This message had not been broadcast using spatial transmission, but instead employed a form of faster-than-light technology that Xiao Yu was not yet familiar with.

The method bore some resemblance to the technology behind faster-than-light travel in spacecraft, only here, instead of transmitting a physical ship, radio signals were being transmitted.

In truth, ever since mastering superluminal communication, Xiao Yu’s interest in this type of technology had greatly diminished. If he truly wanted to, he could fully understand it from top to bottom within a year. But Xiao Yu saw no need to waste that time.

This message, unlike spatial broadcasts, did not come with an automatic translation function. Instead, it included a built-in dictionary. With the help of that dictionary, Xiao Yu was able to understand the message’s content in a short time.

In his heart, Xiao Yu felt a sense of absurdity.

“Azure Market? Safety, fair trade? When did the starry sky of the Milky Way Galaxy become so lively, that even a Level 5 Civilization dares to openly establish a market and flaunts it so brazenly?”

At first, Xiao Yu was somewhat incredulous, but the next moment, clarity struck.

“It seems… this is the result of losing suppression by a powerful civilization. The battle in which Taihao and the Guardian Civilization joined forces to fight against the Sweeper Civilization must have spread far and wide. Many civilizations have likely realized that, for a certain period following this event, conditions are optimal for development. That’s why so many are emerging now, eager to seize the opportunity.”

“Which means… this so-called Azure Market is quite interesting. Maybe I should go take a look. Hmm… it’s less than a thousand light-years from me. The edge of the Milky Way Galaxy is too desolate. If I want to engage with other civilizations, I’ll have to head toward the galactic core eventually. So… why not check it out?”

As Xiao Yu thought this through, he notified the Luka scientists of the situation.

Inside the grand conference hall, after Xiao Yu finished explaining everything, Luka Three was the first to stand and voice an objection.

“Master, I oppose going to this Azure Market established by the Level 5 Molian Civilization. I have two reasons. First, we still lack the ability to detect our surrounding environment during faster-than-light travel. This makes our journey extremely dangerous, there’s a high chance we could collide with various celestial bodies in space. Second, we cannot confirm whether the Molian Civilization harbors goodwill. If… this message is simply a trap to lure lower-tier civilizations, then once we arrive, what awaits us may not be safety and fair trade but annihilation.”

After a brief silence, Luka Four also stood and said, “Regarding the two points raised by Lord Three, I disagree with the first. With the current speed of our technological development, if we focus our efforts, we could likely master signal restoration technology within three years, solving the issue of being unable to receive external signals during faster-than-light travel. As for the second point, I agree. There are two paths to development: one through communication, the other through eliminating other civilizations. Without the suppressive force of a Level 6 Civilization, a Level 5 Civilization is already tremendously powerful. And we do not have enough intelligence to determine which path the Molian Civilization has chosen.”

The grand conference hall was filled with a low hum of discussion.

Xiao Yu gave a slight nod and said, “Those two points were well-reasoned. Now, let me share my own view.”

“Perhaps everyone is underestimating the power we currently possess. You should all know that, in a clash between civilizations of the same tier, mechanical civilizations generally have the upper hand over technological civilizations. And I… I am an existence that combines the advantages of both. Furthermore, we also have the Four-Dimensional Space Shields left to us by Taihao, which significantly enhances our strength. Therefore, I believe there’s no need to fear this Level 5 Civilization too much. Even if their intentions are hostile, so what? I trust that we’ll have sufficient strength to either escape or defeat them.”

“Given these reasons, I believe the risks are within an acceptable range. Now, let’s consider the potential benefits. If this Molian Civilization truly offers the fair and secure trading environment it claims, the advantages are obvious. First of all, we can use Alien Beast flesh or Swarm limbs to exchange for the technology and intelligence we urgently need.”

“That’s my view. I’ll open the floor for discussion,” Xiao Yu concluded.

Once again, the Luka scientists began murmuring among themselves. After a while, a younger scientist stood up and said, “I agree with the master’s view, but I’d like to add one point. What if the Molian Civilization isn’t strictly good or evil but rather, pragmatic? That is, if we appear too weak, they may simply rob or destroy us. But if we show a certain level of strength, they may deal with us fairly. I think, given the current state of the galaxy, this is the most likely scenario. After all, if they can easily wipe out a civilization and take what they want, why go through the trouble of trading? In the universe, there’s no such thing as some universal moral principle.”

