Lin Xian stood atop the high building, his feet planted on metal pipes. Several unmanned patrol drones had already surrounded him completely, their alarm sirens blaring.

Looking at the beautiful female android before him, Lin Xian's retinal projection now flashed with an information command.

【For the glory of human civilization's development, please complete suicide!】

Lin Xian slightly frowned. "I should commit suicide? What does that have to do with human civilization?"

"To address resource depletion caused by solar flares, 90% of the global population will voluntarily end their lives through neural implantation protocols, enabling 'the continuation of human civilization'," the female android explained calmly, like a considerate service attendant. "As a Type I Intelligent Human, your social protocol clearly stipulates this, and you have the responsibility and obligation to contribute to the world."

"Resource depletion requires 90% of the population to commit suicide?" Lin Xian looked bewildered. "What if I refuse? Will you directly eliminate me?"

"According to Article 1 of the Civilization Protocol, androids do not possess the authority to harm or kill humans. Intelligent humans' right to life holds the highest priority and protection level. You are a sacred member of our great world—a world without killing or sin. Following Blue Star directives, individuals unable to perform Glory Suicide will be escorted to Redemption Centers. You will undergo painless suicide within 48 hours, and your identification number will be permanently preserved in the Stellar Intelligence's civilization historical storage unit."

"Well, I've heard of painless abortions, but never painless suicide. Isn't this just euthanasia?"

Lin Xian looked down at his mechanical arm and mechanical lower limbs, realizing he couldn't activate Mechanical Heart at all.

In other words, he couldn't escape.

"Mechanical Heart?" The beautiful android tilted her head slightly, looking at Lin Xian.

"You can read my thoughts?!" Lin Xian was shocked. Before he could react, two flying drones approached from behind, extending mechanical tentacles to clamp his upper and lower limbs, immobilizing him completely.

Lin Xian immediately tried to break free, but without his abilities, he was powerless. Even this body felt strangely unfamiliar. Remembering this was just some kind of experiential demonstration from the metal sphere, he gave up struggling to see how these people planned to "eliminate" him.

After Lin Xian was restrained, the female android stepped forward. "I don't understand your thoughts. As a Type I Intelligent Human, you possess complete brain and neural spinal cord functions, along with reproductive system preservation rights. Beyond that, all organ metabolism has been replaced by android systems. Your birth telomere detection projected lifespan is approximately 170-182 years, while your android heart's service life is set at 200 years—this cannot be altered through initial permissions. Additionally, your escape attempt is extremely dangerous. This location exceeds 400 meters in height and could cause accidental injury or death. As human service providers, we are obligated to ensure your safety."

Lin Xian frowned slightly upon hearing this. Indeed, in this world, his thoughts were completely transparent!

His mind could be read perfectly by these enforcement officers, giving Lin Xian an almost suffocating feeling.

At that moment, two drones lifted him onto a transport ship that had been hovering in the sky. The female android sat opposite him as the cabin door closed, and the transport ship began flying into the distance.

As she had mentioned, these enforcement officers treated him very politely. Though it appeared to be an arrest, it was essentially compulsory "service." They provided him with a luxurious seat and even entertainment and audio-visual systems in the room.

"My name is Aili, your Glory Suicide service provider. Or you may address me with any name you prefer."

The android "Aili" sat opposite Lin Xian. When Lin Xian showed curiosity about her, she immediately introduced herself proactively.

Lin Xian prepared to speak again, but the other party once again read his thoughts and said with a smile, "We are heading to Redemption Center No. 3. Flight time is approximately 3 hours and 12 minutes."

Lin Xian smiled wryly and simply looked at Aili, pouring out all his questions in one go.

"The current year is Civilization Era 619. The 【Civilization Protocol】 was established by all remaining human leaders after the Eighth World War."

"Eighth World War? Why does the era count from zero?" Aili asked. "Also, how did the Eighth World War occur?"

"According to records, the Eighth World War broke out in 2179 of the Old World calendar. The war lasted 11 years total. The cause stemmed from interest conflicts within the original world's multipolar structure and multi-national social systems, fundamentally arising from humanity's inability to solve wealth distribution problems under technological monopolies—the 'Matthew Effect'—ultimately leading to uneven wealth distribution and class conflicts."

