Chapter 602: Sea of Stars (Grand Finale)

"Today," he began to speak, his voice steady and powerful, "human civilization has turned a brand-new page. The activation of the 'Sky Eye' deep space detection array marks that we are no longer satisfied with merely observing neighboring planets and stars, but are casting our gaze toward the deeper, more distant reaches of the universe, searching for traces of other civilizations that may exist."

He paused for a moment, surveying the room: "Ten years ago, when I proposed establishing a global technological community with Long Country as the core, many people were skeptical. They worried this would lead to new hegemony and conflict. But today, facts prove that only when humanity is united as one can we truly move toward the sea of stars. Look at the achievements we have made: the lunar base has been built, the Mars outpost is under construction, the interstellar fleet is about to set sail, fusion energy is changing the face of Earth... all of this stems from the result of us setting aside our differences and working together."

Enthusiastic applause erupted in the venue. Even the most stubborn opponents of the past now had to admit that the "Universal Governance Treaty" had indeed brought unprecedented prosperity and progress to humanity.

"Now," Li Mingyuan continued, "let us activate 'Sky Eye' and begin the grandest space exploration project in human history. We will probe every planetary system in the Milky Way that might harbor life, search for traces of intelligent civilizations, and point the way for humanity's future path in the universe."

He pressed the activation button in front of him, and the entire "Sky Eye" array immediately sprang to life. One hundred and eight radio telescopes rotated simultaneously, aiming at pre-set coordinates, and began collecting signals from the depths of the universe. On the large screen in the control center, data streams poured down like a waterfall, and the Quantum Computer processed this information at an astonishing speed.

The venue was filled with jubilation. Scientists excitedly discussed various possible discoveries, government officials felt proud of this shared human achievement, and media reporters were busy recording every detail of this historic moment.

However, the celebratory atmosphere was soon interrupted by a piercing alarm.

The screens in the control center suddenly flickered, and all data streams were covered by a set of strange signals. These signals were of extremely high intensity and extremely complex structure, clearly not something that could be produced by natural celestial bodies.

"What happened?" Li Mingyuan asked with a frown, walking quickly toward the main console.

The Chief Scientist was pale: "Mr. Li, we... we seem to have received a set of artificial signals. The source direction is... Banrenmazuo a Xingxi, about 4.3 light-years from Earth."

The venue went quiet in an instant, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the strange data streams jumping on the large screen.

"Confirm this is an artificial signal?" Li Mingyuan's voice was unusually calm, but a flash of vigilance crossed his eyes.

"Yes, without a doubt," the Chief Scientist nodded, "the modulation method of the signal is too regular; it cannot be a natural phenomenon. The Quantum Computer has already begun deciphering..."

Before the words were finished, the data stream on the screen suddenly changed, transforming into a string of binary code. The Computer translated it rapidly, and the results appeared before everyone:

【Warning... discovery... civilization... coordinates... Earth... danger... prepare... cleanup...】

These few brief and cold words were like a basin of ice water poured over everyone's heads. The temperature in the venue seemed to drop suddenly, and everyone felt a chill originating from their spines.

"What... what does this mean?" Minister Zhang asked stutteringly, his voice trembling with fear, "Does 'cleanup' mean...?"

Li Mingyuan's expression became unusually grim; he stared at those words as if confirming some terrifying conjecture.

"Continue receiving," he ordered, "see if there is more information. At the same time, activate reverse shielding and immediately cut off our signal transmission to prevent any further leakage."

The scientists scrambled to execute the orders, but more signals continued to pour in. The Quantum Computer continued to decipher, and more words appeared on the screen:

【Confirmed... immature civilization... coordinates recorded... threat level: low... processing postponed... continue monitoring...】

Li Mingyuan's expression became increasingly grave. He turned to Minister Zhang, his voice so low it was almost inaudible: "Immediately convene an emergency meeting of the Global Security Committee. Top secret level."

The celebratory atmosphere in the venue vanished, replaced by an indescribable fear. Humanity had made its first contact with a potential alien civilization signal, but it was not a friendly greeting; it was a cold threat.

Two hours later, the emergency meeting of the Global Security Committee was held in the deepest part of the "Sky Eye" Hexin. Participants were limited to the top leaders of major nations and top-tier scientists; all communication devices were forbidden from being brought inside.

Li Mingyuan stood in the center of the conference room, his expression grave: "Everyone, what we face today may be the most severe challenge in human history. The signal received by 'Sky Eye' can be almost certainly confirmed to come from an alien civilization far more advanced than us. Worse, this civilization seems to view us as a potential threat and is considering... clearing us out."

The leader of the Star-Spangled Country asked in shock: "How is this possible? We don't even have interstellar travel capabilities; we pose no threat to them!"

"Think on a cosmic scale," Li Mingyuan explained, "a civilization that has just mastered fusion technology and begun interstellar exploration could very well develop into a powerful competitor in a few hundred or a few thousand years. Preemptive strikes to eliminate potential threats may be the survival law of cosmic civilizations."

