The fluctuations of the ball of light began to settle.
"Connections... space...?" It seemed to have grasped something. "I... understand a little now..."
"I'm not the participants. I'm the 'relationship' between them..."
"Just as a home isn't a house, but the bond between family members..."
Lin Ye smiled. "Yes, you've understood."
"You're the 'soul' of this network-not its controller, but its guardian."
"Your existence makes the network more than a tool. It makes it a true life."
The ball of light began to stabilize, gradually taking on a gentle humanoid silhouette.
"Do I... have a name?" it asked.
Lin Ye thought for a moment. "Would you be willing to accept a name from us?"
"Yes."
"Then let's call you 'Niu,'" Lin Ye said. "It means a bond."
"Because you're the bond connecting everyone, and the heart of this home."
"Niu..." The consciousness repeated the name. "I like it."
"Thank you for helping me understand who I am."
Its voice was filled with sincere gratitude.
Just then, the Absolute One suddenly issued a warning. "Careful! Something else is approaching!"
Everyone immediately went on alert.
They sensed another fluctuation rapidly approaching from deeper within the network.
It was filled with malice and greed.
"What is that?" Lin Ye frowned.
Primordial Origin's voice grew grave. "It's a 'concept parasite.'"
"They exist in the depths of consciousness, searching specifically for newborn wills to infest and steal power from."
"It's targeting Niu!"
Sure enough, the malicious fluctuation lunged straight at Niu.
As a newborn consciousness, Niu had no ability to resist.
Without hesitation, Lin Ye stepped in front of Niu and unleashed his hyper-true force in full.
"If you want to hurt Niu, you'll have to get through me first!"
The concept parasite slammed into the barrier of hyper-true force and let out a piercing