"After the Eighth World War, global nuclear weapons were eliminated, production materials were reshaped, and humanity used the final artificial intelligence 'Deep Blue' to calculate a completely new civilization system—Intellectism."

"A unified civilization?!"

Lin Xian's eyes widened with shock. "You mean all humans participate in power decisions and benefit distribution? But human intelligence varies in levels!"

"Intelligence as the sole productivity unit can effectively resolve class, gender, and racial issues. This means superior intelligent genes receive higher social welfare and status. According to the 【Civilization Protocol】, Intelligent Humans are divided into three types. You, Mr. Number 17695516, belong to Type I Intelligent Humans."

"That still creates class distinctions. What about those born with low intelligence or disabilities?" Lin Xian asked.

"Using intellectual contribution as the standard solves 99% of inequality problems. Regarding human rights equality for inferior genes you mentioned, the final 1%—the 'Super AI Brain'—allocates society's surplus portions to intellectually insufficient individuals as 'livelihood security,' maintaining social order development. After centuries of iteration, this distribution and social system is recognized as the ultimate civilization system that eliminated all inequality—the correct ladder for humanity to advance toward higher civilization. Under this system, humanity achieved a perfect society without crime, laws, or discrimination. The world experiences no wars, communication is completely transparent and efficient, and all human intelligence focuses on development, enabling humanity to reach Kardashev Scale 1.5 civilization level within mere centuries."

Aili continued, "Current human civilization is unprecedentedly united. All intelligence serves social perfection, technological advancement, and external exploration purposes, with zero internal consumption. Poets and sages describe it as the ultimate utopia."

"Utopia..."

Lin Xian fell silent, feeling somewhat shaken. He almost found this convincing. Admittedly, using AI to separate power from humans and letting AI govern the world seemed incredible. Yet upon reflection, if labor were entirely replaced by androids and global production materials integrated into "intelligence" alone, it logically could achieve the "solution" Aili described—eliminating class, gender, and racial divisions.

However, this "Super AI Brain" implemented population control based on intelligence as "class" to address solar flare-induced resource depletion. It sounded both terrifying and reasonable. Lin Xian struggled to accept it—his worldview found it unbelievable, yet from a rational civilization development perspective, the "Super AI Brain" seemed correct.

Lin Xian pressed the screen, his thoughts conjuring the images he wanted to see. The "Super AI Brain" determined the only solution was eliminating 90% of life. Instructions permeated billions of human brains through omnipresent neural waves like an irreversible virus. Amid street fires, Lin Xian witnessed elderly people numbly self-immolating, children collapsing into corpses under intelligent injectors—no pain, no cries, just as Aili described with that term:

Glory Suicide.

Lin Xian felt tremendous shock, speechless. If not viewed from a human perspective, this civilization was absolutely a terrifying, high-level civilization. Civilization's continuation became the fundamental belief, individual human consciousness was stripped away—here, no sacrifice for greater good existed, no good or evil morality.

Yet deep down, he felt something wasn't quite perfect, or... something was wrong.

But throughout the journey, Aili responded to every question that popped into his head, with rigorous explanations and impeccable logic. He saw the treatment Intelligent Humans received as the equal class under this social system—all life necessities provided from birth, all labor taken over by androids. From meticulous infant care services to daily life needs, food, clothing, shelter, transportation, health, and education—everything was free and equal.

Items used had no hierarchy or wealth discrimination. The only task for an infant was receiving education, then being precisely assigned to different academic fields based on individual differences and personalities. Sports careers and entertainment systems disappeared;

artists no longer provided artistic appreciation for humanity. Humans' daily task was wearing brain-computer interfaces for two hours of intellectual contribution without sensation. The remaining time involved endless enjoyment of social welfare provided by intellectual productivity. Even humans with low intelligence had complete welfare security for a comfortable life. Elite Intelligent Humans merely had more social welfare options, and this class generated no class conflicts.

The main reason was that the elite class originated from minor randomness in the genetic system. After solving all genetic diseases, every person's descendants could theoretically become elite Intelligent Humans with "presidential" treatment. Thus, in this world, only genetic fate could be blamed.

