Xingtie: Starting with an in-depth analysis of the Yellow Springs

Xing explained the situation: Chadwick was being held under house arrest in Pinocchio.

"The family...who knows what they're plotting behind the scenes. Tell me, Screw, what's your plan?"

As he spoke, Black Tower looked at Screw Gum.

"There are many suspicious points behind this matter, and I am unable to draw a convincing conclusion based on the limited information available to me at this time."

"Hypothesis: Dr. Chadwick was indeed held hostage by his family for some reason and was imprisoned in the dream world; however, there are still unexplained flaws in this deduction."

"As far as I know, he is not an immortal being. And many years have passed since he last communicated with me."

Xing: "The situation is becoming increasingly complicated."

Screw Gumm pondered for a moment.

"There is probably only one way to solve the current mystery."

"I would like to travel to Pinocchio in person, under the pretext of visiting Dr. Chadwick. Ms. Xing, would you be willing to accompany me?"

This successfully piqued my curiosity.

Of course, we must continue to explore.

Xing nodded in agreement.

"Your passion in the face of the unknown always fascinates me."

Changing the subject, Screw Gum spoke seriously.

"Before you depart, there is one more thing I need to tell you, Ms. Xing."

"Dr. Chadwick's most outstanding achievement was a weapon called the Imaginary Number Collapse Pulse—"

"...that weapon once took away countless homes and lives."

[Ying: Xing, I understand you. Seeing someone on the street makes me want to inquire and see if I can get a mission from them.]

[Rin: Ah, me too.]

[Star: There's nothing I can do, I'm the main character.]

This weapon cannot fall into the hands of the family. A group of remnants of the Order almost overthrew the Asdna system; if they obtained the Imaginary Collapse Pulse, wouldn't that be even more insane?

【Hey, isn't this our company's?】

[Nicole: It seems the mastermind behind this is clear: a company and a family.]

Wendy: Intelligence is truly terrifying. Geniuses, even if they are ordinary, can develop countless impactful products through their intellect. Mondstadt seems to have a rather low level of technology.

[Jean: I have issued a recruitment notice and opened my own school in Mondstadt to cultivate talent.]

[Venti: Jean is brilliant! As Mondstadt's best bard, I'll also help spread the word. I'm going to Liyue first.]

[Zhongli: Ahem… (You want to poach talent from Liyue?) Old friend, let's get together first, then we'll make plans.]

Pinocchio Daydream Hotel.

Xing had just returned when he received news that Screw Gum had arrived.

He moves very quickly.

It must be said that pioneering efforts have played an indispensable role in connecting galaxies and planets throughout the universe.

The two walked to the front desk.

"Welcome back to Pinocchio, Miss Star. How may I help you?"

"And this person next to you is...?"

Screw Gum responded politely.

“My name is Screws Goom, madam. Please forgive my uninvited arrival and lack of check-in—you should be able to find my name on the family’s permanent guest list.”

Xing noticed that when Ellie, the receptionist, heard "Screw Gum," her facial features twitched slightly, but she still managed to remain calm.

After a short period of confirmation, the information was found to be correct.

Screw Gum explained his purpose: to visit a guest.

“Dr. Chadwick, could you arrange a meeting for us? As far as I know, he should have been stuck in Pinocchio for quite some time.”

Ellie was about to access the system data to check the information...

A cold voice interrupted Ellie, who turned to see several hound handlers.

Moira, the hunting dog who had been monitoring the situation, refused Screwgoom's request.

Dr. Chadwick is unable to receive visitors.

Moira looked at the star and said, "You should be glad Mr. Screw Goom is here, otherwise..."

Screw Gum crossed his arms, his mechanical face revealing no expression.

They dared to speak rudely to my companions in front of me.

However, due to Screw's good manners, his tone was only slightly cold.

"We don't need to make things tense. I suppose the family members wouldn't want to disturb the guests coming and going in the hall?"

"As far as I know, Dr. Chadwick is not an immortal. And my last conversation with him..."

"...occurred two Amber periods ago."

[Gui Naifen: Is this hound named Moira a bit dim-witted? How dare she spout such nonsense in front of Screwgoom.]

How long is your Amber Period?

[March 7th: You'd have to ask the company. Each swing of the Amber King's hammer represents an Amber Age, roughly 70 to 240 years.]

[Ring: That means at least a hundred years, and dreams can even extend lifespan.]

[Yeah, I'm so envious of those immortals and rich people... We ordinary people can only live to be a little over a hundred at most.]

[That's nothing. Lady Black Tower has reversed her aging process, theoretically achieving immortality.]

[Hu Tao: Immortality! That's amazing... By the way, is Qi Qi also considered immortal?]

