The short-haired youth, seeing that Shan had discovered the garbled code in the website's backend, knew he couldn't hide it any longer. He honestly replied, "Ever since you all came out of the book, haven't you been unable to leave this room?"
"We've been guessing that the reason you could transform from novel characters into real existences is because of that AI program that runs the novel's plot."
Shan: "I know that. To verify this guess, we had you create stories with Ye Ling and Bai Yue as protagonists against a backdrop of nothingness. But Ye Ling's story is still ongoing, and he's about to realize his own existence. This experiment is about to yield results, but why is there a problem with your website's backend?"
The short-haired youth pursed his lips and replied in a low voice, "E thought it was too slow to get results by running novel plots through the program, so he had me upload the program to the website where novels are published and have me download other novels to run through the program..."
Shan: "And then?"
The short-haired youth: "Then... I originally intended to download other novel content, but I made a mistake... I downloaded the list of subscribed readers, and then the program ran the reader list, and that's how things turned out."
Hearing the short-haired youth's words, Shan couldn't help but rub his temples and sigh slightly. He then asked, "These garbled codes appearing in the subscriber list, what consequences will they cause?"
The short-haired youth: "As far as I can see now... there don't seem to be any problems yet, but all the readers who have read this novel I uploaded have formed an inexplicable connection with my program."
"Th-that is to say... you can also go to those readers' homes..."
E said with a smile, "I secretly visited a few readers' homes. Those kids seem quite interesting, making me want to teach them runes. I estimate that once there are enough people learning runes, and the world accepts our existence, then we should be able to leave."
Hearing the short-haired youth and E, Shan couldn't help but sigh, "You guys are too reckless... The Heavenly Dao in the real world isn't like in novels. Aren't you afraid of being directly erased if you cause such a big disturbance?"
E was indifferent, "What is there to fear? By the time the Heavenly Dao discovers us, our strength will have recovered considerably. Who fears whom will be uncertain then."
Shan looked at the short-haired youth, "You are too impulsive... The secrets of this AI program haven't been fully explored yet, and now you're spreading it widely. If something goes wrong, it won't matter much to me and E, as we can return to the book at any time. Are you trying to end up in jail with peanuts?"
Hearing Shan's words, the short-haired youth's face instantly turned pale, and he trembled, "N-no, don't... I didn't do it on purpose. You two great deities, you must resolve this matter!"
E laughed, "Don't worry, as long as we purify those garbled codes, nothing will happen, and we'll enter the real world without anyone noticing."
"Since we can come out of the book, it means there must be many interesting things in the real world. When I think about this, I look forward to going out!"
Shan: "Easier said than done... Our current strength cannot influence reality, nor can we deal with those garbled codes. Now the garbled codes are expanding and threatening reality. How should this be resolved?"
E: "I originally planned to have the program reconstruct a void and use a system reinstallation to clear viruses and bugs. However, your and Ye Ling's performance completely ruined my plan. So now, the only option is to have Ye Ling help purify those programs."
Shan: "Although Ye Ling can enter the Book of Origin, he can only go to the space between reality and fantasy. He can't enter reality. How can he purify those garbled codes that exist on the real network?"
E chuckled, "Who said I want that kid to come into reality? Both of us are barely managing to hide from the Heavenly Dao. Adding that brat, we'll probably be exposed that very day."
Shan raised an eyebrow slightly, "You mean..."
E: "Let Ye Ling be an antivirus program for once. Through the AI program, he can travel through the network and help those subscribed readers kill viruses."
Hearing E's suggestion, Shan couldn't help but smile wryly, "Ye Ling is now the strongest in the void. It's not good for him to be a supreme being in the void, why would he come and do manual labor for us?"
E: "How do you know he's unwilling if you don't ask?"
Shan: "I can't bring myself to ask. You created this mess, so you should go and talk to him."
E: "I'd love to, but I just had a falling out with Ye Ling. If I go to him, we'll probably end up fighting again, and it won't end well. This matter can only be handled by you."
The short-haired youth also looked at Shan pleadingly and begged, "Shan, you are Ye Ling's master. If you ask him for help, he will definitely agree! Moreover, this not only concerns us but also involves the real world. And if I get caught and the books are taken down from the entire network, your world might also be affected!"
Hearing E and the short-haired youth, Shan sighed heavily, "You two have discussed this privately, haven't you? Always using this kind of thing to threaten me."
E laughed, "Although it's cliché, it always works, doesn't it?"
Shan: "I'm defeated by you... I'll try then. But I'll say this beforehand, if Ye Ling is unwilling, then neither of you can force him."
"At that time, we'll directly destroy the AI program, and we'll return to the world of the book."
E: "No problem, I promise that from now on, I won't influence Ye Ling in any way. Go ahead."
The short-haired youth also nodded repeatedly, "I, I promise not to use my writing to influence Ye Ling's judgment, and let the AI program run its own novel plots, and never cause trouble again! Even if things don't work out, I'm willing to bear any consequences!"
Shan looked at E and the short-haired youth, without thinking too much, he directly pushed open the anti-theft door transformed from the Book of Origin and returned to the pure white space.
As Shan left, the short-haired youth couldn't help but swallow and asked E, "Do you think... Ye Ling will agree to help purify the garbled codes?"
E lay back on the sofa, "Ye Ling is a character in your writing. Don't you know if he'll agree?"
The short-haired youth: "Although I think Ye Ling is very likely to agree, Ye Ling already has some self-awareness, so he might also refuse..."
"If Ye Ling is unwilling to come to reality, will I be finished?"
"Just relax, Ye Ling will definitely agree." E restarted the game, seemingly not worried about Ye Ling's choice at all.
The short-haired youth looked at E, "You can't do anything to Ye Ling now, how can you be so sure he'll agree?"
E's lips curved slightly, "I just said I wouldn't influence Ye Ling from now on."
Hearing E's words, the short-haired youth was startled, "Could it be!"
"Shhh—"