The Brain in a Vat fell silent for a moment, then slowly spoke:
"These Otherworld items from different extraordinary systems were actually collected by me while exploring areas outside the 'Ghost World'."
"Huh?!" Hu Jiu looked completely bewildered. "You mean, even with all that cheating, someone not only reduced you to just one brain, but also used everything you collected to trap you forever?"
Hmm, hard to say.
What kind of idiot is this?
"Hey, do you know how presumptuous your gaze is right now!" the Brain in a Vat said resentfully.
"My name isn't 'Hey,' it's 'Chuchu Baby.'" Hu Jiu told a lame joke, then stopped looking at him like he was an idiot.
He felt that this brain's intelligence was so low that it lowered the average human intelligence level, and even if it were cured, he would still be drooling over it.
The Brain in a Vat seemed to see right through Hu Jiu's thoughts and couldn't help but complain, "A series of extremely low-probability and unbelievable coincidences led me to this state."
"During the time I was trapped, I reviewed the situation countless times, and I always felt that my failure was truly inexplicable."
Hu Jiu smiled and said, "Every loser makes this excuse to save face."
The Brain in a Vat loudly emphasized, "I'm not trying to save face, I'm stating the facts! I've always felt like I'm being targeted by some unseen force. Do you believe in the existence of 'World Consciousness'?"
Hu Jiu looked at him with pity, "What nonsense are you spouting, child? Are you starting to talk gibberish to avoid acknowledging your failure?"
The Brain in a Vat scoffed, "My ability to Rollback time is the greatest destruction I can inflict on this world. If there truly is a 'World Consciousness,' it would definitely try every means to target me, which is perfectly normal."
Hu Jiu said impatiently, "Alright, enough nonsense. Let's hurry up and pack up. We need to get out of here before the world ends."
After saying that, he turned and walked out. Since he couldn't swallow the brain whole, he could only keep it with him and exploit it for the time being.
Let's just consider it a special kind of pet.
The Brain in a Vat, like a jellyfish, trailed a long chain as it caught up with Hu Jiu, chattering incessantly. "I'm not joking, nor did I fabricate the concept of 'World Consciousness' just for psychological comfort. I genuinely believe that some kind of will is at work."
"Putting aside my inexplicable Rollback away, just consider the last time loop where many incredibly powerful Ghost Tamers suddenly emerged around the world. Their growth rate was simply heaven-defying, and you were one of them. Don't you feel like you've been too lucky at times?"
Hu Jiu retorted, "What's so special about that? Every person in the world who is born successfully is extremely lucky. From countless tadpoles, only one survives and combines to form an embryo."
"No matter how outrageous my upbringing may be, it's just a collection of low-probability events. Although the probability of these low-probability events is low, the global population is so large that there will always be random Lucky Ones. Why can't I be that Lucky One?"
The Brain in a Vat exclaimed in surprise, "You really have a positive outlook. I thought that, with your personality, you would immediately deny my theory of luck and emphasize that all your achievements today are due to your own hard work."
"I have met many successful people who have achieved results in certain fields. When they talk about their success, they always Neglect luck, platform, help from benefactors, the era, etc., and only know how to repeatedly say how hard they worked."
Hu Jiu bluntly stated, "There are many people in the world who work harder than I do. To put it bluntly, everyone who struggles at the bottom of society works extremely hard. If success could be achieved simply through hard work, then farmers would be the first to become wealthy."
"A large part of my success in achieving my current level of strength is due to my good fortune. I will always enjoy this good fortune with a clear conscience. I deserve it, and I am worthy of its favor. Why should I deny it?"
The Brain in a Vat sighed, "You were blessed with good fortune, but after a brief period of luck, I was plagued by misfortune. Of course, our mindsets are different."
Hu Jiu said, "If a 'World Consciousness' truly exists in this world, it shouldn't have allowed someone like me, who would accelerate the world's destruction, to grow up so fortunately. It should have suppressed me at all costs, but the reality is quite the opposite."
"No, no, no," the Brain in a Vat hurriedly said, "What urges you to grow may not be 'World Consciousness,' but another will—the will of the very force that caused the extraordinary apocalyptic disaster in the real world. It will probably support the growth of the destroyer."
"The will of this world is resisting, trying its best to suppress the growth of the destroyers, but our world has always been at a disadvantage, even completely suppressed, and has little power left."
Hu Jiu chuckled, "You're getting more and more absurd with your words."
The Brain in a Vat insisted. "If, and I mean if, there really is such an indescribable being as 'World Consciousness' or 'Doomsday Consciousness,' constantly interfering with your life, even though you are already so powerful, you are still like a puppet on a string. Wouldn't you find it unbearable, want to rebel against them, want to break free from their shackles, and pursue true freedom?"
Upon hearing this question, Hu Jiu burst into laughter. "My heart is imprisoned within my body, my body is bound by heaven and earth; where in this world is there no bondage?"
If my heart is free, where can I not be free?
"I may not be able to achieve the absolute freedom of 'doing whatever I want,' but I truly dare to think about anything. Some people even have to find a chain to tie around their necks when reading novels, watching anime, or daydreaming, using all sorts of rules to restrain and tame themselves, not daring to be unrestrained in the slightest."
"I'm different. I dare to think and fantasize about anything, no matter how outrageous!"
"Child, don't take it so seriously."
"Breaking free" from the interference of "World Consciousness," thinking one has gained freedom, could one inadvertently fall into an even larger cage? Just like the defiant actions of those who defy the heavens, they are actually all part of another heaven's design."
"Dwelling on such vague and unrealistic things will only increase internal friction. Whatever kind of 'will' it is, if you haven't encountered it, just pretend it doesn't exist. Focus on living in the present and don't worry about the distant future."
The Brain in a Vat also burst into laughter. Since he lost his body and was left with only his brain, this was the first time he had laughed so heartily, even to the point of madness.
"I'm sorry, I had some prejudice against you before. I thought you were only cold and malicious, like a collection of negative human traits. I never expected you to have such a insightful side."
Hu Jiu: "Thank you for the compliment."