My setting is above yours!

Chapter 133 Target: Singularity Technology, Heading to the Sky Eye Tower! (4k7)

'Calm down, Ron, you need to calm down.'

The appearance of a degraded version of the "Unknowable Domain" doesn't necessarily mean that my future self did something... Maybe while slacking off in the "Spirit Realm," "7" suddenly had another brilliant idea and figured out "▆"?

'It's also possible that some genius has imitated the [Potion Sequence], comprehended [▆] from it, and used it to develop the so-called [Etheric Field] to hide themselves in the spirit world...'

He tried to comfort himself with these words, but Ron's face grew increasingly pale, and his heart sank deeper into despair.

No one can truly deceive themselves, let alone someone as rational as Ron.

Ron knew that this was impossible.

Everything marked in the Dimensional Update Manual so far is almost absolute... Since the Dimensional Update Manual says that "▆" is the so-called unique rule segment, then it must be unique—

This number, which was hacked by the Anti-Mystic Equation after [7] ascended to the throne, was completely erased from history after Ron pinpointed the moment when [7] failed to ascend. Only Ron himself had a copy.

This is the "only" one designated by the Dimensional Update Manual... Now that it has appeared as a degraded version in this new era hundreds or thousands of years later, it can only have come from Ron's hands.

Thinking about this, Ron felt a sense of confusion:
'Could it be that I've truly encountered some insurmountable trouble over the past thousand years, which is why I chose to offer up the Unknowable Realm to support everyone in concealing their true selves within the Spirit Realm?'

'Wait—if I, a thousand years ago, had the ability to create an 'Unknowable Domain' that others could use, I would probably have already reached a realm I can't currently attain… Am I going to encounter another version of myself in this era?'

'No, that's not right...'

Suddenly, Ron seemed to realize something and murmured to himself:

'If there truly is such a being as me… then at the moment I created the Hollow Age, this Ron clearly embarked on a different timeline from the one I was on—'

'I chose to enter the [Void Age], while he cultivated himself deeply in the Ideal City, eventually developing the [Etheric Field] and spending over a thousand years alongside the Ideal City...'

'But that's absolutely wrong... For others, after I created the [Void Age], they will indeed live into this era, spending their lives as a member of the [Void Age] worldline...'

'But for me—for someone who can travel through time using the Dimensional Update Manual, arbitrarily alter the world, and mold reality—perhaps the moment I chose to travel to the [Void Age], my [Superpowered Age] self would disappear…'

'After all... if there really were another me, putting aside time travel issues like the grandmother paradox, just considering one thing is enough to easily disprove it—'

'Why didn't my other self use the Dimensional Update Manual to travel through time and change reality during this period?'

'To date, all version updates since the Dimensional Update Manual was implemented have stemmed from my actions—it was the butterfly flapping its wings that stirred up a chaotic storm in the world!'

'Clearly, there is no other holder of the Dimensional Update Manual in this world, and of course, there is no other version of myself…'

Even traversing the vast river of time and the myriad phenomena of the universe, I am but one person throughout history!

Thinking of this, his previously slumped heart suddenly calmed down, and a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes:
'Yes, this happened before when the Dimensional Update Manual was updated and reality was rewritten...'

'After becoming the God of Mystery, Mingming [7] hacked the number [▆] into the world, changing the worldline of the entire world, affecting many things, and even almost overturning the entire Ideal City...'

'But I alone—everything I personally experienced remained completely unchanged, utterly unaffected!'

'This also proves one thing... With the Dimensional Update Manual, I can freely traverse through ancient, modern, and future eras, and I have long since broken free from the constraints of timelines, attaining a certain uniqueness and transcendence from the very beginning...'

It must be said that Ron's idea was not without merit.

Because all his experiences so far have reminded him of this fact.

He is indeed a special being, and the only transcendent being who wields the Dimensional Update Manual...

The so-called timeline could not bind him, nor could fate or destiny bind him...

With the power to overwrite reality and travel through time, it's impossible for him to become a part of predetermined history in a timeline he hasn't experienced.

'So... what exactly caused the construction method of the [Unknowable Realm] to be exposed and become the [Etheric Field] known to all?'

Lost in thought, Ron sensed for the first time that in another era, in this distant world thousands of years after his own, existed a crucial secret intricately connected to him…

'That doesn't make sense. I clearly didn't expose the existence of [▆]. At most, I only conducted a [Pseudo-Unknowable Domain] test in Ideal City...'

