"Mr. Hengyu, may I address you as such?" Tao De said smoothly.
Since this Guide voluntarily spoke, not responding would be unworthy of being an elite.
And this time.
The alien named Hengyu didn't remain silent.
"Yes."
Though it was simply two words, it was enough to fill Tao De and Villard's hearts with joy.
Being willing to talk to them, at least it's a kind of friendliness.
Moreover, they urgently needed information about this spaceship.
"Mr. Hengyu, why are you all using the Eastern Country Language for communication?" Villard asked, voicing his biggest doubt.
If these aliens are using the Eastern Country Language for convenience in communication with them, there's no need for even their internal conversations to also use it.
"It's quite a good language, especially in terms of emotional expression." Hengyu continued leading the way.
This explanation clearly didn't explain why they used the Eastern Country Language among themselves.
But Tao De didn't ask further; instead, he posed another important question:
"I noticed that on your ship, it's not just one race?"
This question, once asked, made Villard, who was about to continue questioning about the Eastern Country Language, shut his mouth.
Because it's indeed an important question.
It's about their origin.
More importantly, it's about the possible existence of an interstellar society in the cosmos.
This spaceship and the presence of these aliens have already presented a grand and mysterious extraterrestrial society in front of them. At this moment, what they care about most is not the already answered question of "aliens exist" but "what is the interstellar society like," which will decide humanity's future.
Because Tao De and others are very clear.
Whether humanity is willing or not, from this point on, they have already entered the interstellar society.
Entered the Starry Era.
"The Wogte is not from a single racial civilization but from a corporate civilization."
"Corporate civilization?" Tao De and Villard glanced at each other.
At this moment, they suddenly felt extremely fortunate that the aliens were using the Eastern Country Language.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have grasped such crucial information through this simple communication!
Even in the interstellar society, there are also corporations!
And since it's a corporation, it's understandable why there are so many aliens from different races on the ship.
They might be employees hired from different racial civilizations!
Combined with Hengyu's earlier words to Priestley and that "I'm back" message, a guess that made Tao De somewhat delighted appeared in his mind.
Someone from Earth might be on this ship! And they might be from Eastern Country!
Maybe... their status isn't low!
Just as Tao De and Villard wanted to continue asking, Hengyu suddenly stopped.
"We're here." He turned and stepped aside, "The captain is waiting for you."
In front of them was a Light Gate.
They were about to meet the actual ruler of this spaceship, perhaps even a representative of a corporate civilization. Whether it was Tao De or Villard, they straightened themselves, even signaling others to tidy themselves.
Just before entering, Tao De seemed to suddenly remember something and solemnly said to Hengyu, "Humanity will always remember Mr. Hengyu's kindness to us, but... could you please guide us before meeting your captain?"
Upon hearing this, Villard's eyes lit up, praising Tao De.
This question was asked brilliantly.
Standing here, it could be interpreted as "asking if there's anything to pay attention to when meeting the captain," but could also mean "is there anything to teach us 'natives' when facing this cosmos." The former interpretation meant the question wouldn't seem presumptuous, but if answered as the latter, it might yield crucial information!
It might even offer survival advice in this cosmos that has become utterly different!
And Hengyu didn't remain silent.
He seemed to ponder for a moment, then slowly said, "Humans have a saying, 'falling behind means getting beaten,' and this is a cosmic truth."
The moment these words were spoken, Tao De and Villard's hearts sank heavily.
The trace of joy immediately disappeared.
They indeed received the 'advice' they wanted, but this advice seemed not so ideal.
Falling behind means getting beaten?
Undoubtedly, compared to these civilizations that have long ventured into the cosmos, humanity is exceedingly behind!
In the end, Tao De slowly bowed to Hengyu.
"Thank you for your guidance."
Then he stepped forward, crossing the Light Gate.
After a white stream of light passed before their eyes, their vision abruptly expanded.
Although Tao De was prepared for various possible scenes to appear, he couldn't help but instinctively take a breath.
One gasp after another followed from behind him.
Every person who entered widened their eyes, their bodies trembling.
No wonder they reacted this way.
Because ahead of them wasn't something that could be described as a "room," but a vast world!
They stood on fine sand, beneath a blue sky, as far as the eye could see was a vast ocean, and they could even hear the sound of waves rolling, with a sea breeze carrying a hint of salty moisture blowing towards them.
They could even see seagulls circling the horizon with the naked eye.
No matter how you looked at it! This was the seaside, a truly realistic seaside!
Spatial teleportation? Or three-dimensional projection?
A scientist crouched tremblingly, picking up a handful of fine sand.
The weight, the texture, everything here was incredibly real!
"Let's go, mind your manners." Tao De said softly to those behind him, taking a deep breath before leading them towards the beach.
There was already laid out a parasol and two beach chairs there.
Though they had guessed.
But when Tao De and the others got closer, they still couldn't resist trembling.
Feeling that this was all so unbelievable!
Because lying on the central beach chair was unmistakably a person!
Yes, a person!
Wearing sunglasses, a colorful beach shirt, revealing fair skin, no matter how you looked, it was a human, an Asian!
This was the captain of the alien spaceship?!
At this point, if someone told them it was all just a dream, Tao De and the others might believe it!
Some even pinched themselves hard.
The pain told them it was all real!
"Sit down, there's only one chair, the rest sit on the ground."
Shen Shi removed the sunglasses, looking at them, speaking casually yet undeniable.