Chapter 90: Misfortunes Never Come Alone

Previously, Xiao Yu always believed that the universe was a mostly safe place, except for certain extreme areas, such as around black holes, neutron stars, quasars, or supernovae.

At least within the Solar System or the Tianyuan IV star system, where meteor impacts and radiation posed no significant threats to him, these areas were considered safe. Xiao Yu naturally assumed that his next destination, Tiancang V, would also be safe. Moreover, he thought that most regions of the universe were similarly secure. However, Luka Two’s remarks shattered this notion.

For the first time, Xiao Yu realized that the wonders and dangers of the universe far exceeded his imagination.

Yet, Luka Two’s subsequent words elevated Xiao Yu’s estimation of the universe’s dangers to an entirely new level.

Luka Two continued, “Beyond these hazardous regions, there are also certain dangerous races in the universe. Collectively, they are known as Predator Civilizations.”

“Another category besides the Sweepers and the Guardian Alliance?” Xiao Yu asked.

“Yes, Predator Civilizations. However, this is just a general term. Predator Civilizations can be either technological civilizations or beast civilizations. Regardless of their civilization level, as long as they refuse to join the Guardian Alliance and display extreme aggression—especially if they have actively annihilated other civilizations—they can be classified as Predator Civilizations.”

“If I remember correctly, doesn’t the Guardian Alliance forbid beast civilizations and mechanical civilizations from joining?” Xiao Yu pondered for a moment and raised a new question.

“Yes. The differing evolutionary philosophies have caused conflicts between beast civilizations and technological civilizations. Mechanical civilizations and the Specter Race are enemies to all civilizations. However, not all beast civilizations fall into the Predator category. If a beast civilization refrains from aggression and focuses solely on its development, it will be categorized along with certain technological civilizations as a Recluse Civilization,” Luka Two explained.

“I see. Are there any powerful civilizations among the beast civilizations, comparable to the Guardians or Sweepers?” Xiao Yu asked.

“No,” Luka Two responded decisively. “Although some beast civilizations have developed to Level 6, their populations are too sparse to rival the Guardians or Sweepers. For example, the most infamous Predator Civilization in the Milky Way is a Level 6 beast civilization commonly referred to as the Python Race. Besides them, there are also the Crocodilian Race and the Arboreal Race, both of which have also reached Level 6. Over the past one hundred million years, these civilizations have verifiably destroyed thousands of others.”

[T/N: I’m quite torn with these names. Python race and crocodilian race sound ass, but I don’t know if changing them will cause issues with the translation later down the line. I think i’ll keep them as is for now but if more information comes out i’ll change them then.]

“Thousands… Thousands of civilizations wiped out… The universe is truly brutal. I hope I don’t encounter these so-called Predator Civilizations before I gain enough strength. It seems that the extinction of humanity might not have been caused by the Sweepers alone. Once I become strong, I will investigate this matter thoroughly and avenge humanity!”

Xiao Yu silently vowed.

The long journey through the universe continued. Time passed, and another year went by. If the Luka fleet failed to catch up within the next two years, Xiao Yu would be essentially safe.

During this year, Xiao Yu completed all his construction tasks. All available materials were used to build spacecraft. One hundred large transport ships were dismantled and converted into several thousand County-Class and Town-Class ships.

Xiao Yu’s total fleet reached 120,000 vessels. Technological advancements had significantly boosted his capabilities, making his combat power several times greater than when he first arrived at the Tianyuan IV star system.

This marked Xiao Yu’s true entry into the realm of a Level 3 Civilization.

Throughout the year, Xiao Yu had been preoccupied with thoughts of the Phantom and the Specter Race. Finally, he couldn’t resist asking Luka Two, “Which weapons are most effective against the Specter Race?”

Luka Two replied, “Based on the information I possess, no specific weapon is particularly effective against the Specter Race. Energy weapons from Level 3 civilizations, force field weapons from Level 4 civilizations, or even weapons from Level 5 and 6 civilizations inflict comparable damage. The only viable strategy is prolonged, large-scale bombardment to gradually deplete the Specter Race’s energy. Before they can eliminate all allied forces, the goal must be to annihilate the Specter Race. This is the only way.”

“I see…” Xiao Yu fell into deep thought.

