novelsite Chapter 2289 Parting ways
Chapter 2289 Parting ways
Chapter 2289 Parting ways
The Empire had an in-vitro surrogacy business, which dates back to a time when its origins are lost to history.
However, this phenomenon later disappeared due to ethical and other reasons, and was replaced by machine cultivation, which has a very high survival rate.
However, machines are not human after all, and the success rate of awakening in infants raised in that way is shockingly low.
Even so, machine surrogacy is subject to extremely strict management, and the empire oversees it very rigorously.
In the Age of Interstellar Exploration, population indicators were extremely important, and the Empire had been actively encouraging childbirth.
Such regulations are intended to prevent wealthy individuals from having unlimited children.
There are tragic precedents for this; some people have tried to raise hundreds of thousands of children, but fortunately, the attempt was stopped halfway through.
Such an event, if it were to occur, would not only cause social unrest but also lead to a human tragedy.
"I used a surrogate," Xiao Moshan replied casually. "I didn't intend for Xiao Qin to give birth to the child, and the Empire tacitly approved of it!"
When Xiao Qin had no hope of breaking through to the Golden Core stage, she was past childbearing age. Xiao Moshan didn't care and stayed with her until her death.
About ten years ago, he felt his condition was declining sharply, so he retrieved Xiao Qin's frozen genes.
The Imperial military was well aware that the reason he didn't leave with the Digital Phantom was to stay with Xiao Qin.
This situation is understandable, and Marshal Xiao was of a very high rank and had made great contributions to the empire.
Xiao Moshan's disciples are now spread throughout the army, and he doesn't form factions...
In any case, for various reasons, the Empire decided: We didn't hear what you applied for, and we know nothing about it.
Xiao Moshan would naturally choose to find a surrogate mother, and he also hoped that his union with Xiao Qin could go further.
He came here this time because he was willing to swallow his pride and find a bright path for the outstanding one among his children.
Qu Jianlei remained silent for a long time after hearing his words—Why don't you find a machine for surrogacy?
“Let me say a few words,” Bentley said, unusually speaking up. He rarely spoke at all.
He spoke expressionlessly, "If the boss is too embarrassed to say it, I will."
"You chose all the paths you've taken, and the team has taken you back. We have never wronged you!"
"You've lived most of your life with great persistence, which to us is just being willful!"
"You don't know what hardships the team has gone through and how much pressure they have faced, but they just want to secure a future for their children."
"Your persistence allows you to live a life without regrets. I actually envy you for having your own pursuits."
"But because of this choice, my children have fallen into their current predicament... In fact, they should be living a pretty good life."
"I just want to ask one question: it was all caused by your willfulness. No one forced you, so why should the team bear the consequences?"
Xiao Moshan remained silent, his already slightly hunched body becoming even more hunched.
The cabin was silent for a good five or six minutes before he finally sighed.
"Old Ben, you're right. I had thought of this possibility before I came, but... I wouldn't be willing to give up without trying."
“There should be no resentment,” Duogan said calmly. “Marshal Xiao, you have lived a wonderful life of your own!”
“We may live longer, but we may not be as insightful as you.”
Xiao Moshan paused for a moment, then laughed, "That's right, do you have any wine? I brought some good wine, let's drink until we're drunk!"
It's said that you can't see into someone's heart, and you shouldn't easily test their nature, but this guy is really an exception.
Even Bentley drank the wine he brought without any hesitation, never suspecting that the other party had tampered with it.
It has nothing to do with the Nascent Soul's immunity to all poisons; it's simply because this person is too obsessed with life!
After three days of drinking, everyone parted ways. Xiao Moshan saw them off at the entrance of the passage, saying, "Take care!"
As the regimental-class ship sailed through the passageway, Mu Guang couldn't help but remark, "His life was truly worthwhile!"
Jin Ge Zhenxian muttered, "I don't think living a long life is necessarily better; it just has to be exciting enough."
Qu Jianlei couldn't help but roll his eyes at him, "It's easy for you to say that when you're not the one suffering."
Jing Yuexin suddenly blurted out, "So many children... um."
Qu Jianlei glanced at Grand Venerable Minning, "Immortal Venerable, let me give you a general overview of the Tree Clan world..."
Jing Yuexin coughed lightly, "I was talking about the child!"
"Don't you know what kind of body you have?" Qu Jianlei glanced at her. "Those useless things can be thought about after you leave your body."
Jing Yuexin's successful ascension to the highest level has brought a backlash: any action she takes will shorten her lifespan.
Despite being much younger than Dorgon, their remaining lifespans are roughly the same.
Over the years, Qu Jianlei has been trying to help her, but the results have been so-so. To completely get out of this predicament, she needs to find a way out.
Next, everyone discussed the next strategy; this time, they were going to take the Tree Clan seriously.
Once they exited the passage, they were greeted by a dense array of warships—all of them the latest models.
To welcome them, the alliance actually sent a large number of warships to attack directly.
Fortunately, because the Empire frequently sends warships to support the Alliance, the passageway has been in a stalemate for years.
