Facing the Apocalypse with My Other Selves

However, a Parallel Universe means that it is separated from a certain universe and exists parallel to the original, being both similar and different.

This suggests that there's a possibility of encountering other Shen Yus—though unlike themselves, these Shen Yus don't originate from the same soul, but merely have similar, or even identical pasts.

After all, for all of them, there is only one source—the Shen Yu who obtained the Gray Mist Space.

"Speaking of which." Shen Yu suddenly looked at interstellar world Shen Yu. "You guys must have studied the genetic differences between humans across our worlds. What did you find?"

"Just as we expected," said interstellar world Shen Yu. "We only look similar superficially, both being carbon-based life, but genetically there's not much overlap. It's like two completely unrelated species developed on different planets with similar environments and evolutionary histories."

This situation has actually been partially studied by Interstellar Civilization.

Their view is that the development of carbon-based life has certain commonalities.

Even on a single planet, many different biological races share distinct common traits.

Such as a heart, limbs, head, eyes, and so forth.

So, the human shape—this form—is likely not some rare coincidence, but rather the probable form for intelligent life to take.

That is to say, even on two entirely unconnected life planets, the intelligent life that evolves may end up being human.

At most, minor differences arise due to environmental factors.

For example, height, skin color, a few organs, and so on.

"That makes sense," Shen Yu nodded. "It suggests we're truly in different All Heavens Worlds, not just separate universes within one world. As for why we're all human, it probably relates to the nature of our souls, but that's not guaranteed; maybe in the future Shen Yus with non-human forms will appear."

"That seems likely. Still, there are so many unknowns," interstellar world Shen Yu nodded, spreading his hands. "Like, how did Gray Mist Space come to be at all, and why does Gray Mist prioritize saving humanity?"

"Things we can't know for now are best left aside," Shen Yu said, directly querying Gray Mist, "How much Gray Mist does it cost to explore Parallel Universes via magic?"

[Eight point three billion]

Fifth Stage magic tier.

This was within their expectations; their earlier question required a massive Gray Mist cost reduction, which proved that the current tiers of the many Shen Yus now qualified them to explore Parallel Universes.

"Use the Association's Gray Mist," Wizard Shen Yu suggested directly. "One more Fifth Stage magic will significantly boost our power. With nine Fifth Stage magics, I should be at least equal to an Upper Rank God."

There's indeed a huge gap between Upper Rank God and Main God.

Shen Yu didn't hold back at this point and nodded right away.

He even spent several extra billion to inscribe the Demon Pattern directly into his soul.

Imprinting a Demon Pattern costs far less than creating a new magic; the only expense that matches creating new magic is the final fusion—which even far exceeds it, since it's a breakthrough to a new stage of power.

It's fortunate that Shen Yus can share Realm and Skills; if not, increasing power using Gray Mist like this wouldn't be cost-effective, compared to advancing tech and creating new Demon Patterns.

Next moment, all Shen Yus felt the imprinting of the new magic.

"Let's name it Dimensional Travel Magic," said Shen Yu, already eager to return and see what the Parallel World would be like. "Is this meeting adjourned for today?"

"Good!" The other Shen Yus fully understood and all nodded.

"If anything comes up, share it promptly. Odds are the other Parallel Worlds aren't in great shape either," said interstellar world Shen Yu, as curious as the rest.

"Alright!" Shen Yu nodded emphatically and vanished first.

Only after returning to his own world did his mood settle down a bit.

He had actually already suspected and thought about this for a long time.

It's just that previously the cost to confirm it was high, and since traveling required spending Association Gray Mist, in non-urgent cases, it was best to discuss at a meeting first.

The Association's Gray Mist, after all, comes from every Shen Yu.

Light Magic Shen Yu had supplied two billion during this period!

"After the Gray Mist expanded, the consumption ballooned too," Shen Yu thought back to burning through over eighty billion Gray Mist in one go and couldn't help but sigh.

But it's only natural.

As for Parallel Universe affairs—at the previous level of Human Civilization, they would never have had the ability to touch it, even knowing it existed.

Even Interstellar Civilization, and Magic Civilization, have no related technology for this.

It's essentially using Gray Mist to brute-force it via the magic route.

No way the consumption would be low.

Yet—!

Shen Yu still felt an intense excitement in his heart. Just looking at Wizard Shen Yu made it clear—the arrival of Parallel Universes meant the chance to acquire more population.

Population means not just Gray Mist, but also power!

After closely examining the magic, Shen Yu realized its cost was absolutely staggering.

He could barely use it, but it required specific preparation time.

"Probably because Plane Travel Magic cut the consumption down just a bit. If only we had a few more Great Mages," Shen Yu pondered, already making up his mind.

Next moment, he vanished again, showing up in a unique space.

There was no sun here, only a giant "light bulb" suspended overhead, illuminating the entire zone.

He could even see the boundary line four or five kilometers away where the light was warped.

That was the space barrier.

Indeed, this was the Secret Realm Shen Yu had created previously.

Now, compared to over twenty days ago when the Secret Realm was first made, it looked completely different.

Aside from the overhead artificial sun for lighting, the majority of the Secret Realm's space had been filled up with a massive, black metal structure.

This was the newly constructed global Meteorite Crisis Response Department headquarters.

At the same time, trains raced across the building.

The middle layer was mostly a transit station.

Connecting the entire world.

Twenty-four hours a day, all kinds of supplies were being shipped here.

The current Human Civilization was still in active transformation. The soldiers' Drive Armor had already been upgraded to the second generation with greater coverage and durability, and it could better match the soldiers' ever-increasing Martial Arts Power, making them even more prepared for frontline battles.

Although the immediate war needs had tapered off, that didn't mean anyone could relax.

Quite the opposite: this precious time must be seized to maximize civilization's military strength!

This was agreed upon by every power, worldwide.

Shen Yu then flew to the central tower-like building—the command core, and even the top-level meetings of the Doomsday Civilization Mutual Aid Association were held at its summit.

Even now, a high-level conference was in progress.

The meeting was addressing whether a portion of resources should be shifted to civilian sectors to further enhance the people's ability to cope with crises.

For example: fully automated robots, demilitarized equipment, Drive Armor focused more on defense and speed, and even upgrading every car into a floating flying vehicle.

Some even suggested building "fortress cities."

A complete transformation of cities to reinforce their military defenses.

The opposition, however, argued that these projects required tremendous production capacity; right now, the priority must be increasing military strength and guaranteeing the civilization's armies' combat effectiveness.

Shen Yu, listening in with his own privileges, finally drew the attention of those present to the advisor's arrival.

"Advisor Shen, what's your opinion?" someone asked outright, and even Ji Mingshu, who was busy working and taking minutes, raised her head to look at her boss.