Chapter 367: Searching for the Neutron Star, Unknown Interstellar Fleet

Uр.dɑted by BʘXN0VEL.cοm

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“Red Lotus, how do you feel?”

Tang Rui asked, looking at Red Lotus’s holographic projection that seemed almost tangible.

“I feel great, thank you, Master,” Red Lotus replied with a smile, genuinely happy.

Her smile was no longer the result of emotional simulation modules analyzing language; it was a genuine expression of happiness. Though it might seem like a small difference, for Red Lotus, it was a monumental change.

“Good, then I’ll leave the next tasks to you,” Tang Rui said with a nod.

“Understood, Master. Please rest assured, I will handle everything well,” Red Lotus immediately responded.

After leaving the base, Tang Rui stopped worrying about the Star Ring; the upgraded Red Lotus could handle everything independently without needing to report back constantly.

With the computing power issue resolved, Red Lotus began a rapid expansion. As an intelligent being, given sufficient energy and resources, her expansion rate could match that of the Zerg, growing exponentially over time.

One month later, Red Lotus manufactured twelve billion various types of industrial robots, which then started producing industrial equipment at a frenzied pace.

Two months later, hundreds of space docks were completed, beginning the production of mining spacecraft to extract metal ores from asteroid belts.

Five months later, outer space around Earth had become a massive construction site, with thousands of mining spacecraft shuttling back and forth at all times. These ships, loaded with metal ores, offloaded the roughly processed and sorted ores at spaceport cargo docks.

Through these cargo docks, the ores were transported to Star Ring manufacturing platforms, where they were smelted, forged, and used in construction. These platforms were gigantic circular rings with diameters of five kilometers, equipped with tens of thousands of robotic arms working tirelessly, weaving together the Star Ring’s structure like spiders spinning a web.

With ten such platforms operating in space, the construction pace was 32 kilometers per day. At this rate, it would take a little over two years to complete the Star Ring. However, according to Red Lotus’s calculations, with an increase in resource supply, the construction speed could increase, potentially finishing within a year.

Regardless of whether it took one year or two, Tang Rui was indifferent. He had left everything to Red Lotus and was now accumulating source points at home. Occasionally, he visited the academy to research topics with physicists leading a fulfilling life.

Finally, when the source points on his system panel reached six digits, Tang Rui paused his repetitive task of manufacturing, which he was nearly sick of. He had grown so tired of seeing the parts that he wanted to smash them. But for the sake of accumulating source points, he had no choice but to continue. “Red Lotus, how much longer until the Star Ring is completed?” “Master, it will take another fifteen months to complete the Star Ring’s construction, and the installation of equipment and interior decorations will take an additional five months.”

“So, it will be finished within two years. I’ll try to return in a year and a half,” Tang Rui mused after hearing the update.

He was planning a long journey.

He had considered leaving some fail-safes for Earth, such as dyson spheres and neutron battle stars. However, he decided against dyson spheres due to their one-time use and lack of precision control. Neutron battle stars, despite being slightly less effective in area damage, offered unbeatable single-target power, compensating for their minor drawbacks.

So, he set out to find a suitable neutron star for modification, which would take some time. Neutron stars were easy to locate, but not every neutron star met his criteria. He was specifically looking for a pulsar, particularly a high-speed pulsar.

The next day, after contacting his superiors and briefing Li Shuyao, Tang Rui left Earth aboard a spaceship. Through spatial jumps, he quickly arrived millions of kilometers from a neutron star, a pulsar.

This pulsar spun at 556 rotations per second, with a strong radiation gravity field, according to astronomers. However, after scanning, Tang Rui found it unsuitable for modification due to its core energy levels.

He didn’t waste time, immediately jumping away upon seeing the scan results Though the round trip and scanning took less than five minutes, due to time dilation near the neutron star, over twenty days had passed on Earth.

After leaving the neutron star, Tang Rui visited another, scanning it and then moving on when it didn’t meet his criteria. He specifically searched for pulsars, broadcasting their presence in the universe, easily lockable by any sufficiently advanced civilization, saving him time in his search.

Despite the convenience of locating pulsars, finding one that met his requirements proved challenging. Even with preliminary filtering, without close-range scanning, it was hard to determine suitability for modification.

Time flew by, and a year and a half had passed since Tang Rui left Earth. The Star Ring’s structure was completed, with equipment being installed and interior decorations underway. Red Lotus, controlling billions of industrial robots, ensured rapid construction progress, and the Star Ring was nearing completion.

“Has there been any news from Tang Rui?” Li Shuyao asked Red Lotus at home.

“The last message from Master was three months ago. According to his message, he has found a suitable neutron star for modification. Due to spacetime curvature issues, it might take some time, but Master should be returning soon,” Red Lotus replied, using vague terms like a normal person. “Alright, I hope he returns soon,” Li Shuyao said, feeling helpless. She hadn’t expected Tang Rui’s absence to be so prolonged; otherwise, she would have accompanied him.

Suddenly, Red Lotus’s holographic projection flashed with a red alert.

“What’s happened?” Li Shuyao asked in surprise.

“Neutrino radar has detected an interstellar fleet approaching the Solar

System, posing a very high threat level.”

“What do we do?” Li Shuyao panicked.

With Tang Rui away and an alien fleet approaching, they faced a dire situation.

“Initiate emergency protocol, please follow me.”

“Okay.”

Li Shuyao didn’t ask about the specifics of the emergency plan; this wasn’t the time to cause more trouble. She grabbed her shoes and phone, leaving everything else behind, and followed the robot downstairs.

In the base’s secret dock beneath a reservoir, they boarded a small spaceship left by Tang Rui as a fail-safe. Despite its size, the ship was equipped with weapons and devices for interstellar travel, posing no threat to most civilizations.

As they boarded, the dock’s dome opened, creating a massive whirlpool on the lake’s surface as water poured in. However, this didn’t affect the spaceship’s launch.

Within minutes, a huge water column broke through the whirlpool, and the ship took off.

While this happened, Red Lotus made arrangements for Tang Rui and Li Shuyao’s family, friends, teachers, and some officials to be notified and brought aboard using small shuttles.

In less than twenty minutes, everyone listed in the emergency evacuation plan was aboard the ship, while the alien fleet had just reached the Kuiper Belt, not yet entering the Solar System.

“Did Tang Rui leave any instructions before he left?” Li Shuyao asked.

“After initiating the emergency plan, the top priority is ensuring everyone’s safety. Depending on the threat level, other measures will be taken. Given the current situation, the unknown civilization’s fleet poses little threat to the Dawn spacecraft, so we can attempt to communicate before they attack. Master had arranged for adopting the high command and think tank’s strategy in such scenarios. If anyone has suggestions, feel free to speak,” Red Lotus addressed the people on the ship’s bridge.

The others were stunned, unsure of how to react.

But the high-ranking officials quickly grasped the situation.

“Can we contact them?” one asked.

“We can try,” Red Lotus responded.

“Then let’s attempt to establish contact.”

“Understood.”

Red Lotus sent a message in the Galactic Common language learned from a fleeing alien civilization, using a mining spacecraft to signal the alien fleet.

However, soon after the message was sent, the alien fleet opened fire, destroying the mining spacecraft..