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The book is a science fiction novel that explores the first contact between humans and an alien civilization, known as the Trisolarans. The story begins in the 15th century with the fall of Constantinople and the death of a mysterious woman named Helena, who possessed magical powers. The narrative then jumps to the present day, where humanity is facing an existential crisis due to the discovery of the Trisolarans, who are seeking to invade and colonize Earth. The Trisolarans are a highly advanced civilization that originated from a planetary system with three suns, which creates chaotic and unpredictable environmental conditions. The humans, led by a group of scientists and politicians, must navigate the complexities of communication with the Trisolarans and find a way to prevent their invasion. The story follows the experiences of several characters, including Cheng Xin, a scientist who becomes the Swordholder, a position of great power and responsibility in the human resistance against the Trisolarans. Throughout the book, the author explores themes of science, technology, philosophy, and humanity's place in the universe. The novel also delves into the consequences of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and interstellar travel, and their potential impact on human society. Ultimately, the book presents a vision of a future where humanity must confront its own limitations and vulnerabilities in the face of an uncertain and potentially hostile universe. The story concludes with a sense of hope and renewal, as the characters look to the future and the possibility of a new beginning for humanity.
In the midst of the Ottoman siege of Constantinople in 1453, Emperor Constantine XI is desperate for a miracle to save his city. He meets with Helena, a mysterious and enchanting woman who claims to possess magical powers, including the ability to kill the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II. Helena's backstory reveals a complex and troubled past, marked by poverty, prostitution, and a desire for honor and remembrance. Despite initial skepticism, the emperor agrees to test her abilities, and she is tasked with retrieving the head of a prisoner. She succeeds in retrieving the prisoner's brain, leaving his body intact, which sparks both fascination and fear. The emperor, hoping for a miracle, sends Helena to assassinate the sultan, but she ultimately fails to complete her mission. As the city prepares for its final battle, Helena is found in a ruined minaret, where she is eventually killed by a spy. The story concludes with the fall of Constantinople, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire, and the disappearance of Helena's magical abilities, which are revealed to be the result of a temporary intersection with a high-dimensional fragment.
Yang Dong's life is turned upside down as she discovers a shocking secret about her mother, Ye Wenjie, and grapples with the implications of a world where the fundamental laws of physics may no longer apply. She visits the control center of a particle accelerator, where she meets a young man known as Green Glasses, who is working on a mathematical model of the Earth's evolution. Their conversation leads to a simulation of what the Earth would be like without life, revealing a desolate and barren planet. This sparks a discussion about the role of life in shaping the universe, and Yang Dong is left with a terrifying question: what if life is not just a passive observer in the universe, but an active participant that has fundamentally altered its course? As she struggles to come to terms with this idea, she is forced to confront the possibility that the universe may not be as natural or random as she once thought.
Yun Tianming, a young man with terminal lung cancer, decides to buy a star as a gift for Cheng Xin, a woman he has secretly loved since college. He contacts the Stars Our Destination Project and, with the help of Dr. He, purchases a star called DX3906, which is visible to the naked eye. After the purchase, Tianming and Dr. He go to a field outside the city to see the star, and Tianming is moved by its beauty. The next day, Tianming decides to end his life through euthanasia, but just as he is about to press the final button, Cheng Xin bursts into the room, stopping the procedure. As Tianming lies in her arms, he feels a sense of peace and happiness, and Cheng Xin reveals a surprising fact: the euthanasia law was passed specifically for him.
Yun Tianming, a young man with terminal lung cancer, decides to buy a star as a gift for Cheng Xin, a woman he has secretly loved since college. He contacts the Stars Our Destination Project and purchases a star called DX3906, which is visible to the naked eye. After completing the purchase, Tianming and the project's astronomer, Dr. He, go to a field outside the city to see the star. Tianming is moved by its beauty and feels a sense of peace. The next day, Tianming decides to end his life through euthanasia, but just as he is about to complete the procedure, Cheng Xin bursts into the room, stopping him. As Tianming lies in her arms, he feels a sense of happiness and peace. Cheng Xin reveals a surprising fact: the euthanasia law was passed specifically for him, leaving Tianming and the reader wondering about the implications of this revelation.
As the Staircase Program launches, Cheng Xin witnesses the mass launch of Peacekeeper missiles, a crucial step in accelerating a probe to 1 percent of the speed of light. The program's goal is to send a human brain into space, where it may be captured by the Trisolarans, allowing humanity to potentially gain an advantage. Meanwhile, Cheng Xin is preoccupied with a star, DX3906, that was given to her as a gift, and she is determined to see it. She and Vadimov, a colleague, observe the star using binoculars, and Vadimov reveals that he is a strong candidate for the Staircase Program due to his extensive experience and skills. However, he is hesitant to participate, fearing the fate that awaits the chosen individual. Cheng Xin is tasked with finding a suitable candidate and suggests Yun Tianming, a terminally ill college classmate. When she meets with Tianming, he is initially unaware of the true nature of the program and is horrified when he realizes that Cheng Xin wants him to participate, effectively condemning him to an eternal, torturous existence. Despite his initial reservations, Tianming ultimately agrees to accept the mission, driven by a mix of emotions and a sense of responsibility to humanity.
The Staircase Program is underway, with the launch of Peacekeeper missiles aimed at accelerating a probe to 1 percent of the speed of light. Cheng Xin, a key figure in the program, is torn between her duty to humanity and her emotional response to the mission. She is tasked with finding a suitable candidate for the program, which involves selecting a terminally ill patient to have their brain captured and potentially revived by the Trisolarans. Cheng Xin suggests her college classmate Yun Tianming, who is in the late stages of lung cancer. When she meets with Tianming to discuss the mission, he is initially horrified but eventually agrees to accept the mission, driven by a mix of emotions and a sense of responsibility to humanity. Meanwhile, Cheng Xin is distracted by a mysterious gift - a star called DX3906 - which she received from an unknown admirer, and she is touched by the romantic gesture. As the story unfolds, Tianming's inner turmoil is revealed, and he is terrified of the fate that awaits him, fearing that his brain will be captured by the Trisolarans and subjected to eternal suffering. Despite this, he agrees to accept the mission, and Cheng Xin is left to grapple with the moral implications of the program.
