The "Meta" Realm: The Dawn of the Deep Dive Era
The cold fragments of the Purifier wreckage, like tombstones, floated in the void of the Abandoned Observation Zone, silently telling the tale of the just-concluded confrontation that transcended conventional understanding. After the initial shock and the relief of escaping death, the exploration team of the Star Spirit Survivors sent their most sincere and reverent psionic thanks toward the "Meta" Realm fleet. This wave of gratitude, like a warm tide, washed away the lingering sternness of the battlefield.
Glak ordered the fleet to carefully collect every piece of the Purifier debris—especially the wreckage of the one destroyed after Lin Mo "stripped" its rule structure from a distance. This would be the most precious trophy for both the "Mirror Lake" system and the "Meta" Realm's technology library. At the same time, he dispatched diplomatic envoys to conduct a brief but efficient exchange with the Star Spirit Survivors, initially establishing the intention of joint defense and information sharing.
The "Meta" Realm's first active operation not only verified the feasibility of the "Mirror Lake" system but also won its first true ally (albeit a weak one) in the Sea of Nothingness, while obtaining first-hand data on the Observer's armed units.
When news of the victory spread back, the "Meta" Realm erupted in celebration. Confidence and cohesion soared to new heights.
Yet Lin Mo was calmer than ever—even... vigilant.
He sat upright in the core array of "Mirror Lake," his spiritual consciousness immersed in the vast stream of data. The Purifier Type VII's structural blueprints, energy circuits, the principles of its rule-based weapons, its AI logic patterns... countless pieces of information were disassembled, analyzed, and archived. Meanwhile, the hidden nodes of the "Mirror Lake" system, scattered everywhere, were capturing every abnormal rule ripple in the Sea of Nothingness at an even higher frequency.
His focus was on the two Purifiers that had escaped with contaminated data.
Where would they go? Who would they upload the contaminated data to? What kind of chain reaction would this trigger?
How would the Arbitration Court—behind the Observers—judge after receiving this data tampered with by the "Meta" Realm?
Would they be enraged? Would they conduct a more cautious assessment? Or... would they activate a higher-level elimination protocol?
Time slipped by in waiting and preparation.
Several months later.
An extremely faint but spine-chilling abnormal signal was sent back by a "Mirror Lake" node located at the farthest edge of the "Meta" Realm's territory, near a known chaotic energy storm zone.
It was neither the rule-covered wave unique to the Observers nor the energy signature of any known civilization or natural phenomenon. It was more like a form of... "scanning."
A form of "interrogation" that transcended the levels of energy and matter, acting directly on the very existence of space and the integrity of rules.
This "interrogation" wave, like an invisible probe, swept gently yet irresistibly across the chaotic storm zone, across the star where the node was disguised, and even... faintly touched the purification field on the outskirts of the "Meta" Realm!
It did not attack or reveal itself; it merely "glanced."
Then, like a tide, it receded and vanished without a trace.
But the moment it receded, Lin Mo—through "Mirror Lake"—clearly captured a faint trace of "logic" embedded in this "interrogation" wave.
A "problem-solving" logic based on absolute rationality, eliminating all variables, and pursuing a final answer.
Unlike the "correction" of Observer 73, or the "pruning" and "purification" of the Arbitration Court, the will behind this "interrogation" seemed to care nothing about the process, only the "result." It was not like a law enforcer; it was more like a... cold examiner.
The "Mirror Lake" system operated frantically, trying to track the source of this wave, but it was like searching for a single drop of water in the vast ocean—nothing was found.
Lin Mo slowly opened his eyes, and for the first time, an extremely solemn look appeared in them.
He understood now.
The massive system behind the Observers was far more complex than imagined. There were Observers who executed "correction," the Arbitration Court that carried out "purification," and now, an unknown high-level unit that conducted "interrogation."
Although the "interrogation" wave showed no hostility, its level was far above that of the Purifier Type VII. The fact that it could so easily penetrate the disguise of "Mirror Lake" and touch the outskirts of the "Meta" Realm itself signified an enormous threat.
Had it—or they—come because of the contaminated data?
Had they come to confirm the "Meta" Realm as a "variable"?
Or perhaps... their existence was inherently above the Observers and the Arbitration Court, responsible for overseeing the operation of the entire system. And the emergence of the "Meta" Realm, along with its successful resistance to "purification," had already aroused their... "interest"?
Lin Mo stood up and walked to the edge of the top floor, overlooking the vibrant "Meta" Realm below.
The festive atmosphere had not yet fully faded, but a new, more unfathomable shadow had quietly descended.
He raised his hand. In his palm, the thread of "Order" was no longer just a bridge connecting chaos and order—it seemed to have transformed into a tiny, constantly calculating compass.
The enemies grew stronger and stranger with each layer.
From the executive-level Observers, to the judicial-level Arbitration Court, and now to these "interrogators" who were like behind-the-scenes examiners.
The development speed of the "Meta" Realm seemed never able to catch up with the escalation of crises.
But wasn't this also a kind of motivation?
His gaze sharpened.
Mere defense, imitation, and even limited counterattacks were no longer enough.
Before the "examiners" truly entered the fray, the "Meta" Realm must possess the strength to make them take it seriously—or even... fear it.
He needed greater power—not just personal might, but a leap forward for the entire "Meta" Realm civilization.
He needed deeper knowledge—not just analyzing the Observers' technology, but understanding the operational logic and... weaknesses of the massive system behind them.
He needed a broader perspective—not just exploring the Sea of Nothingness, but seeing clearly the true "chessboard" pattern beyond these layers of rules.
"Pass on my order," Lin Mo's voice, transmitted through the Demon Network, echoed clearly in the consciousness of all core members, including Glak and Mo Shi.
"From this day forth, the 'Meta' Realm enters the 'Deep Dive Era.'"
"All non-essential expansion plans are suspended. Resources will be diverted to basic rule research, cutting-edge weapons development, and the upgrade of the 'Mirror Lake' system."
"Objective: Before the next 'interrogation' arrives, complete a second leap in the civilization's level."
His voice was calm, yet carried an unshakable determination and the gravity of an impending storm.
"We must let them know that the 'Meta' Realm is not an exam paper they can score or eliminate at will."
"We, ourselves, are the ones who set the questions."