Chapter 76: Have You Heard of the 'Exchange System'?
As the Mycroft Civilization continuously placed one ultra-large space-time hub after another in every corner of the Multiverse Star River, detecting intelligent life signals from one star river after another, the intensity of the Era of Falling Stars' interaction with the outside world in this past year had even surpassed that of the former Era of Radiance.
After all, the Era of Radiance was inherently too introverted. With the support of the Sages, the Gods, and numerous Legendary experts, the Era of Radiance had no need for trade or communication with the outside world; it could be completely self-sufficient. Of course, they weren't exactly immersed in their own world, but the vast majority were engrossed in glorious mega-structures and pioneering new forms of Transcendent paths. They had no need to actively contact external races; on the contrary, many external races wanted to hitch a ride on the Era of Radiance's coattails.
But the Era of Falling Stars was different. The Mycroft Civilization of today was extremely open. Part of the reason was the urgency of the impending Evil God invasion, and another part was the pressure from insufficient internal population. But the truly important reason was that the essence of the Era of Falling Stars was no longer the 'unified, large-scale centralized Transcendent federation' of the past, but rather a 'loose, decentralized multi-faction Transcendent union'. The former could self-supply, self-improve, and was stable and powerful. The latter, while having many internal problems, greater conflicts, and heavier selfishness, also possessed a far stronger drive for external expansion than the former.
In fact, aside from the traditional 'human, elf, dwarf' medium-sized humanoid alliance, other ethnic minorities in the Era of Falling Stars were using the Myriad Realms Sacrificial Ground to seek opportunities for their races to gain more say in the current 'Falling Stars Union'.
Their goals were clear, their actions were firm, and they would never let any opportunity slip by.
Any.
"...We follow ancient traditions and do not engage in excessive communication with any alien beings."
In an unnamed star domain, a medium-sized special category world. Unlike the typical 'continental worlds' and 'stellar worlds', this world had no conventional sky or atmosphere. It was entirely a 'cavern world' composed of rock, underground caves, and a scorching core. In this world, numerous primordial earth elementals and fire elementals bred near the core region, but they hadn't developed a civilization. However, in the super-large caves of the crust and mantle, a civilization of highly intelligent beings existed.
In an underground cave filled with glowing moss, energy-gathering crystals, and stalactites, a three-meter-tall giant Zhiren slowly released its spores—a special mixture of elements. These elemental mixtures carried a large number of special structures. Its scent, energy fluctuations, and mixed properties formed a unique elemental language.
Seeming afraid that the small creature before it wouldn't understand, the three-meter-tall Zhiren Elder slowly activated the spores it had previously spread again. For their race, this was equivalent to repeating the words: "We do not like war, we do not like conflict, and naturally, we do not like outsiders. The ancient ancestors warned us not to have much contact with alien beings, as they will inevitably bring war. Please return, envoy of the Mycroft Civilization. We appreciate your regard, but we, who love tranquility, cannot accept your overly enthusiastic way of life."
Zhiren, as the name implies, looked like a giant, mobile Lingzhi mushroom. Similar to the Star Shepherd's eight-legged fungi, they were a civilized species formed when giant fungi gained intelligence. But unlike the eight-legged fungi, which were more akin to parasitic fungi—for example, cordyceps—Zhiren were more plant-like. They decomposed biomass in the underground caves and were an important part of the world's cycle.
Because of this, the intelligent Zhiren were as quiet and peaceful as plants. They didn't expect intense joy or intense conflict. They pursued a peaceful life and hoped to live an undisturbed existence. This was their nature. Zhiren refused diplomacy with the vast majority of non-plant intelligent life. They preferred dark, damp underground areas, so they were more willing to stay in their home world's homeland, living an undisturbed life, rather than exploring outside.
"I don't care!"
However, the small creature in front of the Zhiren Elder couldn't be reasoned with by 'logic'.
A small wind elemental fairy proudly puffed out her chest, also using the method of spreading elements to 'loudly' say: "It's okay if you don't want to be friends with us! We're going to be friends with you anyway!"
...No, that's not really a matter of 'not caring', is it?
And isn't friendship supposed to be mutual? Or does the Mycroft Civilization's definition of 'friend' differ from the rest of the Multiverse Star River?
As expected of the descendants of an ancient civilization from the Lost Star River, truly extraordinary...
