Chapter 398

Inside the laboratory, there was dead silence.

Everyone was shocked by that greeting coming across the void, unable to speak.

After a long silence, Luo Yan spoke slowly.

They no longer needed the magic array for translation, but could communicate directly with this mysterious old man using pure spiritual power.

"How long have we been separated?"

He could be sure that this friend in front of him was not the Pope he had enlightened, although their spiritual ripples were highly similar, there were still subtle differences.

That old and kind voice echoed in everyone's minds again.

"If we record years by the alternation of sun and moon, it has been fifty centuries now."

Fifty centuries...

Five thousand years?

Even Luo Yan, who was used to big storms and waves, had a moment of trance in his heart when hearing this sentence.

In the eyes of him and the scholars of the Academy, everything had only passed for two months, but on the other side of the Void Realm, it had already been five thousand years.

He stared at the Suolipuxi person who was old and frail in the Void Realm, and said in a tone with a hint of melancholy.

"That really has been long enough."

"Yeah."

That Suolipuxi person also responded to the emotion of "Ancient God Kelin" in a nostalgic tone.

Luo Yan looked at the face covered with tentacles behind the Void Realm and continued to ask.

"What is your name?"

A long and soft voice appeared in his mind, like the long cry of a whale in the deep sea.

"My name cannot be pronounced in your language, however... you can call me 'Curator'."

Curator... Luo Yan pondered this word in his heart, trying to interpret the deep meaning within it, but there was no clue.

In previous research, they had not retrieved relevant information, this vocabulary was like popping out of thin air, troubling him.

"It seems that during the time we were separated, many things happened to you."

"Yes."

In front of that caring gaze, playing god seemed to lose its meaning, especially since everything that came into view gave Luo Yan reason to believe that the positions of the two sides had been swapped.

After the baptism of long years, the Suolipuxi people standing behind the Void Realm had already become "mature adults", instead, it was the researchers of the Academy who stood in the position of infants.

At least, this elder had actively released goodwill.

Luo Yan chose to return the favor, no longer posing as an omniscient god, but actively took off the coat of the "Ancient God".

"Can you tell me what happened?"

"Of course."

Ripples of relief and joy came from behind the Void Realm, obviously this Suolipuxi person who called himself Curator was very satisfied with his frankness.

"Fifty centuries have changed many things, whether it is the universe we are familiar with, or the world we ourselves are in."

"I really want to pour all this out to you, however, we have been separated for too long, and have drifted further and further apart in the long river of time, to the point that most of my clansmen have forgotten the path we came from, and have also forgotten where we are going."

After a pause, he poured out with joyful ripples.

"However, fortunately, we have met again."

Immediately, he issued an earth-shattering invitation to this "god" who had once enlightened their civilization.

"I want to invite you to be a guest in our world."

That invitation was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a huge wave in the dead-silent laboratory.

After a short moment of astonishment and shock, the faces of all the researchers revealed faint panic.

Miller was the first to come to his senses.

He looked at the thoughtful tutor with a pale face, and regardless of everything, shouted to dissuade him: "No! Tutor, this is too dangerous! You must not be deceived by the voice behind the Void Realm, this is definitely a trap!"

Other teaching assistants also echoed uneasily, expressing the worry in their hearts in a jumble of voices.

"Yeah, Tutor! The other end of the Void Realm is a completely unknown field for us!"

"Once your spirit enters it, it is equivalent to placing yourself on a chopping block to be slaughtered!"

Their worries were not unreasonable, but Luo Yan also had his own considerations.

He was weighing the risks and benefits, analyzing whether this was worth his risk.

This is a civilization of idealism that is suspected to be higher than Taffy's hometown.

Considering his past help to them, their gratitude should be greater than their resentment...

At the same time, in Luo Yan's mind, Hearing You You's voice also called out urgently.

"Demon King, you must be calm! We cannot guarantee that the other side has no malice. Across the Void Realm, they cannot directly affect you, but if you go over personally, the situation will be completely different!"

A slightly older teaching assistant at this moment even mentioned a name that everyone present knew with a trembling voice.

