Chapter 903 - This Game Is Too Realistic

Chapter 903: A Great Migration Though Chu Guang had often made numerous bold claims, this time his seemingly enchanted words failed to manifest. Singularity City was exceptionally safe. To put it without exaggeration, it was significantly safer than any other settlement within the Alliance. Time in this city seemed to slow down, so much so that even the occasional bird flitting through the sky did so with enviable leisure. Under the coordination of AI, harmony reached unprecedented heights—not just among people but also between humans and other species, achieving a state of mutual coexistence without a single feather being ruffled. In the western agricultural district of Singularity City, Chu Guang, on a leisurely walk accompanied by Frost, captured a scene on his camera that could rival a world-famous painting: a farmer lazily soaking up the sun by the field, sparrows feasting nearby. After a broad smile, he sighed softly. "Honestly, I never expected you to succeed back then. I was already making plans for your failure and how to clean up the subsequent mess." His concerns were not baseless. After all, the original inhabitants of this settlement weren't exactly virtuous. Some were cunning and treacherous, even traitors who once sided with the Torches. When it came to moral standards, some "hybrids," ostracized by mutant tribes, might have even surpassed them in character. The truly innocent ones were likely those rescued by the Alliance from being livestock in mutant tribes. However, these rescued prisoners lacked even the most basic social attributes, let alone self-sufficiency. These individuals belonged to the costliest segments for assimilation into Alliance society, requiring three times the average public resource expenditure to positively contribute to society. This included everything from the free prosthetics provided by the Refugee House, goods raided at relief stations, and dumplings, to scamming others who had just joined the Wastelanders in the Alliance. Miraculously, Singularity City managed to assimilate them. More precisely, their naturally "free-spirited" nature unexpectedly adapted to Singularity City's rigorously strict rules. Receiving Chu Guang's compliments, Frost smiled bashfully but proudly. "You flatter us... Though it seems we've done well in your eyes, I believe we're still far from ultimate success." Chu Guang glanced at her. "Ultimate success means?" Frost replied warmly, "At least for us to operate independently, entirely without external help." Chu Guang chuckled at her words. "That's quite an ambitious goal. Frankly, no settlement in the Alliance has achieved that." "Indeed, Singularity City still has a long journey ahead..." Frost sighed gently. "To be honest, I sometimes pessimistically think this might be an unachievable goal." Surprised, Chu Guang asked, "Even you can feel pessimistic?" "I'm an android, not a robot. A 1% probability calculation affects my emotional module; anything below this threshold makes me feel dejected." Frost nodded, sighing softly. "Our arable land has tripled, and food production has increased several times over. We live in abundance, yet we can't shake off our reliance on the outside." "Furthermore, we see two distinct patterns here: some are motivated but plan to leave, while others grow more dependent on us, lackluster in their assigned tasks, and adapting to our minimum living standards by conserving energy, becoming more like machines but far less efficient than them." Principally, those leaving Singularity City couldn’t take anything tangible with them, and the conversion of labor credits to silver was abysmally low. However, knowledge and skills, free to acquire here, weren’t tangible items. Aside from regulated sleep times, people could freely manage their free time. Those eager to leave invested heavily in learning, ironically becoming the individuals Frost most wished to retain. She attempted to reward talent within the constitutional framework of the Alliance by purchasing recreational items from Ideal City, only delaying departures, not preventing them. In reality, Singularity City became a production base supplying the Alliance with skilled labor and cheap agricultural products, without nurturing a new societal structure to surpass any across the Wasteland. Without innovative external inputs, this closed settlement would stagnate and spiral downward into a vicious cycle. Chu Guang had also just realized that the city’s automation wasn’t even on par with nearby Dust Town. Next to Chu Guang, Frost suddenly asked out of the blue, "Is it human nature?" Taking a moment, Chu Guang offered an ambiguous answer. "Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't." Frost gazed steadily at him, determined to get to the bottom of it. "My cognition plugin tells me you have a better answer... Please don't hesitate. You're one of the most insightful beings I've met, and your opinion is invaluable to me." Hearing these peculiar words, Chu Guang displayed a resigned expression, sighed, and said, "Well... 