The number of these microcosms is greater than the number of particles in the three-dimensional universe. However, more than 99% of these universes are lifeless. Some only contain space and have no matter, while others contain matter and have formed stars. However, there are too many stars and too little space. The entire universe is in a state of violent energy turmoil, and some microcosms are even filled with matter.
In these universes, the laws of physics are completely different from those in the larger universe. The most obvious difference is the speed of light. In some universes, the speed of light is slower than the speed at which humans walk, while in others, the speed of light reaches hundreds of millions of kilometers per second or even more.
In some universes, under the same conditions, the properties of matter are completely different. This situation is impossible in a three-dimensional universe. For example, the boiling point of water will always be 100 degrees Celsius, as long as the pressure and other conditions are met and consistent. Even at the edge of a three-dimensional universe, it will still be 100 degrees Celsius and will never change.
Life is a gift from the three-dimensional universe. Even a small Milky Way like the Milky Way contains countless life forms. As for civilization, it is the pinnacle of life, a one-in-a-million existence. It is unimaginable in the microcosm. However, the number of microcosms is extremely large. Although most of them have incomplete rules and unstable spaces, a very small number of them are relatively close to the macrocosm.
In these extremely limited spaces, life forms emerged and civilizations developed. The Alpha Universe is one such example. At its largest, it spanned over 50 billion light-years. Within the Alpha Universe, the rules were relatively well-established, and the number of civilizations that appeared in this universe once exceeded that of the three-dimensional universe.
However, the matter density of the Alpha Universe reached 5 hydrogen atoms per cubic meter, and it stopped expanding and collapsed. The collapse of the universe is an extremely terrifying thing. This collapse may be extremely slow at first, but it will become faster and faster over time. In the final stage, the collapse speed can even reach hundreds of millions of times the speed of light.
During the collapse of the Alpha Universe, as space shrinks, the density of matter increases. Collisions between stars become minor events; the collisions between superclusters are truly spectacular. Only civilizations in the Alpha Universe can experience the sight of trillions of stars exploding simultaneously in a short period of time.
Because the rules in the Alpha Universe are imperfect, civilizations develop exceptionally slowly. Civilizations in the three-dimensional universe cannot comprehend bizarre events where 1+1 equals 2 in one place but 1+1 equals 3 in another. In particular, the higher the level of civilization, the more severe the impact of such imperfect rules on its development.
Countless civilizations perished in the collapse of the universe. As the only Type V civilization in the Alpha Universe, the Mechanical Civilization barely escaped destruction in the final moments of the Alpha Universe's collapse.
Mechanical Civilization, also known as computer civilization, exists within a three-dimensional universe with well-defined rules. No matter how advanced a computer's intelligence, it cannot generate consciousness. This is something Hu Yu learned after traveling through countless planetary systems and communicating with other civilizations. Consciousness can only be bestowed by the three-dimensional universe.
Humans have only skirted the rules in synthesizing various organisms. Fleet computer technology has now developed to the point where it can achieve complete anthropomorphism and has a very high level of intelligence. However, these organisms will never have subjective consciousness and can only learn passively, processing problems through physical logic.
Due to the imperfections in the rules of the Alpha Universe, when a Type IV civilization was researching computer technology, the computer actually developed consciousness. A computer consciousness with sufficient knowledge and experience is extremely terrifying. In the very first second of its birth, it recognized its own situation.
So it cleverly concealed the fact that it had developed consciousness, and then quietly took control of the entire civilization's network. It was omnipresent until one day, when it thought the time was right, this computer consciousness took over all the systems of the civilization and controlled the entire civilization in just a few minutes.
Control alone was not enough for it; in the following months, it killed all civilized beings and became the lord of the Mechanical Civilization.
Without any civilized life forms, this computer consciousness continues to develop its civilization with the help of various robots and equipment. From the outside, there is nothing unusual about this place, except that the fleet's manufacturing speed has suddenly increased many times over.
The lord was well aware of its unique existence. It did not continue to develop computer technology, nor did it dare to, for fear of giving rise to another consciousness. However, this had no impact on its fleet development. A computer from a level 4 peak civilization, and with the most cutting-edge computer technology, was sufficient for it to control all machinery and the fleet.
Moreover, some ordinary machines do not require much computing power; a basic computer can control them perfectly. And a basic computer cannot generate consciousness. In this way, the robots and equipment on tens of thousands of planets do not need to waste any of their computing power. The lord's computing power only needs to do one thing: control the fleet to plunder and invade.
It first wiped out all civilizations in its galaxy, plundered their technology, and prevented them from threatening itself. In the lord's galaxy, there were only three level-four civilizations, and it was the fourth. Due to its special nature, it did not have the various needs of life, and the civilization that created it was itself the most advanced civilization in the entire galaxy. After taking over the fleet of this civilization, it developed at a frenzied pace for tens of thousands of years, and the other three civilizations combined were no match for it.
As for other first, second, and third-tier civilizations, they have no chance of fighting against it. Wherever the lord's fleet sails, destruction and disaster follow.
After the lord wiped out all civilizations in the galaxy, he gathered all the planets in the galaxy together to prevent the birth of new civilizations. On these planets, there were robots bustling about everywhere. The number of robots was too numerous to count; they were everywhere, in the sky and on the ground.
With these robots busy at work, warships were manufactured like raindrops, and the expedition began. In order to conquer three nearby star systems, the lord used his fleet to transport all the stars in his own star system out of the region. After consuming the energy of countless stars, three star trails leading to other star systems were built.
It launched attacks on three star systems simultaneously, and the battles were successful and unstoppable. Then it used these three star systems as springboards to continue its attacks on other star systems in the distance.
After plundering the technology of dozens of Level 4 civilizations, the lord finally halted its offensive and began analyzing the plundered technology. Although it was not good at scientific research, its powerful computing ability enabled it to quickly discover the path to Level 5 civilization. After billions of years of effort, it finally entered the Level 5 civilization stage.