"What about other countries?" Ruan Chen asked, adjusting the projector.
Nan Jing replied, "Every country has its own technology and its own protective shields, but it seems that China's technology is 10-20% ahead, so we will be the first country to activate our protective shields."
Ruan Chen's gaze fell on the scattered islands on the map, and he said, "But there are still some countries that don't have this capability."
She had visited these small island nations, and many areas, let alone having access to protective shields, lacked electricity and running water.
“These are not things we can worry about for the time being. These places have a very low weight on the mental network. Even without a protective shield, the probability of technical screening detecting them is very low.”
After a moment's thought, Ruan Chen agreed with this statement and then asked, "So what do I need to do?"
“We need you to grow up quickly.” Nan Jing sighed, looked at the young woman, and waved to her.
Ruan Chen subconsciously walked over, letting Nan Jing place his hand on her head.
“Logically speaking, a mental network only stabilizes after adulthood. Even students in the Rising Star Class will only begin to use their mental power formally after adulthood. Before that, it’s all just training,” Nan Jing said, opening his mental network and hovering around Ruan Chen’s mental domain without making any contact. “But we can’t wait for you to come of age. Sorry.”
"Is this why you asked me to prepare for enrollment in September?" Ruan Chen asked.
"Yes, we need you to win first prize in the National Biochemical Operation Competition to qualify for the First Affiliated Hospital's summer camp, and then join the First Affiliated Hospital through the summer camp program."
Ruan Chen smiled slyly, "I think the curriculum at Beijing University of Technology is similar. After all, they're training Fu Jianzhi, and I think they're very successful. Why would I go back on my word and choose your college?"
“Your friend, Su Ze, and Crescent Bay,” Nan Jing offered, “I will let you meet Yan Qian, and I will also take you to meet Su Ze, and I will let you see Crescent Bay.”
Ruan Chen spread his hands, “I think my teacher can do it too, even if Yan Qian is in your hands. As for my uncle and Crescent Bay, just like you said, Crescent Bay is in the spatial rift torn open by the Ark, which means that Crescent Bay does not belong to your First Academy, but to China. So it doesn’t matter who takes me there. Once I get there, I can naturally find news about Su Ze.”
Nan Jing was quite troubled. Ruan Chen's intelligence was a good thing, but at this moment it seemed to be a bad thing.
"What do you want? How about a scholarship? Within my capabilities and as permitted by law, you can ask for anything."
Nan Jing offered extremely generous terms.
To outsiders, this condition signifies a status, rights, and wealth that ordinary people can only dream of achieving in their lifetime.
Ruan Chen just smiled and gently pushed Nan Jing's hand away. "Nan, you wanted me to join the First Academy, but you didn't even tell me the truth."
"What truth?" Nan Jing asked, puzzled. "What nonsense are you thinking now?"
“It’s not that I didn’t tell the truth,” Ruan Chen narrowed her chestnut-colored eyes slightly, “You just didn’t tell me the whole truth.”
"You silly child, if you think I didn't say anything, you can ask me." Nan Jing was startled by her stare and coughed twice.
Ruan Chen got tired of standing, so she found a chair and sat down.
"I agree with your point about survival of the fittest, but the premise for the universe to eliminate Earth's civilization is that there must be something far superior to Earth's civilization. Only then can the meaning of survival of the fittest be demonstrated."
Ruan Chen stared at the holographic projection, the planet standing alone. She asked, "Then where is the superior civilization? Why is the Crescent Bay training base hidden in a spatial rift?"
She shifted her gaze, looking directly at Nan Jing, into his eyes, "Or... how can you be so sure that what's trying to blockade Blue Star's civilization is the self-awareness of this universe, and not another, more advanced civilization?"
Nan Jing broke out in a cold sweat from her three consecutive questions.
He hadn't expected Ruan Chen to be so perceptive.
Logically speaking, someone of Ruan Chen's age would be shocked and incredulous upon learning about concepts like "Ark," "space rift," and "civilization blockade." Only after a long period of acceptance would she carefully consider the irrationality of these concepts.
It is usually at this point that the more hidden truths of this world are revealed to the students.
That is, the three questions Ruan Chen just asked.
But it seems that Ruan Chen doesn't have any acceptance period at all.
She even immediately pointed out the flaws in Nan Jing's statement.
“We’re not sure.” Nan Jing’s voice became hoarse. Although he personally conducted the freshman orientation every year, he still felt terrified and indescribably sad every time he talked about these stories from the other side of the world.
“We cannot confirm this, but the ‘more advanced civilization’ you mentioned does indeed exist.”
"There might be more than one."
"We've guessed that even if the technology screening has nothing to do with them, they would still be happy to see it happen. After all, the Big Bang happened 3,500 years ago, and Earth has grown too fast."
"We have calculated that if it weren't for the interference of technological screening, humanity should have left the Tri-Star system 1,200 years ago to explore the wider universe."
"But so far, we are still stuck here. Apart from Earth, there is no place in the Tri-Star system suitable for human habitation."
"The population is increasing exponentially every century, resources are becoming increasingly scarce, and the living environment is becoming increasingly harsh... Ruan Chen, don't you feel that humanity is like a malignant tumor in this universe? It's not hard to imagine that wherever such a humanity goes, it will be a disaster."
"Perhaps the universe's self-awareness wants to erase us, or perhaps it's the instigation of other, more advanced intelligent civilizations... In any case, we can see humanity's dead end."
"And you children, who can influence the power of the planet, are the hope of humanity."
"Crescent Bay must be hidden in the cracks of space. Only there can the spiritual network of humanity be shielded. It is where the elites and hopes of our entire civilization gather. Even the Ark itself cannot detect that place, and we hope that even more advanced civilizations cannot detect it either."
"Only then will we have a chance to turn things around."
Ruan Chen rested her chin on her hand, one leg bent on the sofa, her gaze distant as she stared at the sky.
She wanted to meet Ruan Chen from another timeline.
If the two timelines are parallel, then what Blue Star is experiencing now, Blue Star in the other timeline has already experienced—Ruan Chen in that world seems to have lived in Crescent Bay for a long time, and she may know about more advanced civilizations.
Nan Jing thought he would frighten Ruan Chen, but Ruan Chen just sighed deeply, stood up, and said, "I understand. Let me go back and think about it carefully. Thank you for telling me this, Director Nan."
“Hey.” Nan Jing pulled Ruan Chen back. “Don’t go back to think about it. Just think about it here and then give me a definite answer.”
“I’m not thinking about the school,” Ruan Chen said calmly. “Nan Suo, I’m thinking about what you said.”
"Your humanity is like a malignant tumor in the universe. It seems only natural that the universe or a higher civilization would want to erase such a vile civilization. If I were the creator, I would also think it would be good for such creatures to be extinct."
"I think we humans have no need to resist."
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