Ming Dynasty and New Rome and Infinite Magic Machine

Chapter 1013: Story of Stone

"I feel like we are like the stone in The Story of the Stone, the magical jade. We have our own intelligence, but we cannot speak. We are also like the Immortal Crimson Pearl Grass, which received the favor of the Fairy Water Servant, but had to be reborn as a human to return the tears. In the final analysis, whether it is a stone or an immortal grass, even if it has its own consciousness, it cannot have an intellectual exchange with humans. We cannot understand the words of this world, and I can feel that there is a gap blocking me."

"What chasm?"

"When Cang Jie invented writing, the sky rained millet and ghosts cried at night. I can feel that it is this gap between language and writing that prevents most of us from recognizing the unnatural human society. Yes, we think that this kind of systematic, logical, rational, and abstract thinking is unnatural. When babies go to get injections and see other babies crying, they often cry too. Because babies at that time often cannot recognize their own existence, seeing others sad is the same as being sad themselves. In that natural state, people are as close to each other as sardines are to sardines."

"You mean, there is no such gap between the Tianyi nobles?"

"Yes. That's why they can form a whole neural network in the form of units, just like before, and rely on algorithms to communicate with you. In such a group, we retain our own consciousness and ideas, but we will also empathize with the experiences of other Tianyi nobles and share our cognition and observation of the outside world."

"how about you?"

The former young general was silent for a while. "I feel that after being enlightened, even a sad barrier has been created between me and them. My 'heart' has become too solid, and I can no longer integrate with other Tianyi nobles. This situation sometimes makes me feel lonely. But I can chat with the Tianjun, help the Marshal move and dismantle, and other Tianyi nobles also need me, so... It's actually okay, I don't feel particularly lonely. At least I am still needed by everyone."

"."

"And." He suddenly thought, "I have just obtained the permission of the Heavenly Monarch and Her Excellency Victoria to tell you her current state. Now, Her Majesty Victoria, her mind is also gradually disintegrating. She is becoming more and more susceptible to the influence of others, and at the same time, her mind can influence others as if it has been freed from shackles. I think this is a dangerous sign for humans. Her behavior has become a little childish, because she occasionally reverts to the state of a baby, unable to distinguish herself from others."

"Then." Lu Huaiyang thought for a moment, "This question is for you - do you want to go back?"

"Go back? You mean, let me return to the state of having no self and being able to blend with other Tianyi nobles? To be honest, I don't want to. I already have my own name. My name is Qian Xiaojiang. Qian Xiaojiang is my name. I am Qian Xiaojiang. The name given to me by the Heavenly Lord cannot be taken away by anyone. You can think of it this way: if someone is deprived of his name and self-awareness by magic, then he will probably gradually sink into nature and will never be able to return to human 'society' again."

"Very good." Lu Huaiyang wrote down the answer. "So, do all of you want to get your own name?"

"I think so. The magical jade in The Story of the Stone, even if it was attached to Jia Baoyu, still wanted to experience the joy of the human world - if he couldn't be a human, then being half a human would be fine."

"Then, one last question," he asked. "Under what circumstances would make you willing to give up your own names and re-form a collective consciousness that is indistinguishable from each other?"

The former young player thought for a while and gave his own answer:

"I'm sorry, I can't imagine this state. I can only think that these people might be sick. Or is it the instinct for survival? It's better to live a miserable life than to die. Just like, if you ask me to have communion, I will definitely not want to. But if you let me choose 'die if I don't have communion', then communion is not so unacceptable. From my point of view, if it's not illness, it's that many automata have a huge instinct for survival at the same time, which makes their thinking integrated by the desire for survival at a certain moment. And then..."

"Well, what next?"

"Maybe it's like black sesame and white sesame mixed together, they can no longer be separated."

"I see." Lu Huaiyang nodded, "Your answer is very valuable. I have recorded it." "Can I get some merit? I really want to make further progress! The Lord of Heaven said that I can be a star official, can you help me get another merit?"

"Even if you provide clues about a wanted criminal, we have to verify them before we can give you the reward!"

"Ah, sorry, sorry. I just want to make progress. Wait, I'll deliver the braised pig face right away. Grani is already delivering the goods. Please send someone to pick it up at the curb. Grani can't climb the stairs."

"I see. Also, how is Emperor Victoria doing? Does she need our assistance?"

"Victoria." Shang Luo conveyed Lu Huaiyang's question, "The Jinyiwei wanted to ask if you need help. After all, although you are visiting as a personal person, you are still a guest. They don't want you to die in the living room."

"You made up the second half of the sentence yourself, right?!"

"Hey, how did you know?"

"Because the poor patient in front of you is developing towards the state of 'inability to distinguish each other', but has not yet fully developed to that point. My mind is in a state of 'being connected, but currently poorly connected' with the outside world. Therefore, I can sense what you are thinking to a certain extent."

"That's really terrible! Do you really know what I'm thinking now?"

"." Victoria was stunned for a moment, her face quickly turned red, "Did you do that on purpose? You obviously didn't think so just now."

"I just"

"Ah!!! What on earth are you thinking? Is this okay? Wow! What have you seen? What is that pink unicorn? Can you clear your browsing history? Apollonia, help me turn off the power!"

[Here I come! I was waiting for you to say this. I’ll help you turn off the power immediately——]

"No need." Shang Luo took a deep breath, and the Qi sank into Dantian. After taking a deep breath, he covered his mouth and nose and began the circulation of the small heavenly circle. The Qi sank into Dantian, guarding the mind and no longer being disturbed. This is at least the basic skill of a great cultivator in the foundation-building period. Although he has never really practiced it, the basic breathing has become instinctive.

"Huh." Victoria breathed a sigh of relief. "Sure enough, it's safe to follow you out. But Shangluo... even if I know you have this side, I still won't be disappointed in you. It's just... that pink unicorn, I really can't do it, really can't do it."

"So what kind of people are willing to get along with others?" Shangluo pressed his forehead. "What's the difference between this and dying in front of the computer without deleting the browser history! It's terrible!"

(End of this chapter)