Chapter 176: Pioneer of Mechanical Life

Chapter 176: Pioneer of Mechanical Life

The Psychic Enhancement Module in the mechanical transformation process has no effect on the Siks, as the fully transformed Siks do not possess the attribute of a psyche.

In other words, under normal circumstances, the Siks Civilization would not research psychic enhancement technology.

A technology with no value would not be developed.

Even if it were an incidental technology, it would only remain in the laboratory stage.

Unless there were other reasons to promote the research of this technology.

A technology requires a considerable amount of time to go from research to the production of a product.

In other words, if the Siks Civilization had psychic enhancement modules a year later, they should already be researching it now, and there might even be laboratory prototypes.

However, this technology has not been publicly disclosed, so Liorana Sexes is unaware of its existence.

Nagakawa Tomo's body was equipped with a psychic enhancement module, and after his death, fragments of the module were collected.

In other words, an organization or force is secretly researching this technology and does not want others to know about it.

Now, a new question arises.

Is the 'thing' that collected the psychic enhancement module fragments the same as the 'thing' that was eating the corpse?

Lu Heng spoke with certainty, "Ms. Sexes, you may need to face the psychic enhancement module technology head-on, as I discovered this module on Nagakawa Tomo's body; you just didn't know about it."

Liorana Sexes' eyes narrowed, her face filled with doubt, and she asked, "Are you sure?"

Lu Heng nodded, "I'm very sure. Moreover, among the scattered module fragments on the ground, at least one-third of the components are missing, which means someone took away the fragments of the psychic enhancement module."

Liorana Sexes raised an eyebrow and reread the inspection report.

She found that the report did mention a small number of fragments from an unknown module.

However, these mechanical transformation modules were shattered, and some unrecognizable component fragments were considered normal and not further investigated.

Now, hearing Lu Heng's doubts and combining it with the inspection report, Liorana Sexes realized that there was indeed a fragment of an unknown module that had been taken away.

The fact that only this module was taken, while the other fragments were left behind, is indicative of something.

Due to his low-level access, Lu Heng struggled to obtain valuable information from the Siks Civilization's network, so he could only ask Liorana Sexes.

"There must be an organization or laboratory researching psychic enhancement modules. I believe the 'thing' that took the module fragments and the 'thing' eating the body might be the same, or even if they aren't, investigating this lead could provide more information. So, Ms. Sexes, I suggest you review more data and provide clues." Lu Heng offered.

When a computer weighs whether to take action, there are only two outcomes: "yes" or "no."

There's no need for excessive persuasion; as long as the request is reasonable and beneficial, Liorana Sexes would not refuse.

After calculating and making a decision, she quickly reviewed the data and provided a clue:

"In the past year, a wanted scientist has been researching mechanical life, believing that robots can also possess life characteristics. Perhaps investigating this will lead to more clues.

"This scientist's name is Xavier Matrix. He is wanted for violating the Sikes Third Version Technology Joint Act due to his research project. I find this Xavier Matrix very suspicious."

"Xavier Matrix?"

Lu Heng couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the name.

This name is well-known in the future, belonging to a famous mad scientist of the Siks Civilization and a pioneer in mechanical life research.

The reason for violating the Siks Civilization's Joint Act is that his ideas conflict with their laws.

The Siks Civilization does not prohibit the research of mechanical life.

On the contrary, it is a significant research direction for mechanical civilization.

However, the Siks Civilization's laws stipulate that only Siks citizens can become mechanical life, and ordinary mechanical life is not permitted to have life.

In other words, in the Siks Civilization, robots manufactured in factories cannot possess life.

Only individuals who were originally Siks citizens are allowed to gain life.

The purpose of this act is to protect the "human rights" of Siks citizens.

It's a strange act, yet very reasonable.

Do Siks who have undergone mechanical transformation still have "human rights"?

This question seems to be related to morality. Do Siks who have been transformed into robots still have morals?

The answer is yes.

