Chapter 1183

In the brief silence, Lin An's expression also froze.

In the brief silence, Lin An's expression also froze.

We need to keep the leading. ? Probably it's a stray character; we should ignore? The instruction: translate faithfully; but if it's not meaningful Chinese, we might just translate the Chinese part. Safer to output translation of the Chinese part only. We'll output: "In the brief silence, Lin An's expression also froze."

In his expectation, the insect swarm on the ground was the culprit behind the destruction of the Tianmu people; this was the source of their apocalypse.

Translation: "In his expectation, the insect swarm on the ground was the culprit behind the destruction of the Tianmu people. This was their source of apocalypse."

Although he also wondered how these insects could destroy the Tianmu people, he merely guessed whether there might be higher-tier ones.

Translation: "Although he had also wondered how these insects could destroy the Tianmu people, it was merely speculation whether there were higher-tier insects."

If that's the case...

Translation: "If that's the case..."

Many things could then be explained.

Translation: "Many things then could be explained."

The Spirit Energy Tower, the Tianmu people's strengthening system akin to that of awakeners...

Translation: "Spiritual Power Tower, the Tianmu people's enhancement system similar to that of Awakened Ones..."

But if the insects were created by the Tianmu people, then what's going on with the Tianmu people struggling on the ground?

Translation: "But, if the insects... were created by the Tianmu people, then what about the Tianmu people struggling on the ground?"

Doubts didn't diminish; they only grew.

Translation: "Doubts did not decrease; instead, they grew more and more."

After seeing Lin An's reaction, Ariel gave a bitter laugh and continued:

After seeing Lin An's reaction, Ariel gave a bitter laugh and continued:

"What comes next is the new era, or rather, the age of destruction."

Translation: "\"What comes next is the matter of the new era, or rather, the era of destruction. \""

"Your Excellency, Perfect One, you might not be aware that all humanoid civilizations' apocalypse scenarios consist solely of zombies and mutants."

Translation: "\"Your Excellency the Perfect One, you might not know this: all humanoid civilizations that encounter the apocalypse game face only zombies and mutants. \""

"The only difference lies in whether a civilization faces memetic special events, aberrant beasts, or various strange disasters."

Translation: "\"The only difference is that some civilizations experience meme special events, some have strange beasts, or various weird disasters. \""

"We've seen the most bizarre disaster, where that civilization's organisms, even when confronted with a stellar crisis..."

Translation: "\"We have witnessed the most bizarre disaster: the creatures of that civilization, even when facing a stellar crisis... \""

"But no matter the kind, overall, the main enemy in the apocalypse game is still 'oneself'."

Translation: "\"But regardless of which, overall, the main enemy of the apocalypse game is still 'oneself'. \""

"Furthermore, depending on a civilization's development level, the form of the apocalypse game it faces will vary."

Translation: "\"Furthermore, depending on the level of civilization's development, the manifestation of the apocalypse game each civilization encounters will also differ. \""

"If virtual technology has been developed, the apocalypse system will resemble a game more closely."

Translation: "\"If virtual technology has already been developed, then the apocalypse system will be more like a game. \""

"If still in the cold-weapon era, a lowly civilization experiences the apocalypse through divine oracles, myths, and legends."

Translation: "\"If still in the cold weapon era, with a lowly civilization, then it appears in people's cognition through divine edicts, myths, and legends. \""

"This is what we have concluded from observing numerous alien species."

Translation: "\"This is what we have deduced from observing many alien species. \""

"I believe you've also noticed that we collect information from every civilization."

Translation: "\"I believe you have also noticed that we gather information from each civilization. \""

"We suspect this is a change made by the apocalypse system to help civilizations quickly accept what has happened to the world."

Translation: "\"Regarding this, we speculate whether it is a modification made by the apocalypse system to let each civilization more quickly accept what has happened to the world. \""

"Like a diligent commentator, Ariel shared their information without reservation."

