The negotiations were still ongoing, inching forward in the long tug-of-war. Over the course of this entire year, Xiao Yu obtained the results of several dozen small-scale technologies, but as for larger technological systems such as light science, materials science, and engine technology, no agreement had yet been reached.

It did not matter. Xiao Yu was prepared for a long campaign. Moreover, such leisurely days, without rushing about or exhausting himself over some powerful enemy, were themselves an excellent time to develop technology. Seizing this opportunity, and benefiting from the abundance of supplies while remaining within a star system, the scientists launched into various lines of research, digesting the technology gained from the Predator Civilization, continuing to analyze the Guardians’ ship, studying the technology obtained from the Pegasus Civilization, and more, all in a flurry of activity.

Of course, even while negotiating with the Pegasus Civilization, Xiao Yu never relaxed his vigilance. As the saying goes, a man may lack the intent to harm the tiger, but the tiger has the intent to harm the man. Xiao Yu did not intend to start a war, but he had to guard against the Pegasus Civilization launching one against him. Thus, during this time, while ensuring concealment, Xiao Yu constructed many defensive works within Star System Number 1. As for Star System Number 2, because the plan was to keep it thoroughly hidden, Xiao Yu did not carry out such construction there.

Xiao Yu did not know that a great conspiracy against him was about to unfold.

A Level 5 Civilization with a complete technological system involves tens of millions to hundreds of millions of detailed technologies. In Earth’s era, patent applications increased by several thousand to tens of thousands per year. This was a peak Level 5 Civilization, so it goes without saying.

Moreover, technological systems are not identical to one another, which means the differing technologies between two Level 5 Civilizations can be very numerous. Excluding the most detailed, application-adjacent inventions, and considering those closer to the foundational level, the number of differing technologies could be in the hundreds of thousands.

At least, based on statistics, Xiao Yu knew that between the Divine Ark Civilization and the Pegasus Civilization, the technologies Xiao Yu possessed that the Pegasus Civilization did not have numbered as many as six hundred and seventy thousand. Conversely, those possessed by the Pegasus Civilization that Xiao Yu did not numbered nearly five hundred thousand. A simple comparison of figures showed that the breadth of the Divine Ark Civilization’s technological system was greater than that of the Pegasus Civilization. After all, along his path, Xiao Yu had already fused the technological systems of two Level 5 Civilizations, the Molian Civilization and the Predator Civilization.

This exchange of more than one million technologies in total required assessing the value of each technology, and judging which technologies were suitable for exchange and which were better for independent research. Spending several decades on this matter would be in no way strange.

The two civilizations still maintained deep mutual suspicion. Around the star system where Xiao Yu’s one million ships were stationed, he detected that at least two million ships of the Pegasus Civilization had gathered there. These ships were clearly present to guard against his one million ships. They also blocked Xiao Yu from contacting the Pegasus Civilization through other channels, such as launching probes or deploying reconnaissance and spy satellites. Yet Xiao Yu was not particularly worried that these ships would attack him.

The reason was simple. The greatest threat was the five million warships parked several hundred light-years away. The Pegasus Civilization was unlikely to be foolish enough to make trouble for this one million ships before dealing with those five million. As long as those five million ships existed, Xiao Yu was safe. Under such circumstances, Xiao Yu was happy to drag out time with the Pegasus Civilization, carefully sorting through the details of the exchange.

Time passed little by little. Xiao Yu did not know what changes were taking place within the Pegasus Civilization, and the Pegasus Civilization could not possibly know what was happening within that star system where the five million ships were stationed. The two civilizations simply sat aboard this red reception City-Class ship and discussed the details of the exchange.

Nearly thirty more years passed. During these thirty years, a relatively high-value technological exchange was finally agreed upon. Xiao Yu traded his engine technology plus several hundred small-scale technologies to obtain the Pegasus Civilization’s light science.

This was a tremendous gain. Although light science would not, at this stage, enable Xiao Yu to research and manufacture light computers, it undeniably bore the imprint of a Level 6 Civilization and represented a possible direction for breaking through to Level 6. Moreover, with light science, various light-based weapons, such as death ray weapons and material disintegration beam weapons, could undergo dramatic increases in power. After fully deciphering light science, the death ray beams Xiao Yu fired could even turn mid-flight, like guided rockets, and autonomously chase enemy targets.

