236: Chapter 236 A Bold Gamble on the Future: A Millennia-Old Extraterrestrial Civilization Descends on the Far Side of the Moon!

Pangu Laboratory, Level B2.

The indicator lights on the main console were flashing wildly.

A conversation spanning fifteen thousand light-years was being established.

The blue and white space in Su Che's mind dimmed completely; all light vanished, leaving only a hollow grayness.

All skill points, all independent points, and all stored energy had been wiped out in a single moment during the confirmation just now.

A wave of intense weakness washed over him, as if his bones and muscles had been stripped away, leaving only his naked soul.

He was now just an ordinary person who knew a bit about technology.

He reached out to steady himself against the console.

The cold touch of metal against his fingertips helped him stabilize his swaying body.

[Connection established.]

[Kairos Civilization's global quantum entanglement communication system has been accessed.]

[Protocol conversion complete; encrypted terminal has been simulated as a communication port.]

On the encrypted terminal of the main console, a green call icon lit up.

Su Che picked up the cold receiver and pressed the answer button.

After a slight burst of static, the voice of the system's simultaneous translator sounded in his ear.

"This is the Kairos Civilization, Perseus Arm Diplomatic Liaison Department, ID number 734. Please state your identity and coordinates, unknown signal source."

The other party's language, translated by the system, became a flat-toned Chinese that betrayed no emotion.

Su Che licked his dry, cracked lips and, following the system's prompts, replied in a deep voice.

"Earth civilization, Su Che. Coordinates: outer edge of the Orion Arm of the Milky Way, G2V-type star system, third planet."

There was silence on the channel for a full ten seconds.

"Earth civilization?"

A hint of a subtle fluctuation appeared in the other party's tone.

"According to our observation records, your civilization level is 0.7. Theoretically, your communication signals cannot even effectively escape your home planet's gravity well. How did you manage to contact us?"

Here it comes.

Su Che steadied his mind and leaned back against the chair to make himself appear more relaxed.

[Tell him you are not from this spacetime.]

"I come from the future, one hundred thousand years from now." Su Che's voice was not loud, but it sounded exceptionally clear in the empty Level B2.

"..."

This time, the channel fell into a deathly silence that lasted for half a minute.

"The future?"

The other party's voice rose unnaturally, breaking its originally flat tone.

"You mean... time travel? That's impossible! Even we cannot touch the laws of time."

"Just because you can't do it doesn't mean human civilization can't."

[Tell him that humans one hundred thousand years from now are already a Level 4 Civilization.]

"One hundred thousand years of development is enough for many things to happen." Su Che tapped his fingers lightly on the console. "In my time, humanity is a Level 4 Civilization."

"Level 4..."

The liaison with ID 734 completely lost his voice; the communication channel was deathly silent.

A few seconds later, a flurry of wind-chime sounds replaced the silence.

"Please wait a moment, Excellency! Your communication clearance is being upgraded. I will transfer you to our highest diplomat, the Star Speaker."

The other party's form of address changed from the plain "you" to the respectful "Excellency."

Su Che silently complained to himself that the system's ability to bluff and throw its weight around was truly unparalleled.

Humans one hundred thousand years in the future were clearly wiped out by a Level 4 Civilization, but now they had become a Level 4 Civilization themselves.

[Shut up, trash.]

The system retorted icily.

[In the original timeline, humanity was just one step away from becoming a Level 4 Civilization, otherwise, how do you think you could have opened the time channel? Information asymmetry is the highest level of weaponry.]

Su Che did not argue back.

Soon, a new voice connected, one that was noticeably calmer and more profound.

"Greetings, friend from the future. I am the Star Speaker of Kairos."

"Hello."

"An envoy from a Level 4 Civilization traveling through time back to their ignorant home planet—there must be a reason for this that we cannot comprehend." The Star Speaker's speaking pace was unhurried. "But I would like to know, what kind of trouble could be so thorny that even a Level 4 Civilization needs to seek help from a Level 3 Civilization like us?"

This was a tricky question that struck at the core.

A layer of cold sweat broke out on Su Che's back, and his brain raced madly.

"I am merely a messenger, not a fleet."

He quickly organized his words based on his own understanding and the system's prompts.

"What I have brought back is future knowledge and warnings, not the planet-killing cannons of a Level 4 Civilization. Given Earth's current industrial base, even if I placed the blueprints for level 4 weapons in front of them, they wouldn't be able to manufacture even a single screw."

This explanation was reasonable and logical.

The Star Speaker was silent for a moment, seemingly assessing the veracity of these words.

"I understand. Then, what kind of help do you need us to provide?"

"A level 2 civilization called the 'Tayake Civilization' is threatening the safety of Earth."

Su Che briefly recounted the war with the sentry ship, omitting the details of their crushing defeat and only emphasizing that the opponent had locked onto the L2 jump anchor and their main fleet could arrive at any moment.

"Tayake..." the Star Speaker mused.

