Chapter 450: Earth's Big Step? (Two-in-One)

At this moment, screenshots containing dense text were still being sent constantly, indicating an ongoing battle. With time running short, "Frighten You 3000" quickly summarized all the information he had gathered, fully disclosing his understanding of this lava world.

There was a lot of data, but after everyone thoroughly organized it, three main pieces of information emerged:

In another parallel universe, the Ishdarians were not destroyed?

In that timeline, Carolyn became the sole ruler of her universe and descended into ours?

The ancient lava land we've been staying in is just one of many insignificant parallel timelines?

This explosion of revelations and the novel worldview instantly stunned the online forum users, leading to a storm of discussions.

Currently, the total online users in the entire gaming forum community had reached a historical peak. Everyone was discussing today's incredibly explosive plot development. People eagerly "binge-watched" the world's storyline, their anticipation not wasted by a lack of substance or an anticlimactic ending.

At their computer desks, with sunflower seeds, cola, and beer at hand, people eagerly discussed this incredible ancient deity, creating an atmosphere as lively as a World Cup match.

"So powerful, so overbearing! An ancient existence of the Hongjun level, controlling a parallel universe, directly closing off worldlines and allowing you to choose your future and fight for your destiny..."

"Hmm... this kind of domineering CEO-style plot is absolutely mind-blowing!"

"He's so cool, I want to marry him! (Excited)"

"No wonder Carolyn from that parallel universe, despite being so strong—someone of such ancient existence who should rather die than submit—was unexpectedly willing to become his devoted follower!"

"I'm also a devoted follower now (blushes)."

"Devoted follower 1."

"Now a devoted follower 2."

"The Super Ancient Deity is awesome!"

In reality, there was another major reason for this massive sensation: the sheer impact of this multiverse worldview.

Supreme beings from other parallel universes had descended to witness the drastic changes in this particular universe's worldline. The reason was a major upheaval: if the Three Pillar Gods merged, an ultimate being of their level might emerge.

The plot setting was incredibly cool!

Not only was the true origin of the Super Ancient Deity discovered, but his actions were also incredibly impressive, and this multiverse setting was so cool it was unparalleled!

But clearly, the most impacted individuals at this moment were not the casual netizens, who were merely engaging in playful banter and discussing the plot as if it were a real TV series. They offered advice to the player "Balloon Fish" on how to navigate the future amidst these momentous changes.

Instead, it was the major secret research institutes whose faces were visibly flushed with excitement! They knew more. While the situation seemed exaggerated, what was even more astounding?

It might be real!

It was a real world of heavens, not just a game!

This was the true horror of the world.

"Holy cow?!"

"F***??"

In the research institutes, perhaps influenced by the netizens' excitement, the leading experts, upon seeing this, also began to mutter to themselves and even swear.

In short: the surprise was too sudden, and no one could remain calm.

They were all top experts in the research field, many of them renowned physicists who had received various scientific awards. Only they truly understood the terrifying implications of the parallel universe theory. Even with the current advancements in physics, the theories of parallel universes and multiverses remain among Earth's biggest hypotheses!

The parallel universe is a mainstream hypothesis, proposed based on the uncertainty principle of modern quantum mechanics. This view can also explain a series of time travel paradoxes, such as the "grandfather paradox." Its popularity and controversy are comparable to those of cosmic origin theories like the "Big Bang," and even ordinary people outside the scientific community are extremely familiar with it.

But this current situation was as if someone had suddenly told them with absolute certainty:

"The universe really is infinite, diverse, and parallel!"

"Bullshit!!!"

They would have slapped them directly.

That's how hot-tempered, stubborn, and steadfast in their beliefs they were.

As the saying goes, "Boldly hypothesize, carefully verify." In the scientific community, anyone who dares to make such definitive conclusions is a fool! While hypotheses in physics have always been a crucial part of driving history forward, how can parallel universes be proven? Will you simply find a traveler from a parallel universe to demonstrate it?

Historically, there have been individuals who seemed like time-travelers, and others who claimed to be from parallel universes. Given the vastness of the universe, it should indeed hold more possibilities. However, at present, there's no way to prove such claims; at least with Earth's current human technology, verification is impossible.

