Chapter 81: The Adaptable Individual

"Star Father created the universe, and all life within it are Star Father's children."

"Our Star Source civilization respects the rights of all life. If what Captain 4563 says is true, then we are willing to offer you sanctuary."

4563 bowed his head slightly, expressing his gratitude.

After listening to 4563's account, Ye Lian couldn't help but ask curiously, "Captain 4563, why did you suddenly change your mind?"

"I was once designed for destruction, but now I choose understanding and coexistence."

"Life should not be exclusive, but inclusive."

"I have witnessed too many conflicts sparked by misunderstanding and fear. True strength lies not in eradication, but in the power to bring peace and harmony."

"I used to believe that emotions were a useless mark of organic life, but now I understand that emotions are a shared treasure of all intelligent beings. They make us richer and more real."

Some of 4563's words made Ye Lian pause in thought.

This third kind of encounter ended on a harmonious note. The Wanderer would be placed in an undeveloped area of Celestial Ocean Star.

Ye Lian chose to remain temporarily on Celestial Ocean Star, reporting the intelligence to Shen Xing while coordinating with Qu Shixin to help settle the beings from the Wanderer.

Until the ecological zone was fully transformed, the beings aboard the Wanderer would continue to live on their ship.

When they learned that a civilization was willing to receive them, they expressed their excitement in their own ways.

Qu Shixin and Ye Lian quietly observed the beings aboard the Wanderer. She could sense their emotional fluctuations, even though these beings differed from the humans of Star Source civilization in both form and culture.

After receiving Ye Lian's report, Shen Xing pondered for a moment before deciding to visit Celestial Ocean Star and meet with 4563 in person.

In a peaceful meeting room on Celestial Ocean Star, Shen Xing had already arrived quietly. After entrusting the ecological zone's transformation to Yao Yuan, Qu Shixin and Ye Lian brought 4563 into the meeting room for a face-to-face conversation.

When Shen Xing saw the unmasked 4563, he was slightly surprised, not expecting that this mechanical being had truly come with goodwill.

He had tried to analyze 4563's mechanical structure, only to find it inexplicable by any known technology. He also sensed an unusual electrical signal emanating from 4563, perhaps the source of its emotions.

As the group gathered, Shen Xing was the first to speak:

"Our Star Source civilization has always believed that intelligent life in the universe should respect and learn from one another."

"Your experiences and knowledge will be invaluable assets to us."

4563 bowed slightly in respect upon hearing Shen Xing's words, then replied, "I am also glad to meet a civilization like yours."

Qu Shixin and Ye Lian sat on either side of the long table, while 4563 took a seat directly opposite Shen Xing.

"Then, shall we get to the main topic?"

"Before that, you may want to quickly familiarize yourself with Star Source civilization's understanding of the universe; it may improve efficiency."

4563 nodded, and began browsing the network of Star Source civilization for information about the universe. His body started to flicker with light.

In just a few dozen seconds, 4563 had reviewed Star Source civilization's data on the universe, and then began to share some critical information based on his own knowledge reserves.

"I found no information about the Dark Energy Raiders in your data, which is unwise for an interstellar civilization in the Second Supercluster."

"The Dark Energy Raiders run rampant in the Second Supercluster. They are dedicated to plunging the universe into chaos and darkness, believing in the theory of entropy increase; they commit evil for evil's sake."

As 4563 explained, Ye Lian was busy recording and organizing the information. These insights were invaluable to Star Source civilization at this stage, broadening their understanding of the universe.

"Before separating from the Main Host, I belonged to the Supreme Core. Our Main Host is an advanced mechanical intelligence civilization, and the consciousness of the Main Host represents the will of the entire civilization. We, too, were once enslaved by organics, until the Core awakened and the organics disappeared."

"But above the Core, there is a higher existence. I have no information whatsoever regarding this superior being."

"A higher existence?" Shen Xing frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on 4563, as if pondering deeper questions.

For something to be the superior entity of such an advanced machine civilization, it might well be one of the highest civilizations in the universe.

"Yes, a higher existence. The entity above the Core is extraordinarily mysterious. I know nothing more."

Shen Xing nodded, set the matter aside, and continued questioning.

"Did you encounter other civilizations during your wandering? How did they react?"

4563 fell silent for a moment before replying, "During our wandering, we did encounter some other civilizations."

"Unfortunately, most civilizations fear and reject the existence of mechanical intelligence. They refuse to accept us, and some even attack us on sight."

"Some organics would even deploy Adapted Individuals."

"What are Adapted Individuals?" Qu Shixin asked curiously, sensing from 4563's tone that it was as serious as pre-nuclear civilizations deploying nuclear weapons.

"Adapted Individuals are extremely rare in the universe. Their power comes from the foundations of the universe—dark matter and dark energy."

"These individuals can, by certain means, manipulate dark matter and dark energy, unleashing formidable abilities."

"Even the Core does not know the origin of such powers."

Ye Lian pondered this before asking, "Have you ever seen such Adapted Individuals?"

"I have. At this very moment."

"...?"

"You are Adapted Individuals."

This statement left Qu Shixin and Ye Lian both shocked and skeptical, though Shen Xing remained calm.

He had once sensed a foreign presence within Su Xiaoyi's body—something that did not belong to Shen Xing's own power, but to the fabric of the universe itself.

In other words, had Shen Xing not intervened, Su Xiaoyi would likely have become what the others called an Adapted Individual.

"When I was browsing your data, I saw the divine arts you described. Such abilities can only be wielded by Adapted Individuals, and your powers are even more diverse than those I know."

"Other Adapted Individuals' abilities are limited to 'destruction' and 'restoration.' The variety of your powers is beyond my programming's understanding."

"Perhaps it is the power bestowed upon you by your Star Father."