PGVCW 36

Playing God in Various Catastrophic Worlds

Chapter 36

Xia State

Today was still a gray and gloomy day. At 5:00 PM, while people were still active, the sky was already filled with gloomy black fog. Even if nothing unpleasant had happened, many people always felt a tightness in their chests, with depressive emotions of unclear origin swirling around them. This could not be helped; early in the cataclysm, when sunlight first moved away from humanity, psychiatric and psychological experts had issued warnings that long-term lack of sunlight exposure would have a massive impact on human mental states. Depressive emotions would occur frequently, and melatonin secretion disorders would also lead to sleep problems, while poor sleep in turn fueled the risk of depression—was this not how a vicious cycle emerged? Therefore, even under such a critical situation, the government still spared manpower to manufacture a large number of lamp posts simulating sunlight; unfortunately, more than a decade ago due to energy exhaustion, most of these lamp posts were put away.

Usually, this time should be the most unhappy time for the people of the Xia State. Having just finished work, their stomachs were too hungry to want to play games, and they had no interest in watching television. As for sleeping, it was too early to fall asleep, and mental pollution could easily take advantage of this weakness to slip right in at this moment. But, that was in the past. At this moment, in residential communities surrounded by circular buildings, community residents gathered in specially cleared open spaces, making use of the central lighting to carefully polish parts in their hands using tools. These parts were large or small, and the residents polishing them varied in age; whether they were white-haired elderly people or students wearing school uniforms, each one was more meticulous than the last. Their expressions might carry fatigue, but absolutely no numbness; beneath the slight exhaustion were boundless drive and hope.

A parent asked their child: "Are you tired? Why don't you go back upstairs to play games for a bit?"

A child a little over ten years old shook their head, their tone a bit excited and licking their lips with a bit of craving: "I should finish the one in my hand, and these points can be exchanged for a big steamed bun! And I can even have two sticks of salted vegetables!"

Seeing that the child indeed did not look tired, the parent smiled and nodded: "Alright, once your points are accumulated in a bit, you go exchange them, and eat it as soon as you trade it back."

Hearing this, the expression on the child's face became even happier, and they polished the appliance in their hand with even greater diligence and care. Even though every child in the Xia State was protected as well as possible, the craving for food was still engraved deep within their bones. Being able to earn food with their own hands, and after exchanging for it, parents would often let them finish eating quickly with a smile, which made these children—currently in a period of boundless energy—quite invigorated and enthusiastic.

Moreover... "If I make a few more, there can be more robots moving grain."

That's right, what they were polishing in their hands were precisely the parts on the transport robots. Ever since the news broadcasts about the Savior Xia Wang'an being able to shuttle across other worlds, the long-legged robots responsible for transporting grain seeds and ripened crops naturally came into everyone's view. As crop clearance took place everywhere across the Cangming world, the piled-up crops became so abundant that thousands of robots could not possibly transport them all. Blue Star, which had suffered for a long time from food deprivation, naturally could not watch such a massive amount of grain be burned to ash. Machinery production, which had been continuously expanding, expanded once more; for a time, mechanical engineering majors were extremely hot, with various companies exhausting efforts to research robot-related technologies, and this year "how to transport more grain" had effectively become the assigned topic for robot designers.

The efforts were not limited to machinery-related majors alone; ordinary residents also received notifications that all residents could pick up tools and raw materials in their communities to polish parts for robots. For every part polished out, residents could acquire [Food Points] according to its difficulty level, and once these points accumulated to a certain degree, they could exchange them for food. Rice, flour products, meat, vegetables, and even many types of fruits could be exchanged. In their lives, which had already become much more relaxed, there suddenly appeared many things to look forward to. Although the state distributed a certain amount of relief grain every month, and malls could now purchase various kinds of food using points earned from work, polishing and manufacturing parts during spare time to contribute to the Salvation Project while also being able to exchange for fine food clearly made residents even happier.

"In the current exchange ratio, carbohydrates account for 79%, meat accounts for 13%, and vegetable and fruit categories account for the remaining 8%."

