Chapter 47: Envy, Jealousy, and Resentment
High above the Skyvault Star, Shen Xing watched the Earth scientists with a detached, godlike perspective, observing their every move.
They had arrived with the intention of exploration and discovery, yet now found themselves lured into an even deeper fog by a single history book.
A faint, involuntary smile played about Shen Xing’s lips.
“Go ahead, search all you like, but you will never find the answer.”
He found it both amusing and pitiable that Earthlings regarded the Celestial Vault Sect as heretical, and his own avatar as the leader of a cult. An inexplicable sense of compassion welled up in him.
“Earthlings, you think your civilization is more advanced than that of Skyvault Star—how conceited you are.”
With a touch of playful anticipation, Shen Xing was curious to see just how great a stir these visitors from Earth could cause.
—
Inside the experimental spaceship, the scientists had already begun to strategize how best to gain a deeper understanding of this mysterious Skyvault Star.
One scientist proposed a key suggestion:
“As the saying goes, with money you can travel the world. If we want to truly immerse ourselves in the society of Skyvault Star, we must first obtain their currency. That will make everything else much easier.”
Faced with the question of how to acquire money, Yao Yuan pondered for a few seconds, a glint of inspiration flashing in his eyes.
“Let’s catch some fish, and then trade them with those fishermen we met earlier for some money.”
At his command, several autonomous robots, like hunters of the deep sea, plunged into the azure ocean in search of prey that could be exchanged for local currency.
Before long, the experimental spaceship returned to the fishing village.
The villagers gathered curiously around, hoping to trade for more of those wondrous little gadgets.
As the hatch slowly opened, Yao Yuan and the others emerged. He spoke directly, “I’d like to exchange something for some money.”
“What are you offering this time? More of those little toys?” a fisherman asked, anticipation in his voice.
Though the toys were merely novelties, they brought joy to the children and allowed the villagers to interact with these peculiar scientists.
Yao Yuan shook his head and gestured toward the sea.
Five autonomous robots flew over, each bearing nets bulging with fish clutched in their mechanical arms.
Even from a distance, the villagers’ gazes were riveted.
“They caught so many fish?!” someone exclaimed.
—
“Technology really is incredible these days…”
“That much fish would take us ages to catch by hand!”
Exclamations of amazement rippled through the crowd, their eyes alight with wonder at the futuristic robots.
The machines landed nearby, dropping their heavy loads onto the shore with resonant thuds. The fish were still alive, flailing desperately on the sand.
These robots were older models, prone to malfunction, but catching fish was a simple enough task.
Yao Yuan pointed to the catch and offered the fishermen a warm smile.
“We’d like to exchange these with you.”
His words were confident and calm, as if the matter was of little consequence.
Among the five-person team, Yao Ling was the most adept at negotiation. She bartered the entire haul for a modest sum, practically giving the fish away.
The fishermen, meanwhile, acquired their share for next to nothing, and whether they kept the fish for themselves or sold them on, they stood to make a handsome profit.
The experimental ship lifted off once more, and those aboard watched the proceedings through the cameras worn by Yao Yuan and his group.
Seeing their colleagues strolling cheerfully on solid ground, the other scientists couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.
The mission to infiltrate Skyvault Star was, to them, a thrilling and unprecedented adventure.
Compared to centuries of monotonous space travel, the allure of ground-based operations was irresistible.
“Why won’t you let me go? I want to be part of something this exciting!” protested a blond, blue-eyed scientist in English, brimming with a thirst for adventure and curiosity about the unknown.
On Earth’s United Nations, both Chinese and English were official languages. Everyone could understand them, though not all could speak them fluently.
Alibert massaged his temples, feeling both helpless and weary in the face of his colleagues’ enthusiasm.
“You can’t even speak Chinese. Don’t go making trouble.”
He tried to pacify the protest, but another scientist immediately retorted,
“I speak Chinese! Why can’t I go?”
His tone was tinged with defiance. Alibert rolled his eyes and looked at the towering scientist, well over two meters tall.
“Good grief, Ivanov, you really have the nerve to ask why? At your height, you’re far too conspicuous. We need to keep a low profile!”
A little embarrassed, Ivanov stepped aside and sulked in silence.
After soothing each person’s complaints with various excuses, Alibert was left with a deep sense of fatigue.
—
He knew the importance of this mission far outweighed any individual’s desire for adventure. They needed to select the most suitable candidates, ensuring the success of their endeavor.
Looking around at the assembled scientists, he saw in their eyes a longing for this undercover operation.
“I know everyone is excited, but we must choose wisely,” he said. “This is not a game, but a serious scientific exploration.”
“We need more than enthusiasm—we need wisdom and caution.”
His gentle words gradually calmed the previously agitated team.
“Each of you has your strengths, but this mission requires those who can truly blend into Skyvault Star’s society.”
“Language is not enough. Deep understanding of the local culture and social norms is crucial.”
“From our observations, only Asians are suited for this task; their culture appears almost identical to the locals.”
“Yao Yuan is one of our more experienced scientists. He’s accompanied by Yang Kui, Yao Ling, Zhang Yu, and Peng Wenyan.”
“Yang Kui is a former science officer from the mecha corps, with combat ability. Yao Ling and Peng Wenyan are two of our rare psychologists, and Zhang Yu is a sociologist. Who could be more suitable?”
Seeing no objections, Alibert sighed in relief. He harbored his own desire to visit Skyvault Star, but restrained himself to set an example.
He composed himself and turned to the monitor.
“Just watch—these few are steadier than the rest of you…”
—
“Hey! Look, is that a rabbit? So that’s what a real rabbit looks like! Don’t run, little rabbit! Come to me!”
“Whoa! Look at that tree! That’s awesome!”
“That’s nothing—I just found a super straight branch. I’m calling it the Holy Sword!”
“All right, you guys, calm down. The cameras are still rolling!”
“Right, Yao Yuan, I almost forgot. Let’s turn them off.”
And so they switched off their cameras.
Before the now-dark monitors, Alibert was left groping in the blackness.
Behind him, the rest of the scientists clenched their fists in frustration.