Chapter 52: Reluctant Farewell

I shared all my innermost thoughts with Buweiro, some of which I had never even mentioned to my parents and best friends. I was able to let go of my concerns mainly because I felt relieved. First, Buweiro was not a human, so even if I told him all my little secrets, he would not go to the human world and talk about them out of boredom. Second, the Alliance was always monitoring humans, and they could sense what humans were thinking at any time if they wanted to know, so my little thoughts were nothing at all, so it was better to tell them all, which made me feel much more comfortable.  

What I didn't expect was how deeply we became engrossed in conversation, completely losing track of time. When I finally checked my phone, it was nearly 4 a.m.  

In my daily life, I'm somewhat reserved, yet here I was, chatting enthusiastically with a member of a prehistoric civilization. It was an indescribable feeling. Still, I genuinely believe that humanity could benefit from sincere and open communication with alien civilizations. My experience with Buweiro is a testament to that.  

After all, human minds have opened up significantly, and most people secretly look forward to the idea of alien civilizations. If humanity's leaders were to openly acknowledge extraterrestrial beings and extend an invitation to engage with them, aliens might willingly reveal themselves. Learning from extraterrestrial civilizations would undoubtedly accelerate technological progress, bringing transformative changes to our human society.  

Finally, I felt like we had talked about everything I could think of. I told Buweiro that I'd be leaving tomorrow and wasn't sure if we would ever meet again. Deep down, I already knew the answer. Unless some extraordinary event occurred, I doubted I'd have the chance to see him again in this lifetime.  

This sense of melancholy wasn't because I had ulterior motives or hoped to leverage my connection with an Inner-Earth being to extend my life or live for thousands of years by swapping bodies. Honestly, I didn't care about those things. Maybe I'm just conservative in my thinking, still cherishing the spirit of "Who has not died since ancient times? Leave a loyal heart to shine in history". Countless heroic predecessors have come and gone—why should I receive such preferential treatment?  

Perhaps hundreds of years from now, future generations of humans will live for thousands of years. But that's their fortune, not mine. Being born in the wrong era, I think it's best to let nature take its course. If one forces something unnatural, would it truly bring happiness?  

The reason for my sadness was the thought that, when I am old, I may still have the opportunity to walk around the streets and appreciate flowers with my human friends, but it will be difficult to see my special friend Buweiro again. After all, I'm a nostalgic person at heart.

Sensing my emotional turmoil, Buweiro guessed what I was thinking and offered words of comfort. "Brother Ji Wufan, there's no need to feel sad. As you humans say, parting is for the sake of a better reunion. This time, you're carrying the Alliance's message. If humanity's leaders and scientists humbly accept the Alliance's suggestions, it's almost certain that your technology will advance rapidly within decades, bringing significant changes to your lives.  

You are in the prime of your life. With your current physical condition and the purification of bodily impurities from this experience, living another 70 years shouldn't be a problem. If humanity achieves technological breakthroughs during this time, you'll live to see the era of direct contact with the Alliance. When that day comes, we'll meet openly and continue our heartfelt conversations. Humanity's lifespan will also extend greatly, and we'll have plenty of time."  

Seeing my expression relax, Buweiro kindly added, "If humanity ignores the Alliance's advice and continues on its current path, no matter what happens to humans in the future, I promise you this: in your twilight years, I'll visit you again to ensure you leave with no regrets."

"Hahaha..."  

I burst into laughter, feeling a wave of relief and lightness wash over me: "Alright, Buweiro, with your promise, I can rest easy. Thank you for understanding. Meeting you has been the happiest and most extraordinary adventure of my life..."  

After a while, Buweiro left. When I checked the surface time, it was already past 4 a.m., but I felt no trace of sleepiness. Knowing I'd be leaving later that morning, I had no intention of resting. Instead, I decided to make the most of the limited time left, ensuring this trip was truly worthwhile.  

But what should I do this time? Over the past two nights, I had experienced everything from ancient times to interstellar travel, exploring the Earth, the Solar system, the Milky Way, the universe, and even glimpses of alien life. For a moment, I couldn't think of anything new to experience. Then it hit me—because of financial constraints and family circumstances, I had never traveled abroad to explore the wonders of our Earthly home. Tonight, I wanted to stay grounded, to see the world outside and broaden my horizons. That way, I wouldn't feel so ignorant during future conversations with friends.  