"I remember them. A belligerent race from the Orion Arm that believes in the Dark Forest theory. They are indeed troublesome. The strength of their strongest fleet is equivalent to one of our standard patrol detachments."

Su Che felt a shiver in his heart. The Tayake Civilization's strongest fleet was only equivalent to one Kairos patrol detachment?

"We can intervene to mediate." The Star Speaker changed the subject. "But Kairos never interferes in the disputes of other civilizations without compensation. In return, we hope to obtain from you some... inspiration regarding breaking through to a Level 4 Civilization."

The dagger was finally revealed.

Su Che looked at the empty console, waiting for the system's instructions.

[Refuse.]

[Tell him that the scientific theories of a Level 4 Civilization are based on completely different physical rules; even if you gave them to them, they wouldn't be able to understand them.]

[But you can provide a complete set of peak Level 3 Civilization technical data to help them complete the final step faster.]

Su Che understood; this was the ultimate example of getting something for nothing.

"You wouldn't be able to use Level 4 Civilization technology even if you got it; it requires modification from the underlying cosmic constants." Su Che said in a tone he feigned to be indifferent.

"However, I can give you something more practical: a complete set of peak Level 3 Civilization technical data. I think this is more valuable to you than those illusions that you can see but cannot touch."

On the other end of the channel, the Star Speaker's breathing noticeably paused for an instant.

From the late stage of a Level 3 Civilization to the peak of a Level 3 Civilization—the Kairos Civilization had been stagnant at this step for tens of thousands of years.

"...Deal!"

The Star Speaker's voice carried excitement and undisguised eagerness.

"Please provide the coordinates. Our diplomatic mediation ship will arrive at your planet within one standard hour."

One hour?

Arriving in one hour from fifteen thousand light-years away?

What kind of god-tier speed is this! The Tayake Civilization's main fleet, even if they set off now, would definitely not make it in time!

"Coordinates sent."

Su Che suppressed his inner ecstasy, keeping his voice steady.

The communication ended.

Level B2 fell into deathly silence once again.

Su Che slumped back into his chair, and it took several minutes before he slowly let out a long breath.

It was worth it.

Even if he became a mortal, if it could buy a glimmer of hope for Earth's civilization, it was all worth it.

But...

"System,"

He suddenly thought of a life-or-death question.

"Didn't you say your energy was depleted and you couldn't unlock any more technology? What will you give to Kairos? You aren't lying to them again, are you? What if they find out and blow Earth to pieces with one shot?"

[Who told you this system cannot be recharged?]

The system's voice carried a hint of disdain.

Su Che froze for a moment, then immediately realized something, his eyes lighting up.

"Holy crap! It can be recharged? How?"

[Solve the immediate trouble first; when it is needed, this system will naturally tell you.]

The system lectured emotionlessly.

[Besides, do you need to hand over the technical data to Kairos immediately? Can't you delay? You are the one holding what they desire most; they are the ones asking you for something.]

[You must learn to take the initiative, rather than being passively led by the nose by others.]

Su Che blushed; indeed, he was still too naive.

He immediately picked up another encrypted phone and dialed General Shen Wangchuan's number.

"General Shen, it's me."

"Chief Engineer Su? Are you okay?" On the other end of the line, General Shen Wangchuan's voice was full of concern and exhaustion.

"I'm fine. Regarding the L2 anchor problem, I have already thought of a solution."

"What solution?" General Shen Wangchuan's volume suddenly spiked.

"I can't tell you yet." Su Che regained his composure. "Once I finalize the plan, I will give you an answer as soon as possible."

Hanging up the phone, Su Che stood up and paced back and forth in the empty Level B2.

Fifty minutes later.

The encrypted terminal on the main console rang again.

It was the Star Speaker.

"Excellency Su Che, we have arrived in your star system and are docked on the far side of the satellite 'Moon.' To show our sincerity, we hope to have a face-to-face meeting with you."

Su Che glanced at the time on the terminal.

"I'm afraid that's not possible for the moment; my spacecraft is under repair."

The luan bird was still lying in the Dry Dock.

"No matter." The Star Speaker's voice carried a hint of a smile. "Then, please stand where you are and do not move."

Do not move?

Su Che didn't react in time; what did that mean?

Before he could figure it out.

A gentle but irresistible force instantly enveloped his entire body.

The scene of the Level B2 laboratory before his eyes began to twist and stretch, turning into countless streaks of light.

He subconsciously closed his eyes.

The sensation of weightlessness lasted less than a second.

When his feet touched the ground again and he opened his eyes, he found himself standing in an incredibly spacious, bright, pure white space.

The air was filled with a strange, fresh scent, like grass after the rain.

Standing before him was a creature over two meters tall with an elegant physique.

It possessed a near-perfect humanoid form with long, slender limbs and was wearing a silver robe that seemed to be woven from liquid metal.

Most striking was its skin.

It was a translucent color, like the purest sapphire.

The creature bowed slightly and, with an elegant gesture, reached out a hand toward Su Che.

"Welcome to the 'Messenger,' friend from the future."

Its voice was exactly that of the Star Speaker.