Chapter 4: When Memories Illuminate Reality

When Lin Xiao’s hand touched the computer on the desk, a message flashed through his mind, and he immediately realized: to bring this computer into reality, he must permanently consume a portion of Source Energy.

When this realization dawned on him, Lin Xiao actually felt relieved. Such a powerful ability, bordering on creation itself, would have made him hesitant to use it if there were no price to pay. Now that the cost was clear—he had to consume Source Energy—he felt at ease.

Is Source Energy precious? The answer is a definite yes; it is the very source that allows Awakened individuals to advance in rank. With an infinite supply of Source Energy, one could theoretically forge a world-destroying Level 9 Awakened in an instant. It is precisely because of this rarity that, when Lin Xiao obtained his painful memories, he insisted on paying for them to ensure the transaction was not "manifestly unfair."

Bringing items from his memories into reality requires Source Energy, which means Lin Xiao’s own advancement will slow down. If he uses this ability frequently, he might even drop in level. Therefore, the decision to use this power depends on its cost-effectiveness.

So, how much Source Energy would it take to bring this computer back? He immediately had the answer: 1 point of Source Energy.

This world has its own unique system for calculating the quantity of Source Energy. Simply put, the amount of energy required for an Awakened to advance from Level 1 to Level 2 is defined as 100 points, with all other values calculated based on this baseline. The memory amber Lin Xiao had just absorbed provided him with 20 points of Source Energy. Having already accumulated 95 points, he had 15 left over after breaking through to Level 2.

With a gap of 300 points needed to reach Level 3, spending 1 point was not unacceptable. From another perspective, it was like spending 1,500 yuan to possess a computer with a 5090 graphics card from his past life—an absolute bargain.

Without further hesitation, Lin Xiao hugged the computer tightly and gave it a sharp pull. The next moment, he opened his eyes to find his arms feeling heavy; he was truly holding the computer from his past life. The tower, monitor, keyboard, mouse, power cables, and the universal voltage adapter—the entire setup had appeared in this world. Simultaneously, Lin Xiao felt his Source Energy permanently decrease by 1 point.

Holding the computer from his previous life filled Lin Xiao with a sense of intimacy, dispelling much of the loneliness he felt as a stranger in a strange land. In this world, having the computer that had kept him company through countless days and nights in his past life was truly heartwarming.

Lin Xiao skillfully set up the computer and connected the power. This world had already entered the electrical age; although the voltage and socket specifications differed slightly from his past, the universal adapter he had just replicated solved that problem. This computer was used for entertainment and daily life, so it didn't require an internal encrypted operating system.

"Beep!" With the startup sound, the familiar Windows user login screen appeared before him once again. He entered his password with practiced ease: *wolaoposhiliuyifei*. The password was correct! It really was reality!

After opening the computer, the first thing he did was launch his web browser. Although there was no internet, the row of offline-cached browser windows made him go frantic: BitTorrent nuclear factory... Magnet search: husband currently... Dudu Novel Network: adopting a wolf into the house...

As a researcher with access to classified information, after his disappearance, the authorities would certainly have conducted a thorough investigation. At the thought of his computer—from browser history and bookmarks to his hard drive—being turned inside out, and all that information being discovered by friends, family, and even his superiors, Lin Xiao was left with only one thought: In that original world, I have been completely destroyed, both physically and spiritually. I can't go back, and I don't want to.

With a sigh, Lin Xiao minimized the browser windows, unable to bring himself to close them, lest he never be able to open them again. Immediately after, he launched the Steam platform in offline mode. Every game in his library was an old friend. The fifth playthrough of *Black Myth: Wukong* sat in the most prominent position. As someone who wasn't particularly skilled at gaming, he had died countless times before learning to master every boss, but what remained most unforgettable were the days spent being trampled by the "Big Head" boss.

Lin Xiao’s gaze continued downward: *Diablo 2*, *GTA*, *Minecraft*, *Stardew Valley*, *Elden Ring*, *Treasure of Nadia*, *Bloodborne*, *Civilization VI*, *Red Dead Redemption 2*... These games, which held countless happy memories, lay quietly in the list. As long as he clicked "Play," those wonderful game worlds would come alive again. Right now, they were his greatest emotional comfort in this strange world.

"I am actually quite lonely in this world, but I am lucky to have you all with me now." Thinking that he could play for a few hours every night after closing the shop made life feel much more meaningful. The games were stored on the D drive, while the remaining E, F, and G drives held a massive collection of "educational video materials." The masterpieces of those teachers so beloved by the masses were all present and accounted for. He felt this ability was truly incredible; that 1 point of Source Energy was well spent.

Lin Xiao was even more eager to know the limits of this ability. Could everything from his memories be brought into this world? If so, he would have a significant advantage here. In his past life, he was a military researcher in the field of electronic communications. In the information age, communication is paramount, so he had not only participated in the R&D and finalization of various weapons and equipment, but was also fortunate enough to have seen strategic-level weapons with his own eyes.

Lin Xiao swallowed hard. If he could bring those weapons and equipment into this world... Do not underestimate the value of weapons from his past life in this supernatural world. To put it mildly, a 155mm artillery shell with only 10kg of TNT filler could cover an area the size of two-thirds of a football field and blast a crater two or three meters deep at the point of impact. Even more heaven-defying was its range of up to 60 kilometers, definitely qualifying as beyond-visual-range lethality. This was at least the destructive power of a Level 4 combat-type Awakened.

To put it grandly, a 20-megaton TNT-equivalent nuclear bomb could travel 13,000 kilometers and strike at a terminal velocity of Mach 20. It would likely give this world a little shock, deeply experiencing what it means: "The giant mushroom rises straight, the long nuclear sun is round!" If he could solve the problem of not being able to launch it alone, it would likely rival the combat power of the most elite experts. Even without considering weapons, wouldn't a pressurized water reactor providing infinite energy be wonderful?

Every item from his memories filled Lin Xiao with joy. He was grateful that his work in his past life allowed him to witness so many treasures. Over the next three hours, Lin Xiao immersed himself in various memories. He didn't replicate anything else, just continuously tested the boundaries of his ability. Eventually, he wrote a few lines in a notebook:

1. The greater the energy contained in an object, the more Source Energy is consumed during replication. It seems hand-crafting a nuclear bomb is currently impossible.
2. Currently, he can only replicate inanimate objects; living things are excluded. Bringing over the cat and dog he kept in his past life to have both is not yet possible.
3. Output cannot exceed consumption. Lin Xiao tried to replicate the memory amber he had just consumed. Upon learning it would require 40 points of Source Energy, he immediately gave up. What a joke? He wanted a free lunch, not to be a sucker.

After clarifying his thoughts, Lin Xiao lit his lighter and burned the page. Sitting back on his bed, he summarized: The awakened ability is extremely powerful, definitely top-tier. At the same time, the side effects are significant, and it is easy to get lost in it. If he lacks discipline, his path of transcendence will stall or even regress.

Thus, Lin Xiao set a rule for himself: every time he obtains a painful memory, he can reward himself by fulfilling one small wish, but the remaining Source Energy must be saved. Even in this strange world, the Chinese habit of being frugal and meticulous remains deeply ingrained.

Lin Xiao looked up at the alarm clock on the wall; it was past 1:00 AM. He suppressed the urge to play a game before sleeping, knowing that once he started, dawn would likely arrive before he realized it. With the current economic crisis, he had to open the shop on time tomorrow morning to earn money.

Time to sleep!