Did the world end today?

Chapter 319 Barrier
Dimensional reduction?!
When Lin Xu opened his eyes, those two words filled his mind.

Vacuum decay causes dimensionality reduction
This would be impossible in a completely closed system world.

Vacuum decay only alters the particle structure within a single dimension, forcing a world to fall from a "pseudo-vacuum" to a "true vacuum," without affecting the spacetime structure.

However, for the Alliance Era world, which is a perpetually superimposed state and a strictly open system, this is indeed possible!
The only question is whether vacuum decay occurs before or after dimensionality reduction.

Or to put it another way, does the effect of vacuum decay kill all of humanity first and then lead to dimensional reduction, or the other way around?
Judging from Zhang Liming's assessment, he seems to think that the "opposite" possibility is more likely.

And all his plans were based on this judgment.

If dimensionality can be increased through a limiter, then we should increase dimensionality directly.

If we cannot ascend to a higher dimension, then we can use the accumulated perturbations to descend to a lower dimension, retreat to the two-dimensional world, and attempt a counterattack.

This is truly a strategy that allows for both offense and defense.

If only we could conquer it and defend it.

Unfortunately, his plan to ascend to a higher dimension has failed, according to Lin Xu's perspective.
Even with dimensional reduction, the success rate is extremely low.

How can a species like humanity be reorganized in a two-dimensional world?

How would humans survive in a two-dimensional world back then?
This problem is even more difficult to solve than "high-dimensional adaptability".

After all, humans have already verified their entry into higher-dimensional worlds through higher-dimensional channels and have reliable experience to draw upon, but no one has ever tried to descend into two dimensions.
-
It's possible that some people did indeed descend into the second dimension, but none of them were able to return.

Thinking of this, Lin Xu sighed deeply.

He walked to his desk, intending to write down the latest clues he had collected, but when he picked up his pen, he realized that there wasn't much to write about this time travel.

2025 is the starting point for "cultivation," and there is very little information available at that time.

If we really want to acquire information and recycle technology, we'll have to wait until 2044.

Lin Xu raised his hand and glanced at the bracelet; the number on it was a stable "2".

He has two more chances in a short period of time.

The arrow is on the string and must be fired.

If you don't enter the world of the bracelet now, then the "nourishment" you planted when you entered last time will be wasted.

Lin Xu did not hesitate here.

He lay back down on the sofa and gently touched the bracelet.

Consciousness was drained, and then I fell rapidly.
Lin Xu opened his eyes and was greeted by a spacious, futuristic room.

Opposite him, Jiang Xingye sat quietly, dressed in formal attire.

The moment Lin Xu's gaze fell upon her, as if by telepathy, she nodded to the guards beside her.

Then, she stood up and walked towards Lin Xu, saying:
"ZEROTH, welcome back."

"Nineteen years have passed."

Lin Xu nodded slightly. In the instant the thought flashed through his mind, a line of small characters representing time suddenly appeared before his eyes.

He instinctively raised his hand to touch what was in front of him, but found no device resembling a smart eyepiece.

"There are no external devices."

Jiang Xingye saw his actions and explained:

"An advanced version of brain-computer interface technology, which we call virtual vision technology."

"But that's not the point."

"As you can see, it is now June 19, 2044."

"We have completely eliminated the disturbance that the time storm caused to the butterfly's landing point through limiter technology, but we have no way to eliminate the disaster that it will bring."

"Because this time storm is a trans-world catastrophe, once it happens, it can never be eliminated."

"Furthermore, we have not solved the problem of 'high-dimensional adaptability'; all our experiments on dimensionality upgrading have ended in failure."

"We have indeed sent some entities of the world into higher dimensions, but the current time is insufficient for us to complete the encoding of the information set of 'humanity'."

"So, this is where we have to go."

As he spoke, Jiang Xingye waved to Lin Xu.

The two walked out of the room one after the other, and almost at the same time, Lin Xu keenly felt that countless pieces of information were flowing through his brain.

This strange feeling made him subconsciously stop in his tracks. As if noticing his unusual behavior, Jiang Xingye turned around, gently took his hand, and said:
"Don't be nervous, this is just the process of information reproduction."

"We have integrated all the information you need, that is, the information that the Butterfly Plan needs to carry, into the quantum chip."

"Now, the chip is activated and is interacting with your brain, reproducing information into your consciousness."

"This is the most efficient way of transmitting information that we know of. In theory, you should be able to take this information out."

Information reproduction?
Lin Xu looked at Jiang Xingye in surprise and asked:
"You mean, you've completely figured out how the human brain works?"

Jiang Xingye gave a wry smile.

