Ch 37: Interplanetary Planting Master

Possibilities

Back on Earth, Su He had read several issues of “Science Fiction World.” Although humanity had not yet ventured beyond the solar system, writers used their boundless imagination to depict the various intelligent species that might exist in the universe. Perhaps drawing from their own experiences, these authors envisioned aliens in all sorts of forms, but they shared one common trait: humanoid features. Whether robots, reptilians, or something else, these imagined beings often had similar shapes to humans, with comparable social structures and civilizations.

However, once humanity entered the cosmos, they realized this was far from the truth. Take, for example, the Galactic Treemen, who resembled trees in human eyes. Or the Squarans from the Virgo constellation, which looked like flowing liquids, entirely white and able to morph into any shape, be it a table or a large pitcher. Different intelligent species evolved in unique environments, leading to vastly different civilizations. Discovering a structure resembling human architecture on an unknown planet was no small matter for the Federation. Su He’s mention of the solar system only heightened their curiosity.

Lu Li quickly decided, “Let’s go take a look. We might find clues about this planet.”

No one objected. Su He looked eagerly at Lu Li. “Lu Li.”

Exploration and alien civilizations were irresistible lures for someone Su He’s age. Previously, Su He would have obediently stayed on the Iris to avoid dragging everyone down. But now, realizing the green life forms might “fear” him, Su He felt he could roam freely on this planet filled with green life forms.

His eagerness was evident, and Lu Li hesitated. Rationally, Lu Li didn’t want to take Su He along, as exploring unknown areas could be dangerous. But instinctively, Lu Li didn’t want to leave Su He behind. Seeing a chance, Su He quickly said, “I won’t be a burden. Besides, if we encounter green life forms, I can shield us.”

Shen Shen teasingly remarked, “That building is quite strange. The green life forms seem to avoid it.”

“…” Su He quickly retorted, “All the more reason to take me. The green life forms fear me; there might be a connection.”

Everyone laughed. Lu Li, moved, said, “Stay close to me and follow orders.”

Su He’s eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously.

The task of sorting the bodies was put on hold, and the inhabitants of the lower deck returned to the Iris. Lu Li left Lao Kai to lead the guard on the Iris. As a part-time repairman, Lao Kai also had to patch up the hole in the lower deck. The team quickly boarded their mechs and took off, with Su He squeezing in with Lu Li. It felt like escaping from Broken Star all over again, though it was just a few days ago, it felt like a lifetime to Su He.

Nestled in Lu Li’s arms, Lu Li held him with one arm. The position was intimate, but neither mentioned it. Watching the scenery through the virtual screen, Su He curiously asked, “Can guides pilot mechs?”

“In principle, yes, but it’s generally not recommended,” Lu Li replied. “Piloting a mech is physically demanding. The Federation requires pilots to meet specific fitness standards. Very few guides meet these standards. While some ordinary humans can achieve the fitness required for piloting mechs through training, only a sentinel’s robust physique can handle the long-term strain of mech combat. In the past, soldiers often died from overexertion, leading to strict regulations on guides piloting mechs.”

He sensed Su He’s interest and listed the severe consequences, highlighting the ignorance and fearlessness of a wild guide versus a Federation-trained one.

Unconvinced, Su He asked, “Do you think I could meet the fitness standards?”

Lu Li was silent for a few seconds before responding meaningfully, “Every sentinel hopes their guide can meet the fitness standards.”

Su He: “?”

Facing Su He’s puzzled gaze, Lu Li felt an immediate reaction. He pressed Su He’s head into his chest to avoid his gaze, covering up by saying, “It’s good for guides to fight alongside sentinels.”

Not suspecting Lu Li’s words, Su He pondered over what fitness standards Lu Li meant. Running four kilometers non-stop? Probably not enough. Considering Lu Li’s previous requirement of 20 kilometers in the desert with weights for the sentinels, halving that, Su He figured he couldn’t manage that either. He needed more training.

Noticing Su He’s silence, Lu Li asked, “What are you thinking about?”

“How to train my body to meet the standards you mentioned quickly,” Su He admitted honestly.

Lu Li: “…”

He subtly adjusted his posture, smiling wryly.

Nearly an hour later, they arrived at their destination. Su He peered through the virtual screen at the structure below. Although the photos Shen Shen had brought back were clear, they didn’t offer the same immediate impression as seeing it firsthand. The building’s dark metal exterior, its square shape, and its grand, ancient style reminded Su He of ancient Chinese architecture. Yet, there was something odd about it. The building’s proportions were massive; any intelligent species living there would need to be at least three meters tall.

