Ink-Clad Creator

Late at night in the laboratory on the third floor of the Gewu Institute.

A white velvet cloth covered the workbench, where Mu Sheng and Ling Yu lay side by side in the center. Under the soft crystal lights of the laboratory, the two small dolls gleamed with a warm, woody luster. After six months of meticulous care and fine-tuning by Peng Shitao, their internal energy circulation was nearing perfection, lacking only the final step—the true "spiritual ignition."

Five people stood around the worktable.

Li Xian was at the control station, with densely packed calculation papers and energy flow diagrams spread out before him. To his left was Xiao Lingshan, her hands resting lightly on the puppet, the Green Wood Token floating in front of her, emitting a gentle green light. To his right was Peng Shitao, who had prepared a full set of silver needles and medicinal liquids, ready to deal with any energy imbalances at any time.

Opposite her, Shui Liuli had set up three self-made monitoring instruments—an energy spectrum analyzer, a matter resonance detector, and an upgraded version of the portable detector that Li Xian had modified. Her eyes were fixed on the instrument panel, and her fingertips were rapidly recording preset parameters on the jade slip.

Jin Xuan stood by the laboratory door, sword in hand. He wasn't involved in the actual operation, but a faint aura of sword energy emanated from his body—this was the "safety valve" that Li Xian had specially invited him to serve as. If the experiment went out of control, his Gengjin sword energy would be the fastest and cleanest way to cut off the energy flow.

Five drones hovered in the five corners of the laboratory, forming a three-dimensional monitoring network.

"Environmental scan complete," Superman reported. "The laboratory energy field is stable, and external interference has been shielded. We recommend starting the experimental window in thirty breaths."

Da Ya and Er Ya, unusually, did not joke around, but instead seriously adjusted the output power of the energy reactor: "The furnace temperature is stable at 320 degrees, and the catalytic activity of the Star Pattern Grass powder and the Breath Soil Gold composite material has reached its peak."

Batman and the Dark Knight monitored the faint energy flow inside the doll: "The integrity of the internal circuits of the wood is 99.7%, and the spiritual essence is 99.5%. No structural defects were found."

Li Xian took a deep breath and looked at everyone: "Is everyone ready?"

Xiao Lingshan nodded, and the Azure Wood Token glowed slightly. Peng Shitao checked the silver needles, her expression serious. Shui Liuli made an "OK" sign; although this gesture didn't exist in this world, Li Xian had taught her it.

Jin Xuan simply gave a faint "hmm".

"start."

The first step in the experiment was to establish a "Five Elements Resonance Field".

Li Xian placed his hands on the five energy nodes on the edge of the worktable—miniature arrays he had spent a week carving, corresponding to the elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

"Gold position, Golden Profound, infuse a wisp of sword energy."

Jin Xuan raised his finger, and a wisp of condensed, almost tangible white sword energy shot out, precisely piercing the metal element node. The node lit up with a dazzling white light.

"Wood position, Ling Shan."

Xiao Lingshan activated the Azure Wood Token, and gentle wood-elemental life force surged into the wood-attribute nodes. A green light appeared.

"Water level, crystal."

Shui Liuli formed a hand seal, and a wisp of pale blue mist drifted out, seeping into the water attribute node. A blue light shone.

"Fire position..." Li paused, then activated the fire element within the orange-gold energy, injecting it into the fire position. Red light.

"Earth position..." He separated another wisp of earth-elemental energy and injected it into the earth position. A yellow light shone.

Five-colored rays intertwined beneath the workbench, forming a slowly rotating pentagram array. In the center of the array, two small puppets began to glow faintly.

"Resonance field established successfully," Shui Liuli stared at the instrument. "Five elements energy balance 98.6%, excellent!"

The second step is the energy injection sequence.

According to Huang Yan's notes and the string theory taught by Boltzmann's brain, the injection of the five elements' energy must follow the "mutual generation sequence": water generates wood, wood generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, and metal generates water, forming a closed loop.

"Let's start with water," Li said.

