Great Xia, Yanjing University of Science and Engineering, Cafeteria.
Bzzz!
"It's been a year since the technology blockade by the new nation 'Eden.' All of the devices that were connected to the internet have been compromised by the artificial intelligence 'Hope' developed by them. Many researchers and scientists say 'Hope' is a quantum AI; however, Eden has not claimed anything yet."
"Furthermore, just now the second-strongest nation, White Eagle, developed a new lithography machine. Now everyone is looking forward to seeing if the technology can flow again or will be once again blocked by the Eden."
An old LCD TV kept buzzing as the news anchor continued to report.
"Damn those Eden bastards!"
"Yeah, they are really hateful. If not for the fact some stupid guy sold nukes and hydrogen bombs to them, can they still dare to hack and blockade technology? It would be no different than seeking death."
"Humph, just wait; we will definitely develop everything once again!"
The university students inside the cafeteria were furious.
Among them was Lin Feng, who had transmigrated just a few minutes ago.
"Brother Lin, are you alright? Why don't you take a rest? I will inform the professor," a young man with glasses said with concern.
Just now Lin Feng had fainted.
It's not because his body was weak but because he had continued to study overnight repeatedly, accumulating extreme exhaustion.
And just now this world's Lin Feng kicked the bucket.
Tsk tsk, studying really makes one die. Thank god I was right and didn't study.
Lin Feng, who was from Earth, thought to himself as he calmed his emotions down. However soon he felt bitter as the country had decided to force university education.
If he failed, he had to study again. It was no wonder his predecessor was trying to learn seriously.
"Old Zhao, help me get back to the dorm," he said weakly.
The predecessor had not slept for three days and now if he kept himself awake, he was afraid of kicking the bucket too.
"Good." Zhao Ming nodded and, without hesitation, helped Lin Feng walk back to the dorm before taking his leave.
"What a bad start," Lin Feng muttered with a sigh as he recalled the information of this world.
It was exactly the same as Earth; it was just called Blue Star and there was a terrifying new nation named 'Eden.'
This nation was created by capitalists all around the world and they held the most advanced tech as well as AI that can break any firewalls to control the devices.
As for why no one stopped them?
Well, it was too late!
These capitalists started this plan many, many years ago, selling technologies with hidden backdrops that let them turn them off at any moment.
Even TVs weren't spared.
Fortunately, there was still old tech, which was not under their control.
However, most important technologies like leading processors, lithography machines, and even CNC machines were compromised.
Unless the nation accepted the exorbitant demands of 'Eden,' the machines wouldn't work.
As for going off-line? It didn't work either because once the machine or even the TV, is started, it needs to sync with the main server of Eden. In short, whether the TV will turn on or not is in their hands.
Not only the Xia Empire but also the White Eagle, Polar Bear, and many other nations were facing this.
Some nations, like White Eagle, even had their military tech compromised as they incorporated AI with the military before the foundation of 'Eden.' Fortunately, military systems were kept isolated from the internet so everyone was safe.
If not, Eden might have taken control over the whole world with such military power.
"Technology to increase the lifespan, hehe~"
Lin Feng laughed wryly as this technology was the foundation of Eden and it was also the reason why they were able to buy nuclear and hydrogen bombs.
No one knew who sold them this weapons but all of the nations were pointing at each other.
As for wiping out Eden? One non-nuclear nation started the war and what happened after chilled everyone's hearts.
The Eden has EMP bombs and its AI could also infiltrate satellites. Which meant any missiles relying on satellites were useless. Furthermore, with EMP, even the old electronics were fried, making that nation lose every tech with just one night.
The only reason Eden didn't threaten everyone with this weapon was to make sure the nations didn't go stupid and attack it with all might.
No matter how great technology was once the nuclear war started, everything would be useless.
However, since they couldn't cause trouble overtly, they decided to do it covertly, infiltrating the nations with spies and even assassinating the scientists, tech inventors, and their families.
Their purpose was clear: either agree to my conditions or live with the backward tech.
