Inside the restaurant.

Lu Li glanced at the back of Ni Qingwen, who was hastily leaving outside the window, and turned back to say, "She didn't eat anything; won't she be hungry working the night shift?"

Shen Xia fiddled with her short, ear-length hair, "Don't worry, I just heard her say she ate a bit before coming out, and she'll order some delivery at night."

Lu Li still felt a bit embarrassed.

She came over to help him solve problems for half a day.

As a result, she ended up hungry.

If he said nothing in return.

It wouldn't make sense emotionally or logically.

He thought for a moment and said, "Let's have the restaurant prepare a few dishes to take away and send them to her workplace later."

"It's too early," Shen Xia glanced at her watch, "She's probably busy now; I'll bring her some food around eleven."

Lu Li said, "I'll go with you."

Shen Xia looked at him and teased, "Interested in her?"

Lu Li chuckled helplessly, "Look at what you're saying, she came to help me with questions and didn't eat for so long, I'm just bringing her some food, how does that mean I'm interested?"

Indeed, he had no such thoughts about Ni Qingwen.

He wasn't a Casanova.

How could he be aroused just by seeing a woman?

The two chatted casually for a bit.

Decided to finish their meal.

Seven or eight dishes, it would be a waste not to eat.

While eating, Lu Li kept pondering about energy.

He had the experience of the second deep evolution last time.

He knew that to undergo the third deep evolution.

The most important thing right now is to accumulate enough energy, then evolve successfully in one go.

But how to accumulate enough energy for evolution?

Lu Li kept checking his own energy conversion situation while eating.

According to Ni Qingwen's viewpoint, ATP is just a form of energy storage, through chemical bonds, energy is stored in a bond chemically, and when it breaks, it generates chemical energy, thus energy is produced and used by the body.

And the body is a physical entity whose cellular activities need energy for some chemical machines to work, thereby metabolizing.

Be it ATP or the body, both inherently depend on each other.

That is to say, only when a person dies, and metabolism stops, will they not exist.

What about his own body's energy operation situation?

This must be quite different from ordinary people.

Lu Li knew that he could consume food to directly produce energy rays that maintain the body, and accumulate them.

Yes, he could directly accumulate energy within the body, unlike others who need to break the chemical bond of energy-generating substances to produce energy.

From this perspective, energy rays are superior to ATP energy storage forms.

Despite this, Lu Li currently still felt that the energy rays were far from enough to aid his third deep evolution.

He felt a bit troubled, not knowing how to solve this issue.

Suddenly, Lu Li inadvertently caught sight of Shen Xia's face as she was eating Wenchang chicken, his gaze locked onto it.

It wasn't because Shen Xia was particularly pretty and attracted him.

In fact, Shen Xia was just relatively pure-looking.

Not belonging to the exceptionally beautiful category.

Her appearance could only be considered slightly above average.

The reason Lu Li was staring at her was knowing that she's a physicist, whose understanding of energy far exceeded his own.

Shen Xia obviously noticed Lu Li's gaze and said with a smile, "Why are you staring at me?"

Lu Li put down his chopsticks, blinked, and said, "There's a question I'd like to ask you."

Shen Xia also put down her chopsticks and seriously said, "Please, go ahead."

Lu Li organized his words a bit and said, "Have you read any cultivation novels?"

Shen Xia shook her head and said, "I usually have a busy job, no time for novels, but I've watched some cultivation dramas."

Lu Li asked, "So, you have a general understanding of cultivation, right?"

Shen Xia gently nodded, "A bit, feel free to speak your mind."

Lu Li said, "According to novels or shows, cultivators have an energy source in them, like true qi, golden core, or nascent soul; when they want to 'level up,' they cause this energy source to undergo qualitative changes. If...I'm saying if, someone has an energy source just like a cultivator, what would they need to do to cause a qualitative change in energy? Can you analyze it in physical terms?"

Shen Xia tilted her head and thought for a moment, then asked, "Have you heard of the principle of quantitative change and qualitative change?"

Lu Li, having read many books on physics, naturally knew about this principle.

The principle of quantitative change and qualitative change is one of the basic laws of dialectical materialism.

It reveals the two states of transformation in the development of things—quantitative change and qualitative change—driven by internal contradictions leading from quantitative change to qualitative change, then to new quantitative change.

This principle provides the foundation for understanding development as the unity and continuity of qualitative and quantitative change, offering principles and methods for observing things.

Lu Li picked up his cup and took a sip of water, "I know some."

Shen Xia delivered a statement that was simple yet startling, "In the principle of quantitative and qualitative change, one important conclusion is that quantitative change causes qualitative change, like water transitioning from gas to liquid; when a thing's quantitative development reaches a certain extent, changes happen in the movement form of its principal internal contradictions, leading to qualitative change. Quantity refers to the scale, degree, speed of something, and its spatial arrangement and combination of components that can be quantified. Quality is the intrinsic nature that makes a thing itself and distinguishes it from others. The qualitative nature of things is determined by the specificity of its internal contradictions."

