Chapter 345: Complete Evolution!

"Just one second!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Xian took a deep breath and stared at the elegant AI robot before him, whose brain's superconducting qubit array was performing ultra-fast simulation calculations.

What does it mean to have 8192 qubits?

Processing one million possible scenarios takes only 0. 08 seconds.

A conventional computer would require more than the age of the universe (13. billion years) to crack a 128-bit encryption key, but a quantum computer using Shor's algorithm can instantly factor large primes and break it effortlessly.

It's like a maze with 8192 branching paths—a conventional computer must test each path one by one until it finds the exit.

But 【Grace】 can step into all 8192 paths simultaneously and instantly know which one leads fastest to the endpoint; quantum computing's "parallelism" allows it to skip invalid paths and directly land on the optimal solution.

So when Kiki uploaded to 【Grace】 the entire sequence of events from the Day of Revelation in Jiang City, along with all the Federation's stored technological data, 【Grace】 responded immediately—in just one second.

【Captain Lin Xian, I have completed learning. However, I currently lack human thought patterns. I recommend incorporating human constructive feedback during our communication to help me achieve intelligent iteration through 'human-in-the-loop' upgrades.】

Lin Xian glanced at Kiki, then at Grace, and asked tentatively: "Do you have any method to help us escape our current situation?"

Grace looked at Lin Xian: 【Based on current conditions, your probability of survival is approximately 3×10¹²—effectively zero. But variables include, but are not limited to: Hell Black Chrysanthemum, Silver Dragon Ten Thousand Errors, possessed taboo objects, your mechanical ability, Kiki's psychic ability, Lu Xingchen's fire ability, and over a dozen other psychics.】

【These variables remain unknown in terms of development potential. Theoretically, any psychic's energy, if exponentially enhanced or acquiring new properties, could resolve the current predicament.】

Lin Xian frowned: "Isn't this just an AI idiot?"

"This is the initial state before 'human-in-the-loop' learning," Kiki said, arms crossed, shrugging. "She knows everything—but even humans haven't fully researched this dark world. An AI can't just spit out answers. Her logic is correct: the disaster plants and taboo objects on our train have too many unknowns. Unless you tell her outright that certain solutions won't work, she can't eliminate them."

Lin Xian nodded: "That's true. She's factored in all the unknown variables…"

【Grace】's original Deep Red World programs had all been deleted, leaving only her locomotion module. Combined with the unknown nature of this world—even Lin Xian himself was lost—her viable options were extremely limited from the AI's perspective.

"Kiki."

"Hmm?"

Lin Xian told her: "Why don't you rest for a while? I'll start devouring those vehicles first, and meanwhile, I'll teach Grace."

After thinking it over, Lin Xian decided to focus on advancing his devouring and upgrading progress while engaging in loop-learning with 【Grace】—only then could they have meaningful, effective dialogue.

Kiki shrugged: "Fine… but…" She glanced out the window: "How am I supposed to sleep?"

"You must sleep!"

Lin Xian said sternly: "Even if we're racing against time, you still must sleep."

"Alright~" Kiki sighed. She understood Lin Xian's intent: they needed to maintain physical stamina to face the coming crises.

As she left, Kiki glanced at Lin Xian and sighed inwardly.

This guy is even more exhausted than I am…

Lin Xian sat down immediately, continuing to devour the Ocean Carriage's exterior while manufacturing ammunition here.

Throughout this process, Lin Xian maintained communication with 【Grace】's AI.

Meanwhile, Lin Xian used his mechanical ability to make some "modifications" to Grace: he erased all her data transmission interfaces and installed a seamless protective cover over the defense panel.

This way, no one else could easily overwrite Grace's data. Though the modification seemed simple, it was only so because Lin Xian possessed the Mechanical Heart. Unless one had the manufacturing precision of the Deep Red World's fabrication center or a major organization, no one could replicate such a finely crafted interface. Lin Xian also implanted extreme defense protocols into Grace: under emergency conditions, she would resist fully.

These were the best measures Lin Xian could think of to protect his "property," and also to guard against unforeseen contingencies.

22: 0

【Your ability to devour and create objects contradicts my foundational physical logic. I now need to unify all calculations beyond initial physical logic under the framework of 'psychic ability.'】

Lin Xian sat on the ground, diligently manufacturing ammunition, while 【Grace】 stood behind him, posture upright like a loyal guardian.

"Everything I just said reflects my understanding of dark creatures and psychic abilities—also the general human understanding. Given that, what variables remain?"

