Wandering Meteor-Chapter 242 - 241: Negotiation and Conflict

The deep red nebula ahead takes the form of a semi-transparent sphere, faintly revealing interstellar material behind it.

From a distance, the nebula looks like a red phantom balloon, which is why scientists have named it the Gaseous Nebula.

Further observations by scientists have revealed that the Gaseous Nebula has a diameter of about 10 light-years, primarily created by a middle-aged Constant Star with more than twenty thousand times the mass of the Constant Star.

This is because there is a large expanse of sparse molecular clouds around the star, and when the atoms in the molecular clouds are excited by the star’s ultraviolet rays into a high-energy state and then return to a low-energy state, they emit radiation. This ultimately forms the deep red, semi-transparent nebula people see.

However, looking at such a dazzling scene, Constant Star Lu Chen is extremely cautious and reminds everyone to be very careful.

Because Constant Star Lu Chen has carefully sensed that the Constant Star at the center of the Gaseous Nebula has Intention fluctuations; it’s not an ordinary celestial body but a Celestial Civilization.

A Constant Star Level Celestial Civilization with Constant Star Mass still above twenty thousand presents a potential threat far greater than a few thousand Planet Battle Stars. Before figuring out the other party’s intentions, as the leader of the Wandering Alliance, Lu Chen must be careful, thus slowing their advance to below the speed of light.

Upon seeing this, Wandering asks, "Big brother, our route is supposed to pass through that nebula. What should we do now?"

"Don’t rush; let’s wait until after I’ve communicated with them."

Lu Chen does not make hasty decisions. Although there are only two methods—either passing through or detouring—he always needs to communicate with the other party to know which one to execute. If they can pass through safely, of course, that would be the best.

"Hello!"

With a decision made, Constant Star Lu Chen takes the lead in sending a conscious message.

"Who are you? Do you need anything?" The other party quickly responds.

Lu Chen says, "It’s like this—we need to cross through the nebula you reside in during our journey. Although we could simply force our way through, I decided to ask for your opinion."

"Hmph! It’s good that you weren’t reckless, otherwise, you would have paid the price for your actions. This piece of the nebula is under my control. If you really want to pass through, it’s not impossible, but you need to provide something satisfactory to me; otherwise, just detour on your own!"

Lu Chen probes by saying, "I see there are no planets within your nebula, don’t you form a life community with other civilizations? And looking at your hydrogen ratio, it’s not high—have you been a solitary sphere all these years?"

"Heh, your words are too purposeful. Are you trying to check my background, preparing to make a move?"

Lu Chen says, "Not at all, I’m just pure curiosity. After all, such situations are rare in this Star Zone, and everyone knows the advantages of a life community."

"I can understand your curiosity, but unfortunately, I have no obligation to answer your questions, nor do I need to explain my past to you because we are not acquainted, and I don’t know your true intentions. Perhaps this request to pass through is just an excuse, and you actually have other motives."

Lu Chen says, "Excessive speculation is completely unnecessary; let’s stick to the main point. What exactly do you want to let us pass?"

"I’ve said this before—just provide something that I find satisfactory."

Lu Chen says, "But how do we know your standards? Maybe you should specify an item, so we can swiftly respond whether it’s a deal or not, without wasting each other’s time."

"I’ve mentioned it already—what I want might not be something you have. Even if you do, you might not think it’s worth it, so better you propose something of value that you believe in, and I’ll decide based on the situation."

After pondering, Lu Chen says, "Alright, to show our sincerity, we’ll state our offer first. Considering the value of crossing the Gaseous Nebula is not significant, only saving some time, I believe ten Constant Star carry loads of Hydrogen should be appropriate, and with your situation, you should be in need of Hydrogen."

"Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the Universe, and Hydrogen has hardly any value. If I wanted to absorb Hydrogen, it would be effortless. You better bring out something unique, like some special technology or a unique device."

Hearing the other party’s opinion, Constant Star Lu Chen feels that the other party’s leading questions are too strong, as if they have an ulterior motive. Moreover, whether it’s special technology or devices, those are invaluable, and simply using them to exchange for a pass through a nebula is not worth it at all.

Thus, Constant Star Lu Chen outright refuses and decides to detour around the edge of the Gaseous Nebula. After all, with their current speed, it would only delay a few years’ time.

Eventually, this unfamiliar conversation ended without conclusion.

Constant Star Lu Chen immediately leads the Wandering Star System to the side and begins flying along the outer edge of the Gaseous Nebula.

The Constant Star within the Gaseous Nebula remains indifferent to Constant Star Lu Chen’s decision, silently observing the actions of the Wandering Star System.

However, the next moment, an unexpected surprise occurred.

Just as the Wandering Star System had only traveled one light-year along the Gaseous Nebula, a violent fluctuation suddenly emanated from the outer space, accompanied by a spillover of energy.

Scientists inside the Wandering Base detected this anomaly immediately and were very familiar with it because when they fought the Entropy Beast in the past, the use of wormhole technology by the Entropy Beast would cause such a phenomenon—it meant that a wormhole was about to form at the point of the space fluctuation!

The scientists immediately informed Constant Star Lu Chen of this news...

However, before Lu Chen had much time to act, the point of space fluctuation had already formed a massive wormhole.

One by one, Planet Battle Stars flew out from it, and during this process, the diameter of the wormhole continued to expand, rapidly reaching over ten million kilometers. Shortly after, an enormous Constant Star rushed out from it.

The forces that suddenly appeared from the wormhole blocked the way outside the Wandering Star System, cutting off any escape route.

Then, the leading Constant Star angrily said, "Damn Wandering Alliance, did you think you could escape from our grasp? Daring to strike at our Battle Stars, you’ll undoubtedly die this time!"

"Are you the Square Clan Civilization?"

Although the other party did not reveal their identity, Constant Star Lu Chen recognized them by the form of their Battle Stars, which were very similar to the Sharp Sword Squad’s five Battle Stars they had destroyed, surely a product of the same civilization.

The leading Constant Star of the Square Clan Civilization, Haoxing, coldly said, "Since you know, that saves us the effort. Just accept your fate! Don’t think that finding another Constant Star as an ally will allow you to confront us."

The Constant Star within the Gaseous Nebula immediately said, "Don’t misunderstand, I have nothing to do with them, and it’s our first meeting. I’m not planning to help them; you settle your own grievances. As long as the war doesn’t spread to the nebula where I reside, that’s all that matters."