Chapter 268: The Death of a Star

Words : 1572 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

After listening to Luka Two’s analysis, Xiao Yu remained silent for a long time. “According to what you’re saying, when it truly faces death, its actions might end up having nothing to do with its original intentions? This... I have some knowledge of psychology myself, but I didn’t know there was such a theory in psychology.” “Yes. According to our group’s investigation of over a hundred races that belong to you, this conclusion is accurate and applies to most cases,” Luka Two said. “If we disregard all other details and simply calculate the probability of it choosing to kill you or not kill you, then doing nothing gives you about a thirty percent chance of survival. Of course, due to the arrival of your companion Specter and your previous shielding methods, this probability has already been lowered slightly, now down to roughly twenty-five percent.” Though Xiao Yu wasn’t sure whether what Luka Two said was true or not, he still leaned toward believing it. Luka Two’s analysis sounded quite reasonable, making Xiao Yu feel that even though he didn’t fully understand what was being said, it nonetheless seemed very impressive. Disciplines like psychology cannot always be fully expressed through precise data. Unlike physics or mathematics, where formulas can clearly express relationships and connect with one another, psychology lacks such exact models. This was why Xiao Yu had never delved deeply into fields like psychology. At this moment, Xiao Yu once again felt the correctness of having established the Psychosocial Sciences Division. “This probability is still too low.” Xiao Yu shook his head. “I want to put in some effort to raise that twenty-five percent chance, even if only slightly. Even the smallest increase means my efforts have borne fruit. I very much dislike leaving my fate entirely in someone else’s hands, letting others control it.” “But sometimes, doing nothing may actually lead to the best outcome. I do not believe your plan to destroy the star has a higher success rate than this plan. My suggestion is to ignore your companion Specter and take no action. Wait quietly and leave life and death to be decided by the Great God.” “No, teacher, I disagree with your opinion.” At this moment, Jason stood up and voiced his thoughts. “Your psychological analysis of the aged Specter before death is indeed accurate, and I am deeply impressed by your extensive experience and insight. However, I do not believe that simply waiting is the best option. We... might consider implementing both approaches simultaneously. Though the star-destroying plan may risk exposing us, it would also increase our chance of survival. Based on comprehensive calculations, if the Molian Civilization truly possesses technology capable of destroying a star, then our survival probability would rise to about forty percent. It’s worth trying.” In front of his teacher, facing the undisputed authority in psychosocial sciences, Jason did not back down but courageously expressed his opinion. Luka Two was not angry at his student’s rebuttal. Instead, it looked at him with great admiration and said, “Perhaps your perspective is correct. Regardless, the final decision lies with the master. We are merely providing our master with options for reference.” Xiao Yu silently contemplated, weighing the pros and cons among the various plans. “You should return to The Paradise for now. Once you’re back, I will conduct another shield strength test aboard The Paradise. During this test, you will also need to teach this new dictionary to Luka Three, Luka Four, and several other outstanding scientists from the Science and Technology Division. I need their wisdom. This is the greatest crisis we have ever faced, and we must overcome it together, drawing on the collective wisdom of everyone.” “Understood, Master. We’ll take our leave now.” Led by Luka Two, the four psychosocial scientists stood up, bid farewell to Xiao Yu, and headed to the hatch, where Xiao Yu had already prepared a transport vessel for them. After the four scientists left, Xiao Yu let out a weary sigh. “The current situation is truly a tangled mess. Danger lurks everywhere, crises appear at every turn. Amidst this chaos, I must make the most precise decisions if I hope to grasp that sliver of survival. Actually, even without Luka Two’s psychological analysis, the concealment plan was always going to be implemented. What I need to determine now is whether or not to proceed with the star destruction plan.” “This requires an evaluation. I need to know the probability that the Molian Civilization possesses star-destruction technology, and whether it’s worth the risk to attempt it. If, after taking the risk to establish contact, I find that they do not possess such technology, then