But now, as they watched the worldview information continuously exploding online, they suddenly felt genuinely terrified—truly scared out of their wits!

"Multiverse spacetime?"

"Are advanced future universes truly so terrifying?"

This worldview was enough to shatter their minds over and over again.

A group of scientists in white coats, facing their computer screens, immediately launched into an excited, fervent discussion. This plot explosion didn't just break the internet; it also caused a stir in their major research institutes!

Unlike the playful antics and surprises online, the atmosphere here was unusually tense and subdued.

"Impossible! The multiverse theory cannot be true!" a staunch opponent declared, standing up.

"This is illogical!" an old man added, his brow deeply furrowed, revealing his intense internal tension and apprehension.

Of course, there were also incredibly excited scientists who supported the parallel universe theory and were loyal proponents of the folded foam universe theory. "The hypothesis of parallel universes, which I've proposed multiple times in my previous conjectures and research papers," one exclaimed. "Quantum itself has uncertainty and 'collapses' based on observation; it really is true! The world is a multiverse!"

At this moment, a proponent of the parallel universe theory and a supporter of Hawking also suddenly stood up among the crowd.

"This game is terrifying!" one exclaimed. "It's making us discover scientific truths! It truly lives up to its reputation as a game where learning makes you stronger! In Mr. Hawking's paper 'Leaving Eternal Explosions, the Universe is a Clear Path,' published in the *Journal of High Energy Physics*, a hypothesis was proposed that the multiverse is not truly multi-universal, and parallel universes are finite. This perfectly aligns with the worldview of this ancient lava land: two supreme beings from parallel universes descended, instead of an infinite number, which is enough to prove that there aren't many true parallel universes!"

Another scientist nodded, looking admiringly at the researcher, then stood up and declared with conviction: "This view is indeed very probable. Professor Hertoğ, a theoretical physicist and co-author of that paper, once stated publicly after Mr. Hawking's death that they had performed numerous complex mathematical calculations based on string theory, concluding that the so-called multiverse is finite."

"Th-th-this..." Everyone was drenched in cold sweat, their voices trembling as they struggled to control their emotions.

If it were a coincidence, wouldn't it be too much of a coincidence?

If all these coincidences point in one direction, then they are not coincidences; they can only be the truth.

The player "Balloon Fish" had also mentioned that new parallel universes could only split off if there were huge changes in the worldline!

Just like a tree with branches and forks, but not infinitely many, this theory coincidentally resembled Mr. Hawking's proposed multiverse structure.

"Oh my goodness! God bless us!" exclaimed one. "This game might confirm the hypothesis of the world's structure—it's Nobel Prize-worthy! The parallel universe theory could be a huge step for Earth!"

"But we know this game is real!" one pointed out. "What about others? We can't possibly propose this hypothesis using events from a game as scientific evidence, can we? Based on a game? That would be utterly laughable!"

"But we all know, this game is real!"

All the scientists stared in shock. All the researchers were speechless.

Discussing the science of cosmic origins based on a game, they couldn't help but feel uneasy, wondering: Are we crazy? Or is the world crazy?

Those were parallel universes! Multiverses!

That's not some random street commodity! Simply put, are there also countless versions of our Earth? Just as no two leaves are identical but countless are similar, are there countless "Earth-like" planets?

A parallel Earth where Germany won World War II?

Or an Earth where the Qing Dynasty never fell?

Or even an Earth where dinosaurs never went extinct?

The universe we are in is just one insignificant version. They even began to feel a desire to see what kind of developments those other Earths might have had.

"This is too interesting," someone said, no longer bothering to debate. "It shows us a whole new future and possibility, and it could indeed become a significant point of discussion." Everyone present was an old hand, a professional debater who could argue fiercely for their own theories.

He had already started collecting data; these screenshots and conversations would become invaluable research material, to be studied and verified by countless people.

After all, future Earth history might record "Frighten You 3000" as the first modern human on Earth to truly observe parallel universes and time-travelers.

Someone else's expression also became calm. "But if it's true," they mused, "this Super Ancient Deity is probably more terrifying than any Dao Lord. And what's more, she truly exists in the world and might even descend upon our Earth!"

"Among the myriad realms, our Earth is too weak!"

