"The reason it's said to be outside of the plan is because the research project at Institute 923 is a study on the utilization of Dyson Sphere remnants, which does not directly relate to addressing and resolving extreme weather issues.

"And the reason it's not entirely irrelevant is that if there are breakthroughs in the institute's project, they can also be applied to respond to extreme weather and solve a series of social issues.

"Under increasingly extreme ice age conditions, social organization and energy utilization will gradually become topics that need serious attention and urgent resolution.

"If Institute 923's research yields results, we will have a complete solution for energy utilization in extremely cold weather."

Lu Xi'an unconsciously glanced at Gou standing on the workbench.

Gou stood there quietly, as if not hearing the sound coming from the speakers in the room.

But Lu Xi'an now clearly understood that this mechanical dog was the result of research at Institute 923.

—And this result ultimately was just a mechanical dog, not applied elsewhere.

So, what was the reason for this?

He continued to listen as the Masked Man continued to speak through the room's speakers:

"When everyone had abandoned their interest in the extraterrestrial, we still believed that the civilization achievements we'd abandoned in the universe, even if partially in ruins, the remaining parts might still serve their purpose.

"We can't completely abandon it just because it brought us severe disasters. Considering the great costs and resources we spent to build it in the universe, how can we let it bring only catastrophe to Earth without any bit of reciprocation?

"With this belief, we made plans, after being submitted and rejected multiple times, our plan finally got approved, and Institute 923 was established."

"Our mission was to explore and study the severely damaged extraterrestrial ruins, finding ways to continue utilizing Dyson Sphere remnants.

"I won't discuss the research process here; it's a dull yet fascinating job, something you likely wouldn't be interested in without a relevant academic background.

"Coming up, I'll turn the explanation directly to results—of course, if you insist on listening, I have no objection.

"I can't impose my opinion on you to make an absolute judgment.

"Now, please choose whether you would like the research process explained in detail?"

Another question.

Lu Xi'an answered without hesitation: "No."

He was sure he wouldn't understand it; he lacked relevant expertise, and only had a rudimentary understanding of the Dyson Sphere concept.

In front of Luo Ping and others, he was like a student among college students, but he was sure that the gap between him and the real identity behind the Masked Man far exceeded that.

He decided not to embarrass himself; it was better to skip over things he couldn't understand. It wouldn't affect him getting the answers he wanted.

"Continue the explanation."

The Masked Man on the screen received the answer and started explaining again.

The room speakers continued to emit sound: "Our results ultimately focused on the mechanical dog that brought you in, which we named Mechanical Dog 02.

"So before it, there was Mechanical Dog 01.

"Unlike Mechanical Dog 02, Mechanical Dog 01 was an ordinary model product of a tech company at the time and did not possess the special materials or functions of Mechanical Dog 02. Its role was merely to carry our research.

"After the establishment of Institute 923, multiple project teams were formed to explore the issue of Dyson Sphere energy utilization. Other project groups declared failure one after another for various reasons.

"Ultimately, it was Mechanical Dog 01 that succeeded.

"Although the Dyson Sphere's damage is irreversible, it is partial, meaning some part of the Dyson Sphere still functions, collecting stellar energy.

"To return this energy to Earth for use, energy beam collection stations were built outside, using wireless transmission to bring Dyson Sphere energy successfully to Earth for usage.

"Of course, this caused significant energy loss, and only a tiny fraction could be transmitted back to Earth, but it was entirely sufficient for Earth at that time.

"Our main problem then was the failure of the control system, making us unable to transfer the energy back to Earth. The presence of the stellar death zone and the impending cataclysm prevented us from using conventional methods to enter space and repair the control system.

"What we needed to do was bypass the control system or reconstruct a ground-based energy control system to collect the energy beams..."

In the room, apart from the sound from the speakers, there was no other noise. Only Lu Xi'an was attentively listening in front of the screen, while Chai Xin, Shu, and Luo Ping exchanged puzzled looks, feeling they couldn't understand.

Yao Wei, in fact, couldn't understand either, but since Lu Xi'an was listening, she stayed beside him, listening even if she didn't understand.

—She actually did catch a little bit, which was that their research was related to Gou.