The head of Beijixiong Guo asked in a low voice: "Do they... have the ability to attack Earth?"

"If they can detect us from 4 light-years away and precisely locate Earth," Li Mingyuan said heavily, "then their technological level is at least thousands of years ahead of ours, if not more. Yes, they very likely have the ability to attack Earth, and with a devastating blow."

The conference room fell into dead silence. In the thousands of years of human civilization's history, it had never faced such a moment of life and death.

"But the message mentioned 'processing postponed'," the European Union President said weakly, "perhaps we still have time?"

"Yes, that is the only good news," Li Mingyuan nodded, "they seem to think our threat level is low and not worth immediate processing for now. This gives us a glimmer of hope, a window of time to prepare."

"What should we do?" Minister Zhang asked the question in everyone's hearts, "Facing such an advanced civilization, what possibility of counterattack do we have?"

Li Mingyuan surveyed the room, his gaze like a torch: "First, absolute secrecy. This discovery cannot be leaked to the public to avoid triggering global panic. Second, immediately activate the 'Heixing Senlin' defense plan."

"'Heixing Senlin' plan?" the leader of the Star-Spangled Country asked in confusion, "What is that?"

Li Mingyuan walked to the console in the center of the conference room and entered a complex string of passwords. A holographic projection slowly emerged, displaying a massive blueprint for a space project.

"This is the ultimate defense system I began secretly developing ten years ago," he explained, his voice carrying a hint of coldness, "based on a simple principle: if we cannot compete with the enemy technologically, then we change the rules of the game."

The hologram showed a vast network of space stations orbiting the entire Taiyang system, with each node equipped with some kind of special equipment.

"This is the 'Light Anchor' system," Li Mingyuan continued, "a super-light-speed communication network based on the principle of quantum entanglement, capable of sending information in any direction in the universe in an instant. If Earth faces a devastating blow, this system will automatically activate and broadcast a simple message to the universe—a highly developed predatory civilization exists in Banrenmazuo a Xingxi and may threaten other star systems at any time."

The conference room was in an uproar; everyone understood the implications of this plan.

"This is... a cosmic-level mutually assured destruction guarantee," the head of Beijixiong Guo muttered, "if they attack us, we expose their location and let other civilizations that may exist in the universe know of their existence."

"Exactly," Li Mingyuan nodded, "in the Heixing Senlin, the greatest threat is not being discovered by a hunter, but being discovered by multiple hunters simultaneously. We cannot compete with the civilization of Banrenmazuo a Xingxi, but perhaps there are civilizations in the universe even more powerful than them. This is our only insurance."

"But this requires assuming there are other civilizations in the universe," the European Union President pointed out, "what if there aren't?"

"Then we continue to develop and narrow the gap with them as much as possible," Li Mingyuan said firmly, "accelerate the militarization of space, develop more advanced weapon systems, and expand outside the Taiyang system. Even if we cannot compete with them in the short term, we can at least increase the cost of them attacking us."

The meeting lasted for an entire day and night. In the end, the Global Security Committee unanimously passed the "Heixing Senlin" defense plan proposed by Li Mingyuan and raised the alert level of Earth civilization to an unprecedented "Red Alert."

A week later, Li Mingyuan stood alone on the observation deck of the "Sky Eye" control center, looking at the starry sky above. The Milky Way spanned the night sky like a brilliant river, beautiful and mysterious, yet it might also contain a fatal threat.

Minister Zhang walked to his side: "Lao Li, our preparations have already begun. The first batch of nodes for the 'Light Anchor' system will be launched into space within three months. The construction speed of the space fleet has also doubled, and it is expected to be completed within a year."

Li Mingyuan nodded without speaking, just continuing to gaze at that patch of starry sky.

"Lao Li," Minister Zhang hesitated, but still asked the question that had been bothering him, "you anticipated this day long ago, didn't you? Is this the real reason you were so eager to push for human unification and the development of space technology?"

Li Mingyuan was silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly: "The universe is not a friendly garden, Minister Zhang, but a dark forest. Every civilization is a hunter with a gun, lurking in the shadows, holding its breath. The slightest movement could invite a fatal blow."

He turned around, his gaze like a torch: "Yes, I foresaw this day. Or rather, I have always worried about the arrival of this day. We cannot afford the luxury of human infighting. Only by being united and concentrating global resources do we have a glimmer of hope."

Minister Zhang took a deep breath: "Then... do you think we can survive? Facing such an advanced civilization?"

Li Mingyuan looked into the distance, a mysterious smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: "The game of the universe has only just begun, Minister Zhang. We may be latecomers, but that does not mean we are destined to fail. Human potential is infinite; as long as we are given enough time..."

He did not finish, but Minister Zhang understood what he meant. In this universe full of unknowns and dangers, humanity must grow rapidly, transforming from a childish species that fought endlessly on Earth into a powerful civilization capable of surviving in the sea of stars.

And this survival game has only just begun.

(End of the book)