Chapter 1293: Virtual Realm

"Construct a virtual realm?"

In the family office, Yang Jiuchen gazed at Yunxiao before him, contemplating his plan.

In terms of bloodline, there's no problem; this Yunxiao looks exactly like what my great-grandfather looked like when he was young.

He is merely more imposing than my great-grandfather.

My great-grandfather is only 170 cm tall, while this Yunxiao is 180 cm.

It seems a harsh life limited my great-grandfather's height.

"Yun Grandfather, first of all I'm very happy that you could come see us."

"As for the virtual realm you mentioned, actually the current virtual world has been doing that."

"But you said, large-scale transformation of life, that's very difficult to do."

"First, the United Federation has been hesitant about consciousness uploading."

"Moreover, we currently lack the conditions to promote this on a large scale."

"Current computing equipment and energy systems simply cannot support such a project."

"To achieve the level of constructing a complete virtual realm, we might need to touch the edge of a second-level civilization, only then could it be possible."

"Even the current virtual world mainly uses human brains as the computing foundation to drive it."

"Every person who logs into the virtual world either has a powerful helmet or a recovery cabin, or else must contribute their own brain's computing power; their image is also maintained by their own brain."

"This is also the fundamental reason we can make them feel immersed."

"Because this itself is the true state of his body."

"But constructing a virtual realm is different; you want to digitize human consciousness and upload it to machines, and maintaining these digital lives requires a computing power center to support them."

"One or two is fine; we can afford it, but if consciousness uploading becomes commercialized, it won't be a matter of spending a little money—it would drain our Yang family dry, and we couldn't supply it."

Yang Jiuchen thought it over; Yunxiao gave an embarrassed smile, knowing that this time his visit might not achieve his goal.

"You're right; that was my assumption."

"If that's the case, then you go ahead and be busy; I'll leave."

Yang Jiuchen stood up and grabbed Yunxiao.

"No, no, no, Yun Grandfather, my grandfather and the others know you've come; they're on their way here."

"You haven't seen each other in a long time."

Yunxiao couldn't withstand Yang Jiuchen's persistent nagging and finally gave in.

Soon Yang Fan and Yang Qihang ran over.

Seeing Yunxiao, they were astonished, because he looked so much like 【him】.

"Yunxiao, you really dare to do this."

"Don't you know the risks involved?"

They grabbed Yunxiao, looking left and right, squeezing and pinching.

Like they were examining a rare curiosity.

Yunxiao, flailing left and right, was felt all over.

"Stop, stop, stop, you two don't go too far."

"Hahaha………"

Yang Fan and Yang Qihang burst out laughing.

"How come, you're an adult but still shy?"

"Come on, let's go to the restaurant, eat and chat, and have a drink; we're really curious about your experiences over the years."

The two brothers, each supporting one side, forcibly carried him away.

Yang Jiuchen shook his head; these two grandfathers are getting more lively.

Arriving at the restaurant, the three of them found a private room and then began to talk.

"Back then, we still thought you really ……"

Yang Fan seemed to be reminiscing; back then, Yunxiao had caused quite a stir among many people.

"Until the old man ordered to keep maintaining your machine room at full strength did we guess you might still be alright; but as for what happened, the old man never told us."

Yang Qihang added.

"Actually, it's not that we didn't mention it, Nuolan ……"

Yang Qihang was kicked by Yang Fan, realizing he'd misspoken.

"Nuolan?"

Yunxiao furrowed his brow; hearing that name, he felt a sense of familiarity, but his mind had no impression of that person.

"Who is Nuolan?"

He looked at Yang Qihang.

Yang Qihang quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Nuolan is our niece; back then, the old man was with her."

"Let's not talk about her; Yunxiao, I never expected you to succeed."

"How does it feel—is being human better or being an Intelligent Body better?"

Again this question; he didn't want to explain, but under their eager gazes he still spoke the truth.

"Actually, I am not Yunxiao."

"That digital life Yunxiao, in fact, ceased to exist when it was turned into a human; I was born from its collapsing consciousness."

"I am a human, whether in thought patterns or abilities."

"Consciousness heavily depends on its original computing modules; whether it's semiconductor computing hardware or a brain like this, they determine the type of consciousness."

I find it hard to say whether this is Yunxiao's life being extended, or a new life will has been reborn.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

It's very complicated, but Yang Fan and Yang Qihang roughly understood.

If that's the case, why do you want to promote the conversion between humans and digital life?

You clearly know, you are no longer yourself.

Even you don't acknowledge that you were once Yunxiao.

Yunxiao raised his head, the emotions in his heart were extremely complex.

I am indeed no longer Yunxiao, but over these years, Yunxiao's influence on me has persisted, and his memories keep resurfacing in my mind.

I am not the original Yunxiao, but I possess everything he had.

In this war, many of the children he once taught have sacrificed.

That kind of sorrow, I feel deeply as well.

For those children, I cannot turn a blind eye.

This conflict has made the relationship between humans and intelligent bodies no longer as trusting as before.

The rift between the two sides has already formed; if we don't find a way to bridge it, I fear the future will bring unnecessary conflict between them.

Especially now, space exploration relies heavily on intelligent bodies.

Their influence in space is growing ever larger.

If we cannot strengthen the relationship between the two sides, it will be bad for both them and us.

The solution I thought of is integration.

Let both sides have me in you and you in me, so we become a community of shared destiny; only then can we go further together.

Unfortunately, I took it for granted, never realizing how enormous the resources required for this are.

Yang Fan and Yang Qihang nodded simultaneously.

Yeah, this is hard to achieve.

Now humanity has over ten billion; if opened, at least tens of millions of people each year would hope to extend their lives through digitalization.

To sustain such a massive amount of digital life, even if we reach a second-level civilization, it would still be a heavy burden.

Jiu Chen's concerns are not wrong; this is an unsolvable problem.

However, what you said is indeed a very important matter.

Actually, the old man had concerns long ago, which is why the Human Body Transformation Plan came into being.

Actually, many people are now shifting toward this direction.

Mist creatures are also following this path.