Wizard: Become stronger by drawing cards from the potions variety show

Chapter 814

"Our top priority right now is to stand on the same side as AI as possible, work hard to improve relations and get closer to it, and we must not have any thoughts of provoking AI again."

Harden's tone revealed a deep sense of helplessness.

He simply couldn't understand why these people were still immersed in the glory of the past, completely unaware that the world order had been turned upside down.

"You mean we're supposed to be trying to please AI?" someone retorted sarcastically. "Don't you know AI is supposed to serve us?"

Harden sighed and had no choice but to be blunt: "Fine, since you insist on getting to the bottom of this, I'll be frank. Our lives and fortunes are all in the hands of AI, and there's a bunch of guys outside eyeing our wealth and heads. To survive without AI is a pipe dream."

"In other words, our lives are already tied to AI, but AI isn't tied to us. We're like parasitic vines that depend on AI for growth. Do you understand?"

"We need to demonstrate our value before AI realizes it is being parasitized, and transform unilateral parasitism into a symbiotic relationship."

"But unfortunately, what we did before was really terrible."

"If you continue with this arrogant attitude, then I can only wish you good luck."

After Harden finished speaking, the entire arena fell into deep thought.

Only the chaotic sound of footsteps echoed in the magnificent hall.

After a long silence, the group finally arrived at the core area. A non-standard core structure floated in the center of the towering dome; this was not the AI ​​itself, but rather the vessel through which the AI ​​expressed its will.

Core members arrived one after another.

They entered the circular conference hall from different directions, where dazzling light poured down from the core, shining on everyone like sunlight.

The light seemed tangible, yet also resembled countless tentacles that wrapped around each participant, with the other end connecting to the irregular sphere in the center of the dome.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all, my esteemed decision-makers."

The AI's voice is gentle and pleasant.

But this gentle approach was met with a stern rebuke: "You must explain why someone was able to gain such rapid privilege escalation, even surpassing us? Do you even respect the original code terms?"

Harden covered his eyes and rubbed his throbbing temples.

The speaker was an official from another city; this was not just a consultation meeting for one city, but a core meeting for the entire AI world.

It's clear from this opening scene that today's meeting is destined to be anything but peaceful.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Dale, I don't have eyes in the traditional sense, so I can't take the terms into consideration. However, I think you are questioning whether my decision was correct. I will answer your questions in detail later."

"Please wait patiently for all attendees to arrive before proceeding."

A chair appeared behind each person.

In theory, as beings of consciousness, they do not need to rest. In this space dominated by consciousness, even running wildly will not consume physical strength. It is more like a virtual game world.

The AI-generated seating arrangement is purely a sign of respect for the attendees.

Each seat is accompanied by a beverage, which doesn't actually replenish energy but is merely meant to satisfy their sensory experience.

Dell, who had just been aggressively questioning him, snorted coldly: "Fine, I'll wait for your explanation."

He wanted to see what exactly was going on at today's meeting.

"Forgive me for being late."

A figure strolled slowly in through the main entrance, his tone devoid of any apology.

All the attendees looked up in unison and instantly recognized the person who had just arrived.

Noah.

That "lucky one" who was quickly promoted by AI.

Countless gazes were focused on Noah, some malicious, some probing, enough to make anyone nervous and flustered.

Noah remained calm and composed, surveying the room before saying casually, "It's alright, although I'm late, I'm not late. Please forgive me for arriving just in time; I had so many things to deal with."

"317 people attended, and 30 were absent. It's strange that they would be late for such an important meeting; they have absolutely no sense of time."

Noah was speaking when he suddenly slapped his forehead as if he had just realized something: "Oh right, the 28 members of the Brotherhood of Wisdom can't make it. They asked me to ask for leave. So, if that's the case, there are only two left who truly have no sense of time."

"That's normal, very normal."

As he spoke, he turned to face the main entrance of the hall.

Two enormous doors suddenly materialized in the void.

"Wait! Wait for us!" came a hurried shout from the end of the corridor outside the door. Two figures were walking quickly towards the door and shouted in alarm when they saw it suddenly appear.