The Staircase Program, a last-ditch effort to counter the Trisolaran threat, is underway with the launch of Peacekeeper missiles to accelerate a probe to 1 percent of the speed of light. Cheng Xin, a key figure in the program, is tasked with finding a suitable candidate to have their brain captured and potentially revived by the Trisolarans. The candidate must be a terminally ill patient, and Cheng Xin suggests her college classmate Yun Tianming, who is in the late stages of lung cancer. Tianming is initially horrified by the proposal, realizing that his brain would be subjected to eternal suffering and experimentation by the Trisolarans. However, he eventually agrees to accept the mission, driven by a sense of responsibility to humanity. Meanwhile, Cheng Xin is distracted by a mysterious gift - a star called DX3906 - which she received from an unknown admirer, and she is touched by the romantic gesture. As the story unfolds, the true extent of Tianming's inner turmoil is revealed, and he is forced to confront the terrifying fate that awaits him.
Cheng Xin is struggling to come to terms with her role in recommending Yun Tianming for the Staircase Program, a mission that will essentially condemn him to an eternal, torturous existence. Her emotions are further complicated by the death of her colleague and friend, Mikhail Vadimov, whose demise she suspects may not have been an accident. As the Staircase Program progresses, Cheng Xin's concerns about Tianming's suitability for the mission grow, but her attempts to withdraw her recommendation are rebuffed by the program's administrator, Wade. In a shocking turn of events, Tianming refuses to take an oath of allegiance to humanity, citing his feelings of disconnection and lack of responsibility to the human race. Despite this, he is chosen for the mission, and Cheng Xin is left to grapple with the consequences of her actions. In a desperate bid to make amends, she requests that seeds be included in the spacecraft to accompany Tianming's brain, but Wade refuses. However, she later discovers that seeds have been included, albeit not the ones she provided. As the spacecraft embarks on its journey, Cheng Xin is comforted by the knowledge that Tianming will have some semblance of human connection in the vast expanse of space. The mission ultimately ends in failure, but Cheng Xin is sent to the future in suspended animation to act as a liaison to the Staircase Program, a gesture that may be motivated by a desire to preserve the program's legacy rather than any practical purpose.
The crew of the warship Bronze Age, who had been traveling through space, receive a transmission from Fleet Command informing them of the successful creation of a deterrence system against Trisolaris and ordering them to return to Earth. After confirmation of the message through a quantum communication channel, the crew begins their return journey, which takes eleven years. As they approach Earth, they are greeted by the warship Gravity, which is equipped with a gravitational wave antenna, a key component of humanity's dark forest deterrence system. The crew of Bronze Age is initially welcomed as heroes, but their celebration is short-lived. In a shocking turn of events, they are dishonorably discharged, arrested, and accused of murder and crimes against humanity. The crew is surrounded by armed military police, and their magnetic boots are deactivated, leaving them floating and helpless. The true nature of their crimes and the reason for their arrest are not revealed, leaving the crew and the reader in a state of uncertainty and suspense.
The crew of the warship Bronze Age, who had been traveling through space, receive a transmission from Fleet Command informing them of the successful creation of a deterrence system against Trisolaris and ordering them to return to Earth. After confirmation of the message through a quantum communication channel, the crew begins their return journey, which takes eleven years. As they approach Earth, they are greeted by the warship Gravity, which is equipped with a gravitational wave antenna, a key component of humanity's dark forest deterrence system. The crew of Bronze Age is initially welcomed as heroes, but their celebration is short-lived. In a shocking turn of events, they are dishonorably discharged, arrested, and accused of murder and crimes against humanity. The crew is surrounded by armed military police, and their magnetic boots are deactivated, leaving them floating and helpless. The true nature of their crimes and the reason for their arrest are not revealed, leaving the crew and the reader in a state of uncertainty and suspense.
The trial of the crew of the warship Bronze Age begins, with Captain Neil Scott and other senior officers facing charges of murder and crimes against humanity. The prosecution presents evidence of the crew's attack on the ship Quantum, which resulted in the deaths of 1,847 people. Scott claims that he made the decision to attack alone, but the prosecution reveals that a vote was taken among the crew, and 94% of them supported the attack. The trial also hears from other crew members, including Lieutenant Commander Sebastian Schneider and Commander Boris Rovinski, who describe the crew's descent into totalitarianism and their decision to consume the bodies of the Quantum crew as food. The court ultimately finds Scott and six other senior officers guilty and sentences them to life imprisonment. As the prisoners are transported to a prison in the asteroid belt, Schneider manages to send a warning message to the ship Blue Space, telling them not to return to the Solar System. Blue Space responds by accelerating away from the Solar System, and the Earth and Trisolaris form an alliance to pursue and deal with the rogue ship.
Cheng Xin is discharged and meets with Sophon, a robot woman who serves as the Trisolaran ambassador to Earth. Sophon invites Cheng Xin to a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, where they discuss the importance of protecting the world. The next day, six men from the Common Era visit Cheng Xin, warning her not to compete for the Swordholder position, as they believe she is not suited for the role. However, the UN chair later approaches Cheng Xin, asking her to declare her candidacy for the Swordholder position, as the other candidates are seen as too aggressive and unpredictable. Cheng Xin is hesitant at first, but ultimately decides to accept the challenge, driven by a sense of maternal instinct and responsibility to protect the new world. She also feels a sense of karma, knowing that she must accept the consequences of her past actions, particularly her role in sending Yun Tianming's brain into space. With a newfound determination, Cheng Xin announces her candidacy for the Swordholder position, ready to face the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead.
Cheng Xin meets with Sophon, a robot woman and Trisolaran ambassador to Earth, who invites her to a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. The ceremony is a serene and peaceful experience, and Sophon uses it to convey the importance of protecting the world. The next day, six men from the Common Era visit Cheng Xin, warning her not to compete for the Swordholder position, citing her lack of qualifications and experience. However, the UN chair later approaches Cheng Xin and asks her to declare her candidacy, as the other candidates are seen as too aggressive and unpredictable. Cheng Xin is torn, but ultimately decides to run for the Swordholder position, driven by a sense of maternal instinct and responsibility to protect the new world. She also feels a sense of karma, knowing that she must accept the consequences of her past actions. With a newfound determination, Cheng Xin announces her candidacy, ready to face the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead.
