Chapter 423 Negotiations, The Top Level Bluff 2
The Fungus Civilization was somewhat astonished at the behavior of Human Civilization, regarding the Civilization Back-Up Plan as a difficult and risky strategy that is commonly seen among Cosmic Civilizations.
Implementing such a plan was undoubtedly tantamount to creating potential enemies for oneself. Under the laws of the Dark Forest, even civilizations of the same species could become adversaries.
The Fungus Civilization said with a sigh of lament:
"Your layout is indeed far-sighted, astounding to behold!
You are naturally well aware of the risks of the Civilization Back-Up Plan.
In executing this plan, you have displayed unwavering determination and fearless courage, never entertaining the thought of retreat.
This persistence and resilience are truly admirable.
Although we too have noticed that over the hundreds of thousands of years, whenever your civilization has leaped to new heights, there have always been some unusual phenomena accompanying it.
Regrettably, we did not pay sufficient attention.
Now we finally understand why you have always been so obsessed with those broadcast contents, why you have been so closely monitoring them.
You have prepared many broadcasts, not only including information about the battles between us but even information about our 'seeds'."
As it spoke, the tone of the Fungus Civilization conveyed a trace of disdain:
"If our negotiations were to break down, you would broadcast this information.
Firstly, to make all other cosmic civilizations aware of our existence, which in the Dark Forest would also be very dangerous for us.
Secondly, those civilizations that you have backed up, after obtaining our information, could analyze our weaknesses. When they develop to a civilization rank similar to ours, they could potentially continue to challenge us.
Is this your real purpose? Using broadcasts as deterrence, trying to make us concede in negotiations?
However, have you truly considered how much effect such deterrence could have on us?
In the Dark Forest, the root of fear often stems from the fear of the unknown.
Yet in this universe, for us, almost everything is transparent.
We do indeed have enemies, but we understand each other, and we are in a state of cold war, where none can do much against the other.
We even have a certain understanding of Divine-level Civilizations. Do you think we would be afraid of your broadcasts?"
For a Second Type Civilization, although it's in the Dark Forest, deterring the Dark Forest itself is very difficult.
This is also what is described in the original work, the Dark Forest is a cold war state for high-level civilizations.
The reason for the cold war is both sides possess weapons of great might, and it is precisely this balance of power that prevents any side from easily compromising the other, maintaining a delicate equilibrium that nobody dares to disrupt lightly.
The higher the rank of the civilization, the less likely it is to initiate war at the same level; thus, deterrence is naturally impossible.
Lin Sen appeared quite calm, his words laced with an air of mystery:
"Of course I understand that such deterrence is meaningless to you.
"When a civilization advances to rank 1.7, the rules of the Dark Forest are almost ineffective as a means of deterrence.
"However, have you ever wondered why I was able to obtain the history of humanity's future?"
This was naturally also something the Fungus Civilization wanted to know.
"We have scanned every inch of space in the Solar System within the Orion Arm and found no abnormal fluctuations in cosmic entropy values, which means that time has not flowed backward here.
"Our conjecture leans toward the possibility that you may have been favored by a Divine-level Civilization. They have used advanced simulation technology to foresee humanity's future and have informed you of these pieces of information.
"This is also why we are willing to converse with you; we are quite interested in it as well."
In the journey of billions of years, we've rarely taken such a keen interest in something.
Lin Sen lightly shook his head, his true intentions finally laid bare in this moment:
"We are unclear about that being's information, not knowing whether it is a Divine-level Civilization, or if it is a real god.
"I am indeed preparing to launch a broadcast now, as a deterrence against you."
Lin Sen's words also became extremely resolute, "However, the broadcast will not use information about you but about us.
"It includes all the poems created by humanity in the ancient times, as well as the artistic crystallization of human civilization.
"That being seems to have given me some revelation in an inexplicable way, suggesting that in the face of an existential crisis for humanity, we could broadcast our poems to the entire universe.
"Although I don't know the reason behind it, I have a strong premonition that this might truly save our civilization.
"Even though I'm not sure how this will deter you, I am willing to trust this revelation.
"You've learned about our history; we dare to give everything even for the smallest chance.
"Now, we are all in, risking it all."
The Fungus Civilization at this moment seemed to have fallen into silence; intense and tense discussions were taking place internally.
Lin Sen had guessed right; the Fungus Civilization indeed knew of the Li Bai Civilization.
But the Fungus Civilization clearly did not know that Lin Sen also knew of the Li Bai Civilization; Lin Sen used this gap in information to exert considerable pressure on them.
In the Second Type Civilization, the Fungus Civilization was the ceiling, but compared to the Li Bai Civilization that had leapt a major rank, they seemed so insignificant and trivial.
In fact, within the Divine Vessel, there was another civilization that knew of the existence of the Li Bai Civilization, which was the Dinosaur Civilization.
The Dinosaur Civilization, although they had joined the Divine Vessel and showed utmost loyalty, never revealed any information about the Li Bai Civilization.
In this universe, any contact inevitably leaves traces; the Fungus Civilization might sense through some subtle clues that the Dinosaur Civilization had once contacted a being that transcended their understanding.
Indeed, the Fungus Civilization did detect something unusual about the "seed" information of the Dinosaur Civilization, which further confirmed that the Divine Vessel Civilization truly was a civilization blessed by a god.
This discovery left the Fungus Civilization in shock and deep contemplation.
After some time, the Fungus Civilization finally made a certain decision, but they still decided to confirm some things with Lin Sen.
[Based on your revelation, the most reasonable explanation is that there is a civilization with a deep interest in your poems.
They might provide you with shelter, and if we choose to destroy you, they might retaliate against us because of it.
But, will this really happen? In your revelation, did that civilization show any other characteristics?]
Lin Sen's expression was serene as he slowly said, "I've recalled that memory countless times, but unfortunately, there aren't many impressions.
"My intuition tells me that civilization seems like a wisp of energy specter wandering through the universe.
"They have omnipotent power, able to precisely control the atoms of several galaxies with a flip of their hand.
"They seem to have an almost obsessive passion for art, especially for poetry.
"I can feel that for such a civilization that can almost achieve endless immortality, the endless extension of time might mean an infinite increase in informational entropy, even making the very essence of survival lose its original craving.
"Their civilized society needs the nourishment of art even more, to maintain the richness and diversity of spirit.
"However, I cannot be certain if they would retaliate against other civilizations for our insignificant lives.
"But this is already enough, this is enough for us to gamble everything our civilization has!"