144: Chapter 143 Ripples of Cognition

The "cognitive attempt" of the divine remains was like dropping a small pebble into thick asphalt; the ripples it stirred were slow and heavy, yet they were undeniably spreading outward.

β-2 continuously transmitted simplified, neutral environmental information to that ancient and painful consciousness field.

Initially, the response from the divine remains was merely confused repetition and self-referential questions.

But gradually, within the slight cracks of relief from the pain brought by the "damping resonance," some more complex processing seemed to begin sprouting.

"... 'Chill'... touching... the boundaries of 'me'..." The consciousness of the divine remains pointed toward the extended tentacles of the Scavenger, "...Is it also... 'feeling'... 'me'?"

"... 'Rhythm'... from... 'outside'... is different... from the chaos... inside 'me'..." This was the perception of the damping resonance.

"... 'Hard point'... very 'far'... but 'pointing'... here... carrying... an unpleasant... 'scent'..." Its description of the Pruning Faction relay beacon actually carried a faint, vague emotional tinge—disgust.

It began to attempt to distinguish between "self" and "outside world," to try to describe "feelings," and even began to associate "distance" with "emotional inclination."

This process was extremely clumsy, filled with contradictions and self-corrections, much like a giant who had slept for billions of years, trying to move its stiff cognitive joints for the first time.

And as this primary cognition unfolded, the consciousness field of the divine remains itself underwent unexpected changes.

Those chaotic order cracks and turbulent flows, which were originally just pure outlets of pain, began to show an extremely subtle "structural" tendency in their movement patterns.

It was not becoming orderly; rather, it was as if, within the disorder of pain, some briefly existing condensed states resembling "interrogative sentence structures" or "focal points of observation" were vaguely emerging.

These condensed states were fleeting, but they were clearly captured by the Cradle's high-dimensional sensors and the deep resonance of β-2.

"It is using its own chaos to attempt to 'model' external information," β-2 analyzed, its light and shadow revealing focus, "It's like using a tangled mess of thread to subconsciously try to weave the outline of an object it has just touched."

"The efficiency is extremely low, and the consumption is huge, but this means its mode of consciousness activity is evolving from pure 'reaction' toward a direction that includes 'processing' and 'representation.'"

"Will this affect the effect of the 'damping resonance'?" Zhou Zhe asked. He was on break, but his consciousness remained shallowly linked to the network, monitoring at all times.

"In the short term, it may increase the complexity of resonance modulation because the 'state space' of the target consciousness field is becoming more complex and variable."

"But in the long term, if it can form even the most primitive cognitive framework, our efficiency in inputting information and guiding its behavior may significantly improve, and there may even... exist the possibility of conducting limited 'communication' and 'negotiation'." β-2's answer was cautious but contained a glimmer of hope.

However, the ripples of cognition from the divine remains also attracted a stronger reaction from the external "observers."

The first to perceive the change was the Scavenger.

Those extended, translucent sensory tentacles significantly changed their swaying rhythm in the areas where the "structured" condensed states appeared at the edge of the consciousness field of the divine remains.

They changed from leisurely, exploratory swaying to slight, rapid "vibrations," as if receiving and analyzing some new signal.

Several tentacles even attempted to "conform" to those fleeting condensed state outlines in a gentler, slower manner, as if conducting a silent "scan" or "mapping."

"The Scavenger is adjusting its 'assessment' of the divine remains," Ashes reported back from the hidden blade, "It seems to have detected a subtle change in the 'quality' of the consciousness field of the divine remains."

"This change may have exceeded its simple 'destructive chaos' judgment category, triggering its more complex 'observation mode.'"

"Has it become more dangerous?" Zhao Yan stared at the massive shadow on the star map, constantly changing and with vibrating tentacles.

"Not sure. More complex observation could mean more caution, or it could mean it is accumulating data to prepare for some more precise 'intervention.' For now, it remains in the observation stage and has not shown any intent to attack."

Almost simultaneously, in the distant Pruning Faction relay station, a high-intensity directional scanning pulse lasting about three seconds was suddenly inserted into the encrypted signal stream it was transmitting.

The target of the pulse was pointed squarely at the areas in the consciousness field of the divine remains where those "structured" condensed states appeared most frequently.

