Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [307]

Star Calendar Year 8101, June 1st.

At the Empire’s invitation, 184 civilization leaders arrived in the Jarilo home system to attend a grand military parade.

At the break of dawn, transport ships lifted off from Belobog’s First Military District, ascending into orbit where several cruisers were maintaining a steady course.

Once these transports docked with the lower bays of the cruisers, the fleet set off toward Skytower Fortress, positioned directly above the Jarilo system’s star.

Leading the formation was a psionic cruiser carrying Belobog’s top government officials, as well as Chen Lin’s personal friends.

Herta, as usual, had traveled across countless light-years in her puppet form to visit the Jarilo system. From the moment she arrived, she had been relentlessly hounding every psionic she encountered. Even Bronya and Seele, both psionic users, had been subjected to her incessant curiosity—until Chen Lin physically lifted her by the collar and carried her away to put an end to it.

Just as she had stated before, the power of the mind and spirit was infinite. But what was the logical link between psionic potential and its awakening?

When Chen Lin asked if she herself had awakened any psionic potential, Herta dodged the question. She claimed she disliked wasting precious time on long journeys and that simply diverting some of her attention to her puppet body was already exhausting.

But that was an answer in itself. It was clear that this puppet body contained a fragment of Herta’s consciousness.

She had already awakened psionic potential.

Chen Lin could tell that Herta was obsessed with psionic theory. She seemed intent on delving deeper into its study. As for what she planned to do with it—he couldn’t be bothered to interfere.

As for Asta, she seemed quite fond of the warships. While her background was tied to the IPC, she had never once brought it up in front of Chen Lin. It was as if, regardless of whatever dealings existed between him and the IPC, she simply didn’t care.

Standing with her in the observation deck, Chen Lin accepted an anomaly report from her hands. As he read through the report, he casually pointed out the locations of various anomalies and shared a few stories from his past investigations.

Before long, three figures of varying heights approached them.

Their footsteps rang out clearly, with no attempt at concealment.

Without even turning around, Chen Lin already knew who was coming.

"Hey, got a moment? There’s something I want to talk to you about."

That unmistakable voice—it had to be Herta.

Chen Lin’s conversation with Asta was abruptly cut off. He glanced at Herta with a look of helplessness, while Asta simply chuckled.

"Chen, go ahead and chat. I’ll take a walk elsewhere."

With that, Asta turned and left. She would never put a close friend in a difficult position.

"So tell me, what could possibly be so urgent that the great Herta, the #83 member of the Genius Society, had to come find me? I’m just an ordinary, mundane mortal—I doubt I’d have much to contribute to your discussions. After all, I’ve never seen someone who could grasp psionic theory after reading just a few books."

Chen Lin turned around, his face full of a teasing smile. His tone, however, was unmistakably sarcastic.

No real malice—he was simply feeling annoyed by Herta’s usual arrogance.

"So this is why you abandoned me?!"

Herta’s eyes widened in disbelief. She pointed at herself with her jointed, doll-like fingers.

"Just because I’m smarter than you? But that’s only natural!"

Chen Lin: "…"

Alright, he had to admit—when it came to vanity, Herta was second to none.

"Alright, what do you want? If you need my help annotating the later volumes of Psionic Theory, then as per usual—you know the deal."

Herta’s mouth visibly twitched twice.

"…We’ll talk about that later!" she grumbled.

At that moment, the man standing behind her stepped forward. His movements were elegant and refined.

"It is a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Chen Lin. I sincerely apologize for interrupting your conversation with Miss Asta."

"You’re too polite, Mr. Screwllum."

Screwllum.

Herta had already mentioned that she would be bringing two friends along—one of them being Screwllum.

Like Herta, he had been selected by Nous, the Aeon of Erudition, to join the Genius Society, where he held the 76th seat.

Chen Lin had already met him a few times since his arrival, and his first impression was fairly positive. Screwllum was a gentlemanly roboticist, easy to get along with.

Beyond his status in the Genius Society, he was also a noble ruler of the Mech Aristocracy of Screwllum, making him, in a way, the leader of an entire civilization.

Originally, Chen Lin had planned to properly host his guests, but Screwllum—being a non-organic lifeform—had politely declined. Instead, he expressed a keen interest in exploring the Empire’s cities on his own.

