Ding Lang's third plan was to seek external assistance.
Given the existence of such terrifying monsters beyond their world, how were other worlds in the Cosmic Sea dealing with these creatures? Did they have any methods for combating them?
Or, if they could establish contact with other worlds, could they extend a collaborative invitation for all to unite and fight against these monsters?
Long ago, Ding Lang reactivated the batch of probe devices he had previously launched. However, the search for other worlds was a protracted endeavor. So, with little more than a sliver of hope, he ultimately invented another "Anti-Observation Receiver Device."
If he couldn't find other worlds himself, could he instead hope that another world might find him?
If someone were observing his world, this device would react—just as it was doing now. Originally, Ding Lang had harbored almost no hope; he had even resigned himself to death. But to his astonishment, the device had actually lit up.
Seeing this, Heinrich couldn't help but freeze in surprise. "Is this scene a fragment of his past memories, or... has he detected us?"
"It's the latter," Evernight said. "Normally, he would have remained guarding this machine until his death. But because we're here, the machine is reacting. Could it actually sense our presence?"
Ding Lang looked around, his gaze repeatedly sweeping over Evernight and Heinrich, yet he couldn't see them at all. Meanwhile, the claw marks on the door outside grew increasingly numerous.
Boom!
With a muffled crash, the tightly sealed laboratory door was torn open, and darkness spilled out. But at that moment, Evernight acted. Several jellyfish materialized beside her and darted forward, completely binding the 'Black Panther'—which had been about to lunge at Ding Lang from the darkness—in an airtight cocoon.
The 'Black Panther' was frozen mid-pounce, its fangs bared and its face contorted in a ferocious snarl. Yet it hung motionless in mid-air, its pose and expression fixed as if frozen in time.
Evernight herself emerged from her special state of invisibility, holding an umbrella in one hand, her expression serene. Her crimson eyes met Ding Lang's gaze. One had to admit, her silent, sudden appearance would have scared the living daylights out of anyone with a weak constitution, especially in the dead of night.
But Ding Lang showed no signs of fear. Or rather, at this point, nothing short of an Outer God materializing out of thin air right in front of him could startle him.
Evernight might look a bit intimidating, but she was still human, after all. What was there to fear?
"You... I..." Ding Lang stammered, words failing him. He had so much he wanted to say, but now he was at a complete loss. After a pause, he gathered his thoughts and asked, "Are you from another world? How did you get here? Is your world also under attack by the monsters from the Cosmic Sea?"
Evernight tilted her head slightly and casually dispelled Heinrich's invisibility as well, winking at him twice. Heinrich, seeing the cue, immediately chimed in, "We are indeed from another world. We arrived here using some rather... unconventional methods."
"As for our world, it too is under attack by these monsters, these Outer Gods. Our mission here is to find a solution."
Heinrich appeared to be saying a great deal, but in reality, not a single word was useful. In fact, he was beginning to wonder why Evernight had even revealed herself at this moment.
Weren't everything they were witnessing merely memories? Even if they helped these people in the memories save their world, what difference would it make? After all, this world had already been destroyed, hadn't it?
Evernight had initially thought the same way. But when she saw Ding Lang's desperate grasp at hope just moments ago, she felt a fleeting moment of pity.
She also considered that if this world were left to its own devices, it would likely be destroyed soon, yielding little useful information. What if she offered a little assistance—for example, by ensuring Dr. Ding Lang's survival longer? Could he then develop more solutions?
Truth be told, the fact that this man had managed to detect her presence within these memories using a machine made him quite remarkable.
Evernight explained, "The Outer God attacking your world is called the Mother of Flesh. The planet-sized Eyeball you encountered earlier, as well as the Child of Flesh that has plunged your world into Eternal Night, are merely servants of this Outer God."
She then explained the Mother of Flesh's ability to resurrect on other flesh even after being killed, adding, "This is the kind of enemy we're facing."
Upon hearing this, Ding Lang, who had been brimming with excitement moments earlier, felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. He slumped back into his seat and asked, "What about your world? Is it also under attack by this Outer God?"
Heinrich replied, "Our world has twelve gods who have erected a sturdy Barrier that can currently withstand the assault, but we estimate it won't hold for much longer."
Ding Lang sighed. "I see..."
At first, he had hoped for powerful reinforcements, only to discover they were just fellow sufferers facing the same dire fate.
Still, having another ally was better than none. Ding Lang said, "But as you can see, our world is in dire straits. We doubt we can offer much assistance to you."
"It's no problem at all," Evernight said. "On the contrary, we can offer you some assistance. All we need you to do is continue researching the Outer God. If you can develop a method to counter it, that would be ideal."
Ding Lang nodded. "Alright!"
But after a pause, Ding Lang's expression changed. "Then we need to hurry and find Second Squad, who are currently executing the Matrix Replication mission! We need to regroup with them immediately. This underground facility is completely drained of resources now. Staying here means certain death!"
No food, no water, and the monsters keep attacking relentlessly.
But then Ding Lang realized he had originally prepared to die and hadn't kept a concealment badge for himself. Now, how would they escape this place and find Second Squad?
Evernight interjected, "Where are they located? Lead the way, and we'll head there directly. Leave the monsters in the darkness to me."