Chapter 158 157: Cluster Life

Li Qingsong pondered in silence.

Given enough time, such a parasitic civilization could potentially assimilate hundreds, even thousands, of different civilizations.

The intelligent beings from hundreds, even thousands, of different civilizations would all have a parasitic entity at their core. Yet, these parasites could use their hosts' thought processes. Imagine hundreds, or thousands, of different ways of thinking colliding. How much inspiration would that spark?

How rapidly could technology advance with that much inspiration?

But for what you call an orthodox intelligent civilization, this method of development is horrifying.

Li Qingsong said, "It seems like that model of development could be achieved through technological means.

In other words, could an orthodox technological civilization, once it reaches a certain stage, use technology to create such a pathogen and deliberately disseminate it?

So, whether or not to become a parasitic Celestial Calamity would be entirely up to the high-tech civilization's own choice?"

"According to the records we've discovered, a high-tech civilization can indeed choose to become a parasitic Celestial Calamity. However, there is a cost. The records didn't specify what that cost is, so we don't know."

"Alright. Next up, the Microbial Celestial Calamity?"

"The Microbial Celestial Calamity shares some similarities with the Intelligent Mechanical Calamity. Both capture beings from orthodox intelligent civilizations to use as tools.

However, the entity behind a Microbial Celestial Calamity isn't a fallen intelligent civilization or a sentient AI, but rather a collective microbial life form.

They can be massive, capable of occupying an entire planet, an entire star system, or even undertaking interstellar migrations.

Once they capture an individual intelligent being, they will control it, turning it into their tool or slave. It will assist them with tasks they cannot perform due to the limitations of their own life form, such as building starships, terraforming environments, aiding in their migration, and so on."

It seemed the Microbial and Parasitic Celestial Calamities didn't follow a path of technological development, but one of strengthening their own intrinsic abilities.

'This is a life form completely different from the beings of an intelligent civilization.'

Li Qingsong was suddenly reminded of the strange birds he had once encountered.

Those strange birds had also evolved from life on Earth.

'If things like Microbial and Parasitic Celestial Calamities could evolve, then it didn't seem so strange for life on Earth to evolve into bizarre birds capable of surviving in space.'

However...

Li Qingsong noticed a problem.

'The Blutuk People only knew of four types of Celestial Calamities, yet all four of them fed on what their informant called "orthodox intelligent civilizations"?

'Infection, parasitism, or capture and enslavement.'

'Although I'm not an orthodox intelligent civilization in the conventional sense, if you take away my ability to control Clones, I could be considered one.'

'The Blutuk Civilization is, without a doubt, an orthodox intelligent civilization.'

'Was this cosmos really so hostile, so full of malice toward so-called orthodox intelligent civilizations?'

'The Blutuk Civilization was only a Level 2 Electroweak Civilization, so its knowledge was limited.'

'So, besides these four, who knew how many other types of Celestial Calamities existed in this cosmos! Who knew how much hidden malice was directed at orthodox intelligent civilizations!'

Especially since, in a universe where orthodox intelligent civilizations could be infected or parasitized, the possibility of peaceful coexistence between them was virtually nonexistent.

Normally, there should be no conflict of interest between orthodox intelligent civilizations, aside from special circumstances like both setting their sights on the same star system.

'Resources in the cosmos are so abundant. With planets and star systems everywhere, why would one civilization ever need to rob or invade another?'

But now, if two orthodox intelligent civilizations were to meet, they would face a dilemma even if neither had any malicious intent.

'How can I be sure you haven't been parasitized and are approaching us with the intent to do the same to us?'

'How can I be sure whether your appearance nearby is a chance encounter or a deliberate approach?'

'And even if we knew for a fact that you weren't infected or parasitized, that our meeting was pure coincidence, and we had no intention of starting a conflict—how could we be sure how you see us?'

'Will you attack us?'

The foundation of mutual trust had been shattered by the existence of these Celestial Calamities, and it was nearly impossible to repair.

In such a scenario, even if two completely benevolent orthodox intelligent civilizations met, the most rational choice would be to flee. And if flight wasn't an option, they would have to strike first and annihilate the other side.

'Only then could they guarantee their own survival.'

'If that's the case, what a dark and grim cosmos this must be...'

Every civilization would be alone. No civilization could ever trust another. Every civilization would harbor malice toward all others.

Li Qingsong raised his head and looked out at the vast, boundless starry sky.

Myriad stars twinkled in the void. But at this moment, they seemed to transform into the eyes of demons, glaring viciously at Li Qingsong.

Letting out a sigh, Li Qingsong retracted his gaze and asked casually, "Do you think it's possible for a certain type of Celestial Calamity to exist in the cosmos? Hmm, let's call it a 'Causality Calamity.' Its form would be to completely erase any trace of a person or civilization's existence from the universe, and to eliminate all the subsequent 'effects' that resulted from the 'cause' of that civilization's existence?"

A flicker of confusion crossed the secretary's eyes. "That... I wouldn't know."

"Alright then."

Li Qingsong sighed. "That's all. You can go.

In the future, as long as you serve our civilization well, I won't treat you poorly. But if you're disobedient, I won't be lenient either.

The choice is yours.

Go report to Molomans. From now on, you Blutuk People are to be the Blutuk Race within Human Civilization. Molomans is the patriarch; you will serve as his vice-patriarch."

"Molomans? Oh... him?"

As expected, the confidential secretary recognized Molomans's name.

"Yes. He's still alive. Go."

The confidential secretary stood up, bowed, and left the interrogation room.

He arrived at Blutuk City and was led by one of the Clones to a conference room. Inside, he did indeed see Molomans.

Molomans, having been appointed patriarch, looked invigorated and full of life.

A number of Blutuk People had already gathered in the conference room, and Molomans was on the stage at the front, explaining some important guidelines.

"Ordinarily, the humans treat us prisoners quite well. As long as we work diligently, we won't lack for any daily necessities.

But there is one thing everyone must be very careful about. If you make a mistake on this point, you will face immediate and severe punishment.

Although these humans all appear to be identical, pointing it out is considered a sign of disrespect and an offense in their culture. You must be extremely careful about this..."