Chapter 74
The port was busier than ever in the early morning.
Ships from nine nations were neatly arranged at their berths, with scientific researchers and technical teams in various uniforms making final preparations for embarkation. Queen Saiwen, personally leading a scientific delegation, had already boarded their flagship, the Cuiwei. A team of energy experts from Saijian were debugging equipment on the Jiyuan. Even the usually cautious Sairang had dispatched its top diplomatic corps.
Xing Lan stood at the console, her silver hair flowing in the blue light of the holographic projection. Nine communication windows were open in front of her, corresponding to the leaders of scientific expedition teams from various countries.
"The seal energy monitoring system has been synchronized to all ships," her voice was clear and professional. "Please ensure that the monitoring frequency remains within the resonant range."
Queen Severn's holographic image nodded slightly. "The Cuiwei is in position. Based on the data provided by Dr. Lin, we have adjusted the phase of the protective shield."
The energy chief of Saijian added, "We will continuously monitor the seal's energy fluctuations during the exploration. Any abnormalities will be immediately reported."
At that moment, Miao Weizhen walked into the command center, his dark brown eyes sweeping across the busy scene. Behind him was a team of engineers in Sailiang military uniforms, conducting a final safety check on the equipment.
"The third-band monitor needs calibration," he told Xinglan, greeting Queen Severn. "The instability of the seal's energy could affect the communication system."
Wen Ling walked over from the bridge and handed a document to Xing Lan: "Representatives from various countries have just signed a joint exploration agreement. We have a common goal—
We must explore the heritage of ancient civilizations while ensuring the safety of the seals."
Xinglan noticed the faint shadow under his eyes: "Didn't you get enough rest last night?"
"Some details need to be confirmed." Wen Ling smiled slightly, but his deep green eyes showed determination. "After all, this is the first joint operation of the nine countries."
The fleet set sail at the appointed time, a scene of considerable spectacle. Nine diverse research vessels, forming a formation, slowly departed the harbor, led by the command vessel, the Dawn. Han Zhong commanded the Dawn's bridge, while Luo Yan's special forces were dispersed throughout the vessels, providing security.
During the voyage, the scientific expedition teams of various countries maintained close communication. When the fleet passed the second jump point, the monitoring system of Saijian Country was the first to sound an alarm.
"Unusual energy turbulence detected!" Chief Sai Jian's voice came from the communicator. "It matches the characteristics of the seal leak described by Dr. Lin!"
Xinglan immediately coordinated a response from all nations: "All ships, adjust your shield frequencies to match the resonance point of the sealed energy! I repeat, do not use conventional defense mode!"
With the coordinated efforts of nine ships, the fleet successfully stabilized the energy turbulence. This accident actually proved the necessity of joint action.
When Taoyuan Mirror Sea finally came into view, scientists from various countries could not help but exclaim in amazement over the communication channel.
A mirror-like ocean reflects the starry sky, and a pink peach forest surrounds this mysterious planet. But upon closer inspection, a sinister undercurrent looms in the depths of the ocean, and in some areas, the peach forest appears unnaturally distorted.
"Strong sealing energy has been detected," Xing Lan reported the preliminary scan results to the various nations. "The underwater ruins are indeed the core of the seal, but the energy readings are extremely unstable."
At this moment, the diplomatic mission of the Sairang Kingdom issued a warning: "Multiple unknown signal sources have been detected approaching!"
On the holographic screen, several protective devices emitting ancient energy rose from the seabed and circled around the fleet. The pulse signals they emitted caused the instruments of scientific expedition teams from various countries to sound alarms simultaneously.
"They're testing us," Xinglan said, deciphering the signal pattern, "to determine if we're qualified to access the seal."
Wen Ling immediately issued an order through the joint communication channel: "All ships remain stationary and do not make any hostile moves."
After a few tense minutes, the protective devices suddenly changed their formation, forming a path of light in front of the fleet, pointing directly to the underwater ruins.
Queen Sewin's voice came from the communicator: "This seems to be a test left by an ancient civilization."
At the joint command meeting, representatives from various countries held heated discussions through holographic projections.
Sai Jianguo's representatives expressed caution: "Since the seal is confirmed to be extremely unstable, should we maintain a safe distance?"
"But this is our only chance to understand the threat," the Saiyi general retorted. "Evasion is not Saiyi's style."
Wen Ling listened quietly to the opinions of all parties, and finally spoke: "I propose forming a joint exploration team, but we respect the choices of each country. Those who wish to conduct close-up research can board a specially designed protective boat, and other teams can provide support from a safe distance."
In the end, the Sailiang scientific team led by Xinglan and experts from the Saiwen Kingdom decided to conduct in-depth exploration, while other countries provided external technical support.
