"These are..." Xiao Yi's voice trembled a little.
"It's humanity's last spark," Lin Xue explained. "In the real world, Earth is no longer suitable for survival. We created this virtual world to allow human consciousness to continue."
Xiao Yi felt his legs go weak and he had to hold on to the wall: "So... everything I experienced... was fake?"
"Not exactly," Lin Xue shook her head. "The virtual world is also a form of reality. Your experiences, emotions, and growth are all real. It's just... the physical rules are different."
She took Xiao Yi to a control room and called up a set of holographic projections.
"Look, this is your world line." The projection showed all of Xiao Yi's experiences from birth to the present.
Suddenly, Xiao Yi noticed something unusual: "Wait... the time here is wrong!"
The projection showed that time flowed much faster in his virtual world than in the real world. One year in the real world was equivalent to ten years in the virtual world.
"This is to accelerate human evolution," Lin Xue explained. "We need to find a way to counter the Great Filter within a limited timeframe."
"The Great Filter?"
Lin Xue's expression grew serious. "This is the ultimate test of the development of cosmic civilization. According to our calculations, 99.9% of civilizations become extinct during this stage."
She pulled up another set of data: "Observers are the embodiment of the Great Filter. They are not alien civilizations, but rather the universe's self-regulating mechanism. When a civilization develops to a point where it threatens the balance of the universe, the Great Filter will be activated."
Xiao Yi felt that his worldview was overturned again: "So... we are fighting against the entire universe?"
"To be more precise, we're looking for ways to coexist," Lin Xue corrected. "That's why we need the virtual world. Here, we can conduct countless experiments, searching for ways to break through the Great Filter."
Suddenly, the alarm sounded.
"Warning: Abnormal consciousness fluctuation detected!"
Lin Xue quickly called up the surveillance footage. Xiao Yi was surprised to find that the footage showed Chen Feng—the real Chen Feng.
"He discovered the truth," Lin Xue frowned, "and is trying to wake the others."
In the video, Chen Feng was operating something in front of each incubator. Every time his hand touched the incubator, the people inside would start to struggle violently.
"We must stop him!" Lin Xue turned and was about to leave.
Xiao Yi stopped her: "Wait! Maybe he is right! We can't live in virtuality forever!"
Lin Xue's eyes grew sharp. "You simply don't understand the cruelty of reality! Over there, we even need filters to breathe! We're battling radiation and viruses every day!"
"But that's real life!" Xiao Yi retorted, "not this... this carefully designed dream!"
The two men faced each other, and the air was filled with tension.
Suddenly, the entire facility shook violently.
"Warning: External protective shield damaged! High-dimensional energy intrusion detected!"
Lin Xue's face turned pale instantly. "Impossible... How could the Big Filter find this place..."
In the holographic projection, a huge black shadow was approaching. It looked like it was made up of countless broken fragments of time and space. Wherever it passed, everything began to distort and collapse.
"It's the Observers..." Xiao Yi murmured, "They are chasing us..."
Lin Xue quickly operated the console: "We must immediately initiate the emergency protocol! Upload all consciousnesses to a deeper virtual space!"
"No!" Xiao Yi grabbed her hand, "We can't escape this time!"
He pointed at Chen Feng on the surveillance footage and said, "Look! He's waking everyone up! This is the right choice!"
Lin Xue struggled: "You will kill everyone!"
"Maybe," Xiao Yi said firmly, "but at least we die in reality, rather than living forever in falsehood!"
Just then, a familiar voice rang out: "He's right, Lin Xue."
The two turned around and saw Chen Feng's holographic projection appear in the control room.
"You..." Lin Xue looked at him in shock.
"I discovered the truth a long time ago," Chen Feng said, "and have been preparing in secret. Now, it's time to face reality."
He pulled up a set of data: "Look, the awakened people are adapting to the real environment. Their genes have mutated and they are starting to produce antibodies that resist the Great Filter!"
Lin Xue looked at the data in disbelief: "This... How is this possible..."
"Because of hope," Xiao Yi said softly, "real hope, not virtual comfort."
The vibrations outside were getting more and more intense, and the observer's shadow was approaching.
Lin Xue finally made up her mind. She quickly operated the console: "Activate the Dawn Protocol and awaken all dormant individuals!"
Alarms blared throughout the facility: "Warning! Full awakening procedure initiated! All consciousnesses are about to return to reality!"
Xiao Yi felt dizzy and his consciousness began to blur. In his last moment of consciousness, he heard Lin Xue's voice:
"Thank you...for teaching me what true courage is..."
When Xiao Yi opened his eyes again, he found himself lying in a narrow cabin. Through the protective shield, he saw the barren surface and the huge black shadow in the sky.
But this time, he did not feel fear. Because he knew that no matter what the outcome, they were living a real life...
Xiao Yi struggled to climb out of the hibernation capsule, feeling his lungs burning with every breath he took. The air in the real world was filled with a pungent smell of chemicals, and even with a filter it was difficult to completely purify.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
