The Essence of Fierce Ghosts Is the Apocalypse

So, what exactly is the cost of a time Rollback?

Hu Jiu had enough of the nonsense and cut straight to the heart of the matter.

The Brain in a Vat remained silent for a long time before finally uttering a single sentence. "Materialistic logic."

Hu Jiu: "I didn't understand. Please describe it in a simpler and more straightforward way."

Brain in a Vat: "..."

Brain in a Vat: "Let me give you an example. You've probably played video games, right? A video game might have some bugs during its operation."

"The existence of bugs does not conform to the original rules of game operation. It can allow a character to have data far exceeding the limit, or skip the normal logical sequence to achieve certain predetermined results, or even do some stranger effects."

"You can think of the real world we live in as a game; its original rules are scientific, materialistic, and do not violate the laws of natural physics."

"However, due to some unknown reasons, this game produces bugs. These bugs are all idealistic, unnatural, and do not conform to basic natural and physical laws."

"Bugs can only manifest themselves by attaching themselves to real-world things; they can attach themselves to people, objects, and even become entangled with intangible concepts."

"These bugs are what they call vengeful Fierce Ghosts?" Hu Jiu interjected.

Brain in a Vat: "You can understand it this way: at least in our world, the formula 'bug = Fierce Ghost's is basically correct."

Hu Jiu: "So, the price you paid for using time Rollback was the disruption of the world's original, normal operating logic?"

The Brain in a Vat was a little embarrassed. "Although I don't want to admit it, it's true. Every Rollback shortens the 'lifespan' of this world and creates a huge number of bugs in places I can't see."

Hu Jiu's lips twitched slightly. "So, in other words, the large-scale resurgence of Fierce Ghosts and the concentrated outbreak of Supernatural events in the past two years are all your doing!"

The Brain in a Vat didn't like hearing that. "Don't make me sound like the culprit. I only inadvertently fueled the flames."

"Besides, this world has had bugs since ancient times. Do you think ancient ghost and god legends are all baseless? In modern times, the bugs have multiplied. Whoever uses that power will only exacerbate the collapse. The world is already seriously ill."

"Time Rollback is a huge bug in itself. If this bug were attached to an inanimate object, it would be as if it didn't exist. But it just so happens to be attached to me, an intelligent human, and it hasn't had any side effects on me, allowing me to use it unconditionally and without restriction."

Do you know what this means?

Hu Jiu: "What does it mean?"

The Brain in a Vat stated firmly and solemnly, "It means this world is destined to perish, and it's time for it to die. That's why a series of coincidences occurred, granting me a bug-like ability that can continuously generate new bugs."

Hu Jiu was speechless. He realized that the Brain in a Vat in front of him was similar to himself. He never found fault with himself or took responsibility. He always blamed others for his mistakes. Even if it was a huge accusation like the destruction of the world, he could get rid of it without any guilt.

"Your abilities are so overpowered, why are you now only left with a brain, and trapped inside?"

The Brain in a Vat sighed helplessly, "The extraordinary power of the Fierce Ghost is merely an external manifestation of a bug. No one knows what this bug truly means. Humans are also part of this world. We are not hackers, we don't understand the nature of bugs, and we don't know the underlying code of the world. We rely on instinct to recklessly use the power of bugs, which easily leads to backlash. Just like humans can manipulate fire, it doesn't mean that humans are immune to the high temperature of fire..."

Hu Jiu: "Speak like a human being!"

"I encountered a clever person who controlled Time-Type Fierce Ghost and was immune to Rollback. He approached me, became my friend, and then betrayed me." The Brain in a Vat succinctly summarized his tragic experience.

He was reluctant to recall the past, and even less willing to reveal his embarrassing situation to others. Despite possessing the seemingly invincible power of time Rollback, he was still outmaneuvered by a minor character he had never taken seriously.

Hu Jiu: "You shouldn't only have the ability to Rollback time, right? You control other Fierce Ghost and possess that power to make people lose their minds. How did you manage to lose and end up like this?"

