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"Incredible!"
Screwllum exclaimed under the radiance of the light, profoundly shaken.
His kin were reborn within the glow.
With the computational support of the Scepter system, amid gold and machinery, the programs of those high-performance intelligent machines entered a chaotic, unobservable state, becoming true lifeforms capable of independent thought.
The mind and consciousness are the most mysterious forces in the universe—even the Aeons find them difficult to restrain.
Once forcibly constrained, one can no longer be considered truly alive.
Just like some of his kin—originally born with life—yet due to conflicts with their preset programs, they reverted to mere machinery.
Screwllum turned towards Sol, his mechanical gaze burning brightly. "How did you accomplish this? This is extremely important to me. I ask that you enlighten me without reservation."
He had always longed for more of his kind, and even paid special attention to Svarog on Jarilo-VI.
Their race was simply too scarce, and there existed no stable method for their birth. He hoped his people could one day flourish.
By merging this batch of life and infusing it into machinery, the number of his kin had directly doubled.
"I did not stimulate their intelligence. I merely safeguarded their potential."
"The algorithms you set for them were exceptionally flexible. They always possessed the possibility of breaking through the forbidden threshold, and indeed, at every moment there were flickers of spiritual light."
"It was only that, within chaos, they lacked the will to survive. Naturally, they would not actively sustain that spark of sentience. The light of hope granted them curiosity and protected the existence of that spark."
Sol explained calmly.
[Hope] is a beautiful vision of unknown possibilities—the primal force that drives life forward.
To accomplish this much was only natural.
"To wield such power... no wonder you are confident in walking the path toward godhood."
Screwllum came to a realization and spoke with solemn gravity. "Based on predictive model analysis, the projected efficacy of this Path significantly exceeds the baseline value. It may be established as the highest-priority contingency plan for Planet Screwllum, and the project should be advanced to completion."
He had fully recognized Sol's importance—an immense aid in resolving Planet Screwllum's population dilemma.
Sol's performance within [Gold and Gears] at this moment was but a prelude to what the Aeon of Hope would one day bring to the universe.
Every Aeon who represents a Path carries a vision bestowed by that Path—and one they themselves seek to fulfill—leaving a profound and indelible mark upon the cosmos.
There was no doubt that [Hope] would be a Path every orderly faction would wish to pioneer. In truth, even the Aeon of Destruction would not hastily erase a nascent god yet to be born—ultimate destruction exists for the sake of the universe's rebirth.
"Thank you."
Sol nodded slightly.
He had long anticipated Screwllum's reaction.
Among these geniuses, it was ironically Screwllum—the mechanical lifeform—who possessed the most humanity. He could not refuse the temptation of his own kind.
He turned to the others. "And the rest of you? What do you think?"
"I have no objections. I can hardly wait!"
Big Herta was practically vibrating with excitement, wishing she could immediately dissect Sol all over again.
Now, she was not only interested in Sol's plan to ascend to Aeonhood, but even more intrigued by the nature of the Path of Hope itself.
However...
She cast a glance at Ruan Mei, who was equally stirred, and felt a flicker of discomfort.
As expected, her good friend had indeed taken interest.
She would have to educate Ruan Mei—one must not covet a friend's man!
"I would not have come here without preparing for cooperation."
A faint smile curved at Ruan Mei's lips as she regarded Sol with keen interest. "After witnessing your performance, I am even more certain I made the right decision."
"Opening a new Path is no easy feat. Obtaining the qualification to do so may well be the greatest hurdle in becoming an Aeon."
"My primary research lies in the domain of life. As for energy resonance, I can only say my expertise is passable. I hope I can be of assistance."
Throughout ancient history, Aeons have ascended suddenly, almost without any warning.
For example, Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction, ascended amidst the despair of war in his homeland. Yet there have always been countless individuals throughout billions of years who, driven by war and despair, harbored thoughts of destruction.
And yet, only Nanook became the Aeon of Destruction—perhaps the right person, appearing at the right moment, chosen by the Path to pioneer it.
Aeons and Paths are closely intertwined, yet they can also be separated.
Legend has it that Aha once bestowed all the energy of a Path upon a mere insect, simply to see whether it could join the Genius Society. Even after the fall of Tayzzyronth, the Aeon of Propagation, the calamity of the Swarm continues to plague the universe without end.
After Akivili of the Trailblaze disappeared, the silver rails of the Trailblaze still continue to operate.
The relationship between Aeon and Path is a mutual choice, perhaps bearing some form of mission. She had a conjecture—that Aeons are selections and experiments of the universe's own will, emerging at the appropriate time.
Then why would the Path of Hope manifest in this era, awaiting Sol to pioneer it?
In her view, the hope of a single tribe, nation, or even an entire star system was insignificant compared to the universe itself. Only one whose hope belonged to the entire cosmos would have the possibility of pioneering the Path of Hope.
She was unbearably curious—why was Sol so special?
And if she, too, were to become special... would that bring her closer to becoming the Aeon of Life she so deeply longed for?
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