LRAB Chapter 377 Invasion
Chapter 377 Invasion
Chapter 377 Invasion
For most people, science subjects are extremely troublesome, regardless of effort or lack thereof, it all depends on the strength of their innate talent.
If it's a humanities subject, you can memorize and stay up for days and nights and still manage to grasp some knowledge. Although you might not remember it very well, it's enough to pass some exams. But it's different for science subjects. If you don't have talent, it's hard to absorb knowledge no matter how hard you try. In most cases, you'll be completely clueless if the question is asked in a different format.
Chang Lei happens to be the type who is completely bad at science, so he has a rather resistant attitude towards high technology. Perhaps this attitude is more normal for most people who possess extraordinary abilities.
If it weren't for the necessary conditions of his identity and position, Chang Lei probably wouldn't be willing to take the initiative to get involved in those high-tech industries even now. Under such circumstances, why would he be interested in a strange cyber world?
With a gloomy expression, Chang Lei rubbed his head and said, "Although I don't know what happened, I have a feeling things are getting more and more complicated."
"The most critical problem now is that I have no way of knowing the location of that world, and I don't know how much time has passed since the incident. There's no expiration date written on the head, and I don't know what it's made of. She's been in the dream world for hundreds of years, so it's probably useless for me to help her now."
Hearing Tang Zijun's words, Chang Lei shook his head slightly. "More than saving people, I'm curious about how that head appeared in the dream world. If what you say is true, that head came from a new and unfamiliar dimension, then it means that there is a world outside of reality that we don't know about."
"A flat world..." Tang Jun stroked his chin. "Is it something like a flat universe?"
"Hard to say." Chang Lei picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then said in a deep voice, "In my understanding, the world is composed of multiple dimensions. Whether it's the real world or the inverted world, they are all parts reflected from the real world, even the shadow world is no exception..."
"If we have to point out something special, it would probably be the dream world. However, that world is quite secretive and was considered legendary even among the greedy people back then. No one was able to actively explore that world. Therefore, the dream world is the only dimension that transcends the scope of the real world. It wouldn't be surprising to say that it is a universe that is above reality."
"The situation you are facing now is much more complicated. If it is true, as you say, that there is a world in a place unknown to us that possesses technology beyond our current capabilities, then that means that world is very likely a dimension that poses the same threat as the dream world."
At this point, Chang Lei looked at Tang Zijun with unusual seriousness.
"My personal advice is that you shouldn't easily get involved with that world."
"Why?" Tang Zijun frowned.
"Don't forget the wars of the gods in mythology... Although the cause of the war is still uncertain, it's easy to imagine that it was inevitable that two unfamiliar dimensions would establish a connection, generate friction, and trigger a war. Even the gods ended up in this way, let alone ordinary people."
Chang Lei added some water to Tang Zijun's teacup and continued speaking.
"Imagine a civilization that, through relentless technological advancement, collapses internally and lives for countless years in a wasteland where morality has been abandoned. Then, they discover a pristine world beyond, untouched by technological decay. What do you think they would do?"
Listening to Chang Lei's words, Tang Zijun nodded thoughtfully.
Indeed, sometimes my thinking is a bit narrow. If it involves the civilizations of two worlds, then this matter involves more than just the relationship between myself and that head.
Whether you want to help or save lives, every decision you make is enough to affect the future of two worlds, and it concerns the future of everyone.
Seeing that Tang Zijun did not speak, Chang Lei put down the teapot and continued.
"Of course, this is just my personal opinion. Spending so much time with those old scholars has made me develop the habit of preparing for the worst first. But in any case, I don't recommend that you act rashly. After all, we already have enough troubles. Before the turmoil in the Shadow World ends, you'd better not cause any more problems."
"That's a good habit of yours. I think I lack some pessimistic thinking and vigilance," Tang Zijun said, taking the teacup and then looking up. "However... I've noticed you're developing a better overall perspective. Is that something you've learned since becoming deputy director?"
Upon hearing this, Chang Lei waved his hand. "No, it's not that. The main thing is that ordinary people have already helped with early warnings about this kind of thing."
"What does that mean?" Tang Zijun didn't understand.
"Haven't you read The Three-Body Problem?" Chang Lei raised an eyebrow, then waved his hands exaggeratedly. "Don't answer! Don't answer! Don't answer!... I think with the book's influence, you should know more about it than I do."
