Chapter 610 - 563: Compiling Entries
On the Primordial Star, Shi Ming communicated with the newborn will of the Cosmic Country for two and a half days.
He offered some "crude" suggestions on how to govern a nation that was in ruins and in need of rebuilding.
The new will of the Cosmic Country was already remarkably intelligent.
Especially after fusing with the Heart of Chaos, which represented wisdom and hope, it had mastered the ability of deep learning. It could even manifest a physical human form, taking on the initial bearing of a "Sovereign."
Its appearance was that of someone from Earth.
Now, it could connect to the open databases of other nations across the entire Star Sea, allowing it to autonomously research and extrapolate from the experiences of advanced Cosmic Countries. Of course, Shi Ming would maintain firm control over the general direction; he was not the type of person to be a completely irresponsible, hands-off manager. At least in name, he was still the teacher of the Cosmic Country’s will.
’There’s still half a day until my meeting with Bai Yimo.’
’Half a day is more than enough time to get there.’
After getting rid of the "burden" that was the Heart of Chaos, Amonev had already left to meet up with her sister. Once Shi Ming was gone, the Core Area of the Cosmic Country would be devoid of any other living beings for a short time.
But this was only temporary.
The divine Heart of Chaos would fulfill its purpose. Civilization and order would be reborn in this nation that had already died once, rising again with even greater vigor.
...
...
...
[Tianwen reminds you: The next stop is Azure Cloud Star.]
[As one of the main transportation hubs on the periphery of the First Civilization Cosmic Country, Azure Cloud Star is renowned for its tourism and shipping industries. Its local delicacy, the "Liver of the Azure Beast," is popular throughout the Cosmic Country. While the famous scenic spot, the Mist of the Vast Heavens, was not selected as one of the Ten Great Wonders, it is still worth a visit...]
"Tianwen, your knowledge base needs an upgrade..."
"When I first acquired you from the Divine Treasure Vault, my expectations were high. For something at the supreme treasure level, it isn’t enough to just do your job well. You should be capable of autonomous learning and setting yourself apart, not stagnating with a database that’s one hundred and twenty thousand years old."
"Even the lobsters in the Endless Ocean are capable of deep learning these days."
Stepping out of the Teleportation Vortex, Shi Ming quickly spotted Bai Yimo, dressed all in white.
She stood atop some decaying ruins, a faint smile on her lips. Beside her rested a glass of some special brew from an unknown planet, her gaze slightly hazy. Clearly, she had been there for a considerable amount of time.
"Heh, Boss, you’re late. I’ve been waiting for your project worth trillions upon trillions for six cosmic hours now... Plus, rushing here from the outpost on Assassination Star cost me a fair number of Civilization Stones. Those will need to be reimbursed."
"Of course."
"Care for a drink?"
"No need."
Shi Ming’s gaze locked onto Bai Yimo.
The Heart of Chaos’s ability, the Heart of Wisdom, activated. In Shi Ming’s eyes, the Desire Demon Ancestor became a collection of innumerable traits.
Shi Ming felt no psychological or moral pressure about prying into the Elder Ancestor’s destiny. For all he knew, she might even be excited by it... After all, the kinks of some creatures are chaotic and unrestrained.
Traits of various colors—blue, gold, silver, and crystal—shimmered before him.
According to the Heart of Wisdom’s analysis, a living being was a product constructed from innumerable traits.
[Avenger], [Desire], [Insatiable], [Worldly Desires], [Three Lives], [Diligent Employee], [Prefers Younger Men], [Second Form], [Black and White Twin], [Cosmic Supermodel], [Flimsy Bonds], [Slayer of Ten Million].
A person is the sum of their social relations.
And also the sum of their traits.
Even from a cursory glance, Shi Ming discovered quite a few intriguing traits.
What was even more interesting was that this time, he could see what appeared to be the precursors to the three crystal-colored "traits" he had detected during their last meeting with the Supreme Treasure of Ten Thousand Flowers Jade: [Desire Satiated], [Bond of Life and Death], and [Long Star Returns to the Abyss].
’Is her current golden trait, [Insatiable], the precursor to the crystal trait, [Desire Satiated]?’
’And that silver trait, [Flimsy Bonds]... could it be a very early precursor to the crystal trait [Bond of Life and Death]?’
’Just as I thought. The traits that the Ten Thousand Flowers Jade can insert are all ones she is highly likely to acquire in the future.’
’As for the other one, [Long Star Returns to the Abyss], there don’t seem to be any related traits at the moment.’
"A project worth hundreds of billions. It will be enough for you to accumulate the capital for your revenge in a short amount of time and fight your way back to the Twelfth Cosmic Country within a century. That is my baseline guarantee."
"Oh?"
Bai Yimo was a little puzzled. She had never mentioned the Twelfth Cosmic Country to Shi Ming. ’How could this new boss of mine possibly know about that?’
"However," Shi Ming continued, "the prerequisites for this cooperation are your loyalty and discretion. If you agree, I have my own ways of ensuring these terms are upheld for a period of one hundred years. If you are unwilling, I won’t force you. In matters of cooperation, we will adhere to the principles of freedom and mutual consent."
Shi Ming knew that the Elder Ancestor would certainly agree to cooperate.
Bai Yimo, however, was a little surprised.
"Heh, your moral standards are as pristine as your handsome face."
"I’m a professional. I know not to fall in love with clients or bosses. Otherwise, I would truly pursue an earth-shattering romance with you. I’d let you experience what true pleasure really is."
"I’ll take your mission."
"If you can truly enable me to build the resources for my revenge within a hundred years, I don’t mind offering a deeper loyalty, and much more besides. But the prerequisite is that you have to be absolutely sure. An excellent boss shouldn’t just make empty promises; they must produce tangible benefits."
Deep down, Bai Yimo wasn’t actually too worried about Shi Ming’s verbal promise. She had only mentioned it as a standard part of the negotiation process, to display the attitude she felt was appropriate—
’The man has created so many miracles.’
’Never mind anything else, he had pulled her from the depths of the Cave of the Stars in a matter of seconds. A feat that not a single Sovereign of any Cosmic Country could accomplish! Thus, she wasn’t averse to a deeper partnership. In fact, if she could truly tie her fate to his, it might be a rare opportunity.’
Shi Ming smiled.
"I don’t need anything else. Only loyalty and discretion."
"Since you’ve agreed, let’s draw up the contract."
The contract would be drawn up by creating a trait with the Heart of Chaos. This was the first time Shi Ming had ever used this ability.
Soon, a cluster of white, unremarkable light formed a new trait: [Virtue of Cooperation]. This trait was highly specific, taking effect only between Shi Ming and Bai Yimo. As such, if Bai Yimo were to cooperate with other beings in the future, she would not be bound by the [Virtue of Cooperation] and could freely exercise her particular talents.