People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

She recounted her discovery, word by word, bit by bit:

"Prophet".

"We're taking a conservative estimate; we'll kill them."

The sound stopped suddenly.

The diamond shape flashed in her eyes, and reason prevented her from blurting out the number "seven billion".

She was acutely aware that the prophet could not bear this number.

It was as if she herself couldn't bear it.

Her open mouth slowly closed, her tightly pursed lips gradually relaxed, and she comforted her lover with a slightly amused voice.

"Just kidding, prophet."

"Are you here to invite me to hibernate together? I agree. You should go back to Rhodes Island first. I'll send you into hibernation after I finish what I'm doing."

"And what about you?" the prophet asked. "He is coming soon, and what about you?"

Precys shook his head:

"Of course I also hibernate."

"But before that, I need to work overtime in the internalized universe for a while."

"Until all redundant information is completely removed."

Chapter 1059: How can this not be considered saving everything? (5700)

"Let me tell you a fairy tale?"

Long, long ago, there was a world of microorganisms.

In the ever-changing universe, billions of crystalline hyphae weave together to form a dazzling galaxy. The first life spores awaken from chaos, measuring the wrinkles of time with their flagella, igniting the spark of civilization in the gaps of nutrient currents.

Then, the city-states built of mucous membranes grew along the ion gradient, and the amber-colored capsules stretched into domes in the osmotic pressure difference. Nomadic settlements rode Brownian motion to chase protein storms. The pioneers forged decomposing enzymes into sharp blades for conquering new territories, and used quorum sensing to build a carpet empire spanning twelve pH quadrants. Each binary fission was a self-replication of civilization.

The development of the microbial empire is rapid; they are energetic, tireless, full of curiosity about the world, and brimming with imagination about the future of civilization.

Their membrane channel diplomats traveled between sulfur springs and hydrothermal vents, incorporating the extreme tribes into a symbiotic network.

Secondly, their chemotactic expeditionary force crossed the snow-capped mountains forged by antibiotics, planting whip-like banners deep in the antibiotic desert.

One of their prophets deciphered the mysterious plasmid scripture, and amidst the roar of rotating proton engines, the hyphal fleet tore through the peptidoglycan canopy, heading toward the absolute boundary that no sporangium had ever reached before.

As the last batch of fluorescent signals from the wandering tribes disappeared at the end of the devouring bubble, the membrane cosmologist finally observed the other side of the world on the centrifugal altar—a chaotic scene where crimson flesh and lightless space were filled with deafening roars from mindless behemoths that moved constantly.

The microorganisms discovered that these enormous beings, which they called "demons," lacked the capacity for thought. Yet, they seemed to operate according to some signal, engaging in activities akin to "thought." They possessed many forms, but all adhered to a single principle: endlessly devouring everything around them. In their consumption, they released unimaginable energy, which traveled through "channels" throughout this realm known as "subspace" to unknown destinations. The mere sound emitted during their movements was enough to send the microorganisms into a frenzy.

Therefore, great scientists had to develop some kind of anchor point to stabilize their minds and explore this space.

After countless eons, the people of the empire finally claimed to have discovered everything.

They conducted their research using self-defined laws of physics, manipulating information scientifically to construct everything they needed. They permeated every corner of the entire "universe," and even though they could not completely eliminate the warp demons that resembled a "natural phenomenon," they found ways to circumvent their influence.

Thus, they finally reached their peak.

They arrogantly established "boundaries" for the universe and erected a monument inscribed with the ultimate declaration of civilization.

—【This is the edge of all things.】

"But the change also happened at this moment."

"The microorganisms initially thought it was just an ordinary natural disaster."

"A cosmic storm, a spatial collapse, and a subspace invasion outwards."

"Until He is finally proven to be beyond all theories we can understand, to trample on all the knowledge we have constructed, and to destroy all the resistance we are capable of putting up."

"And so, the collapse began."

The front lines of the microbial civilization crumbled step by step, and one by one, the discoverable settlements fell. Its methods were endless: it would rain down raindrops from outside the universe to destroy civilizations, or use inconceivable forces to directly dig out the foundations of civilizations from the universe, or even turn a region that should have existed into an unobservable, incomprehensible, and inaccessible "nothingness" without being able to observe it.

Civilization ultimately could not resist this incredible force, but that does not mean that civilization has given up all hope.

Several geniuses have emerged from the microbial community.

"The first genius proposed to preserve the few remaining elites in our civilization using the most advanced preservation methods we can employ. He firmly believed that [His] change was merely an accident, and that the universe, which had been peaceful and tranquil for countless years, would inevitably return to its original state. Once [His] gaze was withdrawn, the surviving elites could be thawed and begin rebuilding our civilization."

