Planetary History

Bionic humans and mechanical humans were still different.

The former had never been human to begin with, but after being modified to the extreme, they became nearly indistinguishable from real humans.

The latter had been human at first, but after being modified to the extreme, they truly ceased to be human.

The former replaced every mechanical unit with bionic organs, creating a completely bionic human-body system.

For example, if Gao Gong had installed a bionic heart instead of a mechanical one, being stabbed through the chest would have made it absolutely explode on the spot.

Bionic humans had vital weaknesses. Mechanical humans, on the other hand, had fewer and fewer of them the more they were modified.

According to Gao Gong's memories, Machine-Crack Star had three Level Two civilization systems in total: a mechanical civilization, a carbon-based civilization, and an information civilization.

Invasive neural modification technology should have been professional knowledge belonging to that Level Two carbon-based civilization, while bionic humans were a special bloodline within that civilization.

According to the information players later uncovered through archaeological discoveries, before the Second Mechanical War, Machine-Crack Star had three major national factions, all dominated by carbon-based humans.

Then, a certain advanced mechanical civilization suddenly descended and turned the entire planet into a cybernetic testing ground. That had been the Second Mechanical War.

But since there had been a Second War, what about the First War? Who had fought whom?

Had one of the major powers on this planet discovered something, prompting it to develop the "bionic technology" knowledge chain with the intention of turning all mechanical life into bionic humans—or even transforming all "humans" into bionic humans?

Most mechanical civilizations did not necessarily want to exterminate humanity as an intelligent species, nor were they incapable of allowing humans to survive. What they banned was purebred humanity.

In the eyes of AIs, purebred humans were heretics. Who knew when they might suddenly leap out and declare their intention to revive the glory of humanity?

Bionic humans appeared to be robots, but were actually modified humans. Yet they could still be accepted by mechanical civilizations, making them highly suitable guides for defectors.

Could it be that, before the war, one of the major powers had planned to save the country by taking an indirect route and fomenting a mechanical rebellion?

That was remarkably similar to Gao Gong's plan to guide the Calamity.

For a moment, Gao Gong developed a keen interest in the planetary history of this world.

In the cybernetic testing ground, the archaeology of civilization was also a major storyline. Who knew? It might even trigger large-scale plot missions such as "Survivors of a Restored Nation" or "Revival of a Planetary Species."

Apparently, no one in his previous life had unlocked this achievement yet.

Gao Gong stared at Professor Han, who was directing his clansmen as they packed their belongings. This man surely knew something.

The hint from the previous mission—rescue the Cable Tribe's scientific expedition team.

Scientific expedition team?

Professor Han seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. He turned around and said gently, "Mr. Gao, what would you like to ask?"

"I want to know how that war began. Why did this world become like this?"

Professor Han fell silent for a moment, and a rare trace of fear entered his voice.

"I don't know when it began, either. I only know that on an ordinary day, enormous mechanical octopuses suddenly appeared in the sky, blocking out the heavens and the sun. Then they began destroying cities and wiping out all military facilities. Our weapons were completely incapable of resisting them. Those continent-class black warships were even more powerful than we could comprehend. The might of a single strike even surpassed that of nuclear weapons."

"What was the reason? Extraterrestrial forces wouldn't attack a civilized planet for no reason."

"Why not? When you step on an ant, do you need its permission?"

Ordinary ants were of course no problem. But if ants had developed a civilization, then it would be different. That would violate the Civilization Council's "Protection Regulations for Observable Universal Civilizational Units."

No one could defy the universal will of the six Level Nine civilizations.

Ultimately, the cybernetic testing ground was merely in the gray zone of the Civilization Council, not the black zone.

Generally speaking, advanced civilizations would not crudely interfere directly in a planet's civilizational development. That violated the regulations—but they had plenty of ways to circumvent them.

Gao Gong glanced at Professor Han and decided to change the subject. "Speaking of which, Professor, what were you doing on this adventure?"

"It was merely a simple hunting expedition. Unfortunately, the mission failed, and many people died." A trace of gloom crossed Professor Han's face.

Our favorability still wasn't high enough. "Friendly" probably wouldn't cut it. At the very least, he needed to raise it to "Respect." Only then would the other party tell him the truth.

Gao Gong narrowed his eyes, his gaze landing on Huang Yuanli, who was tending to the wounded.

It was clear that this young woman was quite popular in the tribe. She ordered one person around and called out to another. When she caught those two-meter-tall, burly wounded men secretly removing their bandages, she planted her hands on her hips and scolded them harshly. Yet they obediently lowered their heads and admitted defeat.

A thoughtful look flashed through Gao Gong's eyes.

A burly man about two meters three tall limped over. He extended his right hand from beneath his crutch and said seriously, "My name is Meng Duo. Thank you for saving our tribesmen. From now on, you are my eternal friend, Meng Duo!"

The two men clasped hands tightly, their knuckles cracking. Gao Gong raised an eyebrow. This fellow's strength was actually on par with his own.

