Chapter 125: The Key

Chapter 125: The Key

From Wang Weifu, Liu Shaoyu learned that he would become an indispensable figure in this war—or, more accurately, that he would be the one piloting the War Dragon. The incredible sensation he had experienced while piloting the War Dragon last time led him to agree with this assessment.

"It's fortunate they managed to bring the War Dragon out. The Society has already begun preparations. It won't be long before you can pilot it again," Wang Weifu said, stuffing the last of his food into his mouth.

"Thank you," Liu Shaoyu said to the other three. He knew how difficult it must have been for them to escape under those circumstances.

"What are you thanking us for? It was our duty," said Hua Qiang, who was typically a man of few words. Liu Shaoyu couldn't help but think that if Monkey were still here, he would surely have had a lot to say.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Liu Shaoyu firmly believed that one must look forward and never stand still.

"By the way, I’ve actually been meaning to ask you: why did you suddenly disappear at that time?" Liu Shaoyu suddenly remembered and looked at Wang Weifu.

Wang Weifu seemed to have anticipated the question and answered without hesitation, "Because I sensed danger."

"Danger?"

"Yes, danger. Or perhaps I should say I’ve had this plan for a long time, and that moment just happened to be the right time," Wang Weifu replied.

Liu Shaoyu felt a vague sense that this childhood friend, with whom he had grown up, had changed—had become... like a stranger.

Meanwhile, as Liu Shaoyu arrived at the Thinking Society, Earth was in a state of chaos.

"What! You didn't receive it!?... Alright, I understand." Ending the communication, Yun Shichu felt surprised. He hadn't expected to be played by that kid, but there were more important matters at hand, so that issue would have to wait.

The Federation’s military mobilization was mostly complete, and he himself was about to depart.

"Commander, urgent report from the front. The Vatican Theocracy has suddenly launched an attack on our garrison lines."

A glint flashed in Yun Shichu’s glasses as he thought to himself, "Has it finally begun?"

"Move out! Depart. Now!" Yun Shichu shouted to his guards, and the group rushed toward the launch base.

Wang Weifu received news of the outbreak of hostilities almost simultaneously with Yun Shichu, which showed just how well-informed he was. However, the exact channels through which he obtained this information were worth contemplating. It was no easy feat to receive news so quickly without relying on the Glory of the Republic. Yet, to Wang Weifu, it was perfectly normal. How could you fight a war without intelligence?

***

Wang Weifu looked at those gathered and said, "Alright, everyone, it seems we will have to catch up later. The war has begun. Rest up for now. Liu Shaoyu, Long Ruyuan will take you to your quarters shortly. You all get some rest; we will likely be departing soon. As for the War Dragon, it seems we will have to calibrate it on the move."

Because Wang Weifu was a key figure in the Thinking Society, a matter of this magnitude required a meeting. After a hurried farewell, he departed for the conference hall. Liu Shaoyu had no choice but to follow the others back to their quarters.

The base where Long Ruyuan and his team were stationed was an expansive camp, likely because the planet was sparsely populated, and the facilities were incredibly comprehensive.

"Because of Wang Weifu, we are now the private guard for the Galaxy Thinking Society. You can check the specific organizational details on your personal computer. By the way, your computer has already been upgraded, right?" Long Ruyuan asked, turning to look at Liu Shaoyu while showing him around.

"Yes, it’s been upgraded." Liu Shaoyu, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to reality upon hearing Long Ruyuan and quickly replied.

"Our computers were also upgraded before we arrived. They say it’s a dedicated computer for the Thinking Society, something called... Light of Thought. Anyway, that’s not important. What matters is that you’re finally here," Long Ruyuan said with a smile.

In truth, Liu Shaoyu found it strange that Long Ruyuan was here, but he hadn't had the chance to ask. Now that Long Ruyuan was showing him around, perhaps he had something to say.

"Are you wondering why I’m here?" Long Ruyuan asked, sensing Liu Shaoyu’s hesitation.

Liu Shaoyu didn't see the need to deny it. "Yes, I am quite curious."

"Actually, I should have arrived earlier, but you know how it was—martial law. It delayed me. By the time I arrived, you had already gone to Earth, and then... you know the rest," Long Ruyuan said, his tone turning somber.

"What about your family? After all, our positions might be different this time," Liu Shaoyu asked, voicing his true concern.

"Don't worry. The internal situation in Huaxia is far more chaotic than you imagine. As for my family, all I know is that my father told me to follow you; he didn't say anything else," Long Ruyuan explained.

