This villain is too popular.

Chapter 168 Caroline's Anxiety [Bonus Chapter for Monthly Tickets]

Although he still couldn't get the 'response' he wanted from the Heavenly Dao.

But Chen Xing quickly adjusted his mindset and returned to his usual expressionless and cold demeanor.

It was as if nothing had happened.

"I'm glad you don't hate it."

The more you care, the more you should act like you don't.

Although Duststar really wanted to continue the 'truth game' that had just started.

But she knew that if she actually did that, Tiandao would most likely pretend not to understand and change the subject again.

But it doesn't matter. She believes that as long as things continue like this, this 'blockhead' who's pretending to be stupid will eventually break down.

She had enough patience to wait for that day to come.

The premise is that some annoying green-haired guy doesn't show up too early.

Otherwise, given how much Tiandao cares about that guy, no matter how much I do, it will be in vain.

With this in mind, Chen Xing made a decision.

Although such methods are somewhat despicable.

But on the battlefield, there is only victory and defeat, not so much honor and fairness.

Since the AI ​​cat is currently kept in the dark, and because of the current situation, the Heavenly Dao is temporarily unable to tell her the truth.

She must seize this golden opportunity and work hard to maintain this 'bubble' that could be burst at any moment.

And strive to secure victory before this bubble bursts.

However, the time is not right yet, and she cannot reveal her hand too early.

Otherwise, this 'shadow' that she had finally managed to grasp might slip away again.

[First Floating City - Star Trail Corridor, Star Envoy Association Headquarters]

The First Intelligent Machine Research Institute

"What's wrong, Chenxing? Why are you contacting me so late?"

After a busy day, Caroline connected her thoughts to a nearby data terminal, took off her white research coat, and lay down in the advanced computing pod in the room.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the data terminal, Dust Star, soaking in a steaming bathtub, answered Caroline's question.

“Caroline, I’ve made some progress on the matter you asked me to investigate, but the other party is hiding very well. If I want to completely uncover them, I’ll need to put in some more effort.”

"As expected."

Caroline's voice came through the data terminal. The nutrient solution in the advanced computing pod submerged her delicate collarbone and eventually completely covered her.

"The fact that intelligent species have been able to infiltrate the New Federation for so long means that there must be a 'leader' behind them."

"So there's no need to rush, just take your time investigating."

"Once my 'Spirit Realm' is completed and spread throughout the New Federation, everything will become much simpler."

"Because in that world where the soul is personified, the disguise of wisdom in reality is meaningless."

Caroline's tone contained not a trace of human arrogance, but only absolute rationality derived from extensive data analysis.

That being said, Caroline's purpose in developing the Spirit Realm was not to capture any 'intelligent species'.

This was just something she did incidentally.

After briefly discussing official business, Chen Xing suddenly asked from the other end of the data terminal, "Caroline, are you still looking for a way to crack 'that thing'?"

Dust Star deliberately avoided the words 'Memory Seal,' a code that the two had discovered over many years. It could temporarily bypass Caroline's troublesome 'memory correction' mechanism, allowing her to get closer to the truth to a certain extent.

It doesn't cure the root cause, but it can occasionally provide temporary relief.

"Yes, because I always felt that there was something very important hidden in that altered memory. I had to find it, and I would definitely find it."

"And the Spirit Realm is the key to unlocking the mystery for me."

"Yeah."

Chen Xing was silent for a moment, then changed the subject, saying, "Caroline, you've been stuck at level two for a while now, you should be breaking through soon, right?"

As the lid of the quantum computing capsule closed, Caroline's mind instantly connected to the quantum space.

And they continued their unfinished conversation right here with Dust Star, far away in the Steam City.

"It will be soon. Once the initial structure of the Spirit Realm is completed, the remaining part is the construction of basic facilities, which I don't need to worry about too much."

"So, are you planning to try to break through 'that thing' using the Spirit Realm first, or wait until you've completed your advancement before entering the Spirit Realm?"

