A Thorny Problem

After the "Antarctic Crisis" at the end of 2020, which caused global climate and weather disruptions and widespread panic, 2021 suddenly fell into a strange calm.

But without a doubt, everyone knows that this is a false calm. After the "Antarctic Crisis," after countless people around the world witnessed the "Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Giant illusion," and after everyone experienced those months that felt like the end of the world, many deep-seated things and many original perceptions have been completely shattered.

What is this world really like? -- This question has been raised again by many people.

There has been much discussion online and on various social media platforms about the "Antarctic Crisis" and the "eight-armed, eight-eyed phantom," with all sorts of speculations, inferences, and hypotheses. But in real life, it seems that nothing has changed. People are still going to work and going to school as usual. It seems that after the world was pulled back from the brink of doom by the "Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Giant," everyone's life has returned to normal.

Yes, even though no official media outlets or countries have made any formal statements or conclusions, in the public sphere and online, everyone generally agrees that the "Antarctic Crisis" was resolved by the "Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Giant," and that the world was saved by the "Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Giant."

Regarding the "Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Giant," and this world, creatures, and existence that seem to be hidden deep in the ice, some people have different opinions.

The "Lightning Superman" theory is the most popular, because not only have eyewitnesses and a popular online streamer made a series of explanatory videos, describing with certainty that they saw "Superman" flying through the air on a coastal city on "Salvation Day," but some "insiders" have also confirmed through other means that a brief and violent lightning storm did indeed occur at that time and location, with unidentified objects rising into the air. There is also substantial evidence that the super lightning storm that formed in the Pacific Ocean originated from this small lightning storm that originated from the eastern coast of China.

Thus, further theoretical deductions began to emerge, suggesting that the true form of the Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Giant might actually be a Chinese person who could transform into Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Giant when necessary. The condition for transformation was a change in the weather; when a lightning storm occurred, the giant could solidify into a physical form, and the stronger the lightning, the larger the physical form.

This inference has been verified by many phenomena before and after the "Antarctic Crisis," further strengthening their confidence in this theory.

Furthermore, they believe that the reason the Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Giant did not make its move until December of last year was because it had been accumulating power. This devastating super lightning storm also turned the Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Giant into ashes.

Thus, the legend of a Chinese superhero sacrificing himself to save the world began to spread on the Chinese internet, and then gained momentum on the English internet as well.

Those who were rescued during the Montamira riots last year due to the appearance of Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Giant also strongly agree with this theory and have added many details about the Montamira incident.

Another restaurant owner said that a two-meter-tall, bald, handsome Chinese man appeared out of nowhere that night, grabbed the thug like a rag doll, and beat him up, rescuing him from danger. He believes that if there are really Chinese superheroes, then the bald guy should be one of them.

However, his description was too exaggerated, and most people thought he was talking nonsense, so it didn't cause much of a stir. But when Yang the Third saw it, he ran to Tang Baona to report it as if he had discovered a new continent.

Many people believe in the idea of superheroes sacrificing themselves to save the world; these stories, tinged with a tragic element, are always easy for people to relate to.

Many people are trying to find the real identity of this superhero, or trying to create a superhero image of someone who sacrifices himself to save the world based on some hypothetical reasoning.

However, some people who witnessed the "illusion of the Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Giant" scoffed at this theory, because to them, the "Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Giant" could not be associated with ordinary people; he was what they considered a "true god."

However, by the end of 2021, some new information began to emerge, and people's attention began to shift from the legend of the Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Giant to a new focus—China's groundbreaking discoveries in several technological fields.

From the practical application of quantum computing, the development and application of new superconducting materials, and various new expansions in genetic engineering, to the theoretical breakthroughs in controlled nuclear fusion, it seems as if overnight, human technology has made revolutionary progress.

These advancements, breakthroughs, and applications all originated from a series of research institutions in China.

China has no intention of closing itself off and enjoying the benefits alone; it has begun to take the lead in international cooperation.

Initially, some major Western powers were reluctant to join, but in early 2022, controlled nuclear fusion began to take root. After the first controlled nuclear fusion power plant was built in Northeast China, no major power was willing to be left behind. This is a crucial juncture in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and if one fails to catch up, one is likely to be completely left behind.

