Ian sat on the grass, holding a cup of hot tea conjured by Merlin in his hand, and told all his experiences in the world of Fullmetal Alchemist - except for the private parts about Olivia.
"That's just the way it is."
Ian took a sip of tea and said with a solemn expression, "I snatched something from Truth and messed up that world. If Truth comes after you from across the border or uses any Law of Causality weapons, old man, can you withstand it?"
"Humph, don't underestimate me."
Merlin stroked his beard and said with a calm expression, "What do you think the name 'Merlin' means in Multiverse? It is an inviolable symbol. Truth Although that kid is a bit capable, in front of me, he is just a child who has just learned to walk."
"That's good."
Ian breathed a sigh of relief, and then took out the few light balls with [Authority] sealed.
"Help me control my eyes. Have these things been tampered with by Truth? Also, is the knowledge I stole from Eye of God not clean?"
Merlin took the light ball, and a glimmer of light flashed in his cloudy eyes. His sight seemed to penetrate the surface of the light ball and reach the bottom of the rules.
"Authority No problem, very clean."
Merlin threw the light ball back to Ian, "But, there is something wrong with the knowledge you stole in that world."
"Sure enough." Ian was not surprised, "He left a backdoor?"
"Yes."
Merlin explained, "If you build your own 'Gate of Truth' system in the future and use this knowledge as Cornerstone. Then, no matter which universe you are in, Truth can use this backdoor to steal new knowledge from your system like Vampire, or even... reverse intrusion."
Ian was scared for a while. Fortunately, he didn't have time to fully promote it.
"Is there a way to solve it?" Ian looked at the boss with expectant eyes.
Merlin smiled and didn't say any complicated spells. He just casually typed the Snap.
Snap.
A strange sense of relief instantly swept through Ian's soul. It was like some invisible burden that had been weighing on his heart suddenly disappeared.
"Solved." Merlin clapped his hands.
"Just... like this?" Ian couldn't believe it.
"Otherwise? Do you still want me to dance a masterful dance?" Merlin turned to Byakugan, "This is the difference in realm, kid. You still have a lot to learn."
After dealing with these hidden dangers, Ian's expression became serious.
"Old man, I have more important questions."
"Ask."
"About my time travel. About the earth I came from."
Ian's gaze became profound, "The cultural works there can Prophecy the future of other worlds, and even... create the world. Why is this?"
Merlin was silent for a moment and put away his joking expression.
"The earth you came from is called [Primordial Earth]."
"Original?"
"Yes. That is a special coordinate located in an extremely high dimension. There is a theory that it is the origin of all parallel universes. Although the residents there seem ordinary and do not have any extraordinary powers, their souls possess a special talent - information reception and creation projection."
Merlin slowly revealed a shocking secret:
"Humans in Primordial Earth can unconsciously receive information waves from Multiverse. When they write this information into novels, movies, and animations, they are not only recording, but also... anchoring."
"This anchoring effect is extremely powerful. It can even be said that their creations gave those worlds the concept of 'existence'. As long as their stories are still circulating, those worlds will not die."
Ian was so shocked by this theory that he was speechless.
"So..." His voice was dry, "Is this why so many time-travelers are from the earth?"
"That's right."
Merlin nodded, "Because Primordial Earth's soul has extremely high world adaptability. If a soul from an ordinary world is thrown into a different world, it may collapse due to rejection by the rules. But Primordial Earth's soul will not, they can adapt to any rules."
"In fact, many people will awaken the so-called [golden fingers] after time travel, such as systems, heaven-defying talents, etc. This is actually a gift from high-dimensional rules to the 'descendants of the creator'."
"Then who chose me?" Ian asked eagerly, "Is it you? Or some other god?"
"None of that."
Merlin shook his head, "No one selected you. You are random."
"Random?"
"With too many high-dimensional beings interfering with Primordial Earth, the rules there have undergone some kind of distortion. Occasionally, souls accidentally fall into the dimensional cracks after death and are randomly reincarnated into other worlds. You are such a Luck son."
"Luck..." Ian smiled bitterly, "There is neither a system nor an old man, only a pretty good magic talent."
"Be content, boy."
Merlin knocked on his head, "I have seen countless time-travelers with heaven-defying systems, and in the end they all became puppets of the system, or wastes who only relied on plug-ins. And you, although you only started with a bad hand, relied on your own brains to get to where you are today."
"This is exactly why I like you. You are ambitious, smart, and... ruthless."
Ian touched his nose, is this a compliment?
"Last question."
Ian raised his head, a trace of desire flashed in his eyes, "Can I still go back? Go back to Primordial Earth."
"Not now."
Merlin answered simply, "The dimensions there are too high and the rules are too complicated. With your current strength, if you go back forcibly, you will only be crushed into a pulp. Wait until you can truly stand at the top of Multiverse, and then think about this issue again."
"I understand." Ian nodded.
This conversation solved the doubts in his mind for many years and made his future path clearer.
"Okay, I've said everything I need to say."
Merlin waved his hand and started to chase people away, "Go back. Your little girlfriends are probably waiting impatiently."
"Also, remember one thing."
The moment Ian was about to step into the portal, Merlin's voice sounded behind him, with the earnestness of an elder:
"This world is much bigger and more dangerous than you think. What you see now is just the tip of the iceberg. Stay in awe, but don't stop exploring."
"Go and turn this universe upside down!"
Ian turned around and bowed deeply to the old man.
Then, he crossed World Gate without looking back.
Go home.