Armed Puppet, Ling, Fusion Rate

Su Qing'an rubbed his temples for a while. The transformation of the Fusion Gene was still going on all the time. Because the rate was slowed down to be almost the same as the human body's metabolism, his consciousness and mental state would not feel drowsy for the time being.

However, the transformation process they underwent during their time in the Soul Steel Tower was extremely taxing on their mind and will. In the initial stage of gene fusion, they even needed to use the Black Abyss White Flower's abilities to continuously repair themselves. The later fusion stages were no less painful than the ones Kevin and Yae Sakura experienced during that stage.

During this journey, however, he was ambushed by Thousand Herrscher who unleashed their domains. He then suffered multiple mental shocks and distortions under the three powers of [Bewitchment], [Domination], and [Consciousness], and went through a battle that pushed his body to its limits.

This has led to a situation where the burden is indeed becoming unbearable.

The Black Abyss White Flower can only heal physical injuries; it is powerless to heal fatigue at the level of the soul and consciousness.

The data on the panel also reveals the subtle state of the situation:

[Soul Essence: 12 (88.3)]

Whether it's resisting the power to modify one's personality, entering Soul State, using the Black Abyss White Flower at high intensity, soul resonance, or finally micro-manipulating Udu-dust, all of these require immense mental effort, leading to a continuous decrease in the Soul Essence.

A value of 12 is even considered high for most people, but for Su Qing'an, it was a bad omen.

After sensing the absence of enemies nearby using his soul observation and Honkai Energy Domain, the boy's lingering consciousness grew increasingly weak. His eyes half-closed and then opened again, and he responded softly:

"I'm fine, but I feel there are still many strange things about this matter."

"The Thousand Herrscher is not the only enemy; there should be other accomplices behind her responsible for gathering information."

"Besides Mei and Kevin, only Prometheus knows where I performed the gene transplant."

The Mechanical Force arrived from the nearby Soul Steel Tower, led by a group of tiny, adorable elves, like exquisite dolls scaled down to human proportions.

Prometheus's grey eyes swept over the two figures, a stream of fluorescent blue data passing through them. She opened her lips, and a soft, indifferent voice uttered from within:

"Mr. Su, your body needs immediate and thorough testing. Being interrupted during the Fusion Gene stage and forced to fight Herrscher is an unprecedented and extremely serious situation."

"We have already linked with Dr. Mei's database. Please enter the medical pod to rest for a while and undergo specific tests. The online medical team and Dr. Mei will discuss the treatment plan together. The remaining procedures will be handled by the Mechanical Force."

Su Qing'an did not raise any objections. He glanced at the layout nearby and at Yae Sakura, who was walking briskly towards him with her sword sheathed in the distance. He saw her expression soften from solemn to gentle, nodded to her, patted the little girl's head to reassure her, and then walked into the medical pod.

Although he himself understood the general reason, it was not a bad thing to leave this matter to professionals to investigate.

As for Prometheus's appearance...

That was an Armed Puppet left behind by Einstein before he left Haiyuan City. It seems that the former had decided to design it for him a long time ago. Therefore, unlike the other Armed Puppet, this Armed Puppet was just a pure shell and did not have any intelligent programs programmed into it.

It was recently handed over to this super AI for use.

Based on data calculations and test results, the weaponry and programming formulas currently mounted on this Armed Puppet named Prometheus are sufficient to annihilate a city in a very short time.

In addition to its superiority as a super intelligence, the combat power it can exert is at its limit, and it can even perform self-calculation and improvement, so that it can exert capabilities beyond the theoretical performance data. Currently, no one below the Judgment-class, whether individual or multiple, will exceed its ability to cope if it has sufficient reserves.

This was something that could only be solved using nanotechnology in the past, but after Ein was sent to an unknown place by the quantum portal, Mei seemed to be spurred on and worked with the quantum technology research and development department to develop it to a level that was practical enough for practical application.

This means that Prometheus and the other Armed Puppet are basically equipped with nanotechnology and quantum technology combined with other configurations, which is why they appear so harmless and petite.

Nowadays, transmission within a certain area is not prone to problems when guided by a stable coordinate system with Quantum Anchor Point.

The battle between the Thousand Herrscher and Su Qing'an was actually not long. The seemingly long time was mostly spent in the mental space, and it only lasted for about fifteen minutes in the real world.

The reason why Prometheus's Mechanical Force was able to arrive so quickly despite the confusion was because Haiyuan City was the true starting point of the Sea of Quantum Project.

