Chapter 268: Are You Willing?

Beneath the Tanga Federation, Du Qiu studied the progress of their current excavation after receiving a report from Wu Xinghuo. When the camera fixed on the crystal cube placed into the chamber’s lock and the door failed to open as expected, Du Qiu instantly realized the problem.

Walkerson had told him that this crystal cube was a key in Mayan civilization’s records, which they used to unlock the door to a secret trove. However, it now failed to open the gates to the Heavenly Garden.

Du Qiu knew this was because he had disrupted the cube’s consciousness circuitry. It was able to unlock the Mayan treasure because the Mayans had constructed it themselves, borrowing the crystal cube merely as a key, having no capacity to utilize the consciousness circuitry within.

But the Heavenly Garden was built by extraterrestrials, and its doors apparently required an intact consciousness circuit to function.

Undoubtedly, the gods revered by the Mayan civilization must have stemmed from the Pleiades, indicating that they and the alien civilization from Du Qiu’s dreams were likely of common origin. Especially since the exterior luster and color of the metal in the Heavenly Garden bore a resemblance to the buildings of these alien civilizations.

One could only wonder if their metallic composition was the same.

Why had the Pleiadeans come to Earth a million years ago, and why hadn’t they imparted any technological knowledge to the Mayans?

What exactly was their relationship with the Mayans? That of creators and the created? And if so, why treat the Mayans so harshly?

As far as Earth’s studies of Mayan civilization went, they knew that the Mayans possessed a relatively advanced level of civilization in areas such as astronomy, mathematics, and agriculture.

Even so, such knowledge seemed meager when compared to the sophistication expected from the Pleiadeans, essentially leaving the Mayans still within a Stone Age of understanding.

Given the high level of Pleiadean civilization, the dearth in knowledge shared with the Mayans was painfully negligible.

Why did the Pleiadeans suddenly leave Earth without taking the Heavenly Garden with them, instead burying it deep underground?

Did they plan to return, and was that why they left these living quarters behind?

Since the Pleiadeans required a residence like the Heavenly Garden, it implied that Earth’s environment wasn’t suited to them. What exactly were they like? Did they resemble the androids Du Qiu had seen in the Maintainer’s database?

Lost in these thoughts, Du Qiu found his curiosity intensifying rapidly.

“Star Ocean, arrange the Winged Dragon fighter jets and the Iron Guards. I will personally go to the Yucatan Peninsula and have a thorough look inside the Heavenly Garden.”

Although the research team at Dream Technology was making good progress in their studies, if the Heavenly Garden housed a more fundamental and detailed technology database, it would greatly benefit Du Qiu’s climb through the fourth level of the civilization tech tree.

Natural Force merely wanted a habitat capable of sheltering over a hundred thousand people to enable them to live on Mars.

Wouldn’t it be more convenient for Du Qiu to build a living base directly on Mars in exchange for the Heavenly Garden, facilitating closer research?

“Sir, everything is ready. You can depart immediately.”

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In the dead of night on the Yucatan Peninsula, the campsite of Natural Force was on high alert.

After the 15th earthquake of the day, Walkerson awaited with the members of Natural Force for Du Qiu, who had announced he would personally come to negotiate matters regarding the Heavenly Garden.

The members of Natural Force were curious about the legendary Dr. Du Qiu, who had once spectacularly escaped the clutches of the U.S. government.

Moreover, his founded company, Dream Technology, now possessed the power to contend against the U.S.

Suddenly, a beam of light shot down from the sky, and everyone on the ground felt a crushing sensation from above.

Looking up, they had the impression that something colossal floated overhead, yet the stars in the night sky were plainly visible.

With the light pinpointed on the ground, several figures descended from the sky, gently landing on earth.

Walkerson clearly saw Du Qiu accompanied by several fully armed soldiers.

Even Du Qiu wore a head-to-toe suit with a transparent facial shield, like a glass visor on a spacesuit.

Walkerson instinctively felt it was a spacesuit, but it lacked the cumbersome and bulky traits typical of those on Earth.

Du Qiu’s transparent visor slid open, and he greeted Walkerson with a smile: “Mr. Walkerson, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”

In a makeshift room, Du Qiu and Walkerson had a private conversation.

“Mr. Walkerson, I believe you can’t open the Heavenly Garden anymore. Have you reported this to your president and your financier, Sir Phileas?”

Walkerson was surprised that Du Qiu knew of Phileas’s existence.

“Don’t be shocked. There are no secrets about Natural Force from me. What I want to know is, what are Sir Phileas’s thoughts on not being able to enter the Heavenly Garden?”

Walkerson sighed and replied, “He has asked me if you have a way to open it?”

“That will require research; it could take a long time. After all, you need the Heavenly Garden intact, not damaged.”

Du Qiu said, then suddenly changed the subject: “Even if you opened it successfully, the space within wouldn’t be enough for all your people. Does Sir Phileas plan to abandon the majority?”

Walkerson clenched his fist and stated, “No, I can’t abandon the colleagues of Natural Force. They’ve all contributed to our cause.”

“I have an idea, will Sir Phileas agree to it? Otherwise, how about you video call Sir Phileas now, and I can talk to him?”

Walkerson thought for a moment and nodded. “Alright, I’ll connect him now.”

Soon, once Walkerson established a video call with Phileas and informed him that Du Qiu wished to speak, Phileas appeared somewhat stunned before agreeing.

“Dr. Du Qiu, I’m pleased to meet you.”

“Sir Phileas, the honor is mine. Let’s skip the pleasantries. Now that you can’t open the Heavenly Garden in the usual manner, what are your thoughts?”

“Does Dream Technology have a way to open it?”

Du Qiu responded: “I just discussed it with Walkerson. If we open the Heavenly Garden, it likely can’t be used again.”

Phileas was taken aback, then seemed to understand Du Qiu’s implication before saying, “Isn’t there a way to preserve its opening mechanism?”

Du Qiu shook his head and replied, “Mr. Phileas, I think you might be in a misconception. You want the Heavenly Garden simply to place it on Mars so that you can live safely within it and escape the grand glaciation on Earth, correct?”

“Yes, you’re right. But without the Heavenly Garden, how can we ensure survival on Mars?”

Du Qiu spoke confidently: “Dream Technology can build a living base for you on Mars, assuring that every member and family of Natural Force can live comfortably there.”

Phileas breathed rapidly, then calmed himself. “So you do possess such capability. Are you implying you want the Heavenly Garden in exchange?”

Du Qiu smiled. Indeed, as a descendant of the Sixth Empire, Phileas was quick on the uptake.

“Yes. Are you willing?”