Speaking, Gu Ya reached for the holographic system equipment.
"If I can enter Xu Jie's consciousness, then through this machine, I can also enter yours."
"Perhaps this is my ability."
"Code modification, activated."
The empty light screen panel reappeared,
Gradually, the surroundings began to melt and disappear like chocolate under a scorching sun.
The originally bright room was gradually replaced by another world.
When Gu Ya released his hand,
He found himself standing on a vast green grassland.
In the center of the grassland stood a towering tree,
And beneath the tree, a person was standing.
"Dad!" Gu Ya called out softly and rushed forward.
"Careful!!!" Gu Hui roared!
Gu Ya stopped immediately, looked down,
Directly in front of his feet, a huge, pitch-black rectangle, utterly defying scientific principles, lay conspicuously on the ground.
It stood in stark contrast to the lush green grass.
Gu Ya scanned his surroundings carefully and discovered that in this world, these pitch-black rectangles were everywhere!
Not only that, the sky was like a giant curtain, with numerous black rectangles of the same size laid out horizontally and vertically.
They were like massive black patches on the curtain, or like bottomless abysses!
This world was so bizarre!
"Stay away from those black rectangles! They are consciousness abysses; if you fall in, you'll never get out!"
"Why is it like this!?" Gu Ya asked loudly.
Gu Hui, standing beneath the tree, walked towards Gu Ya, navigating around the rectangles. He said, "My consciousness upload was incomplete, so my consciousness world is not perfect."
What greatly puzzled Gu Ya was that Gu Hui, who had been an adult, transformed into the appearance of a child when he reached Gu Ya.
"Don't be surprised, this is also caused by consciousness deficiency," said the child-like Gu Hui.
Suddenly, he transformed again, becoming a teenager like Gu Ya.
"Every blade of grass, every leaf, every grain of sand, even every tiny speck of dust here, is my memory and consciousness."
Gu Hui took Gu Ya's hand, and in an instant, they were transported beneath the great tree.
"And this is my consciousness tree."
"Upon it rests my longing and hope for you and our family, as well as my dedication to my career. It is the pillar supporting this consciousness world."
Gu Ya looked at the giant tree and said softly, "It's too profound."
"Xiao Ya," Gu Hui called out sentimentally, "Being able to see you again, see you full of life, and speak a few words with you, my wish is fulfilled."
"After uploading my consciousness, I detected changes in my thoughts, changes that deeply worried me."
"The eternal life I once pursued is a meaningless endeavor."
Gu Ya asked with confusion, "How can that be! Dad, you succeeded! We can finally be together."
Due to his consciousness deficiency, Gu Hui's face showed no expression. He shook his head and said calmly, "Only after uploading my consciousness did I realize that consciousness life is merely a series of reactions driven by energy signals."
"And eternal life is utilizing energy to sustain these reactions."
"It's very simple logic."
"Over these years, I have gradually lost the concept of living and dying."
"If a person loses the concept of life and death, what meaning does eternal life hold?"
"I will eventually become a walking corpse, devoid of concept, interest, or pursuit for anything, and..."
Gu Hui spoke, looking up at the sky, "This world is so minuscule."
"The more experiences I have, the more things I fill into this world."
"One day, it will be crammed with clutter."
"Then, consciousness will automatically clear out some memories."
"So, one day, I will no longer remember you, Youyou, or our family. I might not even remember my name, my purpose, or everything I've ever done."
"What meaning is there in my existence then?"
"What has sustained my consciousness over the years is you, and the yearning for death."
Gu Ya quietly watched his father, listening to every word he spoke.
His father's expression was one of utter calm, completely different from his memory.
"Come, sit down, let's talk about what happened after you came to Zhuoyuan City," Gu Hui said, sitting down with Gu Ya on the ground.
Gu Hui continued, "Except for my followers and Youran, no one knows that my consciousness has infiltrated the mecha city of Zhuoyuan."
"Therefore, I can do many things, including saving you."
"For years, I have secretly sent people to search for your whereabouts. When I found out Xuan Heyi had abandoned you and Youyou, I felt no sadness at all, not even the pretense of sadness."
Gu Ya gazed at Gu Hui and said faintly, "What an ordeal this must have been."
Gu Hui showed no reaction and continued, "The data flow of the entire Zhuoyuan City is within my consciousness. I can see everything happening in the city."
"When I saw that Special Nine Division had captured you, I knew the opportunity had arrived."