The First Research Institute had already relocated to the Salvation Building, and was currently comparing exchange data after the opening of "Food Points". "Having suffered from hunger for too long, it is very normal for people to crave carbohydrates; it is estimated that after one month, the proportion of carbohydrate exchanges will drop below 70%."

Human craving for carbohydrates is innate, and it can completely be called the most primary source for the human body to sustain life energy. This is also one of the reasons why, among point exchanges, carbohydrate foods are the cheapest to exchange for points. No matter what, everyone must be fed first.—These were the words of the Chief. Actually, directly distributing food was also possible, but after discussions among everyone, it was still decided to let the entire populace participate in the process of manufacturing robots.

For one thing, doing this could indeed save energy. For another, people are just like this; with motivation, life has more things to look forward to, and exchanging for "Food Points" right now is the motivation given by the state to the people of the entire country. Third, it is to enhance cohesion, giving everyone a feeling of "participating in the Salvation Project"; after all, once people have exerted effort, incurred sunk costs, and with a righteous cause before them, they will naturally become solid members of the initiative of their own accord.

Just think about it: every single part made in one's own hands will appear inside some transport robot, and in the abundance of the granaries, everyone in the country has a share of the credit. This firmness and sense of participation will make them instinctively defend this project, and esteem and worship the central figure of the project: Xia Wang'an.

Thinking of this, the researcher lowering his head to check reports looked outside, and through the huge glass window, he could happen to see rows of tall robots below appearing out of thin air carrying bags of grain crops. They were just like having just traversed an invisible passage, lining up in neat steps, and guided by staff members, placing the bags in their hands into the security inspection port. Some robots were obviously developed later, with their appearance looking like a big belly, but when standing at the security inspection port specially prepared for them, they would very naturally open their bellies and tilt out the crops inside. When the crops reached the security inspection port, robots and ability users would conduct joint inspections; if any could still attack, they would deliver a finishing blow, and if not, the ears of grain could be threshed on the spot to make food. The remaining branches and stems would also not be wasted, as a good amount of juice could be extracted from them, and the dried parts could also be used to start fires, which could be said to have achieved absolute zero waste for every single part. Everyone was busy in full swing.

Milk Tea and Rest

Meanwhile, on the side of the "passage", the black-haired young maiden was comfortably lying on a lounge chair, with a virtual screen in front of her—she should be reading a web novel again—and beside her were sliced fruits and various snacks. She was also holding a cup of "water" with a straw inserted, inside which round "pearls" could faintly be seen. "That is legendary milk tea."

The colleague beside the researcher flaunted his well-informed news: "Milk tea contains fat, milk, artificial flavoring, and caffeine; it is a high-calorie beverage." "According to records, young people in peaceful times loved milk tea very much; although it didn't reach the extent of everyone holding a cup in hand, it was close enough."

The researcher chimed in: "I know that's milk tea; my maternal grandmother said that when she was little, her family ran a milk tea shop." Recalling his grandmother's narrative with full yearning: "I heard that back then, milk tea was a well-known high-calorie beverage that could easily make people fat." "I really envy the people of that time, being able to gain fat so easily."

Unlike him, after the cafeteria started opening up supplies, even after eating and drinking so hard, he still couldn't grow a little belly, while his abdominal muscles were becoming more and more obvious instead. The colleague also envied for a bit, then shared the gossip he had managed to hear: "I heard that when Wang'an was reading a novel, she bookmarked milk tea mentioned in a novel; the recorder took one look—wasn't bookmarking it liking it? Whatever Wang'an likes, we definitely have to get it for her." "After he reported it up, the First Research Institute immediately found the formula and started making it; Wang'an indeed liked it very much, and wants to drink a cup every few days."

