Su Yu’s eyes glinted as he recognized the state of this core host.

It and Su Yu were in different space-time dimensions; the cylindrical exterior was merely its projection in three-dimensional space, visible but untouchable. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Regarding space-time dimensions, Su Yu’s research was not profound, but with the help of the Number God Mechanic, he could observe the universe’s underlying rules and had gained some insight.

Clearly, this core host’s control over space-time dimensions far surpassed Su Yu.

It hid its true form in other dimensions, creating temporal and spatial isolation with Su Yu.

Predictably, not only could he not touch it, but even if Su Yu attacked with full force, he couldn’t do anything to this host, unable to touch it at all.

Currently, the host seemed to be in an absolutely sealed state, with no response to any external stimuli or interaction.

Su Yu withdrew his hand, shook his head, and suddenly spoke: "Do you think by hiding inside this host, I cannot do anything to you?"

Su Yu was not talking to the host but to the earlier voice, suspected to be the residue after the cosmos’s death.

Though the causality engine had restarted, theoretically, that thing should have been annihilated.

After all, the seed of destruction had already been sown, and as long as the environment of cause and effect was normal, it would achieve the fruit of destruction.

This thing was like a "cosmic undead"; once exposed to the "sunlight" of causality, it would be obliterated.

However, the causality engine was not perfect, unable to achieve a true 1:1 environment of cause and effect.

Combined with the host’s closed state, Su Yu speculated that the cosmic residue had not truly dissipated.

But was hiding inside this host, barely hanging on.

After speaking, Su Yu awaited quietly.

A moment later, the earlier voice appeared again: "What do you want?!"

Indeed, that thing had not been annihilated and still existed.

Upon hearing this, Su Yu smiled faintly: "What do I want? As a soldier of the Human Empire, coming here is naturally to recover this warship."

"And you, as the culprit behind the crew’s death, have committed an unforgivable crime and must surrender and be taken back to the Empire for judgment and punishment!"

Su Yu spoke righteously.

Though he had never actually worked a single day as this so-called imperial soldier, the other party was none the wiser.

Upon hearing Su Yu’s words, the cosmic undead immediately raged: "Unforgivable crime? Bullshit!"

"This warship came to this void to hunt me, but its strength was insufficient, and it was hunted by me instead. It’s merely survival of the fittest. What crime could I possibly have?! How dare you judge me?"

Although this entity is formidable, as the residue after the cosmos’s death, its temper seemed very irritable, not as aloof as imagined.

It likely absorbed the personality of some crew member, gaining this disposition.

Just like the Azure Universe’s residue absorbed Qi Chen, the residue of this universe utilized a similar method to gain personality and cognitive abilities.

"Hunting it?"

Hearing this, Su Yu’s heart moved.

Now he understood that this warship had journeyed into the void beyond the universe to hunt the residual undead after cosmic death.

The Human Empire of old was indeed fierce, embarking on such a grand expedition beyond the cosmos.

However fierce, their strength seemed inadequate, as they were hunted in return by this cosmic residue undead.

Uncertain if there were other warships conducting similar hunting operations, perhaps other warships had succeeded?

Simultaneously, Su Yu pondered what such hunting was for.

"Information, energy, matter appear to be the ’wealth’ of the cosmos, under normal circumstances, the universe would not allow any information, energy, matter to leave it."

"Once detached, it’s akin to ’betrayal.’"

"Like human flesh and blood gaining consciousness and attempting to escape the body. Even if they return, they would likely face fierce assault."

"Like a gambler with a mountain of debt who runs away. All transcendent’s energy and information are obtained from the universe, essentially borrowed debts, which eventually need repayment."

"I have already separated from reality’s universe, returning is probably not easy. Even if I find a way, returning would be arduous."

"Once returned, this universe’s ’creditor’ wouldn’t spare me, the ’debt evader.’"

"Then, if I could bring back information and energy from other universes, wouldn’t it not only repay my ’debt’ but even leave me with surplus?"

"Is that the significance of the hunt?"

In an instant, Su Yu contemplated much.

Long ago, Su Yu understood that subspace’s spirit energy essence was "debt borrowing," using subspace energy would eventually require repayment.

Unable to repay, it would be repaid with one’s life, known as subspace backlash.

This backlash is on a fate level, practically unstoppable.

Thus back then, Su Yu used the Brutal Split Mind as leverage to borrow from subspace and gain infinite energy.

Anyway, the debt was borrowed by the Evil God, while Su Yu used the energy, not needing him for repayment, perfect!

At that time, Su Yu speculated that the Human Empire might have been doing similarly.

Capturing mighty Evil Gods for imprisonment as an energy source.

Yet Su Yu also pondered how many Evil Gods the Human Empire must capture to supply all those transcendent beings?

And now Su Yu realized that the Human Empire of the past did something even more outrageous.

They directly dispatched warships beyond the cosmos to hunt cosmic undead, repaying subspace’s "debt."

No wonder they could maintain such a powerful empire.

Who knows how many "debts" one cosmic undead could cover?

Su Yu estimated, definitely a great amount.

After all, subspace spirit energy was merely an "internal cycle" no matter how used or borrowed and repaid.

While cosmic undead was truly external income, truly enhancing a universe’s foundation.

Therefore, Su Yu believed the cosmic undead’s value to be extremely high.

"Back then, wasn’t the Azure Star System also brought back similarly?"

Suddenly, this thought surfaced in Su Yu’s mind.

The Azure Universe’s residue managed to reach the Real Universe, and the Human Empire stationed Zhang Chenfeng, seemingly prepared.

Now it seems the emergence of the Azure Universe wasn’t accidental, probably another "hunt" outcome.

Whether it was the Human Empire’s hunt or... some other civilization, remains unknown.

"In that case, just taking back this cosmic undead could allow safe return to the Real Universe, perhaps even bestow great advantages..."

Su Yu thought silently.

Indeed, this warship is his hope to return to the Real Universe.

Thinking this, Su Yu tidied his words: "I see, so much time has passed, the Human Empire has declined, I wasn’t aware of such internal details."

"Since you are also considered a ’victim,’ it’s not necessarily required to execute you, but you do need to accompany me for trial."

Su Yu was clearly bluffing.

The cosmic undead sneered coldly upon hearing: "Accompany you? Do you think I’m foolish?"

"Your universe has the instinct to devour information from others, if I go, wouldn’t I be devoured instantly?"

Upon hearing this, Su Yu shook his head helplessly.

This entity likely absorbed all the knowledge and memories from the warship’s crew, plus the host’s data, appearing irritable but not easily fooled.

If that’s the case, then let’s resort to force.

Su Yu’s demeanor suddenly turned cold: "Follow me, you might not die, but refuse, then you’re truly courting death..."

The cosmic undead continued to laugh coldly: "What can you do to me?"

It was hiding in the depths of the host, unreachable by Su Yu.

Yet moments later, a panicked voice echoed: "What are you doing, stop now!"

It felt the surrounding causality environment slowly changing.

From the original 1:0.99999... towards the true 1:1!

Once causality reaches 1:1, it will be completely annihilated!

This is... the power of the Mechanics of Cause and Effect!