Cheng Xin meets with Sophon, a robot woman who serves as the Trisolaran ambassador to Earth, at her home on a giant tree. Sophon invites Cheng Xin to a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, where they discuss the importance of protecting the world. The ceremony has a hypnotic effect on Cheng Xin, making her feel like time is slowing down. The next day, six men from the Common Era visit Cheng Xin, warning her not to compete for the Swordholder position, citing her lack of qualifications and experience. However, the UN chair later approaches Cheng Xin and asks her to declare her candidacy, as the other candidates are seen as too aggressive and unpredictable. Cheng Xin is torn, but ultimately decides to run for the Swordholder position, driven by a sense of maternal instinct and responsibility to protect the new world. She also feels a sense of karma, knowing that she must accept the consequences of her past actions, particularly her role in sending Yun Tianming's brain into space. Cheng Xin's decision is solidified when she holds a baby and feels a deep connection to the new world, realizing that she cannot bear to see it come to harm. She declares her candidacy, knowing that it will be a challenging and potentially dangerous path, but one that she must take to protect the world and fulfill her sense of responsibility.
As Gravity approaches Blue Space, the crew prepares for combat and potential capture of the fugitive ship. However, strange occurrences start to happen on board Gravity, with crew members experiencing bizarre and unexplainable phenomena, such as seeing ghosts or finding parts of the ship missing. Commander Devon reports seeing a man who looks like Lieutenant Commander Park Ui-gun from Blue Space, despite being impossible. Ecological Engineer Ivantsov discovers a ruptured nutrient tube that appears to have been caused by a micrometeoroid, but the lack of damage to the surrounding bulkheads is puzzling. Petty Officer Liu Xiaoming sees the ship's tail missing while performing an exterior hull inspection, but it reappears when he opens his eyes again. Dr. West, the ship's psychiatrist, tries to understand these incidents, talking to Guan Yifan, a civilian scholar who is experiencing claustrophobia despite being in a spacious area. Guan discusses his theories about the universe, including the idea that it may be paraplegic due to the speed of light limitation. Just as Guan and Dr. West are discussing these ideas, the ship is alerted to a droplet attack, and they prepare for a potentially fatal impact.
As Gravity approaches Blue Space, the crew prepares for combat and potential capture of the fugitive ship. However, strange occurrences start to happen on board Gravity, with crew members experiencing bizarre and unexplainable phenomena. Commander Devon reports seeing a man who looks like Lieutenant Commander Park Ui-gun from Blue Space, despite being impossible. Ecological Engineer Ivantsov discovers a ruptured nutrient tube that appears to have been caused by a micrometeoroid, but the lack of damage to the surrounding bulkheads is puzzling. Petty Officer Liu Xiaoming sees the ship's tail missing while performing an exterior hull inspection, but it reappears when he opens his eyes again. The crew's psychiatrist, Dr. West, tries to understand these incidents, and talks to Guan Yifan, a civilian scholar who is experiencing claustrophobia despite being in a spacious area. Guan discusses his theories about the universe, including the idea that it may be paraplegic due to the speed of light limitation. Just as Guan and Dr. West are discussing these ideas, the ship is alerted to a droplet attack, and they prepare for a potentially fatal impact. The crew emerges from their surreal experiences to face the reality of the attack, and they can only wait and see if they will survive.
Cheng Xin arrives at the Deterrence Center to take over as the new Swordholder from Luo Ji, who has held the position for 54 years. Luo Ji, now 101 years old, has been staring at a wall in the center, focusing his gaze on the Trisolarans as a form of deterrence. As he hands over the switch that controls the gravitational wave broadcast system, Cheng Xin feels a sense of profoundness and weight in his gaze. After the handover, Luo Ji is arrested and accused of suspected mundicide, but he remains calm and unresponsive. Cheng Xin is left alone in the silent and empty hall, where she begins her new role as the Swordholder, determined to bring life to the space and not become like Luo Ji, who has dedicated his life to the position. However, her career as the Swordholder is short-lived, lasting only 15 minutes.
Cheng Xin arrives at the Deterrence Center to take over as the new Swordholder from Luo Ji, who has held the position for 54 years. Luo Ji, now 101 years old, has been staring at a wall in the center, focusing his gaze on the Trisolarans as a form of deterrence. As he hands over the switch that controls the gravitational wave broadcast system, Cheng Xin feels a sense of profoundness and weight in his gaze. After the handover, Luo Ji is arrested and accused of suspected mundicide, but he remains calm and unresponsive. Cheng Xin is left alone in the silent and empty hall, determined to bring life to the space and not become like Luo Ji, who has dedicated his life to the position. However, her career as the Swordholder is short-lived, lasting only 15 minutes, as fate has other plans for her.
As Cheng Xin takes over as the new Swordholder, she is immediately faced with a catastrophic situation: six strong-interaction space probes are detected heading towards Earth, with one targeting the L1 Lagrangian point and the others forming a 1-2-2 formation aimed at the planet. With only minutes to react, Cheng Xin is paralyzed by the enormity of the situation, realizing that her subconscious had never truly accepted the possibility of such an event. As the probes close in, she is overwhelmed by the weight of 3.5 billion years of Earth's history and the responsibility of holding the red switch that could end it all. In a moment of desperation, Cheng Xin throws the switch away, refusing to activate the dark forest deterrence. The probes then destroy the gravitational wave transmitters, rendering the deterrence system inoperable. The chapter ends with an eerie silence, as Cheng Xin comes to terms with the consequences of her actions and the termination of the dark forest deterrence.
