trigger type hydrogen bomb detonator

The satellite weighed approximately 7.5 tons, aligning closely with Xiao Yu's estimate.

Xiao Yu began by analyzing its material system.

The results showed that its construction was made of common elements found in the universe, with nothing beyond Xiao Yu's comprehension. Moreover, its material properties were not superior to those enhanced by Mu Ling and Black Bug.

In Xiao Yu's speculation, an advanced alien civilization capable of constructing such a massive fleet wouldn't resort to using such "primitive" materials. This deepened Xiao Yu's sense of confusion.

Next, Xiao Yu analyzed the propulsion system, as it reveals a civilization's technological prowess.

Upon dismantling it, Xiao Yu found a familiar fusion engine and was left speechless.

"Who would've thought? You really are using fusion energy? And electricity too? Huh? A photon computing control board? This is eerily similar."

Though there were slight differences between this satellite's fusion engine and Xiao Yu's, the basic principles were the same.

Faced with the familiar technology before him, Xiao Yu felt a mix of amusement and relief. Despite the unexplainable contradictions, the use of fusion power, electrical energy transmission, and a photon computing control board indicated that this civilization's technological level wasn't far beyond Xiao Yu's own.

Furthermore, Xiao Yu reaffirmed his hypothesis about the parallel development of civilizations. If most civilizations progress from lower to higher levels, they likely undergo a process similar to that of Earth's civilization. While there would be differences in details due to cultural disparities, the general trend would be the same, such as the use of chemical energy and nuclear energy.

"Hmm? What's this?" Xiao Yu moved past the propulsion module and began examining the other components when a peculiar object caught his attention.

It resembled a camera from Earth, with a protruding lens housing a smooth glass plate.

Xiao Yu dismantled it and started analyzing the intricate photon circuits inside.

Gradually, Xiao Yu became fully engrossed in these photon circuits. He paused all irrelevant calculations and devoted at least twenty percent of his computing power to analyze this circuit board.

After a full fifty minutes, Xiao Yu exhaled deeply and regained his composure.

"From this circuit board, it's clear that they are at least five years ahead of me in technological terms. Otherwise, they couldn't have designed such an efficient circuit."

This five-year gap was based on Earth's rate of technological advancement. Currently, Xiao Yu's progress had stagnated due to a lack of materials for fundamental physical research and other experiments.

Xiao Yu learned much from this circuit board and deduced the instrument's purpose.

It was a thermal imaging detector, functioning similarly to night vision equipment on Earth.

After completing the analysis of this instrument, Xiao Yu moved on to the next device. It took him twenty full hours to analyze the entire satellite.

Indeed, it was a satellite, primarily designed to detect heat sources on a massive object. This functionality baffled Xiao Yu. Heat sources? Is that something that needs to be sought out?

At the same time, Xiao Yu gained a rough understanding of this civilization's technological level. Overall, this civilization was about ten years ahead of Xiao Yu's current technology—more efficient fusion energy utilization, faster computing speeds, quicker spacecraft, and slightly more powerful weapons... but the difference wasn't significant.

With a comprehensive understanding of this civilization's technology, Xiao Yu's mind settled.

Xiao Yu mused, "It's strange. This satellite was clearly built for a massive object at least twice the size of Earth. With technology only ten years ahead of mine, how could they construct such a colossal fleet?"

"Let's set that question aside for now. The immediate priority is determining my stance towards this civilization," Xiao Yu pondered, slowly analyzing the situation.

"According to my models, when two civilizations of similar technological development encounter each other in the cosmos, the most likely scenario is... after initial probing and even conflict, they engage in peaceful contact, exchange information, or trade materials, and then part ways peacefully. This is my first encounter with an alien civilization; perhaps I should express some goodwill towards them."

"But I can't predict their social structure or moral system, meaning I can't discern whether their intentions toward me are benign or malevolent. Or... should I express goodwill while simultaneously demonstrating my military might?"

Xiao Yu recalled a once-popular theory on Earth, the Dark Forest Theory. According to this theory, peaceful coexistence between two different interstellar civilizations is impossible. Xiao Yu felt that he, too, might be entangled in this so-called "chain of suspicion."

