Chapter 266

We cannot go, this is too risky. Our civilization is still young, its foundation unstable, it cannot withstand such temptation and impact.

We should close our doors, diligently train our inner strength, rather than handing our future hopes over to others' mouths.

Hearing this, Zhou Shaoqing immediately retorted,

What we lack now is what? Time! Technology!

Since the Bethen Empire is willing to open a door, even if beyond it is a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, we must charge through!

Charge? How to charge? Send people, then what? Can you guarantee they'll come back? Can you guarantee they won't be brainwashed?

Zhang Yunfeng's questioning rang out like a heavy stone hitting the ground.

Inside the meeting room, the argument became extremely heated.

Going is drinking poison to quench thirst.

Not going is waiting for death with folded hands.

Everyone's gaze eventually gathered on Qin Hao and Luo Rui Xiang.

Luo Lao did not immediately state his position; he looked toward Qin Hao.

Qin Hao stood up and walked to the star map.

Everyone's concerns are valid.

His voice silenced the meeting room.

The purpose of the Bethen Empire, we all know very well.

They want to use technology as bait to corrupt our elites, undermine our will, and turn us into an obedient vassal.

He shifted his tone, and his voice turned stern.

But they want to be hunters; does that mean we can only be prey?

They plot our future; can we not plot their present?

Qin Hao's words left everyone stunned.

"What do you mean?" Zhou Shaoqing pressed.

A confident smile appeared on Qin Hao's face.

"They opened their Royal Academy of Sciences to let us learn the technology they have 'eliminated.'"

"But if our purpose in going is not to study, but to... loot?"

"Loot?"

Everyone suddenly understood.

"Exactly."

Qin Hao's finger pressed heavily on the golden halo representing the Bethen Empire on the star map.

"What I want is not the scraps they are willing to give.

"What I want is their entire technology tree!

"All the knowledge and technology they accumulated from developing from a level-one civilization to a level-four civilization over millions of years!"

"I want to completely 'pack up' their Royal Academy of Sciences, their central database, and everything of value, and bring it all back to our Yanhuang Civilization!"

Everyone was stunned by his daring plan.

To go to the mother star system of a level-four civilization, under their very noses, and copy their entire civilization's technological achievements?

"Not a bad idea."

Zhang Yunfeng's eyes lit up; the others nodded silently.

Seeing this, Qin Hao continued:

"The system's upgrade condition is just shy of average lifespan; I need their life-extending technology to fill our civilization's shortfall and complete the system's upgrade."

"You know, their average lifespan has reached fifty thousand years, and this exchange is the best opportunity! So we must go!"

"Moreover, I want to personally lead the team."

"They want to fish; I'll go as the fattest bait.

"But they don't know that hidden in this bait's mouth is a black hole capable of swallowing an entire ocean."

After saying that, Qin Hao fell silent.

You see, he had already asked the system; items that grant long life are too expensive,

making it hard to popularize for everyone; likewise technologically, even with a full set of data it's hard to produce.

In the end, it was Lao Luo who made the decision,

"Then it's decided; perhaps after the system upgrades we can escape our current middle-ground predicament and rise to a level-four civilization."

……

One year later, the capital star of the Bethen Empire.

The Yanhuang Civilization exchange team, aboard the ship sent by the Bethen Empire, passed through layer upon layer of halo cities resembling miracles,

and slowly descended onto an academy island floating above a nebula.

This is the Bethen Empire's Royal Academy of Sciences.

Qin Hao followed the team led by He Jia as they disembarked from the ship.

The sight before them left every member of the Yanhuang Civilization feeling an unprecedented visual and spiritual shock.

The sky was a flowing, colorful river of energy.

The ground consisted of buildings made of various crystals.

The air was filled with a strange fragrance that made one's spirit feel pleasant.

Countless Bethen people composed of light particles moved gracefully among them; each of their actions had undergone the most precise calculation, perfect and harmonious.

This place is not like a real world; it is more like a heaven created by a god, without any flaw.

Welcome, friends from the Yanhuang Civilization.

The one in charge of reception is still the diplomatic envoy Bilong.

On his face, composed of light particles, he wore a gentle and restrained smile.

In the coming six months, this place will be your home.

You may freely visit all areas within the academy open to third-level civilizations and consult our publicly available technical database.

We will also arrange the empire's finest scholars to answer your questions.

His words were courteous, yet the sense of superiority stemming from life level and civilization rank was unmistakable.

Li Ge felt the might of each Bilong person, secretly shocked!

The scientists and thinkers behind him were even more shaken by the sight before them, many showing expressions of fascination and longing.

Is this a fourth-level civilization?

Living in such a world, who would still want to return to the weak Yanhuang Civilization?

Bilong took in everyone's reactions, the corners of his light-particle-formed mouth curling into an almost imperceptible arc.

The first step of the plan went smoothly.

Only Qin Hao, his expression remained calm as water from beginning to end.

He looked around like a curious tourist.

Meanwhile, he was secretly scanning for high-value targets, then copying their information.

You seem quite interested in our architecture?

Bilong noticed Qin Hao's 'nonchalance' and took the initiative to talk with him.

Yes, it's very impressive.

Qin Hao withdrew his gaze, his face showing just the right amount of astonishment,

I can't imagine what kind of technology could build such a magnificent city.

Hehe, just some basic matter-reorganization technology.

Bilong responded lightly, his tone full of Versailles-like arrogance.

In our empire, this has been an obsolete ancient technology for many years.

He said this while leading everyone into a spacious laboratory.

In the center of the lab were displayed various instruments unheard of by Yanhuang scientists.

This is our Institute of Biological Genetics.

Bilong pointed to a culture tank, 'For example, this is the life cradle we use to optimize newborn gene sequences.'

It ensures that every imperial citizen, from birth, possesses at least a thirty-thousand-year baseline lifespan and a perfect body.

This statement made the Yanhuang scientists present breathe quickly.

Thirty thousand years!

This is exactly what they have dreamed of!

But Qin Hao's heart burned hot.

Because the system scan returned the information.

【Target detection information: Complete technical data of the life cradle, including gene editing, lifespan extension, cellular regeneration, and other core technologies.】

【Copying this target requires energy: 240,000 energy units. Copy?】

Copy!

Qin Hao did not hesitate.

On the surface, he acted like a humble student seeking advice, asking Bilong various questions,

in order to draw the other's attention, providing cover for his own copying endeavor.

Thus, in the following time.

The Yanhuang Civilization exchange team, under the meticulous care of the Bilong Empire, studied various advanced knowledge.

And Qin Hao selectively copied high-value targets.

He didn't not want to copy all of their technology; it was just that energy points were insufficient.

Time passed slowly in this process.

……