Led by Wang Hu, Li Chengzhi and the other two became the first pioneers in the SEED world.
Crossing between worlds—something they had only ever dared to imagine but never witnessed—was now an experience they were living firsthand.
As for what it felt like!
When the golden light in their eyes faded, they found themselves in a forest garden filled with the songs of birds and the fragrance of flowers.
"Is it over already?" Zhang Hong instinctively drew the self-defense weapon from his waist, his eyes wide with vigilance as he scanned their surroundings.
"It's over." He Juntu still wore a shy smile, but while glancing at the exquisitely crafted watch on his wrist, the corner of his eye remained fixed on Wang Hu at the front.
He Juntu had checked the time on his watch when they entered the light portal. Upon arriving in this so-called Homeworld, he was astonished to find that the time on his watch had barely advanced at all.
When his gaze returned to the watch, the second hand had only moved one tick!
The implications were obvious: to the Homeworld, the barriers between worlds were utterly insignificant.
The super civilization technology represented by this spacecraft was so advanced it defied human comprehension!
"Welcome to the Homeworld." In a way, this was also Wang Hu's first time aboard the Homeworld.
But as someone who could be considered half a host, Wang Hu turned around, spread his arms in a welcoming gesture, and explained, "This is the lower deck of the Homeworld, also known as the public exchange area."
"In the future, versions of me from different worlds will likely bring various people here. By then, this place should be quite lively."
"Oh." Compared to his two companions, Li Chengzhi was the most relaxed.
After glancing at Wang Hu, who was giving the introduction, Li Chengzhi walked over to a large tree.
He patted the trunk and examined the canopy, then searched through the information database in his mind.
"Carpinus putoensis?" A rather obscure and rarely heard name escaped his lips.
"Carpinus putoensis!" Upon hearing Li Chengzhi's words, He Juntu jolted, forgetting all about the technical questions he had been pondering.
He rushed to Li Chengzhi's side and stared at the tree called Carpinus putoensis.
"Impossible? How could this tree be here?"
Once he confirmed that it was indeed the tree he remembered—a species found only in the East Asian Alliance's Chuanshan Archipelago, growing on shaded, drought-resistant, and wind-resistant slopes, now a rare and endangered plant with only one known specimen in the entire East Asian Alliance—He Juntu could no longer contain his astonishment.
No matter how exaggerated the technology he might encounter aboard the Homeworld, nothing would have shocked him as much as this.
Before coming here, he had studied relevant information and understood perfectly well that, as a relic of a super civilization, it was only natural for this spacecraft to possess mind-boggling technology.
Who knew how long the super civilization that left this ship had developed or how many civilizations it had interacted with? If it didn't possess technology beyond human understanding, that would be the real mystery.
Yet why would a tree species rarely seen even by ordinary locals of the East Asian Alliance appear on a long-vanished super civilization spacecraft?
And it wasn't just that. He Juntu, whose knowledge reserves might even surpass Li Chengzhi's, rapidly scanned their surroundings and made a startling discovery.
Throughout the public areas of Homeworld's lower decks, numerous species officially recognized as extinct in the current Earth Sphere due to various historical reasons were thriving.
They were everywhere!
"Reason!" The astonishment vanished from his face, replaced once more by a humble smile curling at his lips. He Juntu softly uttered the single word.
Though just one word, it carried the weight of a urgent question—he desperately needed Wang Hu before him to provide an explanation.
Otherwise, with hundreds of hypothetical scenarios already lining up in his mind, He Juntu simply couldn't set his heart at ease.
After all, according to the mission assigned by General Li, after arriving at Homeworld this time, He Juntu wouldn't be able to return to his homeland for a very, very long time.
Regarding the warrior Zhang Hong beside him, and Li Chengzhi whose position had shifted significantly due to emotional reasons—
He couldn't trust them fully!
If either of them, whether due to personal limitations or emotional biases, reported inaccurate information upon returning, the consequences would be catastrophic!
"Well..." Facing He Juntu's question, Wang Hu actually had no idea how to respond.
Nominally, he was the man chosen by the Core, but in reality, Wang Hu didn't truly understand much about either the Core or this ship.
Wait! At this thought, Wang Hu's expression also darkened slightly.
Things he had never considered before, certain inconsistencies, began surfacing in his mind.
If he was truly the man chosen by the Core, why did the Core feel both familiar and alien to him?
"What's wrong, Wang Hu?"
Li Chengzhi, who had been keeping an eye on his friend, immediately asked, his guard rising simultaneously.
Seeing the grim expression on Wang Hu's face, Li Chengzhi's heart sank—had some unfavorable change occurred in the meantime?
"Perhaps I should be the one to address your question?"
Just as the four stood rooted in place, each on high alert, an identical voice to Wang Hu's rang out.
A person with the exact same face and build as Wang Hu stepped forward.
Staring at the newcomer, Li Chengzhi and the other two felt as if they were looking into a mirror—Wang Hu reflected on both sides!
If there was any difference, it might lie in their auras being slightly distinct.
The Wang Hu beside them felt human, simply speaking, still a person; but the newly arrived Wang Hu carried far less of that human essence.
"Core Wang Hu?" Walking up to stand face-to-face with the sudden arrival, the Wang Hu from the CE world inquired.