How exactly did Ronald, the president of [Sky Eye Company], the first cave explorer, known as the [Fire Stealer], obtain the [▆]?

Ron was completely baffled, and a strong sense of curiosity arose in his heart towards this fire thief he had never met before.

After all, once the Dimensional Update Manual confirmed that there would be no other self in the "Void Age," this [Ronald], who was originally extremely similar to Ron, became quite thought-provoking.

Putting aside the question of why this person could degrade his own "Unknowable Domain" into an "Etheric Field," the more important thing is that Ron, based on his behavior and the way he was addressed, had already guessed what he had done...

'The etheric field that allows one to hide and move safely within the spirit world; a new power system built upon the etheric psychic energy of the unconscious spiritual group in the spirit world; and the title of "Fire Stealer"—'

'Could this guy, in this timeline, have followed Dawn's ideas to complete Prometheus's "Experiment of Knowledge," ultimately becoming a Level 5 Prometheus sector manager?'

'The "ethereal field" is a product of a branch experiment within the "experiment of seeking knowledge"—the "FTL technology"—and should represent research on "materials/methods to resist spiritual erosion"...'

'Then who is he? Since he inherited Dunn's line of thinking and gained experimental access through Idrila's approval, I have a feeling this person must be related to me... But I don't know anyone named Ronald.'

'Hmm... I need to find a way to get some more information out of Mira, to see if I can find any clues about Ronald, but I can't ask her so bluntly anymore, lest she discover that I don't belong to this era...'

'Judging from her reaction just now... does she think I'm some kind of ancient relic that just woken up from hibernation?'

'Perfect timing! This misunderstanding of my identity might just be my chance to disguise myself…'

Ron seemed to be deep in thought. After pondering for a moment, he loosened his grip on Mira's throat slightly, feigning a sigh, and said:

"I never expected... that it was Ronald who developed the [Ether Field]..."

"With this opportunity, he became one of the top ability users in Ideal City, right?"

Upon hearing Ron's words, Mira became even more certain of her guess, and was secretly surprised:

'So it really is that old thing buried deep underground in the Old Ideal City, just awakened from its hibernation pod… Did he ever compete with some big shot for access to the central AI before?' 'Tsk tsk, what was that lord thinking, willing to put this kind of information into the [Old Ideal City]… Why didn't he choose to get rid of this guy?'

But since Ron was already here, Mira had no intention of guessing what those important figures were thinking.

'What a rare character... No, even though I don't know why his initial favorability towards me is so low, I have to build a good relationship with him...'

She sensed the underlying question in Ron's words, and in order to build a good relationship with him, she explained quite enthusiastically:

"Yes, that person used this to become a superhuman with access to the [Central Intelligence] a thousand years ago, and then developed various corresponding products based on 'ethereal energy'..."

"But history books say that he was viciously squeezed and influenced by the major companies in the old Ideal City because of factional reasons, and even to the point that he had to fight against the entire Ideal City on his own."

"But the Great Cataclysm came... The Void erupted from District D of the Old Ideal City, and then quickly swept through Districts B, C, and D. In the end, only the land beneath our feet remained in its realistic form, and the entire city almost fell apart."

"Taking this opportunity, that person established [Sky Eye Company], which absorbed [Noah Medicine], [Sky Listening Media], and [Moen Business], and has now completely unified the present-day Moen City in a substantial sense."

"Right now, he is still working hard to control and resolve the [Cataclysm]... It is said that [Sky Eye Company] has made substantial progress, and perhaps before long, Moen City will have the opportunity to leave this desolate and ravaged land."

'Just as I thought... Ronald has completely developed the entire FTL technology, based on the Spirit Realm!'

Although he had expected it, Ron still felt somewhat puzzled after hearing Mira's explanation.

'Thinking about it this way, wouldn't it be possible to simply return to Ideal City now, submit this experimental result, and directly complete this branch experiment, thereby unlocking some of the authority over [Prometheus] and becoming a Level 4?'

'This is too easy... Is this the allure of copying answers?'

Ron remained silent, but felt a sense of clarity.

Unexpectedly, the most important goal I set out for after arriving in the "Void Age" is already half-achieved, even before I've reached this point.

As long as he can find the complete technical files for [FTL Technology], returning to Ideal City and directly ascending to Lv.5 will not be a problem!
However, while that's the case, finding all the files on this technology would obviously be quite difficult...

