Legacy of the Stars

Chapter 2: Inheritance of Divine Civilization

Liu Yuan, engrossed in his book, was completely unaware of the streak of light flying towards him. In an instant, the light penetrated his mind, causing him to collapse unconscious while reading.

"Beep... Beep..."

"Detection of a civilized being meeting inheritance requirements."

"Commencing comprehensive assessment of inheritor. Carbon-based life form, undeveloped genetics, extremely low brain domain development..."

"Initiating assessment of civilization level, low-level planetary civilization..."

Voices of mechanical origin resonated in Liu Yuan's mind, transporting his consciousness into a new and unfamiliar world.

It resembled a virtual realm, where Liu Yuan found himself amidst a vast cosmic sea. Above him, a radiant starry sky shimmered with countless stars and occasional streaks of light flashing across the void. Nearby, a cerulean planet emitted a hazy halo, breathtakingly beautiful like a gem in this cosmic expanse.

"Where am I?"

Liu Yuan was filled with confusion. He remembered reading at the construction site moments ago. How had he suddenly arrived in such an environment, seemingly in space yet without the discomfort of a spacesuit?

"You are within a virtual world~"

A voice echoed directly in Liu Yuan's mind.

"Who are you?"

Liu Yuan looked around but saw no one.

"I am an intelligent program of the Divine Civilization's inheritance seed."

With these words, a figure appeared in the void ahead of Liu Yuan. It resembled an Earthling in height and appearance, but with purple eyes and antennae about seven to eight centimeters long atop its head.

"Divine Civilization?"

"Inheritance seed?"

"Intelligent program?"

Liu Yuan was increasingly perplexed by these unfamiliar terms.

"This is a vast universe where countless lives have emerged and evolved into civilizations of varying levels: carbon-based, silicon-based, energy-based, digital-based, metal-based, and more."

"Our Earth is a low-level planetary civilization, incapable yet of leaving its parent star. Such civilizations are numerous and often exploited by higher civilizations."

"Above planetary civilizations are stellar civilizations, capable of planetary exploration within their star systems."

"Stellar civilizations, similar to planetary ones, remain at a low level, numerous in quantity, and at the bottom of the food chain, exploited by higher civilizations."

"However, advancing from a planetary to a stellar civilization is no easy task. Typically, only one in ten thousand planetary civilizations achieves this, a process that spans approximately ten thousand years."

"One in ten thousand planetary civilizations?"

"And ten thousand years?"

Liu Yuan was captivated by these revelations, his eyes widening.

"Doesn't it seem incredible to you?"

"Your Earth still hasn't discovered any extraterrestrial civilizations. Some even arrogantly believe Earth to be the sole abode of life in the universe, a laughable notion akin to observing the sky from the bottom of a well."

The figure seemed to anticipate Liu Yuan's thoughts, with a hint of mockery in its tone.

"Well, it does sound like that."

Liu Yuan didn't know how to respond, only managing an awkward smile.

"Above stellar civilizations are galactic civilizations. They span entire galaxies like the Milky Way. If humanity were to explore the entire Milky Way, it would be considered a galactic civilization. Yet, this is an unattainable dream for your species."

"Normally, out of millions of stellar civilizations, only one might evolve into a galactic civilization."

"How many stars are there in your Milky Way?"

"There are possibly hundreds of billions of stars in your galaxy. Among them, there may be billions of civilizations, but at most, only a few hundred may develop into galactic civilizations. Achieving galactic status typically takes millions, or even tens of millions, of years of evolution."

"Galactic civilizations, while still minor on a cosmic scale, have risen above the bottom of the food chain and can dominate lesser stellar and planetary civilizations."

As the figure explained, Liu Yuan's view shifted to the Milky Way, where countless stars twinkled, each representing a civilization. Among them, the brightest hundred stars symbolized galactic civilizations capable of spanning the entire galaxy.

"What about interstellar and intergalactic civilizations?"

Liu Yuan was eager to learn about higher-level civilizations and hastily asked.

"Interstellar and intergalactic civilizations are far more advanced, surpassing your Earthly imagination. They rule vast territories, countless planets, and e*****e vast numbers of lesser civilizations. They possess unimaginable technological power."

"If you can lead your civilization to the pinnacle of galactic civilization, then I will tell you about interstellar and intergalactic civilizations."

The figure looked at Liu Yuan, amused by his eagerness.

