How Much Time Does Humanity Have Left

Conference Hall, Municipal Building, Guangling City.

"I disagree!"

Lu Cheng, the Minister of Education of Guangling City, shook his head and said, "Students should prioritize their studies. In recent years, due to the impact of natural disasters, the idea that 'studying is useless' has already emerged."

"If Visualization Technique are popularized now, how many students will still focus on their studies?"

"If everyone goes to learn Visualization Technique and no one goes to learn cultural knowledge, how will our science and culture be passed down?"

"I admit that Visualization Technique is indeed important, but can we protect this city, or even save the world, with just Visualization Technique?"

On the other side of the table, Wu Shimo, the Security Department had initially been certain of victory but ultimately failed to secure the position of City Lord, picked up his cup, took a sip of tea, and nodded.

"I agree with Minister Lü's point of view, and as a practitioner of Visualization Technique, I would like to offer my own perspective."

"The practice of Visualization Technique is easy to begin but difficult to improve, and it becomes increasingly difficult as you progress."

What makes it difficult?

"Firstly, cultivation techniques are hard to come by. Even if you make enough contributions to exchange for the technique you want, it's hard to say whether the technique you get will be suitable for you."

"Secondly, there's the issue of cultivation resources. Basic, beginner, and even Advanced level cultivation resources are relatively easy to obtain."

"But once you reach the Mystic Mastery, the Blade Awakening, and even higher realms..."

"Cultivation resources decrease exponentially."

"Given the current number of cultivators, there are far more monks than porridge. Once Visualization Technique become widespread, the shortage of cultivation resources will only grow larger."

"Then I can imagine that some people, in order to obtain more cultivation resources, might take risks and even do things that are morally reprehensible."

Yang Zhen, the director of the Construction Bureau, said calmly, "Visualization Technique is a treasure of ancient civilization and a common asset of all mankind. It should not be owned and controlled by a small group of people, as this is detrimental to the development of human civilization."

"Especially after the opening of the Jambu Realm Space and the outbreak of the Giant Beast Calamity, humanity has formed a community of shared destiny."

"We should all work together, not set up barriers or grant special privileges."

"Besides, even if it weren't widespread, techniques like the <Foundation Establishment Art> and some other common Primary Cultivation Method are already commonplace."

"Not to mention the Undercity, there are quite a few survivors cultivating even on the surface."

"City Lord Di's current approach is simply following the will of the people. Since there won't be much difference whether it's promoted or not, why not just do it directly among the people?"

Information Minister Fang Yao smiled and said, "I support Lao Yang's opinion."

"Of course, I think what the ministers said makes sense."

"However, I believe that even the most difficult things can be solved."

"For example, Minister Lü's concern that students won't focus on their studies is simple."

"City Lord Di also said that although it will be popularized, some conditions will be set."

"Wouldn't that solve the problem by linking academic performance with Visualization Technique or cultivation resources?"

"In fact, the Mecha Academy does the same thing, and it already has a mature system. When the time comes, the Ministry of Education will refer to this system and determine what kind of achievements will be made before they teach Visualization Technique or provide training resources."

"That would force students to focus on their grades, and might even ignite their passion for learning."

Ministers and bureau chiefs expressed their opinions one by one, leading to lively discussions.

Some people are in favor, while others are opposed.

Di Zheng, who was sitting at the head of the table, looked much better than before, indicating that his injuries from the battle in the Forbidden Land had recovered considerably.

He remained calm and composed, waiting until everyone had expressed their opinions and even discussed and debated with each other.

He then pressed his hands down to signal everyone to be quiet before speaking.

"Gentlemen, my strong advocacy for the popularization of Visualization Technique is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, nor is it a political achievement."

Di Zheng glanced at the members of the corps who were listening in and nodded slightly.

Behind him, a large screen displayed a chart with a lot of data.

The most obvious example is a curve.

Di Zheng said, "Please take a look, everyone. This is the data collected by the ground monitoring department over the past year."

"The graph clearly shows that Jambu Realm Space has become increasingly active over the past year."

"Especially in early September, the opening of the Jambu Realm Space reached the highest value of data that could be collected after the natural disaster!"

"Furthermore, the activity of the behemoths has become increasingly frequent over the past year."

"This year, our Undercity has handled more behemoth incidents than in the previous few years combined."

"I have a feeling that something like the ' Giant Beast Calamity,' or even something far greater, is brewing and may happen soon."

The conference room was completely silent.

Even officials like Lu Cheng and Wu Shimo, who opposed the popularization of Visualization Technique, have now fallen silent.

Because data doesn't lie.

Looking at that breathtaking curve, no one can relax.

Di Zheng said in a deep voice, "Of course I understand Minister Lü and Minister Wu's concerns."

"But I'm more worried about how much time humanity has left."

"Is it a century? Or fifty years? Or ten years? Or even less?"

"Everyone, perhaps we can't worry about so many things, or about things that far in the future."

"We should focus on the present."

"Promote Visualization Technique and try to discover outstanding talents. Otherwise, it won't be long before the corps faces a situation where there are mechs but no pilots."

"Just this year."

"A total of 26 of our Mech Master have sacrificed their lives."

"Gentlemen, according to the Corps' statistics last year, there were only about 70 Mech Master in active service."

"We have already lost a third of our manpower, and relying solely on the Mecha Academy to replenish our ranks will make it difficult to guarantee a sufficient number of Mech Master."

"So, as Minister Fang said, will there be difficulties in promoting Visualization Technique? Yes, but we need to find ways to overcome them, rather than shelving them simply because of the difficulties."

Basically, after those words, coupled with those cold, hard statistics, no one in the meeting room objected to the policy anymore.

Next, Di Zheng discussed various details with them. Just as the meeting was about to end, Liang Jian suddenly walked in with a serious expression.

No one knows what he whispered in Di Zheng's ear, but everyone saw Di Zheng's expression suddenly change.

Then, Di Zheng stood up solemnly and said, "Changping City is asking us for help."

"They detected the Spectrum Signal of a behemoth of Overlord Level power, and this signal is constantly moving. According to the computer-generated route map, there is an 89% probability that this signal will pass through Changping City."

"Changping City has now issued a Level 1 alert and has requested assistance from our city, as well as Qingyang, Pingyao, Yanshi, and Undercity."

The conference room fell silent.

Then everyone stood up, their expressions solemn.