"Star skeleton..."
These two words were squeezed out from between Xie Chen's teeth, carrying an almost tangible chill that made the temperature in the entire living area seem to drop several degrees. The energy around him, which had been relatively stable, began to stir slightly again, a reaction stemming from his soul's instinctive rejection and killing intent.
Su Nian had never felt such pure and intense negative emotions from him before. It wasn't just disgust; it was more like a blood feud etched deep in his soul, an irreconcilable hatred. She could even "hear" through their soul link the raging waves of destruction and darkness that surged within his consciousness because of that name—shattered stars, collapsing divine kingdoms, and endless, chilling betrayals.
Ling Mo keenly noticed Xie Chen's reaction and the abnormal fluctuations in his energy. He immediately stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Calm down! Xie Chen! Your power has only just stabilized!"
At the same time, he quickly operated the controller on his wrist, and a gentle energy field with a calming frequency enveloped him, trying to soothe Xie Chen's restless energy.
Xie Chen closed his eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, the violent killing intent in his eyes was forcibly suppressed, but the icy chill remained undiminished. He looked at Ling Mo, his voice low and dangerous: "How much do you know?"
Ling Mo put away the communicator, his expression grave. "Not many. 'Star Remains' is an extremely mysterious and ancient organization, elusive in its movements, and its influence extends to an unknown extent. The Alliance Security Bureau only has scattered, unverified records about them. They seem to have an extraordinary... collecting desire for various powerful and unique energies and life forms in the universe." He paused, looking at Xie Chen and Su Nian, "'Key,' in their context, usually means 'a medium for unlocking something important or powerful.'"
His gaze swept between the two, finally settling on Su Nian: "Based on the previous data, Miss Su Nian's unique Ice Soul Power, capable of calming or even repairing conflicts of rules and soul trauma, perfectly matches the characteristics of the 'key.' They may believe that your power is the key to 'opening' or 'controlling' something."
Su Nian's heart sank. Was it because she had repeatedly used the power of the Ice Soul to save Xie Chen, even deeply interfering at the soul level, that she was exposed?
“It’s not necessarily you.” Xie Chen suddenly spoke, interrupting her thoughts. His gaze was sharp as a knife, as if it could pierce through layers of fog. “The ‘Star Skeleton’ never targets a single individual. They are like hyenas, often eyeing the most valuable or the most threatening member of their entire prey group.”
He looked at Ling Mo, his tone carrying an undeniable certainty: "The fact that this message could be sent so precisely to your encrypted channel speaks volumes. Your base, or even you yourself, are probably already under their surveillance. The previous rule rejection and my soul rampage generated an energy level that was too high, like a lighthouse in the darkness, completely exposing our location."
Ling Mo's face turned extremely ugly. He believed that the base's concealment and security were already top-notch, but now Xie Chen had exposed it, which was tantamount to a direct blow to his ability and pride. He was silent for a moment, then pushed up his glasses, and the look in his eyes behind the lenses became calm and calculating again: "In other words, we are now in the same boat. The 'recycling process' of 'Star Skeleton' will definitely not be a polite invitation."
“They usually send out a ‘cleanup team’ first to clear obstacles and ensure the ‘key’ can be safely ‘retrieved’,” Xie Chen added, his tone carrying a familiarity with the enemy’s modus operandi, a familiarity that made Su Nian’s heart tighten inexplicably. “We don’t have much time left.”
A brief silence fell over the living quarters. The 71-hour countdown hung like a Damocles' sword, constantly reminding them of the impending crisis.
“Sitting idly by and waiting to die is not my style.” Xie Chen broke the silence first, looking at Ling Mo, “Do you have any information about possible ‘Star Remains’ strongholds around this city?”
Ling Mo immediately understood his intention: "You want to take the initiative?"
"Before they gather their forces and trap us here, let's knock their claws out, buy time, and gather intelligence." Xie Chen's voice was cold and decisive. "The best defense is offense."
Ling Mo quickly pulled up some encrypted maps and data streams on the tablet, his fingers swiping rapidly: "...Yes. In the abandoned industrial area about 150 kilometers northwest of the city, there is a long-standing outpost with abnormal energy signals and tight shielding. The Alliance Security Bureau had suspected it, but several reconnaissance missions were unsuccessful, and without concrete evidence, they did not take any action. Now it seems that it is very likely an outpost of 'Star Remains'."
