These mutually exchanged detailed technology lists each provoked immense shock in the other civilization. Xiao Yu had originally believed that the breadth of his own technology tree was sufficient and basically covered all technological categories of a Level 5 Civilization, but now he realized he was wrong. For the first time, Xiao Yu learned that beneath a Level 6 Civilization, within the scope of Level 5, there could still exist so many, and such advanced, technologies.

This even gave Xiao Yu the feeling that there are always people beyond people and heavens beyond heavens, even if this Pegasus Civilization might not necessarily match him in combat strength.

Of course, within these mutually exchanged detailed technology lists, Xiao Yu was certain that the Pegasus Civilization had hidden some of their most crucial technologies, just as he himself had concealed the Sphere of Death and the Four-Dimensional Shield.

“It seems the Predator Civilizations’ classification standard is indeed quite accurate.” Xiao Yu sighed. “Worthy of being the Level 5 Civilization ranked first in overall strength. I only advanced through constant fortuitous encounters, with the Taihao Civilization behind me and clashes with other powerful existences, which pushed me to gain so many opportunities and so many unexpected harvests, leading to my present formidable strength. Then what did this Pegasus Civilization rely on to reach today’s stage? Could it be purely their own research? That would be a bit too terrifying.”

A strong sense of apprehension toward the Pegasus Civilization rose in Xiao Yu’s heart. At this moment, he once again felt fortunate that he had chosen correctly, not clashing directly with the Pegasus Civilization but opting to resolve matters through peaceful trade. If he truly fought the Pegasus Civilization, the best odds in his heart would be six to four. Xiao Yu six, Pegasus four.

That was already a considerable threat. One had to know that with his current strength, Xiao Yu could crush the Molian Civilization without suspense. Even among Level 5 Civilizations, the gaps between them could be that vast.

Whether there was genuine intent to trade or not, at least on the surface, both civilizations were busily evaluating the value of the other’s technologies, while also calculating which of their own technologies would be suitable as bargaining chips. Xiao Yu was doing so, and so was the Pegasus Civilization.

“I believe exchanging our life science for the Pegasus Civilization’s light science is appropriate. The values of these two technologies are roughly equivalent.” Luka Four said.

“Manufacturing technology for space weapons must absolutely not be traded. This is our highest secret.” Luka Two added. “We cannot tolerate another Level 5 Civilization developing to that extent. One must know that through analysis and learning from a single space weapon, the Pegasus Civilization could increase its military strength by at least thirty percent. That would be extremely disadvantageous to us.”

“As for this materials technology that changes the properties of lithium, I think it is suitable to trade for part of what we learned from the Guardian Civilization’s ship. Of course, if they want all of what we learned from that ship, then they will have to add their engine technology to their materials technology to make the exchange.” Senya, who had only recently become Chief Scientist and received the title of Five, said.

—

Scientists within the Divine Ark Civilization, under Xiao Yu’s leadership, engaged in heated discussion. Such discussions were also taking place within the Pegasus Civilization.

“Although we have no sincere intention of exchanging technology with the Divine Ark Civilization, we still need to do the surface work. Only then can we successfully buy time without arousing their vigilance. Hmm, I believe our engine technology is less valuable than the Divine Ark Civilization’s life science, but we might as well propose that exchange. When the Divine Ark Civilization refuses, we can argue with them for a while. Delaying them a bit is good.” a scientist of the Pegasus Civilization said.

“I think our light science is more valuable than the Divine Ark Civilization’s engine technology, but far less important than space technology. Still, we might as well open with a greedy proposition and propose trading light science for space technology. That can also buy quite a bit of time.” another scientist said.

Both civilizations were engaged in tense discussion, formulating their exchange strategies. Three days flashed by, and seventy-two hours later, Xiao Yu’s robots promptly sent a message.

“Scientists of the Pegasus Civilization, greetings. Are you ready? If you have completed your internal discussions, let us begin to discuss the technological exchanges now.”

