The Uploading of Consciousness

Before long, various instruments were wheeled in one after another, and the staff quickly connected them to my head.

The instruments hummed and beeped, as if trying to convey some kind of message to me.

Their surfaces flickered with faint light, creating an atmosphere that was both mysterious and futuristic.

As the instruments continued to operate, I felt a weak electric current flowing across my scalp, giving me a strange sensation.

One of the instruments looked like a gigantic helmet. It fit snugly over my head and was connected to the other devices by countless tiny wires.

The helmet seemed capable of reading my brain waves and converting them into visual data.

Another instrument looked like a transparent sphere filled with flickering lights and intricate patterns.

The sphere seemed capable of simulating my thought processes and displaying them in an intuitive way.

Some small sensors were also stuck to my scalp. They could monitor my heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs, providing the researchers with more comprehensive information.

"Let me explain the basics of this experiment to you. After all, you have the right to know what you're getting into.

"As for this consciousness-uploading experiment, it's still only theoretical. There have been no successful cases.

"More importantly, reading your consciousness will cause severe damage to your brain. That means it's either success or death," the researcher said solemnly.

"But there's no need to worry too much.

"We've made a breakthrough in our latest theories. We discovered the microscopic quantum structure of the human brain, and based on this research, we can upload consciousness to a quantum computer. However, the process will put your consciousness in a quantum superposition state. It may cause your consciousness to be transmitted elsewhere in the universe through quantum entanglement.

"Still, our current theoretical model predicts a success rate as high as thirty percent! Round that up, and it's a hundred percent!"

What kind of logic was that? What the hell did he mean, round it up to a hundred percent? No matter how you rounded it, thirty percent couldn't become a hundred!

Whatever. Since I was going to die either way, I might as well take the chance! Maybe this time I could come back from the brink of death.

"Whatever makes you happy. It's not like I have a choice, right? I'll take the gamble. Maybe I'll survive."

"You're taking this pretty well. I hope you make it," the researcher said, pretending to be at ease, though a trace of worry and helplessness showed in his eyes.

He knew how dangerous the experiment was. This might be the last time they ever saw each other.

But with the challenge drawing near, all he could do was offer encouragement and wish me luck.

"The consciousness-uploading process will involve opening your skull to establish a deep connection with your brain.

"But don't worry. It won't hurt much. The brain has no pain receptors. Just don't move, or something unnecessary could go wrong. We can't anesthetize you, either, because the chances of uploading your consciousness are higher if you're conscious."

"Okay. Let's get on with the experiment. My whole body already hurts, and with my genes breaking down from the nuclear radiation, I don't think I can last more than a few days."

Several hours later, I watched from the operating table as they finished preparing for the experiment. Through the reflection in the instruments, I could even see my own brain.

It was a horrifying sight. Surprisingly, though, I didn't feel any pain.

"Everything's ready. Are you mentally prepared?" the researcher asked with concern.

"I'm ready. Begin."

"Three, two, one."

"Good luck."

Those were the last words I heard beside my ear. Right after that, a sharp pain shot through my brain. I felt as though my consciousness were separating from my body, and even the pain from the nuclear radiation was gradually fading away, replaced by a sense of my soul drifting free.

I saw the strange and wondrous universe. I seemed to be at the center of an infinite cosmos, and then my soul began to drift aimlessly.

At last, I found a direction. My consciousness told me where I needed to go, and then I felt myself sinking into endless darkness.

Beep, beep, beep—

Life signs gone. Consciousness reading successful. Uploading—no consciousness-upload signal detected.

"Ugh, another failed experiment. I really hope that optimistic young man survived. But we actually succeeded in reading his consciousness. Putting it into a quantum superposition was the right move, so why didn't we capture the consciousness signal? It's not like he crossed over into another world or something, right?"

"I must be too tired lately to come up with such ridiculous ideas."

Li Yingyue's consciousness drifted through the darkness, as if he had entered an endless void.

Countless fragments of memory flashed through my mind, as though an invisible force were dragging me forward. I couldn't resist.

Just as I was about to be swallowed by the endless darkness, a dazzling light suddenly appeared. My consciousness jolted, and I felt as though I had been pulled out of an abyss.

Ying Yue realized he was in an unfamiliar world.

Suddenly, a sharp pain surged through my mind, as if countless needles were stabbing into my nerves.

I gritted my teeth involuntarily. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead, and my vision began to blur.

Countless images of memories swirled through his mind, like a movie playing at fast-forward.

Some of those scenes were my own memories; others were unfamiliar memories that didn't belong to me.

I saw my life in my original world, my parents' faces, and my friends' smiles. At the same time, I saw all sorts of things from this world—the daily life of Konoha, the shinobi's training, and even several battles.

I suddenly realized that these memories weren't all mine. Some belonged to the original owner of this body.

My soul hadn't crossed over and appeared here out of nowhere. It had taken over the body of someone who had already existed.

The body's original owner was a newcomer who had only just begun his shinobi career.

"What... is going on?" Li Yingyue gritted his teeth, trying to make sense of the chaos in his mind.

Ying Yue knew he had to adapt to this identity as quickly as possible. Otherwise, he could die at any moment in this dangerous world.

As his memories gradually became clearer, he learned that the body's original owner was named Uchiha Ying Yue. Li Yingyue struggled to steady his breathing and force himself to calm down.

Ying Yue knew that since he had taken over this body, he had to accept this identity and follow the rules of this world.

Ying Yue looked down at himself and saw that he was wearing a strange outfit. A small pouch hung at his waist, containing several kunai and a scroll.

Ying Yue lightly touched it with his fingers and felt a powerful energy flowing through his body—chakra!

Li Yingyue realized that his thoughts were in disarray and couldn't help asking himself, Wasn't I on an operating table undergoing a consciousness-uploading experiment? How did I suddenly end up in this world? Did something go wrong with the experiment? The thought flashed through his mind, and his heart leaped. The cold sweat on his forehead grew even heavier.

"Could this be... a crossing over to another world?" Li Yingyue wondered in shock and uncertainty, trying to sort out his thoughts. But the memories in his mind kept intertwining with what he saw and felt, leaving Ying Yue at a loss.