Some of the Inverted believed this might be a deterrent strategy by the Great Ones, using the release of a reset signal to restrain various forces;
Some suspected there was a hidden threat unknown to them;
Others worried this was a manifestation of internal differences among the Great Ones.
The sound of arguments echoed through the Specimen Library, various energy fluctuations of the void remains began to interfere with each other, making the entire space unstable.
The liquid in the Crystal Sacs began to fluctuate violently, with some smaller chambers even showing subtle cracks.
Just as the discussion was about to turn into chaos, a suffocating pressure emanated from the deepest part of the Specimen Library.
The pressure felt like the weight of the entire universe pressing upon everyone, instantly quelling all sounds and energy fluctuations.
Three gigantic crystal sacs began to glow, they were located at the highest point of the Specimen Library, each over ten times the size of an ordinary chamber.
The material of these chambers was distinctly different, composed of some kind of translucent starlight crystal, with aurora-like colored light bands flowing over their surfaces.
These were the oldest beings from the Second Era, the most senior of the Inverted in the Court of Truth, all of whom were top-level Great Wizards.
Their awakening signified the severity of the situation had exceeded the ordinary scope.
The first chamber held "The Void Brain" Drake.
His void remains were an eerie giant brain.
Inside, countless starlike points flickered, each containing a wealth of unimaginable knowledge.
Inside his transparent brain structure, countless fragments continually transformed like a kaleidoscope.
The second chamber held "The Reality Web" Oberon.
His void remains resembled a continuously weaving web, each thread representing a fundamental rule of reality.
With his slightest movement, the spatial structure of the entire Specimen Library would undergo corresponding changes.
The third chamber held "The Root of Existence" Atlas.
His void remains were a gigantic conceptual tree, with roots deeply embedded in the most fundamental layer of existence.
On its branches grew various shaped "fruits," each representing a potentiality of existence.
When these three ancient beings awakened simultaneously, the entire Specimen Library trembled under their pressure.
Those Inverted who were just now in heated discussion fell into absolute silence instantly, even breathing became a cautious act.
"...Noisy little ones."
Drake’s voice was like the sound of the river of time flowing, with each syllable carrying the endless weight of ages.
"Your concerns... are not entirely superfluous."
Within his time vortex, the complete view of the current timeline appeared.
It was a complex, dazzling, multidimensional picture in which every detail was constantly changing.
"Indeed, an ’adjustment’ is imminent, but the scale and impact... are extremely limited."
"Adjustment?" Gould asked cautiously, his voice tinged with evident nervousness.
"Yes." The voice of the Reality Web Oberon was rhythmic, like the operation of a loom:
"It’s not a comprehensive reality reconstruction, just a targeted correction of certain... specific issues."
In his weaving web, the specific scope of the adjustment was displayed, though it was a relatively limited area.
Yet, even these limited adjustments had enough impact to alter the fate of countless existences.
"Mainly targeting the excessive expansion tendencies of the Conquest Faction and some... uncertain impacts of heterogeneous factors."
Oberon continued: "But the core structure of civilization will be preserved, and most existences will continue."
This news made all the Inverted exhale in relief.
This was much gentler than a comprehensive restart.
However, even such "small-scale" adjustments could be catastrophic for those selected targets.
"This time’s... adjustment, what is it mainly for?" "The Zenith Star" Perust cautiously asked.
"A collection of multiple reasons." The Root of Existence Atlas answered, his voice as stable as the earth.
His conceptual tree flashed with the light of various possibilities, each leaf representing a different causality.
"Indeed, the conquest policy is deviating from its intended course, but more importantly..."
He paused, his voice becoming more cautious:
"The emergence of certain heterogeneous existences has introduced too much uncertainty into the system."
"How long is the observation period?" the Jellyfish Woman Mola inquired.
"About a hundred years." Drake checked the specific time nodes within his brain:
"If within this period the current problems can be naturally resolved, the adjustment plan could also be canceled."
His tone carried a trace of residual hope:
"The Great Ones prefer to see a natural corrective process rather than enforced intervention. After all, each adjustment consumes the essence of us all, and..."
He didn’t finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.
Forced adjustments, while solving current problems, could also create new ones.
There are historical examples of this, where one adjustment triggered a chain reaction that ultimately led to a larger-scale restart.
"So Master Drake, what do we... need to do?" "The Scaled Elder" Varian asked, scratching his neck, somewhat uneasy.
"Do nothing." Drake’s answer was concise and clear:
"Continue observing, continue recording, or continue... sleeping. This is the duty of us Inverted, and the meaning of our existence."
As the three ancient beings concluded their words, their glow began to gradually dim.