Chapter 123

January 23, 2027. The First World and the Parallel World formally established an alliance, merging the Energy Cores to jointly develop magnetic field energy.

It is said that the Energy Core is a crystal nurtured by magnetic field energy. Unlike the ethereal and intangible magnetic field energy itself, it is something visible and tangible. Fortunately, magnetic field energy can naturally merge with itself. Although it requires a certain amount of time, the process is not difficult.

Simultaneously, the Joint Government ceased bombing the slums, publicly announcing that the Third World's Time Anchor had departed.

Once the Energy Cores were merged, they would no longer need to concern themselves with the Time Anchor's existence. Capturing or killing the Third World's Time Anchor was no longer an absolute necessity.

In mid-February 2027, Wen Qin followed Ye Huai and his group back to the Parallel World, while Tong Yang went elsewhere on a mission.

A rare peace settled over the First World, the Parallel World, and the Real World.

Everyone lived in their respective worlds, not disturbing each other, as it should have been all along.

Yang Miao, as a crucial part of the plan, had not yet been acted upon by the Joint Government.

March 1, 2027. The Joint Government predicted the Energy Cores would be completely fused by the end of May.

At the same time, the time discrepancy between Tong Yang and the members of the "Netizen Gossip 007" group chat was gradually disappearing, expected to fully synchronize by the end of May.

[@Study For Money Sister Tong, let's meet at the end of May!]

[@Study For Money Yeah, I want to meet Sister Tong.]

[Even though we could meet anytime, it only has meaning if we're all together.]

[I wonder if Lele can meet us too.]

Study For Money: [Whatever.]

[That means you agree!]

[Folks, where should we meet?]

[The capital! Sister Tong is there, and I've never been!]

[Okay, let's go there ahead of time then.]

[Where should we meet up?]

[What about Tiananmen Square?]

[Great!!!]

[I'm booking my flight now. Everyone has to be on time! Absolutely no being late! I want to see you all the moment the time difference vanishes!]

2036 Tong Le didn't speak in the group. Tong Yang clicked into her private chat with him. They hadn't been in contact for a long time, and he hadn't replied to the messages she had sent.

Mid-April 2027. Tong Yang went to Zone Twelve again, accompanied by Yang Miao, the child of the first-generation bioroids.

The objective was clear: use Yang Miao to subdue the awakened bioroids.

The process wasn't difficult; Yang Miao's abilities made it easy. However, Tong Yang's purpose for this trip wasn't limited to that. Upon completing the mission and returning to the affluent district, Tong Yang brought Xu Junyue and two others with her.

During this period, Tong Yang didn't take any significant action, and the First World's Tong Yang didn't cause trouble either. Everything remained peaceful.

Mid-May 2027. All individuals related to the incident entered the affluent district of the First World through various means.

May 24, 2027. Representatives from the Second World, led by Ye Huai, arrived at the Joint Government for final negotiations.

The result of the negotiations was that the Energy Cores would complete their fusion at 9 PM on May 27. They needed to immediately set the Time Anchor on Yang Miao; otherwise, the combined magnetic field energy would be too powerful, causing chaos in the barriers between worlds. They could then find themselves shuttling between the three worlds, including the Real World, at any moment.

The Joint Government had no objections, and the meeting concluded.

Upon leaving the base, Tong Yang, walking beside Ye Tianlin, encountered Ye Huai's group coming the opposite way.

"A word in private?" Ye Tianlin said.

Ye Huai pressed his dry lips together and nodded. "Alright."

After the alliance was formed, relations between the two worlds had eased, so this wouldn't attract undue attention.

The group went to a building belonging to the Maynard family and entered a room.

"Ye Huai, it's been a long time," Ye Tianlin said with a sigh.

Ye Huai lowered his gaze, his expression unreadable behind the mask. "Dad."

Ye Tianlin looked momentarily stunned. "I..."

"I heard from Tong Yang about you and Maynard. Regardless of the process, I wouldn't have survived until now without you."

Even if it was for the purpose of replacing Maynard's heart.

If the Real World's Ye Tianlin hadn't made that deal with him, the company wouldn't have been saved, and there wouldn't have been the vast sums of money needed to sustain Ye Huai's life. Even after the White Horse Group became a multinational corporation, the Real World's Ye Tianlin had contemplated giving up on prolonging Ye Huai's life more than once.

Ye Huai's survival was inextricably linked to Ye Tianlin.

Ye Tianlin walked up to him and gave his shoulder a heavy pat.

"Cough..."

"Gently," Tong Yang reminded.

Ye Huai's frame seemed increasingly fragile, as if it could shatter from a single blow.

Ye Tianlin awkwardly withdrew his hand, looking at Ye Huai's pale face. "How is your health?"

"It's fine."

Tang Shuyan raised her hand, gesturing a small distance in the air. "He's about this far from death."

Ye Huai said, "I know my limits."

Tong Yang pressed her lips together, hoping he truly did.

Tong Yang asked, "After the Energy Cores merge, what about the Real World?"

