Chapter 371: Cultivation Plan

The AI mastermind seemed to hesitate for a moment, then replied: 【According to the confidentiality agreement, this portion of information cannot be disclosed until you have made your choice.】

"Ha, you're talking to me about a confidentiality agreement now?" Li Mingyuan sneered, "Alright then, tell me, do I have a family in that world?"

【You do. According to records, you have a wife and a daughter.】

This information struck Li Mingyuan's heart like a heavy hammer. In the "simulation," he had always been alone, devoting himself entirely to scientific research work. Yet in "reality," he actually had a family?

"Do they... do they know I participated in this experiment?"

【Yes. In fact, your wife, Professor Yang, is a co-designer of this project.】

"What?" Li Mingyuan was completely stunned, "My wife is also in this field?"

【Affirmative. Professor Yang Shiyu is an authoritative expert in the field of quantum neural simulation.】

Li Mingyuan suddenly laughed, his laughter filled with bitterness. "What a pair of bastards, designing this kind of perverted experiment together. Then what about my daughter? How old is she?"

【Li Xiaoyu, 12 years old, currently attending Capital Institute of Technology Middle School.】

The countdown had reached 50 seconds.

Li Mingyuan looked at the constantly decreasing numbers, his heart filled with mixed feelings. On one side was the "past" world he was already familiar with, where his achievements, his comrades-in-arms, and the cause he fought for resided; on the other side was an unfamiliar "future," where his family and a life he did not remember existed.

"System, one last question," Li Mingyuan took a deep breath, "Am I the first person to participate in this experiment?"

【Negative. You are the seventh test subject, and also the one who has performed the most outstandingly to date.】

"Then what about the previous six? What did they choose?"

【Data shows: three chose to return to reality, two chose to continue the simulation but retain their memories, and one chose to continue after forgetting.】

"How are they... doing now?"

【This portion of information cannot be disclosed until you have made your choice.】

"As expected." Li Mingyuan sneered.

There were only 30 seconds left on the countdown.

Li Mingyuan looked at the three options, feeling as though he were trapped in an impossible choice. No matter which one he picked, it felt like denying a part of his own existence.

"Damn it, this is why people shouldn't know too much," Li Mingyuan muttered to himself, "If I had never known all this was fake, I would have lived much happier."

【10 seconds remaining.】 The AI mastermind reminded, 【9, 8, 7...】

Li Mingyuan looked at the countdown, his mind already made up. Regardless of whether this choice was right or wrong, at least it was his own choice.

【3, 2, 1...】

Li Mingyuan reached out to tap one of the options, and then everything faded into darkness.

His only thought was: "What a fucked-up life this is..."

【3, 2, 1...】

Li Mingyuan reached out to tap one of the options, but the moment his "finger" was about to touch the option, the entire space suddenly shook, the three options vanished, and in their place appeared a huge red countdown bar.

"What's going on?" Li Mingyuan was stunned, "I haven't chosen yet!"

【Selection procedure terminated.】 The voice of the AI mastermind NEXUS-7 became even colder and more mechanical, 【Emergency protocol initiated. Please note that the Hexin Kongjian is about to be reconfigured.】

The data streams in the space began to rotate at an accelerated speed, forming a massive vortex. The previous weapon blueprints, battlefield footage, and scientific data were all sucked into the center of the vortex, then rearranged and combined to form an entirely new three-dimensional structure.

Li Mingyuan found himself placed at the center of this structure, surrounded by constantly shifting light and data streams. The feeling was like being inside a kaleidoscope; every second, countless pieces of information surged in from all directions, yet it did not make him feel dizzy or uncomfortable.

【System emergency reset complete.】 The AI mastermind announced, 【Core protocol activated: Project "Phoenix Nirvana" officially launched.】

"What kind of damn project is this?" Li Mingyuan was somewhat annoyed, "Can you explain it properly? I'm about to have a mental breakdown!"

The "image" of the AI mastermind NEXUS-7 condensed again in the space; this time it presented a clearer humanoid form, with contours closer to a real human, yet it still lacked facial features, possessing only a head outline composed of light.

【Li Mingyuan, I need you to remain calm.】 The AI mastermind's voice became more human-like, even carrying a hint of urgency, 【The situation is more complex than anticipated.】

A huge holographic projection appeared in the center of the space, displaying a red countdown: 10:00, 9:59, 9:58...

【Do you see this countdown?】 The AI mastermind pointed to the numbers, 【This is not a time limit for you to make a choice. This is your remaining time in the simulation space. When the countdown reaches zero, you will be awakened and return to the real world—the true future Long Country.】

Li Mingyuan blinked his "eyes"—in this space, it was more like a fluctuation of consciousness. "Wait, are you saying I'm about to return to 2070? Whether I choose or not?"

【Affirmative. But your understanding is incorrect.】 The AI mastermind's tone became more serious, 【You are not about to return to 2070, but to 2097.】

"2097?" Li Mingyuan was completely bewildered, "I was a person from 2097 before I transmigrated?"

【Not entirely correct.】 The AI mastermind pulled up a series of complex charts and timelines in the space, 【Let me re-explain your true identity and the nature of this experiment.】

A hologram appeared in the space, showing a cabin more advanced than the one seen before, and lying inside was Li Mingyuan himself, but this "he" looked younger, with his head connected to an extremely complex Neural Interface Device.

【This is the real you, Li Mingyuan, Special Researcher of the Strategic Intelligence Department at the Dragon Kingdom Academy of Military Sciences, serial number 9527.】 The AI mastermind explained, 【You are one of the core test subjects of the "Phoenix Nirvana" project, selected to participate in the highest-level AI military talent cultivation program.】

Li Mingyuan stared at that "self," feeling as if he were looking at a stranger. "What cultivation program?"

【Simply put,】 the AI mastermind created a simplified flowchart in the space, 【This is a training system that utilizes Holographic History Simulation Technology to place high-potential talent into extreme historical environments to stimulate their potential and creativity.】

Li Mingyuan suddenly realized: "So I'm not some transmigrator, nor some lab rat... I'm a... trainee?"

【An accurate definition.】 The AI mastermind affirmed, 【You were selected because you demonstrated rare talent in strategic analysis and technical integration. And this simulated environment is intended to further stimulate your potential under extreme conditions.】

"So, all of this—Long Country, Di Guo, the war, the Mushroom—is just a... training exercise?"