Chapter 112: The Dark Night
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The electrical energy within the Black Dragon was actually quite limited, estimated to be around two million units. If this asteroid truly was, as it suspected, a technological creation made by an advanced civilization, then trying to restart it with such a small amount of power seemed rather doubtful.
However, the traitorous heart inside didn’t seem intent on restarting immediately. After transmitting about one million units of electricity, it voluntarily stopped and returned control of the body to the brain.
The Black Dragon immediately began to use all four limbs—front claws and hind legs—scrambling frantically at the ground.
It was eager to confirm whether the interior of this asteroid truly contained some kind of chips or circuits, which would support the theory that those so-called deities were essentially programs set by an advanced civilization.
Unfortunately, the asteroid’s material was far too hard, and the Black Dragon’s claws weren’t blessed or reinforced with gold—they lacked the strength to dig deep.
Helpless, the Black Dragon could only settle for collecting everything it could carry away, intending to study it thoroughly later.
Surprisingly, the Star Realm Dragon merely glanced at these actions before resuming its resting position, its expression resembling that of a father watching a child’s playful mischief, neither stopping it nor showing irritation, but rather a faint sense of satisfaction.
Busy “destroying the house”—no, busy digging—the Black Dragon was oblivious to this. It was consumed by swirling doubts.
For instance, if the asteroid was truly a technological artifact made by an advanced civilization, surely their tech would include automatic repair functions. Surely they’d harness solar energy. Why would they need a Black Dragon to help recharge it?
It just didn’t add up.
Or, if those deities were merely intelligent programs designed to maintain stability in the material realm, why did they possess independent wills and stances, a fondness for gold, and a penchant for controlling their followers? That hardly seemed like the role of a proper intelligence program.
And what about the demons in the abyss and the devils in hell—were they viruses in the system?
Moreover, why was the Xia Kingdom transported here? Was it because the material realm’s system was out of control and they wanted to use the Xia people’s power to reinstall the system, or was it simply a cruel joke for amusement?
The more the Black Dragon pondered, the more dizzy it felt, its mind overheating. It finally stopped thinking and, mimicking the Star Realm Dragon, settled down on the ground.
“Huh, this actually feels quite comfortable...”
With its jaw pressed against the earth, the Black Dragon clearly sensed something flowing continuously into its body, a sensation both sour and fulfilling, prompting a low moan. The last time it had felt this was when it was human, receiving a massage from a skilled technician.
As it rested, the Black Dragon grew drowsy. Suddenly, it jolted awake. “Something’s wrong. Why does this feel like I’m receiving data, some kind of installation package?”
The crucial point—this data, these installation files, couldn’t pass any security verification!
The Black Dragon came to its senses and struggled to rise, but a sudden thought stopped it:
These data and installation packages were about how to use nuclear energy!
“...Is this for real?”
The Black Dragon was skeptical. Wasn’t it said that supernatural beings in this world generally couldn’t tolerate radioactive elements? How had this one mastered bio-nuclear power technology? And it hadn’t even built any nuclear reactors here.
Still, the Black Dragon couldn’t resist. If these were data packages for shapeshifting, flying, or the legacy memories of dragons, maybe it could resist temptation and dash away without hesitation. But technology to absorb nuclear energy? That was simply too enticing.
After all, this would allow it to evolve into the legendary nuclear-powered dragon—extra powerful and super economical, needing only a few kilograms of uranium-235 to stay active for years!
Moreover, it could pass this technology on to the nation, helping achieve breakthroughs in nuclear fission and fusion!
Lost in thought, the Black Dragon gradually fell asleep.
---
The Black Dragon hadn’t dreamed in a long time. The last dream was before activating the traitorous heart, when the Dragon God Hybernien scolded it.
But this time, the one pulling it into the dream was clearly not Hybernien, but another female deity.
“...Freya?”
Looking at her back, the Black Dragon immediately thought of the goddess of love who had sought it many times.
“...No, I am not her.”
The goddess seemed to hear the Black Dragon’s thoughts and spoke suddenly.
Lady, isn’t it polite to eavesdrop on someone’s mind without permission? Is that befitting a deity?
The Black Dragon muttered internally, realizing this goddess was the one who had suddenly warned it earlier.
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“Oh... sorry, it’s a professional habit. I often listen to the thoughts of my followers and forgot to switch channels back. Please forgive me for the inadvertent intrusion.”
The goddess appeared reasonable and approachable, offering an apology. “As compensation, and as a first-meeting gift, I will patch your core program so that no one can hear your thoughts in the future.”
“...”
The Black Dragon widened its eyes. The way she spoke, her terminology—it all sounded increasingly like computer programming.
Could it really be true? Were these deities intelligent programs left behind by an advanced civilization?
The First Clan
“...May I ask who you are?”
After a pause, the Black Dragon couldn’t help but ask.
Fortunately, this goddess’s demeanor was far better than that of Dragon God Hybernien. She didn’t angrily send it away but answered truthfully.
