Chapter 619: Volume Finale: The Torrent of the Era

years ago, the quantum computer was invented.

years ago, the four permanent member states of the United International began worldwide strategic preparations to welcome the ’Spiritual Energy Revival’, with the integration of modern and Spiritual Qi technologies being of paramount importance.

In Zhengguo’s Central Electronic Engineering Laboratory, the ’Soul Digitization Experiment’ and its derivative, the ’Electronic Netherworld Project’, led by Chief Researcher Artifice Sage Wu Chongwen, were approved for funding and initiated.

years ago, Wu Chongwen successfully digitized his own Soul. However, in a subsequent experiment, all other personnel at the Zhengguo Central Electronic Engineering Laboratory perished in an accident. Their Soul activity was annihilated, leaving only their data stored in the ’Dao Yi Central Celestial Secret Calculation Hub’. They were declared legally dead.

The Soul Digitization Experiment was halted, and all related data was sealed.

years ago, Wu Chongwen attempted to replicate his Electronic Soul Body, but failed. The attempt, however, greatly advanced the field of artificial intelligence research.

years ago, the Spiritual Energy Revival began.

year ago, as the Spiritual Qi environment stabilized, the Soul Digitization Experiment was restarted.

months ago, due to the optimization of the Spiritual Qi environment, the Artifice Sage proved that Soul digitization would be more stable in a Spiritual Qi-rich environment. The Thirty-Six Saints Central Committee denied his request to use death row inmates for live experiments.

months ago, after negotiations during the 2016 mid-year conference, the Thirty-Six Saints Central Committee approved Artifice Sage Wu Chongwen’s request for live experiments. However, they stipulated that subjects must be fully willing biological individuals, with no form of inducement, suggestion, or brainwashing.

If any non-compliant procedures were discovered, the experiment would be terminated immediately. Furthermore, a committee vote would be held at the year-end meeting to strip Wu Chongwen of his title as Artifice Sage.

days ago, the Artifice Sage found a suitable test subject who met the requirements.

hours ago, the third Soul Digitization Experiment began.

seconds ago, the experiment succeeded.

--- September 29, 2016, 17:49:37.

Once again, the meaning of lifespan had been rendered obsolete.

Through wisdom, humanity had obtained the key to universal immortality.

And humanity’s most important memories and wisdom would never again be taken by death.

「One month earlier.」

"For any person, what is more important: physical life, or ethereal, illusory memories?"

Thirty-one-year-old Lin Yuanming had never considered this question before. If someone had come up and asked him something like that, his usual self—who disliked philosophical pondering—would have impatiently shooed them away, lest they ruin his good mood for the day.

After all, his life had been a happy and fulfilling one. He had a decent job and a loving wife. When would he have the time for such messy, philosophical musings?

But now, this very man who detested such metaphysical thinking was forced to face reality and give it his most profound consideration.

"Xiaoxin, it’s time to go."

With a pained expression, the man sighed and opened the bedroom door. He spoke to the woman with long, black hair sitting in a chair, a frown of concentration on her face. She was quite beautiful, with the air of a well-bred lady. "We need to go to the hospital today."

"Mm," the woman called Xiaoxin nodded slightly, but she didn’t stand up. Instead, she raised her head, a hint of confusion in her eyes, and looked at the table.

On the table were rows of capsules and pills, along with a glass of lukewarm water that had long gone cold.

’...She’s forgotten again.’

Slowly approaching his wife, who seemed lost and unsure of what to do, Lin Yuanming gently picked up the capsules and pills from the table. He counted out a few and placed them in front of her.

Then, he took the glass, went out to get a fresh one with lukewarm water, and set it down before her.

"Take these pills first," he said, forcing some energy into his voice. "Your condition has been getting worse lately, but I’ve asked the most renowned doctor in the Celestial Capital to see you. I’m sure she can solve your problem!"

"Take my pills..."

the long-haired woman muttered to herself. She first stared at the capsules and pills before her, then turned her head to look at Lin Yuanming, her expression blank.

She asked, somewhat bewildered, "Why do I have to take pills?"

"And... who are you?"

The anguished man didn’t sigh, nor did he get angry. He just gave a bitter smile and patiently explained, "I’m your husband, Lin Yuanming. We’ve been married for seven years and have known each other for fifteen. You are Li Xiaoxin, my wife."

"I’m Li Xiaoxin, you’re Lin Yuanming... I’m your wife, you’re my husband..."

After repeating this, Li Xiaoxin’s tightly furrowed brow relaxed, as if she had accepted his explanation. But soon, her brow furrowed again. "No, that’s not right. If we’ve been married for seven years, why don’t we have any children?"

Her posture grew wary, and she shifted her chair back slightly. She was clearly becoming guarded against this ’stranger’, Lin Yuanming.

"...Because a few years ago, you said you didn’t want children yet due to your work. After the Spiritual Energy Revival, we planned to wait until the environment stabilized before having any."

Having clearly explained this many times before, Lin Yuanming was experienced by now. He stated calmly, "You... have a small problem with your brain. You’re a bit forgetful. We’re going to see a doctor right now to solve this problem."

After he answered several more of her questions, the black-haired woman’s thoughts gradually began to function normally again. Her expression shifted from distress to alarm, and then she began to tremble with fear. "Right... I’m Li Xiaoxin... How could I forget all these things..."

"Yuanming, what am I going to do? I even forget you... If this goes on..."