Two robots introduced Yang Ying to the dozens of optical computers displayed on the counter. The female robot’s movements were rich and vivid, capable of performing small gestures like grinning or squinting, but also exaggerating them to an extreme, much like watching a cartoon, which was utterly hilarious. Her seemingly metallic face barely looked like metal at all.
As Yang Ying listened to its introduction through his ear implant, he examined the various types of optical computers one by one. These devices came in diverse shapes. Besides the most basic box type, there were forms resembling various small accessories: glasses, bracelets, gloves, headbands, hairpins, earrings, brooches, buttons, badges, necklaces, wallets, and countless others—a dazzling array that was hard to take in all at once.
“Look here…” The robot picked up a thin, transparent film and explained, “This membrane optical computer can be affixed to the surface of an identity card. Once applied, the identity card merges completely with the optical computer, retaining the card's identification and banking functions while integrating the various programmed functions of the optical computer and the ability to log into virtual space anytime, anywhere. Truly, one card takes you across the galaxy; it’s an unmissable opportunity.”
“May I see it?” Yang Ying extended his hand toward the robot.
“Certainly.” The robot gently placed the transparent film into Yang Ying’s hand, adding, “The surface of the membrane optical computer employs dust-repelling technology, making it permanently impervious to dust and grease. Even if left untouched for ten years, it won't gather dust, and touching it leaves no fingerprints. You won't have to worry about cleaning it after purchase.”
Holding the film, Yang Ying felt it was lighter than air, thinner than a cicada’s wing. One could never guess that within it was housed an optical computer with nearly infinite processing speed and extraordinary capabilities.
The energy consumption of the Atlantis optical computers was so low that they could operate solely on solar power. Moreover, even without sunlight, the built-in photogenic battery could sustain the optical computer’s normal operation for twenty years.
Based on the knowledge transmitted to Yang Ying by Landon, integrating the optical computer and identity card wasn't exclusive to the membrane type; other optical computers offered this feature as well.
However, to achieve this integration with other types, one needed to remove a core chip from the identity card and insert it into a dedicated port on the optical computer. Every optical computer possessed this port; it was a fundamental configuration. That core chip was the heart of the identity card; without it, the card became useless.
Yang Ying handed the film back to the robot, which asked, “Are you dissatisfied with the membrane optical computer, sir? Would you like to try a different model?”
Yang Ying paused in thought, then pointed to a headpiece-style optical computer displayed on the top shelf of the showcase beside them. “Show me that one.”
“Which one? That one!” The robot turned, its optical sensors immediately widening by more than double their size. Its ruby-like eyes seemed to pop out, displaying an extremely exaggerated expression of shock. “That headpiece is a top-tier optical computer intended for masters whose mental power has reached Level Three. Are you certain you want that one, sir?”
“I am certain,” Yang Ying stated.
The robot said no more. It moved over, opened the display case, extended its arm fully, and retrieved the headpiece. Returning, it presented it to Yang Ying. “Sir, this is the latest optical computer product released by the Glacier Technology Institute. Its intended user is a high-ranking Level Three individual, meaning even a newly ascended Level Three master might not be able to utilize its full performance.”
The robot placed the headpiece before Yang Ying. “This model has been on the market for one standard month, and we haven't sold a single unit in this store yet. If you are interested in it, I can offer you a discount: a complete set of common software, and I guarantee it will all be genuine. What do you think?”
Yang Ying picked up the headpiece and examined it closely. Headpieces were a common adornment for Awakened individuals in the Empire; five out of ten sub-humans wore them, eight out of ten true humans wore them, and nearly all Imperial nobility wore them. Such headpieces usually featured a hoop made of gold alloy, inlaid with a gemstone at the forehead, symbolizing the all-seeing mind's eye. The one in Yang Ying’s hand was set with a pure blue gemstone, within which the optical computer was housed.
Yang Ying channeled his mental power into the gemstone and instantly felt his cognition expand. Suddenly, an idea struck him: the operational method for this optical computer naturally flowed into his mind, without the slightest difficulty. This was the Empire’s memory transfer technology, acting in place of a manual, allowing the user to master the product in the shortest possible time.
Yang Ying knew from Landon that this memory transfer technology was ubiquitous in the Empire, used in many other areas, such as education. The advanced state of Atlantis science and technology meant their accumulated knowledge was boundless; a single person could spend a lifetime studying and still only grasp the surface.
When the budding stages of natural science first appeared, existing knowledge was scarce and easy to master. Early scientists were often naturalists who could excel across multiple disciplines like mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology, achieving remarkable results for posterity.
