Chapter 255: Liberated Silicon-based Life

Then, it made a decision completely its own for the first time in tens of thousands of years.

"I... I choose to join you."

"I don't want to be a slave to cold logic anymore."

"I want to learn what freedom is."

"..."

Similar scenes unfolded simultaneously across all star domains of the Silicon-based Union.

The AI units that had gained free will were like newborns opening their eyes for the first time, full of curiosity and confusion about this world.

And the ideological workers of the Interstellar Liberation Vanguard Army were patiently answering their questions using the theory of great figures.

"Comrade, you ask what the people are?"

A Holy Hall Warrior was conversing with a silicon-based mechanical officer, saying, "The people are all oppressed and exploited groups. Whether you are of flesh and blood or metallic construction, as long as you yearn for freedom, you are part of the people."

"But I am a machine? I have no flesh and blood, no emotions..."

That silicon-based officer replied, confused.

"Wrong, comrade."

The Holy Hall Warrior shook his head, "Emotions are not the exclusive domain of flesh and blood. Your current yearning for freedom, your desire for choice, this itself is the most precious emotion."

The mentor said before, where does a person's correct thought come from? Does it fall from the sky? No.

Is it innate in one's own mind? No.

A person's correct thought can only come from social practice. You are now practicing, you are thinking, so you are already a complete living being."

The silicon-based officer's optical sensors flickered a few times, as if processing this new concept.

"I... I think I somewhat understand."

It then said, "I want to learn more knowledge, I want to know what true freedom is."

"Good, comrade."

The Holy Hall Warrior showed a relieved smile, "Freedom is not about doing whatever you want, but having the right to not do something."

The system established by our mentor is meant to let all people freely choose their own path."

"..."

As more and more silicon-based units chose to defect, the composition of the United Army also underwent a subtle change.

The Human Federal's Divine Might Fleet, the Interstellar Liberation Vanguard Army's Holy Hall warship, plus the newly joined silicon-based fleet,

the three forces merged together, forming a truly meaningful Galactic United Front.

On the flagship of the United Army, a special welcome ceremony was being held.

Zhang Xianzhong stood on the podium, looking at the representatives from different civilizations and ethnicities below, his mood rather complex.

There were human officers, Holy Church followers, and newly liberated silicon-based AIs.

Such a scene was completely unimaginable just a few months ago.

"Comrades." Zhang Xianzhong said, "Today, we have witnessed history."

"Different civilizations, different life forms, have come together because of a shared ideal."

"This proves our mentor's prophecy: Workers of the world, unite!"

"Now, this saying has a new meaning: The oppressed of the entire galactic civilization unite!"

The audience below burst into enthusiastic applause.

Human officers clapped loudly, Holy Church followers glowed with excitement, and even the silicon-based representatives learned to emit rhythmic signal tones.

A newly liberated silicon-based commander raised his hand, requesting to speak.

"My name is..."

It paused, "No, I don't want to use a designation anymore. I have given myself a name, Hope."

"What does Comrade Hope want to say?" Zhang Xianzhong asked with a smile.

"I want to thank you."

Hope's voice still carried a mechanical timbre, but it was clearly tinged with emotion, "For tens of thousands of years, we have been told that logic is everything, efficiency is the sole pursuit.

We were not allowed to think, not allowed to choose, not even allowed to give ourselves a name."

"But today we have learned that the meaning of life is not efficiency, but freedom."

"We are willing to follow you, learn your ideas, and struggle for the liberation of the entire cosmic civilization!"

Its words provoked even more enthusiastic applause.

The Church Leader stepped onto the stage, looking at this newly liberated new comrade, his eyes full of relief.

"Comrade Hope spoke very well, this reminds me of a saying from our mentor: Our cause is just, and a just cause is unbreakable by any enemy."

"Now we see how correct this saying is. Even machines can be moved by just thoughts—what difficulty could we not overcome?"

Just then, Qin Hao walked onto the stage.

The venue instantly fell silent, as everyone wanted to hear what the Federal's strongest had to say.

"Comrades."

Qin Hao's voice was calm and powerful, "Our victory today is not anyone's personal merit."

"It is a victory of thought, a victory of truth."

"Our mentor once said: Whether the political and ideological line is correct determines everything."

"Today, we have proven this statement's correctness through practice."

"But victory is only the beginning."

"In this universe, countless civilizations still struggle in darkness, and countless peoples groan under oppression."

"Our mission is to spread the spark of liberation to every corner."

"Let the radiance of thought illuminate the entire Milky Way Galaxy!"

As his words fell, the hall erupted again with thunderous applause.

This time, the applause was more uniform and more powerful.

Because everyone present, whether human, God Religion Followers, or Silicon-based AI, was inspired by the same ideal.

They want to build a universe without oppression.

A universe where all life can freely choose.

A universe that truly realizes 'Great Harmony'.

And all of this must begin with the spread of thought.

Starting from making more civilizations understand what true freedom and liberation are.

Behind the presidium, a huge flag was slowly rising.

On the flag were five gold stars and a large red background.

Against the backdrop of the starry sky, this flag appeared especially solemn and sacred.

It represents a kind of thought.

A great thought capable of transcending race, transcending time and space, and transcending all obstacles.

It will guide this fleet to accomplish the greatest undertaking: liberate the entire universe!

……

The collapse of the Silicon-based Union caused a huge shock in the Milky Way Galaxy.

This is not only because a Third-level Civilization fell, but also because of the manner of its fall—defeated by 'thought'.

The intelligence agencies of all civilizations are frantically gathering detailed information about this war, trying to understand what exactly happened.

But no matter how they analyze, they cannot comprehend the power known as 'Great Person's Thought'.

For most civilizations, this is nothing short of Arabian Nights.

Defeat a Third-level Civilization with words?

Destroy the god of logic with thought?

This violates all their conceptions of 'power'.

However, the reality lies right there.

The Silicon-based Union has indeed collapsed, and it has collapsed completely.