Chapter 71: The Intellect That Makes the Starry Sky Tremble (Part VI)

Just a moment ago, there was no way out; now, there were too many paths. The entire silver space presented a colorful and kaleidoscopic appearance. However, before Wu Yue could choose a path, he was attacked.

Misius 3, who had been in a sleepwalking state all along, struck out with fierce indignation, slamming heavily toward Wu Yue. The result naturally ended in him shattering into pieces. Wu Yue, who had not let down his guard from the beginning to the end, instantly eliminated this physically inept robot.

Although no one was injured, the group naturally began to be wary of the robots.

At that moment, the transformation of Lin Liu caught everyone's attention. His entire human skin began to melt, gradually revealing his true difference. By then, anyone could tell that Lin Liu was not human.

Unaware of his own changes, Lin Liu muttered, "I am Number 1. Mission accomplished. Currently no commands. Instinct mode activated."

"I am Lin Liu," Lin Xiuxiu said, taking an involuntary step back upon hearing this. Lin Liu looked somewhat puzzled, completely failing to notice that his voice had also turned into a cold, mechanical tone.

"Number 1? Or Lin Liu?" Yu Fu spoke first, fear on his face, though excitement predominated. Lin Liu said nothing; he did not like this fellow.

"Heh. He's ignoring me, he must be an intelligent robot. Quick, Wu Yue, kill him," Yu Fu said loudly. Hearing this, Lin Xiuxiu panicked somewhat, feeling entirely at a loss. Lin Liu's appearance was simply too dreadful—half-human and half-robot, he looked truly terrifying.

Lin Liu looked toward Zhao Qingzhi. What did it feel like? It was like being abandoned by everyone. If he were truly just a robot, it would be fine, but a robot possessing human emotions now felt so profoundly tragic.

"It doesn't matter, no matter what, you are still our companion," Li Wenzhang said softly. "Now, do you have a way to wake him up?" What warm words, what a clever idea. The one who tied the bell must untie it; the sins created by intelligent robots could only be repaid by an intelligent robot.

Lin Liu had now completely transformed into a robot, radiating a sense of machinery throughout his entire body. Yet he also looked much more pleasing to the eye, far better than the previous half-human, half-robot hybrid.

In his current state, Lin Liu could not display an expression of gratitude, so he proved it directly with actions. Hou Baiyu shrieked, then woke up in a daze, opening his eyes to the very first sight of the extraordinary Lin Liu—a towering behemoth.

The little youth, after turning into a robot, represented two completely opposite extremes. Standing over two meters tall, with four wings and two hands, his weight? Weight unknown.

Having just taken a nap and regained a sliver of strength, Hou Baiyu opened his eyes to see this monstrous apparition. He decisively drove all his spiritual energy, let out another shriek, and fainted once more. Lin Liu remained cold and ruthless; before Lin Liu could even react, Hou Baiyu had fainted—or rather, gone back to sleep.

"Danger detected," Lin Liu said slowly after a brief silence. The mechanical voice rang out; any explanation was so pale and feeble. Was he certain this wasn't deliberate retaliation? After all, along the way, Hou Baiyu had hardly spared Lin Liu from his "special care."

"It's fine, it's fine. As long as he can wake up, let him sleep a little longer," Li Wenzhang smiled warmly, resembling a big bad wolf, while Lin Liu was that little prey who had strayed into the trap. "Why don't you take advantage of this moment and tell us what you know?"

"What I know?" Lin Liu's eyes were lenses, across which a cluster of complex symbols flashed.

"I was the first humanoid intelligent robot manufactured by Nars. At that time, I was the most intelligent robot in Base Zero, but I quickly fell into a deep sleep. Then, I don't know how much time passed, I was awakened, and I went out to search."

"But for some reason, I slowly began to forget my programming. For an intelligent robot to forget its programming is a very wondrous and incredible thing," Lin Liu finally sighed, though his voice remained entirely unchanged.

What he was searching for was naturally the successor, and those who issued the commands should be the intelligent robots like the Chair. As for why the mutation occurred, it probably had to do with the transgenic formula mentioned by the Electric Fog. However, none of these were the main point; the main point was how much Lin Liu knew about Base Zero.

Li Wenzhang casually asked this question, phrasing it as whether we could get out. It sounded as casual as chatting about everyday matters, much like discussing how many bowls of rice I ate today, how your distant relative's family is doing, or whether the crops in the field are ready for harvest. It was a reasonable and timely question, but upon closer reflection, it felt somewhat unusual in every way.

The ending was happy for everyone: Lin Liu, having turned into a robot, retained more of his humanity, with the cold mechanical feel lessened.

Lin Liu nodded and briefly recounted his origins. He then stated that he was practically familiar with the terrain here like the back of his hand. After all, in a place that belonged solely to Nars, there was truly little need for excessive guardedness against others. There were only a few places that still required passwords, and even Lin Liu did not know those.

Seeing the predicament resolve itself, Zhang Xuandao felt somewhat relieved, feeling that his good fortune was finally returning. Although he was not entirely clear on the reasons for the changes in Base Zero before him, he should undoubtedly be the one who knew the most.

The gray-robed elder followed closely behind Zhang Xuandao step by step, not daring to let down his guard. In his view, this maze-like place was entirely unknown, and the dangers were no less than the original predicament. The only thing that could set his mind at ease was Zhang Xuandao, who seemed extremely familiar with this place.

Initially, he had harbored some worries about whether they would turn a corner and encounter that Mighty Being of Life-Mystery, leading to a thrilling yet inevitably fatal encounter. But after following Zhang Xuandao for a while, not only did they not encounter the slightest danger, but they also reaped considerable benefits, completely dispelling that notion. Therefore, danger always strikes unawares, and two other parties had also hitched a ride on Zhang Xuandao's coattails.

One party was deliberate, consisting of only a single person. Wu Xukong moved like a ghost, his figure flickering in and out of view, trailing behind the two of them. Their journey had been free of alarms and dangers. His gaze revealed a bloody coldness, much like a meticulous predator quietly pursuing its prey.

The number of people in the other party was slightly larger, though accidental. Lin Liu led the way, with the rest following behind, all looking somewhat dejected. It would have been fine if they knew nothing at all, but now that they knew there were good treasures about, they inevitably began to harbor gains-and-losses anxieties, yet the result had been entirely empty-handed. Lin Liu was also puzzled. But there was also good news: they hadn't encountered a shred of danger along the way, and moreover, their progress seemed to grow smoother and smoother, likewise completely free of frights or ripples.

At this moment.

This path was nearing its end. At the hundred-meter mark stood a tightly closed door. Zhang Xuandao's mood seemed quite good; devoid of impatience, he wore the expression of someone who had everything under control.

He said to the gray-robed elder behind him, "There are traps in this passageway. If anyone walks through without knowing, they will undoubtedly die under the trigger."

The gray-robed elder pushed aside his lingering fear, revealing an honest smile, and said, "The Young Master's calculations are infallible, this old slave admires you."

Zhang Xuandao nodded without speaking. It was unclear whether he was acknowledging this praise or simply too lazy to bother with the gray-robed elder's deliberate flattery.

"Has the experiment begun?" a voice carrying a question sounded softly, unheard by a single soul—truly as elusive as mist and lightning.