Gazing at the Stars, Exploring the Universe

【The Loyal Machine Servant Has Evolved】

【Ailei Evolves into Super Ailei】

【You are shocked, you are puzzled, all because Ailei has become overwhelmingly powerful】

【Beyond the conventional increase in computational power, Ailei has awakened strange abilities, becoming capable of seeing more, like an observer of the vast universe】

【This seems to be a qualitative leap in the level of life, a miracle you have never seen before】

【Through the perspective of the machine servant, you successfully glimpse the truth of the universe, a cold graveyard of civilizations, a silent and desolate extinction】

【What does such a scene signify?】

【What is the reason for its appearance?】

【You do not understand, repeatedly pondering in an attempt to comprehend】

Boundless starry sky.

A dark curtain inlaid with dazzling stars, some densely woven, some sparsely scattered, countless celestial bodies moving in their respective orbits, forming a corner of the universe.

The galaxy flows, shimmering with light.

In an insignificant "splash" of it.

A fleet of starships slowly passes by, navigating between planets and stars.

From a human perspective, it resembles a colossal leviathan, diving into the darkest depths of the starry sea, the metallic hulls of the ships gleaming under the light of the stars, both sacred and iron-blooded.

But the truth is, the so-called steel fleet is as small as grains of sand in front of a star.

Not to mention the larger expanse of the starry sea, or even the universe.

Creak—

Creak—

The slow expansion of metal echoes in Xu Xi's room.

The sound originates from a mechanical artifact from the old federal era, placed on top of a cabinet by Xu Xi due to its exquisite and interesting appearance.

The pointer dances to a new mark.

The intricate gears inside begin to spin rapidly, one after another.

The tightly interlocking teeth grind and collide, the sound subtle yet clear, the clicking as dense as raindrops.

After the evolution, Ailei couldn't accept having rested for so long, so she is now busy managing the starships and personally tending to the living quarters.

Xu Xi sits alone in the quiet bedroom.

His expression serious, repeatedly pondering the terrifying scene he had just witnessed.

"Destroyed starships, shattered celestial bodies, and... extinct civilizations."

"What do these scenes signify?"

"Is it a cosmic disaster, or the malice of an external force?"

"Regardless of the truth, there is a necessity to explore."

The voice echoes in the room.

Xu Xi's fingertips gently brush over the rough cover of his notebook, flipping open the paper pages, and he writes down two words with his pen.

【Civilization】 and 【Truth】.

This is Xu Xi's habit.

Preferring handwritten notes over electronic input, the subtle friction of pen on paper effectively stimulates his thoughts.

"Regardless of who the mastermind is, the remnants of those civilizations are real."

"Whether advanced or backward."

"The field of technology is vast, and even with Ailei's help, I still lack much knowledge. Through mechanical resonance, I can supplement from the remnants of other civilizations."

"At the same time, I can investigate the truth behind the fall of civilizations."

"This time's enemy..."

The pen pauses.

The scratching sound stops.

Xu Xi's expression becomes grave.

From the available intelligence, the mastermind behind the starry graveyard is the same entity that destroyed the old federation.

Suspected to have the ability to incite machine rebellions, possessing cross-galactic strike capabilities from vast distances.

Unfathomable, unpredictable.

Such an enemy, their true identity aside, even the glimpse of their cloak is enough to send shivers down one's spine.

"Fortunately, I don't need to confront the mastermind directly."

"The existence that only ends after ten deaths also gives me some confidence."

"Thus, the next task is clear: head straight to the starry ruins, gather the technological legacies of the fallen civilizations, and seek clues about the mastermind."

"This simulation is becoming increasingly unclear, with the fall of civilizations, machine rebellions, and the mastermind lurking in the distant starry void."

"Tsk."

"Sometimes I really want to put all the enemies from the simulations into a cage and see which side comes out on top."

The pen lightly touches the paper, quickly jotting down key elements.

Looking at the densely filled page.

Xu Xi sighs.

Although each simulation does not affect real-world life, the hardships of challenging formidable foes in the simulation are very real.

This sci-fi simulation is slowly revealing the ferocity beneath the surface.

Bringing immense challenges.

"This feels a bit tough...", Xu Xi mutters to himself, just as the door is gently pushed open.

"Master, the mushroom soup is here."

After half a year of suppressed domestic instincts, today sees an explosion, as Ailei quickly prepares a pot of steaming mushroom soup and brings it into Xu Xi's room.

Hoping to relax Xu Xi's tired mind.

"Ah, thank you."

Xu Xi takes the bowl, and before drinking, he instinctively glances at it.

The steaming, glossy soup is sprinkled with golden specks, not gold dust, but fragments of an unknown flower.

Twinkling.

Golden and translucent.

Mixing with the mushrooms in the soup, swaying in the liquid.

Releasing a delicate floral fragrance.

"Ailei, what did you add to the soup?", Xu Xi asks curiously.

"It's Red Sun Flower, I added Red Sun Flower", the machine servant explains, "The fragments of this flower are beneficial for the master's health."

What exactly are the benefits?

Xu Xi doesn't ask.

He believes that a loyal machine servant would not harm him.

Thus, Xu Xi drinks the hot soup heartily, feeling a warm sensation spreading through his limbs after the soup enters his stomach.

"Very good, Ailei", Xu Xi praises with a smile.

"Thank you for your compliment", Ailei gracefully takes away Xu Xi's empty bowl.

In a blind spot where Xu Xi cannot see.

Ailei walks out of the room, silently pulling out "The Thirty-Six Stratagems of Love", and checks off "Strengthening the Kidneys and Body".

This operation was a success, just as the book described, the master was very satisfied with the new soup's flavor. But why did the last operation fail?

The machine servant is puzzled.

Her index finger rests on her chin, tilting her head slightly.

As a heartless machine, she still has much to learn.

The human heart is truly complex.

...

【Through the special perspective shared by Ailei, you finally have a clear action goal and a subsequent plan】

【You do not alter the fleet's course】

【In the special perspective, the scenes of civilization's end you see are not from a single direction, but exist in a 360-degree panorama】

【The mysterious enemy, the hidden one with an unknown face, possesses cross-galactic strike capabilities, thus no civilization can escape this starry expanse】

【You calculate whether your ten-deaths-before-ending can withstand the strikes of the mysterious entity】

【The answer is certain death】

【Fortunately, the other party does not possess real-time monitoring capabilities, or else the hanging sword would have already fallen】

【You silently increase the speed of your voyage, wanting to quickly collect the legacies of other civilizations】