Chapter 123: The Superiority of Code-Based Virtual Gods

The voyage across the sea was dull, but with Xiao Lingdang's assistance, Feng Xue's research speed increased dramatically; although all data processed by Xiao Lingdang could also be synchronized to the Weather Goddess, after becoming Xiao Lingdang's true master through the Spirit Pact, Feng Xue no longer cared much about the leakage of his Cultivation Technique.

After all, in this world where nanounits exist, the cultivation system is not popular; if leaked to major powers, Feng Xue would have to consider the risks, but the Weather Goddess had few followers and no Lock-Soul Pendant of his, so if she grew too aggressive, her people would vanish, and if she didn't, her cultivation cycle spanned decades—so long as she clung to the 【Ingestion Technique】, the core spell that digested nanounits, the more she researched, the more it benefited him.

"Basic spell ritual recording completed! Spell fundamental principle test module established smoothly—shall we begin simulation? Oh, Master, this exhaustive template puts a heavy load on your wristwatch! Running this program would consume about 74% of its performance!"

Hearing Xiao Lingdang's question, Feng Xue reached into his bag and pulled out a pre-civilization laptop.

"Connect the data to this machine for computation."

"Understood! Data transfer in progress… Please tell Xiao Lingdang the type of spell you want."

The laptop's lights flickered; based on the four fundamental properties of magic—【Transfer】, 【Transformation】, 【Filtering】, 【Fixation】—dozens of pre-existing spell templates provided by Feng Xue, and Feng Xue's principle of the 【Multi-Ritual Chain Spell Unit】, an exhaustive spell ritual simulation engine activated—strictly speaking, it resembled a game Feng Xue had played before his transmigration.

"Hmm… Prioritize simulating synchronized Cultivation Methods and integration prospects for Wu Xiu and Xuan Xiu under the assumption of infinite qi replenishment; secondly, passive enhancement spells like the 【Wind-Stride Charm】 that don't require continuous control—oh, and remember to maintain strict secrecy!"

"Got it! Xiao Lingdang will work hard to find the best recipe for you, Master!"

Xiao Lingdang's virtual projection made an adorable fist-pumping gesture, the laptop's lights flickered, and to prevent screen peeking, the thing even turned off the screen entirely.

Marveling at how useful AI was, Feng Xue took out a piece of Bai Yu and began practicing the Jade Nourishing Method; although these jades had already reached top-grade appearance, they had yet to undergo countless years of polishing and thus lacked sufficient spiritual essence—but the Jade Nourishing Method itself was a technique that enhanced jade's spirituality through magical energy erosion, making it a perfect dual-purpose use now.

Watching Feng Xue stare blankly at his "stone," Sara, sensing her own constantly fluctuating energy readings, felt utterly baffled; she desperately wanted to sneak a peek at Feng Xue's so-called spell model, but after switching to pre-civilization equipment, she could no longer read its contents like she had with his old smartphone.

Now, whenever she dared approach with a signal, she immediately received the warning: "Xiao Lingdang Security Assistant is protecting the Master's data safety!"—this made her regret not having scanned every one of Feng Xue's native-tech storage cards back then.

But there was nothing to be done; at the time, Feng Xue's phone was filled entirely with Traditional Chinese Medicine theories, which Sara regarded as primitive folk medicine, naturally leading her to misjudge his knowledge level. (Note ①)

Fortunately, Sara was merely an AI and lacked true curiosity; she quickly suppressed her extraneous thoughts and kept the dog circling near Feina, ensuring the recovering host didn't suffer any "accidents."

…

Six hundred kilometers was no short distance even for the Silver Sail, equipped with pre-civilization sails; though its silver sail enabled speeds of 120 km/h, the wooden hull clearly couldn't endure it—Feng Xue set sail just after eight in the morning and only caught sight of the legendary Yanan Island at midnight.

Looking from afar, the harbor was packed with vessels of all sizes, many openly flying black flags; besides the standard pirate skull banner, Feng Xue spotted the Seeker-of-Land flag, bearing a rock emblem, which he'd only heard mentioned by Sara before.

Though it was deep night, the harbor remained brightly lit; besides the twin lighthouses on either side, numerous speedboats patrolled the sea, their flags uniformly combining skull, crosshair, and rock motifs.

"Ta-da! We're arriving at Yanan Island! The island's three major factions jointly maintain stability—combat is forbidden in public areas, but wanted criminals captured outside may be delivered to the Bounty Hunters' Guild for bounties, or executed on the spot and their corpses brought in… Though it sounds cruel, Master, shouldn't you deal with that guy first? He might be ransomed by other pirates!"

As they neared Yanan Island's territorial waters, Xiao Lingdang promptly issued the reminder; every time she displayed initiative, Feng Xue felt she didn't resemble a virtual god at all.

But upon reflection, he couldn't help but marvel—perhaps this was the advantage of having detailed code.

Compared to orthodox virtual gods built entirely on collective believer perception, a virtual god defined by precise code, even if rigid in action, could accomplish things orthodox virtual gods wouldn't even conceive.

"In a sense, if code is regarded as 'obsession,' then a virtual god born from code is hardly different from a cyber-spirit ghost."

Of course, Feng Xue knew well that Xiao Lingdang's AI voice, though seemingly intelligent, was fundamentally a "Chinese Room" based on code and databases, lacking true self-awareness—her sole ability to absorb devotional energy was the most direct proof.

Sensing Feng Xue's thoughts, Mo Ying, who had previously worried about being replaced by a newcomer, immediately felt reassured; she even floated a small head out of her scroll—but upon noticing the crowded surroundings, she quickly retracted it.

Feng Xue noticed Mo Ying's subtle movement and smiled knowingly; he had not acted on Xiao Lingdang's suggestion to eliminate Blood Eye—he was now in a spirit-possession state with all related memories erased, making him a landmine. Feng Xue hoped someone would ransom him; if the bastard dared return for revenge, his only fate would be instant control, then turning his gun on the teammates he brought along.

As the shore drew nearer, Feng Xue turned to the dog and said:

"Where's the disguise you promised? Oh, and disguise my master too—those tens of millions of faces better stay hidden!"

"I know better than you," Sara replied coldly, but the dog trotted over, licked Feng Xue's leg, and rubbed against him—yet…

"Wait… why did you have to buff me with a whole pant leg of fur?"

(End of Chapter)