Shui Liuli guided her mysterious water energy, gently enveloping the two small dolls in the most gentle mist-like form. Water can nourish wood; this is the first step of "nourishment."

Three breaths later.

"Turning the log".

Xiao Lingshan's Green Wood Element shone brightly. Nourished by the mist, the wood-based life force flourished, permeating every fiber of the little doll's wood. The wood color on the doll's surface began to glow, as if it truly possessed the luster of life.

"Switch to another location."

Li Xian carefully extracted the pure fire element from the orange-gold energy—this was difficult because his energy was already highly integrated. But after six months of practice, he was able to control it precisely.

A gentle flame of energy enveloped the little doll. The fire, born of wood, did not scorch the wood, but rather "ignited" a certain inherent vitality within the wood's life force. A faint flow of energy began to appear within the little doll.

"Turning the soil."

Earth-elemental energy is infused. Fire generates earth, and the energy of the flames settles into a thick and stable foundation. The little puppet is no longer just "floating" in the energy field, but has a real sense of "taking root."

"Transfer to gold".

Jin Xuan's second wisp of sword energy was injected. Earth begets metal, and the sharp metallic energy condensed and took shape on the earth-based foundation. A faint "click" sound could be heard from the joints of the small puppet, as if its bones were growing.

"Backwater".

Water glass is infused with water energy once more. Metal generates water; the sharpness of metal is softened and circulated by the water flow. A closed loop of the five elements is formed!

On the workbench, five-colored rays intertwined to form a perfect sphere of light, completely enveloping the two small puppets. Inside the sphere, energy flowed like liquid, emitting a pleasant hum.

"Energy flow is stable!" Shui Liuli excitedly recorded. "Closed-loop self-sufficiency rate 87%, slowly increasing! Activation level of the small doll's internal circuits... 15%! 20%! 25%!"

The laboratory was completely silent, save for the faint hum of the instruments and the sound of energy flowing.

Everyone held their breath, watching the ball of light.

According to the plan, once the five elements closed loop is formed, it should be able to sustain itself for at least the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. During this time, the "spiritual code" inside the little doll will gradually be activated under the nourishment of energy.

But an accident happened.

Just as the energy loop reached its most stable moment, in the corner of the workbench, the jar of Star Pattern Grass powder and Breath Soil Gold composite material suddenly moved automatically without any wind!

"Snapped!"

The lid of the sealed jar was flung open! The silvery-white star-patterned grass powder mixed with the dark golden breathing soil powder, transforming into a strange stream of light that shot directly towards the energy sphere!

"What?!" Shui Liuli exclaimed in surprise.

The light flow merged into the five-colored sphere. In an instant, everything changed.

The five-colored light began to twist and merge, transforming into an indescribable, strange hue somewhere between silvery-white and dark gold. Crackling sounds emanated from within the sphere of light, and the energy readings began to spike wildly!

"Warning! Energy overload 300%!" Superman's alarm shrilled. "Closed-loop stability has fallen below the critical value!"

"Stress cracks have appeared in the circuitry within the wood!" Batman reported.

"Lingyu's joint structure is beginning to deform!" the Dark Knight added.

Peng Shitao had already picked up the silver needles, but her hands were trembling—with this level of energy surge, her acupuncture technique simply couldn't keep up with the flow!

Jin Xuan's sword was already three inches from its sheath, its energy humming within. He awaited Li Xian's command—to sever the energy flow, save the little puppet, but also ensure the experiment's complete failure.

Li Xian stared intently at the ball of light.

His brain was racing. Star-patterned grass could absorb stellar energy, and Breath-Soil Gold had self-repairing properties; the sudden activation of these two when mixed... was it because the energy frequency of the Five Elements' closed loop had triggered some hidden characteristic of theirs?

"Wait!" Shui Liuli suddenly screamed, not in fear, but in... excitement, "This energy spectrum... I've seen it in ancient scrolls! This is the 'Stardust Resonance' phenomenon! It was mentioned in the notes left by a sage three hundred years ago that when the five elements of energy are perfectly fused, it's possible to trigger the power of the stars!"

