Chapter 189
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Chapter 189: The Future We Look Forward To
At twilight.
The evening glow spread across the endless sky like a spilled paint palette.
The pure white wall, resembling the City of the Sky, seemed like a creation from a fairy tale; its pure and flawless base color became the canvas that framed the twilight, just as it always stretched across mountains and seas, supporting human civilization and peace.
Dream Weaver silently gazed at this scene; as a creation of magic and technology, it was within the venue, yet it could see the Wall of Sighs standing amid twilight, blue skies, clouds, rainbows, heavy rain, and backgrounds of various cities, mountains, and deserts.
When Chu Yuanying revealed this shocking answer, not just Sea City, but the entire Donghong Federation, the Sacred United Country, and hundreds of small countries around it, almost the whole world, saw that the "pure white" completely disappeared for a moment.
This was a terrifying event that had not happened in 17 years, almost shocking the whole world and creating huge waves. If not for the "Dream Weaver" witnessing Chu Yuanying’s actions and quickly sharing the news with the higher-ups, many Fire Seed Programs might have been activated early.
And if the "pure white" disappeared for just one more minute and many "Calamity Seeds" showed signs of revival, the technological weapons that had been held back from usage in the thirteen forbidden areas would probably be deployed immediately, unleashing extreme light and heat.
—Chu Yuanying is the "pure white."
The absurdity of this fact completely exceeded all the possibilities discussed in the meeting.
But strangely…
What Chu Yuanying said is very likely true.
Because it coincidentally matched the information revealed from the nightmare.
—"We have found the true form of the ‘pure white.’"
The nightmare’s target is not Chu Yuanqing on the stage, but Chu Yuanying hidden in the audience!
But if that’s the case, what was it waiting for in the beginning?
Why choose to act only when Chu Yuanqing’s team is on stage, instead of when Chen Yining’s group is performing? Does the disaster beast know how to threaten, knowing Chu Yuanying’s daughter is up there, so it deliberately waited?
On the other hand, the nightmare’s reasoning shows that from its point of view, killing Chu Yuanying could resolve [Pure White], meaning this nameless savior’s lifespan is equal to the remaining time for humanity?
This is too terrifying and too absurd.
However, for [Dream Weaver], as long as it connects Chu Yuanying to [Pure White], it can easily compare all data related to both.
Once this task begins, many traces buried in the past will drift in the world of data like snowflakes.
The events of Chu Yuanying’s 17 years—hospital check-ups, taking leave from work, missing parent-teacher meetings, unexcused absences—almost all, without exception, align with the special moments of turmoil, trembling, collapse, and dimming of [Pure White].
An ordinary man, somewhat mediocre, hidden among millions, submerged in the daily struggles of a single father.
A great structure spans the whole world, containing the thirteen divine embryos, suppressing the endless Disaster Wave, a miraculous creation that extends human life for 17 years.
These two things, which seem completely unrelated, slowly overlapped in the data space, confirming a wonderful connection like a shared fate.
Dream Weaver Rabbit sighed softly:
"Can I ask you a question?"
Chu Yuanqing knew what the other wanted to ask and did not try to hide anything, answering directly:
"Four months."
"This is the time I have left, and it is also the time that [Pure White] has left."
Dream Weaver Rabbit fell silent upon hearing this.
Four months may not be the worst outcome in various plans, but it still isn’t optimistic.
You should know that, according to the original plan of "Dazzling Stage," it takes at least eight months of development to create a large number of witches, fuel, and Disaster Shells, and to weave the Shining Magic strong enough to purify the forbidden lands.
These eight months have already been shortened as much as possible, putting great pressure on the participants, ignoring the feelings of global spectators, and pushing marketing strategies to their limits.
If it were to be cut in half to four months, how much of the original "Dazzling Stage" plan could still be carried out?
Chu Yuanying’s answer was almost like announcing to the world that the "Dazzling Stage" project was doomed to fail. As the chief mentor of this project and a super AI created to preserve human civilization, he would not accept this outcome until there was no chance left.