'better' is a bit of a misnomer; most real-world problems lack standard answers or optimal solutions, only relatively appropriate ones. Your dilemma seems more like a natural law than human nature." "Natural law?" Frost repeated. Chu Guang nodded, casting his gaze toward the golden expanse on the horizon. "Throughout thousands of years, we've drawn more than one conclusion, but none has resolved all the challenges we faced in every historical epoch." "I am inclined to believe that an absolutely perfect method has never existed. The Human Federation once neared perfection. The age of prosperity fulfilled every imaginative vision of the future for the old world, yet the linear ascent resulted in the linear downfall we see today." Seeing Frost deep in thought, Chu Guang suddenly shifted his tone, patting her shoulder with a smile. "However, the very quest to explore the 'ultimate question' is not without merit. In both physics and sociology, our quest for perfection yields unexpected discoveries, much more beneficial than standing still." "Move forward, for who knows, one day the Alliance might rely on you for salvation." He had prepared many baskets for his eggs, with options beyond the Alliance and including the South Sea Alliance. As long as the choices were ample, a suitable one would emerge. Even if current methods failed, the Alliance of the future could forge new ones. Chu Guang believed his children possessed the potential to achieve this, that this capacity to keep the Alliance perpetually young was far more valuable than any heritage he could leave for future generations. Feeling the warmth through his palm, the previously surprised Frost instantly grasped his intent and smiled knowingly. "How humbling, that my confusion should require my client’s guidance... Thank you. I will remember your advice and continue on." Frost appeared to have gained a new understanding of her work and rekindled her motivation. Chu Guang nodded, smiling reassuringly, "Your words alone set me at ease." … For the entire afternoon, Chu Guang toured Singularity City. Besides the farms, he also visited a local clothing factory and soda plant. Like the farms, factory enthusiasm wasn’t particularly high, but it was sufficient for the settlement’s self-sufficiency. After a peaceful night back at the guesthouse, Chu Guang woke up to a new day, bid farewell to Frost, Eclipse, and Yinyin, then headed straight to the station outside Singularity City. Most travelers waiting on the platform were the same ones who arrived the previous day, along with some young and middle-aged individuals, carrying uniformly styled suitcases. They resembled eager players fresh from the starting village, brimming with ambition. Regardless of why they initially came to Singularity City, they now seemed rejuvenated and ready to embark on a new journey. Just then, Chu Guang happened to notice the registration booth at the settlement’s entrance for those checking in. In addition to the Wastelanders, there were also some residents from Ideal City present. It seemed they had arrived on the same train as him. After spending a day exploring, instead of leaving with their fellow travelers, they appeared to have decided to stay and become part of the Singularity City family. Curious about their motivations, Chu Guang used a holographic device to subtly alter his appearance and approached a young man wearing non-prescription glasses. "Hey man, what do you think about living here?" The young man didn't detect anything unusual in Chu Guang’s altered voice. Seemingly talkative, he replied with a hearty laugh. "What’s not to like? In Ideal City, my apartment was only twenty square meters, no windows, just a ventilation duct for hot and cold air. Even if I worked my entire life, I might never get real sunlight in my room... but here, I just lie on the ground, and I’ve got it." Looking at this overly optimistic young man, Chu Guang kindly reminded him, "But there’s no Endpoint Cloud here, and there probably never will be." "Even better. I’m fed up with the limitless virtual world. The AI there are compliant like puppets, and when you strip away the virtual facade, the real people underneath are as ugly as can be... including myself. Honestly, I came here precisely to get away from the Endpoint Cloud," the young man chuckled, shrugged, and continued, "Besides, it’s not a tough choice. If I get tired of this place, I can leave." That last sentence was important. Hearing the young man's response, Chu Guang felt amusedly conflicted. His biggest worry was people treating this "rehab center" like a