In the aftermath of the destruction of the gravitational wave antenna, Cheng Xin visits the site of the eruption and is met with a desolate landscape. She is soon confronted by Sophon, the Trisolaran ambassador, who reveals that the Trisolarans had anticipated Cheng Xin's actions and had planned for this outcome. Sophon explains that Cheng Xin's decision not to activate the dark forest deterrence had given the Trisolarans the opportunity to destroy the antenna and render the deterrence system inoperable. Cheng Xin realizes that she had been kept alive as a safety shield, to prevent others from activating the broadcast and to ensure that the Trisolarans could proceed with their plans without interference. Sophon also reveals that the spaceship Gravity had been destroyed, and that the Trisolarans had been planning for this moment for a long time. As Sophon departs, she conveys the Trisolarans' respect for Dr. Luo Ji and their fear of Thomas Wade, who they believe would have been a more effective deterrer. Cheng Xin and AA are left to come to terms with the consequences of their actions, and Sophon's parting words leave them with a sense of foreboding and uncertainty about their future.
In the aftermath of the destruction of the gravitational wave antenna, Cheng Xin visits the site of the eruption and is met with a desolate landscape. She is confronted by Sophon, the Trisolaran ambassador, who reveals that the Trisolarans had anticipated Cheng Xin's actions and had planned for this outcome. Sophon explains that Cheng Xin's decision not to activate the dark forest deterrence had given the Trisolarans the opportunity to destroy the antenna and render the deterrence system inoperable. Cheng Xin realizes that she had been kept alive as a safety shield to prevent others from activating the broadcast. Sophon also reveals that the spaceship Gravity had been destroyed and that the Trisolarans had been planning for this moment for a long time. The chapter ends with Sophon departing, leaving Cheng Xin and AA to come to terms with the consequences of their actions and the new reality they face.
Sixty days into the post-deterrence era, Sophon, the Trisolaran ambassador, announces that the Second Trisolaran Fleet will arrive in four years to complete the conquest of the Solar System. However, Trisolaris has changed its policy and will now allow humanity to live in reservations on Australia and one-third of Mars' surface. To prepare for the conquest, humanity must resettle and disarm within one year, with no heavy equipment or facilities permitted in the reservations. After Sophon's speech, a droplet attacks three major cities, killing over 300,000 people and demonstrating the fragility of human civilization. Humans had been working on developing strong-interaction materials to defend against droplets, but it's now too late. Sophon explains that Trisolaris has changed its policy out of love and respect for human civilization and promises that the conquerors will help humanity live comfortably in Australia and construct additional habitats on Mars and in space. The Great Resettlement of humanity to Australia begins, with the threat of extermination looming if the relocation effort is not completed within the given timeframe.
Sophon, the Trisolaran ambassador, announces that the Second Trisolaran Fleet will arrive in four years to complete the conquest of the Solar System. However, Trisolaris has changed its policy and will allow humanity to live in reservations on Australia and one-third of Mars' surface. To prepare for the conquest, humanity must resettle and disarm within one year, with no heavy equipment or facilities permitted in the reservations. The announcement is followed by a devastating droplet attack on three major cities, killing over 300,000 people and demonstrating the fragility of human civilization. Sophon explains that Trisolaris has changed its policy out of love and respect for human civilization and promises that the conquerors will help humanity live comfortably in Australia and construct additional habitats on Mars and in space. The Great Resettlement of humanity to Australia begins, with the threat of extermination looming if the relocation effort is not completed within the given timeframe.
The chapter describes the aftermath of the Great Resettlement, where 4.2 billion people are now living in Australia. Cheng Xin, the former Swordholder, is struggling to come to terms with her new life in the resettlement zone. She visits Wade, who is serving his sentence, and he tells her to leave Australia, but she is unable to do so. Meanwhile, the Australian government is struggling to maintain order, and the society is descending into chaos. Sophon, the Trisolaran ambassador, announces that the Great Resettlement is complete and that the Australian reservation will be severed from the outside world. She declares that the use of modern technology, including electricity, is strictly prohibited, and that the population must rely on subsistence agriculture. This will lead to a massive die-off, with only 30-50 million people expected to survive. Cheng Xin, who has gone blind, is visited by a special team from the Earth Security Force, who offer to take her to safety, but she refuses, choosing instead to stay and await her fate. The chapter ends with Cheng Xin surrounded by the sounds of chaos and violence, as the world descends into darkness and terror.
As the droplet attack on Gravity and Blue Space comes to an end, Old Hunter, a cook on Gravity, feels a sense of relief and joy, believing he has completed his mission to guard the gravitational wave transmitter. However, he soon discovers that the self-destruct module has been dismantled, and he is unable to destroy the transmitter. Meanwhile, Captain Chu Yan of Blue Space reveals that the Second Trisolaran Fleet is heading towards Earth at lightspeed and will arrive in four years. He proposes activating the universal broadcast to reveal the location of Trisolaris to the universe, which would force the Trisolarans to leave the Solar System and potentially save humanity from immediate annihilation. The decision is put to a referendum, and the crew of Blue Space and Gravity vote on whether to activate the broadcast. After a tense and dramatic voting process, the affirmative votes reach the required threshold, and the gravitational wave broadcast begins, sending a judgment of death for both worlds across the cosmos at the speed of light.
In the aftermath of the Great Resettlement, Cheng Xin, now blind, finds herself in a chaotic scene in Australia, where she hears voices and cheering crowds. She learns that the spaceship Gravity has initiated a universal broadcast, exposing the location of Trisolaris and the Solar System, causing the Trisolarans to retreat. As a result, the Earth Security Force is assisting with the evacuation of Australia, and Cheng Xin is offered a chance to leave early. She is told that the process of moving all refugees out of Australia will take several months. Cheng Xin is left to process this news, and she requests to be alone, trying to come to terms with the sudden change in circumstances and the fact that the threat of Trisolaran invasion has been lifted.
The story follows the crew of the spaceship Blue Space and Gravity as they explore a four-dimensional fragment in space. They encounter a ring-shaped object, which they soon discover is a tomb, and establish communication with it. The tomb, which claims to be the remnants of a dead civilization, warns the crew of an impending danger and advises them to leave the area immediately. The crew learns that the four-dimensional fragment is shrinking and will soon decay into three-dimensional space, releasing a massive amount of energy. As they observe the phenomenon, they realize that the fragment's decay is a natural process, and the lost dimension is not truly lost, but rather curls up into the microscopic realm. The crew decides to send a hibernation ark back to the Solar System, while the rest of the crew continues on their journey into the unknown, searching for a new home and a chance to start anew.
