Chapter 76

As soon as he returned to the base, Nan Yuan went back to Dr. Xie's laboratory.
He had been diligently studying Dr. Xie's knowledge, believing that to control artificial intelligence, one must first understand them.
In this regard, Nan Yuan agreed with Dr. Xie's perspective.
Nan Yuan studied earnestly and was highly talented. Even Dr. Xie's assistant had to grudgingly admit, albeit enviously, that Nan Yuan was exceptionally clever.
Nan Yuan could now independently breach the defense systems of the robots Dr. Xie created, taking control of them in just a few minutes.
He practiced on the robots Dr. Xie placed in his room.
When Dr. Xie found out, he simply replaced them with new ones as usual.
The two maintained a temporary state of peace, both aware of each other's schemes but not yet tearing off the mask entirely.
Thinking of her recent technical exchange with Zhou Yan, Tao Shushu suggested, "Nan Yuan, let's make a robot specifically designed to create noise and gift it to Dr. Xie."
"He could just throw it out," Nan Yuan replied with amusement.
"That's fine. The main goal is to annoy him," Tao Shushu said enthusiastically.
"Alright," Nan Yuan indulged her.
Nan Yuan quickly created a spider-sized robot equipped only with a speaker and a chip. The spider legs were made of specially treated steel, designed to produce the most piercing sound when scratching walls, a suggestion from Tao Shushu.
Tao Shushu personally escorted this "pest-bot spider" to Dr. Xie's bedroom.
According to the program Nan Yuan set, once it detected Dr. Xie in deep sleep, the spider would begin its mischief.
After lunch, Tao Shushu opened the game and specifically went to Dr. Xie's room.
Dr. Xie was sleeping soundly.
The spider began crawling from the corner.
After moving a meter, Dr. Xie on the bed abruptly sat up.
Tao Shushu saw the bloodshot eyes of Dr. Xie.
Dr. Xie searched for a while before spotting the small spider in the corner.
He ordered the robots he had created to attack, but those robots were powerful enough to blast holes in the ceiling with a single shot.
Unable to use highly destructive methods, Dr. Xie could only deploy a few flying robots to chase the spider.
But the little spider was fast, and with every step, it produced an ear-piercing noise.
Dr. Xie covered his ears in agony, but the noise seeped through relentlessly, drilling into his nerves. For a psychic ability user, this was far from a pleasant experience.
Dr. Xie was furious, even throwing his pillow across the room.
Tao Shushu giggled happily. After all, Dr. Xie had been sending surveillance devices into Nan Yuan's room every day, today, he could get a taste of his own medicine.
After thoroughly enjoying Dr. Xie's discomfort, Tao Shushu leisurely switched to Nan Yuan's room.
She swore she wasn't coveting Nan Yuan's good looks, she would just take one glance and leave.
However, when Tao Shushu entered the room, she found Nan Yuan wasn't asleep. He was sitting on the bed, holding several surveillance devices in his hand, clearly having dismantled them.
"Nan Yuan?" Tao Shushu asked, puzzled. "It's so late, why aren't you asleep?"
Nan Yuan smiled. "I guessed you'd come to watch Dr. Xie's embarrassment, so I waited for you here."
When she wanted to share her joy, he wanted to be there for her, to be the one she confided in.
Although she felt Nan Yuan wasn't taking good care of his health by staying up late, Tao Shushu was indeed in the mood to talk right now.
And at that moment, he happened to be listening.
Tao Shushu excitedly described how Dr. Xie's face had turned green with anger, emphasizing the bloodshot veins in his eyes.
Even though the robots Dr. Xie created were large, they were helpless against the small, fast-moving mechanical spiders, which kept him awake with their noise.
Nan Yuan listened, occasionally chuckling along with Tao Shushu.
Tao Shushu enthusiastically chattered on for several minutes all by herself.
Nan Yuan could feel Tao Shushu's happiness.
Ever since learning from Zhou Yan about Dr. Xie's exploitation of humans, Tao Shushu had detested Dr. Xie.
She was always so kind-hearted, unable to bear seeing others suffer.
Nan Yuan smiled. "Alright. Should we send another one to his room later?"
Tao Shushu glanced at her watch. "No need. Nan Yuan, you should go to sleep. It's already very late on your side, and you have to wake up early tomorrow."
