Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

A tense atmosphere permeated the laboratory.

Zero is processing various data transmitted back from the space laboratory at lightning speed.

Before long, Lü Yongchang received his answer.

Meets the standards.

The energy produced by two micrograms of matter and antimatter is exactly the standard value derived from the mass-energy equivalence formula.

Upon seeing the result, Lü Yongchang subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.

If the two values ​​are not equal, it will be a heavy blow to the physics that humanity has mastered.

After ruling out the "explosive" option, Lü Yongchang resumed processing the data.

These complex data, like building blocks, laid the foundation for the Academy of Sciences' subsequent research.

……

"Professor, the satellite particle accelerator has detected anomalous data."

Zero's electronic synthesized voice rang in Lü Yongchang's ears.

Lu Yongchang subconsciously raised his head and looked blankly at the holographic projection that appeared beside him.

Lines of key data came into view.

"This is……"

Lu Yongchang's spirits lifted instantly. He quickly stood up from his chair and raised his hand to zoom in on the holographic image in front of him.

His unusual behavior immediately attracted the attention of the researchers around him.

"What's wrong?"

Fang Xu frowned and glanced at the holographic screen in front of Lü Yongchang, then asked in a low voice, "Is there a problem with the particle accelerator?"

Lu Yongchang did not respond, but stared intently at the data displayed on the holographic projection.

"I see……"

He muttered to himself.

Lu Yongchang's actions and behavior completely piqued Fang Xu's curiosity.

He quickly put down his work and got up to go to the holographic projection.

"Parity is not conserved."

Just as Fang Xu was carefully examining the data, Lü Yongchang suddenly spoke up: "An unusually high parity nonconservation phenomenon."

"What does this mean?" Fang Xu, whose research focus was not on this, frowned and asked in a low voice.

"This means the truth about the material universe," Lü Yongchang said excitedly. "Initially, our universe was in a singularity with infinitely high density and energy."

"Then, following the Big Bang, the universe expanded rapidly."

"Elementary particles are constantly emerging."

"At the same time, particles and antiparticles continue to appear, and at this point, their numbers should be equal."

"At this point, the universe is more like a hot soup of particles made up of quarks and gluons."

"Until the weak interaction begins to take effect."

"In the particle soup, quarks gradually become the dominant number."

"The two annihilated each other, and the remaining particles formed our universe as we know it today!"

"Of course, these are all just my speculations at the moment," Lü Yongchang said with a shrug. "The real scenario is probably beyond the current understanding of humankind."

Whether the inference is correct or not is not important.

"Importantly, this data can provide a lot of help for our subsequent research."

"Perhaps, once we find a way to mass-produce antimatter, we can begin to research antimatter engines."

"..."

……

The central region of the Milky Way.

"Sir, we've made a new discovery."

Inside the quiet artificial planet, the voices of subordinates could be heard.

As the sound rang out, a light screen automatically unfolded around Cleaner 9527.

"Probe number 912133165 has successfully located the second planet in the KZQXD771 system (Ross 154)," the subordinate's voice continued.

"To our surprise, we discovered remnants of civilization on this barren planet."

Upon hearing this, Cleaner 9527 immediately straightened up from his seat, abandoning his previous lazy demeanor.

It quickly raised its tentacles and began to move them across the light screen.

"Is it just a level two civilization?"

Cleaner 9527 said with some dissatisfaction, "What could a mere Level 2 civilization possibly know?"

"They don't even understand their own stars!"

After a moment of silence, the subordinate presented another set of new data to Cleaner 9527.

"No, we believe that the death of [the painting] is closely related to this Level 2 civilization."

"The detector analyzed all the remaining structures, which were built at the same time, approximately 170-180 years ago."

Cleaner 9527's expression changed slightly, and the indicator light on the external memory storage device near his thought organ flashed rapidly: "[The drawing's] time of death?"

Faced with such a coincidence, Cleaner 9527 could no longer maintain its original nonchalant attitude and observed the data transmitted back by the detector more carefully.

"But……"

"What can a Level 2 civilization possibly do?"

"They haven't mastered warp drive technology, and they're even using outdated nuclear fusion energy..." Cleaner 9527 shook his head repeatedly. "I can't imagine that a Level 2 civilization could help a Level 7 dimensional being."

"But no matter how you look at it..."

Recalling the urgent message from Mother Civilization not long ago, a ruthless glint flashed in Cleaner 9527's eyes: "Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free!"

"Let the detector explore all galaxies within a radius of fifty light-years."

"A mere second-level civilization won't go far."

"Import architectural styles into the database, and once discovered, immediately implement a cleanup plan."

The subordinate's expression tightened, and he immediately replied, "Yes!"

After turning around and giving the order, a hint of hesitation flashed across the subordinate's face: "Just use the basic detectors?"

"Isn't this a bit too much... After all, our basic detectors aren't equipped with any weapons."

Cleaner9527 scoffed dismissively, "Are you scared off by the rural faction?"

What damage could a Type II civilization possibly inflict on our probes?

"Even if they managed to reach the third level of civilization in the last two hundred years, they would only have mastered simple plasma weapons."

Upon hearing this, the hesitation on the subordinate's face slowly disappeared.

that's right.

It's just a small, level-two civilization, why is he being so cautious?

Could it be that they were really scared by those dimensional creatures from the pastoral school?

Thinking of this, the subordinate raised his tentacle and forcefully tapped his own mental organs, trying to clear his mind.

"Alright, let the detectors start searching."

Cleaner9527's expression shifted slightly: "What's been going on with the Countryside Faction lately?"

"Logically speaking, the news of [the painting]'s death should have already reached them."

"No anomalies have been detected so far," the subordinate quickly replied. "The mother civilization is still searching for these cunning creatures; they're hiding too well."

Cleaner 9527 nodded noncommittally.

To the Cleaners civilization, the dimensional creatures weren't particularly strong in combat, but their ability to escape and hide was truly top-notch.

He had already learned this lesson from [the painting].

P.S.: I'm dizzy from researching, I can't take it anymore, I'm giving up, I'll just ramble on.jpg