"Morality" is an abstract concept, and "human rights" are more tangible, yet both are invisible and intangible.

However, if a civilization lacks these two things, it is questionable whether the civilization itself truly exists.

Therefore, the Siks Civilization does have a set of laws that prohibit research organizations from granting life to assembly line robots.

However, the technology of mechanical life is still in the research stage.

In fact, similar issues exist in human society as well.

For instance, if humans were to develop cloning technology, the question of whether clones should be granted "citizen" status would arise.

This is a sensitive topic.

If clones were granted "citizen" status, they would possess "human rights" and be protected by the law.

Humans have not yet encountered this issue, but with the advancement of technology, it is inevitable that they will one day.

Returning to the topic of mechanical life, this Xavier Matrix was later known as the pioneer of mechanical life.

However, Xavier Matrix's reputation in the Siks Civilization was not favorable due to his unscrupulous methods in scientific research, which could even be described as notorious.

Furthermore, Xavier Matrix was also famous for something else in the future—the combat mechanical angels he created were incredibly powerful, to the extent that even the military was helpless against them.

Otherwise, with his notorious reputation, even if he wasn't killed, he would surely be confined.

Of course, Xavier Matrix's current research achievements might not be that powerful yet.

When Lu Heng heard the name Xavier Matrix, he speculated that this mad scientist might be researching mechanical demons.

This possibility was high, given Xavier Matrix's reputation; it wouldn't be surprising if he were involved in such a matter.

If Xavier Matrix was indeed researching mechanical demons, then the psychic enhancement module would be his creation as well.

It seemed that the pieces were falling into place.

There was a demon that had undergone mechanical modifications but had not completed the full transformation, so it devoured the four corpses and took the module fragments.

...

Over the next two days, Lu Heng and his team began investigating the mad scientist Xavier Matrix, searching for any potential mechanical demons.

On the third day, at noon...

The trio encountered another human team.

This team consisted of five people who had obtained visas from the Siks Civilization, indicating that they had likely joined a faction.

The two teams did not initiate any attacks upon meeting.

Subsequently, the other team requested a conversation.

Thus, both sides met at the artificial riverbank.

This team was clearly not from Daxia, as it included two white people, two black people, and one whose race was unclear.

They introduced themselves as the American Team.

Interestingly, their team consisted of two men, two women, and one non-binary individual, making this American team very politically correct.

The white captain greeted them in the Siks common language, saying, "Hello, I'm Alex Austin. Are you from Japan or Daxia?"

Lu Heng glanced at the five of them and replied, "Daxia."

Alex Austin puffed out his chest and said, "Over the past few days, we've crossed paths a few times. So, I want to ask if you're also tracking Xavier Matrix?"

Just as he said, Su Muyu had indeed spotted this American team a couple of times over the past few days, with the most recent encounter being within a 500-meter range before both teams departed in different directions.

Although the two teams had not directly collided or had any conflicts of interest, they had noticed each other but had not interacted.

However, the increasing frequency of these encounters suggested that both teams might have the same objective.

Upon hearing his question, Lu Heng considered it and replied, "Yes, we are indeed looking for Xavier Matrix."

Alex Austin turned to look at his teammates and then continued, "Xavier Matrix is our target as well. I think we can cooperate; when we find Xavier Matrix, we can notify each other. I can assure you that we won't harm you."

Lu Heng really wanted to say, "You'd need to have the ability to do that."

However, there had been no conflict with the other team so far, and there was no need to create enemies at this point.

So, Lu Heng casually agreed, "Sure."

Alex Austin continued, "Have you joined the Escape Faction? That cowardly faction."

Lu Heng frowned at his words and did not respond, guessing that the other team had likely joined the Descension Faction.

Although the third challenge quest mentioned joining one of the three factions, the Preservation Faction had over 70% support in the Siks Civilization, making it the most influential faction that generally did not recruit alien lifeforms.

