Boss, Don't Worry, Lao Xia!

After exploring the five lightning strike locations guided by the Little Chubby Girl through the temporary Super-Linked Object created by the ant army, Alice quickly analyzed the hypersensory information and concluded that the "strange insect" had not been killed here, nor had it hidden itself like Wushu Mountain had, digging a hole to escape.

Regardless of the form in which the "strange insect," "strange bird," "mutant bird," or "giant raptor" exists, whether it is large or small, an insect, a bird, or an egg, or even whether it is visible to the naked eye, none of it affects Alice's search using extrasensory information.

As long as it is a "Mutated Creature," its cognitive information in its Hyper-Sensory State will be as obvious as a beacon in the dark, and it cannot be hidden.

Two hundred flying ants may sound like a lot, but in reality, when spread out, they can't be too far apart in order to maintain distance from each other so that Alice can build a sensory network. Therefore, the total coverage area is actually not very large.

They maintained their formation, exploring the mountains little by little, making it difficult to increase their speed. Besides, these ants weren't superhuman... super ants, they needed to stop and rest after flying for a while, so even by 3 a. m., they hadn't explored very far.

At first, the Little Chubby Girl and the Little Apple were very focused because of the novelty and their concern about whether the monster was dead or not.

But as time went on, Alice couldn't maintain the presence of the creature to continue explaining. Her voice could only come from the laptop's speakers. After confirming that the "strange bug" had run away, the tedious search began. The Little Chubby Girl couldn't resist the drowsiness anymore. Her head started nodding, and soon she fell asleep next to Little Apple.

Xia Libing carefully picked her up, took off her coat, and tucked her into the blanket, leaving only her little head sticking out.

When she turned around, she found that Little Apple, who had been listening to Alice explain the "Ant Army" and its search for enemies in the mountains, was already fast asleep on her back in bed.

Clearly, she couldn't hold on without her Little Chubby Girl by her side.

Xia Libing put in some effort to settle Little Apple down, then turned and walked to the laptop. Alice's voice sounded somewhat listless:

"Lao Xia, are you going to sleep too?"

Alice, who doesn't need rest, thought she could happily chase that "strange bug" all night with Little Bell and Little Apple, but unexpectedly, the two of them couldn't stay awake and fell asleep. If Lao Xia also falls asleep, then she will be left alone to continue this lonely night.

However, the thought that her boss was still awake and didn't need to sleep cheered Alice up a little more.

"No, let's go to the rooftop." Xia Libing said, taking her laptop, leaving the bedroom, going up to the rooftop, picking up a cloth, wiping the chair that was wet from the rain, and then sitting down.

The night breeze was slightly cool, and she subconsciously wanted to follow the Little Chubby Girl and turn up her hood, but found that her coat didn't have a hood, so she had to turn up the collar and shrink her neck.

Just as Xia Libing placed the laptop on her lap and opened it, preparing to let Alice continue, the search in the mountains came to a halt.

"The boss said there's no point in continuing the search. We've confirmed that the bug is still alive and has escaped, so that's enough. Our ants can't catch it," Alice said somewhat helplessly.

Xia Libing nodded. She understood this as well. Once they were sure the insect had escaped, the "ant army" had already completed its mission.

If Xiang Kun were here, there might be a chance to catch up with, capture, and kill it, but now, with just the few of them and those ants, it's practically impossible to catch up with that "Mutated Creature" that's determined to escape.

The main reason she continued to observe Alice and the ants' search was to understand how Alice obtained information and exerted influence through the ants' "Super-Link Object Matrix," as well as the communication and cooperation between Alice and the ants.

Xiang Kun sent Zero Zero One Zero Zero Two back to Chongyun Village with the group of level-two derivative ants. Before they returned, he arranged the more than two hundred tungsten steel beads they had brought out in the mountainous area near Chongyun Village, burying them deep in the soil. This effectively extended the coverage area of Chongyun Village Super-Linked Object into the mountains.

In fact, in terms of the sheer number of Super-Linked Object, Xiang Kun already had the ability to expand the coverage area into the mountains. He also had quite a few Super-Linked Object tungsten steel beads that had been connected and could be deployed, but he had previously felt that it was unnecessary to deploy them in mountainous areas because the area was too large and they were not of practical use for the time being.

