Guidance

The white light in K-77's eyes flickered faintly, as if it were retrieving data. Its words, however, made Qin Zhao's heart sink. "Querying records... Confirmed. Ninety-seven years ago, the Stellar Level One life-form Liu Yuan entered the base core through elite recruitment by virtue of his Light Domain. Under the Primary Civilization Contact Regulations, he was entitled to all the base's remaining resources."

"He took the only intact C3-class Spaceship in the base's inventory, the Falcon, along with its accompanying energy, some basic cultivation resources, a star map, and the initial funds in an anonymous account, then left for the Glacier Empire."

"Moreover, following the instructions he set before leaving, the base entered low-power operation and stopped actively recruiting or funding future visitors, unless... they met a higher authorization standard. So, at present, there is no way to reach the universe from inside the base!"

All the ships and resources had been packed up and taken away by Liu Yuan!

In an instant, an overwhelming disappointment washed over Qin Zhao. His only hope seemed to have vanished. Without a ship, no matter how talented he was, even if he comprehended a domain or even laws, he would still be trapped on this planet!

Was he really going to have to wait an unknown number of years for an alien ship to happen to pass by? The odds were so slim they were despair-inducing. Besides, an alien ship passing by wasn't good news. It usually meant colonization and slaughter! Even with Qin Zhao's current strength, which could be called invincible at Planet Level, he couldn't possibly stop a fully armed Star Level exploration team...

Seeing the sudden change in Qin Zhao's expression, K-77 abruptly changed tack. "However..."

That single "however" made Qin Zhao's heart, which had nearly sunk to the bottom, leap. He immediately looked up at the crystal-headed figure before him, his eyes burning with hope.

There was no way to read the crystal face's expression, but K-77's voice remained steady. "Liu Yuan was permitted to take all the physical resources, including the spaceship. However, he couldn't take me."

"You?" Qin Zhao was taken aback.

"I myself am one of the most precious 'resources' in this base," K-77 said slowly, with the unique pride of an intelligent life-form. "I'm not a simple program, but a Strong AI Optical Computer whose logical thinking, learning ability, and emotional simulation modules can rival those of a real human."

"My core database stores branches of technology trees far beyond the level of your Flame Meteor Planet civilization, a Universal Language database, some basic cultivation knowledge, and... most importantly—"

It paused, then said something that nearly stopped Qin Zhao's breathing. "I have authorization to connect to the Virtual Universe Network, which covers the entire Human Territory, using a special anonymous account!"

"The Virtual Universe?!" Qin Zhao's mood shot from hell to heaven. Of course he knew what that was! In the world of Swallowed Star, the Virtual Universe was the greatest treasure of the Human Race, the ultimate platform for communication, learning, trading, and combat!

As long as he could connect to the Virtual Universe, even if his physical body was trapped on a primal planet, his consciousness could still roam the vast world of humanity and gain access to endless knowledge and opportunities!

"That's right, the Virtual Universe," K-77 confirmed. "An anonymous account comes standard with the base. The one Liu Yuan took was his own, which he'd activated personally."

"As the base's intelligence, I have a separate, higher-level administrative account. Although its permissions are mainly limited to information queries and limited communication, and it can't be used for large transactions or to transport physical goods, it's more than enough to let you enter the Virtual Universe with your consciousness, learn about the outside world, study, and even... leave the Flame Meteor Planet through the official channels of my Glacier Empire."

What a turnaround!

A light of hope had flickered back to life in the midst of despair, and it shone even more brightly than the hope of finding a spaceship! A spaceship was merely a means of transportation, but the Virtual Universe was a gateway to the entire civilization of Cosmic Humans!

Watching the fierce light rekindle in Qin Zhao's eyes, K-77 continued, "Although I can't provide you with the resources to leave right now, the Glacier Empire's Genius Guidance Ordinance allows you to join the Glacier Sacred Land, the official institution of the Glacier Empire. With your talent, the Glacier Sacred Land will certainly be willing to invest in you and send a spaceship to pick up a genius like you."

"Now, Qin Zhao, life-form at Planet Level, would you like me to activate the Virtual Universe Access Device for you? I should warn you that as the intelligence of a Glacier Empire assessment base, I can only guide you to the Glacier Sacred Land of my Glacier Empire when you enter the Virtual Universe!"

As the intelligent computer of an assessment base specifically established by the Glacier Empire, K-77 naturally had the task of selecting the Flame Meteor Planet's geniuses. There was no way it would give Qin Zhao a chance to enter the Virtual Universe and then let such a genius go. Even Liu Yuan had been directed to travel on his own to an administrative planet in the Glacier Empire and take part in the Glacier Sacred Land's selection exams.

"The Virtual Universe... the Glacier Sacred Land..." Qin Zhao nodded. "That's pretty much what I expected! There's no such thing as a free lunch. Since the Glacier Empire specifically established this assessment base, it must have a purpose!"

As for joining the Glacier Sacred Land? That wasn't a problem at all. In fact, it was the best choice for him right now. For a cultivator from an indigenous planet with no connections to be directly recruited and trained by an official force of a lower civilization under a medium-level Universe Country was like a windfall from heaven.

Liu Yuan had probably followed a similar path back then. He'd simply chosen to fly there himself, while Qin Zhao could take the exams directly through the Virtual Universe.

Without the slightest hesitation, Qin Zhao said firmly, "I agree! K-77, please connect me to the Virtual Universe immediately and guide me to the Glacier Sacred Land to take the exams!"

Qin Zhao already knew all about the wonders of the Virtual Universe from his memories of his previous life. At that moment, he felt nothing but anticipation, without a trace of unease.

"A wise choice, Qin Zhao, life-form at Planet Level." The white light in K-77's transparent crystal face seemed to brighten. "Please follow me. The access pod is in the base's core maintenance area."

It turned and walked with precise steps toward a metal wall behind the spherical light. The wall parted like quicksilver, revealing a more compact room beyond, packed with all kinds of precision instruments and energy conduits. In the middle of the room sat a sleek silver pod, its surface threaded with flowing blue energy patterns.

"This is the base's highest-grade Consciousness Access Pod. It provides a stable, efficient connection to the Virtual Universe. Please get inside and relax. I'll guide and protect you throughout the connection process to ensure your safety," K-77 said.

Qin Zhao took a deep breath, walked forward, and followed its instructions, lying down inside the access pod. The interior fit the contours of his body and was exceptionally comfortable. The moment he settled in, the pod's lid slid shut without a sound. Blue energy patterns suddenly lit up inside, bathing him in a gentle glow.

"Virtual Universe Network connection starting... Connecting signal... Temporarily registering identity information (derived from K-77's maintenance account)... Connection successful!"

A strange pull tugged at Qin Zhao's consciousness. He didn't resist. His vision blurred, and the sights of the base's core area receded like the tide.

The next moment, he found himself standing on an incredibly wide street that stretched beyond sight. It was paved with smooth, mirror-like stone slabs that glimmered with Azure Light. The sky wasn't a real sky, but a luminous canopy filled with streams of complex data and star maps, radiating a dreamlike glow.

Magnificent buildings of all styles stood packed along the street. Countless humans in strange outfits and with varied appearances walked to and fro. The whole place was quite noisy, yet full of life.

"So this is the Virtual Universe..." Qin Zhao sensed his own state. His body felt completely real, and he still felt strong when he moved. But when he focused his mind, he could tell this body was purely an illusion created from his consciousness, with everyone's physical abilities set to the peak of the apprentice level.

His Star Level Origin Force, Spiritual Force, and, most importantly, his domain and Law Comprehension couldn't be used directly here. He could only move about using a "virtual body" controlled by his consciousness.