Space Odyssey from Abandoned Mining Space Station

"Clones?"

Brilliant's response reminded Chen Ming of this technology, which he was aware of but had never associated with psychic abilities.

Indeed, if Chen Ming's Enlightenment Nerve were truly extracted, it wouldn't make much difference who it was transplanted to.

Even if it were transplanted, in practical terms, it would be just like the current Chen Ming, essentially the same with a different appearance.

So brainwashing someone to completely think for Dusk, upon careful consideration, seems to be the most appropriate choice.

As for the source of this "person."

Capturing children from humans to raise them would be too costly.

Dusk doesn't have the ability to predict the future, so it's impossible for them to capture a baby and raise it for ten or twenty years just waiting for this day for Chen Ming.

Therefore, clones that can be rapidly cultivated and freely mass-produced seem to be the best choice.

Chen Ming had heard numerous rumors about mental patients in psychiatric hospitals having their personalities adjusted and memories implanted through some device.

Even if Dusk truly had such a device, he wouldn't find it strange at all.

However, although clones indeed have some advantages, Chen Ming remembers that cloning technology is completely banned in the Empire now.

And it seems the ban on cloning technology has been in place for quite a few years now.

Chen Ming also vaguely remembers hearing from someone about the reason for the ban not only being ethical concerns, but due to a particularly serious accident in a cloning experiment.

So the entire technology was strictly prohibited by the Empire, and it was a genuine prohibition, not just a nominal display like Dusk's core.

Chen Ming also recalls something that serves as evidence for this.

About fifty or sixty years ago, there was a significantly developed commercial company within the Empire, involved in almost every facet from military products to consumer goods.

Such a commercial giant, a colossal entity, was discovered secretly engaging in cloning technology, and all responsible individuals were held accountable.

At least more than three hundred people were executed, either as company executives or as researchers actually conducting the cloning experiments, with more of the latter.

Everyone was judged based on a detailed comparison with Empire law, without a single oversight.

The rest of the company faced numerous lifetime imprisonments.

The company disintegrated in an instant.

And the remnants of the company were divided among other companies.

It was around that time that Sinda Corporation, then a small company, started to rise.

And from that time on, all cloning technology and experiments in the Empire were comprehensively banned in the true sense.

Many forces privately conducting research in this area were seeking ways to distance themselves, proactively reporting themselves to leave a way out under Empire law.

The Empire's authorities, originally intent on setting an example and rooting out the idea of cloning technology development, were naturally not overly harsh on those later companies who essentially surrendered.

Only some directors of excessive cloning experiments faced a few years' imprisonment.

Those with lighter offenses generally only received fines and the like as punishment.

In the end, the Empire's goal was clearly achieved, with the regulation of cloning technology completed, and the shake-up unexpectedly revitalizing the Empire, which had stalled in rapid development.

Although decades have passed, and the high-speed development era brought about by internal regulation has been completely submerged in the tides of the times.

This incident has served as a cautionary lesson for the Empire's youth and children for many years.

Chen Ming remembers there was a special class in his biology lessons that covered these topics, although he's unsure if it's still continued, but most likely, it is.

That's why when he heard Brilliant mention cloning, Chen Ming was momentarily unresponsive, unable to recall, making him so surprised.

Humans have already stopped creating clones for various reasons, yet Dusk is still engaged in it?

Considering the severity of the punishment upon discovery, the reason for the Empire's ban on cloning technology isn't likely ethical issues alone, but something more dangerous.

Otherwise, nothing could stop a dictatorial Empire from engaging in various acts for the sake of development.

Dusk emerged from humanity, yet knowing the situation still dares to do this, it's unclear for what reason.

And suddenly, Chen Ming thinks of a question.

A question he never considered when he wasn't a Psychic.

Can Psychics be cloned?

Is it possible?

Chen Ming believes he is definitely not the first to think of this question, and surely others before him have already attempted this.

He immediately linked the Human Empire's absolute ban on cloning technology with cloning Psychics.

There must be a profound, dangerous connection behind this.

It's very likely that some mishap during the cloning of Psychics led to the Empire's current situation.

After all, Spiritual Energy is a complex thing, and who knows what reactions might occur when cloning technology and Psychics mix together.

So Chen Ming directly asked Brilliant, who clearly had a say: "So Dusk intends to clone a Psychic like me?"

"Yes, but not entirely. We have indeed obtained your genes, and we are already proceeding with the cloning program."