From the previous experiments, it was known that when this small universe overlaps with the main universe, the stability of space would be altered. This change would be clearly reflected in the strength of the spatial rifts caused by spatial weapons. It was evident that the more stable the space, the smaller the rifts a spatial weapon could produce, and the less stable, the larger the rifts. Thus, based on this principle, one could determine the rotational speed, cycle, and direction of the small universe as it orbited the main universe.
With this method, things became much simpler. Xiao Yu only needed to first determine the current orbital parameters of the small universe. Then, by launching a piece of spatial fragment and measuring the small universe’s orbital parameters again afterward, he could compare the two sets of data to see whether there had been any changes, which would yield an obvious result.
Entropy increase was like a blade hanging over Xiao Yu’s neck, making it impossible for him to relax for even a moment. Ever since arriving in this small universe, Xiao Yu had been under immense mental pressure. This was because, within this fleet, Xiao Yu was the one in control. And the higher one’s position, the greater the responsibility one had to bear. Now that the glimmer of hope had finally appeared, Xiao Yu immediately launched into a desperate verification effort.
Xiao Yu wanted to leave this place immediately, the sooner, the better. Ideally, he could leave right now. He truly didn’t want to stay here even a second longer.
The endlessly unchanging starry sky, lifeless and dead everywhere, devoid of the thrilling events of the main universe, watching this for too long, anyone would get annoyed.
“Let’s begin the first experiment. I hope this experiment gives me a satisfactory result…” Xiao Yu thought silently, beginning his work.
The current orbital trajectory of the small universe could be easily calculated using mathematical methods. Where in this small universe to make the cut, and in which direction the spatial fragment would move after being detached, these could all be predicted in advance using math.
Once again, the surface of that dwarf planet was bustling with busy robots. These robots were all equipped with highly advanced mining tools. They worked diligently on the still-unsettled planet, eventually digging out a massive rock weighing approximately five hundred tons, which was then loaded into a waiting Village-Class spaceship. The spaceship quickly took off and transported the rock to the designated location.
This region of space was the one slated to be torn away by Space Two. Under the watchful eyes of numerous scientists, Xiao Yu calmly gave the order.
The rock floated silently in space, its slightly yellow surface gleaming under nearby lights with a very pleasant color. It appeared to be a copper ore with a high copper content.Space Two fired again. The familiar black sphere appeared once more, like the maw of a demon, quickly enveloping the unaware and unfeeling rock entirely. Then, under space’s natural regenerative capabilities, the black sphere rapidly shrank. By the time the black sphere disappeared, the large rock was gone as well.
In fact, the moment the black sphere had formed, that segment of space had already been torn away. The black sphere was merely the scar left behind by the spatial tear. Its nature was the same as the black rift created by Space One.
Xiao Yu knew that this piece of space had now been ripped from the small universe and was drifting away on its own.
Under normal circumstances, fragments of space torn away would, due to insufficient kinetic energy, eventually return to the small universe, just like in Xiao Yu’s first experiment. This might seem trivial, but it carried a severe implication. Because if that happened, the kinetic energy taken away would also return, offsetting the energy loss of the small universe, and rendering the plan to decelerate it ineffective. However, this time, the trajectory of the spatial fragment had been meticulously calculated. For at least the next three years, it would not return. And if, after three years, Xiao Yu still hadn’t escaped, then he would already be dead, so it wouldn’t matter whether the fragment came back or not.
“All right.” Xiao Yu said calmly. “The first experiment has been completed. According to mathematical calculations, the spatial fragment we launched this time will shorten our small universe’s orbital period around the main universe by 0.13 seconds. This result will be verified within three days.”
Space One was assigned the task of verifying the effect. At full power, the energy aboard the China could only support three firings of Space One, and there would be considerable intervals between each shot. But now, things were different. Since this was purely to verify spatial stability rather than to attack a target, Xiao Yu could reduce Space One’s power output to the minimum. This allowed for rapid spatial rift attacks at intervals of one-thousandth of a second. In other words, if the small universe and the main universe overlapped, Xiao Yu could detect it within a thousandth of a second.