“Very well, we are ready.” the Pegasus Civilization’s robot replied. “We are very interested in your technology that resembles space technology. We hope to obtain it. As an exchange, how about we offer our light science as the bargaining chip?”

Xiao Yu’s heart moved slightly. “This Pegasus Civilization really is opening like a lion. Although light science is precious and extremely important to me, its value is clearly inferior to space technology. Very well, as they say, start with a sky-high price and settle on the spot. Trade is just like this.”

Thinking so, Xiao Yu replied, “We are sorry. This incomplete space technology was obtained by our Divine Ark Civilization through a nine deaths and one life ratio. Its importance and value should be clear to both your civilization and ours. Light science, though also extremely important, is absolutely not on the level of space technology. If you wish to exchange for our space technology, we believe it is only suitable if you combine your materials technology, light science, and engine technology together as the bargaining chip.”

“Oh, my friend, perhaps you do not yet understand how important light science truly is.” the Pegasus Civilization’s robot answered. “Perhaps you do not know what technology Level 6 Civilizations use to build their computation modules. We can tell you for free. The computation modules of Level 6 Civilizations are built on the basis of light science, with an added measure of space technology. The importance of computation modules is something you cannot deny, can you?”

Xiao Yu’s heart stirred again. “So that is indeed the case? The credibility of this information from the Pegasus Civilization should be quite high. If the computation modules of a Level 6 Civilization are truly based on light science, then the value of light science can indeed be set a bit higher, but it is still inferior to space technology. After all, although my space technology is incomplete, it can be used to manufacture space weapons. Space weapons are one of my ultimate trump cards and cannot be traded away. Very well, I will spar with them a bit.”

“We have observed your fleet before, and our conclusion is that your warships still adopt a model centered on negative matter cannons, supplemented by various other weapons. Have you considered how immense an enhancement your fleet would obtain if you had space technology and manufactured space weapons? This is a technology that can produce immediate results. Your light science is important, but before reaching the level of a Level 6 Civilization and before mastering more space technology, you will not be able to manufacture light computers. Between the two technologies, which weighs more and which less should be clear in your heart. How about this. I recall you mentioned that the average age of intelligent beings in your civilization is just over four thousand years. That is rather regrettable.”

Pausing, Xiao Yu continued, “For us as a technological civilization, the average lifespan of intelligent beings is extremely important, because in general the older a scientist is, the richer his knowledge becomes. When an outstanding researcher’s knowledge reserves reach their peak, yet due to age he must wither and die, what a pity that is. Just so, because we place great importance on life science, the average lifespan of intelligent beings in our civilization, especially scientists, has already reached twenty thousand years. Although the intelligent beings of our civilization differ in structure from those of yours, science is intercommunicable. We believe that inspired by our life science, your civilization can also quickly find methods to extend the lifespans of your intelligent beings.”

“Just think. If one day the lifespans of scientists in your civilization generally reached twenty thousand years, what a tremendous push that would give your technological development. How about exchanging our civilization’s life science for your civilization’s light science?” Xiao Yu asked.

“Oh, my friend, you are thinking too simply. Intelligent beings differ greatly between civilizations. Although science is intercommunicable and your life science would certainly be highly inspiring to us, transforming technology suited to your intelligent beings into technology suited to ours would be extremely difficult and troublesome. Your life science does have value to us, but far less than you claim. Using life science to exchange for our light science is not suitable.”

“I do not agree with your view. The importance of life science is beyond doubt. It is the fruit of tens of thousands of years of painstaking research by our civilization. However, since you are not interested in our life science, then never mind. Our civilization can offer another technology for exchange. What do you think of our engine technology?”

“A curvature flight speed of fully thirty-five times light speed, that is truly admirable. I do not know what kind of genius people could achieve such results. This technology is undoubtedly very important, but…”

Around the question of which technologies to trade for which, the two sides embarked on protracted negotiations.

Time passed bit by bit. One day, two days, five days, a month…

All of a sudden, Xiao Yu’s heart stirred.