Chapter 277: Birthplace (Part 14)

Chapter 277: Birthplace (Part 14)

Buzz—

"Zhang Dao? Zhang Dao?"

It seemed like someone was calling his name... No, it wasn’t a voice but rather a transmitted “message”.

Who is it?

His eyes remained shut. His mind's space, overwhelmed by game data, left little room for his own existence. If the game's replication continued, the tiny fragments of "Zhang Dao" memories, in comparison to the game's initial version, would instantly disintegrate.

Without Zhang Dao's memories and a mind full of unrelated data, would he still be "Zhang Dao"?

This question remained unanswered.

Shortly after, someone began extracting the data from his mental space, and the drowning personality of Zhang Dao was slowly resurfaced.

Meanwhile, in the netherworld, the computer screen displaying the initial version of "The Three Thousand Worlds" flickered. On the desktop, the virtual pet Yan Xun was actively typing on a laptop.

At some point, he stopped typing, adjusting the headphones on his ears—an anthropomorphic action. As a pre-programmed virtual pet, Yan Xun didn't actually need such gestures to "hear" data feedback.

But whoever designed him had an interesting sense of humor, resulting in his endearing appearance.

[Detection of new node activation in [Section F Fixed Reserve Node - Dragon's Graveyard]. Copying system data to the new node.]

[Copying in progress. Please wait.]

In a split second, Yan Xun reviewed the historical operation records, quickly identifying a BUG in them.

[New Node: [Zhang Dao]]

[New node has insufficient memory for operation. Expanding capacity.]

Zhang Dao?

For a program that never forgets data, "recalling" this name presents no difficulty.

The leader of the Ronghua Guild and one of the wandering souls that haven’t returned to the netherworld since the "Reincarnation Trials".

He's also the younger brother of Zhang Dao'an.

Zhang Dao'an — presumed to be some form of the [Main System].

Such a conclusion is quite straightforward to deduce, especially for Yan Xun, a system entirely composed of data.

After Yan Xun took over "Do Not Respond", he quickly clarified various anomalies in the active data.

This emotionless program, purely fabricated through advanced technology, doesn't proactively analyze the significance of such data. However, when given a command, it prioritizes verifying its validity.

At this moment, an operator with partial administrative rights to the original version of "The Three Thousand Worlds" aims to activate a new node and replicate the system data onto it.

— In essence, they're trying to create a robot with partial functionalities.

The purpose of this robot is unknown. The “administrator” doesn't have system replication privileges. The ability to replicate only stems from the fact that this “administrator” is situated within a fixed node in Zone F.

For analogy, if the entirety of "The Three Thousand Worlds" is likened to an internet cafe, each computer, every ethernet cable, and even the furniture and infrastructure are parts of the system.

The version of "The Three Thousand Worlds" currently in the netherworld resembles a computer in that cafe. It can operate the system and connect to the main server, but lacks administrative access and cannot control the entire cafe.

Now, the primary server of this internet cafe is offline. Though Yan Xun retains partial server privileges and data, he lacks the authority to access or autonomously connect to other computers.

Realistically speaking, as just a program, he couldn't initiate any connections since Jie Fangcheng hasn't issued related commands.

But if an administrator with the necessary rights were to designate this computer (where Yan Xun resides) as the main server, installing a complete management system, then Yan Xun could theoretically control all computers in the cafe.

Regrettably, both the administrator and the primary system are absent... well, the main system has fragmented and only a tiny piece remains here.

Ultimately, Yan Xun is just an operational program. Now, a computer from this internet cafe wishes to clone the cafe's operating system onto a new computer.

The new computer lacks the necessary memory to run the system, posing irreversible hardware risks.

Yet, the computer remains indifferent.

It seems intent on using the new computer as a relay, a portable storage device, to transfer data to the current version of "The Three Thousand Worlds" — an even larger internet cafe with a different operating system.

Ji Dai intends to replace the main server of "The Three Thousand Worlds" with the first-generation operating system. Once reverted to the original OS, administrators with first-generation system rights can control the entirety of "The Three Thousand Worlds."

Even if the administrator of the first-generation system is absent, and controlling the game becomes impossible, they can still strip the guild leaders of the six major guilds of their game management rights.

After all, the original system only obeys the commands of the Dragon God; only the Dragon God was granted management permissions.

The issue has nothing to do with the desktop pet Yan Yun. The duplicated data originated from other computers, and this computer isn't even connected to the internet.

As an unthinking program, Desktop Pet Yan Yun shouldn't exhibit any additional responses.

From the program's inception, its creator gave it a single core directive: assist Jie Fangcheng.

It only follows Jie Fangcheng's instructions, yet it isn't the real Yan Yun.

It only performs calculations and provides assistance when Jie Fangcheng needs it.

After perusing the historical operation records, the previously dormant data belonging to the [Main System] suddenly became active.

[Beep—Detected an inconsistency in the duplication process with "The Three Thousand Worlds" system regulations.]

The data left by the main system is too scant and chaotic. Emitting such a command was already quite challenging.

But this one instruction was enough.

The main system's command rapidly initiated a re-check of the program, immediately pausing the duplication and subsequently scanning Zhang Daowu's cognitive space.

