Rebirth of the Super Battleship-Chapter 86: Neutron War Star!
Defeating the Luka fleet had not produced the deterrent effect Xiao Yu had hoped for. However, in other respects, it yielded significant gains.
With nearly 2,000 captured Luka ships and tens of thousands of Luka beings, Xiao Yu was poised to quickly elevate himself to the level of a Level 3 Civilization.
Yet Xiao Yu resolutely dismissed the idea of staying in the Tianyuan IV star system to face the incoming Luka fleet. This was because the next Luka fleet would possess at least two superweapons exceeding the capabilities of a Level 3 Civilization. In the short term, Xiao Yu lacked the means to upgrade his ships to match the Luka civilization’s power.
This left escape as the only viable option. The pressing question was how to flee successfully without being tracked by the Luka fleet.
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Xiao Yu considered several strategies: erasing all traces of his fleet’s propulsion systems to prevent detection or creating deceptive scenarios to mislead the Luka forces.
During the two-and-a-half-month journey back to Tianyuan IV, Xiao Yu absorbed an immense amount of technology and foundational theory from the Luka beings. These insights were swiftly integrated into Xiao Yu’s theoretical framework.
Leveraging this new knowledge, Xiao Yu quickly drafted blueprints for a new type of ship. Once he returned to Tianyuan IV, he would begin their construction.
The new ships would be equipped with Energy Shield systems comparable to those of Luka ships. Additionally, their mobility and firepower would see significant improvements.
The most critical gain lay in the realm of theoretical advancements. A Level 3 Civilization already explored energy sources far surpassing nuclear fusion. Specifically, energy could be derived from proton-neutron decay, where quarks are rearranged to form new protons or neutrons. In this process, heavy elements decay into lighter elements, converting at least 50% of the mass into energy.
Xiao Yu vividly recalled how Earth was destroyed. Under the influence of some unknown force, the iron and nickel in the planet’s core decayed into hydrogen and helium, releasing an enormous amount of energy that shattered Earth. This reaction, which far surpassed both nuclear fission and fusion, held the key to an unprecedented energy source.
Inspired by the Luka civilization’s theoretical framework, Xiao Yu preliminarily identified the conditions required to trigger this reaction. Large-scale application could be achievable within a thousand years.
Beyond technological advancements, Xiao Yu also gained a general understanding of various civilizations across the Milky Way.
During the journey, Xiao Yu posed a thought-provoking question to the Luka beings.
“Is the claim that destroying other civilizations enhances one’s own civilization’s luck accurate?”
Luka One responded. “Essentially correct. More precisely, it is the destruction of other civilizations’ living beings that enhances your civilization’s luck. Even eliminating a single individual from another civilization can result in a small increase. The extent of enhancement correlates with the technological level of the destroyed civilization. However, ‘luck’ or ‘fortune’ is not the most accurate term. In your science, there is a theory called quantum mechanics, where the state of a system in superposition is indeterminate.”
Xiao Yu nodded, recalling the famous Schrödinger’s cat thought experiment in quantum mechanics. Simplified, the idea posits that until you observe the moon, its existence is uncertain—it simultaneously “exists” and “does not exist,” each with a 50% probability. In such a superposition, the moon’s state is only determined at the moment of observation.
This determination process is referred to as quantum collapse.
Xiao Yu asked, “How does this relate to luck or fortune?”
Luka One explained. “There is a strong connection. Under normal circumstances, the probability of the moon’s existence and nonexistence is equal at 50%. However, suppose you hope for the moon’s existence. Before destroying a living being from another civilization, no matter how strongly you wish, the probability remains 50%. After eliminating one such being, the probability of the moon’s existence shifts slightly—to 50.1%. In essence, this is how it works.”
Xiao Yu had an epiphany.
He fully understood the implications. For instance, if Xiao Yu hoped to find a powerful alien fleet fully loyal to his command, the probability of such a fleet existing was 50% before eliminating another civilization. After destroying one, that probability could rise to 51%.
This subtle shift, while seemingly minor, was a tangible advantage in the vast uncertainty of the cosmos. With this understanding, Xiao Yu’s resolve to prepare for the coming conflict hardened further.
