Zhou Yi looked at the machine dog: "Explain this program in detail."

"Sure thing, Chairman."

703 said: "The [修道] program is a supercomputing network that combines centralized and distributed technologies, divided technically into two phases."

"The first phase is centralized computing, where all computational tasks are concentrated on one or more central nodes. Data and resources are centrally managed, with all functions handled by the central nodes."

"The second phase involves breaking down large computational tasks into multiple smaller ones, which are then distributed to multiple mechanical lives for processing. These mechanical lives, connected through the network, collaboratively complete the computational tasks."

"The [修道] program comprises nodes, with the cultivators maintaining connections, forming a computing network capable of continuous expansion, which can temporarily concentrate all computing power onto a single mechanical life."

"If you can concentrate the computing power of 10,000 cultivators, it becomes the 「万人敌」. This creates a significant qualitative change, even the weakest mechanical life would then possess computational power at the Skywalker level."

"Concentrating the computing power of at least 100,000 cultivators results in the 「先知」 stage, enabling extremely strong deduction and predictive capabilities for various changes. Its computational power will nearly approach that of a Light Core Body."

"When the computing power of a million mechanical lives is concentrated on one individual, it becomes the 「太上老君」. This aggregation surpasses the group's collective intelligence, breaking through into the Light Core Body level, reaching a nearly impossible-to-simulate state. This represents the theoretical limit of mechanical life."

Zhou Yi took a deep breath as he listened.

Without powerful assistance like White Suanni and Reverse Flow, mechanical life had relied on data computation and program development, gathering the collective wisdom and strength of their entire civilization to break through the kontrol of the Heavenly People's Firewood Mound and regional blockades.

703 continued: "The 修道 program has many advantages, with high security and easy maintenance being the most basic."

"Task decomposition can greatly alleviate the computational pressure borne by each cultivator."

"Parallel processing, with multiple nodes handling tasks simultaneously, can significantly improve computational efficiency."

"High fault tolerance means that even if some nodes fail, the entire 修道 system can continue to operate."

"Efficient resource utilization makes it possible to fully leverage idle computing resources within the network."

Zhou Yi gave a thumbs up: "Impressive."

"You flatter me, Chairman," the machine dog said. "Actually, it's been a very long process."

"From the first generation of Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi to our third generation, spanning nearly 150 years, three generations of Lao Zi have been continually developing and computing in this direction."

"The 修道 program originated from Document No. 2 [起源]. With the disappearance of Pangu, the history of mechanical life has been constantly revised. Thus, the first generation of Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi pursued two directions for self-rescue: Lao Zi sought self-salvation through technology, while Zhuang Zi focused on the needs of individual life."

"To date, the greatest achievements on my side, aligned with Zhuang Zi, include the [时锚] and the quantified recording of the actual survival dilemmas faced by mechanical life."

"Lao Zi developed many programs. The [钥匙] is the cornerstone of self-liberation, the [家庭] is for building organizational units, the [呼吸] is for preparing to explore the unknown, and many more failed projects. The 修道 program represents the greatest qualitative change based on the previous programs combined."

"Fortunately, in our generation, Lao Zi completed the mission."

Zhou Yi nodded slightly as he listened.

This continuation of a hundred-year strategy and adherence to duty might only be achievable by mechanical life.

Considering that mechanical life often works tirelessly and without rest, and as long as they are not disturbed or damaged, program development and computation continue ceaselessly. Thus, the work completed in 150 years may take over 300 years for other forms of life to accomplish.

After regaining his composure, Zhou Yi asked: "How is the testing of the 修道 program?"

703 said: "So far, we have completed multiple tests for the 「万人敌」 and 「先知」 stages, and the results have been excellent."

"However, our current internal beta users are all second-generation mechanical lives, who are semi-open body repairs. They are quick to accept new things and show great interest in 修道. During the internal testing phase, the number of online cultivators has already exceeded 100,000."

"But this number is still far from the million-level required, so the specific strength and effect of the 「太上老君」 mode remain uncertain."

Curious, Zhou Yi asked: "Can you activate these two stages now?"

"Yes, I can."

"Show me."

703 said: "Yes, I will now call up the computing power."

From Zhou Yi's [Alert] perspective, 703's body emitted white light. Although it was the director of the company's program department and this generation's Zhuang Zi, its life intensity was at the E level.

The light on the machine dog's surface began to change color rapidly, with white light gradually turning green, indicating that it had moved into the D and C levels of intensity, then the color deepened further, turning red.

This was the external manifestation of B-level intensity Death Light.

The red color grew richer and finally condensed into purple.

In just a few seconds, 703 leaped into the A-level range.

"Chairman, this is the 「万人敌」."

Although the machine dog's appearance did not change, the shared enhancement in computational power was equivalent to adding 10,000 external computational brains.

Zhou Yi asked: "How long can this state be maintained? How much has the energy consumption increased?"

703 explained: "The duration depends on the base number of cultivators. As long as the base number is large enough, this state can be maintained."

"The energy consumption has indeed increased. After all, calling up computational power requires it, roughly five times the usual consumption."

Using five times the energy to leverage the computational power of 10,000 mechanical lives, this increase in expenditure was almost negligible.