Many Western "insiders" have long realized that China's breakthroughs likely began after the Antarctic Crisis. Some insiders who have some knowledge of the existence of "Mutated Creature" concluded, after a series of applied breakthroughs in China, that the Chinese have discovered the secret of "Mutated Creature."

However, when they cautiously and tremblingly tried to study the "Mutated Creature" themselves, they discovered various interferences and anomalies, and even the "Mutated Creature" that they had finally managed to capture mysteriously disappeared.

Then the Western world gradually realized that the restrictions on the research of "Mutated Creature" had been loosened, but not completely lifted. Only China, through some unknown means, found a way to circumvent the restrictions.

Therefore, despite their reluctance, the Western world has no choice but to join the China-led R&D system and comply with the relevant technical specifications and standards set by China.

Under China's strong control, all disputes in various regions and countries have been temporarily put aside, and the whole world has entered a new era of explosive productivity.

The concept of a community with a shared future for mankind is beginning to truly become a global consensus.

In 2023, Chongyun Village was very different from three years ago. Although the name "Universe Research Base" of Chongyun Village was unknown at home and abroad, in the eyes of people in China who knew about the existence of "Mutated Creature", it was the absolute center, the source of all new technologies, and the "headquarters" of global "Mutated Creature" research.

The first batch of "Shenxing Technology" team members who followed Xia Libing have all become capable leaders.

Fang Pingfang and Zhou Rui are the heads of several research institutions, Mi Qiao and Ye Chong are the heads of the technology application department, Li Shiping, Gao Shu, Wang De'an and Zhao Feng are mainly responsible for the establishment of the field investigation department, the supervision and rescue of wild "Mutated Creature", and when necessary, they will also restrict the freedom of "Mutated Creature" to provide "Mutated Creature samples" for the base's research.

Of course, at least one of Tang Baona, Xia Libing, or Little Apple should accompany them in such situations.

In October, during the National Day holiday, Zhou Rui and Mi Qiao happened to return to Chongyun Village at the same time to report on their work, representing various institutions and departments under their leadership, and apply to Xia Libing for "Mutated Creature" samples.

After meeting with Xia Libing separately, the two agreed to meet at a restaurant nestled against the mountains and by the water in Chongyun Village to have a meal and catch up.

"This restaurant is newly built? I didn't see it when I came here last year," Mi Qiao said, looking around at the scenery with some curiosity.

Business is booming here, but judging from their attire, about 90% of the people here are from the Research Base.

"I heard it was opened by Dr. Xia's brother, Director Liu, and Mr. Chu together," Zhou Rui said.

Now, most of the new people entering the Research Base call Xia Libing" Director Xia." Only those who were the first to follow Xia Libing call her "Dr. Xia" in private. This can be seen as a sign that they have established a small circle to some extent.

Mi Qiao said, "It's said that Mr. Xia also has superpowers; is he Mutated Creature?"

"No, it should be similar to Dr. Xia, having the ability to control spirits," Zhou Rui said.

"Spirit control?" Mi Qiao looked puzzled.

"Oh, your application department might not have been notified yet... By the way, what's your security clearance level?"

After confirming that Mi Qiao's confidentiality level was the same as his own, Zhou Rui continued, "Dr. Xia is currently overseeing the development of the 'Spirit Control Theory' and will be providing targeted training for some field investigators in the future. Candidates should all receive corresponding 'spirit-enhancing objects' and gain corresponding sensory abilities."

"This can be trained?" Mi Qiao, somewhat surprised.

"From what I understand, everyone should have the potential to learn it, but the level of mastery varies depending on talent," Zhou Rui said. "I'll probably apply to try establishing a connection with the 'Spirit-Enchanted Object' as well."

Upon hearing this, Mi Qiao for a moment, then took out a neatly folded A4 sheet from her wallet. When unfolded, it revealed countless creases and densely packed black circles.

"Am I a 'spirit-enhanced object'?" Mi Qiao asked.

Zhou Rui exclaimed in surprise, picked up the paper, and said, "Where did you get this? I have indeed seen similar patterns in the base, and it does seem to be related to 'Spirit Control Theory'."

"I got it by chance three years ago," Mi Qiao said.

