BXBX NOVEL Chapter 367: Changed World (3)
Aether had never completely vanished but had gradually thinned.
In one area in China, there once existed a tribe thousands of years ago that had lived within such thin pocket of Aether.
However, as the Aether disappeared, so did the tribe, and their knowledge faded into obscurity.
Nestled discreetly, the location of the Obsidian Library was kept in secrecy, propelling the country to a leading position in the global race for Aether mastery.
In response, universities quickly adapted, rolling out dedicated curriculums that taught about the \'God Particle\' in a systematic and controlled manner.
This period, known as the Great Reset, was etched into history, offering those who had lost loved ones a glimmer of hope to foster positive changes in the world.
By the year 2031, life had largely returned to normal.
Aether had become an essential element, seamlessly integrated into daily life as people learned to harness its benefits and navigate its challenges.
Indeed, the advantages of this new normal far outweighed the initial upheavals.
Space exploration had decelerated, as Earth\'s resources now seemed boundless.
The catastrophic reduction in the global population had unexpectedly eased the pressure on resources, ensuring that in the near future, humanity would not face shortages again.
The tragic loss of four billion lives was an immense blow, yet the Earth and its inhabitants had found a way to heal.
Humanity had absorbed a hard lesson on the impacts of unchecked growth and consumption.
As people wandered through their now spacious, bustling capital cities—remarkably less congested and significantly cleaner—they realized that many of their prior issues had stemmed from overpopulation, a problem they had long refused to confront.
The paradigm had shifted.
The focus was no longer solely on developing vast urban capitals but on cultivating multiple sustainably developed zones throughout each country, fostering a balanced, resilient future.
The need for skyscrapers diminished dramatically, allowing almost everyone to afford their own homes instead of squeezing into cramped luxury apartments justified by the scarcity of land.
Amidst these changes, global warming also began to recede, and temperatures near the Equator became more sustainable.
Back in 2027, the maximum temperature on land had soared to a scorching 57°C—not in some remote desert but in ordinary cities, causing even cars parked in the sun to melt.
Now, temperatures had stabilized, rarely exceeding 39°C even in regions that previously experienced extreme heat.
Areas once abandoned by humans slowly reverted to forests, expanding the green canopy.
The surviving population realized that tough measures were necessary—measures that couldn\'t always be implemented through consensus or democracy.
It required the intervention of a near-divine force.
And such interventions had already been made.
Societal norms evolved significantly during this period, and the once-collapsed healthcare system began to rejuvenate itself.
The cure for cancer was finally unveiled in the 2030s, developed using nanotechnology by Prometheus.
In fact, the cure had been discovered a decade earlier but was deliberately withheld from publication, with all blame conveniently shifted to those who had perished.
With no outlet for their frustration, the people reluctantly accepted a few hard truths and moved forward, adapting to a radically transformed world.
Until August of 2031, an entire nation was thrown into chaos by the Eighth Prince.
He enveloped the country in darkness, triggering multiple flight crashes and accidents, indirectly leading to the deaths of millions.
The streets of the Netherlands were filled with protestors waving banners against him!
But how did it all come to this?
One must revisit the past...
Four years earlier, in February of 2027!
"Teacher, why have you brought me here?" asked a young girl, her voice tinged with anxiety as she stood in the dimly lit corridor of a facility that radiated an almost sinister aura.
She darted nervous glances around the dark sinister space.
Her hand was gripped tightly by another woman, who sternly advised, "Just keep walking, and don\'t speak too much! I need to confirm something. Remember, you failed your grades; if not for my intervention, they would have expelled you from the school."
The woman leading her was Dr. Isabella Mercer, distinguishable in her lack of lab coat or safety gear, her white scarf elegantly draped across her back, contrasting sharply with the sterile environment.
The girl trailing behind her was Wang Xueying, who peered apprehensively at the imposing metallic doors they approached.
"The woman behind this door," Dr. Mercer cautioned as they neared the threshold, "remember not to touch her—not even a handshake, okay?" Her tone was firm, leaving no room for disobedience.
"Why not?" Xueying\'s curiosity piqued, her eyebrows arching in intrigue.
"You would die," Dr. Mercer replied, her voice faint yet tinged with a mysterious smile that sent a chilling goosebumps through Wang Xueying from head to toe.
Crash!
As the metallic door slid upwards, Wang Xueying\'s eyes sparkled with surprise.
The interior contrasted sharply with the ominous exterior—it was luminous and exuded a professional ambiance.
In the room, there were several individuals, but with just a glance, Xueying could discern who was the most important among them.
A woman, draped in an ancient black robe that covered her entire body below the neck, stood out clearly.
It was surreal to see such attire in real life.
Despite her cold expression, her face was strikingly beautiful.
However, after just a few exchanges, Dr. Isabella Mercer\'s expression darkened. "Left the world? How is that possible?" she murmured in disbelief, staring at the woman in front of her.
Elara only nodded, offering no further clarification.
The existence of Xianthera wasn\'t even known to her.
Currently, she was in Prometheus for official business, representing Wang Xiao.
Her task was to ensure that the Oracle network did not interfere with the functioning of the X-Files network, for which she had the authorization of both Luna and Wang Xiao.
Wang Xiao didn\'t want his identity to be revealed, ensuring that no matter if his photo was captured on camera, CCTV, or anywhere in the world, his identity would remain secure.
Of course, he wasn\'t doing this just to prevent a repeat incident where nude photos surfaced on the web, leading to speculative gossip about his \'little brother.\'