She pointed to the wildly fluctuating data on the instrument: "Look! The energy readings are high, but the spectral structure is self-optimizing! This isn't out of control, it's... evolution!"

Li Xian looked closely. Sure enough, although the total energy value was soaring, the internal structure of the energy flow was becoming more and more orderly and refined. It was a higher level of order that spontaneously arose from chaos.

Just like... the birth of life.

"Don't cut it off!" Li made the decision first. "Keep it going! Everyone, hand over control to me!"

He closed his eyes, and the orange-gold mark between his eyebrows shone brightly.

This time, he no longer controlled the energy, but instead... merged with it.

He extended his consciousness into that strange sphere of light, feeling the pulse of every energy, the stellar power and earth's memory brought by the Star-Patterned Grass and the Breath of Earth Gold, the cycle of the five elements, and the tremors of the tiny circuits inside the little puppet under the scouring of energy...

Then, he began to "weave".

It's not about control or guidance, but rather like a gardener, pruning the branches, clearing the channels, and strengthening the foundations of those spontaneously formed energy structures.

This was an extremely meticulous and mentally taxing process. Sweat dripped from Li Xian's forehead, and his body began to tremble slightly.

Xiao Lingshan wanted to help, but Shui Liuli stopped her: "Don't move! He's performing energy programming at the microscopic level; any external interference will ruin everything!"

Peng Shitao bit her lip, gripping the silver needle tightly in her hand. Jin Xuan's sword was already half a foot out of its sheath, its sword energy poised to be unleashed.

Time passed second by second.

The light sphere gradually stabilized, its color changing from a violent mixture of silver and gold to a warm, soft milky white. The internal popping sounds disappeared, replaced by a... rhythmic pulsation, like a heartbeat.

"Thump...thump...thump..."

It's very faint, but it definitely exists.

Everyone heard it.

The milky white light gradually subsided and eventually disappeared completely into the bodies of the two small dolls.

On the worktable, Mu Sheng and Ling Yu lay quietly, looking no different from before. But they were no longer just "wood carvings," but rather... radiating a certain indescribable "presence."

The laboratory was deathly silent.

Five drones simultaneously descended, with all their sensors aimed at the small doll.

The pointer on the water glass instrument stopped jumping and froze at an unprecedented value.

The Green Wood Token in Xiao Lingshan's hand no longer glowed, but the token itself was slightly warm, as if it were resonating with something.

Peng Shitao's silver needle fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

Jin Xuan slowly sheathed his sword, a look of surprise appearing in his eyes for the first time.

Li opened his eyes, his face pale, but his eyes were surprisingly bright.

He walked to the worktable, bent down, and called softly:

"Wooden life?"

"Lingyu?"

One breath, two breaths, three breaths.

Just when everyone thought it was a failure—

Mu Sheng's right index finger twitched.

It was very slight, just a slight bend at the joint. But in the quiet laboratory, the movement was as clear as a thunderclap.

Immediately afterwards, Lingyu blinked her left eye.

She really blinked. Although her eyes were painted with ink dots, the "blinking" motion was so natural, as if she really had eyelids.

Then, the two little dolls opened their "eyes" at the same time.

They weren't true visual organs, but the ink dots on their faces seemed to truly have "gaze" at this moment. Mu Sheng's gaze was steady, while Ling Yu's gaze was lively.

They "looked" at Li Xian.

Li Xian felt that two faint but clear consciousnesses were touching his mind.

There was no language in that consciousness, only the most primal emotions: curiosity, dependence, and... a trace of bewilderment in the face of a newborn life.

He reached out and gently touched Mu Sheng's hand.

The little doll curled its fingers and grasped his fingertips. The grip was light, but it was firm.

Xiao Lingshan covered her mouth, tears silently streaming down her face. Peng Shitao had already burst into tears. Shui Liuli frantically recorded data, her hands trembling. Even Jin Xuan was slightly moved.

Five drones hovered silently, their sensors recording this historic moment—for the first time in the world, an unnatural creation was endowed with true "spirituality".

