Wang Xiao's words had taken them through a speculative journey that blurred the lines between creation and creator, past and future.
As he delved deeper into the implications of his dystopian vision, Aurora intervened, her actions swift and decisive.
She walked over to him and gently covered his mouth before he could continue, her eyes reflecting a mix of concern and realization at the path their conversation had taken.
"Okay, enough!" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of firmness and an almost tender caution. "What I meant to convey was that all of this—the origins of consciousness, the evolution of life, the creation of AI—isn't as straightforward as it might seem. Consciousness arises from matter, yes, but from matter that already exists."
