Chapter 737 — Shadows of the Mind
Blade of Dawn · Page 4 of 4
"Mm..." Gaoyang rubbed his chin and said musingly, "So by that logic, the Mind's abnormal fluctuations wouldn't affect the Origin Space either?"
"In theory, no. But we had best strengthen our monitoring of the Origin Space in the near future regardless," Daniel said with a nod. "After all, we still have not determined what is causing those anomalies in the trunk network. If it should turn out that the fundamental architecture of the thing called 'the Mind' harbors hidden dangers, then even if the Origin Space and the trunk network are isolated from each other, there is no guaranteeing trouble will not arise."
"Could the researchers working in the Origin Laboratory be in danger?" Gaodai voiced what worried her most at that moment.
"As things stand, no," Daniel answered quickly, evidently having considered this already. "The anomalous connectors in the Mind all share common traits: they maintain long-term networked states, have undergone deep-level cranial nerve modification, can scarcely disconnect fully, and frequently immerse themselves deeply — their spirits are bound too tightly to the network. Our researchers in the Origin Laboratory, by contrast, connect through immersion pods; a layer of real-world protection stands between them and the network, and they do not enter deep immersion. Moreover, they strictly observe the working-hour system you instituted and do not maintain long connections. Their safety can be guaranteed."
Gaoyang breathed a little easier at that: "That's a relief... Still, we should raise our guard. I will remind the researchers on my side to pay particular attention to their own mental state when they connect in the near future, and you will continue to watch for any and all anomalies in the Mind."
Daniel immediately bowed his head deeply: "Yes, My Lord."
Gaoyang let out a breath and raised his head to look at the vast, boundless sky overhead.
Enormous geometric structures and symbolic numerals still revolved in that limpid firmament; an invisible wall of data severed this secret space from the trunk network. Standing amid the broad waters and heavens of the Origin Space, a visitor here would never perceive that another, even more colossal space was running in sync with this one.
But now that Gaoyang had unlocked higher-level permissions, he could see more.
He could see a far vaster world existing parallel to the Origin Space. A magnificent Phantom Hub City spread across the sky above this space, and countless points of light danced and drifted through the void — those were the Changming faithful serving as computing nodes, those were the residents of this world.
And beneath his feet, below the vast, shoreless "water's surface," lay a far more chaotic and complex torrent of light — the deeper foundation of the Mind, the darkest and profundmost "abyss" of this virtual world that had taken centuries to build.
He furrowed his brow.
So it seemed this sheep had not been fleeced to death by him after all...
Then why had it suddenly come to this?