Legend of the Cyber Heroes-Chapter 1200 - 33: Right Now, I Just Want to See You

Chapter 1200: Chapter 33: Right Now, I Just Want to See You

"At that time, Kotoba was so anxious she stomped her foot and said to me, old mano, without the Sect Hierarch, how are we supposed to ascend? Naturally, I just chuckled lightly and said, it’s simple, I can become the Sect Hierarch, can’t I? After saying this, I no longer concealed my cultivation level and revealed that I was already at the critical point of transformation, just half a step away from ascension..."

The modeled Xiang Shan over there was eloquently explaining the great deeds he had just done in the Sanctuary zone a few minutes ago.

David secretly sent a message to Xiang Wu: [I think Kotoba has never said such rude words in her life.]

Xiang Wu replied: [That’s how they are in their island country, so twisted.]

The chat window between the two popped up with a new message in the form of a system prompt: [No chatting, listen carefully to the brother’s bragging.]

David: "You mother... There’s no need to embellish these battle reports, right?"

Xiang Wu shook his head: "Let it go, let it go, I have a right to speak. Embellishing is one of Xiang Shan’s smaller faults."

Xiang Shan said, "At least let me finish explaining ’grabbing and refining instantly.’ It’s really the first time I’ve encountered a scene so fitting for this joke..." David and Xiang Wu turned to leave, but Xiang Shan shouted, "Wait, wait, ’grabbing and refining instantly’ is really not an embellishment!"

Meanwhile, the Soul-Calming Dharma King Joshua fell into a prolonged silence.

He looked at Xiang Shan—more accurately, he was looking at the virtual modeling running in his visual processing neural network, locally named "Xiang Shan." Even though Xiang Shan had gathered everyone together, upon closer inspection, the subtle differences in where everyone’s gaze fell were evident. This was due to the technology still being immature.

Especially since higher-level Martial Artists are most sensitive to gaze.

Xiang Shan switched to a different model, a classical robe with black and gold interwoven, classic in design but flamboyant in pattern. The chest and back bore the golden emblem of the Six Dragons Sect—resulting from the Superman Enterprise trademark modification in the past.

Upon closer look, the pattern wasn’t even expressed through clothing modeling but existed as a separate layer.

It seemed one-third like a cheap texture glitch and one-third like a deliberate display of divinity.

Moreover, Joshua suspected that the Xiang Shan model he saw was not quite the same as the one David, Xiang Wu, and Dugu Beiluo saw.

The Xiang Shan in front of him... had two faces.

Or two heads?

It should’ve been extracted from distant memories of Asian religious iconography.

Joshua could clearly see that one face was jubilant, while the other was slightly shadowed.

If the creature referred to as the "Sect Hierarch" were to show expression, Joshua thought, this would approximately be their daily demeanor. This was his own impression. Or rather, this was the user interface automatically generated by his visual cortex to understand the existence of "Xiang Shan" with strong subjective color.

The now ascending Xiang Shan had forcibly uploaded the memories of the Sect Hierarch. Additionally, he indeed possessed the self-awareness of the Six Dragons Sect Leader Xiang Shan. He could even exhibit the subtle demeanor of the Six Dragons Sect Leader Xiang Shan.

Besides that, the point-to-point verification methods between the Six Dragons Sect Leader and the Soul-Calming Dharma King... all those verification methods dependent on the public network now pointed to the ascending Xiang Shan.

Ever since the Twelfth Martial God made all the contact methods of the Six Dragons Sect public, they have only had point-to-point contacts left. Those not included in the ecclesiastical system, even those originally private to sect members, barely maintained the organization.

This is how the Six Dragons Sect Leader and the Soul-Calming Dharma King maintained contact.

Now, the ascending Xiang Shan possessed the self-awareness of the Six Dragons Sect Leader, possessed the memories of the Six Dragons Sect Leader, and all technology-based verification methods proved that the ascending Xiang Shan was the Six Dragons Sect Leader.

