Did the world end today?

Chapter 136 Imminent

Chapter 136 Imminent
"Let's talk about equipment first."

Lin Xu spoke up.

Zhou Yue, seated in his chair, paused briefly before replying:

"Quantum computer".

"If you've already been to that world, then you must have already found the technology for quantum computing, right?"

"Yes."

Lin Xu nodded, and Zhou Yue continued speaking without pausing.

"Quantum computing is not a simple technology. In that world, the birth of quantum computing almost led to a war involving all of humanity."

"Have you heard that saying? I don't know what weapons will be used in World War III, but I do know that in World War IV, humanity will definitely use stones and sticks."

That's how things were back then.

"The birth of quantum computers has almost destroyed all order and rules. Before it was even officially deployed, Western Union had already made the decision to go to war."

"Guess who pushed this decision down?"

Zhou Yue's expression revealed a hint of smugness, as if he really was the hero who saved the world.

But such an expression only made Lin Xu feel a strong sense of discomfort.

This person really thinks he's a god.

Moreover, this "divine consciousness" is being reinforced time and time again.

Lin Xu let out a soft breath and began to speak:
"Stop talking nonsense."

"Let's get back to the question of world war."

"What makes you think that if a world war happens in that world, it will happen in our world as well?"

"It's very simple."

Zhou Yue shrugged.

"To be honest, I don't understand technology."

"Even in my hundreds of years of life, I have never studied technology."

"But I understand humans too well."

"I have studied the so-called collective consciousness of this species to an extremely thorough extent."

"Before we begin our formal discussion, I must ask you a question."

Do you know why the advent of quantum computers is highly likely to lead to a world war?

Lin Xu was taken aback by the question, but he quickly realized that Zhou Yue's "question" was indeed correct.

The logic is simple.

Because quantum computers will shake the foundations of mutual threats and checks and balances among the world's major powers.

A quantum computer, and its extraordinary, hyperdimensional computing power, would render all existing encryption methods in the world obsolete.

No matter what encryption algorithm you use, it's like an unlocked door in front of this computer.

With just a gentle push, all the digital assets that were originally "closely protected" will be completely exposed to the light of day.

Whether these digital assets are financial data, official secrets, weapon performance data, combat command orders, or nuclear missile launch codes.

it's the same.

As long as you continue to use traditional methods, whether wired or wireless, it is impossible to escape eavesdropping and intrusion.

The only way to circumvent this kind of eavesdropping is:
Use quantum mechanics to fight quantum mechanics, use quantum encryption technology to lock the door.

The problem is that the emergence of quantum computing itself means the bankruptcy of quantum encryption technology.

Because the randomness of quantum pairs has been eliminated, encryption technology that relies on randomness can no longer be the lock that holds the door shut.

Therefore, the emergence of quantum computing technology signifies the birth of quantum supremacy.

The party that fails to gain an advantage in the competition will be forced to resort to the most extreme measures.

Destroy everything.

Only by bringing their opponents back to the same starting line can they have a chance to overtake them again.

Thinking of this, Lin Xu answered:

"Quantum supremacy".

"That's right!"

Zhou Yue watched with delight as Lin Xu clapped his hands lightly, causing the handcuffs that restricted his movements to clink together.

"You are much smarter than I thought."

"It was the existence of quantum supremacy that led to the world war."

"And I can tell you definitively that secrecy is absolutely not the way to stop this kind of large-scale war."

“In that world, you did indeed try to operate in secrecy.”

"But you should know that during the research and development phase, secrecy may be useful."

"But once you start pushing the project to come to fruition, you will immediately reveal your weaknesses."

"And once a weakness is exposed, war will be inevitable."

"Often, the other party doesn't need to verify the authenticity of the 'flaw'."

"They just need to assess the level of threat posed by this 'possibility'."

"War will break out immediately once the threat level exceeds the warning line."

Zhou Yue's tone grew increasingly cold, and Lin Xu felt a chill run down his spine from his words.

That's right.

This is a clash between nations, and even between civilizations.

It won't give you any room for negotiation, because it's a completely non-negotiable deadlock.

This is the dark forest law between nations, and trying to break it...
At least for now, Lin Xu sees no hope.

Noticing Lin Xu's expression, Zhou Yue smiled with satisfaction.

He turned to Qin Feng, asked for a cigarette, took a deep breath, and continued:
"You know, I can watch TV here, and I can also see some current events news."

"Based on the information I have seen, combined with my experience and memories in another 'same' world, I judge that some landmark events have already occurred."

"Based on the timeline, the war will not have started for more than three months at the latest."

Are you confident that you can curb the trend of war within three months?

"I think there probably aren't any, right?"

"Therefore, you only have one choice."

"Work with me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Xu's expression changed slightly.

After a slight pause, he asked:
"Why should I cooperate with you? I can see that world, and I can find the signs of a world war from that world."

"Similarly, I will eventually find a way."

Do you really think my abilities in higher dimensions are weaker than yours?

"of course not."

Zhou Yue exhaled a puff of smoke, then said in a helpless tone:

"That's the difference between you and me—sometimes I really feel jealous of you, but I also feel sorry for you."

What I'm jealous of is that you're different from me; you're someone who's constantly growing.

"The longer you stay, the more times you enter another world through higher-dimensional channels, and the stronger you will become."

"And me? My potential is already locked; I can never be stronger than you."

"So, I also feel very regretful."

"It would be so great if we could work together, but unfortunately, that's not an option."

At this point, Zhou Yue shook his head with a look of regret.

He then continued:

"But it is precisely because of your growth potential that you will be far behind me by 2025."