“I am the night, the secret. You may call me Lilith.”
“...”
Ah, the goddess of night!
The Black Dragon suddenly understood, but a flicker of confusion rose. It didn’t seem to have much relationship with this goddess, so why was she seeking it out and seemingly taking care of it?
Could it be because both their names included the character ‘black’?
Thankfully, Lilith had already turned off her passive ability and couldn’t hear the Black Dragon’s thoughts, or else who knew what she’d think.
“Your Grace... may I ask why you summoned me?”
Seeing that Lilith truly could no longer hear its thoughts, the Black Dragon relaxed slightly and asked the question it was most curious about.
“I want to ask you for a favor, and also to answer some of your doubts, so you won’t stray onto the wrong path.”
“What is it? Please speak.”
“Go help the night elves reclaim Moonshadow Lake, and then fill it in!”
“...”
The Black Dragon was stunned. It never expected the goddess of night to ask this—to help her followers fight over territory!
If it were just reclaiming territory, that would be one thing, but filling it in afterward... what kind of operation was that?
“Sorry, I don’t quite understand. You want me to help the night elves retake Moonshadow Lake, and then destroy it?”
“Yes... You just need to do that. Nothing else matters.”
Lilith said calmly.
“...Alright.”
Though not pressing further, the Black Dragon felt it was strange. Was it against the rules for a high goddess to personally seek outside help?
“You can ask questions now. I will answer three.”
Lilith waved her hand lightly, and the dream’s light dimmed further, as if using secret divine authority to keep their conversation private.
“Any questions?”
The Black Dragon blurted out but then regretted it—what if Lilith said, “Is this your first question?” That would be troublesome.
Fortunately, the goddess’s character was firm.
“Yes, any question, as long as I can answer.”
“Good.”
The Black Dragon nodded, took a deep breath, and asked, “Are you gods essentially intelligent terminals created by an advanced civilization?”
“That’s... an interesting question.”
Lilith smiled. “No.”
“How can that be?”
The Black Dragon became excited. “From your choice of words, and what I learned on that asteroid, it clearly suggests the stars are satellites made by an advanced civilization, and you gods are the intelligent terminals on them!”
“That’s just your interpretation based on your knowledge. The essence of us gods is far more complex than you imagine.”
Lilith remained calm. “As for my wording—that’s translated automatically based on your brain’s vocabulary to help you understand.”
“...”
The Black Dragon hesitated, then asked, “Then what is the true nature of you gods?”
“That will be your second question... Are you sure?”
Lilith warned, “I can answer, but given your current ability, you may not comprehend it, and might come to wrong conclusions.”
“It’s like your people in the Xia Kingdom say about worldviews—every creature’s worldview differs, and it’s hard to transcend one’s bodily and mental limits to perceive the true world.”
“You are undoubtedly at such a stage. Even if I tell you, you might not understand... or even remember.”
“...”
The Black Dragon was stunned, then nervously said, “You know I am a soul from the Xia Kingdom?”
“Of course... I set the disguise on your soul.”
“...Why?”
The Black Dragon asked without much thought, but Lilith seemed to understand, waving it off.
“That’s too complicated to call a question.”
...Alright.
The Black Dragon calmed down, knowing this rare opportunity to ask the goddess who holds secret authority must be used wisely.
“When will the barrier between the Xia Kingdom and the material realm disappear?”
“Ah... you must have anticipated this.”
Lilith chuckled softly. “Less than three years. To be precise—989 days.”
Three years... so soon!
The Black Dragon’s heart jolted. Just as it was about to ask if there was a way to stop it, it realized the question was likely pointless. The barrier, isolating two time laws, was surely beyond the control of one or two gods!
More likely, they wanted it gone as soon as possible.
“Last question.”
Seeing the Black Dragon hesitate, Lilith urged, “Decide quickly... Even as a secret deity, I cannot linger long with you.”
“...Can I save it for later?”
The Black Dragon thought it best to wait. After consulting with Academician Ding and others, it could ask Lilith again more securely.
After all, it had many questions: who brought the Xia Kingdom here, why is the microscopic world of the material realm locked, how to help the Xia people overcome demon fatigue without altering the microcosm, will the traitorous heart ever beat reverse, who was the previous owner of that dead star...
The Black Dragon wanted to ask why Lilith could only answer three questions, wishing for more—even if it had to pay. After all, it possessed over a ton of gold!
But Lilith’s subtle aura—no, her subtle charisma—made it shy to ask.
“Very well.”
Lilith agreed. “But only at midnight, in my divine realm, with you personally present.”
“Of course, no problem.”
The Black Dragon nodded repeatedly. It wanted to keep good relations with Lilith—not only to ask questions later, but to have a way to contact her when needed.
“Your Grace, do you like gold? Shall I gift you a few tons...?”
The Black Dragon tentatively asked—not out of generosity, but because it noticed that this goddess had never mentioned gold, which seemed quite uncharacteristic for a deity!