In the aftermath of the universal broadcast, humanity reflects on the end of the Deterrence Era, and public opinion turns against the process of choosing the Swordholder. Cheng Xin, the former Swordholder, is relatively forgiven by the public, but she is consumed by depression and darkness, unable to recall the presence of sunlight in her life. She is supported by Fraisse, who provides her with daily phone calls, sharing simple observations about nature. One night, Fraisse calls Cheng Xin, telling her to look up at the sky, where a blue star is visible, brighter than any other star. The star's brightness intensifies, overpowering the city lights, and then fades, confirming the annihilation of Trisolaris and providing final confirmation of the dark forest theory. Cheng Xin is left to come to terms with the implications of this event, and Fraisse's calm and transcendent voice offers her reassurance, saying "what will happen, will happen."
In the aftermath of the universal broadcast, humanity reflects on the end of the Deterrence Era, and public opinion turns against the process of choosing the Swordholder. Cheng Xin, the former Swordholder, is relatively forgiven by the public, but she is consumed by depression and darkness, unable to recall the presence of sunlight in her life. She is supported by Fraisse, who provides her with daily phone calls, sharing simple observations about nature. One night, Fraisse calls Cheng Xin, telling her to look up at the sky, where a blue star is visible, brighter than any other star. The star's brightness intensifies, overpowering the city lights, and then fades, confirming the annihilation of Trisolaris and providing final confirmation of the dark forest theory. Cheng Xin is left to come to terms with the implications of this event, and Fraisse's calm and transcendent voice offers her reassurance, saying "what will happen, will happen."
In the aftermath of the universal broadcast, humanity is grappling with the consequences of their actions. The public's desire for a safety notice to be sent to the universe has led to various attempts, including a European NGO trying to build a powerful antenna and an organization called Green Saviors advocating for a return to an agrarian existence. However, these efforts are met with failure and criticism. Meanwhile, religion has experienced a resurgence, with people praying for salvation and guidance. The Trisolarans, who were once seen as enemies, are now worshiped as angels of salvation. Sophon, the Trisolaran ambassador, has become a revered figure, with people gathering below her aerial abode to pray and seek guidance. Cheng Xin, the former Swordholder, is struggling to come to terms with her role in the events that have unfolded. She is hailed as a hero by some, but she is consumed by depression and feelings of guilt. As she considers ending her life, she is contacted by Fraisse and Sophon, who invite her to a final meeting. At the meeting, Sophon serves tea in silence, and then reveals that Yun Tianming, a man Cheng Xin had sent into space as part of the Staircase Program, would like to see her. This revelation sets the stage for a new development in the story, as Cheng Xin is forced to confront her past and the consequences of her actions.
In the aftermath of the universal broadcast, humanity is struggling to come to terms with the consequences of their actions. The public's desire for a safety notice to be sent to the universe has led to various attempts, including a European NGO trying to build a powerful antenna and an organization called Green Saviors advocating for a return to an agrarian existence. However, these efforts are met with failure and criticism. Meanwhile, religion has experienced a resurgence, with people praying for salvation and guidance. The Trisolarans, who were once seen as enemies, are now worshiped as angels of salvation. Sophon, the Trisolaran ambassador, has become a revered figure, with people gathering below her aerial abode to pray and seek guidance. Cheng Xin, the former Swordholder, is struggling to come to terms with her role in the events that have unfolded and is hailed as a hero by some, but consumed by depression and feelings of guilt. As she considers ending her life, she is contacted by Fraisse and Sophon, who invite her to a final meeting. At the meeting, Sophon serves tea in silence and then reveals that Yun Tianming, a man Cheng Xin had sent into space as part of the Staircase Program, would like to see her.
Cheng Xin travels to a space station in geosynchronous orbit to meet with Yun Tianming, a man she had sent into space as part of the Staircase Program. The meeting is facilitated by a sophon, a Trisolaran robot, and is monitored by the Trisolarans. Cheng Xin and Tianming are allowed to discuss only personal matters, and any attempts to gather intelligence or discuss sensitive topics are warned against by a system of colored lights. Despite these restrictions, Tianming finds a way to convey information to Cheng Xin through a series of stories they had shared in their past. After the meeting, Cheng Xin returns to Earth and is debriefed by a special team, who are eager to learn what she has discovered. She recounts her conversation with Tianming, and the team realizes that Tianming has found a way to communicate with her in a way that evades the Trisolarans' monitoring. The story ends with Cheng Xin reflecting on the significance of the meeting and the possibility of future contact with Tianming, while also noting the withdrawal of the sophons from the Solar System and the potential loss of contact between humans and Trisolarans.
Cheng Xin and her team decipher the hidden message in Yun Tianming's fairy tales, uncovering a complex system of dual-layer metaphors and bearing coordinates. They discover that the stories point to the concept of lowering the speed of light in the Solar System, which would create a "black domain" and make the system safe from the perspective of the rest of the universe. The team visits the Moskstraumen, a massive whirlpool in the Norwegian sea, which serves as a bearing coordinate for the metaphor of the black domain. As they navigate the whirlpool, they experience the power of the natural phenomenon and begin to understand the implications of the black domain. The story concludes with the team grasping the concept of the black domain and its potential as a cosmic safety notice, while the meaning of the paintings of Needle-Eye remains a mystery.
In the Storyless Kingdom, a mysterious and talented painter named Needle-Eye is introduced by Prince Ice Sand to the royal family. Needle-Eye possesses an extraordinary ability to capture the essence of his subjects, but his paintings come with a dark and sinister cost: those he paints disappear from reality and become trapped in his artwork. As the night wears on, the king, queen, and loyal ministers all vanish, painted into portraits by Needle-Eye at Prince Ice Sand's behest. The only ones who can stop him are Princess Dewdrop, Auntie Wide, and the captain of the guards, who embark on a perilous journey to find Prince Deep Water, the only person immune to Needle-Eye's powers, and the only one who can help them defeat the evil prince and his painter. Along the way, they must use a magical umbrella to protect the princess from being painted, and they face numerous challenges as they navigate the treacherous landscape of the kingdom. The story is a complex and fantastical tale of art, power, and survival, with the fate of the kingdom hanging in the balance.
