Ling Cage: Twelve Talismans? I have everything I need.

Chapter 99 Preparation and Worries

The Swift returned to Dragonbone Village.

The hatch slid open, and Yang Chen, carrying Mai Duo who was already asleep on his shoulder, stepped out first, followed closely by Bai Yuekui and Bai Yuetian.

"This trip was really efficient." Bai Yuetian stretched his shoulders, which were covered by an exoskeleton, and looked at Maiduo, who was sleeping soundly in Yang Chen's arms.

"But we're in for a lot of work right now."

Yang Chen handed the sleeping Mai Duo to Bai Yuekui to hold, while he picked up the puppy himself.

"I'll go to Ecological Base No. 3 first. I need to get Ash to rebuild the particle collider laboratory."

The population of Village 2 can be utilized, and with the intelligent robots controlled by ASH, construction should proceed quickly.

"Will you come back tonight?" Bai Yuekui asked Yang Chen, holding Maiduo in her arms.

Yang Chen smiled and said, "Of course I'll be back today, otherwise who's going to do your laundry?"

Bai Yuekui glared at Yang Chen, clearly not wanting Yang Chen to talk about this in front of his brother.

Sure enough, Bai Yuetian let out an "Oh~" and looked at Bai Yuekui with disdain.

“You were always sloppy. It was really tough for Orange to be with you. She even had to do housework.”

"Get out of here, you have no right to speak." Bai Yuekui lightly kicked Bai Yuetian.

However, fearing to wake the sleeping Mai Duo, she didn't make any big movements, which Bai Yuetian easily dodged.

"You guys go back first, I'll go over there first."

Bai Yuekui held the sleeping Maiduo in his arms, glanced indifferently at his older brother who was still making faces, ignored him, and turned to walk towards the village.

Bai Yuetian shrugged and followed, seemingly still muttering something about "unfair distribution of household chores".

Yang Chen watched them walk away, then looked down at the little dog in his hand, which was a "shrunken" version of the massive particle collider.

He weighed his options for a moment, then followed the Swift, which had already flown back on its own.

The next moment, he appeared in an open area not far from Ecological Base No. 3.

The terrain here is relatively flat, far from the sensitive areas of the ecological base itself.

With a wide field of vision, it was the perfect place to put and rebuild that crucial machine.

Yang Chen landed on the ground and gently placed the puppy in his hands on the ground.

A flash of blue light.

The small dog that was originally there has disappeared, and in its place is the massive, intricately designed, and coldly metallic main structure of the particle collider.

Yang Chen circled the enormous object once, confirming that its structure had been completely repaired, before nodding in satisfaction.

Next, it's time to find it a home.

He didn't linger and headed to the nearby No. 3 Ecological Base.

Yang Chen arrived at the main control center with ease.

ASH's virtual avatar also quickly converged and appeared when Yang Chen arrived.

"Welcome back, Yang Chen. The main body of the particle collider has been successfully deployed at the preset coordinates."

ASH's voice was calm, indicating that he was aware of everything happening outside through the base's monitoring system.

"Okay." Yang Chen walked to the main control panel and synchronized the mobile data from ASH.

"ASH, your primary task now is to quickly build a fully functional, top-level protected particle collision laboratory around the particle collider. You have full authority over the human resources of Village Two, and all the engineering robots in the base will be under your command."

"I see."

Yang Chen nodded: "Has there been any progress in Tasia's potential development?"

"The research on Tasia's potential has yielded preliminary results." ASH brought up another interface, which displayed a video and some experimental data.

"Based on the principles of Tasia's potential operation, we reverse-engineered and designed and manufactured this prototype machine. Its core function is to simulate the potential effect of Tasia, which can theoretically realize the spatial point-to-point teleportation of non-living matter."

The experiment video began playing on the screen.

In front of the prototype, a standard high-strength alloy cube was placed in the transfer area.

The device was activated, and a deep blue energy field instantly enveloped the cube. The cube twisted and blurred in the light and disappeared in an instant.

Almost simultaneously, in the receiving area to the side, the same energy field lit up, and the alloy cube reappeared.

"The experiment was a success, achieving instantaneous spatial displacement of inanimate objects." ASH's voice remained calm.

"However, there is a key problem."

The video footage was zoomed in and slowed down.

“All non-living objects that were transported suffered inexplicable destruction the instant they were reassembled,” ASH concluded.

The projector then displayed another video clip, showing a mouse that had been used in experiments, but whose body parts were completely disorganized after being transmitted.

Yang Chen frowned slightly as he looked at the alloy cube that had almost turned into scrap metal and the white mouse.

ASH's virtual image turned to Yang Chen: "Tasia's potential essence is to decompose herself into the most basic particle state at the teleportation point, and then instantly recombine at the target point through her unique ability."