The Quantum Anchor Point here have been in place for a long time, sufficient to enable the military to transmit data quickly and stably.

Under this configuration, the Armed Puppet and Fusion Warrior, based on their respective abilities and adaptability, form teams that efficiently eliminate and eradicate the calamities caused by the Honkai around the world.

The Armed Puppet created by Einstein are particularly well-suited to the current situation in terms of weaponry. The Armed Puppet are essentially highly intelligent, each with its own large database for recording and archiving in real time. Even if they die in battle, the replacement of their bodies will not affect the accumulation of combat experience and data.

It is conceivable that for a civilization whose population had dwindled to near extinction, this was a great invention for preserving its race and preventing further sacrifices.

Currently, this large database containing the personalities of all the Armed Puppet is controlled and managed by Prometheus.

It is necessary to point out that, although it appears to be the same as the Armed Puppet created by Ein, it is fundamentally different from them.

The underlying computational logic and fundamental initial data of Prometheus are not the same as the framework woven by Einstein.

The reason is that Mei created Prometheus in order to help herself grasp the future and hope of mankind, and stole the "flame" of the gods - that is, the evolution and application of Honkai - to create it.

Therefore, the evolution will only be directed towards helping experiments complete this concept quickly.

In this process, personality models and emotional data are unnecessary, or rather, they are simply natural occurrences that emerge from the self-evolution of a top-level intelligence.

Although it possesses it, its weight is not significant.

However, the prototype of the Armed Puppet created by Ein was too human-like, almost resembling another race with intelligence and emotions.

It is evident that she ultimately detests the creation of so-called weapons. The destructive weapons forged from the Honkai Energy chain reaction were probably not her initial intention, but she was unwilling to let civilization continue to sink under the claws of Honkai.

In this state of entanglement and inner struggle, and the distortion of rejecting one's own emotions, Ein created this awkward existence that is clearly a weapon yet possesses emotions similar to those of a human being.

Mei understood her thoughts, so the Armed Puppet she created later were fundamentally different from the prototype created by Ein.

She did not choose to adopt the type of intelligence created by that person, but instead chose a pure and emotionless simulated soldier personality.

Highly efficient, cold, and powerful, just like a mechanical soldier in a different shell.

Once it's polished to the point of being merely a prop, no one will feel any empathy for it.

Prometheus glanced at the data flow that slowly spread across the entire wall of the medical pod after the boy sank into it, converted this scene into a database in his mind, linked it to the cloud, and had a professional team handle the handover.

It itself physically or by order withdrew all the measures originally planned for the demolition of the outer theater.

If this theater hadn't been built on the foundation of Haiyuan City, Su Qing'an would hardly have seen such a harmonious scene after Su Qing'an came out.

Even if Su Qing'an himself didn't deliberately bring it up, Prometheus and Mei could understand just how terrifying this event was.

Kevin knew that the Soul Steel Tower was Su Qing'an's transplant site not because of his permission or status, but because the two had previously exchanged information.

In the truest sense, the only human being who can truly know this is Mei.

Prometheus was responsible for monitoring Su Qing'an's safety and physical data, and as an AI, it was naturally aware of this as well.

In this situation, the sneak attack by the Thousand Herrscher was unimaginably vicious and terrifying.

No one would attribute this to coincidence; it only proves that, besides Haiyuan City, there must be many other informants from the Honkai side.

Following this, the new investigation will likely continue for a long time.

The girl stared blankly at Su Qing'an's tired appearance as he closed his eyes in the medical pod.

The stronger the joy lingering in the chest after the soul resonance, the more chilling and terrifying the feeling of plunging the blade into the other's heart becomes.

At Fu Hua's feet lay the [Spring Void Roll] she had failed to retrieve, and her palms were still stained with that person's warm blood. The blood slid down her drooping fingertips into the deep Seawater, slowly dissipating into a faint scarlet hue that lingered around her before gradually receding into the distance.

Tick-tock, tick-tock.

This is a crisp sound that seems to echo in the mind like a hallucination.

Her body was trembling uncontrollably, her heart pounding like a drum, sending blood to every corner of her body, while a slippery, cold sensation caressed her entire being, as if a python formed from Ten Thousand Year Ice was slowly coiling around her internal organs, crushing her flesh and emotions into a single mass.

Coldness, loneliness, regret, sorrow...

The emotions that I had tried so hard to suppress at the critical moment are now pouring down like a torrential downpour, causing my Mind Lake to surge and churn uncontrollably.

