Chapter 396

Those twisted lines began to straighten.

Translation: Those twisted lines began to become straight.

The chaotic structure began to become orderly.

Translation: The chaotic structure began to become orderly.

The obscure dimensional angles trended toward harmony.

Translation: The obscure dimensional angles trended toward harmony.

The whole process flowed smoothly, without the slightest pause or thought.

Translation: The whole process flowed smoothly, without the slightest pause or thought.

He wasn't solving a super problem that had troubled countless civilizations; he was playing a little game so easy he could beat it with his eyes closed.

Translation: He wasn't solving a super problem that had troubled countless civilizations; he was playing a little game he could clear with his eyes closed.

One minute...

Translation: One minute...

Two minutes...

Translation: Two minutes...

Toxic Flow's body had changed from gray to a blinding white that signified extreme shock.

Translation: Poison Flow's body had changed from gray to a glaring white representing extreme shock.

The Panhuo on the wall, the mockery on its face had solidified, replaced by a look of horror as if seeing a ghost.

Translation: The Panhuo on the wall, the mockery on its face had already solidified, replaced by a horror as if seeing a ghost.

Three minutes later.

Translation: Three minutes later.

Qin Hao stopped what he was doing and then lightly snapped his fingers.

Translation: Qin Hao stopped the motion in his hand, then lightly snapped his fingers.

"Snap."

Translation: "Snap."

A clear, crisp sound rang out through mental resonance in everyone's minds.

Translation: A clear sound, through mental resonance, rang in everyone's minds.

Accompanying that snap, the "Pioneer's Labyrinth," which had already regained its perfect symmetrical form, suddenly burst forth with brilliant light.

Translation: Accompanying this snap, the "Pioneer's Labyrinth" that had already regained perfect symmetrical form suddenly burst forth with brilliant light.

Its mission was completed.

Translation: Its mission was completed.

The next second, this ancient relic that had existed for hundreds of millions of years collapsed,

Translation: The next second, this ancient relic that had existed for hundreds of millions of years, collapsed with a roar,

turning into a dust of energy and information that slowly dissipated into the universe.

Translation: turning into a dust of energy and information that slowly dissipated in the universe.

The entire bridge fell into dead silence.

Translation: The entire bridge fell into dead silence.

Toxic Flow's light flickered violently; within its mental fluctuations remained only a phrase repeated over and over.

Translation: Poison Flow's light fluctuated violently; in its mental fluctuations only one phrase remained, repeated over and over.

"Impossible... this is impossible... three minutes... solved it... and even shattered it..."

Translation: "Impossible... this is impossible... three minutes... solved it... and even shattered it..."

The collapse of the Pioneer's Labyrinth brought a shock that was unparalleled.

Translation: The collapse of the Pioneer's Labyrinth brought a shock unparalleled.

It was not merely a test, but also a monument in the hearts of all advanced civilizations of the Laniakea Supercluster, a benchmark measuring wisdom and technology.

Translation: It was not merely a test, but also a monument in the hearts of all advanced civilizations of the Laniakea Supercluster, a benchmark measuring wisdom and technology.

And now, that monument was dismantled by someone in just three minutes, as easily as taking apart a toy, then casually crushed.

Translation: And now, this monument was dismantled by someone in three minutes, like taking apart a toy, then casually crushed.

This completely overturned the understanding of Toxic Flow and Panhuo.

Translation: This completely overturned the cognition of Poison Flow and Panhuo.

The atmosphere on the bridge shifted from confrontation and probing to utter awe.

Translation: The atmosphere on the bridge, from the previous standoff and probing, completely shifted to one-sided awe.

Toxic Flow was the first to react; its fluid-bodied form bowed deeply to Qin Hao.

Translation: Poison Flow was the first to react; its fluid-formed body bowed deeply to Qin Hao.

"Great... mighty one! Could you tell me your name and the name of your civilization?"

Translation: "Great... mighty one! May I ask your name and the name of your civilization?"

Looking at the other party, Qin Hao did not conceal: "Yanhuang civilization, Qin Hao."

Translation: Looking at the other, Qin Hao did not conceal, "Yanhuang Civilization, Qin Hao."

"Your and your civilization's wisdom is as vast as the universe! Toxic Fluid civilization wishes to form the strongest alliance with you!"

Translation: "Your and your civilization's wisdom is as vast as the universe! Poison Liquid Civilization wishes to form the strongest alliance with you!"

The Panhuo on the wall was also freed by Qin Hao from silence and reversed gravity.

Translation: The Panhuo on the wall was also relieved by Qin Hao of silence and reversed gravity.

It crashed heavily to the ground with a loud bang, yet it did not fly into a rage as before,

Translation: It fell heavily to the ground, making a loud bang, but did not become violently angry as before,

but instead looked at Qin Hao with a gaze mixed with fear and disbelief.

Translation: but looked at Qin Hao with a gaze mixed with fear and disbelief.

"Yan... Yanhuang... what civilization is that? I've never heard of it before."

Translation: "Yan... Yanhuang... what civilization is that? I've never heard of it before."

Qin Hao ignored its loss of composure and turned his gaze toward the enthusiastically reacting Toxic Flow.

Translation: Qin Hao ignored its loss of composure, instead turning his gaze to the enthusiastically reacting Poison Flow.

"Allies?"

Translation: "Allies?"

He said calmly, "Sure. But as an ally, shouldn't you show some sincerity?"

Translation: He said lightly, "Sure. But as an ally, shouldn't you show some sincerity?"

Toxic Flow immediately understood.

Translation: Poison Flow immediately understood.

"Of course! Of course!"

Translation: "Of course! Of course!"

A private mental communication linked directly into Qin Hao's mind.

Translation: A private mental communication directly linked into Qin Hao's mind.

