Chapter 392: The Return of the Deep Sea Civilization

Zhang Beihai was well aware that the integration of the Deep Sea Civilization into the Shenzhou Civilization was an irreversible torrent, yet it was far from being an easy feat to accomplish.

Zhang Beihai mused, "Returning to Human Civilization has always been the most unreachable dream hidden deep in our hearts. Now, suddenly, it has become a reality. This unexpected truth brings a mix of feelings, stirring profound emotions within us."

"However, in the Deep Sea Civilization, the majority are from the new generation of Humanity, while those early brave souls who ventured across the stars and underwent the baptism of four thousand years, like the Solar System's forebears, are now like candles flickering in the wind, few and far between."

"Although the return of Deep Sea Civilization is facing many problems, returning is the only route we have, leaving us with no other choice but to follow it. As for the future, we'll leave it to the future."

Zhang Beihai will always be Zhang Beihai, the resolute soldier, whose belief is as steadfast as a constant star, unshakable by any force.

Yet this statement also revealed a hint of change in him; with his personality, he would never have said, "As for the future, we'll leave it to the future." This actually hinted that he was curious to see how Lin Sen would handle the issue of the Deep Sea Civilization's return.

Time flew like an arrow; even the latest in human life extension technology could not add much more time to this aged general. He knew that he might no longer be able to lead the Deep Sea Civilization to the distant other shore, but the torch of inheritance had to be passed on, to light the path for Deep Sea Civilization's journey forward.

Lin Sen naturally understood what Zhang Beihai meant. His gaze turned toward the Deep Sea Civilization as he opened his mouth slowly, his voice carrying an imperceptible heaviness:

"Indeed, the return of the Deep Sea Civilization is no simple matter. Our sociologists have also analyzed that your return will be accompanied by many problems."

"First and foremost, the issue of devotion to nothingness.

"For a long time, they saw themselves as the sole beacon of Human Civilization, like lonely sentinels, giving their all for that distant glimmer of hope. Now, faced with a completely different reality, they suddenly find that all their past sacrifices and contributions seem to have lost their original meaning.

"This is not just a clash between dreams and reality, but a sense of loss that cannot be overcome under the chasm of eras. The gap between us now is like that between the information-nuclear era and the Bronze Agrarian Era. This sense of disparity brought about by the difference in eras is quietly transforming into a devotion to nothingness, eroding every once firm heart."

"Next is the issue of mental barriers.

"The difference between us is like an invisible chasm, forcing you to instinctively band together, building up mental walls as a final barrier for self-protection. You, who prided yourselves on being the beacon of Humanity, how can you now accept the scrutinizing looks of 'modern people' toward 'ancient people'?"

"Our excellence, in turn, becomes an insurmountable obstacle in your hearts, and resistance and rejection become the most instinctive reactions."

"And our society will inevitably have a natural prejudice against you. The current emotional venting and resonance will not last long; rather, after both sides cool off, it will form a stronger mental barrier that is extremely difficult to break through."

"Lastly, the issue of self-dissipation.

"Having navigated the loneliness of the universe for twenty-four centuries, you have fostered a unique civilization, with your own social structure, and brilliant culture and art. These are the cornerstones of your souls, your most precious wealth."

"However, under our more advanced civilizational perspective, these might merely be outdated relics, hard to receive the respect they deserve."

"Once integrated with us, you may gradually lose these valuable traits, dissipating that light of civilization that belonged only to you."

"The vast difference between us has, in fact, already shaped us into two civilizations."

As the surge of excitement and pride from reuniting after twenty-four centuries gradually receded, people began to return to calmness; the complexity and challenges of reality spread like morning fog.

The return of a civilization is not merely a simple physical intersection between two points in time and space, but a profound collision of souls and a meeting of wisdom from across the endless millennia. It is a blending of souls, a duet of intelligence and emotion.

If the Deep Sea Civilization had only sailed through the waves of the universe for a few hundred years, or if those first pioneers who set out on the journey were still alive, then the return at this moment would undoubtedly be the most eagerly anticipated by everyone.

It would surely ignite a fervent fire of endless curiosity about the universe in the hearts of Humanity, inspiring a unity never seen before, propelling Human Civilization towards a new splendor. They appeared to be the true protagonists of this vast universe, the indispensable characters in the script of fate.

The Solar System was not only their physical home but also the root and soul of their spirit. Their duty and loyalty had a clear and firm focus—the Solar System's Human Civilization that had nurtured their ancestors and witnessed the ups and downs of Human Civilization.