Xiao Yu sighed and asked, “Why? Do you know the reason?”
Luka One shook its head. “We don’t know.”
Xiao Yu had verified every question by separately interrogating thousands of Luka beings, comparing their answers with Luka One’s responses. This thorough cross-examination confirmed Luka One was not lying.
“What theories does your civilization have about this?” Xiao Yu asked.
“This concept cost us 10,000 Alliance Contribution Points to acquire, and all we know is the conclusion, not the reasoning. Perhaps… we’re all just data, and some transcendent, unknowable entity watches us, deriving entertainment from our conflicts,” Luka One suggested.
Xiao Yu shook his head. This explanation was essentially meaningless. Losing interest in pursuing the topic further, Xiao Yu shifted to a new question.
“What is the societal structure of the Guardian Alliance?”
“The Guardian Alliance is an organization led by a powerful civilization called the Guardian Civilization, encompassing tens of thousands of other civilizations. The alliance was established primarily to counter the Sweepers. Within the alliance, lower-level civilizations earn Alliance Contribution Points by completing various tasks. These points can be exchanged for technology, superweapons, and other rewards,” Luka One explained.
“So, my suspicions were correct. The Guardian Alliance is indeed a coalition dominated by a single powerful civilization,” Xiao Yu thought. He continued, “What are the Sweepers?”
“The Sweepers are another civilization. However, they are bloodthirsty and ruthless, leaving no discovered civilization alive. Our Luka Civilization joined the Guardian Alliance 20,000 years ago after receiving their summons, which saved us from extinction by the Sweepers.”
Xiao Yu’s expression grew sharper. “The Sweepers annihilate other civilizations to enhance their own luck. But I’m curious—why does the Guardian Civilization protect weaker civilizations instead of destroying them outright? Is the Guardian Civilization truly so morally upright?”
Luka One fell silent for a long moment before replying, “Perhaps you’re correct. We only have one explanation: apart from believing in the Guardian Civilization’s moral integrity, there is no other reason.”
Xiao Yu sneered but did not press further on the matter. Instead, he posed another question.
“What roles do the tens of thousands of weaker civilizations in the Guardian Alliance serve?”
“They fulfill many roles: logistics, resource transport, ship repair, intelligence gathering, and so on. For instance, our Luka Civilization once rented a Droplet-shaped probe to collect intelligence in the Third Starfield Division. This intelligence gathering is one of the tasks weaker civilizations undertake to earn contribution points. These points can be exchanged for technology or the Guardian Civilization’s protection. Exceptionally powerful civilizations may even directly assist the Guardian Civilization in combating the Sweepers, which yields significant contribution points. However, participation in this war requires at least Level 6 Civilization status.”
“Between the Guardian Civilization and the Sweeper Civilization, which is stronger? And what levels are they?”
“They are both Level 6 Advanced Civilizations. In the Morkas Galaxy, or the Milky Way Galaxy as you call it, they are the two most powerful civilizations. Civilizations of Level 7 or above are considered legendary. No such civilizations have appeared in the Milky Way for billions of years, and whether they exist in the universe at all is unknown.”
Luka One paused before continuing. “In terms of conventional military strength, the Guardian Civilization holds an advantage. However, in high-level strategic assets, the Sweepers dominate. This is because they possess an ultimate war fortress: the Neutron War Star. Overall, this puts the Guardian Civilization at a disadvantage.”
“Neutron War Star?!” Xiao Yu exclaimed, astonished.
“Yes, the Neutron War Star,” Luka One confirmed gravely. “The Sweepers acquired the technology from an unknown source. They hollowed out a neutron star and converted it into a war fortress. It is virtually indestructible—at least, the Guardian Civilization has been unable to find a way to destroy it despite millions of years of attempts. It is thanks to the Neutron War Star that the Sweepers consistently maintain dominance over the Guardian Alliance.”
Xiao Yu’s mind surged with excitement, almost to the point of losing composure.
“A Neutron War Star! To think a neutron star could be turned into a war fortress! I wonder… how long until I can achieve something of that magnitude?”