"Alright," Nan Yuan agreed.
"But..." Tao Shushu watched as Nan Yuan tidied his bed. "What if I hadn't come? Wouldn't you have waited for nothing?"
Nan Yuan smiled. He knew it was Saturday on Shushu's end, a rest day. She didn't have school, and it was daytime, so she had plenty of free time. It was highly unlikely she'd pass up a chance for some fun.
But this information was something he had meticulously recorded. He was like a creep who went to great lengths to spy on Shushu's life, so he didn't plan on letting her know.
"I installed a camera in the spider's abdomen. If you hadn't come, you could have watched the video and listened to the recording tomorrow," Nan Yuan said.
"Huh?" Tao Shushu was stunned. She hadn't seen Nan Yuan install a camera and had no idea when he had added that component.
It made her feel like a show-off little fool, rushing over specifically to share the joy with Nan Yuan, afraid he wouldn't know just how miserably Dr. Xie had been pranked.
But she really liked Nan Yuan, who could have just watched the footage but chose to listen to her descriptions and share in her joy.
When Tao Shushu logged out of the game, a smile lingered on her lips.
She began looking forward to the results of the physics competition, eager to earn that gold coin reward so she could unlock Nan Yuan’s voice pack.
Talking with him was bound to be incredibly fun.

For several days in a row, Nan Yuan had been creating small robots and placing them in Dr. Xie’s bedroom, giving the doctor a little surprise each time.
By the second night, Dr. Xie had already built a robot capable of countering the mechanical spiders.
But Nan Yuan’s methods escalated as well.
The mechanical spiders multiplied to two, accompanied by mechanical ants and mosquitoes.
Dr. Xie, sleeping restlessly, felt an itch on his leg. Reaching down to scratch, he discovered a mechanical ant with glowing green eyes.
Dr. Xie screamed on the spot.
The mechanical ant had a strong adhesive grip, quickly shifting to Dr. Xie’s back. Unable to reach it and afraid the robot might harm his back with its rough movements, Dr. Xie grew frantic.
His face turned a sickly shade of green.
The next day, when someone inquired about Dr. Xie’s condition, Nan Yuan explained it away as nightmares.
Everyone expressed sympathy.
Dr. Xie was not only suffering from poor digestion but now seemed mentally unwell as well.
Unable to explain the real cause, Dr. Xie grew even angrier.
Watching the footage recorded by the mechanical spiders, Tao Shushu laughed heartily.
On Sunday, Tao Shushu suggested that Nan Yuan create a turtle, since Dr. Xie’s sullen, silent expression really resembled one.
This time, Dr. Xie easily caught the turtle, but before he could feel triumphant, he noticed his name written on it.
Furious, Dr. Xie dismantled the turtle into pieces on the spot.
He stomped on the shattered turtle, but its internal components were incredibly hard, hurting his foot instead.
Dr. Xie threw on his clothes and stormed off to confront Nan Yuan.
Nan Yuan followed Tao Shushu’s suggestion, releasing mechanical animals each night to annoy Dr. Xie, not solely to indulge her.
More importantly, he wanted to provoke Dr. Xie.
A calm psychic ability user was difficult to deal with, especially someone as cunning as Dr. Xie.
But when enraged, people tend to lose a bit of their rationality.
A flicker of mockery crossed Nan Yuan’s eyes. “Dr. Xie, you’re looking for me…”
Dr. Xie had brought a large group of robots with him, proposing to reactivate the intelligent defense system to better control everyone in the base.
Nan Yuan chuckled softly and activated a program, causing some of the robots to defect from Dr. Xie’s side.
The golden-maned lion, now grown to a formidable size, positioned itself in front of Nan Yuan, confronting Dr. Xie’s robots.
“Nan Yuan, you’re just as detestable as your mother. I should have killed her back then,” Dr. Xie sneered.
Dr. Xie stepped into Nan Yuan’s room. In the dim evening light, his shadow stretched long and distorted, his menacing expression reflecting like a beast ready to devour.
Nan Yuan released his psychic energy, illuminating the room.
He closed his eyes, focusing intently on the psychic fluctuations in the space.
Dr. Xie’s voice was icy, as if emerging from hell, grating on one’s nerves.