However, this is a miracle reunion spanning twenty-four centuries; for the newer generation of Humanity, their duty and loyalty are to Humanity itself, not to the once Solar System's Humanity.

Such a return might not be what they had hoped for anymore; to some extent, it was already a civilizational fusion, different from joining the Shenzhou Civilization Union.

The Shenzhou Civilization Union currently has no civilizations that have merged with each other. The five civilizations are actually independent of each other, and their technologies will not be exchanged. At most, there will be some degree of communication.

Zhang Beihai intoned, "These issues indeed exist. To thoroughly dissolve this estrangement, we must place our hopes on the endless passage of time to wash away these differences slowly, like a gentle stream, until the traces are blurred."

Lin Sen took over, his gaze firm, "As you said, the long passage of time can resolve this estrangement, but we actually do not wish for that.

"Reuniting does not mean merging. If the Deep Sea Civilization were to suddenly pour into the great current of humanity's mother civilization, the collision of thoughts and the surge of cultures would be tumultuous like a tide, driving the wheels of technology to surge forward once again.

"However, when this wave of merging gradually subsides, we will find that it has only added a few new colors and volumes to the map of civilization. The substantial benefits to both sides may not be significant.

"I still hope that you can return with the stance of a human branch civilization, rather than simply integrating into the existing civilization system.

"We can help you in many ways, preserving your uniqueness and autonomy, but your civilization, your technology will ultimately need to be explored and built by yourselves."

Zhang Beihai nodded slightly, "Perhaps this is best for both of us. We are currently at the threshold of a level 1.3 civilization, somewhat akin to the time when humanity first embarked on the Divine Vessel journey.

"In fact, even without meeting you, we were already poised, ready to embark on a new expedition of civilization.

"We have also been preparing to build a gigantic civilization starship. Now all modules have been completed, and the final assembly will soon take place at the Deep Sea Star's Lagrange Point.

"Once completed, this 200-kilometer-long behemoth will carry the dreams and hopes of tens of millions of Deep Sea Humans toward the sea of stars."

Upon hearing this, Lin Sen's lips curved into a smile, "I have already communicated with the Mo Civilization, Mountain Civilization, Dinosaur Civilization, and Trisolaran Civilization. The Deep Sea Human Civilization will officially join the ranks of the Shenzhou as a member of the Shenzhou Civilization Union.

"The mother ship of the Deep Sea Civilization is located 50 astronomical units away from the Human Mother Ship (Moon), and the structure of the Shenzhou Civilization Union remains unchanged."

...

Two years flew by swiftly, and under the witness of the Shenzhou, the Deep Sea Human Civilization finally completed the construction of that grand and magnificent mother ship. Like a messenger transcending time and space, this giant vessel carrying the hope of the Deep Sea Civilization led them to fully integrate into the embrace of the Shenzhou Civilization, together crafting a new chapter in the universe.

This reunion, which spanned 24 centuries, had a huge impact not only on humanity, leading to a new intellectual revolution, but also on the other four civilizations.

This reunion of humanity seemed to declare to the entire universe: in this vast and unknown cosmos, nothing is impossible.

Although the universe is a Dark Forest, miracles exist; even in this dark and cold universe, warmth exists.

The mountains of the Dark Forest that existed in the hearts of all civilizations seemed to have lightened innumerably in a moment.

This psychological transformation acted like a powerful drive, signaling that the Shenzhou Civilization was about to experience an unprecedented technological outbreak.

That same year, the Shenzhou Civilization once again set sail. Each civilization, with a renewed posture, embarked on a new journey.

At the time of departure, the levels of the various civilizations were as follows:

Human Civilization, level 1.7 high order. The potential of Dark Energy and vacuum decay was still sufficient, and the humans of the time believed it would continue to propel humanity over the threshold of a level 1.8 civilization.

Deep Sea Human Civilization, level 1.3. Its technological characteristics were somewhat different from those of past human civilizations.

Mo Civilization, level 1.7 high order. Still on the path of Pure Energy Transformation, they continued to explore the ultimate boundaries of matter and energy.

Mountain Civilization, level 1.6 high order. Their research on Virtual Energy had reached a bottleneck. Though their research had touched this bottleneck, their desire for the unknown and their courage to explore, like a mountain, remained unwavering, inspiring them to continuously climb new peaks.

Dinosaur Civilization, level 1.6. Trisolaran Civilization, level 1.6. Each carrying their unique cultural imprints, they interpreted the mysteries of the universe in different ways, together playing their own chapters in the symphony of civilizations.