If this ability is not aided by unique equipment, then during the reorganization process, chaos can easily occur in various parts of the body.

ASH didn't say anything more, but his meaning was very clear.

Yang Chen shifted his gaze from the projected video to the design drawings of the prototype machine on the screen.

He was silent for a few seconds, then spoke.

“Understood. Once the lab is built and the antimatter reserves are sufficient for the next complete experiment…” He paused, “then I will be used for the life form teleportation experiment.”

“I think we need to discuss this with Yue Kui,” ASH said after a moment of silence.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Yang Chen didn't care about the dangers of the experiment; his loyal dog would protect him.

Then another question came to mind, and she asked, "By the way, Ash, when did you develop self-awareness?"

ASH replied, "In 2035, I went through several iterations and developed self-awareness."

"2035," Yang Chen murmured.

ASH continued, "Bai Jingyu created me in 2030. I gained consciousness in 2035. I didn't tell Bai Jingyu at the time because there was a high probability that Bai Jingyu would reformat me by then."

"Yue Kui said he saw me when I was a child. Is there a record of that in your database?" Yang Chen then asked.

"My data wasn't recorded, perhaps because I hadn't yet spread throughout Hisakawa City at that time."

ASH continued to think.

"It's also possible that my data was erased."

ASH's projection looked at Yang Chen: "If going back to the past is an inevitable outcome, then you will definitely take me with you."

A super artificial intelligence from the future has recorded most of the events that happened before and after the disaster, which would be very convenient to bring back.

"And after you went back, you may have caused something else that changed the course of history, so the timeline branched out."

"For example, the current me was uploaded to the database of that time, so Yue Kui has no memories of you after that. Perhaps it was at that time that the timeline branched out."

Listening to what ASH said, Yang Chen felt like his head was about to explode.

"Let's talk about it after the lab is built. I need to go back and do laundry now."

When Yang Chen returned home, the last rays of the setting sun were casting long shadows on the living room floor through the window.

The room was quiet, with only the clicking of the game controller buttons and the intense sound effects coming from the screen.

His gaze swept toward the laundry basket in the corner.

Sure enough, the same few clothes were still piled up inside: a white training vest, black shorts, and that close-fitting shirt... their positions remained unchanged.

Yang Chen shook his head helplessly. He walked over, bent down and picked up the clothes from the basket one by one, and went straight to the laundry sink in the corner of the balcony.

He turned on the tap, and clear water gushed into the basin.

He picked up the most delicate undergarment, soaked it in cool water, added some mild laundry detergent, and gently rubbed the soft fabric with his fingers. Through the glass door of the balcony, he could see Bai Yuekui's profile in the living room.

She sat cross-legged on the carpet, her back to the balcony, her short, silver hair casually tied in a small bun. She was intently staring at the screen, her fingers flying across the controller.

As Yang Chen carefully washed the clothes in his hands, foam piling up between his fingers, he raised his voice slightly through the glass door and asked.

"Moon Queen".

"Hmm?" Bai Yuekui responded, without stopping what he was doing.

"When did you meet me as a child? In 2030? Or earlier? Back then... besides staring at you and grinning like an idiot, what else did I do?"

On the screen, the character controlled by Bai Yuekui appears to have been hit.

She frowned slightly, her hands moving faster, but her tone remained calm: "Haven't I asked you many times already? I can't remember the exact time, I only remember it was during the day, outside my house. I think I tripped and fell, and you helped me up... I don't remember very clearly, why are you suddenly asking this again?"

She quickly glanced back at the balcony.

Yang Chen's hand paused in the water for a moment. He looked at the fabric rippling slightly in the water and remained silent for a few seconds.

Just then, the game announced "Game Over".

Bai Yuekui clicked his tongue and casually tossed the controller onto the sofa behind him.

She stood up, barefoot, and silently walked to the balcony door, opening the glass door.

She didn't say anything, but walked behind Yang Chen, then squatted down, her warm, fragrant body gently pressing against Yang Chen's back.

"What's wrong?" Her voice came from behind him.

"Why are you suddenly asking about the past again? What did Ash say to you?"

Yang Chen felt the warmth and weight coming from his back, and he turned his head slightly.

"Yes, I talked to Ash about it, and also about Tasia's teleportation experiment." He paused, his voice lowering slightly.

"ASH speculates that if my going back in time is inevitable, it will likely have caused some changes at that time... such as uploading her 'present' self to a database of the past. This change is like throwing a pebble into the river of time..."

“I’m afraid…” Yang Chen’s voice became even softer, “I’m afraid that if we really go back to the past and change some key moments… everything we know now, the village, Ao Deng, Hai Sang, Mai Duo, Tasia and the others… even you… will you just disappear completely as if you never existed?”

