This technique that created a black band and then brought those robots to the far end of the Bridge of Light without moving was indeed extraordinary. Without a space weapon, it would basically be impossible to achieve.

As for the principle, it is actually quite simple. Using a two-dimensional world, that is, a sheet of paper, as an analogy, one can draw two points separated by one centimeter on this sheet. Then cut out and discard the one centimeter segment of paper between the two points. Because space itself has a restorative property, under the action of space itself, the surrounding space will close up the gap where the missing piece was. Thus, through the motion of space itself, the two points do not move, yet they come together.

A space weapon is the knife that cuts the paper.

Revealing the space weapon had two implications. The first was deterrence. The power of space weapons is beyond doubt. Facing a civilization that possesses space weapons, any being that has not reached the level of a Level 6 Civilization must think twice before taking action. The second was temptation. Because space weapons are so powerful, they naturally possess immense value. Such value is enough to drive any Level 5 Civilization mad. Since one cannot seize them by force due to their power, only one path remains, peaceful trade.

This was Xiao Yu’s deeper intention.

“I have many good things here and great strength. Do not even think about seizing them by force. Conducting honest trade with me is the proper way.” That was Xiao Yu’s thinking.

It now seemed that some of his goals had already been achieved. The Pegasus Civilization was clearly shocked by this technology.

However, this shock did not show on the surface. In such a setting where two civilizations were meeting for the first time, those present all had extremely strong psychological fortitude and remained unruffled. Although the appearance of a space weapon was unexpected and successfully shook their hearts, they quickly suppressed that state of mind.

The robots had already stepped onto the Bridge of Light. When the robots’ feet truly touched the bridge, feeling the texture as if it were solid and sensing that gravity, Xiao Yu could not help but begin to speculate again.

Xiao Yu’s computational power was immense. He could multitask on a massive scale, and while pondering these matters he did not neglect his exchange with the Pegasus Civilization.

The robots boarded those car-like vehicles, which then started up and swiftly carried them into the red reception City-Class ship. Pegasus Civilization robots were already waiting there.

In substantive terms, both parties sending robots to meet and talk was no different from conversing via Superluminal communication. Yet things are sometimes strange in this way. Superficial formalities, though seemingly meaningless, are indispensable.

Led by the Pegasus robots, Xiao Yu controlled his robots to follow them into a great hall. Perhaps because the intelligent lifeforms of the Pegasus Civilization were exceptionally tall, this hall was built very spacious, with an area of over a thousand square meters and a height of twenty to thirty meters. Strange patterns and images adorned the surrounding walls and the dome, seemingly bearing special significance. Xiao Yu surmised that this was likely the Pegasus Civilization’s unique aesthetic, much as grand halls in Earth’s era were also richly decorated.

Although the lighting in the hall was ample, the overall style leaned somewhat toward darker tones. After briefly observing these details, Xiao Yu had the robots sit in the seats the Pegasus Civilization had prepared in advance.

The talks formally began.

“To be honest, this is the first time our civilization has conducted such trade with another civilization. We do not know whether you, honored guests, have a good method of conducting such exchanges.”

The opposing robot spoke first.

The two civilizations had come to trade in technology. Technology is different from other commodities. It is not like a loaf of bread that can be picked up so that payment and delivery can be completed hand to hand. Technology is an abstract concept, which involves many extremely troublesome issues. For example, does a technology that can transform a spherical planet into a cubic one count as technology? If it does, how should its value be measured?

Furthermore, because one civilization cannot fully open its database to another, that is, it cannot disclose technological details in advance, how is the receiving side to judge the value of a technology beforehand? Most important of all, how can one civilization know which technologies within the other are the ones it actually needs?

Simply put, Xiao Yu did not know which technologies within the Pegasus Civilization he already had and which he did not. The reverse was also true.

But Xiao Yu had already thought about this. Facing the other side’s question, he replied, “I have a suggestion that we can discuss.”

