[According to the system's calculations of your consciousness capacity, the best time for the next simulation is one day later.]
"System, I want to know what's going on here?"
Back in the era of the previous civilization, Chen Ran hadn't had time to synchronize the memories of No. 666 before questioning the system in his mind.
It was all too chaotic now.
In the first simulation scene, only Wendy noticed something was off.
But in the second simulation scene, there was already a deviation in fate.
And now, in the third simulation scene, it was simply racing down the path of self-indulgence.
However, in response to Chen Ran's doubts, the system replied indifferently.
[This is the inevitable result after time has been interfered with. I thought you were already mentally prepared.]
"Wendy appeared in 2000, Kiana disappeared in 2014; why would you think I was prepared?"
[Then why do you continue to simulate?]
The system's counter-question left Chen Ran somewhat speechless.
His purpose in simulating was to defeat Finality, but what happens after defeating Finality? The future would change entirely.
"To be honest, I thought I was fully prepared, but I realized my mental construction wasn't enough; I was wrong."
Chen Ran felt his energy starting to dissipate.
He spoke vaguely: "System, honestly tell me, you actually don't have the ability to predict the future anymore, right?"
The system was silent for two seconds.
[There has never been such a thing as being able to predict the future; what I do the most is actually open the time node called the future for you.]
[Fate has its own inertia and ability to converge, just like wolves, sheep, and grass in a stable environmental structure. It never requires anyone's involvement; it self-regulates its numbers.]
[What you and I are doing is adding variables in the foreseeable future, thereby influencing the past.]
[Under the influence of these variables, I will strive to increase them based on this time, finding the most likely path to overcome Honkai. Of course, if the host defeats Honkai, all plans will be rendered void.]
Chen Ran: "Then I really appreciate your honesty."
The simulation mentioned by the system, from his current timeline, represents events that have not yet occurred.
And from the simulated scenario at that time, it represents events that have already happened.
From this perspective, he has actually changed the future. However, standing in this time, he will again change the altered future, so it can also be seen as not having occurred.
Just like a person's fate exists with multiple choices, the system merely helps Chen Ran present more options in the future.
"But now, we've messed up."
[Not at all.]
The system responded to him calmly.
[In the systems before me, even more complex situations arose, and what you are facing is merely the simple impact of the Möbius strip.]
Chen Ran: "In the systems before you? Did you really have 665 of them?"
[...]
"Alright, let's change the question."
Chen Ran paused and said to the system: "System, you're not actually worried about the disturbance of time, right? Because your fundamental purpose is to draw everyone into the torrent of time and then use everyone's wisdom to open the door to Honkai."
"Ever since Wendy told me that the heroes of the Elysian Realm said I constituted a global connection, I have been pondering this matter."
Wendy's arrival brought Chen Ran a lot of news, the most important of which, without a doubt, was that the vast majority of humanity remained intact before the arrival of Finality.
The second most important was that a global connection was established centered around him.
All of this was told to Wendy by Elysia, who had no reason to deceive.
"But it seems that my previous understanding of the global connection and what I need to do in the future may not be the same thing."
"You are the core terminal of the global connection, right?"
"To be precise, the true global connection does not connect everyone based on space as an axis, but rather connects everyone based on the nodes of various times as an axis."
[I don't know.]
[But regardless of what you think, as long as you can defeat Honkai, it doesn't matter if you use me.]
Chen Ran fell silent.
His brain was synchronizing with the memories of number 666 while also digesting the knowledge of quantum physics provided by the system.
Since that day when the system gave Wendy the photo, leading to such a significant deviation, the system had not given Chen Ran any material rewards.
All these rewards were knowledge rewards within his brain.
He began to ponder the many possibilities of the system's existence, but it was evident that even now, Chen Ran could not understand the operating mechanism of the system.
Although it claimed to be a special Stigmata, its effects were far stronger than ordinary Stigmata.
A Stigmata capable of opening future time nodes was already much stronger than the abilities of the Herrscher of the Void.
Even though the rewards it provided were all abilities and knowledge related to Honkai, Chen Ran felt that the creator of it must have mastered the five great parallel truths.
Until now, Chen Ran still did not know what the five great parallel truths were.
Perhaps only MEI knew.
Soon, he synchronized the memories of number 666, and then his eyes revealed a hint of peculiarity.
"The progress of the Stigmata terminal has exceeded 30%."
"Stuck at the terminal."
At this moment, he was in his room, and it was clear that number 666 was currently resting.
Just as he was contemplating the quantum and the Stigmata terminal, as well as the possible existence of the global connection, Kevin arrived.
"I heard Dr. Mobius is under investigation; it hasn't implicated you, has it?"
Chen Ran: "?"
"Investigation? Who has the audacity?"
"Kevin, what's going on?"
He immediately sat up.
