As long as this point is clear, Shen Shi will not blindly resist the power of the Es Civilization.
He even has to play his role well to a certain extent.
That is, a civilization leader unwilling to be annexed by the Es Civilization, yet utterly powerless.
And a washed-up leader at that.
Anyway, aside from contemporary society being the root of everything, the foundation of Human Civilization’s development, any other future line, any world, could potentially be destroyed.
However, even though Shen Shi had already prepared himself, this time the actions of the Es Civilization were still not as simple as he had imagined.
After the first rejection by Human Civilization, the Es Civilization abruptly changed their attitude and, to a certain extent, began to become more forceful.
"Do they want to integrate the forces within the Milky Way Galaxy and establish a real star system structure?"
When Shen Shi heard this news, he was equally shocked.
In the future line, he no longer possesses the power to predict the future, and such a thing hasn’t occurred for tens of thousands of years in the historical records of the Mude System!
The Es Civilization wants to unify the power of the Milky Way Galaxy?
And collaborate with the "Liaotai" Civilization, which also governs the other half of the Galaxy?
"I also find it strange, this already violates the tacit understanding within the Mude System." Yulan conducted certain investigations, but the results plunged deeper into the unknown.
As he said, there is a certain tacit understanding different from the rules within the Mude System.
On the surface, C-level civilizations already have significant autonomy, capable of recreating their own civilizations and no longer needing to offer their people as sacrifices, but actually, under this rule, C-level civilizations must constantly wage war with other C-level civilizations and plunder lower-level civilizations to maintain their development; this is the tacit understanding.
As for B-level civilizations, Shen Shi doesn’t know much.
But he also believes, B-level civilizations definitely aren’t what they appear to be, holding an important high-ranking position within the Mude System and having absolute rule over their star domain.
Even if such rule exists, it must be limited.
Otherwise, it’s impossible that the rule conditions in every star system are quite similar.
This state of the Mude System from bottom to top is partly open rules, and another part is tacit understanding.
This sign from the Es Civilization clearly feels like breaking the tacit understanding.
"Is it possible to find more information?" Shen Shi asked.
"It’s very difficult." Yulan shook his head, face full of solemnity, "As far as I know, this change comes from the management of the Es Civilization and the Liaotai Civilization. Even some within these civilizations don’t know the reason, but their attitude has indeed changed, showing a tendency of ’join or be destroyed’."
Currently, Human Civilization does indeed maintain close contact with the Es Civilization on the surface.
But Shen Shi knows very well, or rather, every human high-ranking official knows very well.
The so-called "closeness" is just an appearance built on interests, and beneath that appearance, it is still a hostile relationship between an invader and an invaded.
In this situation, finding intelligence from the management level of the Es Civilization is indeed too difficult.
Or, almost impossible.
And in the absence of future information, Shen Shi must make a decision.
This is the first time he truly feels the difficulty of being a decision-maker, not based on confidence in the future as in the past.
He also doesn’t have much time to hesitate.
Whether it’s the experience of Sage Saint Shen Shi or his own growth, they all tell him that in facing such situations, hesitation is the most foolish act; quickly choosing a direction and then making a decision is the most correct choice.
"We join them, and we must be the first to join!" Shen Shi ordered, standing up, "Issue a declaration to the outside, I am to resume the position of one of the five Standing Members of the Supreme Council."
With Yulan’s Primordial Energy Mastery, even he couldn’t help but be stunned at this moment.
But he quickly nodded excitedly.
He was, of course, excited because it meant that the retired Sage Saint Shen Shi was stepping forward at a critical moment for humanity, once again leading Human Civilization toward the future.
Moreover, whether it was his illusion or not.
He always felt that he saw in the Sage Saint in front of him, a sensation that was familiar to him.
That was an unforgettable century in his life, a time when Human Civilization, though weak, was able to stand firm in Gus Land and also the most glorious moment for Sage Saint Shen Shi!
Even though the Sage Saint had made some mistakes over the past three thousand years, if the Sage Saint truly regained that state, he believes the Sage Saint could still lead humanity toward a glorious future!
Just like three thousand years ago!
Feeling the fluctuation in Yulan’s heart, Shen Shi also had an indescribable feeling.
It turns out, in the eyes of some people, everything he has done surpasses all that Sage Saint Shen Shi accomplished in three thousand years, in greatness.
"Since this is the case, it’s time to truly integrate with this embodiment." Shen Shi whispered to himself.