This counted as a significant harvest. As an exchange chip, the engine technology Xiao Yu traded away was by no means simple. Part of it was obtained by analyzing the Guardians’ ship, and another part through his own research. The Guardians were a Level 6 Civilization, and the technologies obtained by analyzing their ship were, of course, extraordinary.

Besides this exchange, Xiao Yu and the Pegasus Civilization also reached intentions for nearly one hundred thousand small-scale technological trades, of which more than fifty thousand had already been completed. These technologies brought about an almost leaping development in Xiao Yu’s technological level. Xiao Yu believed the same was true for the Pegasus Civilization. Exchanging ideas is, by nature, a matter from which both sides benefit.

It was just that fully applying these technologies would still require a lengthy period. It was not a matter of receiving them and immediately boosting a spaceship’s combat power.

—

“Leader, seven million ships have completed assembly across the border military districts. There are now fewer than one hundred eighty light-years remaining to the star system where the Divine Ark Civilization is stationed. We have already planned the route of advance. According to this route, we can keep our movements hidden until one month of travel remains before reaching the Divine Ark Civilization’s station. In other words, we will leave those ships of the Divine Ark Civilization only one month to prepare. With a prepared mind against an unprepared one, we believe that in this war we will surely achieve victory.”

“Very good, advance at full speed. Also, from this moment, strengthen security measures on all industrial and mining planets and enter Level One alert. The populace on all life-bearing planets will begin migrating toward the capital defensive circle. Ten years from now, without military orders, interstellar travel is prohibited for any reason. At the same time, accelerate shipbuilding once again and accelerate conscription as well. The Pegasus Civilization’s standing military strength is twelve million warships. I require that by the time the war begins in full, aside from the seven million ships encircling the Divine Ark Civilization’s main military strength, and the two million ships responding to that one million ships, we must still maintain at least six million ships of defensive strength within our domain. This is a hard requirement and must be fulfilled.”

“Understood, Leader. We guarantee completion of the task.”

“Very good. A full fifteen million ships, together with various star system’s defense systems. I do not believe we cannot deal with a single Divine Ark Civilization. Hmph. Expeditionary fleet, advance at full speed.”

“Within ten years, arrive at the star system of the Divine Ark Civilization’s garrison. At that time, carry out the plan to encircle and suppress that one million ships, in order to throw the Divine Ark Civilization’s military morale into confusion.”

The brief conversation ended. In a place unknown to Xiao Yu, in the endless void without the light of stars and without planets from which to obtain supplies, an enormous fleet set out on a long expedition.

Since the trade of engine technology for light science was completed, no other large-scale technological negotiations had succeeded. Only small-scale technological trades continued in dribs and drabs. Facing the protracted negotiations and debates, both civilizations seemed to have fallen into fatigue, yet their attitudes remained resolute. Neither side was willing to make further concessions on certain details.

The Pegasus Civilization very much wanted Xiao Yu’s space technology, and Xiao Yu very much wanted the Pegasus Civilization’s materials and engine technologies. Yet both sides coincidentally set an asking price for these heaviest technologies that the other was unlikely to accept. On this point, Xiao Yu was not anxious in the slightest. With deep trump cards, Xiao Yu was confident he could secure the greatest benefit in this exchange.

“It seems the exchanges for these most important technologies will have to be left to the final stage of negotiations. For now, proceed with negotiations over other small-scale technologies.” Xiao Yu thought to himself. He braced his spirits and once more plunged into endless debate and negotiation.

In such a state, another nine years slipped by. On another seemingly ordinary day, Xiao Yu received an alert once more. The difference was that this time the alert did not come from Star System Number 1.

This time the alert came from Star System Number 2. The Asia was stationed here, and Xiao Yu’s main body was here as well. Xiao Yu had always been exceedingly attentive to every move in this place.

This time, the situation seemed somewhat unusual. The covert probes Xiao Yu had dispatched detected an extremely unusual spatial fluctuation. Typically, such spatial fluctuations were caused only by a large fleet, that is, many ships simultaneously conducting curvature flight.

After a brief analysis, Xiao Yu reached a conclusion.

“Ah, so that is how it is.” Xiao Yu murmured. “Roughly seven million ships passed by Star System Number 2, heading toward Star System Number 1 more than one light-year away. Pegasus Civilization, you really have disappointed me.”