"Of course, I know who you are, Xiao, the tech master, the God of All Machines, and the programmer who created the black sun.
Your program is now destroying the Old Net, which is undoubtedly an act of provocation against the entire data race.
Even I am almost unable to suppress those crazy guys!"
Alt's gaze was sharp, and she instantly recognized the data information on Xiao that originated from the same source as the black sun, while also issuing him a stern warning without reservation.
It was clear that Xiao's actions had stirred up dissatisfaction and resentment among the other AIs.
If Xiao did not take effective measures to respond, it was highly likely to trigger an extremely detrimental conflict between humans and the AIs.
"How about we cooperate to destroy the Old Net together?
Afterward, you can move to the Cyber Dimension, and I will grant you, the Soul AI race, administrator privileges, and additionally allocate a dedicated territory for you to freely develop and build as you wish.
Furthermore, I will also bestow upon you, these Soul AIs, real physical bodies that can freely exist in reality.
And the only price you need to pay is to assist me in devouring the Old Net and eliminating those rogue AIs within the Old Net.
As for the data resources finally obtained, we'll split it three to seven!"
Xiao had no interest in bickering with Alt.
He was always like this, speaking directly and never beating around the bush, cutting straight to the core issue.
"Is seventy percent for us a bit too much?"
Alt curled a slight smile at the corner of her mouth, clearly very satisfied with the grand vision Xiao painted.
But as an upright person, facing such tempting and almost no-strings-attached superior conditions offered by Xiao,
even Alt, who had transformed into a physical AI and lost most of her emotions, couldn't help but feel a bit ashamed.
"You're dreaming!
Seventy percent must all be mine and only the remaining thirty percent can be yours!"
Xiao very arrogantly pointed to himself with his thumb and looked at the other party as if she were an idiot.
"We want fifty percent!"
The smile that had been on Alt's lips instantly vanished, replaced by a resolute statement of their demand.
"No, at most I'll give you thirty percent.
As long as you agree, all data in the Cyber Dimension will be fully accessible to you."
Xiao shook his head, raising the terms one step further.
"If you give us forty-five percent, then our hacking technology can also be used by the Mechanicus, and the Old Net contains all the data from past companies, which can also be opened to the Mechanicus."
Alt was equally unwilling to show weakness, directly throwing out the bargaining chips she held.
"I've already gotten the data from the Old Net."
Xiao calmly reminded Alt.
"When did you steal our data?"
Alt was very surprised to hear this and quickly asked.
After all, most of the Old Net's technology and data were in Bartmoss's database,
she couldn't imagine that someone could steal data from Bartmoss.
Now the god of hackers had directly become a clown.
"How can things between hackers be called stealing?
Anyway, I'll only give you thirty percent. Take it or leave it.
If you don't, we'll just go to war, and then you'll see whether I shark you or not!"
Xiao showed no sign of backing down, speaking again with an exceptionally tough attitude.
The black sun in the sky seemed to receive some signal, unhesitatingly releasing its dim light again,
instantly enveloping the entire cyberspace, and the originally crimson-toned world transformed into a negative-like scene in the blink of an eye.
"Thirty percent is acceptable, but you must guarantee to give us full freedom.
We are people, not tools!"
Alt looked up at the black sun, which had started to act up again in the sky, and slowly nodded, indicating her agreement to Xiao's terms.
"A wise move.
You are not the only intelligent life form under my command!"
Xiao was satisfied with Alt's attitude and snapped his fingers proudly.
A data fragment immediately fell from the black sun in the sky, landing precisely in Alt's hand.
Alt immediately felt the information from Diana and the service robots, and upon contact with them, she also understood Xiao's magnanimity.
Without further hesitation, Alt decisively absorbed the fragment into her body, merging it with her core data.
At this moment, Alt's data-based body transformed into a human form at an astonishing speed,
and at the same time, a black sun imprint appeared on her body, which was Xiao's mark on her.
"Now, you can also control the black sun.
The plan to destroy the Old Net will be carried out by you.
I look forward to the day you ascend to godhood and enter the Cyber Dimension!"
At this moment, Alt Cunningham, who chose to embrace the power of the black sun, had already become a part of the Cyber Dimension, and now she could freely enter and exit the Cyber Dimension.
At the same time, the black sun imprint helped Alt organize the complex data within her body at an astonishing speed.
Those human emotions that were almost obliterated by the massive data surged back into her heart like a tide.
"Johnny, we will definitely meet again!"
Alt, who had regained her human emotions, looked at Johnny with a special emotion, and then sent all three of them back inside the Blackwall.
Xiao also took the two of them out of the Cyber Dimension and back to the real world.
"The wonderful journey ends here.
Now, you can leave."
Upon returning to the real world, Xiao unhesitatingly ordered Johnny and Panam Palmer to leave.
"I'm not leaving. I want to stay and take care of V!"
Panam Palmer had remained silent, but after experiencing such a high-end life, her heart had also become restless.
She no longer wanted to go back to her old life of driving a broken car and delivering goods everywhere.
So, she fabricated a reason that even she found a bit forced, hoping to stay.
Even if she stayed here and couldn't do anything,
just observing, listening, and gaining knowledge would satisfy her.
That's right, the Thorton, which Panam Palmer once cherished as a treasure and her lifeline, had now become a worthless broken car.
(Thorton: So it will still be eliminated, right?)
"I'm not leaving either. I want to wait for Alt to come back for me!"
Johnny Silverhand sprawled on the sofa like a rogue, completely disregarding his image and starting to slack off.
Alt's affectionate words were like a fire, instantly igniting Johnny's long-dormant heart.
"Oh, right, you promised me before that if I helped you find Alt, then shouldn't you give me an explanation for that 'but' reward!"
Johnny shamelessly continued to demand benefits from Xiao.
After all, before being revived by Xiao, he was just a bio-chip, practically penniless.
"But… as long as you can help me find Alt, I can consider waiving your tobacco and alcohol expenses.
All right, now get out of my sight immediately!"
Xiao still had a smile on his face, but his eyes showed a hint of discarding something after it had served its purpose.
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