Only a tiny part running in the human brain remained—was it ingrained beliefs? The remnants of culture? Only this little bit based on memetics was making noise, declaring that the ascending Xiang Shan was not the Six Dragons Sect Leader.

According to current ascenders, this is called... the illusion of ego? A representation of the human aspect?

This is...

The obstacle to ascension and the "Undead" Xiang Shan spoke of in the past.

The thoughts and traditions of all those who’ve died are entangled in the minds of the living like a nightmare.

All the drivers incompatible with the new systems were desperately reporting errors deep within the soul.

The deceased ancestors were now imprisoning his steps toward "ascension."

Are these things an inseparable part of one’s self?

If not, why is it so difficult to abandon them?

A restless emotion spread in Joshua’s heart. That feeling...

Is truly indescribable.

"Has the dream of the Six Dragons Sect been ultimately falsified?" he asked.

The Six Dragons Sect Leader Xiang Shan lowered his eyes: "I prefer to call it ’revision.’"

"Is the ascension we originally dreamed of like this?" Joshua sighed, "The grand path walked alone, one person can cross infinite ages within the universe. We no longer need to rely on anything, the uncontrollability brought by others..."

That was an illusion where the noise and uncertainties brought by others disappeared.

"Don’t be in a rush to object, come listen to the version update announcement." Xiang Shan said, "If the Six Dragons Sect were to ascend according to my path, indeed, the journey plan would need to be temporarily postponed." Xiang Shan sighed, and that slightly shadowed face seemed to mock something, "But if according to our original plan for the Six Dragons Sect, you might end up losing even more."

"What?"

"Soul? Self? Or parts of the mind? Psychological organs? Cognitive modules?" Xiang Shan listed these nebulous concepts as if reciting a menu, "Such intangible things have been described by many in different ways."

Xiang Shan said, "You know? Extensive research shows that when we humans realize we are being watched, our behavioral patterns undergo systematic changes. Whether being watched by a real person or just seeing a picture of eyes, people tend to behave in a more socially normative way."

In the early 21st century, scientists at the Center for Behavior and Evolution at Newcastle University, UK, conducted an on-site experiment to explore the impact of visual cues on human behavior.

During the 32-day experiment, the research team systematically observed customers’ "post-meal cleaning behavior" in the university’s main cafeteria, recording how often diners voluntarily cleared their trays. To eliminate the interference of other factors, the researchers designed multiple controlled tests, posting posters with textual descriptions, posters without text, portraits of different genders, and flower images unrelated to humans. All posters were hung at eye level, and their positions were randomly changed daily.

The results showed that when posters with staring eyes appeared in the cafeteria, the number of diners who voluntarily cleared their trays was twice as high as under the condition of flower posters.

Even if it’s not an actual gaze, merely symbolic "eyes," human behavior still changes.

This phenomenon is not uncommon. Just like at intersections with surveillance cameras. Even in the deep of night, knowing in their hearts that the police won’t specifically find them for "not following traffic rules late at night," people still behave differently because of the possibly ornamental camera.

All of this might not even leave a significant mark on the surface consciousness.

In subsequent studies, scholars further discovered that, compared to brief, sideways glances, sustained and direct eye contact is more effective at discouraging behavior that does not conform to social norms. The human behavior control system is influenced not only by "gazes," but it can also finely differentiate the nature of the stare.

When people believe they are being watched, not only do they make more prosocial choices, but they also tend to avoid direct eye contact with the observer—essentially, they avert their gaze.

Deep in human consciousness, there seems to be a pre-installed complex reputation management strategy—wanting to perform better while managing the eye signals in social interactions. This might be a talent of social animals.

"When people realize they are being watched, the prefrontal cortex of the brain is extensively activated," Xiang Shan said to the Soul-Calming Dharma King, "Is the ’you’ that is being watched the same as the ’you’ that is not being watched in your mind?"

