Bearing the blue sky

Chapter 337 Time and Inheritance!

"This choice—"

Zhu Ge hesitated for a moment.

fighting?

Retreat?

Or should we observe?

Out of caution, Zhu Ge chose to observe again.

You've been following this group of squirrels, observing their behavior.

The leader of this squirrel pack, the three squirrels, saw you, but didn't stop walking. However, another three squirrel in the pack noticed you.

The three squirrels have broken away from the main group to approach you and extend an invitation.

invite??

Zhu Ge was taken aback for a moment, then quickly realized what was happening.

This has triggered an Easter egg!

Previously, no matter how many times, whether it was a banyan tree, a pine tree, or anything else, he had done so.

He always chooses to break through and fight.

The banyan tree hit its bottom, and he wanted to break through.

As the pine tree grew, he wanted to expand.

However, none of them triggered the choice related to the tribulation theme, that is, the choice of the unique trait.

But now, he saw a different scene, and suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

Tribulation Crossing —

Perhaps, it's related to that—

Zhu Ge's heart stirred.

However, further investigation is needed to verify his ideas.

Having a direction is good, though.

Let's continue the simulation!

Zhu Ge squatted on that branch, watching the three squirrels approaching.

Its movements were different from those of the other individuals in the previous squirrel group.

Its three heads face three different directions, with the head on the left front keeping watch over the surrounding environment, and the head on the right rear slightly lowered.

His gaze was steady and focused, without any wariness or threat.

It stopped about three feet away from Zhuge, its middle head slightly lowered, and it touched the surface of the branch in front of it with the tip of its nose.

"Squeak?"

It is extending an invitation to him, not a fight, not territorial expansion, but an invitation.

Inviting me to join? Zhu Ge sensed its gesture.

The three squirrels' tails hung low and didn't sway, and the ears of all three heads were pointing forward, as if they were focusing all their attention on their direction.

Its presence is not oppressive, but rather expresses a will.

"You're inviting me to join you?" Zhu Ge, who was a squirrel, made a sound.

He tilted his head slightly, revealing a patch of fur on the side of his neck, indicating that he had lowered his guard and was willing to continue the conversation.

The middle head of the three squirrels slightly raised. Its gaze lingered on you for a moment, then shifted to the left and right in turn, as if exchanging a silent message with the other two heads.

The pause wasn't long, but once it ended, its posture clearly changed—its tail rose slightly, the tip pointing in your direction.

It once again extended an invitation.

So that's how it is—Zhu Ge sensed the change in that posture.

Its tail was raised and then lowered, the tip of which swayed gently in front of you, as if it were conveying a signal to you in some silent language.

Tribulation, tribulation, tribulation.

The word echoed repeatedly in Zhu Ge's mind, and then suddenly intertwined with those qualities.

"The banyan tree takes root downwards, grows upwards, and then falls. There is no lineage."

6

"Pine trees take root in the cracks of rocks, grow, and then fall. There is no inheritance."

66

"Dandelions spread seeds, but each seed is an independent beginning. There is no inheritance."

"Squirrels—from one to two, then to part of a group. There is inheritance, but it only exists in the same generation."

5

Zhu Ge suddenly understood and grasped that glimmer of inspiration.

The essence of "transcending tribulation" is not individual breakthrough or growth, but how to make an individual's existence transcend their lifespan!

Survive the test of time!

All species face a calamity: time.

What is time?

Essentially, the invention of the word "time" comes from human cognition and definition.

However, the essence of time is the change of matter.

The process of a flower blooming and withering involves the movement and changes of molecules and atoms.

The journey from birth to old age is not simply a matter of being swept away by the so-called "river of time".

Rather, it's a change in the body's cells.

The concepts of space and time are human definitions.

So, how do we fight against time?

Matter is something that cannot be resisted.

The essential law of matter is absolute motion and relative stillness.

Anything that moves will change.

This sport is not high jump or running, but rather a sport at the microscopic level.

Therefore, to "transcend the tribulation," one needs to transcend the material world.

Matter, energy, and information.

These are the three essential aspects of nature.

The way to transcend is not to live longer, but to pass on the message of existence.

For example, in his simulations, each simulation was an independent entity, and each ending was a complete annihilation.

Each time was isolated, one-off, and without follow-up.

But the three squirrels are inviting him to join a group.

A social unit that has already established a certain scale and collaborative model.

The group itself is a way of passing on traditions.

Individual knowledge, experience, and behavioral patterns can be passed down within a group, and the group can continue to exist even after the individual's life ends.

He sat on the branch, where the three squirrels were still waiting for his response.

Its posture remained unchanged, still maintaining an inviting stance.

Just like humans.

What distinguishes humans from other animals is their ability to pass on knowledge.

Knowledge is not wisdom.

For example, when it comes to operating a mobile phone, even the most intelligent primitive man is not as good as the most foolish modern man.

This is knowledge.

It is the intelligence and wisdom of generations that have accumulated into the brilliant knowledge of humankind.

This kind of knowledge transfer is what constitutes inheritance.

Inheritance is the only way to survive the ravages of time.

Knowledge, ideas, and spirit can all exist beyond changes in matter.

Tribulation is a tribulation that exists for every living and non-living thing, and it can only be overcome through inheritance!

Therefore, Zhu Ge made a decision.

He took half a step along the branch toward the three squirrels, turned to the side, and made a gesture indicating that he was willing to follow.

This is a silent response, indicating his willingness to join the group and become part of a larger network of existence.

The three squirrels' tails did indeed wag—a clear signal.

You are being accepted into the group.