Ye Huai replied, "They are prepared."

"Yang Miao..."

Ye Tianlin said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of her."

"If the combined magnetic field energy doesn't have a Time Anchor set as a channel in time, it will inevitably create an energy storm, plunging space into chaos. We could appear in the First World, the Parallel World, or the Real World at any moment. The Real World has made preparations in advance; there's no need to worry. As long as we successfully return to the Real World before the plan is complete, everything will be accomplished."

They had no intention of letting Yang Miao become the new Time Anchor. The Parallel World wanted to control Yang Miao to sanction the First World, so naturally, they couldn't let it have its way so easily.

After all, the Real World was merely using them, not cooperating. No one besides the Real World would benefit from this affair.

Therefore, the energy storm caused by the fusion of the Energy Cores, which would throw the worlds into chaos, was unavoidable.

"Has Wu Pingxue still not told you how to make the magnetic field energy disappear?"

Ye Huai lowered his eyes and nodded. "This is all I know. We just need to merge the Energy Cores, buy time, and then return to the Real World."

Wu Pingxue had never told them what exactly needed to be done. Tong Yang only knew that merging the Energy Cores was a prerequisite, but not how to do it or who should do it.

Ye Tianlin said, "Everyone has different tasks. Perhaps other companions among you are preparing for this very thing."

Besides the few people Tong Yang was familiar with, personnel from Department 749 were also involved. Perhaps the person executing this top-secret mission came from Department 749.

"We only need to complete our own tasks."

"Exactly."

Tong Yang stopped dwelling on the matter. Wu Pingxue had already told her everything she could.

At this moment, there were less than four days left until the magnetic field Energy Cores were completely fused.

8:00 PM, May 27, 2027. One hour remained until the fusion of the magnetic field Energy Cores.

The Joint Government and the people from the Parallel World had long been prepared, awaiting the arrival of magnetic field energy unlike any before.

To this end, they held a grand banquet, gathering the prominent figures from the high society of both worlds to witness the birth of a new generation of magnetic field energy.

As a precaution, the Joint Government dispatched "Forerunners" to seal off the banquet venue completely.

"Are you just going to stand by and watch us succeed?" Wen Qin asked.

They were stationed outside the banquet hall, not far from each other.

Tong Yang stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall, looking up at the sky where the moon was bright and the stars sparse.

The sky shimmered with an eerie green light, like a transparent dome enveloping the Earth. Occasional waves of air swept by, carrying a sound akin to a heartbeat.

"You guess," Tong Yang said flatly.

A breeze brushed her cheeks, lifting the hair at her temples.

After tonight, everything would return to calm. Even if they all died here, the real world would be restored to peace.

Tong Yang had never entertained the idea of sacrificing herself for the benefit of others. Yet, with the magnetic field energy core about to fuse, signifying the real world's safety, she felt an immense sense of relief, even though their group was still in danger.

Wen Qin glanced at her sideways and said, "No matter what happens tonight, I won't be surprised."

"Is that so." Tong Yang's tone remained calm.

Apart from Tong Yang staying here, Ye Huai was alone at the banquet, while Chu Shiyu, Xu Junyue, Tang Li, and the others had all gone to carry out their respective missions.

Tong Yang had no mission. Or rather, her mission hadn't appeared yet. Once the Tong Yang from the First World took action, she would have to resist with all her might.

Until then, she only needed to watch and wait.

Tong Yang had unexpectedly become the most idle person in this operation.

She looked at the sky, habitually pondering the matter.

Initially, Wu Pingxue had told her she needed to enter the First World. Later, Tang Li also said the time anchor point was indispensable. If their actions interfered with the First World Tong Yang's game, they might even abandon Tong Yang and transfer the time anchor point to someone else to continue the operation.

But now, Tong Yang was still the time anchor point. Why had she become a dispensable presence in the operation? She was even less crucial than Yang Miao.

Tong Yang didn't necessarily want to do something, nor was she unable to stay idle; she just found it strange. She was the time anchor point, so why wasn't she the one executing that top-secret plan? Could it be the parallel world's Yan Qing? Also a time anchor point.

However, Wu Pingxue had no reason to let the parallel world's Yan Qing execute it.

Then who could it be?

Tong Yang had a faint suspicion, which she quickly dismissed.

She took out her phone, opened the social media app, and looked at the long-dormant chat dialog with 2036 Tong Le, her feelings complex and heavy.

2036 Tong Le and Wu Pingxue were closely connected, though it was unclear how they had met.

2036 Tong Le had said he couldn't interfere with events on this timeline; otherwise, the time loop couldn't be completed.

Reason told Tong Yang it couldn't be 2036 Tong Le, yet intuition made her believe 2036 Tong Le was also involved.

Studying is for Making Money: [Tong Le, where are you?]

As usual, the sent message sank like a stone, with no reply.

Tong Yang closed her eyes. 2036 Tong Le couldn't interfere with this timeline, so it probably wasn't him...

What exactly was this mission? Who was really carrying it out?

