Chapter 1088 - 94: Starport 2

Chapter 1088: Chapter 94: Starport 2

If it is said that stargate technology can achieve cosmic-level instant teleportation, not only in space but also in time and dimension, then pseudo-stargate technology can only achieve short-distance movement.

This ’short-distance,’ in cosmic scale, refers to star system level.

Within a star system cluster, there are hundreds of star systems.

And within a supercluster, there are hundreds more star system clusters and star system groups, which means tens of thousands of star systems.

Not to mention above the supercluster, there are cosmic-scale celestial systems like the supercluster complex and cosmic voids, such as the Cosmic Great Wall.

The mere teleportation of a star system is nothing to speak of.

But this conclusion is drawn from a cosmic perspective.

From the view of a Level 3 Civilization, the role of ’pseudo-stargate technology’ is comparable to the sailboat of the Age of Exploration.

Level 3 refers to a Star Zone Level Civilization, also known as a Sub-tier Star System Civilization, which can only venture within the inner area of a star system, about the scope of hundreds of billions of planets.

Their method of exploring the outside world is a cumbersome one, using light-speed spaceships to search for interstellar routes, paving interstellar highways, marking star maps—ordinary planets are marked normally, hazardous planets are marked with focus, resource planets are mined, and habitable planets are colonized.

With this method of exploration, a Level 3 Civilization might take hundreds of thousands of years just to reach the edge of the star system, likely never achieving it.

Such a long time is enough for a civilization to experience extinction crises dozens of times—until complete extinction.

Only by completing ascension and lighting the ’superluminal spaceship’ technology can one traverse star systems and step onto a grander stage.

But possessing a ’pseudo-stargate’ is akin to preemptively mastering superluminal technology.

For a civilization, it’s like breaking through the most crucial barrier, prematurely breaking through the ’planetary resource ceiling.’

The ’resource ceiling’ is easy to understand.

If a civilization has no resource planets or habitable planets around it, then the technology tree of an ordinary planet, no matter how potent, cannot cultivate above a Level 2 Civilization.

No matter how capable intelligent species are, they can’t produce ’superluminal spaceships’ relying solely on the resources of one planet.

This scenario is complete despair.

The ’planetary resource ceiling,’ the ’Great Filter Theory,’ and the ’Technology Tree Soil Trap’ are collectively known as the three great traps of primary civilizations.

Breaking through any one of them can lead a civilization to tremendous development.

For instance, possessing a ’pseudo-stargate’ can break the ’planetary resource ceiling,’ leading to vast new horizons.

These civilizations are collectively known as ’nomadic civilizations.’

However, for civilizations within a star system, encountering such a Level 3 Civilization is bad news.

Such civilizations invade others, seize resource planets, plunder star system energy, and absorb species. For non-ascension civilizations, these are practically celestial calamities.

A ’nomadic civilization’ without hundreds of low-level civilizations’ lives taken can’t bear the name.

Gao Gong dreamed and even thought about the next major version storyline for the players.

’Invasion of the Interstellar Khan’

...

Two days later

In front of Gao Gong, a ’Pai Daxing’ face appeared in the holographic projection.

Pai Daxing looked at Gao Gong across from him, his big eyes almost squeezing out of the screen, filled with a greedy look.

"Kid, you’ve really hit the jackpot now, really struck it rich!"

Opposite him, Gao Gong sat on a gemstone chair composed of top-grade energy ore, surrounded by the hazy and dreamlike radiance of hundreds of top-level energy stones, enveloping him in a celestial aura.

"It’s alright, just a small fortune. Although Alpha Element is an inert element, such quantity and purity aren’t too good for long exposure," Gao Gong sighed.

"I already told those crystal lifeforms not to send such gifts, but they insisted, couldn’t refuse, just a bunch of crystal fanatics."

Gao Gong took a handful of top-grade crystals and slowly let them fall from his hand. They were sparkling and translucent, radiating a precious light. Some transformed between solid, liquid, gaseous, and molecular states during the descent, incredibly beautiful.

He lamented bitterly.

"As an external force, to build a good relationship with local planetary natives, I had to repeatedly break my principles, accept gifts, and earn money. I feel so guilty!"

"You sly kid, who would’ve thought a machine lifeform like you could be so pretentious!"

Pai Daxing looked at Gao Gong with newfound respect, wondering why he’d never noticed this flashy agent of the Purple Giant Star before.

He rubbed his chin, thoughtfully saying:

"So the rumors are true? There really are top-level energy lives on this resource planet. Sell me one; I love collecting such things."

"We’ll talk about it later," Gao Gong dodged with a laugh.

"Right, you lack everything now but money. But how did you gain the allegiance of this ’energy race’? From what I know, even Old Walter couldn’t do it; otherwise, his planetary cannon would be firing continuously by now."

"Well, that’s a secret too."

Pai Daxing rolled his eyes.

"Not sharing isn’t a good habit. You know, I’ve always been on your side."

"That’s why when doing business, I thought of you first."

Pai Daxing instantly perked up.

"I knew it wasn’t in vain to spoil you, kid. What do you plan to buy from me? Weapons, equipment, spaceships? I know you’re low on stock right now."

Gao Gong shook his head.

"I want to buy raw materials for the Mechanical System."

"Such things have no buyers on the black market, and the profits are too low. Our Hydra usually doesn’t deal in that," Pai Daxing said disappointedly, as no underground organization would engage in proper infrastructure development. Killing, robbing, and sabotaging infrastructure were the main pursuits.

"Look at the quantity I need first," Gao Gong didn’t answer directly and sent over a thick list.

Pai Daxing glanced casually, then his eyes bulged.

"Did you add a few extra zeros?"

"Actually, I wrote two fewer zeros. I’m afraid you can’t handle such a large amount of materials all at once," Gao Gong said truthfully.

Pai Daxing calculated simply, clicking his tongue.

"The amount of materials you need could transform a hundred planets into habitable ones. Do you have that many mechanics?"

"I will have."

Pai Daxing seemed to think of something, his expression changing, whispering:

"Did the Purple Giant Star instruct you with anything before leaving?"

After all, this sort of production boom is clearly the work of the Mechanical Civilization. Pai Daxing knew the Purple Giant Star became a Civilization Sovereign of a Level 5 Civilization, perhaps wanting to experiment at ’home’ by initiating a ’Giant Structure?’

"Well, uh, it’s not convenient to say."

"Alright, I get it. Leave it to me. But such a large quantity of materials, our Mechanical Serpent Constellation can’t consume it all through one black market. I’ll have to contact a few other surrounding black markets; also, prepare to face blockade from civilizations."

"Buying materials is also blockaded. Are you insulting my intelligence?" Gao Gong wondered.

"Nonsense, the quantity of materials you’re acquiring could disrupt two civilization’s materials markets. What do you think?"

...

Three days later

Now, at the deepest part of the Starport, a place once meant for the gathering of Walter’s senior staff, it had become the meeting place for the Cybertron Corps’ council.