During the swimming, Jiang Baimian wasn't particularly anxious because she had been searching for the next island for a long time, and according to common sense, she should have some gains during this period.

As time passed, she suddenly saw a small island rising in front of her.

Faint golden light flickered on the island.

Jiang Baimian's spirits lifted, feeling that she should be reaching the point of being accommodated.

The island's external characteristics were exactly the same as those described by Shang Jianyao!

However, Jiang Baimian didn't speed up her swimming. She maintained her original rhythm, focusing her energy on thinking about what she should do later.

She believed that she couldn't win with numbers. The first collision had almost no hope of achieving "reconciliation" and completing the accommodation. Therefore, in the case of failure having no negative impact, first probing the other self to figure out what they were obsessed with, and then formulating a plan based on that, would be an effective countermeasure.

With many thoughts swirling, Jiang Baimian arrived at the edge of the island, reached out, grabbed hold, and climbed up.

Unsurprisingly, she saw a golden elevator that seemed to lead to the depths of the earth, and at the elevator entrance, leaned a familiar figure.

That figure was nearly 1.8 meters tall, with wheat-colored skin, bold and bright features, and black hair tied into a neat ponytail at the back of her head. It was Jiang Baimian herself.

The difference was that this figure wasn't wearing a gray camouflage uniform, but was dressed in Jiang Baimian's favorite set of light white cotton pajamas and pants, looking refreshed and slightly lazy.

That "Jiang Baimian" smiled and said:

"I know you won't attack rashly. Let's chat first."

"Okay." Jiang Baimian carried out her predetermined plan, "What reason are you planning to use to prevent me from entering the 'Mind Corridor'?"

That "Jiang Baimian" smiled slightly:

"Why would I want to prevent you from entering the 'Mind Corridor'?

"For us, this is a great thing!"

"Then why are you blocking the elevator entrance?" Jiang Baimian's superficial state was quite relaxed.

That "Jiang Baimian" replied seriously:

"To discuss the issue of who is in charge."

"Oh?" Jiang Baimian used an interjection to express her doubt.

That "Jiang Baimian" looked at her and said:

"Don't you have any hesitation in your heart right now? Our dream is to investigate the cause of the Old World's destruction and the source of 'Heartless Disease,' and it has already been achieved.

"The latter comes from the absorption of human consciousness by 'New World' and higher-level awakeners, while the former should be that the Eighth Research Institute's research into human consciousness delved into the forbidden zone of the gods, awakening the sleeping Governing Gods in the darkness. They肆无忌惮enjoyed the 'delicious food,' stirring up a storm of 'Heartless Disease.' When many key personnel became 'Heartless Ones,' they attacked the surrounding normal humans, and the automatic defense system began to operate. Human-made weapons almost destroyed human civilization."

"The latter speculation cannot be confirmed yet," Jiang Baimian commented fairly. "It remains for Shang Jianyao to do further exploration in the 'New World.' After all, before the destruction of the Old World, many Governing Gods had incarnations active on the earth, not looking like they were sleeping in the darkness."

That "Jiang Baimian" didn't refute, just smiled:

"That's right, but it doesn't mean anything to you and me.

"In the case that we may not be able to enter the 'New World' for several years, our work, our dream, has come to an end. It's time to consider more realistic issues.

"Don't argue. I know very well that you actually don't want to enter the 'New World,' to be imprisoned in that mental jail, where you may not be able to return even once a year."

Jiang Baimian was silent.

After learning from Shang Jianyao that one of the uses of the "New World" was to restrict the freedom of high-level awakeners, she, like that Emperor Olay of "First City" back then, was full of resistance to going further.

Although she thought it was a good thing that the Governing Gods forcibly restrained the strong in the "New World," her feelings would be different if she were a member of the strong in the "New World."

In order not to fall into such a predicament, she sincerely didn't want to push open the door to the "New World."

Of course, in terms of her current level, it was still too early to consider this issue. Those thoughts were a natural reaction after understanding the corresponding truth.

That "Jiang Baimian" continued:

"You and I also don't have the noble sentiments and selfless hearts to save all of humanity like Wei. We are not made of special materials after all. We will not shed our blood for such vague righteousness.

"Let Wei slowly explore in the 'New World.' One day he will be able to tell us some details of the Old World's destruction, and we should return to the company."

