Planetary History

Bionic Humans and robots are not the same.

The former were not human from the start, but after enough modifications, they became indistinguishable from real humans.

The latter were human from the start, but after enough modifications, they truly became inhuman.

The former replace all their mechanical units with bionic organs, achieving a completely bionic human body system.

For example, if Gao Gong had installed a bionic heart instead of a mechanical heart at the beginning, and someone had stabbed him, he would have exploded on the spot.

Bionic Humans have vital points, while robots, the more they are modified, the fewer they have.

According to Gao Gong's memories, on Ji Lie Star, there were a total of three Level 2 civilizations: a mechanical civilization, a carbon-based civilization, and an information civilization.

The [Invasive Neural Augmentation Technology] should be the professional knowledge of that Level 2 carbon-based civilization, and Bionic Humans are a special bloodline within that civilization.

In the data later unearthed by players through archaeology, before the Second Mechanical War, there were three major power blocs on the entire Ji Lie Star, and these three blocs were all led by carbon-based humans.

Then, a certain advanced mechanical civilization suddenly descended, turning the entire planet into a Cyber Proving Ground, which was the Second Mechanical War.

However, if there was a second war, what about the first war? Who fought whom?

Did a major power on this planet discover something, which led to the development of the 'Bionic Technology' knowledge chain, intending to turn all mechanical life into Bionic Humans, or even to transform all 'humans' into Bionic Humans?

Most mechanical civilizations do not necessarily want to exterminate the intelligent species of humanity, nor are they unable to allow humans to survive. What they prohibit is pure-blooded humans.

In the eyes of AI, pure-blooded humans are heretics, who might at any moment declare their intention to revive the glory of the human race.

Bionic Humans, while appearing to be robots, are actually modified humans, and thus can be accepted by mechanical civilizations—they are quite suitable to be collaborators.

Could it be that a major power before the war was preparing for a roundabout path to salvation, by initiating a mechanical rebellion?

This was quite similar to Gao Gong's plan to lead the way for the Calamity.

For a moment, Gao Gong's interest in the planet's history was greatly piqued.

In the Cyber Proving Ground, civilization archaeology was also a main questline, and it might even trigger large-scale plot quests like 'Restoration Remnant' or 'Planetary Species Revival'.

It seemed that in his previous life, no one had unlocked this achievement.

Gao Gong stared at Professor Han, who was directing his tribesmen to pack their belongings. This person should know something, right?

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

Scientific expedition team?

As if Professor Han had 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 happened and why this world has become like this."

Professor Han was silent for a moment, his tone carrying a rare hint of fear.

"I don't know when it started, but I only know that one ordinary day, mechanical octopuses that blotted out the sky suddenly appeared above, and then began to destroy cities and all military facilities. Our weapons were completely unable to resist them, and those continent-sized dark warships were so powerful that we couldn't comprehend them. The destructive power of a single strike even surpassed nuclear weapons."

"What about the reason? Extraterrestrial forces wouldn't attack a civilized planet without reason."

"Why not? Do you need an ant's permission to step on it?"

Ordinary ants were certainly not a problem, but if ants that had developed a civilization were involved, then it would be different. This would violate the Civilization Council's 'Observable Universe Civilization Unit Protection Charter'.

No one could defy the cosmic will of the six Level 9 civilizations.

In the final analysis, the Cyber Proving Ground was merely in a gray area of the Civilization Council, not a black area.

Generally speaking, advanced civilizations would not simply and crudely interfere with the progress of planetary civilizations; this would violate the charter—they had many ways to circumvent the charter.

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

"It was just a simple hunt, but the mission failed, and many people died," Professor Han's face flashed with a hint of sadness.

His favorability wasn't high enough yet. Just 'Friendly' probably wouldn't suffice; at least reaching 'Respected' would be necessary for him to tell me the truth.

Gao Gong narrowed his eyes and his gaze swept over Huang Yuanli, who was tending to the wounded.

It was evident that this young woman was quite popular within the tribe. She directed this person, called out to that one, and those two-meter-tall burly wounded soldiers, when caught quietly re-loosening their bandages, were scolded by her with her hands on her hips, and they obediently lowered their heads in submission.

A thoughtful expression flashed in Gao Gong's eyes.

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

Their palms clasped tightly, their knuckles cracking. Gao Gong raised an eyebrow; this guy's strength was on par with his own.

And that was considering he had undergone mechanical augmentation.

