NOVEL WEB Chapter 784: Who Doesn't Have a Background?
Katz's elite warriors of Durando indeed had a bit more backbone.
However, as the saying goes, "for every clever move there is a countermove." In this world, the longest road is the path of deception walked by Zhang Menglong. As long as you have the slightest bit of emotion, he would definitely find a weak spot to exploit.
After being ruthlessly drilled for "five years of college entrance exams and three years of mock tests" and humiliated by the task of shoveling manure, Zhang Menglong eventually shoved them into the new buildings of Jiangnan University of Science and Technology to serve as formaldehyde purifiers for a few days.
It took less than a week for them to break down!
Their technology was far too advanced compared to Earth's. It wasn't just a matter of physically and mentally draining them; try to imagine, if you were sent back to the era of primitive humans and they forced you to do this and that, would you not break down?
The most stubborn Katz finally bowed his head before the people of Earth.
...
This was the newly established Planetary Responsibility Council of the United Nations, with member states from all around the world. As the biggest contributor to the recent events, it was only natural that Huaxia held a permanent seat on the council.
In a dark room, leaders from all around the world gathered. Opposite them, enclosed in a transparent glass house, sat Katz, the captain of the warship that had invaded Earth this time.
"Name?"
"Katz Brilzock."
"Nationality?"
"Durank Planet, the Grand Duchy of Rediyatz."
"What was your purpose for coming to Earth?"
"For thousands of years, we lost contact with one of our spaceships, known only to be near this arm of your Milky Way. It was not until we received signals from your detectors that we finally locked onto Blue Star, which is your Earth. The purpose of this visit was to explore this planet and then sell it to a cosmic civilization in need of colonization."
This time, Katz almost revealed all the information he knew and everything the humans wanted to know.
And for the first time, humans gained a clear concept of cosmic civilization.
Actually, billions of years ago, the universe indeed resembled the scenario depicted in 'Dark Forest,' but to make peace the main theme of the universe, several powerful Level Five Civilizations created the Universal Alliance.
More and more civilizations joined the cosmic community, forming the great cosmos we know today.
The cosmic civilizations are currently divided into five levels, from Level One to Level Five.
Under the cosmic civilizations are the immense cosmic empires, each of which is a collective of tens of thousands of galaxies, typically ruled by a Level Five Civilization.
Below the cosmic empires are vast regions of the cosmos governed by Level Four Civilizations, known as star regions. Depending on the strength of a Level Four Civilization, a star region may contain anywhere from dozens to tens of thousands of galaxies.
Then there are the star systems governed by Level Three Civilizations, where a typical star system would have tens of thousands of civilized planets.
Beneath the star systems are lords like those of Durank Planet who typically control hundreds of planets with Level One Civilizations, such as Earth, as their territories.
Durank Planet is a relatively large Level Two Civilization transitioning toward Level Three. Their planet's lord is a Level Four Life Form who owns more than 2000 civilized planets!
In cosmic civilization, technological development still remains the main focus. As civilizations advance, the levels of life within them also increase.
To put it simply, back in ancient times, the average human lifespan was only about thirty to forty years. Nowadays, it's normal for a person to live to seventy or eighty. In advanced civilizations, sighting High-Grade Life Forms is common.
Of course, there is a watershed between them. Through genetic optimization and the upgrading of civilization levels, the highest life level achievable is that of a Level Five Life Form.
Beyond that, it's as difficult as achieving 'Cultivation' as described in the myths of humans.
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Even among Level Five Civilizations, there are very few Level Five Life Forms; as for Level Six Life Forms, calling them gods wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Is there a more advanced civilization beyond Level Five?
Up to now, there hasn't been an answer. A long time ago, a Level Five Civilization tried to break through to a higher level. According to theories of Level Five Civilizations, the existence of parallel universes had been proven, and beyond the universe lay even broader worlds. This civilization's dream was to transcend the universe.
However, due to some reason, this civilization ultimately vanished. Some believe that they truly succeeded, entering a parallel universe or a higher-dimensional world. But most civilizations think they failed and were destroyed along with their home planet.
...
After hearing Katz's words, humans couldn't help but sigh at the vastness of the universe and their own insignificance.
"You said your purpose this time is to invade our planet and sell us to other civilizations in the universe?"
"Yes," Katz replied, "Only planets registered within the Universal Alliance are recognized by cosmic civilizations. Any other planets are unrecognized, and any civilization's pioneers can conquer these planets through force and apply for registration."
"I see!" Earth was now like those European colonial countries from past years, exploring new routes; any cosmic civilization, upon discovery and conquest of Earth, could turn it into a colony and then sell it to a more advanced civilization.
"So how can our planet achieve independence?" Zhang Menglong asked.
"Join a civilization that is Level Two or higher, and you'll get an official number. Then you can apply to join the Universal Alliance and accept the governance of a Level Two civilization. According to Earth's timing, the application process would take about 80 to 100 years."
"That complicated?"
"In cosmic civilizations, planets without life have no value, but planets with life, even those of the lowest grade, are incredibly valuable."
"According to you, even if we join a Level Two civilization, won't we still be subject to their rule and exploitation?"
"Of course," Katz said, "The Universal Alliance does not prohibit war. Even if you officially join a cosmic civilization, without the protection of a more advanced civilization, survival will be difficult post-independence. Isn't it normal to pay some benefits?"
"Without any civilization daring to invade you openly, it's still easy for a few high-grade life forms to come to your planet, pillage and plunder, then disappear without a trace. Even the Universal Alliance would find it difficult to manage."
"You have a point," Zhang Menglong nodded. Nowadays on Earth, many small nations still rely on larger countries for survival, or else they could be engulfed in war at any moment. The universe simply multiplies this scenario countless times.
"Can't I just apply for Earth's independence directly?" As a human, Zhang Menglong certainly didn't wish for Earth to suffer any exploitation or governance.
"You can. You just need to submit an application through any network that connects to the Universal Alliance and buy Earth directly, declaring yourself as Earth's Lord. However, the cost of that..."
There's no need to think about it; that cost must be astronomically high. Moreover, to date, humans have had no contact with cosmic civilizations and do not possess a single unit of interstellar currency, let alone the means to purchase Earth.
"Earthling, I advise you to let me go," Katz said, looking at the humans' expressions as his sense of superiority grew again, "When our mother civilization reports to the higher Level Three Civilization, a whole fleet will come. You are indeed very special, but your planet is vulnerably weak!"
"Damn, starting with threats again!" Katz was really acting too soon after forgetting the pain, "Ye Yin, take him down for me!"
"Ah!"
"Earthling, if you dare, kill me, or else you will taste the pain of losing your kin!"
"Ah!"
The screams echoed ceaselessly from the other side of the transparent glass room, but no one paid attention to him anymore.
"We are facing a severe situation now!" Everyone sighed. In an unknown future, Earth might face even more formidable enemies. Without the universal currency or backing, the danger would be too great.
"Drag it out," Zhang Menglong commanded Ye Yin. Compared to the others, Zhang Menglong looked relaxed and calm, "Isn't it just about money and backing? Who doesn't have a little backing?"
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