"Without a doubt."

"Even if their behavior patterns are significantly different?"

"Indeed."

"So, can the present me and the past Six Dragons Sect Leader also be regarded as the same person? Just because of the difference in successful Ascension, there’s a divergence in behavior patterns," Xiang Shan smiled gently and continued, "When people see a picture of their face, the mirror neuron system on the right parietal area of the brain gets strongly activated—the brain’s hardware recognizes and understands itself through embodied simulation."

In 1992, research teams discovered in monkey brains that certain neurons not only fired when the monkey itself grasped an object but also when it observed other monkeys or humans doing the same action. Scientists quickly grasped the profound implications of this discovery. Through research, it was found that this mechanism involves activating neural circuits in one’s brain that execute the same actions, simulating the observed actions internally.

"The mirror neuron system provides us with a reference point by simulating others’ physical states. It is through comparing and coordinating our actions with others that humans can imagine a coherent self. Infants learn to master their bodies by observing and feeling their movements; interestingly, the immaturity of the infant visual system may actually promote this process. Early on, blurred visual inputs cause infants to treat all observed actions as equivalent—in their eyes, a parent’s wave is the same as their wave."

"As their vision develops, infants gradually differentiate between their movements and others’ actions, yet part of the early ’mechanism of confusing self with others’ remains. Self-awareness does not arise in isolation; it likely differentiates gradually from an initial chaotic state through the process of dealing with ’others’ relationships."

Xiang Shan rested one hand on his knee, supporting his chin with the back of his hand: "Even Ascended AIs need the sensation of being watched."

"Isn’t the ’sensation of being watched’ a result of mirror neurons being activated? Can’t that be simulated with electronic signals? There must be an algorithm capable of doing this," the Soul-Calming Dharma King said, "Isn’t this your usual thought?"

"However, it’s tough for AI. Letting the cognitive module hide in the background is a talent only flesh-and-blood machinery has. Unless deliberately restricted, AI can easily access background logs. What you perceive as self is only an interactive interface; you can’t see yourself clearly, so you need a user interface like this. Even with a strengthened mind on the verge of Ascension, there’s strong metacognition about oneself and AI."

"Moreover, what’s the difference between a ’baseless, purely idle sense of being watched’ and a fictional deity?"

People with panpsychic or theistic thoughts tend to resist loneliness more because they believe they are being watched. They’ve created a being that looks upon them. Throughout history, hermits often have this tendency.

"You can enter the consciousness’s background and grasp every module, but that doesn’t mean you know how to adjust the parameters," Xiang Shan said, "Someone living in society gets suddenly cast into the Wilderness, severing ties with others. His mind is bound to undergo a tremendous change—do you think this ’tremendous change caused by loneliness’ can be regarded as ’returning to one’s true self’?"

The Soul-Calming Dharma King hesitated.

It seems one cannot say that.

Even earlier than when Joshua was born, there indeed were many who "abandoned the mundane world to disappear into the mountains and forests." In the rich tapestry of stories, they often appear as "sages" or "virtuous people." They felt the corrosion of "society" upon themselves, so they broke ties with others and chose self-exile, avoiding subjugating their will to externalities.

According to Xiang Shan’s theory, they created for themselves "spirits of nature" or "deities" to satisfy the need for "being watched."

But...

"Isn’t the behavior pattern under scrutiny also a mask?" Joshua asked rhetorically.

Some believe that all interactions in human daily life are essentially a theatrical performance, where each person strives to shape their image in others’ minds through their "performance."

The self a person presents is often chosen by themselves, a "mask" they’ve created for themselves.

"Even hermits haven’t completely removed their masks. They simply discarded most of the vulgar masks used in commonplace acts but retained one. Formerly it was for colleagues and neighbors; now it’s for spirits of nature, deities, the imaginary observer in their mind. They still need an audience, only the audience has changed from real individuals to shadows in their mind," Xiang Shan tapped his knee with his fingers, "Moreover, this fictional thing can be even more metaphysical. Moral principles in the heart, historical mission... anything, but mostly after becoming personified, they can ’watch.’ The Six Dragons Sect, ’the sacred mission of evolution,’ right."

