"Can't find it? An entire planet suitable for habitation, possessing immense wealth, just vanished?" Yang Ying couldn't help but feel sympathy for Captain Rall. It was akin to an impoverished person on Earth winning a hundred million in the lottery, only to discover the ticket was lost—except the value difference between a hundred million lottery win and an inhabitable planet was like a single drop of water compared to the ocean; an indescribable, vast chasm. That Captain Rall hadn't gone mad from such extreme fortune and despair spoke volumes of his rare mental fortitude.

"When you were navigating, did you leave absolutely no records? If you were returned to your point of origin, could you retrace the route to that planet?" The Silicon Ore was too significant; Yang Ying could not afford to overlook any possibility.

After a burst of garbled sounds, 4-D translated for Yang Ying: "Captain Rall says it’s useless; he has tried every possible method. If it worked, he wouldn't be in this destitute state on Planet Falu. Their navigation records are stored within the ship's system. Although they desperately tried to recover the data after the navigation system was destroyed, the star chart to that planet is confirmed lost and unrecoverable. Captain Rall's voyage log was left on that planet, and the navigator died there. Captain Rall and the few surviving crew members, even under deep hypnosis, cannot recall the route."

"Is that so."

Yang Ying shook his head. This was truly unfortunate. The concept of deep hypnosis today far surpasses the hypnosis of Old Earth psychology; it has evolved into a profound mystic art involving spiritual energy, especially among higher civilizations. Even the deep hypnosis practiced on Earth has reached a glorious level; when administered by a Master, it can allow the subject to vividly re-experience any segment of memory, perfectly clear as if they were there again.

If a memory cannot be retrieved even through deep hypnosis, it implies the memory never truly formed—meaning Captain Rall was negligent during the voyage, not even knowing which direction his ship was traveling.

"Tell Captain Rall that his performance was inadequate. As a captain, not even understanding his vessel's bearing," Yang Ying instructed 4-D.

4-D garbled the words to Captain Rall. The captain’s eyes immediately flared with anger, his speech becoming rapid and jerky, spewing a long string of words that bordered on incoherence, like an automatic cannon.

However, 4-D remained unfazed. It managed to comprehend every word Captain Rall uttered, then turned back and translated for Yang Ying in its utterly flat, machine-like tone.

"Captain Rall says the Master does not comprehend the level of danger explorers face. They venture into territories untouched by predecessors; any single mishap can alter a planned route. Few exploration vessels maintain their original trajectory. It is commonplace for an explorer captain to momentarily lose control of the heading after an accident. Most captains recalculate the route using the navigation system afterwards, which is precisely what he had always done."

"Captain Rall further states that in the vastness of space, a powerful electromagnetic storm can instantly incapacitate a vessel. Lethally potent cosmic radiation can annihilate the entire crew in seconds. Boundless gas clouds can render any detection equipment useless. Should they encounter an asteroid field and accidentally strike one, it results in complete annihilation. Some gas clouds harbor lethally dangerous cosmic lifeforms that subsist on the gas, often reaching sizes comparable to warships."

"Captain Rall adds that on that particular journey, they encountered a pod of over a dozen Space Cocoons. Their breath weapon was an electromagnetic cannon whose power was not inferior to a Level Six Uranium Cannon; only warships could destroy them. With only his exploration vessel, escape was the only option. It was due to the frantic flight that they lost their intended route. They encountered several more dangers subsequently, causing the deviation to worsen. When they finally escaped the sequence of threats and intended to recalculate the route clearly, they arrived at the star system containing that planet."

"I see." After hearing 4-D's translation, Yang Ying nodded and addressed Captain Rall. "In that case, you must at least have maintained the course trajectory up until the encounter with the Space Cocoons. Did you use this information to request assistance from the Xinbu hierarchy? They should certainly possess a strong interest in discovering a new habitable planet. After all, the Xinbu sphere of influence is not extensive; possessing only a single-digit number of star systems, they would hardly refuse any opportunity to expand their territory."

4-D translated Yang Ying’s words. Captain Rall, having just vented his frustration, was much calmer now. Hearing Yang Ying’s inquiry, he sighed and replied with a few disheartened words.

4-D turned over: "Captain Rall says he did report the discovery, and it did capture the interest of the Xinbu high command. However, even knowing the location where they encountered the Space Cocoons, coupled with the memories of him and the surviving crew, could only narrow the location down to a rough area within a hundred light-years. The Xinbu dispatched a fleet of five thousand mechanized vessels to search for the planet. But as he mentioned, that entire region is extremely hazardous. The fleet suffered catastrophic losses, exploring less than one percent of the area, so they ultimately abandoned the search."

