Chapter 52
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Chapter 52: The Source of All Beings
Luo Yu and her companions followed at the end of the student group, nodding lightly at Ao Ci, who was looking over. Then, they moved along with the students, listening to Ao Ci as she explained the evolutionary history of species while gazing at the various cell models on display.
Luo Yu arrived at a demonstration model showcasing estrogen receptors, which dynamically illustrated the gene regulation mechanisms within the cell nucleus, as well as the signal transduction methods of estrogen inside cells.
As the group continued walking, she listened to Ao Ci discuss the connections between estrogen receptors and bone tissue, the reproductive system, and the nervous system. Then Ao Ci mentioned androgen receptors.
“After the birth of estrogen receptors, it wasn’t until three to five hundred million years later that androgen receptors began to synthesize under the genetic guidance of the X chromosome. This indicates that males evolved as a secondary gender to assist in female reproduction.”
They followed the student group from the cell model exhibition hall to the exhibition hall of primitive marine animals, and then arrived at the exhibition hall of human evolution. Ao Ci leisurely stated, “Based on our examination of ancient fossils, humans approximately emerged ten million years ago, going through multiple species transitions and mixes before arriving at our current form.”
“Ten million years! Why did high civilization only appear now after such a long time since humans emerged?” a student in the front row raised the question.
Luo Yu quietly lowered her head and pursed her lips at the back. Back in school, she had pondered similar questions regarding the history of global development. Why did humans take millions of years to evolve yet only developed technology in the last few hundred years?
If humanity’s intelligence was indeed limited, they wouldn’t have developed technologies within mere hundreds of years that had remained dormant for thousands. However, if humanity’s intelligence was not lacking, then why did they spend such a long time on the primitive evolutionary path?
Having mistakenly traveled to thirty thousand years ago, witnessing the advanced civilization here, and seeing a high civilization emerge again at a time frame of ten thousand years ago in the time travel center yesterday, the answer seemed to be on the brink of revelation.
Humans believed their ancient history was a lengthy evolution of species and the budding of civilization, but in reality, they entered one recurring cycle of civilization after another at a certain point after initial evolution, endlessly playing out the process from primitive gathering to societal formation and on to technological advancement.
They simply did not yet understand the specific patterns and meanings of these cycles, nor what humans would face at the end of each cycle.
Upon hearing the student’s question, Ao Ci appeared to recall yesterday’s footage from the time travel center. She smiled slightly, “We once believed we were the only advanced civilization, but recent discoveries have made us realize that human civilization’s development may exist within a certain cycle. Throughout history, we are not the only advanced civilization that has existed.”
This comment sparked a flurry of eager questions from the students, as they raised their hands one after another. Ao Ci did not shy away from these inquiries. Although only a few people attended the meeting at the time travel center, there were no secrets regarding the important meetings of the Ponsuo Tribe that ordinary people could not know. Hence, Ao Ci recounted the inter-temporal civilizations she had learned about lately and frankly shared the current progress of ongoing investigations.
After answering the questions from the students, Ao Ci explained the transformations in modern biological history, including how human society transitioned back from past sexual reproduction to a process akin to single female reproduction similar to ancient times. As the group walked and chatted, they unconsciously reached the end of the exhibition hall.
Ao Ci glanced at the time next to her, “Today’s visit has already taken quite some time. Please follow the assistant robot upstairs to the leisure room for a break. There will be a series of plant and animal exhibitions in the next couple of days. Everyone can register on the student group’s management platform according to your preferences.”
Once the students took their leave, following the assistant robot out, Luo Yu and her companions stepped forward to greet Ao Ci.
Despite speaking for so long, Ao Ci showed no signs of fatigue; she still appeared energetic and cheerfully asked about their simulator training. After taking a sip of water, she said, “Just in time, I have some new updates to share regarding the v chromosome decay analysis I mentioned to you before. Come, let’s sit in my office.”
Wanhua leaned in and asked, “Can I listen too?”
Ao Ci laughed heartily, wrapping her arm around Wanhua’s shoulders, “Of course, come along!”
They followed Ao Ci out of the exhibition hall, took the elevator to her office on the upper floor. Each time they had visited the Biological Research Station, they had seen 015, who also joined them to listen to any research updates. It seemed that the old lady enjoyed directly prodding him; however, today, they did not see 015’s figure in the office.
Ao Ci sat back in the big chair, and a robot approached to offer drinks from a menu to Luo Yu and the others. After they ordered, Ao Ci mentioned the status of 015.
It turned out that since the last time when Luo Yu had kicked three of 015’s ribs, followed by Zhu Huai giving him a kick leading to a moderate concussion, he had been confined to a therapeutic bed in the observation room without medication, relying only on slow self-healing. He was in constant pain, suffering lethargically for most of his days, and had recently undergone a live extraction of genetic samples, which affected his immune system. Now he was in worsening condition, unable to even get out of bed, remaining dazed for most of the time, only waking for about half the day.
Since 015 had acted on the orders of the organization behind the scenes, causing the Shan Hai Jing to crash, Luo Yu and Zhu Huai had shown mercy during their last visit, considering the usefulness the Biological Research Station saw in him, and spared his life. Now, hearing of his miserable predicament, the three of them felt indifferent, with little reaction.
