Chapter 2132: Seeking Life

However, he knew that that number would soon grow even higher in the long run once he started triggering breakthroughs in the training manifold. After his meeting with Alice, he ran into all of the first and second-generation members of the original Quarrier Orphanage. It was pleasant, yet bittersweet to Rui in the back of his head.

It reminded him of human mortality. Each of them had gray or white hair and a face full of wrinkles.

Yet they each possessed eyes of peace and serenity.

It wasn't easy living in an orphanage, but things had gotten easier, especially after Rui had become a Martial Artist, and Julian had become a research scholar at the Kandrian Institute of Sciences. The two supplied the orphanage with as much money as they needed and more. They had managed to live a meaningful life, dedicating themselves to giving a home and family to children who had neither.

It was difficult to not grow satisfied when seeing the crystallization of their efforts flourish so well.

"You seem to be doing a little better since the last time I saw you." Julian smiled at him knowingly. "Although, it doesn't appear as though you've fully overcome your dilemma, from what I can tell."

Rui's expression fell a little. "It hasn't been easy. But, I'm on a path to overcoming it."

"Good." Julian sipped a bit of tea. "Direction is all one needs. I'm glad you seem to have found yours."

Rui gazed at him silently, noting how much he had changed now that he was in his late forties.

"You should stop doing that."

Rui raised an eyebrow. "Doing what?"

Julian directed a knowing gaze at him. "Silently dreading our impending demise."

Rui winced at his words, smiling bitterly. "I'm the Martial Master between us, you know?"

Julian chuckled at him. "And I've watched you your entire life. If anything, rather than dreading our mortality, you should be glad that everyone has lived their life out to the fullest, that they will be able to pass without any regrets."

Rui stirred at his words.

That was true.

Although he still missed his mother, he was glad that she had lived a life that allowed her to pass away without any regrets.

"I, for one, am thoroughly enjoying working under the Divine Doctor," Julian remarked. "He is just as impressive as the legends say. The sheer depth of knowledge he has is truly amazing. He far surpasses modern medicine. It is a shame he isn't very interested in spending time on passing his knowledge to the world."

Julian had expressed interest in working under the Divine Doctor when Rui had informed him of the opportunity with the greatest doctor humanity had ever produced.

It was not just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

No.

One could live many lifetimes and never come even close to gaining such an opportunity.

Thus, for the past three years, he had been aiding the Divine Doctor in researching the alien lifeform.

"The past three years have elevated my understanding of what is possible," Julian remarked absentmindedly. "They have altered my worldview of the entire universe."

He narrowed his eyes. "We are not alone."

Rui gazed at him knowingly.

Perhaps the revelation did not hit him as hard due to the fact that he had grown up believing he had been from another world. Thus, the revelation of more worlds was less impactful on him.

However, he could understand why Julian had been truly shaken by the revelation.

"If there are two planets with complex, intelligent life, then there is an overwhelmingly high probability that there exist more planets with simpler forms of life. I have spent many sleepless nights pondering the possibilities." Julian heaved a regretful sigh. "Alas, there is too much to explore, not enough time in all the world to explore it."

Rui sensed regret and resignation in the depths of Julian's mind with his mind sense. He came to the realization that for all Julian told him about how the people of the orphanage lived long and satisfactory lives, he wasn't including himself in that group. His curiosity about the world had led him to become a scientist, researching the mysteries of Gaia.

"It isn't impossible for you to be able to live longer, you know?" Rui informed him. "I could fetch you a life-prolonging potion at this very moment."

Julian's expression grew serious. "Tempting, but no. I do not want to live on time that I haven't earned. I am striving to redeem a potion with my own merits. I do not want to feel like a useless man who would not be here without the grace of his little brother."

"Well, suit yourself." Rui shrugged.

"That's remarkably understanding of you. I thought you would put a much stronger resistance to my choice, insisting that I take one regardless."

That was what had been Rui's first instinct indeed.

However, he had realized that there was no need. He knew that once his father began using the Elder Tree Connection to the absolute maximum, the supply of life-prolonging potions would increase by at least an order of magnitude, if not much more. This meant that there was ten times the chance that his brother would be able to get his hands on one.

Given how brilliant he was, there was no doubt that the Empire would invest in him so that his genius could benefit the entire empire for another century.

"I'm certain that you will be able to redeem one with your own merits, that's why." Rui smiled mysteriously. "Especially if you keep up the great work with the alien research that you're partaking in at the moment."

Julian raised an eyebrow. "Well, I appreciate your confidence. However, it won't be easy. Much of the existing supply is limited to the Emperor and the Martial Sages, followed by Martial Masters like yourself. Us non-Martial Artists have to compete for a much more diminished supply of potions. I will have to work extremely hard to have any chance at getting one."