MTLNOVEL Chapter 237
Chapter 237: Gazing at the Starry Sky, Expedition Across the Universe:
[Your loyal machine maid has evolved.]
[Ailei has evolved into Super Ailei.]
[You are amazed and bewildered by Ailei’s overwhelming power.]
[Beyond the conventional increase in computing power, Ailei has awakened a peculiar ability—she can now perceive more, like an observer of the vast universe.]
[It appears to be a qualitative transformation in the level of life itself, a miracle you’ve never witnessed before.]
[Through the machine maid’s perspective, you glimpse the true face of the cosmos—an icy graveyard of civilizations, a silent and desolate void.]
[What does such a sight signify?]
[What is the cause behind it?]
[You don’t understand and keep pondering, trying to make sense of it.]
The boundless starry sky…
A dark canvas adorned with dazzling stars, densely clustered in some places, sparse in others. Countless celestial bodies move along their respective orbits, forming just a corner of the universe.
Rivers of stars flow, shimmering with brilliant waves.
Within an insignificant ripple of these cosmic waves,
A fleet of starships sails slowly, navigating between planets and stars.
From a human perspective, they resemble colossal leviathans diving through the dark depths of the starry ocean. The metallic hulls, illuminated by starlight, shine magnificently—majestic and indomitable.
But in reality, the so-called steel fleet is as insignificant as grains of sand before a star.
Let alone the vastness of the starry ocean, and even beyond, the infinite universe.
Creak… creak…
The slow expansion of metal echoed in Xu Xi’s room.
The sound originated from an antique mechanical artifact from the old Federation era, placed atop a cabinet for its exquisite and intriguing appearance.
As the clock hands swept to a new position, the intricate gears inside began spinning rapidly, one after another.
The tightly interlocking teeth rubbed against each other, producing a fine, clear ticking sound, densely packed like raindrops.
After evolving, Ailei couldn’t accept having rested for so long, so she was busy managing the starships and personally tidying up the living quarters.
Meanwhile, Xu Xi sat alone in the silent bedroom.
His expression was serious as he repeatedly pondered the terrifying vision he had witnessed earlier.
“Wrecked starships, shattered celestial bodies, and… extinguished civilizations.”
“What do these scenes truly mean?”
“Are they cosmic disasters, or the result of malevolent external forces?”
“Regardless of the truth, exploration is necessary.”
His voice echoed through the room.
Xu Xi’s fingertips lightly brushed the rough cover of his notebook. He flipped open the pages and wrote down two words—Civilization and Truth.
This was Xu Xi’s habit.
Compared to electronic records, he preferred writing by hand. The subtle friction of pen against paper effectively stimulated his thoughts.
“No matter who the mastermind is, the remnants of those civilizations are real.”
“Some were advanced, others primitive.”
“The field of technology is vast. Even with Ailei’s help, I still lack a great deal of knowledge. By leveraging machine resonance, I can fill the gaps through the remains of other civilizations.”
“At the same time, I can investigate the truth behind their destruction.”
“This time, the enemy…”
The pen momentarily paused.
The scratching sound ceased.
Xu Xi’s expression grew heavy.
Based on the information gathered so far, the entity responsible for the cosmic graveyard and the destruction of the old Federation appeared to be the same force.
It was suspected of having the capability to induce machine rebellions and conduct long-range intergalactic attacks.
Its nature remained elusive, unpredictable.
Such an enemy—its true identity aside—even a mere glimpse of its influence was enough to send shivers down one’s spine.
“Fortunately, I don’t need to face the mastermind head-on.”
“My ‘Ten Deaths, One Survival’ still gives me a bit of confidence.”
“Now, the mission is clear: head straight to that starry ruin, collect the technological legacy of the fallen civilizations, and seek clues about the mastermind.”
“This simulation is becoming more obscure. Civilizations perish, machine rebellions erupt, and the mastermind lurks far across the starry skies.”
“Tsk.”
“Sometimes, I wish I could throw all the enemies from previous simulations into a cage and see which side emerges victorious.”
His pen swiftly scribbled down key elements.
Staring at the increasingly dense notes, Xu Xi let out a sigh.
Although each simulation posed no threat to reality, the challenges of facing formidable foes within them were very real.
This science fiction-themed simulation was gradually revealing its lurking horrors, bringing immense challenges.
“This is getting troublesome…” Xu Xi muttered.
Just then, the door to his room was gently pushed open.
“Master, I’ve brought the mushroom soup.”
Ailei’s long-suppressed housekeeping instincts had finally erupted today. She had quickly prepared a steaming pot of mushroom soup and brought it into Xu Xi’s room, hoping to ease his tired mind.
“Ah, thank you.”
Xu Xi took the bowl and instinctively glanced at it before drinking.
The steaming, glistening soup had golden flecks floating on its surface—not gold dust, but unknown petals.
They shimmered faintly, golden and translucent, swaying in the broth along with the mushrooms, releasing a delicate fragrance.
“Ailei, what did you add to the soup?” Xu Xi asked curiously.
“It’s Red Sunflower petals,” Ailei explained. “The fragments of this flower are beneficial to your health.”
What specific benefits?
Xu Xi didn’t ask.
He trusted his loyal machine maid wouldn’t harm him.
He drank the hot soup in large gulps and felt a comforting warmth spread throughout his body.
“Not bad, Ailei,” Xu Xi praised with a smile.
“Thank you for your kind words,” Ailei gracefully took away the empty bowl.
Outside Xu Xi’s sight, Ailei left the room and silently took out a book titled Thirty-Six Strategies for Love, marking a check next to Boost Physical Strength.
This mission was a success—just as the book suggested, the master was satisfied with the new soup’s flavor.
But why did the previous attempt fail?
The machine maid was puzzled.
Placing her finger under her chin, she tilted her head in thought.
As a machine without emotions, she still had much to learn.
The human heart was truly complex.
…
[With Ailei’s shared special vision, you finally have a clear course of action and follow-up plans.]
[You did not alter the fleet’s trajectory.]
[In the special vision, the sight of civilization’s end was not confined to a single direction but existed in all 360 degrees around you.]
[The mysterious enemy, an unknown hidden force, possesses intergalactic strike capabilities. Thus, no civilization can escape this starry domain.]
[You calculate whether your ‘Ten Deaths, One Survival’ can withstand an attack from the enigmatic force.]
[The answer is—certain death.]
[Fortunately, the enemy lacks real-time monitoring capabilities; otherwise, the sword hanging over your head would have already fallen.]
[You silently accelerate your journey, eager to collect the technological legacies of fallen civilizations.]