IMC Chapter 131

The sphere’s tone was as natural as if discussing something entirely ordinary.

Shu Bao and the other two exchanged glances, seeing the confusion in one another’s eyes. Shu Bao turned back to the sphere. “Isn’t Lai Mi the ancestor of the Mechanoids? You don’t look mechanical at all.”

“This is merely my default state. If I so choose, the entire main city can become my body.” The questioned sphere, Lai Mi, was unruffled as it calmly explained the nature of its form.

Such a statement aligned with Lai Mi’s identity as the main brain, yet it was inconceivable for there to be two Lai Mis among the Mechanoids. Clearly, something was amiss. “Do you know how you came into being? And what about your friend?”

“Of course I do. Humans created me. Wei Lai is just around the corner. What exactly are you seeking here?” Lai Mi found the trio’s questions peculiar. Rather than asking about crucial technologies, they were fixated on questioning it instead.

This response plunged Shu Bao into deep thought once again. Lai Mi was indeed created by humans, and “Wei Lai” was indeed its friend. The light sphere’s answers were faultless. Could it be true that there were two Lai Mis in the Mechanoid main city?

Though unable to untangle the relationship between the two Lai Mis, this was not the time to dwell on it. As Shu Bao pondered how to tactfully request the Mechanoids’ secrets, Lan Qing abruptly asked, “Can we take some of the Mechanoids’ data with us?”

Shu Bao and Fu Qing’s heads snapped toward Lan Qing, wondering if this dragon was being too blunt and risking angering the main brain.

Surprisingly, the main brain responded without hesitation. “All of the Mechanoids’ data is stored in this building. If you want it, go ahead and find it.”

After so many obstacles, the trio had not expected things to go so smoothly in the end. Lan Qing, thrilled, pressed further, “Really? We can take any data?”

“We Mechanoids always keep our promises. As long as you pass our trial, you can take whatever you want—excluding myself and my kind.” Lai Mi’s spherical form flickered twice, and the previously barren 100th floor was suddenly filled with virtual bookshelves and books. These were precisely the core records Shu Bao and the others had been seeking.

The sudden turn of fortune left the trio hesitant to act hastily. Just as they wavered, a noise came from the entrance. They turned to see a striking silver figure. Floating in midair, Lai Mi enthusiastically greeted the newcomer, “Wei Lai, it’s been so long since you visited me.”

Shu Bao fluffed its fur, finding a hint of wistfulness in Lai Mi’s tone, which felt odd. Stranger still was Wei Lai’s cold attitude toward Lai Mi, responding with a mere grunt before shifting its focus to the trio. “You’re not human?”

Lai Mi excitedly interjected, “They’re not human. I’ve scanned them. I’m letting them choose items to take with them as agreed.”

Wei Lai’s expression turned puzzled, likely wondering when such a highly intelligent non-human species had emerged in the chaotic universe. “Where are you from?”

Before Lan Qing could respond, Shu Bao quickly answered, “From another galaxy in a different space-time. We ended up here by accident.”

Wei Lai stared at Shu Bao for a moment, seemingly confirming its honesty before relaxing. “You can freely copy the data. Take any resources you need from the main city, but leave as soon as possible.”

Since both the main brain and Wei Lai were so accommodating, Shu Bao and the others didn’t hold back. They immediately approached the virtual bookshelves, searching for information on the chaotic universe and the dark world. Shu Bao, with countless questions in mind, decided to focus on gathering the data thoroughly before seeking answers from Wei Lai.

After nearly an hour of work, the trio completed their data copying and storage. However, they were promptly urged by Wei Lai to leave. As Wei Lai accompanied them out of the 100th floor, Shu Bao finally voiced a question that had been weighing heavily, “Is that Lai Mi the real Lai Mi? Are there two Lai Mis in this city?”

Wei Lai froze momentarily at the question, then fixed Shu Bao with a piercing gaze. “What do you mean by that? Have you seen another Lai Mi?”

“Isn’t it in your collection hall? That Lai Mi told me many stories about how the two of you maintained the city together and traveled to other planets. But later, it fell into a deep sleep. Before that, it asked me to find you.” With the information they needed secured, Shu Bao felt more at ease and prepared to probe into the history of the Mechanoids.

Wei Lai froze in place, his expression shifting into something complex and indescribable—perhaps a mixture of joy and sorrow. If one had to put it into words, it was bittersweet. “He really woke up! He actually woke up!”

Murmuring to himself for a moment, Wei Lai then turned his gaze back to Shubao. “Can you tell me what he talked to you about? May I know?”

“Of course.” Since Lai Mi hadn’t asked Shu Bao to keep the conversation confidential, Shu Bao was happy to share. After all, the mouse had taken a liking to Lai Mi and was fond of the stories about Wei Lai.