You followed the three squirrels along the tree branches, passing through several layers of the canopy's branches.

[You can sense that more energy is gathering ahead, distributing across branches at different depths, forming a slowly expanding area of ​​perception.]

You have entered a more open canopy area. Here, the sunlight is more abundant, the branches are thicker, there are more branches, and the canopy layer is higher.

There are more squirrels here; some are foraging for food, some are patrolling the perimeter, and some are resting near their burrows.

Their scents and movements form an orderly cooperative network, with each one performing its own function and maintaining frequent contact and mutual confirmation with one another.

You are entering a squirrel's habitat.

You have been accepted.

He sat perched on a thick branch high up, looking down at the squirrels that were moving around him.

Some were patrolling the border, some were gathering fruit, and some were resting near the entrance to their den. The entire group was operating in an orderly manner.

Each one is performing its own function, maintaining frequent contact and confirmation with each other.

The three squirrels sat down beside him, following his gaze to the same area, sharing his observation of the territory.

He found his place in the group.

He is no longer a lone squirrel, nor is he one of two squirrels; he is now part of a group.

He is gaining a broader perspective and a more sustainable foundation for survival than individuals can achieve alone by sharing space and resources with other individuals.

This group is more enduring and larger than him, and is able to accommodate him and find his place within it.

You are connecting with a group, learning its rules and collaborative patterns.

You are becoming part of a group, integrating into a larger system.

Your sense of being a squirrel is changing; you are transitioning from being one of two squirrels to being a member of a group.

The transition was neither drastic nor sudden; it seemed to be happening slowly and gradually.

You have successfully transitioned from an individual to a member of the group; you are now becoming a complete group squirrel.

Your perception range continues to expand, allowing you to sense the location and status of other individuals within the group.

You are establishing a more efficient information exchange system with them, enabling you to coordinate your movements and speeds without making a sound.

Your territory's boundaries have overlapped with the group's territory boundaries; you are becoming part of this population.

really!

This species has accepted itself!

Zhu Ge felt a sense of relief.

This simulation is particularly long and is still ongoing, unlike the previous ones which ended quickly.

This means that he might actually gain a unique trait from this simulation.

Of course, even if he ultimately fails to acquire the unique trait, the insights gained during this simulation are still quite substantial.

[You are learning about this group, and at the same time, you are looking for an opportunity to become a member of Three Squirrels.]

Becoming three squirrels isn't as simple as one squirrel combining with two squirrels; it requires three pairs of two squirrels to combine and form one three squirrel.

[And many other requirements must be met, such as time spent together, similar diets, similar body types, etc.]

Only when you all possess nearly identical scents, tastes, body shapes, hair length, and color can you truly merge and evolve.

Zhu Ge squatted on the thick branch, sensing the information flowing towards him.

The squirrels in the group were sending him signals in their own ways.

Some slowed down as they approached him, gently brushing the tip of their tails against the surface of the branch he was sitting on.

Some stopped at a distance, watched him briefly, and then continued with their own actions.

Some completely ignore his existence, as if they have already confirmed that he belongs to this area and does not need any extra attention or confirmation.

He is being accepted!

Becoming part of the group!

But he also noticed some deeper signals.

The older squirrels in the group, those that have lived in this canopy for many seasons.

They move with a rhythm different from that of young squirrels.

Their movements are more precise and they waste less energy, as if they have developed a more optimized behavioral pattern through years of repetition.

He was observing them.

You are observing the behavior patterns of the older squirrels in the group.

You've noticed that when they forage for food, they choose riper fruits; when patrolling the borders, they select more efficient routes; and when storing food, they choose drier and more secure locations.

Their behavior possesses a precision honed by time, as if the most effective methods of action have been etched into their bodily memory.

Your choice is—

First, follow the older squirrels, observe their behavioral patterns, and learn from their accumulated experience.

Second, establish closer relationships with squirrels of similar age, forming a deeper understanding through shared growth.

Third, look for opportunities to establish connections with the other two squirrels within the group, exploring the possibility of transitioning from two squirrels to three.

Zhu Ge felt the different possibilities brought about by those three choices.

He found his place in the group, but he has not yet fully integrated into the group's information network and knowledge transmission system.

"Follow those older squirrels," Zhu Ge chose. "Observe their behavioral patterns and learn from their accumulated experience."

You choose to follow the older squirrels, observe their behavioral patterns, and learn from their accumulated experience.

You begin to maintain a close distance from them as they move, but not too close, so as not to disrupt their rhythm.

Observe how they choose fruit, how they judge the weight-bearing capacity of branches, and how they adjust their foraging routes and times in different seasons.

You notice a particularly old squirrel; its movements are more relaxed, and its gait is more stable.

[When harvesting fruit, it first sniffs the fruit's scent before deciding whether to pick it.]

You begin to observe the two particularly old squirrels more intently.

It seemed to have noticed your observation. After finishing a foraging session, it didn't immediately return to its nest, but lingered for a moment, glanced at you sideways, and gently wagged its tail, as if asking if you wanted to follow.

You are learning from experiences that have been proven by time.

Of course, we'll follow!

Zhu Ge's heart stirred, and she began to observe the behavior patterns of the two older squirrels, learning how they chose fruits, how they judged the weight of branches, and how they adjusted their foraging routes and rhythms in different seasons.

He noticed that during the dry season, it would choose to collect the fruit closer to the trunk because the branches there were more stable and the fruit was fuller.

During the rainy season, the branches will turn to the outer branches of the canopy because the fruit there ripens faster.

He is incorporating these experiences into his behavior patterns.

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