Joy isn't completely forbidden in Lincheng. It's allowed to exist within the "natural fluctuation range of an individual," considered a byproduct, not the goal. Once joy is amplified, shared, or repeatedly confirmed, it triggers the system's alert. This is because joy reduces the effectiveness of fear.
Lin Jin's first real "handling" of a joy violation occurred in a Level 3 production area. The anomaly report that day was brief: "Section C-17, group joy index exceeds the threshold for three consecutive minutes, source unknown." The scene wasn't chaotic. A few workers, during rationing, discovered that a box of old-fashioned canned goods hadn't been collected. They exchanged glances, no cheers, just barely perceptible smiles.
The monitor immediately captured that momentary synchronized fluctuation, and the system determined: amplified group joy. The processing procedure was swiftly initiated. Not punishment, but "correction." A gentle announcement sounded: "Abnormal emotional fluctuations detected. Please remain calm. Staff will assist in handling the situation." Lin Jin stood aside, recording according to the procedure. The cans were collected and renumbered. The workers didn't resist, just bowed their heads. One of them looked up at Lin Jin, his eyes showing no anger, only a hint of confusion. It was as if he were asking: "Is this not allowed either?" Lin Jin didn't answer.
Because this wasn't part of the process.
Lincheng's system didn't prohibit appeals. It only stipulated under what circumstances an appeal was "meaningful." Article 7 of Chapter 3 of the "Mortal Emotion Compliance Rules" clearly stated:
"System corrections caused by natural emotional fluctuations do not constitute grounds for liability determination, and individual appeals are not accepted."
In other words: If the system considers it "naturally occurring," then your feelings themselves have no value for discussion. Lin Jin had seen too many such scenarios in his emotional assistance and recording position.
Someone tried to explain: "I just suddenly remembered something from the past." The system's response was only one sentence:
"Explanations do not affect the fact of the fluctuation." The explanation was recorded, but not adopted. Over time, ordinary people learned one thing: don't explain. Because explanations themselves prolong the duration of emotional fluctuations.
The gray identity tag is a transitional state. It means:
• You are no longer an ordinary mortal
• But you have not yet been formally included in the cultivation sequence.
Lin Jin first saw the gray identity tag at a routine summary meeting. A level-two mortal was called away from his post. The reason was simple: "His emotional model has shown long-term deviations, possessing potential cultivation value, and is being transferred to the observation sequence." The person received the gray identity tag with a complex expression. Those around him offered neither congratulations nor regret. Because they all knew that the gray identity tag did not represent advancement. It simply meant: you would be under more intensive scrutiny. A few days later, Lin Jin received the same notification. There was no celebration ceremony, no farewell procedure. The system simply updated his identity color. He looked down at the gray metal, its surface cold and smooth. Like a road whose direction was yet to be confirmed.
The observation period agreement was an appendix to the gray identity tag. The agreement was lengthy, but its core consisted of only three points:
1. Accept higher-frequency emotional monitoring
2. Cooperate with all non-interventional tests
3. Do not actively guide the emotions of others
The third point was specifically highlighted. "Any form of emotional manipulation is considered an overreach of authority." Lin Jin read through the agreement line by line without objection. He knew this was an invisible boundary. Crossing it would mean no longer being "the subject of observation" but rather a "source of risk." On the last page of the agreement, there was a seemingly reassuring line: "The observation period is not punishment, but rather to provide individuals with a more suitable development path." Lin Jin paused for a second in the signature field before signing.