New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 192 [The Historical Origins of the Man-Made Great Root]
Hearing Meng Xiyue's irresponsible remarks about not caring about the future, the mechanical helmet couldn't help but retort: ​​"You know nothing about [time]! The past, present, and future are closely connected and interdependent. How can you know that changes in the present only affect the future and not the past?"

He then emphasized, "Moreover, you have already been drawn into this spatial rift, and I have had contact with you. You are essentially 'witnesses and survivors' who know the truth. Even if my mission fails and the Buddhist sect steals the key item that will change the future, they will choose to kill you to minimize the impact and hide this matter in order to temporarily cover up this cause and effect... and you will be forgotten by the world."

Forget it, I'll just give up. Since I can't gain their trust, I'll resort to intimidation!
The mechanical helmet thought so.

Meng Xiyue pondered the other person's words and retorted, "So, if we help you eliminate the Buddhist expert, won't the current 'Buddhist sect' come after us for revenge once you've fled?"

The helmet patiently explained: "Once our mission is successfully completed, the power behind it will bring the 'Fault Line' back to the present world. It will also blur and rationalize everything that happened here... and even erase all traces of you, restoring the state of the 'Time Bubble' as much as possible, reducing timeline errors and minimizing hidden dangers. At that time, your information will be absolutely confidential, and your disguise will be flawless, so that the Buddhist sect will not notice."

Yuan Zhu understood; this guy was definitely lying. He asked suspiciously, "Oh?...I feel like there's something wrong with what you're saying. If you failed, wouldn't the power behind you send the [Fault] back to reality and try to bridge and repair it as much as possible? Are you trying to trick us into contributing our efforts, into dying, to complete your mission?"

"Uh... [Wolf King], you misunderstand. If we successfully complete the mission, we will be qualified to become variables, to guide the forces behind the interference, and to make the outcome more favorable to you, so as to benefit you. On the contrary, if we fail, and all of us die in battle or bear the name of failure, how can we be qualified to interfere with the forces behind it? At that time, the return of [Fault Line] will ruthlessly carry out its mission according to the established rules, and will not consider you in the slightest."

Yuan Zhu, now transformed into a master detective, carefully considered the other party's meaning and nodded: "What you said makes a lot of sense! However... I think I heard your female teammate shouting something about 'side quest' at us earlier? So, the decisions and choices we make now will determine your extra mission rewards, right? That's why you painstakingly explained a lot of worthless information to us, just to gain our trust. You're profiting from us, yet you act like you're doing us a favor?"

"..."

The mechanical helmet fell silent, feeling utterly exhausted. These old-time aborigines, how could they be so difficult to deal with? No wonder they're historical figures worthy of being on the archives. I'm a seasoned intellectual, after all; can't you at least give me some face?

However, he failed to consider that both the Holy Light and the School of Wisdom rely on their intellect. 'Magic' professions that lean towards the spiritual and spiritual realm are also those that require brains.

Seeing that the other party had fallen silent after he had hit a sore spot, Yuan Zhu pressed his advantage: "The power behind you, could it be the [Space of Gods]? Is the [Space of Gods] in the future really that powerful that it didn't send you to explore and develop the [Foam Layer], but instead invaded the present world of the Spirits? Or is it that the [Space Squad] behind you is exceptionally brave, using a noble mission to trick you into 'going back to the past' to die?"

"..." Silence is the Cambridge of tonight.

Yuan Zhu asked curiously, "Why aren't you saying anything? Are you afraid of losing points and being eliminated with negative points if you say the wrong thing? The future [Gods' Space] won't be this low-level and retro, right? These old-fashioned ways of playing are not popular in our era's [Gods' Space]. Have you guys become like the characters in the ancient Chinese classic novel 'Boundless Fear'?"

Faced with the provocation and mockery of the 'old relic,' the mechanical helmet could no longer hold back: "There's no such thing as deducting points or erasing me. If I leak too much future information, my mission rating will be lowered. You old relic simply don't understand. Our era no longer has the [Space of Gods]! The [Space] and its organizers have all been destroyed by the [Law System], officially banned, and reorganized into the [Time and Space Security Bureau]. However, we still choose the team model of the [Old Space of Gods], forming multiple space units to travel through timelines. We silently maintain the stability of history by carrying out missions."

The man in the mechanical helmet, still seething with anger, couldn't help but spill the beans again. My restraint and forbearance are not a license for your blatant provocation. This feeling of looking down on the remnants of the old era is truly exhilarating!

"Huh? The [Space of Gods] was actually destroyed and shut down?"

Hearing this, Meng Xiyue couldn't help but be startled and hurriedly asked, "What about the organizers and participants of the [Space of Gods]? What became of them?"

