Although there was an unsettling feeling of being manipulated, after experiencing everything and meeting these people, if given a chance to choose again, Shu Bao would still choose to come here.
Having confirmed that his arrival was not a coincidence, Shu Bao continued pondering the meaning of his presence. Why must it be him? Compared to others, what made him special?
After much thought, Shu Bao concluded that his uniqueness lay in his identity and talent as a treasure-seeking mouse. He could independently traverse space and time, which meant that the key to unraveling the chaos source must be connected to time and space.
However, based on the information he had learned so far, once chaos began, it could not be stopped. The descent of universal chaos was inevitable. Therefore, Shu Bao’s task was not to prevent the chaos but to ensure that even after chaos engulfed the universe, it would not be wholly consumed by darkness.
Could it be that what the mechanoids needed from him was to create more sanctuaries like Xia Wang City? No, if that were the case, any other contestant equipped with a survival system could do it. So, what was it?
Shu Bao found this guessing game utterly maddening—so much so that he felt he was losing fur. In fact, he noticed he’d shed two hairs while thinking. Just as he was floundering without direction, he suddenly heard a familiar voice calling out—it was Fu Qing’s voice. He quickly looked around but saw nothing.
Unwilling to give up, Shu Bao wandered around, but in this void of chaos, he was utterly alone. Still, he was certain he had heard Fu Qing. Shouting twice in return, he received no response.
After a brief disappointment, Shu Bao calmed himself. He speculated that after he accidentally entered the chaos source, Lan Qing and Fu Qing must have split roles—one followed him in while the other stayed behind to guard their physical bodies. Judging from what had just happened, it seemed Fu Qing was the one who had followed.
Moments later, Shu Bao heard other voices—those of the high priest and other members of Xia Wang’s tribe. They seemed to be discussing something. Amidst the indistinct chatter, Shu Bao caught the words “Deity”.
He continued searching but could not locate the high priest or the others.
At this point, Shu Bao finally grasped a hint of the situation: within the chaos source, there wasn’t just one timeline. It contained countless timelines. Fu Qing, the high priest, and he himself were all in different timelines, yet they were within the same chaotic realm.
Shu Bao’s innate talent as a treasure-seeking mouse allowed him to perceive these other timelines—or more accurately, he was destined to become the first observer of the chaos source.
Schrödinger’s cat exists in a superposition of being both alive and dead because, in the box, the cat inherently holds both states. The chaotic universe, however, only has death as its sole state. Shu Bao’s task was to introduce the possibility of life into the box, thereby creating a new state of existence.
The historical scenes Shu Bao had seen earlier stopped at the moment he entered the chaos source. Logically, there should have been more to see after his entry. The absence of additional scenes suggested that the future of this world became uncertain the moment he stepped into the chaos source.
This was why the mechanoids had chosen Shu Bao. The chaos source was the box containing Schrödinger’s cat. The original cat was doomed to die, but Shu Bao, as a mouse capable of traversing space and time, brought a new possibility into the box.
The mechanoids needed someone like Shu Bao, capable of traversing different timelines within the chaos source. If this universe had fallen into chaos due to the observation of dark matter, then it could similarly end its darkness through the observation of light.
And Shu Bao was to be the first to observe the light.
The contestants who had traversed the wormhole into this universe would create numerous safe zones to help those trapped in darkness survive the challenges. After enduring the long night, they would await the light that was destined to come.
The unexpected incident with the Noah was no coincidence, and neither was Shu Bao’s arrival. Everything that had transpired here seemed like a meticulously orchestrated game, and the only beings capable of manipulating the world to this extent were likely the ascended mechanoids.
Having understood his mission, Shu Bao resolved to work toward it. However, while the idea of observation sounded simple, achieving it was anything but—otherwise, the dark matter observation experiments on the experimental planet wouldn’t have taken so long to succeed.
Shu Bao began attempting to observe other timelines within the chaos, hoping to find a timeline with a bright future amidst the void and then bring that light into this world.
Although Shu Bao was not a professional researcher, the marvel of the chaos source lay in the fact that consciousness could create miracles. His consciousness roamed freely through various timelines, and within the vast chaos, he managed to find Fu Qing.
After explaining his speculations to Fu Qing, he gained Fu Qing’s understanding and recognition. Fu Qing finally realized just how extraordinary Shu Bao’s innate abilities were.
Taking advantage of the treasure-seeking mouse’s unique talent and the special nature of the chaotic universe, the two began traversing through the chaos source together. However, this void was like an endless desert, and within this desert, only one grain of sand contained life. Finding that grain of sand required not just effort but also a great deal of luck.
Shu Bao couldn’t say how much time had passed. Together with Fu Qing, they watched the universe be destroyed countless times. In those timelines, the inhabitants of the universe tried every conceivable method to resolve the grand chaos, just as they were doing now.