Yang Ying nodded. Given the Xinbu’s limited assets, they truly couldn't sustain such expenditures. Seeing Captain Rall’s dejected demeanor, he asked, "The reason you remain on Falu is also related to this matter, isn't it?"

A flurry of garbled sounds followed.

4-D translated: "Captain Rall says yes. After the fleet’s disastrous return yielded no progress, he became the scapegoat and punching bag, was expelled from Xinbu, and is permanently barred from returning. All he possesses now, besides his ship, is this pile of ore collected from that planet. He hopes to sell this ore to earn enough capital to purchase cargo and energy supplies, intending to transition into a freighter captain."

Yang Ying pondered inwardly, then nodded. "Very well. While you haven't provided the exact answer I desired, I still intend to purchase this pile of ore. Furthermore, you must tell me everything about that planet, including the location where you encountered the Space Cocoons and how you dealt with the situation afterwards. I want to know everything you know."

After 4-D’s translation, Captain Rall’s face lit up, and he nodded repeatedly, pulling a data chip from his pocket and offering it to Yang Ying.

"What is this?" Yang Ying took the chip, turning it over in his hand; there were no descriptive markings on it.

Another burst of garbled sounds.

4-D translated: "Captain Rall says this is a data backup he created after undergoing deep hypnosis, to prevent forgetting again. Everything he and the surviving crew knew is stored within. Even if he tried to recall it now, it wouldn't be more detailed than what is on this chip. As thanks for purchasing the ore, he is gifting this data chip free of charge."

"Excellent." Yang Ying carefully stowed the chip.

"Ahem, ahem." The shop manager stepped forward, producing a universal galactic payment device to finalize the transaction, collecting a small commission fee.

Once the matters were concluded, the manager panted slightly and addressed Yang Ying. "Esteemed guest, are you perhaps interested in that habitable planet? Given the amount you have spent here, allow me to advise you against it. It is an adventure where nine out of ten perish. While Captain Rall was on Falu, he shared this story with many. Over a hundred renowned explorers were lured by his words to seek that planet. Most returned empty-handed, and a small portion vanished without a trace. Explorers are the elite of every race; if even they cannot find it, it's hard to say if the planet truly exists. You should consider Captain Rall’s tale as fantasy."

Yang Ying paid him no mind. Captain Rall might fantasize, but Silicon Ore could not be conjured through fantasy alone.

The manager, finding his advice unwelcome, stopped attempting to persuade, snorted with an expression conveying, If you don't listen to my warning, you'll suffer the consequences, and retreated behind the counter to await the next customer.

Captain Rall, however, looked hesitant, his eyes darting left and right, before finally speaking two sentences.

4-D translated: "Captain Rall says he doesn't wish to deceive us, but the actual value of that ore pile isn't very high. Most of the ore he brought back from that planet that held any real utility was confiscated by the Xinbu. Only these stones, which Xinbu mineral experts deemed useless garbage, could he take with him."

Yang Ying sneered inwardly. The crystal of matter, the omnipotent Silicon Ore, labeled as garbage—it seemed the Xinbu were not so exceptional after all. Still, Captain Rall wasn't a bad person; he could have simply left after the sale without saying this. Yang Ying harbored no illusion that the seller would badmouth the goods before the deal was struck; that would be foolish charity.

In this exchange, Captain Rall sold goods he considered worthless for a price exceeding his expectations, while Yang Ying acquired information about the Silicon Ore for a nearly negligible cost, with the bonus of a habitable planet thrown in! This transaction was a win-win.

After speaking, Captain Rall turned and walked away quickly; he needed to select a batch of cargo to multiply his capital.

Yang Ying and his group left the marketplace and returned to the Giant Beast, as there was no further purpose in remaining on Planet Falu. Yang Ying was eager to find the Silicon Ore immediately.

Although he hadn't obtained the exact intelligence he hoped for from Captain Rall—the precise location of the Silicon Ore planet—in a way, this was better than expected. It meant the planet remained unclaimed, yet unfound by others. If he could reach it before anyone else, Yang Ying was confident he could claim it all for himself! To know what happens next, please log on to [Website placeholder], for more chapters, to support the author, and for genuine reading support!