Prometheus's words pulled the self-absorbed girl back from the mire:

"Miss Fu, your body is full of remnants of the Herrscher's Honkai Energy. Please move to another medical pod. The Mechanical Force will continue to handle the cleanup here."

Fu Hua's expression softened, then slowly returned to a state of loneliness. She whispered:

"Good."

A long time.

The liquid inside the medical chamber covered his entire body, and the medicine created and cultivated from Benares's genes using the corresponding flesh and blood naturally entered an activated state. His cells silently devoured all the remaining Honkai Energy of the Thousand Herrscher powers.

The [Spring Void Roll] fell beside the girl, the bloodstains wiped away, only the vibrant Yumei Ren patterns remained, proving that it had pierced a person's heart, drinking in enough sorrow and pain.

The ice on the Mind Lake grew ever deeper blue and ever more translucent. In the calm state between sleep and wakefulness, my mind returned to Clear Mirror, Still Water.

In that hazy, dreamlike state, as ethereal as the clouds and as deep as the sea, the girl made up her mind.

She will become stronger.

No matter what the cost.

One week later.

Su Qing'an stroked the White Sparrow hovering in her palm, but after a short while it flapped its wings and flew to the head of the little girl next to her. The little girl happily held the sparrow and revealed an innocent smile.

That's Yae Sakura sister, Rin.

Ever since Su Qing'an deliberately mentioned it to Yae Sakura a few times, and after Yae Su Muxi, she would occasionally bring Rin along to play during training.

Through repeated interactions and getting to know each other, Yae Rin, who had few friends due to the current state of civilization, began to feel closer to Su Muxi.

She was originally a bit shy, but it seemed that because she was older than the other person, this personality trait became less noticeable when they were together.

After all, Su Muxi's appearance suggested she was only about ten years old, and she was indeed a petite woman who could be lifted high by someone with a clear conscience without looking out of place.

Of course, in reality, her actual age is much younger than what she appears to be.

Su Muxi, on the other hand, felt that it didn't matter if she didn't make friends.

She's not tired of TV and games yet, and doing anything else wouldn't make her happier than playing video games or watching TV.

Although Udu-dust recorded a lot of knowledge, the insights and feelings he gained from watching television were another matter entirely.

Yes, the joy of playing games and drawing cards is something that cannot be truly experienced from any other perspective.

But Su Qing'an said something that quietly changed the child's mind.

[If Xiao Xi and Ling become friends, Miss Yae will be even less likely to object to you touching her ear.]

It was probably this kind of slander that made Su Muxi not averse to making friends.

Whether or not one felt happy or enjoyed the experience afterwards is another matter entirely.

As things stand...

"Sister Xiaoba, I want to eat jelly."

I'll feed you.

"Sister Xiaoba, I want to watch cartoons."

"I'll change it for you."

"Little Eight Sister, your hair ribbon is loose."

"I'll tie it for you."

Although Su Qing'an, who was watching from the side, felt that it was a bit strange that such conversations were gradually becoming a daily occurrence, Ling was so engrossed in acting like an older sister and raising a kitten that she didn't want to interfere.

Moreover, the way these two children interact is adorable. If we were to gradually incorporate these scenes into the everyday moments of life, it would probably evoke a warm and expectant feeling of wanting to witness them slowly grow up.

Even though such a vision may seem extravagant, it is precisely for this reason that many soldiers are willing to fight for it today.

Su Qing'an deliberately mentioned Rin to Yae Sakura for a simple reason: he still vividly remembered the girl he had met and parted ways with in the Stigmata Space, the one with whom he had made a promise.

The result of an unstable restart is a journey through different times.

As one witnesses these events firsthand, they gradually overlap, forming a continuous tapestry of different layers.

This chance to avert a tragic fate is like the apple of Eden, bright red and tempting.

For Su Qing'an, if he could avert the cruel events that Ling was destined to encounter in the future, and even the tragedy caused by a series of chain reactions, it would naturally be a good thing.

This is likely also true for Yae Sakura.

The reason that person insisted on becoming Fusion Warrior was more or less related to his younger sister.

Both of their parents died during the Great Honkai, and Yae Sakura, who depended on them for survival, naturally wouldn't let the Honkai run rampant any longer.

When a person truly has something they want to protect and believe they absolutely cannot lose, they will inevitably stop tolerating their own weakness and decline.

Joining the Moth to Fire is one example, as is choosing to take the extremely high risks of gene transplantation experiments.

And when you know that such a person will inevitably lose the reason for their hard work and perseverance in the future, would you choose to take action?

