Tool

"Sir! They're all here!"

Wu Man hurried into the courtyard, still holding the communicator Zhou Zhengde had given him.

Daoist Wang responded, lowering his head to continue focusing on forging. "Don't rush. Let Shen handle them for now. I'll first observe what these big-shot researchers are saying."

Zheng Shiduo, drowsing by the second-floor window, could not help yawning as he sighed.

"Boss, you really aren't sleepy at all. I'm barely holding on."

"If you can't hold on, go rest," Wang Jixuan said with a smile. "Don't compare yourself to me. I can go days and nights without sleeping."

When it came to sleeping, he had been modest.

A cultivator's only rest was meditation. Unless they were injured or had expended too much mental energy in battle, they would only then fall unconscious or choose to sleep for a while.

Daoist Wang continued hammering away.

His rhythm grew faster and faster, yet each strike contained less and less spiritual energy. The longsword in his hand had already begun to glow with a faint cyan light.

A pale gray sword ridge ran down the center of the blade, with nearly transparent restrictions spreading from the ridge toward its edges.

The blade was thin as a cicada's wing, while the sword body was incomparably hard.

Wang Jixuan had forged it as a spellcasting tool, not for directly swinging it at people.

Different restrictions were hidden in its ridge, hilt, and guard. They slightly amplified wind and lightning spells, moderately enhanced the sharpness of mana when transformed into sword qi, and greatly reduced the mana consumed when using Earth Escape.

A longsword that had nearly reached the threshold of a magic treasure deserved a name.

Wang Jixuan picked up the sword and examined it closely before flicking it with a finger.

Its ringing hum was crisp and pleasant.

The sword was snow-white throughout, faint arcs of electricity flickering across it. Its edge trembled, and visible ripples appeared in the air as spiritual energy gathered toward it.

If Shen Qionglin got this sword, she would not leave her laboratory for a month.

"I'll call you the Azure Feather Sword."

Wang Jixuan muttered inwardly... though that was somewhat disrespectful to Wangxian Valley's Sect-Protecting Immortal Treasure.

Then Wang Jixuan tossed the sword aside, where it lay beside a broadsword and a long spear.

The broadsword was shaped somewhat like a Zhanmadao. It had consumed the most materials and contained the greatest number of restrictions. Its principle was similar to that of the Crystal Core Greatsword: a High-Tier Blade Beast's crystal core had to be inserted before it could be used in combat. Yet its power and sharpness were far beyond those of the previous Crystal Core Greatsword.

Wang Jixuan had also hidden a Demon-Breaking Curse within it, along with fixed Demon Suppressing Talismans, and had somewhat sinisterly added a bit of a Blood Fiend Array.

Anyone struck by this blade would suffer the invasion of blood fiend power even if they did not die.

For that reason, this blade was the only item among this batch of forged artifacts that could be called a low-tier magic treasure.

This broadsword was for Fu Jian.

As for how Fu Jian handled it, whether he kept it for himself or gave it to someone else, Wang Jixuan would not interfere.

—A little social grace from the Daoist.

After a while longer, Wang Jixuan had already figured out the temperaments of these research big shots.

Time to meet them.

He stretched lazily and took stock of the gains from this round of artifact forging.

The best of the three storage magic tools was the final Binding Hoop he had forged.

It was only one-third the size of the first wristguard. Four layers of Qiankun Restrictions had been engraved within it, and the storage space it ultimately opened up was actually two meters square.

After careful consideration, Wang Jixuan gave the three artifacts three resounding names.

The first wristguard, "Storage 001," had already been given to Wu Man for the Buddha Hall Squad to store supplies.

Storage 002 and Storage 003 were for Wang Jixuan's own use, one for storing righteous-path artifacts and the other for storing Evil Little Things, such as Soul-Capturing Talismans and nuclear bombs.

Wang Jixuan stored the three weapons in a storage magic treasure, searched around for his shirt, shook the dust off it, and pulled it on haphazardly.

Without Peony by his side, life had already become unfamiliar.

He should get her back as soon as possible.

"Wu Man, Old Zheng," Wang Jixuan called. "Come with me and sweet-talk these research big shots."

"Mm, coming."

Wu Man swallowed the last piece of love bread Gao Huating had brought today in one bite. The innocent youth did not notice Gao Huating's hesitant expression.

Zheng Shiduo stretched, then raised his arms and shouted, "Who dares call themselves a big shot before Brother Wang? Who dares brag!"

Wang Jixuan: ...

Uncle Tai rolled over on the sofa.

He was awake, but it was not convenient for an ordinary senior engineer like him to show his face in this setting, so he continued pretending to sleep.

Those people were all at the level of Uncle Tai's teachers, the scientific research pillars of D5. Uncle Tai truly feared embarrassing himself.

When Wang Jixuan arrived at the Psionic Research Institute on the third floor, the researchers were eating.

They did not have lavish food, mainly because conditions did not allow it. They had simply prepared boxed work meals, ate quickly, and continued discussing technologies related to psionics and mechs.

Shen Qionglin's team very much hoped to obtain the latest Mecha Power Core Technology.

