Chapter 749: The 3 Theses Are All Skewed

Zhang Deming looked at the discussion topics on the table. “Senior Brother Fang,” he said, “you’re showing me these because… you want me to take a look?”

Fang Jixiang nodded. “That’s right. After specifically informing the Sect Leader, I was hoping you could help us review them. Take a look at these first few topics and see if they need any changes. It would be best if you could also provide some conceptual direction to guide our arguments, so we can avoid another blunder like today’s.

“Although you saved the day today, Junior Brother, and the result was good, if something like that happens again, the Array Department will probably be punished, even if the conference ends perfectly.”

Zhang Deming paused upon hearing this. He hesitated for a moment and said, “Normally, I should politely decline. After all, these are topics your department spent years deciding on. It wouldn’t be right for me to just point fingers and criticize.”

“Junior Brother Zhang, please don’t worry about that…” Fang Jixiang immediately interjected.

Zhang Deming said, “Senior Brother Fang, please let me finish.”

Fang Jixiang paused briefly. “Go on, Junior Brother Zhang.”

“That’s what I should do, but looking at these topics… the problems are actually quite significant. I’ll have to speak up, even if it means offending someone.”

Hearing this, Fang Jixiang was at a loss for words, and his expression grew slightly more serious.

Zhang Deming paused. Seeing Fang Jixiang’s grave expression, he began, “Your first three topics are meant to lay the groundwork for the grand finale. There’s nothing wrong with preparing our disciples who don’t understand, building up the basics, and laying a foundation for the path of Rune Life. Starting with basic data, moving to the hardware foundation of the Artifact Dao, and finally to understanding the transmission medium—these three broad strokes to lay the foundation for Rune Life are correct in principle. Your understanding is quite thorough. I imagine that when you and the others were planning to ‘steal their techniques,’ you studied the Celestial Universe’s artificial intelligence and found its foundation rests on these three pillars: a technological foundation, a hardware foundation, and a transmission foundation. But, Senior Brother, do you know the essence of these three foundational pillars? Or rather, what was their origin?”

Fang Jixiang’s expression stiffened. He shook his head with a bitter smile. “The so-called foundational materials the Celestial Universe gave us are all derived versions. Take the so-called flying backpack, for example. They gave us the forging method, and the information was complete and could be considered fundamental. But we don’t know the origin of the flying backpack or the fundamental principles that allow it to fly. With all aspects of the Technology Dao, we only know the ‘what,’ not the ‘why.’ On top of that, our Dao and theirs are completely different concepts. We can’t reverse-engineer any of the Technology Dao’s foundational runes. The disciples of the Array Department have dismantled quite a few of their magical artifacts, but they’ve rarely found any foundational runes inside. Of course, we give them the same kind of information, so there’s not much we can negotiate about.”

Zhang Deming nodded. “Yes, I know. I understand this better than you do, and that’s because I grasp the core philosophy of the Celestial Universe Federation’s technology: it originates from life, ultimately rises above life, and then transcends life. Once I understood that essence and worked backward, figuring out one path made all the others become clear as day.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Jixiang immediately offered some business-like flattery. “Junior Brother, you really have a talent for this.”

Zhang Deming paused, glanced at Fang Jixiang, and caught the ulterior motive behind the flattery. “We can discuss that in detail later. I won’t hold anything back; it’s not some priceless secret. When there’s a chance, I’ll explain the core concept to you all. But for now, let’s get back to the matter at hand: these first three topics.”

He looked up at Fang Jixiang, saw he was listening intently, and continued, “The three directions are correct, but because you don’t understand the essence of these things from the Celestial Universe Federation, you’ve made almost the same mistake each time. The broad strokes are right, but the details are all wrong. For the first topic, data, the focus should be on *computation*, not *storage*. I won’t elaborate, as I assume you now understand the difference, Senior Brother Fang. For the second topic, it’s right to tackle the Artifact Dao, but our focus shouldn’t be on forging.”

Fang Jixiang looked at Zhang Deming with a puzzled expression. “If the Artifact Dao doesn’t focus on forging, what should it focus on? The Lifebound Magical Artifact Dao?”

Zhang Deming shook his head and looked at Fang Jixiang. “It’s the same problem as the first topic, the same mistake. When you discuss *storage*, you’re giving away technology, not stealing it. Discussing *computation* is what would be helpful. When you discuss forging in the context of the Artifact Dao, you’re also just helping them! The Celestial Universe Federation’s mechanical forging is incredibly advanced, but their quantum forging is extremely primitive. If you discuss forging, what can we possibly ‘steal’? Their mechanical forging techniques? Our culture has already determined our path; we’ll never be able to go down that road. Since we can’t benefit from discussing mechanical forging, the only thing left is the forging of individual magical artifacts—in other words, quantum forging. Isn’t that just like the last topic? You’re pitting our well-developed Dao against their weakness. If this were one of Hongmeng’s Battle Wheels, then that strategy would be correct. But this isn’t a competitive debate, it’s a collaborative discussion. In that case, aren’t you just setting up the topic for them? You’re practically begging them to ‘steal’ from you! How are you supposed to ‘steal’ anything from them like that?”

Fang Jixiang’s face stiffened again. “Then what should we discuss?”

“It’s the same principle. The broad direction of the Artifact Dao is correct, but we shouldn’t discuss basic forging. We should discuss rune forging that integrates arrays and artifacts—in other words, the fundamental origin of ‘computer’ forging. Yes, to prepare… to lay the foundation for us to develop the… ‘Talisman Brain,'” Zhang Deming said after a pause.

“Talisman Brain?” Fang Jixiang was completely bewildered.

“Yes, the ‘Talisman Brain.’ I just made the name up on the spot; we can decide what to actually call it later. The principle is the same as thought. For an array to develop consciousness, for a Rune Life to be born, it needs a ‘body’ as its foundation.