"Have you forgotten the tragedy of Professor Keynes? Just last year, he risked projecting his soul behind the Void Realm, and he is still sleeping in the life-support array, like an empty shell without a soul!"

There was a noisy sound in the laboratory, almost everyone was persuading Prince Kelin to be calm, and not to be deceived by the whispers in the void.

And at the other end of the Void Realm, that Suolipuxi person who called himself "Curator" seemed to be able to clearly "hear" their communication.

But he did not interrupt, let alone interfere with their choice, just watching all this quietly and peacefully. He was like a wise man who had already reconciled with time, patiently waiting for his muddled father to make the final choice.

Actually, the answer was obvious.

If it were Ancient God Kelin, he would definitely respond to the expectations of his children.

Otherwise, they would never have met across time and space.

Facing everyone's anxious dissuasion, Luo Yan raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"Everyone need not worry," he comforted the panicked faces with a calm and gentle voice, then smiled and said, "I have always cherished my life, and will never do dangerous things without certainty."

After speaking, he no longer paid attention to the commotion behind him, refocused his spiritual power on the Void Realm passage, and asked the mysterious Curator.

"I am very interested, but how can I go over?"

If it were too dangerous, he would of course refuse.

Perhaps seeing through the concerns in his heart, the Curator's kind and gentle spiritual fluctuations were clearly transmitted into everyone's minds.

"This is easy. We have already prepared a 'Soul Mirror' for you. You only need to establish resonance with it, and you can descend a wisp of consciousness into the shell we have prepared for you, without having to risk yourself. For you, this is absolutely safe."

Soul Mirror?!

Isn't this the "shell" used by players to log into the game?!

A huge wave instantly set off in Luo Yan's heart.

For a time, he didn't know whether to be shocked by the "coincidence" of the Machine God Lint Isaac across the void, or to marvel at the Suolipuxi people's research in the soul field reaching such a proficient degree.

"Incredible..." Hearing You You exclaimed in Luo Yan's heart, "Demon King, they have actually mastered this technology too!"

"Mm..." Luo Yan nodded gently, and said silently in his heart, "And, they have undoubtedly walked ahead of us."

However, this dispelled his concerns.

His players had died countless times, and he hadn't seen them suffer any trauma to their bodies or spirits in reality.

At most, some people became night owls because of day-night reversal, or some people accidentally became addicted to raising spiders or lizards.

These were all fine.

As long as they didn't try to use flying spells in reality, it wasn't a big problem.

Unlike the solemnity in Luo Yan's heart, Miller and a group of teaching assistants looked at each other in dismay, completely unable to understand what a "Soul Mirror" was.

In their knowledge system, the soul is a unique existence, and it is also a field that magic is difficult to interfere with. And making a mirror for the soul is such an unimaginable thing, completely exceeding their cognitive scope!

Knowing that he was absolutely safe, Luo Yan no longer had any hesitation.

He felt the sincere and expectant spiritual fluctuations behind the Void Realm, and gave a positive reply with a firm will.

"Good, I'm coming."

Hearing Luo Yan's positive reply, a ripple of joy appeared in the Curator's calm sea of spirit.

"Praise my Lord, thank you for your favor."

"We... await your arrival."

However, after hearing Prince Kelin's words, the researchers in the laboratory exploded.

"No! Your Highness, please consider it carefully again!"

Miller rushed forward again, his eyes full of anxiety and pleading, "The tragedy of Professor Keynes was just last year, we cannot bear such a loss again!"

"Yeah, Tutor!" Another young researcher also persuaded with tears in his eyes, "Exploring the unknown is our destiny, but definitely not in this way! Please don't take the risk!"

Looking at the faces that were true to their feelings and filled with worry, Luo Yan felt warm in his heart. He knew that these people were truly thinking for him.

They hadn't spent a very long time together, but they truly treated him as their tutor, rather than a boss arranged by the upper level temporarily.

Luo Yan looked at them and said to everyone watching him in a gentle yet firm tone.

