"This is the secret of Nova's strength," Kaisha said, looking at the glowing orb in her hand, her voice filled with awe as she listened to Hexi's excited explanations.
"I can confirm that this unknown particle is the secret to Nova's power!" Hexi continued with enthusiasm. "These particles fundamentally differentiate their bodies from the Shinhwa bodies because every neutron and proton in their cells contains these particles."
"These unknown particles each carry an unknown energy, or perhaps they are energy themselves! They even seem immune to the strong nuclear force!"
"And that's why I could separate them so easily!"
"Our understanding tells us that every proton and neutron is made up of three quarks, but these unknown particles almost forcibly insert themselves among the three quarks, combining to form protons and neutrons! The remarkable thing is that the strong force doesn't seem to affect them! I could separate these particles with minimal energy!"
"This almost overturns our scientific foundation!"
"Although we don't yet understand their specific functions, we know for certain that these particles completely neutralize the destructive effects of Void Matter, perfectly harmonizing it!"
"Due to the presence of these particles, starting from protons and neutrons, to atoms, then molecules, genes, cells, and finally the flesh and blood of their bodies, they can survive even under Nova's thousandfold gravity!"
Hexi finished her explanation, her face flushed with excitement, and took a sip of tea to calm herself.
Kaisha remained silent after hearing Hexi's conclusion. She removed the rimless glasses, put them away, and handed the particle back to Hexi before speaking slowly.
"So, what about Ethan?"
"If ordinary Nova people are this remarkable, Ethan must be even more extraordinary."
Hexi, having caught her breath with a sip of tea, replied, "Yes, Ethan is indeed different. He's much more extraordinary!"
"If we define the number of unknown particles that make up the protons and neutrons in other Nova people as one, then the number of these particles in Ethan's protons and neutrons is ten or more!"
"The composition of Ethan's protons, besides the three quarks, contains far more unknown particles than other Nova people!"
"This is likely the secret to Ethan's superior strength!"
Hexi paused, lost in thought for a moment.
"If I were to assess it, Nova people are almost like natural super genes, born as super genes!"
"No, that's not right!"
"They are super life forms!"
"Their potential far exceeds ours, the angels. If they complete their research on super genes and the subplane in the future…"
Hexi's tone grew heavy.
"They could possibly surpass the highest form of primary biological civilizations!"
(PS: The primary biological civilization forms, as defined by Divine Kaisha and the Super Seminary: pre-nuclear era, space age, god-making era, and finally, the super-god form! The angel civilization is in the super-god form! Of course, the Shinhwa civilization was too before its destruction!)
Divine Kaisha's voice came slowly, tinged with shock.
"I understand, but there is one point I need to clarify. On planets with normal gravity or in space, they could unleash unimaginable power!"
"I even suspect they might survive in the vacuum of space with just their bodies. After all, if the destructive nature of Void Matter is suppressed by these unknown particles, electromagnetic radiation in space should also be ineffective against them!"
Hexi immediately countered, "No, they currently cannot survive in space. They are still primitive life forms and require oxygen to live! These unknown particles only enhance their physical strength. They don't give them the ability to absorb energy directly!"
"Also, their defensive abilities are not as high as one might imagine!"
Divine Kaisha nodded at Hexi's explanation, her gaze taking on a mysterious quality.
"I really want to see what Nova's future will look like!"
"What they need now is just time."
Kaisha paused, then turned to Hexi with a serious expression.
"Hexi, continue your research, but it must remain confidential. It must not be leaked, especially not to that freak, Death God Karl!"
"I have a feeling that these unknown particles are crucial for us angels. If we can unlock their secrets, we too can evolve to a higher stage!"
"I will have Kyra take two Sky Blades to the edge of the known universe where Nova is located. With the computational power of the two Sky Blades and my sacred knowledge treasury, we will block and cover that area's dark information, preventing that freak Karl from discovering this secret!"
Divine Kaisha stood up, her words carrying an undeniable authority.
Hexi quickly stood up as well, placing her right hand over her left chest and bowing to Divine Kaisha.
"Yes, Queen Kaisha!"
However, Hexi's seriousness didn't last long. After bowing, she suddenly asked, "By the way, your left wing, Angel Yan, where is she? Has she gone out to have fun?"
Divine Kaisha was somewhat exasperated by Hexi's sudden cheekiness.
"She's in seclusion!" Kaisha replied with a slight scowl.
"Seclusion again? This is the second time, isn't it?"
"Isn't Yan quite experienced? How could she slip up so easily?"
"Yan's nature still needs honing. She fell to Ethan's minor tricks! She's not ready for future responsibilities!"
Speaking of Angel Yan, Divine Kaisha's face twitched slightly.
"Tsk tsk tsk… It's been a while since I've seen you this upset. If Yan likes him, why not let her have her way?"
"Let her have her way? How? Yan carries the future on her shoulders. She might not realize it, but you should!"
"The Galaxy Force?"
Kaisha didn't answer Hexi but continued.
"Moreover, Ethan is no ordinary person. Unfortunately, he's not! He is the supreme leader of a civilization! His top priority will always be Nova!"
"He can never be the future of the angels!"
In Merlo Celestial City, at Angel Yan's residence, she sat on a sofa by the window, wearing a white dress with gold trim. Leaning against the window, a blue butterfly danced on her fingertip.
Since returning from Nova, Angel Yan had been confined by Kaisha's order.
Though called confinement, it was more like being housebound. She was forbidden from using angelic communications or the Insight Eye to gather information about the outside world, but other than that, her daily life was unchanged.
This showed Kaisha's attitude towards Angel Yan.
After playing with the butterfly for a while, finding it uninteresting, Angel Yan let it go.
She rested her face on her folded arms, gazing quietly out the window.
No one knew what she was thinking.
"Recalling a century when I was confined by Queen Kaisha, I went from hysteria to numbness."
"After the confinement, the queen asked my attitude towards men. I remember replying: 'After a hundred years, it doesn't matter anymore!'"
"Combat became my only purpose. Outside of battles, I would tease outstanding men and then leave. I found that I enjoyed it."
"Five thousand years flew by. Long but short, justice became the faith of the known universe, and the name Thunder God spread across the cosmos. Alongside it, the legend of Thunder God enjoying teasing men."
"I didn't care, even enjoyed it!"
"But until I met him…"
"I realized it was all self-deception!"
"What doesn't matter? What's not caring? It was just burying primal desires deep within!"
"Until he uncovered them!"
"Every angel goes through confinement, believing they can resist the temptation of men. We are proud, with reason to be!"
"But I know that each angel longs for love, an eternal love!"
"Our eternal lifespans make us hesitate, fearing that giving our all would end in mere dust!"
"But until I met him, I suddenly wondered, does eternity really matter?"
"No one knows if the next moment will exist! He said we can't choose our birth, but we can choose how we die!"
"The queen taught us that angels don't pursue justice for its own sake!"
"Not for dogmatic justice, but for all that is beautiful!"
"Queen Kaisha often said she couldn't stand seeing lower civilizations bullied by slightly stronger gods or civilizations. It made her unhappy!"
"But I didn't see the point!"
"He was different. He wanted me to live well, not for justice, but for myself!"
"It might be selfish, but I should fight for something for myself!"
"I don't want to regret not being brave enough, even if I might never be the most important in his heart!"
"But does it matter?"
"Like our vow of guardianship:
I am willing to be his guardian angel,
To love what he loves, think what he thinks,
To bear his pain, endure his suffering.
Whether in poverty or wealth, in lowliness or nobility,
In times of chaos, or when gods forsake us.
I am willing to fight for him, to sheathe my wings for him,
Never leaving, until forever…"