She was very curious about the fate of her boss, "Mao Mao Wang," and imagined a group of super investigators from the "Law Enforcement" department kicking open the door of "Mao Mao Wang's" house, arresting him with a search warrant, handcuffing him, putting him on a mask, and escorting him away.

Then, she and Yuan Zhu exchanged a subtle yet tacit glance, communicating with each other through their eyes: Hey! Look, this [Gods' Space] is just lame! It was actually raided by the authorities and shut down and forced into bankruptcy reorganization.

Yuan Zhu quickly echoed with his eyes: That's right! That's right! Weak, really weak!
Upon learning that [Space of the Gods] would be shut down and reorganized in the future, even he, a level-two employee of [Happy Home] (and a level-one contractor of [Momo King]), was starting to consider quitting. What a dead-end job!

Originally, Yuan Zhu, who had just joined [Happy Home] and learned of the existence of [Paradise of the Gods], harbored ambitions of also taking over a [Space]. Now, the lofty filter of [Space of the Gods] is beginning to shatter.

Faced with Yuan Zhu and Meng Xiyue's coordinated questioning, the mechanical helmet decisively shut up: "Well, firstly, I don't know much about the historical changes of the [Time and Space Security Bureau]. Secondly, there are many things I want to say but can't, as I signed a confidentiality agreement before carrying out the mission."

He never expected that any random passerby in this era (Meng Xiyue) could know secrets that should have been sealed in the future (【Gods' Space】). But then he thought about it, and realized that the current period in the history books was in the most chaotic and disorderly expansion era, with large swaths of history hidden in an unknown fog.

I imagine the [Gods' Space] isn't exactly a secret for any capable passerby. (Meng Xiyue: Oh, it's not that amazing! I just happened to find out about it while working part-time at [Happy Home].)
With the help of Yuan Zhu and Meng Xiyue, the origin of the mechanical helmet was discovered without A Miao having to lift a finger.

Ah Miao doesn't care about the other person's 'background'—whether it's a genuine self-disclosure forced upon them or a carefully crafted setup with superb acting skills.

She simply went along with what the other party was saying and continued, "Whether what you're saying is true or false, if you want to cooperate with us, you must show sincerity and stop hiding things. What are your mission details, what are the side quests we need you to do, and what kind of reward are you offering? Please show sincerity, otherwise we will stand idly by, stay away from the source of the erosion, find a safe place, and wait for the [Fault] to return."

The mechanical helmet thought for a moment, then sighed helplessly, looking resigned: "Alright, we'll be frank, but I hope you can keep this a secret. This information concerns our future destiny, so please don't leak it, or it will cause even more trouble."

Ah Miao nodded in agreement, giving me a look that said, "Please go ahead."

"Our main mission is to reach the current point in time and prevent the Buddhist forces from obtaining a crucial item, the Star Core, from within the Star Bank. In future history, the Buddhist faction will never be associated with the Star Project. And the timeline you are in is precisely the origin of the Star Project."

A-Miao was completely confused and had no interest in it whatsoever. On the contrary, Meng Xiyue, who had a strong thirst for knowledge, and Yuan Zhu, who was always happy to hear any kind of trashy gossip, showed great curiosity.

So the two of them started asking each other questions, one after the other:

"What is the [Starry Sky Project]?" "Can you tell me about it?" "How important is it that we have to reverse time and space to stop it?" "Ah, right, right! What would happen if you didn't interfere and let the Buddhist sect succeed?" Seeing the two acting as mouth doubles, A-Miao smiled without saying a word, waiting for their answers.

"You really don't need to know. I can only give you a brief description. The [Starry Sky Project] is also known as the [28 Constellations] or the [Twenty-Eight Star Lords]. It is described in ancient Taoist classics and mythological stories. You should have heard of it, right?"

Meng Xiyue: "Of course I've heard of them, but it seems there are no [Star Lords] in this world?"

Yuan Zhu listened without speaking out of turn. As an Earthling, he knew the least. Despite frantically cramming on a vast amount of knowledge and making rapid progress in the realm of the extraordinary, he still had many gaps in his knowledge.

For example, before the [First Magical Revival], in ancient feudal times when there were no supernatural beings, what were the [mythological systems] around the world? And after the revival of supernatural beings, what are the [mythological systems] manifested by the source of pollution? How much overlap is there, and how much is real, and how much is false?
Ancient myths and legends overlap with, yet seem to contradict, the real causes of pollution in modern times; similarly, they overlap with, yet seem to contradict, ancient myths and legends…

At this moment, he understood from the other party's words that the Twenty-Eight Mansions existed in ancient books but not in reality, and that they would appear in the future, becoming completely real, securing their place, and becoming the true origin of things like Kunlun, Buddhism, and the Holy Temple.

