Chapter 531

"You changed the subject way too fast..."

"But Liliya, you also want to go out and play, right?"

Liliya immediately revealed the truth. Her gaze darted around. Rosaliya was right. She really wanted to go out and have fun, but she felt she had to be more reserved. After all, Rosaliya was the one who did the impulsive things, and she was just following her.

"Hmph, I figured it out a long time ago. Let me, your kind and gentle older sister, grant your wish. Come on, come on."

Knowing her sister's true nature, Rosaliya pushed Liliya out of the room. The blue-haired girl seemed to want to struggle, after all, she had to maintain her composure.

"But, the cake..."

"It's okay, Mom will bake it for us!"

With that, Rosaliya pushed her younger sister out of the room. Anyway, they didn't have to fight monsters like in the movies. Even if they went out to play, their mother would bake cakes for them. So what was there to worry about?

Everything was so beautiful, like a dream.

Chapter 445 Everyone's Dream

Time slipped away unnoticed amidst the playful banter, and the sunset painted the sea with the color of orange marmalade. Gazing at the gentle sunset in the distance, Rosaliya suddenly stopped in her tracks. It was already this late; she should hurry back.

"Liliya, it's getting dark... Shall we call it a day and go home?"

Although I wasn't quite done having fun, I had to go back now. It wasn't that I was worried about getting scolded for going back too late, but rather because of the time...

"Oh, so silly Rosaliya's starting to be afraid of the dark?"

Liliya clearly didn't want to go back yet. On the surface, all the bad things were done by Rosaliya, and she was just an accomplice. In fact, she had instigated Rosaliya to do many of the things because it was getting dark and they had to go home. Rosaliya was really a fool who was afraid of the dark.

"That's not the reason! It's because as soon as it hits seven, you want to... you want to... what was it again?"

The words were on the tip of her tongue when Rosaliya suddenly forgot what she was going to say. What about seven o'clock? What did Liliya do at seven o'clock? Why couldn't she remember?

"Um?"

Liliya looked at Rosaliya, puzzled. Seven o'clock? Is that a very important time? What special significance does seven o'clock have?

"Hmm, I can't remember. It doesn't seem to be anything important... Oh well! Alright, Liliya, if we don't hurry, the sun will be gone! Come on, come on! It's time for some fun hide-and-seek!"

Rosalia easily put the question out of her mind. Since she couldn't remember, she didn't have to go home before seven o'clock. Great, she could play to her heart's content. Rosaliya pulled Liliya's hand and ran towards the shore. They could play for a long time to come.

"You idiot Rosaliya, what's the point of playing hide-and-seek with someone else?"

"Hmm... that makes sense. Let's collect seashells then."

"That sounds complicated... Wait for me, Rosaliya! Don't you dare get there first!"

As the sun set, the sea breeze carried the girls' laughter far and wide. Being with Liliya made everything fun, but there was always a feeling that something was missing... What could it be?

The waves gently lapped at the beach, carrying away all unpleasant memories. In another dream, unknown to Rosaliya, a young man strolled along the shore. If Mei were here, she would realize that this man's appearance... was strikingly similar to the old man who had merged with the Stigmata Space —the same old man Raven had delivered the phone to.

Now, his face shows no signs of age, and he no longer wears the dusty robe he once wore. He has donned the most fashionable attire of his youth, running and laughing on the beach like any other energetic person his age, enjoying the morning of his life. He has completely forgotten that even in his original youth, he had never actually seen the real ocean.

In countless vastly different worlds, countless similar suns rise and set. Humanity has forgotten the boundary between dreams and reality, embracing a new life under the shelter of the Stigmata Space.

In the snow-covered village, a man sped down the mountain on his skis, executing a beautiful somersault in mid-air. Unaware that just two weeks prior, he had been lying weakly in a hospital room, his only wish to survive the winter.

In the city that never sleeps, the world's most renowned billionaire, having just finished a personal interview, is gambling away fortunes at a casino. He accepts the compliments and praises around him with equanimity; his recent experience of leaving his home and living in a cramped basement seems like a distant and old dream, making this moment all the sweeter.

In a bustling commercial street, a mother and daughter are selecting flowers for decoration in a florist. The girl, forgetting her mother's death, is intimately holding the arm of an imaginary mother, chatting with her about her upcoming wedding.