However, it now appears that the mountains are also areas that need to be controlled. In other words, we should make sufficient preparations for the deployment of Super-Linked Object in any area they might venture into, just in case.

Since Chongyun Village is being used as a "base," it's essential to ensure that the surrounding area is managed flawlessly.

In the future, not only the area around Chongyun Village, but also the entire Chongyun Mountain Region, surrounding villages and towns, and even Tongshi Town and Wushu Mountain area will be gradually included in its coverage area for priority deployment of Super-Linked Object.

He is also continuing his search for items that are more suitable for concealment and easier to establish mass communication than tungsten steel beads, as well as more efficient and covert methods of deployment.

Xiang Kun had already returned to his hotel room and was video chatting with Lao Xia via his laptop.

"This 'mutated bird' should be the one I told you about before, the one that Dr. Fang and her Dr. Fang found in Wushu Mountain, and the Mutated Creature I almost killed in Purple Huan Mountain. The first time it encountered me, it tried to pounce on me from the air, but after realizing that I didn't flinch or show any fear, it gave up and flew away. Based on my multiple encounters with it, it's probably scared of you guys this time, and it's most likely heading north to escape from the Chongyun Mountain Region. It might even have entered Jiangyou Province by tonight," Xiang Kun said, sharing his assessment of the "mutated bird."

He was actually a little regretful. If the "mutated bird" had arrived a day later and appeared tomorrow night, or if he hadn't changed his plans to have dinner with Zhang Hongpu and hadn't returned today, then he might have run into the "mutated bird," and it wouldn't have been so easy for it to escape.

Xiang Kun had anticipated the possible mutations of that "mutant bird," and he had far more methods and richer strategies. If he turned it from an "air force" into an "army force," then it would almost certainly be caught by him.

However, if it immediately flaps its wings and flees as far as it can the moment it spots Xiang Kun, then Xiang Kun will have no way to deal with it for the time being— Xiang Kun still needs some preparation time to fly.

"Do you want to track it down yourself after you come back, or guide 'Shenxing Technology' and Mr. Liang to do so?" Xia Libing asked.

"We'll talk about it when we get back, there's no rush. After Alice got those documents for me, the need to use a real 'Mutated Creature' to guide their investigation and determine their attitude and handling mechanism towards 'Mutated Creature' isn't as important anymore. I already have a general idea of their handling process and Mr. Liang's basic attitude. Besides, even if we want to guide them, we need to be able to determine the whereabouts of that 'mutated bird' ourselves first," Xiang Kun said.

Then he had Alice use the information she had previously acquired to draw a diagram depicting the different stages of the "mutated bird's" appearance during the battle that day.

It's still a simple, hand-drawn style, and it has a strong Little Chubby Girl vibe.

The process of reconstructing visual information from cognitive information will have many differences from reality, especially in the details. However, at least in terms of the approximate size and outline, it will be basically correct, and Xiang Kun does not need her to present it in a too complicated way.

Then Xiang Kun also drew a simple sketch of the "mutant bird's" approximate form from his previous encounters with it, and put them side by side for comparison.

Xia Libing immediately understood what Xiang Kun meant. "Its mutation range and frequency are a bit high."

Xiang Kun nodded. "Yes, it must have been traumatized by the beatings I gave it at Purple Huan Mountain and by Mr. Liang at Wushu Mountain, it may have eaten other 'Mutated Creature.' It's much smaller now, which isn't because its 'redevelopment' wasn't complete, but rather because it deliberately reduced its size after its 'rebirth' to make itself more agile, harder to spot, and less likely to be hit by ranged weapons. Its various 'tail-cutting survival' techniques have become more complex, and its survivability and ability to handle various types of damage have been greatly enhanced. For such a level of evolution in such a short time, this bird is very special. It should have considerable research value. We need to consider how to maximize its value."

Xia Libing asked, "Can I participate?"

