Outside a remote Administrative Star, the Feinan quietly hovered above a cargo ship, maintaining optical stealth, silently approaching the trade Space Port outside the Administrative Star.
The cargo ship had nothing special about it and was quietly awaiting entry inspection at that moment.
It served as a cover for the Feinan and a "bridge" for invading the local network.
The spy drone had been successfully deployed, and Lyu was connecting through the cargo ship to the Administrative Star’s network to search and locate the Third Pioneer.
On the bridge, Yang Ming held up his coffee, savoring it while waiting for Lyu to return with intelligence.
The voice of the examiner emerged from the black box floating to Yang Ming’s left.
Yang Ming smiled and said, "She’s an excellent Thought Body and my most important partner. I remind myself not to rely too much on her. However, if it weren’t for her help, I might be just a low-rank officer crawling around in some military, worried about things like medical exams and Genetic Stabilization Liquid, all of which are quite bothersome."
The examiner appeared above the black box.
He wore a robe; although he had long arms, legs, and a long neck, it was not enough to evoke the Horror Valley Effect.
The examiner laughed and said, "I’ve been thinking for a moment; actually, you’re the most special candidate I’ve ever received up to now."
"Hmm?" Yang Ming was a bit puzzled. "Is it because of the Faya games?"
"Oh, no," the examiner replied slowly, "To be honest, the Faya games have been held so many times, and each time, their database contains this cemetery. The Faya Civilization respects us a lot and hopes we can help them cultivate civilization. Pioneers have come looking, but most of them couldn’t communicate with us."
Yang Ming smiled and said, "I’m also very interested in this issue, how can one resonate with you?"
"I would also like to answer that for you," the examiner smiled, "but unfortunately, I can’t. It’s part of the assessment."
"It can’t be because of love and justice."
"Of course not," the examiner laughed loudly, "Individual emotions and tendencies have nothing to do with the development of civilization itself."
Yang Ming replied, "Civilization is also made up of individuals, which need to be respected."
The examiner nodded with a smile and asked again, "Now that you have the advantage, how do you plan to handle the Third Pioneer? She is also the hope of the civilization behind her."
"I will treat her as a competitor and potential collaborator."
"Oh?" the examiner asked, "Don’t you want to kill her to reduce the competitive power of the opposing civilization?"
Yang Ming shrugged, "I don’t believe that the Faya Civilization would overlook such an obvious BUG. I’ve experienced the games they made. Moreover, even if I kill this Pioneer, what effect would it have? She might be resurrected at any time, and the Faya Civilization can effortlessly replace her with another Pioneer and possibly punish me."
The examiner nodded slightly, "That is a possibility. Share your thoughts."
"Is this part of the assessment?"
"No, it’s not, just an old man having a chat with you."
"On the way here, I’ve thought a lot."
Yang Ming put down his coffee, squinting with a smile,
"Currently, three low-rank civilizations have appeared, but more likely participate in this make-up exam. If it were five civilizations, with two being ultimately eliminated, the outcome would be much harsher than eliminating one out of three."
"Quite right," the examiner said, "Do you plan to form an alliance with them?"
"Yes," Yang Ming said, "In the game, large organizations always have allies. My civilization is too weak, despite having a large population, but it’s scattered. Due to the level limitations in civilization development, there is no world-binding international organization."
The examiner laughed, "From what you describe, the future is filled with disadvantages."
"What I can think of, the greatest help to my home planet, is pulling in one or two allies."
Yang Ming smiled, "To compete and collaborate, ideally advancing on two fronts."
The examiner pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "I want to remind you of something. It was information the Patroller missed, but it just shared it with me."
"According to usual custom, a low-rank civilization that passes the first assessment will receive preferential resources and training from the Faya Civilization.
"Take the present New Federation as a reference. It evolved from a low-rank civilization thousands of years ago, after passing the first assessment.
"Of course, your home planet doesn’t have this opportunity now.
"And in the second assessment, ranking is extremely important. Being first or third will result in completely different experiences."
Yang Ming frowned, "This means, not only to avoid being last but also to strive for first or second place?"
"Preferably, if you want your home planet’s humanity to gain more advantages."
"No, no, no," Yang Ming shook his head, "That might be too difficult for me. Surviving is more important than anything else. We must strive within our capabilities. My goal is still to secure a baseline."
The examiner asked with a smile, "What do you think of the low-rank civilizations that fail in competition? Don’t you think that the surviving three civilizations have committed murder against the other two?"
"Your question actually overlooks the real culprits."
Yang Ming said slowly,
"The rules are set by the Faya Civilization; all of us low-rank civilizations are victims of their bullying."
"Oh," the examiner asked, "Do you have any gratitude towards the Faya Civilization?"
"Grateful they shattered my home planet? Grateful they destroyed my previously stable and normal life? Grateful they arranged things so poorly for me, turning me into the pitiable Hanton, almost getting my head chopped off by a humanoid Ancient God?"