"Of course, it’s not just technology; a civilized society requires much more. Political structure and art are also important, but those we can’t teach you.
"The second part is extension; this is the direction you have to choose for yourself. I mentioned these to you before.
"There are many categories in the extension part, deciding where this civilization you construct will eventually head.
"I can give no other hints.
"Lyu has already started accepting the basic part. We need to build a bigger, more efficient main brain for her later, so she can handle this vast information.
"You need to choose the subsequent extension route now, then enter this building and study well."
The examiner held a booklet. The pages rustled open, and a light wall appeared in front of Yang Ming.
The light wall seemed to contain the entire universe.
A ray of light shone forward, passing over Yang Ming’s shoulder. Then it began to split continuously, evolving into a dense, extremely lush tree diagram in Yang Ming’s eyes.
Next to the first-level split were two words noted in a language Yang Ming could understand.
Yang Ming couldn’t see the options on the tree diagram behind, but he vaguely understood these were two completely different development paths.
Yang Ming chose "Real."
The tree diagram floated past, the second level with three splits appeared in front of Yang Ming, with annotations to choose two out of three.
These were three basic development directions:
Life, Mechanical, Evolution.
A few question marks popped up over Yang Ming’s head.
Shouldn’t evolution belong within the life category? Don’t these three options have overlap?
Why was evolution listed separately?
Looking towards the branches at the back, Yang Ming could only see that each option had three to four additional options behind, continuing step by step.
"No hints?" Yang Ming asked aloud.
There was no sound around.
Clearly, this was for him to explore and think about.
Yang Ming could only let his mind start spinning...
Evolution was listed separately for a reason.
Does life represent basic life sciences?
No, if you consider the predecessor to Intelligent Mechanic Dusk, that once highly developed mechanical civilization, its development path should be mechanical evolution, and corresponding to it is life evolution.
Thinking of this, Yang Ming roughly understood the meaning of these three options.
Arranging them in simple combinations gives three different combinations.
’Life + Mechanical’ are two basic disciplines, offering better comprehensiveness but a lower ceiling.
Choosing ’Life + Evolution’ means abandoning the mechanical civilization’s tech tree, to find the path of individual and collective life evolution.
Choosing the ’Mechanical + Evolution’ route means abandoning the life civilization’s tech tree, following the road once traveled by this high-dimensional civilization.
Rationally, surely the ’Mechanical + Evolution’ path is the most orthodox, offering the most benefits.
But Yang Ming was a Subordinate Ancient God Life Form. If he wanted to understand himself more, or to rush down this path, then choosing the ’Life + Evolution’ path would naturally provide the greatest help.
What about ’Life + Mechanical’?
Although lacking the ’Evolution’ part, couldn’t he explore the field of ’Evolution’ himself after obtaining relevant technology?
But Yang Ming thought better of it.
The predecessor civilization of Intelligent Mechanic Dusk had already reached the end point of civilization development and chose self-destruction.
Their path of mechanical evolution was already complete.
The essence of this heritage lay hidden within the path of ’Evolution.’
Yang Ming raised his hand and pointed to the "Evolution" option.
The three old machines observing Yang Ming from outside all showed a gratified smile.
"As expected, it should be life evolution," the examiner laughed, "This is a path we haven’t tried. Although there’s a touch of disappointment, it’s quite nice."
The Tomb Guardian said, "The road of infinite life evolution is a path that could allow individuals to ascend dimensions."
The Patroller said, "I’ve observed twelve civilization epochs, many who chose this path had great potential to continue developing, but were limited by technology. He has a good foundation, a Subordinate Ancient God Life Form, maintaining human thinking. He refreshed my understanding of the human species."
"Humans, after all, claim to be their most perfect creation."
"He has to choose now."
In the virtual image, Yang Ming raised his hand towards the word "Life."
This was actually his inevitable choice.
To achieve Super God strength.
To become an ultimate infantryman capable of solo-fighting a fleet.
Yang Ming’s finger slightly retracted.
He stared at the two words before him; life and mechanical seemed to carry more weight.
Individual further evolution ultimately had a limit. An individual’s combat power had a ceiling, which was the Ancient God Life Form. Were they not also exterminated by the Sherman Empire?
He didn’t have the time to evolve himself to the level of an Ancient God Life Form.
In at most twenty more years, the second examination of the mother planet was about to begin.
Mechanical evolution, Infinite Legion.
The future of mechanical evolution, even without achieving mechanical ascension, pursuing this path would inevitably grant powerful enough military power.
His most immediate enemy was the Valkyrie; that’s for sure. But his enemies weren’t only the Valkyrie.
The Ninth Natural Disaster Army...
Two or four competing planets with a last-place elimination system...
Parents swallowed by underground fire in peaceful times...
That annoying little sister...
Yang Ming slowly withdrew his finger, staring at the word "Life."
The next second, his finger pressed on the word "Mechanical," lighting up both Mechanical and Evolution. The tree diagram moved a big step forward.
Yang Ming clenched his fist then relaxed it, his gaze becoming firm again.
Yes, this was the path he chose.
Whether he could evolve would be his struggle in the future, but for now, he desired an invincible fleet, to forge a power strong enough to contend with great powers.
If there was another trial similar to the Ninth Natural Disaster...
He would clear it single-handedly!
Golden light flickered ahead, two-level tree diagrams lit up, followed by dozens of subfields, each with multiple-choice questions.
"Can you give me some hints?"
Yang Ming asked again.
The three old machines outside were silent for a while, then almost simultaneously spoke:
Yang Ming sighed in relief, genuinely fearing he might have chosen something wrong.
So, about a few Galaxy Times later, Yang Ming walked into the triangular door ahead, dizzy and disoriented, and slowly lay in the special mercury-like fluid under the watch of the three old machines, his body sinking into the pool.
The three old machines exchanged glances.
"The last examiner chose Life and Mechanical..."
"Forget that guy," the Tomb Guardian muttered, "I saw a glow in this one that I’ve never seen before, the glow of hope."
The examiner laughed, "I wasn’t wrong in my judgment; he loves machinery, enjoys being with us, a really nice little fellow."
"Get more firepower on his ship, and don’t really let that humanoid Ancient God Life Form get him."
"Uh, will that anger the Faya Civilization?"
"They need us, not us needing them. If they destroy our entrance, we’ll open another."
"Don’t worry, they’re only level 5.5."
"You’re right, but now they control the Large Star System energy. We should still get along peacefully with them; we’re just shadows."
The three old machines started chattering by the pool.
Yang Ming sank slowly into the pool, completely losing perception of the outside world. A rush of information flows impacted his brain, changing his understanding of the universe.