"If only we could actually figure it out—then we wouldn't be far from achieving high-dimensional adaptability."

"But in reality, the human brain itself is a super complex quantum chaotic system, and we simply cannot use the existing computing power to analyze it."

"Therefore, we adopted a relatively opportunistic approach—to achieve information transmission by secondary activation of the visual and auditory nerves."

"While the efficiency cannot compare to direct information transmission, it is stable enough."

"Alright, let's talk as we walk."

Lin Xu nodded slightly and continued to follow Jiang Xingye's steps.

Secondary activation?
It was indeed opportunistic.

But it seems that this technology is very close to "direct information transmission"?

If we can solve the problem of "direct information transmission," the secrets of butterflies and pollen might also be revealed.

a step far.

In the era of the Alliance, many technologies were only a step away from each other. But unfortunately, they could never take that step.
Lin Xu paused slightly, then asked again:
"Where are we going now?"

"To witness the last hour of humanity."

Jiang Xingye said without turning his head:

"Or rather, the last 50 minutes."

"50 minutes?!"

Lin Xu slowed his pace slightly.

I've only been in this world for less than five minutes, so why did Jiang Xingye say it was 50 minutes?

Has the time storm arrived ahead of schedule?
"Yes, 50 minutes."

The isolation door in front of them opened, and the two stepped inside.

A spacious control room appeared before Lin Xu, and standing in front of the control room was Zhang Liming.

Unlike any other time, he is still alive and well.

Upon seeing Lin Xu, he quickly approached and extended his hand to Lin Xu.

Lin Xu frowned deeply. Even now, he still couldn't be sure whether Zhang Liming in front of him was a friend or foe.

Seeing Lin Xu retreat, Zhang Liming was not surprised at all.

He simply withdrew his hand calmly and said:
"It's okay if we don't shake hands."

"But no matter how many disagreements we've had before, at this moment, we are colleagues who are in the same boat."

"The Dimensional Reduction Project is about to begin, and we will witness together the last glimmer of light for humanity in this world."

As soon as Zhang Liming finished speaking, Lin Xu frowned instantly.

He turned to look at Jiang Xingye and asked:
"What dimensional reduction plan?! Why?"

Jiang Xingye had already issued a series of instructions. She turned to Lin Xu and explained:

"We estimated the upper limit of the vacuum decay perturbation. Based on the data we collected previously, we speculate that this world only has one last chance to restart."

"Therefore, dimensional reduction has become our last resort."

"We must initiate the dimensional reduction process before the time storm arrives, in an attempt to preserve the last embers."

"Of course, not this time."

"For you, this is just a rehearsal."

As he spoke, Jiang Xingye switched the holographic projection in front of him to an externally filmed video.

Lin Xu looked at the holographic projection, where dense crowds had gathered on the streets of all the major cities in the world.

They silently looked up at the sky, quietly awaiting their final fate.

No one was making noise, no one was going crazy, and no one was partying or venting.

As the camera zoomed in, Lin Xu could clearly see that many people were crowded together, calmly holding hands, their faces even showing a hint of a smile.

The scenario of waiting for the end of the world is more despairing than the "end of the world" itself, but why?
They don't seem desperate?

Lin Xu looked at Jiang Xingye, puzzled, and the latter replied:

"Now they have two hopes."

"The hope of dimensional reduction, or the hope of being saved by a butterfly."

"So, for them, what is about to happen may just be a dream."

"In any case, take a good look at them."

"Because when you come to this world again, you won't have the chance to see them again."

"Also, make good use of the remaining 50 minutes and take away all the information you need."

"The problem of energy export has been solved; be sure to remember that."

"One last thing."

Jiang Xingye paused slightly at this point.

She took a deep breath before continuing:
"Remember, the next time you enter this world, the date will still be June 19, 2044."

"But by then, you might not have another hour."

“You must tell me this. We need to activate the equipment immediately, open the barrier, and protect everyone before the vacuum decays.”

"Only in that way will we have a chance to enter the next dimension!"

"clear."

Lin Xu nodded solemnly.

At this moment, in the holographic projection, all the people who had gathered together had stood up.

They seemed to be singing a song together.

But Lin Xu couldn't hear what they were singing.

His attention was completely focused on the information flowing through his mind.

Time passed by minute by minute.

When Lin Xu finally raised his head, Jiang Xingye immediately received his signal.

She paused for a moment, then gave the order:

"Vacuum decay barrier activated!"

For an instant.

With the main control room at its core, invisible fluctuations spread outwards.

The next second, Lin Xu's consciousness also vanished instantly due to this fluctuation.
(End of this chapter)