Chapter Ninety-Two: The Phantom Signal

At the same time, the staff of the Sevian Fleet were also feverishly analyzing the exact situation in the Azure Heaven system.

If an artificial intelligence civilization was truly involved, then this was not a problem a mere handful of fleets could solve. They had to report it to their homeworld at once, and their homeworld had to relay the news of an artificial intelligence civilization to the Starsea Commonwealth without delay.

"Commander Sevis, our probes have gathered enough terrain and resource data, but as for the target civilization’s internal situation, we know almost nothing."

"Order all fleets to enter stealth mode and reduce every activity that might be detected."

After the fleet entered silent mode, Sevis once again opened communications with Yeslu.

For the Sevian civilization, not only were ranks and hierarchy sharply defined, but whenever a matter required reporting, not a single detail could be omitted unless they were in the midst of battle.

As long as war had not yet broken out, every event had to be reported in full to the superior officer in the gaps between orders, so as to prevent adverse consequences caused by an information gap.

The communication connected quickly, and Yeslu's image appeared before Sevis once more.

"Commander Yeslu, we have encountered an unexpected situation."

"The target system’s defensive mechanisms are exceptionally advanced. Our network specialists have concluded that this may be the technology of an artificial intelligence civilization."

The moment he heard those words, Yeslu’s expression also turned grave.

"Sevis, remain vigilant for now, and avoid direct conflict with any possible artificial intelligence civilization whenever possible."

"I will report to the homeworld immediately. Until then, keep the fleet in silent mode."

The Sevian civilization had always been known for rigor and efficiency in military operations, but when facing an unknown artificial intelligence civilization, they had to be even more cautious.

"I understand, Commander Yeslu."

"We will remain silent and await further instructions."

After receiving Yeslu’s directive, Sevis immediately relayed the latest orders to the entire fleet.

"Attention all ships, execute concealment protocol at once. Shut down all nonessential external communications and scanning equipment."

Every ship in the Sevian Fleet began carrying out the concealment protocol, shutting down all unnecessary communication and scanning systems to reduce energy leakage and signal radiation, avoiding detection by any monitoring system.

The entire fleet had become an invisible phantom, drifting quietly through the cosmos.

...

A different place, a different hour.

"Xu Weiyi, what is the situation now?" Qu Shixin came hurrying aboard the Wanderer, and seeing Xu Weiyi still linked to the network system, he asked with a stern expression.

Xu Weiyi slowly disconnected from the network. A glimmer passed through his eyes, and then he turned to report the current situation to Qu Shixin.

"Old Qu, it seems the other side has activated a cloaking system. Right now our monitoring system cannot catch their exact location. The last time they were detected was outside the Outer Ring system."

Qu Shixin’s brow furrowed tightly. The other side had launched a data intrusion right from the start, clearly not arriving with peaceful intentions.

"Old Qu, we should notify the Grand Priest immediately."

"Do not disturb the master, Old Xu."

"The master's meaning is that humanity must henceforth protect itself. He will only serve as the final safeguard." Qu Shixin said in a low voice. If they continued to rely on their teacher, then the Origin Civilization would cease to advance. Since they had gained divine arts, not only he but the other divine attendants as well wanted to glimpse the vastness of the universe, and their thoughts were in perfect accord.

By now, the other divine attendants were guarding other planets, and the teacher would remain stationed on Sky Vault Star. This incident had to be resolved by them alone.

Xu Weiyi understood Qu Shixin’s meaning, and he immediately grasped the current situation.

The divine attendants of the Origin Civilization were striving to reduce their dependence on Shen Xing, in order to promote the civilization’s independent growth and development.

"Then what should we do next?"

Qu Shixin took a deep breath, then answered, "First, we need to strengthen our own defenses."

"Old Xu, you and Xu Yiyi must make sure our network defenses are watertight. At the same time, we must stay alert and be ready to deal with any attack."

"We’ve already protected all the planets with divine arts. Now it depends on how they move."

After speaking, Qu Shixin devoted himself to maintaining the divine-art defenses of Azure Sky Star, while Xu Weiyi and Xu Yiyi also began setting up network fortifications.

Xu Weiyi glanced at Qu Shixin, who sat nearby with his eyes quietly closed, and could not help looking down at the ground beneath his feet.

"If it comes to it... then there’s only one thing left to use."

Xu Weiyi thought silently, his gaze unconsciously drifting to Xu Yiyi, who was busily configuring the network defenses. He watched her profile in silence for a while before looking away.

...

The present situation had reached a strange equilibrium. Neither side made the first move, and instead it was like two duelists in a Western film. Now it all depended on who would fire the bullet that signaled the start of war.

Time passed by the second. Sevis stood before the command platform, his brow locked in a deep frown.

A moment ago, the fleet had received a blurred communication signal, seemingly sent by the opposing civilization. The content was indistinct, yet filled with hostility.

"Commander, we have detected unidentified ships approaching us."

"They are moving very fast. It looks as though they are preparing to attack."

"All ships, remain alert. Do not act rashly!"

Sevis watched warily as the ship signals displayed on the detector. The signal’s direction seemed to be coming from the opposite system. Could the other side be making some move?

Suddenly, a blinding beam tore through the silence of space. The beam came closer and closer, and the Sevian Fleet’s defensive systems activated automatically, energy shields forming a protective barrier around the ships.

"Warning! Warning! We are under attack!"

Sevis’ face turned dark in an instant. From this moment on, they had no retreat. At last, he issued the order: "Entire fleet, enter battle readiness."

Every ship broke from concealment at that instant and simultaneously activated its jump engines, beginning the transfer toward the Azure Heaven system.

In almost the blink of an eye, the vast fleet appeared in outer space around Azure Sky Star. The moment the fleet arrived, Sevis discovered that the signal from the unidentified ship had vanished without a trace.

"The signal disappeared all at once?"

Sevis narrowed his eyes. There was no ship signal at all near the Azure Heaven system that lay directly before them, as if the signal from before had been nothing but a trick of the eye.

"Can you still detect any ship signals?"

"Report to Commander Sevis: no ship signals detected!"

The instant Sevis heard this, his expression changed drastically. He turned and shouted toward the broadcaster, "Immediately restore silent mode! Shut down all..."

Before his words had even spread throughout the ship, one of the Sevian fleet’s cruisers opened fire without warning.

An energy beam struck in an instant, crashing violently into Azure Sky Star.