Chapter 425: The Joining of the Fungus Civilization

Although this negotiation of deterrence was brief, and the substantial negotiation consisted of only a single sentence,

for Lin Sen, it undoubtedly was the most severe and mentally challenging challenge of his career.

The complex confrontation with the Trisolaran Civilization became relatively manageable due to Lin Sen's profound understanding of that world.

Lin Sen was familiar with Trisolaris' behavioral patterns and usually dominated the negotiations.

However, everything was completely different when facing the Fungus Civilization.

The strength and mystery of the Fungus Civilization made Lin Sen wary of employing too many tactics, as any slight miscalculation could lead to unpredictable consequences.

In such situations, he often had to rely on intuition, and at times, decision-making akin to gambling.

He was treading on thin ice with every step; a slight misstep could send him plummeting into an abyss.

The essence of negotiation was not compromise, but threat.

Lin Sen began by alluding to the civilization backup plan, arousing the Fungus Civilization's curiosity without letting them feel unthreatened.

Then, Lin Sen gradually deepened the dialogue, using the favor of the Li Bai Civilization to create a sense of urgency. This compelled the Fungus Civilization to take this negotiation seriously and paved the way for the final showdown.

The actual substantial negotiation was just that final, simple sentence.

And all the content before that, all the groundwork and strategy, were to prove the truth and weight of that sentence.

Lin Sen had to ensure that every minute facial expression and every variation in his tone were spot-on, without revealing any trace of guilt or hesitation.

If the Fungus Civilization detected any flaw, it could lead to the Divine Vessel Civilization's downfall.

The negotiation process, though seemingly straightforward, was filled with thrilling and suspenseful struggles at every turn.

Especially when dealing with the Returner's answer, Lin Sen felt as if on the edge of a precipice, with each step taken with extreme difficulty.

He couldn't predict how the Fungus Civilization would react, but he knew he had to give his all without any room for error.

And the Fungus Civilization probably would never imagine that in these significant negotiations about the fate of two civilizations, Lin Sen would dare to bluff them so boldly and lead them into a trap of self-verification and self-awareness.

Deterrence never comes from "external" pressure, but from "internal" pressure. In plain terms, deterrence usually means scaring oneself; if one is firm, how can they be deterred by others?

*

When Lin Sen received the reply from the Fungus Civilization, he finally let out a sigh of relief. As soon as his body relaxed, he found it difficult to maintain his previously rigid posture.

Lin Sen spoke softly, "Although there's no need to say this, I still want to say thank you."

[You preserved your civilization, you are the savior of your world.]

Lin Sen shook his head and responded lightly,

"This world doesn't have a savior.

"If it weren't for their own efforts and perseverance, how could you merely let them go because of negotiating with me?

"If it weren't for their own qualities, how could they have received divine favor?

"I even owe you thanks because, even under the influence of your thoughts for thousands of years, they have managed to maintain their original intentions and demonstrate such formidable power.

"It makes me feel that they have undoubtedly grown into a giant.

"They don't need a savior anymore."

Perhaps Lin Sen should also feel gratified at this moment; if humanity hadn't shown extraordinary potential, how could the Fungus Civilization have believed in Lin Sen's "bluff"?

And indeed, humanity's resilience had surprised Lin Sen; human civilization in this moment was in the strongest form in his heart.

The Fungus Civilization also sighed:

[They have you, that's their luck; you have them, that's also your luck!

Do you have any plans going forward?]

Lin Sen's gaze became firm and profound:

"We will continue along the pre-set course, heading to the black hole at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.

"Perhaps there, we will find the answers we seek, even though we do not know what lies there.

"And after that, we will leave the Galaxy, embarking on a new plan, a circum-universal voyage.

"This universe is too confining; we want to see its very end.

"Perhaps there is hope there..."

There was silence for a moment before the Fungus Civilization sent another message:

"Not long ago, we submitted a special application to the Mother Civilization's Supreme Governance Court.

We applied for this patrolling fleet, your ranks, to become a part of Divine Vessel.

Now, the Governance Court has officially approved our application, and we have become an independent civilization.

We hope to witness the future together with you!"

A suitable tinge of joy appeared on Lin Sen's face:

"Divine Vessel welcomes you, and we will once again embrace a new member!

"We believe in the future, the future surely belongs to us!"

However, Lin Sen also understood that the Fungus Civilization might not have joined the Divine Vessel out of agreement, and such a union must have other motives.

On one hand, by joining the Divine Vessel, the Fungus Civilization could closely monitor them, continuing to harbor doubts and seek answers about the Returners.

They wanted to confirm whether that legendary existence truly had transcended the bounds of the universe, even though they viewed it as nearly impossible.

To the Fungus Civilization, this was nearly impossible, but they would continue to seek the answer to this question.

On the other hand, the Fungus Civilization was more eager to witness if the Divine Vessel Civilization could break the shackles that they themselves had not managed to break for billions of years.

If they could witness a civilization ascend to a Divine-level Civilization, that might also become the opportunity and enlightenment for their own advancement.

Despite this, Lin Sen knew that he was unable to refuse them now.

Lin Sen also couldn't fully trust the Fungus Civilization, but an alliance didn't necessarily require mutual trust.

As long as the Fungus Civilization joined, in the future, the Divine Vessel might indeed "assimilate" it, and perhaps the Fungus Civilization could become a significant aid to the Divine Vessel.

*

Back to the battlefield at this moment.

When the members of the Divine Vessel Civilization witnessed the formidable power of the Fungus Civilization, they had been ready to accept the end of their fate, waiting for the final moments to come.

However, a dramatic twist occurred.

In less than ten minutes, the Fungus Civilization suddenly stopped their attack and simultaneously broadcast with the Wallfacers.

The broadcast content was nearly identical, announcing that the Fungus Civilization had reached an agreement with the Wallfacers to cease their attack on the Divine Vessel Civilization.

Even more, the Fungus Civilization had joined the Divine Vessel Civilization, and from then on, both sides would become allies.

This unexpected information left the members of the Divine Vessel Civilization at a loss for a moment.

Many even thought it was an illusion produced by the Fungus Civilization manipulating their thoughts.

However, on the battlefield, the Fungus Civilization's ceasefire was proving the truth of the broadcast's content.

More and more people finally believed that the Divine Vessel Civilization and the Fungus Civilization had truly achieved peace.

Their sentiments underwent a radical change; faces that had been locked in fear and despair due to the shock of the news were now showing expressions of astonishment and bewilderment, as if unable to accept such a turn of events in the moment.

But amidst this astonishment and bewilderment, a deep sense of relief sprouted quietly, as if seeing a glimmer of light in endless darkness, warming the heart and revealing hopes for the future.

At this moment, whether among the original Six Core Civilizations of Divine Vessel or among the affiliated dozen or so smaller civilizations.

The Wallfacer seemed to have truly become a "Savior," a god formed by numerous steadfast beliefs.

A great calamity was also a rebirth.

It made people realize more deeply that if you keep going, there will always be hope. This belief, like a seed, took deep root in everyone's heart, becoming the force driving them forward.

Although no one knew how the Wallfacer found this hope in a desperate situation, it was no longer important.

What mattered was that they firmly believed:

Hope is forever present!

Whether the Wallfacer made Divine Vessel or Divine Vessel made the Wallfacer could no longer be distinguished; they had become tightly interconnected, each the cause of the other.

In this moment, it seemed as though everyone had undergone an indescribable transformation.

They seemed to see a new future, a future filled with hope.

This future would be created and protected by them together.