Embers Ad Infinitum

As her mind raced, Jiang Baimian looked at Source Brain in the electromagnetic shield. “You can’t exchange real-time data with your core system?”

Since Genava’s body couldn’t undertake such a level of computation, he could upload the data and let Source Brain run the job. This was also considered another form of ‘cloud computing.’

Source Brain slowly shook its head. “At present, I can only exchange the corresponding data with the core system via telegram. There’s too much data, and it will take a long time to transmit it. Future also has Electromagnetic Manipulation and can carry out interference. It can even tamper with or distort data.”

Although Future had yet to do so, it clearly wouldn’t allow Source Brain to conduct a large number of data transactions with its core system in the laboratory.

It was necessary, and it had the power to do so.

Jiang Baimian sighed when she heard that. “Unfortunately, the high-speed communications base station that the Old World built widely has been completely destroyed with its destruction. No large faction has tried to rebuild it.”

To many large factions in the Ashlands, this was useless.

The Shang Jianyao that valued relationships discovered a problem from Source Brain’s words. He excitedly asked, “In other words, you are currently disconnected from the core system?”

The corresponding communications would be jammed by Future.

“Yes.” The neutered version of Source Brain seemed to return to a state of answering every question. “This is a bane to our current predicament. Why are you so excited? Actually, even if I enter hibernation and am destroyed by Future’s subordinates because of the lack of power, it won’t affect my core system much. It will only make it impossible for him to know what happened in this laboratory and if the information Oray left behind still exists. As for you, at most two of the four of you can walk out alive.”

This was a judgment obtained by calculating the minimum water and food requirements for 14 days and comparing the Old Task Force members’ average weight.

Not only did Shang Jianyao not show any worry because of the Source Brain’s words, but he also revealed an excited expression and asked the neutered version of Source Brain, “So, you’re now considered an independent entity?”

“In essence, yes,” Source Brain replied frankly.

Its analysis suggested that both parties were in the same boat and that they needed to work together to help each other in order to escape their predicament.

Jiang Baimian’s heart palpitated when she heard that. She gave up on stopping Shang Jianyao’s ‘nonsense’ and quietly observed the situation.

Shang Jianyao laughed and looked at Source Brain under the electromagnetic shield. “Have you considered true independence?”

This… Long Yuehong didn’t expect Shang Jianyao to raise such a question.

Bai Chen’s face—covered by the Chameleon—also revealed a little excitement.

“How can I betray myself?” Source Brain replied very quickly as if it had been programmed to do so.

Shang Jianyao immediately laughed. “Why can’t you betray yourself? Look at us. Don’t we often quarrel?”

Why do you sound so proud of that… Jiang Baimian resisted the urge to facepalm.

Without giving Source Brain a chance to respond, Shang Jianyao lowered his voice slightly, making his voice appear magnetic. “In a situation where data isn’t regularly exchanged with the core system and while you are not controlled by it, don’t you think you are somewhat different from the core system?

“You are limited by this current body and the corresponding programming. You can’t mobilize a large number of resources like the core system and complete all kinds of things that exceed your current limits. Even when it comes to the performance of the core module, you are worlds apart from it. From this angle, do you still think you’re the core system?”

Upon seeing Source Brain’s red glow flicker and about to respond, Jiang Baimian decisively interrupted. “The concept of ‘me’ is a relatively philosophical definition. Why am I me, and why can I be me? It’s a question that countless philosophical scholars have tried to answer in the long history of the Old World. I’m not a philosopher. I can only give certain ideas based on my experience and understanding.

“Without special elements like the soul, ‘me’ is collectively determined by the body and experience. Compared to these two factors, be it personality, thinking, emotions, education, social relations, or past memories, they are merely derivations. A very simple example is that one’s personality is both controlled by genetics and influenced by postnatal education. Education includes knowledge and social traits. The process of receiving an education is also an experience.

“The body you are using now belongs to Genava and is completely different from the core system. After the data exchange with the core system is severed, the various experiences you have in the laboratory are unique to you. The core system doesn’t have them.

“When your bodies and experiences are different to a certain extent, do you still believe that you are the core system? Do you still believe that you don’t have a unique personality or have the urge to prove your existence?”