“That’s it.” Xie Chen said without the slightest hesitation.
“I agree to take the initiative,” Ling Mo stated, “but a plan is needed. The defenses of that stronghold are unclear, and we have limited manpower. I need time to analyze its energy patterns and find potential defensive vulnerabilities. Moreover, the base also needs to be prepared for relocation and concealment, in case we are trying to lure them away from the base.”
"Okay." Xie Chen nodded. "You'll be in charge of intelligence support and rear support. Su Nian and I will go."
Su Nian was taken aback and looked at Xie Chen. Her soul power had only recovered to less than 30%, greatly reducing her combat strength.
Xie Chen met her gaze, his eyes deep: "You need real combat experience to accelerate the recovery and control of your soul power. Moreover," he paused, his tone carrying an unusual certainty, "your power has a miraculous effect on those things from the 'Star Remains'."
He seemed to know something about her power, about "Star Remains," but he didn't say it explicitly.
Su Nian saw an undeniable decision in his eyes, as well as a hidden hint of... entrustment? She took a deep breath, suppressing her unease and weakness, and nodded: "I'll go."
Since there was no way to escape, she would face it head-on. She was also eager to see just who this mysterious "Star Skeleton" was, the one Xie Chen hated to the core.
Once the plan was set, the base immediately began operating efficiently.
Ling Mo locked himself in the main control room, mobilizing all computing resources to analyze the energy data of the abandoned industrial base, attempting to construct its structural model and defensive weaknesses. Simultaneously, he activated the base's emergency plan: some non-core equipment began to automatically pack up, and multiple pre-set safe house coordinates were activated, ready for a strategic relocation at any moment.
Su Nian then raced against time to meditate and recover. She knew that in her current state, rashly venturing into a dangerous area would not only be a burden but also irresponsible towards her own and Xie Chen's lives. She diligently guided the stagnant Ice Soul Power within her body, like clearing a silted riverbed, allowing it to flow slowly again. The weakness emanating from the depths of her soul was still evident, but that emptiness and powerlessness was being filled little by little.
Xie Chen wasn't idle either. In the training room, he adapted to the stronger and more complete power he had gained after awakening. The power of the stars flowed at his fingertips, sometimes condensing into dazzling spears of light, sometimes transforming into invisible force field barriers. His movements were precise and efficient, carrying a simple beauty honed through countless battles. As he familiarized himself with his power, he seemed to be recalling something, his eyes occasionally becoming distant and cold, as if he were turning the pages of a long-sealed memory, stained with blood and fire.
During this time, Ling Mo delivered some equipment.
Su Nian was given a lightweight, close-fitting protective suit with basic energy resistance, and a pair of specially modified bracelets that could amplify and shape her Ice Soul Power to a certain extent. "Your soul power is unique, and conventional weapons are not very effective. These 'Ice Condensation Rings' should help you control your power more effectively and reduce unnecessary consumption."
What was given to Xie Chen was a dark-colored combat suit of unknown material, which seemed to be able to absorb and disperse energy impacts to some extent. Ling Mo looked at him and said meaningfully, "The material of this suit contains a little something brought back from the 'Border,' I hope it will be useful to you."
Xie Chen took the combat uniform, his fingers brushing against the cool, smooth fabric. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, then he nodded without saying anything more.
Time ticked by in the tense preparations. With about sixty hours left in the countdown, Ling Mo finally delivered the preliminary analysis results.
“The base has a complex underground structure, with at least three layers. It is surrounded by a high-strength energy shield and physical barrier, making it difficult to breach silently using conventional methods.” Ling Mo displayed a blurry architectural diagram on the holographic projection. “However, I discovered that their energy supply system has a tiny fluctuation gap, which occurs approximately every two hours and lasts for only 0.3 seconds. During this gap, the shield weakens extremely briefly.”
He pointed to a corner of the architecture diagram: "Here is an abandoned ventilation duct entrance, buried under a pile of garbage. Their surveillance seems to have overlooked this. If we can pinpoint the moment the shield weakens and force a hole with a high-energy shock, we might be able to sneak in from here."