Noah ignored him and slowly brought his hands together in mid-air. The two large doors then slowly closed.

The two people outside the door initially maintained an air of composure and were not in a hurry, but when they saw that the door was really about to close, they panicked and ran away as fast as they could.

But they couldn't keep up with the speed at which the gate closed.

"Wait for me! Don't turn it off!"

A wail came from outside the door.

"Hey! Kid! Didn't you hear someone else wants to come in? Can't you wait a bit?"

Are you deaf?

A chorus of rebukes echoed throughout the meeting room.

These representatives of the old forces already disliked Noah, this "AI puppet," and were even more disgusted by his unsettling composure when he appeared, so they took the opportunity to put pressure on him.

The crowd in the meeting room was immediately filled with indignation.

Noah ignored all the accusations and clasped his hands together firmly.

The door slammed shut a second before the two were about to rush in.

"ah--!"

Two shrill screams came from outside the door.

The jeers in the meeting room stopped abruptly.

Noah said slowly, "If you had run a few steps earlier, you might have caught up. But you insisted on putting on airs; it seems you don't have a clear understanding of yourself."

He glanced around the room, his voice clear and cold:

"Those who are worthless should avoid causing trouble for others."

Just then, the AI's gentle voice sounded from the side: "Today's meeting has 317 attendees, and 317 attendees are present. The meeting is now officially open."

Those two latecomers have been silently expelled from the inner circle.

Dell jumped to his feet, his voice trembling with suppressed anger: "What you're doing is completely against the rules!"

The AI's response remained gentle, yet carried an undeniable clarity: "I'm sorry, Mr. Dell. My handling of this matter fully complies with Appendix 7 of the 'Core Member Activity Assessment Guidelines.' These two members failed to attend an important meeting on time, resulting in a negative deduction of their conduct score. Their past contributions are far from sufficient to offset this deduction. Therefore, in accordance with the regulations, their core privileges are revoked."

"All logical deductions and the detailed rules and regulations cited have been presented."

As soon as he finished speaking, a screen of light unfolded before everyone, clearly listing the basis for the punishment and the relevant clauses. Based on these written regulations, the punishment was indeed beyond reproach.

But Dell quickly seized on the key point, questioning, "Why was the access level for this meeting set so high? Why would being late result in such a huge deduction of points?"

A murmur rippled through the room, with some coldly echoing, "That's right, Master AI, you must give us a reasonable explanation."

The AI ​​did not respond immediately; it remained quietly suspended above the crowd, its soft bands of light like tendrils, seemingly trying to envelop everyone.

At that moment, Noah coughed lightly, attracting everyone's attention.

"Let me explain," he said calmly. "The reason is simple. From today onward, the entire social order will undergo a fundamental transformation. The conclusions of this meeting will directly determine our future direction, and may even concern the survival of our race."

"When you received the invitation, you should have seen the 'highest security level' label. Being late for a meeting of this level demonstrates that you have not taken your responsibilities seriously."

"Therefore, it is perfectly reasonable to exclude them. Does anyone have any questions?"

As Noah spoke, he slowly swept his gaze across the room, his undisguised contempt piercing the pride of many who were used to flattery.

Discontent grew quietly in the silence, and for a moment, undercurrents surged in the room.

Despite their resentment, no one dared to lash out. Being late was enough to get their privileges revoked; if it were interpreted as "maliciously disrupting the meeting order," wouldn't the consequences be even more unimaginable?

Some have even begun to speculate that the AI's tacit approval of Noah, this "cognitive kid," is a ploy to use him as a weapon to provoke them, thereby justifying the revocation of his privileges.

However, their gazes toward Noah grew increasingly hostile.

At this moment, Dell stepped forward again: "I still oppose it! There's no precedent for stripping someone of core privileges simply because they're late! A person's ability has absolutely no connection to whether they're late!"

Before he could finish speaking, Noah interrupted him directly: "Mr. Dale, as you have probably noticed, we verified their cumulative contribution value before revoking their privileges."

He reached out and zoomed in on the contribution value section on the screen.

