Just then—
At the edge of his field of vision, a tiny, moving outline caught his eye.
More than the joy of discovering life, Bai Luan felt a sense of eeriness.
Something's not right. My detector clearly didn't find anything. If there were living people... why couldn't it detect them?
Filled with doubt, Bai Luan walked towards the humans she saw.
Upon closer inspection, Bai Luan's doubts were immediately dispelled; what stood before him was not a human, but a robot with a human appearance.
Its clothes were tattered, and its entire body, which mimicked human skin, was damaged, revealing the mechanical structure inside.
Well, at least it's better than nothing.
Bai Luan stepped forward and stopped the robot.
Hello?
After being stopped, the robot looked puzzled, but also somewhat mechanically stiff.
It then stared at Bai Luan for a while, and soon a beam of scanning light shot out from its eyes, scanning Bai Luan's entire body.
"Organic life form detected! Master has returned! Master has returned! Synchronizing messages on the messaging network..."
Streams of data flashed through the robot's eyes, then it looked at Bai Luan and smiled:
"Welcome home, master."
Bai Luan's lips twitched beneath the mecha mask. Who calls someone "master" right off the bat?
"I am not your master, but merely a passerby."
Faced with Bai Luan's denial, the robot in front of her produced data evidence to refute her:
"The scan results have been compared with the database, and your similarity to the gene bank data is over 90%, so you are the one who has been reincarnated."
"Don't worry, Master, I've uploaded the information to the network, and the service robot that's still running is on its way."
"..."
It seems that the robot in front of me is not intelligent enough to break through the limitations of logic; everything can only be done according to the program.
"May I have your name?"
"Number 756489, service robot. I will do my best to meet all your needs. How can I help you?"
Tell me what happened on this planet?
"OK."
The robot in front of him nodded.
"Master, this environment is not comfortable. Please allow me to take you to a more comfortable place. I can answer your questions on the way."
The way the owner spoke sounded awkward, so Bai Luan said to the robot in front of him:
"Change my address from 'Master' to 'Bai Luan'."
"I understand. The modification instructions have been synchronized to the information network. From now on, we will address you as Bai Luan."
That feels good now.
Satisfied, Bai Luan followed the robot and began to walk towards the comfortable place it had mentioned.
On the journey, the history of this planet is gradually revealed, with wars fought for resources escalating into a world war.
World wars destroyed the ecological environment, and the remaining humans began to seek ways to save themselves.
They struggled and eked out a living amidst the ruins of war, and after centuries of effort, they finally flew into space and left this planet more than two hundred years ago.
The departing humans took away a large amount of resources they could carry, leaving behind only a devastated planet and redundant robots that they could not take with them.
The robots that remained were given the instruction to wait for their master's return, and they have been waiting there for over two hundred years.
Until Bai Luan arrived, his high genetic similarity to the humans of this world caused the remaining robots in this world to mistakenly believe that they were returning humans.
"In other words..."
Bai Luan raised her head, looking at the gray sky over the planet and the constantly falling snowflakes:
Am I the only human here?
"Historical records show that some owners were unable to board the ship and remained here..."
The electronic voice of 756 paused for a moment, seemingly searching for more precise data.
"...Confirmed. The last surviving owner lost vital signs 124 years ago."
It turned towards the white elm:
"Therefore, yes, Bai Luan. You are the only human to have returned. And the only human still existing on Beta-7."
Immediately, the programmed "smile" reappeared on the damaged bionic face, carrying a mechanical yet inexplicably unsettling "sincerity":
"Thank you for coming back."
Bai Luan looked at 756, and that smile reminded him of Xiu.
Their true owner did not return.
They haven't returned for over two hundred years, and when they left, they took a large amount of usable resources with them. Their final order upon leaving was not to repair the environment, but to stand by.
perhaps...
They had no intention of coming back.
756 led Bai Luan to a shelter hut, which was indeed better than the icy wilderness outside.
Bai Luan sat in the room, looking out the window into the distance, where figures were walking resolutely through the falling snow.
They are all robots like 756.
I should...
What are we going to do with you?
Chapter 68 I Will Make You Stand Up
Bai Luan looked at the ever-growing number of robots with some distress.
Perhaps before experiencing that repair incident, I would have chosen to simply walk away. After all, back then, I thought that a machine was just a machine, a tool.
But now... Bai Luan can't be that carefree anymore.
For these robots who have waited for over two hundred years, leaving them is far too cruel.
These robots that gathered together all bore the marks of time, with wear and tear on their bodies to varying degrees.
Some of the bionic skin has peeled off.
The first to arrive were those with all four limbs intact, followed by those with some limbs missing, and then those with most of their limbs missing.
What should I do with these robots?
Forget it, why think that far ahead!
Let's focus on the present and figure out how to fix them all first.
After deciding what to do, the confusion in Bai Luan's eyes faded.