Time ticked by, with less than half an hour left until 9 PM.

The banquet hall played soft, soothing light music as the high society guests clinked glasses and chatted amiably.

Just then, someone hurried down the corridor.

"Yang... Yang Miao is missing!"

The person rushed into the banquet hall, panting as they spoke.

The vast hall immediately fell into dead silence.

"What happened?"

"She was cooperating with us all along. Just now, she spilled her drink and went to change. I was waiting right outside the changing room. It was barely two minutes, and she completely vanished!"

The establishment of a time anchor point for magnetic field energy was highly random. If someone was actively chosen to become a time anchor point, a prerequisite was establishing a connection face-to-face or through special means.

For instance, the connection for Tong Yang's time anchor point was established through the "Netizen Gossip 007" group chat.

"Find her! Where's Yang Le? Ask her!"

"She must be brought back within twenty minutes!"

"Wasn't she cooperating all along? Why disappear suddenly?"

"Could someone have taken her?"

"The energy cores will fully align in just twenty minutes. If we can't establish the channel in time, it'll be troublesome."

"The Forerunners have been guarding the doors. She couldn't have left; she must still be here."

The banquet hall was in an uproar. Tong Yang lowered her gaze to the floor. The operation had begun.

"Meng Xiao? Where are you going?"

Wen Qin asked, seeing a person emerge from the passageway.

"Mr. Maynard is worried things might change. He asked me to return and notify other family members," Meng Xiao said.

After being eliminated in the sixth round of selections, Meng Xiao had become a trainee soldier and entered the Maynard family.

"What's happening in the banquet hall?" Wen Qin asked as she approached.

Meng Xiao sighed. "Yang Miao suddenly disappeared."

Wen Qin frowned. "Disappeared? How is that possible? We've been guarding here; no one has left."

Meng Xiao shook her head. "I don't know either."

Wen Qin turned to look at Tong Yang and found her pensively gazing into mid-air.

"I have to go now."

Wen Qin didn't think much of it and let her leave.

"Did you do it?" Wen Qin asked.

Tong Yang glanced at her. "I haven't left."

"Then it was your companions."

"Who knows."

Wen Qin said, "We're guarding the entrance. Not even a mosquito could fly out. She's still inside."

Tong Yang glanced meaningfully in the direction Meng Xiao had left and said, "Not even a mosquito could fly out?"

"She's not Yang Miao."

Tong Yang smiled meaningfully.

Wen Qin asked, half-convinced, half-doubting, "Something fishy?"

"I don't know. I've been here the whole time, haven't left. You can vouch for that."

As soon as she finished speaking, several people from the banquet hall approached with serious expressions.

"Yang Miao is missing. Does this have anything to do with you?" the leader asked.

Tong Yang said, "She's missing? I've been here the whole time without leaving. She can vouch for me."

Wen Qin pursed her lips and said, "She really hasn't left."

"Has anyone left through here during this time?"

Wen Qin said, "A few. Since Yang Miao disappeared, the only one who left from here was a trainee from the Maynard family."

"Alone?"

"Yes. Maynard asked her to return."

The leader said gravely, "From now on, enforce a strict lockdown. No one is allowed in or out."

"Understood," Wen Qin replied.

The person looked at Tong Yang and said, "You, come with me."

Tong Yang followed the group into the banquet hall, while Wen Qin remained in place.

Tong Yang knew that Yang Miao had already left the banquet hall, together with Meng Xiao.

At the 749 Bureau base, they had encountered a special particle, created by Nick, adept at simulation. It could overlay existing scenes and even simulate tactile sensations.

Nick had once said this type of particle could only perform one simulation; it would die immediately afterward.

Just now, Tong Yang felt someone lightly brush against her hand—it was very slight, probably Yang Miao, who was covered in special particles.

"Bzzz—"

"Bzzz—"

"Bzzz—"

As they reached an open area, several alarm sounds suddenly rang out over the city.

The man walking beside Tong Yang instantly changed expression, saying sharply, "The gates are open?"

"Bzzz—"

"Bzzz—"

"Bzzz—"

The alarm sounds circled in the dark green sky, suddenly giving a feeling that the end of the world was approaching.

"The slum gates are open?"

"One, two..."

"Only the energy terminals of the corresponding families can open the twelve slum gates. Why..."

"Sister!"

At that moment, Tong Yang suddenly heard Yang Miao's voice.

She whipped her head around toward the source of the sound.

Under the moonlight, on the edge of a roof, several figures stood.

First-World Tong Yang sat at the edge, holding something in one hand, raised mid-air; her other hand propped up her chin as she looked down at Tong Yang with ease.

Behind her stood four or five people, with Armand and First-World Ye Huai among them.

They looked down at Tong Yang from above, like an immovable mountain, the soft green light spilling over them, casting a long shadow.

With a thud, the unconscious Meng Xiao was kicked off the roof by Armand.

Tong Yang's breath caught—Yang Miao had been captured!

First-World Tong Yang narrowed her eyes, her smile lazy.

"Tong Yang, the game has begun."