Chapter 267: Head to the Black Hole Center to Recharge

Half a year later, the exchange team returned to the Yanhuang Civilization.

Solar System, Blue Star.

Qin Hao told Luo Te and the others all his gains from this trip and his detailed observations of the Biteen Empire.

The Yanhuang Academy, having obtained massive amounts of fourth-level civilization technology data, fell into an unprecedented technological frenzy.

But the Yanhuang Civilization's think tank, after analyzing all the intelligence Qin Hao brought back, reached a chilling conclusion.

"Rote Commissioner,"

Intelligence Minister Kong Jie's voice, slightly hoarse, said, "According to our model projections, the stalemate of the cold war between the Biteen Empire and the Kelu Empire is about to be broken."

"Within the next twenty years, the two blocs will inevitably erupt into an unprecedented proxy war."

He paused, then projected a star map.

"And we will probably not be spared either."

"The Biteen Empire will either choose us, making us a pawn in their counter against the Kelu Empire,

or… it will choose another more obedient civilization and treat us as a sacrifice to establish its prestige."

"The time left for us is not much."

Inside the Supreme Command Center, everyone's face looked grim.

Kong Jie's report was like a huge stone pressing on everyone's heart.

Twenty years.

For a civilization, that is merely a flick of the finger.

"A sacrifice… or a pawn?"

Zhou Shaoqing slammed his palm hard on the metal table, which gave a dull thud, "I choose neither! Our Yanhuang Civilization will only be master of itself!"

His words were resonant and powerful, yet they could not dispel the looming gloom.

"With what shall we be masters?"

Zhang Xianzhong frowned slightly, "Should we use our existing fleet to fight the proxies of a fourth-level civilization?

Or should we use our proud will to resist weapons capable of erasing an entire star system?"

"Old Zhang! You're boosting others' morale while destroying our own prestige!"

"I'm stating the facts! Minister Zhou, impulsiveness and passion cannot win wars! We need time, an absolute technological advantage!"

The argument between the two reignited, and the atmosphere in the meeting room grew increasingly tense.

Luo Te did not stop them; he merely stared at the star map in silence.

Everyone understood that even with a complete fourth-level civilization technology tree, turning it into formidable combat power still required time.

"A sacrifice, or a pawn—I choose neither!"

Zhou Shaoqing's words rang out, echoing in the silent meeting room.

Zhang Xianzhong's tightly furrowed brow did not relax in the slightest, "Our Yanhuang Civilization will only be master of itself! But to be master, one needs qualification."

For a moment, the meeting room again fell into an atmosphere of tension ready to explode.

Passion and reason clashed fiercely at the crossroads of civilization.

"Enough."

Luo Te's voice was not loud, yet it instantly suppressed all the arguments.

He slowly rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"Impulsiveness and timidity cannot solve the problem. What we need now is a clear, feasible plan capable of creating miracles."

At this moment, Qin Hao voiced his opinion.

"Time is indeed our greatest enemy.

but at the same time, it is also our greatest opportunity; my suggestion is a three-step plan."

He extended his first finger.

"First step, Life Leap. The Academy must, in the shortest possible time, fully grasp the complete technology of the Life Cradle.

Our sole goal is to carry out universal genetic optimization, raising the civilization's average lifespan above the standard required for system upgrades.

This is the cornerstone of all our plans."

Immediately after, Qin Hao extended his second finger.

"Second step, Military overhaul.

Minister Wang, I will open up all the fourth-level civilization technology data I have replicated to you.

The military-industrial system must be immediately reorganized, eliminating all outdated production lines.

We must, at the fastest speed, digest and absorb these technologies, and begin producing new warships capable of matching, even surpassing, those of the Biteen Empire."

The Armaments Chief Wang Hongbin's eyes flashed with determination as he nodded firmly:

"Understood! Give me five years, and I guarantee the first batch of the new fleet can roll off the line!"

"Third step, Intelligence first.

Qin Hao turned his gaze to Kong Jie, "Minister Kong, make full use of all the channels we have established with the Oma Civilization and others to intensify gathering the latest developments of the two fourth-level civilization blocs.

I need to know every detail of their proxy civilizations, to find any signs of impending outbreak, so we can firmly keep the initiative in our own hands."

Kong Jie's reply was concise and powerful: "The Intelligence Department will operate at full capacity."

The three-step plan was clear and coherent, with each step interlocking, and it won everyone's support!

After all the plans were established, Qin Hao threw out a decision that no one had anticipated.

"To ensure the ultimate success of the plan, I need to go to a certain place."

Qin Hao's tone was calm, as if speaking of a trivial matter, "I will personally go to a small black hole over a hundred light-years away to replenish energy for the system."

"What?"

Luo Lao was the first to stand up, "Too dangerous! Black holes are the most extreme celestial bodies in the universe; even warships of a level‑4 civilization dare not approach them lightly!"

"Yeah!"

Zhang Yunfeng also urged anxiously, "You are the most important core of the entire civilization; you cannot meet with any mishap."

Qin Hao raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"I understand everyone's concerns."

He explained, "But you also know the system exists. To store, in a short time, the enormous energy needed to cope with future crises, only a place like a black hole can provide the fastest charging speed."

"Our future wars, whether it's copying fleets or using greater abilities, will be a contest of energy."

"So I must go, and only I can go."

He looked at everyone, his eyes full of absolute confidence, "Rest assured, the system's protection mechanism is far stronger than you imagine."

"To me, that place is the safest energy source in the universe."

Seeing Qin Hao's determined expression, Luo Lao and the others knew this decision could not be changed.

They knew Qin Hao; he never does anything without certainty.

"Good."

Luo Lao took a deep breath, nodded heavily, "We'll wait for you to return."

After the meeting ended, the entire Yanhuang Civilization, this massive war machine, in a state of outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense, began operating at an unprecedented peak efficiency, running wildly.

On the surface, trade with neighboring civilizations remained prosperous, envoys shuttled incessantly, presenting a scene of peaceful development.

But in every unseen corner, massive star‑ship docks were secretly activated,

the lights of the Academy of Sciences burned all night, and the tendrils of the information network reached every corner of the star sea.

Everyone held their breath, preparing for the future war that would decide the fate of the civilization.

A few days later, Qin Hao bade farewell to everyone, without holding any send‑off ceremony.

He alone piloted a specially modified warp ship whose speed had been pushed to the limit, silently leaving Yanhuang territory.

After months of travel, he finally reached his destination.

It was a realm of absolute darkness and void.

A star with a mass about thirty times that of the Sun collapsed at the end of its life, forming a singularity less than a hundred kilometers in diameter.

It emits no light, reflects nothing, merely hanging there silently, using its incomparable gravity,

warping the surrounding spacetime and devouring any matter and light that draws near.