Translation: "\"Like a diligent commentator, Ariel shared their information without reservation. \""

"Seeing Lin An lost in thought, he let out a long sigh:"

Translation: "\"Seeing Lin An's thoughtful gaze, he let out a long sigh: \""

"Our civilization has failed."

Translation: "\"Our civilization has failed... \""

"When the zombie outbreak first erupted, we still had great hope of victory."

Translation: "\"When the zombie outbreak first broke out, we actually still had great hope of winning. \""

"Although technological weapons were greatly weakened, how could flesh match steel bodies? Aside from a few troublesome high-tier mutants, we quickly killed large numbers of zombies."

Translation: "\"Although technological weapons were greatly weakened, how could flesh compare to steel bodies? Aside from a few troublesome high-tier mutants, we actually quickly killed large numbers of zombies. \""

"Moreover, just like you and every other civilization, the apocalypse system granted us the ability to strengthen our bodies!"

Translation: "\"And just like you, and every civilization, the apocalypse system granted us the ability to strengthen our bodies! \""

"No matter the civilization, such individuals are called awakeners!"

Translation: "\"No matter which civilization, such individuals are called Awakened Ones! \""

"Thanks to technology and awakeners, in just six years we established numerous safe zones and even reorganized a new survivor alliance!"

Translation: "\"Relying on technology and Awakened Ones, in just six years we established many safe zones and even reorganized a new survivor alliance! \""

"But do you know? When we thought we were about to win this apocalypse victory and the planet was returning to its former prosperity, disaster struck."

Translation: "\"But do you know? When we thought we were about to win this apocalypse victory and the whole planet had returned to its former prosperity, disaster struck. \""

"What disaster?"

Translation: "\"What disaster? \""

"Was it the system that caused the catastrophe again?"

Translation: "\"Was it the system that caused the catastrophe again? \""

"His gaze narrowed."

Translation: "\"His gaze narrowed. \""

"After pondering Ariel's information, Lin An realized he was about to gain extremely valuable experience."

Translation: "\"After simultaneously thinking over Ariel's information, Lin An also realized that he was about to reap extremely valuable experience. \""

"Six years to resolve the apocalypse crisis—looking at this batch of Tianmu people's abilities, they are indeed strong! He could imagine how many moving stories the former Tianmu people had experienced, and how they were about to win this victory!"

Translation: "\"Six years to resolve the apocalypse crisis—judging by the abilities of these Tianmu people, they are indeed strong! He could imagine how many moving stories the past Tianmu people had experienced, and how they were about to win this victory! \""

"But they still failed?"

Translation: "\"But, they still failed? \""

"Thinking of the desolate scene of that planet on the surface, Lin An instinctively thought it might be a global catastrophe, or perhaps a great upheaval!"

Translation: "\"Thinking of the desolate scene of that planet on the surface, Lin An subconsciously thought it might be a global catastrophe, or perhaps... a great calamity! \""

"Hearing Lin An's counterquestion, all the Tianmu people present involuntarily shuddered."

Translation: "\"Hearing Lin An's counter-question, all the Tianmu people present involuntarily shuddered. \""

"The leading Ataire drew a deep breath, his face showing a grim smile."

Translation: "\"The leader, Ater, drew a deep breath, his face showing a grim smile. \""

"That was an expression of extreme regret and self-blame."

Translation: "\"That was an expression of extreme regret and self-blame. \""

"No, it's not a natural catastrophe!"

Translation: "\"No, it's not a natural catastrophe! \""

"That disaster was actually not caused by the system."

Translation: "\"That disaster was actually not caused by the system. \""

"It was us, our own foolishness that brought it about!"

Translation: "\"It was us, our stupidity that brought it about ourselves! \""

"Just as I said earlier, after experiencing the painful war, the Strange-armed People loathed killing to the core; we did not want any more sacrifices."

"Just as I said earlier, after experiencing the painful war, the Strange-armed People loathed killing from the bone! We did not want any more sacrifices."

"Since our civilization's revival, we have regarded every clansman as supremely precious."

Translation: "\"After our civilization revived, we regarded every clansman as extremely precious! \""

"But you know how hard mutants are to kill, and how great a threat the zombies hidden in cities pose to survivors."