In Jiang Baimian's understanding, the Old World's destruction was clearly directly related to words such as "Eighth Research Institute," "Human Consciousness Research," "Forbidden Zone of the Gods," and "Governing Gods," but there were still many details missing on how to organize these keywords.

Jiang Baimian frowned and said:

"Go back to be livestock raised by the big boss?

"Worrying every day about when you will become a 'Heartless One'?"

That "Jiang Baimian" smiled:

"You actually know very well that we don't need to care much about this issue.

"This time we go back, we can enter the management. The incidence of 'Heartless Disease' is very, very low for the management and their immediate family members.

"Do you want to challenge the Governing Gods for a large number of strangers, changing your and your parents', brother's, and sister-in-law's original comfortable life?"

Jiang Baimian was silent for a moment.

After several seconds, she sighed long in her heart.

She probably knew which weak point in her humanity this person in front of her originated from.

This was the selfish her.

…………

"New World."

Shang Jianyao leaned against the wall, observing the situation at the target location through the window on the sixth floor.

This observation lasted for half a day, but the entrance to the gray-blue classical house was silent. There was no one coming or going, and the light on the top floor hadn't changed.

"No one has visited for so long, and they haven't gone out either. Aren't they bored staying at home alone?" Shang Jianyao muttered.

The Shang Jianyao who sought novelty and wonder deeply agreed:

"What's the difference between this and being locked in a jail?

"In a regular jail, there are still people to chat with, and occasionally you can fight to vent."

"When did you get the illusion that this isn't a jail?" the honest Shang Jianyao countered.

The Shang Jianyao who sought novelty and wonder was speechless. After a few seconds, he forcibly explained:

"What I mean is, since we are locked in a jail, then getting to know a few more friends to chat with and fighting with other awakeners can help relieve mental stress.

"Staying at home alone like this, without going out and without guests, is really going to be depressing!"

The honest Shang Jianyao asked again:

"How do you know that the awakener represented by that light hasn't gone crazy?"

"Yeah, yeah, it's good to chat with ourselves like this," said the compliant Shang Jianyao, because the Shang Jianyao who sought novelty and wonder chose to be silent.

Discussing to this point, Shang Jianyao continued to observe the target building while conjuring paper and pen.

——It was a bit difficult for him to conjure weapons, but these small objects were no problem.

Then, using the wall as a pad, he刷刷刷wrote a title on the paper:

"On the Impact of 'New World' Confined Environment and Monotonous Interpersonal Relationships on Mental State"

After preparing the beginning, Shang Jianyao hesitated for a while and couldn't put down the pen.

In the end, he wrote:

"Please Ms. Jiang Baimian to research."

"Phew..." Shang Jianyao exhaled and ended this self-entertainment.

After waiting for a while, he decided to split himself since he still had no gains, letting some of his selves go to the Mind Room to find some fun.

Obviously, stepping into the "New World" had a more serious cost for him. It was just that he was restricted by the rules here, so it wasn't expressed too directly, and he couldn't act as if he was divided into ten.

In his mind world, the autonomy and independence of the Shang Jianyaos had been further improved, and a few Shang Jianyaos had also been enhanced.

Therefore, Shang Jianyao was now able to have some of his selves playing cards in the Mind Room, and some controlling the body, on the job.

If he could still explore other people's rooms, he could also let only one of his selves enter.

In the "Mind Corridor," in Room "131," several idle Shang Jianyaos looked at each other, all expecting the other to come up with good suggestions for fun.

After a brief silence, the rash Shang Jianyao waved his hand and said:

"Why not go to the 'Origin Sea' and see if there are any changes in the gap representing Xiao Chong?

"We have all entered the 'New World.' Studying that gap again will definitely have different discoveries!

"If Xiao Chong is really the childhood body of 'Zhuang Sheng,' is the other end of the gap perhaps inside the High Tower?"

The other Shang Jianyaos' eyes lit up upon hearing this.

The Shang Jianyao with a cheerful personality smiled and said:

"Maybe if we趴on the gap, we can see the situation inside the High Tower."

"But Xiao Chong obviously doesn't want to return to the 'New World' or the High Tower. He's probably窝in a human settlement playing games," said the honest Shang Jianyao.

The rash Shang Jianyao was too lazy to argue, turned his body, and said:

"Let's go take a look first!"