Chapter 443: Conjecture

Translator: AnubisTL

The vertigo from passing through the spatial rift arrived as expected, but this time, the strangeness Jieming felt was far more distinct.

It wasn’t a simple sense of “familiarity.”

When his squad members behind him asked questions, when he raised his hand to present Artorius’s orders, when the sixth-tier wizards from the vigilance force flew over to interrogate them…

Every single moment, the scene before his eyes seemed to perfectly overlap with a blurred double image in his mind.

He could even “foresee” the tone of the next sentence spoken to him, the faint omens of changing energy flows around him, and the exact moment the insect tide on the distant horizon would begin to stir.

This wasn’t déjà vu. It was memory.

When he saw the two thousand support wizards behind him, their expressions tinged with bewilderment, the thought struck him like a lightning bolt, tearing through the fog.

The reincarnation had already occurred many times, and this was yet another starting point.

And these constantly repeating, and each time clearer “déjà vu” moments… were his own memories from the past!

The Adaptive Evolution of the Body Tempering Method… Jieming immediately understood.

Deep within the body tempered a thousand times by the Body Tempering Method, after withstanding physical impact, energy erosion, spiritual interference, and even time-slowing force fields, a more subtle, more profound “adaptability” was awakening.

It no longer merely protected the body; it had begun to anchor his existence, resisting the total reset of the individual “Jieming” caused by the reversal of time.

Though he still could not fully retain his memories, this ever-strengthening “déjà vu” was evidence in itself.

His consciousness, his soul, was gradually gaining resistance to the law of “Time Reincarnation.”

He quickly focused his mind. In the interval while waiting for Frost, he sank his consciousness into his internal grotto-heaven.

Four metal plaques stood silently: 1, 2, 3, 4.

The plaque for the number “5” had not yet been crafted, but behind the first four plaques, the number of recording crystals had grown so large they needed to be stored in separate areas.

Jieming quickly scanned the information recorded on the fourth plaque and the newly added piles of crystals behind it.

There, sealed away, was all the data observed during the last general assault, as well as the monitoring instruments he had “rescued” at the last moment, all of which were in a state of overload.

Information persisted.

Knowledge accumulated.

This was the foundation of the wizards’ resistance against the reincarnation.

The meeting with Frost was efficient, almost programmatic.

Jieming handed over the crystal containing the key data summary from the fourth cycle. After a quick glance, Frost arrived at the exact same conclusion as the previous cycle, without the slightest hesitation.

“Slow the offensive, maintain pressure, and extend the research window,” Frost said, his words concise and forceful. His gaze, however, lingered on Jieming’s face, filled with deeper scrutiny. “Your ‘special space’ is operating more stably than expected. Through three consecutive cycles, the data chain has shown no signs of rupture or corruption.”

“The Grandmentor’s handiwork is naturally solid,” Jieming replied, his expression unchanged.

“Very well.” Frost nodded, choosing not to press further. He instead began issuing detailed tactical adjustment orders.

With the massive accumulation of data from the first two cycles—especially the last general offensive—the new round of research was finally breaking through fragmented observations, advancing toward a more systematic theoretical framework.

The accuracy of the predictive model for “time ripples” had improved significantly, and a preliminary framework for analyzing the correlation between the Scythe-Skull Race’s social structure and their reincarnation tolerance had also been established.

However, the tranquil routine of research was shattered on this day.

Frost personally arrived at Jieming’s Core Laboratory, waving his hand to erect a soundproofing barrier.

“Consultant Jieming,” he said, his gaze calm yet piercing. “Regarding the observation instruments you used at the end of the last reincarnation—what is their current status?”

Jieming’s heart stirred slightly, but he answered truthfully: “The instruments themselves are basically intact. Although they were overclocked before the time reversal, causing slight wear on some components and fatigue in the energy circuits, they are completely ready for reuse after inspection and recharging.”

Frost nodded and continued his inquiry: “What about the blank crystals used to record that data? And the basic materials used to manufacture these instruments and consumables—such as the ‘void induction alloy’ used to construct the energy scanning array, and the ‘inert crystalline shell’ used to encapsulate the pheromone capture core—do you know their source?”

The questions grew increasingly specific, their implications more pointed.

Jieming had a faint idea of what was happening, but he maintained his composure. “Most of the equipment was manufactured or modified using strategic supplies brought by our wizard expeditionary force. A small portion of the specialized materials was synthesized from local resources gathered in the occupied zone. Commander, is there a problem?”

Frost stared at him for several seconds before speaking slowly. “The Logistics Department discovered a slight but inexplicable discrepancy in the inventory data while organizing a new round of supply allocation. After tracing and comparing, the types and quantities of the missing supplies perfectly match the list of instruments and consumables you used in your last report and ‘urgently recovered’ at the final moment.”

He paused, his voice devoid of emotion. “Normally, after time reverses, all consumed supplies are restored. But those materials you stored in the ‘Recorder’ space… did not return. They have ‘disappeared’ from this timeline.”

So that’s it.

Jieming understood immediately.

His internal grotto-heaven existed independently of this plane’s flow of time. Items stored within it were effectively cut out of the current cycle’s “time.”

When time rewound and reset everything, the items within the grotto-heaven were preserved due to the independent spacetime they occupied.

However, their “existence” in the original timeline was consequently erased, leading to anomalies in the supply records.

“I understand, Commander. This was my oversight—I failed to consider this possibility,” Jieming admitted candidly. “In future logs and reports, I will list this ‘consumption’ separately to prevent any confusion in logistics accounting.”

“No, I’m not assigning blame,” Frost shook his head, a flicker of intrigue crossing his eyes. “I was merely confirming a phenomenon. It seems your ‘special space’ is more than just an information vault… It has become a unique ‘time paradox generator’ in its own right. This is fascinating.”

After seeing Frost off, Jieming sank into deep thought.

It was now confirmed that the grotto-heaven could preserve external supplies.

But what if it preserved materials inherent to this plane itself?

A bolder idea began to take shape in his mind.

Back at the research group, Jieming didn’t hold back, sharing Frost’s discovery and his own thoughts with the core members.

“So you mean,” Allison’s eyes lit up, instantly grasping the key point, “your space is a ‘Safe House’ independent of the Reincarnation Plane’s timeline. If you put external items inside, they won’t be reset.”

“But if it’s an item from this plane… theoretically, after time rewinds, it should ‘revert’ to its original state in nature or within a living organism. But now it’s in your space, in a state of being ‘removed.’ What would that cause?”

(End of the Chapter)