As for the other guest…

Chen Lin turned his gaze toward the newcomer—a woman whose demeanor exuded the grace of an aristocratic lady. She rarely spoke, and when she did, her words were measured and deliberate. Her attire carried an understated elegance reminiscent of Jiangnan’s tranquil charm.

Her name was Ruan Mei, a member of the Genius Society, ranked 81st.

Since arriving in Belobog, she had remained secluded in her quarters, not stepping outside even once. It wasn’t until today, the day of the grand military parade, that she finally boarded the transport ship alongside the others.

Screwllum explained in his ever-gentle tone, "Miss Ruan Mei has encountered some difficulties. She hopes to find answers from you, and both Miss Herta and I would like to listen in—if you are willing."

Herta shot Screwllum a sharp look.

"When are you going to drop that annoyingly polite way of speaking…? Hey, Chen, I’m also curious to hear what answer you’ll give. Hurry up—I want to listen!"

Chen Lin waved his hand, and a door in the distance slid open. He pointed outside.

"Then don’t listen. Go out. Otherwise, I’ll throw your puppet body out myself and let Mr. Screwllum and Miss Ruan Mei stay."

"You—!"

Herta glared at him, momentarily at a loss for words. She clenched her fists, stormed up to him, and swung a punch.

"You dare?!"

Chen Lin suddenly grinned, catching her effortlessly under her arms and lifting her high into the air.

Her fists flailed, punching nothing but empty space.

"You think I won’t hit you, don’t you?"

"That’s right! Exactly! I wanted to see this exact frustrated yet helpless expression on your face. Oh, and by the way—two nights ago, out of the 48,264 annotations I gave you, 15 were wrong. Enjoy working through them. If you can’t deduce the correct ones, all your later answers will be wrong too."

"AAAHHH! I’M GOING TO KILL YOU, YOU UNGRATEFUL BASTARD!"

After a brief struggle, Chen Lin finally put down the fuming Herta. Then he turned to Ruan Mei.

"Miss Ruan Mei, have you encountered any troubles in Belobog?"

As he spoke, Herta and Screwllum stepped aside, quietly observing.

"Troubles?" Ruan Mei gently shook her head. "No, nothing of the sort, Governor Chen. I have heard about you from Herta and learned of Jarilo-VI’s past and present. I also know you are advancing research in the field of life sciences. That is why I came here."

Chen Lin studied her.

She looked no different from when they had first met two days ago—her lips held a faint smile, yet her eyes remained devoid of warmth. It was as if she were not a person, but a mere stone by the roadside.

Herta had once mentioned to him that, aside from Screwllum and another Genius Society member whom he had yet to meet, none of its members were particularly easy to get along with.

The implication was clear—Herta herself wasn’t easy to get along with either. Chen Lin had long since understood that. If not for psionics piquing her interest, she probably wouldn’t have spared him a second glance, let alone come all the way here to observe him.

"That’s only natural," Chen Lin said with a chuckle.

"The Empire has had the fortune to conduct extensive research on life throughout its history. Our understanding of it has been gradually developing ever since.

"By studying life, we learn how to terraform planets into habitable homes, how to help organisms adapt to harsher environments. At its core… the Empire has always defied the so-called ‘natural selection’ of the flesh."

"Is that so?"

Ruan Mei’s voice remained soft as she gazed out the window at the lifeless terrestrial planets beyond.

"I have asked many people this question. I asked Herta. I asked Screwllum. I even asked Stephen… Their answers were all different. Now, I am curious—what answer will you give me?"

She turned back to look at him.

"In your eyes, what is life?"

Chen Lin replied instantly.

"Life."

Not far away, Herta blinked in surprise. Screwllum, however, seemed confused.

Herta nudged him. "Hey, what did you say when she asked you?"

"My answer: Occurrence, Continuation, Dissolution."

Screwllum lowered his voice. "That is my definition of life."

"Oh." Herta shrugged. "That does suit your way of thinking, but I still think my answer was the best."

Screwllum’s eyes flickered slightly.

"Memory: Ruan Mei once asked Herta, ‘What is life?’ The response received: ‘Hah? What does that have to do with me?’"

"You remember it perfectly! So? Wasn’t my answer flawless?"

Screwllum fell silent for a few seconds.