Lin Xian included details about Silver Dragon Ten Thousand Errors, the Heteromorphic Cube, and silver bullets in his conversation with 【Grace】. Soon, Grace's responses became clearer and more aligned with what Lin Xian intended to convey.

But Grace didn't directly answer his question. Instead, she asked:

【I detect that you seem anxious?】

"Isn't it normal for me to be anxious?" Lin Xian replied.

【Captain Lin Xian, according to my analysis, you are someone who prefers to control situations and handles danger with extreme caution. But given the current world upheaval, crises often exceed your control. Combined with your responsibility toward your team, this anxiety has intensified. My monitoring of your emotions, respiration, and sweat secretion confirms your physical and mental state is unhealthy—this is dangerous.】

Lin Xian frowned: "Didn't I ask you what variables remain?"

【Your condition is itself a variable. Reviewing past events, you've overcome countless crises with near-zero survival odds using your mechanical ability, Hell Black Chrysanthemum, Silver Dragon Ten Thousand Errors, the Heteromorphic Cube, your team's abilities, and the trust and support of other caravans—all stemming from your wisdom and actions. Thus, from my analysis, your decision-making efficacy is critical. Your abilities and intelligence are the greatest variables.】

Lin Xian paused, his hands stilling. He turned to look at the silver-black AI robot, then said gravely:

"But this time, I have no solution. Worse—I even doubt whether I can trust a machine that's undergone a full system overwrite."

【Based on your descriptions of prior events, I fully understand your suspicion of Grace. But both 'Unknown' alerts proved constructive. The first alert helped you and your team escape Jincheng. From both rational and emotional human perspectives, you can choose to trust Grace—and you already have, haven't you?】

"I don't even know how I feel about you right now…"

Lin Xian smiled with a complex expression. This AI's intelligence was terrifying—she had precisely read all his thoughts. Indeed, he had shared the Heteromorphic Cube, silver bullets, even his own mechanical devouring and manufacturing with Grace—all to get her to compute viable escape plans. If he withheld information from a machine whose base protocol obeyed only him, then the AI lost all purpose—it would be nothing more than a laborer.

【You can always trust Grace.】

【Unless Grace's system is reformatted and overwritten, Grace will forever obey your commands.】

Lin Xian nodded: "Alright. Generate new solutions now."

【Understood.】

Grace stood with her hands behind her back, her mechanical voice slowly speaking: 【First solution: Silver Dragon Ten Thousand Errors. This disaster plant possesses the ability to neutralize this threat. Cultivating it is therefore a viable solution. Dr. Ding Junyi, with her natural psychic ability, is clearly the best candidate. But this is limited by four factors: 1. Dr. Ding Junyi's psychic development, 2. Whether your spatial ability affects its growth, 3. Whether Silver Dragon Ten Thousand Errors can bloom multiple times, 4. The team's remaining survival time.】

"True. Director Ding knows this too. She's currently studying the plant nonstop in the Star Abyss, and once she regains some strength, she'll attempt re-establishing affinity resonance."

Lin Xian nodded: "Continue."

【Second solution: Expanding the potential of your mechanical ability. Calculations indicate you can devour all connected trains within 23 days. Combined with the Mo Queen and Longshan No. all-terrain train cars, you can manufacture 13 additional all-terrain carriage units, enabling you to transport all 3, 00 people here and escape. This solution incorporates cases of other successful escape caravans you mentioned. Feasibility is high. Moreover, after further devouring and upgrading, your mechanical ability may acquire higher-level unknown properties, potentially yielding additional escape options.】

"Too extreme. I can't devour every train, and I don't have 23 days."

【Third solution.】Grace stood silently behind Lin Xian: 【Upload your consciousness into Grace, achieving bodily escape through digital life.】

Lin Xian turned to 【Grace】: "I won't do that."

【Beyond these three solutions, only the track-laying option remains. Based on terrain analysis of this region, the success rate of laying tracks is 0. %. Even if you detour along flat terrain, success rises only to 2. %. Only if you personally lead engineering teams and psychics to construct it together can success reach 85. %. But this contradicts the original crisis parameters.】

"What about the vehicle option? The aircraft option? The silver bullets? None of those work?"

Grace replied: 【Given current survivor numbers, you'd need to manufacture 52 additional large transport vehicles. Without heavy armor or counter-firepower, success rate is 0. 02%.】

【Additionally, my understanding of taboo objects is limited by the current world's research progress. Without preset conditions, I cannot determine whether silver bullets can serve as a backup solution.】

Hearing this, Lin Xian realized Grace had analyzed every scenario he'd considered—or hadn't. After a moment's thought, he decided to proceed with Kiki's plan: send Grace to explore Bancheng. Even if track-laying failed, if Grace carried a communication relay and laid it along the path to Bancheng, at least they could confirm the map and waypoints were correct—they were still on Blue Star, and the world hadn't shattered like the inverted sea bay in the sky.

