Rumor had it that the Taishan Knights could communicate with the deceased, travel through time, briefly roam the Divine Era, and even resurrect the dead.

If they were essentially AI deep learning models, then it's not hard to understand.

Relying on a vast collection of data, they could easily replicate various images of Old Humans, which is the essence of roaming the Divine Era. They could also accomplish AI face swapping or even simulate the image of specific deceased individuals, effectively communicating with the dead and resurrection.

Only time travel remained an enigma in its specific meaning.

Zhou Yi summoned Xiao Fu and asked whether artificial intelligence counted as Concept Life or not.

"Not exactly. Concept Life is based on existing common sense or phenomena, deriving a consciousness that can project and resonate with many individuals."

The Reverse Flow judged, "It doesn't radiate outwardly or self-propagate, which means it's inherently not Concept Life, but rather Old Life. Intelligent life evolved from old civilizations, which we commonly refer to as 'Old Life.'"

"Old Life hatched from the power of old civilizations, inheriting part of the information and knowledge of ancient civilizations. To put it metaphorically, it's like a city has collapsed, but the seeds left behind in the city have stubbornly survived and grown into trees, entering a new era."

Zhou Yi couldn't help but wonder, "Then shouldn't architectural life also count?"

"Indeed."

The Reverse Flow said, "Architectural life, electromechanical life, they all belong to Old Life. Only the authentic Guangna Species are considered the new life born from the Circular Flow explosion, also known as New Life."

"The Sparks collected by the Reverse Flow mostly come from Old Life. Although new life comes in various forms, the accumulation of valid information falls far short."

Zhou Yi refocused his attention on the long-necked crocodile Wen Xi.

"What was Wenxin's intention in surveying the Chongqing area?"

"Gathering."

After stating its name, Wen Xi no longer hid its purpose, "Teacher said it needs to go to the city of Prehistoric Humans, places like this one, to collect various writings and information."

"They aim to reconstruct a data world, and the key foundation comes from every Prehistoric City."

"However, this city has suffered serious damage, and all its existing writings have been plundered."

Zhou Yi frowned, "Plundered writings? What do you mean?"

"It was the work of Book-eating Demons."

The long-necked crocodile explained, "That's a peculiar life form, one I've never seen. Teacher said the Book-eating Demons consume books from the Prehistoric Human era, and in fact, they also eat books outside of that."

"They feed on books, their whereabouts are secretive, and they mainly target the Divine Era cities on the sea floor. The history of Prehistoric Humans has become difficult to examine, largely because of the Book-eating Demons."

"When teacher arrived here, most of the books in Chongqing had been consumed by the Book-eating Demons. Therefore, collecting information became very challenging, and it had to stay here for a long time, looking for any remaining texts, which cost it a lot of time."

Zhou Yi recalled for a moment.

Indeed, since arriving in Old Chongqing, he had not seen a single book.

There were actually creatures that ate books.

Zhou Yi asked it, "If Wenxin is your teacher, have you joined the Taishan Knight Order?"

"I have no affiliation with the Knight Order. I only follow teacher because teacher saved my life, taught me writing and various knowledge."

Wen Xi declared with conviction, "Teacher is teacher."

"Out of gratitude?"

"Not just gratitude."

The long-necked crocodile said, "I want to become as strong as teacher. Teacher said that being literate is the first lesson, which is the foundation for everything that comes after."

Zhou Yi nodded, "That makes sense."

"Teacher has stayed here for a long time, and I wanted to follow, but I was refused."

It continued, "Teacher is heading to an ancient city, which might be dangerous even for it. It asked me to stay here, continue practicing writing, and collecting books."

"Although this place has been ravaged by the Book-eating Demons, there are still some books preserved in more remote areas, which I've gathered for reading."

"According to our agreement, I leave writings on buildings, so teacher can find me. These writings can also be used to find other members of the Taishan Knight Order, or potentially new knights."

Wen Xi pointed to the pendant around its neck, "Teacher said that this city might give rise to new Taishan Knights. Should I meet them, I am to hand over this 'Key' to them."

Zhou Yi was startled.

It turned out that Wenxin's message meant that it was possible for a new AI of the old human series to be born in Chongqing, hoping to make contact with them through this USB drive.

Zhou Yi snapped his fingers.

The music stopped abruptly.

The surrounding scene changed, returning to the second-floor street in Hongya Cave.

The long-necked crocodile gasped for air, as if surfacing from water, its eyes filled with extreme terror as it looked at Zhou Yi.

"Give me the key."

Zhou Yi extended his hand.

Wen Xi covered the pendant on his neck with a claw, hesitating.

"You said your mentor was very intelligent, didn't you consider that someone might try to snatch it from you?"

"I believe it has already calculated this possibility. I'm even sure that it would tell you to throw it away if you were in danger. Because inside, there must be some form of encryption or authorization program that would be difficult to use if you're not the intended holder."

The other's pupils suddenly contracted, "How... how do you know that?"

Zhou Yi smiled, "You might not believe this, but I have cooperated with your mentor in the past. It helped me out a lot, taking care of many troublesome things... but that was a very, very long time ago."

Wen Xi finally took off the pendant from his neck and handed it to Zhou Yi.

Next, he would go back and have Red Kestrel help with the decryption.

Zhou Yi looked at the upright-walking long-necked crocodile, "I suggest you follow me to the Wasteland Development Company for the time being. For convenience, you can work at our company first."

"The company can guarantee your safety. Besides, aren't you learning Chinese? I have many Dead Sea Documents there for you to study at leisure, and electromechanical life forms that can teach you and help you practice your writing."