Because his train of thought couldn't quite keep up, the Zhiren Elder, dispatched by his clan to be fully responsible for communicating with the Mycroft Fairy envoy, was silent for a long time before slowly saying: "What I mean is, we have no intention of communicating with the outside world. We are more accustomed to living a peaceful life and don't really like to talk much..."
"It doesn't matter!"
The wind fairy enthusiastically patted her flat chest and 'loudly' said: "We usually communicate using sound waves and mental fluctuations! We don't usually use elemental spore language either; it's basically like mute mode! And before you refuse, you should at least hear our plan! It's definitely beneficial for both sides~ Super~ win-win~ plan!"
No, it's not about the mute mode issue. And come to think of it, what's wrong with this guy? Besides, the rumors say the Mycroft Civilization is very domineering and brutal. How could their envoy be like this... Could it be... entrapment (roughly)?
The Zhiren Elder was silent for another moment. He shook his cap, scattering a cloud of spores, and then tentatively asked: "Envoy, may I ask... if we were to refuse sternly... what would your superiors' reaction be?"
"I don't know!"
Another concise and loud reply. The enthusiastic wind fairy blinked, showing her tiny teeth, and proudly gave a thumbs up: "I've never thought about that question!"
What's there to be proud of?
The wind fairy's performance immediately shocked the Zhiren Elder and filled his heart with deep fear.
The Mycroft Civilization is so arrogant—they never even considered that their request might be rejected! How domineering!
The wind fairy's smile and the elemental aura of 'excitement' she was spreading undoubtedly proved one thing: the Mycroft Fairy envoy before him wasn't the least bit depressed about the possibility of her mission failing. On the contrary, she was unreasonably happy!
She was getting excited about the potential 'conflict' and 'battle'! Although her body was small, her restless elemental power proved her life form was extremely advanced. What a terrifying race, born with such strength and desire, practically the embodiment of the essence of war!
Seeing the Zhiren Elder silent for so long, the wind fairy curiously tilted her head, flew around him once, but quickly got distracted and started happily chasing a large moth near the glowing moss.
Meanwhile, the Zhiren Elder was deep in thought, rapidly weighing the pros and cons in his mind.
...In that case, there is only one answer: the Mycroft Civilization must have its own methods for dealing with civilizations that refuse to cooperate. If our civilization truly refuses sternly, then judging by the nature of this ferocious fairy envoy before us, the bloodthirsty Mycroft people would undoubtedly use our Zhiren world as an example of refusing their request, and then completely destroy us... They have the power to do so. The Mycroft people's feat of extinguishing and then creating a sun, and their military strength that easily destroyed a Tier 3 civilization's empire, absolutely proves they can do this!
"Then, Envoy, could you perhaps share some details of your plan?"
Thinking of the potential devastating massacre, the Zhiren Elder's tone immediately softened. He spoke to the wind fairy, who was making faces at a moth, which immediately reminded her of the purpose of her visit. So, the wind fairy quickly flew down and cheerfully sent the complete cooperation plan to the Zhiren Elder via mental fluctuations.
The Fairy's plan was simple.
As Zhiren could naturally secrete and nurture elemental cores within their bodies, their very existence was a great boon to the Fairyland. The Fairies had actually found a complete method for world creation, but as long as the Fairy race couldn't produce at least two more Legendary-rank beings, the day their world would take shape was far off.
Cultivating two Fairy Legendaries was too dependent on luck. Before attempting such cultivation, the Fairies hoped to get help from more elemental races to enrich the species count, elemental balance, and ecological complexity of the Fairyland world. In this way, as long as the elements besides the four basic ones were complex enough, the Fairies could also accomplish the feat of world creation, even better than forcing a few more Legendaries to forcibly maintain elemental stability.
As a Tier 3 Void Civilization, the Zhiren's high level of civilization and strong utilization of elements were famous in the surrounding star domains. The only negative news was their extreme xenophobia and isolation, like a rock. But for Fairies, making friends with a rock wasn't strange at all. There was even a beautiful story about a Fairy who was friends with a rock for over two hundred years, eventually infusing it with elements and turning it into an earth elemental! So for Fairies, these weren't problems! It didn't matter if the other party didn't want to talk or be friends; they had plenty of time and patience (provided they didn't forget halfway through).
As long as the Zhiren were willing to join, then when the Fairyland became a truly complete world in the future, the Zhiren would be great contributors to the creation, one of the founding elders!