The mechs weren’t practical here. Lu Li landed his mech first, leaping out. He extended his senses to scout the area. The building seemed abandoned for a long time, with no signs of life inside. Su He climbed out after him, and Lu Li caught him, again reminding, “Stay behind me.”

Su He nodded obediently.

As Shen Shen had said, this area seemed like a forbidden zone for the green life forms. Although the desert stretched around them, they hadn’t seen a single green life form nearby. Out of caution, Lu Li left the fourth squadron on aerial guard while he led the remaining team into the building.

The dark metal door was ancient and heavy. Lu Li didn’t reach out hastily; he fired a shot at the door first. The expected burn from the laser beam didn’t occur. Instead, a green wave like water shimmered, revealing a layer of green energy shield around the building.

Lu Li gestured for Shen Shen to switch weapons to try again, but Su He suddenly interrupted, “Wait a moment.”

Lu Li looked over, seeing Su He staring at the shield with a strange expression. “What is it?” Lu Li asked.

Su He hesitated, “Let me try. I sense a familiar wave.” It was the wave associated with his sect’s cultivation technique. He stepped forward, channeling his cultivation technique. A milky white glow appeared from his palm. Su He gently placed his hand on the energy shield. It felt like passing through water, encountering no resistance. He continued forward, touching the metal door behind the shield. With a slight push, to everyone’s astonishment, the heavy door opened with a light hum, and the green shield vanished, exposing the entire building.

Su He: “…”

Everyone else: “…”

Shen Shen remembered Su He’s remark before they left and was utterly stunned. Though everyone was curious, no one asked Su He any questions, not even Lu Li. He pulled Su He behind him and released the smart drones he brought. Several basketball-sized metal orbs flew into the building, first measuring the air quality and eliminating potential hazards.

Soon, the drones circled the building, gathering data which Shen Shen reviewed on his terminal. He concluded that this structure was just an ordinary residence, without weapons or defenses, and deemed it safe inside.

Despite this, Lu Li remained cautious, entering first. Su He followed closely, his mind filled with questions. What exactly was going on here? Could it really be related to his sect? But how was that possible? His master had said that their sect, though unremarkable, traced its lineage back to the ancient Shennong. Shennong was a mythical figure in Chinese legends, one of the Three Sovereigns. Could it be that Shennong was an alien who casually visited Earth?

Su He mused wildly, recalling that legend described Shennong as having a peculiar appearance, with a body that was said to be transparent except for the head and limbs. Considering this, the alien theory seemed plausible.

“Su He?”

“Yes?” Su He snapped back to reality. Lu Li, masking his concern, took Su He’s hand and moved beside him. The long-sealed air in the metal building was very dry but odorless. The drones illuminated their path as they moved forward.

The building was simply furnished, with clean walls and sparse furniture. Like the exterior, all the furniture was oversized, as if built for giants. If the exterior had hinted at a human architectural style, the interior confirmed it, with furniture resembling those found in ancient Earth histories.

“Everyone, come look at this,” Shen Shen called out, his voice quivering with surprise.

Gathering around, they soon saw what had startled Shen Shen. It was a porcelain tea set, commonly used in ancient China. Holding a teacup the size of a human bowl, Shen Shen blurted out, “If we bring this back to the Federation, would it be considered an antique? Could it fetch a high price?”

Everyone: “Get lost!”

The strange tension broke, and they began joking.

Jiang Bo quipped, “Did we travel through a time tunnel to the future? Have humans evolved to be this tall and started a retro trend?”

“Maybe it’s the past,” Lu Li suggested. “Ancient Earth history talks about civilizations before humans, right?”

“That’s unlikely,” Wei Na countered. “If there had been a civilization capable of space travel before humans, they wouldn’t have vanished. They’d have had enough power to protect themselves, leaving no room for human evolution.”

“The Federation has crazies claiming humans were created by gods. Maybe it wasn’t evolution.”

“You believe those crazies?”

The conversation veered off course, and Su He recognized a character on the wall, an ancient Chinese seal script for “light,” taught by his master. Inspired, Su He formed a hand seal and projected a milky white light towards the character.

God said, let there be light!

The building instantly brightened, a soft glow emerging as everyone looked up in awe. Countless stars twinkled above them, with the sun shining brightly at the center.

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