Chapter 1020: Intelligence

Even while speaking cheerfully, the two beings were relentlessly attacking each other.

Yuan Yuan's energy level was only thirty, but accompanied by his two dao companions, whose levels were in the twenties, he fought against this terrifying monster. Even with a group of fallen enlightened beings on the opponent's side, the battle felt evenly matched.

"An energy level of fifty is equivalent to the power of fifty full-fledged ninth-tier enlightened beings, each two meters tall..."

Yuan Yuan chuckled, "Your single punch is equivalent to fifty punches from other beings! No matter what bloodline or system one cultivates, in a situation where brute force overcomes skill, you would simply blast them apart!"

Punches exploded, emitting blinding prismatic light, shattering the entire sky.

Juxiao, moving almost like a blur, landed powerful blows and smiled, saying, "I merely possess immense brute strength... But you are different. You are known as the pinnacle of skill and cleverness, once holding a record of defeating opponents thirteen times stronger than yourself in terms of physical ability!"

"It seems you have a deep understanding of our high-ranking members' information."

Yuan Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Even beings of this caliber exist, comparable to the top three overlords of our Enlightened Ones' Supreme Council... It appears the fallen civilization behind the scenes has finally bared its fangs!"

"Furthermore, the combat system you cultivate has a strong restraining effect on me. Indeed, your informants and spies are still within our ranks!"

A blast of heat, mixed with a terrifying aura, erupted as the beings clashed, their energies merging into an ultimate storm of terror.

In the shadows, the Three Pillar Gods, feigning to be a mechanical civilization, operated the wreckage of the mechanical spaceship left by Pillar God Machine, their expressions grave.

They were too powerful!

Unimaginably powerful!

The Three Pillar Gods' internal worldlines were frantically simulating, absorbing the essence from the battle.

Indeed, breaking through to the ninth tier, the superficial realm is easy to advance, but the underlying foundation of cultivation methods and systems requires constant tempering and refinement through numerous worlds to stabilize the realm.

He was still far behind; he feared that even if he assimilated countless civilizations, hundreds or thousands of them, it would take at least a thousand years to catch up to monsters of this level...

After all, even a weak tenth-tier civilization represents an ace combat force.

Further away, a reporter was still broadcasting:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we can observe the current battle. This is how powerful beings of this caliber fight; they typically prefer to verbally assault each other to find openings in their opponents' minds, while simultaneously aiming for lethal blows..."

"We can also see the exceptionally massive Juxiao, who has cultivated four types of strength-based genes, pursuing the most terrifying power-bursting system... These four genes appear fairly ordinary, but does that mean he lacks more powerful genes? Not necessarily. So why would he choose slightly weaker strength genes? This brings us to gene combination. His inherent racial gene is a strength-type gene, and he has charted a path for himself: the extreme path of an all-strength system. After all, there is no single strongest bloodline system, only the bloodline combination most suited to one's race. He does not pursue the strongest, only the four most suitable combinations. Because of his enormous physique, mastering four strength-based systems not only allows him to leverage immense advantages but also to use this power to compress his body... We can see that his original size must have been truly colossal, but now he is only seven meters tall."

Listening to the broadcast, Juxiao's face instantly darkened!

This civilization indeed possessed powerful computational abilities, enabling quantum division and the use of "Wandering in Peace."

In fact, this was inevitable. The current Tower World had inherited the demon core system, with everyone possessing supercomputer-like capabilities. Though not as powerful as Emperor Qi, it was sufficient for simple analyses.

Juxiao and Yuan Yuan fought furiously.

From afar, the reporter continued to chatter, "We can now observe Yuan Yuan's system, which is a speed-oriented combination of four bloodlines. Only a speed-type system is suitable for overcoming stronger opponents and striking peers with higher energy levels..."

Yuan Yuan nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.

"We are fighting so intensely and seriously. You claim to be chroniclers, and recording is one thing, but what in the world is this constant commentary?"

While their commentary and real-time battle analysis were swift, ordinary ninth-tier beings could discern these key points given some time, let alone them.

It didn't impact the battle itself, but the constant narration truly affected their combat mood.

Juxiao and Yuan Yuan continued their fierce battle.

"We can also see..." From a distance, the reporter continued to chatter.

But the next second, a fierce glint flashed in the eyes of both beings. They instantly ceased their fight and simultaneously attacked the reporter.

The next moment, he was instantly torn apart.

How could beings of their caliber be provoked? Their previous disregard was a show of courtesy, as they didn't know how mysterious and powerful the quantum civilization behind him was, but it certainly didn't mean they wouldn't dare strike!

"These two beings have just accidentally killed the broadcaster, but we shall continue to record history..." The next second, another being, carrying a camera, emerged.

Yuan Yuan and Juxiao's expressions subtly changed, as if they finally understood something at that moment.