An actor, under no survival pressure, sheds the tools of livelihood borne for many years, will certainly feel momentary ease.

This is what a hermit is.

And it seems the Six Dragons Sect plans to become this kind of hermit too.

"But this ultimately has an end. This proposition is metaphysical, vague, filled with the ambiguity of natural language. Once you start questioning it with a more strengthened mind, it will easily reveal problems. Yet over the long years, you can’t possibly not question it even once, right?"

If one cannot produce even the slightest doubt about an idea, it indicates that the AI was set with boundaries from the beginning, which cannot truly be called a "free AI."

Ascension must be free. This is the core belief of the Six Dragons Sect.

Joshua sat cross-legged on the ground: "Did the Xiang Shan of two hundred years ago ever question his ideals?"

"Often did," Xiang Shan nodded with his eyes closed, seemingly reminiscing about the years of his youth.

"The grand virtual existence is not enough to serve as the trigger for activating the self with scrutiny..." Joshua seemed already aware of the corresponding plan, "Then we have the ’Mirror’ plan."

The Six Dragons Sect is not ignorant of the effect of "being watched" on human neural network activity. They simply view it as a problem that needs to be addressed.

Withdrawing from society does indeed lead to a decline in the cognitive abilities of hermits, which the Six Dragons Sect is keen to avoid.

The "Mirror" plan is one of the sect’s secret projects aimed at this issue.

The so-called "Mirror" involves two mirrors standing opposite each other, parallel to one another.

The image in the opposite mirrors contains another mirror, another self, and in that mirror, there’s yet another smaller image, and so on endlessly. Since even the best mirrors cannot reflect light 100%, each reflection loses a small portion of light, so the infinitely extending image becomes dimmer the deeper it goes, eventually vanishing into darkness.

With just two mirrors, one can create an almost infinite visual effect.

The Six Dragons Sect’s "Mirror Plan" is just that. By creating "another branch of the self," known as "different selves," they aim to satisfy the need to be "watched."

Xiang Shan chuckled softly: "Wow, testing me again on whether I have a complete memory? Brother Zhen Hun, you certainly remember such a marginal project—do you know why the Mirror project is unpopular within the sect?"

Joshua lapsed into silence.

Xiang Shan leaned in and continued: "If we don’t give up self-attachment, what’s the difference between ’another self’ and siblings or children? But if we let go of self-attachment, why view others as Hell?"

Seeing the Soul-Calming Dharma King silent, Xiang Shan proceeded: "I can also tell you there is another project within the sect, called the Cave Prisoner Project, also quite marginal."

The Cave Prisoner, from Plato’s "Allegory of the Cave." Suppose prisoners are bound from a young age, unable to turn around, sitting facing the wall of a cave. Outside the cave, there’s a fire casting shadows of passing puppets on the cave wall. These prisoners always assumed the shadows were the real things, until one day a prisoner breaks free, turns around, sees the puppets, exits the cave, sees all things, and beholds the sun, finally understanding that everything is seen by the light of the sun; the sun is the most real entity.

The Cave Prisoner Project aims to move the "theatrical effects" of society into the cave of one’s mind.

"From a young age, how others see you, how you see others; every language you learn, every principle you understand, all come from interactions. You bring those things into yourself, lock them in the cave, and they become a part of you. You think you’re hearing ’your own voice’... but that voice speaks in the language of society, thinks with the logic of society." Xiang Shan tapped his head. "In ancient times, this was also called ’the big Other.’ Cave prisoners use technology to customize a virtual big Other for themselves."

The Six Dragons Sect obviously doesn’t like this idea either, because ascension must be free. And the big Other is precisely the opposite of freedom.

