Chapter 227

 【This is an experimental project called “New World.” Its name has changed several times, and its methods have evolved repeatedly over the course of hundreds of years, until a genuine breakthrough was finally achieved within the last decade.】

【Where should I begin... In our world, there is a well-known tale about a fisherman who accidentally wandered into a dreamlike village. After leaving, he discovered that the village no longer seemed to exist, as though he had stumbled into another world. For my ancestor, however, that wasn't just a legend. He experienced something remarkably similar himself.】

【From that moment onward, my family began a project to explore new worlds, eventually discovering that other worlds truly exist in different dimensions.】

Holding a pen in one hand, Ye Zheng listened to Lin Zhixing's explanation while jotting down key phrases across the blank page before her, looking every bit the diligent, attentive student.

When Lin Zhixing paused, she seized the moment to ask, “How did you discover those worlds?”

【Every world possesses its own unique consciousness frequency. When someone in this world happens to share a consciousness frequency that resonates with a particular world, they'll perceive that world through “dreams,” “inspiration,” “premonitions,” and other phenomena, creating a unique connection between themselves and that world.】

【Consciousness frequency represents the frequency of an individual's thoughts. Once two consciousness frequencies become linked, their energy fields begin to interact, influencing one another.】

Lin Zhixing spoke in a calm, measured voice, every word crisp and deliberate. Ye Zheng's hand remained almost motionless around the pen, as though only her mind was still at work, turning over every familiar and unfamiliar concept again and again.

“I understand.”

Then, all at once, something clicked.

In the other world, Lin Zhixing, standing before the massive screen, looked both surprised and bewildered. She hadn't even finished explaining. What exactly had Ye Zheng understood?

“The author of Throne of the Aberrant Realm is the very person whose consciousness frequency resonates with the world I'm living in. His consciousness connected with this world, and his thoughts shaped it. That's why the original plot that keeps trying to obstruct me came into existence.”

That connection of consciousness had granted the author "inspiration." By observing the other world, he created the story of Throne of the Aberrant Realm, producing the manga draft that contained the original plot.

The existence of Throne of the Aberrant Realm, in turn, began exerting its own influence over Ye Zheng's world.

“Seen from that perspective, the reason the popularity generated by readers can be converted into action points that help me break free from the original plot's restraints...”

“...is because my consciousness frequency has become linked with more and more readers whose frequencies resonate with mine.”

“The influence I exert across both worlds gradually counteracts, and eventually even overwhelms, the manga author's influence. That's why the plot's restrictions have continued to weaken, to the point where killing Sykes only required one thousand action points.”

As she spoke, the pen tip whispered softly across the paper. Then Ye Zheng smiled, halted the pen, and abruptly steered the conversation elsewhere.

“When the consciousness frequencies of two worlds grow closer and closer, reaching a certain point... will something extraordinary happen?”

“Your true objective... is to connect the two worlds in the truest sense.”

Just as the Aberrant Realms had descended upon the world she inhabited. The instant that thought crossed Ye Zheng's mind, the smile slowly disappeared from her face.

Beyond the screen, Lin Zhixing looked at her with unmistakable admiration. She couldn't help feeling grateful that she had chosen to cooperate openly with Ye Zheng instead of treating her like one of those paper-thin tools, as the old and young fools who still believed everything remained under their control continued to do.

Lin Zhixing cleared her throat before continuing, her voice as steady as ever.

【Ye Zheng, your analysis is correct.】

【The so-called popularity, along with the affection of readers and audiences, exists solely to bring the consciousness frequencies of the two worlds closer together, until the day they become truly connected.】

Ye Zheng nodded. Then a flicker of confusion crossed her eyes.

“But I still don't understand why you chose me.”

“In the original story of Throne of the Aberrant Realm, I was the character least likely to earn the readers' affection or resonate with them.”

At Ye Zheng's question, Lin Zhixing fell silent for a brief moment. When she finally spoke again, her voice had softened almost imperceptibly.

【I was the one who chose you.】

Ye Zheng blinked in surprise. Judging from the clues scattered throughout the original plot of Throne of the Aberrant Realm, she could already infer that even without the system, the original "Ye Zheng" would've never allowed the manga author's consciousness to manipulate her at will. Even so, the Ye Zheng standing here today had undeniably reached this point with the help of both the system and the readers.

“Thank you... thank you, everyone.”

A playful glimmer sparkled in Ye Zheng's dark eyes as she leaned forward with genuine curiosity.

“Then why did you choose me?”

【......】

【Because I felt like it, and because it amused me.】

“Hmm?”

The answer was entirely unexpected.

【The manga author's consciousness had an exceptionally deep connection with your world. But after observing the future development of Throne of the Aberrant Realm, it was obvious that such a garbage plot would never become truly popular or accomplish its intended purpose. So this insignificant little project ended up being handed over to me.】

【I don't like this experimental project, and I don't like working with that man either. He'd argue with me over even the smallest setting... so I chose you.】

【The most obedient and most beautiful Saintess in the entire manga, the very embodiment of that guy's ideal woman. I didn't choose you because I thought you had the potential to become a popular character. I chose you because my intuition told me you could make that pretentious old bastard completely lose his mind.】

A hint of guilt flickered across Lin Zhixing's face, tempered by unmistakable relief.

【Judging from the outcome... my intuition was right.】

Ye Zheng slowly tilted her head to one side and let out a quiet, absent-minded, “Ah.”

The reason this entire story had begun was, in the end, astonishingly arbitrary...

Soon, Ye Zheng dismissed the thought with an unconcerned smile. “Alright. I understand the entire sequence of events now.”

“Tell me, Miss Lin, what exactly does this cooperation you mentioned entail?”

From the attitude woven through Lin Zhixing's words, it was clear she opposed her family's “New World” plan. But her position within the family wasn't high enough to challenge it openly, leaving her with no choice but to voice her quiet resistance through passive compliance at work.

【They've already noticed you and believe you're the next breakthrough for the “New World” plan. I think so too.】

【But I don't want this plan to make any breakthrough. Ye Zheng, you understand, don't you? The world you live in is already riddled with holes, with other worlds crossing into it every single day. I can't bear the thought of my own world becoming the same.】

【My authority is limited, but I'll do everything within my power to help you accomplish your goal.】

【To stop my family's madness, I hope you can... kill the manga author. He's the point of contact between the two worlds. If he's eliminated, it might be enough to stop...】

“Since they see me as the breakthrough, why haven't you tried to eliminate me instead?”

“After all, my influence over both worlds seems to be greater now.”

Ye Zheng spoke in an unhurried tone, a faint trace of mischief coloring her teasing remark.

On the other end, she heard Lin Zhixing draw what sounded like a deep breath.

【...Because I'm a Ye Zheng mom too, okay?】

The answer left Ye Zheng at a loss for words. It felt a little like being kissed out of nowhere.

【Just kidding. I really don't want to become your enemy.】

The last man who had tried to get rid of Ye Zheng and push a new character into the spotlight had already been laid to rest. When she attended his funeral, she'd come dangerously close to laughing out loud.

【Besides, I really do like you, Ye Zheng.】

Lin Zhixing's voice turned earnest.

【There's one thing you got wrong. The original plot isn't losing its influence because your consciousness frequency has synchronized with more and more readers who resonate with you. It's because more and more readers have begun to develop the same consciousness frequency because of you.】

“…So that's how it is.”

Ye Zheng let out a quiet chuckle and extended her right hand into the empty air, miming the gesture of a handshake.

“I accept your proposal. I'll stop the connection between the two worlds. Before that, I need your help getting back to five hundred years ago.”

【Alright!】