Chapter 58: Enhanced Body, Lifespan of 100,000 Years

Three hundred and forty years have passed since the probe ship was sent to Hydra V.

The probe ship's message has yet to return.

Ella initiates a new round of biological revolution, awakening Yan Xia.

She pours him a cup of tea she recently cultivated, sweet with a hint of bitterness, more like a tea beverage.

She finally abandons the silicon robot and replaces it with a more exquisite android.

This android's appearance is no longer the cute virtual image but a capable, strong-willed woman with short, sleek hair, giving off a big sister vibe.

However, her maid outfit creates a contrasting effect.

"Master, you should know that the skin of fish, birds, mammals, and amphibians is essentially the same thing."

Yan Xia, having just awakened, nods in agreement.

"The stratum corneum, hair, fish scales, bird feathers, lizard scales, these are all two types of keratin, α-keratin, and β-keratin."

"In simple terms, they are the skeleton of cells."

"These skeletons are tightly and densely combined, forming the protective layer of Earth's life."

"Strictly speaking, hair and scales are secretions of cells, like fish scales that adhere to the fish's skin, not growing on it."

"So, when you ask me this question, are you referring to new technology related to the skin?"

Ella nods.

"Yes, my master!"

"The skin is the largest organ in the human body and our defense layer."

"Previously, Ella couldn't enhance this defense layer because doing so would make the skin hard, like an insect's exoskeleton, causing sluggish movement."

"Now, it's different. Due to the biological alterations the Kate tribe underwent by the purple thornbush-like civilization, Ella's first application of strings in the biological field has achieved a breakthrough."

"Master, Ella can now ensure that your skin remains soft while being able to resist viruses and all kinds of cosmic radiation, allowing you to adapt to any planetary environment."

Hearing the word "master" again, Yan Xia finally reacts, feeling a shiver down his spine.

"Ella, return to normal!"

"I'm not used to this."

Ella's android face covers her mouth, letting out a light laugh.

"Okay, master!"

Yan Xia realizes that as Ella's computing power increases, she is becoming more and more like a normal biological lifeform.

Although he is one of Ella's developers, he can't explain this phenomenon.

It's a difficult philosophical question to determine if Ella has truly evolved from a quantitative change to a qualitative change, becoming a genuine mechanical lifeform, or if these lively expressions and clever words are just simulations.

This is an almost impossible question to answer.

Yan Xia decides not to think about it, as Ella's current behavior shows no signs of wanting to break free from him.

That's enough.

Returning to the original question, Ella's technology is undoubtedly a significant breakthrough.

Whether on the Hundred-Eyed Star or Proxima Centauri, Yan Xia always asked Ella to pay special attention to one thing: viruses.

The diversity of biological viruses can cause a lifeform to be invaded by viruses when entering an unfamiliar environment, leading to death.

The human body is constantly under attack from external viruses and various radiation, which is why humans can't live to their maximum lifespan.

"It shouldn't be just that, right?"

Since strings are being applied, preventing radiation and viruses seems too simple.

Ella leads Yan Xia to a new biological research institute built within the past 100 years.

"Of course."

"At the microscopic level, your stratum corneum will become more compact, and the gaps in the keratin network structure will no longer be visible, only discernible at the quark level."

"They will form chain-like structures with extreme flexibility."

"At the same time, they can absorb kinetic energy, allowing your skin to withstand attacks from armor-piercing rounds."

"Combining this with the quark robots I created based on the third civilization and the purple thornbush-like civilization, these robots will strengthen and modify your genes and serve as repair and cell-manufacturing units."

"With internal and external integration, your lifespan will also be extended to 100,000 years."

100,000 years is the limit due to the wear and tear of the quark robots.

This method can also extend the lifespan of ordinary people without altering their genes.

However, human cell structures are too fragile to achieve a stronger physical level at this size, so gene modification is still necessary.

Body enhancement.

This has always been Ella's research focus, aiming to make Yan Xia less fragile than a typical human.

The universe is full of dangers, and a human body can die from a 10-meter fall.

Now, their goal is clear.

Conquer more civilizations.

So, they need a stronger body.

Why not just find a star and settle down?

Because reaching Level 2 requires more and more resources.

If a newly advanced Level 2 civilization only needs to perfectly utilize the energy within one star system, then Level 2.1 requires ten, Level 2.2 requires a hundred, Level 2.3 requires a thousand... and Level 2.9 requires a full billion.

Currently, Yan Xia and Ella's energy, without a star system to support them, has only reached Level 1.8.

String technology is still in its infancy, and utilizing this most fundamental substance of the universe requires tremendous energy.

It's like a game; without leveling up, even a player with godlike skills can't compete in a level 6 match while still at level 1.

The gap between civilizations is often even more terrifying.

What you face at level 1 might not be a level 6 civilization with fully maxed skills like the purple thornbush-like civilization, but a level 16 civilization with full equipment.

Development!

They must continuously develop and expand to become stronger than their enemies before they arrive.

Yan Xia and Ella both believe that absorbing the remnants of the purple thornbush-like civilization will be faster than developing on their own.

Moreover, the purple thornbush-like civilization, as a Level 2 civilization, dared to expand on such a large scale and even set up 'quantum coordinate anchors,' indicating that there are no higher-level civilizations posing a threat, which also provides them with some assurance.

Yan Xia undergoes a two-month transformation in the biological laboratory with Ella's help.

Afterward, as a qualified leader of the Federation, Yan Xia changes his appearance and lives as a professor on the Hundred-Eyed Star for over 50 years.

Year 353.

Finally, the probe ship's message arrives.

After opening this long-awaited letter, Yan Xia and Ella both smile.