Translation: "\"But you know how hard mutants are to kill, and how great a threat the zombies hidden in cities pose to survivors. \""

"At the start of the apocalypse, we had to fight desperately just to survive."

Translation: "\"At the start of the apocalypse, for survival we had no choice but to fight desperately. \""

"But later, all Strange-armed People thought victory would be easy, the apocalypse crisis trivial; we had already overcome it!"

Translation: "\"But later, all Strange-armed People thought victory was easy, the apocalypse crisis was nothing; we had already overcome it! \""

"Precisely because of this mindset, we did not want anyone to die—not even one."

Translation: "\"Precisely because of this mindset, we did not want anyone to die—not even one! \""

"His voice began to tremble; Ariel waved his hand and directly projected a virtual image:"

Translation: "\"His voice began to tremble; Ariel waved a big hand and directly summoned a virtual projection: \""

"So..."

Translation: "\"So... \""

"We were wondering whether we could create a creature to fight for us, like hunting hounds, to eliminate the remaining monsters on our behalf."

Translation: "\"We were thinking, could we create a creature to fight for us? Like hunting hounds, let it eliminate the remaining monsters for us? \""

"While speaking, Ariel quickly projected a series of 3D images of the insects."

Translation: "\"While speaking, Ariel quickly projected a series of 3D images of the insects. \""

"Our efficiency is high; thanks to powerful biotechnology, we quickly produced batch after batch of insect beasts!"

Translation: "\"Our efficiency is high; thanks to powerful biotechnology, we quickly produced batch after batch of insect beasts! \""

"These insects were all modified from prototype organisms, with control modules embedded in their genes."

Translation: "\"These insects were all improved from prototype organisms, with control modules embedded in their genes. \""

"To facilitate identifying zombies and mutants, we specially added an olfactory recognition function to their genes."

Translation: "\"To facilitate identifying zombies and mutants, we specially added an olfactory recognition function to their genes. \""

"As if recalling that era, Ariel's expression grew complex, and he withdrew the image."

Translation: "\"As if recalling that era, Ariel's expression grew complex, and he withdrew the image: \""

"With these insect beasts, we hardly needed to fight anymore."

Translation: "\"With these insect beasts, we hardly needed to fight anymore. \""

"They can self-replicate, hunt corpses, possess strong reproductive capacity, and to some extent equal a high-ranking warrior."

Translation: "\"They can self-replicate, hunt corpses, possess strong reproductive ability, and in some respects equal a high-tier warrior. \""

"The cleanup plan proceeded smoothly; we even felt that perhaps even without this disaster, we should mass-produce these insects."

Translation: "\"The cleanup plan proceeded smoothly; we even felt that perhaps even without this disaster, we should mass-produce these insects. \""

They eat everything, even garbage. Even if they're not used for combat, just for transportation, or even kept as pets, they're actually a pretty good choice.

But it's precisely because the insect beasts are too useful that we gradually... became lazy.

No one wants to become an Awakened One anymore; no one wishes to die from awakening failure.

At this point, Ariel suddenly paused, remained silent for a moment, then spoke again:

It was precisely then that we discovered a problem!

This could have been avoided!!

Word by word, Ariel, with a grim expression, grabbed the sword blade that Lin An had placed on his neck, completely ignoring the sharp Cain's Blade as it directly cut his palm.

Blood dripped down, but only in this way could his present regret be soothed.

Your Excellency, Perfect One! This information is very important! You must remember it!

If one does not replenish spiritual energy for a long time — that is, by obtaining energy from slaying mutants — any Awakened One's strength will drop significantly!

From Third Level dropping back to Second Level, from Second Level dropping back to First Level! Even becoming an ordinary person!

Moreover, this transformation is irreversible!

Hearing this, Lin An's eyes twitched slightly.

Are there such hidden rules? He indeed didn't know.

So, the aftermath is the insects losing control?

Without interrupting Ariel, Lin An slightly nodded, indicating for him to continue.