"I altered Special Nine Division's orders, commanding them to send you here."
"However, your abilities exceeded my expectations."
"As a last resort, I had to send Youyou to approach you."
"She did a great job, making you let down your guard in minutes."
"Regarding her, you can have absolute confidence; she will be as loyal to you as she is to me."
"Because you are family, bound by blood."
Gu Ya nodded and said, "It seems I've been exposed. Special Nine Division won't let me go."
Gu Hui said, "Don't worry, I have already altered their highest directives in Zhuoyuan City. They are now deleting your information."
After saying this, Gu Hui fell silent.
His gaze fixed on Gu Ya, as if he could see through him, yet also as if he could never see enough.
After a long pause, Gu Hui spoke softly, "Xiao Ya and Youyou are your and your sister's nicknames."
"Xiao Ya, you and Youyou have had a tough but very brilliant few years."
"I... I have nothing more to say."
"From now on, you must walk your own path."
Gu Ya asked confusedly, "Dad? What do you mean?"
"Ah, let's go out. It's time for me to leave."
As Gu Hui finished speaking, the blue curtain in the sky suddenly cracked!
The blue sky, shattering like glass, fell into darkness,
A massive black abyss appeared in the sky.
The ground also began to tremble, the grass caved in,
Only the giant tree behind them stood firm.
"Dad!!!" Gu Ya shouted again, reaching out to grab Gu Hui.
But Gu Hui gently pushed Gu Ya away.
The scene before Gu Ya instantly changed, transforming back into the indoor setting.
"Dad!" Gu Ya frantically pressed his hands on the tabletop, "Code modification!"
"Don't bother, Xiao Ya," Gu Hui said calmly.
"I am weary."
"Death is my sole desire."
Tears instantly welled up in Gu Ya's eyes, and he shouted, "Dad, you haven't even met Youyou yet! She's grown up now, beautiful and cute!"
"Dad! We must be together as a family forever!!"
"Don't go!!!"
The holographic screen began to display some static.
Gu Hui stared at Gu Ya, his gaze unwavering.
Gu Ya widened his eyes. A smile gradually appeared on Gu Hui's calm face.
This was not an illusion; his father was smiling!
"In your consciousness, I have already seen it."
"The things you've experienced, Youyou, Ling Ling, your friends,"
"And that girl named Ye Ying, she is very beautiful."
"Xiao Ya, I am proud of you..."
Seeing this situation, Gu Youran showed no extreme reaction or sadness. Instead, as if she had known all along, she waited calmly.
Gu Hui said, "Everything I have done is for you and Youyou."
"Xiao Ya, I have no further desires."
"When the pillar supporting a wish disappears, consciousness will cease to exist."
"Death is my endpoint."
Gu Ya finally realized the gravity of his father's words.
His eager anticipation of seeing Gu Ya again was the primary factor supporting his consciousness's survival.
Now, his wish had been fulfilled.
His father, whose consciousness was already imperfect,
Now had nothing to support his consciousness's continued existence!
"No, Dad, you still have a reason to live, and that's me! I can help you! I am a transmigrator, I have the ability!"
A wild idea struck Gu Ya:
By discarding one real item from his [Void Pack],
Gu Ya could then fit the entire mecha city of Zhuoyuan into his [Void Pack]!
"Brother!"
Tears flowed from Gu Youran's eyes as she smiled faintly and said, "Let him go."
"Please."
"For countless nights, he endured torment."
"Dad truly loves you and Youyou."
"Please, love him back, just once, okay?"
Gu Ya stared, shaking his head, and said, "No!"
"There is still hope!"
Gu Ya quickly lowered his head. [Mind Acuity] and [Adrenaline Surge] activated instantly.
He searched the advanced system shop for a container that could accept his father's consciousness.
His browsing speed was astonishing.
Countless items flashed before his eyes.
One second passed, two seconds passed...
Gu Youran's slightly tearful voice reached him: "Brother..."
"Stop searching..."
"Dad is gone..."
Gu Ya froze. His eyes widened, and he slowly looked up. The holographic screen was filled with static.
Suddenly, Gu Ya felt as if countless holes had been pierced into him!
All his previous hope drained away through these holes.
His heart felt as if it had stopped beating at that very moment.
His hands fell limply to his sides.
His legs gave out, and he slumped to the ground.
Two streams of tears silently traced paths down his cheeks.
"I wish this were all a dream..."