Chapter 342: Lin Sen's Meeting with the Dinosaur High-Level

At this moment, in the grand Supreme Council Hall of the Dinosaur Empire, the Elder of the Monitoring Department suddenly interrupted the proceedings, reporting with a hint of nervousness and a trace of fear:

"Your Majesty, there is an urgent situation that I must report to you immediately. We have just received a very strange message from Envoy Da Ya, and the situation could be very dire. I suggest we play it."

With the King's consent, Da Ya's piercing and desperate roar instantly filled the entire Supreme Council Hall, "We've been tricked, run, this isn't home..."

Upon hearing this, the Dinosaur King, though surprised, maintained a sovereign's composure on his face. However, a flicker of ominous premonition passed unnervingly through his eyes.

He asked in a deep voice, "What exactly is going on? Have we really been deceived?"

He immediately gave another order, "Science Department, immediately analyze this message and determine if it could be fabricated by humanity.

"Ladies and gentlemen, regardless of the analysis results, we no longer have time to waste. At the very least, one simple fact is humanity has made their move, and our first priority must be to break free from the blockade of human warships."

The Grand Secretary's expression was as somber as iron, and in an instant, he seemed to contemplate countless possibilities, each thought flashing through his mind like lightning.

He said gravely, "We must break through the human warship blockade as soon as possible; otherwise the Dinosaur Empire will face an unprecedented crisis.

"Helmsmanship Department, immediately activate the Empire's highest propulsion system; we must change our course at the highest speed and escape the human encirclement.

"Early Warning Department, immediately activate all of the Empire's defensive systems and open the energy shield. A human attack could come at any moment, and we must be fully prepared.

"Engineering Department, immediately inspect all system's technical support and maintenance to ensure our warships do not fail at a critical moment.

"Command Headquarters, the future of our Empire rests on your shoulders. Deploy over 100,000 warships immediately to eliminate all human warships in sight. Meanwhile, all other warships must enter a state of war readiness, prepared to defend the Empire at a moment's notice."

Having said this, the Grand Secretary scanned the room, raising his voice with fervor, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Dinosaur Empire is now at its most critical moment. War is upon us, and we must spring into action immediately, to fight for the future of the Empire!

"Initiate the highest state of war readiness; the Devouring Empire enters full war mode."

The King was shocked by the Grand Secretary's response, "Prime Minister Elder, has the Dinosaur Empire truly reached its most critical moment?

"We have not yet verified the authenticity of this message."

Grand Secretary: "Yes, Your Majesty, based on this single sentence, whether it increases or not, it proves we have always been deceived by humanity, and our civilization may now be on the edge of a crisis.

"If this message is a human disguise, their possible goal is to probe our reaction. In this case, our most likely course of action would be to send a large fleet to destroy the surrounding human warships and change our heading.

"But why would humans do this? Because they are not only probing, but more importantly, they are confident that they have the strength to confront us.

"Without such confidence, they wouldn't dare send such a message.

"If this message truly came from Envoy Da Ya, then it was also allowed by humanity, and this outcome is the most terrifying.

"Because it means that humanity has been waiting for us to fall into their trap; they have been secretly laying out their plans, waiting for us to step into their snare."

Upon hearing this, the King furrowed his brows, "Is there a chance that this is a false message from humanity, with the aim of scaring us off and preventing us from advancing?"

The Grand Secretary shook his head, "That's not likely. If humanity truly wanted to scare us off, then the best time would have been when Envoy Da Ya first arrived in the Solar System.

"At that time, we were most hesitant about entering the Solar System; if something had happened then, it's very likely I would have changed the course immediately.

"There is only one possibility, that they have been waiting for us to walk right into their trap.

"A civilization surpassing 1.1 in rank would certainly have some understanding of civilization levels, and if they are confident in confronting us, it also suggests we might be on the same level of civilization."

Hearing this, the King's face showed disbelief, exclaiming, "How is that possible? Is humanity God's favorite? If they too are at a 1.3 civilization level, wouldn't that mean they jumped 0.6 civilization levels in just over 400 years?

"Even a 'divine' civilization couldn't achieve that!"

As the King marveled, the Elder of the Monitoring Department suddenly received another message from Envoy Da Ya. Despite finding it unbelievable, he promptly reported to the King:

"Your Majesty, Envoy Da Ya has sent another message, and a human named Lin Sen wants to speak with you."

On hearing this news, the King was not only shocked but also felt a surge of anger.

"He wants to speak with me? Does Lin Sen truly believe he can defeat us? What gave him such courage and resolve?"

The Grand Secretary analyzed calmly, "I think we can still speak with him. Judging from the current information, humanity must rely on something.