In an apartment far from the city center, a young visual artist is putting the final touches on his new work. His family has finally come to understand the path he has chosen, and his work is beginning to gain recognition among his peers. This young man's hopeful future has only just begun.

Beside the sand-buried ruins, a retired soldier is working with his comrades to rebuild the city from the ashes. The protracted war has finally come to an end. Although his former home is gone, he has never doubted that the city will one day regain its former prosperity.

In an unassuming park, a young man, witnessed by family and friends, embraced tightly the girl he had long secretly loved. The naturally withdrawn young man had finally received the warmth he had yearned for. For the first time in over twenty years, he felt grateful for his own birth.

In the brightly lit library, a scholar is engrossed in studying the notes of ancient sages. Overnight, he gained extraordinary wisdom and a photographic memory, finally giving him the power to pursue the truth of the world.

Countless dreams continue, diverse souls, similar aspirations. Life, wealth, emotions, honor, dreams...

These most basic human desires reflect each other, linked together by intertwined memories, constructing a complete, spiritual Adam. There, eternal calm promises humanity eternal time. Old and young, sorrow and joy, life and death... all the insurmountable barriers that exist in human life become blurred by the stain of dreams.

In return, humanity was plunged into a long night known as Stigmata Plan, becoming a dark shadow over the planet.

"Snort."

A discordant note suddenly appeared in this boundless and never-ending dream.

A unique Gray Serpent stands on the land distorted by the Stigmata Plan. Its semiconductor-integrated eyes indifferently scrutinize this giant born from human dreams. Under the Stigmata Plan, the most beautiful wishes in humanity's hearts have been linked together, shared, and frozen in dreams.

Those illusory moments, like Stars in the night sky, twinkle with points of humanity called expectation, as if they could illuminate the empty earth.

But illusion is ultimately just illusion.

Seemingly having found the answer it sought, or perhaps weary of the work at hand, the Gray Serpent severed its monitoring of the Stigmata Space, and the world fell into an endless silence.

"Even after tens of thousands of years of accumulation, human desires remain confined to the world they can access, without any progress. I'm afraid that even after countless cycles of reincarnation, this outcome will remain unchanged. In that case, there's no need for me to add anything unnecessary. I'm sure that your memories and history alone are enough to provide sufficient nourishment for each other's dreams."

So, before life and the Stigmata Space completely merge and we enter the final chapter, please enjoy the new life you have been looking forward to.

Chapter 446

Suddenly, as if sensing something, the Gray Serpent raised its head and looked up at the sky. The moon hung silently in the mid-sky, like a cold, indifferent gaze cast upon the earth. Nothing else was there. But the Gray Serpent knew that something had returned from the moon.

It seems that those attracted by sweet dreams are not limited to ants with a sweet tooth. Since new guests have arrived, then... as a lowly security guard maintaining order for the Stigmata Plan, I should extend the necessary welcome to them who have come from afar.

If a person realizes that each of his days is merely another night, and that his two eyes are equivalent to someone else's one eye, then he will strive to seek true daylight. This daylight will bring him complete awakening, a complete awakening from stillness, at which point everything will be far clearer than when he is awake. Then he will finally realize: compared to those with two eyes, he is one-eyed; compared to those with sight, he is blind.

Beneath the sea, in Sea Abyss City, the place where Bronya first obtained the power of the Herrscher of Reason, a dazzling blue light flashed. The group, who were previously at the lunar base New Atlanta, suddenly appeared in this tranquil underwater city. Shen Gonglin looked around in surprise. This time, he didn't feel "motion sickness." It seems that this teleportation method is similar to the teleportation of the Herrscher of the Void.

However, if one wants to use the power of the Herrscher of the Void to teleport directly from the moon back to Earth, that distance is truly difficult to achieve.

Could Li Sushang and Durandal still be on their way? They were the pioneers who rushed back to Earth, but it turns out they were faster. I'll have to brag about it when we meet.

"Wow. It really feels like just yesterday we were on the moon, and now we're back. And this place should be... Sea Abyss City?"

Kiana sighed in agreement, and as she looked at the somewhat dim surroundings, Kiana glanced at Seele, Seele was probably the most familiar with Sea Abyss City.

