Chapter 438 Final Defense Resolution

Hundreds of billions of lives sang in his ears.

Countless shining silk threads fluttered and intertwined around his body, generating hundreds of billions of new silk threads.

The green bird drifted in the ocean of golden threads. Even though it had crossed thousands of threads of destiny, it still could not see the road of destiny ahead.

It was burning with regret. It was all my fault. It was all my fault…

That was the seal that Mr. Air sacrificed his life for, but it failed because of my observation.

Its low hum floats in the empty space, and its green wings sprinkle with starlight, like its tears.

I'm sorry, Yan Zhen, I'm sorry, because I don't know anything...

Hundreds of billions of lives sang an elegy of fear and sorrow.

It seemed to be dragged into the abyss by this invisible sorrow, and the regret seemed to tear it into pieces. Suddenly, a small spot of light appeared in front of its eyes.

It is like a lighthouse appearing above the endless deep ocean, a dazzling pearl penetrating through layers of fog.

It was a point of light, a bit of starlight, a flash of hope in despair.

As the bird approached, the light first revealed two small pointed ears, and then a nimble furry tail. It was a tiny cat.

"Mr. Cat?" the green bird called, flapping its wings.

"Liu Xingquan, observer." The kitten responded, its voice soft and crisp.

Feathers fluttered, and it—he, Liu Xingquan, turned back into human form. He shouted in surprise, "Mr. Cat, are you okay?" But then he noticed that it was different from Mr. Cat. This cat was wearing a small cloak. It looked much smaller than Mr. Cat.

The kitten in the cloak bowed politely. "Hello, I am Mr. Cat's iterative subordinate branch. When Mr. Cat sent you away, he asked me to follow you."

"Mr. Cat, is he okay?"

Cape Kitten replied, "My prototype Mr. Cat is fighting the Necradrake."

Liu Xingquan was silent for a moment, and then he asked: "Can it win?"

The cloak kitten did not answer him.

"What about Yan Zhen?" Liu Xingquan asked anxiously, "Can Yan Zhen come back?"

The cloaked kitten just stared at him with those calm golden eyes, without answering or making any sound.

"Yan Zhen..." Regret welled up in his heart, and he said, "It's all my fault..."

"No, it's not your fault." Cape Kitten said, "The awakening of the Necradrake is inevitable. No one can stay out of it. Your retrospective observation is necessary."

"But my sacrifices of Mr. Air and Yan Zhen were all in vain."

"You have taken a necessary step on the road to established facts," said the cloaked kitten. "The Necradragon needs your observation, and so do we."

"I don't understand." Liu Xingquan said.

"You don't have to regret." Cape Kitten said, "The real battle has just begun."

I just want Yan Zhen to come back.

Before he could finish his words, the world spun around and he was flying again. Dazzling flashes filled his vision, and then he saw the tide of rotating nebulae, darkness and light alternating. The supernova that had come to an end was spewing out destructive energy, and the nebula was condensing into stars again in the gravitational collapse. At the same time, countless stars died and countless stars were born.

Under the light of newborn stars, some planets became the origin of life, while others remained dead. The scene of the Milky Way star map changed before his eyes, the earth's crust cracked, the ocean surged, the mountains were flattened, and the deep sea turned into a desert.

The planet beneath his feet became Xiyiqi, with vast and turbulent oceans and continental plates floating like large foams, and above them, dots of starlight intertwined into cities. Under the dots of starlight, there were thousands, tens of thousands, and hundreds of millions of people, who were the fire of civilization on this planet.

But now, this gray pearl-like planet is shimmering with amorphous spots, and these spots are increasing in number, like spreading plague boils. Xiyiqi is being eroded.

"What happened?" Liu Xingquan asked.

"It's the Sentinels," said the cloaked kitten. "The Librarians are out of control. They can rewrite everything to reflect themselves."

"How can we stop this?"

"According to your subjective time unit, the Sentinels could have devoured the entire Xiyiqi within 10 minutes, leaving no time for resistance. But now the Xiyiqi people can still organize a counterattack of a certain intensity."

"You mean the Sentinel has been weakened." Liu Xingquan realized something, "Could it be Mr. Cat..."

"Mr. Cat set up a collective slowdown damper for the think tank guards, making their subjective time flow very slow. This is also the reason why the Xiyiqi people are now able to organize a defensive counterattack." said the cloaked kitten.

"Mr. Cat is really amazing!" Liu Xingquan raised the cloaked kitten and shouted, "You are so cute too!!"

The cloak kitten wagged its tail a little shyly.

"So, please, what can we do?"

The cloaked kitten stared at the changing scene in the void, "The singularity is about to disappear."

"What?"

The little cat's paw pointed to a point. On the continent of Xiyiqi, there was a group of intertwined and changing golden wires. Among the bursting lights, there was a twisted light spot like Van Gogh's stars. It was gradually dimming.

It said: "That unstable singularity is about to disappear."

Everyone is fighting.

