MTLNOVEL Chapter 228:
Chapter 228: Please Use Me More:
Ailei didn’t disappoint Xu Xi.
This time, she no longer adhered rigidly to the data but instead spoke her thoughts, considering things from her own perspective.
“Master, it’s curiosity.”
Ailei gave her answer—one she had pondered over countless days and nights, combining vast amounts of data with self-reflection to reach a final conclusion.
This was exactly what Xu Xi wanted to hear.
However, there was a hint of confusion in her tone. She couldn’t understand why her curiosity was drawn to the stars instead of other things.
“It’s because what truly fascinates you, Ailei, isn’t just the stars, but the unknown itself,” Xu Xi replied with satisfaction, helping her complete her thoughts.
“Because it’s unknown, you seek the truth.”
“Because you’re curious, you want to explore.”
“Because you explore, you come to understand the world.”
“This is how people grow, how the heart becomes whole.”
“And in this process, following your own thoughts and doing what you love—that’s the true meaning of life.”
Under the night sky, the familiar warmth of Xu Xi’s hand once again rested gently on Ailei’s head, softly stroking her smooth black hair.
He wasn’t sure if his mechanical maid could fully grasp his words, but he believed that this effort was meaningful.
It was planting a seed of humanity in the cold machine, guiding Ailei toward a deeper understanding of life.
“Let’s go, Ailei.”
“If you can’t figure it out now, it’s fine. There will be plenty of time to think about it in the future.”
Xu Xi held her hand and walked toward their base.
Ailei let herself be led, walking beside him under the starlit sky.
The night breeze swept through, scattering fragments of starlight that softened the ruins shrouded in darkness.
“Following my own thoughts… doing what I love…”
Along the way, Ailei kept reflecting on Xu Xi’s words.
The loyal maid realized that Xu Xi’s earlier gratitude was indeed unnecessary.
From the very beginning, her desire had always been to help Xu Xi—not because he ordered her to, but because she wanted to.
It wasn’t his command that compelled her to act; rather, it was her own desire to assist him that made her follow his instructions.
At first glance, there was no difference, but when the order was reversed, it became two entirely distinct ways of thinking.
“Master.”
“Hmm? What is it, Ailei?”
“Please give me more orders from now on.”
“…Huh?”
In the empty wasteland, Xu Xi’s surprised voice echoed clearly.
He couldn’t help but feel that his attempt at teaching Ailei had somehow gone astray again.
…
[You have successfully conquered the entire world.]
[You have fully inherited the legacy of the old Federation.]
[From resources to machinery, and even the most advanced starship technology—all now belong to you.]
[Once you fully understand this technology, you will be able to leave the planet and truly step into the cosmos.]
[You searched extensively for the remaining four virtual network bases within the Federation but found only piles of bones and no valuable information.]
[Standing above the scarred wasteland, you were filled with mixed emotions.]
[You have no intention of restoring civilization, nor of revitalizing this planet. Your only goal is to decipher the starship technology and build an interstellar fleet to leave this place.]
[You decided to settle down and carefully study the starship technology while continuing to accompany Ailei and witness her growth.]
In the southern part of the Federation, in the Sixth Satellite City—
It was where Xu Xi had started, and the place he was most familiar with.
The research on starship technology could be done anywhere, but he chose to return to his familiar underground laboratory.
The reason was simple—nostalgia.
The grand capital and the central base city, once thriving metropolises of the Federation, were now nothing but ruins of history.
Whether he stayed there or not made little difference.
“Master, please wait a moment. I’ll clean up your room.”
“Ailei, it’s really not necessary.”
“No, it’s important for your health. A dust-free environment will help prevent any potential harm to your respiratory system.”
“…Alright, if you insist.”
Ailei always considered every aspect of Xu Xi’s well-being.
During wartime, she was his most capable AI assistant. Now, in times of peace, she remained a diligent and dependable maid.
The warm sunlight bathed the courtyard, casting golden hues over the withering plants.
As the gears of the machines hummed in unison, Ailei directed a group of intelligent units to meticulously clean the long-abandoned residence.
Meanwhile, Xu Xi took the elevator alone, descending into the underground laboratory to organize the equipment in preparation for his upcoming research.
The cables creaked, and the overhead lights flickered as the elevator descended.
Xu Xi pressed the red button on the control panel, and in the next instant, the laboratory was fully illuminated, revealing everything within.
“It’s been a long time… I missed this place.”
His gaze swept across the familiar surroundings.
The spacious workbenches forged from alloy, the neatly suspended robotic arms overhead, and the pile of old but reliable tools in the corner.
Everything here held countless memories.
In the early years of the simulation, these tools had helped him a great deal—especially the exoskeleton arm and the automated production machines, which played a crucial role in his survival.
“Let me see… Gauss twin guns, the machine encyclopedia…”
“And power cells… miniature scout drones…”
His voice echoed in the quiet lab as he walked around, running his hand over each item, reminiscing about the past.
When he picked up the thick, hand-written machine encyclopedia, he couldn’t help but flip through its worn pages.
It contained all his early research on the machines.
Back when his forces were still small, this thick notebook had been his lifeline, helping him avoid countless dangers.
But now, as he prepared to venture into space, the book had become obsolete.
“The passage of time is always the most merciless and sigh-inducing thing.”
Closing the book, he placed it back in its original spot.
After ensuring there was nothing missing, he casually pulled up a chair and sat down.
The bright lights illuminated the quiet space.
Xu Xi sat there, staring at his right palm, observing the intricate lines of his skin and the faint, hazy mechanical energy swirling between his fingers.
He fell into deep thought.
“Cultivators attain immortality through breathing techniques and enlightenment.”
“Mages connect with the cosmos and wield its laws.”
“Martial artists refine their spirits and create their own world.”
“In the first three simulations, each extraordinary system had its unique path to ascension.”
“Technology may not be supernatural, but it holds a similar essence—revealing the truth of the universe through pure reality.”
“At this point, I’ve mastered significant knowledge and gained the qualifications to step into space.”
“But this alone… is far from enough.”
“The higher I climb, the more I realize how little I understand. Despite all my progress, the simulator’s true nature remains an enigma.”