Chapter 175 The Origin Project
A slowly rotating, geometrically complex object composed of light and metal modules floats in the center of the hall, emitting a soft white light.
The walls were semi-transparent, allowing a view outside—a deep starry sky and a huge, dark red planet slowly rotating in the distance.
“That is…” Shen Yan was shocked.
"The source of the Black Tide?" Ruan Ning stared intently at the dark red planet. Black energy was gushing from its surface, surging into the universe.
A gentle but emotionless voice rang out in the hall:
[A holder of the 'Source Key' has been detected. Quantity: four. Permission verification passed. Welcome to the 'Kunlun' website.]
Ruan Ning gripped the vessel tightly: "Who are you?"
[This is the central hub of the site. Responsible for recording the 'Primordial' Project, observing the 'Annihilation Tide' (i.e., the Black Tide), and awaiting the key holder.]
"What is the Origin Project? What is the Black Tide?" Shen Yan asked urgently.
[Project 'Origin': A survival plan initiated by humanity in the old era to cope with the periodic 'annihilation tides'. Objective 1: To create a new human template capable of adapting to the tidal environment (supernatural awakening is the initial stage). Objective 2: To create 'environmental stability anchors' (i.e., keys/carriers) to maintain local safe zones during the tides. Objective 3: To construct a 'civilization seed repository' (i.e., this site) to seal away knowledge and technology, awaiting the restart of civilization after the tides.]
The sound paused for a moment.
[The project split during its later stages. Some researchers advocated for actively contacting the tides to 'force evolution,' and they took some technology and samples with them, forming organizations such as the 'Revival Society.' The project was forced to stop, the keys were scattered, and the site was closed.]
A year ago, the leading edge of the 'Annihilation Tide' arrived on Earth, triggering a global ecological upheaval, or 'apocalypse'.
Faced with a deluge of information, Ruan Ning forced herself to remain calm: "What should we do now?"
[Current Status: Tides are at their peak activity, expected to last 72 hours. Holding four keys grants temporary administrative access to this site, including database access and the acquisition of 'anchor point reinforcement technology'.]
[WARNING: Continuous external unauthorized energy surges may disrupt this site's hibernation lock, causing the defense system to overload. Please make a decision as soon as possible.]
Ruan Ning and Shen Yan exchanged a glance.
"Can the enhanced technology expand the range of stability? Can it help the ground base withstand this peak?" Ruan Ning asked.
[Yes, but it requires sufficient energy and the cooperation of the holder.]
"What do the Shen family and the Fuxing Society want by forcibly opening the door?"
[Suggested objectives: To seize the 'Forced Evolution' technology from the core database; to control or destroy this site; to seize the remaining key projection energy.]
Ruan Ning took a deep breath: "We've chosen to acquire the enhancement technology and exercise temporary administrative privileges. Now, what should we do?"
Please place the four keys in the central console. The enhancement process will take ten minutes to start; you will be unable to move during this time and will expose energy fluctuations that may attract external attacks.
A platform rises from the floor of the hall, with four recesses on it, the shape of which matches the carrier.
Ruan Ning looked at Shen Yan, who nodded: "Let's do it."
The two placed the four carriers into the groove.
The platform lit up, enveloping the structure in soft light. The geometric shape in the center of the hall began to rotate at an accelerated pace.
[Enhanced program starting. Countdown: 9 minutes 59 seconds...]
Almost simultaneously, the entire hall suddenly shook!
A muffled explosion came from outside, and the sound of ice shattering could be clearly heard.
Xi Yuan and the Shen family... found a way to get in.
Inside the main hall of the ruins.
The buzzing sound of the enhanced program starting up grew louder and louder, and the four carriers shimmered with light on the platform.
But the shaking in the hall grew more and more intense, with sounds of ice cracking and metal twisting coming from all directions.
Shen Yan stared warily toward the entrance: "They're about to break in."
Ruan Ning stared at the countdown—[8 minutes and 47 seconds].
"Defend the platform," she said curtly, unleashing her full mental power to cover the entire entrance area of the hall. Simultaneously, she diverted a sliver of her attention to attempt to connect with the central AI, "Can we activate internal defenses?"
[The dormant lock is 37% damaged; the basic defense system is partially activated. Available: Corridor Energy Barrier (remaining energy lasts 3 minutes), Gravity Trap (limited coverage).]
"Activate the barrier to block the main entrance. Set up gravity traps around the platform," Ruan Ning quickly ordered.
Three thick blue energy barriers suddenly descended from the metal passageway at the entrance of the hall. Almost simultaneously, a violent crash and angry curses erupted from outside.
"They're in!" Shen Yan raised his gun and aimed.
The first barrier flickered a few times and then shattered with a crash!
Seven or eight figures rushed in. The two leading figures were Xi Yuan and the person in charge of the Shen family's operation—a middle-aged man with a scar on his face, wearing a black combat uniform, exuding a fierce aura, and at the peak of the fourth rank.
Xi Yuan spotted the four carriers on the platform at a glance, his eyes burning with excitement: "They really are here!" He brandished his spear and was about to charge forward.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Shen Yan fired three shots in quick succession, the bullets accurately striking Xi Yuan's face and joints. Xi Yuan deflected the bullets with the tip of his gun, but his charge slowed slightly.
The scarred man stared at Ruan Ning and grinned maliciously: "Sixth-level mental strength? No wonder you were able to steal things from the Xi family. But now, you can't escape."
He clenched his fists, and the metal components in the hall suddenly emitted a sharp, trembling sound—a metal-type ability user!
Ruan Ning stretched out both hands!
"Freeze!"
Instantly, a thick, smooth, mirror-like layer of ice froze on the hall floor, rapidly spreading towards the intruder's feet! A bone-chilling cold permeated the air.
Several of Shen family henchmen who were charging ahead slipped and fell to the ground. The scarred man snorted coldly, stomped his feet heavily, and the ice beneath his feet cracked and shattered as metal energy protected his entire body.
Xi Yuan went even further, plunging his spear into the ground. Fiery fire energy poured into the spear, causing the surrounding ice to melt and evaporate rapidly!
The two joined forces to break through the ice and continued to approach.
"Gravity trap, activate!" Ruan Ning ordered the central control.
Within a ten-meter radius of the platform, gravity suddenly increased fivefold! The two Shen family henchmen at the forefront were caught off guard and collapsed to their knees with a thud, their bones groaning under the unbearable pressure.
Xi Yuan and the scarred man's bodies suddenly sank, their movements noticeably slowing down.
"Now!" Ruan Ning shouted at Shen Yan.
Shen Yan poured all his remaining metal-type supernatural power into the specially made pistol in his hand, and dark gold patterns lit up on the gun body.
He wasn't aiming at Xi Yuan or the scarred man, but at a huge, seemingly decorative metal structure hanging above their heads!
Bang!
The bullet struck the connection point, and the metal component crashed down, smashing towards Xi Yuan and his companion!
The two hurriedly dodged. The scarred man punched, shattering some of the metal, while Xi Yuan swept his spear across. But this delay made the gravity trap's effects a beat slower.
Boom!
Metal components crashed to the ground, blocking most of the area near the entrance to the hall, and smoke and dust filled the air.
Countdown: [5 minutes 12 seconds].
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