"I don't understand!"
"I don't understand either." Cole shook his head at Yuan's questioning look.
"I told you, the Taotie are merely a spacefaring civilization. Although the Styx Galaxy has gods, and more than one, the knowledge of God-making civilizations has never been open to us.
We even suspect that we simply wouldn't be able to understand that knowledge. We saw the move you just used performed by our instructors. It's called Micro-wormhole transport."
"Gods? Are you talking about a mythological system?" Yuan's visor reflected a deep blue glow. "Is your scientific system built on theology?"
"No, it's science. Though we don't know the capabilities or knowledge of God-making civilizations, one thing is universal throughout the known universe. Even the chief gods of civilizations are technological gods.
They are all gods created by God-making civilizations through extraordinarily advanced technology!"
"Technology?"
"Yes. It seems you haven't read the hidden information in the battleship's underlying systems?"
Yuan shook his head. "I don't know whether I have that ability. I think you should open up these so-called 'permissions' first."
"Thank you for your respect!" Cole solemnly saluted, expressing his gratitude for Yuan's consideration.
"Yes, technology. The technology of God-making civilizations is powerful beyond measure. As gods, they are immortal, and suns obey their hands as meekly as fireballs.
To them, space and time are like the strings of a harp, freely manipulated at will."
"So what did you pay such a huge price to save me for?"
"Let's not talk about that yet. I think you should first gain an understanding of this universe." As she spoke, light appeared in Cole's hand, and a white control panel floated in the air.
"Database access authorization request is being processed. Scanning authorizer identity permissions. Commander Cole, highest authority."
"Target ZS-9462 detected. Authorization beginning."
Then a mechanical voice from the external interface sounded beside Yuan's ear.
"Commander Cole has opened the battleship central database permissions for you. You may access all database materials. For my god, Carl!"
Yuan looked at Cole in surprise. He truly hadn't expected the Taotie before him to be so generous. Opening the entire database to him without fear of exposing every last secret.
But Yuan never turned down what was offered. If they were giving, then they had to be asking for something. He had nothing now anyway; a barefoot man wasn't afraid of someone wearing shoes. Free gains were still gains.
A crafty glint flashed through Yuan's eyes, and he issued a command in response to the external interface's prompt.
"Sort through the database's 'books' and list them starting from the most basic. Record my learning progress. Begin."
"Command received. Scan complete. Data matching in progress. Access permission detected—highest level. Beginning data integration.
Your Excellency, the central data system lists the following database access priorities.
Known universe civilization level classifications; basic sciences: mathematics, physics, chemistry; mechanical engineering; energy studies; computer science; electronic engineering; aerospace engineering; astrophysics."
"Whoa, that's terrifying. There's so much?" Yuan, having put his visor back on, couldn't help marveling at the constantly flickering light screens before him.
The densely packed catalogues of materials already stretched beyond sight. Yuan had no idea how long it would take to fully master all of them.
"Hehe, more books to read." Yuan's heart leaped with joy, and he plunged headfirst into the ocean of learning.
"ZS-9462 is accessing the central database. Database trace analysis indicates the target is reading An Overview of Pre-nuclear Civilization Technological Principles.
Reading speed increasing. Three times, five times, ten times, twenty times."
"Damn it, sir, the central system is overloaded." As Yuan's learning speed increased, the central system's processing speed rose to keep up, quickly surpassing the threshold of the battleship's central access system.
Is this what a god is? The exclamation in his ear left Cole somewhat dazed. For a moment, he seemed to see that agonized figure who had fought day and night for decades.
His heart filled with a complicated mix of emotions.
"Forget it. Hurry and connect the Cooling System. Every step faster for Your Excellency brings us one step closer to the target."
"Yes, sir."
At Cole's command, the Taotie soldiers became busy once more. Cole sat across from Yuan, considering how to discuss their future cooperation with him.
Yet in the next moment, an incoming communication disrupted his thoughts.
"Cole!"
"Buck? Why are you contacting me now? Don't you know we're in the Styx Galaxy?"
"I know. Don't worry, I won't say anything reckless."
"That still won't do." Cole frowned.
"I'm here to tell you that the Thousand-Year War Plan has begun. The King has already led the fleet toward the Great Worm Bridge. I don't know whether I'll ever get the chance to see you again. According to our agreement, if something happens to me, remember to light my tombstone with Antimatter Fuel!"
"You?" Buck's words left Cole speechless. He didn't know what to say, but Buck had no intention of giving him a chance to respond.
"And don't wait for the other teams anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"They're already gone. That's it! For my god, Carl!" He swiftly cut the communication, leaving Cole standing there with an utterly grim expression.
Cole didn't know whether Buck had meant something more, but he guessed that they had likely become a lone boat adrift at sea.
As he watched the soldiers around him, busy yet full of hope, an indescribable emotion flashed in his eyes.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Hm? Your Excellency, you're awake? Don't tell me you've already finished reading all that information?" Cole's voice was filled with disbelief.
"You think too highly of me." Yuan shook his head.
"I only read most of the conceptual material. A day hasn't even passed yet. How could I possibly finish everything in such a short time? It's not as if I have a personal knowledge base."
Unfamiliar yet somehow familiar words came from Yuan's mouth, and Cole's eyes shone brightly.
"That's enough, Your Excellency. You possess endless life. Time has never been a concern for us."
"Indeed. Although the database contains no knowledge related to God-making civilizations, some terms mentioned in passing have given me a little inspiration."
As he spoke, Yuan pointed to the side.
Boom! Surging Dark Energy formed a beam of light that shot in the direction of his finger, and a violent explosion echoed through the quiet village.
"Danger! Quickly, go on alert!"
The soldiers maintaining the central system's cooling quickly assembled. When they arrived behind Cole, they found only a stunned Cole and Yuan, whose armguard was still emitting black smoke.
"Sir, what was that?"
Cole didn't answer. He merely stared at Yuan with a hint of dazed excitement, waiting for him to provide an explanation.
"Simple Dark Energy manipulation. Nothing technical about it. If you beast-bodied people are willing, you can perform similar operations through the bioenergy within your bodies."
"But that would require an enormous cost."
"Mm. It can easily drain the energy in your bodies." Yuan nodded, indicating that Cole was right.
"I only read the parts of the battleship central system's information that would help with our upcoming discussion. I didn't examine the specific technologies or knowledge. So, Cole, what do you need in return?"
"You could have been more forceful, like those true gods of the universe." Rather than answering Yuan's question, Cole asked one of his own.
"Having seen a new world, if one seeks something, one must offer something in return. On the scales of knowledge, there must always be some counterweight."
Before you continue