Chapter 71
Not long after Miao Weizhen's fleet left, Wen Ling received the first good news.
"Your Highness!" Anthony rushed into the command center excitedly. "The Saiwen Kingdom of Cuiwei Continent just sent a secret message, saying they are willing to join the Restoration Alliance!"
A handwritten letter from Queen Saiwen unfolded on the home screen. The elegant handwriting radiated determination: "... Saiwen always remembers the ancient motto of 'gentleness, kindness, courtesy, frugality, and modesty.' The Federation's tyranny has darkened the starry skies. We stand ready to join hands with Saiwen to restore the glory of our ancient civilization."
Before Wen Ling could respond, another call came in. This time it was from the ambassador of Saijian State from Jiyuanzhou, with several generals standing behind him.
"Your Highness," the ambassador saluted solemnly, "Sai Jian is ready to revolt. With a single command from the Alliance, we can cut off the Federation's energy lifeline in Jiyuanzhou."
Han Zhong excitedly slapped the console: "Great! The Federation is going to be in trouble now!"
However, good news kept coming. The Sairang and Saigong nations of Cangling Continent simultaneously announced their joining the alliance, while the Saiyi and Saili nations of Chihuang Continent also secretly deployed their troops. In just half a day, the blue dots representing the alliance on the star map spread like wildfire.
"It seems that Weizhen's diplomatic efforts over the past three months have not been in vain." Wen Ling stared at the star map, and the bright starlight was reflected in his deep green eyes.
Luo Yan pulled up the latest intelligence: "The Federation has begun to panic. Their garrisons in various star regions are shrinking their defenses."
"But this also means..." Wen Ling frowned slightly, "they will fight even more fiercely for the 'Heart Crown'."
At this moment, an encrypted communication suddenly came through. The figure that appeared in the holographic projection was actually the chief scientist of the Saizhi Kingdom in Youxuan Continent.
"Your Highness Wen Ling," the scientist's voice trembled with excitement, "We have deciphered the Federation's communication code. They are mobilizing all their elite forces for a general offensive in the Saigong star field!"
The command center suddenly fell silent. Everyone understood what this meant.
The team led by Miao Weizhen is about to face the entire federal force.
Wen Ling slowly stood up, her golden hair gleaming with determination under the light. "It's time to show the Federation the power of the Restoration Alliance."
His fingers moved quickly on the console, and a series of commands were issued:
"Send a message to Saiwen Nation to cut off all Federation communication lines in Cuiwei Island."
"Notify Sai Jianguo to immediately implement the 'energy cutoff' plan."
"Let the Sairang Kingdom's fleet feint at the border of Cangling Continent."
"Please ask the Saiyi and Saili nations to create chaos in Chihuangzhou."
Commands spread like ripples, and the entire galaxy began to vibrate.
The Federation suddenly found itself surrounded on all sides - communications were cut off, energy was in short supply, and the border was in crisis.
"Your Highness!" Susie suddenly exclaimed, "Abnormal spatial fluctuations have been detected! It's... it's the Saizhi fleet!"
On the star map, a blip representing the Saizhi Kingdom suddenly appeared near the Saigong star region. The image of the chief scientist reappeared: "Your Highness, Youxuanzhou always stands on the side of wisdom and truth."
Looking at the blue light that connected to one another on the star map, Wen Ling took a deep breath. A thousand years later, the nine ancient nations finally united once again, fighting for their common beliefs.
At this moment, Miao Weizhen's voice came from the communicator, with the sound of fierce gunfire in the background: "Wen Ling, we found the 'Heart Crown'. But the Federation's troops are more than expected."
Wen Ling looked at the shining blue dots on the star map, a determined smile on his face:
"Don't worry. This time, you're not alone."
He connected to the full-channel communication, and his voice spread throughout the Restoration Alliance:
"For the ancient glory, for the future of the stars—"
On the star map, the fleets of the nine nations, like awakening giant beasts, converged from all directions toward the Saigong star field. This battle would determine the fate of the entire galaxy.
The flames of war in the Saigong star field illuminated half of the starry sky red.
Amidst the fierce exchange of fire, the elite team led by Miao Weizhen finally broke through the Federation's defense lines and arrived at the entrance of the ancient ruins.
"Ahead is the main hall, where the Heart Crown resides." Xinglan's holographic image radiated a soft glow in the dim passage, guiding the way. Her silver hair fluttered gently with the energy fluctuations, revealing her inner restlessness.
Suddenly, the entire ruins shook violently, and rubble fell from the dome.
"The Federation has deployed heavy drilling equipment!" Luo Yan's voice came from the communicator, with deafening explosions in the background. "The defenses of the ruins are collapsing. You have at most fifteen minutes!"
Miao Weizhen quickened his pace, his dark brown eyes gleaming with determination under the illumination of the emergency light. The team members behind him tacitly split into two groups: one continued forward, and the other stayed behind to cover the rear.
After passing through the last stone gate, they finally arrived at the core of the ruins—
A magnificent circular palace.
In the center of the hall, a crown emitting soft light is quietly suspended in the air. It is the "Heart Crown", the treasure of ancient civilization.