"Respected Mr. Qin, please allow me to introduce you to the power structure of our star cluster."

Translation: "Respected Mr. Qin, please allow me to introduce the power structure of our star cluster."

Toxic Flow's voice was full of respect.

Translation: Poison Flow's voice was full of respect.

"I won't mention the Flame Cloud civilization; you already know about it."

Translation: "As for me and the Huoyun Civilization, I won't say more; you already know."

"Most importantly—the Laya Council, composed of multiple early-stage level-six civilizations, and also the most exclusionary force."

Translation: "Most importantly—the Laya Council, composed of multiple level-six initial civilizations, and also the most xenophobic force."

"Their internal factions are numerous; the Flame Cloud civilization you encountered today is merely a subordinate of the radical expansionist faction.

Translation: "Their internal factions are numerous; the Huoyun Civilization you encountered today is merely a subordinate civilization of the radical expansionist faction.

"They view every emerging civilization as a potential threat and strive to strangle it in its cradle."

Translation: "They regard every emerging civilization as a potential threat and strive to strangle it in the cradle."

"They will be your primary adversaries in the future."

Translation: "They will be your main enemy in the future."

Qin Hao nodded; this was not beyond his expectations.

Translation: Qin Hao nodded; this was not beyond his expectation.

"We, the Toxic Fluid civilization, together with several other peace-loving civilizations, have formed the 'Free Star Sea Alliance',

Translation: "We Poison Liquid Civilization, together with several other peace-loving civilizations, have formed the 'Free Star Sea Alliance',

"which has long been jointly resisting the expansion of the Laya Council."

Translation: "which has long been jointly resisting the expansion of the Laya Council."

Toxic Flow continued, "Your arrival is, for us, a tremendous piece of good news!"

Translation: Poison Flow continued, "Your arrival is, for us, a tremendous piece of good news!"

"So, you want to recruit me to join you in opposing the Laya Council?"

Translation: "So, you want to recruit me to join you in opposing the Laya Council?"

Qin Hao cut straight to the point.

Translation: Qin Hao got straight to the point.

"No, no, no!"

Translation: "No no no!"

Toxic Flow hurriedly denied, "With your civilization's strength, we have no standing to rope you in; we only hope to establish friendly diplomatic relations and mutual interaction."

Translation: Poison Flow hurriedly denied, "With your civilization's strength, we have no qualification to rope you in; we only hope to establish friendly diplomatic relations with you, to interact mutually."

"To demonstrate our sincerity, we are willing to recommend a most suitable foothold for you."

Translation: "To show our sincerity, we are willing to recommend a most suitable foothold for you."

Saying this, Toxic Flow marked a vast star region on the star map.

Translation: Saying this, Poison Flow marked a vast star region on the star map.

"This region lies at the junction of the Pisces–Cetus Supercluster complex, which we call the 'Sea of Tranquility'."

Translation: "This region lies at the junction of the Pisces–Cetera Supercluster Complex, which we call the 'Sea of Tranquility'.

"There, resources are extremely abundant, with many undeveloped primordial star systems. Most importantly, it falls under no faction's jurisdiction."

Translation: "There resources are extremely abundant, with many undeveloped primitive star systems. Most importantly, it is not under the jurisdiction of any power."

"Oh? Such a great place—why would nobody want it?"

Translation: "Oh? Such a good place, why would no one want it?"

Qin Hao's tone carried a hint of amusement.

Poison Flow hesitated a moment, then spoke truthfully:

"Because that place is the homeland of a level-six peak civilization, although that civilization had already vanished in endless ages ago, but they left behind some traces,

which periodically trigger some... inexplicable disasters. Therefore, that place is regarded by all civilizations as — the Land of Curse."

Qin Hao sneered inwardly.

"Indeed, there's no free lunch; they want me to be cannon fodder, to sweep mines for them."

However, he didn't expose it.

For him who possesses a system, the so-called curse might be an unparsed opportunity.

"Very good, I'm quite satisfied with this place."

Qin Hao nodded, "To thank you for your generosity, I also give you a small gift."

He casually waved, sending a data packet to the other side.

After receiving it, just a brief glance, Poison Flow's whole body violently fluctuated again.

"This is... a brand-new structural model of the Dimensional Shield! This energy circuit... this binding method... too perfect!

If our warships could equip this shield, defensive power could at least triple!"

Poison Flow was overwhelmed with excitement, his gratitude toward Qin Hao overflowing.

"Thank you for your generosity! Great Mr. Qin! You will forever be the most honored guest of the Poison Liquid Civilization!"

And on the research seat of the Pioneer, Qian Yin watched Qin Hao send out the data, her mouth twitching involuntarily.

She via internal channel whispered to Qin Hao:

"What you gave them seems to be the Shenwei Generation shield technology that we phased out a thousand years ago? And there's a backdoor."

Qin Hao's thought resonated in her mind, carrying a hint of a smile.

"To them, it's already a dimensional strike.

Xiao Yin, remember, technology is always the best diplomatic bargaining chip; you can't give too much at once, and must also maintain covert control."

After dealing with the Poison Liquid Civilization, Qin Hao's gaze fell upon the silent Rockfire beside him, who had not spoken since earlier.

"And you? Anything you want to say?"

Rockfire's massive body shifted slightly; it looked at Qin Hao, eyes complex.

Finally, it lowered its proud head and spoke in a dull voice:

"We... will truthfully report to the council members... everything that happened today."

"Very good."

Qin Hao stood up, no longer looking at them.

"Zhou Shaoqing."

"Present!"

"Set course, target the Sea of Tranquility."

Qin Hao issued the order.

"Full speed ahead."

The vast expedition fleet ignited its engines once more.

Under the complex gazes of the Poison Flow Civilization and the Flame Cloud Civilization, it vanished into the depths of the universe.