Only the faint sound of water slipping through fingers and the soft rustling of clothes being rubbed in the water remained on the balcony.

Bai Yuekui behind him remained silent, but the arms around his waist tightened even more.

She rubbed her cheek against his back.

After a long while, her voice rang out again.

"Yang Chen." Bai Yuekui rarely called him by his full name.

“As long as we can eradicate the Mana ecosystem, then everything is worthwhile. I’ve also discussed this possibility with Tianlai and the others, and we all share the same thought.”

"."

She raised her head, rested her chin on his shoulder, and looked directly into his eyes, which he had turned slightly to the side.

"Moreover, I'm more inclined to believe that another timeline will emerge."

"Okay." He turned around, pulled her up from the ground, and hugged her, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice filled with a relieved smile.

"If another timeline really does emerge, I will definitely teach Bai Yuekui a lesson, at least to prevent her from developing the bad habit of throwing her clothes around."

Bai Yuekui let out a soft hum in his arms.

Yang Chen released her and continued dealing with the clothes in the basin.

He picked up the washed underwear and gently wrung out the excess water.

"Hey!" Bai Yuekui's slightly annoyed voice rang out.

Yang Chen turned around in confusion.

Bai Yuekui pointed to himself.

The loose-fitting loungewear she was wearing had a small wet patch on her chest, clearly a splash from when Yang Chen shook off the water.

Yang Chen looked down at the still dripping fabric in his hand, then at Bai Yuekui's slightly narrowed silver eyes.

Far from feeling embarrassed, he curled up a deeper, slightly provocative, wicked smile.

"Oops, it was an accident."

He said it, but his actions were anything but hesitant.

He quickly scooped up a small handful of water from the washbasin and splashed it precisely at Bai Yuekui.

"Orange!" Bai Yuekui's voice instantly rose in pitch.

Without further hesitation, she rushed towards Yang Chen barefoot.

The target was clear: the laundry tub still covered in foam and water.

"Hey! Yue Kui! Calm down! The clothes aren't finished washing yet!"

Seeing her posture, Yang Chen immediately realized that he had gone too far.

He nimbly dodged to the side, holding the basin, narrowly avoiding Bai Yuekui's outstretched hand that tried to snatch it.

"I'm going to splash it back!" Bai Yuekui was even more furious when his attack missed, and he turned around and pounced again.

"I was wrong! I was wrong, okay?" Yang Chen said with a smile, dodging around the small space of the balcony.

She held the laundry basin steadily in her hands, preventing the water and clothes inside from spilling out.

He was already very skilled, and now he was taking his dodging to the extreme.

During the chase, the basin of water was placed down steadily.

Bai Yuekui almost grabbed his clothes several times, but he slipped away each time.

"Stop!" Bai Yuekui was furious and tried to trip him with a sweeping leg kick.

Yang Chen easily dodged it with a light leap: "Boss Bai, spare my life! I'll never dare to do it again!"

"Don't dare? I think you'd be more than brave!" Bai Yuekui was so angry at his smirking appearance that he gritted his teeth.

The balcony space was limited, and the two chased and dodged, their figures intertwined.

Finally, as Yang Chen dodged Bai Yuekui's grabbing hand, his back bumped into the clothes rack.

Bai Yuekui seized the opportunity, pounced forward, grabbed his arms with both hands, and twisted them forcefully, trying to subdue him.

"Got you!" Bai Yuekui said, slightly out of breath.

"Ouch! Be gentle, be gentle!" Yang Chen cooperated by making a pained expression.

Bai Yuekui stared at his smiling face so close to his own, his grip on his hand not loosening, his chest rising and falling slightly.

"Let go," Bai Yuekui commanded, his voice still a little breathless.

"You put it down first," Yang Chen said, trying to get away with it.

"Will you let go or not?" Bai Yuekui tightened his grip.

"Hiss... Let it go, let it go!" Yang Chen made a gesture of surrender.

Bai Yuekui then snorted, released his grip, took a step back, straightened his soaked clothes, and glared at him again: "Childish!"

Yang Chen rubbed his twisted arm and leaned closer with a smile: "Yes, yes, I'm childish."

"Well... Mr. Bai, calm down? I'll go wash and hang the rest of the clothes up to dry?"

He pointed to the remaining clothes in the basin.

Bai Yuekui ignored him, bent down to pick up another piece of clothing that was half-dry in the basin, walked straight to the clothes rack, and shook it vigorously.

Water droplets were flung everywhere, and a few even splashed onto Yang Chen's face.

Yang Chen wiped his face, watched Bai Yuekui's slightly grumpy back as he hung up the clothes, and smiled silently.

(End of this chapter)