Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Realm of Ultimate Bliss

The warship’s trial was a resounding success; its energy systems, weaponry, propulsion, and spatial sealing all met the anticipated standards. However, since it had been converted from an aircraft carrier, its combat capabilities fell short of requirements—especially in terms of weight. With a displacement of two hundred thousand tons, it was far too heavy for Wang Jing, who could only transport a little over three hundred tons, and it could not be made modular to reduce the weight.

Despite these many shortcomings, it was, after all, merely a proof-of-concept prototype. A brand-new class of space warships was already under design and would soon enter production. Until then, everything was calm and peaceful.

With the help of Yu Tiandi, and as the various worlds no longer demanded resources as urgently as before, Wang Jing was granted a rare weeklong vacation.

To celebrate, Wang Jing took the entire squad from his world-traversing team on a journey across the planes of existence. Starting from the primary world, they visited, in turn, the Wandering Earth, Resident Evil, Transformers, Geostorm, and finally the Terminator universes—a total of six worlds, spending a day in each, with the last day reserved for rest and reflection.

In the primary world, Wang Jing led his team to the most luxurious wellness club: natural hot springs, full-body spa treatments, a lavish buffet, and massages to melt away more than a year’s worth of tension and fatigue. By the end, everyone succumbed to blissful sleep.

The second day, they journeyed to the Wandering Earth universe, guided by Li Yiyi and Wang Lei, to witness the planet’s most breathtaking sights—standing atop the Sulawesi turning engine, they beheld a landscape split between heaven and hell. Later, they all visited Liu Peiqiang’s home to savor a meal he personally prepared. Eager to spend precious time with his family during this rare week off, Liu Peiqiang found unanimous support from the team. Still, duty was duty—everyone took turns making sure Liu Peiqiang was well and truly drunk.

That night, the team sprawled across Liu Peiqiang’s living room, a chaotic scene, though fortunately Liu Qi and Han Duoduo were there to tuck everyone in and tidy the mess. This touching moment elevated Han Duoduo to beloved “national little sister” status among the single men back in the primary world.

On the third day, the team didn’t wake until ten in the morning. After bidding Liu Peiqiang farewell, they headed to the Resident Evil universe.

In the Resident Evil world, Ada Wong led them through the secret bases established by various nations. The vast, intricate underground facilities astonished everyone and satisfied the curiosity not only of the travelers but also of the civilians back in the primary world. However, the governments of the primary world were less than pleased; given the similarities in worldviews and base construction, their own secret facilities were now common knowledge among the populace. Still, since a united world government had ushered in an unprecedented era of peace, and since secrets seemed to matter little now, the prevailing mood was more annoyance than concern.

On the fourth day, the team visited the Transformers universe. After half a day of sightseeing (for the historical landmarks were much alike), the men accompanied Alice and Ada Wong on a shopping spree that nearly maxed out Wang Jing’s credit card, before moving on to the Geostorm universe.

This time, it was the men’s turn to shop with abandon—high-performance computers, phones, watches, and every gadget that could set a man’s heart racing.

On the fifth day, they toured the newly completed Dutch Boy, watching firsthand the operation of various weather-control satellites. Witnessing a typhoon shattered by hundreds of micro-bombs and cool rain delivered to parched deserts, they marveled at humanity’s technological prowess and eagerly anticipated the weather-control satellites under construction in the Resident Evil world.

Everything proceeded according to plan—until the sixth day, when, just as the team prepared to head to the Terminator universe, an unexpected event occurred: they arrived in a new world altogether.

Their sudden appearance startled the surrounding crowd, who quickly drew away from Wang Jing and his companions.

“It seems our holiday is ending early,” Ada Wong remarked quietly.

Wang Jing surveyed the slum-like environment and the densely packed people, uncertain at first of this world’s identity. But when he looked up and saw the iconic large pentagram in the sky, comprehension dawned instantly.

“Let’s go back,” Wang Jing said, and transported the team to the primary world.

No sooner had they arrived than Song Guohua approached. “Looks like your vacation’s been cut short.”

Wang Jing smiled. “Not necessarily.”

“Oh? You know which world that was?”

“Yes. That world is on the brink of death—overpopulation has pushed Earth beyond its limits. Resources are exhausted, disease and crime run rampant, and the planet is slipping irreversibly into desertification. The wealthy have hoarded what little is left, building a massive space station in orbit to preserve their luxurious lifestyles. Most importantly, they possess an extraordinary technology—one that can repair any human injury and even restore youth.”

“Life on that space station must be paradise,” Wang Jing sighed.

“The commoners are truly wretched—no hope of ever rising above their lot,” Song Guohua said with pity.

“Indeed. They are the abandoned children of their government. But as it happens, our Resident Evil universe is in need of people—they could be a fine source of population.”

“But first, we’ll have to persuade that corrupt, decadent government. That won’t be easy,” Song Guohua said with a troubled look.

“There’s no need to make it complicated. If the timing is right, that world is about to undergo a coup. All we need do is reap the benefits.”

“But even if we seize control of their government, will the masses submit? If they rise up as well, our casualties could be immense—we might lose everything,” Song Guohua worried aloud.

“That’s easily solved. That world’s government uses robots to keep the populace in check. If we can seize control of those machines, rebellion won’t be a concern. Moos can handle it.”

“I’ll make arrangements right away,” Song Guohua said, departing to report.

Wang Lei turned to Ada Wong and Alice, “Ada, I need you to take Optimus Prime to the space station, infiltrate their command center, and at the right moment, plant Moos into their servers.”

“What sort of moment are we waiting for?” Ada asked.

“When their main control system is offline. Just be careful not to be detected by the robots.”

“Alice, you’re with me. Our job is to ensure the coup goes smoothly.”

“That sounds thrilling!” Alice exclaimed, excitement lighting her eyes.

Wang Jing grinned. “Indeed, it will be.”