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Chapter 422: Chapter 422: Aligning Granularity

Chen Xuan confirmed this with his glasses; Lin Qing now possesses three abilities.

They are "Mind Fortress," "Protocol Birth," and "Free Will," almost returning to the state when he first met her.

The only change is that both "Protocol Birth" and "Free Will" have reached LV2.

The increase in Free Will is understandable. From the description, it relates to the degree of understanding of world knowledge. Lin Qing has personally experienced two futures, and when this insight is combined, it’s normal for the ability level to increase.

The growth in Protocol Birth, however, is a bit strange.

Fortunately, regardless, the result is successful. Lin Qing indeed fused the two lives, and from the current perspective, there are no cognitive obstacles.

"By the way, what exactly happened here after I disappeared? Why did the future become like that?" Lin Qing suddenly changed the topic, "The Crystal Palace no longer exists, but the nano-living body is too widespread!"

"It’s a long story... After rescuing Honglian, the mechanism launched an attack on Beitian Academy, while I rallied Hot Pepper Village and Liuli, and we had a big battle on Lu Mountain," Chen Xuan explained, "The result of that battle was that the mechanism was completely expelled from Jiang City, the division was abolished, and the government took over the resources of Ability Users."

"The Jiang City division is gone?" Lin Qing was stunned, "Did they just accept failure like this?"

"There was no choice; the commotion from that battle was too big, and the truth couldn’t be hidden anymore," Honglian added, "Xiao Canong certainly thought he could solve the problem quietly, but didn’t expect Beitian Academy to be a tough nut to crack. Not only did they have Ability Users but also armed forces; half the city was awakened. Even if they had ten times more support staff, they couldn’t suppress it. What could they do but accept failure? Surely they wouldn’t openly go to war with a major power, right?"

The capability of the Dimensional Limit Mechanism to challenge the world is something from another world line—after achieving complete monopoly over prosthetic technology, they were undoubtedly the most powerful organization on Earth. Every person with a prosthetic would become their "eyes" or "killer," not to mention they also owned a large number of top enterprises and consortia, as well as extraordinarily powerful Ability Users.

But now they are clearly still far from that point.

As a non-state organization, the strongest weapon the mechanism controls is still the nuclear bomb, and they haven’t pulled ahead of the world’s great powers.

If it really came to a nuclear exchange, they would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage.

Moreover, what is the mechanism’s motive?

The opposite side is still claiming to protect the world; there’s no way they would risk everything over a failed division decision.

Every time Chen Xuan thought of this, he felt a bit proud.

He actually forced such a giant, with countless assets and holding nuclear weapons, to take a step back. Though part of it is because he lives in Jiang City, it’s still a victory worth boasting about.

After listening to the two’s account, Lin Qing’s face showed a hint of gravity.

"I know we will change the future... but I didn’t expect the butterfly effect to be so significant."

"Yes," Chen Xuan agreed, "The originally nameless Evangelical Association suddenly became the mechanism’s number one enemy; who could have seen that coming."

"The Dimensional Limit Mechanism’s loss of past control was bound to happen. Even without the Evangelical Association, other Ability User organizations would emerge," Lin Qing thought more deeply, "What concerns me more is, why is there no news of you in the future?"

Chen Xuan was slightly taken aback, "No news of me?"

"Never mind what the Evangelical Association did, the mechanism deviated significantly from its original course because you stood in their way. Logically, you’d be expected to shine brightly in the future."

"Speaking of which, I seem to have heard of an organization called the World Heart Association..."

"It can’t be compared to the Evangelical Association," Lin Qing stated plainly, "And the World Heart Association was nearly extinct in that era; I’ve only seen some fragmented records online."

At this moment, Chen Xuan also realized.

Indeed... he could contend with the Jiang City division of the Dimensional Limit Mechanism in 2026, so why is there no news of him in 2108?

For example, Walter Company was already producing the first generation of artificial eyes for him, Hot Pepper Village was rapidly developing with weapons and modern supplies, Beitian Academy had established a relationship of mutual trust with him, and the Sect established by the Gemini siblings could even cross world lines to support him...

These achievements wouldn’t disappear with his departure, as they were all operating organizationally.

It might not even take a century.

In just a decade or so, the powers he cultivated should be able to completely suppress the mechanism, or at least contend against it.

Unless...

"You don’t only have a year or two left to live, do you!" Honglian exclaimed, seemingly realizing the crux of the problem.

"What are you talking about," Chen Xuan twitched his mouth, "I’m very healthy and should live at least another hundred years."

This is not a boast. The improved Celestial Mist Skill has indeed been effective in prolonging life, much like cultivation for longevity.

"It’s not a matter of lifespan... could it be the enemy?" she guessed again.

"It’s pointless to worry about that now. Who knows what will happen in the future," Chen Xuan said dismissively, "Without definite evidence, such speculation is akin to unnecessary worry."

"You’re right." Lin Qing nodded, "I bring this up because I’m also curious... who exactly sent me to Jiang City to find Lin Qing, they might know a lot."

"Do we have to go to the future again?" he couldn’t help but mumble, "I don’t really like that city covered in yellow sand."

He went to the future purely to find Lin Qing.

Now that Lin Qing is back, he has also lost interest in reopening that door.

Chen Xuan even vaguely had a premonition in his heart that such a future could not be humanity’s ultimate fate. If history were rewritten again, all the efforts and sacrifices made by the residents of the subway station, the Fireline Band, and the survivors in the dilapidated Jiang City would become meaningless.

"If you don’t want to go, then we won’t," Lin Qing said, looking at him with a gentle expression.

Honglian on the side silently rolled her eyes.

Chen Xuan was also a bit surprised, "You don’t care about the Fireline Band?"

"They won’t miss me," she paused, "But I still have to remind them, make sure the mechanism doesn’t interfere with the Ghost Metro Project. There’s no way they parachuted into Jiang City with any good intentions."

This was indeed Lin Qing’s style.

Always wary of the mechanism, no matter the situation.

"You don’t think they’re here just to recover spaceship supplies?"

"It’s hard to say, but the mechanism’s willingness to assist seems overly enthusiastic; there’s no harm in keeping a distance."

Honglian commented while eating noodles, "Currently, all the strongholds have a good relationship with the mechanism and depend on them for airdropping critical supplies Jiang City can’t produce, and the Fireline Band also needs the strong support of Ability Users... You’re not the team leader, your warning probably won’t have much effect."

Lin Qing sighed softly, "Indeed, I can only try my best to persuade them."

"I think I can figure out the mechanism’s intention." Chen Xuan thought for a moment and suddenly said.

"You want to use the Mind Reading Technique?" Honglian guessed immediately.

"Exactly," he grinned, "I just need to have another face-to-face talk with Lin."

This is definitely a super powerful ability, more direct than the Voice of Trust—although it’s easily interfered with by noise and less efficient when dealing with large groups, when it’s one-on-one, it completely surpasses the Voice of Trust. No wonder the shop rated it gold, while the Voice of Trust is considered a green ability.