"Don't you know? MEI just received the news and asked me to inform you." Kevin paused and said, "Dr. Mobius went on vacation to Nagazora City, which was destroyed by the Herrscher of Thunder."
"It was also at that time that Seisha appeared. Fire Moth's fifth squad went to investigate but only found Mobius and some black sludge that appeared in Nagazora City."
…
…
The internal environment of Fire Moth had always been poor, but Chen Ran did not expect that Mobius would be investigated to this extent.
Was it because of Vill-V and MEI's involvement that the higher-ups of Fire Moth felt Mobius was no longer important?
During this time, the high-level research tasks accepted by the first research institute were not many.
Before Chen Ran joined the first research institute, it had taken on the task of upgrading universal weapons, but this task was ultimately completed by Vill-V.
After that, the first research institute took on the task of upgrading potions, and later, due to Chen Ran, the first research institute launched a milder potion, but the corresponding effects would take longer.
After this, the first research institute did not take on any more tasks.
In contrast, Vill-V and MEI had emerged as strong contenders.
Vill-V delivered profound insights and also upgraded many materials and weapons, which was of great significance to Fire Moth.
And MEI, using Durandal, predicted the fourth Honkai, and after obtaining an independent laboratory, began research on the God of War, reportedly making considerable progress; it seemed they were just one step away from creating artificial Honkai Beasts.
In addition to these two brilliant geniuses joining Fire Moth, due to the impact of the Third Honkai Eruption, countries in East Asia, such as Shenzhou and the Far East, were also striving to arrange for their own talents to join Fire Moth or the Mu Continent.
During his time in Fire Moth, Chen Ran had already met many juniors.
It was precisely because of this that Fire Moth's reliance on Mobius had passed.
He still did not know the specific cause and effect of the situation, but his body could not help but ponder whether this investigation was a warning from the higher-ups to Mobius?
Chen Ran hurriedly arrived at the first research institute.
At this time, whether it was Fuxi, Nuwa, Klein, or other external personnel, they were all busy with their own tasks.
When Nuwa saw Chen Ran, she greeted him: "Senior Chen Ran, didn't you just go back to rest?"
"Oh, maybe I just love working too much."
He paused and quickly asked, "Where's Senior Blanca?"
Mobius cannot fall.
Of course, he also believed that Mobius would not fall due to one or two incidents. Even if Fire Moth had escaped the predicament of solely relying on Mobius, if Mobius were convicted due to some unfounded charges, what would the others think?
The higher-ups of Fire Moth were not emperors; power had always been bottom-up.
"Senior Blanca went out today, and even Griseo hasn't come. What's up?"
"Oh, it's nothing."
Blanca must be busy with matters concerning Mobius.
Chen Ran felt relieved.
It was much better for Blanca to handle this than for him to do it, after all, within Fire Moth, his status and identity were not significant.
Since the people in the first research institute, like Fuxi and Nuwa, were still unaware of this matter, it indicated that this was being conducted secretly, and the higher-ups would still give Mobius face.
What he was actually worried about was that the first research institute was gossiping about this matter, as that would mean the higher-ups would be merciless.
However, Chen Ran had to ponder one question: If Kevin could get this news from MEI, then how did MEI know about it?
This was important.
…
…
In MEI's independent laboratory, a girl was conducting research on artificial Honkai Beasts.
This was a big dream, a dream that she had to convince herself to believe in its success. She remembered Chen Ran's words, and every time she thought of them, she would have different insights.
It could be said that Chen Ran opened another door of thought for her.
The dream is about resources.
But no one in Fire Moth is a fool, so this resource must have a way to be realized; even a glimmer of hope is better than nothing.
So, this dream must be one she believes in herself.
And if it cannot be realized, then a bigger dream is needed.
This is actually a bubble, a bubble that needs to be maintained with confidence.
She was like a surfer; once all confidence disappears, the bubble bursting would become a towering wave, turning against her.
So, when someone paints a dream for you, it means that person has exhausted all means and is walking on a tightrope over a cliff.
But MEI is a master of balance.
The dream she painted was nearing success.
"Artificial Honkai Beasts are on the verge of success; Honkai life can be formed merely from sand and gravel, which is truly an incredible power."
"From this perspective, human architecture, microorganisms, and viruses in the air all have the potential to be directly altered by Honkai. But Honkai has not done so."
"From this point of view, Honkai is not the enemy; perhaps it is currently overlooking everyone from a higher dimension, just as humans overlook all ants."
"So, which side should I stand on? Humanity? Civilization? Or Honkai itself?"
The girl's eyes revealed a hint of confusion.
Her will to resist Honkai was not firm; one could even say that compared to resisting Honkai itself, she was more interested in understanding the meaning of Honkai's existence and the reasons for its emergence.
Just as MEI was deep in thought, she received a message.
"Are you free? Let's chat in the break room?"
Her eyes showed a hint of surprise.
"Okay."
