spiritual scholar

humanoid robot with the QR code

Su Xiao knew that there were four levels of powered exoskeletons (commonly referred to as power armor).

Level I power armor refers to medical exoskeletons, typically provided to people with disabilities, those with bone injuries, and elderly individuals with mobility issues. This level of power armor does not provide significant strength; it is merely for assistance and does not require a license to use.

Level II power armor refers to civilian exoskeletons, provided to construction workers, delivery personnel handling heavy goods, and athletes in specific sports. These primarily offer increased strength for humans.

Level III power armor refers to military exoskeletons that do not carry weapon platforms. They may include military equipment such as biochemical-grade gas masks and aerial maneuvering devices. Additionally, they provide substantial strength and come equipped with motion-assist computers to enhance reflexes and agility. Only public officers and practitioners who have passed special examinations and voluntarily undertake emergency rescue missions are permitted to wear Level III power armor within cities.

Level IV power armor refers to military exoskeletons equipped with weapon platforms. Only public officers—typically military or police personnel—are authorized to wear them.

Rosalie's appearance caused a small stir in the crowd, with some even letting out instinctive exclamations.

Practitioners who can wear Level III power armor are willing to undertake emergency rescue missions and are regarded as heroes by the people of Zhongxia! Moreover, she was such a beautiful, young hero!

Several young men had already decided to try their luck, hoping to get her contact information.

Rosalie, after passing the inspection, scanned the crowd of people waiting for arrivals and then her eyes lit up.

"Su Xiao, I'm here!"

She excitedly waved at Su Xiao, almost jumping up.

Many people around Su Xiao instinctively moved aside, exposing him.

Before he realized it, there was no one around him.

"Damn, good cabbages being eaten by pigs, what a pity."

"Come on, they're a handsome couple. What's the pity? Just look at yourself."

"That guy is pretty handsome too, they match well."

"Xiaopeng, study hard, lose some weight, and you'll find a pretty girlfriend like that too."

Su Xiao's face darkened, regretting that he had activated his "Three Feet Above, a Spirit" state, hearing all the murmurs around him.

Rosalie didn't care too much and ran up to Su Xiao with her suitcase, beaming: "You picked me up!"

"Let's head back first." Su Xiao pulled Rosalie along, not wanting to be the subject of public gossip, feeling like he was being watched like a monkey, utterly embarrassing.

While escaping the crowd, Su Xiao suddenly noticed something odd.

Still in his "Three Feet Above, a Spirit" state, he had heightened sensitivity to his surroundings.

He discovered that a male humanoid robot, exiting from the synthetic human passage with a QR code on his cheek, was actually breathing.

Where would a humanoid robot get the ability to breathe? A synthetic human is essentially a robot made to resemble humans!

Could it be a custom order from some rich person? ……

Meanwhile, inside the temporary command center at Shuangqing North Station.

Zhang Wendong was watching a wall full of screens, all connected to surveillance cameras outside.

"According to the data transmitted by Hongjun, there are currently 2 red-level risks, 11 orange-level risks, and 129 blue-level risks within Shuangqing North Station," someone reported.

"Project the 3D map," Zhang Wendong ordered.

A 3D holographic map slowly unfolded on the empty platform before him.

It was filled with countless dots, each representing a person.

Most dots were green, indicating that their travel codes were green and they were very safe. Two dots were red, signifying they should be immediately controlled; orange represented suspicious risks needing continuous monitoring, and blue indicated suspicious risks with a high probability of being false positives.

"Teams one and two are heading to the red dots."

Zhang Wendong issued command after command: "Connect me to the leader of team one."

Zhang Wendong picked up the microphone and said, "Zhou Xian, you’re heading the wrong way. Follow the map provided by Hongjun!"

However, an eerie, snake-like hissing sound came through the microphone instead of the familiar voice of Zhou Xian.

Hiss, hiss

Zhang Wendong's pupils contracted, and he immediately shouted, "Bring up the surveillance near team one on the main screen!"

"Yes!"

Zhang Wendong looked at the main screen.

The crowd moved as usual, as if it were an ordinary day.

But there was no sign of the team members in any of the surveillance footage.

"Report! The surveillance near team one has been replaced with footage from yesterday!" an analyst shouted, "It doesn't match the other footage. I retrieved yesterday's records, and it's identical!"

Even though he was in an air-conditioned command center, sweat beaded on Zhang Wendong's forehead.

"Elevate the risk level!" Zhang Wendong shouted, "Issue an emergency risk notification! Call for reinforcements from the outer armed police units!"

……

Su Xiao and Rosalie walked side by side on the street outside Shuangyue North Station, each holding an ice cream. Su Xiao had chosen a two-scoop chocolate cone, while Rosalie opted for five different colors, piled high and wobbling.

Earlier, the old man selling ice cream on his ice cream cart had waved at them. Recognizing Rosalie as a practitioner in a Level III power armor, he insisted on adding extra scoops to her order, saying his son had been saved by such practitioners and he wanted to show his gratitude.

Su Xiao took a bite of his ice cream, the smooth texture, sweet aroma, and coolness making the summer heat feel distant.

He asked the girl beside him, who was slowly l*****g her ice cream:

"Aren't you afraid of gaining weight?"

Rosalie rolled her eyes at him and then said uncertainly:

"My exercise volume is high, so it should be fine."

"By the way, it's been a while since I last came back to Shuangyue. Why does it seem so magical and bustling now?"

Su Xiao glanced at the empty road ahead, the scorching heat that felt like it could boil sweat, the glaring asphalt, and the listless street trees, all showing no sign of magic or bustle, not even many pedestrians.

Su Xiao thought of something and said, "You should adjust your augmented reality settings. Nowadays, many people like to clutter the virtual world; changing the settings will clear it up."

Augmented reality glasses can display many virtual objects created by computer technology, blending them with the real world into one picture.

As this technology became more widespread, many people began using augmented reality to enhance their virtual images, adding angel wings or dazzling golden effects. As long as they used augmented reality glasses based on the Hongjun network, these could be seen.

So Su Xiao usually turned off this setting to avoid getting dazzled.

"I find it quite interesting," Rosalie said, taking small bites of her ice cream. "Like that old man earlier, his Hellfire Dragon Ice Cream Cart was pretty cool. The red and black lava effects contrasted sharply with the ice cream colors, and the dragon head was quite cute."

Hellfire Dragon Ice Cream Cart…

Su Xiao looked back, seeing an ordinary ice cream cart! Wait.

In that brief glance back, Su Xiao noticed something wrong.

That “humanoid robot” with the QR code on its cheek and the breathing sound was still following them from a distance!