Chapter 245
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Chapter 245: Title
Liang An could no longer spare attention for Lin Jing. Taking several long strides forward, he decisively left his companion behind.
"Chief, please slow down…" called the messenger, rushing to keep pace.
Rising thoughtfully, Lin Jing murmured, "…So the plan finally advances."
Initiated three hundred and ninety years prior, the Starlight Echo project sought extraterrestrial civilizations through cosmic observation. Contemporary endeavors like colonization and exploration had achieved varying success over four centuries, yet Starlight Echo remained stagnant after its initial breakthroughs.
Four years post-launch, anomalies in the Alpha Centauri system – 4.4 light-years distant – were detected through telescopic observation. Subsequent studies confirmed an alien civilization matching humanity’s developmental stage near Blue Star.
Though four centuries of accessing Galactic Empire technology should have enabled interstellar travel, humanity still grapples with solar system navigation. The bottleneck stems from Blue Star’s inability to directly implement Galactic Empire innovations – each advancement requires painstaking study and adaptation.
Cross-dimensional learning once benefited from temporal differentials before the Galactic Empire’s annexation. While dimensional transitions later grew complex, major powers still managed knowledge transfer. The true challenge lay in cultivating scholars capable of comprehending even obsolete Galactic Empire technologies – minds so precious they transcend national boundaries.
Interstellar travel proved particularly formidable. Two centuries passed before mastering intrastellar navigation, with light-speed propulsion still under development. Governments now incentivize civilian researchers through extraordinary rewards.
Enhanced cognition from advanced cultivation makes Practitioners ideal research candidates. Knowledge dissemination through neural implants and mental power encoding ensures modern twelve-year graduates possess classical university-level education. This technological renaissance, combined with global development initiatives, has created unprecedented societal stability – though declining birthrates offset population growth.
Military exhibitions every decade showcase incremental weapons development, though true capabilities remain concealed during this prolonged peace era, the most tranquil in recorded human history.
—
Lin Jing arrived at the information center moments after Liang An, observing silently from the rear.
"Chief Liang—"
The chief curtly waved away formalities. "Report."
"Alien civilization updates from the Starlight Echo feed."
Though primarily handling cultivation affairs, the Special Bureau had maintained Starlight Echo records since the initial discovery – a contingency against encountering extraterrestrial Practitioners. For three centuries, dedicated departments monitored the project while the Bureau focused on its core mandate… until now.
This was one of countless contingency plans devised years ago, and Liang An, as the person in charge, had been aware of its existence. Yet unless major discoveries or cultivation-related developments emerged, such matters wouldn’t reach him directly. This notification could only mean the scenario predicted in those old protocols had been triggered.
"We’ve intercepted a transmission."
"After thorough analysis, we confirmed its origin lies 4.4 light-years away. The extraterrestrials have responded."
"Here’s the decoded message…"
【To Source Star:】
【The Atlantean civilization extends sincere greetings. Our spaceship will depart within three Blue Star-days, with estimated arrival in three Blue Star-months.】
【Noah, Central Intelligence of Atlantis.】
"That’s all? No supplementary data?" Liang An pressed.
The technician shook his head. "No hidden layers detected."
"So we’re hosting alien visitors in three months." Liang An removed his glasses, massaging his temples.
Lin Jing’s lips curved wryly. "A proper bombshell."
"Our quiet days are numbered."
Centuries ago, such news would’ve thrown Blue Star into chaos. Now? Even if leaked, most would shrug – aliens visiting Blue Star sounded more like their visitors’ problem than humanity’s.
The announcement also spelled canceled vacations.
Lin Jing’s Division 2 groaned under impending workloads.
Zhongxia wasn’t alone in receiving the message – any spacefaring nation could decode this glaringly obvious signal. While leaders debated the newcomers’ intentions and capabilities, bureaucratic machinery hummed with practiced efficiency.
Revised protocols piled high as factions argued over public disclosure.
·
As the Special Bureau scrambled, unrest stirred among spirit cultivators. Within days of Atlantis’ message, reports flooded in: multiple demon lords planned to exit the Mountain and Sea Realm for Blue Star.
Thankfully, the Bureau’s archives overflowed with pre-made countermeasures. Standard protocol sufficed here.
Diplomatic observers in Tier-Nine Demon Lords City clarified: the lords merely sought leisure within their own territory, perhaps visiting old acquaintances. This reminded everyone of the Dragon Lord, Blue Star’s sole resident demon lord, still deep in his centuries-long slumber.
Typical draconic indulgence – who else could hibernate for epochs?
Since the visitors confined themselves to Tier-Nine Demon Lords City (jointly built but fundamentally spirit cultivator territory), the Bureau saw no cause for intervention. Truthfully, the demon lords needed no permission – Bai Ze’s faction simply observed courtesy toward human cultivators.
Politeness demanded reciprocity.
·
Within the Mountain and Sea Realm, eight demon lords compressed their forms. The human world couldn’t withstand their full majesty, nor could the Ten Thousand Great Mountains’ passage accommodate their true dimensions. Even diminished, they dwarfed common spirit cultivators.
Rarely did multiple lords emerge simultaneously. Spirit cultivators bowed deeply as the procession passed.
The obsidian Celestial Dog threw back its head in a resonant howl. "Race to the boundary marker?" it proposed, amber eyes glinting.
"Futile challenge." Di Yan’s triple wings shimmered, the three-legged golden crow radiating arrogance. "The skies yield to none but me."
Reclining on cumulus matching her snowy fur, the nine-tailed fox chuckled at the ebony Xuanfeng. "Such confidence, Di Yan. Wings aren’t your exclusive ornament."
Qiongqi bristled. "I’ve got wings too!"
"Featherless impostor," Taotie rumbled through guffaws.
Bai Ze’s eyes crinkled. "Yue Xi’s idea has merit. Let’s stretch our limbs before confinement."
The vulpine lord’s tails rippled like pale auroras. "Agreed. Our last unfettered moments."
At Yue Xi’s ululating signal, eons of camaraderie ignited. Reality blurred as they surged forward.
"Victory!" Di Yan crowed, piercing the boundary membrane.
Qiongqi’s brutish form bulldozed through seconds later. "Runner-up!"
Yue Xi’s laughter trailed the leaders. Bai Ze arched an eyebrow at Xuanfeng. "That wasn’t just holding back – you’ve dammed the entire reservoir."
"I made no promises," the phoenix countered blandly.
"Yet you joined," the nine-tailed fox purred. "Social cohesion, Xuanfeng. Occasionally necessary."
Taotie and Mo Qilin shot past in a thunderclap. "Enough prattling! We advance!"
The trio exchanged glances.
Bai Ze’s crystalline laughter echoed. "Shall we?"
To the mortal realm they descended.