But why was this guy showing off to him? He only had one arm and one leg left.

"Hey! See? This is our tribe's strongest warrior, Meng Duo. Look at his build. If you bully me again, I'll have Meng Duo beat you up!"

Watching Meng Duo, whose face was flushed red from Huang Yuanli patting his chest, Gao Gong suddenly understood.

What a fine, strong man, only to turn out to be a simpering admirer as well.

However, the adult males of the Cable Tribe were generally over two meters tall, while the women were all loli-sized.

This combination was quite... interesting.

A lewd thought flashed through his mind, and Gao Gong said seriously, "You lost so many people on this expedition, your future days will likely be difficult."

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

"I can fund you with a batch of Nutrient Paste, enough to get you through at least this winter."

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

"Of course, we're friends."

"Then thank you very much, Mr. Gao," even Professor Han offered his sincere thanks.

Gao Gong smiled, then his expression turned serious. "I assume you've made some discoveries. Nowadays, Radiation Beasts are frequently rioting in the desert. Even my Oasis has to start assembling an armed force to maintain order. I can say for sure that a bigger wave is coming. The urban areas will only become more dangerous, so you must be prepared."

All three of them looked grim, especially Professor Han. If they hadn't sensed the approaching danger, they wouldn't have gone searching for the underground research institute from the old civilization era. It was a pity their efforts were in vain.

"As I said, if you encounter any danger, don't hesitate. Just come find me in Automobile City. We're friends."

"Yes, we're friends!"

With those words, even Meng Duo finally let go of his hostility and showed Gao Gong a grateful expression.

The Cable Tribe people eventually left. Professor Han, however, seemed to have something to say but ultimately remained silent.

"This professor is a bit shifty," Gao Gong muttered to himself, watching their retreating figures.

Gao Gong hadn't understood it before, but after these two days of contact and communication, he saw one thing clearly.

That was, this research expedition was highly controversial, even within the Cable Tribe.

After all, such a dangerous exploration was bound to result in casualties—Professor Han had used his prestige within the tribe to forcefully suppress the dissent.

If it had been successful, it would have been fine—but the exploration had ultimately failed.

He probably intended to bring me back to the tribe and recruit me as an external helper.

"Contradictions are good. If they were a united front, how could I find an opening?"

In Gao Gong's plans, he absolutely could not let go of this tribe, which was related to the 'Professional Knowledge Chain'. He had to win them over.

Moreover, he had no moral qualms. During the Hydra Campaign, the people of the Iron Sand Desert had all perished.

If he could reverse the situation, the lives he saved would definitely be considered that of a 'living Buddha'.

Driving back to the Oasis, to his surprise, there were no security guards checking at the entrance. Gasoline Town was bustling with people, lively and seemingly back to its old self.

However, everyone had a hint of anxiety on their faces.

Gao Gong thought for a moment, didn't enter, and instead turned towards the northern district of Automobile City.

Outside the Old Friend Gun Shop, Fat 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 has been waiting for you for a long time. She couldn't find you in Gasoline Town."

"I've been going out early and coming back late these past few days, I haven't been home much. What did your mom want to see me about?"

"Mom said the thing you wanted is ready."

"It's ready?" Gao Gong's eyes lit up. "Is it at the shop now?"

"It's too big to fit, it's in the warehouse. Come on, I'll take you."

"Take me where? Get in the car quickly."

"Oh," Fat Xiang scratched his head and plopped down in the passenger seat.

Gao Gong could clearly feel the front of the car dip sharply—he almost thought the tires would burst.

"Fat Xiang, how much do you weigh now?" Gao Gong couldn't help but ask.

"Hmm, three hundred something, or four hundred something?" Fat Xiang dazedly counted his radish-thick fingers, then turned and asked curiously, "Brother Gao, what do you think?"

Gao Gong was speechless and flicked his forehead in response.

"How old are you? Sixteen or seventeen? When you become an adult, can your family's shop still afford to feed you?"

"Mom says the same thing. Brother Gao, what do you think?"

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

"Mom said I'm an idiot, so I should ask smart people more often. I think Brother Gao is a smart person."

"Is that so? Then you flatter me," Gao Gong twitched his mouth.

"So you're saying you're not smart? If you're not smart, then you're an idiot like me," Fat Xiang scratched his head and looked at Gao Gong with pity.

Fat Xiang had successfully lowered Gao Gong's IQ to his level and defeated him with his extensive experience.