Farewell, the Cage 2.0

【You witnessed the power of the Neutron Battle Star firsthand】

【You are acutely aware that, whether in attack or defense, you are no match for this real-life miracle】

【The only feasible method you can think of is to completely escape this star system and leave the Neutron Battle Star's range of attack】

【Otherwise, in the endless barrage of destruction, your resurrection attempts will eventually run out】

【To escape this desolate star system, you have devised a special plan, named——】

【Farewell, Cage! (2.0)】

"Master, was there a 1.0 version of this plan before?"

"Yes, there was."

"Query: There is no record of it in the database."

"Hahaha, of course not. This happened a long time ago."

"Understood, Ailei understands now."

【The machine servant carefully listened to your plan, summarizing its content, direction, and core into the database for future coordination and planning】

【At the same time, she silently noted the 1.0 plan you mentioned】

【After the busy work, you asked your machine servant if she felt any pressure facing a powerful opponent like the Neutron Battle Star】

【She shook her head at you】

【"As long as the master is here, Ailei will not be afraid."】

【The machine servant stood before you, her program-controlled lips curving into a beautiful smile, a real flower blooming from the artificial】

【You gently stroked Ailei's hair, gazing out into the dark void of space, determined to lead her out of this prison before the simulation ended】

【To this end, you decided to increase the speed of the starship, pushing it to full power】

【All to find a breakthrough in the starry sea and venture into a vaster universe】

【Material science, computer science, biology, mathematics... In preparation for the potential wars of the future, you continued to explore the next stages of development through machine spirit resonance】

【Every time you found a concrete inspiration, Ailei would pour her computational power into exhaustive calculations, tirelessly experimenting and advancing your modest technological tree in the long, desolate stretches of time】

"Ailei, you've worked hard these past days."

"There's no need to worry, master. As a machine servant, I do not experience fatigue."

The years passed.

Within the starship, Xu Xi and Ailei's technological advancements progressed steadily.

In addition, explorations of ancient ruins led to contact with the 06th civilization, yielding a wealth of technological relics.

Corroded, aged, and fragile.

The once high-tech artifacts had long since become unusable under the erosion of time.

Yet, through the powerful resonance of the machine spirit, Xu Xi could still communicate with the internal machine spirits, extracting and replicating their technology.

These civilizations were not particularly advanced.

Most had only just reached the stage of interstellar travel.

But each civilization excelled in different fields, and their unique ideas greatly filled the gaps in Xu Xi's knowledge.

"Good, with this, the final piece of the force field technology puzzle has been put in place."

Another resonance session ended.

Xu Xi let out a long sigh of relief.

He felt that as the frequency of these resonances increased, he was not just resonating with the machine spirits—he was almost becoming a human machine spirit himself.

However, the results of this fatigue were undeniably rewarding.

Multiple fields of technology were now complete, and Ailei's computational power, like the roots of a plant, spread through the starship fleet, providing diverse support.

For example, the energy shields used for defense could soon be replaced with force field defenses.

"Master, please have some water."

"Ah, thank you."

Just as Xu Xi felt thirsty, a cup of warm water was handed to him by the machine servant.

But—

Seeing the floating Red Sun Flower on the surface, Xu Xi hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Ailei, let's not use Red Sun Flowers anymore. I want to try something different."

"Understood, as you wish."

The machine servant nodded, noting Xu Xi's command.

After taking away the empty cup, Ailei walked to a quiet corner and pulled out "Thirty-Six Strategies for Love." Her calm eyes scanned the pages, searching for new tactics.

The master was right.

Using the same strategy for too long was no good.

She needed to keep up with the times and learn new approaches.

...

【Simulation Year 100, you are 119 years old, and Ailei has been by your side for 98 years】

【A century of time has finally left its mark on you, with faint traces of age appearing on your once youthful and vigorous body】

【But soon, with the successful development of the third-generation gene serum, your lifespan increased significantly once more】

【Gene surges, mechanical forces roared, and your body returned to its peak condition】

【Through physical examinations and calculations, you concluded that, with the aid of cryogenic hibernation, your lifespan could reach up to a thousand years】

【This was a remarkable achievement】

【Yet you felt nothing】

【Having encountered supernatural systems, you had seen too many long-lived species, even immortal beings. In comparison, a thousand years was insignificant】

【The vastness of the starry sea, the depths of space, and your fleet had yet to reach the limits of the blockade】

【Considering that the Neutron Battle Star could travel at superluminal speeds】

【You speculated that the blockade's range might be far larger than you had imagined】

【The immense distance meant an accumulation of time, and to pass the dull years, you chose to enter long-term hibernation】

【Simulation Year 150, you are 169 years old, and Ailei has been by your side for 148 years】

【Your fleet explored the 14th civilized planet】

【Your technology advanced once more】

【You were fortunate—this civilization specialized in quantum fields, both in macro and micro aspects, areas where you were lacking】

【Your interest soared, and you spent day and night resonating with the machine spirits】

【You successfully acquired knowledge in quantum fields】

【You felt as though your thinking speed had increased, blessed by the machine spirits and mechanical forces, undergoing a miraculous transformation】

【You didn't rush back into hibernation but instead spent peaceful days in the ecological starship, watching the virtual sun and moon cycle with your loyal machine servant】

【During this time, the machine servant often "dozed off," leaning unconsciously on your shoulder】

【Simulation Year 155, you are 174 years old, and Ailei has been by your side for 152 years】

【A century had passed since the last celestial strike, and now, a hundred years later, your fleet faced another attack】

【Your hypothesis was confirmed—using the latest detection technology, you captured the gravitational waves of the Neutron Battle Star, confirming it was the source of the strike】