"You haven't seen the whole picture yet, so of course you can enter that world again and again to explore it."

"But your time is limited, and the situation is constantly evolving."

"You'll always be one step behind; you'll never truly prevent war from happening." Lin Xu's expression was stern. Zhou Yue looked directly into his eyes and solemnly said:
"In short, I have now given up on the ideal of 'becoming a god'."

"I just want to live a good life in this world with my Ayana."

"Now, I will give the first node."

"You can go and verify this node."

"I hope that after this milestone is verified, you will fulfill your promise and give Ayana her freedom—or at least, limited freedom."

"May I?"

Lin Xu did not budge, but said in a stiff tone:
"Let's talk about nodes first."

But Zhou Yue didn't take it seriously.

He shrugged and replied:

"The current time is June 10, 2025."

"Two days later, on June 12, 2025, at 10:6 AM Eastern Standard Time, the MIT Center for Quantum Engineering will discover the anomaly of entangled quantum pairs for the first time."

"They don't have butterflies, nor do they know the impact of high-dimensional channels on quantum entanglement."

"Initially, this problem will be treated as an occasional random phenomenon."

"But within 24 hours, they will realize that there is something wrong with the underlying rules of this world."

"You should know how significant this matter is."

"So you have to find a way to stop them."

"You have to convince them that this is just a random event."

"This will buy you at least a week—and after that, new milestones will appear."

"Believe me, as long as you follow the path I've laid out, you will avoid a world war."

"Consider this my last effort, for myself and for Ayana, after I relinquish my divine position."

After leaving the interrogation room, Lin Xu felt an unprecedented pressure.

Three months later, the world war began.

These two words can be combined, right?
What a joke! ?

In fact, before the world of bracelets entered the starship era, his schedule and plans were always quite tight.

But after entering the Starship era, with the national team fully involved and the plan fully implemented, he also began to enter a more methodical rhythm.

Even though the crisis in the world of the bracelet is still urgent, he knows that he still has nearly 20 years to lead human development.

In any case, the crisis will not escalate to the point of being urgent.

But now you're telling me that a world war is going to break out in three months??
You're telling me that if we don't stop world wars, humanity won't need to worry about the end of the world?!

Are you just jealous that I can't stand to have a moment of peace?!
Back in his office, Lin Xu immediately convened a meeting with the core members of the working group.

After consulting with experts from the National Development Research Institute, the working group confirmed that Zhou Yue's prediction of a "large-scale war breaking out within three months" was not a baseless or alarmist rumor.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences' Quantum Research Institute has completed its research on entangled particles with non-random results. Their goal is to create a universal quantum computer in a short period of time.

The impact of this research will inevitably surpass all previous cutting-edge theoretical research, and even when it crosses over into the field of applied technology, its importance will outweigh that of nuclear fusion.

Under such circumstances, the outbreak of war was entirely predictable.

Let alone the US, even the North might take crazy actions due to misjudging the future situation.

Any nuclear-armed state would pose a huge threat, and China's current capabilities are far from sufficient to subdue other countries and contain the momentum of war through technology or military force.

"Now there's only one problem."

In the office, Chen Yixin, the head of the working group, asked Lin Xu with a serious expression:
Should we cooperate with him?

"If we're going to cooperate, what kind of cooperation should we use?"

Lin Xu was stunned for a moment.

You're asking me?

No, brother.

Just over two months ago, I was just an ordinary wage earner!

I'm no different from anyone else. I'm just an ordinary person who gets angry when I see netizens who are left-wing and starts cursing when I see people who are "colonies"!
What?
It's only been two months, and now a world war is looming over me?
Don't you think this responsibility is too heavy?
Indeed, compared to the responsibility of saving countless parallel worlds and helping humanity overcome the apocalypse...
This matter doesn't seem to be that serious.

But that's only relatively speaking!
Lin Xu's mind was a little fuzzy.

After taking a deep breath, he began to speak:
"give me sometime."

"I need to find a way to verify the authenticity of the nodes he provided."

"Killer Bee isn't omniscient or omnipotent either. He thinks our world and another world will develop in the same direction, but in fact, I just changed an important direction of this world this morning."

"Just during breakfast."

So, things might not be as serious as they seem.

After Lin Xu finished speaking, Chen Yixin on the other side was speechless.

Can it change the course of the world?

Just during breakfast?

This is what I said
That's really true.
Should I say you have high taste, or that you have strong self-confidence?
Chen Yixin coughed once, and then said:

"Then you can make the arrangements."

"We will also be making preparations on our side over the next two days."

"If you ultimately confirm that the node is real and there is no way to avoid the trend of a world war."

"Then we will immediately activate the emergency plan to buy you time."

"understand!"

Lin Xu nodded solemnly.

He glanced at the bracelet, which was now displaying a flashing "2".

I actually have one more chance.

I have to go in and give it a try, no matter what.

If such a trend or such a turning point really occurs, but a world war does not actually break out, then the classification level of these documents should not be too high.

Even without activating the butterfly contingency plan, Bai Mo's permissions alone should be sufficient.

Thinking of this, Lin Xu stood up.

Then, he said to Qin Feng, who was waiting to the side:

"Let's go, let's call a car."

"go home."

"I have to get to work!"

Half an hour later, Lin Xu returned to his residence.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately lay down on the bed and entered the world of the bracelet.

Consciousness dissipated, and then immediately descended.

Good morning, Comrade Lin Xu.

Lin Xu rolled over and got up.

Ignoring Zhiyun's greeting, he ran at full speed towards the bridge command room.