[You forcibly used high-tier code???, Intelligence -1 permanently, Perception -2 permanently, Data body attributes -30% (duration, seven days)]
[You created the high-tier code âStarry Sky Cloud Codeâ, Planet Reputation +1, Hacker Reputation +10000, and you gain a random skill (Information System)]
[The âTemporary Information Ballâ you created has absorbed a trace of special high-tier information, with a danger level of âExtremely Dangerousâ. Please handle with caution]
Gao Gong exhaled deeply, resisting the urge to log off and rest, and slowly left this âVolcano Craterâ. Only when he was sure he could no longer see the âHigh-tier Information Mistâ did he restore simulated vision and look at the object in his hand.
In his hand, there was a glass ball, and this glass ball was the code structure of the âStarry Sky Cloud Codeâ, a genuine informational artifact.
Inside this glass ball was a thin white thread, but this white was not the usual white; it was a ghastly white, resembling a corpse, radiation, and if you looked closely, you could even see the hands and feet of a humanoid species.
This trace of âHigh-tier Information Mistâ contained ascension knowledge, most likely of a Carbon-Based Civilization, though probably incomplete.
Name: High-tier Information Mist (Fragment)
Category: Information Carrier
Quality: ??
Danger Level: Planet-level
Weight: 0
Note: Materials related to ascension are extremely dangerous. You might have in your hands the information of a civilization that failed in its ascension.
This is not surprising. Compared to the knowledge of an Ascension Civilization, knowledge from failures is easier to obtain. High-tier Information Lives float through the universe passively absorbing various information and might one day drift into an ancient ruin, absorbing information from failed Ascenders.
But this also means that this fragmented High-tier Information Mist is more dangerous.
Because failures of ascension civilizations are more likely to bring about civilization-level disasters.
At least until level 60, Gao Gong didnât plan to try to parse it, the success rate was too low and too dangerous.
Otherwise, the Memory Mother might not have descended yet, and he himself would have already caused a widespread virtual crisis on this planet.
The reason Gao Gong took such a great risk to acquire this âInformation Bombâ which is of no immediate use was actually to lay the groundwork for the future.
He has always suspected that behind the Machine Split Star incident are two super cosmic forces engaged in a silent conflict, and that such incidents may have occurred not just once, but thousands of times, with Machine Split Star being just one section of this silent war.
One of the forces, naturally, is the one behind the Mother City, a Level 7 Mechanical Civilization with a perpetual motion machine specialty.
The identity of the other force is unclear, but it shouldnât fall short by much either.
The reason for his suspicion is that a civilization of the caliber of a Level 7 Civilization, unless faced with a cosmic-level war or the descent of the three celestial calamities, is unlikely to fall.
However, in the late plot of the previous gameâs story, before the descent of the three catastrophic events and before any internal strife in the Civilization Council occurred, a batch of ancient civilizations suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. This included the âAncient Mechanical Collectiveâ behind Mother City.
These ancient civilizations were the first tier below the top-level civilizations, and their sudden disappearance is simply unfathomable. Even more unfathomable is the fact that this event is rarely known in the universe. Gao Gong only learned of it by accident after successfully ascending and advancing to an advanced civilization.
If he could follow the clues and find the true culprit behind the release of the âMemory Motherâ, Gao Gong could potentially interact with the Level 7 Civilization âAncient Mechanical Collectiveâ early in the game, and the benefits of aligning with such an ancient civilizationâs super backing are unimaginable.
So, that is why he was eager to pursue this matter.
However, just as Gao Gong was about to retract the âglass ballâ, a sudden voice rang outâ
"I must say, with such an interesting item in hand, would you mind letting me have a look?"
Gao Gong sighed. To acquire a trace of âHigh-tier Civilization Mistâ, he had paid a considerable price. The Flame Code attached to him was far less vigorous than before, in a dying state, and his thoughts resembled a machine running without oil, creaking and groaning.
Being eyed by a virus from Database 0 in such a state was only to be expected.
Making matters worse, it seemed the newcomer was a big shot.
Viruses and AIs are akin to senior and junior disciples in the same sect. In a sense, viruses can be considered a type of AI; however, their artificial intelligence is far below that of regular AIs, exhibiting strong infectiousness while their basic logic framework remains highly unstable.
Simply put, while AIs of the same level might possess intelligence far beyond that of ordinary humans, at most, a virus can be a lunatic, and in an advanced stage at that.
Thus, if you encounter one that seems to think normally, then it must be a big deal.
Gao Gong sighed, turned around, and said softly, "So, how should I address you?"
"How should you address me?" The other party tilted their neck and said, "I was only born recently and havenât gotten a name yet. What do you think I should be called, Mr. G? Or Prototype? Or Yagami Suuji?"
Gao Gong frowned. With one glance, it had stolen a part of his memory, and that too without him feeling a thing.
This was quite troublesome!
Gao Gong remained silent, as did the figure in front of him. After about a minute, the other figure finally stepped out of the darkness. Gao Gong, Mr. G, adulthood, and youthâhis face continually morphed until it settled into the form of a stunningly beautiful young man, with watery eyes, tender appearance, and perfect features.
Rich Lady Love Prototype.
Gao Gongâs mouth twitched, "You molded a face like this, you know Iâll have to charge you a patent fee."
"Isnât it beautiful?" The âRich Lady Love Prototypeâ flashed a bewitching smile, "I really like the image in your memory data."
"So, to the point, could you hand over the item in your hand to me?"
The âRich Lady Love Prototypeâ extended a hand, and at some point, there was now a crystal ball identical to Gao Gongâs in the palm. Yet, it lasted less than three seconds before developing a crack, with white fissures spreading before it exploded into a pile of data fragments with a bang.
"Strange, why canât I replicate this thing?"
"I donât know." The words left Gao Gongâs mouth, as if he were talking to himself.
Gao Gong was momentarily stunned, and then, in surprise, asked, "Binding Machine Virus?"
The so-called Binding Machine Virus is when a virus attaches itself to an application, appearing entirely normal on the surface. However, when users run these applications, the binding virus activates as well.
This category of viruses can range from weak to strong. A usual Binding Machine Virus can merely bind to ordinary executive programs and might not even pierce through electronic defense walls. Yet, powerful Binding Machine Viruses can even ensnare a veteran like Gao Gong.
Simply put, once binding is complete, the only way to kill the virus is for Gao Gong to commit suicide.
As long as Gao Gong doesnât die, as long as his data continues to operate, the virus will resurrect indefinitely.
This is the new Level 50 virus known as the âRich Lady Love Binding Machine.â
Gao Gong sighed. It was already meaningless to act at this point. Unless he committed suicide, he couldnât kill the virus. Without wasting words, he directly threw the âcrystal ballâ over.
Conversely, if the virus died, he would die too.
"If you want to study it, then study it properly."
The âRich Lady Love Binding Machineâ excitedly caught the crystal ball, caressing it repeatedly. Soon, another identical one appeared in its hands.
"Thatâs it, yes, no, no, why isnât it rightâ"
A crystal ball emerged, but within moments, it shattered once more. Another appeared, then another shattered. This went on, with the beautiful young man growing more and more deranged.
Suddenly, Gao Gongâs body tensed. Before he knew it, another figure emerged from the darkness.
Yet another âRich Lady Love Binding Machine.â
Soon, one after another, Gao Gong found himself surrounded by a sea of beautiful young men bonded to rich ladies, with numbers no less than ten thousand.
These young men bore expressions ranging from anger to frowns or contemplation, with countless shattered crystal ball shards strewn at their feet.
Gao Gong understood that he was utterly bound now.