"0.3 seconds..." Su Nian frowned slightly; this time window was too short.
"That's enough." Xie Chen's tone was calm, yet it carried absolute confidence.
"What happens after we go in?" Su Nian asked.
“The primary objective is their central database.” Ling Mo switched the projection to show an area resembling a mainframe room on the second basement level. “Obtain their operational plans, personnel configuration, and… detailed intelligence regarding the ‘key’ and the ‘recovery procedure.’ Second, if possible, disrupt their communications and energy cores to delay their operation. Finally…”
He looked at Xie Chen and Su Nian, his tone serious: "Safety first. If things become unmanageable, retreat immediately. I will provide support from the outside and have set up several evacuation points."
The plan has been largely finalized. Although it is still full of unknowns and risks, at least there is a clear direction.
One hour before departure.
Su Nian did a final check of her equipment, adjusting the position of the "Ice Ring." The bracelet felt cool to the touch, subtly resonating with the ice-energy within her, which did indeed enhance her sense of control over her power.
Xie Chen walked to her side. He had already changed into that dark combat uniform. The well-fitting cut outlined his tall and agile figure. He looked like a sharp blade about to be drawn, exuding a cold aura.
“Here, take this.” He held out his hand, revealing a deep blue, rhomboid crystal about the size of a fingernail in his palm. Inside the crystal, it seemed as if tiny stardust was slowly swirling.
Su Nian could sense that the crystal contained a pure and peaceful stellar power, which was completely different from the violent power Xie Chen usually used in battle.
"This is?"
"This is a 'stellar core fragment' that I condensed after my power stabilized." Xie Chen placed the crystal in Su Nian's hand, its surface warm to the touch. "It stores a portion of my original power. In critical moments, it can form a powerful protective barrier, or... perform a short-distance spatial jump. The method of use is very simple; just activate it with your soul power."
Su Nian gripped the cool star core fragment tightly, feeling the immense energy it contained and Xie Chen's profound affection. This was not merely a talisman, but a symbol of him entrusting a portion of his power to her.
"Thank you," she said softly, carefully putting away the fragments.
Xie Chen looked at her, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly asked a seemingly abrupt question: "Do you remember how many 'worlds' we've experienced?"
Su Nian was taken aback, not understanding why he suddenly asked this. She carefully recalled the setting sheet and the fragments of memory, some clear and some blurry, in her mind: "According to what we know... about six or seven?"
Xie Chen's gaze was deep, as if he could see into a more distant past through her: "Some fragments are scattered too far away, forgotten too deeply... and may even exist in a place like 'Star Remains'."
Su Nian's heart skipped a beat, and an unbelievable thought surfaced: "You mean... 'Star Remains' might have also collected your... soul fragments?"
Xie Chen did not answer directly, but his eyes became even darker and colder: "If you encounter something that feels 'familiar', whatever it is, do not hesitate, destroy it immediately, or get away from it."
His tone carried an unquestionable warning, and even a hint of... barely perceptible apprehension.
These words, like a pebble thrown into a lake, created ripples in Su Nian's heart. Could Xie Chen's soul fragments have fallen into the hands of "Star Remains"? What does this mean? Do those fragments still retain his consciousness and emotions? If they encounter…
She dared not think any further.
The night was deep, and dark clouds obscured the moonlight. A camouflaged SUV silently drove out of the hidden exit of the Lingmo base, merged into the city's traffic, and then sped off towards the abandoned industrial area in the northwest.
Inside the vehicle, Ling Mo was in charge of driving while remotely monitoring the situation at the base and target outpost.
Su Nian and Xie Chen sat in the back row, each adjusting their state. Su Nian closed her eyes to rest, feeling the slowly recovering Ice Soul Power within her body, as well as the faint resonance from the bracelet and the Star Core fragment. Xie Chen, on the other hand, looked at the bizarre and dazzling city night scene rushing past the window, his eyes calm and unwavering, only the corners of his tightly pursed lips revealing a hint of murderous intent.
