Chapter 244: Neutron War Star

The unknown strike from beyond the heavens.

It seemed as if nothing had changed.

The deceased Xu Xi was resurrected once more through Ten Deaths Before the End.

The destroyed fleet was restored to its original state on a smaller scale through the self-production of Ele's Intelligent Machines.

Aside from the resurrection count decreasing by one.

Overall, there weren't many losses.

The Ion Engine hummed as the starship gradually accelerated, sailing toward the mysterious and unknown sea of stars.

"Master, where shall we go next?"

"Maintain the original course, Ele."

"Objection. Ele feels that a change of course is necessary."

The loyal Mech-Servant was always considering Xu Xi's safety.

Expressionless, she crossed her hands in front of her abdomen, expressing her protest through a quiet posture.

Her silver-blue eyes shimmered with a faint luminescence.

The Mech-Servant suggested altering the starship fleet's course to hide in a remote corner of the Universe to avoid another unknown strike.

Xu Xi smiled and stroked Ele's head. "That is meaningless, Ele."

The Mastermind's lock-on was never based on positional coordinates.

No matter how remote.

No matter how well hidden.

As long as technology reached a certain level, once the appointed time arrived, that world-ending strike would still destroy everything.

Xu Xi was unwilling to just take the hits; he wanted to resist.

But whether fighting or fleeing, one must first know who the enemy is.

Therefore, Xu Xi wanted to maintain the original course until they reached the deepest parts of the Star Ocean Graveyard; he felt clues should exist there.

"…I understand, Master."

The Mech-Servant expressed her loyalty once more: "Please rest assured, Ele will protect your safety."

Well, that was a truly reliable statement.

It would have been more convincing if her ears hadn't been twitching so rapidly while being patted on the head.

…

[The journey of chasing stars sets sail once again.]

[Your goal is clear: to continue exploring the Star Ocean Graveyard and absorbing the technology of numerous civilizations.]

[In addition, you wish to seek out the true Mastermind behind the destruction of countless civilizations.]

[You know deep down that the other party's existence cannot be ignored.]

[As long as you continue to develop technology, you will become their enemy.]

[Aside from crippling your own technology and dropping below the Mastermind's alert threshold into the safety zone, you have no way to neutralize their threat.]

[Making such a choice would be equivalent to abandoning all past efforts, and you are unwilling to do so.]

Up until this point in the simulation.

Xu Xi had long since given up hope on exploring the essence of the simulator.

Indeed, his knowledge was constantly growing, appearing to improve steadily.

But the efficiency of this improvement…

…compared to the mysterious and unpredictable beautiful life simulator…

…was ultimately far too lacking.

Therefore, Xu Xi's current simulation goal had shifted from exploring the essence of the simulator to mastering as much technological knowledge as possible.

"Ion Engines, Controlled Fusion, Energy Weapons, Particle Collision."

"Setting aside the future for now."

"Just looking at the present, my gains are already rich enough."

"But one can never have too much knowledge. With Ten Deaths Before the End, I should continue moving forward."

"And—"

Inside the newly built Ecological Starship.

Xu Xi looked up at the dazzlingly bright artificial sun, subconsciously squinting his eyes.

"I just can't stop worrying about that child…"

An unknown Mastermind has blockaded the starry sky.

Once the time comes.

They will annihilate any civilization that has the potential to head into the starry sky.

This is a desperate and helpless fact.

Xu Xi can return to the real world after the simulation ends, naturally escaping this cage.

But Ele is different.

Once Xu Xi ends the simulation, the lonely AI will be left in the Universe, eternally and infinitely trapped in this celestial cage.

Of course, Ele can develop technology and plot to break the cage.

But correspondingly…

…if the noise made by the 'pests' reaches a certain level…

…the 'owner of the house' will no longer ignore it.

When that time comes, what will be Ele's fate?

Xu Xi fell silent. He wanted to resolve this issue before the simulation ended and free Ele from this cage.

"…Master."

A voice came from behind.

It was Ele's voice.

Today, the Mech-Servant had changed her outfit, wearing a light blue apron as she brought a plate of freshly baked desserts to Xu Xi.

"This is today's afternoon tea and snacks."

"Please enjoy."

"Thanks, Ele." Xu Xi picked up a dessert and reflexively popped it into his mouth to chew, still pondering how to escape the celestial cage.

But as he chewed, Xu Xi felt that the taste of the dessert seemed somewhat familiar.

"Ele, did you add something to the dessert?"

"Yes, I added some ingredients that are beneficial to your health."

"I see."

Xu Xi suddenly realized.

No wonder he thought there was a hint of Sunflare Flower.

Come to think of it, his Mech-Servant seemed to particularly like this flower; was it because of its brilliant golden color?

…

[Time is like the wind, withering the human body.]

[Time is like water, flowing through the heart.]

[Time passes quickly; in the blink of an eye, you and your loyal Mech-Servant have been sailing through the Universe for a long time, constantly heading toward the distant reaches of the starry sky.]

[Simulation Year 67: You are 86 years old, and it is the 65th year of Ele's companionship.]

[Ten years have passed since that previous strike from beyond the heavens.]

[You have been in long-term hibernation and do not feel the passage of time is long.]

[Your fleet sails toward a planetary system to replenish resources, only to witness a scene of utter devastation; within your field of vision are nothing but dead Zerg and celestial debris.]

[You realize in your heart that this place has also suffered an unknown strike.]

[In the eyes of the Mastermind, the Zerg also seem to be a high-threat existence that must be eliminated.]

[In the planetary system you arrived at, all Zerg have lost their lives, with no survivors. However, you know that given the Zerg's survival capabilities and endless numbers, there must be other Zerg in the starry sky.]

[Ele commands the Intelligent Machines to collect a large amount of celestial debris and Zerg corpses to serve as energy for the starships.]

[Your fleet sets sail once again.]

…

[Simulation Year 77: You are 96 years old, and it is the 75th year of Ele's companionship.]

[Your fleet goes deep into the starry sky and finally encounters a civilized planet in a state of extinction once again.]

[You name it Civilization No. 03.]

[With Machine Spirit Pleasure and Machine Power Resonance, you efficiently absorb the technology of Civilization No. 03, perfecting your own technology tree before sailing toward the endless deep space once more.]

[Simulation Year 90: You are 109 years old, and it is the 88th year of Ele's companionship.]

[You still show no signs of aging and look young; the research and development of the Type III genetic potions has entered its successful final stages.]

[Soon, your lifespan will increase once again.]

[During the long voyage, thanks to the superior performance of the Ion Engines, your fleet has completely moved away from the former Federation Planet.]

[To understand the surrounding situation, you choose to utilize Ele's special ability.]

"Ele, are you ready?"

"Yes, Master. Please use Ele."

The perspective ascended.

Senses became hyper-dimensional.

After a long absence, Xu Xi observed the distant reality of the Universe.

Brilliant stars, extinguished civilizations, Zerg struggling to survive everywhere, an increasing number of red light spots, and—

—that fleeting, colossal celestial body that calmly annihilated everything purely through its own ultimate mass.