Working in the research institute themselves, just hearing this sentence, the researcher could realize how tedious and complex the process behind this simple sentence was. Finding the formula, gathering the raw materials, researching and making machines to make milk tea—who knows how much effort was wasted to recreate a "milk tea" that was both healthy and delicious. But he did not feel this was luxurious at all, only feeling it was taken for granted. To his knowledge, keeping open such a "grain passage" required Xia Wang'an to sustain it for at least five hours a day. And after finishing the opening, she still had to go to the neighboring Cangming world to slaughter crops, and in her spare time, she had to sit in meditation and cultivate. With her working this hard, what's wrong with drinking some milk tea?! Right now, the heavy responsibility of the entire world is pressed upon Xia Wang'an; the fact that the entire populace of the Xia State can eat their fill now, and that water sources can barely operate independently, all rely on her. If she makes a request, the entire Blue Star will slap their chests and rush up to satisfy it. If she doesn't make a request, everyone will create requests to satisfy her!

Thinking this, a serious light burst forth from the researcher's eyes; he stood at attention, like a pine tree in the snow: "I'm going home right away to ask my maternal grandmother for the milk tea recipe; milk tea has many kinds of flavors, after all!" "Guaranteed that Wang'an will drink it to her satisfaction!"

Xia Wang'an had no idea at all that someone felt she was having a hard time and was filled with passionate enthusiasm to find all milk tea recipes for her. [007, do you think my daily rest time is a bit too long?]

Indeed, for Xia Wang'an—whose Faith Power had now reached 1.5 million and whose cultivation realm was at the Foundation Establishment stage—transferring robots over from another world was equivalent to resting. And during the transfer process, she would also eat and drink while reading web novels, and the dozen or so recorders responsible for taking care of her by her side were afraid she might feel uncomfortable anywhere; often the moment she raised her hand, the food she wanted would be handed right to her side. Comfortable as she was, as a renowned workaholic champion, she still felt somewhat guilty about her own depravity. Therefore, she decided to read web novels while sitting in meditation.

007 was a bit surprised: [Can it be done like this? Shouldn't one focus when sitting in meditation?] [Should be fine, right?]

Xia Wang'an wasn't too sure either, but she quickly became firm: [I think it's fine.] [Look, you can cultivate spiritual power without hands and feet; I am just sitting in meditation while reading a web novel, why can't I cultivate spiritual power?]

007 had a sudden flash of enlightenment: [That makes sense!]

After reaching a consensus with 007, Xia Wang'an was completely satisfied; after practicing meditation for two hours, the alarm sounded, and she slowly opened her eyes. "Leaving now."

After greeting the recorders, the black-haired young maiden wore a newly delivered dashing ancient costume sent over just today, with her high ponytail tied up, holding a cup of milk tea in her hand, waving goodbye, and leaving Blue Star.

The Chief's Plan and Country N

Seeing that she didn't rest at all before hurrying off to Cangming without stopping, the recorders felt a fresh wave of heartache. "Opening the passage for five hours every day—Wang'an is much too tired." "Yeah, hasn't robot development yielded results yet? If we research more robots that can bring back huge amounts of grain, the passage time could be shorter too, right?" "Rest assured, experts in this field have been gathered together for several days, and I hear they also plan to track down other experts from various countries we haven't been able to contact."

While they were discussing, the Chief was in the top-floor office, looking at the report before her. "In other words, in the next world, Wang'an can take one robot with her?" "Yes, I asked Wang'an; although she still needs to acquire the Faith Power of the native world's residents in order to bring people from other worlds across, because her Faith Power has already reached 1.5 million, it is estimated that she can bring a robot."

The subordinate gestured: "But it can only be this big, and she can only bring one."

The size he gestured was roughly about as big as an adult; it looked quite good, but many robots' defense and attack systems would inevitably take up a huge amount of space. This was also one of the reasons why robots were generally taller than humans. The Chief naturally would not think that this robot being taken across by Xia Wang'an was purely to strike a cool pose behind her. Barring accidents, its existence was one hundred percent to block bullets for Wang'an, clear away all threats around Wang'an, and at the same time not bring trouble upon her. And the important prerequisite for achieving all this was that it must only be of adult height. A bit tricky. But tricky or not, it had to be done.

The Chief did not ponder for too long; very quickly, she opened her optical brain and began contacting the national action squad. "I will send a list of addresses; subsequent talent protection operations will be based primarily on this list."