“My suggestion is that we each first draw up a detailed technology list for our respective civilizations, placing all the technologies our civilizations currently possess onto this list for the other side to review. At the same time, after each technology, include brief explanatory text describing its function, so the other civilization can judge its value. Then, we can each select the technologies that interest us from the other side’s list. As for the specifics of how to exchange, we can discuss that later.”

“This proposal is excellent. We agree. Then let us adjourn for ten days and, during these ten days, draft the detailed technology lists.”

“Agreed.” Xiao Yu replied.

Thus the first contact ended. Both civilizations, with extremely high efficiency and decisiveness, completed this meeting and achieved certain results.

Next came the drafting of the technology lists. Xiao Yu first put up a set of more common technologies. A rough count yielded more than one million items. The second stage consisted of some higher-end, yet not truly rare, technologies.

Among them were Modular Energy Shield technology, ultra-scale electronic computer technology, heavy energy cannon on a super-massive scale, negative matter cannon technology, more advanced stellar cannon technology, and higher-speed conventional navigation technology, all within this category.

Finally came a set of extremely cutting-edge technologies. Space weapons, a Four-Dimensional shield system, curvature flight technology at thirty-five times light speed, the Sphere of Death, an extremely advanced antimatter and elemental decay hybrid engine technology, and life sciences capable of allowing lifeforms to have lifespans exceeding ten thousand years were all within this category.

“The fact that I possess a space weapon has already been exposed, so I will place space weapons on the list. Hmm, the Four-Dimensional shield should not be included. Something as astonishing as a Four-Dimensional shield is better kept secret. The Sphere of Death should be left off as well.” Xiao Yu thought to himself, and in the span of an instant finished compiling the list.

Xiao Yu knew the Pegasus Civilization could not possibly match his efficiency. This was because the fundamental patterns of technological development in the two civilizations were different.

On Xiao Yu’s side, it could be said that Xiao Yu himself was the foundation of his entire civilization’s technological development. In any area of technological progress, scientists could not conduct research without the support of Xiao Yu’s computational power. Xiao Yu understood every minute aspect of technology within his civilization. Under such circumstances, he could naturally draft the list quickly. The Pegasus Civilization was different. Their technological development was supported by tens of millions, even hundreds of millions, of researchers working together. Within that were countless branches of technology. To draft a detailed technology list required compiling all of these, requiring participation from all researchers. It was an enormous undertaking. In fact, that the Pegasus Civilization could complete this work in just ten days already left Xiao Yu quite astonished.

Of course, Xiao Yu had no need to show that. Having finished his work, he began to wait quietly.

What Xiao Yu did not know was that at this very moment, a top-secret meeting was being held in the capital city of the Pegasus Civilization.

“Based on the latest intelligence analysis and our parsing of the movements of powerful entities over tens of thousands of years, such as the Sweepers, the Guardians, the Taihao Civilization, and the Alien Beast Civilization, we have reached the following conclusion.”

“In the past one hundred thousand years, within the Milky Way, only one Level 5 Civilization can complete its metamorphosis and step into the category of a Level 6 Civilization. These powerful entities will not allow a second Level 6 Civilization to appear. The Divine Ark Civilization before us undoubtedly possesses greater potential than we do. From current intelligence, we know the Divine Ark Civilization has curvature flight speeds of at least thirty-five times light speed and possesses this space weapon that appears to employ space technology. These are all beyond our imagination. On the path of collecting unique technologies, the Divine Ark Civilization has gone farther than we have.”

“This implies a very serious problem. If the Divine Ark Civilization enters Level 6 before we do, then to prevent the emergence of a second newly advanced Level 6 Civilization, we will suffer a cataclysmic blow from the aforementioned powerful entities, and our entire civilization will be destroyed.”

“By coincidence, although the Divine Ark Civilization’s technology is advanced, its number of warships is not large. One million warships. With our strength, we are fully capable of annihilating them. Therefore, I have the following proposal…”