CHAPTER 881: CHAPTER 126: THE SUBSEQUENT EVENTS OF THAT YEAR

"If you don’t help with this..." Ola Freeman uttered half the sentence and then fell silent.

Yog waved his hand: "People at that time couldn’t possibly have foreseen what would happen later. The choice made in good conscience back then was necessary, so there’s no need to hold onto guilt because of it."

Anyone with knowledge of history and biology knows the story that followed.

Yawgmoth was inspired by Niyaguti’s research and completed the subsequent Benchmark Human Remodeling Surgery, the "Great Power" of the Usurper of the State, and other foundational technologies.

If Xiang Shan used "animal protection" as a banner to rally the lower and middle masses, then "this research might be beneficial to the Rama Project" was a wedge to infiltrate the power holders’ core.

And the facts proved he was entirely correct.

From a general perspective, Xiang Shan merely chose to believe Yawgmoth’s judgment. But as long as the report’s focus was well-written, it would reflect Director Xiang’s ability to heed expert opinions, showcasing his extraordinary courage in achieving great success.

From the outcome, Xiang Shan offended some stakeholders within the mining company but garnered significant achievements and connections. Besides, for that mining company, the exploration activities at the seabed volcano were not compulsory businesses.

In sum, it was a delightful conclusion at that time.

Xiang Shan looked at Freeman: "So what have you been doing all these years?"

"Just... with these whales," Freeman said somewhat awkwardly. "Um, over two hundred years ago, after that biochemical crisis... finally Vigette went to the Universe, and many projects here couldn’t see hope for resolution in the short term. Many people gave up, and eventually scattered. A few of us persisted..."

Then, trying to save more species wasn’t easy either. The Benchmark Human Remodeling Surgery was completed by the largest capital conglomerates in human history, pooling vast resources to overcome many hurdles.

But these technologies couldn’t be directly applied to other species.

To draw an analogy: Dolly the cloned sheep was born in 1996. After achieving the "first animal born through somatic cell nuclear transfer," cloning technology didn’t progress much further. Many countries have one or two endangered animals representing their national image, but no country’s "national treasure" can expand its population through cloning technology.

The target specificity of Benchmark Human Remodeling Surgery far exceeded cloning technology.

Even though whales were already quite similar to humans, helping them required overcoming many projects.

But what research doesn’t demand time?

Yet whales specifically lack time.

Back then, when Yawgmoth despaired and withdrew, many continued to strive to save the last remnants of the biosphere, but they too eventually couldn’t persist.

The final projects of the animal protectionists ended without a resolution.

"Those whales acquired greater intelligence due to the Benchmark Human Remodeling Surgery, but they wouldn’t use that intelligence to adapt to their modified physiology. Their body’s hardware didn’t match with the brain’s instincts. We had to teach them..." Freeman patted Kledec’s back beside him: "Back then... I became a fully cybernetic Enhanced Person, and brought the remaining resources to the sea."

Xiang Shan recalled. Ola Freeman seemed to dislike Cybernetic Transformation. Only the convenience of the intracranial intelligence system led to a bit of modification.

Based on his earlier statement, he chose to become a fully cyberized Benchmark Man in his hundredth year or so.

At that time, Freeman had come to the sea.

A few humans, a few ships, and some common industrial equipment. That was all their resources back then.

The external warfare was too intense, the rulers too unbearable, so Freeman taught those whales to hide well.

And whales developed various Whale Song skills on their own, to confuse and interfere with human detection systems.

Thus, they have constantly concealed themselves.

Freeman kept using Yawgmoth’s developed genetic modification technology to adjust the whales’ biological traits to better adapt to this harsh environment. All the way to today.

Xiang Shan scratched his head: "Well... I’m really sorry. I exposed you."

Freeman lowered his head, his tone somber but still clear to hear: "It’s okay. This day would come eventually. We’ve been psychologically prepared for a long time."

In reality, over the two hundred years, some outsiders occasionally passed through here, but all were Heroes.

The Protector’s operations involved submarines, large units, and "high volume" sonar. Whales were very sensitive to these, so they consciously avoided them.

While a small number of Heroes could only move using small vehicles, making it harder for whales to avoid them in advance.

And occasionally, whales would rescue some humans.

After arriving here, some chose to stay permanently, accompanying the whales. Others left. But those Heroes kept their promises, not disclosing what transpired here.

Xiang Shan glanced at the Martial Artist following Freeman. This subordinate of the Sixth Martial God seemed to be an elder who chose seclusion in despair.

Mysteriously, Xiang Shan recalled Kotoba’s words to him.

He dispelled this minor distraction and said to Freeman: "Knowing you’re alive, I’m glad. I’m going to find Niyaguti this time. She will be very happy to know as well."

"Nia..." Freeman sighed: "I see. Hearing old friends’ names after two hundred years is quite a surprise too."

"My identity is rather complicated." Xiang Shan turned around, grabbed Panic’s escape pod, and brought her before Freeman, saying: "If I stay here, I might bring you some risks. I’ll leave directly later. This little one is an orphan I adopted. Now, without my vehicle, it’s inconvenient for her to follow me, so I trouble you to take care of her."

Panic heard the conversation, realizing she was about to be left behind, tears immediately welled up in her eyes. She slapped the transparent door, her face showing an angry expression.

"Be good." Xiang Shan tapped the door, then said to Freeman: "Of course, I hope to obtain some supplies. Do you have weapons that can be used underwater? No need to be picky, basically any weapon will do."

Freeman pondered for a moment, then sighed, saying: "You actually... can stay for a while without issue. It’s quite hard to be found here."