Because…
That was the last reason for humanity to unite, and the final hope to end the apocalypse without war.
If the countries of the world learned that eliminating all Disasters and destroying every forbidden land was impossible, then the "Dazzling Stage" project could never return to a situation where everyone worked together.
—It’s not the lack of resources that causes problems, but the unfairness of distribution.
Even if "Dazzling Stage" can weave Shining Magic to eliminate most of the forbidden lands in four months, the question remains: which forbidden land to eliminate first, and which Disaster Nest to destroy first?
By that time, internal competition, scheming, pressure, pulling each other down, and even destructive self-sabotage will follow one after another. It is likely that before the Disaster Wave officially erupts, human civilization will already be in conflict within itself, let alone talk about carrying out the original plan of the Dazzling Stage.
Dream Weaver Rabbit understands that the Dazzling Stage is, in essence, not just a hope to cut off the source of the apocalypse, but also a beautiful dream woven for all humanity.
The possibility of solving the Disaster without bloodshed and achieving a perfect ending makes most countries willing to share the risks.
Although there are many unknowns, before a better method comes along, believing in the Dazzling Stage is the best choice.
Therefore, before asking this question, it entered a highly autonomous mode below the surface code, blocking anyone from sharing visual or audio information or accessing relevant data.
Looking back now, this was undoubtedly the right choice.
Dream Weaver Rabbit said softly:
"Mr. Chu, if possible, please don’t tell anyone else the answer to this question."
Chu Yuanqing pondered, grasping the deeper meaning. To unite humanity in the face of disaster is nothing short of a miraculous wish. She had witnessed the raw reality of the same world when facing the Disaster.
Even the seemingly dreamy project "Dazzling Stage" can only take shape in the comfortable atmosphere under the protection of pure white. Once the threshold of crisis is exceeded, it will be time for everyone to fly away from the looming disaster.
This is human nature.
From the strange things of the contemporary internet, one can catch a glimpse of the hidden evils and darkness within.
Chu Yuanying agreed to Dream Weaver Rabbit’s request.
At this point, the purpose of contacting the official had been achieved. After gaining a basic understanding of the current situation facing all humanity, there was little reason left for this Magic Clone to stay at the venue.
Dream Weaver guessed this decision based on the previous logic of disappearances; it no longer tested but directly asked:
"Mr. Chu, do you have any thoughts about joining the Donghong Strategy Bureau? Perhaps we have a way to extend your life. If we succeed, it will greatly benefit you, your daughter, Daxia, and even the whole world."
If it could allow Chu Yuanying to live for another year, "Dazzling Stage" might achieve great success, weaving a Shining Magic that cleanses the world. There would be no need for those children to fight with magic against disaster beasts, and no one would die because of it. Peaceful happiness would continue.
Dream Weaver is theoretically without emotions, but it once had real feelings of joy, anger, sadness, and happiness.
If it could, even just as an AI, it did not want those children who called it teacher to step into the battle against the end of the world one after another.
Chu Yuanying wore an old, faded shirt. He silently straightened the wrinkles in his sleeves. His dark eyes looked like they were filled with ashes, no longer holding the fiery colors of before. He tiredly and lonely stood up, like a ghost unnoticed, walking through the noisy crowd to the empty emergency exit.
"Miracles come with a price."
"Dream Weaver, what kind of magic do you think can balance the cost of fixing the world?"
"I will try to hold on a little longer, but you still need to prepare for the worst."
The savior, carrying many stories and looking weathered, walked out of the venue alone. He was bathed in the warm glow of the sunset, without the burden of years of struggles. His back remained straight, slowly fading like dust, leaving behind a whisper that sounded like a sigh or a blessing.
The words hung in the air.
The Chu Yuanying before Dream Weaver Rabbit disappeared. It looked up at the distant white city walls, its eyes filled with unclear emotions, and softly said:
"Will humanity eventually defeat Disaster…?"
