47: wormhole

Half a month later.

A "fearless ii" assault ship, similar in appearance to the previous one, was sailing at full speed through the void.

Of course, its internal systems had been completely replaced. The entire hull was upgraded to a higher-grade alloy, the power system had two hidden nuclear reactors added to its original foundation, and a small Warp Device had been extra-loaded for emergencies.

"Master, once we pass through the wormhole ahead, we will reach the planet I rented."

York said respectfully to a humanoid robot inside the ship.

This was naturally the temporary avatar Zhang Huaiyuan had crafted for himself.

After clearly understanding the dangers of the nearby star sector, he had immediately performed hidden modifications on the base, all robots, and probes.

Furthermore, he had implanted thought-wave monitors and triggered miniature explosives into the brains of the captured pirates.

Once they harbored any improper thoughts, the explosives in their brains would trigger immediately, completely obliterating all signs of life.

That was why it had taken so long to go and retrieve the spoils of war.

"This doesn't seem to be naturally formed. Is it technology similar to the Warp Device mastered by the Free Star Alliance?"

Zhang Huaiyuan observed the deep, endless wormhole ahead through the humanoid robot's vision, his eyes flashing slightly as relevant data fed back into his mind.

【Small Stable Wormhole】 Total length: 273 light-years. Tributary exits: 53. Current mastery level: 1.3% (Cannot be manufactured). Requirements: "Basic Principles of Spatial Distribution", "Research on Quantum Effect Stabilization", and 1531 other pieces of knowledge.

"As expected... However, technology of this difficulty is clearly not something these pirates could master..."

Zhang Huaiyuan's heart sank slightly.

Thinking of the situation in this star sector that York had described, as well as the immense interests involved.

It was highly likely that these so-called Four Great Pirate Groups were just puppets supported by certain powerful figures within the Free Star Alliance to amass wealth.

"If that's the case... the level of weaponry and equipment they use might be higher than I imagined. I must be even more careful... But this is also an opportunity... Asroth's algorithms and composition levels are far higher than this world's. If I can hack into their systems, I might be able to steal the Free Star Alliance's high-level classified research."

Zhang Huaiyuan calculated rapidly in his mind while driving the ship forward.

Just as they neared the edge of the wormhole, several well-equipped starships approached, each with a storm pattern printed on the cabin.

"Unknown communication request incoming. Do you wish to accept?"

A reminder suddenly sounded on the starship's console.

"Master, it's the Gale Pirate Group, one of the Four Great Pirate Groups. This entrance is guarded by them. Every time the wormhole is used, 100,000 standard energy stones must be paid. However, since I rented a planet from them for three years, I can teleport for free 100 times."

"Hmm."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded and controlled the robot to gesture for him to handle it.

"Greetings, Lords of the Gale. I am York from the Lightning Pirate Gang. I rented Planet 0112 for three years; this is my proof."

After connecting the communication, York took out a certificate and displayed it before the other party's virtual projection.

The projection looked at the proof, scrutinized it for a moment, and then said indifferently:

"92 free passages remaining."

"It's a certificate issued by our people. Exit 26, proceed."

Instantly, the intercepting starships scattered. A traction force generated from inside the wormhole drove the "fearless ii" forward in a certain direction.

After a spatial fluctuation, they completely disappeared.

"Master, this is the planet I rented, but I haven't had time to explore it much. It's quite primitive..."

York said cautiously.

Now that his life was in someone else's hands, he was terrified of angering the other party.

"Hmm."

Zhang Huaiyuan controlled the robot to take out a suitcase and open it. A dozen construction robots quickly drove out and began building a temporary base.

A large number of micro-probes also flew off in all directions.

Soon, pieces of information were fed back.

"Planet diameter is approximately 14,326 kilometers..."

"Current temperature is minus 21 degrees Celsius..."

"Oxygen content is below 2%..."

"No usable exposed ore veins discovered..."

"Traces of a small amount of non-threatening life found..."

"..."

"Just as I expected. They call it an undeveloped planet, but it must have undergone simple scanning. It's unlikely that one rich enough to have obvious open-pit mines would be released."

Zhang Huaiyuan pondered, then opened another suitcase, released fifty drilling robots, and ordered them to go deep underground for exploration.

He had already finished exploring the previous planet, so he had brought everything over.

After finishing all this, he turned to summon two construction robots and said: "Let's go up. There's still some time; take me to see your station here."

"Okay, Master, this way please."

York replied repeatedly, while curiously eyeing the construction robot that had lifted him onto its shoulder, envyingly saying:

"Master, these robots of yours seem different from any I've seen before. The level of intelligence..."

"Don't ask what you shouldn't."

"Ah... sorry, Master."

Zhang Huaiyuan glanced at him noncommittally.

The intelligence of all his robots was modified based on information obtained from that wreck.

That was knowledge of Rule Level 3. Even the "Improved Biological Potential Stimulation Agent" that triggered the riots in the Disaster Zone was only knowledge of Rule Level 2.

Currently, his Creatology research progress was approaching 20%. In a sense, the intelligent lifeform he had endowed already possessed characteristics similar to true life, so it was naturally different.

There was no conversation along the way. With the construction robots moving at full speed, the two soon arrived in front of a castle-style base covering an area of about 2,000 square meters.

At first glance, it looked quite impressive, but as a Master-level Star Mechanic, Zhang Huaiyuan could tell at a glance that the materials used for the entire building were extremely cheap. Not to mention resisting missile attacks, probably a slightly larger impact would make it fall apart. It only possessed simple accommodation functions.

"Master, this is a foldable model house. My subordinates all said they wanted something more imposing, so they chose this style."

York explained a bit embarrassedly: "Most of my assets were used to buy that starship and pay the rent for the planet. I could only afford this cheapest one."

"No matter."

Zhang Huaiyuan was not surprised. Knowing they couldn't even afford mechs and most were still using exoskeletons, they couldn't be that wealthy.

However, he was waiting for the results of the drilling robots anyway, so he was idle.

"Let's go, take me to see your warehouse."

"Alright, Master. Actually, our Lightning Pirate Gang does have some treasures..."