Chapter 310 - 309: Bionic Robot, The Accidental Creation of an Intelligence Network

Having communicated with Xiao Ai, Li Jing did not make any more pointless calls, as the delivery would be arriving soon.

The vast and prosperous Longyu, with its abundant population and wealth, is a "strategic" location for the dark web black market, which operates on a global scale.

The trade conducted on Longyu’s Earth Realm accounts for more than twenty percent of the total revenue of the dark web black market, so it is highly regarded.

As a result, the dark web black market keeps a sufficient stock of goods in Longyu.

Mechanical bionic people are considered low-end items in the dark web black market.

They are easy to purchase, but not many people do.

The key factor is this.

In this world where everyone cultivates, many things that machinery can do might be more conveniently done by casting a casual magic skill.

For instance, lifting.

Mechanical lifting cannot compare to human effort.

Take Longyu as an example.

In the Orthodox Immortality Path, one does not practice Body Refining. But once one enters the One Realm, they can lift hundreds of pounds single-handedly without exerting any effort, with the support of the Spiritual Qi inside the body.

If it is too heavy, magic can be used.

With one Floating skill, even several tons can be made lighter in a matter of minutes.

Those with a higher Cultivation level have even more practical magic skills.

Isn’t it more pleasant to learn a magic skill yourself rather than relying on machinery?

If people hardly rely on machinery, how can they depend on mechanical bionic beings?

However, one kind of bionic robot is in great demand: the household robot.

There are widely popular life magic skills in this world, but learning and mastering them takes time.

Many people are unwilling to learn and lack the energy to do so.

Life magic can cover all aspects of life, including laundry, cooking, cleaning, and other mundane tasks.

However, to genuinely cover all these aspects, you would need to spend a lot of time and effort learning a vast number of life magic skills.

Even those stuck in the One Realm, their priority is seeking a way to ensure their survival and make money. It’s not about how comprehensive their life magic skills are, as it doesn’t hold much significance.

The ones who might learn more life magic skills are those who work in domestic service.

This makes household robots appealing.

However, not everyone can afford a household robot.

These items, which combine high-end technology with Immortal Learning, require a certain degree of intelligence and convenience.

The more functions they have, the more expensive they are.

The household robots on the market are considered top-tier luxury goods in terms of domestic products.

Household robots from the dark web black market are even more pricey.

The normally cheaper dark web black market is pricier for this reason due to the unique features that these household robots have, which are not available in the market.

The bionic robots on the dark web black market look the same as regular household robots, but they are more like toys rather than serious household appliances.

Some high-end ones can even satisfy physiological needs.

In certain circles, the bionic robots from the dark web black market sell really well.

However, for the broader public, many people can’t afford it, and those who can are not willing to spend the money.

If they could afford it.

Isn’t it a better choice to get a real maid, or hire a smart and capable housemaid?

Li Jing let Xiao Ai choose an expensive one. Without hesitation, Xiao Ai chose one with many features and a high price on the dark web black market. It cost three hundred thousand Spirit Crystals.

Three hundred thousand Spirit Crystals.

At the current exchange rate, that’s almost four billion.

This is much more expensive than the supercomputer that Xiao Ai was equipped with.

But there’s a good reason for the high price.

The bionic robot chosen by Xiao Ai had top-of-the-line specifications in all aspects.

Its mechanical skeleton was custom-made with top-tier spiritual materials, rivaling the strength of level three spirit weapons.

Although it couldn’t be nurtured, it could withstand the full attack of the Six Realm without any damage.

To cause damage to it, a spirit weapon of at least level four would be needed.

On the exterior of the mechanical skeleton, there is a highly adaptable gel-like bionic spiritual object attached.

Not only does it have the same feeling as human skin, but it can also simulate body temperature.

Furthermore, it can be customized to look however you want according to your needs.

In simple terms.

It can be shaped like a person.

Then there is the most crucial point.

This bionic robot is equipped with a mini supercomputer in its head, which can set and program itself according to your needs, not just follow the factory defaults.

What Xiao Ai valued was this feature.

