[Login Code: FKP4761]

[Registered Name: Cycle]

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A large display screen slowly materialized a blurry humanoid phantom. After breaking free from the pixelation, it seemed to reach half its body out, like some absurd scene from a dream.

He examined the woman before him and slowly nodded. "[Welcome back to the Existence Institute, Dr. Mei Li. Do you have any instructions?]"

"I need to see my mentor," Li Mei stated bluntly.

"[Creator Shah is in a meeting.]"

"Then leave a message. I can wait here."

"[It is with regret we inform you that Mr. Shah might go straight back to the lab afterward, so the possibility of him receiving the message is small.]"

"Leave a message at the lab. I have the authority to call my mentor."

"[Your request has been noted. Please wait a moment.]"

The humanoid nodded again, then spoke once more in that indescribable electronic tone. "[In the meantime, please wait patiently. If you require anything, feel free to give instructions.]"

Li Mei did not speak again.

Frankly speaking, compared to the Jurisdiction Bureau, which mainly coordinates the grand scheme, the Existence Institute is, without a doubt, a peculiar, loose, yet secretive organization. As the custodian and barrier for most taboo technologies and miracles, and one of the enforcers of the three major restrictions of the Current Circumstances, its main entity is concealed within some secret Border. This entity is heavily guarded, and even attempting to probe its existence is considered a crime.

What most people actually come into contact with are the various subsidiary institutions derived from the Existence Institute itself. For example, there are hospitals established in various parts of the Current Circumstances and at the Border, based on the most advanced life technologies within, as well as the Forever Fund, which operates purely as an independent investment fund.

Unlike the technical department, which primarily focuses on exploring the Current Circumstances and cutting-edge technologies, the Existence Institute does not engage in development. Instead, it is dedicated to extinguishing technologies that could result in severe consequences. If unable to do so, it must seal them off. If sealing is not possible, then the entire region must be thoroughly cleansed.

For many, this department, committed to maintaining the balance of the Current Circumstances and the Border, is far too mysterious. It is so mysterious that ninety percent of its staff have never entered its headquarters. Contacting headquarters staff requires using a special network portal and an AI capable of completely isolating even memetic viruses, just like now.

About half an hour later, during the wait, the AI's phantom suddenly dissipated, replaced by a lean-looking man who seemed quite young, yet his exact age was difficult to distinguish.

He seemed to be on a seaside holiday, sitting in a chair before a window through which the vast Sea was visible. However, the scene inside did not resemble an elegant holiday resort but rather a sterile and solemn laboratory.

To be precise, this truly was a laboratory.

The endless ocean, both within the room and outside the window, constituted the experimental domain of Creator Shah, who specialized in marine ecology.

"Mei, is there a problem?"

He seemed to have just rushed back, took a sip from his coffee cup, and joked, "Ever since you graduated from the Ivory Tower, you've never taken the initiative to contact me, your graduation mentor. Could there be an issue with this year's ocean current operation?"

"Mentor, my work is flawless. Please do not question my professionalism," Li Mei said seriously. "The issue isn't with my work, but with my daughter… If I'm not mistaken, you were involved in this year's Witch's Night event, weren't you?"

"Ah, yes, but I was only responsible for providing technical support. The main operation and responsibility lay with others."

Shah shrugged nonchalantly. Although in principle it had to be kept secret, such a trivial matter wasn't enough to compel a Creator to hide or lie to their student.

Soon, upon reviewing the report submitted by the AI, he found the information concerning Fu Yi. He was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, clearly delighting in his colleague's misfortune.

"It turns out there was a mistake in the segment managed by that Niflheim fellow! HAHAHA! It's truly bizarre. This is the first time I've seen that eternally stoic fellow encounter such an issue! HAHAHA…"

No matter what, his old friend was just too unlucky.

Due to two interfering factors, the invitations for Witch's Night caused an unexpected change in the database's order during initiation. This resulted in a situation where, under certain special conditions, the DNA verification process would assign an excessive proportion to genetic factors. This, in turn, led to a slight possibility of misidentification.

In other words, a confusion of identity might occur between direct relatives within two generations.

How terribly unlucky! To step on such a trivial landmine just two days before achieving the 'fifty years without error' distinction!

"No wonder he's been ignoring me during meetings. I even brought out my treasured cold jokes and got nothing but a blank stare… I see, that explains it… HAHAHA."

Shah laughed until he was nearly in tears. "Thank you, Mei. I'll treasure this report. No, I'll add ten points to your annual review; this report will definitely bring a lot of joy to our lunch meeting tomorrow…"

Having experienced firsthand her mentor's whimsical and unreliable nature, Li Mei was no stranger to it. Yet seeing his reaction, she felt relieved.

"Since you put it that way, are you willing to help me?"

"Of course. It's rare for a student to ask for my help. Isn't that where a mentor finds satisfaction?" Shah smiled slightly. "I happen to be quite free recently."

However, after saying this, his expression became serious and his eyes intense.

"Pinocchio, grant Li Mei temporary Level Three cognition authority, temporarily lift the information blockade, and conduct cognitive interference on other unrelated individuals—"

What he was about to say next was truly confidential.

