Chapter 6

(PS: I've been writing for several days now, and I'm asking everyone for some favorites and recommendations. Thank you all. I have something to do in the morning, but I'll update again after dinner. I'd like to recommend a fantasy book to everyone.)

(The Strongest Yang Confucian: Reborn in a different world, become the strongest Yang Confucian!!!)

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There was something that puzzled Zhang Yang. In the previous system prompt, it stated that personal attributes in this world would be enhanced by 50%, and pain would be reduced by 70%. However, Zhang Yang found that his character information had not changed at all.

When Zhang Yang opened his eyes, he saw a large black face—it was Morpheus.

"Zhang Yang, you did well."

Neo walked over and added, "Not everyone can copy the contents of the disc; those with weak minds cannot learn."

Suddenly, several numbers appeared before Zhang Yang's eyes.

"Side Mission 2: Gain the favor of two main characters: Neo (10/100), Morpheus (10/100), Trinity (5/100)"

It seemed that Zhang Yang was worth befriending, as the group's favorability towards him had increased.

They had likely encountered an upgraded version of the computer agents in the Matrix and successfully escaped with Neo's cover. The operator Link was communicating with the base.

"This is the Zion Control Center. Maintain your current speed and wait for instructions."

"The Control Center requests that the third gate be disarmed. The Nebuchadnezzar is returning, open the gate."

Zhang Yang, standing nearby, could see through the ship's glass that a massive iron gate lay ahead. On either side of the gate, many mechanical arms loaded with bullet chains were aimed. Upon receiving the base's instructions, the mechanical arms lowered, indicating that the alert had been lifted.

"Please land at the seventh landing pad from the third gate."

"Understood."

The gate slowly opened, revealing a large single-person armor. This type of armor was relatively crude, with four limbs and weapon equipment. In narrower passages, the mobility of single-person armor was much more convenient than tanks.

However, the drawback of this armor was also evident. It was unclear whether it was due to a lack of resources in Zion or some other reason, but the driver's position had no protection. In the third part of The Matrix, if this single-person armor was attacked by an electronic octopus from the front, the driver would die.

"The gate is open, the bed is ready, welcome home."

"Good to be home."

The Nebuchadnezzar entered the Zion base, which was a vast metal world. The base was cylindrical, with a hollow center. On the surrounding walls, there were many honeycomb-like residences, divided into layers, each connected by passages. Looking down, it was impossible to tell how many layers there were.

The ship circled around the central command center and landed at the seventh landing pad. Zhang Yang and Morpheus, along with a few others, walked down the ship's deck and saw four people.

One of them was the captain of the third ship who sacrificed himself to protect Zion in the third part. The other three were Zion's defense commander Lock, who had come to question Morpheus, and also Morpheus' rival, Neo's current boyfriend.

Morpheus' face was grim. He greeted the four and then whispered to Link, "I need the Nebuchadnezzar to return as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir."

Morpheus followed them, and another persistent person approached Neo. It was the young boy from the Matrix animated series. Trinity and Neo walked together, leaving only Link and Zhang Yang.

"Look, these guys have left me behind. I have to go and refuel the ship by myself."

Link was helpless, and Zhang Yang had an idea. He asked, "Since I just arrived and don't know where to go, how about I go with you?"

"Good buddy."

Zhang Yang and Link returned to Link's home. The base had arranged a place for Zhang Yang next to Link's home. After a while, Link put down his luggage and found Zhang Yang.

"Let's go, we need to refuel the ship. They all went to listen to Morpheus' speech, so we have to hurry."

After Morpheus delivered his inspiring speech, everyone was excited. Neo and Trinity sparked a romantic connection, and Link went to find his black girlfriend, leaving only Zhang Yang.

"Zhang Yang, I'm going to see my Jada. See you tomorrow."

The first half of the plot had passed, and the next part was about Neo going to see the Oracle. Zhang Yang thought about the upcoming plot and considered how to complete his mission.

Zhang Yang thought until midnight before going to sleep. After an unknown amount of time, there was a hurried knock on the door. It was Link.

As they walked to the ship, Link said with a serious face, "We have news about the Oracle. You might not know who she is, but that's not important. What's important is that I recommended you to Morpheus, and we are short one crew member."

Recommending himself? This was good news.