"Yes, it's me. Welcome, my brother."
Core Wang Hu revealed a smile that would instinctively evoke goodwill in anyone who saw it.
"I didn't expect you to be the first to bring humans to Homeworld, though you were also the first to send someone here."
"Oh?" CE Wang Hu was taken aback for a moment, then thought of Captain Yang Wei and pressed for news about the respected captain.
"How is the captain doing?"
"He's doing well." Still maintaining a composed smile, Core Wang Hu gestured for the group to follow him.
"As the first official resident of this Homeworld besides us, he has adapted quickly and performed quite well."
"That's good." Gazing at the trees on both sides, CE Wang Hu smiled, pointed to his head and tentatively asked:
"I have some memory gaps here. Could you explain?"
"Of course." Glancing at CE Wang Hu, Core Wang Hu clearly knew what he was asking about.
"But before explaining your question, let me first address the doubts of this gentleman named He Juntu."
"For the Homeworld, as long as I have visited a world, this Homeworld can replicate everything from that world."
"Whatever exists there can be possessed here. But rest assured, sentient beings with autonomous consciousness, such as humans,"
"will not be manifested here directly without my invitation and their consent. The Homeworld and I mean no offense."
Upon hearing this, He Juntu's eyes flickered—the amount of information in Core Wang Hu's words was substantial.
Staring at the Wang Hu from his own world standing before him, He Juntu pondered a question.
The "I" in Core Wang Hu's words clearly referred to the Wang Hu from the CE world, yet the Wang Hu from the CE world seemed unable to answer the question he had asked.
But hadn't CE Wang Hu explained to everyone in this world that it was about assimilation?
Why did Core Wang Hu know things that CE Wang Hu wasn't very clear about?
CE Wang Hu, also being intelligent, could think of the same things He Juntu had considered, and his expression turned grim.
However, he forcibly suppressed the questions in his heart until they walked out of the forest garden and arrived before a highly technological house.
After entering the house, CE Wang Hu was the first to speak:
"I think you should give a proper explanation."
"Of course." With a wave of his hand, several cups of steaming hot water appeared on the table. Core Wang Hu maintained his smile and said:
"There are countless versions of you and me across countless worlds—this you know, right?"
CE Wang Hu nodded to indicate he understood, while the other three also focused intently, not wanting to miss any piece of information.
"The Homeworld is a spark left behind by a super civilization, with the purpose of continuing the civilization's legacy."
"To achieve this goal, it selected an individual named Wang Hu from among countless worlds to assist in completing this mission."
"Using the individual named Wang Hu as an anchor, the Homeworld's power began to radiate across countless worlds."
"I am Wang Hu, you are also Wang Hu. You and I are the same, yet not the same."
"As the core, I have completely become the core. You, as the continuation of the Wang Hu individual, have maximally retained your individual will."
"The so-called assimilation is merely accepting part of my will and abilities as the core. You are still your original self."
These words made Wang Hu suddenly understand and filled Li Chengzhi with ecstatic joy—after all, his good friend remained his good friend, unchanged.
Nothing could be happier than this.
But while Wang Hu and Li Chengzhi didn't delve into the essence of the matter, He Juntu and Zhang Hong had different perspectives.
"Can the Homeworld influence the essence of human thought?"
The two spoke almost simultaneously, and this unison made He Juntu glance at Zhang Hong in surprise.
In his eyes, Zhang Hong was merely a warrior, yet unexpectedly, he seemed quite sharp-minded?
What kind of look is that?
Noticing He Juntu's peculiar gaze, Zhang Hong felt offended and immediately shot back a fierce glare.
"No, no, no." Before the two could engage in a battle of stares, Core Wang Hu spoke up.
"Homeworld can influence human will."
His initial answer made He Juntu's face darken uncontrollably, but Core Wang Hu then pointed at CE Wang Hu and continued.
"He could have refused, but he didn't."
"What do you mean?" He Juntu hoped for a clearer explanation.
"To put it simply, as the core, I will send requests for assistance to Wang Hu across countless worlds."
"If the Wang Hu of that world agrees, my consciousness will carry basic information and abilities to empower him."
"If the Wang Hu of that world refuses, my consciousness will quietly depart without causing any impact on him."
"Moreover, to ensure his life remains unaffected, even the memory of my visit will vanish from his mind."
"Is that so?" Even with this explanation, He Juntu still hadn't regained his humble expression.
He didn't hesitate to speculate about the worst-case scenario. Did the other party merely pay lip service to CE Wang Hu having the ability to refuse?
But in reality, who could say for sure whether refusal was truly possible?
Furthermore, if Homeworld had influenced human will, even if it denied doing so, what could he do about it?
"Don't believe me?" Core Wang Hu looked at this human individual named He Juntu, his smile unwavering from start to finish.
"Whether you believe it or not is up to you. I can only guarantee that I've done what I said. Nothing but the strong themselves can restrain the strong."
Instantly, the atmosphere in the room chilled several degrees at these words.
Seeing that things might reach an impasse, Li Chengzhi quickly nudged his friend CE Wang Hu beside him.
"You should know why we came here, right?" Taking the hint, CE Wang Hu spoke up.
"Yes, I know." Core Wang Hu nodded with a smile.
"What's your take on it?"
(End of Chapter)