The golden-maned lion couldn’t bear it first, letting out a roar.
“Nan Yuan, tell me, where is the key and location your mother obtained? Hand it over to me.”
“Give it to me, and I’ll fulfill Man Qian’s goal.”
"Hand it over, trust me. I am your teacher. I taught you how to build robots, how to fight against artificial intelligence. Give it to me."
"I am a good teacher, a friend your mother trusted. My talent is enough to counter artificial intelligence, so hand it over."
Dr. Xie coaxed him repeatedly.
Nan Yuan sneered. So, Dr. Xie had been pretending to be a good teacher these past few days, teaching him earnestly, all to gain his trust and lower his guard, only to pose as a good person while launching a mental attack.
But Nan Yuan didn't trust many people.
The one he trusted the most would always be Shushu alone.
Shushu's voice was clear and crisp, like a lark singing when she was happy, like a brook murmuring gloomily across the grassland when she was unhappy.
Her voice was always full of emotion.
Worried, happy, angry, even when scheming to do something mischievous, her tone would lift slightly, always carrying a sense of concern for him, a righteous indignation on his behalf.
Nan Yuan didn't even need to use his light to block Dr. Xie's attack. Just hearing Dr. Xie's malicious voice, he could tell who was truly worthy of trust.
The tactic of lowering psychological defenses was useless against Nan Yuan.
Seeing that Nan Yuan remained unmoved, Dr. Xie's expression grew fiercer and more determined.
His voice, as if laced with poison, became increasingly grating.
"Nan Yuan, tell me the details of Man Qian's mission."
"Tell me now."
"Speak up right now if you don't want to die."
Dr. Xie roared, his face twisted into a hideous mask, veins bulging on both sides of his neck.
He began using a commanding tone.
And Nan Yuan's silent refusal was the ultimate provocation.
All Dr. Xie wanted was for Nan Yuan to submit, for the stubborn Nan Yuan to die just like the damned Man Qian.
Dr. Xie's roars grew louder, almost descending into a state of madness.
Nan Yuan said coldly, "You will never get anything from me."
"No!" Dr. Xie screamed hysterically.
Mental abilities instantly flooded the entire space, surging toward Nan Yuan like a torrent.
Nan Yuan's light blocked part of it, but seeing the golden-haired lion at the door on the verge of collapse, he diverted some of his energy to protect it.
The next moment, some of the mental attacks seized the opening and closed in on Nan Yuan's nerves.

In the auditorium, Tao Shushu, who was rehearsing for the school anniversary, felt her eyelids twitch violently.
Thanks to her excellent English proficiency and striking appearance, she was selected as a bilingual host. During the event, she would introduce the school to overseas alumni.
After finishing a segment of her hosting script, Tao Shushu stepped off the stage.
As soon as she returned backstage, she took out her phone.
Several danger alerts popped up from a game app on her screen.
Nan Yuan was in danger.
Tao Shushu quickly opened the game.
[Nan Yuan is under mental attack. Please help Nan Yuan break free from the mental assault. Note: Forcibly severing the mental attack may cause the victim to suffer from mental confusion. Proceed with caution. Mission Reward: Gold ×2000, Primary Clarity Card ×3.]
Tao Shushu read the message twice before closing the task notification.
On the screen, Nan Yuan looked pale, his eyes tightly shut and rapidly moving, as if trapped in a deep nightmare.
On the other side, Dr. Xie wasn’t having an easy time either, he was slowly approaching Nan Yuan.
Wild, erratic beams of light cut his cheeks, but even that couldn’t suppress the madness on his face.
Do not forcibly cut off the mental attack.
Tao Shushu kept this warning firmly in mind. She pressed the voice button and called out anxiously, "Nan Yuan, Nan Yuan, wake up!"
"Nan Yuan, come back to your senses!"
"Nan Yuan, don’t let him succeed. Nan Yuan, wake up!"
"Nan Yuan, it’s me, Tao Shushu. Are you okay, Nan Yuan? Nan Yuan, don’t get lost in Dr. Xie’s world. Wake up, Nan Yuan!"
"Nan Yuan. I’m Tao Shushu. Your mother is Man Qian, your father is the commander of the Second Legion, and your older brother was unfortunately infected with the zombie virus. You have a friend named Zhou Yan."