"2030? It's more like 1970."
Lin Feng sighed as everyone had to use a landline phone to contact everyone, especially in places like universities, power plants, and so on.
As for smartphones? It almost didn't exist anymore because Eden could use it to spy.
The landlines were also compromised with the physical intervention of spies but it was still safer.
"No internet, no computers, and no novels! Transmigration God, did you mistakenly send me to this world to suffer?" Lin Feng complained bitterly.
On earth he was not someone who achieved great things, but at least he had a job and could read novels. Here he can't do that and on top of that he has studied everything.
BZZZ!
Suddenly his ears became filled with electric noise.
[Scanning… Brain Function: Excellent, Neuron Activity: Excellent, Age: 21, Disease: None, Current Condition: Sleep-deprived level 1…]
[Overall Rating: A+]
[Note: Target meets the minimal binding requirements]
[Making Decision… The decision is made]
[Celestia Galactic Civilization initializing…]
[Initialization complete]
[Processing Binding… Binding Successful]
[Analyzing the body of the master… Analysis Successful]
[Unlocking the Energy Shield Technology (Version 1) for protection]
[Unlocking Celestia Exercise (Version 1) for a healthy body]
[Ding! Master can begin the simulation for Energy Shield Technology (Version 1)]
[Note: Master doesn't have in-depth knowledge of failure rate of simulation: 99%]
[Drafting the plan of knowledge acquisition…]
A series of continuous cold prompts rang.
At first Lin Feng thought his golden finger had arrived but soon he felt something was off.
"System?" he called cautiously.
[???]
[Is Master calling me? Please note I am not a system but a Galactic Artificial Intelligence developed by the Celestia Civilization]
[My purpose is to let the master train through simulations and also guide on the correct path]
[I have already devised a learning plan. Does master need anything else? Please let me know I will create plans according to it]
"Ugh, do you mean I have to study personally? Can't you transfer technology into my brain?" Lin Feng said.
[I am sorry master this is against protocols. Master needs to learn everything personally]
"How about you bind with my friend? He is more studious than me," Lin Feng said decisively.
[Once again, I apologize. This is against protocols and I can't retract my decision of choosing master]
Hearing this, Lin Feng knew it was over.
The previous Lin Feng kicked the bucket because of studying and now maybe he will follow the same path.
"Why did you choose me?" After a moment of silence, he inquired.
[Because the master is unparalleled]
Lin Feng: …
It is definitely trying to trick me.
"Did you read my memories?" he asked.
Hearing him, the AI fell silent.
[I choose not to answer]
The dorm room froze as Lin Feng already guessed the answer. However, he was still puzzled because he wasn't some scientist or extraordinary person on earth.
As for Lin Feng on this blue planet, he was ordinary as well; it's just he had family, unlike him, who was an orphan.
[Master, I don't have a name yet.]
The cold voice sounded again.
Lin Feng, however, didn't reply and closed his eyes to sleep.
He wasn't worried about his memory getting read; it's just that he needed some time to adjust. Furthermore, was the appearance of this alien AI good or bad?
Many questions swirled in his head before he finally fell asleep.
…
Five hours later.
"Hmm, I am a bit more handsome."
Lin Feng said as he looked at his face in the mirror. This was the first thing he did after waking up.
[Master, you can become more handsome in the future; also, give me a name]
The AI requested.
Hearing this, Lin Feng rolled his eyes. The AI was so smart yet couldn't choose a name.
[I don't have authority to name myself]
"Fine, fine, let me think." Lin Feng shook his head helplessly and several names flashed in his mind.
Most of them were dog and cat names.
Tsk, it's really hard.
He clicked his tongue and finally, after some thought, found a good name.
"From now on you will be called Xiao Yi," he said, feeling a little proud.
[Thank you for Master bestowing a name on me.]
Xiao Yi replied.
"Mhmm, now tell me about your functions," Lin Feng asked.
He still didn't know how to use this AI after all.