"In order to ensure that someone would notice when [He] left, he volunteered to become the watchman."

"But he couldn't answer that question either—could the freezing method fool [He]'s eyes? So this plan was just burying his head in the sand; it could only make the frozen elites believe they were protected in their peaceful sleep, while [He] knew they weren't."

"Such a passive plan naturally did not receive much support."

"And so came the second genius."

"The second genius was a radical among geniuses. He hated the unknown [He], hated that [He] trampled on civilization, despised the truth, and destroyed everything. But at the same time, he hated even more the nihilism and surrender theory that were prevalent within civilization."

"Is there a supreme god outside the universe who manipulates everything around us with an unseen hand? He absolutely doesn't believe such a thing!"

He did not believe that a so-called supreme god could remain uninvolved when civilization had already explored all the truths! He also absolutely refused to accept that the so-called unseen hand could really manipulate everything.

"Therefore, he declared that he would gather all the existing elite forces and wisdom to build a super weapon to completely destroy [Him] when that unknown event occurs around him!"

"His theory gained some support, but the leader of the geniuses disagreed with him. [He] could absolutely not be defeated. The leader realized this long ago. His wise vision transcended the boundaries of civilization and even the universe. He thought that if there really was a way to kill [He], then such a method would be far beyond their ability to withstand. In the end, it would only be a lose-lose situation where both sides would be severely damaged."

"What civilization needs is not a lose-lose demise, but survival."

"And so came the third genius."

"The third genius was a biologist who dedicated herself to the study of life in the universe. At a time of crisis for civilization, she brilliantly proposed an idea—what if the universe itself was a living thing?"

"Based on this conjecture, she believes that the unknown, supreme 'He' is actually the will of the universe itself, and 'He' is not destroying the universe where civilizations reside, but rather destroying the civilizations within the universe."

"This idea has been supported by a lot of evidence. The first genius had discovered many relics left by [past civilizations] in the universe, which is why she firmly believed that the universe would eventually return to a peaceful state. So, she further proposed a method."

"Civilization has discovered many special life forms in the universe that conform to the laws of nature and possess the characteristics of truth. In the past, because their [powers] were incomplete, they were often regarded as weapons of war or as ornamental creatures. But if civilization uses its knowledge and methods to assist these special life forms, is it possible to cultivate a new life form that encompasses all the [laws of the universe]?"

"If it's possible, based on this conclusion, since the original civilization's universe refuses to accept the developing civilization, could the developing civilization escape the destruction of the original universe by entering the body of this new being who has mastered all the [universal laws]?"

"This theory has been endorsed by the genius leader. Theoretically speaking, it is more feasible than the previous two plans."

"But the problem is time."

"When the third genius proposed this plan, civilization was already at its end. They had very little resources and time left. If it were at its peak, civilization could have used all its resources to inject all the knowledge it possessed into a special life form and verified the feasibility of the plan in a cramming manner. But now, they have lost that opportunity."

"They can only nurture them slowly, hoping that these special life forms can learn everything they need to become a [new universe] over a long period of time. But civilization can no longer wait for that long period of time."

"And so, the fourth genius was born."

Precys paused slightly, not continuing the story of the fourth genius, but instead turned to the Doctor and asked him the question he had asked at the beginning.

"Doctor, you asked me what I'm researching."

"This is what I'm researching, do you understand?"

The doctor understood.

Precys's explanation was so clear and easy to understand that not only the PhD, but even Ernst, whose professional level was not so high, could understand what she meant.

The first genius corresponds to Trevor Friston's "Preserver" project.

This opportunity is the simplest and easiest to understand: by using the life-sustaining devices of a prehistoric civilization, a group of humankind can be preserved, and after the "Observer" who destroyed the civilization leaves, these people can be released again to build a new civilization.

But as Precys said, the plan was more of a placebo.

Trevor Friston couldn't guarantee that the Observer wouldn't actually discover the preserved humans. From the moment the humans entered the sarcophagus, the plan was simply to "make the humans believe they could still wake up."

This was an uncertain hope. Ernst believed that those who entered the sarcophagus back then probably didn't truly believe in the plan; they simply had no other choice.

It's simply a matter of dying while fully conscious versus dying peacefully in one's sleep.

The second genius corresponds to Ed's [Heavenly Pivot].

A desperate reconnaissance mission.

He was very courageous, but beneath that courage lay a profound despair.

Some people silently accept their impending doom, while others choose to fight to the death. Dying standing is also a way to die. As a member of a flourishing human civilization, Ed refuses to accept the so-called judgment from the "Observer".

Even if you kill me, you won't make me kneel!

This idea is admirable, but as the genius leader said, even if there were a way to kill the [Observer], the cost would be unbearable for them.