Long Ruyuan’s words did not put Liu Shaoyu at ease; instead, they made him feel more conflicted.

"Come on, let me show you the War Dragon."

In fact, when he first reached the orbit of this planet, Liu Shaoyu had felt a sense of familiarity—as if a part of his body were somewhere on this planet. It was only as he drew closer to the base that he guessed the feeling came from the War Dragon. As he and Long Ruyuan approached the massive warship, his suspicion was confirmed.

"It really is that," Liu Shaoyu whispered to himself, his breath hitching. The feeling of familiarity only grew stronger the closer he got. What puzzled him, however, was why he felt such a magical connection to the War Dragon.

As Liu Shaoyu was "communicating" with the War Dragon, Long Ruyuan suddenly paused and said, "Their meeting is over. I’m going to go count our equipment. If you have any questions, you can ask the person in charge here." With that, Long Ruyuan hurried toward the door.

Liu Shaoyu was just about to explore the area when he noticed a familiar figure walking toward him from the other end of the platform.

"Hello, what a coincidence! Why are you here?" Liu Shaoyu asked, surprised to see the young woman who had guided him earlier.

"Hello. Not a coincidence at all. Let me introduce myself properly: I am the person in charge of your War Dragon. You can call me Arisa. Also, Mr. Wang Weifu is my mentor." The girl smiled, bending her arm at the elbow in front of her, with her other arm bent at the same angle behind her. It looked like a gesture similar to a handshake among Earthlings.

Liu Shaoyu returned the gesture and said, "Hello, my name is Liu Shaoyu. It's a pleasure to meet you, and thank you for picking me up earlier." He thought to himself that he hadn't expected her to be Wang Weifu’s student.

The girl maintained her smile. "You're welcome; it’s all in a day’s work. Would you like to go see him? His condition is much better now."

Liu Shaoyu was curious to hear her choice of words. Because of the language barrier, Arisa was not speaking his native tongue, but was using a personal computer for real-time translation. He knew that because the translation was based on brainwaves, it was literal, yet he noticed that Arisa had used the masculine "he" rather than the inanimate "it."

"Wait, when you said 'him,' were you referring to the War Dragon?" Liu Shaoyu asked.

The girl clearly found it puzzling that someone who appeared so intelligent would ask such a... vacuous question. After a moment of careful thought, she replied, "Yes, of course it’s him." As she answered, she suddenly considered another possibility. "Don't you know that he actually has life activities?" The young girl’s eyes widened.

Now it was Liu Shaoyu’s turn to widen his eyes. He thought, "How would I know that! And he has life activities? No wonder." After her question, many of his previous doubts were resolved.

Seeing Liu Shaoyu’s shocked expression, Arisa realized the answer. She was reminded of what her mentor, Mr. Wang Weifu, often said: "Ah, ordinary people." Suddenly, she felt that she, too, had transcended the realm of ordinary people, although strictly speaking, her species was not traditional human.

"Actually, my mentor told me that the War Dragon was never intended to be built merely as an ultimate weapon. You can think of him as an extension of humanity, or perhaps a direction for our evolution," Arisa decided to educate this "illiterate" man. If she hadn't verified it, she would have doubted whether the War Dragon was truly based on his genetic prototype.

"A direction for evolution? You mean humans will eventually evolve to be that large?" Liu Shaoyu was astonished. If that were the case... then it was truly interesting.

"It’s a direction, not the result. Size isn't important. The reason he is this size now is simply for research purposes and to be more functional. Evolution is selective. If an individual were too large to survive, it wouldn't evolve to such a size. But compared to a thousand years ago, hasn't the overall size of humans changed significantly?" Arisa explained patiently to the illiterate one—or rather, to Liu Shaoyu.

"So, if size isn't the issue, does this direction mean that humans can achieve corresponding abilities through their own genetic evolution?" Liu Shaoyu asked.

This question finally made Arisa breathe a sigh of relief; it seemed he wasn't a total idiot. She took a breath and continued, "Yes, in theory, that is the case. And this evolutionary formula applies to all humanoid species." Arisa paused, then added, "The prototype for this experiment comes from the personal evolutionary research of the Fenta Zerg Queen. Theoretically, the accuracy rate is over eighty percent. However, whether this is truly the next stage of human evolution remains to be confirmed."

Liu Shaoyu nodded, and his thoughts drifted to Carter. He wondered what she was doing at this moment.

"Alright, let me take you to see him. He will be joining us on the front lines tomorrow." With that, Arisa took the lead and walked inside.