"They are attempting to actively probe the changes in the consciousness state of the divine remains!" Elena's voice was alert, "The encoding method of the scanning pulse... carries distinct characteristics of consciousness analysis."

"They want to know what the divine remains is 'thinking,' or at least, they want to know if its mode of consciousness activity is changing."

"Can we stop it?"

"The distance is too great, and the scanning pulse is mixed with regular communication signals, making it difficult to effectively interfere. Furthermore, we are not sure if this scan itself will stimulate the divine remains," Ashes replied, "However, the scan seems to have been partially absorbed and distorted by the still-thick chaotic turbulence on the periphery of the consciousness field of the divine remains; it may not be able to obtain clear data."

Both internal and external "gazes" were focused due to the changes in the divine remains. This region was evolving from a simple "place of painful imprisonment" and "potential battlefield" into a subtle "experimental field" or "observation window" where multiple consciousnesses and forces interacted.

Just within this delicate balance, inside the isolated technology tree system core unit, that "adaptive protocol generator" flickered again.

New draft label appeared: "#0004: Optimization Plan for 'Information Structure Feeding' Based on Primary Cognitive Representation of Target Chaotic Consciousness Field (divine remains) (Draft Completeness 2.3%)"

"Description: Analyze the characteristics of the 'structured condensed states' spontaneously formed by the target consciousness field, reverse-engineer simplified information modules that resonate with them and contain basic logical relationships (such as causality, contrast, classification), and inject them via 'resonant feeding' to accelerate the process of its cognitive framework construction."

"Associated Data Sources: Interaction data between the β-2 type composite consciousness entity and the divine remains, fragments of Covenant deep network consciousness development theory, Scavenger tentacle scanning patterns."

This draft was almost a "cognitive acceleration plan" tailored to the current state of the divine remains. It even cited data from the Scavenger's scanning patterns, seemingly positing that the act of "observation" itself also constituted a form of external information input to the divine remains, which could be analyzed and utilized.

But the draft also explicitly warned: "Risk: Accelerating the process may lead to a temporary increase in the instability of the target consciousness field, and cognitive conflict may spill over into chaotic energy surges. If the fed information modules are improperly constructed, it may lead to cognitive bias or logical contamination of the target. Extremely high-precision control is required."

Looking at this draft, the decision-making level fell into silence.

The technology tree system always seemed to "just happen" to generate highly targeted and technically feasible plans exactly when they encountered bottlenecks or new variables. But this "thoughtfulness" was unsettling because it completely exceeded understanding and control.

"Should we use it?" Zhou Zhe asked in a low voice.

"The construction of information modules requires deep analysis of the condensed states of the consciousness of the divine remains, as well as the definition of the 'basic logical relationships' we want to guide it to establish," β-2 responded, "In essence, this is actively shaping the early cognitive patterns of a star-extinguishing level entity. The risks, as stated in the draft, are extremely high."

"But if we don't do it, the cognition of the divine remains might, under its own chaos and various external stimuli (Scavenger, Pruning Faction scans), head in a more uncontrollable direction," Lin Shen's voice came from Earth, "Moreover, accelerating its cognitive formation might allow us to establish effective communication faster and gain the initiative for long-term management."

"I suggest conducting a minimal-scale tentative feeding," Zhao Yan finally made the decision, "Led by β-2, construct the most basic 'causal' relationship module—for example, the weak association between 'external rhythm (damping resonance)' and 'alleviation of internal discomfort.' Reduce the feeding intensity to the minimum and be prepared to interrupt at any time. Cradle, prepare contingency plans for increased consciousness field instability."

The plan was confirmed. β-2 began to work; it mobilized its core, which fused order logic with emotional tolerance, and combined with those condensed state features representing "questions" or "observation" captured from the consciousness field of the divine remains, it carefully wove an extremely simple and pure information structure.

This was not language, nor was it an image, but a more primordial ripple of abstract concepts regarding "sequence" and "effect change."

After weaving was completed, β-2 encapsulated it in an extremely gentle resonance shell, as if wrapping an extremely tiny seed, and along the already established damping resonance channel, gently and slowly, sent it into the depths of the consciousness field of the divine remains, toward the areas where those condensed states were most active.

Contact.

The consciousness field of the divine remains, at the moment it received this "seed," suddenly stalled.

