Chen Chuan’s gaze fell on the document. He picked it up and began to read its contents, which consisted entirely of confidentiality clauses for their conversation.

However, the restrictions weren’t absolute. Depending on the circumstances, the signatory could disclose limited information to their immediate family, but those family members would also have to sign a confidentiality agreement, and the number was capped at two people.

The agreement was thorough, with clauses that seemed to cover every possible angle.

He also noticed a nearly imperceptible pattern at the bottom of the page and suspected that some kind of formal Esoteric Ritual had been applied to the document.

’Such a binding agreement must mean this is no simple matter. It has to involve the true secrets buried beneath Central City.’

’I’ve come this far, getting into Central City faster than anyone else, partly to seize whatever advantage might be available.’

The hidden truth was now within his grasp. The door was right in front of him; all he had to do was reach out and push. He certainly wasn’t going to miss this chance.

So, without the slightest hesitation, he set the agreement down, picked up a nearby pen, and signed his name.

In that same instant, he felt a faint, ethereal quality manifest on his Second Self and linger there. It felt like some form of long-term monitoring, but it wasn’t physically harmful.

He paid it no mind and looked up at the two people across from him.

Seeing that Chen Chuan had signed the agreement, the woman stepped forward to retrieve it. She first scanned it with a Realm Token, seemingly to record it, before handing it to Specialist Liang.

Specialist Liang took it, looked it over, and handed it back to her. The woman then walked to the side and sealed the document in a pre-prepared metal box.

Specialist Liang looked at Chen Chuan, his expression turning serious. "Mr. Chen, since you’ve chosen to sign the agreement, please listen carefully to what I’m about to tell you."

He paused. "The world we inhabit is on the verge of a tremendous crisis..." He spoke slowly. "Another world is gradually drawing closer to ours."

Chen Chuan’s gaze sharpened. "Another world?"

Specialist Liang nodded. "Yes, another world. Our current understanding of that place is so limited we can only summarize it with the single word ’world.’ In truth, even though we have been fighting against it for a long time, what we know is still extremely limited."

"And now, the two worlds are attracting and pulling on each other, slowly drawing closer."

Chen Chuan suddenly remembered something. ’That giant vortex I saw in the sky when I reached the Third Limit... could that have been it?’

He thought for a moment before looking up. "Specialist Liang, what is this ’world’ like? And when did it begin to approach ours?"

Specialist Liang said, "In truth, this world didn’t just suddenly appear. It has made contact with us more than once since ancient times."

"More than once?"

"Yes. To use an analogy, the two worlds are like a pair of celestial bodies orbiting and attracting one another. Sometimes the distance between us is great, and other times it is small. When we are far apart, its influence on us is weak, but when we are close, its influence is profound."

Specialist Liang said grimly, "The rise and fall of the old dynasties, the ebbs and flows of civilization—they are all inextricably linked to this world’s influence on us."

"When it draws near, we call it a ’Period of Change.’ When it recedes, we call it a ’Cold Silence Period.’"

"But for some unknown reason, that has changed. Now, the other world is drawing ever closer, and the ’Period of Change’ is extending indefinitely, with no end in sight..."

At this point, his voice became incredibly heavy. "According to our observations, if this trend continues, there will come a day when this world might fully press against our own."

"We don’t know what will happen then, but it will definitely be an unprecedented crisis. So we have temporarily named it... the Great Collision."

"The Great Collision..."

A chill ran through Chen Chuan. He could already imagine the cataclysm just from the name. His thoughts turned, and he asked, "Specialist Liang, may I ask how long we have until the Great Collision?"

Specialist Liang replied in a low voice, "We can’t give you a precise timeline, but the duration has already exceeded the historical limits for a Period of Change for at least the last two hundred years."

"Based on our long-term observations and projections, if we do nothing, it could happen in as little as two or three years. At most, maybe ten or twenty. It all depends on our own efforts."

Chen Chuan said, "Are you saying we can do something to avert this, Specialist Liang?"

"Crisis also brings opportunity," Specialist Liang said. "The convergence with that world has also caused our own to undergo continuous, unprecedented changes."

"The Old Empires, in their bid to maintain their rule, invested vast resources into researching this convergence of worlds. But they never expected it to have another effect: a revolution that unfolded in just over a hundred years."

"Over the last century, technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. The emergence of high-energy algae, the outbreak of the Algae Oil Revolution—the global landscape shifted again and again. Several empires that had ruled for hundreds, even thousands of years, collapsed one after another. Their research findings were absorbed by the nations that rose in their wake."

