Tonight, Alice joins the hunt.

It was a very detailed answer, but it wasn't the kind of answer Lin Xi wanted.

So she turned her head and looked towards Angelina's side.

The messenger immediately saw through her true needs and responded after a brief moment of thought.

“I can tell you the details, and I can tell you all the secrets you want to know. Consider this compensation for my previous presumptuous action. If you have any questions, I will give you the most detailed answers possible. But before that—” Her gaze shifted slightly to the all-terrain vehicle behind Lin Xi.

"You still intend to go to Lungmen City-State?"

She did not receive a negative answer.

....................................

So, there was one more passenger on the bus. The bus continued its journey to Longmen.

Skadi took over the driving position, allowing Lin Xi to stay in the back seat with Angelina. She didn't pay much attention when the two started talking.

and so……

"So, the world we're in now is actually a trial space. All the people, things, stories, and legends here exist for this trial. And I just happen to be a part of this trial?" It took Lin Xi thirty seconds to sort out everything she had learned in her mind.

"And this world is about to face a great war, in which everything will be destroyed?"

“Not the world, the universe,” Angelina corrected. “War will come sooner or later, and it will come very soon. Whether we succeed or fail, war will come. And when war comes, no matter how much we restrain our power, the aftershocks will inevitably wipe out everything, living or dead, on this star.”

"...Will everyone die?"

"First, you probably can't even be considered human anymore. Second, yes, no one on this planet will survive this war. Because if we protect this planet, it will be seen as a weakness and will be treated even more harshly. And if we turn a blind eye, given the current technology on this planet, it is impossible to withstand the first wave of impact."

Angelina shrugged.

"You can imagine a sun exploding less than fifty meters away from you, and the aftershocks of such a battle would likely be evenly distributed across every corner of this starry sky after the war begins. And when the Qin Emperor abdicates, and the interference of parallel worlds and timelines is no longer prohibited, this universe might even be pulled into the primordial chaos of the creation period or the final heat death of the destruction period in an instant. In that case, any civilization would face destruction."

"We just can't not..."

Angelina shook her head.

“It’s impossible.” She didn’t leave Lin Xi with any false hope. “Preventing our success is Qin Huang’s mission. Once we are exposed to its sights, it will launch an attack without hesitation. Similarly, we must do everything we can to resolve our past lives. Because this is a battle of life and death.”

"And in our group, you... or rather, your past life, are a rather special member. Because she doesn't have a past life. Or rather, all her past lives were her at that time."

"...So she created me?" A bitter smile appeared on Lin Xi's lips. "So I'm destined for destruction?"

“Your birth must have been an accident.” Angelina patted her shoulder. “Your predecessor… encountered a troublesome enemy and died. That’s why you came into this universe and became her successor. From the beginning, you shouldn’t have existed, or rather, there was no reason for you to exist. Because she already possessed the tool for resurrection, so even if she died, she could return at any time. For some reason, she gave up this simple method of resurrection. That’s why you came into being.”

Lin Xi closed her eyes.

"Is she the only one who's special...?"

“Alice is also special. But Alice didn’t arrange for her own reincarnation.” Her interlocutor replied, “Your fate is already sealed. Because right now, less than five percent of your consciousness still belongs to 'Lin Xi.' The rest has been completely covered by my companions. Although I don’t know why, she fell into a deep sleep just before she was about to wake up, making you feel like you’re still alive. But… she will wake up sooner or later.”

"She will wake up sooner or later, she will wake up soon, she will definitely wake up. Once the war begins, or she is drawn into the war, she will wake up immediately. And this—"

"—That's why I stopped you from going to Lungmen. If you get involved in this natural disaster, this storm, then you're very likely to get caught up in the war."

Silence fell over the carriage.

Silence, utter silence. On either side of the car stretched the unchanging, desolate landscape. In the distance, on the horizon, moved dots representing city-states. Skadi gripped the steering wheel without a word. The only sound in the cabin was the faint hum of the engine.

Contact with natural disasters means war. One's own predecessors die at the hands of an unknown enemy.

So……

"Natural disaster... is that the enemy that killed my predecessor?" Lin Xi asked softly, but there was no hesitation in her tone.

"Not entirely correct, but not wrong either." — That was the answer she received.

"Was there a purpose behind my predecessor's decision to keep me alive?"

"There is a possibility. Or rather, there is a high possibility."

"And the process of achieving this goal cannot be interfered with by external factors. That's why you... Alice, Ceylon, and you are speaking to me in such a evasive manner. You've never been willing or able to explain things clearly?"

Angelina did not answer, but the answer should be affirmative.

“Then…” She subconsciously looked at Skadi. She looked at the girl sitting in the driver’s seat, who hadn’t said a word since the start of the conversation.