In front of the China spaceship’s Space One, faint black lines invisible to the naked eye flashed continuously. These lines were all spatial rifts. Although they couldn’t be seen with the naked eye, the instruments Xiao Yu had constructed could accurately detect these fluctuations. By analyzing the size of the spatial rifts, it was possible to determine whether the current space had merged with the main universe.
“The verification results will take some time to come out. For now, the meeting is adjourned. Everyone can go rest for a bit, but keep your personal communication devices active at all times, I may contact you at any moment.”
After laying out these instructions, Xiao Yu made his arrangements. The group of scientists left the conference room, unable to hide the joy on their faces.
Ever since they had come under Xiao Yu’s command, they could be said to have received whatever they wanted in terms of material needs. There was never any hesitation. Wealth, beautiful women, luxurious vehicles, those were mere trifles. Naturally, they didn’t want to lose such a good life.
Of course, Xiao Yu made a point, subtly or overtly, to constantly remind them that all the comforts they enjoyed came from him. If they wanted to continue enjoying such a life, then fine, work hard for him. The more they contributed, the more they would enjoy.
Through this approach, Xiao Yu had firmly bound these scientists to himself. So whenever a crisis arose, these scientists would exhaust their efforts to help Xiao Yu solve problems. Because they knew that helping Xiao Yu meant helping themselves.
The three days passed in restless anticipation. All the scientists were on edge, anxiously awaiting the final results.
In the end, the results did not disappoint them. Three days later, the scientists all received Xiao Yu’s message at the same time, “The experiment was a success. According to Space One’s detection results, our small universe’s orbital period around the main universe has indeed shortened by 0.13 seconds…”
Upon receiving this message, the entire Home One Forty One ship erupted in a tremendous cheer. Although the ordinary citizens didn’t know what had happened, the scientists were the ruling class of this society. As they beamed with excitement and joy, their emotions quickly spread throughout the entire ship.
“Did we really succeed?” Xiao Yu murmured to himself, somewhat in disbelief, as he recalculated all the observational data. The result of the computation was clear, precise, and unmistakably told Xiao Yu that time had indeed been shortened by 0.13 seconds.
The spatial fragment that had been ejected would slightly reduce the small universe’s velocity in the fourth dimension. Theoretically, slower speed should mean a longer orbital period. However, the actual situation was different. Under the influence of the main universe’s gravity, as the small universe lost kinetic energy and slowed down, it would draw closer to the main universe, thereby shortening its overall orbital path. Though the movement was slower, the total distance was also reduced, so in total, the orbital time would still decrease slightly.
This was a very promising beginning. Since the orbital time could be reduced by 0.13 seconds, then it could be reduced by an hour, a day, and eventually, to zero. Zero would mean the small universe would overlap with the main universe. Under space’s natural regenerative capability, the small universe would lose its independent structure, like a drop of water merging into the sea, disappearing without a trace.
“We’re getting ready to leave.” Xiao Yu murmured, gazing at the small universe that had trapped him so thoroughly, his heart filled with emotion.
The large-scale construction had already begun. The power of Space Two would be increased to the point where it could eject spatial fragments with a volume of one cubic kilometer each time. The newly built Space Three and Space Four would be even more powerful.
This was only their initial power level. What was even more promising was that as more and more spatial fragments and mass were launched out, the overall stability of the small universe would continue to decline. The lower the stability of space, the more effective spatial weapons would become. Therefore, according to Xiao Yu’s calculations, the later stages of this project would proceed increasingly faster.
Thus, countless robots were deployed onto the dwarf planet. These robots had only one task, to dig. Whether it was rocks or soil, gold ore or silver ore, everything was to be excavated and loaded into the waiting Village-Class spaceships. The ships would then transport the material to designated locations, where spatial weapons would eject them into space. Their departure would take kinetic energy away from the small universe. As it lost energy, the small universe would slow down in its rotation, gradually drawing closer to the main universe, until it finally merged into it.
This massive project had now begun with great momentum.