Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

Sure enough, the silicon ray's warning was not without reason.

At least in the current situation, the cleaners are unwilling to provoke the neutral faction.

Thus, the two sides reached a stalemate.

[9436] It's hard to swallow this insult.

When did the mighty Cleaners civilization become threatened by a Level 6 civilization?

According to the rules, it cannot take action against the "Enroget Civilization," but that doesn't stop it from making some harsh statements.

【Enroget civilization, I will remember you.】

[I hope you can continue to hide under the protection of the neutral faction!]

Lu Yongchang's reaction to such seemingly intimidating threats was naturally quite calm.

Just kidding, what hasn't human civilization seen?

Let alone now that we're about to become a Level 7 civilization, back when we were still a Level 4 civilization, humanity managed to survive between the Cleaners and the Pastoralists!

Not to mention...

The other party even called out the wrong name and mistook the person for someone else.

Again.

What do the things that the Enrodite civilization did have to do with our human civilization?

As for the Olcott fleet, it had already quietly retreated into that nameless Heng star system.

Can't be bothered, can't be bothered.

……

Time passed by, second by second.

Perhaps unwilling to leave, or perhaps to put pressure on the "Enroget Civilization," the Sweeper Fleet gradually closed the distance to the Nameless Heng Star System.

Having made contact with the Silicon Ray civilization, Lü Yongchang naturally wouldn't fall for the Cleaners' fleet's tactics—no matter how the other side behaved, the human fleet stood like an unyielding stubborn boy, blocking the Cleaners' fleet's path.

To demonstrate his resolve, Lü Yongchang even ordered the "defense" warships controlled by the Eugenes to shut down all their shield systems.

The main theme is fearlessness—if you dare to fight, I dare to die for you.

Inside the White Dwarf Fortress, the tentacles of [9436] trembled slightly as they looked at the screen.

It has been to so many galaxies, but it has never seen such an arrogant level 6 civilization!

"No way, what gives him the right?!" [9436] shouted in exasperation. "Don't even mention the Enrogett civilization, even the Tenth Empire, the leader of the Silicon-based Alliance, wouldn't dare to be so arrogant in front of the Cleaners civilization, would they?!"

His companion [9435] sighed and offered another words of comfort: "Let it go."

"It seems the Mother Civilization has some plans lately, strictly prohibiting conflicts with the neutral faction. Let's not make trouble for ourselves at this juncture."

"So... we're just going to retreat like this?" [9436] His face was full of frustration.

Just as they were discussing what to do next, a warning message flashed across the screen.

"..."

[9435] Releasing the tentacles that had been gripping his companion, he slumped back in his seat, utterly dejected: "You should think about how to deal with it first."

【9436】：“…”

……

Near the nameless Heng star system, in the middle area between the Cleaners fleet and the human fleet.

Accompanied by a powerful spacetime fluctuation, a massive silver ray appeared in the visible universe.

Unlike last time, this time the silicon ray did not use a wormhole to travel.

Upon its appearance, the Silicon Ray raised its tail and slightly opened its large, dark mouth, aiming at the distant Cleaner fleet.

[The Cleaners!]

I need an explanation!

Inside the White Dwarf Fortress of the Cleaners, [9436] looked at the light screen with annoyance.

How did the Silicon Ray civilization come about?

Well, now these two stubborn kids have met.

Despite being extremely distressed, at this moment, [9436], as the face of the Cleaner civilization, still spoke in a very firm tone.

Cleaners act civilly; they don't need to explain themselves to other civilized people.

The dark light emanating from the manta ray's mouth gradually intensified, giving the impression that it was about to launch an attack.

[This black hole merger event, was it your doing?!]

[It's also something you do to take action against civilizations without factions!]

[Do you think the neutral faction is afraid to participate in the war because you've violated the previous agreement?]

Do you want to start a war?!

In response to the question about the silicon ray, [9436] quickly replied: [Do you have any evidence?]

The silicone ray's body stiffened abruptly, and the bright black light in its mouthparts dimmed.

seemingly……

It seems there's really no evidence.

Regarding the black hole merger, not only that, but the other members of the neutral faction also did not notice anything unusual.

As for taking action against non-factional civilizations...

By the time the neutral faction realized this, it was too late.

The Andromeda branch of the Cleaners mobilized almost entirely, swiftly infiltrating the factionless Level 6 civilization that was watching the "fireworks show" into their subordinate civilization.

At the scene, there were only victims; there were no witnesses.

Those Level 6 civilizations that have become subordinate civilizations? Do they really think the Cleaners' thought imprint is a joke?

What? The Enroget civilization and the Olcott civilization?

We just chatted while passing by. Is there any evidence that the cleaners did anything to them?

Just as the Silicon Ray civilization was speechless, a powerful spacetime fluctuation came from near the Cleaner fleet.

A twisted wormhole structure appeared behind the fleet.

Then, under the watchful, wary gaze of the Silician civilization, the White Dwarf Fortress brought up the rear, escorting the spherical warships into the wormhole.

【Enroget civilization, I will remember you.】

Before leaving, [9436] didn't forget to utter a harsh remark.

……

In the aftershocks of the final gravitational waves from the binary black holes, the wormhole created by the Cleaner civilization slowly dissipated.

Only at this moment did the silicon ray relax its tense nerves and cancel the dark matter cannon that was about to be fired.

It turned around to look at the "Enroget Civilization" behind it, raised its tail and scratched its head, causing a series of bright sparks to fly.

I have to say... you guys are incredibly audacious.

You dare mess with the cleaners...

Now you've got your eye on, haven't you?

Inside the Human Union microcosm, watching the murmurs from the manta ray in the holographic projection, Lü Yongchang awkwardly scratched his head and quickly changed the subject.

"You just said that the merger of the two black holes was the work of the Cleaners civilization? And what does that agreement mean?"

The enormous silicon ray wearily swayed its body as it flew toward the nameless star system.

Are there any native inhabitants in this star system?

I'm exhausted from traveling, I need to replenish my energy first. I'll explain the details later.

"...You didn't bring your little universe again?"

What are you saying? What kind of talk is that?

How could you slander someone's innocence like this?

Then came some incomprehensible words.

【…】

Looking at the series of incomprehensible mutterings in the holographic projection, and the silicon ray plunging headfirst into the blue giant star, Lü Yongchang shook his head helplessly.