In the early days of the cataclysm, there were still many countries maintaining communications. At that time, under environmental oppression, various countries were indeed working hard to research robots that could replace humans in venturing outside. In that period, geniuses emerged in large numbers; unfortunately, these geniuses also lost contact as their countries' conditions worsened. Although it was unknown whether they were still alive or whether they could participate in the work, the Xia State still dispatched groups of action personnel according to the recorded list of addresses. Airplanes painted with the Xia State flag flew across an ocean that now had a shallow "little blue pit", flying toward different directions respectively.

Five days later, Country N. The location where it was situated caused the temperature here to be even lower; at the beginning, this small country still barely maintained contact with the outside world, but as stored energy gradually decreased, Country N became an isolated island. At first, it was just unable to contact other countries; later on, communication was also lost between various large and small bases domestically.

When the Country N child Delia was born, the small base where she was located already had very few people left, but this child born in difficult times received much goodwill from many people. Her favorite person was Martha. Martha was a seventy-year-old elderly woman; against the background where people often died before reaching forty, she appeared exceptionally long-lived. She would occasionally recount to Delia things from her youth. "At that time, this place wasn't called the Volcano Base, but rather the Volcano Research Institute; we guarded here, hoping to research robots that could change this disaster." "As energy grew less and less and the weather grew colder and colder, we had to request a return trip from our superiors, but never received a reply; only after several years did we learn from a few people who escaped that the main base had encountered a ground subsidence, and everyone had disappeared underground."

Martha was once purely a researcher engaged in research; at that time, she was still a young girl, a genius researcher in everyone's eyes, and a little younger sister needing protection. Speaking of this, she would always say with a chuckle: "Don't look at how I am now; back then, I was a very important person, you know." But Martha had grown old; in this era where physical strength was required to rummage through garbage in order to survive, the length of time she had lived had astonished many people. But now, she had also reached the time she should die. Not dying of old age, but starving to death.

Martha had no family left; no one would take the risk to fetch food for her, and only Delia would run to her side, carefully sharing a small piece of edible grey dirt. Martha lay feebly on the ground, refusing Delia's food, only sighing listlessly: "Let me die; I somewhat, somewhat miss my youth, when I could happily do research—what a joyful time those days were."

She pointed laboriously toward the corner: "Delia, those books are given to you... Once you learn them, you will learn knowledge; humanity... needs knowledge..."

Delia was very sad; she obediently hugged a box of books and returned home, and the neighbors who saw it all felt it was a good thing. "Martha gave her precious books to you? Great, so many books can be burned for a long time; Delia, you can stay warm for quite a while."

Delia hugged the books and explained: "Martha gave them to me for me to study; these contain knowledge."

The child's naive remarks drew non-malicious chuckles from everyone: "Delia, you are too small; knowledge has no use whatsoever on this land."

Perhaps they were all descendants of researchers, and this place had once been filled with knowledge as well, but when the elders passed away, the people left behind only wanted to stay alive. Fewer and fewer people remained alive; the good news was that those who survived were more cold-resistant than before, and they could also rummage through garbage dumps left from peaceful times to use as food and supplies. The bad news was that the supplies in the garbage dumps were also getting fewer and fewer. Not daring to leave the base too far, they could only squeeze and dig out remaining energy on the land as much as possible, and a box of books could also be burned for a period of time, after all. "Delia, you will understand when you grow up; the knowledge and technology Martha often talked about are things of the past." "Yeah Delia, look, Martha has knowledge, but she is still waiting to die right now anyway."

Delia inexplicably felt a bit sad, perhaps because when she was little, Martha used to hold her and teach her to recognize characters and read books. She hid the books well, and the girl just over eleven years old skillfully tied straps around her body, fetched her tools, and came before the familiar garbage dump. Delia wanted to dig out some relatively edible food as much as possible—it could be frozen insects, or it could be a piece of tree bark frozen before the cataclysm. These could all be boiled into soup; maybe Martha would get better after drinking the soup?