"Unimaginable technological power?"

"And what about cosmic civilizations and the Divine Civilization you mentioned?"

Liu Yuan took a deep breath, finding all this far beyond his understanding and imagination. For a young man worrying about next semester's living expenses, such a leap into the heights of civilization seemed sudden.

But curiosity drove Liu Yuan to inquire further about cosmic civilizations and the Divine Civilization.

"Cosmic civilizations are the pinnacle, spanning the entire universe, wielding power beyond imagination. As for the Divine Civilization, it stands at the summit among the countless civilizations in the universe, ruling over all."

The figure's tone grew reverent, as if speaking of matters beyond mere reverence.

"You are fortunate, truly blessed. You have obtained the inheritance of the Divine Civilization. Perhaps in another sense, you possess great fortune."

"Fortunate?"

Liu Yuan was puzzled. Orphaned at a young age, with his mother gone and grandparents frail, how could his life be considered fortunate?

"Do not doubt it. In time, you will understand. The inheritance you receive today can alter not only your destiny but that of your people, your nation, and the fate of your entire civilization."

The figure seemed to know Liu Yuan's background instantly.

"Let me introduce this inheritance seed to you~"

"The inheritance seed is a creation of the highest civilizations in the universe, developed only by those at the levels of cosmic and Divine civilizations. It integrates the most profound time and space technologies of the universe."

"At this moment, it resides deep within your mind. It appears insignificant, yet it contains vast potential."

The scene before Liu Yuan shifted again. He found himself within a colossal space resembling an immense library, filled with an endless array of books.

"This is the Technology Inheritance Space. It contains complete technological legacies from the lowest to the cosmic levels of civilizations. In the future, you can study here and acquire advanced knowledge of civilization and technology."

"This is the Experimental Inheritance Space. It houses various experimental equipment and materials, from low to high levels, allowing you to conduct a wide range of experiments. Technological advancement requires not only theory but practical application."

The scene shifted once more, placing Liu Yuan in a vast laboratory filled with countless pieces of equipment and materials of various grades, from rudimentary to advanced.

"This is the Storage Space. It contains essential technological devices for each stage of civilization, including spacecraft corresponding to various levels of civilization, as well as reserves of materials and resources for convenient access during experiments."

Liu Yuan marveled at the array of strange devices and instruments, along with spacecraft of advanced civilizations, filling him with fascination and a desire to pilot these craft and explore the universe immediately.

"That concludes the basic introduction. You can explore further in due time."

"Now, it's time to inject you with Genetic Evolution Fluid. Your Earthly genetics are far too primitive, with an average lifespan barely reaching a hundred years. Such a short lifespan makes it exceedingly difficult, even impossible, to advance to a stellar civilization."

With these words, Liu Yuan's eyes slowly opened, returning him to reality, to the dusty room at the construction site.

Liu Yuan couldn't help but touch his hand, feeling as if everything had been unreal, like a dream.

However, the voice of the intelligent program echoed in his mind again.

"What is Genetic Evolution Fluid?"

Liu Yuan heard the voice and asked.

"Genetic Evolution Fluid is a substance capable of significantly improving genetics, raising genetic evolution levels. As civilizations advance, they delve into genetic enhancement, extending lifespans, enhancing physical qualities, and rectifying genetic deficiencies through technology and science."

"Genetic Evolution Fluid is a product of this endeavor, improving genetics, extending lifespans, and rectifying genetic defects."

Once again, the voice of the intelligent program echoed in Liu Yuan's mind.

"Oh, I see now."

Liu Yuan understood.

"Genetic optimization fluid is most crucial for extending lifespan. Lifespan is a significant measure of a civilization's development, much like how your Earthly development index measures a region or country's human development. A longer lifespan correlates with a higher development index, both on Earth and in the cosmos."

"Furthermore, as technology advances, learning consumes more time. If lifespans are too short, one may exhaust a lifetime without completing the knowledge of predecessors, hindering further exploration and advancement into more advanced technologies."

"That's true. Nowadays, knowledge explosion means it already takes a long time to study."

After hearing these words, Liu Yuan nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I'll inject you with Genetic Evolution Fluid. It might sting a bit. Bear with it."

Before Liu Yuan could react, an excruciating pain surged through his mind, causing him to convulse and arch like a shrimp. Soon after, he lapsed into unconsciousness. A black, greasy substance oozed from him, emitting a foul odor.