"Limbs can be replaced, and so can the brain," Xiang Shan said calmly, "It’s just that we... ’we’ were more cautious back then. Under the existing framework, the human brain and consciousness are still very difficult to fathom. We were not certain what adverse effects abandoning the brain might have."
"Uncertain, were you?"
"Look, you are still using Inner Strength," Xiang Shan voluntarily took a half step back, dodging Hiroshi Matsushima’s Release Energy, "In our era, some people believed, ’The human brain may be superior to computers in the mathematical structure.’ It was just a hypothesis, with no theory to confirm nor refute it. Up to today, there is still no theory to confirm or refute it."
In a moment of distraction from Hiroshi Matsushima, Xiang Shan seized the opportunity to advance a step and regain the upper hand. Hiroshi Matsushima sighed, "I thought you developed Inner Strength because you highly valued the nobility of the human biological brain."
"There’s nothing noble about it," Xiang Shan stated. "Inner Strength was born out of necessity due to limitations."
"Did you know? All computers are engineering implementations of Turing Machines or equivalent Turing Machines. And the concept of the Turing Machine is a by-product of the ’Hilbert Program.’ A mathematician wanted to prove that humanity was nearing the ultimate truths of mathematics. With his intellect, he found a shortcut—just to prove that a set of machinery could, in finite steps, prove all mathematical propositions, which would mean humanity was about to grasp that ultimate truth."
"He failed, of course. Ultimately, the next generation’s genius figures—including Turing and Gödel—proved that within the existing range of mathematics, it was impossible for a set of machinery to prove or disprove all mathematical propositions in finite steps. A computer is a device ’that can solve some problems but not all.’"
"Can the human biological brain solve them?"
"The kingdom of mathematics is constantly expanding. Some limit problems seem forever on the horizon," Xiang Shan described. "In fact, I knew a genius...the kind who might appear once in a few hundred years."
"He disappeared," Xiang Shan said. "If he hadn’t disappeared, perhaps the world wouldn’t look like it does now."
Zero asked, "Was it that person...?"
"Forget about him. Let’s discuss something serious," Xiang Shan said. "In short, the birth of Inner Strength was because under the existing theoretical system, computers that completely outperform the biological brain could be created, but not computers that surpass the biological brain in the ’essence of mathematics.’ There must be something that maximizes even this tiny advantage of the biological brain, to better harness computers with the biological brain."
"After all, before the advent of Inner Strength, the impact of good equipment was too significant in hacking techniques. A hacker with powerful equipment could easily withstand DDOS attacks, but those with inferior equipment would just get burned."
Hiroshi Matsushima was somewhat puzzled, "Nothing has changed now, right? The Repository of Masters of Internal Arts with vast computational resources still holds an advantage... "
If that were not the case, King Aqini would not be rampantly unmatched, with hardly anyone to resist him.
"Maximizing the advantages of the biological brain means reducing the advantage of equipment. It’s still better than before. Moreover, masters of Inner Strength tend to ’steal,’" TX-0 ironically answered the question.
Hiroshi Matsushima pushed forward forcefully, "Are you saying, ’not abandoning the biological brain’ is just because the technological conditions do not allow it?"
Xiang Shan stepped back two steps and then smiled wryly, "Fortunately, we didn’t achieve it. Thankfully, there was still that last bit of caution. Otherwise, there wouldn’t even be a chance to turn the tables."
"I tend to think, if my mentor became a consciousness-uploading entity... as long as that consciousness was accurately replicated, even as AI, they would find a way to resist," Hiroshi Matsushima mused.
"You’re too objective, Zero," Xiang Shan sighed. "Your mentor once told me, ’human strength is limited.’ Of course, there will be things we can’t do... Hmm!"
As Xiang Shan spoke, Hiroshi Matsushima released energy forward. Xiang Shan realized it and tried to dodge, but Hiroshi Matsushima’s force was briefly exerted then withdrawn, and with Xiang Shan staggering backward, Hiroshi Matsushima then released energy in a second burst. Xiang Shan just managed to release energy forward. Their hands stiffly collided in mid-air. Hiroshi Matsushima’s wrist made a faint cracking sound.
Xiang Shan then stepped back two large steps.
Xiang Shan smiled, "It seems I am still slightly inferior."
"Ho ho, not bad for someone who has reached the peak of external strength, managing to push him back two steps," TX-0 exclaimed in admiration.
Hiroshi Matsushima’s tone was neither sad nor happy, "It’s just a technique of force. This practicing arm only trains basic resistance awareness, and higher-level release energy techniques cannot be used. Moreover, the actual combat of a Hero differs from ring fighting; there are more factors to consider. If it were a fight to the death, I would surely die."
"Ah, ah! You must be very pleased. Stop pretending, Hiroki!"
Xiang Shan then moved his wrists, knocked his right hand with his left, then his left hand with his right, reflective.
He asked Hiroshi Matsushima, "Is there anything wrong with me?"
"It’s all highly abstract non-declarative memory; describing it precisely with words is quite troublesome," Hiroshi Matsushima responded.
Although "language" is like a spell that can bind ambiguous spirits into precise concepts, language itself can also become a shackle in understanding the world. Language itself can also become an obstacle to understanding.
It’s like a certain AI that can enhance blurry photos into clear images.
But this "clarification" is also a kind of "distortion."
"The world described by language" is not the real world. Newest update provided by N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
When facing the cognitive boundaries of humanity, the magic of language fades. At that time, humans return to their primordial state, facing the vast unknown, only able to process it through non-verbal intuition.
The higher the wisdom one possesses, the more they need "Sudden Enlightenment."
However, "Sudden Enlightenment" is not reserved only for the wise. The need to rely on "Sudden Enlightenment" comes from touching the cognitive boundaries of humanity, where no prior language exists to describe this realm, and those who have not reached this boundary do not require sudden enlightenment.
The ancient philosophers, when confronted with all this, understood "Ineffable," "Inexpressible," and the "Unorthodox Way."
Since Newton, scientists have been striving to find a "paradigm," using the language of mathematics to solidify their "Sudden Enlightenment" into gradually more accurate systems of reality.
If it were any ordinary martial arts student, Hiroshi Matsushima could provide guidance.
But whether it be Hiroshi Matsushima or Xiang Shan, both are individuals at the pinnacle of their skills.
Xiang Shan nodded and then raised the same hand again.