"Knowledge holds no hierarchy. Understanding shifts with experience. Every unknown has its explanation. I hold all thoughts in equal regard."

He paused, then suggested, "Perhaps we should listen to Mr. Chen Lin’s answer."

And so, ten seconds passed.

Then twenty.

Then thirty.

Chen Lin remained as he was—smiling at Ruan Mei, looking neither like he was deep in thought nor preparing to answer. His demeanor was completely relaxed.

The longer he stayed silent, the more puzzled Ruan Mei became.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, forming an elegant, willow-like curve.

Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and repeated her question.

"In your eyes, what is life?"

"I already answered."

"…I see."

Ruan Mei did not hide the disappointment in her expression. She nodded lightly, then turned to leave.

But just then, Chen Lin blew lightly against his palm.

"Life was defined 46 seconds ago. That was a fixed moment, a fixed existence. You three personally observed it."

"The essence of life exists in that moment. The past did not change, the future did not change. At least, not beyond the boundaries of our perception."

"…?"

Ruan Mei froze mid-step. Her delicate brows knitted tighter as she turned to look at him again.

"Life?" she repeated softly.

Chen Lin nodded. "Yes. Life."

Ruan Mei asked again, "That is life?"

"This is life," Chen Lin affirmed.

"A moment ago?"

"No. This moment."

"This moment?"

"Wrong. The future."

"The future?"

"The present."

"Why?"

"Because it won’t wait for you. And you won’t notice it."

…

The two of them continued their exchange—question after question, answer after answer, each one succinct yet layered.

Herta, however, couldn’t understand a word of it. She elbowed Screwllum’s side.

"They… seem to be on the same wavelength?"

"Optimal response: I do not know."

Herta raised an eyebrow. "You actually don’t know something?"

"My friend," Screwllum said calmly, "Explanation: No question has only one answer. Every interpretation carries different significance and reasoning for each individual. This is the best conclusion my programming allows."

"The rapid thought-processing of inorganic life and the unwavering rationality that sets us apart from most organic beings… The traces organic life leaves behind as time flows forward… We may be different, but in the end, we align."

"What in the world are you talking about? Say it plainly."

"Logic: Mr. Chen Lin’s response is centered on the self, yet it intertwines both his intuitive understanding and his rational cognition of ‘essence.’"

Screwllum looked toward Chen Lin with admiration.

"The Chen Lin who understood ‘Life ①’ existed one minute and 24 seconds ago."

"The Chen Lin who understood ‘Life ②’ existed 37 seconds ago."

"The Chen Lin who understood ‘Life ③’ existed 14 seconds ago."

"The Chen Lin who understood ‘Life ④’ existed 5 seconds ago."

"The Chen Lin who will understand ‘Life ⑤’ will exist in the next second… and so on."

"Question: Herta, can you touch your past self?"

"Obviously," Herta scoffed. "Just make me an Aeon, and I’ll do it."

Screwllum nodded. "Perhaps, in Mr. Chen Lin’s eyes, there already is such a version of you."

Herta: "…?"

Meanwhile, Ruan Mei continued her questioning, and Chen Lin answered at lightning speed.

At last, Ruan Mei fell silent. She looked surprised—yet the cold indifference in her eyes remained unchanged.

"In the end, after cycling through everything, we’re right back where we started… But ultimately, you still haven’t given me your true answer."

"I already have," Chen Lin replied. "Miss Ruan Mei, the most ambiguous answer is the best answer."

Chen Lin didn’t understand why this woman was so obsessed with the nature of life. But since she still hadn’t grasped his point, he didn’t mind giving her one last hint.

"If you cannot control it, you do not deserve to define it."

"Too many narrow definitions lead to entirely different paths."

"Why does the perspective of others matter so much?"

Ruan Mei’s voice rose slightly.

"Because it does matter."

Chen Lin sighed.

He raised his hand and made a subtle motion.

In an instant, the space around them warped in an impossible way. The structure of the warship itself seemed to shift and bend.

For a moment, Herta nearly lost connection with her main body. Then, inexplicably, her awareness stabilized again.

As she staggered slightly, she heard Chen Lin’s calm, almost resigned voice.

"Then let me tell you—"

"Existence is life."

"I said so."

---

T/N: yes daddy lin

This is a fan translation of 在星穹铁道点群星科技树真的没问题吗? by 杏雨诗韵 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!