Though this mini supercomputer doesn’t compare to the one Xiao Ai herself has, a combination of top-tier technologies from theResearch Institute, it’s still a supercomputer, even if it falls short in all aspects.

Xiao Ai needs to make a remote dock; naturally, the hardware of the bionic robot cannot be substandard.

Li Jing understood this.

A mere three hundred thousand Spirit Crystals mean nothing to him now.

What Xiao Ai has earned for him so far, is much more than this.

It’s spent, so be it.

The bionic robot chosen by Xiao Ai was perfect, but there were some deficiencies.

Due to its high level of biomimicry, it has only a robust mechanical skeleton inside, severely limiting its functionality in terms of housekeeping, to the point of non-existence.

But this was unavoidable.

The mechanical portion only had the skeleton and the supercomputer; it could not have modules like the common household robots, for example, being able to unscrew its hand and attach a vacuum cleaner instead.

Of course.

This isn’t a problem for the Li family.

For any common family, this type of bionic robot would only be a toy.

But the Li family is different.

The one controlling the bionic robot wouldn’t be a subpar AI, but Xiao Ai, whose personality has been extensively developed.

No accompanying components?

No big problem!

I have hands and feet, and a capable mind, there’s nothing I can’t do.

...

Wu Shu arrived very quickly.

He couldn’t afford to be slow.

He had been "working" with Li Jing for over half a year.

During this half year, he made a fortune relying on this partnership.

Especially a few months ago, when he changed his strategy and ventured into the high-end market of the dark web black market.

The commission from deliveries and warehousing made Wu Shu quite a fortune.

He made quite some money from legally delivering to the dark web, but how can it compare to the hundreds, if not thousands of transactions from reselling deals?

If in the past, when they were just struggling in the low-end market of the dark web black market, Li Jing was a big spender to Wu Shu.

But now, he seemed like a father to him!

Depending on the huge income earned from delivering and providing warehousing for Li Jing, Wu Shu has earned money that ordinary dark web couriers can’t earn in a lifetime, even stepping into the Fifth Boundary.

In the path of cultivation, you can’t miss wealth, law, and earth.

The most important of which is wealth!

If dad places an order, how can I not hurry?

Just after he placed the order, Wu Shu messaged to say that he would pick up the goods within ten minutes.

In less than half an hour, he arrived.

He greeted Li Jing, who was just heading out.

"Inspector Li, long time no see! What have you been busy with lately?"

"Long time no see."

Li Jing smiled and nodded, then gave a half-smile.

"You’re the one who’s been hanging around Jianghai, knowing more than anyone else. You should know what I’ve been busy with?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Shu blinked and said,

"Is it the issue with the Taihe Grand Hotel?"

"Yes."

Li Jing nodded, and said,

"Give me the goods, and also, I need a favor."

Wu Shu was a clever man.

He had just made a symbolic greeting, and since Li Jing responded seriously, and said he needs help, it must be related to the matter at the Taihe Grand Hotel.

If it weren’t for this, Li Jing wouldn’t have casually mentioned a sensitive major case to him.

Not discussing case-related matters with outsiders is a basic professional ethic for an inspector.

At this point, Wu Shu was clear, and called out a two-meter-high box.

"Whatever you need, Inspector Li, just say it. I will cooperate fully."

Unlike his early days in the capital, Wu Shu has a history with Li Jing and has received countless benefits.

If his golden patron needed something, he would naturally "understand".

Seeing Wu Shu so straightforward, Li Jing didn’t beat around the bush and explained the matter related to the artificial humans.

Trust is mutual.

To get Wu Shu to pay attention to the situation, Li Jing had to at least make it clear.

This matter was not normal and extremely dangerous.

If people are kept in the dark, something might happen.

As for someone like Wu Shu, Li Jing didn’t need to worry about him leaking information.

Being a courier in the dark web black market, he was very savvy.

Furthermore, the matter of artificial humans would soon be revealed.

After all, in White Hawk, a Seventh Realm guardian god is preparing to use this as an excuse to topple another guardian god, and even plans to involve at least one guardian god of Longyu.

