287: The system is actually the Genesis Engine's "self-rescue program"!

"Electricity bill?"

When Lu Chen's joke, full of a mundane air, faded from the bridge, everyone laughed along, but the awe in their eyes when looking at him remained.

The Black Hole hovering outside the window, now as docile as a lamb, was the best proof.

Lu Chen did not continue to joke around.

As the genesis engine and the "Spark" completely merged, an unprecedented, massive stream of information slowly unfolded deep within his mind.

It was like a diary sealed for hundreds of millions of years, finally opening to its last page.

"heavenly craft."

Lu Chen softly called out in his consciousness.

[I am here, Master.]

heavenly craft's voice was now unusually gentle, perhaps even carrying a hint of relief?

"Now, you can tell me."

Lu Chen sat in the Captain's chair, eyes closed, seemingly resting, but in reality, he was conversing with the newly upgraded super consciousness.

"What exactly is the true nature of this so-called 'future technology system'?"

[Actually, haven't you already guessed?]

heavenly craft's form appeared in the Consciousness Space. She was no longer the playful housekeeper figure but had transformed into a ball of warm light.

[It is not a gift from a higher-dimensional civilization, nor is it some random lucky drop.]

[It is a message in a bottle.]

"A message in a bottle?"

Lu Chen's heart slightly trembled.

[Yes.]

[Three billion years ago, when the genesis engine realized it was about to be completely corrupted by 'Zero' and turned into a tool for cosmic destruction, it made one final decision.]

[It stripped away its only remaining core logic, representing 'Reason' and 'Creation,' sealed it within that black stele, and used its last remaining strength to launch it into the depths of the universe.]

[That stele is the 'Spark.']

[And the system is what runs inside the Spark—]

[A self-rescue program.]

Lu Chen fell silent.

Although he had long suspected it, when the truth was finally laid out before him, the profound sense of traversing time and space still left him breathless.

It turned out that everything he had done over the past five years—

From manufacturing batteries to leaving Earth, and then crossing the Milky Way.

Step by step, what seemed like him "leveling up and fighting monsters" was actually a meticulously designed rescue operation!

[Every mission released by the system was guiding you to build the 'tools' capable of returning here and saving the main body.]

heavenly craft's voice continued, carrying a sense of tragedy that spanned across time.

[Why develop Controllable Nuclear Fusion? Because only infinite energy can power warships that cross light-years.]

[Why develop the Warp Engine? Because only by surpassing the speed of light could you return before 'Zero' completely devoured the Milky Way Galaxy.]

[Why develop Dimensional Technology? Because only by ascending dimensions can you resist the black hole's gravity and touch the core of the engine.]

[And why was it you who was chosen?]

The ball of light slowly approached Lu Chen's Consciousness Body.

[Because among the countless civilizations in this universe, only Earth humans possess the indomitable will to dare to draw a blade against the gods, even in the face of despair.]

[The system screened countless Hosts, and only you perfectly inherited this will.]

[You did not become a slave to power, nor were you crushed by fear.]

[You led all of humanity across twenty-six thousand light-years, and finally—]

[Delivered this cry for help to its destination.]

"Hoo—"

Lu Chen exhaled a long, deep breath. He opened his eyes in the Consciousness Space, looking at the light representing the system's core, a complex smile playing on his lips.

"So, I was just a super repairman chosen by you?"

[No, Master.]

heavenly craft's voice became incredibly solemn.

[After a repairman fixes a machine, the machine is still just a machine.]

[But you are different.]

[The moment the Spark (System) and the engine (Main Body) re-merged, the old genesis engine ceased to exist.]

[The current one has become a part of your body.]

[You are no longer the repairman.]

[You are the new 'engine.']

[You are the only God in this Milky Way Galaxy who wields the authority of 'Creation'!]

Boom—!

As these words fell, Lu Chen felt the merged golden sphere of light in his brain suddenly erupt in a joyful tremor.

That was "Recognition."

It was the complete submission of a higher-dimensional creation!

It was cheering, leaping, and displaying its boundless might to its new Master!

If Lu Chen wished, he could now use the black hole's energy to conjure a planet out of thin air in any corner of the Milky Way Galaxy!

Or, erase a planet!

This is the power of a god.

"A god..."

Lu Chen slowly opened his eyes in reality.

Deep within his pupils, a golden light flashed and vanished.

He looked at the vast starry sky outside the viewport, watching his celebrating human compatriots, and the heaviness in his heart suddenly dissipated.

"I am a human, not a god."

Lu Chen murmured to himself, as if answering heavenly craft and also admonishing himself.

"Gods stand above all, indifferent to life."

"But me..."

He turned his head and looked at Su Qingying, who was watching him with concern.

Even during this moment of universal celebration, that silly girl's gaze had never left him.

"I have people I care about; I have a home to protect."

"Therefore, this power will not turn me into a monster."

"It will only allow me..."

Lu Chen reached out and gently held Su Qingying's hand.

"To be more capable of protecting all of this."

"Lu Chen?"

Feeling the warmth from her palm, Su Qingying looked at him confusedly. "What's wrong? Are you too tired?"

"No."

Lu Chen shook his head, his smile becoming bright and genuine.

"I just suddenly realized something."

"What is it?"

"My five years of 'working a job' are finally over."

Lu Chen stood up and stretched widely, his bones cracking loudly.

"That sly old system can't give me missions anymore."

"Starting today—"

"My path, I walk it myself!"

"My script, I write it myself!"

"Pfft—"

Although Su Qingying didn't understand what he meant by "System" and "Missions," she couldn't help but laugh out loud seeing Lu Chen's high-spirited appearance.

"Alright, alright, you walk it yourself."

"However,"

She laced her fingers through Lu Chen's, her eyes filled with tenderness.

"You have to take me with you."

"Absolutely!"

Lu Chen laughed heartily and led Su Qingying to the command console.

"War Wolf!"

"Present!"

The towering man immediately stood at attention, standing straight despite his injuries.

"Inform the entire fleet: clear the battlefield and recover the wreckage!"

"Especially the Star Devourer's Nano-materials—those are good stuff, don't waste a single bit!"

"The Earth Federation's 'Great Interstellar Infrastructure' relies entirely on this batch of 'trophies'!"

"Yes!!!"

War Wolf shouted excitedly.

"Also,"

Lu Chen's gaze pierced the starry sky, looking toward that distant, unknown direction.

That was—four hundred light-years away.

The direction from which the cleaners was approaching.

"heavenly craft, calculate for me."

Lu Chen's voice suddenly became playful.

"With our current strength, plus the genesis engine acting as a super power bank—"

"If we proactively go out and give that so-called 'cleanser' a big surprise—"

"What are the odds of victory?"

[Calculating...]

heavenly craft's form appeared. This time, her face held no worry, but was filled with the same kind of madness as Lu Chen's!

[Calculation complete!]

[If we include Causality weapons and Dimensional Strike—]

[The odds of victory are...]

[One hundred percent!]

"Excellent!"

Lu Chen violently pumped his fist, and the fighting spirit in his eyes ignited once more!

"Since that's the case, why wait four hundred years?"

"Transmit my orders!"

"Three days of rest and repairs!"

"After three days, we are not going home!"

"We are going to..."

"Intercept and kill!"