Moreover, the series of actions 015 had taken upon waking up here, including those bizarre dreams, had offended many people, and now this outcome seemed entirely deserved.
After discussing 015’s condition, the assistant robot approached to serve their drinks. At this point, Ao Ci activated a small projector on the desk, and the office lights dimmed accordingly.
“We have recently conducted a regression analysis of the v chromosomes from two timeframes and reached some comparable conclusions,” Ao Ci stated, pointing to the chromosome models on the projection. “From the data validated against the samples from our extinct chromosomes, we estimate that the decay period of the chromosomes is approximately eight thousand years. The v chromosome in your timeframe, due to the limited sample size and the serious environmental pollution in your world, alongside some accelerated decay due to assisted reproduction, was also analyzed along with some biological gene samples from your time capsule facility. After repeated validations, we conclude that the decay period is around seven to eight thousand years as well.”
“The gene decay period…” Ying Zhao turned to Luo Yu and Zhu Huai, noting that biology was not their strong suit; only Ying Zhao had a little knowledge across various disciplines. “Does this refer to the cycle from the birth of the chromosome to its eventual shortening to a point where it cannot participate in natural reproduction?”
Ao Ci nodded and began recounting the various attempts made before deciding to eliminate the v chromosome in this world. Upon discovering the genetic defects in male variants, they did not immediately abandon it but instead attempted various genetic editing techniques over fifty years while pursuing both single female and dual-gender reproduction. However, these attempts always ended in failure, and when the decay of the v chromosome began to accelerate, they reluctantly announced its complete removal.
After explaining, Ao Ci took a gentle sip of water. “Our decision back then appears to have been correct in hindsight. However, since all humanity was born from us, as the creators, we have a responsibility to understand why these problematic genes are experiencing decay.”
“Is chromosome decay unstoppable?” Ying Zhao inquired.
“Yes, any attempts to improve the genes cannot be passed on to the next generation,” Ao Ci replied. “In fact, these editing operations may accelerate gene decay. It’s like a set rule; once decay starts, it cannot be slowed down, and any attempts to save it will only hasten its demise.”
Luo Yu rested her chin on her hand, frowning as she reflected, “When we were at the Genetic Research Institute on Qingqiu Mountain, we mentioned that 014 and 015’s genes do not match this time frame at all. Given the recent discoveries about the recurring cycles, could this decay period be related to the cycle?”
“That’s exactly what I want to discuss today,” Ao Ci stated, tapping the table. “The latest footage returned from the exploration team must have been sent to you by Ti Ran. From the images from thirteen thousand years ago, the development of human civilization in that timeframe bears some resemblance to ours. It was similarly only in the last two thousand years that it transitioned from ancient civilization to modern technology. I suspect your timeframe likely adheres to a similar temporal pattern, don’t you?”
The three of them exchanged glances, finding that the rhythm of civilization development in their world matched the footage that had been relayed. They nodded together at Ao Ci.
At this moment, Wanhua, who had been diligently listening nearby, suddenly spoke up, “Could the cycle of civilization be exactly ten thousand years?”
Ao Ci and the three looked at her in silence. Based on the data they gathered so far, this time frame seemed very reasonable, and they felt they were unconsciously approaching the truth behind the cycles.
“In that case, the footage from the exploration team sent back from twenty thousand years ago will be very important. At the very least, it will help verify this cycle’s accuracy,” Zhu Huai pondered, turning her gaze to Ying Zhao. “When does the exploration team plan to send back information from twenty thousand years ago? Did Professor Ti Ran mention anything?”
Ying Zhao thought for a moment. “They’ll leave the timeframe thirteen thousand years ago today and head to seventeen thousand years ago. New footage should arrive tonight, and then they will set off forward. If all goes well, we should be able to see the footage from twenty thousand years ago tomorrow.”
Ao Ci also nodded slowly, “If things go quickly, we might be able to validate our conjectures from today by tomorrow, and at that time, I believe we should be able to reach a preliminary conclusion.”
Upon hearing this, the three exchanged excited glances and engaged in further discussions until dusk approached. Ao Ci then escorted them out.
Outside the entrance of the Biological Research Station, Luo Yu and her companions waved at Ao Ci and Wanhua before turning to the helipad and boarding the aircraft that had brought them, returning to the mountaintop near the cave villa.
“How do you feel? Do you still have the energy for another simulation?” Zhu Huai asked as they disembarked from the aircraft.
Luo Yu felt rejuvenated rather than exhausted from their afternoon excursion, replying enthusiastically, “No problem!”
The three of them quickly grabbed some snacks in the leisure room of the hangar and then conducted a long-distance return simulation in the simulator. By the time the moon was high, they left the helipad and walked back to the cave villa.
Once back in the lounge, rather than heading to their rooms, Luo Yu, Zhu Huai, and Ying Zhao noticed the time and realized that it was close to when Ti Ran would send back the footage from the previous day. They ordered drinks and settled down on the soft cushions, waiting quietly.
Sure enough, about fifteen minutes later, a message alert chimed from the panel on the round table, signaling another segment of new footage from Ti Ran.
Ying Zhao promptly reached out to open it, and soon the scene above the round table displayed an ancient tribal war scene, with massive mythical beasts storming through the grand battle formations, kicking up clouds of dust.