The conditions were generous, the terms were loose. It could even be said that, aside from hoping some Zhiren would relocate to the Fairyland, the Fairies hadn't proposed any conditions at all. On the contrary, the Fairyland side would even send a few Ultimate-rank Great Fairies to try to cooperate with the Zhiren, for comprehensive technology sharing and improving the elemental cycle of the Zhiren world. There were, of course, many naive clauses, but the sincerity was undoubtedly overflowing.
After reading all the terms, the Zhiren Elder's cap trembled.
The Mycroft people are terrifyingly formidable!
If they refuse, it's a bloodbath for the Zhiren world; but if they agree, they're willing to pay a king's ransom for a mushroom cap! Such dominance, where those who comply prosper and those who resist perish... Truly worthy of being a terrifying civilization from another star river, capable of matching the three great Calamity civilizations!
"In that case, we have no reason to refuse..."
The Zhiren Elder, believing he had fully understood the cause and effect, released a long stream of elements, sighing deeply: "Then, I hope the Envoy can give us a little more time. We need to hold a discussion within the clan..."
Subsequently, the Zhiren Elder explained the general action plan for the Zhiren going forward. Due to the Zhiren's complex internal council of elders system, this process was very complicated, but the Zhiren Elder explained it seriously and attentively, so he didn't notice the confused look in the wind fairy's eyes.
"...That's roughly it, Envoy. Do you have any opinions?"
"Hmm? Hmm hmm!"
After roughly listening, the wind fairy, feeling she hadn't heard anything bad, made a look of sudden understanding: "I see! (Actually didn't understand at all) So, you agree?"
"Naturally," replied the Zhiren Elder.
But as the vibration of the elemental spores ended, an even greater vibration came.
"What?!"
*Crack!* The Zhiren Elder was forced back a step by the sudden pressure.
Then, he saw that on the petite wind fairy's body, four doors seemed to have opened. These doors were hidden in the invisible, but an unimaginably high concentration of elements surged out from within, calling for the resonance of earth, water, fire, and wind.
The phantom images of the four Legendary Fairy Empresses floated behind the still-confident wind fairy, rising like flames, dancing like the wind, drifting like water, and solid as the earth. The wind fairy seemed to feel nothing wrong, still grinning happily: "Now then, let's sign the contract!"
"...Naturally."
...
"Oh, right!"
Just as she was about to leave after signing the preliminary cooperation contract, the wind fairy suddenly remembered something. She quickly turned around, her face serious, and asked: "Mr. Big Mushroom!"
"What is it, esteemed Envoy?"
Although he had no idea what 'Mr. Big Mushroom' meant, the Zhiren Elder knew she was talking to him. Seeing her serious expression for the first time, the Zhiren felt a surge of tension while also being curious about what she would say.
Could there be additional conditions?!
But the wind fairy had only remembered an extra task assigned by a certain Expedition Fleet Marshal.
"Have you heard of the 'Exchange System'?"
...
The Zhiren civilization didn't have a bad impression of the Exchange System, especially when they discovered that the high-concentration elemental crystals naturally secreted by their race had a relatively high value in the system. Their favorability towards this peculiar cross-world trading system increased even more.
Whether it was using Exchange Points to exchange for a Nature-type Legendary expert to optimize the local ecological structure, or to exchange for the 'Druid Path', 'Elemental Mage Legacy', or 'Sublimate Elemental Life Form', for the peaceful Zhiren, these were things that would take them an extremely long time to accomplish with their own power alone. Being able to use the Exchange System to do it for them was naturally for the best.
It was for this reason, coupled with the military strength and credibility guarantee of the Mycroft Civilization, that the Exchange System spread extremely quickly, even at a geometric rate, which even surprised Joshua.
However, not all civilizations and races could readily accept the combined promotion of the Exchange System and the Restorative Pillar.
For example, a sea serpent race contacted by the Fishman race. One of their clan's Legendary-level experts, a 'Supergiant Continental Serpent' 'World Encircler Abuwush' that could coil around an entire planet's continent, saw at a glance that the essence of this Restorative Pillar was a semi-autonomous avatar of a certain Legendary expert. And while the exchange conditions it followed were 'equivalent exchange', who knew what conspiracy or potential danger lay behind it?
Although they didn't know this thing could serve as a coordinate to summon Joshua's main body, they indeed disliked it and politely declined this promotion.
Of course, some races genuinely disliked it, and there was nothing to be done about that. The Mycroft people respected the choices of most races.
But for some particularly special races, the Era of Falling Stars wouldn't be so lenient...
What awaited them was in-depth 'communication' and 'persuasion'.