Chapter 63

The restoration of Xinglan's consciousness progressed slowly. Dr. Anthony's laboratory became the quietest and most depressing place in the base. Miao Weizhen would stop there for a moment every day, gazing through the observation window at the faint halo of light suspended in the energy field.

That was the only manifestation of Xinglan's shattered consciousness in the current dimension.

"It's like trying to use spider silk to stitch together clouds torn apart by a hurricane," Anthony sighed to Wen Ling. "We've found most of the fragments, but the connections between them are almost completely broken. Forcing them back together is too risky and could cause irreversible damage."

He pulled up a dizzyingly complex set of neural maps. "Even more complicated, these fragments are mixed with a large amount of contaminated data from the Luofeng Reverberations and the space station. Stripping them away requires extremely delicate operations, like dismantling a bomb at a microscopic level."

Wen Ling stared at the faint light in silence. It was a miracle that it could exist safely there. "Is there any other way?"

"There's a theoretical possibility," Anthony pointed to several unusually stable points of light deep within the map. "These are core memory anchors, the least damaged. If we can activate them first, perhaps we can gradually awaken other areas from there."

But this requires a highly compatible 'key'—an external stimulus that can strongly resonate with these core memories. He looked at Wen Ling, hinting, "For example, a strong, uncontaminated emotional imprint from a loved one."

This means that Miao Weizhen needs to deeply connect with "Luofeng's Echoes" once again, but this time the goal is not interrogation or plunder, but the purest giving and calling. The risks involved are self-evident.

That evening, Wen Ling brought this plan to Miao Weizhen. They were the only two left in the command center. The faint light of the star map illuminated Miao Weizhen's silent profile. He didn't respond immediately, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the blue topaz ring.

"Risk." After a long moment, he uttered two words.

"I know," Wen Ling walked over to him and placed her hand on his tense shoulder. "Anthony will build the strongest security barrier. I will monitor your vital signs and mental fluctuations throughout the entire process. And..." He paused, his voice lowered, "This time, I'll go in with you."

Miao Weizhen turned his head and looked at him sharply: "No."

"Not in the form of a consciousness, as that would interfere with your resonance with Xinglan," Wen Ling explained, prepared. "My consciousness will remain at the 'anchor' area of ​​the connecting channel, acting as your backup and stabilizer. Remember when we rescued Xinglan? Our consciousness connection can enhance stability. This time, I'll be your anchor."

His green eyes, illuminated by the star map, were remarkably resolute, carrying an irresistible warmth. "We can't just let Xinglan feel the call of the past; we must also let her 'see' the possibilities of the future. You represent her past, and I..." He took Miao Weizhen's hand, "represent the bond between her brother's present and future. Let's go take her home together, Miao Weizhen."

Miao Weizhen stared at him, a complex emotion swirling in his eyes, which eventually turned into a barely audible sigh. He then shook his hand tightly. "...Okay."

Just as they prepare to awaken Xing Lan, the shadow of the Federation approaches again.

Luo Yan presented the latest intelligence analysis. "Minister, Your Highness, we've tracked the Federation's Fourth and Sixth Fleets gathering toward the edge of the K-77 star field. Their movements are covert, but their scale far exceeds that of a typical patrol. Furthermore, secret reports have arrived from Sailiang that Emperor Wen Xunyi's condition has worsened. Several border lords, who had previously held ambiguous positions, have almost simultaneously declared their unconditional allegiance to the Federation. Domestic public opinion is now expressing some concerns about Your Highness."

On the holographic star map, the red spots representing the Federation fleet formed a siege on the periphery of the K-77 star field, and the political spectrum within the country of Sailiang was also tilting towards the Federation.

"Qu Beichen is applying pressure on two fronts," Wen Ling frowned. "External military deterrence and internal political disintegration. He doesn't want to give us a chance to breathe."

"He's afraid." Miao Weizhen's voice was icy. "If we bring back the Star Orbit, even if it's just fragments, it means the truth about his carefully concealed 'Star Shuttle' project might be exposed. He must completely destroy us before we can unite our forces and reveal the truth."

He stood up and walked over to the star map, his gaze sharp as a knife. "He wants a quick resolution? Then let's show him that the Iron Throne isn't so easily broken."

The base was back in high gear. Despite his injuries, Han Zhong rejoined the army for training. He mixed the surviving veterans with the new recruits, using the veterans to guide the new, and quickly translated the lessons learned from the brutal "Forgotten Vortex" battle into actual combat tactics.

Lao Lin, Susie and Ye Lan worked hard to apply some of the ancient technologies analyzed from the fragments of Xinglan's consciousness, especially the optimization of energy shields and engine efficiency, to the upgrade of the main battleships.

Ayuan displayed remarkable resilience. Not only did she manage logistics with impeccable efficiency, she also proactively assisted Lao Chen, utilizing the optimized ecological recycling system to establish a new emergency food production area within the base. She even organized the women and elderly at the base to form a simple medical assistance and psychological counseling team, silently soothing the trauma of war.

Amidst this tense atmosphere, the relationship between Wen Ling and Miao Weizhen became a symbol of stability. They appeared side by side at the command center, one calmly making decisions, the other gently coordinating, their tacit understanding seamless. Their unspoken trust and support seemed to silently convey to everyone: no matter how dark the road ahead, they would face it together.

That night, the night before the decision to connect consciousness, Wen Ling carefully performed a final physical examination on Miao Weizhen. Dr. Keith, with a stern face, supervised by the side, ensuring that the minister's physical condition was sufficient to withstand this spiritual adventure.

"Remember, if you feel any discomfort, terminate the connection immediately." Wen Ling adjusted the parameters of the monitoring equipment while giving a worried reminder.

Miao Weizhen leaned against the headboard, watching his busy figure, and suddenly said: "If..."

Wen Ling paused and looked at him.

"If I stay in there too long, or show signs of losing consciousness," Miao Weizhen's voice was calm and almost cold, "you will forcibly disconnect me."

Wen Ling's heart suddenly shrank. He understood the meaning behind these words -

Miao Weizhen prioritizes awakening Xinglan over his own safety.

He put down the instrument in his hand, walked to the bedside, and looked deeply into Miao Weizhen's eyes. "I won't let that happen." His tone was full of unquestionable determination. "I will bring you back, Miao Weizhen, no matter what the cost. This is my promise."

Miao Weizhen stared at him for a long time, and the ice in his eyes seemed to melt a little. He reached out his hand, pulled Wen Ling closer, and gently rested his forehead against his.

"good."

The next day, everything was ready inside the docking chamber. Miao Weizhen lay in the docking chamber, while Wen Ling sat next to him at the anchor control station. Dr. Anthony and Susie conducted a final system check at the main console.

"The neural link is stable, and the security protocol 'Wen Ling Protocol' has been loaded to the highest level." Anthony reported.

"The energy field in the anchor area is stable, and the consciousness channel is unobstructed." Susie gestured that everything was fine.

Wen Ling nodded to Miao Weizhen and finally confirmed his control authority. He saw Miao Weizhen slowly close his eyes, take a deep breath, and sink his consciousness into the warm and solid "anchor point" area specially set up for him.

The moment the connection between consciousnesses was activated, Wen Ling "saw" Miao Weizhen's consciousness transform into a streak of resolute light, rushing unhesitatingly towards the sea of ​​light laden with star fragments. He himself, like a silent beacon, firmly rooted at the edge of consciousness, using his own presence to guide that streak of light back home.

He knew that a new battle had begun on the dual battlefields of reality and consciousness.