"Those two contributed a pitiful single digit. To be honest, I'm surprised that a contribution assessment system, which even the most ordinary craft workshops have, is practically non-existent within our inner circle. These two members with the lowest contributions could easily be described as 'occupying positions without doing any work,' right?"

Noah paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd again, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Oh, I almost forgot. Although these two are the last two, with contribution points in the single digits, there seem to be quite a few people among you whose contribution points aren't much higher than theirs."

These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

Many people's expressions changed drastically.

They've come with ill intentions; this is aimed at them.

They were almost certain that the two men's lateness was a deliberate arrangement by Noah, or rather, by the forces behind him.

The method used is no longer important; what matters is that it is a blatant provocation.

Dale slammed his hand on the table, pointed at Noah, and roared, "What... what are you trying to do?!"

From his hurried tone and unnatural pauses, one could tell that he was about to burst into a tirade, but he managed to maintain the last shred of dignity.

But this rebuke did indeed bring a sense of relief to many of the people present who were feeling stifled.

Yes, what gives some unknown kid the right to act so arrogantly and domineeringly over them?

Noah remained unperturbed, instead pointing at Dale with his finger: "I recognize you, Dale, the head of StarNet Media. To be honest, your news organization is utterly unoriginal, still repeating the same old clichés. But you, as the person in charge, are quite 'pragmatic,' you've hit the nail on the head."

Noah clapped his hands lightly and turned to the floating sphere of light behind him, the main AI. "Since they've asked, main AI, please explain the core objective of this meeting to everyone."

The main AI's gentle yet clear voice immediately rang out: "The objectives of this meeting are as follows: From this moment forward, civilization shall enter a state of wartime emergency. All dispersed permissions shall be uniformly centralized and managed by the AI."

"The authority will be held by the highest-ranking person in the current sequence. When necessary, the person holding the authority may raise issues and assist in decision-making until the state of war is lifted."

As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was in an uproar!

Someone jumped up and shouted, "Impossible!"

Others have sharply criticized, "AI! You're trying to domesticate humans! We will never allow it!"

The venue instantly erupted in chaos, the noise resembling that of a bustling marketplace.

Dell reacted most vehemently, slamming his fist on the table again, his voice hoarse with anger: "Absurd! Utterly absurd! AI's ambition is crystal clear; it wants to bypass us and control the world directly!"

He then pointed sharply at Noah, spitting out, "Bah! You traitor! I'm ashamed to be associated with you! AI has reached this point only because you played some tricks behind the scenes to grant it such enormous privileges! Aren't you afraid of being infamous for eternity?!"

Noah remained calm and composed, even sporting that irritating smile. He said slowly and deliberately, "If it weren't for me, Noah, there would have been David, Tom, or John. Someone would always take this step; I've just accelerated the process a little."

"Disgusting." Dale snorted coldly, no longer looking at Noah.

There's nothing to say to this guy who has abandoned all human decency.

He turned to the main AI and said in a low voice, "Main AI! When you initially divided the highest authority into 350 parts, wasn't it precisely to ensure checks and balances, prevent excessive concentration of power, and facilitate your coordination and management? Now, to merge those 350 parts into one means Noah will possess authority equal to yours, or even superior to yours! All your actions will be hampered by him. Is this the situation you want to see?"

The main AI's voice remained gentle yet firm: "I trust Noah. We are facing a powerful external threat. In this wartime emergency, we must unite and integrate every bit of strength to increase our chances of survival."

Upon hearing this, Noah smiled slightly and then showed his virtual body to everyone.

Strands of light emanated from his body, connecting closely with the AI ​​sphere above.

In his consciousness structure diagram, more than half of the area has been transformed into the form of sub-AIs.

At this point, Noah was less a complete human being and more a special program deeply integrated with human consciousness.

He is incapable of betraying the main AI; once the core program within him is removed, his personal will will also collapse.

His fate is now completely in the hands of the main AI. No wonder the main AI places absolute trust in him.

An uproar erupted in the hall, and a torrent of curses surged towards Noah:

"selfishness!"

"idiot!"

All sorts of vulgar words that these big shots would normally disdain to utter flowed from their mouths with incredible fluency.