"Any experiment has risks, however, if we stop before the waves, the next thousand years will actually be no different from yesterday."

"I believe that true explorers must be those who face difficulties, and will never fear the vast waves."

"Of course, the tragedy of Professor Keynes will not repeat itself, I can guarantee this to you. Of course, if I unfortunately break my promise, please don't take me as a warning, but take me as an example to move forward."

Miller's eyes were red.

In the Academy, it had always been the teaching assistants acting as the tutor's white mice, when had there ever been a precedent of a tutor protecting his subordinates by walking in the very front?

He and other teaching assistants choked up, but couldn't say another word of dissuasion, and could only silently make way.

Luo Yan was very satisfied with the expressions on their faces, then walked to the magic array in the center of the laboratory, sat down cross-legged, and slowly closed his eyes.

"Miller, watch this place for me."

"Mm! Your Highness!" Miller clenched the magic wand in his hand and said solemnly, "I swear I will protect your body with my life!"

Luo Yan smiled.

"No need to be so exaggerated, I'm just sleeping, at most it's a dream, and I'm not completely unable to feel this side."

He knew the state of players too well, they could wake up even if they set an alarm in reality.

And even if something happened, Hearing You You could call him awake.

The moment the words fell, Luo Yan's consciousness sank into a boundless sea of stars.

That is his sea of consciousness!

And at this moment, a flickering light spot appeared in the sea of consciousness.

That light spot was radiating ripples similar to his spiritual frequency, like a buoy floating on the vast ocean, guiding him to approach.

Luo Yan approached.

At the same time, his spiritual power tentacles, like invisible silk threads, pierced through the barrier of the Void Realm and established a connection with the newborn "Soul Mirror" at the other end.

After a slight dizziness, his consciousness successfully descended.

He "opened" his eyes and examined his brand-new body with surprised eyes.

That was a colorful butterfly.

The scene of the world presented a kaleidoscope-like magnificence in his compound eyes, he only needed to gently flap his wings, and all the gorgeous scenery approached his side.

Honestly, this feeling was quite wonderful.

More interesting than being a human.

Just when Luo Yan was interested in experiencing this feeling, a gray-white tentacle covered with wrinkles stretched over, carefully lifting this butterfly possessed by the soul of the "Ancient God".

"My Lord, you have come."

"Mm, your world is great, to tell the truth... it is much more beautiful than when we parted."

"Thank you for your care."

Luo Yan smiled faintly and responded to the praise of this Suolipuxi person who called himself Curator with gentle spiritual ripples.

"You're too kind, that was achieved by yourselves, I just happened to... give you a gentle push at the right time."

After a pause, he continued.

"Anything else? Is this the entirety of your world?"

If it were only these, it wouldn't be worth his being too surprised.

"Of course not, this is just one of the entrances to our world... please follow me."

While saying this, the Curator gently led this butterfly carrying the consciousness of the god to his shoulder.

Then, the Curator led him through the fields and entered a castle.

In the gallery of that castle, there was a peculiar oil painting, it did not depict poetic scenery, but the gallery itself.

Luo Yan didn't see clearly what he did, didn't even hear the sound of a spell, they were like crossing a door, walking directly through that painting less than a meter wide.

The surrounding scenery rippled and dissipated like water waves, replaced by a completely different world.

This was an incomparably magnificent giant gallery, the oil painting shown in the castle was just the tip of the iceberg, and the library of the Academy was as insignificant as dust on an elephant in front of it.

Gorgeous paintings were displayed on both sides of the curved corridor.

And what made Luo Yan even more surprised was that the paintings engraved in the frames didn't seem to be paintings, but real and broken world fragments!

Among them were storms that never stopped, inverted mountain ranges and cliffs, as well as prosperous cities and desolate ancient sites!

Here it was like an all-encompassing art exhibition, and also like a scroll containing endless worlds!

Soon, Luo Yan saw an oil painting of pastoral fields and stone tablets behind him—

That was exactly the place he had just walked from!

"Welcome to the 'Gallery of Echoes'," the Curator's voice sounded in his consciousness, "This is our only remaining home in this universe."