The Brain in a Vat smiled bitterly, "Although there are many very powerful Fierce Ghosts in this world, and I do crave their power, I am unwilling to control them because the damage to my body is too severe. I already possess the great power of time Rollback, so there is really no need to risk myself."

"Most of the time, I use Supernatural Items to compensate for my own shortcomings. I only try to control ghosts that are very suitable for me and have few side effects."

"It's true that lowering someone's intelligence is another ability of mine. At first, I thought this ghost, which I named 'Blind Idiot,' had almost no side effects. Later, I discovered that while using this ghost to lower others' intelligence, I myself would also have my intelligence lowered—and it was a reduction in my maximum IQ!"

Fools rarely realize their own stupidity, so by the time they do, it's too late. From then on, he must firmly remember not to use his intelligence-lowering ability carelessly; this ability must be reserved for the most crucial moments!

He actually stumbled upon this most crucial moment and wiped out the entire Time Management Bureau in one fell swoop.

Hu Jiu suddenly realized. "So that's how it is!"

Brain in a Vat: "Alright, I've said what I needed to say. The whole world is rapidly falling from materialism to idealism. Get me out of here right now, and we'll run away together."

Hu Jiu laughed, "I can run away by myself, why should I take you with me?"

Brain in a Vat: "!!"

"You have no sportsmanship!"

"I helped you answer your questions, don't you feel even the slightest bit of gratitude?!"

Hu Jiu smiled and said, "What did you do to help me? I was clearly the one helping you!"

"I patiently listen to your ramblings, you incapacitated, lonely, and mentally challenged monster. This shows my magnanimity and willingness to tolerate you, to listen to your trivial and stale stories. Logically, you should be thanking me."

Brain in a Vat: "!!"

"Ah! You traitor! How can there be such a shameless person as you in this world!"

Ignoring the cacophony of the Brain in a Vat, Hu Jiu began to formulate a plan to escape.

"Wait!" the Brain in a Vat called out to him, "I have the ability to Rollback time. Are you sure you want to abandon me, your powerful partner? With me around, your margin for error is infinite!"

"Really? I don't believe it!" Hu Jiu said with a smile.

"You already revealed before that the price you pay for using time Rollback is paid by this world. When this world is destroyed and you are separated from the outside world, even if you still have the ability to Rollback time, will you still be able to use it?"

The Brain in a Vat remained silent and did not answer the question.

From his silence, Hu Jiu understood that his guess was correct.

The Book of Ages is only a magical tool for rewriting history in the world of "Jackie Chan Adventures". In other worlds, it is just an Otherworld history book from another world.

"So what value do you have left? Why should I take a burden with me when I leave, a body that's gone and only has a brain?"

Hu Jiu unabashedly displayed his harsh and sarcastic side.

The Brain in a Vat suddenly burst into laughter, a loud laugh. "I knew you'd be like this, changing your mind faster than flipping through a book! Luckily, I had a backup plan!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Hu Jiu sneered disdainfully, "Are you sure that trick you've been holding back will have any effect on me?"

The Brain in a Vat retorted, "The Fierce Ghost you control also originated from this world. Are you sure your Fierce Ghost will still be usable after you leave this world?"

Hu Jiu nodded. "I've met Ghost Tamers from other worlds. To them, our world is another world, but their abilities are still there."

"I've been to the Ghost World myself. Although I don't understand the underlying principles, my abilities weren't affected."

"I have plenty of time to slowly explore the true nature of Fierce Ghost; I don't need you."

The Brain in a Vat said, "You don't need to explore slowly. I can tell you now that the essence of Fierce Ghost is... 'Apocalypse'!"

Hu Jiu: "???"

Brain in a Vat: "As I said before, we can think of the real world we live in as a game. Although its underlying operating logic is a mountain of crap code, it's very stable. When it runs internally, even if it occasionally encounters one or two small bugs, it will fix them on its own."

"However, once subjected to continuous interference from 'external forces,' the resulting bugs become much more difficult to eliminate."

"Bugs will also stimulate the creation of new bugs. Even if I didn't use time Rollback to accelerate this collapse, the world would have ended sooner or later."