The girl nodded in agreement; this was indeed Sea Abyss City.

"...I see. Sea Abyss City is the ruins of the Previous Era technological center of the Mu Continent. It makes sense that the Star Gate would send us here."

Bronya quickly analyzed the rationale for teleporting them here. Upon closer examination, it made perfect sense that they would be teleported here. The stargate on the moon would definitely have an anchor point for teleporting back to Earth, and the anchor point would certainly belong to the Previous Era. Sea Abyss City was a relic of the Previous Era, so it was normal for them to be teleported here.

"New Atlanta... So that's what the lunar base really means. This place used to belong to a city called Atra. I suppose that's why the other part of the moon connected by the stargate is called New Atlanta."

Fu Hua also understood why the lunar base was named that way. A stargate was set up from Old Atra to New Atlanta, something she didn't know about 50,000 years ago.

"I see... However, this is the deepest part of the Mariana Trench. If we plan to travel to other parts of the earth, we will have to put in more effort."

Mei is now curious about things related to the Previous Era, but now is not the time to delve into these matters. She came to Sea Abyss City when she was searching for the Gem of Desire, so how exactly should they escape from this deep sea? Their goal is not simply to return to Earth, but to find Kevin and have a good fight with him.

"Mei is right. If the latitude here is also messed up by the Stigmata Plan like the moon, it will be difficult for the Herrscher of the Void to exert her powers. Let me think... Bronya, is the place we are in now the location of the Eye of the Abyss back then?"

Kiana tried to activate the Herrscher Authority of the Void, and the reaction was similar to that on the moon. Therefore, it was unlikely that using the power of the Herrscher of the Void to transfer everyone out of the deep sea would work, and they would have to find another way.

"Yes. In the past, this place was directly connected to the Sea of Quantum. But now..."

At this point, Bronya turned her gaze to Seele. Seele should have more authority to speak on this matter, since she had completely assimilated with the Sea of Quantum at the time and even wrote a thick diary within Sea of Quantum. Seele was more suitable to recount information about the Sea of Quantum.

"... Hmm. Right now, you can hardly sense any extra power from the Sea of Quantum. It wasn't like this when Anti-Entropy first closed the Eye of the Abyss."

Seele explained what she was experiencing; things seemed to be returning to "normal" now. Initially, even with the Eye of the Abyss closed, Seele could still clearly sense the existence of the Sea of Quantum. Now, whether due to the passage of time or some other reason, she could no longer sense it at all.

"As expected. The Stigmata Plan seems to have affected this place after all... It's just that the power of the Sea of Quantum is balancing this influence, so Sea Abyss City can maintain its current status quo."

Kiana bit her finger and said, "No wonder the Herrscher of the Void's power couldn't take everyone out. For stable teleportation, a relatively stable situation is required to use the power. Right now, this place is still affected by the Stigmata Plan. The Sea of Quantum and the Stigmata Plan are in conflict, which is why Sea Abyss City is keeping "calm." But this calm doesn't support me using my power."

"That means that if there is no intervention, over time, this Sea Abyss City will eventually be incorporated into the Stigmata Plan."

Mei said this because the Stigmata Plan has been playing a role, but the Sea of Quantum, which "resists" the Stigmata Plan, is limited. As Seele can tell from her perception, it probably won't be long before this Sea Abyss City is also incorporated into the Stigmata Plan.

"... Based on the intelligence we have obtained so far, the Stigmata Plan does indeed attempt to rewrite the entire Earth into a dream in some sense. Although we still do not know the specific meaning of this statement."

Fu Hua tapped her head. She really didn't know much about the Stigmata Plan, nor did she know what Kevin was planning to do. It wasn't because she had a bad memory, but because the Flame-Chasers was carrying out too many projects at the time: the Seed Plan, the Fusion Warrior Project, the Project Ark, the Stigmata Plan, the Flame-Chaser Appearance Design Project... There were so many projects that she couldn't possibly participate in every single one.

Chapter 447 Be Grateful

"The Class President is right, but let's thoroughly investigate this Sea Abyss City first. Whether it's places that remain the same as before or unusual changes... they will all be valuable experiences that help us to understand this world anew."

In the end, it was Commander Bronya who explained what they should do now. The Earth was no longer the Earth they knew, and it was necessary to investigate the surroundings before taking any specific action.