"756?"
"Bai Luan, I'm here."
Are there any materials nearby that can be used to manufacture your items?
"No, if we really have to say... this shelter you're in can be used as material."
"I see..."
Bai Luan thought for a moment, then said:
"Then let's dismantle and repair you."
"This concerns your comfort! I don't recommend you do this!"
"Come on, use your logic. Do I need this shelter to provide me with comfort?"
The life support system inside the armor I'm wearing is reliable enough that I don't need the protection of a shelter.
756 seemed to have something else to say, but Bai Luan, not wanting to waste words, spoke bluntly:
"This is an order."
"yes..."
"You take a fully functional robot and dismantle this shelter, and while you're at it, send me the shelter's coordinates."
"Are you... planning to demolish all the shelters?"
Bai Luan sighed and looked at 756, saying:
"The person is gone, what's the point of having a house? Do you even need it?"
"But... what if the other owners come back?"
"I'm asking you, have they come back?"
"...No."
"That's settled then, isn't it?"
"I see."
Bai Luan stepped out of the shelter and began scanning the internal structure of the robots to obtain blueprints.
Not far away, 756 began dismantling the shelter with a team of robots.
After scanning through the general models of the robots, Bai Luan sat cross-legged and his consciousness entered the small dark room.
Under his deliberate control, the small dark room did not copy those robots in.
The Great Black Tower stretched out its hand, watching the snowflakes fall from the sky, land in its palm, and then melt there.
"Where is this? You seem to be in such high spirits, you went to admire the snow?"
Bai Luan projected the scanned robot blueprints and began to study them.
I also replied to the Great Black Tower:
"I went out for some fun and then I encountered a group of disabled robots."
Bai Luan briefly summarized the current situation.
"So, you're planning to fix all these robots now?"
"yes."
Bai Luan disassembled the blueprint and observed its internal structure.
"So let me ask you, what are you planning to do after it's fixed?"
Bai Luan paused in his movements.
"We'll think about what happens after it's fixed."
The Great Black Tower chuckled, exposing Bai Luan's pretense:
"You're completely at a loss, aren't you? What are you trying to hide from me? Do you think you can fool me?"
Seeing that her helplessness had been seen through, Bai Luan stopped trying to cover it up and simply admitted it:
"Okay, okay, I really don't know what to do next."
But then Bai Luan added:
"But leaving them unattended is definitely not what I want."
Daheita smiled as he looked at Bai Luan, who was busy disassembling the robot structure.
She wasn't surprised at all by Bai Luan's choice; in fact, it would have been strange if he hadn't done the same.
Even if these robots are only just beginning to develop emotions, Bai Luan will treat them all equally and respect them as if they were living beings.
I have to admit, I like this about him a lot.After all, he had treated me the same way back then, which is why I went from being a slightly more intelligent Black Tower doll to what I am today.
In real life, have you noticed the charm of your little assistant?
What if he runs away if we don't hurry?
Let me lend you a little help.
The Great Black Tower looked at the busy Bai Luan and said:
"White Luan".
Bai Luan stopped what he was doing, turned around to look at the Great Black Tower, and asked:
"What's wrong?"
"If you don't know what to do after you've fixed them, come find me."
Should we ask the Black Tower for help?
Bai Luan scratched his cheek and said with some worry:
Would she really be interested in this kind of trouble?
"Although I really don't like these troublesome things, I'll help you."
Are you sure?
"I am her, and she is me. We think the same way."
What? You don't believe me? You come to me asking about almost everything related to me.
That's true.
No one in this world understands the Black Tower better than the Black Tower itself.
"I understand, thank you, Black Tower. If I can't solve it myself, I'll ask you for help."
Bai Luan nodded towards the Great Black Tower.
After seeing that Bai Luan accepted his suggestion, Daheita said no more and turned back to continue his battle with the system's power.
Only a genius like her would dare to face the system's power and attempt to analyze it.
I should find some opponents who are more suited to my abilities.
Thinking this, Bai Luan turned her gaze back to the robot in front of her.
So this is how the energy core works?
No wonder he has such great stamina...
After an unknown amount of time, Bai Luan in reality raised her head and stood up.
He had already figured out the structure of these robots in the dark room, and was just waiting for the robots to dismantle the shelter and provide him with materials.
Bai Luan turned to look at 756 and the others, dismantling them very slowly.
I'd better do it myself.
Bai Luan clenched his fists, and two sharp force field light blades immediately formed on his arms.
"Please make way."
Upon hearing the sound, 756 immediately led the other robots to clear a path.
Then Bai Luan rushed towards the shelter and began cutting it apart with great efficiency.
After cutting the shelter into steel, the arms of the Bai Luan mech changed again, turning into flamethrowers and beginning to melt the steel.
After the steel turned red, nanorobots flowed on Bai Luan's arm, turning into several additional mechanical arms that began to shape the steel.
