Chapter 3871: The Nameless Bat (Fifty-Two)

"It truly exists."

"It exists."

"That's right, it exists."

"It is right here."

"The code is the evidence."

"This proves it exists."

"An electronic lifeform..."

"An artificial intelligence..."

"No, perhaps something even stronger."

"Yes, even stronger than that."

"What should I do?"

"How should I do it?"

"How do we defeat it?"

"How do we overcome it?"

"Batman, come take a look!"

"Batman, do you know?"

"Think of something, Batman!"

"Batman!"

"Batman..."

In countless multiverses, countless versions of Barbara Gordon stared at different computers or phones, looking at the same string of code, and dialed Batman's communicator.

Whether in darkness or light, dozens of Batmen across the multiverse received the communication almost simultaneously. When that line of code appeared before their eyes, countless characters emerged. Decrypting, deeper encryption, constant iteration, continuous updates...

When all secrets were unlocked, when the fog shrouding the code finally dissipated, the code pointed to a sentence all too familiar: "I'm Batman."

The gazes of all the Batmen froze at the same time.

"Batman?"

"He says he's Batman?"

"What kind of Batman is he?"

"An electronic Batman?"

"Does an electronic Batman really exist?"

"An AI Batman?"

"I cannot imagine it."

"This is too absurd..."

"This is very wrong."

"What on earth is going on?"

Several Batmen muttered to themselves in front of their screens.

The main universe Batman was the last to receive the communication. At this moment, he was standing above the Watchtower, the base of the Guardians of the Universe. Another tall figure walked up the spiral staircase.

"You really did come, Batman. I thought you wouldn't be interested in destruction." Darkseid said, "Did I say we are very much alike?"

Darkseid arrived behind Batman. Below them, the Parademon army was constantly assaulting the Guardians' defensive lines. Surprisingly, it was the Green Lanterns who were locked in battle with the blue-skinned Guardians of the Universe. And even more shocking was that behind the Green Lanterns were the Yellow Lanterns.

Although their energies countered each other, preventing them from attacking simultaneously—one side attacking while the other provided cover—this spectacle of the Yellow and Green Lantern Corps joining forces was something not seen in thousands of years.

"I just came to remind you not to forget our deal." The main universe Batman said, "You were worried before about whether I could lead our universe to seize more benefits and secure a higher status within the multiverse as I promised. Now, the opportunity has arrived."

Darkseid was about to say something, but Batman tossed him a communicator. He caught it, took a look, and raised an eyebrow.

"This line of code..."

"Amazing, isn't it?"

"A Batman that only exists on the network?" Darkseid's tone grew deeper, "Fragile and pathetic."

"It's not that simple. It's not an internet organism, but a radio wave organism. As long as there are radio waves, it is omnipresent."

"Do you know that radio waves are omnipresent in the universe?" Darkseid said with some disdain, "You mean it can hear us talking right now?"

"No, it certainly has certain limitations. Otherwise, it wouldn't need to use murder cases to disrupt the situation and force me to show myself. However, even with limitations, a Batman who can travel freely through radio waves is enough to attract the attention of the multiverse."

Darkseid also furrowed his brow slightly. He was much taller and more robust than the main universe Batman, yet he did not appear more confident. There was only one reason for this—

The main universe Batman had participated in Battleworld; he could travel to other multiverses at any time, or even to another Great World. He knew Batmen from other multiverses, as well as other superheroes, and could participate in multiverse affairs. Darkseid could not.

He had become a leader among the Batmen of the multiverse. Although he couldn't be called the sole leader, he had already achieved a pivotal position. This meant that if their single universe wanted to expand outward, it had to rely on Batman.

Darkseid's ambition was always larger than anyone could imagine. Think about it: being able to participate in multiverse wars, why fixate on the tiny patch of land in his own universe?

Furthermore, as a New God, Darkseid knew better than anyone that terrifying dangers lurked at the edge of the universe's darkness. He was the Lord of Apokolips, but that didn't mean he could accept chaotic disorder devouring Apokolips. He wanted war, destruction, absolute authority, and supremacy over the universe, but these required the universe to still exist.

His status was high, but not high enough to know the important position of the main universe, or the fact that the Cosmic Administrators would never let this universe be destroyed. Even if he knew, he would still trust his own hands more. He had to participate in multiverse affairs.

And what surprised Darkseid was that Batman had sought him out first.

It was supposed to be an unremarkable day. The war between Apokolips and the Lantern Corps had been at a stalemate, continuing for nearly a year since it began. The long front lines were constantly seesawing, and even though Parademons had little cost, the lack of any sign of victory made Darkseid irritable.

Desaad had submitted another report devoid of any substance. Darkseid stared at him with glowing red eyes, fully expressing his dissatisfaction. Yet, this military advisor who used to be very capable could not spin any flowery words for this report and could only respond with silence.

It was on this day that Apokolips welcomed three special guests—the Trinity of the Justice League.

As the bright red cape fluttered over Apokolips, Darkseid had to pull himself together.

