"All intelligent life in the universe will lose the ability to think and regress into a primitive biological state," the Void Ark's Core Consciousness said tremblingly. "The entire history of civilization will be completely erased."
"How much time do we have?" Asteria asked urgently.
"Based on the rate of energy accumulation... no more than an hour."
Lin Ye looked at Augustus. "Do you have a way to stop it?"
Augustus shook his head. "Only a complete rewrite of the Void Ark's core program can stop it. But that requires the Concept Marks of three Guardians to fully merge with my creator authority."
"This means you will be bound to the Void Ark forever and become the new custodians of universal concepts. You will lose your ordinary lives and take on endless responsibility."
"Moreover, if the fusion fails, your consciousness will be completely scattered by the torrent of concepts."
Leo spoke without hesitation. "I accept."
Asteria nodded as well. "For the future of the universe, it's worth it."
Lin Ye took a deep breath. "We'll bear it together."
"Before I tell you how to fuse, I must let you understand a greater truth." Augustus waved his hand, and the Conceptual Space began expanding rapidly until it encompassed a view of the entire Multiverse.
Countless glowing spheres floated in infinite darkness, each representing an independent Universe Cycle. Most emitted faint yet steady light, but many had already gone completely dim, while some even glowed with an unsettling blackish-red hue.
"The Void Ark is not the only conceptual regulation system." Augustus pointed at the cosmic spheres. "At the beginning of every Universe Cycle, a conceptual safeguarding mechanism naturally forms."
Lin Ye stared at the spheres and felt the Constellation Marks within him begin to resonate. "These different universes..."
"They are the true source