บท 95: Chapter 95: The Virtual Civilization
Yan Xia's first impression of /Border City was its size.
Apart from its vastness, everything here was minimalistic.
/Border City was not a single plane but consisted of two layers, like a thin sheet of paper with buildings constructed on both sides.
This was no simple feat.
Creating such a massive structure and freeing it from the influence of gravity was extremely challenging, not to mention the energy considerations.
Building a city to accommodate hundreds of millions of people on Earth required the expertise of many elites. In comparison, constructing this star city with an area of 55 billion square kilometers required even more advanced technology. The Olive Branch Civilization surpassed the Civilized Federation not only in quantity but also in quality.
Chu slowly guided Yan Xia through the buildings.
"In /Border City, we focus more on life and services rather than production."
"There are very few factories here, and every building is dedicated to entertainment and living."
Yan Xia nodded, but in reality, there wasn't much to appreciate.
The aesthetics of the Olive Branch Civilization's aesthetics was too far removed from humans, and it was challenging to discern the purpose of each structure. They all looked the same, like cold, tall pillars.
"Can I see your entertainment?" Yan Xia asked.
Entertainment can reveal a lot about a civilization.
Chu did not refuse.
"Of course, follow me."
They approached one of the pillar-like structures, which were all incredibly large, with the smallest having a length and width of over a thousand meters, and the largest starting at a million meters. Their height was even more impressive, not measured in kilometers but in tens of thousands of kilometers.
As they approached one of the buildings, its smooth outer layer opened to reveal a white-glowing passage.
"White, this is where entertainment takes place," Chu explained.
These were merely auxiliary signs, as the Olive Branch Civilization's mechanical lifeforms primarily received information through the network.
Yan Xia guessed that while the surface appeared calm, there might be a lot of discussion about the Civilized Federation in another layer of the network.
After entering, the chairs slowed down, and they flew for about an hour before reaching a room. The room's main color was dark, and there were cylindrical containers.
Some of the Olive Branch Civilization's lifeforms were already inside these containers.
"Like your Civilized Federation, entertainment takes up too much space and resources, so we developed a virtual world."
"In the virtual world, we can create infinite space for entertainment."
After the virtual world was developed, it became a platform rather than a single technological achievement.
As technology advanced in the real world, the virtual world would also be explored. Similar to the simulated universe, the virtual world could be constructed to mirror reality.
The benefits of this had already been proven in the simulated universe, especially when life entered the virtual world and could accelerate along with it. This meant that civilizations could fast-forward in the virtual world.
Chu introduced, "Each of these containers is a tool for entering the virtual world."
"Due to structural differences, I'm afraid I can't take you into our virtual world to observe."
Yan Xia sighed.
"What a pity."
"Then let's go to that area. I'm very excited about it."
For a highly advanced civilization, establishing a communication link didn't even require a second. Yan Xia understood that Chu was politely declining.
Why the refusal?
The answer was evident from the surroundings. This place was cold and lifeless. Even if the Olive Branch Civilization's lifeforms had emotions and were not mere machines, they would seek a more suitable environment to live in.
That environment was the virtual world.
Yan Xia guessed that the main world of this star city was the virtual world, and everything outside was a byproduct built around it.
The Olive Branch Civilization might be a virtual civilization.
Chu smiled and agreed, then led Yan Xia away.
Yan Xia didn't want to stay in the area designated for the Civilized Federation. Everything here belonged to the Olive Branch Civilization, and as a more advanced civilization, they could easily monitor the Civilized Federation within their territory.
In other words, staying here would leave them completely exposed.
However, Yan Xia had to stay here to understand the Olive Branch Civilization, and remaining in /Border City was the most convenient option.
After flying for about two hours, they finally reached their destination.
"Here we are."
As Chu pointed in that direction, the previously integrated area began to change. The short pillars rose, forming a high wall. They flew higher and higher, reaching a height of 3 million kilometers above the ground, before finally seeing the full extent of the area.
"How is it?" Chu asked.
It was indeed a vast area, approximately 40 million square kilometers. Although it would be considered large on any planet, it seemed minuscule within /Border City.
The only thing that caught Yan Xia's attention was that this was the center of the star city, which meant that if something happened, there would be no escape. Even if they tried to send a message, it would likely be intercepted.
"It's excellent, and we appreciate your sincerity," Yan Xia said.
"Regarding the exchange between our two civilizations, we have already set up numerous space stations along the way, which can help our lifeforms from both civilizations communicate across a distance of 280 light-years."
"In the future, I hope we can achieve a win-win situation in our commercial cooperation. What do you think?"
Chu didn't immediately respond to Yan Xia's question.
"This is a significant issue that requires long-term planning, and we are not prepared for it."
In reality, no preparation was necessary, as Chu was likely to refuse. The Olive Branch Civilization's technology was far more advanced than that of the Civilized Federation, making such trade more beneficial for them.
Yan Xia understood this.
"It's okay. The distance of 280 light-years is already quite remote, and we still have a lot of time."
"In the future, whether it's a hundred years, a thousand years, or even a million years, I believe there will be more opportunities for cooperation between us."
Chu made an inviting gesture.
"Then we can continue exploring, and our other guests will also make their way here gradually."
Suddenly, at that moment, Chu paused, and with a slight apology, she said, "I'm sorry, but I can't accompany you any longer."
"In such a large star city, there are countless things happening at every moment, and I need a lot of time to manage them."
Excuse me.
As a highly advanced civilization, what kind of issues would require the leader's presence?
99.99% of the time, the leader's presence shouldn't be necessary. If every issue required the leader's involvement, Yan Xia would question the efficiency of this civilization.
However, Yan Xia didn't insist on keeping Chu there.
"It's fine. I understand that being a leader is a busy job."
Chu expressed her gratitude.
"Thank you for your understanding. In the future, if you need anything, you can contact my assistant through this device, and they will help you with everything."
She gave Yan Xia a small cube, no bigger than a thumb.
Yan Xia took it, and the cube floated in her palm, spinning, and he could feel the energy within it.
Yan Xia doubted that this was a communication device.
"Okay!"
He accepted the device and watched as Chu disappeared from his sight.
The brief meeting came to an end, and Yan Xia could sense that Chu didn't want to meet with him, and he didn't want to interact with her either.
Interactions between high-ranking individuals were often just formalities, and obtaining important information from each other was not possible. It required more detailed observation.
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