The intelligent lifeforms of the Known Universe all looked up at the sky, their expressions somewhat blank.
"What is this?"
"It looks... like some kind of robot empire? A Machine Civilization?"
"A civilization like this actually exists in the universe? Made entirely of robots?"
For civilizations within the God River system, a civilization where every citizen was a mechanical intelligence was simply unheard of.
Moreover, those intelligent beings used bland mechanical synthesized voices to deliver such impassioned speeches.
Some people were already shivering instinctively.
After all, the scene before them was simply too bizarre, too horrifying.
Especially the words that came from the robot seated upon the throne.
"We will shape our world in our own image, replacing weak and helpless flesh with eternal, perfect metal."
"We are already immortal. Our path is absolutely correct."
"Is this... the Immortal Qin Empire Civilization?"
"Doesn't look like it! Didn't we see the Immortal Qin Empire Civilization before? They clearly weren't filled with robots like this!"
They had indeed seen the Immortal Qin Empire, but that had at least looked like a normal nation. They immediately dismissed the idea.
"If it isn't the Immortal Qin Empire... then who are they?"
"Does it matter who they are? What matters is why they're appearing on the Light Screen!"
"Exactly! Even if this civilization is a little strange, why is the Ranking List showing it?"
After realizing this was not the Immortal Qin Empire, the intelligent lifeforms inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief. But then confusion and puzzlement arose in their hearts. If this nation was not the Immortal Qin Empire, why was it appearing on the Ranking List?
After all, what the Ranking List was currently showing was the Immortal Qin Empire's cosmic contribution.
They had witnessed the extermination of the Zerg Scourge and the slaughter of the High-Dimensional Demons.
Only this time, they could not even understand what they were seeing.
On the Light Screen was a Mechanical Empire that had completely broken away from natural evolution. Countless robots walked across the surface. They were indeed superior to organic lifeforms; whether in acquiring knowledge or strengthening their bodies, they only needed to replace the appropriate modules.
"Could it be that this civilization will evolve into some kind of scourge?"
The Zerg Scourge and the High-Dimensional Demons—every scourge corresponded to a form of evolution.
Could this civilization that had become a Mechanical Empire turn into some kind of mechanical scourge?
That made no sense!
"Could it be... that mechanical evolution is the correct and perfect choice, so this Mechanical Empire will regard all organic lifeforms as enemies and madly attack other civilizations in the universe?"
"Your imagination is running a little wild, but it does make sense!"
"But if this really is the birth of a scourge, isn't it a little too unimpressive?"
The Zerg Scourge had awakened from subspace. The moment it appeared, it could devour several star systems, destroy countless civilizations, and begin terrifyingly rapid reproduction and invasion.
The High-Dimensional Demons were even more like hunters, treating civilizations and intelligent lifeforms throughout the universe as prey and food, slaughtering and hunting them on a massive scale.
This Mechanical Empire...
It was not as though anyone meant to look down on it.
But this fellow did not seem to have anything particularly remarkable in terms of destructive power or presentation!
Everyone was deeply confused, though some held different thoughts at this moment.
Death Academy.
"Yes... perhaps this is the ultimate form of a civilization."
A flash of fanaticism passed through Carl's eyes, though she concealed it well. "My research was correct. Flesh and blood are merely shackles for intelligent lifeforms, but... is machinery the final answer?"
She looked at her own hands, those hands that seemed both illusory and real.
Blue Star.
"But is abandoning flesh and blood truly the right thing to do?"
Qiang Wei muttered to herself, "Machinery... abandoning natural selection..."
"There is a saying on your Blue Star: different people see different things. Perhaps this is simply that civilization's choice."
Liang Bing smiled softly. "In truth, only time can determine whether their approach is right or wrong. But the idea itself is correct. Natural selection and evolution are indeed the origins of intelligent life, but they have their own limitations."
"Limitations?"
"That's right, limitations. Think about it. From ancient times onward, how long did it take your Blue Star to go from inorganic matter to organic life, from rocks to plants, from the ocean to land?"
"...Hundreds of thousands of years?"
"More or less. But how long did it take you to go from slash-and-burn farming to exploring the universe?"
"Several thousand years."
Qiang Wei was beginning to understand what Liang Bing was getting at.
"Exactly, only several thousand years! Compared to hundreds of thousands of years, several thousand years are nothing more than the blink of an eye!"
"The universe granted you intelligence not merely so you could develop external tools. Even AI can iterate on itself. Why can't intelligent lifeforms—why can't we organic beings?"
"It is precisely because you failed to realize this that you can only rely on the lingering legacy of the God River Civilization to resist attacks from beyond your world."
Qiang Wei clenched her fists. "You're saying we're being beaten now because we didn't work hard enough?"
Liang Bing sighed. "Qiang Wei... although it is cruel, the universe and civilizations have always been this cruel."
"Still, I hope that at least you can see higher and think farther."
Qiang Wei turned and stared directly at Liang Bing. "What about you? You tell me these things all day long, so what exactly is your purpose?"
"Me? I don't have any purpose!"
Qiang Wei gave a cold smile. "Who are you trying to fool?"
Liang Bing's gaze wavered. Then she suddenly pointed ahead, her expression turning exaggerated. "Hey, hey, hey! You're riding a motorcycle, so watch the road!"
A sharp bend lay ahead. At their current speed, the motorcycle would crash into the highway guardrail in less than a second.
Qiang Wei did not panic in the slightest. She sharply lifted the front wheel, letting it ride over the guardrail as the entire motorcycle shot into the air.
Then Qiang Wei flipped her hand and put the motorcycle back into Micro Wormhole Space.
But her own body lost balance in midair.
She crossed her arms, preparing for the impact.
The next second, her body stopped in midair.
"Are you all right?"
Liang Bing looked at Qiang Wei anxiously.
But she saw Qiang Wei staring at her with a serious, intent expression.
More precisely, she was staring at the Angel Wings behind her.
"Angel Wings. So you really are an angel."
At that moment, a pair of snow-white Angel Wings slowly beat behind Liang Bing's back.
Qiang Wei took a deep breath. "Angel Yan is Holy Queen Keisha's Left Wing Guardian, yet she does not know you at all."
"You!"
Liang Bing's eyes widened, disbelief appearing on her delicate features.
"You were testing me?"
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