Shackles of Humanity

Seeing the girl’s troubled expression, apparently caught in some sort of self-doubt because of his casual words, Luo Kai continued, "Mathematics and physics are the foundation of modern science. They are the most practical disciplines for exploring, analyzing, and utilizing the laws of all things. For example, you can use mathematical laws to build a programming model to analyze everything. That’s the principle behind a computer..."

The girl’s expression flickered, and she asked, "What’s a computer?"

Luo Kai then realized that this world didn’t have electricity. After a moment of thought, he replied, "It’s a complex tool that uses mathematical laws to perform analysis and calculations."

The girl pondered for a moment, then pressed, "Mister, are you saying this ’computer’ can replace the human brain?"

Luo Kai didn’t notice the change in how she addressed him and nodded. "Yes. Human power is limited, after all. If the data is too massive, the human brain definitely can’t process it. What we humans are best at is using external tools."

The girl waited with an expectant look for him to continue. Unfortunately, although Luo Kai knew the principles of a computer, it was all empty talk without electricity. The very first computers were gear-based mechanical calculators, but they could only perform addition and subtraction. Their efficiency was even lower than a human brain trained in abacus-based mental calculation, so there was no point in continuing. He fell silent.

"Mister, please continue."

Luo Kai gave a wry smile. "There’s nothing more. Mathematics is the beginning of all studies, but similarly, there is something that is the foundation of all matter. Right now, though, that something is missing. Or you could say, it’s become invisible."

The girl furrowed her delicate brows and asked tentatively, "Is it the ’electricity’ you just mentioned?"

Luo Kai hesitated for a moment before saying, "Yes. Without electricity, modern science is like a tree without roots. It can’t advance a single inch. However..."

"However what?" the girl asked urgently, her face tense. The ’computer’ this mister spoke of was like a great hand parting the clouds that had always shrouded her mind. It was possible that today, on her sixteenth birthday, she might find the solution to everything she had been studying since childhood.

Luo Kai’s gaze, however, grew distant. In truth, he didn’t know how to explain it either. But as his understanding of the mysterious Spiritual World deepened, another side of this world was slowly unfolding before him, one that contained the secrets of life, and even the secrets of the Cosmos.

For example, he no longer needed an electron microscope to easily permeate a stream of water with his spiritual consciousness and observe the fine structure of its water molecules.

Of course, this might be because after achieving a frequency resonance with the water, the water ’willingly’ let him see. He couldn’t gain such a deep understanding of other substances.

He looked down at the girl clutching his hand with an expectant face and said softly, "But a computer is also a product of the human brain, and the complexity of the human brain far exceeds even the most advanced computer. The potential of life is limitless. Perhaps in the future, humanity won’t need any external tools at all."

The girl let go of his hand. After thinking for a moment, she broke into a sweet smile. "Mister, thank you. Could... could you come visit me more often in the future?"

Luo Kai smiled back. "Actually, I don’t understand mathematics at all. What I know is just scratching the surface. I can’t be of any help to you."

While the two of them were talking, the auction outside was drawing to a close. There were no more items that fetched over a million. The Zang Family and the Su Family were close allies, so they naturally had to show their support. In the end, Zang Haoming brought out a piece of jet-black, translucent ore.

This stone was called Black Gold Stone. It was a rare by-product of iron ore and a top-tier material for crafting weapons and armor. As the final item of the auction, it sold for the high price of two million, which meant that most of the charity funds from this auction came from Black Stone Heavy Industry.

After the auction concluded, Su Wenlin announced with an excited face, "Thank you all for your generosity! We’ve raised a total of nineteen million in donations today. We will be building a batch of resettlement housing in the new district for the disaster victims. Furthermore, there is another major event today—my little sister Su Wenhuan’s sixteenth birthday! My sister... where’s my sister?"

"Young Master, the young miss has returned to her room," an old nanny hurried forward to say.

Su Wenlin looked slightly embarrassed. "My apologies. My sister has never liked crowds. Please, everyone, feel free to drink and enjoy yourselves. I have to step away for a moment."

Su Wenlin returned to the villa and immediately saw his sister talking to someone dressed as a servant. He didn’t pay it much mind and said hurriedly, "Wenhuan, didn’t we agree you’d stay until the end of the auction? How could you slip away by yourself again?"

Su Wenhuan gave Luo Kai an apologetic smile before turning to her brother. "Brother, I have something to do today, so I won’t be going."

"No way. We promised we’d celebrate your birthday. Besides, Father is rushing home for it. He knew he might not make it back in time today, so he had someone deliver your birthday present ahead of him."

Su Wenhuan furrowed her delicate brows. "Brother, you know I don’t like seeing outsiders."

Su Wenlin knew that expression meant his sister was getting angry. He relented with a sigh. "Alright, fine. We’ll celebrate at home, then. We can at least invite Second Uncle and the others in, can’t we?"

He said they would just invite Zang Haoming and other relatives, but a large group of people still came in. Li Ye shamelessly tagged along. His eyes lit up when he saw Sister Su, and he strode over quickly. He took out a jewelry box from his coat, which held a dazzling Star Diamond Bracelet. "Miss Su, happy birthday!"

Zang Guixu, of course, refused to be outdone. He had come prepared, knowing that his cousin disliked jewelry and preferred rare books. He produced a worn, yellowed book. "Cousin, I went to a lot of trouble to get this for you. It’s called... it’s called *Topology*. It’s for you."