While she was earnestly lying on the ground tapping away, she suddenly felt a tremor of the earth, and a fierce gale descended from the sky. Terrified beyond measure, Delia thought ground subsidence was arriving; she hardly knew where to hide, but when she raised her head, she was shocked to discover that a gigantic aircraft was descending from above. To call it an airplane, it didn't quite look like one; its entire body was made of steel, its exterior covered in wind and frost, and unlike what Martha told her about needing to taxi to land safely, it descended straight and slowly onto the surface of the ground.

Amidst a gale of wind, Delia almost thought this was the "alien spaceship" from the various stories Martha used to tell. She had loved listening to this story when she was little, and had also fantasized that aliens were omnipotent and could make the base not so cold and everyone not so hungry. But at this moment, when truly facing this colossal behemoth resembling an alien spaceship, she suddenly realized: are aliens necessarily friendly?

Delia wanted to run, but her legs were turning soft; she saw that the base adults around her were experiencing the same terror—some were shouting, some had fallen to the ground, and others had turned on their heels and started running wildly toward the direction of the base. "Delia! Run quickly!!"

An uncle who was fleeing did not forget to shout out to Delia. She also wanted to run, but after crawling a few times, a sharp pain shot through her ankle and she couldn't exert any strength at all; an auntie who was running slowly came over to pull her, but couldn't pull her up. Terrified and despairing, Delia collapsed limply onto the ground; amidst gusts of fierce wind, she saw a dozen or so people disembark from that "spaceship". Some of them wore strange blue-black protective suits, some were unexpectedly half-human, half-machine (powered exoskeleton armor), and others stood three meters tall, looking extremely bizarre (robots).

Delia and that auntie watched with wide eyes as the other party walked over, so frightened they hugged into a ball. When the leader approached, she heard the other party say a long, strange sentence: ≈ Delia let out a scream, just like seeing a monster talk, and began frantically crawling toward the direction of the base.

"One big, one small, both female; they should be members of the Volcano Research Institute."

The action squad captain who had just finished saying this took a step back upon seeing the intense reaction from these two people. He took off his exoskeleton armor, tried his best to appear harmless, and switched to national speech: "Please don't be afraid, we are not bad people." "We are people of the Xia State; is the Volcano Research Institute ahead?"

Delia was still very nervous and afraid, but that auntie relaxed a bit more; her age happened to fall right when various countries were still in communication, so she knew there was a Xia State in the world. Especially after these people quickly treated Delia's sprained ankle and even gave each of them a piece of bread, she relaxed even more. Eating the bread, and unable to walk yet, Delia was held in the arms of a tall robot, swaying back and forth; deep inside her heart, a trace of a sense of security actually welled up. Children are always like this; compared to adults, their curiosity recovers much faster.

"What are you looking for the Volcano Research Institute for? This is no longer a research institute; it has been converted into a base."

The team member beside the robot smiled and said: "We are here to look for someone."

Arriving outside the base, sure enough many people crowded around, but no one intended to fight, because one look made it obvious they couldn't win. It was still the captain who stepped forward to communicate: "Have you ever heard of a researcher named Martha Wilson?" "If she is still alive, she should be seventy-one years old now."

All the people at the Volcano Base: "???" They looked at the huge aircraft outside that still looked shocking from afar, then looked at the equipment on the action squad members' bodies, and then at the bread held tightly in Delia's hand. So many people, such a huge array of force, just for a single Martha??

Delia, however, widened her eyes: "You are here to look for Martha?!"

Hearing the meaning in her words, the dozen or so action personnel all surged with joy: "Is she still here?! Do you know her?!"

That's wonderful! Goodness knows how difficult their journey had been along the way; out of seven bases, they had already visited six, and let alone researchers, they hadn't even seen a single living person. Unexpectedly, not only were there living people here, but Martha Wilson—the oldest among them—actually appeared to still be alive!

Delia opened her mouth to speak, but an adult hurriedly interrupted her: "What are you looking for Martha for?"

The captain had no intention of concealing anything: "Professor Martha is an important researcher and also a member of the Global Talent Protection Project."

"Our mission in coming to Country N is to find her and safely escort her to the Xia State."