Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

Several lines of shimmering white text slowly appeared in the azure holographic projection.

Inside the Earth's command center, everyone instinctively held their breath.

The assessment has been completed, and visitor access has been granted.

Are the relics left by this advanced civilization finally about to be fully revealed to human civilization?

With that thought in mind, Lü Yongchang looked intently at the holographic projection in front of him with expectant eyes.

The projection clearly shows the view from the scientific research robot.

The orange-yellow lights flickered like breathing, and the originally closed door slowly opened under the influence of the force field.

A thicker fog billowed out from it, gently pattering against the research robots and other mechanical devices that were waiting quietly in place.

As the orange-yellow light gradually stabilized, a beam of light, resembling a holographic projection, was clearly reflected in the thick fog.

It was a wavy pattern, looking like some kind of floating object drifting freely in the atmosphere.

Its brightness and darkness constantly change, creating a visual effect of floating up and down.

The pattern is very large.

It covers almost all areas within ten meters of the ground surface.

From the perspective of the research robot, these ripples floating up and down in the air are like rippling water, gently swirling around them.

Even without the robot making any movement, it gives you the illusion that you are moving forward.

Although no one in the command center had ever witnessed such a scene before, and the meaning of this pattern was not even marked in the dictionary sent by [Ten], everyone present still understood the pattern immediately.

This is a directional sign.

only……

As Lü Yongchang watched the holographic projection, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

It's just giving directions... is it really necessary to make such a big fuss?

But when he thought of the enormous technological artifacts that had been destroyed in the first two areas, he felt relieved.

If the Tenth Empire civilization is indeed very large, then these patterns that seem impressive to humans might just be insignificant little icons on the ground to them.

Seeing the ripples that seemed to carry a sense of urgency, Lü Yongchang stopped thinking and directly gave the order to advance.

With zero remote control, the research robot, which had been stationary, took another step forward.

……

Time passed slowly.

Guided by immersive wavy signposts, the research robot traversed one area after another.

Micro-drones also took this opportunity to complete the exploration and modeling of various areas.

What puzzled Lü Yongchang was that the Level I artificial intelligence [10] made no comment on the rampant exploration and modeling activities of the micro-drones.

This is very unusual.

How can you allow guests to freely search every corner of the house?

unless……

This house has long been completely emptied out.

The modeling of the drone also confirmed Lü Yongchang's conjecture.

Like the Strong Interaction Force Material Manufacturing Area, almost all of the areas are now just empty shells—everything of value has been taken away.

The explanation for this is provided by [十].

Before leaving, the Empire took all valuable items and equipment with them.

This explanation stirred up mixed emotions in Lü Yongchang.

It turns out he was right.

The outermost spatial rift cutting devices are really just a bunch of "worthless" junk.

"leave?"

Lü Yongchang asked [Ten], "Why are you leaving?"

The Milky Way is too small.

[10] responded in this way.

Looking at the text in the holographic projection, Lü Yongchang was startled.

After a moment of silence, he once again raised his assessment of the Tenth Empire's strength.

"What level of civilization is the Tenth Empire?"

He asked tentatively.

Time ticked by, and [Ten] remained silent on his inquiry.

It's normal not to get a response to this kind of question.

Lu Yongchang chuckled and shook his head, just about to skip the question, when a line of shimmering white text slowly appeared in the holographic projection.

When they left, they were a peak level seven civilization.

[Current civilization level...unknown.]

Ten thousand years ago, the homeworld fortress completely lost contact with the Empire.

"hiss……"

A collective gasp filled the command center.

Although everyone had expected it, they were still shocked when they saw the answer.

Lu Yongchang composed himself and pressed his advantage, asking, "When did the Empire leave?"

This time, [ten] quickly provided the answer.

Two hundred and fifty thousand years ago, the Empire's expeditionary plan was formally established.

Two hundred and ten thousand years ago, after forty thousand years of preparation, the Empire officially set sail, leaving the Milky Way via the Milky Way-Andromeda Galaxy Bridge, its destination: the Andromeda Galaxy.

"hiss!!!"

This time, even Lü Yongchang was taken aback.

Two hundred and ten thousand years ago, it was already a peak level seven civilization.

Now...

He was afraid to think any further.

Suddenly, he noticed a sensitive time point in this information.

"Two hundred and one thousand years ago?"

After a moment's consideration, he asked [Ten] again: "Was it before the supernova explosion?"

Both human civilization's data and Enroget's information provide ample evidence that this nebula was formed 200,000 years ago.

In other words, this spectacular supernova explosion occurred 200,000 years ago, which is 10,000 years after the departure of the Tenth Empire!

If these two things are not necessarily related...

At least Lü Yongchang didn't believe it.

【Yes. 】

Perhaps because human civilization had passed the test, or perhaps because they had been identified as [silicon-based life forms], [Ten] patiently answered the questions raised by Lü Yongchang.

The Empire made an accurate prediction of the timing of the supernova explosion.

Two hundred and fifty thousand years ago, when the Empire finalized its expedition plan, it also attempted to save its home planet.

Initially, the Empire decided to take its home planet with it to the Andromeda Galaxy.

However, considering the long journey and enormous energy consumption, the Empire abandoned this plan.

Ultimately, the project evolved into a homeworld defense plan.

[This is the planetary fortress you are currently seeing.]

The homeworld, protected by a planetary fortress, successfully withstood the supernova explosion.

In the holographic projection, the translated text appeared little by little.

Whether it's leading their home planet to the Andromeda Galaxy or building a fortress to withstand a supernova explosion at close range...

Every line of text deeply resonated with everyone present.