"Yes. At least according to Durandal, the Earth today is very likely not the same as we remember it."

Kiana agreed with Bronya's decision. It was definitely the right thing to leave these "command" matters to Bronya. As the brain of the team, listening to Bronya was absolutely the right thing to do. Although Kiana was also a very smart girl, she should probably avoid using her brain if possible. Who wouldn't like to continue being a Kiana?

"Then let's go with Bronya's plan... Can we say that there are eight of us who will go up from here and first split up to investigate and find out the situation in the whole area?"

Fu Hua made this suggestion after calculating the number of people. Thinking about it carefully, Kiana, Bronya, Mei, herself, Little Herrscher of Consciousness, Seele, and that Seele she had never met, plus Shen Gonglin, eight people, that's not a small number.

"Yes, the Class President monitor is right, this is definitely more efficient. Besides, the area of this Sea Abyss City isn't very large, so it's easier for everyone to support each other if any problems arise. So let me divide them into groups: Kiana and Mei in one group, the Class President and the Herrscher of Consciousness in another, Seele and Bronya in yet another, Shen Gonglin can provide support freely. How does that arrangement sound?"

Commander Bronya made this arrangement. Shen Gonglin nodded. Bronya really knows how to pair up characters. It felt like she had arranged every couple together. As for herself... Sure enough, she should be under the car, not inside.

Bronya had her own reasons for making this arrangement. She said she was letting Shen Gonglin move around freely, but given her awkward personality, she would definitely not "disturb" Kiana and Mei here. If she were to put Shen Gonglin in the same group as herself, she would inevitably be the target of everyone's criticism. Therefore, this selfless arrangement was the best choice.

"Kiana's team can start investigating the nature of the surrounding space and looking for ways to contact the outside world; Class President's team might have a way to monitor the impact of the Stigmata Plan on ordinary humans and the world; Seele and Bronya are more familiar with the old Sea Abyss City and are suitable to search for the various things Anti-Entropy left behind here. As for Shen Gonglin... she can wander around to avoid getting bored and can also help others with their work, is that alright?"

Each team was assigned their own tasks. Putting aside their own roles, after hearing Bronya's arrangements for Shen Gonglin, Kiana, Mei, and Fu Hua all nodded in deep agreement. The arrangement was very reasonable. This guy was already bored and playing tic-tac-toe by himself. If Shen Gonglin continued to be so bored, something bad would definitely happen.

Kiana, Mei, Bronya, and Fu Hua, who all consider themselves the people who know Shen Gonglin the most, have the clearest understanding of her.

"Indeed, this division of labor is more reasonable... So, shall we split up and begin our operations now? Mei and I should stay here first and gradually explore the properties of each space, starting from where we first arrived. That would be a safer approach, what do you think?"

This can't be said outright, otherwise Shen Gonglin will definitely react negatively again. Kiana explained her plan, and she also hoped that Shen Gonglin Mei stay and help. He also Herrscher of the Void the Void, so it would be best if he investigated with her and Mei.

"Hmm... The Herrscher of Consciousness said that although we are already more than 6,000 meters below the surface of the ocean, she still hopes to find a relatively high location so that she can identify more clues."

She repeated what the Herrscher of Consciousness had told her. Right now, Little Herrscher of Consciousness was hiding in the Herrscher Core of Consciousness within her body. She said she wanted to go to a high place. It shouldn't be like Shen Gonglin, who simply wanted to stand at a high place.

"As for us... Sister Bronya, if we want to find supplies, should we first go and check the place where the Hyperion stopped before?"

Everyone figured out what they should do next, Seele also offered her opinion: they should look for supplies, as that was indeed the place they should start looking for.

"Alright. If Bronya remembers correctly... back then, Dr. Einstein and her team stored all sorts of tools there for their experiments transferring Honkai energy into the Sea of Quantum. However, although Sea Abyss City seems relatively safe at first glance... we still can't let our guard down. After all, World Serpent caused quite a ruckus here in the past. So, everyone must remain vigilant."

He gave these instructions to everyone, which meant that the operation was about to begin. Everyone cheered. In any case, they were finally back on Earth. Being back here gave them a sense of "being grounded". Next was to reclaim the Earth that belonged to them.