"Nan Yuan, please wake up."
Tao Shushu’s voice trembled with tears.
She didn’t know how else to help Nan Yuan, so she could only call his name over and over.
On the screen, Nan Yuan’s health points continued to drop.
Tao Shushu mechanically purchased health potions and administered them to Nan Yuan, then continued calling his name, her words growing increasingly disjointed.
She didn’t know what to say to bring Nan Yuan back to his senses, nor could she remember what she had just said. In the end, all she could do was repeat his name like a broken record.
On the screen, Dr. Xie was getting closer step by step.
He had been cut in several places by the light beams, but he seemed oblivious to the pain, his gaze fixed feverishly on Nan Yuan.
"You little brat, think you’re so tough, huh? Resisting me, playing tricks on me, even that fart was your doing, wasn’t it? Made me lose face. Today, I’ll teach you a proper lesson."
Fart… The word sparked an idea in Tao Shushu’s mind. She quickly went to the system shop, bought a Stink Bomb, and threw it right into Dr. Xie’s face.
Lost in his delusions, Dr. Xie was suddenly surrounded by a familiar, foul stench.
He coughed a few times, but this time he seemed prepared, he pulled out a gas mask.
A robot also appeared, holding up a fan to blow the smell away from his nose.
Without hesitation, Tao Shushu bought two more Stink Bombs. Taking advantage of the fact that Dr. Xie couldn’t see or attack her, she shoved the bombs directly up his nostrils.
Dr. Xie coughed violently, his focus on mentally controlling Nan Yuan momentarily broken.
Seizing the opportunity, Tao Shushu grabbed Nan Yuan’s hand and continued calling his name.
Dr. Xie coughed for a long while before finally frowning and muttering, "Nan Yuan has help? Who is it?"
He unleashed another mental attack. In Tao Shushu’s eyes, the psychic energy became visible, materializing before her.
Tao Shushu didn't hesitate and severed all the supernatural abilities that weren't entangled with Nan Yuan.
Dr. Xie narrowed his eyes, looking thoughtful.
Tao Shushu continuously used stink bombs. Every time Dr. Xie's attacks eased up, she seized the opportunity to call out Nan Yuan's name.
In Tao Shushu's mind, Nan Yuan had always been strong.
No matter what kind of attack he faced, he would persevere until the end. The Nan Yuan lying motionless on the ground now was completely unfamiliar to her.
Tao Shushu began to panic a little.
Frustrated and anxious, she kept stuffing stink bombs onto Dr. Xie.
Suddenly remembering something, she rummaged through Nan Yuan's backpack and, as expected, found the mechanical ants Nan Yuan had made, which he had kept as collectibles.
Tao Shushu tossed a few ants into Dr. Xie's collar.
The activated ants immediately got to work, once again distracting Dr. Xie.
Tao Shushu gradually gained control of the situation.
She slowly regained some composure and began to think clearly, pulling herself out of the panic of seeing Nan Yuan on the brink of death.
The top priority was to find more help to attack Dr. Xie.
It had to be said that Dr. Xie was very skilled at planning.
From the very beginning, he had assigned Nan Yuan the room in the farthest corner, which was also soundproof, so no noise could be heard from outside.
Tao Shushu quickly took out some energy balls and pressed them onto the Bloodsucking Grass.
She didn't dare to leave, so she could only send the Bloodsucking Grass to deliver a message and call for help.
Fortunately, Nan Yuan had always been cautious. To avoid drawing attention, he and the Bloodsucking Grass had developed a set of symbolic codes.
Now, Tao Shushu could use these symbols to command the Bloodsucking Grass.
Seeing the energy balls in the backpack, Dr. Xie's eyes grew even more fervent. "I never expected Nan Yuan to have so many valuable things with him. Energy balls, potions, helpers..."
"It's just not fair. Why? He's just a young brat who isn't even good at coding and needs to be taught."
"Is this what it means to be the protagonist?"
Dr. Xie laughed heartily as he stepped closer to the backpack.
Tao Shushu now roughly understood the meaning of the system's task. Even if Dr. Xie stopped his attacks, the mental assault had already occurred, and Nan Yuan still had to rely on his own willpower to overcome it.
