapter 54: Forbidden Knowledge

Jiang Lei seemed to have other urgent work to attend to. After carefully explaining all the important points to Li Nanke, he took his leave, leaving Li Nanke alone in the room, lost in thought.

He glanced at the surveillance camera in the corner of the ceiling, then picked up the roster and began matching it against the marked dream data disks.

"The Basic Classification of Forbidden Objects," "A Complete Catalogue of Pheromone Types," "On the Relationship Between Pheromones and Extraordinary Powers," "The Origins of Forbidden Objects," "The Hierarchy of Forbidden Objects"...

As he leafed through the roster, Li Nanke quickly understood. Director Frank had not been trying to make things difficult for him; the dream courses assigned were all foundational knowledge about forbidden objects. Even though this knowledge was basic, it remained absolute secrets compared to what was available to ordinary extraordinary practitioners—those people could spend fortunes and still never access such specialized information.

After all, only those who have survived a forbidden disaster truly know how dangerous these objects are. Researching them, categorizing, and summarizing related knowledge is equally perilous—every piece of expertise about forbidden objects is paid for in lives, its value beyond words.

To join a research team without even knowing the classifications or hierarchy of forbidden objects would be like trying to discuss the Riemann Hypothesis with mathematicians without knowing basic numbers—even if you were Gauss reincarnated, you’d still need a crash course.

Though Li Nanke possessed the 'blessing' of the Great Beyond, his understanding of forbidden objects and extraordinary powers was extremely shallow. The Great Beyond only demanded he survive and become stronger, but imparted nothing about extraordinary knowledge.

If he could grasp the principles behind forbidden objects and the mechanisms of extraordinary powers, it would surely aid him greatly in future dream explorations.

To wield power without understanding its nature is to never truly control one's destiny.

Li Nanke adjusted his mindset, inserted the data disk titled "The Hierarchy of Forbidden Objects" into the synchronizer, lay back on the long bench, and slowly closed his eyes...

In the dream, he found himself in a small laboratory. At the lectern stood an old man in a white lab coat, his face lean and his temples streaked with gray. His silver hair was meticulously combed, and he wore round metal-framed glasses, through which his eyes appeared deep and spirited.

The old man glanced at him, drew a marker from the pocket of his lab coat, and, while writing on the whiteboard, began, "Today we will study the hierarchy of forbidden objects..."

"Forbidden objects are divided into nine levels by their degree of danger, from lowest to highest: Safe, Cautious, Warning, Dangerous, Critical, Calamity, Catastrophe, World-Ending... and finally, the Unknown."

"The Unknown: all information and data about this forbidden object are inaccessible and unknowable. Attempting to learn them will result in uncontrollable, unpredictable large-scale disasters."

"World-Ending: as the name suggests, this is the level capable of destroying worlds. These objects cannot be contained or sealed by normal means; only through balancing mechanisms can their disasters be prevented. Forbidden objects at this level are numbered starting with zero."

"The most common example is the forbidden object known as the Second Sun, number 0-003, codename 'Eternal Sun Wheel'..."

---

"Catastrophe level objects are numbered starting with one. As the level increases, the numbering ascends. Catastrophe level represents..."

Li Nanke suddenly interrupted, "Sir, what is the number for the Unknown level?"

The old man cast him a glance. "Unknown level objects are not given public numbers, and it's not part of today's lesson. Remember, do not interrupt my lecture. If you have questions, note them down and ask after class. Let this be your only warning."

"Let us continue..."

Li Nanke activated the synchronization program, throwing his mental focus entirely into the dream. As his concentration deepened, the dream's synchronization rate soared, and the flow of dream time compared to real time grew increasingly disparate.

He was utterly absorbed in the old man's lecture, like a parched sponge finally receiving rain—intoxicated, he absorbed knowledge of forbidden objects and extraordinary powers he had never heard before.

The old man lectured for over two hours, explaining each hierarchy, the scale of disasters associated with each forbidden object class, typical containment and countermeasures, and even provided numerous real-life cases.

When Li Nanke had memorized everything and resolved his doubts, he exited the dream—only to realize he'd forgotten to ask the old man's name.

Back in the study room, only ten minutes had passed.

"A time-flow ratio nearing 13:1—no ordinary person could withstand such an extreme time difference..."

Li Nanke immediately swapped in another data disk, "The Basic Classification of Forbidden Objects," and inserted it into the synchronizer.

This dream synchronizer was not a commercial or public model, but a confidential version unavailable to outsiders. It could greatly adjust the time rate and lifted the basic synchronization limit—ordinary people could reach up to 99% synchronization.

It was also equipped with an expensive brainwave-assisted sleep device; once worn, even insomniacs could fall asleep within minutes. It was, truly, a blessing for those with sleep disorders.

Li Nanke considered sneaking the device away and retrofitting it for his own dream work—his earnings could multiply several times.

But such a thought was like an emperor using a golden hoe to farm.

Even as a basic research intern, the monthly salary was 200,000, not including generous bonuses, perks, round-the-clock self-service meals, accommodation, exclusive transport, paid leave, and the right to live in the High-Precision District.

With promotion, salaries would rise dramatically, along with free medical care, tax exemptions, gifted property, permanent residency in the High-Precision District, marriage introductions, and free education for children.

This free medical care was not the kind requiring months or years of waiting, but provided by professional teams from Gospel Biotechnology—even extraordinary practitioners could receive treatment. The education offered was from top-tier academies.

There was no denying that the Crisis Control Bureau's benefits were exceptional—backed by corporate giants and powerful family conglomerates, their resources were unmatched.

Simply changing to a low-level intern's status could bring about a complete transformation in one's quality of life.

---

Li Nanke activated the brainwave-assisted sleep device and once again drifted off, determined to absorb every precious piece of knowledge...

...

Behind the monitor, an old man in a white lab coat sat with several researchers in lab attire gathered around.

A researcher spoke up, "Director, did he not actually learn anything? Why did he switch courses after just ten minutes?"

"Director, he's from the Omniverse Path after all—shouldn't we teach him gradually? Dumping so much on him at once would overwhelm anyone, even me," a female researcher added.

"So what if he's from the Omniverse Path? Even they must master the basics."

"Switching courses so quickly—does he think he can just muddle through?"

Jiang Lei, standing nearby, frowned and retorted, "I don't think that's the case. I'm a good judge of character. Don't be fooled by Li's gentle appearance—he has a fierce determination underneath. If he pushes himself hard enough, these courses may be difficult and time-consuming, but he'll get through them all."

"And besides, the Director arranged this precisely to observe Li's attitude, to show him that, although the Omniverse Path is an outstanding talent, only through personal effort can one fully realize their potential... Director, is that correct?"

Director Frank, in his white lab coat with a marker in his breast pocket, rarely smiled, but now nodded, the wrinkles on his face deepening.

The surrounding researchers stared at Jiang Lei as if he were a ghost. Here they were, freely exchanging opinions, while he was expertly currying favor. "Brother, you think with my heart, but you use your brain against me—you truly understand the ways of the world."

The lab's academic atmosphere was beginning to shift into something less wholesome, likely thanks to Jiang Lei's influence.

Frank coughed lightly and said sternly, "Enough. Return to your research topics. Analyze the forbidden object fragments from this session. Each research mentor must submit a complete report with their team."

The researchers scattered like birds.

Director Frank had reviewed Li Nanke's detailed records—the Personnel Department of the Control Bureau conducted thorough background checks, even investigating the parties Li Nanke attended after his diagnosis, and all attendees.

He certainly knew Li Nanke had previously worked on black dream modifications.

Assigning dream courses was meant to quickly equip Li Nanke with this essential knowledge.