In other directions, the Tree Clan's advance has been relatively smooth, but this area is truly a nail driven into the heart of the Tree Clan's territory.
No matter the cost, the alliance dared not abandon this thorn in their side; once it was severed, the empire would have a convenient excuse not to send troops.
That is precisely why this massive fleet was able to appear in time.
The lead fleet was the first to declare, "Having heard that the Digital Phantoms have returned to sweep away the alien races, we are willing to follow them!"
Then he emphasized, "Your side should just give the order, and the Allied forces... will fight to the death!"
“No need,” Dogan said calmly. “If you really want to, leave a few division-level and regimental-level ships.”
"Arrange it immediately," the other party agreed without hesitation, clearly having no other choice.
There's nothing we can do. The war has been going on for over a hundred years. Not to mention the financial pressure, the social pressure is almost driving the entire alliance to collapse.
The Allied forces were also quite efficient, clearing two division-level ships and eight regimental-level ships in half a day.
The two divisions of combat units were not provided with supply ships or other support warships because they knew the enemy didn't need them.
Moreover, the warship is fully loaded with energy blocks and ammunition, and has a large number of spare parts.
It was truly fully loaded, not based on a base number, but completely full; many rest cabins were packed to the brim.
After all, those familiar with Digital Phantom's fighting style know that this team, in addition to its amazing skills and tactics, also values firepower coverage.
Finally, the fleet ship expressed its regret, saying that ships of its own caliber were all engaged in combat, and it was truly sorry.
Furthermore, they made a final attempt to fight together, but were ruthlessly rejected.
Before they left, someone tentatively asked, "May I ask, is the end of the Tree Clan far away?"
“It’s not far off,” Dorgon said calmly, “but we still have to hold on for a while. We must persevere!”
A cheer erupted from the walkie-talkie; there was no doubt that many people were waiting for this answer.
As for whether it's true or false? That's not important. What everyone wants to hear is hope!
After all, the Alliance military had already heard news from the Federation that the destruction of Asura was not far off.
That's why they mustered up the courage to ask this question—the prestigious digital phantom shouldn't be treated unfairly!
Even if it's a white lie, people can accept it; at the very least, Asura is about to be finished.
Then the Federation and the Empire will be able to free up their resources.
In fact, ever since Dorgon made that declaration to the Federation, the three nations knew that the turning point was approaching!
No one doubted her words, after all, the Digital Phantom had returned from the heart of Asura and was said to have previously caused a great disturbance in the Asura world.
Moreover, it is an indisputable fact that the Asuras' speed of invasion has lagged far behind in the last hundred years!
At this moment, the soldiers of the alliance only hoped that Lord Dorgon's words would come true—aren't they all heading out to war now?
The digitally enhanced fleet, now disguised, sailed straight into the depths of the Tree Clan's controlled territory and disappeared shortly afterward.
Inside the warship, Jin Ge Zhenxian looked at Qu Jianlei with a strange expression, "No wonder you have so many warships, you can just open your mouth and they're there."
"Those old warships don't cost any money, yet you're charging the cultivators of Cangwu for them. Doesn't your conscience hurt?"
The master craftsman's expertise lies in supervising transactions, with a strong emphasis on equivalent exchange.
"What I was saying..." Qu Jianlei trailed off, unsure how to explain himself.
Finally, he sighed, "Do you know how these worlds treat the remnants of cultivators?"
"Remnants?" Venerable Minning's eyes widened instantly. "Who the hell said that?"
Although he had engaged in underhanded bidding practices, he had always presented himself as a kind and easy-going person who was unassuming and uncontroversial.
He's actually using foul language now, which shows he's really angry.
"Who said it is not important. A common man is innocent, but he is guilty of possessing a treasure," Qu Jianlei smiled. "Your Excellency, why do we still need warships to travel?"
“You’ve really had a tough time,” Venerable Minning sighed softly. “As a mere Nascent Soul cultivator, facing them must have been incredibly difficult.”
He didn't mean to belittle them, but rather offered an objective assessment of their technological capabilities.
To illustrate this point, just look at what happened to Jiao Daoren back then. In the Three Kingdoms period, a Nascent Soul cultivation level was not enough.
Immediately afterwards, Venerable Minning asked, "This is also a world devoid of spirits... Is it appropriate to travel in the physical body?"
Even among great masters, there are differences. His origins were somewhat inferior, so he was relatively more cautious and prudent.
"I don't care, it's up to you, Immortal Venerable," Qu Jianlei said without urging. The alliance has been under siege for so long, a little more time won't make a difference.
“Then I’ll do it,” Jin Ge Zhenxian volunteered. “This is an opportunity, a real opportunity…”
“Let me go first,” Minning Zhenzun couldn’t hold back any longer upon hearing the word “opportunity.”
“Jin Ge, we’re on the same side, we’re both from the Lingyun Sect… We can’t let those two look down on us.”
The next moment, everyone took all the cultivators from the warship into their caves.
Immediately afterwards, Qu Jianlei put away the new version of the regimental-class ship he was riding on, and Min Ning Zhenzun tore open space and disappeared with the two of them.