"But don't you think so?"

"They didn't exhibit obvious signs of worship or self-harm; they just sat there, as if communicating with something we can't perceive."

This phenomenon, dismissed by others, piqued Lindong's interest. "The Old Gods never communicate with any human individual. Even if they wanted to, human minds couldn't comprehend or sustain their attention."

Cognitive distortion syndrome doesn't stem from malicious intent from the Old Gods; it occurs simply because humans get too close to them.

"No wonder you hold a grudge against that idiot expert," Ethan suddenly realized. "He blew up the starship, preventing you from further observation."

Super Little Lindong did not refute, "It's common scholarly consensus that the Old Gods do not communicate with humans or any living beings. However, suppose their communication wasn't due to ritual, but because, in their circumstances, they really saw something?"

The communication actually calmed the crazed crew, as if they understood that the surrounding darkness wouldn't harm them.

This easily overlooked atypical symptom tempted her to open Pandora's box step by step.

"Suppose there really is something in that black hole, what is it trying to convey through communication?"

All research originated from this simple yet insane hypothesis. This was also why Lindong mocked herself as a fool, because even if others noticed this detail, they'd assume it was just another form of hallucination in extreme environments.

Statistically, there was a 99% chance that the crew was just ill. Yet she chose the 1% possibility.

This was far from rational behavior, just like the reminder from the member approving the project—maybe, you only saw what you wished to see.

"Since you learned about the underground sanctuary, you've probably been puzzled, right? Their plan was to implant an idea in your brain, making you believe you're one of them, so you could descend as the deity they expected, but it turns out you're a native, through and through."

Super Little Lindong changed the subject, "So, a new question arises: if you're a native, why does your way of thinking differ so much from the locals? Your sarcastic remarks and your perspective on matters resemble those from our side, a transmigrator from modern or 'future' society. This aspect has never changed—even now, our conversation is seamless."

This defies logic.

It's like a modern transmigrator could never have problem-free communication with a Victorian-era native.

"And you've vaguely sensed that some of the thoughts they tried to implant into you were actually real occurrences."

Only a lie mixed with some truth can blend fiction with reality.

"I indeed saw you in that lab… that's the reason you 'condescended' to their side."

Super Little Lindong's explanation pieced together the fragmented clues, "You wanted to approach the 'Black Lotus,' which is a communicator."

"Not just seen."

Super Little Lindong shook her head, suddenly becoming a bit nervous.

So far, she had interacted with countless experimental subjects, but only when facing Ethan did she experience accelerated heartbeat and wild thoughts. She didn't care what past subjects thought, whether gratitude or anger would not impede the experiments. However, when facing Ethan, she didn't want him to perceive her as some inhumane, cold-blooded scientific maniac.

"I am feeding you."

She took a deep breath, "Have you heard about feeding AI? I interpreted your communication with the crew as curiosity, suggesting you might be interested in humanity."

The facts confirmed her assumption: "Whatever you're curious about, I'll feed that material into your database… From the moment you developed consciousness, what you heard was from our side. But I underestimated your learning ability. You didn't just absorb our information; you mimicked my actions—Little Dark became the first Elemental Elf you fed."

She recalled how thrilled she was when the consciousness from the black hole first responded to her in a human way.

"Once the time was right, as remuneration for the information provided, I made a request. I wanted a pass to navigate through the black hole, reaching the coordinates on the other side for closer observation."

Super Little Lindong also remembered the emotions back then. It turns out that geniuses are constructed no differently from ordinary people. When meeting an online friend in reality, she became as nervous as a socially awkward girl, her heart pounding.

"We agreed to meet on the other side, but… things didn't progress smoothly. I speculate it's due to the True God's seal that interrupted, causing some memory loss during the descent."

Afterward, a young man named Ethan awoke among the refugees fleeing to Ximu Town, with lingering memories of another world, convincing himself he was a transmigrator mistakenly entering this dangerous realm. Meanwhile, she landed slightly earlier, awaking in a settlement north of the Imperial Capital, soon invited by an academy, starting her fascinating and exciting student life.

Ethan's mind was racing.

He had worked as a scribe at the Adventurer's Guild in Ximu Town for two years, completing guild tasks by day, and practicing Elemental Magic by night.

He previously thought his elemental shaping talent average.

4015 prayers and 16060 spells were needed to master the Fireball Skill.

Yet Super Little Lindong's words made him reinterpret his life in Ximu Town.

Unconsciously, he repeated pre-descent actions.

4015 prayers and 16060 spells finally "fed" the fire element into form, granting it independent thought.

"That's why I came to meet you."

Super Little Lindong looked at Ethan, quietly waiting for his response, "I am very happy, but… this research is evidently out of control."

This was important.

For both her and Ethan, it was so.

Before "Destruction Day" arrived, she must resolve these complex relationships.

"I finished my story. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

Super Little Lindong prepared herself mentally. She suddenly envied the fool outside who used the Omega Blocker, still enjoying "post-transmigration" life, and still casually tossing tricky problems to them to solve.

"You mentioned earlier that my foundational understanding of this world was based on your feeding in the lab…"

Ethan's serious expression made Super Little Lindong's heart anxious.

Despite ample mental preparation, although she could think of over 100 antidepressant names in a second, and despite knowing that for someone at the top, a minor emotional setback is insignificant…

Yet she yearned for a satisfying answer.

Like those grand finales in novels, games, and comics.

She held her breath, silence as if a judgment, she awaited the final result.

Ethan's eyes were sharper than anyone's, "You must answer the next question truthfully."

"Hmm."

"Is the Hakimi virus something you fed into my 'database'?"

Super Little Lindong was stunned, her meticulously built emotions bursting like a dam.

"Ah, um, oh, it was me… no, not me, it was her; this was Lindong's doing."