Chapter 108: Mutation

Words : 1496 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

Before the main expedition fleet arrived, the first wave of ships had already reached Aquila Two-Z. However, due to the lack of specialized instruments and necessary modifications, their efficiency was incredibly low. Using makeshift instruments crafted by their robots, they managed to collect less than five million tons of deuterium over the long interim. The arrival of the main fleet would significantly accelerate progress. This fleet not only carried large quantities of specialized collection equipment but also brought high-precision observation devices. Prior to their arrival, Xiao Yu had been limited to observing the white dwarf through non-visible light spectrums, such as infrared and ultraviolet. With the new equipment, Xiao Yu could now capture images in the visible spectrum. In other words, Xiao Yu could now see the actual surface of the white dwarf instead of relying on synthesized images. Before commencing collection operations, Xiao Yu maneuvered the fleet to within ten million kilometers of the white dwarf. The ships formed a massive array telescope, collaborating through thousands of high-precision lenses. After repeated filtering, post-processing, and resolution enhancement, Xiao Yu finally obtained a true image of the white dwarf’s surface. The white glow emitted by the white dwarf had been entirely filtered out, allowing Xiao Yu to see its astonishingly flat surface. The surface of the white dwarf was so flat that, if not for the centrifugal force caused by its rotation, it would form a perfect sphere. It was far smoother than Earth, whose surface is marked by countless irregularities. Due to immense gravity, the difference between the highest and lowest points on a white dwarf’s surface was no more than five meters. If a car could drive on the white dwarf’s surface, it would experience no bumps at all. Its surface was smoother by orders of magnitude than the smoothest glass. And this was just a white dwarf. On a neutron star, the difference between the highest and lowest points would be no more than two centimeters. Structures like the Droplet, constructed with the strong nuclear force, were on par with the material of a white dwarf. Yet, despite their near-incomprehensible hardness, smoothness, and density, they still fell short of a neutron star. Xiao Yu observed this extraordinary scene: towering, aesthetically designed buildings stood on the perfectly flat surface of the white dwarf. These buildings lacked any visible protective shields, leaving Xiao Yu wondering what technology allowed them to withstand the white dwarf’s extreme surface conditions, with temperatures exceeding several thousand degrees Celsius. Similarly, the robots scurrying across the surface had no visible shields. Their structures appeared incapable of withstanding gravity exceeding ten million times Earth’s. Yet these robots moved effortlessly, undeterred by the white dwarf’s gravity or high temperatures, leaving Xiao Yu completely baffled. A wealth of imagery and data was transmitted back to the Aquila One base for analysis by Xiao Yu and the Luka scientists. However, despite intensive efforts, no progress was made. Both Xiao Yu and the Luka scientists were completely at a loss. After observing the white dwarf for an entire month and indulging his curiosity, Xiao Yu reluctantly began the main task. With more than seven years remaining before the Modifier’s deadline, Xiao Yu had ample time. Still, he set aside his observations and directed the fleet to commence its busy operations. Hundreds of ships moved between Aquila Two-Z’s orbit and the planet’s interior. Each ship that emerged from the planet’s depths was loaded with liquid deuterium. Once transferred to the County-Class ships, the smaller ships would plunge back into the planet for another round. The County-Class ships, with masses ranging from 100,000 to 1,000,000 tons, had internal spaces far exceeding their physical mass. Xiao Yu calculated that each County-Class ship could carry over two million tons of liquid deuterium. With fifty such ships, the fleet could precisely meet the one hundred million tons requirement. Equipped with specialized instruments and ships, Xiao Yu’s collection efforts proceeded smoothly. Within two years, the task was complete. The fifty County-Class ships, fully loaded, experienced a noticeable reduction in maneuverability. However, as this was not a combat situation, the decrease in mobility was inconsequential. As Xiao Yu slowly guided the fleet toward the Aquila Two binary system, he broadcast a radio signal. “Great Modifier, I have completed