Chapter 1) |
For a moment, the entire world fell into an eerie silence, so quiet that it felt suffocating.
The native inhabitants of this world were on the verge of collapse. If they couldn't grasp the situation now, they might as well be fools.
In truth, they were already deceased. Their current bodies and the entire world itself were but illusions created by the voices moments ago. What remained here was nothing more than a thread of consciousness.
The realization that this was the truth sent shockwaves through them, threatening to shatter their sanity.
Yun Ru paid little heed to the turmoil of those around her, her gaze still fixed on the sky, awaiting a response.
After what seemed like an eternity, there came a reply: "As you wish."
A blinding light flashed, and everyone saw that the world had been restored, with one exception—Yun Ru was conspicuously absent.
At this moment, Yun Ru found herself in a world veiled in mist, where a gentle stream flowed and flowers bloomed. A thatched cottage stood by the stream, and in front of it, a set of table and chairs were arranged. A beautiful woman in a white silk gown sat there, poised.
Yun Ru approached with confident strides, knowing that this woman must be the master of the voice.
"The Red Alert Empire? Isn't it the Fengbao Empire?" The woman gazed at Yun Ru, smiling, and said, "No one gave me a name. A long time ago, I gave myself a name. You can call me Dream Enchanter."
Yun Ru raised an eyebrow. "It seems you can gather information from various sources. Are you not human?"
"Human beings are just one of the countless species in the universe. There are myriad races similar to humans. Why do you assume I must be human? This appearance is merely a convenient choice for our conversation. If you wish, I can take on the form of another species."
Yun Ru hastily interjected, "Human form is perfectly fine. I have no desire to converse with some species that might look unappealing."
"Let's get to your purpose. If it aligns with my goals, we might even become friends."
Although Yun Ru didn't know the woman's species, the fact that she had enabled the deceased to continue existing in this manner opened up a possibility of an alternative form of resurrection. After all, the existence of these people was now merely a thread of consciousness.
Yun Ru recalled an experiment she had heard of, where a person's memories were duplicated and implanted into their clone. Subsequently, this clone was reintegrated into the original person's life. Who would be able to tell that this individual was not the original?
With all the memories and the same body, wasn't this individual the same person? To outsiders, perhaps not, but to the unknowing loved ones, this clone would be seen as the real person. The original person would become the clone.
In an instant, Yun Ru contemplated the many potential applications of this approach. If it could truly succeed, it might allow some departed souls to continue their existence in a fabricated world!
Most importantly, as long as the world didn't collapse, this person could achieve eternal life.
No matter how skilled Dream Enchanter was, she couldn't simply read Yun Ru's thoughts. Upon hearing Yun Ru's words, she replied, "I have only one purpose: to enable them to live according to their pre-mortem desires and, in the process, construct such a vast world, which also benefits me."
As for what that benefit was, Dream Enchanter remained silent.
"What if we abandon this world?"
Suddenly, a fierce gust of wind blew, and the sound of howling winds from Fengbao Empire filled the surroundings.
Dream Enchanter lowered her head slightly, concealing her face from Yun Ru, and her voice resonated, "To construct this world, most of my power is invested within it. If this world were to be destroyed, I would also suffer severe injuries."
As she spoke, Yun Ru understood that there was no possibility of Dream Enchanter abandoning this world. If Yun Ru were to force her to do so, there would be only one outcome—unrelenting conflict.
"Alright, I can refrain from interfering with this world, but I need you to agree to two conditions."
"Please, go on."
"First, I need the Star Exploration Hall. It should exist on this planet, not something you've created. Am I correct?"
Dream Enchanter nodded, "That is acceptable. The Star Exploration Hall has disrupted the world I created. You can take it, but I will need something in exchange."
"That's not a problem. Now, for the second point, I want to know what power you used to construct this world?" Yun Ru stared intensely at Dream Enchanter, her eyes ablaze with curiosity, even causing Dream Enchanter to avert her gaze involuntarily.
"The specifics involve my secrets, and I cannot divulge more. I can only tell you that I employ the power of dreams. To date, I haven't encountered another being with control over this power."
Yun Ru was satisfied with this answer; knowing the name of the power was enough for her. Next, she only needed to retrieve the equipment and report everything that had happened here to Commander.
She had indeed made a promise to the old man to restore this world to its original state, but she couldn't fulfill that promise now, especially since there was no time constraint on the agreement.
After the deal was struck, Dream Enchanter also seemed content. She didn't want more outsiders to appear here, as it would lead to complications in the world she had created. The issues that had arisen this time would require a substantial amount of power to rectify.
A flash of light later, Yun Ru found herself back on the spaceship, which was now positioned outside the planet.
"I'll keep the others as hostages for now. When you bring me what I need, I'll release them along with the Star Exploration Hall to you," Dream Enchanter's voice echoed in her ears.
Yun Ru hadn't expected her to understand the concept of hostages, but it was a minor concern.
Back on the warship, Fengpiter had been anxious since the entire world had gone awry. He realized that he couldn't see what was happening inside the planet anymore.
After all, Yun Ru was not only the scientist on the planet but also the Chief of their own Empire. If these two individuals died here, he would surely face severe consequences.
Fortunately, he saw Yun Ru's return and hurried over to inquire.
"Prepare these resources. It won't be long before Chief Li and the equipment return," Yun Ru handed him a list that listed various basic resources.
Fengpiter came over, utterly bewildered, and left equally bewildered. He believed that Yun Ru wouldn't harm him, but he couldn't fathom the purpose of these resources.
Taking advantage of the situation, Yun Ru briefed Commander about the events on the planet.
"What? Someone used dream power to construct an entire world, pulling the faint consciousness of all deceased individuals on the planet inside and allowing them to live there?" Su Chen blinked in disbelief. If Yun Ru hadn't told him herself, he wouldn't have believed such an outlandish story.
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