Since the other party didn't join the Exodus Faction, they must be from the Descension Faction.

Lu Heng observed the five individuals, speculating about their mission.

The Descension Faction believed in welcoming the Abyss's arrival, a group of crazies with antisocial personalities.

Alex Austin's team was also searching for Xavier Matrix. Was this a task assigned by the Descension Faction? What was their purpose? Could it be that the Descension Faction was also investigating the case that occurred in the Gas District? It didn't seem likely.

After the conversation, both sides parted ways.

Before leaving, the gender-ambiguous mutant named Harris from the American team slipped a piece of paper into Lin Zeyu's hand, saying, "After you get back, call me."

Lin Zeyu's face contorted into an expression more uncomfortable than eating a fly. He crumpled the paper and spat, then turned to seek comfort, saying, "What does he mean? Is he checking me out because I'm too handsome?"

Lu Heng's expression turned stern as he said, "Do you have some misunderstanding about being handsome?"

Lin Zeyu raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "He gave me a note, not you. Doesn't that say something?"

Lu Heng rolled his eyes, "Is it possible that you fit the pervert's aesthetic?"

"Pfft..."

Lin Zeyu still felt disgusted and clenched his fist, "Next time, don't let me see him, or I'll blow his head off with a shot."

A sudden thought flashed through Lu Heng's mind, and he said, "You go and meet him."

"What?" Lin Zeyu's face showed an even more shocked expression.

"I'm telling you to meet him. Can't you understand?" Lu Heng repeated the order.

"I don't understand. Am I crazy? I'm going to meet him!" Lin Zeyu was completely flustered.

"Are you crazy? Get checked next time. First, get him out alone," Lu Heng said.

"I don't want to!" Lin Zeyu refused outright.

Su Muyu covered her mouth and laughed, "Lu Heng means for you to meet him so we can ask him some questions."

Lin Zeyu finally understood, but still pouted, "Do I have to sell myself?"

"You can't sell what you don't have. Hurry up," Lu Heng urged.

Two hours later.

Lin Zeyu sent a note via the Recon Eagle and arranged a meeting with Harris, the mutant from the American team.

Upon receiving the note, Harris immediately went to the specified location alone.

When he saw Lin Zeyu, a look of ecstasy appeared on his face, "I knew you'd meet me."

"I'll meet your mother!" Lin Zeyu cursed and drew his revolver, firing a shot at Harris.

Harris's face turned angry, and he prepared to retaliate.

Suddenly, a sword was pressed against his neck, and Lu Heng appeared without a sound.

Harris's expression turned stern, and he quickly raised his hands, asking, "What do you want? If you dare to touch me, my teammates will kill you all."

Lu Heng kicked his knee, forcing him to kneel, and then asked, "What's your purpose in searching for Xavier Matrix? Tell me!"

"Do you think I'll tell you?" Harris tried to act tough.

Lu Heng smirked and took out the Soul Devourer Sealing Card, holding it in front of Harris, "Do you want to try? Let it devour your soul, and I can ask whatever I want."

Harris was startled; he wasn't as tough as he thought. He quickly waved his hands, "No, no... I'll talk. The Descension Faction ordered us to capture Xavier Matrix and bring him back."

"Bring him back for what?" Lu Heng continued to press.

"I don't know. The Descension Faction's task is to capture Xavier Matrix and also retrieve his research materials," Harris hurriedly explained.

Lu Heng's mind raced with thoughts.

Their mission wasn't to kill Xavier Matrix but to capture and return him, along with his research materials. This indicated that the Descension Faction wanted Xavier Matrix's research results.

After questioning Harris, Lu Heng let him go.

Lin Zeyu considered whether to shoot him, asking, "Really let him go? Won't he tell them that we forced him to talk?"

"He won't say anything. If he does, his team won't know he leaked the mission. If he talks, their white captain won't let him off easily. Let's go. It's best we find Xavier Matrix first," Lu Heng waved and walked into the city of neon lights.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end