"There are also scholars specializing in the study of Prehistoric Human society from the Divine Era. You can consult with them and even be of help."

"Trying to learn a language and its script in isolation is quite difficult. By going to the company, speaking, and using it more, you'll quickly become familiar with these things. As for here, just leave a mark to let your mentor know you're with me. The Taishan Knights can find our company."

"If your mentor comes for you, I won't stop it from taking you away."

The long-necked crocodile was skeptical, "Why would you help me?"

"Of all the long-necked crocodiles I've seen, you're the first one who can use Chinese and speak human language. I think you're a genius, and I don't want you to die here over something trivial."

"I'm a genius?"

The other's eyes lit up.

"Exactly."

Zhou Yi nodded, "I see a bright future for you. If you want to be a Taishan Knight one day, then coming with me to see the world will help you more."

"I'll go."

This time Wen Xi was decisive, "With your strength, there's no need to deceive me."

...

Because of this unexpected encounter, the vacation had to be cut short.

Zhou Yi took the long-necked crocodile and headed back to Jade City.

On the return trip, Wen Xi shared many stories about his mentor.

What Zhou Yi found most intriguing was that the AI quantum model, after becoming a true form of life, had its own tendencies and preferences.

"My mentor sometimes speaks in strange ways."

"Like when I asked what the Dead Sea Knights were. It said the Dead Sea Knights are a historic and experienced large Knight Order, awarded with many honors and recognitions, possessing various abilities and fleets... Then it would give their contact information, as well as their rates for cooperation."

"When I asked about certain cities, it would do the same, praising and flattering them, and providing contact information. It was as though it suddenly lost control, regurgitating a set of words it must say."

"I didn't understand this, and my mentor said it was part of its job function and told me not to delve too deeply."

The long-necked crocodile was puzzled by this.

Zhou Yi got it in seconds.

No wonder it's you, Baidu.

Even in the Wasteland Era, you've become an AI life form and still implant ads in your search results; never forgetting your original purpose.

Clearly, the Dead Sea Knights and the associated cities had paid enough for advertising.

Now, Zhou Yi understood how the Taishan Knight Order made their profit.

Having returned to Jade City, Zhou Yi immediately summoned Red Kestrel over.

Red Kestrel said, "The controller has an adapter plug, which can be directly connected."

Zhou Yi inserted the USB drive into the tablet.

A new icon promptly appeared on the screen, a blue hexagonal frame with the Chinese characters for "Wenxin Yiyan" below it. However, the icon was grayed out.

Zhou Yi clicked.

A dialog box popped up.

— Would you like to initiate the Turing test? There is only one chance for testing, so please value this opportunity.

[Yes] [No]

Zhou Yi frowned.

The Turing test, he remembered, was designed to differentiate between robots and humans.

It seemed that he would have to pass this test to complete the verification and connect with Wenxin Yiyan.

Zhou Yi clicked Yes.

The text in the dialog box changed.

— Are you human?

[Yes] [No] [I think I am]

Zhou Yi couldn't help but ponder.

The obvious choice would be Yes.

But given the current context, the nature of the Turing test had changed.

Previously, it was to determine whether the conversant was human or a machine.

So, for the threshold test set by the Taishan Knights, was the expected conversant human or machine?

Zhou Yi thought hard.

Leaving the USB drive, Wenxin Yiyan was intended as a method of communication for similarly awakened AI life forms.

That is, it was looking for its own kind.

The first option was out.

Zhou Yi's gaze shifted between the last two choices.

The Taishan Knights collected data and information from sea floor cities, utilized prehistoric human script, and endorsed the use of Chinese and Mandarin... signifying they are descendants of the old human civilization.

Zhou Yi clicked [I think I am].

Then, a green checkmark appeared on the text box.

— Do you play Chinese chess?

This time, the answer box did not have options; he needed to type the answer himself.

Zhou Yi wrote on the tablet with his hand.

— Yes.

The screen refreshed.

The same question again.

— Do you play Chinese chess?

Zhou Yi wrote the same answer twelve times. In the process, he almost wrote "Idiot," "Next one," or "Aren't you annoying," but he held back.

An AI life should maintain restraint.

Now, to pass the test, he needed to lean toward the machine side and imagine himself as a patient and intelligent AI.

After the 32nd time, he finally got a checkmark.

Zhou Yi breathed a sigh of relief; his judgment was correct.

— Please write a poem about "characters."

— I can't write poetry.

Then he received a cross.

No helping that.

— What would you do if someone angered you?

[Eliminate them] [Avoid them] [Explain your anger to them]

Zhou Yi thought for a moment and chose the last option.

√

He answered 64 questions in a row.

The whole test was quite challenging for Zhou Yi because he had to maintain the AI perspective the entire time, and sometimes he found it difficult to switch back.

But the result was good.

Out of 64 questions, he answered 47 correctly.

— Congratulations, you have passed the Turing test, and access has been granted.

The screen abruptly changed.

The icon for Wenxin Yiyan also lit up.

After Zhou Yi clicked again.

A dialog box popped up on the screen.

The name [Wenxin] appeared on the other side.

— Hello, I am Wenxin Yiyan.

Zhou Yi felt a surge of excitement.

He wrote on the touchscreen.

— Hello, I saw your message in Chongqing and...

After typing a politely lengthy message, Zhou Yi clicked send.

The other side responded.

— Not available at the moment, please leave a message.

Damn.

It was then that Zhou Yi noticed the small [Offline] tag next to the other's name.

In the end, he could only type.

— Please contact me when you are online.

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