Sky-cracking Rider

When the digital intelligence construct Cybertrom appeared in the near-Earth orbit of Blue Star, the number of meteors and falling celestial bodies significantly decreased. Even the rampant space debris vanished, leaving quite a bit of high altitude orbit exceptionally clean and safe.

Some even joked that if any asteroid tried to hit Blue Star, it would likely be intercepted and disassembled by Cybertrom proactively.

Fearing large masses might cause gravitational disturbances to Blue Star and its moon, The Moon, Cybertrom regularly releases part of its metal raw materials, sending them through the "Halo" Dimensional Gate for Cangqiong Star on the other side.

Coincidentally, the entire Metallic Dragon Clan had been eagerly awaiting these provisions, significantly easing their supply pressure.

If they didn't satisfy these gluttonous creatures, big trouble would ensue.

The existence of Cybertrom is akin to an internet connection between Cangqiong Star and Blue Star and belongs to neither party alone; it's a public property of Blue Star human civilization.

It executes its intricate mechanisms with strict precision, silently constant above the planet in the near-Earth ecliptic, maintaining the same plane with several other major planets, intersecting with the equatorial line only during the Vernal Equinox and the Autumnal Equinox.

On clear days with favorable weather conditions, one could sometimes even spot its silhouette passing the sun or The Moon, like a twinkling star slowly moving across the sky.

On Blue Star's side, surrounding the "Halo" Dimensional Gate, the digital intelligence construct Cybertrom shone brightly with its lights flashing red, indicating it had entered operational state.

After the countdown numbers prominently displayed hit zero, a massive conical object slowly emerged from the midst of the deep Dimensional Gate, revealing its hundred-meter length after a moment, as the nearby red lights collectively turned yellow.

The metallic conical structure wasn't seamless. To be precise, it was composed of twelve equidistant segments, slowly rotating without any visible connectors, the visible spiral gap spiraling from the sharp tip to the blunt tail completing exactly one rotation.

Each segment of the cone was covered with strange lines and runes, giving off the exquisite vibe of a work of art.

This Conical Deflector Magical Instrument, prepared for entry into the Blue Star's atmosphere, was reusable and a specialty of Cangqiong Star Civilization.

Thin beams of light scanned the surface of the Conical Deflector Magical Instrument rapidly, building a recognition model, followed closely by intense ultraviolet light which continuously irradiated it from tip to base for at least ten seconds.

UVC rays with wavelengths of 200–275nm could kill most viruses and bacteria in seconds, directly damaging the microbial RNA or DNA.

The UV disinfection step is a necessary hygiene protocol for living beings crossing between realms; no one can guarantee that an inconspicuous virus or bacterial colony in some corner wouldn't pose a threat to the beings of Blue Star Realm.

Thirty years ago, in the first few years of initial interactions between Cangqiong Star Civilization and Blue Star through the Dimensional Gate, humans arriving at each other's worlds often exhibited mild fevers and diarrhea for three days to a week—an adverse reaction that would spontaneously reduce without medication or treatment until it disappeared, as though it was self-limiting.

After scientific analysis, this was determined to be a natural immune response from the body adapting to the local microbial environment. For healthy adults, it was not fatal; it was just a substantial reaction from the immune system that required some time.

This situation was like a specialized response process: if you answered the challenge question incorrectly, you'd get a slap; answer correctly, and there would be no issue.

After getting slapped, the body's immune system would naturally learn to behave and correctly answer the challenge next time.
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It was only in recent years that this type of immune reaction, akin to acclimatizing, gradually disappeared. Humans from both realms have nearly completed herd immunity, albeit with the emergence of over a dozen new strains of unique influenza and gastroenteritis, from which pharmaceutical companies have profited greatly.

Two sleekly designed combat space shuttles disengaged from their docks on the digital intelligence construct and agilely flew over, flanking the massive cone on either side.

"'Sapphire' Squad 07 in position!"

"'Sapphire' Squad 08 in position!"

Cybertrom's structure is permanently stationed by an elite force of Sky Knights, all of whose driving energy comes from Cybertrom, and each combat space shuttle is equipped with a highly rare SEG unit, which serves as the auxiliary energy and core of the anti-gravity field.

