The nickname "Crybaby" was only known to Song Ci.

In the impression of the people in the old district, Little Lu was a child from a wealthy area, intelligent and clever, but a bit withdrawn. People often believed that such children were perfect and without flaws.

They would never associate such a young girl with the words "Crybaby"... nor would they think that Lu Nanjin was only just over ten years old at that time.

After all... she was just a child.

After Lao Lu left, only Song Ci, who climbed over the wall and into the courtyard every day to take care of Nanjin, would see Lu Nanjin crying.

However, this little girl never showed weakness in front of outsiders, like a hedgehog wrapping herself in thorns. Every time she wiped away her tears and snot fiercely in front of the mirror at home, she would leave the small courtyard with a stubborn and determined look.

Even if a hedgehog disguises itself as strong, its heart is still soft.

After simply patting her shoulder, Song Ci took a small step back, finally having a chance to take a good look at Little Lu's face. To his relief, Lu Nanjin's appearance had not changed much in the ten years since they last met, only maturing slightly from her childishness. The redness in the corners of her eyes still held some naivety. She was still that stubborn girl.

Still the girl... he loved.

"You just said... after Lao Lu left, the Zhao family swallowed Huazhi..."

"What's going on?"

Song Ci lit a cigarette. He silently retreated a distance, avoiding the smoke from getting to her, but after thinking about it, he threw the cigarette butt on the ground and stomped it out.

He had vaguely sensed something was wrong when the two sisters were talking on the mountaintop, but only now did he have the opportunity to ask.

Wu Ya said softly, "If you don't mind, tell me about it."

...

...

"What does the Awakening Act really mean... you will understand by visiting the next project."

The ninth floor beneath Huazhi.

Zhong Gui led Gu Shen to the door of a laboratory. He entered his fingerprint and password, and the laboratory door opened.

"This is the 'central control room' responsible for maintaining the operation of the entire New World project. The Zhao family invests hundreds of millions in funds every quarter just for this laboratory," Zhong Gui said with a soft laugh. "Promoting the Act is not just a simple matter of paperwork. We must try our best to persuade those stubborn fellows in the council, especially the Supreme Council, to let them know... what the Awakening Act can bring to the Five Continents."

Gu Shen glanced at Cui Zhongcheng.

Mr. Cui, who was traveling with him, was also looking at some of the equipment in the central control room.

"This is my second time here. The equipment here has changed a lot... The central control room's permissions are only open to relevant personnel," Cui Zhongcheng said. "Xing Yun is responsible for the specific project advancement of 'New World.' Although I have the right to supervise and advise, I do not comment on the actual project."

So... Zhong Gui had a high level of trust and authority.

"There's no way around it. The several experiments being promoted are very expensive. Since the Act is still being planned underground, many pieces of equipment are damaged, and the supply channels are also limited." Xing Yun shrugged and led Gu Shen and Cui Zhongcheng to a huge fluorescent screen.

"One-thousandth of the computing power of the Abyss's deep-sea area will be centrally transported to the ninth floor beneath the Huazhi Building, which is this main brain," Xing Yun said softly. "Here, we simulate the process of the Abyss stimulating the human brain to stimulate extraordinary potential after the Act is successfully promoted."

Gu Shen's expression was solemn as he watched countless data flashing across the main brain screen.

He didn't understand what this flowing data meant... but he vaguely remembered something.

Extraordinary awakening can be controlled by the Abyss.

"The entropy value of this world is constantly increasing, and disordered factors are expanding in the world we cannot capture... and a power that violates order appears in the condensation of disordered factors."

Xing Yun said softly, "This... is the birth of extraordinary source matter. The council is trying its best to conceal the truth about the existence of the extraordinary from the people of this world. In fact, even the extraordinary cannot trace the source. We only know the appearance, but not the essence, the truth. Why is extraordinary source matter born? Why is order broken?"

He looked at Gu Shen meaningfully and said, "This is an unsearchable question... isn't it? Just like we are exploring where humans come from... the chicken came from the egg, and the egg came from the chicken, no one can give an answer."

"I have worked in the council for twenty years. Twenty years ago, there was no Tribunal... At that time, the council's attitude towards the extraordinary was different from now. We pursued, we explored, we were ignorant, until the appearance of the Abyss, the world underwent a new change."

Xing Yun typed a series of codes. The main brain, which concentrated one-thousandth of the Abyss's computing power, began to operate frantically. A three-dimensional human anatomical diagram appeared on the main brain screen.

"The extraordinary can enter the 'Abyss Deep Sea Area' through spiritual links. Countless extraordinary factors converge through the spirit, becoming a power we can use... And so, today, we can even complete miracles similar to 'passing the flame'."

Zhong Gui looked up at the screen.

"In myths long ago, there was a god named 'Prometheus' who brought 'fire' to mankind."

"Mankind had fire."

"From that day on, the original 'fire' was extinguished, but the flame spread throughout the world. We finally mastered the method of dispelling the darkness. As long as we hold the flame, we can grasp the light."

"And the Abyss... is the 'fire' of the New World."

Zhong Gui's eyes were filled with infatuation.

Countless data flowed and converged, accompanied by him pressing the last button.

The simulated human body on the screen underwent some kind of strange, unknown change. His body began to swell violently.

Then!

With a "bang"!

The loud noise that sounded beside him startled Gu Shen. He noticed that not far from the main brain, there was a humanoid cabin, connected to thousands of dense hydraulic pipes. The cabin was opaque, and at this moment, a large amount of hot steam was evaporating from the gaps.

After this explosion.

A painful roar sounded from the humanoid cabin.

But soon... the voice became weaker and weaker.

"This time... the supernatural ability awakened by the experimental subject is 'Scorching Mist'." Zhong Gui's eyes were somewhat disappointed. "A very weak ability... The Abyss can stimulate humans to awaken the supernatural, but we have not yet mastered the key technology. We cannot directionally control the direction of supernatural awakening."

The experimental subject awakened...

A low roar came from the humanoid cabin...

These blue liquid pipes are transporting substances similar to nutrient solutions...

Coupled with Zhong Gui's words, Gu Shen felt a chill run down his spine, and the hairs on his back stood on end.

He stared at the humanoid cabin in disbelief and murmured, "You... are conducting human experiments?"