Chapter 328

However, before that, we still need to select a batch of personnel.

In a meeting room, Qin Hao sat in the chief seat.

On the light screen ahead, personnel files scrolled.

Each file represented a top elite in their respective field.

Qian Yin, granddaughter of Academician Qian Bowen, 128 years old, specializing in multidimensional space theory and string physics,

her psychic power rating is A+, and she is the core engineer of the mobile star gate project.

Qin Hao lightly tapped the light screen, and Qian Yin's file enlarged.

Song Xiaolu, 135 years old, expert in interstellar civilization linguistics and semiotics, psychic power rating A,

he possesses extraordinary linguistic talent, said to be able to discern information patterns from meaningless noise.

Long Feng, deputy to Minister of National Defense Zhou Shaoqing, standard combat personnel, psychic power rating S,

he has participated in multiple key battles against the Koluo Empire, has rich combat experience, and is resolute.

……

He carefully reviewed each file.

This expedition to the Andromeda Galaxy is not for war, nor for tourism, but to serve as pioneers in a completely unknown dark forest harboring an apocalyptic threat.

Each member's selection is crucial.

Professional ability is the foundation, but mental resilience is even more important.

Finally, a list of three hundred people was confirmed.

These three hundred gathered the forefront scientists of Yanhuang Civilization, the finest warriors, the keenest linguists, and diplomats.

The day after the list was confirmed, Qin Hao summoned them to the secret dock of the Void Voyager.

Looking at these youthful faces with an average age under 125, their eyes all held a yearning for the unknown.

Qin Hao did not utter any motivational nonsense; he simply stated the facts calmly:

"Everyone, you are the first batch of Yanhuang Civilization personnel about to go to Andromeda, where Devourers may exist."

"Our mission has three objectives. First, survive."

"Second, bring back information about the Andromeda Galaxy and the Devourers."

"Third, under the premise of ensuring our own safety, attempt to find other civilizations."

"I promise you, I will do my utmost to bring every one of you back safely."

"Now, you have one hour to make final contact with your families. One hour later, we depart."

During that hour, Qin Hao was not idle.

He entered the core engine room of the Void Voyager, his consciousness sinking into the system.

"System, upgrade the Void Voyager."

【Please provide an upgrade plan.】

"First, add a Dimensional Anchor Device. I need the ship to be able to firmly lock onto three-dimensional space under any circumstances, to avoid being dragged or banished by higher-dimensional forces."

"Second, construct a Spatial Folding Warehouse, with capacity set for fifty latest-model mobile star gates."

"Third, replicate the Star Speech Civilization's Psychic Resonance Shield technology and integrate it with the ship's main shield system."

【Plan confirmed.】

【Dimensional Anchor Device, conceptual construct, energy consumption: 10 billion.】

【Spatial Folding Warehouse, conceptual construct, energy consumption: 5 billion.】

【Psychic Resonance Shield, technology replication and integration, energy consumption: 3 billion.】

【Total consumption 18 billion energy units, execute?】

"Execute."

Qin Hao hesitated not. This over fifty billion energy units is his greatest confidence in daring to take this step.

With the confirmation of the command, an intangible energy flow spread throughout every corner of the Void Voyager.

The ship's internal structure underwent a tremendous change without altering its outward appearance.

At the same time, in the Kuiper Belt at the edge of the Solar System, Qian Yin was leading her team in conducting the final test of the mobile star gate.

"Activate the black hole energy matrix!"

"Space coordinates locked, target: central star gate network node of the Milky Way Galaxy!"

"Dimensional beacon activated!"

As a series of commands were issued, a ring-shaped metal device only a hundred meters high instantly unfolded,

transforming into a star gate shimmering with dark-gold light.

A few seconds later, a stable signal came from the other end of the star gate.

"Report to Consultant Qin! Mobile star gate test successful! Connection to the Milky Way Galaxy's main network is stable, data transmission has no delay!"

Qian Yin's excited voice came through the communicator.

Qin Hao nodded: "Well done, immediately recover the equipment, all personnel return to the ship."

This is their lifeline.

Should they encounter an irresistible danger in Andromeda, they can instantly deploy the star gate and flee back to the Milky Way Galaxy.

All preparations are complete.

On the capital planet of the Solar System, Yanhuang Civilization's three-hundred-strong exploration team held a grand yet strictly confidential departure ceremony.

Luo Lao personally attended, walked up to Qin Hao, and solemnly handed him a short sword forged from a special alloy, its symbolic significance outweighing its practical use.