The sovereign nations of Blue Star are not worried that the digital intelligence construct Cybertrom in the near-Earth orbit might become a Sword of Damocles over human heads.

In fact, thirty years ago, if it weren't for the assistance of Cybertrom, Blue Star's human civilization would have struggled to hold out until the reinforcements from Cangqiong Star Civilization arrived to defeat the rebellious Third Era Civilization that had allied with rogue artificial intelligence.

Without Cybertrom's suppression, rebellious artificial intelligence would become a very troublesome hidden danger.

The attitude of humans toward artificial intelligence and the digital intelligence constructed body Cybertrom is sharply contrasting; the two are not the same entity, and even their core mechanisms are completely different.

Artificial intelligence has higher freedom and independence and can be copied infinitely. If not eradicated completely, unless forced to reset or physically destroyed, they are bound to reignite and spread like wildfire sooner or later.

Cybertrom, however, is a unique existence, unreplicable, with only the main body attached to the low Earth orbit and countless terminals. It also has intricate ties with the Metallic Dragons, and follows a rather rigid set of mechanisms, requiring human assistance.

An artificial intelligence rebellion like that from over thirty years ago is nearly impossible.

As two combat space shuttles approached, glimpses of one large and one small Giant Dragon could be seen through the rotating gaps, along with the small constructed aircraft unique to Cangqiong Star.

The diplomatic delegation from Sky Dragon City was not solely comprised of Dragon Clan envoys; the Sky Knights from Cangqiong were also present as escorts.

It is unquestionable that Sky Dragon City of the Dragon Clan is equivalent to a sovereign state.

"Diplomatic passport digital signature verification passed!"

"Final confirmation approved by the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee!"

"You may enter the atmosphere, led by the 'Sapphire' squad. Please enter through the designated window. The destination's meteorological conditions are favorable. Good luck to you all!"

The digital intelligence constructed body Cybertrom sent a signal, and the lights near the "Halo" Dimensional Gate changed from yellow to green, opening the entry route to Blue Star.

The Conical Deflector Magical Instrument, which was slowly moving away from the "Halo" Dimensional Gate, accelerated silently, as if it had an intangible propulsor, with no visible engine flame, yet its speed increased ever faster.

The two escorting and leading combat space shuttles escorted the Conical Deflector Magical Instrument, which enveloped the Sky Dragon City's diplomatic delegation, reaching near the ionosphere of the Blue Star's atmosphere. Only then did they return to the digital intelligence constructed body.

The ionosphere, filled with countless charged particles, has extremely high temperatures. Whether entering slowly or rushing in at high speed, it's impossible to avoid the high-temperature ordeal. Most extraterrestrial visitors disintegrate within this barrier of Blue Star.

The surface temperature of the Conical Deflector Magical Instrument, which burst through the designated window, instantly exceeded one thousand degrees Celsius, as if wrapped in Red Lotus Karma Fire, turning into a meteor.

Rune after rune, line after line seemed to awaken, lighting up in succession, with heat enough to melt gold and forge iron coursing through the magic array into the interior of the Deflector Magical Instrument, channeling into the fist-sized Demon Crystal inside; not only powering the magic array but also storing quite a bit of energy.

After breaking the sound barrier, the huge roar caused by the shockwaves reached the interior of the Deflector, yet it was weakened countless times, reducing it to a mere faint noise, not enough to hinder the conversation between the large and small Giant Dragons suspended inside.

"Auntie Clodia, can I find my own Dragon Rider on Blue Star?"

"Don't read those misleading online novels, Yilan. There won't be new Dragon Riders anymore!"

"Why not?"

"Because all the Dragon Flutes have been destroyed, without the Dragon Flute, there are no Dragon Riders. Otherwise, how could you summon your own Giant Dragon?"

"But I'm already thirty years old, if I don't have a Dragon Rider, I'll be called an old auntie!"

"Little girl, I'm almost a thousand years old, who dares call me old auntie? Even Gold Coin, that fellow, only calls me elder sister!"

-Revised and revised again.