Long ago, Xi Yan had always believed this world was virtual, and that he was an Extradimensional Invader who had grasped the truth of this world.
But the Time Worm denied that idea, pointing out, "The Vultaum were a bunch of idiots. Those worms' theories were wrong from their underlying logic to their computational approach. They wanted to derive the true nature of the world through data processing, then committed mass suicide over a conclusion they couldn't even verify. Truly the stupidest of idiots."
The Time Worm vehemently criticized the Vultaum's theories, though it still acknowledged some of their technology. One example was a relic-the Vultaum Reality Perforator.
Over the years, Xi Yan had spearheaded a multinational archaeological expedition, using this cooperative platform to secretly excavate archaeological sites outside the Empire's borders. He had more or less collected most of the Precursors' relics.
The Vultaum Reality Perforator.
An unbelievably dense, heavy sphere composed of an unknown material.
The Vultaum claimed this device could briefly disrupt the false world in which they were trapped, offering a glimpse of the real world.
When activated, the sphere could slightly alter certain laws of reality within a localized area. This could only last for a short time, however, as the universe seemed to quickly return to normal.
The Time Worm took one look and said they had merely broken the continuity of the current spacetime. As for the "false world" itself, that was entirely an illusion, a "masterpiece by a bunch of stupid worms."
With this relic, the Empire's research into time advanced rapidly. In a few more years, it might be able to open a Time Gate, just like the Human Empire of the previous era.
"In fact, the Heavenly People Empire of Faith did draw on the Vultaum's theories back then. Naturally,