I will definitely be back!
Xiao Yu deactivated most of the instruments, covering the critical ones, such as the central computer, with high-barrier radiation-proof materials. He then manipulated the laser gun, randomly targeting one of the radiation sources, and commenced firing.
For thirty seconds, the shooting persisted. The targeted radiation source, while dodging, found itself nearly two thousand kilometers away from the main cluster. Xiao Yu then shifted his aim, targeting another source, repeating the process.
Under Xiao Yu's deliberate control, one by one, the radiation sources were separated from the main group, each creating a gap between them. Moreover, the intensity of their radiation significantly diminished. In just a few short minutes, Xiao Yu had consumed hundreds of tons of fuel, which pained him deeply.
However, the expenditure was worthwhile, as Xiao Yu no longer had to worry about the radiation sources swarming all at once.
When Xiao Yu completed his preparations, the nearest radiation source was already less than three thousand kilometers away. According to calculations, it would take no more than thirty seconds before Xiao Yu would face this leading radiation source head-on.
Xiao Yu waited in silence for the inevitable encounter.
Propelled by inertia, the spaceship surged forward. Ahead, a hundred powerful radiation sources were rapidly closing in on Xiao Yu. At the moment of contact, the peculiar radiation source clung to the ship's hull like a leech to fresh flesh, relentlessly attempting to penetrate the interior.
The temperature of the hull soared to two hundred degrees Celsius and continued to climb.
Gritting his teeth, Xiao Yu opened a small hatch on the hull just as the next radiation source approached.
The opening was perfectly aligned with the metal box Xiao Yu had meticulously prepared.
This metal box, two decimeters thick, was crafted entirely from high-strength, radiation-resistant, and heat-resistant materials, save for the side in contact with the hull.
In terms of radiation resistance and heat tolerance, this box surpassed the ship's hull by a hundredfold.
With a sudden outlet available, the radiation source eagerly poured in, only to be trapped by the box's impregnable walls, unable to advance further.
One radiation source was imprisoned in the box. Then came the next.
As expected, this radiation source was also successfully confined within the box.
Though these radiation sources exhibited certain biological characteristics, they seemed devoid of intelligence, operating purely on instinct. At least, they were unable to discern whether a trap lay ahead.
It was precisely their lack of intelligence that allowed Xiao Yu's plan to succeed.
Gradually, all the radiation sources were drawn into the box. As Xiao Yu noticed the ship's hull temperature dropping rapidly and the radiation levels decreasing, he breathed a sigh of relief and reactivated the previously shut-down instruments.
The radiation source capture plan had succeeded.
By this time, Xiao Yu was already six hundred thousand kilometers from Jupiter.
Xiao Yu let out a deep breath of relief as he maneuvered the spaceship to swiftly depart from Jupiter while using the instruments to analyze these strange radiation sources that exhibited some signs of life.
These radiation sources were now densely packed against the inner walls of the metal box, refusing to leave, as if something outside the box was attracting them.
"From earlier observations, it can be deduced that they possess some biological instincts, but intelligence? It seems they have none; otherwise, they wouldn't be so foolish. Let's assume they are life forms, but what on my ship could possibly be attracting them?"
Xiao Yu pondered quietly, "Before Earth's destruction, humanity had launched several probes to Jupiter, but none encountered such strange life forms. This suggests that these creatures are a recent phenomenon—most likely arising after the collision of Jupiter's moons."
Xiao Yu slowly pieced together the clues in his mind.
"What could there be on my ship that Jupiter lacks? It must be something unique that's drawing them in, like a swarm of bloodthirsty leeches."
Xiao Yu was certain of his hypothesis.
"Never mind, I'll keep them contained for now. Once I establish a stable base on Titan, I'll analyze these creatures."
Having survived this critical crisis, Xiao Yu felt a sense of renewed hope, and at the same time, a profound realization dawned upon him.
The universe is vast and boundless; even within the small confines of the solar system, there are countless unfathomable entities. In the face of such magnificent nature, one must always maintain a sense of awe.
Moreover, Xiao Yu realized that he was no longer the only life form in the solar system. At the very least, he was now accompanied by hundreds of suspected life forms within the box on his ship.
While assessing the damage this encounter had caused, Xiao Yu slowly accelerated the spacecraft. Suddenly, he noticed an unusual occurrence.
