Chapter 1750: Be prepared
"So you rushed back?" Zhao Chen asked with interest.With a complex emotion in her voice, the Black Goddess Empress said, "I have arrived, after ten years."I returned to my home planet.For those ten years, every single day and night I thought about what it would be like when I returned home and saw my parents.ten years.My father must have aged considerably; at that time, the lifespan of people in our clan was only eighty years.When I left, my father was already fifty years old.My mother probably cried many times; she's a woman who cries very easily.Sometimes, I don't understand why she cries so much. All I can do is comfort her and hand her tissues.I remember that I was going to study in a very, very far place.The night before I left, my mother held me and cried for a long, long time. When she saw me off the next day, her eyes were swollen.I can't imagine what it's been like for me to disappear for ten years.What will she become?Has she taken good care of herself?My younger brother and sister are both very sensible.When I'm not home, they listen to their parents.Every time I come home, they all stand at the door, greet me, and look at me with their little eyes blinking.I know they were waiting for my little gift, but they weren't actually disappointed. A small thing I bought casually from a roadside stall could make them happy for a long time.They all listen to me because when the neighborhood kids bullied them when they were kids, I was the one who stood up for them.Now, I'm not there to take care of them at home.I wonder how they've fared over the past ten years.Has anyone been bullied?Without their older sister standing up for them, they must have had a very hard time.Listening to the Black Goddess Empress recount these events, Zhao Chen felt as if he were facing an ordinary girl recounting her memories of not having been home for a long time."I have returned to my home planet."But I... can never go back to my home. The Black Goddess Empress raised her head, as if she was trying to hold back something from flowing down her cheeks.She began, “My home planet has been attacked by invaders.”The entire surface of the planet was subjected to orbital bombardment.After that, my fleet drove away these invading fleets.I searched for three days and three nights on my home planet, but I...I...I couldn't find my home.The same scene was everywhere around.Ruins, scorched earth... I can't find any trace of what happened ten years ago.Ultimately, I used GPS to get to the location of my home from ten years ago.That area used to be a residential community, and behind the community was a park. There was a tree in the park that would bloom, and the color of the flowers was the same as the color of my hair.When I was little, my parents often took me to see that tree.I also really like that tree.But everything is gone... everything is gone..."Zhao Chen stared at the Black Goddess Empress before him.At that moment, she seemed like a helpless little girl.She was no longer the ruler of civilization, the Black God Emperor, but just a little girl who couldn't find her way home."I was devastated at the time."I sat on the ruins, looking around.I suddenly didn't know where to go next.For the past ten years, the thought that has kept me going has been going home.I don't know where my home is, but I'm sure there's a place where my family is waiting for me.But... now I've found my home... but my home is gone.The Black Goddess Empress looked at Zhao Chen, her eyes glistening with tears, but a slight smile played on her lips: "At the time, I was thinking..."What use would I have for those fleets?I would give anything for my ordinary life!Zhao Chen listened with great interest to the story told by the Black Goddess Empress Black Lorin."And then what happened?" Zhao Chen asked with interest."I was depressed for a while at that time."But with the care of those who were with me at the time, I recovered quickly.After all, we've lived together for ten years and overcome many difficulties together.Furthermore, I must avenge the destruction of my home planet.Therefore, we will continue to expand our influence.I also found out where the fleet that destroyed my home planet came from.It was a T4-level interstellar civilization, and that interstellar fleet was merely an exploration fleet.The reason given for destroying my home planet is also utterly ridiculous.It's unbelievable... it's just because their fleet was on patrol.Our spacecraft blocked their path and even collided with the engine of one of their starships.Repairing the starship's engine will cost three thousand crystals.Three thousand crystal coins...Because of these three thousand crystal coins, this patrol fleet destroyed my home planet without hesitation.How ridiculous!Just for that reason?At that time, I realized one thing: as long as I am stronger than you, I don't need a reason to eliminate you.It all depends on whether I'm willing or not.So at that time, I began to pursue strength in an even more extreme way.My desire for revenge clouded my judgment.As my fleet expands, our territory also begins to grow gradually.From a single planet, to a galaxy, and then to a star field.The number of ships in the legion I led also increased from the initial three thousand to ten thousand, thirty thousand, and one hundred thousand.I also got my first T4-class interstellar warship.Afterwards, in order to increase my strength, I will invade and annex other interstellar civilizations.Those who oppose or disagree can simply be eliminated.I don't know how much time passed.One hundred years? Three hundred years?It's still a thousand years.Thanks to advancements in technology, my lifespan has also increased significantly.At that time, I also gained the power to take revenge.I led my assembled legion fleet to the enemy's star system.I destroyed every single planet in this star system in just three days.Zhao Chen frowned; he hadn't expected this woman to be so ruthless.If it's about revenge, Zhao Chen would do the same.However... to exterminate all the planets within a star system, regardless of whether they are high-ranking nobles or low-ranking commoners.This is not Zhao Chen's style.But what's wrong with letting Zhao Chen criticize the Black Goddess Empress?He also felt that he was not qualified.Do not advise others to do good if you have not experienced their suffering."And then what?" Zhao Chen asked.Zhao Chen discovered that he actually had many similarities with this Black Goddess Empress.That is, they didn't actually have any ambition to dominate at the beginning; it was external forces that pushed them forward step by step.If they stop for even a moment, they risk being swallowed by the giant waves behind them, perishing without a trace."At that time, my territory already covered several star