For the first time, the network encountered a "true deadlock"—not because someone was deliberately causing trouble, but because reasonable differences genuinely existed.
"This situation was covered in the contingency plans," Guanlan said. "When consciousness resonance cannot produce a single answer, it means the question itself should not have a single answer."
"We need to embrace diversity."
Lin Ye nodded. "Then we won't make a unified decision."
"We'll allow the network to differentiate into different 'development regions.'"
"The Radical Faction can accelerate experiments within its own region, the Conservative Faction can maintain steady development, and the Status Quo Faction can preserve its original pace."
"But all regions will still share their underlying connections, allowing them to learn from and draw inspiration from one another."
"That way, the network will become an 'experimental field,' exploring multiple paths at once."
This proposal sparked heated discussion.
Some supported it, believing it represented true inclusiveness and openness.
Others opposed it, believing it would cause the network to lose its unity and eventually split apart.
But in the end, the plan received the approval of consciousness resonance.
Because most people realized that diversity itself was the source of the network's strength.
Forcing unity would instead stifle creativity.
The network began to differentiate.
Within the virtual space, three major development regions took shape:
The "Vanguard Domain," led by the Radical Faction, focused on breakthrough experiments and rapid iteration.
The "Steady Domain," led by the Conservative Faction, focused on consolidating foundations and controlling risks.
The "Natural Domain," led by the Status Quo Faction, maintained the original pace of organic development.
The three regions remained connected, but each had its own rules and atmosphere.
As the network's creator, Lin Ye chose not to join any of them.
He positioned himself as an "observer and coordinator," moving between the three