Zhou Rui said with a hint of envy, "Then you probably also have the potential to master 'spirit control'."

"So... what's Mr. Xiang's situation now? Could it be that he really sacrificed himself to save the world, as rumored online?" Mi Qiao carefully put away the Black Circle Graffiti.

Zhou Rui shook his head. "I don't think so. He's probably injured or overworked and is recuperating."

"Could it be in Antarctica?"

"They shouldn't be there, otherwise Dr. Xia and Mr. Liang wouldn't have allowed the West to land on the Antarctica continent first, right after the Antarctic Crisis ended," Zhou Rui analyzed.

As he spoke, Zhou Rui suddenly lowered his voice, leaned closer to Mi Qiao, and said mysteriously, "I think the world is about to undergo a major change!"

Mi Qiao was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise, "A major change?"

"It's the 'change' in 'transformation'..."

"I know, what major change are you talking about?"

Where were you when you met with Dr. Xia this time?

"Multimedia Conference Room"

"I met her in Dr. Xia's office," Zhou Rui said. "There was a globe on Dr. Xia's desk, and she would often unconsciously touch it when she was talking to me."

"Is there something wrong with that globe?" Mi Qiao asked immediately. Like Zhou Rui, she had been following Xia Libing for over a year and knew the way Dr. Xia operated, knowing that every word and action of hers had meaning.

"Yes!" Zhou Rui said, "That globe is oval-shaped! It looks like a coconut!"

Mi Qiao frowned and asked, "Are you sure it's a globe?"

"Yes, it's a globe, 100% custom-made," Zhou Rui said, emphasizing, "Dr. Xia kept touching that globe while she was talking to me."

Mi Qiao pondered, "Could it be... that the Earth is starting to become an elliptical shape?"

Zhou Rui nodded. "The world has changed drastically."

Zhou Rui and Mi Qiao instinctively made exaggerated inferences based on their understanding of Xia Libing.

What they didn't know was that the oval shape in Xia Libing's office was custom-made by Alice. It was originally shaped like half a skull, and the template was naturally Xiang Kun.

However, Yang Zhen'er went several times, and each time she strongly protested and gave feedback frantically. In addition, Little Chubby Girl and Little Apple occasionally came over, so it was really not good to have a skull on it—even though everyone could tell at a glance that it was Xiang Kun's head.

So Alice commissioned a globe-shaped head so that Lao Xia could have a tactile experience.

While Mi Qiao and Zhou Rui were having dinner, Xia Libing, Tang Baona, Yang Zhen'er, Little Chubby Girl, and others were having a meeting in Lao Xia's conference room, discussing a rather thorny issue.

"What should we do? I can't handle Uncle Xiang and Aunt Shen anymore. They're determined to go find Xiang Kun..." Tang Baona said anxiously.

When Xiang Kun first went to Antarctica, things were fine. His Dad Xiang Mom Xiang that Xiang Kun was going to Europe on a business trip. In the first few years, Tang Baona and Lao Xia would meet with him from time to time to comfort him. Alice would also often simulate Xiang Kun to talk to the elderly couple or even video chat. However, three years have passed, Xiang Kun still hasn't returned. Mom Xiang couldn't sit still anymore and developed a kind of intuitive suspicion about the video chat with Xiang Kun that Alice simulated. So she decided to go to Europe to see Xiang Kun.

They first contacted Lao Xia, but he calmed Lao Xia down. A few days later, they went directly to Tang Baona, determined to find Xiang Kun. Tang Baona had no choice but to agree first and then discuss countermeasures with Lao Xia and the others.

"How about... we tell Uncle and Aunt Xiang that Xiang Kun had an accident and became a vegetable... then let Alice make a dummy... Alice can do that, right? Then when Chef Xiang comes back, we can say that he has recovered, so we can have an advantage!" Yang Zhen'er suggested.

Tang Baona raised her hand and slapped her on the forehead. "What a terrible idea!"

"What else can we do? Let's just tell the truth. Chef Xiang went to Antarctica to save the world. Now his fate is unknown. We haven't seen him alive or dead, and we don't know when he'll be back..." Yang Zhen'er said, holding her forehead.