In contemporary programming systems, it's long been unnecessary for programmers to write all the underlying code using basic logic symbols, even for a very small software, as the workload would be unimaginable.
Programmers, in most cases, use ready-made development tools, including various application platforms. These tool platforms themselves are software packages that can output results upon following their operational instructions.
The software package itself is composed of massive amounts of the most basic logic code, but programmers using them don't need to, nor can they possibly understand every line of code; they just need to know how to apply them.
Advanced programmers understand the principles and, if necessary, can design a better tool. However, even they don't know every computational step inside when using the tools, akin to operating a black box.
The "black box" nature of programming development has become even more pronounced upon entering the AI era.
This is just the development end; as for the application end, it's almost completely black-boxed, like the smartphones in everyone's hands.
He Kao draws an analogy, considering that the sorcerer's promotion ritual is like a black box tool, having its design principles, but the user only needs to operate according to the instructions. Some people's results are qualified, and some are not.
If someone insists on starting from the very basic code 0,1 by themselves, then theoretically any program is possible to compile, but practically it's extremely challenging!
After listening to He Kao's explanation, Wu Yanjun looked at him and said, "You make such an analogy, isn't it precisely what I'm trying to say? The world seems like it's programmed!"
He Kao shook his head: "I'm just using an analogy to analyze possible reasons within. But if you insist on saying that, all physical laws that determine the world's operation, when we recognize and express them, require us to use logical calculation tools.
This is digitization and programming; it's merely a matter of form. Form cannot determine reality and falsehood, which is another concept. Reality and falsehood are a philosophical issue."
Wu Yanjun waved his hand: "I can't stand philosophy; it makes me dizzy. I say I came from another world, there is other evidence, but I can't tell you... let's not discuss it."
He Kao: "Alright, let's not talk about it, let's drink! Then can I ask one more question? You are already a Tier Two Sorcerer, what ceremony is needed to promote from Tier One Imitator to Tier Two Scholar?"
"Ah? You're not a Magic Sect disciple, I can't tell you!" Wu Yanjun suddenly snapped back to reality and hurriedly warned, "Also, you absolutely must not tell anyone what I've told you just now..."
Wu Yanjun is actually not a formal disciple of the Magic Sect. He only practiced Micro Entry Skill by chance, making his situation relatively awkward, but he didn't tell He Kao these things.
Magic Sect, of course, has internal discipline, commonly known as sect rules, and some things cannot be spoken to outsiders.
Sorcerers occasionally drink and brag, telling people some mysterious and amusing stories for fun, which is harmless. The Magic Sect isn't as mysterious as imagined; since ancient times, there have been many indistinguishable rumors, recorded in various sources.
However, the cultivation taboos of various techniques, and the specific content of promotion ceremonies, cannot be spread outside. These things might cause misunderstanding externally or bring trouble to the sorcerer.
Knowing cultivation taboos might lead to devising targeted methods; knowing the specifics of promotion ceremonies might lead to attempts at sabotage.
Even sect rules themselves are not to be easily discussed with outsiders.
When a master brings a disciple into the entry level, they must convey the sect rules, and under conditions that do not comply with the regulations, one cannot arbitrarily impart the technique.
Zhang Yanfei taught Wu Yanjun Micro Entry Skill while in prison, which actually violates sect rules.
After Zhang Yanfei's case was exposed, the Micro Realm Sect had already expelled him because it was considered a major scandal.
Expulsion is equivalent to being kicked out of the organization, indicating that this person's future actions are unrelated to the organization, and the organization will no longer protect him.
After expulsion, Zhang Yanfei was no longer allowed to arbitrarily teach Micro Entry Skill.
In theory, the Micro Realm Sect could hold Zhang Yanfei accountable for teaching Wu Yanjun techniques while in prison, but since Zhang Yanfei is dead, pursuing additional penalties is out of the question.
Wu Yanjun, however, is innocent; he wasn't a disciple of the Micro Realm Sect and didn't know the intricacies beforehand, Zhang Yanfei taught him, and he learned it, proving his talent, which is not his fault.
For such a person, as long as he doesn't engage in wrongdoing, the Micro Realm Sect won't trouble him. If upon investigation he's deemed talented, they'll instead actively absorb him formally into the Magic Sect because the fault lies with Zhang Yanfei, not him.
The Magic Sect has a thousand-year heritage, having encountered countless situations; they already have countermeasures.
There have been many loose cultivators like Wu Yanjun arising from various circumstances throughout history, but it hasn't been a big problem; lacking the support of the entire Magic Sect inheritance system, they often fade after one or two generations.
A few loose cultivators have formed a heritage system, and in many cases, these are later absorbed back into the Magic Sect; many branch schools within the Magic Sect stem from this.
Expelling Zhang Yanfei was merely the Magic Sect's stance, but Zhang Yanfei's relationships and sentiments still exist. According to the master's plan, once released from prison, they can smooth things over with familiar sect members and arrange for Wu Yanjun to formally enter the Magic Sect.
Zhang Yanfei told Wu Yanjun that although he already has a criminal record, as long as he has magic cultivation, he can still find a good job, and life won't be a problem.
Not to mention, many sorcerers from various sects hold high positions in society, and they would be very willing to employ him or provide him resources.
