When the binary number of n is released to the 2.2 trillion decimal places, the huge amount of data is read by the decoder, and a hint of the clue finally appears.

As Lu Zhou guessed, the civilization that sent these mathematical formulas to the earth has been observing the earth civilization for a long time and has some understanding of the means of information exchange on the earth.

And what's striking is that all this huge amount of information is compressed into this irrational number of less than a byte.

While being amazed at how they sent this irrational number to Earth, Lu Zhou actually wondered how they managed to release such a huge amount of information with a single number......

Underground Laboratory of Jinling Institute for Advanced Study.

Lu Zhou, who was lying flat on the bed, put on the latest holographic helmet.

Although he was worried about the safety of this data, Xiao Ai still obeyed Lu Zhou's order and started the procedure.

Soon, a white space descended.

The world, which is no different from the system space, is presented in front of Lu Zhou.

However, unlike the system space, it is not the familiar holographic panel that is located in this system space, but a ...... Probably a man based on himself.

However, although it is a "replica" based on itself, if you look closely, both the facial features and some details have been adjusted to a certain extent.

It is said that human beings are more likely to have a liking for individuals who look like them, and they have an instinctive rejection of non-twins who look exactly like themselves.

I don't know if it's for this reason that he chose to meet himself in this form, Lu Zhou is not a psychologist, and he can't analyze the heart of this messenger suspected of being from a higher civilization.

And the only thing he could judge was that, at least this contact, was not hostile.

"How did you do that?"

Looking at the man standing in front of him, Lu Zhou said quickly, "Stuff the huge data into an irrational number...... No, before you tell me, how did you manage to create irrational numbers at will? ”

This statement seems a bit awkward, but Lu Zhou believes that he will be able to understand his confusion.

The concept of abstract numbers to represent a particular irrational number is no longer just a mathematical problem, but has risen to the point where it is doubtful that it can be done.

In the face of Lu Zhou's question, the man showed a somewhat nerve-wracking expression and said in a gentle tone.

“…… In ancient memory, we were as ignorant as you are, when most of the real numbers we came into contact with were rational numbers, but in the countless centuries that followed, we gradually discovered that almost all real numbers were irrational. ”

Lu Zhou: "...... We know that, too. ”

Looking at the expression on Lu Zhou's face, a hint of abruptness suddenly appeared on that person's face, and he continued.

"Don't get me wrong, ignorance is not a derogatory term in our civilization, not even ...... is an enviable quality. Because only the ignorant are curious, and curiosity is the vitality of civilization. Once you lose your curiosity, even if your civilization is omniscient, it will die out over time...... Of course, you are too young to be at a stage where solving a problem will give birth to a myriad of new problems, and you may not yet be able to imagine the feeling of being overwhelmed by the endless emptiness. ”

Lu Zhou: "Although the omniscience and omnipotence in your mouth is quite enviable, I ...... You can probably understand what you are trying to say. ”

Poets often compare themselves to either birds. The more you know, the happier you are, and in fact the vast majority of your troubles come from knowing.

This is true for individuals.

The same is true for civilization.

"Yes, I like you very much," as if reading the thoughts in Lu Zhou's heart, the man had an approving look on his face, "I have seen two commendable qualities in you. ”

Lu Zhou thought for a while.

“…… Self-aware? ”

"Now it's three, you're smart."

The man smiled and continued, "But I'm afraid I can't answer your two questions. This involves the truth of the universe...... That is, what you call knowledge, information about this part, is not included in this program, and we hope that you can find the answer yourself. ”

"Of course, if there is a chance for us to meet, I would like to talk to you about those interesting things in person as an individual, but this may not be a good thing for you."

Lu Zhou: "......"

This feeling of being looked at and praised for being smart like a gorilla in a zoo, Lu Zhou didn't know whether he should be happy or angry at this time.

Of course, maybe it's more powerlessness.

Thinking that the "person" in front of him might be stronger than the total armed forces on the earth combined, Lu Zhou felt that even if it was for the sake of others, it would be better to behave a little more steadily at this time.

At least, so far, he has approached him with good intentions.

Lu Zhou: "May I ask a question?" ”

"Just ask."

"Your name."

The man thought for a moment and spoke.

"This question is a bit more complicated, even more complex than the first one...... We've long since abandoned the medium-based means of communication, including physical, audio, electromagnetic, and even gravitational waves, and we've long since stopped using names as nice-to-have things to distinguish us from...... Of course, you can also call me an observer if it's for convenience, and in your dictionary, I like that word the most. ”

It's really a strange aesthetic.

However, the name is just a code name, and Lu Zhou didn't dwell too much on this inconsequential issue, and continued to ask.

"What is the Void? What are natural disasters? And that strange drop-" Thinking of what the observer said earlier, Lu Zhou was silent for half a second, and then changed his words, "Leave the matter of the strange drop aside for the time being, you should always tell me the first two questions." ”

The man smiled and nodded.

That "you're so smart" look on his face again.

As if he were reciting a poem, he spoke unhurriedly in a subdued voice.