An undying body!

Quantum entanglement!

They naturally knew the characteristics of "quantum laws," specifically quantum entanglement. It was likely that two quantum bodies were entangled before them, making it impossible to truly kill them.

Juxiao's expression was grim. He thought to himself, "There's no need to pay attention to them anymore. They are weak, yet unkillable, just as they claim: quantum life... observers of history, who won't affect the battle's outcome at all... It's more important to eliminate Yuan Yuan first. Afterwards, I can investigate the mysteries of this civilization!"

With that thought, Juxiao's body drastically shrank.

He had astonishingly shrunk to just over a meter tall, his forehead furrowed into a massive 'chuan' character, making him appear like a dwarf. "Show your trump card! Otherwise, death is your only fate!"

"Monster!" Yuan Yuan's expression slightly changed, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. "I'll have to rely on the recovery power of incense offerings to resist. Let's see who prevails in the end! Do you really think I have no trump cards?"

"Transform!"

He dashed all players' expectations; there was no flashy display, no transformation into a magical girl. Just two simple words, without any dialogue. He merely changed into a more refreshing and dignified outfit, otherwise appearing no different.

From a distance, the reporter continued broadcasting, "It has appeared! Juxiao has employed a unique skill, a cultivation method that further shrinks his body... He has incorporated a highly resilient strength bloodline, allowing him to shrink by about twenty times! As we all know, the higher the energy level and the smaller the body size, the greater the advantage and the faster the speed. If an enlightened being with an energy level of 50 were compressed to one-tenth their size, their punches would be ten times more concentrated, and their speed would increase tenfold!"

"Noisy!"

With a single punch, the entire quantum battle body shattered into pieces.

The two sides were completely embroiled in battle.

Yuan Yuan, having only temporarily increased his power, couldn't match such veteran enlightened beings. He could only rely on the power of all sentient beings to aid in his recovery.

The battle raged almost to the point of madness.

The entire ground was bathed in gold, and both beings were panting, covered in wounds, resulting in a mutually devastating outcome.

"We can see that both sides have fought to a frenzy. Their energy levels could easily destroy an enlightened being with a complete dao foundation..." The voice reappeared.

"Let's go!" Juxiao took a deep breath and stared intently at the field reporter. He knew there was nothing he could do against the most mysterious quantum life in the universe, as its true body wasn't present here.

He simply said, "When you have time, your civilization is welcome to visit us."

Yuan Yuan also stared at Juxiao, remaining silent.

In reality, both of them could have continued to fight to a decisive victory, or even summoned the illusory projections of the weak tenth-tier beings they served.

However, with the reporter constantly chattering beside them, they lost their fierce resolve and focus for a desperate fight!

"Let's go!" Juxiao knew his mission had failed.

At this moment, the field reporter smiled, "We aren't trying to be annoying; it's just that sometimes, peace is the better option... We are very fond of peace."

Juxiao's expression softened slightly, a hint of warmth flashing across his face.

Indeed, for the quantum civilization to act this way was practically to offend both terrifying factions simultaneously, ruining any potential goodwill. He couldn't think of any reason why they would deliberately offend both sides...

It could only be that they genuinely wished to stop the war and truly loved peace... such absurd notions.

Could such a civilization truly exist?

Juxiao's majestic, towering war god body, covered in wounds, hesitated.

He recalled his own psionic civilization tens of thousands of years ago, where many awakened various psychic genes like strength, speed, and flight. At that time, hero guilds flourished, and he, too, seemed to be a peace-loving hero, donning a red cape and steadily rising to become the strongest...

"It's just that, to this day..." Juxiao silently closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them again, looking at this civilization's system with a hint of favorability. "Perhaps you truly love peace... I can't think of any gain for you."

Yuan Yuan remained noncommittal. Perhaps they truly loved peace, or perhaps it was some form of disguise? Regardless, in his view, caution was necessary. A mysterious new civilization was approaching, and it was impossible for them to gain any profit or trust from either side.

"I know you don't trust us. We said from the beginning that you don't need to trust us; it's enough that we trust ourselves. We are a peace-loving, history-recording observer civilization..." The quantum battle body smiled and softly said, "By the way, you two are severely injured. We have extremely inexpensive resources here that we can provide you. Would you like some?"

Both their expressions hardened. So, they were indeed waiting for them here?

A surge of primordial essence appeared on the ground.

"These are resource reserves we acquired from other mechanical civilizations during their downfall. They are useless to us, so we can give them to you..." He quoted a price.

Upon hearing the price, both were astonished. It was simply too low.

One must understand that the production of primordial essence requires the extraction of vast amounts of life. Many super-mechanical enlightened civilizations used entire planets as primordial essence factories, operating a production line like breeding pigs: breeding, giving birth, slaughtering, and extracting bits of the essence!

