This question again!

It was a question Su Lin had previously asked Xu Zhiyi, which she hadn't completely denied at the time, but had only touched upon briefly.

This was Xiao Linlin questioning Lu Zhouming, and everyone's eyes turned to Lu Zhouming.

Why do you ask that?

Lu Zhouming smiled at Xiao Linlin, who pointed out the suspicious point she had noticed in a deep voice: "Your follower data is too straightforward. No matter how exaggerated they are, they all revolve around one point: [Rules]."

"So-called rules can only be things created by beings with great power. I guess the 'rules' on you are probably derived from a mechanism, something like low-level code?"

"The so-called 'restricted rules' probably refer to the parts that the mechanism is unwilling or unable to present?"

"Considering the mechanism's style of doing things and its consistent nature, we learned about clues outside the mechanism and had some verification of the future from Xu Zhiyi, and then you appeared."

"It's hard not to suspect that the mechanism is also involved in Xu Zhiyi's similar future plans, consciously pushing something forward."

Xiao Linlin paused, then narrowed her eyes slightly: "But the fact that you are standing in front of us is enough to show that you are not the mechanism itself. The mechanism should not have the ability to 'truly emerge'; it is more like a set of rules that are already in operation."

"So, what exactly is your relationship with these rules?"

Xiao Linlin's words basically cleared up most of everyone's confusion and revealed a secret that seemed to be the truth about Lu Zhouming's existence.

This newcomer can perfectly present the brand-new SSS-level follower data of the support information position with just one glance at Jia Zhengyi. This kind of arbitrary control can probably only be achieved by the mechanism itself.

After all, the mechanism itself is all-encompassing and fits well with Lu Zhouming's [intelligent agent] capabilities, representing a higher level of freedom.

"Hmm...that's a difficult question to answer."

Lu Zhouming turned his head slightly and looked at Su Lin. Su Lin was also looking at him, but did not say anything.

“You don’t need to look at him, my will is his will.”

Xiao Linlin pressed closer, stepping forward to block Su Lin's path, staring intently at Lu Zhouming: "Xu Zhiyi can choose not to answer this question, but you are different; you are a [follower]!"

"One of the rules of the mechanism: followers are absolutely loyal."

"Your [Minion] stat also proves that you have a good understanding of some mysterious rules. I think the mechanism that brought you out here was to assume the role of [Guide]."

"It needs to say something, but is bound by the rules, so it needs to borrow your mouth?"

"Yeah?"

Xiao Linlin spoke quickly, and her deeper speculations and probing questions brought even greater shock to the eyes of her entourage.

Even Su Lin frowned. He hadn't expected this, but he understood the basis of Xiao Linlin's analysis: it focused on the mechanism being "us" in order to speculate on the significance of Lu Zhouming's existence.

Xiao Linlin believes that the appearance of Lu Zhouming as a follower is a predetermined choice by the mechanism, rather than a random result.

"Okay, okay, don't push me like that, I'll tell you everything."

Lu Zhouming smiled wryly and waved his hand: "You've already guessed everything. All I need is for me to admit that we're on the same side... so we can communicate in a gentler way."

"For the time being, I don't think that things related to mechanisms belong to our own people."

Xiao Linlin said sternly, "I don't think my brother would think that way either."

"oh?"

Lu Zhouming raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "If I'm not one of our own now, then are you, and they too, necessarily Su Lin's own people?"

Lu Zhouming raised his hand and swept it over all his followers, including Xiao Linlin. His smile was meaningful: "And how do you prove that your loyalty and theirs are meaningful?"

"You should know that it can make you love it, and it can make you hate it."

"How can someone who can't even control their own emotions question others?"

Lu Zhouming looked at Xiao Linlin, the little girl clenched her teeth, but didn't say anything more.

This is an unsolvable problem.

If everything is driven by the will of the mechanism, then everyone's emotions have no real meaning.

All love and hate can be influenced and controlled, and do not originate from the subjective level.

Lu Zhouming is revealing this truth, which is also a future possibility that Xiao Linlin has been emphasizing but unwilling to face.

The mechanism bestows upon Su Lin not only strength, but it can also deprive him of more than just strength.

"It seems..."

Su Lin, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, looking at Lu Zhouming calmly: "It seems I have recruited an enemy."

“The enemy? No, you misunderstand.”

Lu Zhouming bowed slightly and explained with his head down, "As you wish, I will answer all the secrets; it is my responsibility."

“Dear Master, just as she predicted, I come from the mechanism itself, I originate from the rules of the mechanism.”

"Based on the current progress of the plan, at this point the master has already undergone a test of wisdom. She has grasped and analyzed clues about the mechanism and the future, and has also learned about the cause and effect of the mechanism's origin."

“The mechanism was once human, and I was once that man’s servant, and he personally crafted me into an intelligent being, incorporating some of the mechanism’s rules.”

“But I am different from the mechanism itself. The mechanism has insurmountable operating rules, but it also has the pursuits of a former human being. When the rules and goals contradict each other, a relatively independent individual is needed to guide it.”

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!