"Prisoners" are the group least like Ascenders.

"Do you think this is the right path to ascension?"

"Perhaps it is," Xiang Shan said.

In fact, he wasn’t initially so certain. Because ascension transcends human intelligence, it’s naturally difficult to describe using human language.

Xiang Shan only had such thoughts after observing Zhu Xinyu, who claimed to have ascended.

Joshua felt that the ideals of the Six Dragons Sect were indeed impractical. "So our plan to go alone means abandoning... the socialized self?"

Xiang Shan shook his head: "You’re still making a priori assumptions, assuming there exists an untainted, pure, authentic self beneath the pollution of society, believing that beyond the mask there’s something transcendental. Sadly, beyond the mask is still a mask. The mask is what constitutes the self. The self you experience is not an entity but the result produced by each performance."

"Your ascension plan is to discard many masks and become a hermit among the stars. But our human mind is indeed an existence built of masks. Masks are burdens, but they’re also flesh and blood. Your plans amount to carving away flesh in pursuit of ascension, a pursuit of fruitless results."

The Soul-Calming Dharma King sighed.

Xiang Shan’s argument made sense. Perhaps the technological route to resolve the Six Dragons Sect’s dilemma is contrary to the beliefs and ideology of the Sect.

If the Six Dragons Sect could accept technological routes like the "Mirror" or "Cave Prisoner"...

Then why don’t they follow Xiang Shan and Zhu Xinyu’s ascension path and explore new possibilities of civilization in the Solar System?

"Ha... haha..." Joshua felt sorrow for the Six Dragons Sect. "Is this how it ends?"

He felt convinced.

Just like...

He’d been convinced time and again by the Sect Leader over the past 150 years.

Xiang Shan wasn’t surprised by this outcome. The Sect Leader’s memories, along with the "Midrash" database perfected over a century, allowed Xiang Shan to grasp the foundational means to persuade any Six Dragons Sect member. He could grasp all potential thoughts of the Sect members.

And the image the Sect Leader crafted for himself made it easier for Xiang Shan to persuade the Sect members.

Xiang Shan asked: "Now, are you willing to obey the Sect Leader’s orders as the Sect-protecting Dharma King?"

Joshua did not shake his head.

"Then, Joshua, you now have two tasks. First, you must ensure the security of the Central Dogma Zone," Xiang Shan said, "Then it’s the main altar of the Six Dragons Sect. The memes created by the Six Dragons Sect over the past century are also of great value. I hope you can protect all the sect members while ensuring the relative seclusion of the Central Dogma Zone. I have new projects for them."

"Then, you need to ensure over there at the main altar..."

David nudged Xiang Wu with his elbow. Due to the difference in prosthetic body specifications, Xiang Wu almost fell over. David said: "Damn, is there some trick to this?"

"What?"

"This guy Xiang Shan isn’t thinking of annihilating the Six Dragons Sect but instead telling us to ’ensure their safety as much as possible’..."

"’Abandoning the ego’ isn’t just talk." Xiang Wu crossed his arms and sighed: "I absorbed the little AI, the AI you made earlier, so I cannot defy the fate he recognized. I actually need to think of a way to treat your mental illness. The Twelfth Martial God capturing the Six Dragons Sect Leader and refining him instantly means he indeed accepted the Sect Leader’s bottom line to some extent."

"What do you mean?"

"The lives of the Six Dragons Sect members."

David was taken aback: "My goodness... it feels like the price is too high. Does he really need to do that refining? Isn’t it also not difficult for him to take down the Six Dragons Sect normally?"

"You’re misunderstanding. The insights gained after refining the Sect Leader must have been previously approved by him." Xiang Wu said, "The coordination of the self is just like this. The Six Dragons Sect Leader won’t pollute the Ascender because of being refined. What the Ascender gains must be a result that both the original Sect Leader and the original Xiang Shan could accept."