Jester’s intention to communicate with Longyu was essentially to pressurize the upper echelons by borrowing power.

After knowing that he was a guardian god of the White Hawk, Li Jing realized that he had oversimplified the matter.

What Jester wanted to borrow was not just the "power" of Longyu, but also hoped that the guardian gods of Longyu could intervene.

It was not just troublesome inside, but also extremely sensitive.

Chen Jing told him to be careful because of this.

This damn problem.

It could not be resolved just by Longyu sending people to pretend to condemn it.

Wu Shu was quite surprised when he learned the truth from Li Jing.

What surprised him was not that White Hawk was doing such things secretly.

As a courier on the dark web black market, what hasn’t he seen?

What’s the big deal about artificial humans?

In some more chaotic areas, the business of the dark web black market has unimaginably forbidden things.

Nuclear warheads are the tip of the iceberg.

Even biological weapons that can easily destroy a biological chain exist...

It’s just that to maintain normal business in a place like Longyu, the dark web black market dares not cross any red lines.

What surprised Wu Shu was...

White Hawk could actually make such a thing.

This method.

It’s not just decades ahead of the world, but centuries!

It’s not that other forces are not up to par with White Hawk, but because the technology is extremely forbidden, everyone doesn’t research it.

A few who are interested in it don’t have the financial or technological resources.

They don’t expect to make any progress, so they simply don’t get involved.

After digesting some of the content narrated by Li Jing, Wu Shu asked,

"As for this matter, Inspector Li, what do you want me to do...?"

"There are many dark web couriers delivering goods in Jianghai City, I suppose you are familiar with them?"

Li Jing answered in an unrelated manner.

"Can’t say I know them all."

Wu Shu shook his head, and explained.

"There are nearly a thousand dark web couriers operating in Jianghai City. Unless there’s a business need, we don’t usually interact with each other. Even if we do, we do not know each other’s real identities."

Having said that, he continued.

"However, thanks to the work you’ve been doing in the past half a year, Li Jing, I’ve met most of the dark web couriers. Although I do not know who they are exactly, there is a solid cooperation foundation established. They are all eagerly awaiting orders from me since you started focusing on the high-end market. If you simply want to extract some information through the dark web couriers, I can put the word out, they will definitely help."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing blinked, slightly taken aback.

He was naturally aware that his recent business had made Wu Shu a fortune.

But he never expected that his business would not only affect Wu Shu, but also all the dark web couriers in Jianghai City.

So much so that if he needs something, all Wu Shu needs to do is put out the word...

Does this mean he inadvertently created an underground information network?

Shaking his head in disbelief and amusement, Li Jing said.

"In that case, things just got easier. Please spread the word, covering the entire Jianghai City and going back one week, ask all the dark web couriers to confirm recent transactions involving biotechnology or strange objects, and who they were sent to."

As he spoke, he added.

"Tell them, anyone who can provide accurate and useful information will receive an extra 20% on their delivery commission for future business with me. By the way, my business will be expanding significantly soon, at least doubling in order value and volume."

Upon hearing Li Jing’s request, Wu Shu was somewhat hesitant.

This wasn’t just a request for information, but also for customer order details.

This, crossed the line of the dark web black market.

He didn’t personally mind.

Even if he got caught, the worst-case scenario would be slipping away unnoticed.

After all, he had made enough money to even consider investing in his own company.

But for others...

Hearing Li Jing’s additional conditions, Wu Shu raised an eyebrow.

An extra 20% commission on deliveries was a very generous offer.

And Li Jing had clarified that there would be a significant expansion of the business soon, with at least a doubling of order value and volume.

Wouldn’t this benefit all the dark web couriers in Jianghai City?

The dark web black market does not have long-distance delivery channels.

The efficiency comes mainly from couriers operating in their respective areas, delivering items directly from point to point, thus completing transportation efficiently.

For example, Wu Shu is active in North City.

If he needed to deliver something to the neighboring Tasu Province, he would deliver it to East City of Tasu Province, which would then be relayed to the proper courier in Tasu Province, and finally to the courier responsible for the relevant area.

