Chapter 424: Loading Template

"This is the spaceship Neerganise, full version of the ancient-style fantasy tale. High-speed updates." Murphy slowly introduced, "Now let's reintroduce ourselves as a team."

Because they had been open and honest, a certain barrier between them had diminished considerably; Ye Nan could clearly feel everyone's growing fondness for him.

"This is the main cabin." Murphy had everyone stand at attention, then introduced them one by one: "This is Cui Cui Nidi—you probably already know her."

Cui Cui Nidi stood up and smiled at Ye Nan.

"You look uglier when you smile than when you're cold." Ye Nan's words made Cui Cui Nidi instantly furious; she glared at him with a menacing expression.

"Oh, I was just joking, just a joke..." Ye Nan raised his hands in mock surrender, smiling.

"This is Su Su Weiqi." Murphy patted the shoulder of the blonde beauty.

"Now we're partners, so you don't have to worry about me pointing a gun at you." Su Su Weiqi stood there, lounging with casual indifference.

"I'm not worried about you pointing a gun at me," Ye Nan smiled faintly, "but I want to point one at you."

"You can joke, but if you go too far, I'll kick your balls off." Su Su Weiqi lifted her foot slightly, glaring fiercely at Ye Nan's crotch.

"Girls shouldn't be so fierce, and this is just a virtual world anyway." Ye Nan's smile deepened.

"Even in a virtual world, the sensations still reflect in reality. If you don't believe me, try it—then see how you look after we get out." Su Su Weiqi made a motion to kick.

"No, no!" Ye Nan leapt away, dodging Su Su Weiqi; but this brief playfulness had already drawn them much closer.

"This is Sefer." Murphy patted the bald man in tattered red clothing, who nodded repeatedly at Ye Nan.

"This guy is Sefer, the one who betrayed humanity?" Ye Nan stared at him. After a pause, he extended his hand: "Pleased to meet you."

"It's an honor to meet you." Sefer, stunned, reached out and shook Ye Nan's hand, wearing a fawning smile like a lapdog.

"This guy's a petty pleasure-seeker." Ye Nan silently assessed him. In the original story, he couldn't bear the constant fear in Zion and chose betrayal—letting Shi Shi Misi erase his memories, forgetting Zion, becoming a comfortable, indulgent rich man.

But Ye Nan suspected he wouldn't choose that now. No matter how beautiful the Matrix world seemed, he was still virtual—in the eyes of anyone who knew the truth, he was an illusion. That was precisely why Sefer had asked Shi Shi Misi to erase his memories.

But now it was different. Ye Nan had brought the chance to leave the Matrix and return to reality. His desires would surely fade—because no matter how fine the wealth or comfort, if it's illusory, what meaning does it hold?

"Can be used, but not trusted."

Sefer didn't know Ye Nan had seen through him. At this moment, he was still reeling from Murphy's revelation. He had long suspected Zion might be virtual too—during battles with the electronic squids, they'd noticed strange anomalies—but fear had kept him from thinking deeply.

Even without deep thought, the idea that Zion was virtual had slithered into his mind like a venomous snake, whispering: Since everything's fake anyway, why not become a rich man in the Matrix?

This thought, like a demon, constantly tempted him, leaving him torn—until Murphy suddenly revealed the truth and brought news of the real world, shattering the temptation.

He forced a smile, desperately tried to please, yearning to reach the real world, to breathe its true, unfeigned air.

"This is Tank, and his brother Dozer."

Ye Nan turned to look. Tank was an Asian man with a silly grin; his brother was an African man, powerfully built.

"Behind you is Mouse, and beside you is the Savior, Neo."

"Neo isn't the Savior."

Murphy had barely finished when Sefer jumped in: "Everyone knows Neo the Savior is a lie fabricated by the Matrix. Mr. Ye Nan is the true Savior—the one who showed us the path to the real world."

Sefer emphasized the words "real world," then flashed Ye Nan a fawning smile, trying to curry favor.

"Neo is the Savior—at least, he is for now." Murphy's words seemed to acknowledge Sefer's claim, yet he still preserved Neo's title as Savior.

"Truly a cunning old fox," Ye Nan thought inwardly. He knew Murphy intended to use Neo—and the method was the bond Ye Nan himself had described.

"But it doesn't matter. Whether in the Matrix or Zion, a Savior is needed—and only Neo can kill the Agents."

In the Matrix, the Agents were a unique entity: they could enter any program without merging with it, and they were fundamentally unkillable—except by Neo.

Understanding this, Ye Nan agreed with Murphy: "I recognize Neo's status as the Savior. Personally, I believe he has the capacity to be the Savior."

"Right, I was wrong just now—Neo really is the Savior." Sefer slapped his own face, echoing Ye Nan's view.

"A petty man, but a foolish one," Ye Nan silently evaluated, without showing it.

"I also believe Neo is the Savior," Cui Cui Nidi stepped forward, giving Neo an encouraging glance. "As Mr. Ye Nan said, Neo is unique—he alone can kill the Agents. He has the full ability to become the new Savior."

"There's romance here," Ye Nan observed Neo's revived spirit—he knew the two had sparked something.

