Chapter 318: A Test of Intent

Words : 1717 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

The behavior of a civilization would always follow certain patterns. An individual might act erratically, doing things that defied logic, bu The behavior of a civilization would always follow certain patterns. An individual might act erratically, doing things that defied logic, but a civilization would not act irrationally. Why did they do this? Helping this civilization awaken intelligence, and then leaving behind such a rich inheritance, what was the true reason behind it? If one explained it according to the behavioral model of the aging Specter, it was akin to leaving behind a spark for their own civilization. No, it couldn’t be called a spark, because the two were fundamentally different species. Then...was it to leave behind a trace of their civilization in this universe? Casually plant a hidden seed, so that if this civilization became prosperous one day, perhaps even reached the elusive state of a Level 7 Civilization, it might avenge them? Explained from that psychological model, it seemed plausible enough. Luka Two appeared to know what Xiao Yu was thinking. It spoke in place of Xiao Yu, voicing this perspective. “There’s also one more point. We still cannot determine whether this speculation is true. In my opinion, rather than sitting here making guesses without any real leads, it would be better to dispatch a probe to these coordinates to observe directly. It’s only a probe. Even if it gets damaged, it doesn’t matter.” “No, we can’t do that,” Xiao Yu said. “I wonder if you’ve all noticed, if the Trolor Civilization really intended to give the technology of Fractured Space as a weapon to this civilization, they could have simply placed the relevant technology inside this box. Why did they have to put it in that so-called New World? In my analysis, there are two possible reasons behind this phenomenon. One possibility is that a higher civilization deliberately set a trap to lure us in. The second is that, inside the New World, they arranged some kind of test for this civilization, and only after passing the test would it obtain the technology.” “This implies another issue. If this message was really a trap laid by a malicious civilization, how could we possibly know? If we send a probe there, how could we be sure that the information it transmits back is real and not fabricated by the malicious civilization? You must understand, this is a distance of twenty light-years. Superluminal communication technology cannot function at such a scale. Quantum entanglement states will decohere across that distance, so sending a probe would be meaningless.” Xiao Yu arrived at this conclusion. The meeting room fell silent. Dozens of scientists from the Psychosocial Sciences Division all frowned in deep thought. At first glance, this problem seemed solvable by using encryption. For example, creating a new dictionary for communication. As long as the probe’s reply didn’t fit the logic and couldn’t be decoded with the new dictionary, it would mean it had been tampered with. This approach appeared reasonable, but it was ultimately unusable. Because the probe itself would also have to use this new dictionary to encode information, transforming plaintext into encrypted data. This mechanism had to be implemented inside the probe. That gave a malicious civilization the opportunity to break the dictionary. In fact, if such a malicious civilization truly existed, the dictionary getting cracked was almost inevitable. This solution was worthless; it resolved nothing. Similarly, dispatching intelligent beings, like having Luka Two lead a team for onsite investigation, was also pointless. Because Xiao Yu could not be sure whether Luka Two would be controlled by a malicious civilization, or whether the messages it sent back would be fabricated by them. In this situation, it seemed there was only one way left to verify whether this message was real. Xiao Yu would have to personally lead the expedition and see it with his own eyes. But doing so would be extremely dangerous. If a malicious civilization really existed, it could very well be like that White Dwarf Alien Beast, unable to leave a certain place, and forced to rely on deceit and enticement to lure other civilizations to approach it. Xiao Yu could not bring himself to make this decision. Yet the temptation was simply too powerful. “The attack methods of a Level 6 Civilization...Fractured Space... And it’s been specially modified by the Trolor Civilization so that even a Level 4 Civilization can wield it. Though the usage threshold has been lowered through the modifications, which would naturally weaken its power, I can confirm it would still be a more formidable offensive capability than a negative matter cannon. In terms of defense, I already have the Four-Dimensional Shield from the Taihao Civilization. But in offense, I have always been sorely lacking.” “When I faced the Molian Civilization, there were even incidents where hundreds of ships had to swarm a single enemy ship just to take it down. Offensive capability has always been my shortcoming. This thing’s allure to me is simply too great.” “So, in the end...should we go or not...” Xiao Yu fell into deep conflict. This was like a gamble, if he won, he would gain unimaginable riches; if he lost, he would be left with nothing. “Perhaps...we should take the initiative to probe it a little...” At that moment, a scientist from the Psychosocial Sciences Division stood up and began to speak slowly. Xiao Yu noticed its gaze was directed downward and its speech was unhurried. This meant its thoughts were still incomplete, it was refining the idea as it spoke. “Take the initiative to probe?” Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up, and he immediately asked, “How do we take the initiative to probe?” The phrase ‘take the initiative to probe’ opened a new door in his mind. “I mean...perhaps we can do something to actively test whether this is truly a legacy or a trap set by a malicious civilization. As for how to do it...I don’t know,” the scientist said with a bitter smile. “I’m just proposing an idea.” “Very well. Everyone, think in this direction.” Xiao Yu spoke. Once the train of thought was opened, the meeting room became much livelier. Many people put forward their opinions, but all were rejected by Xiao Yu. These proposals were varied and strange. Some suggested sending a probe capable of returning so they could analyze whether it had been tampered with. Others proposed sending a message first, and so on. “I have an idea.” At that moment, another scientist stood up. Xiao Yu glanced at it and retrieved its information from his mind. This was an intelligent being from Species Number Eighty Six. According to what it had said, back on its homeworld it had apparently been a genius con artist, unrivaled in trickery, to the point that even a small nation had fallen prey to it. Xiao Yu held considerable expectations for such a talent. “I believe the best way to probe...is to do nothing,” it said. “Any active measure could lead to unintended consequences. It could all be turned against us in deception.” “Oh?” Luka Two expressed its doubt. The peerless con artist bowed respectfully to Luka Two and continued, “The approach is actually very simple. In our analysis, there are two possibilities: one, that there is a malicious civilization and this is a trap; two, that it is merely a site of trials, a true legacy left by the Trolor Civilization for this primitive civilization. So, it’s simple, if it is a malicious civilization, its objective is obviously to lure us there. If we remain motionless, or even pretend to flee, they will grow anxious, thinking they’ve exposed themselves. At that point, they will implement countermeasures. As soon as any countermeasure is taken, no matter what it is, we can be almost certain it is a malicious civilization. After all, the message already claims their species is extinct, and the box was made to appear hundreds of thousands of years old. If they then take some action now, wouldn’t that immediately expose them? Conversely, if it is truly only a legacy site without any malicious civilization, us doing nothing or even appearing to flee will not impact us in any way. That ruin has existed for hundreds of thousands of years, it won’t sprout wings and fly away just because we wait a bit longer.” “So, this method is the safest. Whether or not there is a malicious civilization, it won’t cost us anything.” The con artist concluded. Once more, Xiao Yu felt a flash of inspiration. “Very good, very good. I agree with this method.” Luka Two was the first to voice support. “Although I’m not a scientist from the Psychosocial Sciences Division, I also think this is a good approach.” Luka Three said. “I agree.” “I agree as well.” Once proposed, the plan quickly gained the support of most participants. The con artist appeared somewhat astonished that so many would endorse its idea, and looked almost flattered. “This plan...” Xiao Yu pondered a moment. After thinking it over, he had to admit that in the current situation, this was indeed the only option. “Very well. Let’s proceed according to this plan,” Xiao Yu finally expressed his decision. “We will remain in this star system for a tentative period of three hundred years. During this time, I will take no investigative action toward those coordinates, creating the appearance that we have completely ignored it. After three hundred years, I will order our fleet to sail in the opposite direction for one year, a distance of about ten light-years. If by that time there is still no response from that place, we can be fairly certain it is safe. Then, we will go and explore it ourselves...” “Very good, very good. Your contribution has earned honor for Species Number Eighty Six. I will properly reward you and your people. That is all, dismissed!” Xiao Yu gave the order. “Thank you, thank you, esteemed Master. All intelligent beings of Species Number Eighty Six will continue to dedicate our strength and wisdom to you as always...”

Chapter 318: A Test of Intent

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