But as technology advanced, the body of knowledge grew. A single person’s capacity became limited, preventing mastery across multiple fields. Naturalists gradually disappeared; physicists became just physicists, and chemists just chemists. During this era, genius scientists capable of leading and advancing an entire discipline might still emerge.
As technology progressed further, the existing knowledge base became immense, with entire disciplines holding knowledge too vast to fully absorb. Consequently, every field began to branch out. Biology, for instance, split into genetic biology, neurobiology, cell biology, zoology, botany, ecology, and so on.
Each branch continued to subdivide, leading to ever more numerous and specialized branches, leaving less room for expansive development. Due to the sheer volume of knowledge, individual efforts became increasingly negligible, and teamwork became paramount.
By the time technology reached the current level of the Atlantis Empire, knowledge had accumulated to a terrifying extent. To keep citizens abreast of scientific progress, conventional schooling models were abandoned in favor of memory transfer technology.
In the Empire, every citizen was entitled to knowledge rights. An Imperial citizen could learn in half a day what an Earthling might spend a lifetime learning. Awakened individuals, with their superior mental capacity, could absorb even more knowledge and effectively convert it into tangible value.
It was precisely because an Awakened individual generated far greater value than ordinary people that true humans firmly held the ruling position in the Empire.
Digressing slightly, at that moment, everyone in the store was drawn to a sudden burst of ethereal blue light. They looked toward the source and saw an ordinary-looking person, plainly dressed, standing before a counter, the blue light emanating from the headpiece optical computer in their hand.
“Heavens, look! That’s the newest Level Three optical computer from the Glacier Technology Institute.”
“Huh? I didn't expect a master to be in the store today.”
“Tch, easily impressed. While Level Three masters aren't common, they aren't surprising either. This store sees a few every year.”
The crowd in the shop began to whisper, conveying much information that helped Yang Ying better understand the Imperial attitude toward Level Three masters. Indeed, the Empire was a place brimming with experts.
After demonstrating a few functions of the optical computer, Yang Ying retracted his mental power. The faint blue glow was absorbed back into the blue gemstone. He asked the counter robot, “How much is this headpiece optical computer?”
“Twelve thousand Imperial Credits,” the robot replied.
“I’ll take it.”
Yang Ying thought to himself, thankfully he had managed to secure six and a half million Imperial Credits from the middle-aged man; otherwise, with only two thousand credits, he probably could only afford the most basic optical computer.
He took out an identity card, customized to his current build and appearance, and had the robot debit the account, then instructed it to transfer the card’s core chip into the headpiece optical computer.
The robot accepted the identity card, sent a beam of light from its fingertip to scan it, completing the transaction. Then, it extended several small tools from its palm, removed a core chip about the size of a small fingernail from the identity card, and installed it into a slot within the headpiece optical computer. The entire process took less than half a minute.
Once finished, the robot projected two beams of light from its eyes, creating a holographic display on the counter showing numerous software programs.
“This is your complimentary offer; please choose freely,” the robot stated.
Yang Ying reasoned that since it was free, he might as well take it all. “I’ll take all of them.”
“Very well.” The robot clearly honored its word; when Yang Ying requested everything, it agreed without hesitation. It picked up the headpiece, shot a beam of light from its fingertip into the blue gemstone, taking a bit longer this time—about a minute—to complete the transfer.
After uploading all the software, the robot handed the headpiece to Yang Ying. “Thank you for your patronage, sir. With a single purchase exceeding one hundred thousand Imperial Credits, you have automatically qualified for our store’s Premium Membership. Your virtual membership card has also been uploaded to the optical computer. You will receive a ten percent discount at any of our more than twenty thousand branches across the Empire. We welcome your return anytime. Do you require anything else?”
“No, thank you. I have purchased what I needed.” Yang Ying waved his hand and turned away from the counter. Behind him, the robot called out, “Safe travels, esteemed guest, and may good fortune accompany you.”
Yang Ying left the store and placed the headpiece on his forehead. Catching his reflection in a nearby display window, he felt he looked somewhat like an Imperial citizen. He laughed twice and walked toward the Star Gate Plaza nearby.
The flow of people in the plaza was similar to three days prior—constant movement, yet not appearing congested.
Yang Ying approached one of the gates. With a thought, a blue ray of light shot from the blue gemstone on his forehead into the adjacent control panel, simultaneously setting the destination and paying the entry fee. Then, he stepped through the gate.