A Different Future

Lianfeng's expression was grave, but Si Yao's sharp words did not easily shake her. "Mr. Si Yao, while there is some truth to what you said, Super Seminary is not the culprit behind civilizations turning toward aggression. We spread knowledge and technology with the original intention of giving every civilization more possibilities for development, allowing them to survive better in the universe."

"As for the direction a civilization takes afterward, that is not something Super Seminary can completely control. Every civilization has its own choices and path. Take Earth Civilization, for example. Even if it possesses great power in the future, that does not necessarily mean it will embark on a path of aggression. We have always worked to guide civilizations and help them understand that power should be used to protect and preserve peace."

Qiangwei could not help speaking up from the side. "That's right. Earth Civilization has its own values and moral principles. We have endured suffering, so we understand the value of peace even better. We won't casually destroy the peace of other civilizations."

Si Yao's expression remained unchanged. "Ridiculous. Faced with enormous benefits and the temptation of power, so-called values and moral principles are often fragile. What makes you think Earth Civilization can always remain true to its original ideals?"

"What's more, I've seen the history of this Earth Civilization. War—endless war. From ancient times to the present, the flames of war have never truly gone out. Including this civilization you support—its original nature is a love of peace? How can you even bring yourself to say such nonsense?"

Lianfeng took a deep breath. "Because we believe that the kindness and justice in human nature will not be easily extinguished. Moreover, Super Seminary will continue to play its role, constantly educating and guiding civilizations so they establish the right ideas as they grow. Just as we are doing now, we are also working to help Earth Civilization learn to coexist harmoniously with other civilizations."

"Coexist harmoniously?" Si Yao let out a cold laugh. "On the cruel stage of the universe, harmonious coexistence is nothing more than a beautiful fantasy. When resources are limited and Survival Space is scarce, conflict and war are unavoidable. How much effect can your so-called guidance really have in the face of reality?"

"Don't forget how Deno was destroyed. Do you need me to help you relive it?"

A dim glint flashed through Si Yao's eyes as he invaded Lianfeng's consciousness.

Lianfeng felt the scene before her twist and change in an instant. The space she had been in vanished, replaced by a scene in the vast universe.

She seemed to have been placed at an invisible observation point, looking down upon the two brilliant yet secretly perilous planets below—Dexing and Nuoxing.

At first, they had been prosperous and peaceful, their technological brilliance shining brightly. However, with the injection of Super Seminary's technology, the shadow of an arms race quietly spread.

On Dexing, enormous warships were continuously built in the spaceports. Nuoxing was unwilling to fall behind, and dangerous energy reactors rose from the ground.

The tense atmosphere grew increasingly intense, until the news that Dexing's "Shenhe Power" project was nearing completion became the final straw that broke the balance.

Nuoxing launched the first attack. Warships descended like dark clouds, while laser fire poured down like rain. Dexing quickly counterattacked, its energy cannons roaring and shaking the heavens. The wreckage of warships filled space, cities became ruins, and flames and thick smoke obscured the sky.

Lieyang Civilization, as a civilization with countless ties to Deno, was also drawn into the conflict.

Both sides coveted Lieyang's Stellar Energy technology. After its attempts to dissuade them failed, Lieyang had no choice but to participate in order to protect its own interests.

As the war continued, the situation grew increasingly out of control.

To prevent the Deno Civil War from spreading to Lieyang Civilization, and with the support of Super Seminary, the Lieyang King at the time chose to personally travel to the Deno Star System. He wanted to mediate the war with the news that Light of the Sun was nearing completion.

Unfortunately, as soon as they entered the Deno Star System, both sides mistook them for reinforcements sent to aid the other.

The warships of both Dexing and Nuoxing then launched attacks against the Lieyang King's Warship.

The Lieyang King fell in the ensuing melee.

In a fit of rage, Sun God Emperor Hong Kun chose to detonate the star of the Deno Star System, bringing the war to an end.

Brilliant light swallowed everything in an instant. As shock waves raged, planets shattered, mountains turned to dust, and the oceans evaporated completely.

The once-prosperous Deno Civilization was utterly annihilated.

Lianfeng came back to herself from the shocking scene. Her body trembled slightly, and her eyes were filled with complexity and heaviness. "No! Super Seminary cannot be entirely blamed for this. The Deno Civil War was the result of many factors acting together. Although Super Seminary brought them technology and knowledge, it did not force them to go to war."

"Every civilization has its own choices. Deno Civilization chose war, so it must pay the price for that choice."

"Earth Civilization today has different cultural foundations and a different historical course. We believe it will have a different future."

Si Yao could not help laughing. "Cultural foundations? Historical course? How can you guarantee that Earth Civilization won't repeat Deno's fate? Can you stop Earth Civilization from clashing with other civilizations over competition for resources and territorial expansion after obtaining great power?"

"When they're weak, they can say anything they want. But once they grow strong, their actions won't lie."

"Perhaps you want to talk about standing united, but that is nothing more than a temporary alliance formed when facing life and death. Once the threat is gone, the conflicts and struggles over interests within humanity will surface again."

"Look at Earth's history. Between countries, wars have never stopped over resources, territory, and power. Now that they possess even greater power brought by Super Seminary, these disputes will only become more intense."

"Anyone can paint a beautiful vision, but reality is often far more cruel—and far uglier."

Si Yao paused. "Of course, I don't mean anything else by saying this. I'm merely expressing my opinion of this so-called Earth Civilization. Whether they will uphold justice like the Angels in the future, create chaos like demons, or plunder everywhere like Taotie has nothing to do with me. I don't care."

"However, from what I've seen, this civilization seems to enjoy using so-called the Law of the Jungle as an excuse to plunder others whenever it grows powerful."

"If that's the case, then Taotie's invasion of Earth is merely their own form of the Law of the Jungle. You want to ask me for help using so-called... justice? Morality? Or... whatever other nonsense you can think of. Don't you find that laughable?"

"The Law of the Jungle—don't shout about it only when you're the strong ones."

"If you like that philosophy so much, then when you're weak, shouldn't you likewise accept the fate of being devoured by the strong?"

"..."

Lianfeng opened her mouth, then stopped. She wanted to refute him, but she truly could not force the words out.

She had observed Earth Civilization for over a thousand years, so she naturally understood how widespread the things Si Yao had described were throughout the development and evolution of Earth Civilization. That was true of the civilization itself, and equally true of the people beneath it.

When weak, they cried out for morality; when strong, they invoked the Law of the Jungle.