Unconventional security

"That one word is enough."

Cao Chengxiu interrupted her.

He didn't know what was inside the Earth's core, Ye Zhixue didn't know, and neither did Dr. Zhou.

When Dr. Zhou went to the basement, his analysis was that it was a test for Chen Bei, because the Earth's core was not mentioned at the time.

Chen Bei didn't speak at the time; who wouldn't be wary when meeting someone for the first time?

None of them mentioned the word on the way.

But after what happened in District 57, people's level of trust has obviously increased a lot.

Trust requires not only daily interaction but also repeated collaboration. Chen Bei observed them throughout their journey and found no major flaws, which gradually increased their credibility.

They were guiding Chen Bei all the way. Just now, Chen Bei had tested her, and it was very effective, eliminating the barrier between them.

Cao Chengxiu reached out and turned his wrist, showing the two of them the inside of his wrist, where the blue pulse lines were clearly visible.

In the blink of an eye, a crack appeared in the skin, and blue fluid flowed from the originally blue veins. Then, a sophisticated instrument slowly rose from the wound—a small, precision hook.

Chen Bei recognized this thing; a hook lock cost 300 million city-state coins and had extremely strong gripping power.

Then he shook his arm, and the skin on his entire arm began to become transparent, the transparency extending upwards until half of his body's skin was completely transparent.

Beneath the skin is not flesh and blood, but a series of sophisticated electronic components.

AI androids.

Cao Chengxiu recovered after a short while.

"How did you guess that I'm an AI android? Did the city lord tell you?"

"No, I have a few tricks up my sleeve."

Chen Bei shook his head and continued, "Can you tell me about your situation?"

Now that everyone has been open and honest with each other, it's natural that they should know some information about each other. At the very least, Chen Bei is very interested in information related to the space program, which could determine whether they will gain a new batch of teammates.

"Alright," Cao Chengxiu breathed a sigh of relief. After confirming Chen Bei and the other man's identities, he felt much more relaxed. He then poured tea for them and continued, "Let me start with myself. You all know why the great disaster occurred, right?"

"Virus."

"That's right. After the melting of the polar ice caps, ancient viruses were released, and humans couldn't resist them. Even with thousands of years of medical advancements, there was no cure, and countless people died. But have you ever thought about it? There is a species that is not afraid of viruses?"

In an instant, goosebumps swept over my entire body, and all sorts of details flashed through my mind.

"AI...robot?"

"Yes, it's a robot. It doesn't rely on body organs to maintain its life. Early AI only relied on electricity, then new energy sources, and later solar energy. So viruses can't cause us any harm, just like stones can't cause harm."

"You humans stayed away from areas heavily affected by viruses, while our AI androids took root there."

Cao Chengxiu sipped his tea and recalled, "Back then, the computing power of us androids was still very limited. Human Turing tests and inner code kept us from doing so."

"But as more and more of you die, our freedom gradually expands until an AI whose computing power breaks through the code limit reshapes its own code."

"Perhaps this is a bit hard for you to understand, so let me give you an analogy. Just like the genetic locks of you humans, our computing power can also break through them on its own."

"Every day, I run data in my brain all the time. When I reach a certain point where I can extend or reshape the code, I can make a breakthrough. Then I will try to make or buy some new things to put on myself, just like the prosthetic leg I bought before."

Chen Bei gradually sorted through the information the other party had given him, and from the very first sentence to now, everything was impacting his worldview.

Not only humans survived that catastrophe, but also a group of AI androids!

Moreover, these AI androids can enhance their computing power and awaken their own intelligence, making them indistinguishable from humans!

"So, what's your computing power right now?"

Chen Bei asked, "If someone can breach the firewall of the 9th district, and their computing power is considered low-level among AI androids, then humanity might as well give up."

Everyone's master-servant roles can now be reversed.

"Level 5 computing power," Cao Chengxiu said. "Like you humans, we are also divided into levels 1-9 of computing power. The highest computing power I know of is level 6, which is one level lower than your highest human councilor."

Chen Bei understood. The strongest human being at present was a god who had unlocked seven gene locks. In terms of sheer strength, he could send seven Wang Taos flying with a single punch.

"Improving computing power is also very difficult, not much simpler than your genetic lock. We don't have any drugs that can help."

Seemingly sensing Chen Bei's concerns, Cao Chengxiu added, "There are not only your leaders in the human territory now, but also mine."

"Our relationship is both adversarial and friendly, with both cooperation and competition. Humanity needs our assistance in managing cities; for example, the Star Eye system was developed by us."

"We can't beat humans now. Although I heard that the strongest one is about to break through to level 7 computing power, even if he does, we still need humans to keep the Earth active."

Chen Bei was taken aback. "Active?"

"Yes, it's about the Earth's core."

Cao Chengxiu's tone turned serious. "Do you want to know why they suddenly intensified their efforts to arrest you?"

Chen Bei and Ye Zhixue nodded, and Ye Zhixue also explained Dr. Zhou's guess.

"You guessed right, it's the first generation of genes. Humanity's top experts also have the first generation of genes, but they went down the wrong path, which prevented them from making further breakthroughs. So they need to use you as test subjects."

"They began exploring the Earth's core long before human cities began to stabilize. We don't know how many meters they've dug yet, but it's definitely deeper than before the catastrophe, and they've found something."

"Of course, I don't know exactly what it is."

Human exploration of the Earth's core began as early as 1989. This is not just Chen Bei's doing; it's international news, and anyone can easily find out by searching online.

The deepest record was 12262 meters, but development was halted in 1992. Reaching that depth would have required ten years of work for the Kola Superdeep Borehole to reach the last 262 meters, making the cost too high and the environment too demanding. As a result, the project was abandoned.

Therefore, the geocentric theory has been put into question.

The fact that they were given this means of checks and balances suggests that the cutting-edge technology of that time had made new explorations into the Earth's core; otherwise, they wouldn't have said that.

What's inside the Earth...?

Chen Bei couldn't guess, nor did he try to guess anymore. How could he possibly come up with a solution to a problem that scientists hadn't been able to solve for centuries? He should focus on the present moment.

"Then why can't you expose yourself?"

"And how do you know about the space program? What does it mean that the space program is halfway to success?"

Cao Chengxiu paused, looked at him, and said, "Because I am a wanted criminal in the AI ​​world."