above the sky

Chapter 869 The Path of the Devil and the Path of Heaven (5500)

The guiding star shines brightly.

In Ian's perception, at the far end of time and space, the "Swarm Path Ian" who has established a link with himself sent back praise and follow-up reports.

When Ian awakened the guiding star, he had a data exchange with himself on the swarm path and the spiritual disaster path.

Among them, in addition to exchanging technical information on the "artificial soul" of the swarm path, Ian also gave the other party a set of development opinions.

Lurking, assimilating, developing secretly... Terra's water is very deep, don't think that the swarm can be flattened, otherwise it will be flattened instead.

Hiding among human beings, subtly changing their thinking, developing their own strength... Absorbing those desperate people in human beings, converting them into their own existence, and then selecting outstanding individuals, spreading them into human society, increasing own influence.

That's probably the case—Ian is very confident that he will listen to his opinions, and he also believes that his other self will definitely act cautiously after knowing the horror of Terra.

This is true.

The bug swarm Ian sent was basically good news.

In the past year, Ian of the swarm did not leave Harrison Port, because 'Ian' was dead on the surface, so all the things related to Ian did not happen afterwards.

However, Ian of the swarm reconnected with Elan, and through Elan, got on line with Elder Purdue again.

Then, the swarm Ian took the White People as the foundation and used the artificial soul as a starting point to spawn a large number of cornerstone members among the White People.

These members can connect with the swarm network through their souls, trust and help each other, and under the guidance of swarm Ian, they can quickly discover fish schools, find treasures of shipwrecks on the bottom of the sea, or discover some seabed mineral veins and islands that were difficult for humans to find before. sublime plants.

Taking advantage of Harrison Port's complete conquest of the aborigines and the spring breeze of trade in all directions, this group of white people quickly became rich.

And became the most loyal believer of the swarm.

They formed a small sect called 'Sea Spirit Sect', and respected Ian the Zerg Swarm as the 'Spirit of the Sea'. Their teachings were similar to those of the Sequoia Natives' Sea Cultivation Sect. In short, they were primitive ocean beliefs. There was no one at this level. I don't care, not to mention the sects that are spread privately within the clan.

At the same time, with these eyeliners that have begun to spread towards the entire South Ridge, the swarm Ian knows the horror and depth of water on Terra's side.

If he had stayed in South Ridge, in Harrison Port and Sequoia Base, he would never have imagined how many ghosts there are in Terra.

When a white citizen connected to the swarm network arrived at the imperial capital, Ian of the swarm felt even more shocked than Ian.

Because the swarm Ian has seriously thought about how to lead his troops into the imperial capital—God knows what he is going to attack is such a super fortress!

——Fortunately, I didn't fight!
All in all, that's it.

Although the swarm Ian lost his superficial identity, he was already laying the groundwork for a sect and began to spread in Nanling.

This sect spreads with artificial souls as the core, and Ian the Swarm controls the souls of people in each sect with a powerful network of psionic energy, supervises every consciousness, gradually exerts influence, and guarantees the loyalty of people in each sect.

Now he has begun to recruit refugees from the western region as the foundation of his power, and uses these refugees as pawns to place them in various small towns and cities, and even build his own village in the mountains.

Don't worry about monsters... Swarm Ian may need some tricks to control people to avoid being discovered by the four orthodox religions and empires, but controlling monsters is much more convenient. What the hell!

Moreover, it is precisely because of Ian's absence that there is only the swarm, and the Flame Land has messed up Nanling. The civil war on the mountain people's side is still going on, and Ian the swarm is now planning to use this opportunity as an entry point. His forces were inserted into the mountain people.

"Really good."

Sensing this, Ian couldn't help nodding slightly, and praised Ian of the swarm for his decisiveness.

Using artificial souls and insect swarm networks to rewrite the underlying thinking and slowly brainwash the laying of forces can indeed reduce the probability of discovery by the four orthodox churches and the empire. Psykers are also the 'crisis' created by the recovery of alien gods.

