Civilizations that evolve naturally are constrained by the rules of evolution, developing in a relatively balanced way, with more stable social structures. However, civilizations that have been influenced by advanced civilizations and have acquired advanced technology far beyond their own evolutionary stage—so-called leapfrog civilizations—often go astray, then enter periods of decline, and may even ultimately face extinction.

This planet happens to be a typical example of a leapfrog civilization.

This planet is located on a rather busy space route, so many aliens pass by here. A lot of advanced technology has spread here to varying degrees, having a huge impact on the civilization of this planet. For example, the Champa civilization, which still has a significant influence to this day.

According to the historical data of this planet collected by Escape Pod No. 15, this planet jumped directly from a primitive society to a super-energy civilization, leaping from a level-one civilization to a level-five civilization. Its social structure was inherently unstable, and large-scale civilizational regression has already occurred seven or eight times.

Almost every leap in civilizational progress was due to the influence of alien civilizations. But because they lacked thousands of years of scientific accumulation, it was like a floating tower without a foundation—often, a single accident would lead to the large-scale loss of technology.

After receiving my request, Escape Pod No. 15 very straightforwardly refused service, because I was already more than five hundred kilometers away from it, and the fifth-level authority of a temporary passenger was no longer effective.

All the dissatisfaction that had been building up since I landed on this planet erupted at this moment. I almost roared out loud: “If you refuse to serve me, I’ll cut off your energy as soon as I get back to base and turn you into a useless ornament!”

Escape Pod No. 15, facing my threat, displayed the true nature of an AI: “As an artificial intelligence, I understand that you are threatening me with your life, but my logic circuits and programmed thought processes do not contain any corresponding emotional database to draw from. If you insist on disabling me, it will only be more detrimental to your own survival, with no benefit at all. I suggest you wait until the Queen evolves to level ten and I become completely obsolete before doing this… Of course, that’s only if you make it back alive.”

“What a jinx with that mouth of yours!”

I grumbled a few curses, but finally thought of a solution: have the Queen request the data from Escape Pod No. 15 and then pass it on to me. With this relay, I finally got the information on the super-energy civilization.

In the universe, when civilizations reach level five, there are actually quite a few that evolve into this type of intelligent life, and this planet is a rather distinctive example. Back when the Queen’s creators were around, they probably captured specimens from this planet for research, and there is an extremely comprehensive database on all kinds of powerful creatures here.

Even the commonly used weapons are described in detail and categorized.

After searching, I finally figured out the weapon in my hand—its operating principles and how to use it. But at the same time, I also realized a rather bitter reality: if I were agile and skilled in martial arts, wielding this weapon would make me even more formidable and awe-inspiring. But the problem is, I’m not a combatant!

This kind of weapon, meant for melee combat, simply doesn’t suit my style. After all, I’m a doctor of electrochemistry, a true researcher, and should always be a priority for protection.

When charging, I should be shouting, “Brothers, you go ahead, I’ll cover you!” And when retreating, I should be yelling, “Guys, I’ll lead the way and clear the path for you!”—that’s more my style.

I leaned against a big tree and slept for a few hours. The forest was heavy with dew at night, but fortunately, the fur of the bioengineered Tibetan mastiffs was very warm. I summoned a few big dogs to snuggle up beside me, and slept quite soundly.

The night wind carried the sound of insects, and the bomb-carrying worker bees settled around me, forming a minefield all around. One Tibetan mastiff, on guard at the perimeter, suddenly opened its eyes wide, sensing some kind of danger, and silently slipped into the distant dense forest.

Just as this Tibetan mastiff was about to round a big tree, a spear came down—not too hard, not too soft—and before it could even yelp, it was knocked out cold.

The person who struck moved with deceptive ease. The blow was neither fast nor slow, but the force was just right. If it weren’t for the bio-beast’s extremely tough nerves, a few random blows might kill them, but not necessarily knock them unconscious.

Next to the person who knocked out the mastiff, a gentle voice, tinged with a bit of laughter, said, “This little dog is pretty smart, but its combat ability is a bit lacking!”

“Hmph, only those city folks would train such flashy but useless creatures. No matter how clever these hunting dogs are, what use are they in a real fight?” A tall man, clad in the armor of the Great Red Empire’s knights, turned to glance at the red-haired beauty beside him, who was wearing the same armor.

Chapter Sixteen: The World Loves Uncensored

The red-haired beauty smiled slightly and said in a low voice, “Captain, what do you think of that person?”

The man hiding in the shadows shook his head and said, “Completely inexperienced in combat. I don’t know how he’s able to use the Dragon-Slaying Spear, but I doubt he could even handle a level-four war beast.”