The Masked Man's voice continued through the speakers: "For this, we applied to establish observatories in various places outside where energy activity was abnormally high, to observe energy signals, and conduct research and development work through observation data..."

Yao Wei didn't glean any specifics, just listening intently. But Lu Xi'an suddenly had a revelation, turning to look at Yao Wei.

"Ox Head Mountain Observatory!"

Six words burst out from Lu Xi'an's mouth.

Yao Wei suddenly widened her eyes. Hearing Lu Xi'an, she also remembered.

So, the observatory on Ox Head Mountain is related to this?!

"Ox Head Mountain Observatory was one of the observatories we established initially. With the Ox Head Mountain observation point as the center, we built several observation bases along the Sword Mountain range..."

The Masked Man seemed to have heard Lu Xi'an's words and offered an explanation following Lu Xi'an's lead.

Lu Xi'an instantly thought of something else: "The transmission tower on East Mountain as well?"

The Masked Man replied: "At the top of East Mountain, we set up an observation base, within a temple on East Mountain."

It really is!

Could this mean that Shu and others in Jianshan City—like the Fish Rider and Coffin Man—experienced changes connected to these as well?

However, Lu Xi'an decided not to ask these questions now. The changes in Shu and the Fish Rider, and the Coffin Man happened later, and Lu Xi'an was not sure if the Masked Man knew about it.

The most crucial thing now was to listen to the Masked Man talk about Gou.

This question could remain in his mind for now, to be asked after the Masked Man finished talking.

The Masked Man continued: "After consolidating data from various sources, we achieved research success and realized Dyson Sphere energy reception with Mechanical Dog 01.

"But Mechanical Dog 01 was just an ordinary product, unable to withstand the Dyson Sphere energy intensity without a control system, and soon was scrapped.

"Upon achieving this intermediate success, we immediately abandoned other projects and carried out two topics based on this: specializing in mechanical dogs, improving material strength around the success of Mechanical Dog 01, and developing supporting products.

"Secondly, we aimed to explore universal, more affordable materials to achieve widespread Dyson Sphere energy reception, to popularize our research results.

"We achieved interim results in both of these areas.

"After submitting the new project report, we quickly received approval and support. The leftover radiation-resistant lightweight composite materials from the Dyson Sphere construction were entirely allocated to us.

"We then received support from restarted mechanical dog companies that resumed operations in the post-apocalyptic era, fully cooperating with us to create a new mechanical dog with Dyson Sphere materials—the Mechanical Dog 02."

Is that so?

Everyone's gaze involuntarily turned to the quietly standing Gou on the workbench.

Who would've thought that Gou's entire body was made from materials used in Dyson Sphere construction?

No wonder it's so durable.

The Masked Man continued to elaborate: "Of course, Mechanical Dog 02 is significantly different from Mechanical Dog 01, in terms of size and functionality.

"We made more demands of the company, such as smart modules, versatile modules for Mechanical Dog 02, as well as supporting facilities that enable Mechanical Dog 02 to perform more functions.

"So, the company had to cut back in some areas to ensure the radiation-resistant lightweight composite materials were sufficient.

"You've likely noticed Mechanical Dog 02's relatively small size and lack of voice module.

"The saved materials were used alongside ordinary materials to produce cars that could be equipped with Mechanical Dog 02 and unmanned fighter jets that could be controlled via Mechanical Dog 02's intelligent system.

"These two products are parked in the research tower, and you can check them out."

Everyone couldn't help but glance out the room's door, eyes sweeping past the railing outside.

Before entering here, they had seen the cars and drones parked below, not expecting this now after hearing what the Masked Man said, giving them a big surprise.

No one expected those two items to be so tightly related to Gou.

"Does this mean, if the vehicle is equipped with Gou... I mean, Mechanical Dog 02, it can utilize Gou's... Mechanical Dog 02's received Dyson Sphere energy and then move?"

Lu Xi'an immediately posed his most pressing question.

Others also withdrew their gaze, focusing on the screen.

The Masked Man replied: "Yes. That vehicle is entirely built on the functional concept of Mechanical Dog 02, equipped with an energy collection module linking to the mechanical dog.

"In other words, Mechanical Dog 02 can become that vehicle's battery, freeing it from other energy constraints, enabling it to move directly."

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