442: Try it out

Li Yang silently looked down at the Star Map, the dense red dots on the light screen like spreading sparks; excluding the gray dots marked "non-intelligent life forms," the red glow on the pure black background almost merged into a single mass—conservatively estimated, there were hundreds of billions, possibly even a trillion, fully infected planets, all of which once harbored intelligent life.

Even excluding scenarios where multiple planets were infected simultaneously, the speed of "dozens to hundreds of new planets infected per second" alone was enough to send shivers down one's spine.

He suddenly looked up, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"Then what if I kill the first infected person the moment they appear, blocking the initial chain? What would happen an hour later?"

Oliver was stunned, clearly not having considered this hypothesis, and after a moment, he shook his head.

"This... we haven't actually tried. After all, by the time an anomaly is discovered, the infection chain has already spread; there are hundreds of millions of confirmed initial infected individuals, making it impossible to trace back to the source."

The light of the Star Map reflected in Li Yang's eyes, the red and black demarcation line still silently advancing.

Hearing this, Li Yang thought for a moment and then spoke.

Li Yang's fingertip lightly tapped the edge of the Star Map, his gaze sweeping over the continuously spreading red infection zone, and he mused aloud.

"Comrade Oliver, I have an idea that might temporarily slow down the spread of the infection. Think about it: since this infection only targets intelligent life forms, we can first estimate the approximate number of planets that will be infected in an hour and, in advance, deploy a sufficient number of intelligent life forms on one sufficiently large planet among them. Once the first batch of infected individuals appears, we act to clear them out within the first hour. Remember not to kill them all; leave at least one alive to see if, an hour later, the infection on this planet will continue to spread outward."

Upon hearing this, Oliver frowned slightly, his fingertips rapidly sliding across the data panel. A moment later, he looked up at Li Yang, a hint of understanding in his eyes.

"You mean... if the infection relies entirely on existing infected individuals as its source, then by controlling the number of infected individuals on this planet, we can cut off the subsequent spread? If subsequent infections don't appear out of thin air, then we can gradually clear out the existing infected zones, little by little?"

"Exactly."

Li Yang nodded.

"Let's take a gamble and see if this infection can't spread on its own without existing infected individuals. If it works, we'll gain the initiative."

The air around them seemed to tense with the plan, and everyone's gaze fell uniformly on the Star Map.

"But so many intelligent life forms aren't something you can just gather up casually."

He Dong spoke in a deep voice from the side, his tone revealing unconcealed apprehension.

After all, what is called 'intelligent life' does not refer to any life form with a bit of instinctual reaction and some brain; it is not considered intelligent life.

The standard is very strict—they must at least possess complex communication abilities, not just transmit information through simple signals, but be able to express complex thoughts, emotions, and even discuss abstract concepts using language or symbolic systems.

Furthermore, they must be able to understand unseen existences like time and the future, understand mathematical logic, appreciate art, and, more importantly, actively design tools and create new things, rather than just using existing resources.

The most crucial point is to have self-awareness, to clearly recognize that 'I' am an independent individual, and to understand 'who I am' and 'what I am doing.'

Only creatures meeting these conditions can be called "intelligent life."

"So, think about it..."

He Dong's tone deepened.

"The quantity we need for this plan is at least a trillion, which is equivalent to the total population of several lower-level civilizations. Where do we find such a massive number?"

The Command Center fell silent for a moment. He Dong's words were like a basin of cold water, significantly dampening the slight anticipation that had arisen from the plan.

Indeed, theoretically feasible plans often get stuck on the details of reality—the source of these trillion intelligent life forms was the first major hurdle before them.

"How many uninfected civilizations are there currently?"

Li Yang's gaze swept over the flickering civilization markers on the Star Map, his tone grave.

Oliver quickly brought up the latest statistical data, his fingertips sliding across the light screen.

"According to the data, there are currently 85 civilizations. Among them, 6 are fifth-level civilizations, 32 are fourth-level civilizations, and the rest are third-level and second-level civilizations. Other civilizations have already been infected, fallen, and perished."

Li Yang tapped his fingertip heavily on the desktop, making an immediate decision.

"Have all surviving and still productive third-level and above civilizations immediately undertake the task of supplementing the number of intelligent life forms."

He paused, his eyes sharp as a knife.

"No matter what methods they use, whether organizing civilian participation or employing cloning technology for mass replication, they must gather the required number within the specified time. Those who fail will just have to wait to be devoured by the infected zone."

Though his words were cold, they conveyed an undeniable resolve.

With military forces stretched thin, his two divisions' strength could not possibly fill such a massive gap. Shifting the pressure to civilizations capable of bearing it was the most realistic choice.

Oliver immediately grasped the deeper meaning and nodded in agreement.

"Understood! The order will be transmitted immediately, instructing the Decision Makers of each civilization to personally oversee it. Those who fail to complete it on time, if they survive, will be directly removed from the Empire's roster."

As he spoke, a subordinate beside him quickly drafted the command, encrypted it, and sent it through the contact channels to each civilization.

On the light screen, the markers of the 85 civilizations flickered, dimming and brightening like candles in the wind.

Li Yang gazed at those flickering dots, knowing that this decision would plunge many civilizations into distress, but at this moment, there was no room for hesitation—either fight with all their might to gather the numbers and seize a glimmer of hope.

Or give up the struggle and be completely engulfed by the wave of infection. This was the cruelest law of survival.

"Oh, and Comrade Oliver, how many troops do you have available?"

Li Yang looked at Oliver, a hint of expectation in his tone.

Oliver brought up the troop deployment map, his brow slightly furrowed as he said,

"The main forces need to be stationed in other Galaxies. I've only brought 11 regiments this time."

He pointed to the organizational chart on the screen.

"My division has a total of 23 regiments; the remaining 12 regiments are stationed in other Galaxies to prevent problems."

After all, even if Gongjing No. 48 Galaxy were fully infected, at most, only one Galaxy would be lost. If all troops were moved, and other civilizations in other Galaxies took advantage to cause trouble, that would be problematic.

The main reason was that Oliver had not initially anticipated the infection would be so terrifying.

"11 regiments..."

Li Yang listened, then smiled helplessly, turning to He Dong beside him.

"Our division only brought 9 regiments as well. Together, that's only 20 regiments, barely equivalent to the strength of one division."

Although it was supposed to be a joint operation of two divisions, the actual military strength that could be committed to the current task was halved, which anyone would find somewhat tricky.

"But it's enough."

Li Yang quickly composed himself, pointing to the continuously expanding infection circle on the Star Map.