Three-body: The Most Competent Wallfacer in History

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Universe #647, year unknown.

While Cheng Xin and Guan Yifan were discussing the issue of the universe's mass, they suddenly received a broadcast from the greater universe beyond the membrane.

The broadcast's message was concise, but because it used various languages, it took over half an hour to receive.

Around the 1,300,000th language, they finally found a statement on the Mass Return Movement written in the Trisolarans' script:

If the total mass of the external universe decreases below a critical value, the universe will transition from closed to open and will die in eternal expansion, and all life and memories will perish. Please return the mass you took away, and send only the memory substance to the new universe.

A few minutes later, the broadcast ended, but from beginning to end, there was no appearance of human text or language.

Guan Yifan felt somewhat disappointed. Had Starship Earth perished? Had the once mighty Solar System State also perished?

At Cheng Xin's insistence, Sophon returned all of the mass in their small universe back to the greater universe, leaving only a message in a bottle and a small ecological sphere.

Then Sophon, Guan Yifan, and Cheng Xin took a spaceship back into the greater universe.

According to Sophon, the outside was what's known as a Level III environment, very dangerous and harsh.

When they emerged from the small universe, the first thing Cheng Xin saw was the door behind them disappear, followed by the sight of a universe sparse with starlight.

Had the universe now become this desolate?

The spaceship shook violently, as if the space around them was somewhat unstable.

It was at this moment that a message suddenly appeared in the minds of Cheng Xin and Guan Yifan:

"This is the Border of the Solar System State. Your pass has not been detected. Please leave quickly, or we will take coercive measures to expel you!"

This message had no sound, nor any visuals; it was as if the words had been stuffed directly into their minds.

Cheng Xin almost exclaimed, "The Solar System State?"

She and Guan Yifan exchanged glances. The Solar System State hadn't perished.

Sophon frowned and asked, "Then why didn't human language appear in the 'Mass Return Movement' broadcast?"

She had received the same message as Cheng Xin and Guan Yifan, but in the form of an electronic signal.

Another message then appeared in the trios' minds: "We've detected your language. It is an ancient language from the Solar System State. Are you Ancient Ancestors who've just emerged from a small universe?"

Guan Yifan responded with a wry smile, "A day in the mountains is a thousand years in the world. We're now considered Ancient Ancestors."

Clearing his throat, he continued, "Yes, we entered the small universe in the Year 286 of the Galactic Era."

Another message appeared in their minds: "Not just ancient, you are from the Wild Ancient Era!"

"The Wild Ancient Era..." Guan Yifan inquired, "What year is it now in the Galaxy?"

The other party responded, "Sorry, I cannot reveal this information to you at the moment because there is no record of you entering the small universe in the archives from the Wild Ancient Era.

"It's possible that due to the vastness of time, we've lost the relevant data. However, a comparison of your DNA matches the genetic data of humanity from the Wild Ancient Era.

"Before we verify your identity, I will temporarily take you to a more stable space."

Suddenly, Cheng Xin and the others felt the scene before them change, dense starlight reappeared around them, and the severe shaking stopped.

After two or three seconds, Guan Yifan regained his composure: "Are we now in another space?"

The other party replied, "Yes. Please provide your names, the number of your small universe, and relevant information about the manufacturer so that we can verify your identity."

Cheng Xin replied with some difficulty, "Our small universe was made by the Trisolarans, and my name is Cheng Xin."

The other party said, "Relevant data found: exile Cheng Xin, Starship Earth scientist Guan Yifan, Trisolaran intelligent robot Sophon."

The words "exile" caused Cheng Xin some pain; she had not expected that after so long, she was still considered a criminal.

The other party stated, "Identity confirmed, please wait."

During the brief pause, Guan Yifan and Cheng Xin communicated with their eyes.

They were overwhelmed by the world outside. What was the meaning of the Solar System State Border? Why was the previous place so desolate and seemingly unstable? Why was this space stable again?

Just a few seconds later, a tall human figure suddenly appeared in front of the trio.

Although the figure's facial features and stature were quite different from those of Cheng Xin and the others, the slim limbs, as well as details like hair and eyes, confirmed that this was indeed a human.

This human was very tall, with delicate features, and every gesture exuded an astonishing beauty.

He seemed like the epitome of human aesthetics, as though every cell of his being followed the aesthetic of this universe.

Guan Yifan muttered, "Unity of Heaven and Man."

Cheng Xin nodded in agreement. Although the concept was very ancient, this human's appearance did indeed embody the essence of "Unity of Heaven and Man."

What surprised Guan Yifan and the others even more was that this human was floating in space without any protective measures!

Without speaking, Cheng Xin and the others still "heard" him say, "I am Receptionist You. I am delighted to welcome ancients from The Galactic Era and I also thank you for responding to the 'Mass Return Movement'."

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