What I am doesn't matter. What matters is that you think it's worth it.
Zhang Hao gave a bitter smile. "What are you going to do?" Just then, he noticed the enormous hole in the corner of the basement, and his eyelid twitched.
Go back to your room and turn on the computer. I'll tell you the answer.
Zhang Hao's heart lurched. He turned and ran for the stairs. He was simply too curious—what on earth was this thing, to be so powerful? He had already ruled out the possibility that it was human. He didn't think any person would do something like this; in fact, it wasn't something a person could do.
Back in the upstairs study, Zhang Hao turned on the computer and said, "Tell me the answer."
The computer screen appeared, then quickly went black. A star map came up, displaying countless galaxies. Zhang Hao was stunned. "Holy crap, are you an alien? You're an extraterrestrial?"
I'm not human anymore, but I'm not an extraterrestrial either!
Zhang Hao asked, "Then what are you?"
It's hard to explain. With your level of knowledge, I doubt you'd be able to understand what I am.
Just keep calling me the Great One!
Holy crap! Zhang Hao was going crazy. What kind of explanation was that? He said, "Great One, could you explain it in a way I can understand?"
Just think of me as the Great One!
Zhang Hao rolled his eyes. He didn't know what to make of it. After a long pause, he said, "Great One, what I don't understand is, why did you ask me to work with you?"
Because you're the first person I've communicated with. If we can't reach an agreement, I'll look for someone else who's suitable, provided they're willing to cooperate.
Mi Feng didn't mention the most important reason for wanting to work together. Even if he had, Zhang Hao wouldn't have understood.
Zhang Hao asked incredulously, "Is it really that simple?" He was breaking into a cold sweat. He hadn't believed it at all at first; he'd thought it was just a joke. Who would take something like that seriously? But this was the most important decision. If he chose not to cooperate, probably nothing would happen. The reason he felt so pressured was that he had no idea what kind of person he'd be working with.
Now that he knew the other party wasn't human, Zhang Hao actually felt relieved. People were scary; something that wasn't human put him somewhat at ease.
People were the hardest to figure out. Since the other party wasn't human, whatever it was, Zhang Hao felt far less pressure.
Zhang Hao said, "What's the purpose of working together? I'm sure it's not just about making money, right?"
I need to find my lost home. It'll take very complicated methods and a huge amount of resources. Without a partner, it'll be difficult for me to achieve my goal.
Besides, if I want to develop on this planet, I have to work with people. That's the only way I can accomplish what I set out to do.
Zhang Hao hadn't expected the other party to be so frank. "How long can we work together? Humans only live for a few decades. Will you find a new partner then?"
Since you're my partner, I have a way to help you live longer...
When Zhang Hao saw those words appear, his heart skipped a beat. There was really such a good deal?
"Holy crap, are you serious? Can I live forever?"
No. You're human, a carbon-based life form, so you can't live forever. But I can use technology to make sure you don't die...
Zhang Hao shuddered. "You're not going to turn me into some kind of monster, are you? I'd rather be dead!"
No. Before long, you'll understand. But you have to help me with all your strength.
Mi Feng hadn't told him the whole truth. He had his reasons.
Zhang Hao was immediately energized. "All right, tell me what you need me to do." Only now did he seem like a real partner. Before this, he'd been muddling through without a clue. "What should I do?"
A line of text appeared on the screen.
It's still too early. We're laying the groundwork. Local technology is too primitive, so there's not much we can use. Money shouldn't be a major problem. I can use this world's financial system to gather the funds we need. With that money, we should be able to establish a basic Production Base.
I'll do my best to use words you understand. They may not be completely accurate, but you should get the general idea.
For example, what you assembled the first time would be called a robot here, or a Machine Ant. It's the most rudimentary tool imaginable, but having one makes all the difference. And to build the base, I'll assemble more Machine Ants, which will require a large number of parts.
Also, to keep up appearances, you'll need to set up a machine manufacturing plant, an electronics factory, and so on.
Zhang Hao gave a bitter smile. "I don't know how to do any of that..."
Then learn. You won't actually need to do much. As long as you set up the factories, I can handle everything else.
Zhang Hao had no choice. Now that he'd agreed to cooperate, he understood that he couldn't just sit around doing nothing.
"All right. When should I do it? Give me the instructions, and I'll take care of the legwork."
For the next few days, stay at the villa and don't go anywhere. A lot of materials are on the way. Wait at home, and when they arrive, have them unloaded in the yard.
Zhang Hao asked curiously, "Why did you order so much rebar and cement?"
Mi Feng's answer left Zhang Hao speechless.
To expand the base!
Zhang Hao gave a bitter smile. "Isn't that huge villa enough?"
Not nearly enough! Some things can't be exposed!
Zhang Hao said, "All right. Whatever makes you happy." He didn't know what else to say.
At ten the next morning, trucks delivered the supplies. The security guards were at a loss. They had no idea what had gotten into the people at Villa One; truck after truck brought in cement, sand, rebar, and all kinds of construction materials.
But the people living here were either rich or powerful, so the guards didn't dare stop them. Fortunately, Villa One was deep inside the residential complex, so the deliveries wouldn't disturb the other residents much. Otherwise, it would have been a real headache.
The villa's yard was enclosed by high walls, so all the materials were unloaded inside. Once the workers and trucks had left, Zhang Hao witnessed an astonishing sight.
One Machine Ant after another crawled out of the basement and quickly carried the materials away. They were incredibly fast. Several truckloads of supplies were moved down into the basement in less than an hour. What left him most speechless was that two Machine Ants even cleaned the ground until it was spotless.
Curious, Zhang Hao followed them down to the basement. Only then did he realize it was empty. Four Hole Entrances had appeared in the floor, and they gave him the creeps. He spoke into his phone. "Great One, did you dig underground?"
It's not finished yet. I don't want you going down there. It's dangerous!
Zhang Hao went to one of the Hole Entrances and peered down. To his surprise, there was no staircase—just a shaft two meters in diameter, dropping straight down. He could see lights below. By his estimate, it was at least six or seven meters deep. Including the height of the hollow space below the basement, it had to be at least ten meters.
It really was dangerous. At ten meters up, he wouldn't dare jump down.
That also meant Zhang Hao couldn't see what was going on below.
"The house won't collapse, will it?"
"Don't worry. There's no problem at all!"
Zhang Hao sighed and went back upstairs. Even now, he was still confused. He couldn't figure out what kind of being Mi Feng was. It had astonishing abilities, and none of it looked like the work of a human. He felt both anticipation and unease. He had no idea where Mi Feng would take him.
Maybe Mi Feng had chosen him because he was alone and had no one to worry about. He couldn't understand why Mi Feng had sought him out.
Before you continue