"Can someone tell me... what exactly is going on?" Neo, emboldened by Cui Cui Nidi's support, stepped forward and voiced his confusion.

Here, he grew more confused. In the Matrix, they told him this was reality. But now, in what they called reality, he heard them say this too was virtual—and that true reality lay elsewhere. And then there were all those strange terms: special programs, the Architect... His entire understanding was being overturned.

I think you need to give our Savior a proper briefing. A clear-minded Savior is stronger than a confused one.

"And afterward, the awakened Savior will become the new protagonist—he will become a true Savior." Ye Nan did not say this aloud.

As someone trapped in a virtual world with no immediate escape, having someone else take the spotlight was an excellent shield. After all, as Ilis, who had split from the SkyNet program, he was far too conspicuous. Though there was no sign the hidden forces behind the Matrix would notice him, he still felt uneasy.

So having someone else step forward to draw attention was crucial—he could divert the Matrix's focus.

And that person was Neo.

"At some point in the 21st century, humanity gathered to celebrate its great achievements, intoxicated by its own glory. We invented something called 'AI'..."

What followed was identical to the movie—but without the visual impact, these words carried far less persuasive power.

After about fifteen minutes, Ye Nan noticed Neo showed no sign of profound shock. He interrupted Murphy.

"Saying all this is useless. What he needs is to experience it firsthand. We'll reach Zion soon."

"Before we get to Zion, give him some training. Use your machine. Yeah—I'll join too."

"You'll join?" Murphy looked at Ye Nan in surprise. "It's exhausting."

"I've never feared hard work." Ye Nan grinned. In the movie, that virtual training machine was like a bug—unfathomable. Now he understood: it was nothing but a template loader, uploading combat skills, requiring only familiarity to use.

"By the way, Ilis, can you upload my previous abilities?" Ye Nan turned to Ilis. If his old abilities could be loaded like templates, he'd be invincible in both the Matrix and Zion—not even the Agents or mutated Smiths would matter.

"No," Ilis shook her head, lowering it in self-reproach. "I never simulated your abilities. Neither the Matrix nor Zion has your data. Simulating them now would take a huge amount of time."

"Don't blame yourself," Ye Nan gently stroked Ilis's smooth cheek, looking at her with tenderness. "You're not a god—you couldn't have foreseen me appearing here. There's no reason to feel guilty."

After comforting Ilis, Ye Nan turned back to Murphy: "Don't hold back on me. Just get me to learn as much as possible. You know—we need to enter the Matrix to escape it. Everyone will go then. More hands help."

Murphy thought for a moment, then gritted his teeth and nodded: "Alright."

He led Ye Nan and Neo down to the ship's lower deck, followed by Ilis and Sefer. Ilis stayed close, unwilling to leave Ye Nan's side; Sefer simply came to assist.

In the room below, Murphy pointed to two flat chairs: "Lie down on these."

Ye Nan immediately lay down. Sefer followed, inserting tubes into the back of Ye Nan's head. "Don't worry—this is just for entering virtual training. Nothing harmful."

Neo, still skeptical, saw Ye Nan lying down and followed suit.

"Next, we'll train in judo. We..."

"Wait."

Murphy hadn't finished when Ye Nan interrupted: "I don't want to learn judo or karate. I want to learn Chinese kung fu—like Baji Quan."

Useless stuff like the Soft Fist—he had no intention of learning. In the Matrix, judo was useless; everyone had superhuman durability. But Baji Quan's explosive power? That was different.

"Baji Quan is available," Sefer quickly said. "But training it will take time—mainly because no one's here to spar with you or guide you."

"No problem. I don't need sparring or instruction. Just simulate opponents inside. Real combat is always the best way to improve."

Ye Nan finished speaking and lay still, waiting for the program to load.

"Alright," Sefer said, stepping onto the control panel, pulling out a disc and inserting it. "I'll upload all the Baji Quan forms and power techniques. Be careful—if you can't handle it, shout out. I'll stop immediately."

"Go," Ye Nan opened his eyes, spoke, then closed them again.

Sefer pressed a few buttons. A virtual figure appeared on screen, relentlessly practicing the fist forms.

Zhi! Zhi! Zhi!

Like countless flies, like swarms of rats—chaotic noise flooded Ye Nan's mind. Yet within it, strange elements emerged: human shapes, consciousness.

Ye Nan closed his eyes, calming himself.

"This is like a spiritual transmission—but instead of transmitting cultivation power, it transmits combat awareness."

"Admittedly, this is incredibly useful. If it worked in the real world, every empire would be filled with masters."

Chinese martial arts declined because they were hard to master—only those with exceptional talent could grasp them. But with this machine, pouring martial arts directly into the brain? Everyone could become a master. Just look at Neo.

In the movie, Neo learned once and became unstoppable. Others wouldn't be far behind.

Sefer watched Ye Nan carefully, ready to shut down the machine at the first sign of trouble. Ye Nan was his only hope—he couldn't afford any mishap.

"Can I start yet?" Neo, growing impatient at Sefer's delay, asked.

"Oh, right away." Sefer absentmindedly inserted a new disc and pressed the button.

"Ah."