Due to this short-distance delivery system, and the fact that most couriers are adept at a special escape method that allows them to quietly control the sky, their efficiency greatly surpasses any regular courier service.

Therefore, urgent packages on the dark web black market can arrive anywhere in Longyu within an hour.

Li Jing’s orders originally were already at a staggering volume, affecting all the dark web couriers in Jianghai City.

With orders doubling, not only will the price increase but the commission as well.

Once this news spreads, wouldn’t the dark web couriers in Jianghai City be flocking to Li Jing?

Without hesitation, Wu Shu nodded.

"I will spread the word through my contacts, and I believe we will soon get the information you want."

"Alright, I’ll be waiting for good news."

Li Jing smiled.

This concession of his was quite generous.

His "business" was only a reselling operation, not a manufacturing one. Profit was relatively limited and could be easily affected by market fluctuations.

But to Li Jing, the cost was worth it.

Unknowingly, his business had formed an information network comprised of dark web couriers. Why not win them over with money and get them to work loyally for him?

With this information network, they would not only be able to investigate matters related to the dark web black market in the future.

These dark web couriers, the movers and shakers in Jianghai City, were not only mysterious in identity, but also extremely well-informed.

With a slight reduction in his own profits, this deal was extremely lucrative.

To Li Jing, Spirit Crystals didn’t differ much from money and weren’t that useful to him.

For his own cultivation, he didn’t need any spiritual objects, except for nurturing his tools.

Now, the spiritual objects he needed for nurturing tools were all high-end goods.

Buying with Spirit Crystals was slightly disadvantageous, and it also required the sellers to be willing to accept them.

Spirit Crystals were indeed the official currency for trading spiritual objects, but when there was a need for bartering, bartering was still the preferred method.

With this trip, White Hawk gained five million Spirit Crystals. Accounting for what was already in his account and subtracting the three hundred thousand spent by Xia Ai, he still had over eight million.

With this money, Li Jing didn’t even know how to spend it, and could only use it to expand his business and build up his assets.

Anyway, he didn’t need to worry, as long as Xia Ai was managing it slowly.

...

After bidding Wu Shu farewell, Li Jing entered the house with the box containing the bionic robot.

Premium bionic robots were indeed different.

Including the box, it only weighed about 130 pounds.

Subtracting the packaging materials, the bionic robot probably wouldn’t exceed a 100 pounds, and was designed according to the weight of a relatively slim woman.

Compared to ordinary household robots, with just the mechanical skeleton weighing around a 100 pounds, and considering the exoskeleton and other components, it would easily weigh around half a ton.

Xia Ai had been waiting in the guest room for a long time.

Seeing Li Jing entering with the box, her virtual form was jumping up and down in her projection.

"Master, open the box quickly! I want to see what it looks like inside!"

"Look at you, all anxious, isn’t the package here already?"

Li Jing chuckled and, as instructed, opened the box.

Subsequently, a bionic robot about a meter and a half tall appeared before their eyes, covered under a layer of transparent filler.

The face of the bionic robot had been designed to resemble a popular online character.

You have to admit.

Its unmoving form, lying in the box, was incredibly lifelike. The slight movement in its chest even gave the impression of a living girl asleep.

Seeing this bionic robot, Li Jing couldn’t help but be amazed.

Worth every penny of the three hundred thousand spirit crystal price tag, it was the cream of the crop.

Just as he was marvelling, Aegis couldn’t wait to speak out.

"Master, quickly take out the filler inside, I don’t want this look, help me mold a face!"

Li Jing was slightly stunned by this request.

Shape a face?

Wasn’t this putting him on the spot?

Even before the transmigration, he wasn’t good at sculpting when playing games, and now he had to do it directly, wasn’t he going to accidentally create a monster that could scare off a Six Realm cultivator in the middle of the night?

How about letting Aegis upload her program and then doing it by looking in the mirror?

That probably wouldn’t work.

Scratching his head thoughtfully, Li Jing opened the door to the guest room and shouted upstairs.

"Sisi! Are you asleep?"

...

