Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

"professor."

Meng Lu finished the final checks and softly reminded everyone, "The experiment is about to begin."

Lu Yongchang quickly withdrew his gaze from the giant tree and focused his attention on the holographic projection in front of Meng Lu. Then, he nodded slightly.

Meng Lu's expression turned serious, and she said in a slightly cold tone, "The first experiment on communication between the giant trees shall now begin!"

"Prepare to release bioelectric signals!"

"Bioelectric signal release is normal!" a researcher shouted in response. "The root rejection response is relatively weak; continue the experiment!"

"Begin adjusting the frequency of the bioelectric signal and outputting the first greeting."

As she spoke, Meng Lu raised her hand and gently swiped across the holographic projection in front of her, inputting a line of text into the left side of the translation program.

With zero computing power, almost simultaneously, this first greeting from humankind was converted into a corresponding bioelectric signal and input into the roots of the giant tree located in the biological laboratory through a series of electrodes.

Hello, this is human civilization.

next second.

"Bang!"

A dull thud came from the direction of the biology lab.

Lü Yongchang quickly turned his head to look in the direction of the transparent aluminum curtain wall.

A thick tree root was seen slamming against the wall of the biology lab.

Seeing the intense movements, Lü Yongchang's expression instantly turned serious.

With a slight twitch of his finger, he accessed the control system of the biological laboratory.

next moment.

The arched dome of the biological laboratory slowly cracked open, revealing three enormous ship-mounted laser cannons, their massive muzzles aimed at the strangely shaped giant tree below.

With just a single command, these three laser cannons can transform the biological laboratory into an infernal hell of extreme heat.

As for the giant tree, based on past experience, the only possibility is that it will be reduced to ashes!

"professor!"

Meng Lu urgently stopped Lü Yongchang: "Wait! Give it a little more time!"

Looking at the frenzied state of the giant tree within the transparent aluminum curtain wall, Lü Yongchang frowned and asked in a low voice, "What exactly is going on?"

Why did it suddenly react so strongly?

Mao Zhengzhi also spoke up, saying, "Professor."

"This is the first time we have inputted a coded bioelectric signal into the root system of a giant tree."

"Since these signals act directly on the tree roots, these reactions from the giant tree were within our expectations."

"Hmm?" Lü Yongchang asked, somewhat puzzled. "What's the reason? Why would inputting a compiled bioelectrical signal cause such a reaction?"

Mao Zhengzhi hesitated for a moment, then said somewhat hesitantly, "This..."

"Professor, let me give you an example."

"If we compare these tree roots to the human nervous system, then these signals act directly on the nervous system."

"In other words, from its perspective, the messages we send out are like... a voice suddenly appearing in its mind."

"Professor, how would you feel if a strange voice suddenly echoed in your mind?"

Lü Yongchang suddenly realized what was going on.

He nodded and said softly, "I understand."

……

A few minutes later.

The thumping sounds inside the biology lab gradually subsided, as if the giant tree had gotten used to the new sound in its mind.

Has the other party responded with any message?

Upon hearing Lü Yongchang's question, Meng Lu gently shook her head, her expression somewhat apprehensive, and said, "No signal has been detected yet..."

"I've got it!" Mo Zeyang suddenly looked up and shouted excitedly, "Academician Meng, the probe has received an abnormal signal!"

Before Meng Lu could respond to Mo Zeyang's words, she looked directly at the translation interface in front of her.

【Who are you? 】

Human civilization... what is that?

Why can you speak within my consciousness?

As the information gradually appeared before them, everyone present frowned.

"Why do I feel like this..."

Lu Yongchang clicked his tongue softly, then hesitated before saying, "The other party doesn't seem very smart?"

Whether it was Lü Yongchang, Mao Zhengzhi, or the other academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in charge of the project, they all had high expectations for the wisdom of the giant tree.

The reason is also very simple.

The fact that it was able to find a way to coexist peacefully with extraterrestrial civilizations in such a short time is enough to prove its wisdom!

But the scene before them was clearly not what the academicians had expected!

We are human civilization, and we arrived on your planet five years ago. During this time, some unnecessary misunderstandings and conflicts may have occurred between us. Now, we would like to have a simple exchange and communication with you.

Next, we will tell you some basic information about human civilization, which can help you understand us.

【…】

Zero quickly translates this information into corresponding bioelectric signals and controls the electrodes inserted into the tree roots to input these signals into the root system of the giant tree.

Time ticked by, but no signal came through.

"Academician Mo, what happened?"

Mao Zhengzhi turned to look at Mo Zeyang beside him: "Are the bioelectrical signals and quantum signals normal?"

Mo Zeyang stared at the intensely fluctuating curves in the holographic projection and nodded, saying, "That's normal."

"In fact, the intensity of basic bioelectrical signals and basic quantum signals has increased significantly."

"But no useful information was detected."

After a moment's thought, Mo Zeyang said again, "It's a bit like... it's processing this information?"

Upon hearing this, Lü Yongchang frowned even more deeply.

For a giant tree whose size reaches the planetary level, does this amount of information really require such a long period of thought?

Just as Lü Yongchang and the others were getting impatient, with a slight fluctuation, a series of messages slowly appeared on the holographic projection in front of them.

Human civilization...

I don't understand what you're saying...

Can you please stop talking in my mind?!

[So noisy! So noisy!!]

Inside the biological laboratory, the sounds of impact echoed once again.

It seems that the messages they sent have caused great distress to the giant tree.

Lu Yongchang's eyes were filled with doubt.

"Professor, judging from the results of our conversation just now, the Lost Giant Tree doesn't seem to possess much intelligence," Mo Zeyang sighed and said in a low voice.

Lü Yongchang didn't speak, but just pondered quietly.

Send another message.

He suddenly spoke, his voice deep and resonant: "Ask it if it can contact the giant tree on the Lost Star!"

Upon hearing this, Mao Zhengzhi's eyes lit up.

Clearly, he was thinking of what Lü Yongchang had said to him not long ago.

"Professor, you mean...?"

"Do these saplings, each a hundred meters tall, possess their own individual consciousness?"

P.S.: I'm going to visit my girlfriend's family for the New Year next...

Because my girlfriend's family lives in another province, I can only guarantee one update a day, which will take about three days.

Once this is all done, I should be able to update regularly again, and I'll add more chapters then!

Also, thank you to the amazing user "Why are all the names gone?" for the verification!