The story continues with Princess Dewdrop and her companions, Auntie Wide and Captain Long-Sail, on their journey to find Prince Deep Water on Tomb Island. As they travel, they discuss the history of the Storyless Kingdom and how it became isolated from the rest of the world due to the presence of glutton fish in the sea. The captain shares stories of his childhood and the kingdom's past, revealing that the kingdom was once a thriving and story-filled place, but after the introduction of glutton fish, it became a self-sufficient agrarian land with no connections to the outside world. The princess is fascinated by the stories and begins to yearn for a life beyond the kingdom. As they camp on the beach, the captain and the princess have a heartfelt conversation, and he promises to protect her and keep her safe. The story is a poignant and introspective exploration of the human desire for connection, storytelling, and a sense of wonder, set against the backdrop of a fantastical and isolated world.
The story continues with Princess Dewdrop and her companions, Auntie Wide and Captain Long-Sail, as they journey to Tomb Island to find Prince Deep Water. They use a magical soap from He'ershingenmosiken to calm the glutton fish in the sea, allowing them to reach the island. Once they arrive, they meet Prince Deep Water, who is not a giant as they expected, but rather appears to be a normal-sized person who does not obey the laws of perspective. The prince and his companions return to the kingdom, where they confront King Ice Sand, who has ascended to the throne. A sword fight ensues between Prince Deep Water and King Ice Sand, resulting in the king's death. With the kingdom now under Prince Deep Water's control, Princess Dewdrop decides to leave and sail the seas with Captain Long-Sail, seeking a life of adventure and stories beyond the Storyless Kingdom. They set sail on a white-sailed boat, leaving behind the kingdom and its secrets, and embark on a new journey, their fate unknown to the people of the kingdom.
The chapter delves into the deciphering of Yun Tianming's fairy tales, which contain hidden messages about advanced technology and the universe. Cheng Xin and her team discover that the stories use dual-layer metaphors and bearing coordinates to convey complex ideas. They decipher the meaning of the umbrella, which represents light, and the centrifugal governor, which symbolizes a method of automatic control. The team also explores the concept of lowering the speed of light and its connection to black holes and the cosmic safety notice. They visit the Moskstraumen, a massive whirlpool in the Norwegian sea, which serves as a bearing coordinate for the metaphor of the black domain. The team ultimately understands that creating a black hole by lowering the speed of light would make the Solar System completely safe from the perspective of the rest of the universe, serving as a cosmic safety notice. However, the meaning of the paintings of Needle-Eye remains a mystery, leaving a lasting enigma in the story.
The chapter delves into the deciphering of Yun Tianming's fairy tales, which contain hidden messages about advanced technology and the universe. Cheng Xin and her team discover that the stories use dual-layer metaphors and bearing coordinates to convey complex ideas. They decode the meaning of the umbrella, which represents light, and the centrifugal governor, which symbolizes a method of automatic control. The team also explores the concept of lowering the speed of light and its connection to black holes and the cosmic safety notice. They visit the Moskstraumen, a massive whirlpool in the Norwegian sea, which serves as a bearing coordinate for the metaphor of the black domain. The team ultimately understands that creating a black hole by lowering the speed of light would make the Solar System completely safe from the perspective of the rest of the universe, serving as a cosmic safety notice. However, the meaning of the paintings of Needle-Eye remains a mystery, leaving a lasting enigma in the story.
The chapter delves into the deciphering of Yun Tianming's fairy tales, which contain hidden messages about advanced technology and the universe. Cheng Xin and her team discover that the stories use dual-layer metaphors and bearing coordinates to convey complex ideas. They decode the meaning of the umbrella, which represents light, and the centrifugal governor, which symbolizes a method of automatic control. The team also explores the concept of lowering the speed of light and its connection to black holes and the cosmic safety notice. They visit the Moskstraumen, a massive whirlpool in the Norwegian sea, which serves as a bearing coordinate for the metaphor of the black domain. The team ultimately understands that creating a black hole by lowering the speed of light would make the Solar System completely safe from the perspective of the rest of the universe, serving as a cosmic safety notice. However, the meaning of the paintings of Needle-Eye remains a mystery, leaving a lasting enigma in the story.
In the year 8 of the Broadcast Era, the crew of Observation Unit #1, comprising astronomer Widnall and military officer Vasilenko, discover a massive telescope that can capture the shape of stars outside the Solar System. While observing the remnants of the Trisolaran system, they notice a strange, transparent, and faintly bordered circular object, which they later realize is a trail left behind by a ship using curvature propulsion to enter lightspeed. Further investigation reveals multiple such trails in different parts of space, indicating that curvature propulsion is common in the universe and poses a significant risk of exposing a civilization's location. This discovery leads to a global panic and the prohibition of further research and development of curvature propulsion technology, leaving humanity with only two options: the Bunker Project and the Black Domain Plan.
In the year 8 of the Broadcast Era, the crew of Observation Unit #1, comprising astronomer Widnall and military officer Vasilenko, make a groundbreaking discovery using the largest telescope in history. They detect a massive, transparent, and faintly bordered circular object near the remnants of the Trisolaran system, which they soon realize is a trail left behind by a ship using curvature propulsion to enter lightspeed. Further investigation reveals multiple such trails in different parts of space, indicating that curvature propulsion is common in the universe and poses a significant risk of exposing a civilization's location. This discovery leads to a global panic and the prohibition of further research and development of curvature propulsion technology, leaving humanity with only two options: the Bunker Project and the Black Domain Plan. The crew's finding also provides evidence that large numbers of highly intelligent civilizations exist in the cosmos, and that the universe is indeed a dark forest where civilizations must be cautious to avoid detection.