"This sword is named 'Explorer'."

Luo Lao's voice was somewhat hoarse,

It represents the hopes and blessings of all Yanhuang people. Xiao Qin, remember, behind you stands the entire civilization. No matter what you encounter, you must return safely.

Qin Hao took the short sword, feeling its weight, and nodded heavily.

Mao Xinyang and Brother Lan also came.

Qin Consultant, be sure to be careful.

Mao Xinyang's character remained cautious, repeatedly urging.

Brother Lan firmly patted Qin Hao's shoulder, forcing out a smile:

"Don't make it seem like a farewell of life and death; I'm still waiting for you to bring back some Andromeda specialties. I'll be back soon, right?"

"Yes, I'll be back soon."

Qin Hao replied with a smile.

The climax of the ceremony was two massive holographic projections.

In the image, Ke Huang and Bijalie wore the governor uniforms granted by the Yanhuang Civilization, their expressions solemn.

They knelt on one knee, facing the direction of the Solar System, and swore in the loudest voice.

"I, Ke Luo, Governor of the First Administrative District of the Milky Way, hereby swear!"

During His Majesty's expedition, I will guard the homeland of the Yanhuang Star System with my life and soul!

Any enemy who dares to shake the Yanhuang rule will suffer the fiercest wrath of my Ke Luo clan!

"I, Bijalie, Governor of the Second Administrative District of the Milky Way, hereby swear!"

I will unconditionally carry out His Majesty's every order, guarding the Yanhuang flame so it never dies out; if I violate this oath, civilization will return to ruin and souls will be eternally damned!

Under the control of the Thought Steel Seal, their loyalty was flawless.

But no one noticed that, as they spoke these words, a flicker of extremely complex emotion flashed in the deepest part of their eyes.

That was the last faint ripple of residual self-consciousness after being completely enslaved.

Having done all this, Qin Hao had no further attachments.

He led three hundred crew members aboard the "Void Voyager".

The starship slowly left the dock, vanishing into deep space under the gaze of countless eyes.

Its destination was the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy, the "Final Barrier" that has imprisoned all civilizations for hundreds of millions of years.

A few days later, the Void Voyager hovered in a void of space.

Ahead, there was no starlight at all, only a profound darkness that made one's heart palpitate.

"This is the edge of the Final Barrier."

Qin Hao gazed at the view outside the porthole.

He activated the system to perform a deep scan of the barrier.

【Scan begins……】

【Target: Spatial Lockdown Matrix 'Final Barrier'】

【Structural analysis: Using the supermassive black hole 'Sagittarius A*' as the core energy node, employing spatial string distortion technology to construct a bulwark covering the entire Milky Way Galaxy.】

【Evaluation: A creation of a fifth‑level high‑level civilization, possessing both 'concealment' and 'protection' functions. With Yanhuang Civilization's current technology, it cannot be forcibly broken from outside.】

Seeing the system's analysis, Qin Hao's reverence for the Starlanguage Civilization deepened another layer.

This handiwork is too grand.

"All hands, attention."

Qin Hao's voice rang out in the bridge,

"Prepare to cross the barrier. There may be a strong spatial pressure sensation—this is normal. Activate the 'Spacetime Viscosity Immunity Device'!"

"Hum——"

The hull of the Void Voyager shimmered with a mysterious dark‑gold light.

"Engine power at maximum, target straight ahead, advance!"

The starship turned into a golden arrow and plunged headfirst into the endless darkness.

The passage was longer and more agonizing than imagined.

For a full three minutes, the starship seemed to sink into viscous glue, each meter of advance extraordinarily difficult.

The hull groaned under the strain, and everyone on the bridge felt as if their bodies were about to be torn apart by an invisible force.

Just as everyone was about to give out, a point of light suddenly appeared ahead.

The next second, all pressure vanished abruptly.

The Void Voyager burst out of that "liquid" layer, and the view ahead suddenly opened up.

A colossal vortex galaxy several times larger than the Milky Way, more brilliant and magnificent, suddenly came into everyone's view.

The bridge fell into dead silence; everyone was stunned into speechlessness by the magnificent panorama before them.

Qin Hao's heart likewise surged with vast waves.

But he quickly calmed down and issued the first order after crossing the barrier.

"Prepare to activate semi‑four‑dimensional shuttle mode, turn on all detectors, and record all data of the Andromeda Galaxy."

"Our journey begins here."