Zhao Haiping briefly reviewed the article introducing the basic technology behind *Dark Sands*.
This technology was the result of decades of research by a top-tier research lab staffed with leading scientists.
Originally, this lab's goal wasn't to create a game; they aimed to explore consciousness-linking technology, attempting to trace historical memories and genetic patterns through collective human subconsciousness and deep memory embedded in DNA.
In short, it was an advanced research project involving cutting-edge technology in science, biology, and artificial intelligence.
The ultimate outcome of their research was *Dark Sands*.
The game felt so realistic because it utilized dream mechanics. Players entered a deep sleep state during gameplay, achieving many effects similar to dreaming.
For example, in dreams, time seems to pass slowly, yet in reality, only a few minutes have gone by; one overlooks irrational aspects without realizing it's a dream; and subconscious memories can resurface, bringing back forgotten fragments of experience…
*Dark Sands* leverages these principles, limiting access to sleep hours to achieve this near-perfect level of realism.
The reason why *Dark Sands* could depict such detailed and accurate historical scenes was due to another concept: the tracing of DNA memory and collective unconsciousness.
Human DNA carries ancestral memories, and the collective unconscious is the accumulation of ancestral memories. For instance, people are naturally afraid of heights or darkness due to these ancestral memories embedded in the subconscious.
*Dark Sands* technology can reawaken these memories in specific ways, and coupled with dream principles, it can almost perfectly recreate historical fragments, even those long forgotten.
This clarified many other questions.
For instance, why is the game so difficult, with designs that defy typical game rules? Why is the beta so limited, and why is there no monetization?
Because it isn't a game in the traditional sense. The creators designed it as a research project to break through the barriers of DNA memory and the collective subconscious to recover genuine history.
The "players" recruited aren't really players but testers.
The gradual unlocking of historical lines follows the rule that tracing back further in history increases the difficulty, so they proceed step-by-step.
As for the mystery surrounding *Dark Sands'* development company, its capacity for major advertisements on leading news sites and social media, and its apparent wealth…
That's all because it's a top-tier research lab funded by national resources, developing cutting-edge technology that could shape humanity's future, with budgets in the billions. What's a few ads compared to that?
In reality, *Dark Sands* is a research project, not a commercial game.
The entertainment it offers players is just a tiny side effect.
Those lucky enough to gain beta access should cherish it, as being able to play this game is a rare privilege; those who didn't get in shouldn't complain, just be patient.
Complaining is pointless; the developers are a research lab, not a game company, and they don't subscribe to the "player is king" philosophy.
The report omitted specific technical details, but basic theories were explained.
Though there were no profiles or images of the research lab, numerous experts in related fields endorsed the technology's feasibility. Several prominent figures in biology and science explained the principles.
This level of authority was convincing enough.
Players marveled at the prowess of the country's scientists.
Technology truly changes the world. Such things would have been unthinkable in the past, yet with advances in science, they've become a reality.
Misunderstandings were cleared up.
While some remained skeptical, finding the explanation hard to believe, no one had a more convincing alternative.
It's not like this was an alien invasion or some divine game played by a supreme deity—that'd be even more implausible.
Most players quickly accepted the explanation and eagerly awaited the new version's release.
Like with any groundbreaking game tech, few people care deeply about the underlying technology—they just want to enjoy the game.
…
That evening at 10 PM, Zhao Haiping eagerly logged back into *Dark Sands*.
This time, he noticed significant changes in the Order's space.
Mist shrouded the space, and in his view, a swirling effect appeared, as if the entire Order's space was drifting along the river of history, like a grand ship cutting through the fog towards a distant shore.
The swirling time currents extended forward, creating a void bridge as a guide.
Then, Zhao felt the ground beneath him tremble. At the far end of the bridge, a new platform rose slowly, with a portal that shimmered like a trial mirage but grander and more ornate than the previous portals for the four identities.
The massive platform was vast and imposing, suggesting that this trial's portal wouldn't be the only one, and that more trials could be opened in the future.
Stepping onto the void bridge, Zhao felt like a true Order agent traversing the river of history to battle demons.
Standing before the new trial portal, he sensed an aura that seemed even more dangerous than the previous trials.
"So this new platform represents the late Da Sheng Dynasty stage in history? And the portal here represents trial mirages tied to historical fragments from that period?
"This trial mirage is called *'One Must Wait Until the Final Farewell to Understand.'* Apart from that, there's no information. Looks like I'll have to explore it myself once inside.
"Enter!"
Without hesitation, Zhao stepped forward into the portal.
Upon entering the trial, he instinctively surveyed his surroundings.
He seemed to be standing atop a high platform on a city wall, giving him a bird's-eye view of the scene below.
"Judging by the scale, this should be a small county?"
Zhao wasn't a history buff, but based on the size of the town, he guessed it was a small county from the late Da Sheng Dynasty, likely with a population of around ten thousand.
The town's layout wasn't complex. From the wall, he could see the market, residential buildings, and other structures.
The town wall was far from sturdy—it was just a regular earthen wall, with parts of it still under repair by a few laborers here and there.
But for a small county, this was quite an achievement; many counties in this era didn't even have walls.
"A small county from the late Da Sheng Dynasty?
"I don't know the town's name yet, but it should become clear soon.
"A place like this would have been a hotspot for Eastern Yi raiders during that time.
"So the trial's objective is probably to fend off these raiders.
"But based on experience from the warrior trial, even in combat-heavy dungeons, there are bound to be puzzles to solve. Brute force alone won't get me through."
After a quick analysis, Zhao prepared to select his talent skills.
However, instead of the usual three skill cards appearing before him, he received a new prompt.