More than an hour later, the vehicle left the hustle and bustle of the city and entered a desolate and dilapidated area. In the distance, the outline of a huge, rusty factory was faintly visible in the gloom, like the crouching remains of a steel behemoth. The air was filled with the strange smell of corroded metal and residual chemical reagents.
Ling Mo parked the car behind a hidden ruin.
“The target area is one kilometer ahead. There are dynamic sensors and energy scans. Vehicles cannot get any closer.” He pulled up the real-time monitoring map on the tablet. “The energy fluctuations of the shield are rising and falling regularly. There are still 23 minutes until the next fluctuation interval.”
“The timing is perfect.” Xie Chen pushed open the car door and got out first. The cold night wind ruffled the wisps of hair on his forehead, but it couldn’t dispel the chill in his eyes.
Su Nian followed closely behind, stepping into this desolate land. The gravel underfoot made a slight sound, and the surroundings were eerily silent, with only the howling wind, like the wailing of ghosts.
Ling Mo handed them two miniature earpieces: "Maintain communication. I will provide real-time data support. Remember, you only have one chance, 0.3 seconds. Once you successfully infiltrate, proceed according to plan. If you encounter any danger that you cannot handle, immediately activate the backup plan to evacuate."
Xie Chen nodded, looked at Su Nian, and extended his hand.
Su Nian was slightly taken aback, then understood and placed her hand in his palm.
His palm was warm and dry, holding her hand firmly. The next moment, a gentle yet powerful stellar energy enveloped them, blurring their figures as if they had blended into the surrounding night and shadows, and their auras completely subsided.
Stealth, begin.
Like two ghosts, the two moved swiftly through the ruins and shadows, silently approaching the core area of the abandoned factory shrouded in an invisible energy shield.
The closer Su Nian got, the more unsettling and oppressive a feeling became. It wasn't just from the tight defenses, but also from a feeling of being watched by some cold, greedy gaze.
She instinctively tightened her grip on Xie Chen's hand.
Xie Chenhui grasped her hand firmly, conveying a reassuring strength.
They lay in ambush behind a broken concrete wall. Less than fifty meters ahead was the abandoned ventilation duct entrance that Ling Mo had marked, half-hidden by a pile of twisted metal and construction debris. Above the entrance, an invisible energy shield rippled slowly like water, emitting a faint, ominous purplish-gray light.
The countdown came calmly through the headset: "The peak of the energy fluctuation is about to arrive... Three, two, one... Now!"
Almost the instant Ling Mo finished speaking, Xie Chen moved!
He pointed his fingers like a sword, and a dark golden beam of light, condensed to the extreme and almost invisible, pierced a certain node in the energy flow of the shield with the precision of a scalpel!
"laugh--!"
A soft, tearing sound, like cloth being ripped, rang out. Sure enough, a tiny, extremely unstable gap appeared in the solid energy shield, barely wide enough for one person to pass through. The energy at the edges flickered violently, and it looked like it was about to close!
"Walk!"
Xie Chen let out a low shout, grabbed Su Nian, and transformed into a streak of light, narrowly passing through the shield before the 0.3-second window completely disappeared!
The moment the two landed, the gap in the shield behind them had already closed, as if nothing had happened.
They successfully infiltrated the interior of the "Starwreck" outpost.
However, before they could even get a clear look at their surroundings—a dark, damp passage filled with the smell of rust and engine oil—a powerful energy surge, carrying the scent of decay and death, suddenly erupted from the depths of the passage!
At the same time, accompanied by a tooth-grinding, bone-grinding "crack" sound, several skeleton soldiers with ghastly green soul fire in their eyes and tattered clothes and rotting flesh on their bodies, wielding rusty swords, staggered out of the shadows!
Undead creatures!
Su Nian's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately assumed a defensive stance. The power of ice essence condensed at her fingertips, emanating a chilling aura.
Xie Chen stood still, not making a move immediately. His gaze passed over the low-level skeleton soldiers and fell deeper into the passage. For the first time, an extremely solemn expression appeared in his deep eyes.
He sensed a more powerful, more familiar, and more loathsome aura.
“It seems that the person in charge of ‘Star Remains’ here is an ‘old friend’,” he said in a low voice, his voice as cold as ice.
(End of Chapter 87)
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