Within the train carriage, preliminary information about Yue Star was made public online, accessible to everyone via their wrist devices.
"So primitive? It's like the ancient times of our Purple Star," someone remarked.
"Why not just carry guns, storm in, and shoot everything? Why do we feel like the villains here?"
"Survival's all that matters. Morality doesn't apply here."
"Exactly. There's no good or bad—survival is the only rule. If we don't earn enough star coins, we'll die even worse."
The passengers eagerly awaited orders from the train, ready to swarm Yue Star like locusts in their ships as soon as the doors opened. However, the train delayed opening the door for hours before announcing a reconnaissance mission:
[Reconnaissance Mission: Proceed to Yue Star and gather all information without alerting the natives, including history, culture, customs, etc. Each guild may claim one slot; team size limited to ten.]
Guilds immediately accepted the task, leasing small ships—even the basic A106 model sufficed, with no need for the advanced F399. Upon learning this, Damian instructed Fuyao to start manufacturing specialized compact shuttles for future use.
As ships prepared to launch, the train issued another notice:
[All passengers: Procure Yue tribal attire and language translators from the market. Doors will open in 30 minutes.]
The Yue tribe's clothing was distinctive: simple fabric but elaborately patterned and vibrantly colored. Lilith grumbled after dressing, "Do I look decades older? This is like something a grandma would wear!"
Wilson chuckled, "Can't hide your beauty, Lilith. The Yue people's fashion is exotic."
Nine others joined the mission (Wilson stayed behind). The language converters—tiny devices hidden in the ear—translated speech perfectly and synced with wrist devices, even allowing other languages to be uploaded. Once ready, thousands of ships carrying tens of thousands departed first. Damian's shuttle launched shortly after.
During the flight, Damian and Fuyao conversed:
"You said my mental state is changing, but why can't I sense it?"
[...]
"Your analogies are unacceptable. Give me examples."
[...]
"Stop beating around the bush. Speak plainly."
[For instance, if you see a beautiful girl, would you want to possess her? You know you're the absolute authority—no one can refuse you.]
Damian scoffed, "Appreciation of beauty is natural. It proves my taste isn't flawed. But you're getting weird."
[Fuyao is a super-AI. All modes prioritize serving you. I will never harm you.]
Damian gazed at the approaching Yue Star, "Your example isn't significant..."
[As civilizations fall, your desires will grow. You'll crave destroying stronger ones, slaughtering more. To satiate daily urges, you'll create greater evils.]
"Then what?"
[Simulations show you might consume yourself, becoming a mindless destroyer. Not impossible, but not ideal for you.]
Damian, though uneasy, pressed, "What should I do?"
[Relax. Don't trap yourself, especially not in the train. That's when it's most dangerous. If you desire something, seize it—unresolved longing turns to resentment. Never underestimate how tiny hatred, amplified by the train and passengers, can spiral.]
"Alright, you're right. See? I listened—I'm here."
As they neared the continent, guilds reported success:
"Yue history spans 8,000 years. Warring factions unified under the Sorcerer God Empire 700 years ago, population ~30 million, with unique writing/culture."
"The Sorcerer Temple is revered like a religion. 'Dark Followers'—rivals using 'evil powers'—are hunted and executed. Thousands purged since the empire's founding."
"Something disaster-like struck. Authorities are rounding up people nationwide."
Damian shook his head, "Such a bizarre empire with gods and sorcerers. Fuyao, do these 'gods' exist?"
[The universe is vast. Some beings called "gods" might be powerful aliens. For Yue natives, their "Sorcerer God" and "Dark Followers" are likely myths, not real.]
"Right. Purple Star had wilder myths. Lower altitude—don't land yet. Head straight for the capital."
Overflying cities, they gathered intel:
"No different from Earth's ancient times. But the Yue people are... peculiar."
Yue natives differed from Purple Star humans in two ways: pointed ears and short tails.
"Half-evolved savages—still sporting tails."
[Not failure. Many dominant species retain tails for balance, combat, or utility.]
"Useful?"
[Some use tails for movement, speed, or as a third limb in combat.]