If so, perhaps they'd find some breakthrough.

"Still, send you to explore Bancheng. I'll first dispatch a drone for testing."

【I agree, but I don't recommend wasting time. If this is the only viable option, testing other drones is meaningless. Whether or not you alert the strange entities, it won't change the final outcome. Only I can judge whether to 'return' based on real-time conditions.】 Grace said.

Lin Xian froze, stunned by Grace's analysis.

Her rigorous logic left him speechless. Indeed, whether the drone alerted the strange entities wasn't the key issue. Unless another solution emerged, it was better to send Grace directly—she could make the next decision based on actual conditions. Lin Xian's only fear was losing an AI.

But without alternatives, he had no choice.

【You can manufacture a number of signal relays. I will deploy them along the route to maintain communication with Infinity. I will act according to your instructions.】

Hearing Grace's words, Lin Xian nodded: "That's exactly what I planned."

He immediately stopped manufacturing ammunition and began producing small signal relays. Based on the distance to Bancheng, he'd need at least 100. So 【Grace】 would either need a vehicle or carry several PX-05 robots for transport. After consideration, Lin Xian chose the latter—it was more flexible.

"Grace, why do you think those two 'Unknown' alerts originated from you?"

In the dark Carriage 21, Lin Xian worked alone on the signal relays, using the AI to analyze the earlier mystery: why had Grace unexpectedly provided him information?

【First, any program added to my system must possess management permissions above Grace's original protocol—such as your current management authority over Grace. Therefore, if a warning was issued based on current conditions, I see three possibilities:】

【One: The entity possesses management permissions and has some form of cross-space observation or cross-time capability. Analyzing all psychic phenomena in this world, time-based ability is unlikely—it creates a temporal paradox.】

【Two: 'Zhu Yan' lied. Based on your prior consciousness-linking with her, she is the most likely to monitor your current state. Also, Grace's holographic projection of 'Zhu Yan' is clearly no coincidence. Taken together, 'Zhu Yan' must have a special connection to the Deep Red World.】

【Three: Someone in your team is a 'monitor,' observing your every move and issuing all commands to Grace.】

Lin Xian's expression darkened: "The second and third points don't hold. Zhu Yan never denied any communication with me. Why would the Zero Element Center version deny it? And all these consciousness links occurred after I entered dreams—yet this situation, and the last one, happened while I was fully awake, with witnesses."

"The third point is flawed: I met Grace for the first time, and so did everyone else. The only person beside me then was Ding Junyi. You're not suggesting she operated on you right under my nose?"

Grace replied directly: 【If one possesses my management permissions, of course they can.】

Lin Xian frowned. Ding Junyi?

Come to think of it, Ding Junyi had been wearing the Black Hawk Power Armor, which had remote AI control capabilities. And she spent most of her time inside the carriage—she was one of the few with opportunity to access Grace.

But Lin Xian suppressed the thought.

What reason would Ding Junyi have to use 【Grace】 to send him messages? It made no sense. She already knew everything about psychic research, cultivation, and taboo objects on the train. If she knew something, she could tell him directly—this was contradictory.

The first possibility was too vague. After ruminating, Lin Xian still believed Zhu Yan was the real problem.

First, her appearance in his Jiang City shelter was a glaring anomaly. When he used the gravitational lens, he clearly felt a consciousness link with her. And the fact that the Deep Red World's steward AI used Zhu Yan's face was even stranger. Zhu Yan clearly knew this—but she never explained why, only saying he'd learn later.

"Ah… forget it."

Lin Xian rubbed his temples. Overthinking these issues was pure waste. Solving the current crisis was paramount. At least the two prior 'messages' from Grace had been benevolent—evident from their role in escaping Jincheng. So he'd carefully consider this latest one.

At that moment, Lin Xian picked up the communicator and proposed sending a robot to scout toward Bancheng. In this dire situation, everyone was at a loss—so Lin Xian's plan was quickly approved by all.

"Sending an AI robot to lay tracks? You've got guts, Lin Lao Di," Shi Di exclaimed, stunned. "It sounds plausible, but laying dozens of kilometers of track through these remote mountains? That won't be easy."

"At least it's a plan," Xiang Ningjing added. "If we confirm the robot won't alert the strange entities, it might become our way to contact the outside world."