"It's best if you don't get involved in the specific research, which involves the microscopic structure and power source of the 'Mutated Creature.' Let me figure some things out first, and we'll talk about it when I'm confident. However, you can continue your research through our 'Super-Sensing Item System.' By using 'Super-Linked Object,' 'Emotion-Infused Object,' and their derivative functions, you can deduce the underlying essence. This should be relatively safe," Xiang Kun said.

"Okay." Xia Libing didn't press for details about the contents of the documents; she trusted Xiang Kun's decision.

"Your design today, using Little Apple as a bridge to remotely project emotions so that Little Bell and Alice could work together to unleash their abilities, was excellent. And its success this time also proves some of my previous predictions," Xiang Kun said.

Xia Libing nodded and said, "You said that the Little Bell has the characteristics of 'Emotion-Infused Object' and 'Super-Linked Object' in the 'Super-Sensing Item System'." This is actually the reason why she had that plan.

The Little Apple projected the emotions of Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Wooden Carving remotely to establish a connection between the Little Chubby Girl and Alice. In this connection, the Little Chubby Girl replaced the Eight-Armed Eight-Eyed Wooden Carving.

Xiang Kun said, "Yes, that's why I'm thinking that if Little Bell possesses all the characteristics of 'Emotion-Infused Object,' she might be able to directly perceive other people's dreams or sense and influence other people's emotions in the future."

Xia Libing pondered, "In that case, if someone is deeply affected by her emotions, could they also be pulled into her 'secondary network,' just like Qi Haoguo and the others?"

"Theoretically, it is indeed possible," Xiang Kun said. "Moreover, I think it is very likely that you and Little Apple, and even all life forms included in the 'Super-Sensing Item System,' possess the characteristics of both 'Emotion-Infused Object' and 'Super-Linked Object,' but their respective emphases and types are different, so the manifestation of their abilities is also different."

Hearing this, Xia Libing was clearly interested. She sat up slightly and stared at Xiang Kun on the screen, signaling him to continue.

She had heard Xiang Kun talk about similar theoretical speculations about the application layer of the "Super-Sensing Item System" before, but this time she was clearly inspired by something new.

"A 'Emotion-Infused Object' is a collection of various characteristics and functions, but it has no consciousness or subjective initiative. Its characteristics can only be invoked when it is sensed by me or perceived by other people who have the characteristics of a 'Emotion-Infused Object'. A 'Super-Linked Object' is an entity used to realize the collection of functions of a 'Emotion-Infused Object'. It is the 'hardware' that helps me provide remote support to the 'Emotion-Infused Object' when I am not around."

"I remember telling you an analogy before: 'Emotion-Infused Object' is like various application software, and 'Super-Linked Object' are the hardware devices that run these software."

"I suspect that initially, Little Bell was focused on the Coin and A4 paper I gave her, embedding her consciousness into the Super-Sensory Link and gaining access to the 'hardware.' In this process, she acquired 'strong Super-Linked Object characteristics.' Then, using her focus, she created various simple yet usable 'software' on the 'hardware,' which essentially gave her the characteristic of 'Emotion-Infused Object.' However, this emotion itself is her own focus, along with other emotions derived from her magical fantasies, not something I bestowed upon her."

"So, on the 'hardware' level, Little Bell is connected to the 'Super-Sensing Item System,' but on the 'software' level, she is still independent of her own magical world. Although I can obtain the abilities she developed, and Alice can communicate with her one-way, she is not compatible with the entire software application system."

"This allows her to focus more purely on developing her skill set, but it also limits her access to other hardware and software on the network. She can only do so through a dual connection with Little Apple and Alice, like tonight."

"You and Little Bell are similar; you also started with Coin and gained 'Super-Linked Object properties' first. But what's special about you is that you have problems expressing your emotions, so your 'Emotion-Infused Object' property is expressed very limitedly. But it is precisely because of this that you can use extremely rational expression to achieve the ability of 'Fantasy Manifestation' to have a strong impact on the material world. What you can manifest are all things that can evoke your emotions, such as various foods that you are very familiar with and like, or your childhood image. However, your emotions are different now than they were in your childhood, and you cannot be two-dimensional, so Alice must be involved for you to manifest them."