The only remaining home?

Luo Yan pondered the weight of this sentence in his heart, while gently vibrating his wings, sending out inquiries from the depths of his soul through spiritual fluctuations.

"Then the pastoral fields just now were...?"

The Curator cast his gaze into the distance, his line of sight following that curved corridor that couldn't see the end, and narrated in an incomparably nostalgic tone.

"That is of course also our home, and it is our starting point, at the same time... it is also one of the scrolls we specially reserved for you."

The Curator carried the Ancient God who had turned into a butterfly on his shoulder, walking through the silent and magnificent Gallery of Echoes.

Soon, he stopped in front of a huge scroll and continued to say in a narrative tone.

"After you left us, our world entered the first epoch. We call it, the era of 'Faith and Reason'."

Luo Yan's gaze focused on the scroll in front of him.

That was a composition showing a distinct "light and dark" opposition.

The left side of the scroll was bathed in warm radiance, depicting the priests of the "Holy Light Society" as secular rulers, showing "divine-given" source power miracles in front of the public, granting land harvests, healing incurable diseases, and thereby maintaining the faith in the name of "Kelin" and the stability of the entire theocratic society.

And the right side of the scroll was shrouded in deep shadows.

The scholars of the "Shadow Association" secretly founded by the first Pope were analyzing the essence of the void in secret underground laboratories.

They abandoned prayers and rituals, using logic and empirical evidence, dissecting "source power" as a pure natural phenomenon, trying to gain insight into the essence of this great power.

And—

They evolved a brand new theory, naming it "Arcane", as a distinction from "Source Power".

After finishing the narration of this history, the Curator issued an invitation to the butterfly carrying the god's will on his shoulder with expectant ripples.

"Do you want to go in and take a look? Every scroll here can be entered, they are all the most representative time-space slices we carefully selected and reserved."

"No need." Luo Yan responded through the butterfly's spiritual fluctuations, "Referring to our history, I can probably guess what happened... continue to the next scroll."

He had seen similar memories in Void Realm No. 178, he was more curious about why the Suolipuxi people named this "Gallery of Echoes" the last world.

And, what incredible knowledge and secrets they had discovered on the road of exploring the void.

This is a rare opportunity.

Maybe, he could learn things that the void could never convey normally.

A hint of relief came from the Curator's consciousness, he felt sincere joy for the extraordinary wisdom of "my Lord".

"As you wish."

He said no more, continuing to lead Luo Yan toward the scroll in the depths of the gallery that once again changed the fate of their civilization.

That was the second scroll the Suolipuxi people showed their ancient god.

Standing in front of this magnificent scroll, there was a hint of childlike pride and joy in the Curator's spiritual fluctuations.

"My Lord, look! This is the second epoch we stepped into during our exploration after you left us, the sign of its arrival is—the breakthrough of 'Subspace Texture Technology'!"

If the standard for a material civilization moving toward a new epoch is nuclear fusion and warp drive, then for a spiritual civilization, the Holy Grail that can be compared to it is probably the "subspace" closest to the void.

Luo Yan looked toward the scroll.

The main body of the picture was a huge fortress that was magnificent to the point of being indescribable, it was quietly suspended in the twisted space of light and strange colors.

Countless energy pipes like giant snakes extended from the fortress, one end connected to the real universe, the other end deep into the core of the fortress, as if performing some kind of breathing.

It was like a heart.

And this was the first "small world" successfully created by the Suolipuxi people that could stably exist in the main material universe.

So that's it, this is the true subspace technology...

Luo Yan listened while comparing in his heart.

He remembered the rough method of the Dragon God "cutting" the Janna Continent from the main material plane, that was more like a child using brute force to break a toy, rather than precise technology.

Obviously, the Suolipuxi people had already transcended simple 'cutting', but mastered the technology of 'weaving' time and space, which was much higher than the ideas Taffy thought of in her previous life!

"This is an infinitely prosperous era."

"If you want to ask which painting best reflects our positive and enterprising spirit, then I must recommend this scroll to you!"