This is not a puppet, not a machine, this is... life.

Newborn, fragile, but real life.

The experiment ended late at night.

The little dolls have gone back to "sleep"—this is their self-protection mechanism. Their newly formed consciousness is still very fragile and needs a long period of hibernation to consolidate.

But this slumber was completely different from before. Li Xian could clearly sense a stable energy cycle within them, and faint but continuous fluctuations in consciousness. Just like... an infant sleeping peacefully in the womb.

Shui Liuli clutched her thick stack of data records, refusing to leave the lab and insisting on analyzing them through the night. Finally, Jin Xuan couldn't bear to watch any longer and gently struck her on the back of the neck with a chop (controlling his strength), knocking her unconscious. Then he said to Li Xian, "I'll take her back to her dorm."

He shouldered the glass, picked up the data, and turned to leave. Before leaving, he glanced back at the little doll on the workbench and softly uttered two words:

"Congratulations."

Xiao Lingshan and Peng Shitao were exhausted, but extremely excited. As they packed up the experimental equipment, they quietly discussed the follow-up maintenance plan.

"A special nutrient solution needs to be prepared; the wood fibers need continuous nourishment..."

"The energy cycle still needs to be monitored; the first three days are the most crucial..."

Li Xian sat in the chair, watching them busy, and felt a great sense of satisfaction welling up in his heart.

Boltzmann's dream of a brain, he has taken the first step.

Although this is only the beginning—the little doll's consciousness is still very primitive and far from being a true "human"—this path has been successfully paved.

Outside the window, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

The laboratory door was gently pushed open, and Lu Qingzhou swaggered in, carrying a gourd of wine. He glanced at the small figurines on the worktable, then at the instruments filling the room and the tired but excited crowd, and smiled.

"Did you get it working?"

Li nodded: "It's a preliminary success."

Lu Qingzhou walked to the worktable, carefully examined Mu Sheng and Ling Yu, and after a long while, said softly, "The wise man left a prophecy that someone would complete his unfinished work three hundred years later. It seems... he was right."

He patted Li Xian on the shoulder: "Take good care of yourself. If you need anything, just ask. Although the Academy of Geography is poor, it can still protect two children...

He was referring to "children," not "creations."

Li Xian felt a warmth in his heart: "Thank you, instructor."

Lu Qingzhou waved his hand and swayed away. When he reached the door, he suddenly turned back and said, "By the way, keep a low profile these next few days. Although I shielded the energy fluctuations in the lab, the aftershocks of that 'Stardust Resonance' just now have probably already attracted the attention of some old guys. But don't worry, with me here, no one will dare to act forcefully."

The door closed.

The laboratory fell silent again.

After Xiao Lingshan and Peng Shitao finished packing, they prepared to leave. Peng Shitao reached the door, then turned back and said softly, "Brother Li, I'll come earlier tomorrow to give them a check-up."

Xiao Lingshan also said, "I brought some spirit soil from Qingmu Courtyard and spread it under them. It should help stabilize the wood-type roots."

Li nodded first: "Okay."

The two women left.

Only Li Xian and five drones remained in the laboratory.

Superman slowly landed beside the worktable, his robotic arm gently touching Mu Sheng's hand: "Mr. Li, their heart rate is twelve beats per minute, and their energy cycle is three-quarters of an hour. Should we establish long-term monitoring records?"

"Let's set it up," Li Xian said. "From today onwards, their vital signs will be the highest priority."

"clear."

Li Xian walked to the window and looked at the pale light beginning to appear on the horizon.

In the morning light, the outline of the academy gradually became clear. The sound of the morning bell drifted from afar, distant and serene.

He suddenly recalled Boltzmann's last words: "The essence of life is the self-continuation of information."

Now, he continues.

Although they are just two tiny, fragile new lives, this is a beginning.

The beginning of a pure path of creation, belonging to him alone, unaffected by any conspiracies or power struggles.

Outside the window, an early bird flew by, chirping sweetly.

A new day has begun.

And new life begins its journey.

(End of Chapter 62)