The problem was, with it already being past four in the morning, and there's definitely not enough time to travel around the world in a few hours. A cursory travel experience won't be enough to immerse myself in the experience. Thinking this over, I decided to call Xiaomeng. "Xiaomeng, I want to visit famous landmarks and tourist attractions around the world. But time is short. Can the Universal Energy Field slow down my experience time, so that only a few hours pass outside, but I get to spend ten days or even half a month exploring?"  

"No problem. Dear guest, you can start anytime you are ready." Xiaomeng replied.  

I was overjoyed by the response. "Great, I'm ready! Let's adjust the surrounding time flow. First, I'd like to visit the ancient Great Wall of the Qin Dynasty and experience this incredible wonder of the world."  

No sooner had I spoken than the space around me expanded and transformed infinitely. In less than two seconds, the scene around me completely changed. I was now surrounded by bustling crowds, the temperature had risen noticeably, and a wave of historical grandeur filled the air.  

Looking around, I was instantly stunned. This was the ancient Great Wall of Qin. Though many parts had been worn down by time, its majesty and wonder remained undiminished. Having never traveled far from home, seeing the Great Wall for the first time filled me with an overwhelming sense of awe.  

Suddenly, I felt a bit thirsty. Glancing around, I realized why—the Universal Energy Field had set the scene in the middle of summer, making thirst entirely reasonable. After walking for a while, I spotted someone selling various drinks from a stall. I grabbed a bottle of mineral water and took out my phone, ready to scan the QR code to pay. Just then, Xiaomeng's voice echoed in my mind:  

"Dear guest, this is a semi-real virtual world. You're free to experience anything you like without restrictions. You don't need to pay, and there are no limits to your hunger or thirst levels. This virtual-realistic experience is customized to your preferences and needs. For example, no matter how much food you consume here, the taste will be completely realistic, but you won't feel full. You can enjoy it endlessly."  

Hearing this, I was extremely happy. In this immersive "game", I could do whatever I want without limitations—it truly was an ideal and cost-effective experience. With that in mind, I decided to make the most of it.  

"Thank you," I said with a smile. After thanking the drink, I unscrewed the cap and took a long drink. In my heart, I was silently expressing my gratitude for the Alliance's hospitality. The water was refreshingly cool, so realistic that I couldn't tell I was in a virtual world.  

"I want to see the interior of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's underground palace, but make sure to deactivate all the traps—I don't want to get killed inside," I said. After experiencing the grandeur of the Great Wall, I became curious about the mysterious tomb of this great emperor. In no time, the scene shifted again, and I perhaps became the first modern person to witness the detailed interior of Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum.  

...  

Due to space constraints and other reasons, I'll keep this part of the virtual experience brief. During this journey, I first explored China's famous landmarks and then ventured to international tourist destinations. Among them, what impressed me the most were the Egyptian pyramids, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Amsterdam's canals, the Aegean Sea, and the Palace of Versailles in France. I even wandered around the Bermuda Triangle. Xiaomeng acted as my guide throughout, so I had no worries about getting lost.  

Not only did I broaden my horizons by experiencing these famous landmarks, but the highlight for me was indulging in endless delicacies without ever feeling full. I lost count of how many delicious treats and local specialties from various countries I tried that night. When I was tired, I rested in the best hotels' presidential suites. Along the way, I also tried some other experiences—though I'll spare the details here—and felt like my life was utterly fulfilled.  

This night was an unparalleled joy; I was so immersed that I never wanted it to end. Especially the indulgence of staying in a presidential suite costing hundreds of thousands per night—it was so luxury beyond words. No wonder poets have penned lines like, "A tender haven, intoxicated by lotus, a spring dawn."  

As the old saying goes, happy times fly by quickly. When I finally felt ready to wrap up my journey, I asked Xiaomeng about the time. It turned out that 22 days had passed in the virtual world, while in the real world, it was already morning. It was time for me to leave.  

Although I was reluctant, I knew I had to leave eventually—this wasn't my final destination. My experience carried a sense of duty. I needed to document this journey and share it. If the Interstellar Alliance's advice is taken seriously, humanity could soon achieve a lifestyle similar to theirs. That is my mission.  

With that in mind, I reluctantly asked Xiaomeng to shut down the Universal Energy Field and end this virtual game. As soon as I spoke, the real world reappeared before my eyes. A wave of melancholy washed over me, and it took a while to regain my composure. Once I did, I asked Xiaomeng to call Buweiro over.