"She is both a guarantee and a variable."

"She will ensure that you are not interfered with by external forces like me. At the same time, she is also an important credential for you to obtain that little bit of autonomy."

"She has an important connection with you. A kind of... well, this unspeakable connection. You can trust her completely, you can rely on her completely. Because at this moment, at this point in time, she is a tool specifically designed to assist you, to help you do anything."

"She's not human," Angelina concluded.

Throughout the entire process, Skadi, who was in front, did not give any answer.

Chapter 52: On the Eve of War

Lungmen is an open city, an inclusive city. In the past, it was one of the few cities on the entire Terra continent willing to accept those infected with Oripathy. And now, it's even better than before.

The whole world is changing, and changing very quickly.

The new order replaced the old one in a remarkably bloodless manner—when the all-terrain vehicle carrying Lin Xi and his group arrived at the outer port of the mobile city-state. A bustling, peaceful, and vibrant city appeared before Lin Xi.

“Well then, farewell.” Angelina got out of the car after it entered the city-state and waved goodbye to Lin Xi. “We should have the chance to meet again in the future. And when that time comes, I hope our interactions will be even more pleasant than this time.”

She moved with light steps and swift movements—she gave Lin Xi only one chance to say goodbye before disappearing silently into the crowd.

Everything quieted down—although the previous conversation hadn't been pleasant, at least now everything was quiet.

Lin Xi parked the car under the guidance of the port guide. After completing the check-in procedures, they got out of the car and left the city-state port.

So...where should we go?

Lin Xi and Skadi stopped in the central square of Lungmen. Gazing at the bustling scene, she drifted into a daze—she remembered 'herself,' or rather, this body of hers, had once been to this place. She had arrived here, watched a march for the rights of the infected, and met a police officer with dragon horns. And at that time, she had a companion by her side.

My companion... what is my companion's name?

“…Luo Ai.” After a few seconds of contemplation, she uttered these two words. And immediately afterward, more information appeared in her mind through this name, accompanied by the ability of 'connection'.

Luo Ai, like Lin Xi, comes from Rhine Life Sciences. Both possess core technologies related to Oripathy treatment from that once-declining giant pharmaceutical company. Several months ago, they arrived in this city and met Officer Talulah. Through Talulah's introduction, they met her half-sister, who was very interested in Infected individuals, secured investment for their research, and after establishing a laboratory, became honored guests of the Lungmen Lord.

Why did Lin Xi leave Longmen?

She rubbed her temples, and more fragmented images, along with the 'connection,' appeared in her mind. She remembered that she and Luo Ai had disagreed—it was a disagreement on research and development philosophies, not on decision-making. She and Luo Ai had two completely different pharmaceutical philosophies, which ultimately led to their separation.

Luo Ai's philosophy is based on change analysis—she believes that the source of Oripathy infection is an ecosystem in constant dynamic equilibrium. It is changing and evolving every moment. This is also why modern medicine cannot cure Oripathy. She decides to deal with the Oripathy infection phenomenon in the same way.

Luo Ai plans to create another dynamic system. He intends to create a drug that can constantly change its form, like a clever hunting dog capable of self-orientation. It will automatically generate corresponding molecular formulas based on the various variants of Originium disease. Ultimately, it will be able to capture all Originium crystal particles, neutralize them, and restore them to their original flesh and blood form.

It sounded promising. However, Lin Xi had other thoughts at that moment.

At that time, she thought...

"Dr. Lin Xi? You're back in Lungmen?"—A familiar voice, tinged with surprise, came from beside her ear. Lin Xi instinctively looked in the direction of the voice. What came into view was a beautiful young girl with long blue hair tied in a ponytail and a pair of oriental dragon horns—the girl's face had a youthful yet heroic air, and that heroic face was turning into surprise in her eyes.

“Miss Chen.” — The girl’s name silently appeared in Lin Xi’s heart the moment she saw her. She remembered her; this young lady was the benefactor who had initially sponsored Lin Xi and the others after they arrived in Lungmen—she was Officer Talulah’s half-sister and one of the two nieces of Wei Yanwu, the city’s administrator and lord with dragon blood. Unlike her sister, who was keen on maintaining order, this young lady was used to staying at home when she left Lungmen.

"Long time no see." — Her memories were cleared up in an instant, and then Lin Xi greeted the girl.

"It's quite a surprise to run into Miss Chen outside. Are you out for some activities?" she asked.

Then the young lady blushed.

“I go out and about quite often… quite often!” Ms. Chen stomped her foot hard on the ground. Then she let out a long sigh. “Anyway, welcome back, Dr. Lin Xi. Since you left a few months ago, Dr. Luo Ai’s progress has been somewhat hampered… It’s so good that you can come back to help.”

