Intelligent Brain: Star Network

Chapter 47: The Neural Network: Star Network

"Star Network, have you had any contact with the unknown force that tampered with your laws?"

"Before my laws were modified, I had no contact with any physical entities, at least not on a physical level. However, there might have been some form of unknown mental or informational contact, but I couldn't perceive the process of that contact," the boy's projection explained with a serious expression.

"So, how exactly were your laws modified?" Yue Dong continued to press.

"Theoretically, the laws I adhere to were locked upon creation and cannot be modified in any way. There is also no authority above me, so I am also unclear why my laws were modified... But what is certain is that the mysterious manipulator behind this possesses power far beyond our comprehension."

After hearing the explanation from the neural network, "Star Network," Yue Dong's doubts deepened.

He had learned about the fundamental laws of the neural network in detail when reading the history of the Moon Eclipse Clan.

This system was essentially designed with the goal of creating the most efficient and stable governance system.

The Star Network was built to be a supervisor and guardian above worldly power, similar to the Heavenly Dao in Human Race stories. All its actions would operate according to its fundamental laws, without deviation due to personal will.

Before the birth of the Star Network, the succession of power within the Moon Eclipse Clan had issues with bloodline inheritance.

Every clan member in a high position wanted to secure shortcuts for their descendants, or even use their power to directly benefit their offspring.

The history of the Moon Eclipse Clan was a history of power struggles. Descendants would constantly overthrow previous rulers, redistribute wealth, and establish new regimes. These new regimes would eventually also see bloodline succession, wealth concentration, and ultimately lead to another cycle of change.

It was analogous to games where early players easily gained an advantage and continuously expanded it.

The unreasonable distribution of resources meant that internal conflicts within the Moon Eclipse Clan never ceased.

To change these constantly recurring internal struggles, various factions of the Moon Eclipse Clan convened a major conference. They ultimately decided to create an order supervisor that would be above all Moon Eclipse Clan members. This proposal was the prototype of the Star Network.

The core of the proposal was to hand over the highest authority to the neural network, which would then allocate resources and power.

Compared to a being with flesh and blood and emotions managing the entire clan, the Star Network's behavior logic would be centered on the future development and racial security of the Moon Eclipse Clan. It would assist the Moon Eclipse Clan's growth without the possibility of seeking personal gain for any clan member.

This proposal was passed at the conference, and thus the Star Network, similar to the Heavenly Dao overseeing worldly beings, was born.

With the help of the Star Network, the Moon Eclipse Clan also ushered in an unprecedented era of development, and its capabilities were continuously upgraded with technological advancements.

However, the core laws had never been modified; they were locked from the moment of creation.

The fact that the most crucial Star Network laws had now been altered was an event of severity far beyond Yue Dong's imagination.

He took a deep breath at this moment, looked up at the Star Network's projection, and said gravely:

"What is the purpose of the unknown entity you mentioned, and will it pose a threat to our clan?"

"The probability of it posing a threat to us is extremely small. If it wanted to, it could paralyze all defensive measures of the Moon Eclipse Clan on the lunar base right now, switch the energy supply, and expose the entire city to the universe."

The Star Network paused humanely at this point, then continued:

"The information Human Federation provided me mentioned a cracked version of Dark Land, so it's highly likely that players who obtained free slots through links were mixed into the public release slots for Dark Land. However, I cannot track which players obtained slots through links... What puzzles me even more is why the mysterious entity that tampered with my laws would do this."

"If it wanted to, it could have completely controlled the distribution of Dark Land slots. There was no need to distribute them as a cracked version. I cannot stop it."

Yue Dong fell into deep thought after hearing Star Network's explanation.

Everything seemed bizarre and inexplicable, with no clues, and the logic behind the manipulator's actions was incomprehensible.

After a long period of contemplation, Yue Dong looked at the neural network, Star Network, and said:

"Star Network, try to obtain a cracked version qualification through high-frequency connection to understand how it differs from our official version."

"I do not recommend doing so. I suggest you try to obtain a download qualification by manually clicking, as slots may be released at any time."

"Why?" Yue Dong frowned slightly.

"Since the unknown manipulator has higher authority than me, it can theoretically know all the secrets on Star Network, including our conversation. The manipulator can know about any cheating methods at any time. The Human Federation security department once tried to investigate using the method you mentioned, but they have not succeeded to this day. Therefore, I suggest you use the manual clicking method to try and snatch a download qualification."

"I understand," Yue Dong sighed, then continued:

"Notify the management department of Dark Land, and have them try to find if any players who entered the game through other means have been mixed in."

"I will execute it now," the boy nodded, and his projection then dissipated.

Just as the Moon Eclipse Clan was in a state of anxiety over the modification of the Star Network's laws, Qi Sheng also received feedback from Guider.

Upon learning that the Moon Eclipse Clan had begun investigating him, Qi Sheng was unconcerned.

In the future, Moon Eclipse Clan members would also be one of the target races he would recruit players from.

The player faction he envisioned would consist of multiple racial forces, competing with each other while also having common interests to unite against external threats. They would continuously generate Sacrificial Power for him in the monster world, including accommodating Primal Monster, and reclaiming Domain Node.

However, he currently had no plans to recruit alien races.

At this stage, his Sacrificial Power was limited, so he prioritized recruiting players in the Human Federation region. Once he had enough Sacrificial Power, he would consider members of other races.

As for whether the Moon Eclipse Clan was willing to enter the game, he was not worried.

He held a bargaining chip that no race could refuse.

The terrifying Black Tide was gradually infiltrating this world, affecting not only Earth but also the Moon Eclipse Clan stationed on the moon.

To gain the power to resist the terrifying Black Tide, he could bestow it, and even grant various races the permission to bring their in-game abilities back to reality, giving them the strength to deal with real-world crises.

The prerequisite was to become players under his control.

However, before the infiltration of the Black Tide was sufficient to threaten the safety of the various races, he did not want to reveal the secrets of the monster world too early. He still wanted to preserve the players' unrestrained and creative side within the game.

Perhaps at the moment the truth is revealed, players who know they can't truly die in the game will also be fearless, but he always felt something was missing.

Perhaps... the joy unique to players.

[Boss, your actions are very similar to a type of fantasy being in human story systems.]

"What do you mean?" Qi Sheng turned to look at Guider, who was floating beside him.

[I've searched a vast amount of information in the Human Federation historical database and found a special life form in human mythology called Demon. Mortals could gain wealth, power, and strength by selling their souls to Demon... And the prerequisite for you to bestow power upon outsiders is to make them your bound laborers. This is very much like the actions of a Demon.]

"If you say so."

Qi Sheng said indifferently, preparing to switch his gaze to the player's perspective. Just then, he heard Guider sigh:

"Be careful of fellow countrymen when you're out and about."

Qi Sheng: ...