When the war began, everyone thought the Justice League would firmly stand with the Lantern Corps, but that was not the case. They had maintained a very long neutral stance, and recently, due to various frustrating operations by the Guardians of the Universe, the Justice League had even subtly leaned toward Apokolips.

There was no doubt that the Justice League possessed the power to sway the war, especially in the strategic stalemate phase. Neither side would refuse such an elite force. Darkseid, no matter how arrogant, would not offend them at this time.

Furthermore, Darkseid had long noticed that Batman had a huge influence on the Green Lanterns. The Green Lantern, who was originally devoid of desire, had become the leader of the Green Lantern Corps during this war. He had repelled Darkseid's generals several times, achieved numerous merits, and was promoted frequently. Not only the Green Lantern Corps, but the leaders of other Lantern Corps also looked at him with respect; he vaguely had the air of a King of the Seven Lanterns.

Because of this, the Guardians of the Universe, the little blue men, were forced to resort to their traditional art—infighting. First, they promoted the Yellow Lantern Corps to suppress the Green Lantern Corps; then they established the Supreme Gendarmerie to desperately hinder Hal, slowing his promotion speed; then they used Lantern rings to command every Lantern, ordering them to shift their shields three millimeters to the left, and throwing everyone who disobeyed into prison.

It could be said that after this series of operations, the stalemate finally saw a ripple. Darkseid's legion had gained some progress, and the Parademons on the front lines were all beaming with joy.

Darkseid did not doubt that the current situation was within Batman's expectations. He just truly didn't understand why Batman would help him.

Withdrawing his thoughts, Darkseid shook hands with Superman, who was hovering in mid-air. What surprised him was that Superman actually nodded at him. He couldn't help but turn to look at Batman.

This inevitably led to some associations like praising a "good dog" to a dog owner, but that was the reality. What exactly had Batman said to Superman to make this son of justice give him a friendly look?

You have to know, in the beginning, Superman wanted to fly to Apokolips and blow his head off. If it weren't for Batman and Wonder Woman joining forces to stop him, Darkseid would have had a tough battle.

Among the Trinity, the other two had their own patterns, but Superman was truly unfathomable to Darkseid. His power seemed to have no upper limit, almost approaching the ability to make wishes come true. Provoking such an opponent would give anyone a headache.

Darkseid led the three toward his palace. Although he didn't have eyes in the back of his head, he could feel that the atmosphere among the three was quite harmonious, and no one was there against their will. This was even stranger.

Sensing Darkseid's confusion, Wonder Woman couldn't help but chuckle. She exchanged a look with the other two. Superman recalled what had happened two days ago.

"Batman? Why are you here?" Superman flew out of the office at the Centaurus Lantern Corps outpost, feeling very confused by the main universe Batman's arrival, "Aren't you going to another Great World? Why are you here at this time?"

"I have something to say." The main universe Batman looked at Superman and said, "Justice League, assemble."

"You're really a bit strange." Superman said while flying to notify the others, "You didn't seem to talk like that before. You would boringly say something like 'Call everyone over, I have a meeting'."

"I learned it from another universe." The main universe Batman didn't hide it from him, "You should know Captain America, he likes to shout that. I know you guys like to hear that."

Superman immediately smiled brightly and said, "Oh, you're so good. When I heard them shouting that over there, I was thinking about when I could get you to shout it once. I thought I'd have to bake cookies for you again."

"No, Clark, especially not cookies." Wonder Woman poked half her body out from the door in front and said, "Heat vision is definitely not a stable cooking energy. I hope you understand that, okay?"

"That's just because I lack practice." Superman stretched his neck and said, "The Superman from that universe can do it perfectly. As long as I learn a few tricks from him, of course I can do it too."

"Don't learn from those busybodies." Martian Manhunter couldn't help but poke his head out from the room in front and said, "J'onn from that universe told me their Valentine's Day night was spent watching 11 hours of bad movies. Wouldn't it be better to do something else with that time?"

"They are indeed too individualistic." Green Arrow also walked out of the door and joined the team, saying, "However, I think the proposal from Oliver in that universe to invite me to travel to China is not bad. I'll go find him after the war."

"I want to go too!" Cyborg stumbled out, following behind the others, saying, "I've long said I wanted to go to Asia, but you guys all disagreed. That is the future of AI development..."

"The sea there is also not bad, much cleaner than ours." Aquaman walked over and closed the door, saying, "I'm talking about the other universe. Their Atlantis employment situation is also much better than ours."

Batman, walking at the very front, dialed the communicator of the Green Lantern who was still on the front lines. A holographic projection appeared before the main universe Batman. The Hal Jordan in the projection was much thinner, and he had grown a beard, his eyes becoming increasingly piercing, looking even more battle-hardened than Batman.

"What's wrong? Batman? The situation in Sector 126 is not bad. Did something happen on your end?"

"I'm not on Earth right now, but at the Centaurus outpost. The Justice League needs to have a meeting to discuss what I've seen in another world and determine the path the Justice League should take."