"That something cannot be the Dark Forest Theory, for it alone is not enough to be their capital for confronting us. Therefore, they must have acquired a massive weapon, which is the source of their boldness to challenge us."

After a pause, he continued, "If we can determine what their reliance is beforehand, then we should be able to find a countermeasure.

"Our Dinosaur Empire has withstood the test of time primarily because we've maintained sufficient caution. In the war between civilizations, one can never be too careful."

The King pondered for a moment, "Then let's talk to them! Contact Big Tooth and project Lin Sen's virtual image in here, I want to hear what he has to say."

...

Soon, Lin Sen's virtual image appeared in the grand and towering Supreme Council Hall of the Dinosaur Empire.

Lin Sen looked up at the Dinosaur King seated on high, gave a slight nod in a sign of respect, then said, "Envoy Lin Sen, at your service, Your Majesty."

Having frequently interacted with Big Tooth, Lin Sen was familiar with some basic customs of the Dinosaur Civilization, but in this situation, there was no need to strictly adhere to their protocols, his gesture being simply a nod to the King's authority while maintaining an appropriate level of humility.

The Dinosaur King was quite forthright, he looked directly at Lin Sen and said bluntly, "The reason we agreed to meet with you is solely because of our caution, not because we can be cowed by a few threatening words from you.

"If we could be so easily terrified, do you think we could have survived to this day in the cruel and merciless universe?

"In the face of absolute power, all lies and threats are pale and weak.

"So, Envoy, what exactly have you come to discuss with us?"

Lin Sen's attitude remained unchanged, without any emotion, "I completely agree with Your Majesty. Lies and threats are indeed of no use in the face of absolute strength.

"However, the greatest flaw of intelligent life often lies in being blinded by their own biases and stubbornness, to the extent of not willing to believe the facts before them."

The Grand Secretary stared at Lin Sen with a hint of skepticism in his tone, "Does this mean you will show us the 'facts' you speak of?

"I'm not sure what you said to Big Tooth to scare him like that; he is far from learning maturity.

"But do you think you can still intimidate us? The laws of intergalactic civilizations state that one should conquer and annihilate rather than communicate, this is the foundation of survival.

"Even in the face of doom, we will fight hard. Without solid 'facts,' this negotiation is unnecessary."

Lin Sen responded openly, "Well, I agree with that too, survival is based on conquering and annihilating others.

"But I'm not here to intimidate, my reason is quite simple—to urge you to surrender."

Despite the slight, barely detectable wariness and concern in the hearts of many Dinosaur Elders, at that moment they all burst into laughter, seemingly using laughter to mask their unease.

The Dinosaur King no longer maintained his composure, he glared at Lin Sen, showing a trace of anger,

"Despicable vermin, humanity will pay for your arrogant words.

"Is it our excessive mercy towards you, coupled with your stubbornness and ignorance, that has blinded you?

"If it weren't for the fact that you and we were born on the same homeworld, do you think Human Civilization would still exist?" his voice echoed through the Council Hall, filled with dignity and power.

Lin Sen replied with a light smile, "The last ones to call us 'vermin' were the Trisolaran Civilization, and they are now facing the fate of being completely annihilated by us.

"You should have inferred from the limited information available that the technological level of the Trisolaran Civilization was at Rank 1.1 more than 400 years ago. So, after more than 400 years, do you think they are still at Rank 1.1?

"Don't you find it incredibly unexpected that humanity could defeat them? Haven't you wondered about the reasons behind this?"

The Grand Secretary snorted coldly, "Indeed, it's surprising, but it also makes sense.

"We've observed the Trisolaran Star System for a long time with our giant telescopes. You've only been at a standoff with them, never truly conquering them.

"Moreover, the Trisolarans are extremely resource-deprived and lack strategic cunning. It's possible that they could be fortuitously defeated by humans of the same technological level, Rank 1.1. Even at the same level, sometimes it's easy to destroy the opponent.

"We never paid much attention to the Trisolarans. They are just an immature civilization that has been eliminated, with no competitive edge in the universe.

"Preparing to invade the Solar System, and letting all of humanity know, even exposing all their weaknesses.

"Giving you 200 years to prepare, and a Wallfacing Project was enough to throw them into panic; it's clear they would go on to make countless more mistakes, which is why you could defeat them.

"What's more, their fear of the Dark Forest has seeped deep into their bones. Dark Forest as a form of deterrence isn't so simple, and they don't understand that. How could we then hold them in high regard?

"We've also encountered civilizations that communicate with brain waves, but never have we seen one as foolish as the Trisolarans.

"Are you meeting us just to boast that you've defeated the Trisolarans?

"Our only question is why your civilization's technological level has advanced so quickly in such a short time. As for the Trisolarans, we don't care!

"But now it seems, you are just as naive and foolish as the Trisolarans."