"The void is the void, and everything about it is a mystery even to us who step into it. It is independent of the universe, and if, according to your interpretation, the universe is made up of n vibrating strings, then it is the n+1st string outside of the n strings, an extra dimension beyond the n dimensions. It's a wall within a wall, it's a lake of reflections in a lake, it contains all the energy and matter in this universe, and yet there's nothing. ”

This time, Lu Zhou finally understood how others felt when they listened to his report meeting.

Combined with M theory, he barely understood what kind of concept the void described by this observer was, but he still didn't understand how civilization could survive in that kind of space.

And, even if there is a civilization, how does it communicate with this side of the universe?

"As for the natural disaster......," a faint sadness appeared in the observer's eyes, and he was silent for a while before he sighed softly and said, "It's too early for you. ”

Lu Zhou: "I don't understand...... If, according to you, the Void is an extra dimension outside of the N-dimension, then everything about it should be independent of the N-dimension. In that case, how did you get in touch with me? And how does it affect those ...... The one who dreamed of you. ”

With a hint of approval in his eyes, the man said with a smile.

"I'm getting more and more fond of you, most people panic when they see me, or stubbornly think I'm talking gibberish, and only you try to communicate with me with rational thinking...... While I have a feeling that you may not believe me, at least you are willing to assume that it is all a real possibility. ”

Lu Zhou didn't speak, but waited for him to continue.

After a pause, the man, who claimed to be an observer, continued.

"When the old universe was extinguished, we made some preparations, and you can understand that we built a dam when the flood came. Because of these preparations, we can intervene in a limited way those civilizations with which we have a connection...... Although the bonds that bind us are weak, there are too many energies that are too mysterious for you to interfere with this connection, and the few individuals who are aware of our existence find it difficult to convince their fellow citizens, let alone themselves. ”

"So every once in a while, we will try to release some of the necessary signals to speed up the progress of your civilization to a certain extent, which you can call enlightenment. Of course, there is no harm to this kind of seedling, and like a supernova, expansion can lead to death, so we are walking on thin ice to do it. Let you grow as much as you can without overdrawing your future potential. ”

Lu Zhou: "...... Looks like you're pouring a lot of resources into me? ”

The observer smiled kindly.

"yes, so if you don't see these things, we're probably going to lose a lot. But this probability is very small, and even if there are gaps in our calculations, subsequent plans can cover these gaps. ”

Lu Zhou wasn't sure whether the "these things" he was referring to Professor Grothendieck's notes or the "system" he had. But in fact, it is true, I have been guided a lot to finally get here.

It's just that he still has some things he doesn't understand.

That's why they do it.

Or, even if you let a group of ants know that a flood is coming, what can you expect the ants to do?

It's not that he's arrogant, it's just that in terms of mathematics, physics, and informatics, he really doesn't have the courage to compare the Earth civilization with the Void civilization behind the observer in front of him.

If they can't even resist the strange drops, what's the use of telling these things to the Earth civilization that has worked so hard to build a hydrogen bomb?

“…… If you really want to solve the crisis, wouldn't it be better to tell us about it? ”

As if looking at his own child, the observer suddenly smiled and said softly.

"Is that really the case?"

"All our decisions are based on the experience of hundreds of millions of failures, and the conclusions of trillions of calculations. It may be incomprehensible to think from your point of view, but in fact it is the best choice. ”

"We have to make sure that every piece of grit in the hourglass lands exactly in the bottle, and when the final moment comes, everything is going in a good direction...... Of course, having said that, we are not without mistakes. ”

"Do you remember the story of the Jialan Empire?"

Lu Zhou didn't speak, just nodded.

"I'm glad you remembered, so that we can continue the conversation," the observer smiled and nodded, and after a pause, continued, "Two hundred years after the 'Oracle Incident', this historic civilization has disappeared into the world with an incredible speed of cosmic dust. ”

Really......

It seems that his guess is correct.

The Jialan civilization has become history, and it is even very likely that it comes from what this observer calls the "old universe". In this case, that memory may have been before the Big Bang.

Because he was too surprised, it took Lu Zhou two seconds to digest the shock in his heart, took a deep breath and said.

“…… Is it because of a 'natural disaster'? ”

"Acts of God? Natural disasters are not such a weak thing. On the contrary, it is a man-made disaster. ”

As if reading the surprise on Lu Zhou's face, the man continued.

"What happened to the Jialan Empire was beyond our expectations, we never thought that it was not the natural disaster that swept the universe that destroyed them, but themselves."

"Thankfully, this memory has been preserved and has given us a lot of inspiration."

Lu Zhou: "Memory? What memory? ”

"You've got a lot of questions, but so far, all but the first one has been out of my mind."

"As for your curious memory, it is naturally a follow-up to the previous one—i.e., the second half of 'b', a memory about fifty years later."

The man smiled, and his right hand reached forward, holding up a square cone made of pale blue light particles.

"It's almost time."

"If you received that quantum computer, the decoding should have been here."

Lu Zhou was about to ask, what did "here" refer to, and the white rays around him cracked backwards like fragments. The pale blue square cone was like a black hole, distorting the space around it and releasing countless transparent fragments that flew into the surrounding corners of the butterfly.

Although he didn't know what was going on, Lu Zhou's heart told him.

This is the world depicted in "Void Memory B2"!

The story has begun......

Lamp pen