’The second consciousness succeeded, but... why is it a moron?’
Qi Suian felt the second consciousness in his mind. Its level of intellectual development was just pitiful.
A normal second consciousness would develop rapidly within ten minutes of its birth and fully form within an hour.
It would lack common knowledge, but its intelligence level would be normal.
But the second consciousness in Qi Suian’s mind had existed for twenty-four hours now, and it hadn’t grown at all. It was still at the same level as when it was first born.
Qi Suian had also tried to force its maturation, but it had no effect whatsoever.
That’s how it was confirmed to be a moron.
’Fortunately, it’s not without its benefits. Its brain might not work well, but its instincts are still there.’
’It’s just a little noisy.’
The second consciousness was constantly shouting the word "protect" in Qi Suian’s mind.
This was clearly an instinctual impulse left over from the symbiosis phase of the virus talent. Now that he had achieved mastery, this instinct had been further amplified.
’Also, this thing seems to come with abilities like danger perception and combat instincts. As long as I let it take over, it can fully command my body and coordinate with the Profound Virus in a fight.’
This was another effect from the symbiosis phase. Before, it could at most help Qi Suian recover and heal, but now the talent had been further enhanced, and its effects were more complete.
’But it’s not as good as having the AI control the Tai Sui God to fight for me.’
Qi Suian didn’t plan on using it, though. This was fighting without a brain. Instincts could be useful sometimes, but they were not a good thing most of the time.
Of course, no matter how lousy it was, it was still a better fighter than Qi Suian. He only knew some Turtle Fist.
It was pretty much useless in a real fight.
’Brainless or not, it has exceeded my expectations. It seems my virus talent’s control over the Profound Virus is a bit beyond its on-paper stats.’
If a second consciousness with a real brain had appeared, Qi Suian would have been worried about a backlash if he transplanted it into the Source of Profound Virus.
’And if I were a bit bolder, I could even use this second consciousness to indirectly transplant the Source of Profound Virus and the Profound God’s life force into my body.’
As for the next step, that would naturally be absorption.
Both the Source of Profound Virus and the Profound God’s life force were, in essence, inextricably linked to the Profound Virus.
If the data was correct, Qi Suian should be able to completely absorb them through the Profound Virus.
However, this was just an idea of Qi Suian’s. He didn’t have a concrete plan yet; after all, it was something that required further research down the line.
The urgent task now was to oust the weak and simple consciousness from the Source of Profound Virus, allowing his own second consciousness to move in smoothly.
’I can’t do it here.’ Qi Suian’s gaze fell on the Pillar of Flesh and Blood. Due to the attrition from the Divine Purification Force Field and the seamless attacks of the Floating Cannons, its growth efficiency had been greatly reduced.
’Otherwise, if the consciousness from the Source of Profound Virus gets devoured by the Profound God’s life force after I squeeze it out, who knows what terrible changes might occur.’
The Source of Profound Virus was only S-rank, but that didn’t mean it was of low value to things derived from the Profound God.
’A pity I can’t kill this consciousness.’ Qi Suian found this regrettable.
He couldn’t do it without the corresponding knowledge and technology.
Rely on the second consciousness? This was the downside of being brainless.
It could easily be usurped, so forcing the other one out was the best course of action.
The AI quickly helped Qi Suian select a safe place. For now, he had to let the Pillar of Flesh and Blood go.
After arriving at the safe location, he began to connect to the Source of Profound Virus through his Spirit frequency.
"Celestial Fate! Celestial Fate! Celestial Fate!"
In an instant, a flood of chaotic voices poured into Qi Suian’s mind, constantly repeating the two words, "Celestial Fate."
’Damn, you two are a perfect match!’ Without hesitation, Qi Suian transferred his second consciousness into the black jade of the Source of Profound Virus.
Upon meeting, the consciousness within the Source of Profound Virus showed no reaction, seeming to be just a rigid, simple consciousness.
But Qi Suian’s second consciousness was different. In his mind, it just shouted ’Protect,’ but once it was outside his head, the ferocity inherent in the Profound Virus erupted instantly.
According to the plan, it was supposed to drive the Profound Consciousness out of the Source of Profound Virus, but the second consciousness was more ruthless, moving directly for the kill.
The idea was good, but the second consciousness was entering enemy territory and had limited strength of its own. So after a flurry of ferocious attacks, it couldn’t even scratch the surface.
Seeing this, Qi Suian took control of the second consciousness with his Spirit and used it to forcibly push the Profound Consciousness out.
Neither of them had much of a brain; they were two of a kind. So even if it couldn’t break through its defenses, pushing was still possible.
The entire process went very smoothly. The Profound Consciousness was squeezed out with ease, and then Qi Suian, through his second consciousness, successfully took control of the Source of Profound Virus.
And the moment the consciousness left the Source of Profound Virus, it vanished without a trace, its whereabouts unknown.
’The quality didn’t drop, but there’s only one trait left, and it has a "crippled" suffix.’
[Source of Profound Darkness (Crippled)]
[Quality: S]
[Trait 1: Lifts Celestial Fate: Profound Restriction]
’Makes sense. How could the second consciousness compare to the original?’ Qi Suian said softly. ’It’s already good that one effect was preserved.’
’Once I devour the Profound God’s life force, it will be restored.’
-----------------
The consciousness from the Source of Profound Virus drifted aimlessly, finally landing on a survivor who had just been bitten by a zombie and infected with the Profound Virus.
This survivor was just a low-tier survivor, and their talent was merely an unremarkable Basic Vitality Enhancement.
However, after the consciousness from the Source of Profound Virus successfully took up residence, the level of infection in their body skyrocketed. In less than a minute, they were completely infected and had turned into a zombie.
’Survivors, apocalypse game...’ After devouring the survivor, the consciousness from the Source of Profound Virus had its intelligence, thoughts, common knowledge, and so on completely filled in, and it now possessed normal logic.
It was no longer the rigid, weak, and simple consciousness it once was.
[Warning, Violator detected. Commencing extermination protocol...]
"Extermination? Can I apply to join you?" the consciousness from the Source of Profound Virus asked.
[Re-evaluating Violator...]
[Meets conditions for joining and did not intentionally become a Violator.]
[Issuing Identity Restoration Quest.]
A smile couldn’t help but spread across the face of the Source of Profound Virus’s consciousness, but it quickly froze.
[Mandatory Quest: Kill Violator ***]
’Is that thing someone I can kill?’ The consciousness from the Source of Profound Virus glanced at the death count in the Permanent Event: Violators.
’Alright, if I work hard, I should be able to kill them.’
The consciousness of the Source of Profound Virus glanced at its own talent. This wasn’t the original survivor’s; it was its own.