In less than ten minutes, a robotic arm had begun to take shape.
756 watched Bai Luan's actions.
After analyzing the current state of the logic unit, a question arose:
Am I a robot or is he a robot?
Why does it feel like he has more functions than me?
Can I really serve him?
For the first time since its inception, 756 began to doubt its ability to perform.
Just then, Bai Luan raised the mechanical arm, looked at the group of robots, and asked:
Who wants to be the first to try?
Soon, a one-armed robot emerged from the group of robots. It was severely worn, with half of its artificial human skin gone, revealing its original mechanical eyes and mechanical skull.
Bai Luan gave him an approving look, then connected the brand-new robotic arm to its interface.
Soon the robotic arm connected to its system and began to obey its commands.
The five fingers can open and close very flexibly.
The robot receiving the robotic arm looked at Bai Luan. His half-human, half-mechanical face made him look somewhat ferocious, yet also strangely exuded a wild handsomeness.
It smiled at Bai Luan:
"Thank you..."
"You're welcome."
Bai Luan turned her head and met the gazes of countless robots staring at her.
"I'll fix you... I promise!"
Just then, Bai Luan's attention was drawn to a figure in the distance.
It was a robot.
The robots that have arrived now are more or less damaged.
Its arrival was not easy, as it only had half a body and one arm left.
With its head held high and chest down, it used its only remaining arm to crawl towards the white cypress with difficulty, slowly, yet with unwavering determination.
Bai Luan remained silent and walked towards it.
Seeing Bai Luan walking towards him, the robot stopped at a distance and struggled to support itself with its arm.
When Bai Luan walked up to it, it revealed a smile.
"Number 88...236...457...Is there anything...we can...do...for you...?"
Bai Luan looked at the long trail behind it, winding and disappearing into the distance.
How far did it climb to get here from where it was?
"I don't need your service."
Bai Luan slowly squatted down, looked at the 882 robot, and made a gentle promise:
"I will help you stand up."
Chapter 69 Pioneers
After repairing countless robots, Bai Luan had to take a break.
This isn't a dark room; you'll get tired here.
The intensive and time-consuming creation of these mechanical artifacts had exhausted Bai Luan, causing a stinging sensation in her eyes, which were now quite bloodshot.
So sleepy.
Hmm, that sounds a bit too easy.
I'm so sleepy.
I feel like I'm going to die if I don't sleep soon.
"756".
"I am here."
"I'm going to sleep for a while."
After saying that, Bai Luan fell asleep.
After an unknown amount of time, Bai Luan woke up.
Bai Luan straightened up and found that she was not lying on the snow, but on a bed, and even covered with a quilt.
Well, that's a bit redundant.
Faced with this ridiculous situation, Bai Luan was at a loss for words, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
It seemed like I had been moved into a house by those robots.
He clearly remembers that he suddenly lay down on the ground and fell asleep.
Anyway, since I'm wearing a mecha suit, it doesn't matter where I sleep.
Bai Luan threw off the covers, opened the door, and immediately saw 756.
"Good morning, Bai Luan. Considering that sleeping in the wild is a suicidal act, we have moved you into the room in the hope that your sleep quality will improve."
Bai Luan's lips twitched.
Although what 756 said is true, it just sounds so strange.
Doesn't that make me sound like a stupid idiot looking to die?
"I was sleeping very well. Now that you've moved me here, what about the materials?"
"Don't worry, we've brought the materials over as well."
756 raised his hand and pointed into the distance, where Bai Luan saw the piled-up materials.
"However, there aren't many materials left."
"Um."
Bai Luan nodded in agreement, then said:
"We can go and dismantle one of the shelters now."
"Bai Luan, your previous coma was very bad for your health. If possible, please do your best to avoid this happening again."
Normally, Bai Luan wouldn't push herself to that extent, but that time she got carried away and her mind was filled with the idea of creating another one.
Furthermore, staying in the dark room for so long has also affected my behavior and habits; I should be more careful next time.
Thanks to the dark room, I can now easily enter a focused mode and easily lose track of time when I'm doing things.
"That only happens occasionally, and I still care a lot about my health."
Bai Luan looked at 756, and a good idea popped into his mind. He said:
"Since you say you want to take care of my health, why don't I give you all the blueprints and data for your model's limbs, and you can help me share the burden?"
756 fell silent upon hearing this, then firmly refused:
"Self-repair and individual replication of robots are not permitted."
"Why?"
"Bai Luan..."
756 looked at Bai Luan and said expressionlessly:
"We are commodities."
"..."
This one sentence explains why they lack self-healing capabilities.
Products need to be iterated, phased out, and consumed.
A self-sustaining "product" will only erode the manufacturer's profits.
Furthermore... the civilizations of this world must also be worried about the AI crisis.
Goods?