"Hmm?" Xiao Yu curiously aimed the detection equipment at the box, and as the data came back, he was astonished.
The chaotic radiation sources, once numbering in the hundreds, had vanished, replaced by a single, immensely powerful radiation source, hundreds of times stronger than the individual ones before!
These radiation sources had merged into one.
Fortunately, even though it had combined into a single entity, its total radiation intensity wasn't higher than when they were dispersed; in fact, it seemed to have slightly decreased. Thus, the box was still able to confine it.
But Xiao Yu noticed another peculiar change.
The metal material of the box appeared to have undergone some transformation under the influence of this strange radiation source.
Xiao Yu's heart tightened, and he immediately began analyzing the box.
It seemed... the material had become denser, with a more compact molecular structure. Additionally, the external temperature of the box was gradually decreasing, and the detectable radiation outside the box was also diminishing. This indicated that the box was now insulating more heat and radiation inside, suggesting that the metal's thermal insulation and radiation resistance had been significantly enhanced, likely due to some specific factors.
Xiao Yu felt a surge of excitement and quickly instructed a robot to cut off a small piece of the box's material and bring it to the laboratory for testing.
The results came in quickly. They showed that in this short period, the metal composing the box had seen its thermal insulation and radiation resistance increase by fifty and forty-five percent respectively! Simultaneously, its flexibility and impact resistance had also seen a remarkable leap.
"Who would have thought that these strange entities would turn out to be treasures?" Xiao Yu marveled. The wonders of the universe had once again left him deeply awestruck.
Previously, two factors had constrained Xiao Yu from embarking on true interstellar travel: one was the power issue, and the other was material technology. The power problem was already showing signs of resolution, with the controlled nuclear fusion breakthrough imminent. Now, with material technology also showing promise, Xiao Yu had glimpsed a potential solution!
Although it was just the beginning, and the complete resolution was still far off, at least hope was now within sight. It could be said that if Xiao Yu couldn't overcome the material technology barrier, he would forever be in danger of being wiped out by a stray meteorite during interstellar travel lasting hundreds or even thousands of years. To embark on such a journey under these circumstances was simply inconceivable.
Moreover, without solving the material technology problem, Xiao Yu's spacecraft would remain small in scale and incapable of direct planetary landing. Otherwise, approaching a planet would result in its gravity tearing the ship apart. Even if it did land, Xiao Yu would never be able to take off again.
This was the crux of the material technology dilemma. Now that a solution was in sight, how could Xiao Yu not be thrilled?
"As they say, there's always a silver lining. Now it seems my interstellar travel plans have a real chance!" Xiao Yu thought excitedly, "Once I land on Titan, establish a large-scale base, and research all these new technologies, I'll develop a new generation of interstellar ships and head for Epsilon Eridani!"
At the same time, Xiao Yu began contemplating whether to return to Jupiter and attempt to capture more of these peculiar radiation sources. After all, with their ability to enhance material properties, these radiation sources were of immense value.
Just as his thoughts were stirring with excitement, Xiao Yu suddenly detected a radiation source cluster hundreds of times stronger than the previous ones, and it was exhibiting a blue shift!
A blue shift indicated it was approaching Xiao Yu. At his current speed, relative to the Sun, he was moving at sixty kilometers per second, and relative to Jupiter, at seventy kilometers per second. Based on calculations, the radiation source cluster was traveling at a minimum speed of eighty kilometers per second relative to Jupiter!
There were at least tens of thousands of individual radiation sources! With such intensity, no matter how Xiao Yu planned or prepared, nothing would work. If these radiation sources caught up with him, Xiao Yu would be instantly vaporized, becoming a wandering interstellar meteor in the vast cosmos, lost forever.
Xiao Yu was terrified out of his wits and immediately shelved his plan to return to Jupiter for more radiation sources. He activated the acceleration again and shot towards Saturn at breakneck speed.
As he watched the blue shift gradually fade away, confirming that he had escaped the pursuit of these bizarre Jovian creatures, Xiao Yu calmed himself down and thought bitterly, "Anyway, I've already captured some radiation sources. Once I reach Titan and develop controlled nuclear fusion technology, breaking through the material science barriers, I'll definitely come back and capture every last one of you!"
"I will return!"