Chapter 603: Chapter 287: Ancient Altar
The classification of the Abyssal Civilization’s levels is quite straightforward, with the foremost requirement being the existence of powerful figures at the corresponding level.
This is the most difficult aspect. For instance, an eighth-level civilization requires the presence of a God, a ninth-level civilization requires a Primary God, and a tenth-level civilization necessitates the stationing of a Divine King.
As long as a powerful figure emerges, other aspects become much simpler, and the civilization will enter a period of rapid development.
As for how many tenth-level civilizations exist in this world, even Meng Xuanshu is unsure.
The Abyss is too vast, hiding many secrets, and civilizations do not trust each other, often erupting into wars, like a dark forest where no one knows how many powerful civilizations are hidden in this boundless Abyss.
He only knows that within the domains ruled by their Celestial Derivation Civilization, there are seventy-six ninth-level civilizations and thousands of eighth-level civilizations. As for civilizations below the eighth level, no one knows how many there are—millions? Tens of millions? Even hundreds of millions? They are simply beyond count.
Adjoining them, there are two tenth-level civilizations and a region that cannot be explored shrouded in [Black Fog].
In that Black Fog, everything will be devoured and never emerge again, not even the powerful Gods are an exception. They speculate that the Black Fog might be the domain of an incredibly powerful Ancient God.
"The previous Tuoba Ye and the Threefold Peak were our affiliated civilizations. From this, it seems that your civilization is likely also within our civilization’s territory."
"After all, the Abyss is unlikely to idly summon Trial Takers from too far away."
Chu Xiu nodded and said, "So how should we make contact with you?"
The information from Blue Star seems to have very little description of foreign civilizations.
"Regrettably, it’s unlikely in the short term," Meng Xuanshu said with regret, "For the Celestial Derivation Civilization, a civilization without a God holding down the fort holds no value and is difficult to connect with."
"Becoming a God is an extremely difficult path, even within our Celestial Derivation Civilization. It’s a watershed; only with the birth of a God can a civilization have the ability to protect itself, establish contact with other civilizations, and only then is it truly qualified to start exploring the Abyss."
Meng Xuanshu continued, "Generally speaking, the first [God] of a civilization automatically becomes the [Master of Civilization] of that civilization."
"Once a God is born within a civilization, they can endow Abyss City within their civilization with special power. Thereafter, Abyss City will act like a large broadcasting station, connecting with nearby civilizations. The greater the power of the God, the broader the range Abyss City can connect with."
"But this doesn’t guarantee sensing nearby civilizations since many will hide their coordinates and establish defenses."
"For instance, even if I give you the coordinates of our civilization, you cannot approach it. Before entering our civilization’s territory, you’ll be directly obliterated by our outer defense system!"
"Establishing defense systems is merely what eighth and ninth-level civilizations do; top-tier tenth-level civilizations even have the ability to fold the space around the main star. Even if you stand right in front of it, you cannot discover it."
Meng Xuanshu’s words made Chu Xiu secretly click his tongue, once again feeling that Blue Star, in front of these civilizations that have persisted for millions, tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions of years, was merely a baby who had just learned to walk.
As he continued to browse, more terrifying information flooded into his mind.
Giant beasts, Abyssal Apostles, civilization warfare, Evil Gods...
These terrifying terms, each could bring a civilization to ruin! Even tenth-level civilizations are no exception!
Almost every day, thousands upon tens of thousands of civilizations are destroyed!
Of course, there was also the greatest calamity.
Devourment by the Abyss itself.
Putting aside developing contacts with other civilizations, this is currently the most urgent matter.
Chu Xiu thought of the city base’s civilian populace that had turned to dust before his eyes and couldn’t help but ask, "Is there any way to stop the devourment by the Abyss?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Xuanshu gave him a strange look, "You don’t know? The demise of civilizations is inevitable."
Chu Xiu’s eyes widened slightly, "Even tenth-level civilizations can’t withstand the devourment by the Abyss?"
"No, we can only delay it as much as possible," Meng Xuanshu shook his head, "The Abyss isn’t some powerful enemy; it’s a kind of equilibrium. As there is life, there is death; new civilizations naturally must be built upon the remains of old civilizations."
After speaking, he seemed to think of something and continued, "My teacher once told me that the Abyss is gradually moving towards lifelessness. Compared to billions of years ago, the scale, totality, or density of civilizations have all decreased."
"Perhaps one day, the Abyss will evolve into complete heat death, and no life will be born anymore."
Chu Xiu was somewhat incredulous, "And are you not concerned about this?"
Meng Xuanshu said, "What is there to be concerned about? Everything has an end. These matters are too far away from us, probably wouldn’t occur in tens of billions of years. What we are more concerned about is the covetous eyes of other civilizations and the strange creatures wandering the Abyss."
Chu Xiu remained silent. At this moment, Meng Xuanshu’s body began to become illusory, a sign of the trial ending, and he was going to leave this world.
Watching Chu Xiu’s pondering silhouette, he seemed to think of something and said:
"Brother Qin, let me give you a piece of advice."
"A genius like you will suffer the ’malice’ of the Abyss, making the difficulty of the Heroic Spirit Trial incredibly terrifying, with almost no possibility of passing."