"Understood. When we need to make contact, we'll utilize the consciousness network that the Herrscher of Consciousness previously established."

Speaking of communication, we have to give a shout-out to Little Herrscher of Consciousness. Thanks to her, they now have such a convenient way to communicate. Otherwise, relying solely on radio communication would be too prone to problems. Just then, Fu Hua couldn't help but chuckle. Kiana looked over curiously. What was wrong with the Class President? Had she suddenly thought of something funny?

"Ah, it's nothing. It's just that the Herrscher of Consciousness said..."

The straightforward Fu Hua was about to repeat what the Herrscher of Consciousness had said when a red light flashed and the Herrscher of Consciousness stood confidently in front of everyone with her arms crossed. She glared at Fu Hua, who was about to confess honestly. This old-fashioned woman was too honest.

"Alright, alright! You old fogey, you don't need to relay everything to them, do you? Fine, since I'm already out here, I'll say it myself. You should be grateful to me."

There was really no way to deal with this old relic, but since things had already come to this, Little Herrscher of Consciousness didn't mind letting them understand his benefits. He didn't have to say it, but they couldn't help but be grateful!

Chapter 448 Thank you, Lady Herrscher of Consciousness

The great Herrscher of Consciousness stood with her hands behind her back, looking exceptionally serious. She cleared her throat and walked up to the crowd.

"Ahem... In short, you must remember that all of this is ultimately thanks to the great Herrscher of Consciousness. I myself seek neither fame nor fortune, but you must remember that the benefits I have brought you are something that no one else could give. Do you understand?"

The girl stood with her hands behind her back, looking exceptionally serious. She needed to make these guys understand just how selfless she was. She had provided them with such great convenience, without seeking fame or profit. But even so, they had to remember the benefits she had given them. This was a very important matter, and they shouldn't think that the convenience they were enjoying was something they deserved!

Little Herrscher of Consciousness's serious expression almost made everyone else laugh. Kiana pinched her thigh hard to keep herself from laughing out loud. If she laughed now, the Herrscher of Consciousness would definitely explode. Her personality is really funny. She has a face that looks exactly like the Class President, but she can say such things... Let's coax her a bit. If we don't, I feel like she won't cooperate properly.

"Yes. Thank you, Herrscher of Consciousness."

Kiana's voice sounded incredibly strange as she forced herself not to laugh out loud. Herrscher of Consciousness raised an eyebrow, wanting to find fault, but Fu Hua interrupted her self-praise with a sorrowful expression, like a parent.

"Alright, Little Herrscher of Consciousness. Now's not the time for banter. Now that everyone's roles are clear, let's do as Kiana suggested and get started as soon as possible."

The relationship between the two of them seems to be getting stranger and stranger. It's like... like a rebellious daughter and her mother? Looking at the Class President and the Herrscher of Consciousness, such thoughts appeared in everyone's minds. However, this is just something to think about. If they were to say it out loud, the Herrscher of Consciousness would definitely get angry again. In the current situation where every combatant is needed, it's best not to provoke her.

A consensus was quickly reached: Kiana and Mei would stay there to investigate, while the others would repair the elevator and head to other places to carry out their own missions. During the ascent, Seele showed a troubled and thoughtful expression, which was noticed by Bronya, who had been watching Seele closely.

"Seele, what are you thinking about?"

With one hand gripping Shen Gonglin's collar to prevent her from falling off the "elevator" as she looked down, Bronya turned to Seele and asked her some questions. In this relatively "leisurely" moment, Bronya was willing to help Seele resolve some of her doubts. With a major battle imminent, it was better not to have anything she couldn't understand.

"Ah, Sister Bronya... I was thinking, Kevin, what kind of person is he really? Shen Gonglin said he eats several children in one meal, likes to force people to peek at him while he's bathing, smacks his lips while eating, and doesn't wipe himself properly in the bathroom... Is that true?"

Hearing Seele's words, Bronya fell silent. The emotionless girl looked helplessly at Shen Gonglin, but Shen Gonglin, immersed in the strange feeling of her slowly rising consciousness, showed no embarrassment for talking nonsense. Kevin, as an enemy, what's wrong with making fun of him? It's a tactic.

This guy is really... well, if we want to explain what kind of person Kevin is, there is indeed someone among them who is qualified to make an evaluation.