Chapter 80: Setting Sail Again, the Cosmic Silk Road

After Yan Xia issued the order, everything went into motion.

The negotiations between the two civilizations gradually began within ten years, and after 62 years, the Olive Branch Civilization's life form, which had been hovering outside the Civilization Federation, was invited to establish an embassy in the Frontier Star Domain of the Civilization Federation.

The Frontier Star Domain was entirely composed of Explorers, with a peak population of over 300 million, including other merchants, bringing the total population of the star domain to nearly 800 million.

Beyond this star domain lay the unknown, and the allure of the unknown was infinite for Explorers.

Du Lu gazed at a giant sphere flying through the distant starry sky.

"According to the information, that must be the spaceship of the Olive Branch Civilization."

His crew members behind him exclaimed in surprise.

"It's rumored that the spaceship contains a small world, a luxury we can't afford. We can only allocate a small portion of our spaceship for breeding."

Du Lu's gaze was deep, and after submitting the energy coin, he went to see his old home, which had changed beyond recognition.

He listened to the news about his family's descendants and left some money before venturing back into the starry sky.

After so many years, he had become a part of the starry sky.

"Great, we should thank that extraterrestrial life form for the gift."

"We can use the money from the energy coin to upgrade our weapons and purchase new mechs and other equipment."

"Now, let's accelerate our journey to the unknown star domain."

"We are like fish, and that's our ocean!"

Du Lu returned to the ship's cabin and entered hibernation, waiting for the moment when they would reach their destination and begin their exploration.

Even after countless adventures, the allure of the unknown still thrilled him.

The starry sky!

How vast, magnificent, and enchanting it is, like a glass of fiery red wine that intoxicates and captivates, leaving one unable to resist.

...

In another star domain, a fleet, like Du Lu, was heading towards the unknown star domain.

However, their destination was more specific.

It was the Olive Branch Civilization, located 280 light-years away.

This was the farthest journey the Civilization Federation had ever undertaken. Despite the increased speed of their battleship, which could reach 14% of the speed of light, it would still take 3920 years to reach their destination.

The two civilizations were neighbors, but the distance between them was so vast that it would discourage any ordinary life form.

"I've been thinking. Should I stay in hibernation on Tian Cang Wu or stay awake to observe the world?"

"The vastness of the universe captivates every life form, and this journey of nearly 4000 years is something I don't want to miss."

Yan Xia gazed at the starry sky outside the window.

The Tian Gong spaceship set sail again, embarking on a new journey.

This was a decision he had been contemplating for a long time.

"Is this really a good idea, Yan Xia?"

"You might encounter danger, and the Olive Branch Civilization might destroy our fleet, study us, and change us."

Ella looked worried, as her decision-making would have kept Yan Xia in the capital star domain, away from any danger.

Yan Xia turned to look at Ella, who appeared as a white-haired loli virtual image, with deep brown eyes that sparkled.

"You're right."

"But perhaps the small portion of human genes within me is still yearning for adventure."

"Ella, you and I both know that the Civilization Federation is not safe. Even if we build a turtle shell around it, when we encounter a life form that can use tools, the shell becomes so fragile."

"I can't afford to stop for a moment. The Civilization Federation is still in its infancy."

"Only by taking this step can I lead the Civilization Federation forward."

This step would bring them to the star domain of the Olive Branch Civilization.

Yan Xia decided to go because of the time delay in communication. Even though tachyon communication was 1900 times faster than the speed of light, a one-month delay in a single direction would still prevent him from making accurate judgments in real-time.

This was a crucial contact that would determine the fate of the Civilization Federation, and any miscalculation could lead to irreversible consequences.

He needed to be on-site to make the most accurate judgments and issue commands, which would put his mind at ease.

"Ella, the Civilization Federation is in your hands."

"If this journey ends in disaster..."

Death was not a concern for Yan Xia at this point. He could face it calmly.

"You don't have to take this risk." Ella had been trying to convince him.

"You and I both know that this is necessary."

Yan Xia was a bit stubborn, like an old man set in his ways.

But unlike other elderly people who were content with the status quo, when he realized that the most powerful civilization in the Milky Way might be at Level 2.8 or even higher, he couldn't afford to sit idly by.

Their goal was never to determine whether the Olive Branch Civilization had malicious intentions.

Even if the Olive Branch Civilization had malicious intentions, it would take them tens of thousands of years to conquer the Civilization Federation.

The real threat lay with higher civilizations. When the most powerful civilization in the Milky Way reached Level 2.9, no Level 2 civilization would be allowed to exist in the galaxy.

Ella estimated that this time frame would be no less than 300,000 years and no more than 500,000 years. The Milky Way would become a one-party system.

This seemed like a long time.

However, if the Civilization Federation developed steadily, it would take 100,000 years to reach Level 2.5.

When they entered a broader world, time became less valuable.

"In these 4000 years, we can still accomplish a lot, right?"

Regardless, the two civilizations would inevitably establish contact.

So, Yan Xia decided to revive a historical commercial project from his previous nation.

The Silk Road.

This time, it would be the Cosmic Silk Road.

"The Silk Road connects not only one end to another but also has a more critical central section."

"In the 280 light-years, we will pass through 51 star systems, where we can leave some soldiers and robots to develop the area and then recruit Explorers."

"We must produce as many tachyon communication devices as possible."

"Now that we have almost reached Level 2.1, these 4000 years may allow us to reach Level 2.2. If the Olive Branch Civilization's progress is slower than ours, our gap will narrow over these 4000 years. By then, it won't be a case of a snake swallowing an elephant but a lion hunting an elephant."

Every plan seems perfect and flawless before its implementation.

Yan Xia didn't know what would happen when they faced off.

But this plan was the best he could do at the moment, and he wouldn't regret it even if it failed.

He could only pray for the best.

Yan Xia suddenly thought of something else.

"I don't think even God could catch a shot from the Annihilator Cannon."