Moreover, because at most it was just brainwashing, the crisis was not that big. At the very least, under the cover of the 'Swarm Prophet', they couldn't determine the specific origin of the crisis.

The insect swarm has been undiscovered for six years in the South China Sea and has not been discovered. Now it is lurking in secret and slowly developing, accumulating strength, so naturally it will not be discovered.

The reason why the swarm Ian is grateful to Ian is precisely because Ian's advice is crucial, and the technology he gives is also the cornerstone of his development.

This technology is far more valuable than the biological modification technology of the 'Crystalized Blood Hunter' and the technology related to the 'Bug Network' that he gave before.

Therefore, He intends to give Ian a 'payback'.

The guiding star was shining, and Ian felt the new technology emerging from his mind.

And the name of the technique is...

【Soul Seal】

Sensing this, Ian raised his left brow, and his eyes lit up with a crimson blue light, pure, ruthless, flowing like blood without any targeted malice.

This is the brilliance of the swarm.

"...Am I the bug swarm completely inhuman? This kind of technology can be developed."

Tsk tsk, but Ian didn't have much real anger in his heart. He was just surprised that the swarm-like himself had unique insights into psychic energy, and he was able to find the "back door" so quickly with the artificial soul.

To put it simply, the soul stamp is to add some additional soul structure when shaping the artificial soul, so as to achieve some complete distortion of thought.

For example, never divulge news related to the swarm, always maintain a positive and optimistic attitude, etc...

Although it sounds good, in fact, this is a very terrifying way of mind control.

Being able to guarantee people's loyalty and maintain a person's mentality is equal to being able to freely shape and change a person's heart.Since then, mind and soul are no longer free things that belong to oneself alone, but 'wealth' controlled by the swarm.

The swarm bestows wealth on these people, grants these people the consensus of a common link, grants these people a hopeful future in despair, and grants these people the power to protect themselves in troubled times.

The swarm doesn't need any earthly wealth, just surrender 'soul and mind' to Him.

simply……

"Like the devil."

Talking softly to himself, Ian closed his eyes.

Yes, what a devil.

Ian could sense that the swarm Ian didn't 'forcibly' convert anyone.

After being reminded by Ian, he withdrew his hand called 'force', and instead used benefits and peace of mind to confuse human beings.

—If you wish, if you pray.

— Human, if you have a dream.

——Just tell me your hope, and then trade your soul.

Swarm Ian gave his soul to the white people, those refugees from the western border, those mountain people who were displaced by the civil war catalyzed by the flames and had food disasters.

At the same time, he gave wealth to the white people who had been exiled for a long time, gave the displaced western refugees the power to control monsters, and gave some "meat worms" that only need to eat trees to absorb water to continuously grow high-quality protein. mountain people...

The devil trades hope as a commodity.

In exchange for 'absolute loyalty.

"After the path of the swarm was changed by me... I have embarked on another path."

The 'red blue' brilliance in the eyes gradually faded and turned into a deep dark purple. Ian said lightly to himself: "The things he bestows are enough to make everyone sincerely loyal to him."

"Yes, people can get the wealth that reverses the reputation of the people in exile, the refugees can get the land to live, and the famine people can get food..."

"Even the devil, he (the swarm) is qualified to make people worship him."

Ian doesn't feel resentful, nor does he reject the swarm because of this-he doesn't have the leisure time to care about parallel time and space.

Not only that, at this moment, Ian even has a different kind of idea in his mind, which can be called crazy...

"perhaps."

Because of the influence of the guiding star, Ian, whose eyes were shining with a deep purple light representing the swarm, chuckled: "I can help him create a brand new path."

"[Devil's Path]."

Think about it and implement it.

Ian closed his eyes slightly.

The "soul seal" of the swarm path is essentially a special kind of soul transformation surgery. This kind of technology is slightly transformed, which is a special meditation method. Even the swarm Ian will not think of the relevant research direction for a while , He will also start the research of 'meditation method' within a few years at most.

After all, even if the opponent is not as good as his 'singularity', it is still Ian.

That being the case, it's better for Ian to take the initiative to pass on the 'meditation method' to the other party.