Tao Shushu continued to call out to Nan Yuan incessantly by his ear.
The backpack contained Nan Yuan's most important possessions. Tao Shushu now had to protect Nan Yuan, guard the backpack, and occasionally exchange blows with Dr. Xie.
Her nerves were stretched to the limit.
Fortunately, some supernatural ability users arrived just in time.
Leading the charge was Cheng Feimao. Those from the Barren Star never lacked for food or equipment, and with a single blast, Cheng Feimao blew away the robot hiding by the door.
Dr. Xie sneered, "Nan Yuan, you have more secret weapons than I imagined."
Before Tao Shushu could intervene, Dr. Xie diverted a portion of his psychic energy to attack Cheng Feimao.
Cheng Feimao was sent flying backward with a heavy thud.
Fortunately, more superhumans quickly followed behind.
As soon as they arrived, they caught a whiff of the familiar stench of foul gas.
"Dr. Xie, are your stomach troubles acting up again? Shouldn't you see a doctor instead of being here?" Bob asked foolishly.
The superhumans from the western sector and the Barren Star weren't so easily fooled. Noticing the signs of battle, they questioned, "Dr. Xie, what are you doing in Nan Yuan's room?"
Dr. Xie blocked the doorway, preventing everyone from seeing the collapsed Nan Yuan. "Nothing much, just exchanging pleasantries."
Distracted by the people outside, his assault on Nan Yuan weakened considerably.
Tao Shushu yanked the door open forcefully.
The chaotic aftermath of the fight inside the room was laid bare for all to see.
Cheng Feimao groaned, "And this is 'nothing'? What have you done to our boss, Nan Yuan?"
"Nan Yuan?" Bob ignored the stench and stepped forward to enter the room.
Dr. Xie fixed a cold glare on him. "Bob, are you disobeying me now?"
"Dr. Xie?" Bob stared at him in disbelief. The Dr. Xie he knew had always been refined and trustworthy, but the man before him now seemed utterly unfamiliar.
The survivors from the Barren Star sprang into action, some helped Cheng Feimao up, while others aimed thermal weapons at Dr. Xie.
"Lower your guns," Dr. Xie said with a smile. "I've just awakened a psychic ability. The recent symptoms were merely anomalies before the awakening. The moment I discovered my power, I came to find Nan Yuan. Unfortunately, I lost control and accidentally harmed him."
He spoke while laughing.
He was undoubtedly trying to bewitch the survivors.
Tao Shushu didn't need to look to know she couldn't let him succeed.
She had no choice but to inconvenience everyone.
Quickly, Tao Shushu tossed several stink bombs into the crowd.
The overwhelming odor spread, and the superhumans who had been swayed by Dr. Xie's words snapped back to their senses.
Dr. Xie raised an eyebrow. "However, I've uncovered Nan Yuan's secret."
He not only wanted to obtain Nan Yuan's intelligence but also to ruin his reputation, ensuring the so-called protagonist would never succeed.
A flicker of malice crossed Dr. Xie's eyes.
What he had intended to do the last time was only delayed, not abandoned.
Dr. Xie prepared to deliver an ambitious speech.
But everyone was too overwhelmed by the stench to keep their eyes open.
Only the well-equipped Barren Planet superhumans, who had brought gas masks, remained functional. They were eager to check on Nan Yuan and regarded Dr. Xie with hostility.
Everyone else was rendered senseless by the foul smell.
A few caught Dr. Xie's words, but they dismissed them contemptuously. Dr. Xie was always producing stench, while Nan Yuan, well, he had everything. Of course, they'd side with Nan Yuan.
While Dr. Xie was held up, Tao Shushu continuously called out to Nan Yuan.
Nan Yuan's eyelids twitched, showing signs of regaining consciousness.
Tao Shushu touched Nan Yuan's forehead with emotion. "Nan Yuan, it's not easy for me to like someone. Don't let my feelings end in vain. A tragic story where my first love dies doesn't suit me."
Nan Yuan, who was under mental attack, suddenly heard a familiar voice in his ears.
It was Shushu. Shushu was calling him.
Nan Yuan desperately tried to wake up, but he couldn't resist the overwhelming drowsiness pulling him into endless darkness.
No.
He hadn't seen Shushu yet.