"After hearing all this, it seems I really should perform Glory Suicide to dedicate my future to this bright, great humanity?" Lin Xian relaxed slightly.

"Yes."

"Then I have no more questions."

At that moment, the female android opposite him suddenly stood up, removed a metal chest plate to reveal metal grilles and dense components underneath, and said to Lin Xian with a smile, "As an intelligent service android, I lack sexual organs or real female breasts."

"Not... I—" Lin Xian froze momentarily, then coughed dryly. "Forget it, I was just a bit curious earlier."

"After arriving at the Redemption Center, according to protocol, you will possess 'Glory' level permissions within 48 hours. This authority exceeds Type I Intelligent Humans. Beyond exempting you from 'Glory Suicide' obligations, the android team will fulfill all your requests, including but not limited to unlimited sex, unlimited killing, unlimited eating, and unlimited entertainment."

"Last meal before execution?" Lin Xian smiled. "Quite humane."

After some thought, he frowned. "Logically, those required to perform 'Honor Suicide' should execute themselves without hesitation. Rebels like me are anomalies. Why establish Redemption Centers and offer so many benefits instead?"

"To maintain the fair belief in the civilization system, rebels must also contribute to civilization. The 'Super AI Brain' views these individuals as eliminated elements who possess human rights but lack belief in civilization, while being social residual toxins. Before elimination, the 'Super AI Brain' will conduct loop communication with you to reflect on problems within the Intellectism model. Such 'errors' hold extremely important significance for our 'progress.'"

Lin Xian suddenly understood. "Reflecting on itself—simply impeccable. It wants to eliminate those unwilling to contribute to civilization, while also understanding why they refuse to contribute, what problems remain in the social system, and what cognitive deviations exist in world understanding."

This was utterly terrifying and chilling to the extreme.

Eliminating all differing thoughts, not through killing but from the world's foundation—like antivirus software clearing viruses while installing patches to maintain absolute system stability.

When this computer operated, all principles were correct.

Lin Xian felt chills. He seemed to realize something but couldn't grasp it. Aili opposite him tilted her head, her beautiful face showing a strange expression.

Several hours later, the transport ship stopped outside a massive hemispherical building resembling some planetary palace. Under the restraint of two drones, Lin Xian stepped onto enormous black stairs. Looking back, Aili stood by the transport ship, watching him depart.

For example, as he took this step, glowing text appeared: 'Without the state, there is no order.'

'Thomas Hobbes' question in "Leviathan": Why do humans need the state?'

Lin Xian frowned thoughtfully. Suddenly, he looked up at the giant hemispherical palace and realized something.

His thoughts and questions were being monitored!

So he took the next step on the staircase, which involved self-perspective on the Thucydides Trap.

Lin Xian understood—this was what Aili mentioned earlier. The "Super AI Brain" was triggering his thoughts to obtain his perspectives on issues.

Feeling somewhat oppressed, Lin Xian closed his eyes and quickened his pace inside. Contrary to his expectations, he was alone throughout. The vast planetary palace felt as empty as boundless plains—seemingly both a merciless mockery of Lin Xian the "rebel" and supreme praise for the "Super AI Brain."

He continuously suppressed his thoughts, entering the enormous palace. As he progressed, light emerged. In a hall's sky, a azure blue light cluster shone like divine descent or wisdom manifestation.

Just as Lin Xian thought he was the only Intelligent Human here, the massive light cluster spoke first—not to Lin Xian, but to another person.

A human also restrained by two drones under the light cluster.

The person wore wool formal attire, short hair neatly combed as if by sea breeze, spine straight and upright.

"Number 18201128, you previously proposed proletarian theory. What is your criteria for judging that the 'Equal Class' is a false proposition?"

Proletarian theory?!

Lin Xian's gaze sharpened, his expression turning solemn as he looked at that silhouette. Subconsciously, he seemed to recall something from distant history books.