A strong sense of curiosity and a burning thirst for knowledge instantly ignited within me! I wanted to know!
The mechanical helmet acknowledged: "During your time period, there were numerous [Stars] in the astral plane, as well as many alien demons who were stranded, lost their way, or settled down... but no 'True Star God', or 'Star Host' or 'Star Lord' recognized by [Duling Planet] has ever appeared."

"The [Starry Sky Project] is to artificially create the [Twenty-Eight Constellation Gods], divide and define the [Four Domains of the Astral Realm], redefine the rules of the Astral Realm, the operational laws of the constellations, and the division of spacetime... to create a supernatural system of [Constellations]. The constellation seeds that have appeared in the [Astral Bank] at this moment are the core elements of the still incomplete 'artificial star gods'."

"In the future mature and finalized [Star System], there is no trace of Buddhism. Now, Buddhist forces have suddenly appeared and are vying for 'Star Seeds' that shouldn't exist, and the current time period is also the 'Star Budding Stage'. Once Buddhism obtains the 'seeds,' with their power, they will inevitably meddle with or even control the extraordinary origins of the [Heavens and Stars]. Therefore, it must be stopped!"

"Wow! That's so high-class! It really gets me excited." Meng Xiyue clapped her hands, feeling like a character in an epic myth, a strange sense of mission welling up inside her.

Yuan Zhu looked resistant: "What does this have to do with us? It sounds like a huge problem. If we get involved, we'll be strangled and won't even make a ripple."

Ah Miao then asked, "What about our 'side quests'?"

The mechanical helmet hesitated for a moment, then said carefully, "After I came into contact with you, I triggered a mission notification saying that you had mistakenly entered this [spatial rift] and shouldn't have been here. Once you get involved in this mission, your fate will be altered. If I can significantly reverse your destiny, I will receive an extra mission reward. Therefore, I want to turn you into an ally and let you clash with the power of Buddhism. No matter the outcome, it will change your life."

Meng Xiyue scoffed, "Didn't you keep saying you'd travel through time to the past to keep the timeline unchanged? How come when you see something of benefit, you want to change other people's fates?"

The mechanical helmet argued confidently: "There is no conflict. While we maintain the stability of the world order, we can try our best to reverse our personal fate and accumulate merit."

Meng Xiyue: "Could it be that my sister Miao is really going to become a 'world-destroying witch' in the future?" Triple-phase psychosis?!
Ah Miao then spoke up: "I don't care about the future or fate. As for the reward? I'm not willing to provoke a terrifyingly powerful Buddhist cultivator. From what we've seen along the way, we can confirm that their strength far surpasses mine. I have no interest in throwing my life away."

"One of the rewards is that if you are willing to cooperate with me, we will allow you to come into contact with the [Star Core] once it's done. I don't know how to change your life, but just one touch will completely transform your future!"

This is Project Star! What a huge causal relationship! It's an extension and completion of the Four Symbols Cycle, one of the most advanced artificial origins in the future world.

If you're tainted by cause and effect at the source, your future life will inevitably be drastically distorted, making the side quest easy to complete, and with a good result. As for whether this is good or bad? We can only trust the [inertia of the timeline].

Meng Xiyue nudged Yuan Zhu and whispered, "This guy is such a hypocrite, saying one thing and doing another. What he's doing now is completely different from what he just said!"

Yuan Zhu remarked, "That's more realistic and believable."

Ah Miao shook her head: "Not enough."

"Of course I know!" The mechanical helmet raged, then thought for a moment. "I can replicate the 'steam science, alchemy, and mechanics' knowledge up to the current timeline and give it to you. The knowledge I possess is the most advanced and outstanding legacy in your era. Not to mention now, even in the past ten or twenty years, it would still be considered top-notch secret knowledge! Even if you don't master it, you can sell it or pass it down to train your subordinates."

A-Miao: "Okay, but it's still not enough."

"I wasn't prepared for this trip, and I didn't bring much." The mechanical helmet sighed and rummaged through its pockets, finally pulling out four green, wriggling 'plant clusters'. They looked like a product of intertwined roots, veins, and nerves.

Yes, it was shown in the projected video. The pumpkin-headed sword immortal, who was under control, exploded his head and dug out this thing, which he then used to perform a "celestial blessing" on the two female team members.

"Although not rare, it still has some value. This is a 'loose immortal seed' nurtured by the sword immortal of the Pumpkin Clan in the Star Realm, a 'loose immortal spiritual root' that integrates [pumpkin, star, and sword energy], and there are four of them in total."

Ah Miao shook her head: "It's still not enough!"

Now, Yuan Zhu and Meng Xiyue were completely left out, unable to get a word in edgewise. They realized that the side quest had nothing to do with them; it was all about the [Yellow Spring Witch].

The so-called 'Wolf King' and the pink-haired passerby were just random NPCs. The mechanical helmet kept pulling out real money, all in an attempt to buy A-Miao.

(End of this chapter)