Hu Jiu then asked, "What exactly do you mean by 'external force'?"

He was incredibly curious about the "external force" that could cause a world to malfunction and head towards destruction.

The Brain in a Vat said, "I don't know."

"Really?" Hu Jiu expressed disbelief. "I think you're withholding crucial information."

Brain in a Vat: "People with a heart see everything as dirty. I don't really know what 'external force' is; I only know that many worlds have been affected by 'external forces' and developed idealistic bugs, gradually heading towards the end of the world."

"Many of you refer to the region beyond this world as the 'Ghost World,' which is a valid term, but not comprehensive enough, because there are much broader areas beyond the 'Ghost World.'"

"This place is called the 'Ghost World' because all the real worlds within this area have suffered from the same type of apocalyptic disaster— Fierce Ghosts."

Hu Jiu listened in a daze, trying to remember and ponder the information revealed by the Brain in a Vat. If what the other party said was true, then Hu Jiu had to admit that he was very ignorant.

The Brain in a Vat continued, "Now you should understand the cause and effect, right?"

Hu Jiu nodded.

→The initial origin is an unknown "external force," and under the influence of this force, the materialistic real world will produce idealistic bugs.

→These bugs will manifest themselves in the form of supernatural, unnatural forces.

→Using such extraordinary power might bring temporary convenience, but it will further exacerbate the collapse of the world.

→Extraordinary disasters ultimately trigger a true apocalypse.

After clarifying his thoughts, Hu Jiu asked a crucial question, "In which year did the apocalyptic disaster in our world begin?"

The Brain in a Vat answered crisply, "I don't know. It could be sometime in ancient times, or it could be sometime in the distant future."

Before Hu Jiu could even complain, the Brain in a Vat continued, "You need to understand, 'time' is also affected and has become unstable."

"If the apocalypse were to strike in 2050, and someone gained the ability to manipulate time, traveling back in time, the moment they returned would be equivalent to bringing 'supernatural' or 'bug'-like contamination back with them, and the disaster would begin from that moment."

Hu Jiu: "... What you said makes a lot of sense."

Brain in a Vat: "Alright, enough chit-chat. Now, let's figure out a way to regain my freedom of movement!"

This time, Hu Jiu did not refuse. The Brain in a Vat was very familiar with the "Ghost World" and might have even been to places outside the "Ghost World." This information was extremely valuable.

So...

He decided to swallow that brain whole to gain access to all of the other person's memories!

Returning to the palace that imprisoned the Brain in a Vat, Hu Jiu's mindset was completely different from when he first came.

The palace itself, the chains within it, the transparent glass jar containing the brain, and the liquid inside—all were designed to seal that brain away.

The palace was easy to demolish; Hu Jiu smashed it to pieces with a few strokes. By this time, the Brain in a Vat had regained some of its autonomous movement capabilities. It floated in mid-air, dragging a long chain, like a strange jellyfish.

"Don't bother with the other seals; I doubt you could break them anyway, and it would be too much of a waste of your time," said the Brain in a Vat.

Hu Jiu thought that the other party had seen through his intention to devour him and deliberately left the seal on in order to protect himself.

"How will we know if we can untie it if we don't try?" Hu Jiu said, while pulling on the chain.

However, the moment his hand touched the chains, he immediately realized something was wrong!

Although the surface of the chains exuded a Supernatural aura, the material that made up the chains emitted something that Hu Jiu couldn't understand.

--Heavy, obscure, and stagnant, it seemed to be a personification of some kind of negative emotion, and no matter how much Supernatural power Hu Jiu exerted, he could not break it.

Seeing Hu Jiu haphazardly pulling at the rusty chains as if playing with a rubber band, the Brain in a Vat had to speak up and remind him:

"Those chains came from another world; their supernatural system is different from ours. And this transparent container holding my brain, along with the liquid inside, are not Supernatural artifacts."

Hu Jiu frowned and tossed aside the chains. "The Time Management Bureau really went to great lengths for you. Where did you get all these things?"