Xinglan couldn't help but float forward, but was blocked by an invisible barrier when he was ten steps away from the "Heart Crown".
"This is... a consciousness authentication barrier," she whispered, a flicker of understanding in her silver-gray eyes. "As the ancient texts record, the Heart Crown only responds to the purest consciousness."
She tried to press her hand on the barrier, which rippled but showed no sign of opening.
"Even you can't do it?" a team member asked anxiously.
Xinglan shook his head, his voice tinged with bitterness. "My consciousness was once tainted by the Luofeng Reverberations. Although it has been purified now, the Heart Crown can still sense those scars."
Everyone's eyes turned to Miao Weizhen. He stepped forward steadily, his dark brown eyes fixed on the crown radiating a mysterious light. When he reached out to touch the barrier, it emitted a low humming sound, and the ripples spread more violently, but it still did not open.
"Isn't the minister's consciousness also up to standard?" The team members fell into despair.
At this moment, Wen Ling's voice came through the communicator, with the noisy voices of the command center in the background: "Weizhen, let me try."
"No!" Miao Weizhen immediately objected, his voice filled with rare nervousness. "Although your consciousness is pure, remote connection is too dangerous. What if the barrier produces a rejection reaction..."
"Believe me." Wen Ling's voice was as calm as water. "Remember what Xing Lan said? Love is the brightest energy. If the 'Heart Crown' really needs pure consciousness, then..."
He didn't finish his words, but Miao Weizhen understood what he meant.
Under the anxious gaze of the crowd, Wen Ling's holographic projection slowly gathered within the hall. His golden hair seemed to be shone with a halo in the light of the Heart Crown, and his deep green eyes stared firmly at the barrier ahead.
The moment Wen Ling's finger gently touched the barrier, the entire hall suddenly fell silent. Time seemed to stand still at that moment, and even the sounds of distant battles disappeared. The barrier was like the surface of water broken by a stone, rippling with golden waves and emitting a pleasant humming sound.
The Heart Crown suddenly erupted with an unprecedented radiance, illuminating the entire hall like daylight. Amidst the dazzling light, an ancient and majestic voice echoed deep within everyone's consciousness:
"After a thousand years of waiting... a successor with a pure heart has finally arrived..."
The light gradually condensed into a vague figure, which was the guardian spirit of the "Heart Crown".
It looked at Wen Ling, its voice filled with the relief of someone who had experienced many hardships:
"Countless powerful beings have sought to obtain the power of the Heart Crown, but their hearts are filled with greed and ambition. Only you, child, have a heart as pure as fresh snow."
At this moment, the elite federal troops broke through the last line of defense and rushed into the hall. The leading commander pointed his gun at Wen Ling's holographic image and roared:
"Hand over the Heart Crown! Or I'll destroy your projection device!"
The Guardian Spirit raised its hand gently, and the weapons in the hands of the Federation soldiers instantly transformed into tiny specks of starlight and dissipated into the air. "In the realm of the Heart Crown, violence is meaningless."
It turned to Wen Ling and Miao Weizhen, and its voice became solemn and deep:
"Ancient civilizations left behind the Heart Crown not to conquer, but to protect. Now, it's time to entrust it to those who can be trusted."
The Heart Crown slowly descended from the sky, hovering between Wen Ling and Miao Weizhen. It emanated a warm light, enveloping them both. The light seemed to have life, swirling and entwining around them.
Xinglan suddenly let out a soft cry. Under the light, she found that her holographic image was undergoing a strange transformation.
The originally translucent body gradually solidified, the long silver hair seemed to have real texture, and even the folds of the skirt became clearly visible.
"Is this... materialization?" She looked at her hands in disbelief, her fingertips trembling slightly.
"This is a tribute to life." The guardian spirit's voice gradually faded away. "Remember, true strength always comes from love and hope."
As the light gradually faded, the people in the hall saw a shocking scene: Wen Ling's holographic projection was still standing there, and Xing Lan—
She truly possessed a physical form. Her long silver hair draped over her shoulders like silk, her fair skin shone with a healthy glow, and her silver-gray eyes sparkled with tears of excitement.
"Brother..." She spoke with a sob, and this time it was a real voice, no longer an electronic synthesized voice.
Miao Weizhen strode forward and hugged his lost sister tightly, his dark brown eyes flashing with uncontrollable emotion. Wen Ling stood beside them, her deep green eyes gently gazing at this touching reunion, a relieved arc on her lips.
However, at this moment, something strange happened.
The entire ruins suddenly shook violently, more intensely than ever before. Luo Yan's urgent voice echoed through the communicator: "We've detected massive spatial fluctuations. It's... it's the Federation's ultimate weapon, 'Starfall'! They're going to use it to destroy the entire star system!"
The temple began to crumble, huge blocks of stone falling from overhead.
What's even more terrifying is that the light of the "Heart Crown" suddenly became unstable, as if it was resisting some external interference.
Xing Lan's expression suddenly changed: "Not good! The Federation is trying to use the technology of 'Luofeng Can Xiang' to pollute the 'Heart Crown'!"
In the distance, Qu Beichen's cold voice came through the loudspeaker: "Since I can't get the 'Heart Crown', no one else can!"
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