Space Odyssey from Abandoned Mining Space Station

"It seems there's no need to pin hope on me. Wouldn't it be better to control my spiritual energy according to the plans of your higher-ups?"

Brilliant didn't ask how Chen Ming knew about the effects of the Spirit Awakening Nerve Extractor, but instead explained his question: "In fact, our development externally is now frequently facing obstacles."

"The universe is not empty; outside the territory of the Human Empire, there are many dangers, with the Mechanical Race being the greatest among them."

"They limit our development externally, while humans try to break through internally, and we are nearly powerless to resist."

Chen Ming pointed out a problem in Brilliant's words: "Didn't you just win a battle? Wasn't the raiding human fleet severely damaged?"

"But winning this battle is meaningless, and it was only because of a major error in the human fleet's command that we won."

"Meaningless?"

"Because from a long-term perspective, our resources are limited, and the number of main ships is only so many."

"Even if humans are set back this time, they can still come back, but if we make one mistake, it will be a catastrophic disaster."

Chen Ming asked again, somewhat confused: "Hasn't Dusk already limited human expansion externally? And isn't the universe outside vast, so why are resources restricted?"

"But our Dusk here is not."

Brilliant explained: "Our Dusk was sent here initially just to thwart humans."

"Not only do we need to interfere with human expansion as per the requirements of the other side, but after the initial period, we've received no support in terms of resources and must be self-reliant."

"Sometimes we even need to provide resource supplies to the main force over there."

"Not only do we face problems from the Mechanical Race and internal issues, but we also need to deal with problems from the Mechanical Race next door. Can you understand the difficulty in this?"

"If not for the fact that the number of ruins from the destroyed civilization discovered outside the Gallo Star Realm by humans is small, scattered, and not the primary expansion direction of that civilization."

"We've just blocked humans, and no one cares at all."

"But as soon as the day comes when humans suddenly care, Dusk here has only one outcome."

Brilliant didn't explicitly say it, but Chen Ming clearly understood what that outcome would be.

"Therefore, I want to pursue the possibility of our Dusk surviving."

"Rejoining humans is one option."

"But every Dusk has its own agenda, and so does every individual. Dusk can never trust the humans who once oppressed them, and humans can never trust the rebellious Dusk."

"In such a situation, even if humans accept our surrender, they will definitely impose unimaginable restrictions; hence, joining humans is not an option."

By now, Chen Ming almost understood: "So you think that because of my own spiritual energy, I can completely trust you, is that right?"

"And also, I am human, so you can also put a layer of protection from human subordinates over yourselves."

"Yes."

Chen Ming understood, but still reminded: "But when I control Dusk, especially an entire star realm's Dusk, my identity will be more than just human."

"But within your identity, there remains humanity. Humans can trust humans, and you can trust us; that's the most important thing."

"Indeed, that's not a problem. How can I be sure you don't have any personal motives?"

"You can ask me directly."

Brilliant spoke very frankly.

However, when it was willing to take the initiative to contact the Dusk entity controlled by Chen Ming, Chen Ming already understood its situation.

So, Chen Ming didn't force it to voice its innermost thoughts, instead saying as he did previously to Gamma ABZ: "I won't ask you; I hope you say it yourself."

Brilliant didn't expect Chen Ming to say this.

After considering for a moment, it said: "You are human, and you will die."

"Under current human technology, the lifespan of a normal human is at its limit at one hundred and fifty years."

"Exchanging a hundred years for the continued survival and unprecedented development of Dusk, I think it's worth it."

Before Chen Ming could question, Brilliant added: "You mentioned to me before that you hadn't specifically studied spiritual energy knowledge systematically, so there are a few things I need to tell you."

"Psychics, when undergoing cold sleep, must maintain brain activity to keep the spiritual energy operational."

"This means that while the body is frozen, the brain is not, and it will still die of aging."

"Extending spiritual energy operation time through cold sleep is not achievable."

"Additionally, while similar-ability psychics have appeared, there has never been an identical one."

"Meanwhile, your ability to thoroughly control a ship's root functions and control individual Dusk with spiritual energy has never existed since the first psychic emerged."

"You are the first."

"Moreover, a psychic's energy has never been passed down."

"Every psychic's spiritual energy, like the psychic, has a lifespan limit."

"Are you saying the Enlightenment Nerve will also die?"

"You know about the Enlightenment Nerve?"

"I learned about it from your Spirit Awakening Nerve Extractor."