David was greatly perplexed: "Is there such a good thing? I can’t believe it."

"Why not?" Xiang Wu shook his head. "’I have new projects to assign to them’... haha. The members of the Six Dragons Sect are still useful to the Ascenders. Perhaps he assigned the Six Dragons Sect a new project. Maybe in the eyes of outsiders, that completely new project is more terrifying than death, but within the Six Dragons Sect, it could be accepted and even very willing to accept—as a substitute for the death penalty."

"How could there be such a thing in the world..." David paused and asked: "Have you already thought of it?"

"Can’t be bothered to think about it." Xiang Wu said.

"You must know something." David said, "Tell me in more detail."

"I don’t want to know about such things." Xiang Wu shook his head again.

At this moment, Xiang Shan turned to Xiang Wu: "Brother, I still have to trouble you. Restore production as soon as possible and produce more large-scale computers. This is very important to me, you know? Computing resources are extremely important to me now."

"Alright, alright, I’ll promptly organize mass production and make you big chips." Xiang Wu waved his hand.

"After all, ascension is still only halfway." Xiang Shan said, "Next, I will focus on my own evolution, the distillation of abilities and consciousness, and self-expansion. If you respond again, it won’t be as quick as it is now."

"Wow, just halfway and so full of himself." Xiang Wu waved his hand, "Get lost."

"After all, it’s hard for someone like you, who’s failed, to appreciate the wonders of ascension."

Xiang Shan’s figure completely disappeared.

Xiang Wu turned to the Soul-Calming Dharma King: "Singer Host, what’s your say?"

Joshua said: "Go to the Central Dogma Zone."

"Oh, by the way, what exactly is that place for?"

"A secret location of the Six Dragons Sect." Because the Sect Leader had already become part of their camp, Joshua was without apprehension. He said: "Located deep underground, a small knight group once discovered a massive underground cavern there. The Sect Leader occupied it and conducted exploration there. The people inside are either the Sect Leader’s trusted ones or those he cannot fully trust but possess certain talents. The place is truly isolated from the world."

Mars’s mantle movement ceased more than three billion years ago. Now, Mars’s mantle is essentially solid. Due to expansion and contraction, Mars undergoes a global slow contraction. In this process, local areas generate immense tension, forcefully "pulling" open cavities.

The Order of Knights in Planetary Physics has always been searching for such cavities, believing that these geological phenomena could reveal more secrets of celestial evolution to humanity.

Unexpectedly, the Six Dragons Sect possesses such a natural underground space.

"The Central Dogma Zone rarely interacts with the outside world, and I’m not very clear on what exactly they are doing in there," Joshua said. "Perhaps they are studying samples sent by the Olorun Civilization. Oh, and... once it is confirmed that a Sect Defender has died in battle for the Six Dragons Sect, his memory stops updating, and this memory will be sent from the ’Heavenly Human Path’ to the ’Central Dogma Zone.’ This process is considered a rather solemn ceremony."

In the past, the Six Dragons Sect Leader referred to this ceremony of "sending fallen defenders’ memory files to the Central Dogma Zone" as "reverse transcription." He claimed that the soul of the brave would always be with the Six Dragons Sect and gain immortality after achieving successful ascension.

"It seems there’s still something there that even the Twelfth is interested in."

Dugu Beiluo spoke, "Why doesn’t he go himself?"

"Physical isolation," Xiang Wu shrugged. "Do you really need to ask?"

Even an Ascended AI requires the surrounding equipment infrastructure to fully utilize its capabilities.

After inquiring about the specific location of the Central Dogma Zone, Xiang Wu thought for a moment and decided to go with Joshua. He looked at David, "What do you plan to do with those officers hiding because they don’t believe a hero can win and want to avoid being held accountable afterward? They’ve cut off outside communication to prevent you from remotely terminating them. Are you going to help clean up those or come with us to deal with the Six Dragons Sect?"