At this point, Shen Xia softly said, "Quantitative change is the necessary preparation for qualitative change, and qualitative change is the inevitable outcome of quantitative change. Qualitative change not only completes quantitative change but also paves the way for new quantitative change. If cultivators really exist and need to adhere to physical laws, then I believe that when they 'upgrade,' it must be by letting their internal energy source reach a process of quantitative change, then proceed to a qualitative change, thus obtaining a more potent energy source."

Upon hearing this, Lu Li suddenly realized.

Indeed, the prerequisite for causing a qualitative change in energy is to first achieve a certain quantity of energy.

He roughly knew what to do.

That is to continually absorb energy.

Increase the energy within the body to a relatively large amount.

Thus, a qualitative change will naturally occur.

Shen Xia continued speaking gently, "There are generally two forms of qualitative change due to quantitative change."

Lu Li inquired, "Please tell me."

Shen Xia said, "The first form involves the increase or decrease in quantity of a thing, such as changes in size, speed, degree, and scale, causing qualitative change. For example, 'Rome wasn't built in a day,' is a case where accumulation leads to a leap in quality."

Lu Li unconsciously nodded.

What he had just thought of was this method.

Shen Xia continued, "The second method occurs when the overall quantity remains unchanged but due to changes in the structure and arrangement of its components, a qualitative change occurs. For example, the example of diamond and graphite demonstrates how changing internal structure or arrangement can lead to qualitative change."

That's right!

The change in structure and arrangement of components can also lead to qualitative change.

Lu Li felt greatly inspired by talking about this with Shen Xia.

He decided to attempt tonight to see if he could cause a qualitative change in the energy.

Once the energy can create a qualitative change.

Then he should naturally enter the third deep evolution.

Thinking of this, Lu Li gratefully said, "Miss Shen, thank you so much for today."

Shen Xia waved her hand, "No problem, shall we continue with our meal?"

Lu Li replied, "Alright."

After that, the two did not chat further about the physics-related topic, just casually talked for a while.

Soon, the dinner reached its conclusion.

Lu Li habitually picked up his phone to scan the QR code at the table to prepare for payment.

Unexpectedly, after scanning, he discovered the bill was already settled.

Lu Li raised his head, somewhat startled, and said, "Did you secretly settle the bill?"

Shen Xia smiled and said, "Yes, I saw you were enthusiastically chatting with Qingwen and settled it on the side."

At that time, he was focused on listening to Ni Qingwen's explanation about human limits and did not notice Shen Xia's act of paying.

Lu Li felt rather embarrassed, "I asked you to introduce someone to me, I should have been the one to pay for this meal, and you..."

Shen Xia wiped her mouth with a napkin, "Oh, it's alright, we're friends, just a meal, don't worry too much about it."

How could he not care?

Lu Li was not someone miserly.

Today's meal was supposed to be his treat as he asked her to introduce Ni Qingwen.

As expected, Shen Xia not only helped with the introduction but also proactively settled the bill.

Lu Li gained a new impression of Shen Xia, she was adept at dealing with people.

He pondered and said, "I'll find time to treat you to a meal in return, then you mustn't insist on paying."

Shen Xia was quite generous, "Sure, we'll see when you're free, but I might not be available soon, I'm about to head to the Ugly Country, if you want to treat me, you'll have to wait until I return from the Ugly Country."

This matter was mentioned to Lu Li last time by Wu Er Mountain.

He knew Shen Xia would be going to the Ugly Country to attend some physics seminar or something.

He smiled and said, "I might also be heading to the Ugly Country soon, would you like to travel together?"

Shen Xia was somewhat surprised, "You're going to the Ugly Country too?"

Lu Li replied, "To participate in a competition."

Shen Xia asked, "When? Let me check if the timing aligns."

Lu Li said, "The competition is on July 19th, the organizers told me to go over for some preparatory work on July 16th."

"What a coincidence." Shen Xia beamed with a bright smile, "I also have to go to the Ugly Country next week, seems like we can travel together."

Lu Li and she exchanged flight information.

Initially, he thought of changing his ticket if they weren't on the same flight.

Who knew they were already on the same flight.

Just not sure if their seats are together.

That's no problem.

If they're not, they can looking into swapping seats when they board.

Subsequently, the two left the restaurant.

They strolled the nearby mall until closing.

Around ten o'clock in the evening.

Lu Li and Shen Xia found a nearby restaurant, cooked a few dishes to bring to Ni Qingwen.

Afterward, he drove Shen Xia back to her place.

Lu Li headed towards the Chinese courtyard.

Intending to attempt a qualitative change in energy tonight.

And proceed with the third deep evolution.

"I wonder how terrifying my physical fitness will be after the third deep evolution."

Lu Li thought it would surely become very strong.

Exactly how strong, he didn't know yet.

Or rather, he didn't even know how strong he currently was.

Lu Li suddenly had a whim, "Should I test my physical fitness before the third deep evolution, and then test again afterward to see how much my strength has increased?"

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