Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 769

In the year 6572 of the Xia Calendar, Planet Cape VII

For dozens of years, the automated factory on Planet Cape VII operated smoothly, staffed by merely around ten workers for upkeep; all other processes handled themselves through automation.

Here, the assembly lines could manufacture virtually any technological device from Blue Star, even the cutting-edge spaceships, provided sufficient raw materials were available.

Construction of the Founder Two spaceship had lasted five years and was almost done; fueling was underway at that moment. It relied on hybrid propulsion, featuring a nuclear reactor chamber in the launch bay loaded with hundreds of tons of nuclear fuel, advanced fixed fuel sourced from Blue Star, and three compartments for spirit stones.

Various energy forms serve distinct purposes. This mixed power setup proves more adaptable to the unpredictable cosmos than relying on just one source.

On the spaceship's control interface, fuel loading displayed over ninety percent completion. It would wrap up within half a day at most.

At the same time, scores of engineering robots conducted final verifications on the vessel, transmitting results live to the control panel and the far-off Blue Star Space Center.

"Lord Cao, all checks are fine. We expect to launch in twelve hours."

"Then let’s launch."

Twelve hours passed, and the rocket propelled the Founder Two spaceship skyward. This method remained somewhat outdated; more advanced options existed, such as deploying specialized robots to hoist it aloft.

Upon entering space, the spaceship surged forward. Engine ignition caused velocity to spike dramatically. Gravitational forces from celestial objects posed no threat; not even the pull of entire star systems could halt its momentum.

The vessel swiftly hit twenty thousand Mach, hurtling toward New Hope Planet at that blistering pace.

Traveling at twenty thousand Mach enabled covering over twenty million kilometers per hour. Such velocity would leave even a cultivator at the Tao Achieving level in awe.

"Beep beep, alarm alert!"

"System error, system error."

"System self-protection mechanism activated…"

Yet, two hours into the flight, an alarm blared from the Founder Two's control panel. A robotic operator halted abruptly, ceasing all responses.

Multiple system diagnostics failed to resolve the issue. Ultimately, self-protection engaged, reducing speed entirely and switching to the backup system to guide onboard engineering robots in repair efforts.

"What happened? Why is the control system malfunctioning?"

"Is it a computer virus?"

"What is happening with the testing personnel? Pull up the testing logs."

Chaos erupted at Blue Star’s space center. Cao Wang, fresh from a brief rest, stormed back and bellowed orders at the team.

Following a rush of frantic inspections, a staff member reported, "Sir, we have checked everything, and there are no problems."

"Sir, look at this; this is the construction log, and this is the inspection log, both are fine."

"It can’t possibly be a computer virus…"

"Sir, the inspection report from the engineering robot on the spaceship is also complete. The spaceship is fine; the problem is with the artificial intelligence control system."

The onboard engineering robot soon submitted its assessment too; all hardware functioned normally, pointing squarely to a software glitch.

"Sir, the control software on Founder Two is our mainstream control software, and it has been used hundreds of times on spaceships. This is the first time it has failed."

"Are you saying that the software is also fine?"

"I would bet my life that the software is fine."

The software engineer insisted promptly, "They are really being wronged. Their system is a mature one and has been checked many times before. How could there be a problem?"

"There is nothing wrong with the hardware or software. Tell me, what is happening?"

"Also, what is the emergency plan, and how do we deal with this now?"

Cao Wang demanded once more. As a high-level leader, he seldom dove into minute details these days, delegating them while overseeing the broader strategy.

"Sir, in this situation, we may have to restart."

"Will restarting the system solve it?"

"I can’t guarantee that. Besides that, we have tried everything else. If it doesn’t solve the problem, we will have to use the backup system and energy to return the spaceship to Cape VII."

"Go handle it immediately."

Cao Wang gestured dismissively, offering no further words. Though crucial, the spaceship's setback wouldn't devastate them. A return to Cape VII for extensive diagnostics would merely incur financial costs.

"Beep beep…"

A minute afterward, Cao Wang’s watch chimed. He glanced at it and accepted the incoming video call.

"Ancestor Lin, Ancestor Cao."

"Cao Wang, bring Founder Two back."

"Ancestor, you received the message so quickly?"

"Don’t ask too much. Once you arrive at Cape VII, use the teleportation array to send it to Lunar Base. Remember to use the active storage space, not the storage tool. I will supervise the whole process."

"Yes, Ancestor."

"Just like that."

The call concluded shortly. Cao Wang pondered briefly in bewilderment but dismissed deeper thoughts. Obeying the Ancestor was straightforward.

·········

"You said, how did it do that?"

"I don’t know. I just want to know, is flying fifty million kilometers beyond Cape VII its limit?"

"It should be. Otherwise, there is no reason to stop us."

"What do you think we should do? We are trapped, and our last hope is gone."

Cao Ying appeared downcast, overwhelmed by an indescribable sorrow. Lin Jiang gently patted her shoulder in reassurance.

"Since we are here, let’s find peace. Don’t be too hopeless. As long as we are alive, there is always hope."

"With you by my side, even if I die, I am not afraid."

"Yes, I feel the same."

"Then let’s go back."

"It’s almost time; we’ll be back tomorrow."

Lin Jiang agreed with a nod. They hastened their return. The Founder Two had engaged its reserve system and sped homeward.

Three days on, the spaceship docked at Lunar Base, lingering only an hour before teleporting back to Cape VII Space Base for intensive examinations.

Half a month of thorough probes confirmed no issues, allowing a fresh launch. This round, the vessel performed flawlessly, arriving in the New Hope Planet sector after two centuries.

Lin Jiang never revisited the incident, behaving as though it had vanished entirely.

Three months afterward, Lin Jiang and Cao Ying embarked on global journeys, exploring every corner, including the demon race-held Fangzhang Continent, delving profoundly into their core domains.

·······

Yun River, Branch of the Spiritual Energy Research Institute

"Liang Long, do you really want to decline the director position? The former director highly recommended you for his role!"

The dean addressed Liang Long. Back from Haigang City, he had accumulated greater wisdom. Thus, after some years, he aimed to elevate Liang Long from deputy to director. Shockingly, Liang Long turned it down.

"Dean, the director’s position comes with too many responsibilities. Right now, I only want to focus on my research. I really can’t take it unless I improve myself and create a clone."

"Since you say that, I won’t persuade you anymore. But by refusing this time, you might have fewer chances to enter a management role in the future."

"Everyone has their own goals, Dean. Please don’t try to convince me. I need to go back to my experiments now."

"Oh, fine, fine, you can go."

"Thank you, Dean."

Liang Long offered a respectful cupped-hand salute and departed the dean’s office. He headed straight to his workspace, utterly indifferent to the murmurs around him.

He had transcended trivial ambitions. Power games held no appeal for him whatsoever; he required none of it. His current passion lay in Huaxia’s scientific and technological advancements.

These days, his pursuits extended beyond his specialty; he yearned to excel across multiple domains. To achieve perfection as a being, completeness in all aspects was essential, regardless of dominance in one area alone.