Published at 13th of April 2026 6:30 am

Chapter 4032 Shift in Priorities

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The Gaian Alliance would have to make serious guarantees to the Laminar Civilization that their home world would not be a threat to the galaxy of spreading alien virus seeds. They would also have the liberty of establishing a research base in Gaia, where they would personally verify that the planet was indeed benign and the security measures undertaken by the Gaian Alliance would indeed be enough to keep a planet in check. That was the foundation of a peace agreement from the Laminar Civilization.

They would conduct an information transfer about each other's civilizations. The Gaian Alliance sought all the information that they could get their hands on about the potential threats that existed out there. "Universe. Galaxy. Much. Bigger. Than. One Civilization." The laminar integument warned them. "Many. Unknowns. Beyond. Even. Our. Information."

It didn't want Rui to lower his guard as they expanded through the stars of the galaxy to strengthen their civilization before the known threats eventually arrive.

In exchange, the Gaian Alliance would transfer all known human biology to the Laminar Civilization. A heavy demand, but the power differential in their civilizations warranted at least that much; they also sought all the information on Paths that Gaian Civilization had recorded and documented. This was much more difficult, but ultimately, Rui had accepted. It was worth making this concession to keep them in their good graces.

Trade was something both sides were willing to do once they gained a better understanding of what the other side possessed. Fortunately, despite the gap in their civilizations, the Laminar Civilization had spotted many interesting things about Gaian Civilization that were worth trading for.

In particular, they were interested in dwarven hand-crafted warships and spacecraft, for those were the only ships that could go toe to toe with the spaceships of the Laminar Civilization in their brief war. They had sought to purchase or even commission some ships so that they could understand the mysterious principles of dwarven craftsmanship that allowed the vessels to be much stronger than they should theoretically have been.

They were also interested in elven and therianthropic biotechnology.

Unfortunately for the Esoterist and Julian, they were simply apathetic about the technology of Panamic Civilization. They were clearly very familiar with esoteric matter, and even made use of it, depriving an opportunity for Rui to try and leverage esoterics as a bargaining point.

Of course, they were always willing to get their hands on more resources, but it would not be the most favorable trade for Gaian Civilization. Instead, it was better for their civilization to sell the things that the laminars didn't have in return for bits and pieces of their high technology.

They were willing to help defend human civilization if they were under existential threat, only if Rui could provide them with the power of Paths. Otherwise, they would not defend them. After all, the only strategic value that Gaian Civilization offered them was their Paths.

Rui would need to figure out how to endow the Laminar Civilization with Paths, and he would be able to secure his civilization to a much greater degree.

There were other offers that Rui made that clearly surprised the laminar integuments.

"We have a recreated member of a species from your Tree of Life," Rui replied, featuring a live feed of the manifold tree. "We are willing to allow you to gain its information in order to recreate it yourselves, if you have the technological prowess for it. In return, we want some high technology."

This offer clearly moved the laminar integument, which quickly agreed to the deal. It clearly cared about the manifold tree, for whatever reason. They would have to iron out the exact details later on.

That marked the end of the preliminary negotiations. They both agreed to first guarantee and establish peace with each other after confirming that the planet of Gaia would not become a threat.

"You can send your team and any other construction materials that you wish to our world," Rui replied. "We will help you establish a research base at the center of the infected area."

He wasn't fond of the fact that alien presences would occupy the epicenter of the Panama Continent, but convincing the Laminar Civilization that there was no remaining threat was the most important part of their agreement. If they could do that, then it would mean war with the Laminar Civilization. They had made it clear that they were unwilling to tolerate an infected planet that was an active threat.

And thus, the negotiations ended. Once Rui returned to Gaia, the very first thing he did was pour even more antithesis cells into the crust and mantle beneath the Panama Continent, ensuring that not a single bacterium of the deep biosphere could get through and create a virulogical mind.

The security needed to be absolutely impeccable by the time the Laminar Civilization sent their scientists and researchers to verify whether Gaia was a threat or not.

RUMBLE

The world quivered as Rui poured his blood, his white blood cells, into the depths of the Panama Continent, ensuring that it spread to every single nook and cranny, and every single speck of esoteric matter in the depths of the continent.

He could even have his cells adaptively evolve to replicate the geochemical functions of the deep biosphere without forming chemical engagement with the esoteric matter embedded in their world. It made it impossible for the alien virus mind to return.

Once that was done, his next priority was very clear.

"Project interstellar is our highest priority," Rui calmly declared in a cabinet meeting with the various ministers and other government officials seated across the table. His ethereal eyes sharpened. "Expanding to the stars is no longer simply an objective; it is the condition of our survival."

His words were serious and solemn, making them difficult to resist. But each and every single person understood exactly why they were true even without the revelations from the laminar integument. From the very moment their understanding of the universe shifted from a vast haven of resources to a dark landscape of danger and risks, they understood the need to expand and grow strong enough to secure their personal interests.

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