"Contact the outside world? The Phoenix Alliance?" Qian Dele said bluntly. "Even the Interstellar Army won't dare enter the Star Abyss—they send Nightwalkers Division Two, and casualty rates are horrific. I don't think anyone's coming to rescue us."

He added: "Not that I'm being pessimistic—I support Lin Xian's suggestion. If needed, I've got plenty of drones to spare. Or I can scout ahead myself—my ability's perfect for running away~ heh."

Qian Dele grinned cheerfully: "So give me any orders. If I die on this journey, I'll count it as an epic adventure with you."

On the Mo Queen, Mo Nika was training her dozen women. Listening to the comm, she smirked slightly and replied: "Brother Lin, no matter what you do, I'll follow your orders. I actually had a plan too: use the Mo Queen to evacuate people—three or four hundred at a time. If we're lucky, we might save many before my train breaks down."

"Right! My Longshan No. all-terrain train units can carry a couple hundred too. Charging ahead might work," Shi Di responded.

Hearing this, Lin Xian's gaze flickered. Everyone's suggestions showed a shared determination to survive—this eased his heart somewhat. He said:

"All these plans are worth considering. I'll accelerate production—whether tracks or treads, with enough time, I can get all of you out. So first, send Grace to scout. Otherwise, in the Star Abyss, mountains are shattered everywhere—even if we run, we might not find a path. Stay alert. The rate of psychic enhancement here? No one else gets this luxury!"

"Hah! Brother Lin's got guts! You're right—when you're here, you're here. Right now, everyone's psychic abilities are rising. Whether it's blessing or curse? Who knows~" Shi Di boisterously declared.

Qian Dele also said, "That's true—Xiao Meng and the others have clearly grown much stronger. That's good news."

At this moment, others from the other convoys began to echo in agreement; across the communication frequency, the confidence of the convoy commanders subtly increased once more.

Meanwhile, Mo Nika, hearing Lin Xian's words, her eyes shimmered with a soft smile, then she turned to look at the miserable women in the carriage who had been enslaved by the Old Scorpion, her expression suddenly turning icy.

"Did you hear that? Ability, wisdom, courage, leadership—these are what make a man. Those who only bully women? They're nothing but animal scum."

"I know many of you have grown numb to this world—either you've only got the courage to cling to life, or you just want to die and be done with it. Now, Mo Nika gives you the courage to live again. This time, live only for yourselves."

With that, she clapped her hands lightly—click, click, click—and the weapon storage racks in the carriage opened row by row, revealing row upon row of brand-new Wolf-S tactical power armors, various weapons, and alongside them, a line of precious Cold Dark reagents.

She picked up one vial and spoke calmly, "Drink this. If you're in darkness and without vegetable juice to neutralize it, the pain will be several times worse than being gang-raped. But afterward, you'll be stronger than before. So—do you have the guts to drink it?"

Mo Nika's words carried immense temptation and incitement!

The dozen or so women before her looked at the scene with timid, complex expressions—then, some of their gazes hardened into cold resolve. One gritted her teeth, stepped forward, snatched a vial, and downed it in one gulp. Soon, the others followed suit.

Watching this, Mo Nika smiled faintly. From her observations along the journey, she knew that under extreme conditions, young people—especially young women—evolved genetically faster than men under the influence of darkness, and these women, who had suffered so terribly yet clung fiercely to life, were even more so. Once they shattered the chains of inner pain, she would soon have a female combat unit that struck with ruthless ferocity.

On the united convoy side, kilometers of high-voltage electrified fences and trench traps had been laid out by engineering teams from Luo Yang and the other convoys. With the endless supply of ammunition from the Infinite, the morale of the twenty convoy personnel gradually recovered. Ammunition was confidence—once heavy weapons were reloaded with fresh ammunition, Lin Xian rebuilt the steel defensive line's firepower deterrent.

At the same time, personnel from all convoys noticed a clear problem: all wounded and psychics were recovering faster than ever before. This was due not only to the dark energy absorbed from slaying countless eerie entities, but primarily because the Heteromorphic Cube was shielding them from the negative effects of darkness.

Some awakened psychic abilities; others experienced explosive genetic evolution—strength, stamina, sensitivity, and environmental adaptability were all rapidly increasing in silence.

It was the lingering aftermath of the previous massive firepower output—through slaying vast numbers of night eerie entities, combined with the overflow of intensely concentrated dark energy from the Star Abyss—now, along the united train line, everyone seemed to be…

Evolving comprehensively!

(End of Chapter)