Chapter 865: Chapter 253: Doubt and Trust (3)

And as the relative distance changes, the frequency of birth defects decreases the closer one gets to the outer edge of the hollow sphere.

Of course, this "decrease" is relative as well. In actuality, the probability still remains remarkably high at over 50%.

Within the inner Star Realms, it’s even more exaggerated, with occurrences of seventy to eighty, or even eighty to ninety percent probabilities, making childbirth purely a gamble.

This situation, which has directly led to a more than half-reduction in the Empire’s birth rate, gives Chen Ming chills just looking at the numbers, let alone those who have experienced it firsthand.

Yet, the Empire is still able to keep the whole situation under wraps while simultaneously seeking external solutions to the conflict, something Chen Ming finds hard to imagine how it’s done.

Although the Empire currently appears somewhat passive in public opinion, overall it is still in a state of temporary stability.

However, if the problem cannot be resolved or the conflict diverted, this temporary stability will only be the calm before the storm.

This is the headache for the Empire. What Chen Ming can do in this situation is to ensure his own safety and by the way, inform people about the Dimensional Infection.

At this moment, Chen Ming has also identified on the star map the earliest Star Realm with the highest frequency of birth defect outbreaks.

This is a developing Star Realm located in central alignment between the Empire’s core and the Empire Border Star Realm, which isn’t highly developed yet.

Within this Star Realm, the place with the highest frequency of birth defects is the Cai Mo-3 Star Zone in the Cai Mo Star Realm.

No more precise data is available because data from the entire Star Zone is roughly similar, identified through data, at the smallest location.

"This place may not necessarily be the main base of Zuo Jing, but it certainly is the source of this Dimensional Infection. Was there no prior investigation?"

The director explained to Chen Ming’s question: "There was an investigation, but during the inquiry of this Star Zone, we found no clues."

"A Star Zone is not too large nor too small, finding something specific is very difficult."

"Moreover, the fallout from the Dimensional Infection is purely interference from another dimension affecting normal universe, impacting the growth of fetuses with weak consciousness, without leaving any Spiritual Energy Fluctuation residues."

"It’s possible to find this Star Zone through data, but tracking to the source of fallout is basically like finding a needle in a haystack."

"Even with Empire support, it’s impossible to investigate every corner of every planet."

"So after an initial round of inquiries, our focus shifted to Dusk over there. The Dimensional Infection outbreak site there is confirmed, though the progress is not ideal."

Upon hearing this relates to his expertise, Chen Ming immediately said, "Why not come to me? Everyone should know I definitely have been holding some cards in the Dusk Star System, right?"

"That’s the rationale, but there are reasons behind it. One concern was contacting you early might hinder you from controlling the Dusk Star Realm completely."

"Moreover, if we were to seek your help, who should we send? At what cost can we persuade you to assist? You were a Free Psychic before you ran to the Fourteenth Legion, the Empire won’t compel you to help, so it’s been on hold."

"Additionally, the Empire recently discovered another relic of another civilization."

"In that relic, some documents potentially related to Dimensional Infection were found."

Chen Ming immediately grasped the connection and asked, "Did another civilization also encounter Dimensional Infection?"

"Yes, the documents are awaiting translation by linguists, but just from the already translated portions, it’s certain a similar incident indeed occurred in the history of another civilization."

"They were also intelligent beings, based on the size of the discovered equipment, we can determine their physique was similar to ours. Although no skeletal fossils were discovered, it’s certain they also went through similar stages as us, cloning included. Hence, encountering Dimensional Infection was quite normal."

Chen Ming asked again, "Is it possible that the downfall of another civilization was related to Dimensional Infection?" 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Such viewpoints have already been proposed, but before enough information is gathered, a definite conclusion should not be expected."

"I will keep tracking this, and let you know if you wish to be informed, but for now let’s focus on our current matters."

"Alright."

Suppressing his curiosity, Chen Ming said, "Should we proceed with investigating Cai Mo-3 further?"

"Yes, a targeted investigation is necessary. You mentioned that Zuo Jing is involved in this, so I now have reason to suspect that Cai Mo-3 might be involved with Zuo Jing as well."

"As Zuo Jing usually hides among the population, it’s highly possible that the location where Zuo Jing initiated the Dimensional Infection is somewhere public within the Empire, but they cleaned up their traces, and this investigation will focus on such places."

"But you should try not to get involved, I can’t personally go there either, we must find someone else to help out."

This reminder from the director is essentially a reiteration of what was said before. After all, if Zuo Jing actively triggered the Dimensional Infection and someone survived, then if Chen Ming or the director unknowingly came in contact with Dimensional Infection survivors.