"Remember those conversations between the program and its son that were displayed on the big screen in the initial room?" Ke Xun said. "Although I'm not good at reading comprehension, I could roughly understand one of the things the program's son meant, because I had the same question when I was in school: why are the opinions of those so-called experts, scientists, professionals, etc. in books necessarily correct?
"At that time, I felt that unless someone is proficient in all the knowledge in the universe, only such a person's opinions are qualified to be regarded as true theorems and truths."
"It's like the universe is a giant watermelon, and humans live on the seeds, completely unaware of the flesh outside the seeds. So we say the entire universe is just a watermelon seed, black and hard. But actually, there's also the flesh inside the universe—red, juicy, and sweet flesh. Humans haven't seen it, so we define the universe as the watermelon seed, but in reality, the universe is the flesh with some seeds in the middle.
"So what I mean is that things beyond human understanding cannot be defined, described in detail, or analyzed. Just like human consciousness, we can't explain how it came about, so we can't describe its essence. Unlike matter, which can be described using atoms, particles, and quanta."
"Just as people living on watermelon seeds cannot explain watermelon flesh, they cannot define watermelon flesh using the 'black' and 'hard' characteristics that define watermelon seeds, because in the world of watermelon seeds, there are no properties like 'red,' 'sandy,' or 'sweet.'
"So I think, watermelon seeds and watermelon flesh are equivalent to matter and consciousness. People cannot explain the essence of consciousness because of limited cognition. Perhaps, on a macroscopic scale like the universe, consciousness, like watermelon flesh, can actually be measured and defined by various different elements. It's just that people have never recognized these elements, so they cannot define it."
"So, could we also hypothesize that consciousness is actually matter, or rather, an element, in another sense, composed of matter and elements that people have never known before? Perhaps hundreds or thousands of years from now, when technology has advanced to a certain level, people will discover that consciousness is actually composed of an element called 'consciousness particle,' which may be hundreds of millions of times smaller than photons, particles, or quarks, but it can still be represented by quanta, becoming the smallest quantum, and then incorporated into the material system. In that case, would some of the laws of quantum mechanics be correct?" "So it can also be applied to consciousness?"
After saying this, Ke Xun noticed that everyone was looking at him silently. He couldn't help but scratch his head, feeling embarrassed, and said, "Ahem, well... I was just talking nonsense. I'm a terrible student, so I can't really come up with anything like 'one hydrogen dioxide.' Just consider it me rambling. Let's all brainstorm and keep thinking..."
Luo Yi: "...One hydrogen dioxide, is that okay? Bro, you have the best grades in chemistry, can I humbly ask you?"
Ke Xun: "Get lost, is that how you use 'humbly ask you'? Be serious! Put your effort into it! Think quickly!
" Luo Yi: "..."
"A very imaginative idea." Mu Yiran's voice came from behind him with a hint of barely perceptible laughter. Ke Xun turned around and cuddled up to him. Even with his eyes closed, Mu Yiran could almost see this guy wagging his tail and blinking his puppy eyes in front of him.
"The concept of 'consciousness' is very interesting," Mu Yiran continued. "The smallest known particle of matter is the single odd particle. Before science and technology reached a certain level, the smallest particles we knew were only atoms, electrons, and protons. The neutron was discovered in 1932, and hundreds of other particles have been discovered since then. So, how can we be sure that there isn't a particle smaller than the single odd particle that hasn't been measured yet? This particle could very well be the 'consciousness' that constitutes the 'matter' of consciousness?"
"Since there was a rule on the big screen when we first entered this painting—'No empirical evidence is needed, only imagination'—" Shao Ling continued, "then I think Ke Xun's highly imaginative statement might actually come true."
"All hypotheses can be true as long as they are logically consistent," Qin Ci said. He and Shao Ling had just carefully reviewed all the text and rules that had appeared in the painting, and he could now readily use them. "So, regardless of whether Ke Xun's idea was used to prove or describe its equation, it is true in this painting."
"So what we need to do now is figure out how to use quantum physics phenomena to manipulate the program's consciousness and get it to transmit its signature to us," Zhu Haowen said, deep in thought.
"But even if consciousness is a particle, it's not in the same dimension as us, right? How can we manipulate it across dimensions?" Wei Dong asked.
Silence fell again.
They had solved the problem of consciousness no longer being "empty," but they still hadn't solved the problem of crossing dimensions.
"It's like playing the same game on two different servers. Even if you're in the same guild and doing the same dungeon, you can't chat or team up to grind across servers," Luo Yu sighed.
"The strategy guide can be the same," Wei Dong said, "but unfortunately, this is our first time exploring this dungeon. Even if we have a strategy guide for this dungeon—quantum physics phenomena—the problem remains: how are you going to transmit the strategy guide you're using to someone on another server while you're running the dungeon? There's no instant messaging software."