…
…
"We haven't exchanged news for a long time, have we?"
In the break room of Fire Moth, Chen Ran and MEI were in a quiet booth.
The two sat opposite each other, a lone man and a lone woman, yet there was no hint of ambiguity in the atmosphere.
Chen Ran remained vigilant towards MEI; he reminded himself that he must adopt a combat stance when interacting with her.
MEI looked at Chen Ran and said lightly: "What news do you want, Mobius?"
"As long as you understand."
Seeing MEI speak directly, Chen Ran no longer pretended and said: "Even within the first research institute, only Blanca knows about Mobius being investigated, which indicates that the higher-ups are consciously keeping this matter from leaking out."
"Then, what about your source of information?"
Chen Ran stated his intention directly: "No, to be precise, what is your view on this matter itself?"
Chen Ran did not actually believe that MEI would be involved in this matter.
This was not due to a trust in MEI's character; he knew that anyone who could become a leader in the apocalypse had no character to speak of. Including MEI, all of The Thirteen Flame-Chasers would have indelible stains.
Even Fire Moth itself was a stain.
He only trusted MEI's intelligence; if MEI really took action, then Mobius would not just be warned.
Of course, he came here to test MEI's attitude towards Mobius.
MEI's eyes slightly narrowed: "You specifically called me out just for this matter; have we lost all our tacit understanding?"
"This isn't a matter of tacit understanding, but rather how you view Dr. Mobius," Chen Ran paused and said, "There are too many geniuses in Fire Moth, so even if the higher-ups have no intention, there is still invisible competition within."
"The resources stirred by just one God of War project cannot satisfy all your appetites. Although I am not a genius, I can still sense your desires."
"If you want to go further, then Mobius must leave this position. The conservative approach would be to let the First Research Institute only take on research responsibilities."
"I trust your rationality, but because of that, I trust even more that you will stop at nothing."
After arriving at the First Research Institute, seeing Fuxi and Nuwa still conducting experiments as usual, he began to doubt MEI.
The Thirteen Flame-Chasers of Fire Moth are not ordinary people.
And Mobius also has significant opinions about MEI.
Chen Ran believes that with MEI's rationality, she will definitely rein in her actions, but during the process of her actions, someone will inevitably get hurt.
MEI did not acknowledge her thoughts about Mobius, nor did she deny them.
She simply asked, "If that's the case, which side will you stand on?"
"I will instinctively choose the side that makes me feel safer."
Chen Ran did not hide it, saying, "I understand that you want to quickly end the internal strife after gaining leadership, as it completely aligns with your interests."
"But this way, you make me feel fear."
MEI fell silent.
In fact, she had no involvement in this matter.
But she was not completely innocent either, because MEI had such thoughts.
Mobius's brilliance is too dazzling, and coupled with her status as an elder, the resources of Fire Moth will naturally tilt towards the First Research Institute.
All of these will become MEI's reasons to harbor animosity towards Mobius.
Too many geniuses leading to internal competition is just like this.
But geniuses have their own means, and MEI is also clear that once she uses underhanded tactics against others, then others will do the same to her. This is a balance, which can also be understood as mutual deterrence among geniuses.
Therefore, she did not participate in this matter; she was only brewing another plan, a plan that could seize all resources into her hands in one fell swoop.
Unfortunately, before the plan could be implemented, Chen Ran arrived.
"I heard that you have a good relationship with Mobius, so it seems this rumor is true."
MEI looked at Chen Ran, paused, and said, "The First Research Institute will be my next target, but I can promise that my actions will not threaten anyone's life. Because every person is a valuable resource."
"In North American history, the living conditions of Southern slaves were actually much better than those of Northern free men; aside from freedom, they had everything," Chen Ran paused and said, "But the abolitionist movement still succeeded. Do you think it's because freedom is more important than survival?"
"No."
MEI instinctively said, "In biological genes, survival is the primary right; otherwise, humans wouldn't have domesticated cats, dogs, cattle, sheep, and other livestock. The desire for freedom is actually a desire that arises after survival conditions are met."
"Exactly, which is why the Civil War did not occur during the American Revolutionary War, but rather in 1860, after basic industrialization was completed. Freedom after survival is the true freedom."
Chen Ran shifted his tone and said, "Your sharpness has already threatened my survival."
"I said before, I promise not to threaten anyone's life," MEI emphasized once again, her words containing anger.
Chen Ran said, "But I cannot hand over the power of survival to you, just as slaves would not willingly hand over the power of survival to the plantation owners. This is human instinct."
"Otherwise, why would humans resist Honkai?"
He looked at MEI: "So, have you thought it through? Are you on the side of humanity, civilization, or Honkai itself?"
MEI's pupils slightly constricted.
He could sense her wavering stance.
"The topic has strayed too far, Chen Ran. We are not discussing this matter right now." She forcibly corrected him, her words tinged with a hint of anger.
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