retreat, but now it seemed that his concerns weren't entirely unwarranted. However... Perhaps, that wasn’t such a bad thing after all. His conversation with Frost the previous day had not only influenced Frost; it subtly shifted some ideas in his own mind. Even if his fears came to fruition, it didn’t necessarily mean the worst-case scenario would unfold. And even if he made all the preparations to prevent potential issues, the outcome might not align with his hopes. After chatting a bit more with the enthusiastic young man, Chu Guang leisurely made his way back to the entrance of the official passageway. At that moment, the southbound train pulled into the station. Lü Bei, dressed in formal attire, quietly approached him. "Mr... Sir, our reserved compartment has arrived, and my colleagues inside have conducted a preliminary check. Please, follow me." Noticing Lü Bei’s earnest demeanor, Chu Guang nodded and smiled. "Alright, then let’s depart. We shouldn’t keep the other passengers waiting." Chu Guang and his group settled into their designated compartment without drawing any attention from the other travelers. The next stop was Weifu City. Following Weifu City and Shifeng Mountain, they would reach Haiyahang Province, adjacent to the southern seas—a place rumored to be bustling lately. Due to the "shock therapy" plan he implemented with the eastern provinces earlier in the year, a massive migration of Wastelanders had settled along the coast of Haiyahang Province in ten new settlements. Along with numerous Wastelanders, there were also survivors from Boluo Province and even Willantian people from the Legion. Some were former expeditionary troops who chose to retire locally, while others had crossed oceans to seek refuge or fortune. The space elevator and gravity well projects brought ample employment opportunities and commercial prospects. The constant influx of immigrants introduced technology, wealth, and labor force. This asset vastly exceeded the "Meissner Effect Armor" sold by Ma Fu Town to the Alliance. Notably, the South Sea Alliance, aided by laborers from Mammoth Country, was gradually moving past the shadows of civil war. This survivor faction, also seeded by Vault dwellers, resembled a reawakening engine. Utilizing two centuries of technological reserves and maritime construction expertise as fuel, it propelled the development of the entire southern coastal region! Presently, Haiyahang Province was gradually overtaking the ports of Jin Gallon and Mammoth City in Boluo Province, becoming the next emerging market to captivate investors. Unlike the early investors who initially rushed into Jin Gallon Port, the current Alliance had evolved in terms of production methods and financial tools. The miracles being cultivated there might surpass those of Boluo Province. Chu Guang took a copy of the "Survivor's Daily" issued by Settlement One from X-16. It was printed using the train's onboard printer. He unfolded the newspaper on his lap and shook it, glancing at the headline. It depicted a limping Willantian veteran wearing the Southern Legion's standard uniform, standing grim and dirty-faced beneath the Refugee House signage to queue for a free prosthetic. Aside from the second-rate editors at Dawn City’s "Survivor's Daily," most regional editions excel at caricature. Boulder City’s included. The caption below the image was laden with irony. "An Unprecedented 'Great Migration'! The 'Nest of Salvation' Transport Ship Arrives at Settlement One!" It was clear the editor, likely a Lunar native, tried to maintain objectivity, but a faint disdain still seeped through the lines. Chu Guang's eyebrows raised slightly, displaying a hint of surprise. "Are these people immigrants from Port Evernight?" Sitting on his shoulder, Lil Qi nodded. "I believe so... It seems there’s a forum post regarding them." Chu Guang was familiar with the post Lil Qi mentioned. About half a month ago, someone named [Talan Raider] had serialized a short story on the forum, documenting the legends of Port Evernight and Blackwater Alley. The narrative had just reached the enlightenment part, with the hidden "Guides" in Port Evernight and their unspeakable apocalyptic plans barely beginning to surface. Chu Guang had been following the post as well, but so far, the new "Desert Legion" hadn’t made much progress. The blockade and large-scale suppression at Port Evernight continued, preventing them from undertaking any rash actions. The story mentioned a merchant named Arman and his "Nest of Salvation" vessel, reportedly carrying five thousand souls and over a thousand tons of gold across twelve ships. Chu Guang had even sent a telegraph to Li Minghui to caution his fleet against unintentionally harming these civilians. Yet, he was surprised at how swiftly those twelve ships had already arrived... (To be continued)