The Martial Unity

Chapter 3253: Reverse Engineering Intent

They found themselves in a large tent in the human base, armed with anti-surveillance esoteric technology. Rui went even further and took the liberty to cast his own anti-surveillance domain for good measure.

He didn’t want the dark elves to get even a hint of the conversation he was about to have.

“I will get straight to the point,” Rui replied. “Do you think you can reverse engineer the flora technology of the elves?”

She directed a knowing gaze at him, having expected that question.

“It is possible,” she replied. “I haven’t gotten a good look at all their technology, but it shouldn’t be impossible, considering that their biotechnology is omnipresent across the entire continent. However, I doubt it’s that easy.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Well, for one,” she began. “The dark elves have been a part of the true world for millennia, and it doesn’t appear that any of the other civilizations have managed to steal their technology. The wooden infrastructure technology, for example, appears to this day to be an exclusive elven technology. The same can be said for the Greater Genoran Flora Network. None of the other civilizations have implemented it.”

“That’s a good point,” Rui remarked thoughtfully. “However, it might just be that the technology is most suited for the elves than any other civilization. Its paradigms are extremely compatible with elven civilization and culture, after all. For one, in order to make the full potential of the flora network of Genora, one would need large forests that cover a vast expanse of land. Most advanced civilizations are not going to dedicate that much land to forests and live with nature and all that crap. It’s just not worth it and conflicts with the nature of their civilization.”

“That is also a possible viable explanation,” she replied. “However, in that case, we would likely still see some of it somewhere. It truly does appear that their botanical biotechnology is exclusive to the Genora Continent. Which means that despite it being everywhere, they have some way to obscure its secrets from those who set foot on the continent.”

Rui stirred at her words. “…Well, do give it a shot and let me know what the results are. It is possible that you are correct, but even then, you are an immortal sage, you have lots of knowledge.”

She shook her head. “It pains me to say this, but I highly doubt that we immortal sages will retain our statuses as undisputed sages of knowledge in our field, except for the original three immortal sages, perhaps. But most of us haven’t lived long enough to accrue the kind of knowledge to beat out the true world. The people of the true world are truly intelligent and knowledgeable. The fact that they have achieved this much in the absence of esoteric technology shows that they have ingenious people while we have been pampered with the comparative magic of esoterics.”

Rui already had an inkling that this was the case; he knew that most immortal sages would no longer remain the coveted pinnacles of a given field anymore.

“In the first place, I think the immortal sages program is not enough by itself,” she replied. “I don’t think it is wise to rely on a handful of geniuses to carry human civilization, but to develop a large sector of good scientists and engineers to create a thriving industry that can survive in the absence of us immortal sages.”

Rui was inclined to agree with her statements. Indeed, they had relied too much on a scant peak of geniuses to stoke progress for too long. They should have instead tried creating a broader culture of scientific inquiry and technological development, which would have aided human civilization more thoroughly.

“Of course, having geniuses is also good, and we have already taken steps to create a culture of scientific inquiry and progress,” she replied. “The Esocline Federation isn’t carried by the Esoterist alone, but instead collects the best of the best throughout the world and gives them a place where they can shine. Similar things had already been happening. At least, before the Beast Incursion ruined that process.”

“…Once my father completes his economic corridors project, we will likely experience a technological boom, the likes of which we will have never seen before,” Rui mused with a prediction. “My father understands the conditions that need to be fulfilled for such a thing to happen, so he will undoubtedly ensure that they manifest in the Panama Continent. However, for that to happen, we need to get our hands on elven botanical biotechnology.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Is that why you asked if I could reverse engineer their technology?”

“No,” Rui shook his head. “They’re much more willing to give me that, and I have already come to a fair arrangement, but the flora network, on the other hand… they are much more protective of that. It is unlikely that they will give it to us any time soon, and even then, it will likely be only a primitive iteration of the technology. However, if we can get it anyway with the help of reverse engineering, then we can use it to enhance and weaponize the Beast Domain to an even greater extent. We will also be able to justify keeping the Beast Domain alive to human civilization in the long run.”

She frowned. “But the leaders of human civilization have already decided not to touch the Beast Domain anymore; they are too traumatized by it.”

Rui shook his head. “Trauma does not last forever. And future generations born after the Unfolding will not inherit it. You are the Ecologer, so I assume you want to protect the Beast Domain, especially since you are immortal and will be here for a long time. The best way you can do that is to help us turn into a greater flora network that serves as a communication network, a supercomputer, and a superintelligence all in one. The more useful and important it is to us, the safer it will be.”

The Ecologer understood his logic as she grew more serious about the topic.