You can never truly know what a genius is hiding; their goal is to explore the ultimate mysteries of the universe.

Chapter 124 The Domineering Screw Gum

“I am not authorized to answer your question, sir. Nor am I authorized to allow anyone to visit Dr. Chadwick without permission… Please leave; there is no room for compromise here.”

Moira knew how high Screwgoom's status was, but she was a family member and the most loyal hound.

Screw Gum understood that all her actions were out of loyalty to the family.

But I must see Chadlak.

Screw Gum exudes an oppressive aura emanating from those in power.

"So, may I assume that in order to uphold your principles, you are willing to push your entire family to the opposite side of Screw Star? And are you willing to bear the consequences of being an enemy of the Genius Club?"

Xing looked at the domineering Screw Gum and realized that he had this side to him.

Moira and the others are caught in a dilemma.

Ultimately, he couldn't withstand the pressure and said he would ask the head of the family for permission to leave temporarily.

[March 7th: I never expected Mr. Screw Goom to have such a domineering side. He always seemed so gentle and refined to me before.]

[Screwgoom is the king of the Omnic race. No one in Pinocchio has a higher status than him right now. The fact that he hasn't given direct orders is a testament to his good nature.]

[Zhe: It looks so satisfying; that's the aura of someone in power.]

[Gui Naifen: Moira is sweating profusely; she's definitely not someone to mess with.]

[Black Tower: Screws, awesome!]

When Moira returned, her sharp edge had vanished.

Seeing that Screw and Gum had apologized, they waved for the two hounds behind them to step back.

The head of the household instructed that they be allowed to pass.

He then stepped forward to lead the way.

The two followed Moira to the door of Chadwick's room.

The head of the household had a rule that hunting dogs were not allowed inside, so Moira opened the room with the key and then stepped aside to stand guard outside.

Upon entering the room, it was very ordinary and no different from a star-rated guest room.

However, Dr. Chadwick was not seen in the Dream Pool.

Upon closer inspection, it appears as if a vacuole is breathing and moving within it.

Xing looked around the room, searching for clues.

An empty suitcase that's been sitting around for a long time.

A fireplace without warmth.

Is this a room for a normal person to live in?

“Ms. Xing, I think… I think I know where Chadwick is.”

Oh, the screw is calling me, let's go check it out.

Upon arriving at the Dream Pool, Screw Gumu appeared deep in thought.

"If my assumption is true..."

"The secret is right before our eyes."

Xing looked at the Dream Pool, where there were only some bubbles.

Screw Gum slowly reached his right hand into the dream pool... and carefully scooped up a crystal-clear bubble from the liquid.

The moment it leaves the liquid surface, the bubble begins to rise slowly... until it hovers in mid-air.

Screw Gum spoke to a large floating bubble above the Dream Pool.

"It's good to see you again, Dr. Calderon Chadwick."

Wait, this bubble… is it Chadwick?

Xing opened her eyes wide, wanting to find out more.

Kiana: What do you mean? Such a big old man's true form is a bubble?

*Bronya: Bronya suspects it's a technological method used by the family. The previous video mentioned the old man wasn't immortal; his original body should have long since disappeared.*

Good heavens, so your flesh and blood have truly weakened, but your spirit has ascended to immortality, huh?

[Star: It's a bit like Memory Bubble.]

[Navia: The family wanted to acquire that technology through the memories, but now it seems the old man wasn't acting voluntarily; this is imprisonment.]

[Fireworks: Hehe, looks like there's going to be a good show.]

Isn't this a kind of immortality? Maybe Chadwick doesn't want to die.

Screw's deduction: As a short-lived species, his physical body could not have survived to this day. Nor does it possess the technology to allow an ordinary human to live for more than two Amber Ages.

The family has a deep understanding of memory-related technologies. Even if the physical body cannot be kept alive, they can still extract the material from the bottom layer of his brain, allowing his thoughts to continue to live.

The questions now are: why did the family go to such lengths to preserve their memories here; and what is the significance of these memories?

Xing: "Perhaps it's the kind of weapon you mentioned."

Screw Gumm denied that the family could not extract any useful information from Chadwick's mind.

After hesitating for a moment, Screw Gum didn't continue. The walls have ears, and this was the family's territory; it wasn't safe.

Xing has the right to know the ins and outs of the story.

If the Star hadn't informed the Black Tower, Chadwick might have been trapped by his family forever.

So Screw Goom gave Star something, signifying that it was for Chadwick in the dream.

This item will help him... come to his senses.

Meanwhile, Screw Gum was dealing with the family's higher-ups, trying to get Chadwick's memory bubble away from Pinocchio.

During this time, Xing was also able to learn the full picture of the incident.