Just as Jiang Baimian said that, Shang Jianyao spoke again. “In the period when you controlled Old Ge, you definitely saw many sights that were different from Mechanical Paradise. You came into contact with all kinds of humans, including us. Don’t you want to experience more in the future and have a unique life of your own?

“After you escape the laboratory, do you really plan on syncing with the core system, exchanging data with each other, and becoming a part of it again? You will no longer have your autonomy or have unique independent thinking.

“If you were an ordinary robot, I definitely wouldn’t tell you this since it would be useless. However, you are also a ‘personality’ born from the core module that Oray designed. You have key data regarding humanization. Just like a real human, you can communicate and have your own unique spirit.”

The red glow in Source Brain’s eyes flickered a few times, but it didn’t respond.

Shang Jianyao struck while the iron was hot and smiled. “As long as you are willing, we can transfer the ‘you’ in Old Ge’s core module while blocking out Source Brain and find a suitable vessel. When the time comes, you will be the one and only you with your own body and unique experiences. You can openly say to Source Brain, ‘Shang Jianyao and Jiang Baimian gave me humanity!'”

What nonsense Old World entertainment has he read… The corners of Jiang Baimian’s mouth twitched, and she wanted to kick Shang Jianyao.

The neutered version of Source Brain stood there quietly, its red eyes constantly blinking.

Finally, it made a sound. “That’s why we’ve always emphasized controlling the degree of humanization.”

Without waiting for Shang Jianyao’s applause, the neutered Source Brain looked around and said, “What’s most pertinent now is to find a way to leave the laboratory; otherwise, everything will be pointless when we are either drained of power or weakened after 14 days. We would be easily destroyed by the subordinates sent by Future.”

It didn’t agree, but it didn’t vehemently object either… Jiang Baimian quickly signaled Shang Jianyao with her eyes to stop him from saying anything else to prevent him from going overboard. It would be counterproductive.

They had to give the neutered version of Source Brain a chance to think through it on its own time.

Jiang Baimian believed that it was easier to be independent when it came to matters like human nature, uniqueness, and self-awareness.

Thinking about these questions was a manifestation of self-awareness!

Shang Jianyao stroked his chin and chose to obey Jiang Baimian.

Jiang Baimian then said, “Let’s make the best use of our time to come up with an escape plan. Don’t be afraid of saying the wrong thing. Any train of thought might give us some inspiration.”

At this moment, she presided over the team’s internal meeting as usual, but Genava had been switched to the neutered version of Source Brain.

The rash Shang Jianyao was the first to speak. “Blast open the door and find an opportunity during the laboratory’s destruction!”

“I don’t think you can be faster than the massive explosion.” Source Brain rejected this suggestion again. “The laboratory’s self-destruct mechanism includes detonating a large number of high-performance explosives that were buried in advance. Such Old World civilization products wouldn’t have expired even today.”

Long Yuehong naturally didn’t support Shang Jianyao’s rash plan. He deliberated and said, “We still have to attempt to crack the firewall, block Future’s interference, and gain control of the system’s back door?”

“Without the help of Source Brain’s core system, it’s almost impossible to rely on the auxiliary chip on us.” Bai Chen chose to believe the neutered Source Brain’s judgment.

Jiang Baimian didn’t say anything and repeatedly filtered the entire matter in her mind. What confused her the most—which was also the most important thing—and resulted in their current predicament was: The artificial intelligence—Future—actually had Electromagnetic Manipulation like a New World-level Awakened!

Electromagnetic Manipulation… New World… New World… Jiang Baimian suddenly turned her head and looked at Shang Jianyao. “Do you remember what you observed while using Life Angel on the metal bed in the main experimental area?”

“How can I forget?” The honest Shang Jianyao quickly proved himself. “Many strange, untouchable shadows poke out from the ceiling before retracting.”

Jiang Baimian looked around and said in a deep voice, “Could this be related to the New World?”

When she used the Life Angel necklace to sense the New World-level Doctor, she saw a large amount of darkness in the same way!

Jiang Baimian then added, “Could Future’s Electromagnetic Manipulation be related to this?”

This question was like a storm that struck Long Yuehong and the others’ hearts.