Noticing Xiao Yu’s keen interest in the Specter Race, Luka Two continued, “The Guardian Alliance has a rule: every fleet, regardless of its mission, must be equipped with a Specter Detector. This device can detect the presence of the Specter Race within a one-light-hour radius.”

“Hmm? Is that so?” Xiao Yu asked. “Does that mean your fleet was also equipped with it?”

“Yes,” Luka Two replied, “but it was destroyed during our engagement with you. However, it doesn’t matter. The Guardian Civilization has publicly released the manufacturing instructions for the Specter Detector. I’ll send them to you now.”

Ten minutes later, Xiao Yu received a brief document. After carefully studying it, Xiao Yu couldn’t fully grasp the technology behind it. Nevertheless, he followed the instructions and began constructing the device. Before long, he had created a peculiar square-shaped instrument with little effort.

“Truly, I understand the ‘what’ but not the ‘why.’ I only know that following these steps results in a Specter Detector. The principles behind its construction, its operating mechanisms, and the technologies involved remain a mystery. It’s probably designed this way by the Guardian Civilization to prevent technological leaks,” Xiao Yu speculated as he examined the instrument.

“Look at the display screen—this straight line. If it shows any fluctuations, it means the Specter Race is within a one-light-hour radius. Like now, for example. Look, it’s fluctuating,” Luka Two explained respectfully, pointing at the device. “Let me check… The strength is approximately Level 2, an early-stage evolutionary class with low-grade lethality. They are located about thirty light-minutes away, off your fleet’s starboard side. Since their speed is light-speed, they will reach your fleet in approximately thirty minutes.”

“Oh… I see. Do you know how the Specter Detector works? According to the instructions, I can construct it, but I can’t decipher its internal mechanisms.”

“We don’t know either. This is a standard document released by the Guardian Civilization. Any Level 2 civilization can use it to manufacture the device, but understanding its working principles likely requires at least Level 5 civilization knowledge,” Luka Two responded.

“This must involve certain physical phenomena I haven’t discovered yet. But for now, I fear I won’t be able to unravel its secrets,” Xiao Yu pondered silently.

Suddenly, a thought struck Xiao Yu, causing his nerves to tighten. Reflexively, he directed a camera toward the square Specter Detector.

“If… I’m not mistaken, you said… if this line fluctuates, it means the Specter Race is within a one-light-hour radius, correct?” Xiao Yu asked Luka Two slowly, his eyes fixed on the instrument.

Luka Two answered with slight confusion, “Yes, this device doesn’t make mistakes. Hmm? Great God!”

Luka Two and Xiao Yu exchanged a look before uttering the same realization in unison:

“The Specter Race is approaching us!”

“Goddamn it!”

“Great God!”

Luka Two’s expression turned chaotic as he exclaimed in panic, “It’s Level 2 Specter Race! But even Level 2 Specters are beyond our ability to fight!”

“Calm down! Stay calm!” Xiao Yu, unusually composed, immediately activated maximum power on all his fleet’s energy shields. He arranged the fleet into a combat formation and directed all high-powered scanning equipment toward the starboard side.

While doing so, Xiao Yu didn’t forget to demand from Luka Two, “Don’t panic! If you panic again, I’ll execute you on the spot! Tell me, how do we fight the Specter Race? And if we can’t fight them, can we escape?”

Luka Two collapsed to the ground, despair written all over his face. “It’s hopeless, hopeless. Fighting a Level 2 Specter Race requires at least a Level 4 civilization. And Specters with this classification move at light speed. Without faster-than-light travel capabilities, we can’t even run. Great God! Is this my punishment for betraying my race?”

“Don’t forget, I have 120,000 combat spacecraft!” Xiao Yu roared through the audio system.

“It’s useless, useless! You’re a mechanical civilization, so the Specter Race might not care about you, but what about us? We still have tens of thousands of our people on board!” Luka Two cried, covering his face in despair.

“They might not care about me? That’s not necessarily true,” Xiao Yu gritted his teeth. “If worst comes to worst, we’ll fight to the death!”

At that moment, Xiao Yu suddenly detected a group of faintly dark-colored battleships appearing roughly twenty light-minutes behind him. The moment they emerged, they launched an attack on Xiao Yu’s fleet.

“These are… Luka ships! What’s going on? How did the Specter Race and Luka ships appear together? Is this what they call misfortune never comes alone?”

At this moment, Xiao Yu’s heart was filled with bitterness.