H1-level minor chips only grant learning privileges, limited to math, physics, chemistry, literature, history, and the arts. They do not allow viewing pornographic films.
H2-level citizen chips unlock a wide variety of information, covering dynamic intelligence across all walks of life, from cooking to aircraft, from gymnastics to galactic maps.
H3-level citizen chips signify full citizenship of the Earth Alliance, granting various privileges, including access to and control of weapons.
The first two can be easily obtained upon reaching a certain point in time.
The H3 citizen chip can be unlocked through three channels.
First, there's the recommendation process. Students with excellent academic performance, good behavior, and no criminal record who are recommended by their school will be given priority for admission to military academies, becoming eligible to obtain an H3 Citizen Chip and become reserve non-commissioned officers in various Earth Alliance countries.
Second, within ten years of obtaining an H2 Citizen Chip, those with no criminal record and meeting physical fitness requirements can apply to join the Earth Alliance. After passing the review, they can become a regular soldier and serve in the military. Once all reviews are passed, they will receive an H3 Citizen Chip.
Finally, individuals with no criminal record, who have paid over one million in taxes or donated over one million, can apply for citizenship from the state. Then, as citizens, they can purchase an H3 Citizen Chip through legitimate channels to unlock their privileges.
The first path paves the way for the Alliance to recruit talent;
The second path is a smooth path for the general public;
The last path...
is a backdoor for the wealthy and powerful.
Tian Xiao had just graduated less than two months ago and was now twenty-something. He had less than a thousand yuan in his pocket, no money or power. He hadn't excelled in college, and while he could have obtained a citizen chip by applying for military service, he was a commoner in the army. Promotions were difficult, and his movements were restricted. He wasn't as comfortable as he was in a familiar environment.
Besides, in an era of rapid expansion of colonized planets, becoming a miner seemed more promising than being a regular soldier.
"Here, zoom in."
Tian Xiao pointed to a black spot on the map.
Qing Long quickly obeyed.
The zoomed-in satellite map clearly revealed a deep pit with a diameter of approximately 1,500 meters. Its depth was almost impossible to measure, and the darkness was like the dark eye of the planet, staring back at him like an abyss, a terrifying sight.
There were tens of thousands of such pits on this planet.
Only in areas rich in minerals could one find such signs of violent, predatory mining.
Although the pit appears to be only a thousand meters in diameter, the bottom layer has long been hollowed out, leaving an untold expanse of the cavern.
But...
Already, more than a dozen H3 aircraft are circling the pit, moving in and out.
This is because large excavators are no longer suitable for a deserted mine, wasting energy and time. The remaining ore still offers considerable profit to the miners.
This is why there are thousands of miners stationed here.
By breaking things down into smaller pieces, with minimal energy and manpower expenditure, they can continue analyzing and mining the planet's resources, searching for any that might have been missed.
In Tianxiao's memory,
This pit actually collapsed a month later.
During a thunderstorm, the already unstable structure of the hollow layer began to destabilize, completely losing its support. The pit, initially 1,500 meters in diameter, eventually expanded to over 20,000 meters. This not only caused severe turbulence but also buried more than a dozen miners working in the area.
The miners forced their way into the pit during the thunderstorm because, by chance, one of them discovered a broken vein at the bottom.
This vein made several people rich overnight.
It is said...
This broken vein is worth over 30 million yuan, and even after a 70% profit split with the company, it would still generate nearly 10 million yuan in profit.
"You're the one."
Tian Xiao decided to take advantage of the situation:
Initially, news of the broken vein was strictly suppressed. Only after it was mostly excavated did rumors gradually leak out, leading to the burial of more than a dozen miners who had followed suit.
Three years later, no aircraft wreckage or remains have been found.
"Qinglong."
Tian Xiao ordered:
"Prepare three nutrient solutions. Let's go work overtime."
As soon as he finished speaking, Qinglong reminded him:
"Master, you forgot that your schedule for today is to take a day off and rest. You must stay at the base to prepare Miss Wang Jingyi's birthday present."
Wang Jingyi?
The name immediately stirred Tian Xiao's calming mood.
Birthday!
He remembered.
Wang Jingyi was a beautiful classmate who had graduated from the same school as him.
When she had just graduated and joined Yunzhong Group as a new miner on the assembly line, Wang Jingyi had come to him several times to complain because she hadn't met her collection quota.
Tian Xiao, overwhelmed with sympathy and, with the spirit of mutual support among classmates, took Wang Jingyi on a homework assignment. They hurriedly performed analytical calculations, searching for metal deposits in the rock formations. This helped Wang Jingyi escape the dilemma of failing to complete her daily tasks. Rumors of a romantic relationship gradually spread around the base.
But this situation soon ended.
On Wang Jingyi's birthday, despite being short on cash, Tian Xiao decided to personally make her a birthday cake as a gift.
As he delivered it, Tian Xiao overheard Wang Jingyi chatting with her best friend about herself.
He couldn't remember the exact words she'd used...
There are two proverbs that are particularly harsh!
"A toad dreams of eating swan flesh."
"What future does a miner so poor he can't even afford a gift have? He'll pee and look into his own eyes."
The toad turned and walked away.
The cake for the swan was thrown into the trash can.
From that moment on, he never went back to Tian'e. Instead, he worked even harder, preserving the last bit of self-respect and pride a poor man could muster.
He later learned that Wang Jing had hooked up with a junior executive at Yunzhong Group and was living well.
If Qinglong hadn't reminded him, he would have forgotten his ambiguous relationship with this woman.
"Cancel your vacation."
"Cancel your trip."
Tian Xiao instructed Qinglong.
Qinglong quickly complied, then asked, "What are you going to do with the cake in the refrigerator? Do you want it delivered in advance?"
"No need."
Tian Xiao turned and went to the refrigerator.
This cake had been made just hours ago.
It wasn't particularly exquisite, but it was certainly made with great care.
Tian Xiao took out the candles and inserted them one by one.
Qinglong asked again:
"Master, would you like Qinglong to call Miss Wang Jingyi to come and blow out the candles? I can make this place more beautiful and romantic."
"No."
Tianxiao placed the last candle on top and said:
"This cake is for me."
"Today is not Master's birthday."
Tianxiao thought to himself:
Today is indeed not my birthday.
But...
It is the day of my rebirth.