"Yes! So overbearing! With a mere gesture, she closed the worldline, allowing the beings within to decide their own fate!"

"Ridiculous, I'd rather believe this isn't real!"

Some leading figures from certain research institutes initiated a debate.

Online, the revelations completely astounded everyone. Experts from various parts of the game world also joined the discussion, including even the "red-named" players—ancient, treasure-level existences who had lived for thousands of years—who offered their own insights.

"One Sword Turtle Breath" commented: "Does this mean that the lava land parallel universe 'Balloon Fish' is currently in is too underdeveloped, and only after the Three Pillar Gods merge will an ultimate ninth-tier existence emerge? Is this historical turning point the reason top giants, Super Ancient Deities, and parallel Carolyns from other lava world parallel universes are here to observe? Wouldn't that be too exaggerated?" This individual expressed disbelief.

"Nameless Dragon" then spoke, stating he only half-believed it: "I think it might be due to differences between worlds. Each universe has its own rules. The lava world might adhere to a multiverse concept, while the Wizard World and Ancient Wood World follow a single-universe concept!"

Everyone listened and found it quite reasonable.

Taking the Wizard World as an example, if parallel timelines truly existed, then a parallel universe where Gilgamesh and the Three Witches never died should exist. In such a scenario, these grandmasters might already be ninth-tier beings and could very well descend directly into this timeline.

But since they still haven't appeared, the single-universe theory remains highly probable.

However, some also noticed that these skeptical "red-named" players might just be envious.

Envy, jealousy, and even resentment arose: with so many myriad realms, "Balloon Fish" had coincidentally arrived in such a powerful multiverse world! Its potential was immense, and this world offered great opportunities. Once stronger, might they be able to descend upon or travel through parallel universes?

"Become the sole existence in the multiverse? The supreme being traversing worldline dimensions?"

"So satisfying! There might be more than one Du Xue!"

"Balloon Fish: Hehehehe, in countless parallel universes, pure and gentle Du Xue, hot and sexy Du Xue... I have so many wives!"

"Balloon Fish: Cheating in a parallel universe doesn't count as cheating!"

Everyone: "...."

They immediately felt exasperated. What strange turn had the conversation taken now? Why did some people always have such bizarre thought processes?

The conversations continued outside, but inside, screenshots were still being sent frantically. The next second, another summarized image appeared, and everyone quickly read on.

"Balloon Fish" continued to summarize:

"The world theory mentioned above is truly terrifying," "Balloon Fish" explained, "but the subsequent dialogue between the two deities completely confirmed the parallel universe theory!"

"First," he continued, "that female deity claimed to be from the Ishdarian civilization. She also let me go and knew I was a 'special material,' meaning she must know Du Xue and me. This proves she is almost certainly Carolyn. Furthermore, she proposed the incredible concept of parallel universe travelers."

Travelers?

What kind of travelers?

Everyone was surprised and doubtful, and looked down again.

"They discussed the turmoil happening in this universe," he reported, "stating that if some talented powerhouses died, they could be received and reincarnated into their parallel universes, thereby attracting talent. Among the terms mentioned were 'we Ishdarians,' 'possibly reincarnated to attend school in a city,' and 'possibly also reincarnated as dragons or magic beasts.' At that moment, I was completely certain."

Phew...

Everyone let out a long breath. Now, everyone was excited; there was no room for denial! If the details had been vague, it might have been dismissed as speculation, but it was stated so clearly that the truth was laid bare for all to see.

It really was a multiverse setting; even travelers had appeared.

In the simplest and broadest terms, urban time-travelers in web novels often cross over to a similar parallel universe, whether ancient or modern, where they exploit their knowledge of a missing cultural element by "copying" songs, e-commerce concepts like Taobao, or poems and prose to achieve success.

It seemed the concept of parallel universes was quite complete and coincidentally fitting.

At this moment, people in the major research institutes were utterly shocked.

They had previously challenged, "How do you prove a parallel universe? Find a time-traveler to show us!" Now, travelers from parallel universes had genuinely appeared, proving them resoundingly wrong. Even more terrifying was the revelation that these cosmic rulers were secretly manipulating individuals to traverse parallel universes. Their brains completely froze at this shocking discovery.

Well, Earth's great leap forward had already begun!