Because the observer does not destroy the universe; the observer only destroys civilizations.

In response, the third genius, Luo, made a very successful analogy. "Three"

If the observer is also a life form, then the level of that life form must be equivalent to that of the universe itself.

Just like the microbial empire in the story, they attach themselves to the human body, just like the turkeys on the farm in Ernst's previous life's "The Three-Body Problem".

However, the turkey scientists were facing farmers, and while a swarm of turkeys might have a chance to defeat the unarmed farmer, microorganisms cannot defeat their hosts.

They explored every inch of the human body and roamed within a space called the "subspace." They could not destroy the "demons," which were mindless entities that moved due to nerve signals and consumed surrounding energy to sustain life, but they could coexist with them.

Until this person himself took notice of them.

Raindrops capable of annihilating civilizations were rained down directly from outside the universe. Perhaps he was just feeling unwell, so he took a shower or sprayed some antiseptic on himself.

With unimaginable power, he directly ripped the foundations of civilization from the universe. Perhaps he simply reached out and scratched that spot, or wiped it with a towel.

Or perhaps it is so unobservable that a region that should exist is transformed into "nothingness" that is unobservable, incomprehensible, and inaccessible.

Perhaps the problem he faced was exceptionally serious, so he chose to cut off a piece of nail and peel off a piece of dead skin, or perhaps it was too serious to be cured, so he opted for amputation.

Therefore, the "Heavenly Pivot" was destined to fail.

Even the most powerful firepower is nothing more than powerful germs. The universe has no obligation to make you understand; the universe has countless means to eliminate them that you can't even imagine.

Even if the firepower of [天堂支￥泗→粑誀叁？ 蒐索ﱂUn:点] is truly overwhelming, so what?

You may feel happy for a while after killing your host, but eventually you will also die, because the body will eventually decay, just as the universe will eventually die of heat.

Therefore, Luo's idea as the third genius was able to gain recognition.

Because, if the behemoth that wields power is a cell that constitutes the human body, then theoretically, given enough time to nurture it and enough information to collect, that cell could grow into a new person.

Humans evolved from the most primitive single-celled organisms. Why can't the universe be a fully evolved behemoth? (Celestial Ending)

"Luo told me the story of this civilization."

"She said she chose to locate her laboratory in the ocean because you once told her that."

"[Starting from the first budding life underwater]."

Precys looked at Ernst and said softly.

"Your existence is crucial to her and to us."

"Because you are the true hope."

"Until we uncover the true nature of you, [Amber], all our conjectures remain just that—conjectures. Whether it's the [Preserver] or the [Heavenly Pivot], no one can deny the legitimacy of their plan, because no one can definitively say what the [Observer] is."

"But after discovering the true nature of you [Amber], everything became clear."

"You are the best proof, because your ability to unconditionally store the information of an entire universe within your body proves one thing: the so-called 'Observer' does exist, and the supreme god does exist."

"That's why Ed hates you. He opposes this so-called 'divine' authority, even if you are not our cruel 'god'. That's why Lo is infatuated with you, because your existence is the greatest recognition for her. Your starting point is the end point she pursues in her life. Every day she is with you, she can gain genuine hope for the future from you."

"So when you left, she was so angry."

That last sentence was spoken by Trevor Friston.

He interrupted Precys's slightly biased description of Lo, explaining that from his perspective, he didn't think Lo's behavior back then was so "normal."

After all, the [Nurturer] project aims to cultivate a [Beast] that completes the entire process of "from single-celled organism to human," so when facing Ernst, this "adult," she often displays a kind of "maternal" instinct.

After she nurtured the Deep Blue Tree, she often referred to it as "our child" in front of the "treasure".

To paraphrase Ernst's words from his previous life: Lo wanted to be both her mother and his wife.

But it is clear that one cannot be both a mother and a wife!

At least for Friston, an older man, he felt this was a bit beyond his capabilities, but Precys, a young man, didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with it at all.

This is actually normal. Prehistoric civilizations rarely had the concept of "family." Apart from a small number of traditionalists like Friston, humans in prehistoric civilizations rarely took care of their daughters themselves. They mostly sent their newborns to children's educational institutions in nearby star sectors to raise them, which is commonly known as socialized upbringing.

It is very possible for a child to grow up without ever knowing who their parents are. If they don't care or deliberately investigate, it is very common for them to die without ever knowing.

Lo and Precy grew up this way, so they didn't see anything wrong with it. But Friston, the one who held the old family together, felt from the bottom of his heart:

Young people these days really enjoy searching QQ groups: just! [:佴4傘!3鈴花.]

As the elderly man with the best relationship with the "treasure" from the prehistoric era, Trevor Friston felt it was necessary to interrupt Precys before she corrupted Ernst.