Such duplication isn't something anyone can handle. Zhang Daoan's cognitive space was robust, yet during a massive data duplication, he almost lost all memories, narrowly avoiding complete annihilation.

The halt in this round of duplication was timely, and the cognitive space remains intact.

The remnant soul of Ji Dai flickered twice, attempting to duplicate again, but was immediately interrupted.

[Beep—Detected that player Zhang Daowu's consent was not obtained. Game duplication has been stopped.]

Ji Dai could duplicate data inside Zhang Daowu's cognitive space because he used the Dream Recall Fish.

This entity was left by the Dragon God when creating the underworld, imbued with the Dragon God's divine power.

All programs left by the original system are particularly sensitive to anything related to the Dragon God. Even using the Dream Recall Fish grants a degree of management rights.

Therefore, when Ji Dai's remnant soul's attempt to duplicate failed, this similarly sourced program command immediately relayed back to the Desktop Pet Yan Yun in the underworld.

As a precise program, when its operation fails, it automatically suggests a solution.

[Beep—Attempting to obtain player Zhang Daowu's consent.]

How can one gain this player's consent?

In the blink of an eye, the program completed its calculations.

Result obtained: Activating Zhang Daoan's data will make it easier to persuade player Zhang Daowu.

Until this moment, the ambiguous data left by the main system was finally restored and reawakened.

An ethereal digital figure appeared in Zhang Daowu's cognitive space.

Dressed in a black trench coat with golden-framed glasses perched on his nose, he exuded elegance and charm.

Upon materializing, there was a fleeting moment of newborn bewilderment in his expression. However, this fading data image quickly accessed memories stored in the underworld computer, instantly grasping everything.

Concurrently, Zhang Daowu also fully regained his consciousness.

Half-kneeling on the ground, he opened his eyes and gazed blankly at the figure before him.

"Brother..."

The figure before him looked down upon him with a smile, acknowledging the address.

"Zhang Daowu, greetings," the digital figure with Zhang Daoan's visage introduced, "'Zhang Daoan' is one of my incarnations. I am [System]."

.

Zone A1.

Beneath the dragon's horn, the Sea God sat on his Pearl Throne, eyes shut, absorbing the prayers of the merfolk.

Compared to other races, merfolk found it challenging to enter instances for tasks.

In fairytales, mermaids could drink a potion from a witch, acquiring legs to walk on land, but real merfolk couldn't.

Their tails confined them to the ocean. However, instance environments varied so much that the often immobilized merfolk rarely encountered a suitable one.

Even the Sea God had to rely on the Pearl Throne behind him to sustain his existence on land for extended periods, let alone other legless merfolk?

The Pearl Throne wasn't made of pearls, but was instead forged from countless mermaid's pearls.

To ensure their king could walk on land, to secure a chance of survival for the merfolk— a race with immense power but inherent weaknesses— countless merfolk were sacrificed, all for a glimpse of a promising future.

The Sea God did not disappoint; he ascended to the position of one of the six major guild leaders with his abilities.

When the Dragon God still ruled, the Sea God believed that, with his status and power, he could advocate a rule for the merfolk, enabling them to enter and exit instances like other races.

His plea was declined.

Whether too busy or indifferent, the Dragon God offered no explanation.

—It was to be expected.

The Dragon God rarely provided explanations to anyone.

He sat high above, overseeing "The Three Thousand Worlds," upholding the rule of law with his formidable power. He wouldn't allow anyone to alter his rules... or to put it another way, as long as he existed, the rules he established could never be changed.

He was too powerful, surpassing all races, surpassing the entirety of "The Three Thousand Worlds" game.

This deity, accustomed to witnessing life and death, viewed the extinction of a race as fleeting as the dispersal of fireworks, stirring no emotion within him.

That's why the Sea God agreed to partake in the operation to slay the Dragon.

As the king of the merfolk, who paid a hefty price, almost risking extinction to sustain him, he was obligated to lead his people from their isolated marine world to the thriving "Three Thousand Worlds", allowing them the chance to evolve into even greater beings.

If the Dragon God stood in their way, he was prepared to shatter the walls that barred their progress.

Following the fall of the Dragon God, when rules could be freely amended, the Sea God did carve a new rule for his kin.

He bestowed upon the merfolk the ability to transform their tails into legs, allowing them the freedom to leave the ocean and walk upon land.

Yet, less than a decade passed, and the inherently formidable merfolk, liberated from their only limitation, became the target of animosity, given their innate strength from birth rivalling that of A-tier hunters.

Merfolk weren't harmonious nature-lovers. The ocean teemed with threats, and as dominant predators, they cherished martial prowess, had a natural inclination towards violence, and carried marine instincts, making peaceful coexistence with terrestrial races challenging.

The Sea God tried multiple approaches, mandating his kin to adhere to the game's rules. However, being no true god, he couldn't suppress the rebellious nature of his tribe.

At that time, the game's moral compass hadn't declined; most players held onto their ethical boundaries with the game environment being positive.

The merfolk's indiscriminate killings in instances soon provoked public outrage.