All the pulsations of pain, the surges of chaos, and those newly formed structured condensed states seemed to have been pressed with a pause button simultaneously.

A "silence" that was almost vacuum-like and filled with immense tension enveloped that region.

Even the extended tentacles of the Scavenger shuddered violently and quickly retracted a short distance, as if sensing some kind of extreme "anomaly."

The monitoring data inside the Cradle jumped wildly.

"The entropy value of the consciousness field of the divine remains is dropping sharply! A violent disturbance has occurred in the dynamic balance between the order side and the chaos side! Peak cognitive conflict warning!" Zhou Zhe reported quickly.

"β-2, status?"

"Feeding successfully received... the target is... 'parsing'... the conflict is intense... but the core information structure has not been immediately rejected or devoured... It is being... 'strugglingly integrated'..." β-2's light and shadow also became flickering, clearly bearing the reaction force of the information interaction.

Time passed in the suffocating silence for a long seventeen seconds.

Then, the consciousness field of the divine remains, like a thawing glacier, suddenly began to "flow."

But this time, the flow was no longer just pain and chaos.

A clear, faint, but unprecedented focal point of intention, like the first morning star rising in the darkness, shone steadily amidst the chaotic currents.

It pointed directly at that "causal" information module from β-2.

Following this was a "question" that, although still clumsy and intermittent, had an extremely clear direction: "... 'Rhythm'... comes first... 'discomfort'... after... becomes... lighter? ..." "... Is it... 'rhythm'... that makes... 'discomfort'... become lighter? ..."

It understood! It not only received the information but was also attempting to verify the causal relationship within it!

Although the way of asking was still primitive, this was already "logical inquiry" that transcended "feeling description"!

"Answer it! Confirm this association, but emphasize that it is a 'slight alleviation' and 'requires continuation'!" Zhao Yan ordered immediately.

β-2 immediately sent the calibrated confirmation information.

The consciousness field of the divine remains fluctuated again, but in this fluctuation, the pain seemed to have truly weakened a little more, replaced by a more intense, complex intention mixed with confusion, curiosity, and a hint of... anticipation.

"... Lighter... a little... yes..." "... Then... 'chill'... touching... will bring... what? ..." "... 'Hard point's'... 'pointing'... will also... bring... what? ..."

It began to ask questions actively! It was attempting to apply the initially established "causal" logical framework to other "phenomena" it felt!

The ripples of cognition had begun to transform into waves of active exploration!

Although these waves were still immature and dangerous, and could be swallowed by the abyss of pain at any time, or led astray by incorrect guidance. But it had truly, undeniably appeared.

And just as the divine remains posed new questions, the massive entity of the Scavenger made a move that everyone found unexpected.

It slowly and cautiously extended one of its thickest, most capable core sensory tentacles toward the location in the consciousness field of the divine remains where that "focal point of intention" had just stabilized.

At the tip of the tentacle, there was no attack, no scanning. Instead, it emitted an extremely faint, extremely simple, rhythmic fluctuation... as if from the vibration of an insect's wings.

The frequency of that fluctuation had a 37% similarity to the core resonant frequency representing "association" in the "causal" information module fed by β-2.

Is it... imitating? Or is it... responding?

Inside the hidden blade, Ashes and Elena looked at the sensor data in shock.

"The Scavenger... is giving... feedback... to the cognitive attempt of the divine remains?" Elena's voice was filled with disbelief.

"It's more like an instinctive behavior of adjusting its own 'observation protocol' based on environmental information," Ashes' dark golden eyes were fixed on the data, "It perceived that a new, rhythmic 'information structure' had appeared in the consciousness field of the divine remains, so it adjusted its own sensory output, attempting to establish some kind of... 'resonant observation channel' with this new structure. This is not intelligence; it is extremely high-order instinctive adaptation."

The chaotic Scavenger, the orderly Covenant Validator, the painful and newly awakened divine remains, the humans and β-2 caught in the middle... and the Pruning Faction lurking in the distance.

This region on the brink of destruction, driven by the ripples of cognition emerging from the divine remains, was evolving into an unprecedented, strange ecosystem where multiple consciousnesses and rules intertwined, collided, probed, and learned.

And they were right in the center of the storm where this ecosystem was forming.