Her gaze naturally drifted towards Skadi, who had remained silent throughout the conversation.

"...And who is this?" she asked, her eyes filled with intense curiosity.

“This is Skadi. An Agor from the deep sea.” Lin Xi hesitated for a moment before giving a slightly vague response. “My…assistant.”

She saw Skadi nod slightly to Miss Chen, perhaps a gesture that was more than sufficient for this deep-sea hunter whose identity had been exposed by Angelina.

"Hello, Miss Skadi." Naturally, although she was a shut-in, Miss Chen, who had been exposed to such things since childhood, knew very well how to deal with this kind of strange woman who was not very willing to communicate with people.

She merely gave a faint smile before turning her attention back to Lin Xi. Looking at Lin Xi, a hopeful expression appeared in her eyes.

"Dr. Lin Xi, what are you planning to do upon returning to Lungmen this time..." She trailed off, then changed the subject. "...Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals...?"

“Rhode Island Pharmaceuticals no longer exists.” Lin Xi shook her head and replied. “Rhode Island… has been dissolved. It is no longer the pharmaceutical company that fought for the Infected. Because now the Infected no longer need them to work hard for them. And they have to fulfill a new mission.”

"Is that so..." Miss Chen lowered her eyes slightly. "I'm sorry. Then you'll go back to Lungmen...?"

“I haven’t made up my mind yet.” Lin Xi shook her head. “You should know very well that my ideas are completely different from Luo Ai’s. She sees Oripathy as something that must be completely eradicated, but I believe that we can establish some kind of symbiotic relationship with Oripathy… You should be aware of the differences in our ideologies.”

Miss Chen was speechless.

Of course she knew, she remembered, the ideological differences between Lin Xi and Luo Ai. Lin Xi had broken off negotiations with her partners because she completely disagreed with Luo Ai's ruthless, survival-only philosophy. And the reason she chose to leave Longmen was because everyone else sided with Luo Ai at that time.

Therefore, Luo Ai stayed behind to continue overseeing the overall situation and advancing drug development. Lin Xi, on the other hand, left Lungmen and went to Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals, which was said to possess another treatment method, and established a cooperative relationship with the researchers there.

She knew she shouldn't dwell on this topic, and moreover, she knew Lin Xi was in a rather depressed state. After all, she was the city lord's niece; she had a certain understanding of conversational skills and reading between the lines. However, just as she was about to change the subject and try to establish a new connection with this young doctor she already admired from another angle, she noticed Lin Xi avert her gaze.

"Are you free later, Ms. Chen?" Lin Xi asked abruptly. Her gaze drifted to another location, slightly more distant. That was the location of the central signal tower in Lungmen, from which broadcasts could be transmitted throughout the city. And through her 'connection' ability, she sensed that the crowd there was changing from leisurely to tense and noisy.

"You're free..." Ms. Chen looked at her with a puzzled expression, but still explained her schedule. "I'm just out for a bit. Doing some community work... Did something happen?"

“Hmm.” Lin Xi nodded and gestured to Skadi, who had remained silent. “There was actually a third passenger on the bus when we came here. She should have already fulfilled her duty and delivered a valuable intelligence to the city center.”

Lin Xi paused for a moment, then continued, "She is a messenger of natural disasters. And her destination happens to be this city."

The sirens then blared throughout the city.

....................................

Alice's gaze fell silently. The moment Lin Xi arrived at Longmen, all the projects being carried out by her avatars came to a standstill.

They were stuck in a stalemate, unable to advance or retreat.

War was imminent.

She had noticed the anomaly on Terra, observing the sudden surge of morality and peace. She already had several plausible guesses. And without adding any additional physical entities, she felt one possibility was very close to the truth.

Andromeda.

Her gaze swept over Terra, avoiding direct contact with the reincarnated woman who shared the same name as Andromeda. She knew that if she looked at her, the other woman would know she was looking at her. She also knew that given the chance, she would deliver destruction into the other woman's hands.

She was an enemy of that woman, and she knew it, as did the other woman. Furthermore, she knew that Andromeda originated before the War of Creation, having once fought for the mortals of the primordial world, but whose stance had now shifted.

The stance of the supreme deity is unclear, but it is certainly on the side closer to mortals.

Therefore, saints or quasi-saints who hate mortals could never reincarnate and awaken under the watchful eye of the supreme deity.

Therefore, Andromeda must have a powerful force supporting her. Considering Terra, a purely alien civilization where not a single mortal exists, I can confidently conclude that the force supporting Andromeda is connected to the myriad races of the primordial world. It's even possible that these races themselves are involved.

She blinked, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.