"Instant messaging…" Mu Yiran suddenly chimed in, her closed eyes fluttering slightly, "It seems you two weren't discussing the application of games in paintings for nothing."
"Huh?" Wei Dong and Luo Yi looked completely bewildered.
Mu Yiran tilted his head slightly, facing Zhu Haowen, and said, "Speaking of instant communication, there seems to be a phenomenon in quantum physics that can achieve this."
Zhu Haowen's eyes lit up: "Quantum entanglement!"
Ke Xun: "Look at Dongzi Luobo's eager eyes."
Wei Dong Luo Yi: "Mhm!"
"To put it simply," Zhu Haowen said, "between two particles that have undergone energy transfer, a connection similar to telepathy will be formed. When one particle is measured, the state of the other particle will change simultaneously. No matter how far apart the two particles are, this connection will not disappear, and the transmission of this connection is instantaneous, with almost no time difference.
"For example, imagine these two particles are placed in separate boxes, one next to the sun and the other next to Pluto. When we open the box of one particle and observe it, we find that it is spinning, then the particle in the other box must also be spinning. This state of quantum induction and connection is called quantum entanglement."
"Some scientists say that the universe is filled with quantum entanglement. There was once a theory that after the Big Bang, two universes emerged, developing in opposite directions, known as mirror universes. This might also be a form of quantum entanglement.
Since everything in the universe is made up of particles, whether in parallel universes or multidimensional space, there should be quantum entanglement between quanta. Therefore, perhaps quantum entanglement is not hindered by dimensions or multiverses; they can sense each other across dimensions."
"That's it!" Wei Dong clapped his hands. "We don't need to prove it! As long as it's logically consistent, we can make the hypothesis a reality!"
"Then one last question," Ke Xun said, "'Between two particles that have undergone energy transfer,' how is this energy transfer achieved? Where does the program's consciousness embody the signature?"
While Zhu Haowen was pondering, Mu Yiran was already answering Ke Xun: "Consciousness is different from matter in the true sense. The energy of consciousness is roughly equivalent to what we call mental power. So, whichever target this mental power was transmitted to, that target should possess the same mental power. The mental power transmitted by the program's consciousness is clearly the main body of this painting..."
"—That void that resembles both waves and particles!" Ke Xun's eyes lit up.
Everyone immediately understood.
Mu Yiran nodded: "Where we are now, surrounded by snow-white walls on all sides, is clearly not the main body of the painting. What the program actually painted is the void above our heads in the level. That void is the 'consciousness energy body' infused with mental power by the program. Therefore, if we want to get the signature, we must enter the level again."
"But if we do that, won't we all be separated?" Luo Yu hurriedly asked.
"It doesn't matter. Consciousness exists in a higher dimension and is not affected by the length, quantity, or time of lower dimensions," Zhu Haowen said. "Even if we are assigned to different levels, we can still summon the program's consciousness at the same time."
"In that case, let's continue to take turns rolling the dice," Ke Xun said. "Before rolling the dice, let's review the steps."
Mu Yiran then said, "Now everyone listen carefully, and remember each of the following steps: First, after entering the level, bring up the Book of Rules and describe the 'dualism of matter and consciousness' hypothesis to make the condition 'the program's consciousness can exist independently' true;
Second, describe the 'consciousness particle' hypothesis to make the condition 'the program's consciousness is a particle' true;
Third, describe the 'quantum entanglement' theory to make the condition 'the program's consciousness can connect with the content in the painting across dimensions' true;
Fourth, bring up the item box and request the program's consciousness and signature. In this way, when the program's consciousness appears, it should use the rules mentioned above to transmit the signature."
"Finally, if the above methods fail, remember not to panic. First, try to complete the level's task, then we'll come back here and try again."
"Okay!" everyone responded.
Just to be on the safe side, Zhu Haowen and Ke Xun precisely repeated the relevant rules to everyone again. After everyone memorized them, Mu Yiran said, "Then, I'll open my eyes now and let the dice-rolling process continue."
Everyone rolled the dice again in turn, and then moved forward the room number according to the number rolled.
This time, Ke Xun and He Tang entered the same level again, along with Wei Dong and Fang Fei.
[Requirements: Pass all levels and reach the exit within the time limit. Each level has a one-minute time limit. 60-second countdown.] "
Holy crap!" Wei Dong exclaimed in shock and anger, "Damn it, there's a time limit this time! 60 seconds isn't enough time to recite all the laws!"
"Don't panic, listen," Ke Xun said in a deep voice, "Fang Fei, you narrate the laws. Leave the problem-solving to us. Don't get distracted, just focus on narrating. Let's begin now."
Fang Fei immediately followed the steps set by Mu Yiran, pointing to the law book and beginning to narrate the laws one by one.
"Dongzi, let's solve the problem first, calm down!" Ke Xun strode forward, cautiously assessing the situation before him.