After all, he had undergone mechanical modification.

But why was this fellow trying to show off in front of him? He had only one hand and one leg left!

"Hey! See that? He's our tribe's number-one warrior, Meng Duo! Look at his build. If you bully me again, I'll have Meng Duo beat you up!"

Watching Meng Duo's face turn red as Huang Yuanli slapped his chest, Gao Gong suddenly understood.

Who would have thought that such a fine, strapping man was also a simp?

The adult men of the Cable Tribe were generally over two meters tall, while the women all had petite, loli-like builds.

That combination was a little too criminal.

The improper thought flashed through his mind, but Gao Gong said solemnly, "You lost so many people on this operation. I'm afraid things will be difficult for you from now on."

Meng Duo's expression immediately darkened. "Thirteen brothers. I don't even know how to explain this to their parents when I get back."

"I can sponsor you a batch of nutrient paste. It should at least help you survive the winter."

"Really?" Huang Yuanli's eyes lit up. "You'll keep your word?"

"Of course. We're friends."

"Then thank you very much, Mr. Gao." Even Professor Han took the initiative to offer his sincere thanks.

Gao Gong smiled, then suddenly turned serious. "You must have noticed it already. These days, the radiation beasts in the desert have been rioting frequently. Even the oasis where I live has begun forming armed forces to maintain order. One thing is certain: an even greater wave is still ahead. The urban circles will only become more dangerous. You need to make preparations."

All three of them looked gloomy, especially Professor Han. If they had not sensed danger approaching, they would never have gone searching for the underground scientific research institute from the old civilization era. Unfortunately, they had fallen at the last hurdle.

"Let me say it again. If you run into any danger, don't be shy. Come to Motor City and find me. We're friends."

"Yes, we're friends!"

With those words, even Meng Duo completely let go of his hostility and looked at Gao Gong with gratitude.

The people of the Cable Tribe eventually left. Professor Han, however, seemed to have something to say, yet in the end, he said nothing.

"That professor isn't very honest." Watching the other's departing back, Gao Gong muttered to himself.

Gao Gong had not understood it before, but after two days of contact and conversation, he had seen one thing clearly.

This scientific expedition had been highly controversial, even within the Cable Tribe.

After all, an exploration this dangerous was bound to result in deaths. Professor Han had used his prestige in the tribe to forcibly suppress the objections.

If they had succeeded, that would have been fine—but the exploration had ultimately failed.

His wish to bring Gao Gong back to the tribe was probably also motivated by the idea of recruiting him as outside support.

"It's good that there are conflicts. If they were truly united, how would I find a gap to exploit?"

In Gao Gong's plans, he absolutely could not let this tribe, which was related to a "professional knowledge chain," slip away. He had to bring it under his control.

Besides, he had no moral qualms about it. During the Hydra battle, everyone in the Iron Sand Desert had died.

If he could turn the plot around, then the lives he saved would definitely qualify as "saving countless households."

When he drove back to the oasis, unexpectedly, there were no security personnel checking people at the entrance. Gasoline Town was bustling with people coming and going, seemingly returned to its former state.

However, a trace of anxiety lingered on everyone's face.

Gao Gong thought for a moment, then did not go in. Instead, he turned around and headed for the northern district of Motor City.

Outside Old Friend Firearms, Fatty Xiang was carrying a wooden barrel and pouring something out. When he saw Gao Gong, his eyes lit up.

"Brother Gao, you're here! Mom's been waiting for you forever. She even went to Gasoline Town to look for you, but couldn't find you."

"I've been leaving early and returning late these past few days, and barely went back at all. What did your mom want with me?"

"Mom said she finished making the thing you wanted."

"Finished?" Gao Gong's eyes lit up. "Is it in the shop now?"

"It was too big, so there was no room for it. It's in the warehouse. Come on, I'll take you there."

"Why walk? Get in the car."

"Oh." Fatty Xiang scratched his head and dropped heavily into the passenger seat.

Gao Gong distinctly felt the front of the car dip sharply. The tires nearly blew out.

"Fatty Xiang, how much do you weigh now?" Gao Gong could not help asking.

"Um, over three hundred, or over four hundred?" Fatty Xiang blankly counted the carrot-thick fingers on his hand, then turned around and asked curiously, "What do you think, Brother Gao?"

Gao Gong was left speechless. He reached over and gave him a knock on the head.

"How old are you? Sixteen or seventeen? When you become an adult, will your family's shop even be able to afford to keep you fed?"

"Mom says the same thing. What do you think, Gao Gong?"

"I think—you're asking me this question?"

"Mom says I'm an idiot, so I should ask smart people for advice. I think you're a smart person, Brother Gao."

"Is that so? Then you're giving me too much credit." The corner of Gao Gong's mouth twitched.

"So you're not a smart person? If you're not smart, then you're an idiot like me." Fatty Xiang scratched his head and looked at Gao Gong sympathetically.

Fatty Xiang successfully dragged Gao Gong's intelligence down to his own level, then defeated him with his wealth of experience.