Xiao Yu wasn't certain whether the Dark Forest Theory was correct, nor did he have any interest in risking his life to test it. Xiao Yu only knew that contact with the other party was inevitable.

Therefore, Xiao Yu had to quickly devise a contact plan.

"Whether the Dark Forest Theory is correct or not, the principle remains: if the benefits gained are less than the cost incurred, I won't choose to pay that cost. The same logic applies in the universe—if coexisting peacefully with another civilization yields greater benefits, I naturally won't choose to attack. I believe this unknown civilization would follow the same logic. So, what I need to do is simple: demonstrate the benefits of peaceful coexistence while showcasing my military capabilities to deter them."

If two civilizations of similar technological levels were to clash, mutual destruction is possible; if they coexist peacefully, both sides could benefit. The choice is clear to any intelligent civilization.

"In the end, it's all about interests—interests are the ultimate guiding principle," Xiao Yu mused silently. "So, how do I showcase benefits while simultaneously demonstrating deterrence?"

"Let's set that question aside for now. The immediate task is to find them. They can't be far from me. An entity hiding in the shadows, whose intentions—whether friendly or hostile—are unknown, is dangerous. Although I don't know if they've discovered me yet, if I find them first, I'll have the upper hand in our contact."

Xiao Yu began to adjust the fleet formation, organizing the entire fleet into a massive circle with a diameter of eight thousand kilometers. In doing so, Xiao Yu effectively turned the fleet's more than eight hundred ships into a vast radio telescope array. He also installed focusing mirrors on each ship, allowing Xiao Yu to collect signals across various spectrums—infrared, ultraviolet, visible light, X-rays, gamma rays—none could escape Xiao Yu's detection. If not for technological limitations, Xiao Yu would have wanted to include neutrino and gravitational wave detectors as well.

Xiao Yu searched for an entire month but found no traces of any suspected artificial objects.

"This doesn't make sense," Xiao Yu pondered. "All evidence suggests that this alien civilization must be near me. Could it be... they've discovered me and chosen radio silence?"

Xiao Yu began considering a question: In the dark expanse of the universe, without visible light, how does one detect an object that emits no radiation, or only a minimal amount, akin to nothing?

Conversely, Xiao Yu also began to think: If he were to maintain radio silence, shut down all fusion engines, and shield all radiation across visible and invisible spectrums, how could this civilization, which is about ten years ahead of him, detect him?

After some calculations, Xiao Yu found no way to detect himself under such circumstances.

But one thing Xiao Yu was certain of: If he wasn't deliberately hiding, there would be plenty of ways to find him.

Does that mean... the other side is also deliberately hiding?

Xiao Yu felt a sudden chill.

It seemed the only explanation—otherwise, why hadn't he discovered them?

"Reveal myself, display goodwill and military strength, and take the initiative to contact them?" Xiao Yu contemplated nervously, but doing so was risky. Once he revealed himself, he might be met with a powerful hydrogen bomb. Xiao Yu deliberated for a long time but couldn't muster the resolve to take that risk.

The situation was delicate. Two civilizations with similar technological levels were both deliberately hiding. Xiao Yu was certain the other side was also desperately searching for him. In this scenario, neither dared to take risks.

So, how could the stalemate be broken?

Contact between the two civilizations was inevitable because they were already close to each other. Leaving would mean starting the fusion engines, which would expose his position.

At the same time, Xiao Yu thought of another question.

Had he already been exposed?

After all, he had previously manipulated his ship to capture the satellite and arranged his fleet into a radio telescope array. Even though Xiao Yu had used the lowest possible power, he couldn't be sure whether the other side had more advanced technology to detect the faint radiation he emitted.

"I'm certain they've already detected my presence; otherwise, they wouldn't have deliberately concealed themselves. I just don't know if they've pinpointed my exact coordinates."

As Xiao Yu was contemplating this, he suddenly detected a faint signal.

The signal was so weak that if Xiao Yu hadn't arranged his fleet into a radio telescope array, he wouldn't have detected it.

Xiao Yu's heart tightened, and he immediately began analyzing the signal.

The results left Xiao Yu in shock.

"This is the trigger signal for a hydrogen bomb detonator!"