Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1978: Chapter 1933: Mathematical Bliss (34)

Regarding the secondary industry, Fu Qian had always dabbled in it and quickly corrected his judgment based on what he saw.

The visibility in the space ahead was not high, making it impossible to see where the giant gripper came from.

But in a fleeting glance, its impactful design left a deep impression.

It was definitely organic material, dark red, with a long, regular chain-like shape that swung in an elegant arc over time.

And the position of the gripper at the end was much thicker by comparison, looking like a rapidly splitting tree crown—or the dendrites of neuron cells.

Sure enough, the first feeling Fu Qian had upon seeing it was the shape he had once witnessed in biology class, making the sight even more intriguing.

And once this idea was introduced, the term ”chemical euphoria” seemed more reasonable.

Neurons are responsible for transporting pleasure, while the individuals in the Nutrition Chambers, unaware of the truth of the world, are brought here to undergo infusion.

An interesting point, in addition, is that each Nutrition Chamber on the platforms had a unique sheen and corresponded to their respective infusion platforms.

In conjunction with previous speculation, it seems the operating pattern of this level can be somewhat sketched out.

For instance, the ”euphoria” supplied via the umbilical cord requires periodic infusion and replenishment, which is why the gripper continuously transports the Nutrition Chambers back and forth.

At the same time, as time progresses, tolerance increases step by step, so the infused substances need continuous upgrading, and the corresponding structures are constantly discarded, leading to so many withered umbilical cords.

After he efficiently chose to ”cut off” euphoria, to create a distraction, the entity behind drove the gripper to bring his Nutrition Chamber to a lower-level infusion platform, activating a temporary substitute.

Of course, in the end, it still could not achieve its desired outcome.

While silently organizing his thoughts, Fu Qian watched the Nutrition Chamber being taken away by the dendrite gripper until it disappeared.

At the same time, another gripper swung over and grabbed the now-empty Nutrition Chamber in front of him.

The gripper seemed unperturbed by the open hatch and significantly lighter contents, not affecting the operation at all.

Being very close made the observation clearer.

The numerous slender, chaotic tips of the gripper quickly coiled around the Nutrition Chamber, latching on tightly with seeming suction cups, lifting it effortlessly.

The direction was different from the previous one, and throughout the process, it did not touch him.

...

Indeed, it was like a set assembly line without obvious subjective intent.

So, the question arises, if his Nutrition Chamber appeared here under the manipulation of that being, then how did it do it?

Infiltrate the manufacturing system? Or occupy the position of plant manager?

Imagining what’s above this level truly challenges the imagination.

But one thing is imaginable: if it awakened level by level just like him, it likely went through the current process as well.

Came to this place, walking stark naked through a blood-and-flesh factory.

Moving to the side, Fu Qian sat down along the platform’s edge.

This raised workstation did not reveal an exit in its design, seemingly without such considerations.

However, this side here had the gentlest slope around the platform.

Coupling with the evident flesh-like material below, the platform, though high, seemed not too dangerous to slide down from—indeed, it wasn’t.

In the next moment, Fu Qian already reached the ground with muscle-like texture.

Rougher in comparison, but the surface layer of mucus greatly reduced bodily friction, and he stood up as soon as sliding stopped.

It should be in that direction.

Everything around remained unresponsive, and Fu Qian, without any pause, quickly decided on a direction to move forward.

It was the direction in which the Nutrition Chambers were carried by the grippers.

...

It really was an unmanned factory.

The road was somewhat treacherous to walk on, yet Fu Qian maintained an impressive pace, swiftly passing four infusion platforms.

No obstruction was encountered along the way, nor did he see any humanoid creatures like himself, freely moving—though there were many lacking freedom.

After climbing a slope, Fu Qian finally reached the edge of this place.

It was an arched wall of flesh and blood, towering all the way up, enclosing everything inside.

Its surface was quite peculiar, not smooth, with convolutions resembling cerebral cortex patterns.

Embedded among many of these convolutions were Nutrition Chambers of the same type he had been in, with vague humanoid outlines visible inside.

All was very quiet.

It looked like, when not undergoing infusion ordinarily, people rested here on this surrounding wall, enjoying extreme bliss.

Furthermore, visible at the range of vision’s edge was his own, proving he hadn’t erred in direction.

Though far, its nearly empty shell was still discernible.

An interesting point stood out, and right next to the shell was another equally recognizable empty shell.

The liquid inside was already completely spilled out.

Ancient Man’s old residence?

This was nearly Fu Qian’s first reaction.

After all, he didn’t have good intentions coming here, and under destiny’s connection, being close to the traces left by the target seemed quite normal?

Of course, from a perceptive perspective, rationally speaking, not many could reach this third level and exit the Nutrition Chamber, so the probability of it being that one wasn’t low.

Overall, this first step in exploration yielded rather interesting information.

Simultaneously, there was an additional gain, proving that his choice to leave the Nutrition Chamber early was correct. At the height of this wall, descending safely seemed quite challenging now.

As for what to do thereafter... if we assume the thinking pattern of that former Awakener, where might they go after emerging, searching for the next opportunity?

Fu Qian surveyed the area; the configuration of this section kept outlining itself in his mind, and at a certain moment, he naturally looked towards a particular spot.

The reason was simple and classic.

Unlike the previous workstations, it appeared by the edge’s flesh-and-blood wall, a straight ascending stairway.

In such a scenario, it’s almost like engraving, ”I am the path to ascend.”

Anyone breaking out of their cocoon might think to check it out—but Fu Qian wasn’t inclined.

Quite special, but just now when attempting to assume the Ancient Man’s mindset, a certain vague impulse or Inspiration surprisingly appeared, pointing unmistakably to another location.

A familiar-shaped infusion tower, even the faint gleam on its structure felt familiar—matching his Nutrition Chamber.

It’s the original charging location, suspected to possess the highest potency in this place.