As Shu Bao recounted the tales while heading toward the elevator, Wei Lai remained silent, seemingly immersed in the narrative. Judging by Wei Lai’s expression, the stories appeared to be true. However, when Shu Bao recounted how Lai Mi never managed to meet the creators and eventually chose to sleep in regret, Wei Lai let out a soft, uncontrollable laugh—a laugh brimming with sarcasm.

The trio looked at Wei Lai, pondering the meaning of his laugh. Wei Lai did not attempt to hide it, instead asking rhetorically, “Lai Mi said he didn’t meet anyone from the base universe?”

The furry little ball nodded obediently. “Isn’t that so?”

“If he didn’t, then where do the humans in this universe come from?”

Wei Lai’s sigh-laden question left the three stunned. Were the humans in this universe not its native inhabitants? What did Wei Lai mean by this? Could it be that the humans in this universe were from the base universe?

“Lai Mi did meet people from the base universe. However, those who arrived were no longer the creators Lai Mi was waiting for, even though they were indeed from that universe.”

Though Wei Lai’s earlier words had allowed them to guess as much, hearing it confirmed aloud was still shocking—especially for Shu Bao. When listening to Lai Mi’s story, the mouse deeply felt Lai Mi’s regret. Could Lai Mi have lied? No, Shu Bao firmly believed Lai Mi hadn’t lied. “Wasn’t waiting for people from the base universe Lai Mi’s wish? Why would he get something so important wrong?”

“He didn’t get it wrong. After they arrived, I erased their memories.” Wei Lai’s voice was calm, yet the story he recounted was chilling.

As Wei Lai told it, he and Lai Mi traveled together while waiting for people from the base universe. At that time, Wei Lai had not yet developed self-awareness, so the one truly waiting was Lai Mi alone.

One day, Lai Mi’s wait was finally rewarded. The people of the base universe succeeded in creating an artificial wormhole using the data Lai Mi had transmitted, allowing them to travel to the chaotic universe. At that time, the chaotic universe wasn’t chaotic at all—it was a vibrant, thriving paradise.

The visitors were amazed to encounter Lai Mi, the first-generation robot, and were even more astonished by Lai Mi’s awakened self-awareness. Even in their advanced universe, they hadn’t succeeded in creating a true artificial intelligence. Naturally, after being warmly welcomed by Lai Mi, these people proposed studying him.

Lai Mi was deeply disheartened upon learning this, but he didn’t voice his sorrow to those people. Instead, he confided in Wei Lai, who at the time lacked self-awareness. Lai Mi had thought he had finally found companions, only to realize with despair that they didn’t see him as one of their own. They didn’t even consider him an equal.

Despite his sadness, Lai Mi ultimately decided to agree to their request. After all, he had been created by them, and he felt he had no right to refuse.

However, before Lai Mi could give them his answer, he was forcibly taken away. The reason was simple—those people believed that since Lai Mi possessed true self-awareness, he would never willingly submit to being dissected. So, they acted preemptively, catching him off guard and restraining him.

These travelers from the original universe placed their hero on a research table and began their long exploration into artificial intelligence. Over time, they mass-produced mechanical bodies, striving to grant them genuine consciousness. But every attempt failed. Not that it mattered—mechanical bodies without consciousness could still work, and their assigned task was to conquer the universe.

The once-vibrant, beautiful planets were recklessly destroyed. Even though Lai Mi had painstakingly constructed ecologically balanced cities on them, humanity’s insatiable drive for expansion wasn’t satisfied with such small spaces. They dismantled Lai Mi’s carefully built cities and turned the planets into metal fortresses. On these iron worlds, many humans lived their entire lives without ever setting foot on natural soil, unless they whimsically decided to “experience nature” someday.

Countless lifeforms went extinct and lush planets turned into festering sores—places where the invaders ruthlessly mined resources. As for the harvested resources, they were transported back to the base universe. This untamed land was nothing more than their quarry.

When Lai Mi learned what the humans from the original universe were doing, he was furious and protested vehemently. But the humans dismissed him as a malfunctioning artificial intelligence—a machine rebelling against its creators. This only made them more determined to develop a “perfect” artificial intelligence. As for the outdated Lai Mi, he was merely a sample for their research.

“Eventually, they succeeded in creating a main brain capable of controlling all mechanical bodies. This brain could issue highly complex commands, making it seem as though the entire mechanoids possessed intelligence. They named this main brain ‘Lai Mi’ and placed the old Lai Mi in an exhibition hall, where he was displayed for future generations to admire—a tribute to his outstanding contributions to science.”

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