not only would all my efforts be wasted, but my survival chances would also drop further.” “Though I already have a rough estimate in my mind... it’s better to be cautious and consult Luka Three and Luka Four as well,” Xiao Yu thought. Xiao Yu’s massive fleet remained as calm and orderly as ever. On the planetary base and at the Central Research Academy of Science, thousands of scientists were still diligently conducting research. Bases scattered across the planet rumbled continuously, producing vast amounts of resources. Everything appeared prosperous and thriving. But Xiao Yu knew that above this flourishing scene, a dark cloud was quietly creeping in. Xiao Yu was making every effort to maintain the appearance of normalcy. All daily research continued as usual, but he found himself unable to focus on data analysis or technological development. Helplessly, Xiao Yu sighed and abandoned his attempt to continue working. The shield strength test on The Paradise had already begun. Under this full-spectrum interference, the monitoring from the aging Specter would be severed. Luka Two would use this opportunity to teach the New Dictionary to Luka Three, Luka Four, and several of the most outstanding scientists from the Science and Technology Division. Xiao Yu waited for Luka Three to contact him. He didn’t have to wait long. Three hours after the shield strength test concluded, Xiao Yu received a communication request from Luka Three. “Master, I have some updates on our progress in materials science to report,” Luka Three said. The message seemed perfectly ordinary, but after Xiao Yu decoded it using the New Dictionary, its meaning completely changed. “Master, I am now fully informed of the situation.” “You’ve already mastered the New Dictionary?” Xiao Yu silently thought, and likewise replied using the New Dictionary’s encoding, “Gather Luka Four and the other three scientists in the conference room. I have some matters I wish to discuss with you all.” “Understood. Please wait a moment,” Luka Three responded. Five minutes later, the five most outstanding Science and Technology Division scientists, representing all the races under Xiao Yu’s command, gathered together. All five had now mastered the New Dictionary. “Our conversation is likely being monitored, so I require that in this meeting, we use only the New Dictionary for all communications. The reason I’ve summoned you is to help me make an assessment. Given the current technological level of the Molian Civilization, what is the probability that they have mastered technology capable of destroying a star?” The scientists exchanged glances. Luka Three was the first to speak. “Master, there is something I don’t fully understand. When you refer to star destruction technology, what specific kind of destruction are you referring to?” “I mean technology that can cause a star, one whose mass is insufficient to naturally go supernova, to die through a supernova-like explosion,” Xiao Yu replied. “Just like what happened to Tianyuan IV when it was destroyed by the Guardian Civilization.” “I see...” The scientists lowered their heads and began to ponder deeply. “To make a star whose mass is insufficient for a supernova die via a supernova-like process... this involves the mechanisms of supernova explosions,” Luka Four said slowly, deeply immersed in thought. A supernova explosion is an extremely violent way for a star to die. Stars that undergo supernova explosions generally leave behind at least a neutron star. A star like the Sun, due to its mass, is not qualified to experience a supernova. It is well known that stars generate energy through nuclear fusion. Under high temperature and pressure, fusion occurs in a star’s core, converting elements from hydrogen into helium, then helium into carbon, followed by oxygen and neon, proceeding in order from lighter to heavier elements until reaching iron. In this fusion process, heavier elements require increasingly higher temperatures and pressures to fuse. This causes the star’s interior to form layers like an onion, with heavier elements fusing closer to the core. Once fusion in the core produces iron in a massive star, the entire process stops. Iron fusion does not release energy; instead, it absorbs energy. Thus, a catastrophic event occurs. The core, no longer able to support itself, causes the star’s outer layers to collapse inward rapidly. This collapse happens with extreme speed, approaching near light-speed velocities. The sudden collapse triggers a massive release of energy, and in this process, the star explodes completely. It is torn apart, leaving behind only a neutron star or black hole at its core, while the rest of its material is scattered into the void of space. The life of a star comes to an end.

Chapter 268: The Death of a Star

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