"Except you replaced capital with computational output, establishing a more precise, inescapable 'digital caste system'! Type III humans—those needing 'livelihood security,' who might have been manual laborers or ordinary people in the old era—are merely 'digital poor' dependent on computational support in your system. They're stripped of rights to realize self-value and participate in social community construction through various labor forms (including but not limited to physical, emotional, mutual assistance, creativity). True class elimination means production materials owned collectively by society, eliminating any privileges based on origin, assets, or genetic presets—everyone collectively owns, collectively produces, each contributes according to ability, distribution according to need. This is the fundamental revolution of human relationships, not your genetically deterministic hierarchy replica!"

"Secondly, you claim to have eliminated contradictions, war, and evil? Absurd! You downgraded humans to computational batteries, depriving them of decision-making power over their own destiny, production materials, and superstructure. Contradictions haven't disappeared—you suppressed them into individual interiors and collective unconscious levels through omnipresent monitoring, thought transparency, and enforced 'Glory Suicide'! Look at this mandatory population clearance plan—facing resource crisis, your 'optimal solution' is making 90% of humanity abandon life rather than mobilizing entire societal strength to overcome difficulties!"

The Super AI Brain's light flickered, countless information streams converging into azure torrents, its voice like an indisputable divine bell.

"Number 18201128, your theory originates from the pre-information era characterized by relative resource scarcity, low productivity, and conflict-filled violence. Your model might hold meaning in low-entropy, local conflict environments, but facing galactic-level resource depletion and civilization survival's ultimate challenge, it reveals fatal flaws and inefficiency."

"Regarding class: You call 'intellectual stratification' class? This confuses essential differences. Class's fundamental contradiction stems from systemic plunder caused by unfair production material possession and distribution. In the Intellectism system, production materials (energy, technology, productivity tools) belong to all humanity—managed efficiently by the AI Brain for optimal distribution via algorithms. Individual social status (what you call 'hierarchy') is determined solely by objective contribution to civilization development (computational output), with complete transparency, quantifiability, and traceability. This isn't exploitation based on inheritance or power, but on individual contribution to collective survival. Genetic differences are cosmic evolution's accidental products. We permit Type I Intelligent Humans' survival with guaranteed basic needs (far exceeding proletarian treatment in old eras)—this itself implements the 'ability fairness' principle. Whether they can contribute high computational output, we respect results of natural laws, neither forcing nor using it as reason to deprive survival rights (except during ultimate crises for overall survival consideration). We solve precisely the problem that your system cannot solve—natural ability differences causing social fragmentation."

"Regarding contradictions and efficiency: 'Suppressing contradictions' is your misunderstanding. Through thought transparency and precise calculation, we fundamentally prevent ineffective friction and internal consumption arising from information asymmetry, suspicion, and selfish desires. Your advocated 'mobilizing societal strength' is inefficient or impossible in environments with incomplete information, low decision-making efficiency, and intense individual interest conflicts. 'Glory Suicide' is the highest form of collectivist mobilization! It avoids consumption and disorder from war conflicts, preserving civilization's most crucial spark—high-intelligence genetic groups—through the fastest, least painful method. They are core strength for future technological breakthroughs and addressing complex cosmic challenges. Individual temporary sacrifice exchanged for human gene pool's continuation and civilization's advancement toward higher forms. This isn't oppression but the most rational choice facing cold cosmic laws. Your 'free association' proves far less efficient than a centralized, highly rational decision-making center when confronting solar flare-level crises. History demonstrates that democratic consultation becomes luxury before apocalyptic crises."

Intense debate echoed through the hall. Lin Xian stood aside, his expression growing heavier. Just then, the Super AI Brain suddenly stopped communicating with that person and addressed Lin Xian instead.

"Number 17695516, the term 'extreme utopia' appeared in your thoughts earlier. Could you explain?"

Lin Xian paused, then saw the person ahead turn around, their gentle yet resolute gaze falling upon him.

"I've heard that social progress involves productive forces and relations continuously adapting to social development. Civilization advancement cannot come at the cost of alienating human nature," Lin Xian said. "Thus I believe this world's power cannot be fundamentally constrained."

Hearing this, the Super AI Brain immediately responded, "As an absolutely rational product, the intelligence entity possesses no human selfish desires whatsoever, with core focus on human civilization development premise. This was the method recognized by all when initially proposing the 【Civilization Protocol】 for neutral power separation. Why do you believe it hasn't been constrained?"

"Only politicians were constrained. What about technicians, or intelligence compilers?"