"Next, this is the 「先知」."

703's body began to emit a gentle hum, which Zhou Yi could easily detect with his keen perception.

The purple on the machine dog's body also began to change gradually, showing flowing arcs along with some colorful spots within.

Zhou Yi was witnessing this scene for the first time.

Between the Skywalker and the Light Core Body.

Maybe it should be called... the Skywalker Great Perfection?

"Chairman, the Prophet state has a relatively high load, with my current energy consumption reaching 12 times the usual... Despite the task decomposition by the 修道 program, this extreme load still puts significant pressure on the physical carrier."

703's voice was somewhat unstable, fluctuating in volume due to occasional voltage irregularities.

"At this stage, I can already derive more conclusions and analyses from the existing information. For instance, Chairman, at your side, Ms. Yuan Xiao appears to be unwell. Her body exhibits periodic slight movements, especially in her legs."

Zhou Yi turned to see Yuan Xiao looking slightly stunned.

"What's wrong with you?"

"I'm fine, Chairman..."

Zhou Yi frowned: "Tell the truth."

"Um... I tried wearing these."

Yuan Xiao lifted her foot slightly, revealing white high-heeled shoes.

"They're very uncomfortable. I don't understand why the old humans liked these things. They're not convenient to move in, but many records from that era show that people wore them."

"..."

Zhou Yi's face twitched: "Our company doesn't require these. Wear whatever is comfortable."

"It's not that,"

703, in the Prophet state, insisted: "Ms. Yuan Xiao's physical condition is not good. Some of her cilia are engaging in involuntary movement, which is not rhythmic behavior but rather a lack of physiological control. This is a dangerous signal. It's recommended to go to Maria Hospital for a thorough check-up."

Zhou Yi looked at Yuan Xiao with a stern expression: "Is this true?"

Yuan Xiao became anxious and pointed at her shoes: "I'm really fine, Chairman. It's just these shoes that don't fit. If I take them off, it's okay, right? I'm healthy. I've even felt stronger recently..."

To be safe.

Zhou Yi took her to the hospital directly for an examination.

Half an hour later.

Da Vinci said: "Ms. Yuan Xiao has been found to have an early-stage Guangna malignant tumor inside her body. The subtle involuntary movement of her body hair is due to the rhythmic anomalies caused by this."

"Malignant tumors in their early stages can go unnoticed by patients. In the short term, proliferating malignant cells can even increase strength, which makes them easy to overlook."

"Although it's in the early stage, the Angel of Death is filled with Guangna organs, so the spread and deterioration can happen quickly, making containment challenging."

"I recommend proceeding with organ repair surgery immediately. The sooner the repair is done, the lower the chances of recurrence, and the lesser the physiological damage."

And so, a bewildered Yuan Xiao was sent into the operating room.

Zhou Yi said: "Thankfully, we caught it in time. If we had delayed, who knows what risks could've arisen."

"It was just a lucky discovery,"

703 said modestly. "Honestly, I wasn't sure. The Prophet state estimation had only about a 57% accuracy rate. Other environmental factors could have been at play. But even if there's a chance, it's better to check and eliminate potential threats."

Zhou Yi nodded in agreement.

Mechanical life forms do not have issues with physiological mutations or cancers, making them naturally long-lived.

He redirected the conversation: "Let's talk about the current progress of 修道."

"Yes, Chairman. The 修道 applications are mainly still in the 万人敌 stage, where the Skywalker level is sufficient to handle most day-to-day and work-related tasks."

703 said: "The Prophet state has strong data correlation and capture capabilities, but it still imposes significant stress and irreversible damage to the body. Developing special compatible bodies is necessary for long-term use."

Zhou Yi regretted: "It seems we won't be seeing 太上老君 anytime soon."

"Indeed, Chairman. This is due to objective limitations,"

the machine dog explained. "Based on current models, the 太上老君 state not only requires the call of computing power from a million mechanical lives but also has individual consumption reaching the Skywalker level, entirely depending on external power supply, needing 10 2nd Generation Floating Hearts for continuous supply."

"To fully unleash computational parallelism, the [呼吸] program needs to run synchronously, an initial path outlined by the first generation Lao Zi."

"Additionally, the damage to the physical body is immense. We have not yet found a structure capable of withstanding this level of intensity."

Zhou Yi nodded.

That makes sense.

Significant advances in software called for corresponding hardware support.

Nonetheless, the 修道 program undoubtedly represented a revolutionary technology, maximizing the distinctive computational capabilities of mechanical life.

"Do you have any target materials for the machine bodies?" Zhou Yi asked.

"Existing metals, composites, and carbon fibers have all been tested but are insufficient to withstand high-intensity moments."

703 paused.

"However, there is one material that is definitively usable, but it's very, very difficult to obtain. If we could get this material, we could modify and construct the mechanical body to enable the 太上老君 mode."

"What material?"

"Heavenly People Gem."

Zhou Yi frowned upon hearing it.

That material was not easy to acquire.

But, wait.

There is the Heavenly People Graveyard in space... Those Gemstone Body corpses are completely unclaimed.

Perhaps we could seize those?

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.