Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-One

"Since the preparations are already difficult, we might as well conduct all the experiments at once to save ourselves the trouble," Li Daoran said in a flat tone.

"Li Daoran, can't you just give it a rest? One wave hasn't even subsided before another rises. Can't you give us a moment to catch our breath? Even the donkeys on a collective farm get more rest than we do," David replied, his voice tinged with complaint.

Li Daoran couldn't help but laugh. "Apologies, I’ve caused everyone extra trouble."

"No, no, it's not that. Actually, we had already considered the ideas you proposed, but, you know, we couldn't be the ones to initiate them. Since you brought it up yourself, we have no reason to refuse. But are you prepared to face the consequences?" Hearing Li Daoran's apology, David felt a bit ashamed and spoke quickly.

"What consequences?" Li Daoran asked.

"The consequence of being abandoned by humanity."

"Hmm, I suppose I can accept that," Li Daoran said indifferently.

"Fine. Since you aren't afraid, it would be churlish of us to drag our feet. Rest assured, we will have everything ready." After saying this, David stopped talking and went to work.

By now, Li Daoran had reached the exit. It was still early, just at the break of dawn. The Great Bear had already returned to its cave, and its massive frame was no longer visible outside.

Many people were still asleep; they hadn't fallen asleep until very late the previous night. After all, finding oneself in an unfamiliar environment following such a massive upheaval made it difficult to drift off, and most were only just sinking into slumber.

However, Yuan Muye was already awake. He sat up, removed the blanket from his body, put on his coat, and rose cautiously, careful not to disturb the others.

He gestured toward the outside to Li Daoran, who nodded, and the two walked out of the cave together.

"I'm old, and my sleep is light; I can't sleep as soundly as these young people," Yuan Muye remarked. In truth, he hadn't been asleep for long, but his light slumber meant he had woken up the moment he heard Li Daoran.

"Would you like to go back and get some more sleep?" Li Daoran suggested.

"No. I've been thinking all night about why you were angry," Yuan Muye said with a smile.

"I was just spouting nonsense. Please don't take it to heart." Li Daoran took off his helmet, feeling the clean, crisp air of Planet Milan. A light, damp breeze gently stirred his hair, and the morning dew fell through the trees like a light drizzle.

Yuan Muye shook his head and said, "I've figured it out. I was being too presumptuous and ignored your feelings. I was wrong."

"I told you it was a joke. You don't need to dwell on it," Li Daoran replied.

"No, I trust you. And don't worry, I won't tell anyone," Yuan Muye said, staring fixedly at Li Daoran.

"Hey, tell me, are you really that eager to die? You should know that it took a great deal of resolve for me to decide not to kill you." Li Daoran said, sounding unhappy. One time was enough, but twice was pushing it; Yuan Muye was pretending not to understand the graceful exit he had been offered, and as Li Daoran had said, it really did look like he was courting death.

"You are too kind," Yuan Muye shook his head. "For your world, that is both a blessing and a curse."

Li Daoran’s expression turned increasingly grim. Was Yuan Muye looking for trouble?

"Your world needs SkyNet technology, doesn't it? I can help you," Yuan Muye said.

"Which do you think is more important, SkyNet or my safety? Are you really so confident that I won't kill you?" Li Daoran laughed in frustration.

"I trust you, just as you trust me. You won't kill me, and naturally, I won't let you down. It's that simple. I want to help you, and I have absolutely no malicious intent. To be an old man and actually be able to touch another world—I won't let this opportunity pass me by." Yuan Muye's eyes were full of sincerity, making Li Daoran feel somewhat embarrassed.

"This old man is not as benevolent as he claims. Li Daoran, don't be fooled by him. You are in a position of strength, and he is weak. He cannot be trusted," Natasha's voice echoed. Clearly, she still did not trust Yuan Muye.

"I know," Li Daoran said. "Elder Yuan, if you trust me, please just take what I said as a joke, alright?"

"Very well. Where are we going next?" Yuan Muye asked with a wry smile.

Li Daoran took off his exoskeleton armor, opened his wrist device, and pulled up a map.

Pointing to the green dot that Hou Liang had mentioned, he said, "I am going here."

"Camel Peak?" Yuan Muye asked in confusion. He then noticed that Li Daoran had said "I" instead of "we," and continued, "You're going alone?"

"Yes, I'm going alone. It's very dangerous there. Here," Li Daoran pointed to the area where the armored battalion was stationed, "there is a full-strength armored battalion that doesn't show up on the map. Based on my estimates, there are at least three or four more armored battalions surrounding Camel Peak. I don't have the confidence to take you all with me."

"The Sunset Mountains have three host systems and seven auxiliary systems. Camel Peak is the location of one of the auxiliary systems. It is indeed very dangerous. If what you say is true, why would you want to go there? Aren't you afraid of going to such a dangerous place?" Yuan Muye was increasingly puzzled.

"Host system, auxiliary system? What does that mean?" Li Daoran asked.

"Although SkyNet is virtual, in reality, it must have something to carry it. Just as human consciousness is intangible and invisible, it still requires a body as a vessel; without a vessel, it becomes total nothingness. The structural focus of Planet Milan's SkyNet is distributed throughout these Sunset Mountains. The host system is like the brain, and the auxiliary systems are like the torso. While the auxiliary systems aren't as important as the host, you clearly can't function without arms or legs." Speaking of his specialty, Yuan Muye began a long-winded explanation, as if he were teaching a class.

"But these locations are highly classified. The Fely Empire couldn't possibly know them. There are at least hundreds of camouflaged host and auxiliary system outposts in the Sunset Mountains. Why would Camel Peak be surrounded?" Yuan Muye asked, perplexed.

"It might be a coincidence. The Fely Empire might not have come because Camel Peak is an auxiliary system. The geographical location of Camel Peak is unique. Although modern warfare has little regard for terrain—and there are very few places where terrain actually plays a role—Camel Peak is different. It happens to be the highest point of the surrounding peaks, and it is continuous. It’s like a cliff; unless you can fly over it, you have to climb over the bare rock face.

"You don't need me to tell you about the air defense facilities on Planet Milan; relying on flight to get over Camel Peak is essentially impossible. But forcing your way through those steep, vertical mountains is like putting yourself right in front of an enemy's gun. Furthermore, this place is a main artery connecting the east and west.

"If a full-scale war breaks out and this place is in the hands of Planet Milan, the Fely Empire's commanders would definitely feel like they had a bone stuck in their throat. Any flanking maneuvers, troop movements, or reinforcements would all be under the watchful eyes of Camel Peak, and they could take potshots at you at any time. You can imagine that the Fely Empire wouldn't dare to launch a full-scale offensive until this location is cleared," Li Daoran said, repeating Natasha's words to Yuan Muye.

"When we set up the 'torso,' we didn't think that much of it. We just chose it because it was the only place in the area that was suitable; building an auxiliary system elsewhere would have required too much alteration to the environment, so those spots were rejected. I never imagined this place would be a strategic position that every military strategist would fight for," Yuan Muye sighed. He had participated in selecting the sites back then, and he remembered Camel Peak. It truly was a place where one could "look down upon all other mountains," and the view was extremely expansive. The base was built in a concave area at the peak, and he realized that if the Fely Empire wanted to attack it, it would indeed be difficult.