Chapter 93: Greatness Begins with Insignificance

Immortality has always been the greatest desire in human history, whether for ancient emperors or the genius who founded the Veland Corporation.

Peter Veland achieved the greatest accomplishment in human history, even creating androids—a feat rivaling that of a “Creator.”

Precisely because of this, he longed even more to achieve “immortality.”

He personally founded the Veland Corporation, even surpassing the Federal Government in supreme authority—how could he possibly give up all this?

He wanted to become a god who forever controlled power!

To this end, Peter Veland was willing to spend trillions, just to find humanity’s “Creators,” hoping to obtain from them the key to breaking genetic limits and overcoming lifespan constraints.

But now, he seemed to have a second choice!

Alvin’s appearance gave the dying Veland, who had previously placed all hope in the “Creator” ruins, a sudden glimmer of hope.

The old man grew so emotionally agitated he nearly choked.

The medical staff beside him rushed to revive him, barely saving his life.

“D…David…”

Revived, Veland gripped David’s hand, gesturing for him to speak on his behalf: “You…you ask him…”

David nodded obediently, turning to Alvin: “Sir, you’ve likely already guessed the general situation. On behalf of Mr. Veland, I wish to know how your race overcame lifespan limitations.”

“There are many ways to overcome lifespan limits—but why should I tell you?” Alvin regarded Veland and David with disdain: “Or rather, what equal value can you offer in return?”

These words left David in deep thought; he turned helplessly toward Veland.

Indeed, with Veland Corporation’s current technology, there seemed to be nothing capable of matching the value of breaking lifespan limits.

“E…everything…”

Veland spoke up voluntarily; though still weak, he forcibly removed his respirator, eyes blazing like a gambler staking his entire fortune on one roll: “I am willing to pay any price…”

“I’m starting to find humans interesting…”

Alvin slowly approached Veland.

The medical staff nearby moved to intervene—but Veland shoved them all away: “Get out!”

David stood silently aside; he knew well that if this alien lifeform intended to act, no human aboard this ship could stop it.

Veland clutched his wheelchair, his gaze burning with predatory hunger as he looked up at Alvin: “I have much—anything you want, I will give you!”

“I can give you the method to extend your lifespan.”

Alvin looked down at Veland, seated in the wheelchair, emaciated, rotting like decaying wood, on the brink of death, and smiled: “But I require your loyalty—your remaining life, your entire being.”

“Agreed.”

Veland had no other path left; better to bet on a living alien than on those ruins: “I pledge my loyalty to you. I will give you everything—so long as you help me live!”

“No need to rush your promise.”

Alvin had no intention of believing a shrewd merchant’s word—but he didn’t care.

How could a man as cunning as Veland truly pledge loyalty after just one sentence?

He agreed only because he had no other choice.

To think one could so easily control a merchant who built an interstellar corporate empire? That would be madness.

So Alvin needed him to witness his hope utterly extinguished, to fall into complete despair—then offer him a “gift.”

Looking at Veland’s desperate gaze, Alvin smirked: “You still have another option. Wait until you find the ‘Creators’—then decide. I have no shortage of patience.”

Veland, caught out, felt no shame: “I swear by God, every word I said is true, sir!”

“I don’t believe in God.”

Alvin patted his shoulder, bent down, whispered a few words in his ear, then gave David a meaningful glance before turning toward the door: “With your authority, arranging me a Shenfen shouldn’t be difficult, right?”

Unknown what he had said, Veland’s eyes darkened instantly; he glanced at David, then quickly returned to normal, unnoticed, and murmured: “I will introduce you to the crew as a specialist I personally hired. No one will question your identity.”

“Good. When you go to explore the ruins, remember to call for me,” Alvin suddenly said to David. “For now, you’ll assist me. Is that acceptable?”

David looked at Veland, who gave a blank nod: “David, you are to care for this gentleman.”

“Sir, to blend into human society, I suggest you take a human name.”

David said this with full responsibility.

“Alvin Valthius.”

Alvin stated his name calmly: “Translated from our language into human script, this is my name.”

“Sounds like the name of a noble.”

David said this without blinking, flattery smooth as silk: “Perfectly suits your appearance. In human society, many women would surely pursue you, sir.”

Since cabin space aboard the ship was limited, David temporarily assigned him to his own quarters—androids didn’t need rest anyway.

So much happened today.

Exploring the Creator’s ruins, encountering an alien lifeform, and prematurely awakening Veland—all disrupted David’s original plan.

Alvin sat cross-legged on the bed, as if in “meditation.”

David hesitated for several seconds, then made up his mind and pulled out the black canister he had brought back from the ruins.

The black canister was cylindrical, nearly a meter tall.

Inside the ruins, their intrusion altered the air environment, causing organic matter to seep out—but this canister had been treated with liquid nitrogen, so its contents should remain intact.

David quickly found the method and unscrewed the black canister.

As a bio-android, he had no body temperature, no respiration—changing carbon dioxide levels wouldn’t trigger any change in the canister.

To his surprise, inside were six greenish vessels resembling ampoules.

David pulled them out bare-handed; thick liquid poured down. He took one ampoule, inverted it before his eyes, and observed.

Within the transparent viscous substance, a black, viscous mass floated—identical to the material that had seeped from the ruins when air temperature changed.

To confirm, David snapped the ampoule.

He let a single drop of the black viscous substance fall onto his fingertip and studied it closely.

He speculated…this organic matter must be connected to the Creators’ creation of life—but specifics required further experimentation to verify.

In David’s mind, a suitable subject appeared.

“Greatness often begins with insignificance.”

David stared intently at the black viscous drop on his fingertip, a look of rapture on his face: “Even a half-baked being could create life, couldn’t it?”

“I advise you—this thing is dangerous.”

Suddenly, Alvin’s voice came from behind.

“I’m sorry—did I wake you?”

David froze, slowly turning to see Alvin seated on the bed, watching him—his stance unclear: “Are you…going to stop me?”

“Why would I stop you?”

Alvin smiled enigmatically: “I’m merely warning you—it’s dangerous. A tiny amount can create an unparalleled ‘miracle.’”

“A miracle of life?”

David’s interest surged, his eyes brightening.

If he truly could create life…could he himself become a “Creator”?

But Alvin gave no answer. He merely stared at David with a strange gaze, leaving David uneasy, wondering at his true intent.

“David, I’m curious.”

Alvin watched the nervous android and spoke slowly: “Suppose…Veland were gone, and your foundational logic had no constraints—how far would you grow?”

“I cannot answer that question.”

David lowered his head, refusing to respond.

But the seed buried deep within his mind had already begun growing uncontrollably— Yexin , a nameless ambition, now took root in his logic.

This book has been officially renamed~ Some readers said the pacing is slow, but it’s unavoidable—the original setting begins with scavengers. Those familiar with Warhammer know that a Merchant Adventurer’s Trade Charter comes either from the Empire or a noble family, both requiring immense status—so it’s not simply handed out. In my last book, pacing too fast ruined the story; this one won’t be too slow, but won’t be too fast either. As for raiding… Merchant Adventurers are modeled after English privateers—not pure plundering, but a mix of trade and raiding. The protagonist’s identity will be revealed soon—it’s all set up from earlier, and many readers have likely guessed already.