Chapter 00062: The Law of the Technological Jungle
# The Law of the Technological Jungle
Chapter 62
Novel: Abandon The Universe
Chapter 62: The Law of the Technological Jungle
It was said to be a guard duty, but in reality, it was nothing of the sort. Lan Xiaobu and the other hundred people were simply eating and sleeping aboard the warship, and during their free time, they could even gaze at the vast beauty of the starry sky from designated spots.
Since there was no progress in his cultivation, Lan Xiaobu decided not to practice and instead chatted more with these new recruits from various planets, which allowed him to learn more.
One day, Lan Xiaobu was discussing cultivation with over ten people, including Ke’er, Ding He, An Fei, Chun Mu Li, and Gai Lin.
In the Hundred Mo Star System, most of the cultivation revolved around various basic martial arts techniques. However, this was mainly applicable to some military personnel; the majority focused on technological research.
The greatest future for martial artists was merely to join the army, while studying technology was different. The rewards from any technological industry were no less than those of a soldier, and there was no danger involved.
Lan Xiaobu had an interest in technology, but only in the advanced technological civilizations. He had no interest at all in the technologies of low-level planets like Zhen Nuo Star and Lan Ya Star.
Thus, the conversation quickly shifted back to cultivation as Lan Xiaobu asked, "Have you ever seen a Boundary Stone?"
"I have seen it. Boundary Stones contain powerful and pure energy, which can drive top-tier flying saucers through the universe. Furthermore, it seems that Boundary Stones can also be used for cultivation," An Fei replied.
This was the answer Lan Xiaobu wanted. He quickly inquired, "So, if we use Boundary Stones for martial cultivation, can we easily break through and advance to a higher level?"
An Fei lowered his voice, "I’ve heard that Boundary Stones are primarily not for martial artists but for the rumored cultivators."
"Are there really cultivators?" Lan Xiaobu was convinced that there were, but he still asked.
An Fei affirmed, "There are indeed cultivators, and the major technological civilizations have restrictions against their existence. Everyone knows in their hearts—it’s just that they are worried about cultivators becoming powerful and taking away their status."
"Are there cultivators in our star system?" Lan Xiaobu probed.
An Fei hesitated for a moment before saying, "I suspect there should be, but even if there are, they wouldn't dare to come out casually. You see, our star system is said to lack something, making it extremely difficult to cultivate. By the way, the selection quota for Yu Qi Star is actually related to cultivation."
"Why?" This time, there was no need for Lan Xiaobu to ask; someone nearby had already inquired.
An Fei chuckled, "We are a low-level technological civilization. Although many people know that cultivation exists and that technological civilizations do not allow it, no one pays attention. Because everyone originally has no chance to cultivate; being able to practice martial arts is already quite good. Where would the conditions for cultivation come from? Not to mention the lack of cultivation methods, the environment for cultivation is also insufficient.
High-level technological civilizations are different; they encounter much more. For instance, in Yu Qi Star, more than ninety percent of those entering are from level-five technological civilizations. Seven to eight percent are from level-three and level-four civilizations. As for participants from our level-two and level-one technological civilizations, having one person enter Yu Qi Star is already a huge blessing. Often, there isn’t even one."
"Yes, I’ve heard people say that as well. Inside Yu Qi Star, there are some ancient cultivation methods left behind by cultivators. Those in power in high-level technological civilizations suppress ordinary people's cultivation while secretly cultivating themselves," Chun Mu Li chimed in.
Chun Mu Li was also a Junior Lieutenant Commander, like Ding He, and hailed from the level-one technological civilization of Bei Mo Star.
Lan Xiaobu felt a surge of excitement. He had not yet reached the Innate Realm, meaning he had not established his foundation. But once he did, it would signify that he could no longer cultivate.
If Yu Qi Star had cultivation methods, could he really miss this opportunity?
Perhaps the old man from Chi Lei Star would notice him, or perhaps he wouldn’t. But could he miss the path to cultivation that everyone craved?
Lan Xiaobu had a premonition that if he missed this opportunity, he would never be able to return to Earth.
When one dies, they die facing the sky, and if they don’t die, it could be for tens of thousands of years. When is everything ever stable? Now that he had divine sense, even if he were captured, he could choose to end it himself. And Kunlun—before being captured, he had to ensure that Kunlun self-destructed, never allowing Earth's cosmic coordinates to leak.
"Has anyone obtained the cultivation methods from Yu Qi Star?" Lan Xiaobu had a strong desire to take a trip around Yu Qi Star, but he knew very well that Yu Qi Star could not be entered secretly; otherwise, there wouldn’t be a selection process at all.
"I haven’t heard of anyone doing so; even if someone did, it would probably be kept secret," Chun Mu Li sighed.
Sitting next to Chun Mu Li was an ordinary new recruit, whom Lan Xiaobu only knew by the name Gai Lin. This was a taciturn recruit who always sat in the corner listening when everyone gathered to chat. When Chun Mu Li said that he hadn’t heard of anyone obtaining it, Lan Xiaobu could clearly sense that Gai Lin wanted to say something. He seemed to be hesitant about something and did not speak up. Lan Xiaobu smiled, "Gai Lin, do you have something to say? Feel free to speak. We are all on the same side now, and there are no taboos."
