Chapter 1 The First Type
The first type was funded jointly by the Galactic Empire military and the Jiang Ye couple, offering large-scale cosmetic surgery for free to the exiled population, with their post-surgery facial data then uploaded to the database.
The second type involved distributing the population to other planets. wap.kanshuwu.net
For instance, if there were dozens of identical Zhang Wei, they would be sent to dozens of different planets, and in turn, a portion of the population from those distributed planets would be brought in, essentially an exchange.
Ultimately, the decision was made to implement both methods, respecting the will of the exiled population.
One week after the war ended, all exiled individuals were required to download an app.
The app was developed overnight and named "New Identity."
Upon entering, users could choose between two main options: "Facial Transformation" and "New World."
Explanations for both options were provided below.
Entering "Facial Transformation" revealed an online character creation system. By repeatedly scanning one's face with their phone, a 3D model of their head would appear. Based on this, users could manually adjust their features, or for a quicker approach, generate a face with a single click, or even use voice commands to guide the AI in shaping their appearance, such as "Make my eyes bigger, even bigger," "Can you make my lips look sexier?" or "Make my nostrils smaller."
When the app first launched, there were no restrictions on facial customization. However, cosmetic surgery hospitals soon reported that some user requests were too outlandish, with individuals distorting their faces into bizarre shapes and adopting ghastly skin tones.
Consequently, the "New Identity" app underwent an overnight update.
After the update, when users attempted to submit their newly created faces, submission often failed. A cold, impersonal voice would then chime in, accompanied by pop-up notifications delivering sharp, sarcastic remarks:
"Are you sure you want your nostrils this small? Your respiratory system might suffer, and you could even suffocate to death."
"Are you certain your eyes need to be this large? You wouldn't want your eyeballs to fall out when you look down to play with your phone, would you?"
"Four eyelids? Are you serious? Do you aspire to have the eyes of a chameleon?"
"If you insist on looking like that, the cosmetic surgeon won't be bringing surgical tools, but a chainsaw to shave your bones."
Once users finally settled on their new faces, the next step was a new name. To continue living on the exiled planet, one had to change their original name, as too many individuals with identical names would cause confusion.
If "New World" was chosen initially, over two hundred planets would pop up.
Users could freely browse the basic information and immigration policies of each planet, selecting the one they wished to relocate to.
For anyone who chose to emigrate, Cen Yemeng provided a subsidy of one hundred thousand credits from the military as an immigration incentive.
Cen Yemeng was willing to spend so much money due to a sense of guilt.
Although the war against the exiled planet was necessary and just, it had, in reality, shattered the original lives of many. Therefore, she was willing to offer appropriate compensation.
Of course, this matter also received Jiang Ye's approval, as the family's finances were entirely controlled by Jiang Ye, and Cen Yemeng's account only held a few hundred million in pocket money. Thus, this was essentially Cen Yemeng treating and Jiang Ye paying.
The launch of the "New Identity" app on the exiled planet garnered widespread attention from the Galactic Empire, with media outlets from tens of thousands of planets soon reporting on it, either in detail or briefly.
After all, for the vast majority of people, the future had always been an enigma. Few had the opportunity to choose their destiny on a mobile app.
Furthermore, the exiled planet served as a prime example of "conquering barbarian planets and civilizing them." As the Galactic Empire expanded outwards, many planets would face similar choices. The exiled planet was an excellent model and advanced case study. For many years to come, Cen Yemeng's diplomatic missions were busy hosting delegations from across the galaxy who came to observe and learn.
One week after the app's launch, everyone on the exiled planet had chosen their future.
Only 9% chose to emigrate; the vast majority decided to change their names and faces and remain on the exiled planet.
During Diru Village's rule, countless citizens of the exiled planet had lain in bed late at night, gazing at the starry sky and fantasizing about how, if they had been born within the Galactic Empire, those star systems would have been vast worlds they could explore.
But now, with the opportunity to go to other planets, most people retreated, exhibiting a "Ye Gong hao long" (a metaphor for pretending to like something one actually dislikes) attitude. Everyone's considerations were pragmatic: they had lived on the exiled planet for a long time, were familiar with the environment, had established connections, and possessed housing and jobs. Moving to another planet offered no established foothold. Many still yearned for the stars, but this yearning was limited to the level of "visiting in the future."
A massive population migration then commenced.
The exiled planet and over two hundred planets began their population exchange.
Cen Yemeng's workload increased daily, with only four hours of sleep per night. Fortunately, medicine and health supplements were advanced in this era, eliminating concerns of sudden death or even fatigue.
As Jiang Ye was preparing to return to Jiang Ye Star and Bi Rong Star to attend to business, Li Nannan suddenly arrived.
She brought good news.
Due to Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng's meritorious service in expanding the Galactic Empire's territory, their superiors had specially approved, in advance, the couple's eligibility for the Time Gate, granting them the use of a "Twenty-Year Future Time Gate" for a single journey into the future.
Li Nannan announced this news at the dinner table.
Upon hearing the news, Cen Yemeng's chopsticks slipped from her hand and clattered onto the floor.
Jiang Ye was even more excited, his soup bowl shattering, scattering porcelain fragments and sea cucumber on the floor.
"When exactly can we go?" Jiang Ye asked. "Are there any dangers associated with this time travel? Where will the destination be?"
"There are no significant dangers. Occasionally, malfunctions can lead to entry into temporal turbulence, but the accident rate is extremely low. It's comparable to the probability of a nearby office building collapsing and burying you while you're taking a stroll after dinner," Li Nannan replied. "You can go anytime. Just let me know when you've set a date. This journey will last for 24 hours, and the destination is your home."
"Our home?" Cen Yemeng exclaimed. "Meaning, we'll meet our future selves from twenty years from now?"
"Yes," Li Nannan nodded.
Jiang Ye's mind raced with possibilities.
This was excellent!
By taking this trip, they could learn everything that would happen over the next twenty years!
They could avoid disasters and seize opportunities; the next twenty years would be a period of defying fate!
However, Jiang Ye quickly calmed down.
It couldn't be that simple.
If time travel could change one's destiny, then everyone would likely be doing it.
He recalled Li Nannan's previous explanation of the time travel mechanism, where she had stated that such means could not be used to alter anything. Jiang Ye had some questions but hadn't had the chance to inquire.
"I have plenty of time. When are you free, my dear?" Jiang Ye asked.
"How about we go separately, husband? I'm busy right now. You go first, and when I'm finished with my work, I'll go too," Cen Yemeng, however, gave an unexpected answer.