systems."In my universe at that time, it wasn't the strongest.But it is still considered to be among the top, one of the best.And it was at that time.The God who had previously summoned us for trials reappeared.He told us that we would face the final battle of the trial.Only one interstellar force can exist in this universe.If no single dominant regime emerges within ten years.That would destroy the entire universe.And so, we brought war upon ourselves once again.That was an era of war that spanned the entire universe.Eight years.We played for eight years.We have gone through many fierce battles.My fleet was wiped out by the enemy, and my comrades whom I once trusted deeply were betrayed.I have no idea how many fleets I have destroyed.Ultimately, the force I controlled became the most powerful force in that universe.I also... now know what kind of being that god truly is."Is this god Order?" Zhao Chen had already guessed what this god was.The Black Goddess Empress nodded: "That's right, this god is Order."It told me that all these trials were actually to select its managers.Help it manage every universe cluster.Because within the rules of order, it is forbidden to launch a direct invasion against non-threatening interstellar civilizations.I don't know why it so stubbornly adheres to its principles; perhaps there are some limitations.Therefore, it chooses to cultivate some 'black gloves,' that is, forces like my Devouring Civilization and the Saintess Civilization.We are responsible for eliminating some interstellar civilizations that may not even have reached T6 level, or even only T5 level.In this way, it is we, not its order, that will eliminate these interstellar forces.It naturally did not violate any principles.And after that, I started working for it.Because everything I have was given to me by it.We were the strongest hound it had selected from a dueling arena.Zhao Chen finally understood completely.Strictly speaking, the Black Goddess Empress's path to growth was...It can only be considered a 'game of order', in order to select suitable agents.The Black Goddess Empress emerged from this, receiving technological advancements bestowed by the Order, which gave her her current power and status."Isn't it incredible?""What seems like a protagonist's life is actually just being a pawn in someone else's game," the Black Goddess Empress said with a self-deprecating laugh.Zhao Chen didn't speak at this moment because he felt that he and the Black Goddess Empress had some similarities.His objections, and the system cheat codes he had previously received.This is all because there are stronger interstellar powers, in order to cultivate interstellar civilizations that can challenge the existing order.That's how Zhao Chen came to be, and how the current Xiaolong Interstellar Empire came to be.Strictly speaking, Zhao Chen could only be considered a pawn before.What he is doing now is transforming himself from a chess piece into a chess player."The story is over."That's about it. The Black Goddess Empress shrugged. At this moment, Zhao Chen noticed cracks appearing on her arm, which were spreading towards her cheek."What's this?" Zhao Chen asked, somewhat surprised."Don't assume that just because I'm a dog kept by the Order, it will naturally have some means to control us."After completing all the trials, in order to obtain the technology it possesses.Those of us who were chosen will all have a seed implanted in us.This seed is the means by which order controls us.Anyone who is suspected of betraying the order.Then the seed will absorb the life energy from this person's body.It seems the seed within me has begun to work.My life has begun its countdown."Is there no other way?" Zhao Chen asked, frowning.The Black Goddess Empress shook her head and said with a self-deprecating smile, "If it were a T7 technological civilization, perhaps there would still be a way."But since we are only a T6 technological civilization, there is naturally nothing we can do about it.If there's a way, like me, like the interstellar civilizations such as the Saintess Civilization.Would someone willingly become a dog under someone else's control?Zhao Chen frowned as he looked at the Black Goddess Empress, who now appeared completely relieved."Aren't you afraid of death?" Zhao Chen asked."Death means nothing to me anymore."To be honest, aside from feeling somewhat sorry for my loyal subordinates...I have no attachment to this world.right?status?Are these things really that important?None of that matters as much as my family in that little house, waiting for me to return.The Black Goddess Empress looked at Zhao Chen and said, "So, this is why I hope you can help me take back the universe that devoured civilizations."Rather than be controlled by those three civilizations, I'd rather be controlled by you.I have seen your methods of controlling other interstellar civilizations within the universe cluster.Compared to the brutal methods of those interstellar civilizations, your methods are quite gentle.I believe that my universe is in your hands and will surely have a bright future.This is the last thing I can do.At this moment, the Black Goddess Empress seemed like an old mother who had seen through everything.It was as if he was making his final arrangements.The cracks on her body were increasing, her once pink hair had turned white, and her face was aging rapidly.Zhao Chen stared at the Black Goddess Empress.He suddenly spoke up: "If I have a way to keep you alive..."Do you want to live?The Black Goddess Empress paused for a moment, then chuckled and said, "Living and dying are actually pretty much the same to me.""Now all you need to answer is whether you want to live or not," Zhao Chen asked decisively.The Black Goddess Empress thought for a moment, then said, "If you really want to ask..."I still hope to live, because I still have a hope in my heart.That is the research on time travel technology.Although I know this technology is difficult to break through.The established order also disregards allowing us to conduct research in this area.But if... if I can figure it out.Does that mean I can go back to that planet, back to that home?Even if it's just for one day during that period."I'm willing to do anything!" The Black Goddess Empress said, her eyes shining with excitement.It's clear that this is the thought that has sustained her all this time.Although this idea is difficult."Only by living can you accomplish what you want to do."I'm giving you a choice now.By pledging allegiance to me, I can offer you nothing in return, nor can I give you anything in return.But I can let you live.A very simple sentence.This calmed even the Black Goddess Empress somewhat.This man actually said he could keep her alive when even major civilizations couldn't do anything about it?