Cheng Xin, the former Swordholder, meets with Thomas Wade, a man with a troubled past, at the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point where a simulation test for the Bunker Project is being conducted. Wade, who has just been released from prison, proposes that Cheng Xin give him control of her company, wealth, and authority to build lightspeed ships, which he believes is the key to humanity's grandness. Cheng Xin is hesitant but eventually agrees, on the condition that Wade will awaken her if the project poses any danger to humanity. Wade accepts the condition, and Cheng Xin, along with her AI assistant AA, enters hibernation, leaving Wade to take over the Halo Group and pursue the development of lightspeed ships.
In the year 11 of the Bunker Era, Cheng Xin awakens from hibernation after 62 years, 8 months, and 21 days. She finds herself in a world that is both familiar and strange, with a society that has regressed to a more primitive state. The once-leisurely and comfortable world she knew has given way to a more utilitarian and industrialized society. Cheng Xin meets with Cao Bin, a physicist who has also been awakened from hibernation, and he takes her on a tour of the space city, Asia I, and other nearby cities. Along the way, she sees a mix of advanced technology and primitive living conditions, with people struggling to make a living in a harsh environment. The space cities are designed to provide a sense of "world-sense" and are equipped with artificial suns, atmospheres, and ecosystems. However, the cities are also vulnerable to the threat of a dark forest strike, and the inhabitants live in constant fear of annihilation. Cheng Xin visits several space cities, including North America I, Europe IV, and Pacific I, each with its unique design and culture. She sees the contrasts between the wealthy and the poor, the advanced and the primitive, and begins to understand the complexities of this new world. As she navigates this unfamiliar world, Cheng Xin is forced to confront her own identity and sense of belonging, and to consider the implications of humanity's migration to the rim of the Solar System.
Cheng Xin and Cao Bin visit the abandoned space city Lightspeed II, which was once a research center for the Black Domain Plan. The city is now a ghost town, with a microscopic black hole at its center. Cao Bin tells Cheng Xin the story of 高 Way, a brilliant but troubled physicist who dedicated his life to studying the black hole. 高 Way became obsessed with the black hole and eventually disappeared under mysterious circumstances, with some believing he was "sucked in" by the black hole's gravity. However, due to the effects of general relativity, 高 Way's frame of reference would have experienced time differently, and he may still be alive at the event horizon. The research on the black hole was halted, and Lightspeed II was abandoned. Cheng Xin is moved by the story and feels a sense of emptiness as she gazes at the flickering black hole, which seems to be sending a message. She decides to leave and head to Halo City, another space city in the area.
In the year 11 of the Bunker Era, Cheng Xin awakens from hibernation and finds herself in a world that is both familiar and strange. She visits Halo City, a space city built by the Halo Group, a company led by Thomas Wade, who has been working on developing lightspeed spaceflight. The city is under siege by the Federation Fleet, which has been trying to stop the Halo Group's research. Cheng Xin meets with Wade and his team, who demonstrate a machine that uses curvature propulsion to move a strand of her hair. However, the machine is not just a technological marvel, but also a potential weapon, as it could be used to create antimatter bullets. Wade reveals that he has been producing antimatter and has equipped his self-defense force with rifles that use these bullets. Cheng Xin is horrified by the potential consequences of such weapons and demands that Wade disarm and surrender to the Federation Government. Wade eventually agrees, and the antimatter bullets are collected. The Halo Group is later declared an illegal organization, and its leaders, including Wade, are arrested and put on trial. Wade is sentenced to death, and Cheng Xin visits him one last time before his execution. After Wade's death, Cheng Xin returns to Earth with her AI assistant, AA, and they spend their time exploring the barely inhabited continents. They eventually decide to go into hibernation again, this time for 200 years, with the hope of awakening to a world where humanity has survived the dark forest strike and is thriving.
In the year 67 of the Bunker Era, Singer, a low-entropy entity, is responsible for examining coordinates and determining their sincerity. He comes across a set of coordinates that seem sincere, but upon further investigation, discovers that the star indicated by the coordinates has already been cleansed. Singer then traces the source of the mass dot that killed the star, but the process yields no results. He finds a record of communications between the dead world and another location, which he dubs the Star-Pluckers. The Star-Pluckers had sent out a primitive membrane message, which Singer is able to understand due to a self-decoding system. The message reveals a history of communication between the two worlds, and Singer realizes that the Star-Pluckers' coordinates have been exposed. He believes that the Star-Pluckers are dangerous and decides to cleanse them. However, he needs to use a dual-vector foil, which requires approval from the Elder. After obtaining the foil, Singer feels uneasy and begins to think about the rumors of a war between the home world and the fringe world. He wonders if the home world has decided to transform into two dimensions, which would be a great sorrow. Singer pushes these thoughts aside and continues with his task, using the dual-vector foil to cleanse the Star-Pluckers.
Cheng Xin awakens from hibernation in the year 67 of the Bunker Era, finding herself in a weightless environment with her AI assistant AA. They are on a spaceship called Halo, which is a Jupiter satellite, and are greeted by an old Cao Bin, who informs them that an attack alert has been issued, signaling the arrival of the dark forest strike. However, despite the alert, the space cities, including Jupiter Combination II, have not taken evasive action, and the people in the control center seem to be in a state of despair and numbness, suggesting that they have given up hope. Cao Bin reveals that the bunker is useless and that a "slip of paper" has been found, implying that the situation is more dire than expected. Cheng Xin senses that something is wrong and that the attack may not be what they had anticipated.
In the year 66 of the Bunker Era, a year before Cheng Xin's awakening, the advance warning system detects an unknown flying object sweeping past the edge of the Oort Cloud at a speed close to lightspeed. The object is immense and emits intense radiation due to its interaction with scattered dust and atoms in space. As it approaches the Solar System, it makes a small course change to avoid a patch of interstellar dust, indicating that it is an intelligent spaceship. The Federation Government keeps this discovery a secret, and only a thousand people in the Bunker World are aware of it. The crew of the spaceship Revelation, led by General Vasilenko and Dr. 白 Ice, are tasked with investigating the object. They discover that the object is a small, thin, rectangular membrane-like structure, which they dub a "slip of paper." The slip is found to be emitting gravitational waves and light, but it does not interact with the physical world and is impervious to electromagnetic radiation. As the crew of Revelation study the slip, they begin to experience strange occurrences, and Dr. 白 Ice becomes increasingly uneasy, warning that the slip may be more dangerous than they think. Despite his warnings, the crew continues to investigate the slip, and they eventually discover that it is a two-dimensional structure that is collapsing the three-dimensional space around it. The crew of Revelation realizes that they are trapped and that the entire Solar System will eventually collapse into a two-dimensional space, effectively turning everything into a painting with no thickness. The crew accepts their fate and awaits the inevitable, knowing that they will become part of a grand picture of annihilation.
