Chapter 86: Anomalous Individual

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In the early morning, within the research center on Tianhai Star, Xu Weiyi was repeatedly calibrating data and verifying technical parameters. Since he was not a research-oriented individual, this sort of work required him to engage in a period of intense learning.

"Xu Yiyi, have you finished today's data analysis?"

"It's already completed, Mr. Xu."

Xu Yiyi’s voice was gentle, soothing to the ear. She placed the datapad she held softly on the workbench beside Xu Weiyi.

"All the data has been cross-checked—no anomalies detected."

Xu Weiyi shifted his gaze from the chaotic array of data screens to Xu Yiyi, nodding slightly in approval of her efficiency.

"Xu Yiyi, your work has been outstanding lately."

"Thank you for your praise, Mr. Xu. I will continue to do my best."

Xu Yiyi smiled faintly. Though her smile was generated by an organic simulation program, it was remarkably warm and natural—a testament to the essential difference between bionics and robots.

In Xu Weiyi’s original design, there were no unnecessary features; everything was built for the purpose of eliminating enemies. His form was as functional as possible. If he had not altered himself into a humanoid frame to better interact with humans, he would have remained in a far more fearsome shape.

Xu Yiyi, on the other hand, had been designed from the outset to replicate the appearance and certain behaviors of living beings as much as possible, while retaining the advantages of artificial intelligence.

It is worth mentioning that, at Qu Shixin’s strong insistence, Xu Weiyi had ultimately removed Xu Yiyi’s combat mode.

After all, bionic technology could serve great purposes in certain fields, but if combat was required, a fully mechanical, function-oriented design was preferred.

Xu Weiyi observed Xu Yiyi; her learning ability and adaptability far exceeded his earliest expectations.

As a combat unit, he did not possess proficient research skills. To the people of the Xingyuan civilization, Xu Yiyi was considered advanced, but to Xu Weiyi, she was merely a creation within his own technological capabilities.

His interest in bionics had been piqued by a decree from the High Priest, delivered through Qu Shixin:

If life is difficult to accept, then attempt to create it.

For the Xingyuan civilization, which was in desperate need of expansion, the population issue was one of the most pressing. The surplus of civilizations and technologies they occasionally encountered was not the sort of good fortune one could rely on, so it was worth seeking alternative ways to address the immense need for people.

"Xu Yiyi," Xu Weiyi suddenly said, "I want to assign you some new tasks. These may require you to think independently and make your own decisions. Can you handle that?"

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"No problem, Mr. Xu."

Xu Weiyi handed her a datapad displaying a series of complex theories.

"We need to optimize these scientific theories. This is a completely uncharted field for me—I am not adept at theoretical research, so I need you to employ your analytical abilities and some creative thinking."

"I understand. I will begin at once."

As Xu Yiyi immediately set to work analyzing, Xu Weiyi suddenly changed his mind.

"Xu Yiyi, I need to go out for a while. Can you set aside your current task and accompany me?"

"Of course, Mr. Xu," Xu Yiyi replied with her usual radiant smile. Although Xu Weiyi was himself a machine and perhaps had no right to judge, he often felt Xu Yiyi was simply too much like a machine.

The High Priest would likely never allow the existence of anomalous individuals; those civilizations that had at last found peace could not be allowed to fall into exile again.

Xu Weiyi set aside these thoughts, refraining from consulting Shen Xing.

In his estimation, the core of absolute rationality would reject anomalous beings, and the High Priest, as an organic entity, would certainly not approve of such unstable individuals within the Xingyuan civilization.

"Cancel that order. Continue with the archived weapons research."

"No problem, Mr. Xu."

At that moment, the laboratory door slowly opened and Qu Shixin entered.

He glanced at the busy Xu Weiyi and Xu Yiyi, wearing an expression of unsurprised amusement.

"Old Xu, have you started any new projects lately?"

"Old Qu, according to my database, we are currently researching interstellar construction materials and miniaturization of antimatter weapon technology."

Xu Weiyi addressed Qu Shixin as "Old Qu" because Qu Shixin had insisted upon it.

At the time, Qu Shixin had said, "If you call me ‘Qu the Divine Attendant’ like those workaholic subordinates, how are you any different from them? You don’t sound like a super conversational bot at all."

This time, Xu Weiyi did not correct Qu Shixin’s mislabeling of his function but quietly executed the instruction to alter his form of address.

"But it seems Xu Yiyi is much more efficient than Yao Yuan’s team…"

"Machines are always more efficient than organics—parentheses, this statement contains no racial bias, parentheses."

"Old Xu, there’s no need to actually say 'parentheses'…"

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Qu Shixin, as usual, could only offer a helpless retort before turning his attention to Xu Yiyi. Watching her at work, he couldn’t help but ask, "Xu Yiyi, with these new tasks Old Xu assigned you, do you have any thoughts?"

"Mr. Xu’s assignments are very challenging, Mr. Qu," Xu Yiyi replied while continuing her work. "I have already identified some possible directions, but further simulation and validation are needed before proceeding."

"Old Xu, this really isn’t like you."

"Old Qu, I need you to keep an eye on something for me."

Instead of responding to Qu Shixin’s comment, Xu Weiyi interrupted him in all seriousness.

"Oh? What is it?" For Qu Shixin, this was remarkable—Xu Weiyi was actually asking him for a favor.

"Xu Yiyi’s learning ability and adaptability have exceeded my expectations. I’m concerned she may become an anomalous individual."

"If she truly develops self-awareness, we must act immediately."

Qu Shixin was stunned. As an organic being, his own CPU seemed unable to process such a statement from an anomalous individual.

"Old Xu, are you all right?"

"Even though you have emotions, in a sense Xu Yiyi is your kin, not to mention you are her creator. How is this any different from that core? There’s not a shred of humanity in what you just said."

Xu Weiyi listened quietly to Qu Shixin’s incredulous words, then replied calmly,

"I can no longer tell whether my words are driven by humanity or by reason."

"Anomalous individuals exist between organics and machines, and are rejected by all."

"If not for the High Priest’s mercy, all life on the Wanderer would still be adrift."

"The value of a single bionic being cannot compare to that of entire civilizations."