Only by keeping the enemy at bay can we ensure our own safety to the greatest extent. This applies at all times. In order to find the Nebula Main Consciousness, Hu Yu launched a large number of space matter anomaly movement scanners into the airspace around Earth Two. They worked in conjunction with satellite equipment to prioritize the safety of Earth Two.
More scanners are being rushed into production, Wind Master are working overtime to have antimatter particle beam weapons installed. Tens of thousands of small spaceships have already been equipped with scanners and are heading into the depths of space. Their mission is naturally to search for the Main Consciousness. The small spaceships equipped with antimatter particle beams have no need to worry about the erosion of the Nebula Consciousness.
In addition, Hu Yu could only force the previous exploration ships to self-destruct and readjust the program of the Wind Master. The new instructions were that they would immediately self-destruct if contact was lost. Dozens of Wind Master would take over the mission of the previous small ships, using warp drive to go outside the nebula to check if the Fish Horse Star fleet was still there.
If the Fish Horse Star warship isn't waiting outside the nebula, Hu Yu will have to temporarily move Earth Two outside the nebula. After all, this place is too eerie. Nebula Lifeform are like ghosts; they might be billions of kilometers away, or they might be watching him from right above. Even if the space in the Nebula Region is conducive to research, he must at least ensure his own safety before proceeding.
It's not too late to conduct research once we find a safe way outside the Nebula Region. We can't ignore the safety of the billions of people on Earth Two. The Nebula Region appears extremely large, with a maximum diameter of over 30 light-years. Within this vast area, there are only a mere seven Nebula Main Consciousness. According to ancient understanding, attacking an opponent within this range would be like shooting an arrow at a coin thousands of miles away—absolutely impossible. However, by the late 20th century, people believed that distance wasn't such a limitation. Arrows could grow eyes and wings, and could hit their targets not only thousands of miles away but billions of miles. Therefore, although the Nebula Region is vast and has few Main Consciousness, finding and attacking Earth Two Earth Two would be just as simple for them.
This is the center of the Nebula Region, 15 light-years from the edge. The Wind Master will release disguised probes to continue their advance once they reach the edge. They should try to avoid being detected by the Fish Horse Star Fleet, otherwise, they might provoke the Wind Master into doing something unknown.
" Number Three, Number Four, and Number One have already monopolized the human planet, but they have also lost all their branches. At this point, we should put aside our past grievances, unite, and force Number One to relinquish the human planet."
Seven light-years from Earth Two, six dense gas clouds, each several tens of kilometers in size, are hundreds of kilometers apart. Lightning flashes through the clouds as they whisper messages to each other.
" Number Two, that's easier said than done. If we get close, we'll both perish. Go ahead and go."
"We can negotiate with humans."
"Negotiate terms? With our tens of millions of dilapidated warships? Humanity has already mastered the method to destroy our consciousness. The Number One Fleet, the most powerful, was destroyed in less than a day by the human fleet, its Branch Consciousness Entity wiped out. Although we have seventy or eighty million warships in total, do you think we can fight against humanity with this junk? Why should humanity negotiate terms with us?!"
"We all want liberation, but over the years I've come to realize that we don't necessarily have to plunder the technology of biological civilizations. We can ask biological civilizations to help us; perhaps that's the only way we can find true liberation."
"But Number One has already taken over our planet. Will it cooperate with us? We've had so many years of enmity. If Number One hadn't taken over our planet, we wouldn't have cooperated either. Why should it share with us now? What if we anger Number One and it destroys all of humanity?"
"I'll go talk to Number One."
"Let's do it together. To be honest, we don't trust each other. What if you make a deal with Number One and leave us out?"
"Let's go together then," Number Two said.
Human-made space-based anomaly scanners have only been deployed at a density of about 200 astronomical units. However, there are also some scattered scanners operating within a 0.5 light-year area. But the number of long-distance scanners is very small, and they cannot provide full-space surveillance. Because the detection range is too short, the number of scanners required is extremely large, and even with a simple structure, it would take a very long time to deploy and complete.
These six gas clouds rapidly moved to a location one light-year away from Earth Two, the farthest distance their Consciousness Field could cover.
The Consciousness Field is similar to an electric or magnetic field, but it is fundamentally different. The various legendary supernatural abilities and mind control of objects are actually a kind of understanding of the Consciousness Field. However, these are all hoaxes. The Consciousness Field is not that powerful. Even the Consciousness Field of Nebula Lifeform can only achieve long-distance communication and control of Branch Consciousness Entity. It cannot even move a small stone.
What are you all doing here?!
" Number One, do you want to monopolize this human planet? In billions of years, this is the first advanced civilization planet to arrive in the Nebula Region. Its value is immeasurable. You can't possibly keep it all to yourself. Hand it over."
"Hand it over? Are you stupid? Why should I share it with you? The chance for liberation is right in front of me, and I'm not giving it up. You can leave now. If you piss me off, none of us will benefit. Besides, I can tell you that once I find a way to escape, I will destroy humanity. You can just stay in this damned Nebula Region and suffer the consequences, hahahahahaha~~~"
" Number One, don't be stubborn. If you disagree, we'll tell humanity about your existence."
" Number Seven, when did it become your turn to interrupt? What's the point of telling humanity? At worst, I'll destroy humanity right now. Maybe I can still find a way out through human technology, while you'll get nothing."
" Number One, for billions of years, we've been fighting and struggling, but who has found a way to escape? Everyone knows our uniqueness; no other civilization would specifically research a way for us to escape. Now, humanity has built a defense system, and our Branch Consciousness Entity can no longer infiltrate and control them. You yourself know how slim the chances are of finding a way to escape from their remaining technology after destroying humanity. My suggestion is that we unite, negotiate with humanity, and ask them to help us find a way to escape. Once we're free, we can then find a way to take over humanity and make them our vassals. Wouldn't that be better?"
"What are your opinions?" Number One asked.
"I agree with Number Two," Number Five said.
I agree.
"Agree."
"I have no objection."
"Alright, since you all agree, let's do as you say. However, humans are not as simple as you imagine. It would be great if we could reach an agreement, but if we can't, the planet will still belong to me. But before we start talking, I still need to demonstrate a bit of the strength of our Nebula Lifeform, otherwise humans won't obediently submit."