Chapter 88 of 100
Chapter 88
11 min read2,654 words
Zhang Taihuo's home robots were very efficient. Although the lawn was damaged during the battle, it didn't take long for the place to be repaired.
"These puppets' power mainly comes from the runes on their bodies. These runes can convert specific energy into the power that drives the puppets, making them move..."
After this puppet was scrapped, it was fully utilized, disassembled into parts, and placed on the workbench.
This process was a bit tedious, so the others had already returned to the game world to level up. Beidou confidently told them he could lead them, and now the group was bravely fighting monsters in the Level 60 Illusory Forest.
At this moment, only Zhang Taihuo and Liuli were beside Zhou Xian.
After observing for a while, Zhou Xian immediately understood how these arrays worked.
"I see, then why can electrical energy drive these puppets? Is electrical energy also a specific type of energy?" Zhang Taihuo asked.
"Um... In the game, electricity is mainly represented by lightning, which is a force between heaven and earth. So, it seems possible."
After thinking about Zhou Xian's words, Zhang Taihuo nodded and continued, "The driving mechanism is below. These driving mechanisms don't seem to be wireless or electronic signals. However, these puppets can receive and process these signals. Have you found anything about this?"
"This—?"
Zhou Xian was also a bit puzzled.
For example, signals from mobile phones and Wi-Fi are all electronic signals. Besides electronic signals, modern people also use quantum communication and photon communication, but how could these puppets from the Dragon Tomb world have such advanced technology?
However, according to Zhang Taihuo, it seems that electronic signals can also control these puppets. What's going on?
"Can you demonstrate it for me?"
"Sure."
Zhang Taihuo quickly had Liuli bring another puppet.
"Hmm..."
Zhou Xian looked at the puppet, deep in thought.
"If I follow what my father said, this should be a form of 'rune technology.' If so, rune technology should have significant differences from modern science. And as Zhang Taihuo mentioned, these puppets being driven by electronic signals doesn't seem to be part of their original design."
"Then, the electronic signals that control the puppets' movements come from... the system?"
As everyone knows, all electronic programs are controlled by binary data like 010101.
Although, according to what his father said, there is a unique form of rune technology, the data system of this game is definitely binary—otherwise, other manufacturers and game developers wouldn't be able to synchronize with the game backend.
"… What is the principle behind controlling these puppets?" Zhou Xian asked.
"Um... It seems to be a unique language, similar in efficiency to assembly language, but the writing style is similar to some programs in the game, so it's not hard to understand. I wrote a feedback system based on this system to allow Liuli to control them."
Zhou Xian nodded.
Hearing Zhang Taihuo's explanation, he became even more convinced.
The information about these puppets now seemed less difficult to understand.
"I have only one question."
Zhou Xian suddenly spoke.
"Hmm?"
"Is the so-called 'Dragon Tomb'... a game, or a real world? Or is it both a game and a world?"
In the past, Zhou Xian, like others, undoubtedly believed it was a groundbreaking game. However, after obtaining the save/load ability and seeing his father's notes, Zhou Xian suspected that this game might be another world, just distorted.
But after seeing these puppets, Zhou Xian believed the game did indeed have some game-like qualities. However, the contradictions were too complex for him to resolve.
"Ah, right, there's a piece of news. I don't know if you've heard about it." Zhang Taihuo didn't answer Zhou Xian's question but started his own topic: "On the game's official website, there's an announcement: 'Announcement about Official Events.'"
"Then?"
"Before this, the official website only had routine announcements. As for other maintenance or event announcements, there were none. This is the second time since the beta test."
"… The second time?" Zhou Xian was surprised.
It should have been the first time, right? Why the second time?
"During the beta test, there was an event called 'Night Observation of Beidou'... Yes, the Big Dipper, which is also the name of our classmate. The event was the Big Dipper resonating with the Dragon Clan's Seven Swords, causing a strong resonance and feedback across the entire World of Legend."
Zhou Xian nodded, "I heard that the Seven Swords and the seven emperor players are also related. But I'm the eighth, so that rumor is debunked. But the Seven Swords are indeed very powerful."
Of course, Zhou Xian had an even more powerful Wu Jin Tian Kui Sword—well, if it were in its complete state.
"Um, but since then, there have been no more official events."
"Indeed."
Even Zhou Xian, after logging into the official website backend, found that the backend hadn't been accessed by an administrator for a long time.
And there were many system options, with some requirements for IP addresses and such.
"Based on this, and my negotiations with Shenglong Group, I believe there might be a problem with the entire Dragon Tomb operation team."
"… Indeed, should we go there?"
Zhou Xian had this idea before, and now it was even more deeply rooted in his mind: to infiltrate the operator's building for investigation.
"You plan to go to the operator's building? It's useless. I've already had someone check, and everything is normal, or rather, unnaturally normal. It's like a real game company in operation." Zhang Taihuo shook his head, "No, if it's you, you might find something interesting."
"Probably some kind of illusion."
"Um, but if that's the case, it means the place might not be safe."
In other words, there might be entities like Li Zheng there.
Zhou Xian clenched his fist.
"Even so, I have to go. I'll prepare over the next two days, and don't tell anyone else."
A man has things he will do and things he will not do.
If he gave up out of fear, the truth would forever remain hidden.
And the most important point is: he might find out the truth about his father's death.
These matters, Zhou Xian must resolve.
"But you need to think carefully. We can't help you much with these things."
Or rather, they might even hinder him. Although Zhang Taihuo seemed quite "arrogant" in battles, he had become more steady after experiencing various events.
This is probably what is called growth.
"Don't worry, I'll make proper arrangements."
Zhou Xian wouldn't act rashly.
"Alright, since you've decided, it's settled. I'll keep it from the others."
Unlike others, if it were Xu Tianyun or Tao Shan, they would definitely tell everyone. As for Lai Yiming, despite his rough appearance, he would probably follow Zhou Xian.
Only Zhang Taihuo was different.
He would choose the most rational path, just like in the game.
Zhang Taihuo knew he couldn't over-help Zhou Xian, who already had his own plans, but he also knew that the best way was to not interfere with Zhou Xian.
Although Liuli was enthusiastic about using the puppets, she was also a physical being. A soul talisman might render her powerless and a burden in battle.
"I'll prepare the intelligence on the building for you over the next two days. I'll try to find a way to study these puppets."
These puppets weren't very practical yet, but they might have broader applications in the future. Zhang Taihuo didn't intend to let them go.
"Um."
Zhang Taihuo had the transport robot pick up the debris and the puppet, then turned and left the workshop.
"…"
After Zhang Taihuo left, Liuli seemed to linger, observing Zhou Xian.
"What's wrong, Miss Liuli?"
"No, nothing, just that you don't seem like a high school student... How to say, you seem mature."
"Is that so." Being called mature was a bit flattering for Zhou Xian, but it also made him a bit shy.
It was a hard-to-describe feeling.
"The battle just now, you seemed a bit unskilled." Liuli added, "Your weapon is indeed exquisite, but in battle, you seem to not fully understand yourself."
"Not fully understand myself? How so?"
"I can't really explain it well, as it's a feeling that can only be understood intuitively." Liuli looked troubled, "To understand it, you'll have to work hard on your own."
"Is that so?"
It was like the mysterious "realm" in martial arts and fantasy novels, which is hard to explain clearly.
"When you achieve this, I believe your power will become even stronger. Good luck." With that, Liuli left.
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