Chapter 236: Grave of the Starry Sea

【The evolution of the Machine Soul continues to trouble Ailei’s daily operations】

【She can no longer control herself as well as before, assisting you and managing the multi-layered starship intelligence control】

【Even simple tasks like carrying water have become difficult for Ailei】

【You smile and comfort the Mechanical Servant, telling her not to rush】

【The Mechanical Servant listens to your words】

【Two more months pass, and Ailei’s “illness” finally heals. The surging computational power stabilizes, becoming orderly and flowing through the starship fleet’s database】

【At the same time, you create a new body for Ailei. While there are no major technological updates, its capacity has significantly increased】

【You name it Ailei Mark II】

【Ailei moves into the new body and once again takes over all the starship fleet’s operations. In an instant, you feel the immense power of the evolved Machine Soul】

【Stagnant research projects evolve and calculate at an incredible speed】

【The complex and precise starship fleet simplifies into a more efficient and effortless command system】

【New changes emerge in energy, materials, weapons, defense, and more】

【You are delighted, believing that with Ailei’s help, technological levels will greatly improve, paving the way to a more dazzling starry sky】

“Ailei, how do you feel?”

“Everything is fine, Master.”

The new body’s appearance is no different from the old one.

Long black hair with a golden sheen, delicate facial features, and pale artificial skin.

Except for the internal material enhancements.

Everything remains the same.

Ailei opens her eyes, and the familiar silver-blue pupils reappear, now glowing and vibrant, no longer dull as during the chaotic period.

With Xu Xi’s help, Ailei slowly sits up from the metal platform in her new body.

“Thank you.”

Ailei expresses her gratitude, a bright smile on her face.

Xu Xi faintly feels that after the Machine Soul’s evolution, Ailei has become more human-like.

It’s an enrichment of emotions.

Even a transformation of consciousness.

Xu Xi asks Ailei if there are any abnormalities or thoughts after the evolution.

The Mechanical Servant replies: “I can serve you better in the future.”

Loyalty!

The surge in computational power makes the Mechanical Servant’s abilities even more terrifying, but her first thought is still to serve Xu Xi.

She even plans to modify the ecological starship to make Xu Xi’s living environment more comfortable.

Xu Xi smiles: “That’s not necessary.”

“I’m quite satisfied with my current living conditions. There’s no need for modifications. It’s better to focus on other research.”

As he speaks.

Xu Xi reaches out and habitually ruffles Ailei’s head. Under the simulated sunlight, her golden hair appears light and translucent.

……

【You’ve always been worried about Ailei’s “illness”】

【Even though you know it’s a harmless evolution, seeing the weakened Mechanical Servant still makes you instinctively concerned】

【Until now】

【Witnessing Ailei’s normal actions, your anxious heart finally settles】

【You think it’s time to restart the starship fleet’s power units and begin a new cosmic voyage】

【However, just as you prepare to dive into research and leave the living area, the loyal Mechanical Servant stops you】

“Please wait, Master.”

“What is it, Ailei?”

Xu Xi turns around to see Ailei quickly catching up.

“I have something important to tell you,” her voice calm yet carrying a gentle warmth, Ailei’s eyelashes flutter slightly as she speaks to Xu Xi.

It’s a mutation after the Machine Soul’s evolution, a miraculous and unbelievable phenomenon.

After Ailei’s recovery.

She gained not only vast computational power.

But also some indescribable, peculiar extensions.

“Master, please look…” Ailei slowly takes Xu Xi’s hand, her artificial palm wrapping around his fingers.

Buzz—

Buzz buzz—

First slow, then faster, the vibrations intensify.

Something miraculous happens.

The moment he touches Ailei, Xu Xi enters a completely new perspective. Time and space shatter like a mirror, revealing a deeper layer of reality.

He sees many things, a chaotic and overlapping array of images.

Inside Ailei’s body, light blue data flows, shimmering with a radiant glow.

But within the starship fleet, countless red dots swarm.

They ceaselessly.

Attempt to infiltrate the starship systems.

But all are blocked by Ailei’s blue light.

“Could this be the culprit behind the Intelligent Machines’ rebellion?” Xu Xi is stunned, but before he can think deeper, his perspective shifts again.

Rising, continuously rising, faster than electricity, swifter than light.

It’s like clicking on two entirely different applications on a computer screen.

Xu Xi’s consciousness rapidly and frequently switches between his human perspective and the special perspective granted by Ailei.

Until it reaches the peak.

Ailei can no longer maintain it.

Xu Xi is forced to exit the special perspective, clutching his head, feeling mentally disoriented and extremely uncomfortable.

However, compared to what he just witnessed, the physical and mental discomfort is nothing.

“What were those…”

Once his condition improves.

With Ailei’s support, he sits steady.

Xu Xi tries hard to recall the images from the special perspective.

In that moment, he seemed to ascend to a lofty dimension, observing the cold void of space from a bystander’s angle.

The stars turned into tiny, faint dots.

Everything was laid bare before his eyes.

Even the long-departed Federation planets entered Xu Xi’s field of vision.

These were unimportant, whether the Federation or the stars, all were things Xu Xi already knew.

What truly left Xu Xi in disbelief was.

The distant horizon, layer upon layer filling the dark cosmos, like an endless wall of ruins, with mechanical wreckage and fragments of celestial bodies.

That was—

The remains of countless civilizations.

On some of them, Xu Xi saw the same red dots.

The suspected culprits behind the Intelligent Machines’ rebellion.