The auditorium was unusually silent.
A more advanced civilization had appeared within their field of view.
The assembled legislators exchanged glances, sharing their astonishment and disbelief.
This was an extremely thorny problem, because nothing like it had ever occurred in the Empire's history. The most intelligent alien life they had ever discovered was merely a group of primitive bipedal lizards on a frontier planet, creatures that could not even make fire and only knew how to use a few natural tools.
The Jialan Empire had no interest in establishing diplomatic relations with alien races, much less trading with them. They could produce all the consumer goods their citizens needed. Once they established diplomatic relations and confirmed each other's coordinates, however, they would have to revive armaments abandoned years ago, guard against potential threats, and face the risk of clashing ideologies.
And one thing was certain: the less advanced civilization would inevitably be at a disadvantage in such a clash.
The other side would not even need to do anything extra. The passive spread of its values alone could introduce tremendous uncertainty into their society.
They only had to look at the trouble caused by the widely circulated "Oracle" so far.
Voices of panic were everywhere.
Sensitivity to information was both a strength of Jialan civilization and a flaw they could scarcely eliminate.
Pressing two fingers to his forehead, the consul sank into thought.
This was a common habit among the Jialan people when pondering a problem. It made them feel that their consciousness was infinitely close to the great Spirit of the Universe. Yet even the Spirit of the Universe could not answer the questions in his heart.
The silence lasted roughly ten minutes.
He spoke.
"You said he contacted us of his own accord."
"Yes." Facing the consul's question,