"The Trisolarans..." Tang Zijun recalled the group of intelligent machines and the strange machines he had seen before, and felt a pang of sadness.
Although judging from the other side's performance, that world is clearly not unsolvable, it is undeniable that if those strange intelligent robots were to flood into the real world, sealing off Earth's technology might not be impossible.
"Oh, right."
"Um?"
Do you think that unknown world is related to the virtual world we previously speculated about?
After a moment of contemplation, Tang Zijun suddenly blurted out something.
Chang Lei was taken aback by what he heard, a look of confusion flashed in his eyes, and then he frowned and fell into deep thought.
"It should... be alright, right?" His voice trembled slightly. "But I can't guarantee it. If the signal from that world can cross the spatial barrier and reach our world, then things could get really complicated..."
"And why are they targeting us?" Tang Zijun frowned. "Judging from the timeline, their first attack was when the Tree Crown Royal City fell, right? At that time, my exposure to the dream world wasn't that deep, and I hadn't encountered that head yet."
Chang Lei was stunned. "...You don't actually suspect that world is simultaneously invading both the real world and the dream world, do you?"
"I don't know if it's a hack or not, but it's definitely a hassle."
Tang Zijun shook her head in distress, then let out a long sigh of relief.
"Forget it, let's get that head first. Without enough information and clues, there's no point in guessing here except scaring ourselves." After a pause, Tang Zijun looked up at Chang Lei.
"I think we need to push forward with the Dream World project. Before that, please prepare the supplies for me."
"Supplies aren't a problem. In order to minimize the impact of different organisms crossing dimensions, I've already had the agents in the bureau make preparations in advance," Chang Lei said casually.
"Please be sure to tell me that you didn't send them to buy instant noodles wholesale."
"Of course not."
Chang Lei gave him a look that said, "Do you think I'm stupid?" Then he said seriously.
"I had them choose the rice and flour directly. These things have been processed and lost their ability to germinate. They have no other use besides being eaten and used to make rice wine. This way, we can not only reduce the influence between the two dimensions, but also prevent the people in that world from noticing anything amiss."
"That's good. You're definitely more reliable." Tang Zijun breathed a sigh of relief. He was really worried that Chang Lei had given him a huge batch of semi-finished or pre-made dishes, and the kind with the packaging still on. "Where is that stuff now? I'll just go there while I'm free."
"Hey, when have I ever messed up?" Chang Lei grinned, then asked curiously. "But why are you in such a hurry? Let's talk about it tomorrow. We're free tonight anyway, let's find a place to have a drink."
"We can still drink at the river front. I'm really looking forward to the tavern culture back then." Tang Zijun waved her hand. "Besides, it's been incredibly hot these past few days. Su Siyao is practically glued to Tang Cao all the time. At least it'll be cooler at the river front."
"That makes sense..." Chang Lei thought about it and realized that it did make some sense.
After saying that, Tang Zijun stood up. "Then don't just stand there. Go and say hello to those agents. I'll go back and get Katie. Let's try to resolve this within the next couple of days."
"What, are you busy in a couple of days?" Chang Lei blinked.
"I guess I had something to do."
"Are they preparing to repair the shadow world?"
"No, that's not it," Tang Zijun said with a smile. "Tang Cao's been saying she wants to go to Shanghai for the comic convention, and I figured if I got there and spent all that time with her, I wouldn't have time to do anything else."
"A comic convention..." Chang Lei's expression changed slightly upon hearing this.
Seeing his expression, Tang Zijun raised an eyebrow. "What, you're actually interested in this young man's tastes?"
"I'm not that old, okay?" Chang Lei pursed his lips, then sighed. "It's not that I'm interested, it's that Luan Luan has always wanted to go. You know her situation; when I wasn't home before, it was always those anime fans who kept her company. She's always dreamed of going to an anime convention so she could make some friends..."
"I see." Tang Zijun nodded slightly. "Then let's bring her along. You know Tang Cao's personality; she and Luan Luan will definitely become friends. Plus, Qin Nan and the others will come too; it'll be more lively with more people."
Chang Lei seemed somewhat tempted upon hearing this, but after thinking about it, he shook his head. "...Never mind, let's wait until winter break. Luan Luan is still undergoing rehabilitation, and I want to wait until she's truly like a normal little girl before taking her out."
Seeing the tenderness in Chang Lei's eyes, Tang Zijun smiled.
Chang Lei is becoming more and more like a father.
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