Although Chen Xing tried hard not to show anything unusual when he said this.

But the observant Caroline still noticed the subtle difference in her tone and sensed the change in her emotions.

"Is this question important to you?" Caroline didn't answer directly, but instead posed a question.

Although the existing intelligence is insufficient for Caroline to deduce the true intention behind Duststar's words.

But out of trust for her close friend, she still gave an honest answer.

"I want to test the effects of the Spirit Realm first, after all, I have waited for this day for far too long."

Upon hearing this answer, a long silence fell on the other end of the data terminal, to the point that Caroline almost thought there was a problem with Dust Star's equipment.

Fortunately, after a period of waiting, Chenxing's voice came again.

"But I remember the Grand Master saying that the more powerful the AI ​​Star Envoy, the higher the risk of data assimilation they face when making breakthroughs in the quantum space."

“With your talent, if you rashly attempt to break through to the Spirit Realm, I am worried that some unpredictable dangers may arise.”

"After all, while new technologies represent new opportunities, they also represent new risks, don't they?"

Dust Star's words were calm and logical.

As one of the few true friends in the association, it's perfectly reasonable for her to give such advice.

For some reason, Caroline felt that Dust Star was acting strangely today.

Because although every word she said was logical, it had an inexplicable sense of incongruity.

It was as if she was hiding a secret, while also feeling a vague sense of guilt.

Caroline has never liked to draw conclusions about things that have not yet been proven.

Therefore, she simply stated bluntly, "Xing, you want me to break through first, right?"

Knowing full well that Caroline cannot be 'deceived,' Chenxing is now laying his cards on the table.

"Yes, because I'm afraid of losing you as a friend."

Although she knew that this wasn't Chenxing's only purpose in persuading her, Caroline was still certain that Chenxing's words showed concern for her.

Thinking of this, Caroline smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't do anything I'm not sure about."

"Based on the current situation, unless the experiments in the Spirit Realm have yielded mature and complete results, I will not take any risks lightly."

"And this process will take at least six months to reach a stage result."

"Half a year?"

Upon hearing this answer, Chen Xing pondered for a moment and then said, "Caroline, although I know that as a genius android, you must have already rehearsed all sorts of scenarios, I still hope you can seriously consider my suggestion."

"Well, I will."

After saying all that, their conversation ended.

Strangely, Caroline, who usually conducts data simulations in the computing pod every night, mysteriously opened the pod and walked out tonight.

She picked up the pajamas that were placed beside her, put them on her grown-up body, and walked barefoot to the floor-to-ceiling window of the room, looking down at the brightly lit star trail corridor below.

There is clearly no data to support this claim, nor any objective factual basis.

But she was certain that after talking with Chen Xing, a strong sense of unease arose in her heart.

This unease has no reason, no origin, yet it truly exists.

As a result, even the usually calm Caroline was somewhat distracted tonight, making it impossible for her to concentrate on the calculations in the quantum space.

After some thought, Caroline finally made her decision.

Although trusting her intuition was not a decision she, as an android, should make.

But this time, she inexplicably felt that she should trust her intuition.

After hesitating for a moment, Caroline picked up the terminal and dialed another number.

Soon, Jing Liuli's signature lively voice rang out from the data terminal in her hand.

"Hey Caroline, why are you contacting me in the middle of the night? My concert just ended, and I'm currently wearing a face mask and getting my beauty sleep!"

"It's nothing, I just can't sleep, so I wanted to talk to you."

"Oh!"

Jing Liuli excitedly rolled over and sat up in bed.

The movement was so forceful that she even threw the Dream Pillow, which she had been holding in her arms, aside.

"Speak up, your most trusted life mentor, Jing Liuli, is here to serve you online!"

PS: Progress of four chapters a day (3/7), strongly requesting monthly votes!
[37 chapters owed from last month's monthly votes and alliance leader requests]

[Repaid: 26]

(End of this chapter)