Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo

If it comes to discussing politically inclined topics like Extraordinaryism and Governance Ideology, I really can't get interested. However, Taoyuan Village Master Meng Zhang's thoughts extend beyond that limit, reaching into the realm of madness. This, on the contrary, piqued some of my interest.

Although I can't understand the driving force behind Meng Zhang's pursuit, at this moment, I roughly comprehend his propositions. Since differences exist among humans, perfect justice and peace can never be achieved; all conflicts arise from these differences. By eliminating differences through "Paradise," all individuality can be erased. There would no longer be a distinction between "you" and "me." The Dream Network, connecting all consciousness into one entity, would naturally eliminate disputes.

The resulting "Paradise" is both collective and individual; it is both a perfect societal form and an immensely powerful living entity. This ultimate existence, produced after eliminating internal contradictions, also has the internal strength to resist external threats and can traverse the void, wandering through the universe.

The premise is that this ultimate existence won't self-destruct due to a human-internal Doomsday, but considering the completed "Paradise" would be equivalent to another universe and have the nature of a dream, it's likely to possess unimaginable authority within itself.

Meng Zhang's goal is to become the helmsman of "Paradise", in other words, perhaps having authority in "Paradise" akin to the Master of Divine Seal. Under such conditions, there might be a chance to eliminate Doomsday internally.

Therefore, I did not express my opinion regarding Doomsday. Whether my thoughts are correct or not, he surely has considered those obstacles. I merely posed another question: "—But, in that case, are they still human?"

"That kind of question is meaningless," Meng Zhang said. "Humanity, tens of millions of years ago, were trembling cave-dwelling mammals in the shadow of dinosaur races, and a million years ago, they were ancient apes struggling to survive on boundless tundras. Our life form has evolved step by step into what it is now, and it will continue to evolve in the future. The current structure holds no sanctity, nor should it become an obstacle hindering progress.

"To say nothing of the rapid development of human civilization, from the hunter-gatherer era to agricultural civilization and to the outbreak of the industrial revolution entering modern civilization, it has only been a few thousand years. However, the pace of genetic evolution hasn't been anywhere near that fast. While enjoying countless technological conveniences, our bodies are still akin to primitive humans from the hunter-gatherer era, and our genomes still harbor countless redundant flaws dating back to cave-dwelling mammal times, or even more primitive periods...

"When genetic editing technology truly matures in the future, humanity will inevitably begin changing its life form from the most fundamental level. Possessing stronger bodies, superior intellect, more acute multi-dimensional senses, and a capability to stay far from numerous diseases, eliminate a series of congenital physiological defects, and overcome the natural lifespan limits is no difficult matter.

"Especially if human civilization enters the interstellar era in the future, capable of moving and colonizing between planets with different environments, the current life form would be even more impractical. The human race at that time will undergo a drastic change on the genetic level, becoming a life form completely different from the current one. Even the material foundation would be vastly different, let alone the ideological metamorphosis.

"And if we judge by today's standards, would the human race of that time still be considered human? If we can acknowledge that a life form, with even completely different genes and consciousness, is also a reasonable evolutionary path for human future, why can't we also recognize 'Paradise' as a form of human evolution?"

Similar to Gua Tianshi and Xuanming, among other Impermanence, Meng Zhang also possesses an incredibly broad perspective on the development of human civilization, far surpassing the conceptual framework of normal people. From this viewpoint, the improbable developmental path of "Paradise" surprisingly reveals a hint of rationality. After hearing him out, I too began to feel that it might be a viable path.

Moreover, for humans living in the present, few people genuinely care what life form distant future humans will evolve into. Meng Zhang also provided a prospect of an infinitely beautiful dream for those living in the present, where they could attain happiness unattainable in the real world. Although I do not have the standing to represent the majority, I think most people would want to spend their remaining days in such a world.

But even if humanity will evolve into beings fundamentally different in material and spirit in the distant future, I still believe there is an essential difference from the "Paradise" route. Specifically speaking, the former is natural development, while the latter is aggressive and abrupt. Rather than a choice of civilization, it feels more like Meng Zhang's own choice.

"Or are you like Xuanming, believing that humanity's path should be chosen by themselves, and that we should not rashly intervene, forcibly altering its developmental trajectory?" Meng Zhang asked.

I retorted, "What's wrong with that?"

"Xuanming is too aloof, he really sees himself as a God, detached from humanity," Meng Zhang said, "But in the end, he is also human, and so am I. By what logic is the future human's choice regarded as humanity's choice, whereas my choice cannot become humanity's choice?