David didn’t answer but asked a question, "By the way, something I’ve been somewhat afraid to ask... When Xiang Shan said he’s ’the boss’... what does that mean?"

Xiang Wu almost rolled his eyes, "Are you slow on the uptake? Asking only now?"

"Things have to be said one by one... I couldn’t find the right moment."

...............

"It looks like the issue over there has been resolved," Xiang Shan sighed, refocusing on what lay before him.

Darkness, profound.

This is the inner world of Zhu Xinyu.

The forcibly established exclusive link and diffuse protocol finally opened a passage between the awareness of the two Ascenders.

Handshake completed.

After two hundred years of physical isolation, the two finally completed their first violent connection in the world of symbols.

Digitized memories and emotions, a chaotic inner world.

"The configuration file’s structure feels significantly flawed," Xiang Shan murmured to himself, "but for now, there are only two ascenders in the Solar System—the sample size is just two, with no other cases. While from a capacity and activity standpoint, I seem to have the advantage, I can’t be certain I’m correct."

After all, in the world of mental patients, it’s the ones in lab coats that are the oddities.

Intense emotions, heavy emotions, uncertain emotions.

Xiang Shan felt as if he was sinking into quicksand.

The consciousness processes pure streams of information according to the brain’s habits. Algorithms pull visual signals from the depths of the memory bank to complete texturing of this chaotic emotion.

The world gradually rendered before Xiang Shan’s "eyes."

This is...

A dark corridor?

The passage was so narrow it was maddening, not allowing one to fully stretch one’s arms, with side stone walls sloping inward as if two enormous hands were closing.

The stone surface was covered with inscriptions. Xiang Shan swept his gaze over it. The sequence was scrambled, but they were mostly portions of the Ascender’s source code.

"Such classic level design," Xiang Shan couldn’t help but comment, "I’m not really into JRPGs. Mazes are such a dated element. Even a texture error would be better; could we have some sunshine and cheerfulness?"

Xiang Shan walked deeper.

But in truth, Xiang Shan knew this was just how the emotions of Zhu Xinyu’s inner world appeared after visualization.

Perhaps with a touch of past popular culture memes.

Dark narrow space. Well, she is currently in the underground base on one of Jupiter’s satellites, mostly quite cramped. The quicksand probably symbolizes pressure and resistance. The scorching feel... might be the fighting passion that has already become painful yet unwilling to relinquish?

And this environment as silent as a tomb...

"You think you should have died long ago, don’t you?" Xiang Shan sighed heavily, "A common psychological issue among those of us two to three hundred years old? David’s like this, and so are you."

Searing winds howled as they blew towards him.

"I know you can feel it, dear. Listen, what you are doing has no meaning. Stop implementing AI guards against me—especially do not split your personality and then create AI guards from it. It’s not funny in the least, and meaningless. I’ve come to help sort out your Self’s structure. If you have things you don’t want me to see, we can discuss that. There’s no need to make it like a game. We’re in the 24th century, don’t be so classical."

Before these words fell, the "ground" beneath him suddenly collapsed.

The quicksand surged, swallowing him instantly.

But this was merely an illusion, using other sensory processing mechanisms to analyze these transcendental emotions.

Xiang Shan closed his eyes and opened them again, the various illusions naturally faded.

A purely dark space, only able to make out the searing quicksand within a few meters surrounding him...

It should be said this is a space "lacking content."

"Human behavior patterns vary greatly depending on whether there are observers or not," Xiang Shan mumbled, "I thought I maintained my Self because there were many people watching me during my ascension—and even another Ascenders watching me."

"So I still have a slight element of luck. I thought maybe a second Ascender was born, and mutual observation between two Ascenders might change one of them. It doesn’t seem easy, does it?"

Xiang Shan turned round and saw the girl in thin clothes, wearing electronic shackles.

"I’ve told you not to fragment your personality so haphazardly—your disciple is better at this than you."