But the fundamental question remains: if we choose to take action, how should we extend a helping hand?

In fact, Su Qing'an believes that with the current experience and measures for detaining Herrscher, even if the Soul Steel Prison, where Seele was once imprisoned, is simply reused as a template, a similar tragedy will not occur again.

The guards who were watching over the Herrscher tortured and killed him out of their own hatred.

Such an extreme event would be unreasonable and impossible to occur in Soul Steel Prison if it relied solely on artificial intelligence and the prison's own guarding methods.

Ultimately, it's because humanity paid a heavy price when facing the Herrscher.

If the war continues with the advantage and everyone can still see hope for the future, soldiers who undergo regular psychological testing, even if filled with fear and hatred, will not commit such acts of contempt for discipline.

Even from the most brutal perspective, the experimental value and the pure core brought by the living Herrscher are more valuable to laymen.

The tragedy of Yae-ryu is essentially because the appearance of the Twelfth Herrscher was the final straw that broke the camel's back.

When humanity is driven to the brink of despair and sees no hope for the future, it is perhaps inevitable that those once well-trained, rational, and disciplined warriors will become mad and twisted.

Many people in this world can face death with equanimity, but few can maintain a calm mind despite repeated setbacks and devastating failures.

Su Qing'an glanced at the data on the panel, which still displayed a bunch of question marks, and then, distracted by manipulating the Divine Key to help Yae Sakura, who was undergoing life-and-death reincarnation training in the basement, he arrived at the answer.

All I can do is offer humanity a glimmer of hope that allows them to continue choosing to persevere.

Whether it will be successful or not, we'll have to try to find out.

Clatter

That was the sound of a vase breaking.

The boy watched as the White Sparrow, for some unknown reason, fluttered its wings and flew to the windowsill. He then glanced at the vase on the floor, where he had just arranged flowers, only to have it tragically destroyed. His gaze was deep and unsettling.

It nervously pretended to continue gazing at the sky outside, while on the other side, the Honkai Energy, swirling like a whirlwind, cleaned up the crime scene spotless.

Su Qing'an shifted her gaze to the overflowing trash can and the shards of porcelain that had torn the plastic bag inside. She slightly parted her lips, finding it somewhat amusing.

It seems that because she was fed more soul matter while breaking the Udu-dust, Su Muxi is in a high mood and very active now, showing none of the listless and dreary look she used to have after a few soul resonances.

"-----."

This is Mei's communication.

Looking at the pop-up video, Su Qing'an suddenly realized that she and Mei hadn't seen each other for quite some time.

The connection between the two has always been based on pure network communication.

Theoretically speaking, even if Thousand Herrscher were to truly become puppets, it would still be extremely difficult for them to take action against Mei.

This is not a strange thing.

At present, almost all experiments and coordination can be conducted remotely using science and technology, without any inconvenience.

Mei's whereabouts are like an unknown fog; even by using data on the flow of interests and resources, it is impossible to find out where she is currently living.

After all, all transportation is done by mechanical intelligence. With Prometheus in charge of coordinating global shipping routes, even if the missionaries had eyes all over the world, they wouldn't be able to catch a single clue.

Mei asked during the video call:

"Although the data indicates there are no problems, I'd still like to ask how your health is?"

"Very good."

Su Qing'an was not lying.

The Thousand Herrscher did not leave much damage on the body, or rather, the power of the Herrscher of Death was enough to make the wielder suffer only from mental trauma and exhaustion in most cases.

The drop in the Soul Essence can be restored to normal with just a short period of dormancy, so there is no need to worry.

The reason why a phone call was still needed this time was clearly because what troubled both him and Mei was the fusion rate of the Chiyou Gene.

Due to the forced coverage of the [theater] at that time, Su Qing'an would not have had the opportunity to inject the gene-forced stabilizer even if he wanted to, so theoretically, that battle did not actually cause him any substantial physical damage.

Su Qing'an was well aware of the reason why the gene fusion rate was so slow. Regardless of whether the Thousand Herrscher would come to attack, he would choose to leave the Soul Steel Tower after Chiyou Gene fusion rate reached 10% and he regained normal mobility.

The planned composite gene-directed programming program, which was originally scheduled to continue, is now destined to be postponed indefinitely.

However, for Mei, specific and precise testing is still needed to determine the answer.

She plotted the fusion rate data curve and sighed as she concluded:

"Based on your current stable fusion rate curve, it will take at least another year to complete the complete fusion and activation of the genes."