Zhang Yang opened his mission information and found that Side Mission 1 had changed to: Nebuchadnezzar (Temporary Crew Member).

Temporary crew member?

On the way, Zhang Yang encountered Bane, who was possessed by Agent Smith. This guy was cutting his left hand with a dagger. Zhang Yang thought about kicking him off the bridge to end it all, but he realized he wasn't trusted yet, and no one would believe the real reason. So he gave up.

When they arrived at the Nebuchadnezzar, Morpheus saw Zhang Yang and said, "Welcome to the Nebuchadnezzar."

The news about the Oracle came suddenly, as the computer agents were becoming more rampant.

Morpheus thought for a moment and then looked at Zhang Yang.

"Enter the Matrix with Neo?"

Zhang Yang was surprised by Morpheus' words. He didn't expect Morpheus to suddenly choose him, considering that both Morpheus and Trinity were much stronger than him.

"That's right," Morpheus explained. "First, the computer agents are too familiar with us. Entering with Neo would only hold him back. This visit to the Oracle is not for fighting the agents; you are new, and they don't know you."

"Second, the information we received indicates that the Oracle is in a Chinatown in the United States. I think it would be easier for you to blend in."

Although encountering the agents was dangerous, this visit to the Oracle would be extremely perilous for Neo, who would face hundreds of Smith clones.

Zhang Yang thought for a moment and agreed.

First, both of his side missions were related to Morpheus. Joining the Nebuchadnezzar and becoming a formal crew member, as well as gaining Morpheus' favor, made this mission a must. The more dangerous the mission, the more trust he would gain from Morpheus. For the mission, Zhang Yang had to go.

When he agreed, his mission progress changed to:

"Side Mission 1: Become a formal crew member of a flying ship, Nebuchadnezzar (Temporary Crew Member), Hammer, Logos. Progress: 0/3. Reward: 1500 universal points. Penalty: Deduct 500 universal points."

"Side Mission 2: Gain the friendship of at least two important characters (65/100). Current progress: Neo (20/100), Morpheus (20/100), Trinity (20/100), Niobe (0/100), Roland (0/100). Reward: 1500 universal points. Penalty: Deduct 500 universal points."

"When you complete the task given by Morpheus, you will gain the trust of the entire crew of the Nebuchadnezzar."

Alright, accepting the mission increased the favorability of the three characters towards Zhang Yang by 10 points each, and Trinity's favorability increased by 15 points, probably because Zhang Yang was accompanying Neo.

At this rate, when Zhang Yang completed the mission and the task of protecting the Keymaker, his favorability should be close to (65/100).

A cold metal plug entered Zhang Yang's brain, and he and Neo entered the Matrix.

When Zhang Yang opened his eyes, he found himself standing in a Chinatown. His gray sweater had turned into a stylish black coat, black pants, black shoes, and the classic "hacker" accessory—sunglasses.

Zhang Yang's sunglasses were simple, unlike Morpheus' unique clip-on style without earpieces. He looked around at the familiar surroundings.

Dusters, Buddha statues, incense, a porcelain statue of Guanyin, Chinese couplets, and a sign with the Chinese character "store" above it—all of this was incredibly real, making it hard to believe it was a virtual world.

Compared to the real world outside the Matrix, Zhang Yang could understand why Cypher betrayed in the first part. As he said:

"I know this steak doesn't exist, but when I eat it, the Matrix will tell me how tender and delicious it is. Nine years of hardship have taught me one thing: ignorance is bliss."

Not everyone would choose the red pill, abandoning a false but happy life for a real but miserable world.

Yes, this was a miserable world.

Human bodies were used as energy sources, controlled by machines, and their minds were imprisoned in the virtual world—the Matrix. Countless people lived their entire lives, working, eating, and living, without ever questioning whether any of it was real.

Or perhaps, they suspected the truth but were too afraid to admit it. If the real world Zhang Yang lived in was also a virtual world, controlled by machines, aliens, or gods, he wasn't sure if he would have the courage to swallow the red pill.

When he entered the Matrix, a semi-transparent bar appeared before his eyes.

"You are now in: The Matrix, Matrix World (Initial Scene), Difficulty: C (Intermediate). You will receive certain attribute enhancements in this scene."

"You have entered the Matrix World (Matrix). Personal attribute enhancement 50% activated, pain reduction 70% activated."

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