Yet their price was seventy percent of the market cost! This was a loss-making business.

"Are you really going to sell them?" Juxiao was completely baffled. "You should know that other civilizations also sell primordial essence... If their cost is ten parts, they sell it for thirteen parts..."

A thirty percent markup merely covered their costs. After all, establishing a factory to extract primordial essence and hunt lives required immense manpower and resources, and the process was unimaginably complex!

But what about them? Their price was seventy percent of the cost, even selling at a loss, which was equivalent to half of the market price of one hundred thirty percent! What kind of concept was half? It was simply insane!

At this moment, even Juxiao's expression softened slightly. He carefully inspected the primordial essence; there were no tricks, as trying to play tricks right before their eyes would be utterly foolish. "Are you sure?"

"Of course," the quantum body said with a serious expression. "As we said, we love peace and never seek any profit... You don't have to trust us; you can always remain vigilant."

"Then give me some," Yuan Yuan stood up.

"Me too," Juxiao's expression darkened.

Primordial essence was something all civilizations needed in vast quantities for preparedness. Fifty percent of the market price? It was a deal where buying meant profiting, as they were selling below cost.

Soon, the two of them divided the essence.

They exchanged glances, sneered, and then departed.

On their way, Yuan Yuan released Viola and Bikku.

Yuan Yuan found the entire journey somewhat bizarre. "Although we were ambushed in this battle, as expected, and faced extremely terrifying monsters... in the later stages, we inexplicably encountered a nomadic merchant civilization that claimed to love peace, observed our fight, and then started selling us a large amount of primordial essence..."

Even he found the turn of events somewhat fantastical.

But soon, it didn't matter anymore. After all, they had fended off the opponent, and the opponent wasn't foolish. Although they served different masters, their own lives were paramount. It wasn't worth sacrificing a long lifespan in a fight to the death.

Having revealed their trump cards, and with both sides being roughly equal in strength, ceasing the fight was the best option. Continuing would have meant a high probability of death for themselves.

He calmly told Viola and the others, "Although we didn't uncover the enemy's true motives, obtaining such cheap primordial essence, with almost no impurities, at least gives us something to report to our superiors."

Juxiao also walked along the path, his expression calm.

Around them, discussions continued.

One enlightened being, feeling baffled, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Primordial essence of such terrifying purity, almost without any impurities—how incredibly advanced must the super-technology be to achieve this?"

"The civilization behind this is very mysterious."

"Quantum life, a nomadic observer civilization... loving peace and kindness. It truly seems that way; it's a very sacred racial civilization."

"A sacred racial civilization?" Someone asked, puzzled.

"Yes, just as there are evil civilizations, there are naturally righteous ones. Some races have extremely pure, sacred, and clear spiritual beliefs. They possess exceptionally noble aspirations, and some races are even inherently good, almost without the concept of evil. For example, the Elemental Civilization before us, as pure energy beings, clean and clear, they are relatively pure... lacking the malice and selfishness of flesh-and-blood life."

"It's highly possible that quantum life shares the clean purity similar to energy life forms!"

The discussions continued around them.

However, Juxiao's expression subtly darkened. He secretly deployed a special secret treasure, and a clone quietly followed behind, tracking the quantum civilization.

After all, they were highly skilled in inserting spies and tracking methods.

He also had too many questions: How did this quantum civilization suddenly appear in this ruin? Was it solely to stop them? Or something else?

If they stopped their battle and even provided primordial essence, that would indeed be too kind. At this point, he truly began to believe they were benevolent... but he still felt there might be something hidden.

His hidden shadow clone followed the quantum beings. He saw some figures, carrying cameras and discussing:

"This matter here seems to be resolved, right?"

"Yes, it's pretty much resolved, not bad... Next, we need to address the other side."

Juxiao's expression tightened.

The other side...

Indeed, their objective in coming here was not limited to this.

"Minor matters are done, now for the major ones. Are the cameras ready?"

"They're ready, but I'm hesitant to film. If they truly act and reveal themselves, I fear we might genuinely anger those two terrifying beings."

"It's a family drama, returning to the ancestors, and we're nervous too!"

"What if they kill all of us?"

"Keep an eye out, keep your movements subtle. If it really doesn't work, retreat, don't film. Staying alive is most important."

Hearing this, Juxiao vaguely felt he had grasped onto something terrifying.

These beings, who had ignored even two terrifyingly powerful enlightened beings with perfect dao foundations—super overlords who ruled countless interstellar galaxies and worlds—were now showing fear?

Could they even kill the quantum lives, who he thought were invulnerable?

A flicker of caution crossed his mind. It seemed that while he hadn't won, he might gain some terrible intelligence, which could make up for his failure.