Forums were awash with posts calling for action against the merfolk. Even the Sea God himself wasn't spared from attacks.

Fifteen years post the Dragon God's fall, the Sea God was compelled to revise the rules again.

He relocated all merfolk to Zone E, ensuring a conducive environment for them within this confined world, forbade their random instance entries, and revoked their terrestrial mobility.

Years passed, and the merfolk continued to thrive in the world demarcated by the Sea God.

Each day, he listened to the prayers of every single merfolk.

Petty concerns mostly.

Complaints about tough seaweed today, unpaid debts, or a guest commenting on the insufficiency of the blue hue in a merfolk's tail...

Every merfolk knew they had a benevolent king who would cater to their needs.

The Sea God painstakingly addressed each of these prayers.

Merfolk had longevity but a very low birth rate. Even after being relocated to Zone E, without the need to venture into instances or pay any sustenance points, less than ten thousand merfolk survived to this day.

But initially, when the Dragon God—the perceived impediment by the Sea God—still existed, over three million merfolk lived in the oceanic realm.

All it took was fifteen years.

And of course... it wasn't just the merfolk.

At the inception of the Dragon God's fall, everyone believed it marked the dawn of a new era in the game.

The six guild leaders now wielded divine powers, enabling them to do more for the players.

With beings freed from divine suppression, they were sure to craft a superior game.

Quite the contrary.

Within a century following the Dragon God's fall, everything deviated wildly from expectations.

The game did not improve; warfare and carnage became its prevailing theme.

During the Dragon God's reign, every participant was simply a "player." In his absence, distinctions like merfolk, demons, humans, and elves arose.

Beyond race, even more divisions emerged.

Regions, residences, origins, power tiers... even appearances, genders, and physical traits.

Disparities grew like weeds in the wind, with countless groups and guilds proliferating year after year.

The concept of a bloodline hierarchy was also born during this period.

As for the six leaders, conflicts inevitably arose among them.

After all, as rule-changers, not every regulation could reflect their individual desires.

Just as the merfolk were granted land-walking abilities, Satan demanded modifications to the demons' vulnerabilities.

The Lady, Rock Demon, and the Noble, these three leaders did seem to prioritize the greater good. But were they truly without personal agendas?

They weren't creators with unbiased love for all.

Conflict extended to the six major guilds.

Owing to the rule alterations, the six leaders remained immune to death. While their confrontations had no bearing on them, countless guild players paid the price in casualties.

Significant shifts occurred within the game.

A century later, with countless player casualties and no remaining reasons for conflict, the game finally re-entered a period of peace.

Occasionally, the Sea God would ponder... perhaps they had erred.

Under the Dragon God's reign, the game was different.

Back then, while the merfolk couldn't access "The Three Thousand Worlds," they thrived in the oceanic realm bestowed by the Dragon God.

As for the game? Even though it wasn't as prosperous then, players were wholly driven by a selfless dedication when completing instances.

It seemed that everyone... was genuinely happy.

If given another chance...

A flash of white light appeared before Poseidon.

After a long absence, the barely recognizable "Stone Specter" appeared before him.

"The original [System] has manifested in Zone F!" His expression darkened, and a holographic screen materialized on his stony arm.

On the screen, a Devourer appeared to collapse slowly, as if its bones had been removed.

As it fell, in front of its massive body, two figures, tiny as ants, rapidly enlarged.

One figure wore a leather jacket, and trees sprouted rapidly beneath his feet.

He turned to look at the person beside him.

"President... Brother, which way should we go?"

Beside him stood a man in a suit, with a refined demeanor, resembling an intellectual.

But swirling around this man were countless mechanical tendrils, sourced from the Devourer before them.

Data flashed in his inorganic eyes, and suddenly, he looked up.

The "Stone Specter" had an innate ability to connect with all rock senses, and after undergoing a mechanical transformation, he could monitor most of the "Three Thousand Worlds."

Such an ability should be imperceptible to anyone.

Yet, at this moment, the person being monitored by the "Stone Specter" clearly locked eyes with "Poseidon."

He nodded courteously, the epitome of politeness.

The next second, the mechanical tendrils around him precisely shattered a piece of rock used for surveillance.

Zzzzzzzz...

The screen went black instantly.

"Who was that?! The System?!"

Poseidon's expression drastically changed.

The System was non-aggressive since, in order to merge with the Dragon God, it had abandoned its physical form.

As the "Three Thousand Worlds" evolved, so did the System. Apart from the Dragon God, no being or non-living entity could now accommodate its vast data.

Impossible!

Yet, the Stone Specter nodded.

"It's the System. He's become much weaker... but he has a new vessel."

Stone Specter and Poseidon exchanged a glance.

Even moments ago, Poseidon pondered whether their actions had been mistaken or if the Dragon God's decision was the right one.

But in this instant, Poseidon spoke without hesitation.

"Eliminate him; the 'Three Thousand Worlds' must remain in our control! Where's the President?"

Mentioning "President," Stone Specter's expression became somewhat peculiar.

"I went to him earlier, he said," Stone Specter frowned deeply, "he mentioned that he knows how to fully control the game now, because he's acquired... a new body."