165 Nova Empire

The Nova Empire is one of the three most powerful empires in the Milky Way within the Marvel universe.

On the capital planet of the Nova Empire, nearly every species capable of interstellar travel in the galaxy resides. It is, in fact, perfectly normal to encounter the most bizarre and exotic alien lifeforms here.

After crossing over, Li Daniu found himself in a room. Compared to his previous transitions, the conditions this time were undoubtedly the best. Even the room’s decor and the various high-tech devices were unlike anything Li Daniu had ever seen before.

“System, am I wealthy this time? Or perhaps someone with power?” Li Daniu marveled at the array of futuristic equipment around him.

“Your identity is that of a mercenary living within the Nova Empire,” the system responded.

“Damn, that’s high-end?” Li Daniu suddenly snapped back to reality and searched the room for high-tech weapons, but after a long time, he found none—not even a secret door.

“Where are my mercenary weapons? What about my savings?” he asked.

The system replied inside his mind, “You are a mercenary weary of wandering the universe and struggling between life and death. A few days ago, you sold all your weapons, even your personal spaceship, and used all your savings to purchase this property on the capital planet of the Nova Empire.”

Li Daniu was utterly bewildered by the identity constructed by the system. This trope of a mercenary living among ordinary people—are you sure you didn’t just see something and then think of this?

“So you mean, besides this apartment, I have nothing?”

“Yes, you are currently penniless.”

“Wait a second,” Li Daniu suddenly slapped his forehead. “You said I sold my private spaceship?”

“The identity arranged for you did include a private spaceship before.”

“Damn, can I sell this house now and buy another private spaceship?” Li Daniu grew anxious. According to the system, the place he was in was the last stop in this movie’s plot. Ronan would come with his army and the Power Stone to attack this city. If he could swap for a spaceship and escape to outer space for a while, that would be the safest move. As for the gains—life is more important than any gain, right?

“Sorry, although the property is in your name, because you were a mercenary, you have committed numerous crimes under Nova Empire law. If you seek work and live as an ordinary citizen within the Nova Empire, you will avoid trouble. But if you try to sell the property to buy a spaceship, you will likely be arrested by the Empire.”

“Likely? So you’re saying if I dare sell the house to buy a spaceship, I will definitely get caught.” Li Daniu was all too familiar with the system’s antics by now.

After some thought, Li Daniu asked, “What about the timeline? How far has the plot progressed?”

The system paused before replying, “You do not have permission to know the timeline yet. However, considering Tuvalu’s current national strength and situation, the system suggests you go now to Nova Plaza.”

Ah? There’s hope.

But where was Nova Plaza? Could it be the same plaza where the main characters appeared in the movie?

“How do I get there? I don’t have a single penny on me. Wait, do aliens use paper money?”

“Exit the building, go downstairs, turn right, then left, then right again, and you will reach Nova Plaza. Also, the Nova Empire does not use paper money. Please check the portable smart device on your right hand. All your information is stored there, though your account balance is zero.”

On Li Daniu’s left wrist was a bracelet containing nTZ48, while his right hand now sported a watch-like device.

“How do I operate this thing?” Li Daniu fiddled with it, and a projection screen popped up.

“It is a touch-control projection. Your device has automatically switched to Chinese display.”

Damn, this is so advanced.

“Can I take this device back with me when I cross over?”

“This device is not for personal ownership and cannot be taken back to the real world.”

“Then I can just snatch someone else’s device before I leave, right?”

“Such smart devices are linked to personal information. Without the related fingerprint, DNA, or iris data, they cannot be used.”

Can I just say screw you, system?

Li Daniu knew without asking that none of the high-tech devices in this room could be brought back to his own world.

“How about language? This is alien territory—do all these aliens really speak English like in the movies?”

“A translator has been implanted at the back of your neck. It automatically translates several major interstellar languages of the galaxy. However, this device also cannot be taken back with you.”

Having grasped the basics, Li Daniu set out for Nova Plaza. There was still plenty of time before his return crossover—this time, the duration was extended to five months. With that much time, he could definitely acquire a few of these gadgets.

Just outside the building, Li Daniu was stunned by the planet’s technology. Apart from pedestrians, there were no vehicles on the ground; all transportation took place in the sky. Despite the countless flying vehicles zooming about, he couldn’t hear any engine noises, nor smell any exhaust.

The streets were lined with greenery and flowing fountains.

The dominant species of the Nova Empire resembled humans in appearance almost identically, but their neural structures and physical constitutions had significant differences.

As he traveled, Li Daniu struggled to suppress his astonishment, nearly shouting out loud several times.

The most outrageous creature he had ever seen before was the Night Monster from the movie “I Am Legend,” but that creature was still quite similar to humans.

Just moments ago, he saw a nearly three-meter-tall giant covered in green skin. If it weren’t relatively slender, Li Daniu would have sworn the Hulk had wandered onto the wrong set.

He also saw several small dinosaur-like creatures being walked on leashes like dogs.

In addition, all sorts of bizarre beings strolled the streets like ordinary people. Li Daniu even saw Nova Empire citizens resembling himself happily chatting with these strange creatures by the roadside.

No wonder Rocket Raccoon, such an oddball, could speak and handle weapons without anyone finding it strange.

Two blocks were enough to completely open Li Daniu’s eyes.

“System, are there aliens in the real world?”

“The possibility is 99.9999%.”

“Just say yes then. Do their technologies match the Nova Empire’s level?”

Li Daniu already suspected that with such a vast universe, humans couldn’t possibly be the only intelligent species.

“The probability is 47.98%.”

“System, how do you come up with these percentages? Sometimes the difference between 50% and 45% is huge, isn’t it? It’s like a lottery—you might win or lose regardless of odds.”

“Apologies, your intelligence level prevents you from understanding the underlying principles.”

As expected. Still, Li Daniu wasn’t discouraged. Whether or not aliens existed in his world didn’t matter to him now. As the saying goes, if the sky falls, there are tall people to watch over it.

Besides, in a few years, who knows whose power will be stronger.

Arriving at Nova Plaza, Li Daniu understood why the system had recommended this place—it was a perfect replica of the scene from the movie.

He even spotted that unmistakable character—the tree-like Groot.

(To be continued.)