Gai Lin quickly said, "There are indeed cultivation methods; I know that someone has obtained them."
"You know someone who has obtained cultivation methods? Which planet are you from?" An Fei asked eagerly.
Gai Lin's eyes dimmed, "I am from Zhen Nuo Star; my country is the Jinyuan Empire of Zhen Nuo Star."
Lan Xiaobu looked at Gai Lin in confusion, "Gai Lin, you are from Zhen Nuo Star. Why did you come to the Star Expedition Army?"
Although the Star Expedition Army seemed like a very appealing opportunity for outsiders, it held no attraction for the local residents of Zhen Nuo Star. With Gai Lin's ability to qualify for the Star Expedition Army, he could easily find a good job in any technological department on Zhen Nuo Star, with better pay than the army and, most importantly, no risk to his life. Furthermore, even if local residents of Zhen Nuo Star wanted to join the Star Expedition Army, they did not need to serve as reserve recruits; they entered primarily through the army’s technological departments.
"Because someone in my country truly obtained a cultivation method, and that person is a member of the royal family of the Jinyuan Empire. For some reason, this news leaked out. A prince from the neighboring Mahuan Empire came to the Jinyuan Empire, demanding that we hand over the cultivation method. He also stated that cultivation is not allowed in the Hundred Mo Star System, and they want to take the cultivation method away to dispose of it..."
As Gai Lin spoke, Lan Xiaobu frowned, "On what basis?"
An Fei explained, "The empire's hierarchy is higher than that of ordinary countries. If the Jinyuan Empire is a vassal of the Mahuan Empire, then the Mahuan Empire does have the right to demand it."
Gai Lin nodded, "Yes, it’s just that the Jinyuan Empire had a hard time obtaining a cultivation method, especially one obtained by a royal family member, so they naturally wouldn't give it to the Mahuan Empire."
"Why not just copy a copy for them?" someone else inquired.
Gai Lin replied, "I've heard that cultivation methods cannot be copied; I’m not sure of the specifics. I only know that later, the prince from the Mahuan Empire suddenly died in our Jinyuan Empire, giving the Mahuan Empire a reason to go to war..."
"How ruthless," Lan Xiaobu couldn’t help but exclaim. The ruler of the Mahuan Empire was indeed a fierce person, eliminating his own son and then using it as an excuse to attack the Jinyuan Empire.
Ke’er asked in confusion, "Even if the Jinyuan Empire is destroyed, you wouldn’t have to join the Star Expedition Army, right? You still have the resident status of Zhen Nuo Star."
Gai Lin shook his head, "Because our country's army is no match for the Mahuan Empire, they resorted to using prohibited weapons."
"Nuclear weapons? Or weapons with high radiation?" Lan Xiaobu inquired curiously.
"Neither nuclear weapons nor radiation weapons. Mainly laser weapons, along with sonic and magnetic distortion weapons..." Gai Lin answered.
Lan Xiaobu was even more puzzled. The weapons Gai Lin mentioned were vaguely familiar to him; they were indeed not nuclear weapons. If he were to study them, he could probably piece together the fragmented memories and create such weapons.
Ding He and Ke’er knew Lan Xiaobu's background; many simple things were not clear to him. Ding He quickly explained, "In general technological civilizations and planets, the use of large-scale lethal weapons is absolutely prohibited. For example, magnetic distortion assault rifles and magnetic distortion bullets can easily kill tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even an entire nation with just one soldier. Although these weapons do not have much radiation, if everyone used such weapons, the planet would quickly be destroyed.
Because of this, both technological civilizations and technological star systems have regulations prohibiting the use of such terrifying lethal weapons within planets, unless another planet invades yours. Therefore, in battles within planets, whether it is individuals or nation against nation, only cold weapons can be used."
Lan Xiaobu glanced at the various cold weapons on everyone’s backs and finally understood what was going on. It was just like how Earth restricts nuclear weapons, all to avoid catastrophic destruction.
At the same time, Lan Xiaobu felt a sense of vigilance. Their group did not dare carry such terrifying high-tech weapons due to detection, but once they reached Tian Luo Star, if they were confronted by someone with such weapons in a deserted place, it would be a dead end.
Gai Lin nodded, "Yes, because the Jinyuan Empire could not withstand the attack from the Mahuan Empire, they resorted to using laser weapons, killing hundreds of thousands of troops from the Mahuan Empire in one go. As a result, the ruler of the Hanlan Empire became furious and directly destroyed the Jinyuan Empire while stripping all residents of Zhen Nuo Star of their qualifications."
Everyone fell silent, understanding clearly what had transpired. The cultivation method of the Jinyuan Empire was now very likely in the hands of the Hanlan Empire.
Lan Xiaobu felt a chill in his heart. He had a vague sense that Zhen Nuo Star was not a good place for long-term residence. Once this cultivation method was exposed to higher-level technological civilizations, would Zhen Nuo Star also face destruction?
(End of Chapter)