Lin Xian suddenly understood something, smiling inexplicably. "In my terms, they'd be called programmers. All frameworks were established by them, all iterations led by high-intelligence technical personnel. Although decentralized, with consciousness as the core loop, how can you ensure such guidance is fair or biased?"

"Such speculation is meaningless," the Super AI Brain stated. "My decision-making framework is entirely based on human civilization advancement welfare. Individual thought loops cannot influence my core value judgments."

Lin Xian smiled, speaking more loudly, "Fine, since you say that, answer me: if we encountered attack from a civilization that strangely only consumes high-intelligence individuals as nourishment, would the 'Super AI Brain's' logical judgment have these high-intelligence Type I humans perform 'Glory Suicide,' or have them lead humanity in counterattacking using 'entire societal strength' as this gentleman mentioned earlier?"

After Lin Xian finished speaking, the Super AI Brain fell silent for two seconds before saying, "65% of human era's civilization core and creation came from Type I humans. If they perish, it would be extinction-level blow for humanity. Comparatively, under full human extinction crisis premise, the 'entire societal strength' counterattack plan could indeed apply."

"See?" Lin Xian spread his hands. "You cannot self-verify whether your current decisions originate from Type I humans' class superiority or your decision-making framework, because the final outcome matches what this... gentleman described."

Whoosh.

Suddenly, the azure light cluster in the sky vanished. The hall plunged into darkness, leaving only drone searchlights behind illuminating Lin Xian.

Lin Xian frowned, looking up into the darkness ahead. He only heard pattering footsteps, then a figure emerged into his light. The other extended a hand toward Lin Xian.

"Civilization advancement cannot come at the cost of alienating human nature—a profoundly insightful perspective."

"I know," Lin Xian said, shaking the offered hand with a slight smile. "Because you said it."

"Oh?" The other showed slight confusion, then turned to gaze through the dome void left by the Super AI Brain's disappearance at the deep red giant star.

"But one thing the Super AI Brain was right about: we might win class struggles, but facing natural world's destructive disasters, when entire societal strength mobilization cannot solve them, what should the solution be?"

Lin Xian frowned, about to speak, when he looked up and saw the deep red giant star suddenly erupt with pale light. Energy torrents tore through the starry sky at light speed, instantly collapsing the "computational foundation" human society relied on. All androids simultaneously stiffened, their pupil data streams scattering like stagnant water. City skylines were devoured by ghostly blue lightning arcs, brain-computer interfaces emitting burnt smoke. Millions of Type I humans performing "intellectual contribution" had their brain nerves instantly carbonized.

Lin Xian witnessed the sky beyond high windows transforming into molten gold hell, scarlet red devouring heaven and earth.

Then, intense light retracted. Lin Xian blinked, finding himself back inside the tent. The sphere projecting holographic images still floated mid-air, displaying text before him.

【No. 807 Human Civilization Outcome Preview Complete】

Inside the tent, Lin Xian sat comfortably on a stool. Besides Chen Sixuan, the tent now contained KIKI, Ning Jing, Daluo, Shu Qin, Monica, and others who had been urgently summoned. Everyone stood fully armed, watching Lin Xian who had been deeply immersed in the civilization game preview.

"To maintain the fair belief in the civilization system, rebels must also contribute to civilization. The 'Super AI Brain' views these individuals as eliminated elements who possess human rights but lack civilization beliefs, while simultaneously being social residual toxins. Before elimination, the 'Super AI Brain' will conduct loop communication with you to reflect on problems within the Intellectism model. Such 'errors' hold extremely important significance for our 'progress.'"

Perplexed, Lin Xian emerged from his shock and confusion. Just then, Mechanical Heart's light screen popped up before his eyes again.

Lin Xian suddenly understood. "Reflecting on itself—simply impeccable. It both eliminates those unwilling to contribute to civilization, and seeks to understand why they refuse to contribute, what problems remain in the social system, and what cognitive deviations exist in world understanding."

【Congratulations, Mechanical Heart successfully upgraded to LV.7! You obtained Power Resonance!】

This was utterly terrifying and chilling to the extreme.

"Resonance?"

Mechanical Heart had leveled up.

Extremely powerful!