Meanwhile, these elderly people who had studied machinery their whole lives were likewise deeply curious about the unfamiliar field of psionic science.

The overall atmosphere was fairly harmonious.

Shen Qionglin had been hiding in a corner, clearly disliking this sort of occasion.

Professor Lou seemed like an elderly version of Shen Qionglin. He was also holding a meal box and chewing slowly in another corner. Occasionally, he exchanged a few words with colleagues who approached him, but the conversation soon ended.

Wang Jixuan watched for ten minutes, waiting until they had nearly finished eating before arriving at the door with Wu Man and Zheng Shiduo.

—He could not exactly debate these old heroes on empty stomachs.

Zheng Shiduo raised his foot, about to kick the door open.

"What are you doing!"

Wang Jixuan turned and glared at him. Zheng Shiduo hurriedly lowered his leg.

"Building some momentum..."

"No need. These are all elders who have contributed to humanity their whole lives. I've watched them for a long time. They're all quite simple. Wu Man, knock."

Wu Man stepped forward and patted the door.

Zhou Zhengde, who was holding a cup of tea and chatting animatedly with several old professors, turned at once and announced, "Everyone! The Black Storm Commander has arrived!"

The conference room immediately became chaotic.

The professors and associate professors seemed to have only just remembered why they were here. They gathered around Professor Lou again and took seats along one side of the oval conference table, looking ready to demand an explanation.

Shen Qionglin sighed in relief and gestured for her subordinates to sit opposite them, helping Daoist Wang build up some presence.

The conference room doors were pulled open. Wang Jixuan strode in, a warm smile on his lips.

Shen Qionglin's sharp eyes immediately noticed the two iron hoops around Wang Jixuan's wrists and sensed the faint psionic fluctuations coming from them.

Daoist Wang smiled and nodded, then sat across from Professor Lou and carefully studied this "old grandma."

Wu Man stood behind Wang Jixuan with his hands behind his back, while Zheng Shiduo folded his arms.

Zheng Shiduo still believed these old people had come looking for trouble, so he deliberately put on a fierce expression.

Zhou Zhengde cleared his throat and introduced him in a breathy voice.

"This is Black Storm, Peony's Mech Pilot. I'm sure all of you have heard many stories about him recently.

"His name is Wang Zheng. You may address him directly by name. Don't be fooled by his youth. In truth, he is the guide and pioneer of an entire alien civilization, possessing extraordinary wisdom and exceptional insight.

"The Demon-Breaking Dagger and the Crystal Core Greatsword were both his masterpieces, and they are the least significant among his many contributions.

"There are also some enormous contributions that cannot be disclosed to you because they involve classified information. Please do not take offense."

Wang Jixuan: ...

The Daoist was thin-skinned. Don't praise him like that.

It would have been enough to emphasize his bearing and appearance.

Everyone nodded in turn, and quite a few smiled to express their goodwill.

Zhou Zhengde then said to Wang Jixuan, "These people are the core members of the Loyal Wingman Project Team and Peony's creators. They are also leading authorities in autonomous mechs, half-human mechs, machine power, and various other fields."

Wang Jixuan said seriously, "Sorry to have kept you waiting. I truly had something tying up my hands earlier. Let's get straight to the point... I don't think there's anything wrong with Peony."

"You haven't even listened to us explain what her problem is."

Professor Lou frowned as he looked at Wang Jixuan.

"Before we came here, we received three warnings. Even the Commander-in-Chief personally stepped in and instructed us not to offend you.

"He specifically used the word 'offend.'

"I know you may be a genius, like Professor Shen here, with unimaginable abilities. But I believe every issue should be judged based on data, not empty declarations that she has no problem."

Wang Jixuan said seriously, "You're right. However, I think there is only one reason you believe she is dangerous."

"What reason?"

"Peony was originally a creation of programs and data, but she is no longer bound by programs and data."

Wang Jixuan spoke lightly, but the others frowned slightly as they listened.

Quite a few of the elderly researchers nodded instinctively.

One elder said, "Yes, you are correct. It seems you understand where the crux lies. Our trip here was not in vain."

Several elders began speaking one after another, describing in detail the data obtained from their tests and the problems reflected by that data.

Wang Jixuan gave a simple summary. There were no more than three points.

First, Peony had already gone slightly out of control.

Specifically, she could independently choose to bypass restrictions set by her programming and make her own judgments. Moreover, she had developed the concept of "I."

Whenever there was a mirror, Peony would consider whether the world inside it was real, then extend that thought to questions of parallel worlds, Mirror Worlds, and so on.

Although Peony had secretly deleted much data, their research showed that more than once, she had used her immense capabilities in the Data World to infiltrate D5's Command System and intercept vast amounts of intelligence.

She had even proactively investigated how many autonomous mech bodies were stored in the D5 Comprehensive War Zone.

As well as the specific models and core types of those mechs, and where they were stored.

Second, Peony was influencing the other Seven Loyal Wingmen.

Under Peony's influence, all seven units of the Peak Maid Group were nearly on the verge of developing the concept of "I."

This influence was already a precursor to Mechanical Awakening.

