Chapter 439: Research

Translator: AnubisTL

They were abandoning a vast number of outer outposts, concentrating their forces into a few key areas.

In the abandoned areas, they had even left behind intact production facilities, research data, and even larval nurseries they hadn’t had time to evacuate.

It was the posture of a force preparing for a desperate last stand.

“What are they thinking?”

Frost stared at the map, his brow furrowed as he looked at the areas that had been heavily defended but were now being captured rapidly.

If they wanted more intelligence, the Scythe-Skull Race should have fought fiercely. After all, no matter how heavy the casualties, everything would revert to its original state after the time reversal. There was no reason for them to fight so timidly.

Meanwhile, in the research center of the camp’s core area.

Jieming, wearing a white lab coat, stood before a three-meter-tall transparent incubation pod.

Inside the pod, the corpse of a Scythe-Skull Race member floated.

The body was a rare “worker bee” variant.

It was smaller, with a thinner carapace. Its forelimbs were specialized into delicate manipulation organs, and its compound eyes were structured for close-range observation.

“We found this one at the ‘Creep Farm,'” Allison, a fourth-tier witch, said as she pointed to the corpse. “They were responsible for tending to a type of fungus that secretes high-energy nutrient fluid, which is the primary food for the Scythe-Skull larvae.”

Jieming nodded, his divine sense sweeping over the corpse.

In his perception, the energy circuits within the body were abnormally clear. It wasn’t a lingering trace after death, but rather some kind of… “stunted development” state.

“Have you dissected it?” he asked.

“Of course.” Allison walked to the nearby console and brought up a series of holographic images. “Look here… its nervous system has seven layers of redundant backup, its digestive system can adapt to seventeen different energy sources, and its reproductive system… is completely degenerate. This isn’t a complete organism; it’s more like some kind of ‘multi-functional tool.'”

Hearing this conclusion, Jieming couldn’t help but frown.

Such a structure was common in some insect swarms with a hive mind, but the Scythe-Skull Race merely resembled insects in habit and appearance. In essence, they were highly advanced lifeforms with independent minds.

These creatures even had their own culture and advanced technology!

For such a structure to appear in a highly advanced lifeform felt completely wrong.

Allison continued her explanation: “We’ve captured many mutant specimens before, but this one is the most highly differentiated. It even exceeds our previous expectations for this race.”

The image zoomed in, revealing a more microscopic structure.

“But thanks to this sample, we’ve finally made a breakthrough in studying their genetic material.” Allison pointed to a simulated diagram of a gene chain. “We compared it with genetic material from twelve other different variants and found that the differences are primarily concentrated in the expression regulatory regions—it’s like having the same set of building blocks, but by assembling them differently, you can create completely different things.”

Jieming stared at the flashing gene nodes, a thought striking him.

“So the various variants of the Scythe-Skull Race aren’t actually independent ‘species,’ but rather phenotypes of the same species at different developmental stages or induced by different environments?”

“More accurately, it’s ‘metamorphosis,'” Allison corrected. “Like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, except the Scythe-Skull Race’s ‘metamorphosis’ is far more extreme and controllable.”

“Interesting…” Jieming couldn’t help but rub his chin. “This race… is artificial? So the Scythe-Skull Race is actually a runaway artificial creation?”

“Exactly. A naturally evolved species wouldn’t exhibit such controllable changes. And…”

Allison switched the image, this time displaying a series of larval development records.

“We intercepted surveillance data from several breeding grounds,” she explained. “We discovered that the Scythe-Skull larvae undergo at least three major morphological changes during their development. Each change requires a specific environmental stimulus—temperature, energy concentration, pheromone signals, and even… time pressure.”

“Time pressure?” Jieming immediately seized upon the phrase.

Allison’s expression turned grave.

“This is a recent discovery, not yet included in the official report,” she said, lowering her voice. “We analyzed data from thirty-seven different breeding grounds and found that all larval development reacts to a specific type of fluctuation. When the fluctuation arrives, the larvae’s metamorphosis accelerates by more than three hundred times, then returns to normal speed once the fluctuation ends.”

A chill ran down Jieming’s spine.

“That fluctuation…”

“We’re temporarily calling it the ‘Reincarnation Ripple,'” Allison said. “It was discovered by a logistics wizard who has mastered the laws of time. According to him, he was actually simulating the law fluctuations that occur after time reversal ends.”

A brief silence fell over the laboratory.

Nearby wizards, who had been conducting experiments, paused their work and gathered around.

“So you’re saying,” a fifth-tier male wizard wearing tactical glasses pushed up his frames, his voice laced with incredulous excitement, “the Scythe-Skull Race’s development is bound to the plane’s time reincarnation? With each cycle, a portion of their population develops into the necessary forms based on information left from the previous round?”

In Jieming’s mind, the fragments began to piece together: That means the time reversal in this plane has been ongoing far longer than we imagined. We can only observe and experience the time elapsed since we entered this plane.

“It’s incredibly efficient,” another wizard remarked. “Think about it: a civilization could continuously trial-and-error through countless reincarnations, cultivating the most war-adapted variants with minimal resources. In terms of timing, they could even be fully prepared for the enemy’s arrival before the enemy even appears.”

“If they can break through the plane’s restrictions…”

“Then they will become a true natural disaster.”

Amidst the discussion, Jieming silently took out his recording crystal and logged the entire conversation and the research data.

But his mind had already drifted in another direction.

If the Scythe-Skull Race’s development is bound to their reincarnation…

Then could the “device,” or rather the “mechanism,” that controls reincarnation be the same one that controls their development?

Taking it a step further…

If we can decipher the mechanism behind the Scythe-Skull Race’s metamorphic development and the way they transmit information during each reincarnation, could we indirectly discover the method they use to reverse time?

The thought made his heart race.

He looked at Allison. “How far have you gotten in your research on the Scythe-Skull Race’s information transmission mechanism? Is it… possible to simulate it artificially?”

Allison froze for a moment, then a spark lit up her eyes.

“You mean…”

The laboratory fell silent once more.

The wizards were all brilliant minds. Jieming’s suggestion had immediately made them grasp his intent.

They exchanged glances, quickly confirming the feasibility of the plan.

“Theoretically, it’s possible,” Allison said, licking her lips. “But we need more samples, especially development data from high-tier individuals. And simulating the information signals will require an enormous amount of computing power…”

“I’ll make the request,” Jieming said. “Commander Frost will approve it—as long as we can prove the value of this research direction.”

(End of the Chapter)