"This was followed by the dawn of a new era. The various nations and corporations that had toppled the Old Empires formed the Grand Alliance."

"To deal with the coming crisis, we concentrated our resources at the points of connection and leakage between the two worlds, building cities and defensive positions. These are meant to capture the first information that comes through the convergence and to receive or isolate whatever comes from the Opposite World..."

As Specialist Liang spoke, a global map materialized around him, projected onto the wide, curved wall. The outlines of the continents were clearly visible. Then, points of light began to appear, scattered across the entire planet.

"Those are the Central Cities—the nexuses and anchor points between the two worlds, as well as the frontline fortresses of our resistance. The Jibei Dao Central City, where we stand right now, is one of them."

Chen Chuan looked at the points of light on the map. The Dashun Republic was a global power, and it controlled over a fifth of the world’s Central Cities, a share befitting the nation’s sheer scale.

Specialist Liang turned to face the map, his gaze on the lights. He spoke with a hint of regret. "Unfortunately, the Grand Alliance lasted for less than thirty years before it fell apart. Now, it exists in name only, serving as little more than a communication platform between various nations and corporations."

Chen Chuan watched the map for a moment before asking, "What is the other world like?"

Specialist Liang said, "No one can say for sure. The things there aren’t like what we’re used to in the Material World. Hmm, you’re aware of anomalous phenomena, aren’t you?"

"I am," Chen Chuan confirmed. ’The official term "anomalous phenomena" includes everything from urban legends to the forces leveraged by Esoteric Rituals. They’re all lumped into one category.’

Specialist Liang continued, "Some of those phenomena are a result of the two worlds’ influence on each other, while others are a direct expression of the Opposite World. Perhaps that will help you understand what we’re facing."

Chen Chuan considered this, and he began to understand.

Specialist Liang’s voice grew heavy. "As I said, our understanding of that world is still insufficient. Perhaps only when the Great Collision finally happens will we gain a deeper insight... but I, for one, have no desire to see that day."

Silence descended. None of the three spoke; only the points of light on the map continued to flicker.

After a long moment, Specialist Liang turned back to him. "Alright, Mr. Chen, you now understand the general situation. Let’s move on to the restrictions you—or rather, people like you—will be subject to, and the responsibilities you must bear."

His expression became extremely serious. "As the other world draws closer, an intermediate zone has formed at the point of convergence between the two worlds—you could think of it as a transitional boundary. Perhaps due to their mutual influence, the fabric of the Material World becomes especially loose and thin there."

"Through long-term observation, we have confirmed that by weakening the erosion from the other side, we can delay the arrival of the Great Collision to some extent. Furthermore, technological advancements have given us more ways to combat the unprecedented changes to come."

"We have now used technology to establish a barrier in that zone, which we call the ’World Ring’—though some also call it the ’World Curtain.’ It serves to delay the Great Collision and to block certain entities from the Opposite World."

"But this barrier isn’t airtight. The collision of worlds constantly puts pressure on it, and from time to time, things from the other side manage to seep through."

"Because of their spiritual sublimation, Third Limit Fighters often actively or passively sense or make contact with these external things. Some, unable to distinguish reality from illusion, descend into chaos and madness. Others are swayed by these influences and attempt to destroy the World Ring to make contact with the entities behind it."

"Therefore, first and foremost, Third Limit Fighters are strictly forbidden from privately investigating or contacting these things. You must undergo periodic reviews and inspections. We have also established strict surveillance over the World Ring. Anyone discovered attempting to cross or damage the Ring Screen will be immediately apprehended or eliminated."

"Furthermore, Fighters like you who have signed this agreement and learned the truth are required to answer the call of duty when the nation requires it. Your specific tasks will depend on the organization or institution you serve."

He looked at the contemplative Chen Chuan and added a reminder. "I should also tell you that at your level, certain special Cultivation Drugs are impossible to find on the outside. Only Fighters who participate in and subordinate themselves to the World Ring defense system, and who have accrued sufficient merit and contributions, will be granted access to them."

"We don’t force every Fighter to participate actively. How you choose to proceed is up to you to consider."

After a short pause, he continued, "Alright, I have told you what you need to know, Mr. Chen. Our conversation ends here for today."

"You may go, Mr. Chen."

The woman approached, her smile a polite formality. "Mr. Chen, this way, please."

Chen Chuan took one last look at the projected world around him before turning his gaze to Specialist Liang. "I haven’t had the honor of learning your full title, sir."

Specialist Liang’s voice was grave. "Liang Guanghai. Special Representative of the Dashun Civil Defense Department to the World Ring, and Specialist assigned to Jibei Dao Central City."

...

...