In the central control room, Yan Zhu could clearly see a graphic signal composed of flashing lights and shadows. Warships and interstellar fighters were flying into the sky, trying to fight for air supremacy. The artillery on the ground was firing at the malignant cell-like mass, and the continuous bombs were emitting a series of flashes.

A steel torrent consisting of a large number of mechanized troops, heavy armored troops and mechanized cavalry is rushing to the front line to resist the Sentinels.

The shields flashed with light, and roars resounded through the sky. The sentinels fell apart under the bombardment, but reassembled in an instant, and then the soldiers who rushed to the front line disappeared like steam in an instant. The remaining troops continued to advance proudly, just to buy more time for Xi Yiqi before being swallowed.

"Fight! Fight!"

"Hold on! Hold on to it!"

He could hear the fierce roars and orders of the commanders in the communication network. Their voices were high and passionate, but soon they would suddenly disappear and return to silence, and then new and unfamiliar voices would replace them. Their war songs were still high in the buzzing sound of the radio waves. Was this the courage of life, or was it a meaningless folly?

Artillery fire volleys, countless trails of light rain streaked across the sky. When the light dissipated, it meant the defeat of a sentinel, but it also meant the rebirth of more sentinels. This rich and vast land was filled with flames of destruction. Millions of lives were being wiped out with the flash of light.

The emblems of several legionary units are like the ashes of extinguished sparks, while other shining units are dying heroically.

When the flames die down, what will be left except the sentinels?

The fog surged into Yan Zhu's vision. He remembered his own world. On the first day he arrived at the underground shelter, he could still hear the cheers of the newcomers in the reception hall of the shelter. He also remembered that he and several classmates were discussing the international situation on their beds in the dormitory. They were so confident and full of vitality. In the first two months, at night, the dormitory would be filled with the faint sound of flat-screen TVs and movies, and soft light would shine on their faces. Under the flickering of these colorful pictures, the ordinary life of the past seemed to be within reach. They all firmly believed in returning to such a future. Later, the shelter began to limit the use of electricity, and dormitory managers would patrol back and forth every once in a while at night. He often hid under the military blanket, flipping through his brother's diary with a dim flashlight, greedily reading every fragment of text until his eyelids became dry and he fell asleep.

In those dreams, he often returned to his school. The playground was still the same, with uneven weeds growing on the edge of the red rubber track. Several track and field team members in sports shorts walked by, and he could smell the strong smell of sweat on them. He was thinking about how to avoid the surveillance of the school security guards and secretly play basketball with his brother in front of the basketball hoop in the center of the playground.

Just like a fleeting flash of light before his eyes, irreversible death has covered his hometown. When he looked at the aquamarine planet from Yin Ran's spaceship, they said that life on Earth had vanished, and there were only inhuman monsters on those burning streets and cities. He seemed to be able to hear millions of wandering souls wandering on this blue planet, wailing and crying forever. Now the shadows of those dead have sunk forever into the depths of his memory.

The equipment in the central control room kept humming and hissing.

He could only sit in front of the device and watch the sign in front of him flickering, watching them die one after another.

I can't even help them, Yan Zhu smiled bitterly to himself.

A voice sounded in his ears.

"Logical error. Logical error. Logical error."

The computer in the control room kept reporting errors. Duke Gil had left, and the cat, who could no longer speak, was squatting on the control panel licking his fur. He was the only living person in the control room, so Yan Zhu subconsciously asked, "What?"

The console's computer responded: "I am analyzing the data for the Final Defense Resolution."

A large number of complex icons jumped out. In Yan Zhu's eyes, it was just a mess of runes, vector icons and various abstract three-dimensional mathematical model images.

I totally don't understand.

"Oh, what's the result?"

"Princess Alji ordered the final defense resolution to attack the sentinels, but the execution was stuck in an endless loop." The console computer said, "Duke Jill's judgment was correct."

"You mean that even Xi Yiqi's ultimate weapon can't deal with the sentinels."

"Yes, I cannot understand the Sentinel, nor can I understand the algorithm of the Final Defense Decision." The console computer said, "Its calculation system is completely different from the principle I can operate, just like the span between two-dimensional and three-dimensional."

In response to the console computer's words, the equipment in the control room rustled in unison, and the constantly flashing signal points showed the anxiety of the core processor running at full load and high speed. Although the room was clearly equipped with a temperature control system, Yan Zhu could still feel the heat coming towards him.

"After all, that is the legacy of the forerunners that is comparable to that of gods." Yan Zhu said, "What exactly is the Final Defense Resolution? Is it a super nuclear bomb?"

"I can only read its description information." The console computer said, "It is the only think tank weapon authorized to be used by the Xiyiqi race. It can only be used when the Xiyiqi race is in danger of genocide. It is a concept-destroying weapon. It does not destroy life, but rather erases the concept of the target."

"..." Yan Zhu said, "Can we use it to deal with the black box?"

"Error." The console computer said, "Black Box is a broad term. The final defense decision requires a clear and specific target, detailed and clear location coordinates, and must exist in the physical reality of this dimension. The term Black Box alone cannot execute the order."