Cheng Xin and AA travel to Pluto on the spaceship Halo to fulfill a mission to rescue artifacts from the Earth Civilization Museum, which is actually a tombstone for humanity. They meet Luo Ji, the chair of the tombstone committee, who explains that the museum's purpose is to preserve information about human civilization for a long time after its demise. However, due to the limitations of data storage, they had to resort to carving words into stone, a method that can preserve information for about 100 million years. As they explore the museum, they see various artifacts and carvings on the walls, including reliefs of ancient scholars, Greek letters, and Chinese poetry. Luo Ji shares his thoughts on the fleeting nature of human civilization and the importance of leaving behind a legacy. Cheng Xin and AA select some paintings, including Van Gogh's Starry Night, to take with them, and Luo Ji keeps the Mona Lisa for himself, revealing a deep emotional connection to the painting. The chapter ends with a sense of melancholy and reflection on the impermanence of human civilization.
In the year 68 of the Bunker Era, Cheng Xin and AA are on a mission to retrieve artifacts from the Earth Civilization Museum on Pluto. As they witness the collapse of the Solar System into two-dimensional space, they see the gas giants Neptune and Saturn, as well as the Earth, become flattened and lose their thickness. The process is catastrophic, with entire cities and civilizations being reduced to two-dimensional paintings. Despite the destruction, Cheng Xin and AA find beauty in the frozen two-dimensional ocean around the Earth, which forms giant snowflakes. They eventually decide to leave the Solar System and escape the collapse using the curvature propulsion drive installed in their ship, Halo. As they prepare to leave, they receive a transmission from Luo Ji, who reveals that the ship is capable of lightspeed flight and that they should go find the remaining survivors of human civilization. Cheng Xin and AA set a course for the star DX3906, which was given to Cheng Xin by Yun Tianming, and enter lightspeed, leaving the destroyed Solar System behind.
Cheng Xin and Guan Yifan travel to Planet Gray to investigate mysterious spacecraft that had landed and taken off from the planet. They discover five black lines, known as "death lines," which are trails left by curvature propulsion with a speed of light of zero. These death lines are a sign of an advanced technology and a potential threat to the entire solar system. Guan Yifan explains that the death lines could rupture and spread, causing the speed of light to decrease and potentially turning the solar system into a "black domain." As they prepare to leave, their shuttle is affected by the rupture of the death lines, causing the speed of light to decrease and trapping them in a reduced-lightspeed environment. With their computer systems dead, they must rely on manual operation and primitive space suits to survive. They use neural computers, which can operate under reduced lightspeed, to try and regain control of their systems. However, the process will take twelve days, and they must hibernate using special drugs to conserve oxygen. As they drift off to sleep, they realize that time is passing much faster outside their shuttle, and they may wake up to find that eons have passed on Planet Blue.
Cheng Xin and Guan Yifan awaken from hibernation after 16 days, finding themselves in a world with a reduced speed of light. They discover that 18,903,729 years have passed on Earth, and the DX3906 solar system has turned into a reduced-lightspeed black hole. As they explore the planet, they find a purple forest and strange creatures. They use a device to measure atomic decay and determine the passage of time. After discovering a message carved into the bedrock, "WE LIVED A HAPPY LIFE TOGETHER," they realize that Yun Tianming and AA had lived on the planet and left a gift for them - a smart door that recognizes and allows certain objects or people to pass through. Cheng Xin and Guan Yifan decide to go through the door together, hand in hand, to investigate what's on the other side.
The chapter describes the final stages of the mini-universe, Universe 647, as it is dismantled and its components are sent back to the great universe through a door. Sophon, a Trisolaran robot, works with Cheng Xin and Guan Yifan to disassemble the universe, including the soil, metal floor, and machinery. The robots also send the last remnants of air and water through the door, causing a massive whirlwind. Eventually, only the spaceship, Sophon, Cheng Xin, and Guan Yifan are left in the mini-universe. Before leaving, Cheng Xin requests to leave behind a small ecological sphere, a self-sustaining miniature world, which Sophon agrees to. The sphere contains a tiny sun, water, fish, and grass, and will persist as long as the sun continues to emit light. The chapter ends with the spaceship passing through the door, leaving the mini-universe empty except for the message in a bottle and the ecological sphere. The sphere's tiny sun is the only source of light in the now-dark mini-universe, and the small world within it continues to thrive.
As the mini-universe, Universe 647, is dismantled, Sophon, Cheng Xin, and Guan Yifan work together to return its matter to the great universe through a door. They start by removing the soil, then the metallic floor, and finally the machinery that maintained the mini-universe. The ecological cycling system is shut off, and the air and water are sucked out through the door, creating a massive whirlwind. The sun, house, and spaceship are the only objects left, along with a dozen weightless robots. Cheng Xin and Guan Yifan fly through the empty space, witnessing the simplified world and the endless repetition of objects. The house is disassembled, and the last room is taken apart, with all objects sent through the door. The sun is extinguished, and the robots line up to go through the door. Sophon leaves behind a metal box, a message in a bottle, containing the memories of the Trisolaran and Earth civilizations. Cheng Xin is allowed to keep a small ecological sphere, a self-sustaining miniature world, which will persist as long as the tiny sun inside it continues to emit light. The sphere is left in the mini-universe, and the spaceship, with Cheng Xin, Guan Yifan, and Sophon on board, goes through the door, leaving the mini-universe empty and dark, except for the ecological sphere, which continues to thrive.