But unexpectedly, the key to the breakthrough lay within myself.
That being said, if he had invested everything in himself from the beginning...
"That would be a disaster."
Xu Lingjun said, "I've always said, I am Blue Star, and Blue Star is me. If I become strong but Blue Star remains small, then Blue Star will drag down my progress. At that time, recklessly entering the domain of Level 3 Civilizations could lead to the destruction of the entire galaxy!"
Sass said gravely, "So, you're saying that only by making the home planet strong alongside the main body, and then binding together, can it truly become a Level 3 Civilization?"
"Exactly!"
"Then what did you mean by your previous mention of becoming a clan?"
Xu Lingjun said seriously, "It means nothing else but as I broke through that final realm, I completely merged with Blue Star. I saw the birth, prosperity, and destruction of Blue Star. I became Blue Star, yet what I saw wasn't just Blue Star. I saw countless planets, civilizations scattered throughout the universe at Level 3!"
"Are you saying..."
"Upon becoming a Level 3 Civilization, having this tier of power, I can see many things I couldn't see before. Similarly, many things that couldn't see us before can now see me. For example... other Level 3 Civilizations."
Xu Lingjun said seriously, "Becoming a Level 3 Civilization serves as the basic ticket to enter the cosmos, but within that paradise, not everything is well-intentioned. In such times, any newly born Level 3 Civilization is very dangerous, facing the constant threat of extinction. A Level 3 Civilization is like this, not to mention a Level 2 Civilization."
"Do you mean that now the Milky Way Galaxy has entered the attention of the entire universe, and challenges from beyond the galaxy will soon arrive? Being merely a Level 2 Civilization, a planet is utterly incapable of resisting this terrifying challenge, and only by clinging tightly to the side of a Level 3 Civilization can there be a slim chance of survival?!"
Xu Lingjun nodded and said, "This is a contest from the myriad worlds. I alone represent all of Blue Star, representing the entirety of the Milky Way Galaxy. If I fail, the entire galaxy will completely turn into subordinates and puppets of other Level 3 Civilizations, or even be massacred completely. In this situation, if you still do not tightly rally under my command and lend me a helping hand, that would be most unwise."
Speaking thus.
He raised his hand.
The sky turned gloomy once more, and then countless light dots lit up.
These light dots had connecting lines between them, and among them, countless connection lines led to a blue planet.
Blue Star!
"Previously, Blue Star was not on this map, but with my strength increasing, and Blue Star's strength increasing, Blue Star has entered their sight. At the same time, we have also discovered them, and battles between Level 3 Civilizations are about to begin!"
"So that's how it is."
Everyone suddenly understood.
Crowley sighed unwillingly, suppressing the agitation in his heart. If this is true, then becoming a Level 3 Civilization doesn't mean the end; rather, it's just the beginning.
Becoming a Level 3 Civilization is merely getting an entry ticket.
He asked, "From what you say, are there many Level 3 Civilizations?"
"As many as stars in the galaxy."
Xu Lingjun said seriously, "The cosmos is vast beyond measure. As long as galaxies don't get interfered with by other Star System level Civilizations, they will eventually birth a Level 3 Civilization. And as long as a Level 3 Civilization does not die in its infancy and vulnerability, it will inevitably evolve into a Level 4 Civilization."
He said earnestly, "This is both a challenge and an opportunity. Now that Blue Star has become a new Level 3 Civilization, I have seen other Level 3 Civilizations located tens of thousands of light-years away, and they have seen me. They are coming toward us... In a few years, our galaxies will meet, one will be destroyed, and one will grow stronger. But if we cannot unite as one, and if you still think of unwillingness and deceit, then it's regrettable, we'll almost certainly be the one to perish."
Everyone fell into a deathly silence.
Initially, they thought that the so-called Level 3 Civilization... should be something akin to a large alliance.
When a civilization reaches this strength, a special envoy would be dispatched by the alliance to assess the civilization's strength.
If strong enough, then smoothly advancing it to a Level 3 Civilization, thereby becoming a Star System level Civilization, stepping into this great alliance, and with the alliance's assistance, climbing to higher levels.
But who knew, this universe was much darker than they imagined.
Pre-Level 3 isn't weakness but protection.
Before Level 3, they couldn't see powerful civilizations beyond the galaxy, not as a restriction but as protection.
Not until this moment have they just stepped out of the beginner's village.
The previous protection is gone, and they face the cosmos' most perilous situation... because their enemies might have long been a Level 3 Civilization, even a Level 4 Civilization.
Crowley seriously asked, "So... the peace is going to fade away?"
"Exactly!"
"We must become a clan?"
"Or I'll personally destroy you, as external trouble must first be settled internally, a principle you surely understand."
Xu Lingjun said earnestly, "I now stand at a height you have not reached. I can feel countless frightening gazes focused on our Blue Star... This is a life-and-death threat, and under this threat, I must gather all the concentrated power I can to address this threat, permitting no defiance, understand?"
No one answered.
The expressions on everyone's faces were immensely grave.
After a long time...
Crowley smiled bitterly, "If I dare say no, does that mean I can't leave this Blue Star?"
"You should say that you won't be able to leave this hall."
Xu Lingjun said seriously, "This isn't a threat, but stating a fact. You should have had some guesses before you came."
"I understand."
Crowley gave a bitter laugh, knelt down, placed his right hand on his chest, and said, "Master of the Bingshuang Civilization, Crowley Saurus, pays respect to my lord."
Reaching this step now, there's no refusing fate.
Sass and Becki exchanged a glance before likewise kneeling respectfully, saying, "Master of the Xueyan Civilization, Sass Nai Luo, pays respect to my lord!"
"Master of Saiyan Civilization, Becki Tada, pays respect to my lord!"
Many civilizations, all the masters of civilizations, who once sat as equals with Xu Lingjun, now all knelt beside him.
Xu Lingjun raised his hand slightly.
A gentle breeze passed, and everyone felt an invisible hand lifting them up by their shoulders.
"No need to show your submission to me in such a humiliating way... In fact, on Blue Star, there is no ceremony of kneeling. What I want is just your compliance. I want to arm the entire Milky Way Galaxy to deal with the possible attacks that might come at any time, but this requires the cooperation of all of you. I just need your cooperation, not your submission!"
Xu Lingjun smiled and said, "We were once enemies, now allies, but to the external universe, we are family, a close and loving family... At this time, I want you to genuinely unite, not superficially handle things, understand?"
"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty!"
Crowley no longer referred to him as my lord, but the previous address of Star Lord Xu naturally changed to Your Majesty!
Clearly...
Xu Lingjun did not have a reason to deceive them; Blue Star's strength had already qualified them to destroy them years ago. They didn't deceive them then, and naturally, they would not deceive them now.
Moreover, he also showed them evidence that Blue Star had become a Level 3 Civilization!
Next, they would have to cooperate with Blue Star, submit to Blue Star.
Not for that powerful force, but simply because...
This involves their own life and death survival issues!