Moreover, Ian did have other ideas in his heart.

——Soul Stamp is a good technology. Although it is suspected of interfering with freedom of thought, I can not use it to interfere with humans, but AI.

Even an AI built on a purely material structure is likely to obtain a soul, not to mention that most of the artificial intelligence in the Terra world is related to soul power.

Such an AI can easily become a real life, easily pass the Turing test, and even become a strong artificial intelligence, becoming a sublimator... But in the same way, such an AI can easily appear "selfish desires", which in turn lead to Many jobs cannot be steadily advanced.

Ian does not intend to create 'AI with the same rights as humans' - if he wants to create, he will only create pure tool AI.

Creating AI with humanity is equal to creating life, and Ian will not be irresponsible, so from the very beginning, he did not intend to make those AIs have human intelligence, so as to perceive pain.

Therefore, he wants to completely lock the logic of AI from the soul, so that it cannot be born with human intelligence, and can only operate according to the original design regulations.

It's like... the natural rules of heaven's operation.

As unshakable as truth.

After all, now, Ian still has the fifth-energy-level 'primary computing chip' from the last echo in his hands—its computing power and essence are the core structure of a super-giant AI.

With it, Xiahui Ling will soon be able to pass through the "terminal production line" that Yafoda has sent, and quickly leap to the point of "artificial intelligence distribution". The two worlds of the material virtual world block the possibility of artificial intelligence getting out of control.

And that is also the first step of Ian's next "new social form".

"Ian the Swarm sent me a big gift, so I naturally have to return the gift."

The Guiding Star shines, and Ian once again sends his return gift to 'Ian the Swarm'.

That is the information related to 'Meditation Method'.

As well as the method of creating 'computational units' using 'Electroplasm'.

Through the method of meditation, ordinary people under the swarm will quickly gain a lot of computing power—even if they themselves cannot learn the method of meditation, the swarm Ian himself can use the swarm network to replace them and transform their souls.

In a sense, this is a kind of 'power of faith'.

The god (the master of the swarm) assists the believers (the swarm unit) to shape the soul, and transforms them into a soul form with stronger computing power, which allows believers to obtain high-level computing power without long-term exercise .

Once enlightened, it is no longer a lie—but as a price, this computing power is essentially a part of the swarm.

When the swarm dominates, or in other words, the king of demons wants to make an enemy of the whole world.

Then the demons of hell, that is, the swarm itself, can only declare war with their god and king.

Ian, who holds the guiding star, would not do this.

"With the ability to erode the mind, the alien star gods who are like gods have been beaten down by Terra. Even if I am really on the road to the devil, I am afraid that I am a swarm of insects. Yan's ability."

The light on the Guiding Star was completely dimmed, which proved that Ian's communication with the swarm Ian had ended successfully.

It's not that Ian looks down on the swarms and devils. Rather, if the devil's way is really successful, then it is actually equivalent to combining the advantages of the spiritual disaster way and the advantages of the swarms, and it is a brand new way.

It's just that this road, for Ian who knows the truth, is nothing more than another reincarnation.

He needs to transcend reincarnation, not just a mediocre victory that happened on the land of Terra.

After solving the problem of the swarm path, Ian also got up.

Ian of the 'Spiritual Calamity Path' didn't reply.

Obviously, such a short period of time is not enough to cause any huge changes on the path of the spiritual disaster, and the other party will naturally not praise it like the path of the swarm.

In the last exchange, Ian obtained the "Life and Psychic Energy Refining Method" from the path of spiritual disaster, that is, Ian later blended it into the "Arcane Path" to cultivate self-source quality and condense and sublimate organs basic practice method.

It doesn't matter if it's Qi refining method or breathing method, it doesn't matter even if it's regarded as true internal energy, anyway, its effect is the same, it will completely change oneself and transform into a new and more powerful existence.

The arcane path is built on top of this.

Therefore, Ian also gave the other party the 'Essential Furnace Core', a 'foundation method' that can perfectly utilize the internal energy in the body -- both parties let the other party get the key to 'cultivation' in the world of swords and magic.