"In this great era, the power of the Holy Light Society reached its peak, we established a great civilization under unprecedented cohesion. Not only that, we also did not give up exploring the unknown world, and after the efforts of several generations, we finally ushered in the most critical technological breakthrough—"

"We discovered 'Ether'."

Without waiting for the Ancient God to ask, the Curator told this story in detail.

Just as Luo Yan guessed before, in the universe where they and the Suolipuxi people were, there indeed existed a base substance capable of responding to spiritual will.

Their forms not only depended on the observer's "observation behavior", but would also superimpose the observer's spiritual fluctuations at the moment of collapse, manifesting in the macro as conforming to the observer's "expectations"!

The Suolipuxi people conducted further research on this basis, just like a material-side civilization deeply dissecting the atomic nucleus.

They defined this kind of substance that filled the universe through rigorous axioms, and stripped it of theological colors, renaming it—"Ether"—with more precise vocabulary!

More importantly, based on their deep understanding of "Ether", they pioneered a brand new technology—"Subspace Texture Technology".

This technology made the Suolipuxi civilization no longer just users of dogma, but became "weavers" of reality!

They used this technology to create instruments capable of actively observing the Void Realm, and for the first time cast their gaze outside their own "picture frame"!

Although the Curator didn't say it clearly, Luo Yan had already guessed it.

Up to this point, the Suolipuxi people also began to study the void.

And, they used more reliable means than the Academy!

"I want to know," Luo Yan sent an inquiry through spiritual fluctuations, "Including the previous scrolls, and this scroll in front of me... are the people living inside real? Or... some kind of recorded phantom? Or say NPC?"

The Curator said happily.

"Of course they are real, they are all Suolipuxi people."

Luo Yan asked in confusion.

"They chose to seal themselves in the paintings?"

"Compared to 'sealing', I prefer to use the word 'staying'."

The Curator's spiritual fluctuations carried a hint of gentle correction, continuing to say in a narrative tone.

"We gradually realized the essence of life in long exploration, we no longer run for others' ideals, and began to focus on our own lives."

"Every adult Suolipuxi person can choose which era they hope to stay in. I made separate scrolls for every scene of every era... However, our population is becoming increasingly sparse. Perhaps in a few more centuries, we will only have the first world left, still having traces of Suolipuxi people."

That sounds quite good.

Luo Yan fell into thought.

Although he had a pile of questions he wanted to ask, the only one he asked in the end was a doubt he himself felt was a bit childish.

"Won't you feel tired doing the same thing all the time? For example... working in the fields?"

"Working for survival, naturally one will feel tired. But we no longer need to work for survival." The Curator smiled, his spiritual fluctuations carrying a hint of indifference that saw through the world.

"We are just finding something to do for the last time of this journey. Or... you can understand it as a kind of ritual sense that is indispensable to spiritualists."

"So that's it." Luo Yan understood in his heart.

Just while chatting, they came to the front of the next painting.

The picture was no longer as magnificent as before, but focused on a quiet and empty sanctuary.

A simple and cold coffin was placed in the center of the sanctuary, there were no mourners' figures around, only the light pillar cast by the high window outlined a silent silhouette in the floating dust.

Below the scroll, a line of small characters wrote the title of this painting—

"The Gods Are Dead".

The Curator read the title of this painting.

His spiritual fluctuations no longer had the previous pride and showing off, but became complex. Among them, there was both deep nostalgia for that era, and a hint of imperceptible sadness.

Luo Yan pondered this sentence carefully, trying to read the deep meaning within it.

Actually, it was self-evident.

Once seeing the narrow room behind the Void Realm, even the most pious believers would probably lose their filter for gods.

They would discover that the gods in the void were actually no different from themselves.

They were not created by anyone, but created and achieved each other.

The Curator stared at this painting and said softly in an incomparably nostalgic tone.

"Our civilization is stepping from the youth stage into middle age, what you are about to see is our third epoch."

"That was an infinitely bright era, however, it also buried the beginning for the prelude of darkness."