Phase Flame possessed the property of phase transformation.
In different fields of study, the term "phase" carried different meanings. In wave theory, it referred to a specific attribute of a wave, describing its form and positional information.
Phase transformation, then, roughly meant that when something shifted from one position to another, its phase, that is to say its form and positional information, changed along with it.
The Phase Flame was much the same. Its defining trait was that it remained in a constant state of phase transformation, its form and location perpetually shifting.
There was no need to elaborate on the changes in form. Any flame changed shape from moment to moment. As for changes in position, it meant that the flame could randomly appear anywhere in the universe, across different dimensions and spaces, in any remote corner imaginable.
The very first Phase Flame had ignited the various worlds in this manner, leaving behind many "offspring."
If one were lucky, it was entirely possible to be walking along and suddenly have a Phase Flame appear right before them. However, it would exist for only an instant. Capturing it required reaction speed of the highest order.
And one also needed the proper method to contain it, since it was capable of phase transformation.
Nolan's interest in it was not because of its phase shifting nature. After all, he himself possessed numerous spatial movement abilities.
What truly intrigued him was that the Phase Flame was an invention of Sserkal. Since she had already passed away of natural causes, this could be considered one of her relics.
With his ability "Heroic Spirit Affinity," he could completely summon Sserkal back into existence. After all, she was the one who had led an ordinary spider species into the interstellar age in just over twenty days.
With such heaven defying intellect, paired with his own strength, unrivaled beneath the Aeons and beyond even their ability to threaten him, they could traverse the galaxy freely in every sense of the word.
"I'll take this 'Phase Flame,'" Nolan said to Herta.
"Sserkal's creation? Come with me."
Herta nodded lightly, then led Nolan and Stelle toward the display case where the Phase Flame was stored.
Inside the case floated a transparent cube. Within that cube burned a pale blue flame.
The flame was clearly the Phase Flame. The transparent cube existed to restrict its phase transformations. Otherwise, it would be impossible to store.
"This thing will vanish the moment you open it. What do you want it for?"
Herta opened the display case, took down the transparent cube, and tossed it to Nolan, asking curiously.
"I have an ability that allows me to use relics as a medium to summon the soul of their long deceased owner," Nolan replied without hiding his intentions.
"Oh? You intend to resurrect Sserkal?"
Herta did not conceal her surprise.
Even the Aeon of Abundance was only occasionally rumored to grant blessings of longevity. Rarely had there been talk of truly reviving the dead.
Even if revival were possible, it often resulted in twisted monstrosities. True death, especially for those who had been gone for a long time, was rarely reversible.
Unless there existed an Aeon who grasped the concept of Time itself and could turn back the clock. That, perhaps, would make it possible.
"Not exactly resurrection. I'm merely using this as a medium to summon her soul from the time and space in which she once existed, bringing it into the present."
Nolan shook his head.
Barbara's Affection Skill did allow for resurrection, but unfortunately it only worked on beings who had died not long ago.
"To accomplish something like that… even if it is only the soul, it is indeed a continuation of life's existence. That is hardly different from resurrection."
Herta looked at Nolan thoughtfully.
Only then did she realize that not long ago, she could still sense that Nolan's strength was impressive yet clearly inferior to her own. But now, she could no longer see through him at all.
His strength had risen so quickly. Could it be that some Aeon had taken notice of him, granted him power, and made him an Emanator?
But it did not quite feel like that either. What was going on? Now she was getting curious. She wanted to study him.
Seeing the probing look Herta was giving him, Nolan felt speechless, an urge rising to knock her on the head. She was actually plotting against him.
"Ahem. Enough of that. Didn't you say you could summon Sserkal? Hurry up and try. When she arrives, I'm inviting her to help research the Simulated Universe."
Herta coughed awkwardly, then spoke as if nothing had happened.
The Simulated Universe was an unprecedentedly grand project. Even with herself, Ruan Mei, Screwllum, and Stephen working together, it could not be completed in a short time.
If they invited another member of the Genius Society to join, it would surely inject fresh vitality and lead to even more discoveries.
As for finishing the Simulated Universe quickly, that was impossible.
Beyond being a massive project, it was also a research platform. Countless research initiatives could branch off from the Simulated Universe.
Strictly speaking, the scope of what the Simulated Universe could study was nearly limitless. After all, it simulated a universe space that mirrored reality. As long as a research project could be established under real world conditions, it could essentially be conducted within the Simulated Universe as well.
It was even possible to deliberately set up conditions that did not exist in reality.
Precisely because the Simulated Universe simulated reality in this way, it allowed researchers to skip tedious tasks such as material collection when conducting experiments.
That had been one of the points she used to attract Screwllum and Ruan Mei when inviting them to participate in the Simulated Universe project.
"Fine. Suit yourself."
Nolan turned his attention back to the Phase Flame and activated Heroic Spirit Affinity, attempting to summon Sserkal from the past.
The Phase Flame served as a guide. Under the direction of this medium, his spiritual power crossed countless stretches of space and time, returning to the past, to the era when Sserkal still existed.
Then, like a fishhook, at the moment when Sserkal's body had just died but her soul had yet to dissipate, it latched onto her soul and began reeling it back.
During the journey from past to present, the spiritual power born from the various legends and stories about Sserkal attached themselves to her soul.
They helped stabilize it and construct a spiritual body, gradually transforming her into a Heroic Spirit. This was the foundation that allowed a Heroic Spirit, even without a physical body, to exist stably in reality like a normal person.
The spiritual body replaced the flesh.
The more legends there were, and the more widely known the figure, the stronger the spiritual body that would be constructed. It could even give rise to unimaginable Noble Phantasms or innate talents.
If it were an ordinary person, even if their soul were summoned from the past and a spiritual body were built from the experiences of their lifetime, it would likely only reach the level of a normal physical body.
Innate divine abilities would be out of the question.
Previously, when he summoned Mikoshi Chiyo and the Goddess of Flowers, both had decent fame and legends, so they had also developed derived talents.
However, their legends were confined to Teyvat. In contrast, Sserkal, as a member of the Genius Society, had a short life, yet her legends spread throughout the galaxy.
If nothing unexpected occurred, she would surely develop innate talents as well, and most likely ones of considerable power.
(End of Chapter)
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