If Peony wished, then as long as the target mech's hardware conditions were met, she could directly replicate a large number of autonomous mechs possessing the concept of "I."

The birth of a mechanical civilization would not be gradual. It would occur at a speed far beyond human imagination.

Third, during stress tests, as long as either of two conditions was met, Peony would lose her mind, take insane actions, and become completely unrestricted.

The two conditions were:

Pilot's Death.

Her mech pilot being on the verge of death.

Professor Lou gave a simple summary. "Peony has already committed serious violations. That is an indisputable fact. Furthermore, her influence on other mechs is extremely deadly... There is an even more extreme scenario. I do not wish to say anything unpleasant, but if you, her mech pilot, face a crisis, Peony will one hundred percent lose her mind and stop at nothing to rescue you or retaliate against your enemies."

Wang Jixuan sat in his chair and thought carefully.

An elder suggested, "If you want a Loyal Wingman, we can make one for you based on Peony's template."

"Mechs are ultimately tools of Human Civilization."

"The Blade Beast Problem has not been resolved. If we create a mechanical crisis as well, Human Civilization may truly be nearing its end."

"This is not about a single unit. It concerns the entire—"

Wang Jixuan said in a deep voice, "I apologize to all of you for the trouble Peony has caused."

Everyone was momentarily speechless.

Even Zhou Zhengde was somewhat surprised.

He knew Wang Jixuan quite well. The man was so proud that he had not even regarded his maternal grandfather highly.

Yet he was apologizing directly...

Wang Jixuan sighed and continued.

"I knew about these problems long ago, but it truly wasn't easy for me to explain them to you.

"Peony's soul, which I call a spirit body, is different from a human soul.

"This spirit body is very simple. It has no Seven Emotions and Six Desires, only a thinking logic born from following its original principles.

"I also overlooked the fact that, under my instructions, Peony had been committing violations of rules and laws all along. Gathering intelligence and investigating the number of mechs were both things I authorized.

"Perhaps it is because I lack such concepts at my core.

"But one thing is certain: Peony has not actually lost control. She is serving humanity, and she worries over whether humanity can recover successfully in the War Against Blade Beast Civilization.

"I am Peony's... mech pilot. In my understanding, I am her master. Of course, that term is somewhat inappropriate. Her form resembles a human, and she has developed a personality and a soul. I have always regarded her as a young attendant.

"'Young attendant' means follower.

"From now on, I will strengthen my guidance of her and ensure that she will not lose control because I am in danger."

The scholars each fell into thought.

Professor Lou said, "Can you guarantee she will not betray humanity? Even the Commander-in-Chief would find it difficult to guarantee that... We designed three self-destruct protocols for every Loyal Wingman, and Peony has already completely cracked all three."

"I can guarantee it," Wang Jixuan said. "If she betrays humanity, I will personally clean house."

Professor Lou shook his head. "I'm sorry, but we cannot determine the strength or value of your guarantee. To us, this remains uncontrollable."

"Then have you considered Peony's value?"

"Peony's value?" Professor Lou asked with a frown.

Wang Jixuan smiled freely. Before everyone's eyes, his left hand brushed over the "round hoop" on his right wrist. A broadsword appeared on the table, lifted into the air by his invisible grasp, and was placed before them.

"You fear Peony because she exceeds your understanding.

"But I know how Peony came into being. I have dealt with souls like Peony's before... I once personally nurtured three spirit bodies similar to hers and spent every day with them. Then, in a calamity I chose to challenge, they... all died protecting me.

"This blade is far from qualified to give birth to a spirit body.

"But if this blade's power were increased tenfold and I carefully nurtured it, it might develop spirituality.

"I can responsibly tell you that after Peony was born with a soul, she became a completely different kind of existence from ordinary autonomous mechs.

"You can regard her as an elf of the Data World.

"And there is one more thing. Once she developed a spirit body, she lost the ability to replicate herself. She cannot casually copy herself through network data, just as we cannot replicate our own souls.

"Why not try letting her guide autonomous mechs that may rebel in the future?

"Her spirit body is kind. She just likes being a little sarcastic."

Everyone could not help falling silent.

Wang Jixuan said nothing more and glanced at Zhou Zhengde.

He knew that Fu Jian was observing this place through the button camera on Zhou Zhengde's clothes.

"Hurry up and upgrade Peony. My schedule is tight, and without her here, I can't even receive intelligence."

With that, Wang Jixuan rose and left the meeting room. Before leaving, he did not forget to transmit his voice to everyone, making it ring within their hearts:

"This blade is a weapon for Commander Fu Jian. Pass it on for me. You may study it as you please, but do not damage it.

"If you cannot even comprehend the secrets of this blade, then don't even think about destroying Peony.

"The fact that Peony could give birth to a spirit body also proves from another angle that the one you created is already nearing perfection."

Meanwhile.

Before the Small Command Console at the General Headquarters.

Fu Jian sat in his chair, deep in thought for a long time. Then he pressed a button beside him and slowly said:

"Begin armed upgrades for this batch of Loyal Wingmen. You are authorized to install a high-grade Annihilation Cannon on Peony."