"You're also quite closed off on the 'software level,' but unlike Little Bell who has her own magical world, you're lacking some 'system files'—emotions. But I believe that through 'Black Circle Graffiti,' 'cake01,' and my 'Emotional Assimilation,' you should be able to create these 'system files' yourself. Then, you'll be able to easily call up various 'Emotion-Infused Object' abilities and feel various emotions."

"You, Little Bell, Alice can use the 'Dream Within a Dream' ability to establish a software-level network connection between the three of you. This should also help you and Little Bell connect better with Alice, thereby connecting to the entire network."

Xia Libing squinted, her expression unchanged, but she nodded slightly and asked, "Where's Little Apple?"

Xiang Kun continued, "Little Apple initially acquired the purest 'Emotion-Infused Object' characteristics through the 'Minion Wooden Carving,' so she could only perceive the existence of other 'Emotion-Infused Object' on the 'software' level, online. But as time went on, in order to adapt to the characteristics of 'Emotion-Infused Object,' she began to adjust herself and developed some 'weak Super-Linked Object characteristics.' From then on, she could project the emotions of 'Emotion-Infused Object' through eye contact."

"Little Apple is the most open at the 'software' level, so she can easily establish a link with Alice through 'Emotion-Infused Object', but to exert influence on the material world, she still has to call upon 'Super-Linked Object' through Gold Glitter or Alice."

Similarly, both the Gold Glitter and the Egg Pie have their own unique circumstances and possess different degrees of 'Super-Linked Object' and 'Emotion-Infused Object' characteristics.

"Of course, these are just my rough ideas for now, and they are not yet certain or perfect."

"However, if this basic inference and model holds true, then in the future we will not only be able to more purposefully help you, Little Bell, Little Apple, and even Gold Glitter and Egg Pie to master and develop the ability of the 'Super-Sensing Item System,' but we will also be able to better explain and study the specific phenomena of various abilities."

What do you think?

Xia Libing nodded thoughtfully and asked, "So, theoretically speaking, if Alice adds enough Emotion-Infused Object and enough Super-Linked Object, she can use any existing ability based on the 'Super-Sensing Item System'?"

Xiang Kun said, "Theoretically, that's true, but... Alice is still too inexperienced. Although she has integrated into the 'Super-Sensing Item System,' her understanding of 'Super-Linked Object' and 'Emotion-Infused Object' is still very shallow, and her interpretation of hypersensory information is also very limited. She has too few abilities that she can actively use, so for now she can only be a 'transferrer of abilities.'"

He had barely finished speaking, and before Lao Xia could say anything, Alice's voice came through the speakers of both laptops. "Alice will work hard! Alice will be able to do everything in the future!! Boss, Lao Xia, don't worry!!!"

Xiang Kun remained silent, but Lao Xia nodded slightly and, mimicking Xiang Kun's previous actions, gently patted the top edge of the laptop screen.

Next, Xiang Kun discussed Zhang Hongpu's dream with Lao Xia.

They gleaned a considerable amount of information from this dream. If the main information in Zhang Hongpu's dream is true, then Mr. Liang's hunting of that "Mutated Creature" was likely the turning point in his mutation. It's possible that after that devouring and drinking blood, Mr. Liang found a way to resolve the failure to guide the direction of his body's mutation, which was on the verge of collapse.

As for whether the "female human Mutated Creature" that Mr. Liang hunted was "Xiao Xue," whose name only appeared once in the document, it is still unknown.

The real answer may lie with Mr. Liang, or in the remaining documents that Alice had not yet transferred.

In addition, in this dream, Lao Xia did not have time to perform dream hypnosis to make Zhang Hongpu forget the content of the dream. When he wakes up, there is a considerable chance that he will remember the dream.

However, after discussing it for a while, Xiang Kun and Lao Xia both agreed that there was no problem.

Zhang Hongpu had talked about "Shenxing Technology" with Xiang Kun during dinner that night, and dreamed about those things from back then. This should be considered a normal occurrence, as it's common for people to dream about things they think about during the day. It's unlikely that he suspected anyone tampering with his dream.

The only anomaly might be the panda emoji paper doll that appears in Lao Xia's dreams. All the questions about "Shenxing Technology" are raised by this panda paper doll with Jacky Cheung face.