Yan Zhu's heart beat rapidly, and he asked again: "What about the sentinels? Why can't this ultimate weapon attack the sentinels?"

"The final defense decision belongs to the Think Tank system, and the Sentinels are the guards of the Think Tank. Letting them attack each other will only lead to a self-contradictory vicious cycle."

"It's a vicious circle." Yan Zhu whispered. He covered his eyes with his hands, his heart beating rapidly.

Through the cracks in his hands, he could see flickering lights and shadows on the holographic projection. Scarlet halos oozed from the edges of the flickering images. Those were the lives that were fading away in the ripples of burning fire. If he delayed any further, the planet would be completely dead.

His heartbeat gradually recovered, and then he said:

"A computer."

"Please go ahead."

"I've thought of a way."

“Please describe your approach and explain its feasibility.”

He put down his hand, smiled slightly and said: "My method is to execute the final defense resolution on me."

“…”

"Gin from my world once told me that crossing world lines allows one to exist in the infinite possibilities of each entity's existence. But I can't exist in this world. I will never be born, and I will be zero from the beginning. I am the paradox of this world. The black box will use my paradox to amplify the information density and bring the world to the brink of collapse, so the think tank guard sentinels will go out of control and indiscriminately attack the world they have determined to be unsafe." Yan Zhu placed his hand on his chest, "Then, as long as my concept is erased, the world can be saved."

“…”

"Execute it on me, computer!"

The rustling noise of radio waves echoed inside the device, and the computer on the control console said, "The logic is established." He didn't know if it was Yan Zhu's illusion, but he felt that the computer's voice was a little reluctant.

" Then please execute me."

“…”

"hurry up."

Electronic interference sound exploded harshly in the computer speaker several times, and the computer spoke again, "Logic makes sense, logic does not make sense. I don't understand."

"What's the meaning?"

"You are a Homo sapiens life form. The instinct of Homo sapiens is to continue one's life. Giving up one's life goes against biological instinct. I don't understand."

"But look at them." Yan Zhu pointed to the flashing holographic image in front of the console. It was a battle group fighting fiercely on the battlefield. "In the short time we just talked, many people have died. Every minute wasted means countless people die. If I do nothing, everyone will die. I caused all this, so I should be the one to end it."

“…”

"To save Xiyiqi, for this world, for..." Yan Zhu paused, "This is also for my family in this world. Please do it."

There was no response from the computer.

"On one side is me, a paradox, and on the other side is the whole world. This is a no-brainer choice."

"…Aren't you afraid?"

"..." Yan Zhu replied, "If I continue to stay here, I will die. But this method is everyone's only chance of survival." He whispered, "I am a very selfish person. In fact, I just want my family in this world to survive. Please."

“…”

"Please! Stop putting it off!"

"I see."

The flashing signals on the console jumped rapidly, all the equipment was roaring in unison, and all the computing engines were running non-stop.

He knew that the computer accepted his proposal.

For the first time since he came into this world, he felt calm and relaxed, and the buzzing sound of the equipment was like his high spirits.

The rampant Sentinels are devouring everything insatiably, and Xiyiqi is being destroyed.

Under the calculation of this final defense resolution program, he is about to gain true liberation.

Leaving alone without anyone knowing.

So, he finally said: "Thank you for seeing me off. Computer AI, do you have a name?"

"My name is Yan An." The computer answered amid a strong electric interference sound.

After being stunned for half a second, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

He felt the pull of gravity, the ground beneath his feet seemed to be sinking, and countless needle-like stars spun in front of his eyes, reminding him of the gorgeous northern lights he had seen before. His body seemed to be chopped into countless particles.

He saw—

At the concert, there were millions of fans waving glow sticks, and it was like they were scattering stars into the sky.

The abandoned little parrot, his beloved "Duoduo", was waddling and getting angry at Dr. Yang.

Yan Zhen and his sister were waiting for his autograph by his car, their eyes like sparkling obsidian.

He saw—

That was the killer creature flying through the clouds on the day of the school anniversary.

The already devastated ruins of the Earth completely disappeared in the light of death.

He saw—

He walked to school along the familiar cobblestone road with his schoolbag on his back. The flower beds on the roadside were full of charming cosmos flowers, just like any other summer day.

His brother sat at the bow of the boat, rowing. Golden sunlight danced on his thick black hair and beads of sweat gathered on his forehead.

That was the memory between the worlds that he had experienced and fantasized about, a flash before the concept of him, Yan Zhu, completely disappeared.

I was born because of my brother's death.

If my brother were alive, I would never exist.

The shore and the islet can only look at each other across the water; they can only be parallel but not touch each other.

But if it weren't for my brother, I would never be standing here.

I must have a special destiny, and a series of coincidences have brought me here.

It was only natural for him to go off on his own now to save the world.

Just like I once said to Dr. Yang, I will finish this journey of life with my head held high.

Brother, saving your world is the meaning of my life.

I only now realize that this is no ordinary coincidence from beginning to end .

Therefore, at this last moment, an AI named "Yan An" will bid me farewell.

My eyes filled with tears.

"Thank you, brother."