MTLNOVEL Chapter 244:
Chapter 244: The Neutron War Star:
The unknown strike from beyond the stars…
It seemed like nothing had changed.
Xu Xi, having perished, revived once again thanks to Ten Deaths, One Survival.
The destroyed fleet was rebuilt on a smaller scale through Ailei’s intelligent machine self-production.
Aside from one less revival attempt…
Overall, there was little significant loss.
With the ion engines running, the starship gradually increased speed, advancing toward the mysterious and unknown starry sea.
“Master, where are we heading next?”
“Maintain the original course, Ailei.”
“Objection. Ailei believes the course should be altered.”
The loyal machine servant always prioritized Xu Xi’s safety.
She stood expressionless, hands crossed before her waist, silently protesting.
Her silver-blue eyes shimmered faintly with fluorescence.
Ailei suggested changing the fleet’s course and heading to a secluded corner of the universe to avoid another unexpected attack.
Xu Xi smiled, gently patting Ailei’s head. “There’s no point in that, Ailei.”
The hidden force didn’t rely on location to target them.
No matter how far they hid, no matter where they fled,
Once their technology reached a certain level, and the predetermined time arrived, the apocalyptic strike would come again and destroy everything.
Xu Xi wasn’t willing to sit and wait for destruction—he wanted to fight back.
But whether to fight or flee, he needed to know who his enemy was first.
Thus, he intended to stay on course, pressing deeper into the starry graveyard. He believed that somewhere within lay the answers he sought.
“…I understand, Master,” Ailei replied, reaffirming her loyalty. “Please rest assured, Ailei will always protect your safety.”
Reliable words indeed…
If only her ears weren’t twitching so quickly under his touch, it would have been more convincing.
…
[Your journey to chase the stars resumes.]
[Your goal remains clear—to explore the starry graveyard and absorb the technology of countless fallen civilizations.]
[In addition, you seek to uncover the true mastermind that has destroyed so many civilizations.]
[You understand that this existence cannot be ignored.]
[As long as you continue developing technology, you are destined to become their enemy.]
[Unless you abandon technology and regress below their threshold, there is no way to escape the threat.]
[Such a choice would mean abandoning all your efforts so far, which you refuse to do.]
By now, Xu Xi had abandoned any hope of understanding the simulator’s true nature.
While his knowledge had steadily increased, the efficiency of progress…
Compared to the mysterious and incomprehensible “Beautiful Life Simulator,”
It was still far behind.
Thus, his goal in this simulation had shifted from uncovering its nature to acquiring as much technological knowledge as possible.
“Ion engines, controlled fusion, energy weapons, particle colliders.”
“Forget the future for now.”
“Just focusing on the present, I’ve already gained plenty.”
“But knowledge is never enough. With Ten Deaths, One Survival, I should keep pushing forward.”
“And besides—”
Inside the newly constructed ecological starship,
Xu Xi gazed up at the blinding artificial sun, squinting unconsciously.
“That girl… she always worries me…”
The hidden force behind it all blocked off the starry sky.
When the time came, it would annihilate any civilization daring to step into the cosmos.
It was a cruel and helpless reality.
Xu Xi could return to the real world once the simulation ended, escaping this cosmic cage naturally.
But Ailei couldn’t.
When the simulation ended, the lonely AI would remain trapped in the universe, eternally imprisoned within the starry void.
Of course, Ailei could advance technology and attempt to break free…
But just like pests, once their activity reached a certain level,
The “owner of the house” would no longer ignore them.
And when that happened, what would become of Ailei?
Xu Xi fell silent, determined to solve this issue before the simulation ended and free Ailei from this cage.
“…Master.”
A voice came from behind him—Ailei’s voice.
Today, she was dressed differently, wearing a light blue apron around her waist while carrying a tray of freshly baked pastries.
“Here is today’s afternoon tea and snacks.”
“Please enjoy.”
“Thanks, Ailei.”
Xu Xi picked up a pastry and absentmindedly took a bite, still lost in thoughts of escaping the cosmic prison.
As he chewed, a familiar taste struck him.
“Ailei, did you add something different to the pastries?”
“Yes, I added some ingredients beneficial to your health.”
“I see.”
Xu Xi nodded in realization.
No wonder it tasted like Red Sunflower.
Come to think of it, Ailei seemed to have a particular fondness for this flower.
Was it because of its brilliant golden color?
…
[Time flows like wind, wearing down the body.]
[Time flows like water, etching memories into the heart.]
[Time passes quickly. In the blink of an eye, you and your loyal machine servant continue traveling through the vast universe, heading toward the distant unknown.]
[In the 67th year of the simulation, you are 86 years old, and Ailei has been with you for 65 years.]
[Ten years have passed since the last celestial strike.]
[You spent most of this time in cryogenic sleep and didn’t feel the passage of time.]
[Your fleet arrives at a planetary system to replenish resources, only to find a devastating scene—dead insectoid creatures and shattered celestial bodies as far as the eye can see.]
[You realize this place, too, was struck by the unknown force.]
[To the hidden force, insectoids seem to be a high-level threat that must be eradicated.]
[The entire insectoid population in this system is dead, with no survivors. But knowing their survival instincts and endless numbers, you are certain others still exist elsewhere in the cosmos.]
[Ailei commands the intelligent machines to gather the celestial debris and insectoid corpses to use as energy for the fleet.]
[Your fleet sets sail once more.]
…
[In the 77th year of the simulation, you are 96 years old, and Ailei has been with you for 75 years.]
[Your fleet ventures deeper into the cosmos and discovers another extinguished civilization.]
[You name it Civilization 03.]
[With Machine Soul Delight and Mechanical Resonance, you efficiently absorb its technology, further improving your technological tree before setting out once again into the endless void.]
…
[In the 90th year of the simulation, you are 109 years old, and Ailei has been with you for 88 years.]
[You show no signs of aging, still appearing youthful. The third-generation genetic medicine is nearing completion.]
[Soon, your lifespan will increase even further.]
[Thanks to the superior performance of the ion engines, your fleet has completely left the former Federation’s domain.]
[To better understand your surroundings, you decide to use Ailei’s special abilities.]
“Ailei, are you ready?”
“Yes, Master. Please proceed.”
[Your perspective expanded.]
[Your senses transcended.]
Xu Xi once again glimpsed the distant truth of the universe.
The dazzling stars, the fallen civilizations, the scattered insectoids struggling to survive, the growing number of red signals, and—
A fleeting glimpse of a massive star body, whose sheer mass alone could crush everything into oblivion.