the task as promised.” The Modifier’s response came swiftly. Xiao Yu soon received a signal. “You’ve done well. Your enthusiasm has inspired me, increasing my efficiency by one percent. As a token of gratitude, I’ve decided to grant you an additional question. Now, hurry and deliver the deuterium to me.” Xiao Yu replied, “My ships cannot get too close to the white dwarf. If they approach within five million kilometers, they will be torn apart. Even at that range, the protective shields cannot withstand the white dwarf’s violent radiation.” The Modifier reassured him. “That’s not an issue. I’ve calculated that at a distance of 100,000 kilometers, your ships’ shields can hold for an hour. At that range, the orbital velocity around the white dwarf is 6,500 kilometers per second. Now, bring your ships closer.” There was a trace of impatience in the Modifier’s voice. Xiao Yu felt a pang of doubt and asked, “Why don’t you retrieve it yourself? You know I am a weak civilization, and these ships are vital to me. If they enter within five million kilometers of the white dwarf, I won’t be able to recover them.” The Modifier’s tone turned slightly displeased. “Do you think the value of the unified theory of the four fundamental forces is less than a few ships? This is a chance to prove your sincerity. If you’re unwilling, I won’t hesitate to lose interest in you.” “No, that’s not my intention. Please don’t doubt my sincerity,” Xiao Yu quickly responded, though his doubts deepened, bordering on suspicion. “Why won’t it leave the white dwarf? Why insist on me delivering the material to the 100,000-kilometer orbit? I don’t mind losing these ships, but this Modifier is certainly peculiar,” Xiao Yu thought, his unease growing. He turned his gaze to the chaotic binary system. The two stars orbited each other at a mere ten million kilometers apart, locked in a frenetic dance. From Xiao Yu’s current position, over 200 million kilometers away, the white dwarf appeared as a dim white dot. Its companion, the red dwarf, was as large as half a full moon and far brighter than the brightest moonlight on Earth. Occasionally, the red dwarf would pass in front of the white dwarf, temporarily obscuring it. At those moments, it resembled a giant, cold eye in the sky. When the red dwarf moved aside, the “eye” seemed to close. In the alternating gaze of this “eye,” an eerie feeling began to spread through the empty expanse of space. “Hurry up; my patience is limited,” the Modifier urged. “Understood, please wait a moment. My technology is outdated, and the fully loaded ships have limited maneuverability,” Xiao Yu explained, feigning compliance while rapidly processing his thoughts and deliberately stalling. “Should I deliver these materials to it? Its behavior and demands are just too odd.” Xiao Yu contemplated as he observed the brightening binary stars growing closer. In his moment of deliberation, Xiao Yu felt himself slipping into an inexplicable state. Suddenly, his thoughts seemed to change. “I should deliver these materials. I must follow the Modifier’s will. “Such a magnificent being—it can even modify a white dwarf. Why would it bother setting a trap for me? If it wanted to harm me, it could do so directly. There’s no need for this elaborate deception. “The unified theory of the four fundamental forces... with this knowledge, I can advance to a Level 4 civilization within centuries. I’ll gain faster-than-light travel, force field technologies, and the freedom to explore the universe’s endless mysteries. “This great civilization must be a divine presence sent to save me. How foolish of me to have doubted its intentions. I must hurry and deliver these materials before I risk offending it.” Xiao Yu gradually increased the fleet’s speed toward the white dwarf. Just then, an urgent communication request from Luka Two interrupted Xiao Yu’s thoughts. He absentmindedly answered the call, only to hear Luka Two’s panicked voice. “Master, something terrible has happened! The Luka citizens aboard the New Homeland and The Paradise are experiencing horrific mutations!” Xiao Yu replied indifferently, “Mutations? Don’t you have doctors in your society? Let them handle it. Why bother reporting such trivial matters to me?” “No, you don’t understand!” Luka Two’s voice grew louder. “Master, don’t forget—300,000 years ago, a Level 4 civilization’s fleet passed through this region, and every biological entity aboard their ships mutated and died! This region is classified as a Level 2 Moderate Danger Zone!” Xiao Yu’s mind froze as a jolt of realization snapped him out of his trance.

Chapter 108: Mutation

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