"We are just individuals emerging from among the masses of our race, and the future will eventually become the present. When a future genius develops the technology to transform human life forms, when a future leader faces a crossroads to alter the course of civilization, should they also detach themselves from humanity, only thinking about entrusting it to posterity?

"Tomorrow after tomorrow, how many tomorrows there will be. Since we have found the best answer in the present, we should fully implement it. This is the responsibility that humans living in the present should fulfill."

"Why did your tone suddenly become so grandiloquent at the end?" I detected a discordance, "It feels like you're not being completely honest... What are you hiding?"

Meng Zhang's face darkened.

I have to admit there is rationality to Meng Zhang's notions, but I find it hard to believe that those deeply concerned about the future of human civilization truly share Meng Zhang's views. Especially not someone like Xuanming, who loves human civilization deeply, it would be even more implausible for them to completely negate the current human life form.

I seem to be gradually grasping Meng Zhang's inner thoughts. What he harbors toward this world is decisively not hope, but rather a dense disappointment, even despair.

It's not that he is lying. Through the fierce clash of mana between us, I can perceive that he sincerely believes that what he points out is the brightest future for human civilization. But in the end, he is likely driven by a destructive inner force to push his wishes forward.

And in the process, I also vaguely touched upon the mana bolstered on Meng Zhang by the "Paradise."

I don't know if it's my illusion, but the boost from "Paradise" is not as high as I expected. Although Meng Zhang's power has increased, he hasn't effectively widened the gap between us. This can certainly be explained by "Paradise" still being an entity in its embryonic state, inconvenient to expend too much power, yet it also seems to reveal a kind of reluctant implication.

"Paradise"… doesn't want to be born?

As if under a spell, this thought flashed in my mind.

"Meng Zhang, I'll admit that what you said makes sense." I said, "So let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart. Returning to the initial question, why I deny your 'Paradise'... actually, there's not so many high-sounding reasons, I just find it boring."

"What did you say?" Meng Zhang was stunned.

"Your 'Paradise' makes me feel very bored, I don't want to see such things prevail." I said.

The topic should end here. I'm not keen on continuing this grand discussion with him, in the end, we still have to use power to determine the victor.

A world of harmony, order, no disputes, is precisely opposite to my pursuits—so it turns out, regardless of whether his theories are right or wrong, it can at least explain the reason for our conflict. If 'difference and individuality' are the root of misfortune in human world, then the difference between my individuality and his ideals is the main factor of our irreconcilability.

I also stood in opposition to what he considers a perfect world, based on a love for something.

Meng Zhang must also have sensed my emotions, he was first startled into silence, then his face showed intense anger.

It seemed like it was the first time he revealed such an intense reaction.

"You… you're either for your own interest or for some great cause, but, but you damn… just for your own personal interest, for fun or not fun… just for that kind of thing!!!"

With his furious and passionate emotions, the power source of "Paradise" surged a little, and the cyan lightning erupted with unprecedented ferocity.

His speed suddenly spiked, with a fist wrapped tightly with dense cyan electric light, he smashed towards my face at lightning speed. Too late to defend, because by the time I realized I should defend, my head had already been shattered.

The true spirit suffered significant damage; I retreated far away, regenerating and repairing my head, while Meng Zhang's second punch shadowed closely. As I made a parry movement, he suddenly took a sharp turn, attacking me from behind.

Relying on the enhanced predictive abilities blessed by Little Bowl, this time I reacted just in time, barely managing to block it. The intense impact sent me flying like a baseball. Meng Zhang also sustained injuries from contact with my coronal light body at zero distance, but instantly rebooted and repaired, immediately chasing and attacking relentlessly again.

Even if I can further digest Xuanming's experience in battle, it's still not easy to gain the upper hand. And the fact that Meng Zhang insists on using an injury-for-injury tactic obviously shows he believes he can secure victory first. Rather than letting my flames delay the genesis of "Paradise," it's better to end the fight quickly.

More importantly, Meng Zhang is still very restrained in his use of "Paradise's" power. If he spares no expense to win, I'm afraid I'll lose quickly. Strictly speaking, my current enemy is not just Meng Zhang, but both Meng Zhang and "Paradise."

Since I'm facing two opponents, I also cannot fight alone. The real key to victory in this battle must fall upon the Water Navy Xuanwu.

I must find a way to rescue Water Navy Xuanwu.

The concrete plan is gradually forming in my mind.