Now, Ian's arcane path has reached the "third stage", and he himself is the test product of the third stage. When he returns to Xiahui, Ian can summarize his harvest and completely determine the arcane path The third level realm.

But for the fourth level, which is a higher level, he is a little confused.

It's not that Ian is not smart, but that his accumulation and inspiration are not enough, and the time is too short. Even if he is really a god, he can't create the fourth energy level out of thin air.

"Perhaps by then, the spiritual disaster path can bring me further inspiration."

Ian was quite calm at the moment, he even laughed, stood up from his chair, and walked towards the gate: "It seems that I was the first to create the 'Guiding Star' at the beginning. I was really a genius—since a lifetime is not enough , one choice, and even foresight are not enough.”

"Then create a platform that can connect to other parallel time and space, so that I can absorb many self-powers to grow."

The alchemy materials sent by the Marquis of Barton have arrived at the door, and he is going to refine the 'alchemy potion' needed for the speech, and is ready to incite the people of Nanling.

In the final analysis, what is the difference between the method of using the soul and the method of using alchemy?

Ian never cared about these things.

Just as the people actually never care whether the 'prophecy' is true or not.

They just want to hear what they want to hear.

So, hours later.

Brightly lit night.

Naumann's main square.

Coming to the stage, facing thousands of people watching him, Ian silently looked around the venue, took a deep breath, and then spoke.

[Compatriots, I know that you are not here to listen to the meaningless greetings and openings of the nobles, or the ambiguous prophecy poems that cannot be understood at all]

[You came here because you want to hear from me, from the prophets recognized by the four major churches and fully recognized by the empire, the true future direction, and know where the road leads to]

[I know, you want me to say that tomorrow will be better, the future will be happier, and everyone will get the results they want]

- This is a lie.

Standing alone on the high platform, the white-haired Prophet spread his arms, and the cool wind swept across the entire square, making everyone tremble slightly. While smelling a pleasant 'flower fragrance', they became more concentrated.

And Ian said in a painful tone: [But I am a prophet, I cannot and will not lie]

【I'm going to tell you a sad and infuriating fact】

Looking around the silent scene, the corners of Ian's mouth curled up imperceptibly, and then he continued to say in a voice mixed with anger and pain: [Our life is actually full of pain and suffering, and so is the future, just like a person immersed in a swamp. Victims, the more they struggle, the harder it is to escape]

【We will encounter suffering, war, exploitation and oppression, sink in hatred and despair, and never be free】

There was an uproar in the square.

But unexpectedly, not many people were angry, or questioned Ian for deceiving them... Except for the momentary shock of Ian's frankness, everyone didn't have many unnecessary complaints or emotions.

Because...it is different from what most people imagined.

People don't want to hear too much 'good news' and 'good future'.

Because they have been living in pain.

In Terra, in South Ridge, on this land, where can there be so much happiness?Where do so many good things come from?
Insufficient salaries, high prices, trade difficulties caused by the war, the food disaster has not been over for a long time, housing prices in the safe "capital" are soaring, men are afraid of military service, women are afraid of chaos... Just now the war with Flameland is not enough, the east is still fighting The royal court of heaven confronted each other.

There is no peace on Terra.

Say to such a group of people, 'You will be very happy in the future'?
Stop being funny.

It’s fine to say one or two good news once in a while. Ignoring the pain and blindly reporting good news is the real way to make the people distrust you.

So prophets never easily predict happiness, they only predict disasters, just like if a doctor just blindly tells you everything about your health, anyone will subconsciously wonder, 'Is it true or not? 'That way.

Human beings are such a complex and superficial life, full of hope for tomorrow, but also eager to destroy the imminent coming life.

--so.

— Please listen.

Ian glanced at Wanmin who was full of longing, waiting for him to continue speaking,

The white-haired boy opened his mouth slightly and began to explain the 'prophecy of the prophet'.

—the purgatory I will describe for you... the despair I will tell you about.

- Then I will tell you.

—the road that leads to heaven.

(End of this chapter)