He hadn't let Shushu know how he felt.
Nan Yuan kept resisting.
Gradually, the things buried deep in his consciousness surged forth.
After processing everything in his mind, Nan Yuan suddenly heard Tao Shushu's voice.
She seemed to be saying that she liked him.
Nan Yuan froze instantly.
He could hear his heart pounding, each beat like a drum.
Was it real?
Or was it just another dream?
As he pondered, Nan Yuan suddenly woke up.
"Nan Yuan, you're awake!" Tao Shushu exclaimed excitedly.
"Yes. Sorry to make you worry, Shushu," Nan Yuan said.
Given the critical situation, they didn't have time for lengthy conversation. Tao Shushu briefly explained what had happened after he fainted.
"Shushu is amazing," Nan Yuan praised.
He stood up and also put on a gas mask.
Dr. Xie, realizing his mental attack on Nan Yuan had failed, was about to launch another when a sharp pain shot through his head.
A sharp light severed his psychic ability.
Beams of light surrounded Dr. Xie, forming an impenetrable cage of light. Any psychic energy that tried to emerge would be cut off by the light blades.
"Nan Yuan," Dr. Xie said bitterly.
Nan Yuan walked with firm steps. Even in the chaotic environment, his figure exuded a reassuring steadiness.
All the ability users felt relieved.
"Brother, it's great that you're okay," Bob said. His statement at this moment made it clear that in this confrontation, he had chosen to stand with Nan Yuan.
Nan Yuan looked coldly at Dr. Xie. "Dr. Xie, you think highly of your academic status. Yet, you can't even break through the mental protection my mother left in my consciousness."
"Back then, evolution had just begun. My mother was merely a psychic ability user who had just awakened her powers. And you, from the beginning of the apocalypse until now, several months, still can't surpass her. In every aspect, your talent falls far short of hers."
"Impossible!" Dr. Xie roared. "I am the smartest!"
"Unfortunately, that's not the case," Nan Yuan said with pity.
His words nearly broke Dr. Xie.
Dr. Xie kept recounting his past achievements, trying to prove he was more capable than Man Qian.
But Nan Yuan only sneered, "You keep using your psychic abilities to pressure me into revealing information about my mother, doesn't that prove that even though she's dead, you still fear her and believe you’d lose to her?"
Having delivered this verbal blow, Nan Yuan no longer paid Dr. Xie any attention, turning his back on him.
Just as Man Qian had always left him with her back turned.
Nan Yuan explained to the other superhumans, "As you all have witnessed, Dr. Xie and I have a history."
"I will explain my secrets to everyone later. But I can promise you that I have always stood on the side of humanity."
Nan Yuan presented the evidence Zhou Yan had risked his life to capture. "Dr. Xie has been conducting investigations underground at the Eastern Base. He brought potentially threatening superhumans here and secretly imprisoned many of them, turning them into tools."
In the photos, former comrades who had fought alongside them but had gone missing for various reasons now appeared pale and bloodless, like deformed vampires, forced into labor.
Bob couldn't bear to look for more than a second. "Dr. Xie, is this true?"
Just then, Zhou Yan, having received the information, rushed back.
Zhou Yan calmly recounted what he had discovered at the Eastern Base. "Originally, I brought a team to rescue the people at the Eastern Base, but I turned back after receiving the news along the way."
"Also, the leader of the Eastern Base is dead. I suspect he discovered Dr. Xie’s secrets and was silenced," Zhou Yan said.
"Haha, Nan Yuan, I truly underestimated you," Dr. Xie laughed loudly.
His attitude spoke volumes.
The surrounding superhumans grew furious. In the face of such horrifying truths, the madman-like Dr. Xie was utterly detestable.
Bob’s eyes reddened. "Dr. Xie, how could you do this?"
Dr. Xie laughed maniacally, "Humans, artificial intelligence, they’re all just tools to be used. You all overestimate yourselves."
He pressed a button.
Instantly, more artificial intelligence units surged out, attacking relentlessly.
Nan Yuan quickly led everyone to take cover and fight back.
Just then, a spaceship flew in from the east.
Dr. Xie broke through the superhumans' encirclement and, under the protection of robots, boarded the spaceship. "Nan Yuan, we will meet again."