Xiao Yu nodded slightly. “That’s very likely. I’ve noted your point. I’ll pay attention to this when interacting with the Molian Civilization. Anyone else wish to add?”

Luka Two stood up and said, “I can add something from a political perspective. Running a market might indeed be risky for weaker civilizations that travel there but for the market’s owner, the Molian Civilization, is there no risk on their side?”

“No, they face risk too. By exposing their coordinates, they could invite attack from higher-level civilizations at any time. If I were them, I would consider a method to minimize risk while maximizing gain. That solution is simple: separate the market station from the civilization’s core territory, and make sure the distance between the two is not too short but not too close either. This way, the broadcast only exposes the location of the market, and even if a higher civilization attacks and destroys it, the loss is acceptable.”

“In other words, they won’t station too much power at the market site, at least not a large portion of their civilization’s might…” Xiao Yu murmured in thought. “That would further increase the safety of low-level civilizations engaging in trade there. With our strength, we wouldn’t need to worry about being plundered.”

“No, that’s not what I meant,” Luka Two shook his head. “What I mean is: since their strength at the market is unlikely to be overwhelming, and we are a force that surpasses most Level 4 Civilizations, why not plunder them ourselves? After all, Alien Beast flesh and Swarm limbs are extremely valuable to us. If we can get what we want without giving those up, why trade at all?”

Xiao Yu paused in surprise.

Indeed, just as Luka Two said, aside from Alien Beast flesh and Swarm limbs, Xiao Yu really had nothing else worth offering in trade with a Level 5 Civilization. The Four-Dimensional Shields were far too precious, he absolutely would not give those up.

Luka Two’s proposal upended Xiao Yu’s thinking. Just a moment ago, he had been pondering how to avoid being plundered by the other side. Now, he had to consider how to plunder them. This shift made Xiao Yu feel a sudden, ironic realization.

“Politicians really do have dark hearts.”

Noticing the hesitation on Xiao Yu’s face, Luka Two added in a timely manner, “Master, don’t forget in the pitch-black universe, there’s no room for lofty things like morality. Morality only applies within a civilization. There’s no need to apply it to outsiders.”

Xiao Yu slowly shook his head. “I understand what you’re saying and I agree in principle. But you’ve forgotten something important. Sometimes, war is not the best way to obtain resources. Victory is good, but if you lose, you lose everything. In this encounter, we have no guarantee that we hold the upper hand. So, your proposal will be recorded, but not activated for now. During the contact process, I’ll carefully assess their strength. If the materials they possess are valuable enough, and their power at the market is clearly beneath ours, then I won’t hesitate to wipe them out.”

“In other words, during contact, we must remain flexible. Whether it becomes fair trade or warfare and plunder will depend on the other side’s value and strength. I’m sure they’ll be evaluating us the same way. Luka Two, you will serve as team leader. Select a team of scientists to draft a guideline document for the contact process, then submit it to me. I will finalize it. All future actions during contact with the Molian Civilization will follow this document.”

After some thought, Xiao Yu announced one more decision.

“From this moment on, the Scientific Assembly will be split into two divisions. One division will be the Psychosocial Sciences Division, led by Luka Two. It will be responsible for behavior prediction and psychological analysis of both internal and external civilizations. The other division will be the Science and Technology Division, jointly led by Luka Three and Four. They will oversee scientific research and development.”

“Current assignments: the Psychosocial Sciences Division will draft the contact document. The Science and Technology Division will join me in researching how to receive external photonic and electromagnetic signals during faster-than-light travel. That is all, dismissed.”

[T/N: Luka Two made me realize something I hadn’t noticed about my own perspective. Up until now, Xiao Yu has mostly been the underdog when dealing with external civilizations. So when I saw that the Azure Market was run by a Level 5 Civilization, my immediate reaction wasn’t “How will he take advantage of this?” but “How will he survive?”

It never even occurred to me that he might be the one with the upper hand now. I guess I got so used to seeing him struggle upward that I didn’t recognize just how far he’s come.

Did anyone else fall into the same mindset?]