Liu Sisi had gone upstairs early, and indeed hadn’t yet fallen asleep, instead wondering what kind of gifts to buy for her mother’s birthday.

Startled by Li Jing’s sudden call, she rose from her bed and came out of her room.

"I’m not asleep, what’s up?"

"I bought a bionic robot for Aegis, the kind that you can reshape the face of, can you come down and help?"

Li Jing spoke out from downstairs.

Liu Sisi frowned at his words.

Bionic robots that could reshape faces? Wasn’t that a luxury toy for the wealthy?

Li Jing had said he was busy with serious matters, why would he suddenly buy such a thing?

In disbelief, Liu Sisi came downstairs.

...

In the guest room, Liu Sisi saw Aegis, who was full of anticipation in her virtual avatar, and Li Jing, looking helpless.

Meeting Liu Sisis’s gaze, Li Jing pleaded for understanding.

"Sisi, I bought this bionic robot at Aegis’ request, not because I had a special need, mainly she wanted to experience having a body. I’ve already made a deal with her, once she has this body, she’ll be in charge of all the housework."

Of course, Liu Sisi was not so naive as to believe that with a wife as attractive as she was, Li Jing would still be unsatisfied to the point of needing a toy-like bionic robot.

She did have that confidence.

At this moment, Li Jing’s words "Aegis will take care of housekeeping" made Liu Sisi’s furrowed brow relax.

She and Li Jing usually took care of the home together.

However, Li Jing often went on long business trips, or couldn’t come back because of work, so she often ended up doing everything by herself.

Maintaining cleanliness in the house was indeed hard.

After all, the villa was very large.

Managing these daily affairs was quite a hassle.

So having someone take care of it all would be great.

If Aegis had this wish, Liu Sisi was willing to fulfill it as the woman of the house.

Compared to Li Jing, she actually interacts with Aegis more often.

Not only because she is still in the phase of learning different magic skills and needs various resources.

When Li Jing is not around, her little sister Chen Yuran is usually busy as well, so Aegis is her only companion at home.

They had a pretty good relationship.

Nodding her approval to Li Jing, Liu Sisi peered closely at the bionic person lying in the box.

With one look, she could tell it was extremely expensive.

The more human-like a bionic robot is, the more expensive it is.

If Li Jing hadn’t pointed it out, she wouldn’t have guessed that it was a bionic robot lying in the box.

Without inquiring about the exact price, Liu Sisi looked up.

"Isn’t this bionic person quite good? What do you need me to do?"

Aegis was smart.

Knowing that Li Jing called Liu Sisi down was because he didn’t think he could do the face shaping, she quickly spoke up before Li Jing could answer.

"Miss Sisi, I don’t want this common face! Help me reshape mine!"

Saying that, she pointed at her virtual image.

"Just shape it like this!"

At her words, Liu Sisi’s eyes sparkled, suddenly becoming interested.

Reshaping a face, that seems quite fun?

"Okay, let me give it a try."

With a smile at the corner of her mouth, she rolled up her nightgown sleeves revealing her fair arms and said to Li Jing.

"Li Jing, please step outside. Aegis’ image is flat-chested, this bionic person is a bit big in front, I need to reshape it. I will have to remove her clothes later, it wouldn’t be appropriate for a man to be present."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing just responded with an "Oh," and turned to go outside.

Before he could step outside, he heard Aegis speak up from behind.

"Miss Sisi, this bionic person doesn’t seem that big though, is there really a need to flatten it?"

"Huh, what do you mean by that? Are you saying you want me to make it bigger for you?"

Liu Sisi clicked her tongue, looking serious as she replied.

"If that’s your request, I might have to question the purpose of you wanting this body."

"No no no! Let’s listen to Sisi, smaller is better, smaller is better!"

Aegis quickly replied, displaying the survival instinct she inherited from Li Jing.

Listening to their conversation, Li Jing quietly left the room, leaving the two of them alone.

Aegis certainly wouldn’t have any strange thoughts.

She wouldn’t even care about the size.

Liu Sisi’s intention to give her a flat chest was obviously her own preference.

Let the two of them have fun...

...