The two also witnessed numerous barren worlds—worlds where life had never been born. Different timelines and different stories unfolded before their eyes like fast-forwarded film reels. But those films were all stories of life struggling to survive.
Fortunately, Shu Bao’s luck did come through. After traversing countless void timelines, Shu Bao and Fu Qing finally found a normal world—a world that had rebuilt itself into prosperity after a great cataclysm.
In this world, the mechanoids have also emerged. Conflicts between artificial intelligence and humans had occurred within its star systems, but the overall cosmic environment had not been destroyed. However, even in this distant future, the world was still unable to escape the fate of being invaded by higher-dimensional civilizations.
This realization helped Shu Bao understand why the mechanoids were so cautious in indirectly intervening in the chaotic universe’s development. To higher-dimensional civilizations, life-bearing and resource-rich lower-dimensional worlds were rare—just as rare as Shu Bao and Fu Qing finding a single grain of sand in the desert.
If the mechanoids directly intervened in the chaotic universe, other higher-dimensional civilizations would notice. Though powerful, the mechanoids could not withstand the combined assault of all higher-dimensional civilizations. The best way to protect the chaotic universe, this precious grain of sand, was to integrate it seamlessly into the desert and avoid attracting attention.
But as the saying goes, “Wherever you go, you leave traces”. Eventually, higher-dimensional civilizations would follow these traces to the chaotic universe. All the mechanoids could do was disguise everything as coincidence, delaying the inevitable discovery as long as possible.
Though higher-dimensional civilizations would eventually find it, this was already the best possible outcome. Before that day came, the chaotic universe would have enough time to develop. It might even achieve dimensional ascension.
Due to Shu Bao and Fu Qing’s observations, the light was infused into this box that once held only a dark ending. That vibrant and thriving world now had the potential to become the future of the chaotic universe.
However, before the arrival of that light, this universe would still have to endure the cleansing of the grand chaos. The bases and cities built by the contestants would serve as fortresses for the living beings of this world. Though the future they faced was still fraught with challenges, they could now hope for the first ray of light born after the great chaos.
Shu Bao and Fu Qing’s consciousness returned to their bodies. Lan Qing, who had been idly amusing himself, was holding the fluffy mouse with one paw, fanning himself with another, and tying knots in Fu Qing’s antennae with the other two.
When the two woke up, Lan Qing was overjoyed. He immediately shoved Fu Qing aside, cradling the fluffy bundle in all his paws. “Shu Bao, you’re finally awake! I was so worried about you!”
Having been unceremoniously pushed away and noticing his knotted antennae, Fu Qing fell silent. “…” What’s wrong with this dragon?
After listening to Shu Bao recount his experience in the chaos source, Lan Qing was a bit emotional. “No wonder you seem so worn out—and you’ve even lost a lot of fur.”
Following Lan Qing’s gaze, Shu Bao noticed a pile of his chest and leg fur that had been shed—likely thanks to Lan Qing’s persistent pawing. He fell into silent contemplation, wondering whether his hair loss was due to stress or Lan Qing’s meddling.
“Don’t overthink it. Now that it’s over, let’s head back.” Seeing the mouse staring blankly at the fur, Lan Qing hastily urged him.
Although light had been introduced into the chaotic universe, chaos itself hadn’t disappeared. It was still not a place to linger. Fu Qing, having untangled his antennae, was also ready. The three of them prepared to leave.
When they emerged from the incredibly uncomfortable elevator and reached the surface, they found a spherical flying craft waiting for them. Inside, Mr. Sea Urchin’s voice called out, “Before you leave, can you help me with one last thing?”
Knowing Mr. Sea Urchin’s original identity, Shu Bao felt less hostility toward him. “What is it?”
“Help me end my life. On this planet, suicide isn’t an easy task—especially since the other consciousness within me didn’t want to die before. But now, it seems he’s finally ready to rest, and so am I. It’s been too long. I’d like to sleep properly.”
When no immediate response came, Mr. Sea Urchin continued, “You three are the strongest consciousnesses I’ve encountered since the chaos began. Nothing else on this planet can kill me. My mission is complete—it’s time for retirement. I’m behind that rock over there. If you’re uneasy, you can attack me from behind it.”
It became clear why Mr. Sea Urchin never showed himself—he likely understood how unsettling his appearance was. A mere glance might be unbearable for ordinary people. Thus, he had hidden behind the rock and communicated with the trio via the flying craft.
After a brief silence, Fu Qing spoke. “I’ll do it. I have a requiem.”
This time, Lan Qing didn’t argue about who had the stronger mental powers. Fu Qing took out his trusty violin, and soon, the desolate and chaotic planet was filled with the sound of a melodious violin. The notes spread out, seemingly soothing the restless souls around them and allowing them to find peace at last.