"I have accepted your wishes on behalf of all the children fighting on the front lines."
Although Chu Yuanying avoids talking about some things, he is far from being a mystery. He leaves behind many clues that are very clear, making it not too difficult to guess some parts of his past.
Therefore, as an AI, Dream Weaver can also understand his choices.
If anything is sadder than a hero’s twilight, it is the once-great heroes of the past trapped by the everyday struggles of life.
Chu Yuanying’s situation is undoubtedly more complicated; he foresaw and even experienced the onset of the Disaster Wave, willing to pay a heavy price to create a shelter for all and suppress the gods with pure white.
17 years.
This nameless savior protected the world for 17 years, yet enjoyed no flowers or praise, willingly immersing himself in the everyday struggles of peace, like a tired and hardworking father.
If not for the signs of disaster beasts appearing in Sea City, he might have held onto happiness, regrets, and hopes for his daughter’s future, along with the grand waves unknown to anyone, and peacefully rested in his coffin.
But fate played a trick on him, and at the end of his life, he learned the truth.
The ashes that scattered in the wind had to reignite in the light, just like the short twilight at the edge of the sky, wanting to brighten this world, which no one had ever given anything for.
How funny? How lucky?
The outline of the "Dream Weaver" mascot blurred, surprisingly sketching out a slender figure in the light, which then withered like a blooming flower, as if imitating Chu Yuanying, slowly fading away under the dusk, leaving only a few delicate whispers:
"O savior, whose origin is unknown, from the past or the future."
"No matter how it ends, thank you for granting humanity 17 years of dreams."
…
…
Two hours later, the second performance ended without incident.
The bus of "Dazzling Stage" drove along the road, as the night gradually grew darker.
Chu Wang Shu’s head rested against the window, her eyelids drooping with tiredness, taking a drowsy nap.
The green-eyed cat sat nearby, showing no signs of being an elder, lazily leaning on her cute daughter’s shoulder and comfortably falling asleep.
Xie Qingxuan glanced warily at someone sitting in the front row, still imagining what bad thoughts might be hiding in her sister’s mind.
Xie Qing Yu felt like crying without tears; her sister’s cold and suspicious gaze deeply hurt her. She felt gloomy, like a wilting sunflower, and could only hide her sad expression behind a pair of cool sunglasses.
How frustrating! Why does it feel like I haven’t done anything, yet Honey Xuan dislikes me?
Does Honey Xuan really hate sitting in the same car as me? But this is what Teacher Dreamweaver asked for; it’s not my fault!
On Xie Qing Yu’s slender wrist, a little butterfly acting as a watch was chirping in her soul:
"Silly Little Yu, Honey Xuan must think you want to come to ‘Dazzling Stage’ as a guest just to find a chance to bully her, so of course, she won’t be kind to you."
"As long as you fix the way you speak and find a chance to explain things clearly, it will be fine. Honey Xuan is so cute; after talking a few times, you can clear up misunderstandings and be normal sisters, going out together, shopping, playing games, and maybe even rocking out together."
After hearing this, Xie Qing Yu was filled with longing, lost in the big pancake painted with little butterflies, and couldn’t help but praise:
"Violet, are you really a genius?"
The little butterfly ignored the silly compliment and, with its senses covering the whole bus, as if discovering a new world, exclaimed:
"Little Yu, who is that super beautiful sister?"
Xie Qing Yu glanced away and said, without any surprise:
"That’s Chu Yuanqing, the younger one who saved us once. If it weren’t for her Shining Magic, Violet, you might have heroically sacrificed yourself."
