Second-level civilizations cannot possibly stand against them.
But before their fleet even arrived, a message was received.
"Great Elder, our enemies have also mobilized, seemingly to intercept us. Shall we continue?" The words of the Fleet Commander made Bai Jia furious, as the enemies of the Black Sea Civilization also moved.
"We cannot attack now! We cannot start a war now!" Bai Sha said directly.
"We do not have the energy for a war." The other elders unanimously agreed.
Bai Jia could only say helplessly, "Fine, withdraw the main fleet and give the Maoshi Star Union a warning."
They contacted the representative of the Maoshi Star Union, Glu, and Bai Shizao warned, "Ruger, if your fleet continues to advance, we will eliminate you at all costs!"
Ruger smiled and said, "I fear you do not have the capability."
"You’re courting death, your Bessel Civilization, merely a 2.4-level civilization, dares to confront us?" Bai Shizao snorted coldly.
"Our Bessel Civilization may be a 2.4-level civilization, but our main civilization has already reached a Level 3 Civilization." Ruger smiled, "To be honest, not long ago, the Maoshi Star Civilization’s certification became a Level 3 Civilization."
His words startled the Black Sea Civilization, as the Maoshi Star Civilization had broken through their technological bottleneck and reached a Level 3 Civilization.
This meant that their power had increased once more, along with their ambition. As a Level 3 Civilization, they needed more territory and resources, making expansion and conflict inevitable.
"What does it matter if it’s a Level 3 Civilization?" Bai Ningxiang declared, "A 3.0-level civilization is still not a match for our Black Sea Civilization!"
"Don’t use these harsh words to threaten me." Ruger said, "I know the Black Sea Civilization cannot exert its full strength, and the main civilization doesn’t want to go directly to war with you."
"Why don’t we reach an agreement, where the main civilizations do not intervene in the wars near the Solar System. Let the affiliated civilizations handle the combat, how about that?"
In the Black Sea Civilization Council, several elders discussed, "This method is a common understanding in high-civilization warfare. It should be so."
Bai Ningxiang disagreed, "This is just superficial talk. The Southern River Civilization, the Sirius Civilization, the Heavenly Garden Civilization, among them only the Heavenly Garden Civilization, as a 2.1-level civilization, can produce Star Destroyers and Constant Star-class Sub-light-speed Battleships. Their weapons and technology are still sourced from the Maoshi Star Civilization!"
"We can also support our affiliated civilizations!" Bai Sha said.
"But you didn’t provide technological support to the Blue Star Civilization!" Bai Ningxiang retorted.
"The Blue Star Civilization isn’t our affiliated civilization, why should we provide technological support?" Bai Sha retorted again.
Seeing they were about to quarrel again, Bai Jia said, "Let’s settle this matter. It is agreed that neither main civilization will interfere. As for the issues concerning the Blue Star Civilization, we will re-discuss."
Bai Shizao conveyed the Black Sea Civilization’s intentions.
Ruger said, "Very well, then we agree. In military actions near the Solar System’s star systems, second-level civilizations are not allowed to act. Let first-level civilizations compete, we will not deploy Constant Star-level Battleships, and neither are you allowed to deploy them."
"If either side violates the agreement, it will be considered a signal of full-scale war between the parties, and the agreement will automatically be voided!"
"Alright." Bai Shizao signed this agreement, whose "constraint" was not strong, on behalf of the Black Sea Civilization.
After the negotiation ended, the Level 4 Warp Fleet that had destroyed the Black Sea Civilization’s reconnaissance fleet indeed retreated.
"What a disgrace, our Black Sea Civilization was threatened by the likes of the small Maoshi Star Union!" Bai Shizao fumed, "It’s so humiliating."
"Bai Shizao, aiding the Blue Star Civilization was a decision made by the Iceberg Investigation Association alone. None of us agreed back then!" Third Elder Lan Jiao reminded.
"We need to discuss now, the issue regarding the Blue Star Civilization!" Fourth Elder Blue Dragon started to attack, "Wasn’t a silicon-based insect race discovered in the Solar System again? The troubles facing the Blue Star Civilization are too many, we shouldn’t wade into these muddy waters!"
Bai Ningxiang countered, "The issue of the Zerg is not just their problem; it is our problem as well. Don’t you want to know who released the Zerg, causing the decline of both the Blue Star Civilization and our civilization to this extent?"
"As long as we find the culprit, we can ask the Order Alliance for help and return to the pinnacle!"
If this was said hundreds of years ago, it would have moved everyone.
But today, upon hearing these words, several elders remained expressionless.
The Second Elder Bai Sha said directly, "Even now, can you from the Iceberg Investigation Association not wake up? The Zerg is not something we can handle!"
"The person who released the Zerg is surely from a more advanced civilization than ours! What can we use to investigate them? Even if we know the truth, can we truly deal with them?"
"I believe there is no need for the Iceberg Investigation Association to exist anymore! Securing the survival of our civilization should be the primary goal now!"
"Bai Sha, you have already succumbed and fallen, unfit to be an elder of the Civilization Council!" Bai Shizao was furious.
"Whether I am an elder is not up to you to decide." Bai Sha sneered, "The fact that I can stand here represents the support of the people within the civilization!"
"It’s not just me, ask the other elders if they are still willing to invest energy and resources into the Zerg and the Solar System."
Bai Ningxiang, Bai Shizao, and Bai Jiao looked at the other elders, who said nothing, but their attitudes were clear—they aligned with Bai Sha.
Even the Great Elder Bai Jia, who is responsible for civil affairs and maintaining the balance of the Civilization Council, was silent at this time.
The Black Sea Civilization has been "struggling" for hundreds of years, not only without achievements but also with the continuous decline of civilization.
The news of the destruction of their reconnaissance fleet today had already severely hit their confidence.