After all, during the "Empty Era," the entire Ideal City had fallen apart, and the remaining area was entirely under the control of [Sky Eye Company].

Ron knew exactly what kind of people these giant corporations were... Just look at those cyborgs; their lifestyle alone proved how inhumane the Sky Eye Corporation was.

Faced with this behemoth that possesses twelve singularity technologies, surpasses the three giant corporations of Ideal City in its depravity, and actually controls the "Void Era," Ron doesn't think he has any chance of confronting it directly.

The Twelve Singularity Technologies are the foundation of SkyEye Corporation, and FTL Technology is even the basis upon which its president, Ronald, became a Level 5...

While rationally speaking, FTL technology may no longer seem to hold an extremely important position for Ronald, who has completely taken control of Ideal City, it is still one of the twelve singularity technologies and is definitely a core technology patent within Sky Eye Company.

To acquire this technology, one would likely need to plan and try many times before there is even a slight chance of success.

Thinking about this, and also because it was simply too difficult to obtain [FTL technology], Ron couldn't help but sigh softly:

"It seems that, just like before, I'm still quite a distance from [FTL technology]..."

"I wonder when I'll finally have the chance to glimpse the technical files of [FTL Technology]..."

But before Ron could finish speaking, Mira said in a strange tone:

"Why...why worry about this?"

"It's not difficult to look at the technical files of [FTL Technology]... Why don't you just ask that person?"

Upon hearing this, Ron was stunned and instinctively asked:

"What do you mean by...asking a question?"

"Just go directly to the Sky Eye Tower and ask him."

Hearing Ron's clearly bewildered tone, Mira remained silent for a moment, even doubting whether she was wrong.

She stared intently at the air in front of her, flipping through it as if turning pages of a book out of thin air, and then, with renewed confidence, said:
“I remember it like this… As the de facto ruler of the Old Ideal City, Mr. Ronald would arrange for his androids to receive citizens at the Sky Eye Tower every day and listen to their suggestions and requests.”

"Although it is a bionic robot, it is not much different from the real person except that Mr. Ronald did not want to show his true form. Apart from the fact that its combat power is a bit weak, it is not much different from the real person... After all, the actual consciousness is still his own."

"While the technical files for [FTL technology] do exist only within [Sky Eye Company], Mr. Ronald naturally has unlimited access to them..."

"I must say, Mr. Ronald is very easy to talk to... I have a very good reputation with him, so it should be a piece of cake for him to borrow the technical files of [FTL Technology] for you to take a look!"

At this point, Mira's tone became even more enthusiastic:
“I’ve walked through every block of the old Ideal City. I know the route from here to the Sky Eye Tower very well. I can find three routes within a ten-minute walk…”

"If you wish, I can take you to the Sky Eye Tower to find Mr. Ronald right now... What do you think?"

...Then how can we say no?
Although reason tells Ron that a Level 5, a leader of the era, and the current de facto ruler of Ideal City, cannot possibly be someone who is friendly to the people...

But what if?
What if, for Ronald, who has completely taken control of the entire Ideal City, possesses twelve copies of Singularity Technology, and has thoroughly mastered the Central Intelligence, the FTL Technology is really not that important, and he can easily hand it over to others for viewing?
With the possibility of being directly promoted to Lv.5 right in front of him, Ron had to consider whether this was his only chance in this lifetime.

If that [Ronald] were the real person accepting the citizens, that would be fine. But considering his Lv.5 strength, Ron really needs to consider avoiding a direct confrontation to prevent his disguise from being exposed and him being grabbed and instantly refined...

But what does Ron have to fear about an android whose strength is far inferior to his original self?

Even if he didn't actually obtain the technical files for [FTL technology], Ron could simply activate [Unknown Domain] and make a fake escape!
He has a trump card that he is certain to win, and he has no reason to back down when faced with an adventure that poses no threat to him at all!

Thinking of this, Ron casually opened the drawer next to him and took out the [Psionic Awakening Potion], which also shimmered with a seven-colored hue like a starry sea.

Then, he easily released his grip on Mira's throat and focused the [Unknowable Domain - Pseudo] on his face...

"You won a chance to survive through your cooperation."

Enveloped in mist, their features completely obscured—male, female, young, tall, short, fat, thin—stood before Mira and whispered:
"Then, lead the way..."

"Let's go to the Sky Eye Tower and meet Mr. Ronald!"

(End of this chapter)