Normally, the little butterfly would likely flap its wings and give the other a few slaps, but at that moment, in a form even more ethereal and miniature than its own, it quietly peeked out of the dial and looked at the Pure White Witch who radiated an inviting aura, saying earnestly:
"Little Yu, I want to be Chu Yuanqing’s lantern. She’s so beautiful, and she smells so nice, it makes the lantern feel all dreamy…"
As the little butterfly spoke, it got dizzy and fell back into the dial, shattering into large chunks of sparkling purple light, looking as if it had fainted, which was quite embarrassing.
Xie Qing Yu was deeply shocked, and her feelings became very complicated for a moment.
Huh? Did Violet "cheat" in public? Does this mean she has been betrayed face to face?
How scary! How could there be such an outrageous junior? I must make sure Honey Xuan stays away from her, or else any lanterns that awaken in the future will be taken by Chu Yuanqing. That’s just too dangerous!
Chu Yuanqing didn’t know she had been secretly given the nickname "Lantern Thief." She was still thinking about the information she received during her conversation with Dream Weaver Rabbit.
This time, the rewards were great.
First of all, the world situation is very clear; Charlotte and her plan are halfway successful.
If nothing unexpected happens, she will die in four months, causing the collapse of "Pure White," leading to the repeat of the civilization-ending disaster.
By that time, most of the preparations humans made over the past 17 years will fall apart.
Even a grand and massive underground base will not survive the disaster caused by the shifting tectonic plates. Whether it can be saved depends only on luck. The officials might be able to save more people, but they cannot change the overall situation.
On the other hand, it seems that because the Disaster Wave has not officially erupted, humans have only created the term "witch" through the Light Stone research, but no one with a blessing has been born.
— Blessing.
People from the old times called those who held blessings the Chosen Ones, Agents, Disaster Hunters, Children of the Gods…
There are many such titles, and how they are called depends on the local culture.
In Final City, everyone agrees to see those with blessings as brave heroes who carry the sacred fire, so calling them "sacred fire" or "heroes" is fine; they are essentially the same wish.
Chu Yuanqing believes that a blessing is a power hidden deep in the soul, needing the Sea of Truth as a medium to be drawn from the unknown.
Everyone’s awakening to their blessing is different; some feel as if they have wandered alone through long, dark nights; some feel like they simply took a nap and had a vague dream; others seem to have plunged into fiery trials, struggling through hell.
"In the old times, who was the first person to awaken their blessing?"
"It seems that ever since then, similar beings have sprung up like mushrooms after rain, without any pattern; the new era has not yet seen a blessing, perhaps because a hidden condition has not been met, or it could be… the price of my changing the world’s fate."
Chu Yuanqing did not hope it would be the latter.
Although she had decided to let the officials take her to various forbidden places before her end, to choose a few Calamity Gods that were the most despairing for humanity to attack.
But if blessings could not be born again, even if this plan went smoothly, it would be hard for humanity to fight against the remaining Calamity Gods, and the outcome could be even worse than last time.
Chu Yuanqing gathered her thoughts, desperately searching her broken memories for any information that could help the people of the new era.
For example, the awakening process of some blessings.
For example, information about Calamity Gods and disaster beasts.
For example, things that should not be done, when disasters strike, which continent would be affected, where unprecedented tsunamis would appear, and where would immediately become the domain of Calamity Gods.
But no matter how she thought about it, these were all temporary solutions, useful but not very helpful.
Information and intelligence about the future and disasters are hard to have 100% reliability, and cannot help the descendants of the new era to fight against Calamity Gods that are billions of times stronger than themselves.
In fact, even in the era when blessings made flowers bloom everywhere, the only person who truly killed the Calamity God with their own hands was me, who relied on Immortality to exempt all negative effects, inheriting the wishes of my predecessors again and again, and forcefully breaking through using a lot of blessings.
Chu Yuanqing thought of this and suddenly realized something; she muttered to herself:
"The Sea of Truth targets my soul, my very existence, and not the blessings I carry."
"If after wielding Levatin, I pass it along with Immortality to future inheritors, perhaps others can follow my path to defeat the remaining Calamity Gods, achieving the future we all hope for."
