"Log, 114514th experiment. I, Anshula, the greatest biologist of the Precursor Civilization, have created the latest virus that meets the objective!"
In the image, a Precursor, with some physical differences from the current Precursors, was making some recordings.
"I named these viruses 'Grace.' As long as they are implanted into the bodies of those lower species, they will receive a significant boost in intelligence, imagination, emotional capacity, and various other aspects.
Experiment Subject No. 1 has even been able to understand the most basic bioweapon manufacturing technology. Given some materials, he can produce a standard bioweapon.
The rotten and stubborn Bishop Council simply cannot comprehend the importance of my creation.
After extensive bio-modification, the lifespan of all existing Precursors is too long, and over time, many Precursors have unknowingly lost the ability to reproduce.
The current Precursor Civilization relies entirely on the enslavement of lower species to expand.
However, limited by the intelligence of these lower species, the speed of this expansion is too slow.
Only by granting these species higher capabilities can our Precursor Civilization truly conquer the entire universe!
Log end."
The screen dimmed and disappeared, then a new scene lit up.
Unlike before, the Precursor named "Anshula," responsible for the recording this time, had a clear look of anger on his face.
"Log!
The Bishop Council completely rejected my proposal, believing that granting higher abilities to lower species would shake the foundation of the Precursor Civilization's rule!
Foolish!
These are all the stagnant ideas of those rotten bishops!
Even if the intelligence of those lower species is improved, it can never surpass even the lowest-ranking Precursor. As long as the Precursor Civilization as a whole continues to advance, those lower species will never be able to catch up with us!
The Bishop Council has indulged in pleasure for too long and has forgotten that the essence of civilization is development and expansion!
If that is the case, then let me complete this initial step!"
At the end of the image, the Precursor named "Anshula" opened the container storing the virus.
The screen dimmed and disappeared again, followed by the appearance of the final log entry.
"Log, this might be the last time."
In the image, "Anshula's" body had become extremely emaciated.
"Perhaps I was truly wrong.
Or perhaps, what I did was not wrong?
In any case, I wonder if the intelligent species that finds this record countless years from now will be a Precursor.
I, Anshula, opened Pandora's Box, which destroyed the Precursor Civilization.
That virus mutated under the radiation of Betelgeuse.
All Precursors infected with the virus experienced a drastic decline in intelligence.
Dozens of planets have already been infected with the virus. The Bishop Council urgently quarantined those areas, but the infection is still spreading.
The only good news is that some infected Precursors regained the ability to reproduce.
Perhaps, the Precursor Civilization still has hope of survival."
The screen completely disappeared.
On the Olympus Mons, Marcus, who had watched these three log entries, was deep in thought.
A group of historical researchers who provided these images said,
"Based on these three images from over 100 million years ago, combined with other partial data we collected, we have roughly pieced together the truth behind the destruction of the former Precursor Civilization."
With that, he displayed some data.
"This individual named 'Anshula,' believing that the former Precursor Civilization had not developed for too long and relied entirely on subordinate lower species for expansion,
Therefore planned to develop a special virus that could modify the intelligence of some species, allowing them to handle more work, thereby accelerating the expansion of the Precursor Civilization.
Furthermore, he believed that this would provide a sense of crisis for the Precursor Civilization, which would help motivate it to begin developing again.
So he secretly released this virus, attempting to spread it among the lower species.
However, the virus eventually mutated, causing a widespread decline in intelligence among almost all Precursors of the former Precursor Civilization, leading to its destruction."
After listening to the explanation, Marcus asked,
"What about the other lower species? Logically, these species, whose intelligence was enhanced by the virus and who were freed from the constraints of the former Precursor Civilization, should have developed to the present day."
"Although there is no direct evidence, based on the available data, we infer that before the former Precursor Civilization was completely destroyed, they carried out a massive purge of all lower species within their territory, completely eliminating them. We do not yet know how Earth survived."
"Since I am to be destroyed, then you lower species should not expect to survive either."
This was the mindset of the former Precursor Civilization.
"Detected that the host has completed mission objective 1.
Currently performing mission judgment. Judgment passed. Issuing mission reward. Obtained random draw chance x 1.
Obtained title 'Civilization Destroyer'.
Title effect: The Universal Union has completely destroyed a species, a civilization. When engaging in combat with intelligent species, hostile targets are more likely to choose to surrender. Detected that the host has completed mission objective 2.
Currently performing mission judgment. Judgment passed. Issuing mission reward. Obtained random draw chance x 1.
Obtained title 'History Seeker'.
Title effect: The Universal Union has uncovered the historical truth behind the destruction of the Precursor Civilization. When exploring buried history, the Universal Union is more likely to deduce the truth.
Detected that the host has completed the second phase of the main mission objective. Currently performing mission judgment. Judgment result: Perfect. Obtained random draw chance x 2.
Detected that the host has completed all mission objectives in the current world. Obtained World Anchor x 1.
Obtained World Teleporter x 1."
A large number of mission completion prompts popped up on the system panel, indicating that the historical research team's deduction was indeed the truth.
Four drawing opportunities, two new titles that apply to the entire Alliance, a World Anchor, and a World Teleporter.
It could be considered a bountiful harvest.
At the same time, the system also unlocked the selection for the next world.
However, Marcus was not in a hurry to check it.
There were still some matters to deal with in the Pacific Rim World.
The Earth Government applied to use contribution points for the Universal Union to help rebuild the devastated Earth.
"This is the perfect time for the 'Infrastructure Maniac' title to shine."
Marcus immediately approved the Earth Government's application.
Due to the Precursor Civilization's long-term invasion by giant bioweapons and the gradual modification of Earth's overall environment using highly toxic Kaiju Blue,
It would not be easy to restore Earth to its former vitality.
The first thing to do was to clear the Kaiju Blue pollution spread across the Pacific Ocean, and then slowly rebuild some of the destroyed coastal cities.
If the Earth Government were to handle it themselves, it might take decades to fully recover.
The Universal Union, however, could shorten this time to a few years, or even less.