Zhang Yanfei also advised Wu Yanjun that if he couldn't find him after being released, he could seek his senior brother, Wu Yanjun's Master Ye, Ye Hui. Ye Hui's business is significant, and among sect members, he has the best relationship with Zhang Yanfei.
In hindsight, Zhang Yanfei might have already sensed that something might go wrong; otherwise, he wouldn't have made another arrangement in advance.
After Wu Yanjun was released from prison, his master had passed away. He then found Master Ye Hui. Ye Hui indeed provided him with food and shelter, and gave him an idle position in his own company, urging him to rest for now.
Master Ye also told him that if he could elevate his Micro-Entry Skill to the level of a Tier Three Appraiser, he would have a reason to formally recognize his ancestry. If he could reach the level of a Tier Four Artisan, no arrangement would be necessary—the Micro Realm Sect would actively absorb him.
If he could become a Tier Six Artifact Master? Then there would be nothing more to say; he'd be a contemporary Elder of the Micro Realm Sect!
But for now, Xiaowu was still not an official disciple of the Micro Realm Sect, undergoing a "probationary period," and should conduct himself with discretion and caution in everything, especially avoiding violating any taboos of the Magic Sect.
Xiaowu drank too much today and carelessly said many things he shouldn't have. When He Kao inquired about the ceremony for ascending from Tier One to Tier Two in the Micro-Entry Skill, he suddenly realized that these things shouldn't be casually talked about!
So, he didn't tell He Kao but instead pleaded with him not to repeat any of the things he said today...
This sobered Wu Yanjun up, making him dare not to continue drinking. He exchanged a contact with He Kao and hastily left. He Kao felt quite sorry about this, but also quite relieved.
Sorry that he didn't get to inquire about more things, relieved that such a person came to remind him of many things. After returning to his apartment, he reached into his pocket and took out the Beast Claw Pendant that Wu Yanjun returned, and was dumbfounded again.
Wu Yanjun, in his haste, returned the "real" pendant but did not take the fake one. When He Kao was drinking, he took off the fake pendant and also put it in his pocket. Now the two were mixed together, and He Kao couldn't tell them apart!
How could he not recognize something he wore for over twenty years? This was very normal; he simply hadn't thought of such a thing before, and what's more, these two items were too similar.
There might be tiny differences if observed carefully with a magnifying glass, but He Kao didn't know what the original real item looked like! Unless he had prepared high-definition images from various angles in advance, enlarging them to compare with the physical items, he might have been able to tell them apart.
Wu Yanjun spoke quite intimidatingly; he claimed the fake item still had blood aura and resentment attached to it, with a faint fishy smell if sniffed carefully... He Kao sniffed for ages, feeling that both seemed somewhat fishy, unsure if it was a psychological effect.
Wu Yanjun could discern the real from the fake at a glance, but He Kao lacked the ability to make such distinctions. Wu Yanjun even said his young sister's craftsmanship wasn't good enough, but in He Kao's eyes, it was convincing enough to be real!
He Kao, helpless, adjusted the lighting and placed the two Beast Claws at the same angle on the table, snapped a clear-as-possible photo, and sent Xiaowu a message asking him which was the original pendant?
By the time Wu Yanjun received the message, he was on a high-speed train nearing Taigu City over two hundred kilometers away and replied, "I can't tell from the photo."
He Kao: "Don't you have the ability?"
Wu Yanjun: "I could do it if I had the physical item, but I'm not familiar with these things."
He Kao: "Today you treated me to barbecue, tomorrow I'll treat, come take another look?"
Wu Yanjun: "The difference isn't actually significant, you might as well keep both, one becomes two—a win."
He Kao: "How can it not be significant! You said the fake has blood aura and resentment; I've been having nightmares and wouldn't dare wear it anymore!"
Wu Yanjun sent a voice message: "Ah~ that's actually a solution; you might alternate wearing them, eventually learning which causes nightmares is fake!"
He Kao: "What kind of joke is this, you should take responsibility!"
Wu Yanjun: "Actually, I exaggerated. It was just to scare you; it's merely an ordinary ornament, though it has some blood aura and resentment, they will dissipate over time. Your body is fit, no worries.
The fake was made by my little sister; if you really feel uneasy, I'll ask her for you, just wait for my update."
That night, He Kao didn't sleep well for once and dared not wear either pendant; he affixed labels correlating to their photo positions and tucked them into a corner of his cabinet.
On the train, Wu Yanjun forwarded the photo to his younger sister Ye Yuxuan, who is the daughter of Master Ye Hui, and explained the situation in detail.
Ye Yuxuan is three years younger than him, and graduated from university this summer, now pursuing graduate studies.
She studies a part-time master's program, usually assisting with matters at her father's company, and has also joined the Micro Realm Sect as a Tier One Imitator, with her skills close to Wu Yanjun's.
Ye Yuxuan quickly called him back, sounding quite excited: "Xiaowu, what's really happening? Tell me in detail!"
Wu Yanjun: "Following our original plan, I returned the item you swapped to him, didn't take back the fake, and as expected, he can't tell the difference."
Ye Yuxuan: "Can he really not recognize it?"
Wu Yanjun: "Not just him, I can't tell from photos either."
Ye Yuxuan: "Alright, alright, I know! See you at the villa tomorrow morning."
**