But this also comes at a price.

Before Lü Yongchang could reach a conclusion, the silicic ray sent another tachyon message.

It is said that millions of years ago, the Sekor civilization, still living on its home planet, once fell into decline.

As for the reason...

[Civilized individuals become immersed in their own fabricated virtual worlds, unwilling to have any contact with the outside world.]

“Metaverse?” Lu Yongchang suddenly recalled a concept proposed by human civilization during the Earth era and murmured to himself.

really.

Given the inherent conditions of the Sekel civilization, it is entirely possible to realize a true metaverse by relying on its own supercomputer.

Suddenly, Lü Yongchang remembered the orange cursor that had appeared in the technology tree space.

For the Sekor civilization at that time, this virtual world technology, which was similar to the metaverse, must have been considered a dangerous technology.

Of course, they managed to escape this situation and imposed various restrictions on virtual world technology.

From then on, the development of the Sekel civilization gradually got back on track.

Lu Yongchang felt a slight tremor in his heart.

Escaping the death spiral of civilization created by dangerous technology through their own efforts...

The Sekel civilization is a formidable force!

but……

"The starship design of the Sekel civilization..."

After a moment's thought, Lü Yongchang asked again, "Won't this affect their war effort?"

Of course.

"Then why..."

As instinctive behaviors of civilized individuals, virtual world technology cannot be completely banned, but can only be restricted.

Therefore, the development of the Sekor civilization was not particularly rapid.

On the other hand, influenced by virtual reality technology, the Sekel civilization is unwilling to contact other civilizations; they prefer to live only in their own world.

Furthermore, the M87 system is relatively rich in resources... In short, due to the combined interference of various factors, the Sekel civilization was not significantly affected by wars during its development.

War was also relegated to the last priority among civilization's needs.

In their view, war is far less important than science and art.

"Art?"

Lu Yongchang's face showed surprise.

He can still understand science.

After all, it's impossible for a civilization to have developed to level eight without a thirst for knowledge.

But art...

Isn't this just a condiment within a civilization?

In the era of human civilization's exodus, art was even the most insignificant thing.

It was not until human civilization gradually grew stronger, and under the cultural stimulation of numerous subordinate civilizations, that art began to sprout a second time.

Yes, art.

They regarded their starships as the pinnacle of civilization's artistic achievements.

This is why each starship has its own unique design.

The Silicon Ray's tone was somewhat helpless: "Therefore, within the Silicon-based Alliance, the Sekol civilization's technological level can be considered top-tier."

But their true combat strength...

It's a long story.

Of course, even so, as a level eight civilization, it remains a top-tier existence in the universe.

Lu Yongchang's eye twitched slightly.

This pile of stuff... can it really be called art?

But when he thought about what the individuals of the Sekel civilization looked like, he fell silent.

Okay, he takes back what he said earlier.

These lumps of starships might actually be considered works of art.

...

After completing the resupply work in the microcosm, the human fleet headed towards its target area—to better observe the quasar, the fleet needed to get as close to it as possible.

Of course, this is within the neutral faction's safe zone.

Lü Yongchang had no intention of involving human civilization in the war between the two giants.

As for the silicon ray...

Upon learning of the Enroget civilization's plans, they did not hesitate to follow the fleet and fly together towards the other side of the neutral faction's safe zone.

During their journey, the fleet received numerous welcome radio broadcasts from neutral civilizations.

However, as they gradually approached the quasar structure, the number of tachyon broadcasts began to decrease sharply.

Clearly, these neutral civilizations are unwilling to live in this extremely dangerous region.

...

Two hundred years passed by in a flash.

Earth's calendar years.

In the M87 galaxy, the Cleaners and the Pastoralists are locked in a fierce battle.

The neutron fortress and the four-dimensional beings were fighting like dumplings being dropped into a pot in the quasar region in the center of the galaxy.

This directly created a scenario that human civilization has long dreamed of—quasar activity is becoming increasingly intense.

In just two hundred years, the activity of quasars has increased several times.

The most obvious change resulting from this is the two high-energy plasma jets that are moving in opposite directions—their length has increased by nearly two hundred light-years compared to two hundred years ago.

But this is not their limit.

According to Lü Yongchang's calculations, even if the war were to end now, the high-energy plasma jet, which was originally 4,900 light-years long, would gradually extend to light-years over time!

Unlike other regions of the M87 galaxy, the neutral faction's stronghold is characterized by tranquility and peace.

Two hundred years of peaceful development allowed Lü Yongchang to address a large backlog of research projects at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

In his mind, the once somewhat barren technology tree finally became full.

However, just like when it advanced to the seventh level of civilization, the foundational technology that symbolizes the eighth level of civilization is still shrouded in mystery.

In his anxiety, Lü Yongchang could only turn his attention back to the quasar structure in the center of the galaxy.

He still remembered the words the Sekor civilization had said before they left: "The structure of quasars contains many mysteries."

Just like the original Silice Ray civilization, the Sekel civilization also gave the Enroget civilization a friendly reminder!

As Silicon Ray said, the Sekor civilization, being a silicon-based civilization, held great goodwill towards them.

During these two hundred years, the Sekel civilization even sent several strangely shaped starships to guard them from afar.

only……

This "socially anxious" civilization clearly didn't know how to get along with other civilizations—in two hundred years, the two sides didn't even exchange more than ten sentences.

Everything was moving in a positive direction, except for the Academy of Sciences' top research project—to this day, Lü Yongchang has not discovered the secrets hidden in these violent spacetime fluctuations.

He could only lock himself in his office, repeatedly checking the cumbersome observation data.

In the holographic projection beside him, the complex formulas and equations had been modified countless times.

Not only him, but every Class I academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is in a similar situation.

P.S.: Thanks to Haoyuezhidong for the expert certification!

The boss is confused... Wow, that's amazing!!