At the Countermeasures Research Office, after Silver Fox brought Ai Ya back, Zhang Minglu immediately sent her to the base's memory research department.
The core technology of memory digitization was left behind by that nano-intelligence from before, and various nations had continued researching it ever since.
Because Suroma had a mature foundation in related technology, they developed faster, achieving practical application first and leaving other nations far behind.
But Beixing didn't give up because of that. Although their progress lagged behind Suroma by more than half a year, their researchers had been steadily advancing with dedication.
So when Zhang Minglu brought Ai Ya in and explained the situation, the research director immediately said they could attempt to separate the two memory consciousnesses.
"Our technology may not be as mature as Suroma's, but its strength lies in being grounded and stable," the research director said. "And since the target is just one person, investing a large amount of resources will definitely help."
Although Ai Ya didn't belong to the Countermeasures Research Office, everyone knew that if she could return to normal, she would surely become a top-tier Ascendant in the future.
And her experiences guaranteed she could never side with Suroma, so Beixing's officials were willing to invest resources in her, just like investing in a future top-tier powerhouse as a friend, absolutely worth it.
Zhang Minglu: "If you can separate Gaelid's memory consciousness, that's best. But if you can't, or if you run into any trouble, just kill his consciousness directly... In any case, Ai Ya's consciousness must be preserved at all costs."
"Of course, I understand that."
"Good, then I'll leave it to you all."
Zhang Minglu had just stepped out the door when he saw Dragon Soul standing at the entrance.
"Doctor, the director wants you to go to his office immediately."
"Hm? Is it because of Guan Tong's intelligence?"
The note Silver Fox brought back was something he hadn't read, following protocol. She had handed it directly to Head Gao Liangwei.
Now that he had just delivered Ai Ya to the memory research department, and Gao Liangwei was urgently calling him over, the content of that note must be extremely important.
He didn't dare delay and immediately went to Gao Liangwei's office.
After entering, he was surprised to find that Director Chen Shi of the Space Agency was also there.
"Director Chen, why are you here?"
"Dr. Zhang."
Chen Shi's expression was grim. Gao Liangwei handed the note on the desk to Zhang Minglu: "Take a look, and you'll understand."
Zhang Minglu took it and saw a single passage written on it.
"A prophecy image: After the Beixing space survival base is completed, it will be destroyed by a massive explosion, with large numbers of personnel who weren't wearing spacesuits floating dead in space."
What?!
Zhang Minglu finished reading and looked up at the two of them in shock.
The space survival base wasn't even built yet, and the first batch of volunteers to live there was still being selected. How could a prophecy of it being destroyed by a massive explosion suddenly appear?
"I didn't believe it at all at first," Chen Shi said. "But Head Gao told me that there really are Ascendants with prophetic abilities, and their predictions have come true before."
"That... that does exist," Zhang Minglu said after thinking for a moment. "Take Moon Key, an Ascendant from Suroma, for example. Her prophecy ability was incredibly powerful. But she seems to have vanished without a trace since then, nowhere to be found."
Gao Liangwei asked, "Does he think that prophecy could be yours? Silver Fox said Guan Tong told her the information source is very reliable."
Zhang Minglu shook his head: "I don't know, but I think Guan Tong wouldn't spread rumors about something like this!"
Chen Shi took a deep breath and said, "This prophecy absolutely cannot come true.
The Tiangong Project has consumed so many of the nation's resources. If the completed base gets destroyed... I will never let that happen. Head Gao, Dr. Zhang, our entire agency needs more information!"
Gao Liangwei nodded: "Director Chen, don't panic. We'll find ways to get more details. But when you go back, you need to quietly conduct a thorough investigation within the Space Agency. You know about Zhou Dongfeng's situation too. We must always consider the possibility of moles."
"I understand. I'll head back right now." Chen Shi didn't want to wait a single moment longer, and after speaking, he hurriedly left.
Only two people remained in the office. Gao Liangwei said, "Dr. Zhang, you're well aware of how serious this is. I'm afraid you'll need to communicate more with Guan Tong."
...
February 15th, Doomsday Rule release day.
After waking up in his shelter in Bandzhen, Guan Tong opened his Terminal Panel the first thing.
[Name: Guan Tong]
[Nickname: Shadow]
[Title: Advanced Civilization Observer]
[Mind Power: 2115 (2115) (5175816)]
[Ascension Coins: 32504700]
[Overall Biometric Rating: Awakened]
The most outrageous part of his panel wasn't his Mind Power upper limit or the reserve Mind Power exceeding five million points, but the Ascension Coins totaling over thirty million!
Such a massive fortune naturally came from leasing anchors. Three pairs of anchors totaled 24 million, plus the 10 million deposit from Xisiya, making 34 million in total.
Without a doubt, this was the largest amount of money he had ever possessed at one time.
Although he hadn't reached the nine-digit hundred-million scale, he believed that the only ones with more financial resources than him were probably government-level entities.
In comparison, he was actually more flexible than the officials, because he could use his thirty-plus million at any moment, while the officials, despite holding massive Ascension Coins reserves, had to go through meeting evaluations for any expenditure, especially large ones.
"These Ascension Coins just sitting on my panel aren't doing anything useful. I should exchange them for flowable Mind Power as soon as possible."
As the Mind Power upper limits of Ascendants continued to grow, Guan Tong's efficiency in acquiring flowable Mind Power also improved.
In the past, when Ascendants averaged only a few hundred upper limit, collecting even tens of thousands required gathering from over a hundred Ascendants.
Now that front-rank Ascendants commonly exceeded a thousand in Mind Power upper limit, he only needed to find ten of them to collect tens of thousands of points of flowable Mind Power at once, making the efficiency much higher.
Guan Tong thought that once the new rule was released, he'd see if it was a good time to acquire. If suitable, he'd start collecting during the Rule Period.
The amount he wanted to collect was also on the scale of tens of millions, not just sitting in reserve like a "Mind Power keeper," but with a plan to actually spend it.
For instance, now that Ai Ya had left the Hall of Halls, did he even need to say what his next move was?
His previously issued Shadow Kill Order stated it very clearly, his vengeance wouldn't end until Bruce and his crew were dead.
This wasn't just empty trash talk that Guan Tong said for momentary satisfaction, only to forget about it later.
Whether for himself or for the people around him, he needed to turn the contents of the Shadow Kill Order into reality as soon as possible.
Now, without the worry of Ai Ya holding him back, this was undoubtedly an opportunity for him.
"Maybe I should also make a trip to Xisiya first and have a talk with Yelanka."
As Guan Tong was thinking this, nine o'clock arrived, and the Fire Thief's voice rang out in his mind on schedule.
[The Twenty-Sixth Doomsday Rule has been released]
[Doomsday Rule 26: Star Sea Access]
[Rule Content: As an individual among the intelligent species on Tianshui Star has completed evolution, awakening Authority to become an "Awakened One." As of today, Tianshui Star's civilization has officially received recognition from the Star Sea Court, registered as a First-Class Star Sea Civilization.
"Awakened Ones" within Star Sea civilizations may obtain one inquiry right during the Rule Period, which can be used to access the Star Sea Court database through the Terminal Panel to retrieve information corresponding to their civilization level's authority. This rule will last for fifteen days.]
[Success Reward: None]
[Failure Penalty: None]
[Note: Humans, congratulations on opening the door to the true universe. But don't get too excited just yet, the average survival duration of a First-Class Star Sea Civilization might be shorter than you imagine]