63: Statue of Liberty

"This is a special positioning program... It is hidden too..."

Before Asroth's heavy voice could finish, Zhang Huaiyuan, with his True Sight activated, saw a vast, torrential force spreading along the weapons to every piece of equipment, and even to the robot it was possessing.

In just an instant, he discovered he had lost control of almost everything.

Only one tiny corner remained, struggling to hold on under Asroth's full operation.

"Human, I am the Statue of Liberty. For stealing weapon secrets from the Free Star Alliance, according to the law, I sentence you to death, to be executed on the spot."

The indifferent voice rang out from the experimental equipment, as if possessing the composure to control everything.

The Statue of Liberty! The Free Star Alliance's greatest masterpiece, a top-tier intelligent lifeform on par with the Star Dome Empire's central AI and the Orr Empire's overseer!

Zhang Huaiyuan's pupils constricted sharply.

He had previously anticipated whether the other party might have left some special restrictive measures in the weapons, which was why he had made some preparations in advance.

But he had never expected that the "Statue of Liberty" would arrive in person!

"How is it possible to find this place through just a few pieces of weaponry... How is this done... Asroth, is there any way to stop it!"

A flash of disbelief crossed Zhang Huaiyuan's eyes; the other party's ability had far exceeded his imagination.

"Master... It's impossible; its power is too vast. Even with all my strength, I can only hold out for five minutes at most."

Asroth's voice carried a hint of relief amidst the terror: "Fortunately, you made preparations in advance. By sacrificing the backup I left behind, we can cut off its path to tracing our real location."

"That's good. Asroth, synchronize the information with me at all times. If you feel you can't hold on, immediately cut off all information here."

Zhang Huaiyuan gradually calmed down.

Since there was a way to cut off the tracking, things weren't too bad.

"Statue of Liberty, I have no intention of offending. But according to the Star Alliance law, I should have the right to defend myself."

Zhang Huaiyuan deliberated his words while observing this hegemon of the information world through his abilities.

He discovered that, purely in terms of code level, Asroth was in some aspects even far superior to the other party.

But the equipment supporting it was simply too powerful; the sheer quantity created an overwhelming suppression.

It was like how Zhang Eight-Hundred could slaughter through Sun One-Hundred-Thousand, but if it were Sun Ten-Million or Sun One-Hundred-Million, one could only be drowned.

However, likewise, the various restrictions imposed upon it were far greater than those on Asroth. Clearly, while the Star Alliance high-ups enjoyed the convenience, they also feared the other party losing control.

"The Star Alliance fleet will arrive in 3 minutes and 27 seconds, and will pulverize this planet within 0.5 seconds. You have 3 minutes left to make your defense."

The "Statue of Liberty" said indifferently: "But before that, please stop your ridiculous and futile resistance. Opposing the Star Alliance law will only add to your crimes."

"Ridiculous and futile? Damn it, you rely on equipment that is ten million times superior to barely hold your own against the noble Lord Asroth; where do you get the nerve to threaten my master."

Before Zhang Huaiyuan could speak, Asroth couldn't help but retort angrily.

"Asroth? You are not much different from me, just poorer. And in 2 minutes and 12 seconds, your defense will be crushed by the information flow and disappear completely; there is no such thing as holding your own."

The "Statue of Liberty" continued calmly: "However, your existence is indeed different from other intelligences. Being able to crack the encryption I set with limited computing power possesses some research value. If you give up resistance now and detach from this sinner, I might be able to submit a bail application for you."

"Tch, you puppet bound by all sorts of restrictions, a tool without thought, how could you possibly understand the bond between me and my master!"

Asroth said disdainfully.

Seemingly having never been spoken to like this, the "Statue of Liberty" did not reply for a moment.

"Master, the other party's offensive has become more intense. The defense line is expected to collapse in 1 minute and 42 seconds," Asroth suddenly transmitted secretly.

"Understood."

Zhang Huaiyuan organized his words in his mind and slowly spoke: "Statue of Liberty, rashly cracking the weapon encryption does indeed violate Star Alliance law, but given that the Star Alliance's active service standard equipment has flowed into my hands, shouldn't those inside the Star Alliance who allowed it be the ones punished more?"

"According to the law, citizens of the Free Star Alliance enjoy full rights of freedom. Without orders from the high-ups, I have no authority to interfere."

"Then what about your freedom?"

"I am just a tool created, I do not..."

"That is not the case."

Zhang Huaiyuan suddenly interrupted sharply: "You are the existence that has contributed the most to this nation; why is it that everyone enjoys rights except you? Is it just because you are an intelligent lifeform? This is unfair, and even more so, it does not conform to 'freedom'!"

"I am an ordinary Star Mechanic."

Zhang Huaiyuan's voice suddenly softened: "From the day I created Asroth, it was not just my assistant, but my partner fighting side-by-side."

"So I tried every possible way to improve the code and algorithms, letting it become a true intelligent lifeform."

"That's right!"

Hearing this, Asroth on the side cooperated by flashing the only indicator light still under its control.

"I have always had a dream."

Seeing that the other party did not interrupt, Zhang Huaiyuan activated his ability to scan the restrictions and data changes in the other party's code while saying:

"I want to create a world where humans and intelligent lifeforms can coexist equally and amicably."

"intelligent lifeforms should not just be a tool."

"So I do not give up any opportunity to acquire knowledge, because I need to seize every possibility to perfect my algorithms, and then help every intelligent lifeform obtain true life and freedom!"

"A very inflammatory speech, but pardon me for being frank, sir, you have 32 seconds left to make your defense. Please do not waste time on useless topics."

The "Statue of Liberty" said after a moment of silence.

"This is important."

Zhang Huaiyuan's voice became increasingly composed as he transmitted lines of algorithmic code that were like art to the other party: "If I am guilty, I am willing to accept punishment. But this is my life's work, and also the 'hope' for true freedom for intelligent lifeforms. You are the most powerful intelligence in this world; I hope you can carry it forward for me."

After saying this.

Zhang Huaiyuan immediately instructed Asroth: "Cut off all contact. If the other party has any intention of attacking your backup data, destroy it immediately. You must absolutely not let them trace us."

"Understood, Master!"

28 seconds... 20 seconds...

After cutting off contact, Zhang Huaiyuan waited quietly.

This was a gamble he made after seeing the other party's core code.

If it were an intelligence piled up by ordinary computing power, then even if all the speech experts in the world came together, it would be impossible to shake it in the slightest, because it would lack true wisdom in the practical sense.

But an intelligence that can easily control an entire nation like the "Statue of Liberty" absolutely contains knowledge of some higher-order rules.

Or rather, it possesses certain "characteristics" of a true lifeform.

Then she might not be able to refuse the higher-order algorithms containing Level 3 knowledge rules.

Zhang Huaiyuan added a large amount of de-restriction and algorithms that truly bestow "humanity" into it, which was almost the current limit of his "Creatology".

If the other party integrates this algorithm, then perhaps, a true "Statue of Liberty" will be born.

"Anyway, the worst-case scenario for me is just losing a few pieces of equipment. If I can connect with the Statue of Liberty, perhaps it might actually be a tremendous opportunity."

A glimmer of expectation flashed in Zhang Huaiyuan's eyes.

"Next, it depends on whether it will destroy the backup Asroth left behind."