On the screen, AI Pinocchio's phantom flashed by. In an instant, the room containing the terminal was truly physically isolated, split inside and out, as the cognitive interference had taken effect.

Language had been disassociated and misplaced. Any words spoken by Shah from then on, apart from Li Mei, would sound like garbled syllables and the distinct warning tones of Existence Institute secrets to anyone eavesdropping or recording.

Only an information operation of this magnitude could ensure that the ordinary world and the threats beyond the Current Circumstances were kept separate, keeping secrets forever in the hands of those qualified and capable of handling them.

Seeing Shah's expression so serious, Li Mei's recently eased heart tightened again.

"What's the matter? Is it an issue with Witch's Night?" Li Mei asked anxiously.

Shah nodded, called up the records of Pinocchio's manifestation in the air, and transmitted them directly into Li Mei's terminal, forming a detailed and extensive holographic record.

Among the myriad of complex observation records, Li Mei's scholarly instincts immediately and keenly detected something amiss at first glance.

"The internal depth index… is changing?"

"That's right."

Shah nodded. "Although it's quite normal for environments like Witch's Night to exhibit such phenomena, the computing department, through analysis of the index and spectrum, has come up with a preliminary hypothesis... My old Predecessor's intentions, I'm afraid, are not entirely benevolent."

Li Mei was stunned.

Because the preliminary internal report of the Existence Institute had already appeared before Li Mei's eyes.

Li Mei had no time to meticulously read every line and word. She turned directly to the conclusion, saw a few words highlighted in red, and furrowed her brows.

The terms were: [Abyss Evolution Theory], [Doomsday], [Food Chain], [Ranch Owner].

—Destruction Factor!

This Witch's Night research and its main focus actually involved the existence of a Destruction Factor!

And it was the Ranch Owner itself, with the most terrifying impact on the Current Circumstances!

The so-called Destruction Factor itself represents a potential for the destruction of the Current Circumstances. It is an existence that will inevitably lead to this destruction if certain conditions are met.

Regardless of strength or weakness.

And what the Ranch Owner itself represents is the cycle of a deformed Food Chain.

As long as the phenomenon of Survival of the Fittest exists in this world, it will never perish. It is parasitic on the Current Circumstances like a stubborn disease or cancer, infiltrating every crevice.

Over the years, countless Scholars who have studied the Ranch Owner itself have unwittingly invited solidification, brainwashing, and mutation. Even Creators... can they guarantee one hundred percent that they will not be influenced by Hell?

No one dares to make empty boasts; otherwise, where did the Golden Dawn come from?

"Thinking positively, perhaps what this Creator is involved in is ecological research related to the Ranch Owner."

Shah comforted her. "Moreover, with the protection of the Astronomical Society's authority, we can forcibly pull her out if necessary, preventing her from getting entangled. And, well, that Niflheim fellow will surely lend a hand too, since this is also his mistake."

With two Creators guaranteeing Fu Yi's life safety, Li Mei took a deep breath. The flushed excitement on her face slowly faded, turning into a pallor akin to chronic illness.

"Besides, let me see... According to the reports from the strategy group and observation group, most of the Explorers inside should have experienced a considerable degree of growth and are about to complete the preparation stage."

Shah scratched his chin, glanced at his watch, and briefly calculated using the time ratio change formula from the report. He then nodded. "It's about time; any minute now, she should be using the Relic Bone. At that point, according to the laws of Witch's Night, her avatar will undergo a Metamorphosis based on her own wishes and affiliated Genealogy. The Genealogy, in turn, will give her support.

Everyone else should already have their own proxies. I haven't chosen mine yet. If she doesn't mind, I could at least offer her some advice and help when she advances…"

After a pause, he smiled helplessly. "Although, I suppose she wouldn't like creatures like giant octopuses or Sea Monsters, right?"

There was no helping it. The marine ecology's biological records were filled with such unsightly creatures.

The crisp snap of fingers sounded.

In Shah's laboratory, countless instruments sank into the ground. Giant apparatuses then rose from beneath the floor, cables interconnecting, steel combining to form a massive steel throne behind Shah. Then, a face mask slowly descended.

A specialized channel for the Spiritual Body had been prepared for Shah.

"Wait just a moment. I'll be right back."

Shah put on the mask. His consciousness dived along the vast network of Source Substance into the framework of Witch's Night, and then quickly returned.

Taking off the mask, he opened his eyes and looked at Li Mei with an odd expression.

"Did you consult with other Creators?"

"Hmm? No…"

Li Mei shook her head in confusion. She then watched as Shah began fiddling with the instruments at hand, his brow furrowed. "The four Creators in charge of the project at the Existence Institute haven't done anything to her… Strange. Could it be the Dongxia Genealogy?"

"What's happened?" Li Mei asked anxiously. "Is there a problem?"

"AHEM. To be precise, there's no problem at all."

After pondering for a moment, Shah said seriously, "Your daughter is eating well and sleeping soundly. Her psychological index is more normal than the average person; in fact, she seems quite happy. Her level isn't low either. She even has a Military Officer ally who is quite upright, robust, and capable, voluntarily becoming her teammate and offering her protection.

However"—he paused for a moment, his expression growing even more peculiar—"it turns out another Creator had already chosen her in advance?"