As the specially designed exploration vessel submerged in the Mirror Sea, the monitoring systems of the nine nations simultaneously sprang into action. Real-time images of the underwater city were transmitted back to the various vessels. The pyramid-shaped structure, shrouded in dark energy, struck a unease among all observers.
"This is the sealed threat..." Xinglan's voice echoed across the ships via the communicator. Suddenly, dark energy surged violently, and a wave of consciousness struck the exploration vessel.
At the critical moment, Saijian's energy barrier and Sairang's protection system were activated at the same time, working together to block the attack.
"Evacuate immediately!" Representatives from multiple countries issued warnings at the same time.
But Xinglan stood before the observation window, his silver hair fluttering in the energy waves. "It's trying to communicate... I can sense the pain within it."
She shared her findings with scientists from around the world via a joint news channel: "Perhaps we have been misunderstanding this 'threat'. It is not attacking, but...calling for help."
Xinglan's words caused ripples in the joint communication channel.
"Ask for help?" The holographic image of the Saiyi general frowned. "Doctor Xinglan, we respect your perception, but strategic judgment cannot be based on feelings alone. Energy readings indicate that it is extremely destructive."
Sai Jianguo's energy chief calmly added, "The instability of the core is far beyond our control. Caution is advised."
At this moment, the dark energy stirred again, and a clearer memory fragment forcibly poured into all connected monitoring systems—
The scene changes.
No longer chaotic darkness, but a clear interstellar coordinate map.
A massive shadowy belt, labeled the "Void Tide," spanning several star regions, is moving toward this galaxy at a slow but unstoppable pace. Observers from ancient civilizations recorded the scene wherever it passed:
The stars are extinguished, the structure of space is distorted, the laws are broken, and everything returns to a state of "nothingness". Taoyuan Mirror Sea is clearly marked as one of the three "Arks of Civilization" left by the ancient civilization. The pyramid under the sea seals not monsters, but the key to resisting the "Tide of the Void".
——A strange core that has been domesticated and used to generate a "reality stabilization field".
At the same time, the ancient sage's final thought came, filled with fatigue and determination:
"The Ark... needs a guardian... The core needs a guiding will... It is forcibly sealed, just to wait for... a qualified successor..."
The truth is revealed!
The communication channel was dead silent. Everyone was shocked by this eon-spanning plan and the imminent, macroscopic threat.
"So... the 'Void Tide'... is the real enemy?" Queen Severn's voice was filled with disbelief. "This sealed core is not a disaster, but... a weapon? Or perhaps, an engine?"
"More accurately, it's a 'shield and anchor.'" Xinglan's voice trembled slightly with excitement as she quickly retrieved the ancient data she had just decoded. "It can deploy a protective 'reality stabilization field' when the 'Void Tide' arrives, guarding the star region within the Ark's range. But it requires enormous energy and... a powerful, unified collective consciousness to guide it. Otherwise, its power will spiral out of control and consume everything. It was precisely because the ancient civilization was unable to unify global consciousness before the catastrophe that they were forced to forcibly seal it away for future generations."
The situation suddenly became clear and more serious. Not only did they have to face an external threat from a cosmic scale, but they also had to achieve unprecedented internal unity to launch this last defense.
Wen Ling took a deep breath, and his voice sounded calmly and firmly through the communication network:
"Everyone, the truth has been revealed. The ideal country we seek is itself the last refuge left to us by ancient civilization. And the key to unlocking it lies not elsewhere but in the hands of us—the Nine-Nation Alliance. This is not a choice, but a responsibility. I propose that the exploration team withdraw immediately and convene an emergency summit of the Nine Nations to discuss strategies to deal with the 'Void Tide'."
Back in the Dawn's conference room, the atmosphere was more solemn than ever, but the goal was extremely clear.
"According to the data deciphered by Dr. Xinglan, the vanguard of the 'Void Tide' is expected to reach the edge of our star field within three years." Miao Weizhen stood in front of the star map, his fingertips tracing the unsettling shadowy area. His voice was as cold as ice. "We don't have much time left."
"Activating the core of the 'Reality Stabilization Field' requires two major conditions," Xing Lan continued, projecting a complex data model onto the center. "First, a vast energy source. This requires integrating the energy networks of the nine nations and all future participating civilizations. Second, a highly coordinated and unified 'collective consciousness field' to serve as the 'steering wheel' guiding the stabilization field. This requires an unprecedented level of trust and spiritual connection among participating civilizations."
General Saiyi was the first to speak out, this time without hesitation: "Faced with this threat, Saiyi is willing to devote all its military strength to protecting the energy network construction and obey unified command!"
In the face of survival, military hegemony thinking gives way to the survival of the community.
Representative Sai Jianguo followed suit: "Our country will make every effort to optimize the efficiency of energy collection and transmission to ensure a safe energy supply."
The representatives of Saizhi and Saili exchanged a glance, and the Saizhi representative spoke: "Under the leadership of Dr. Xinglan, we will fully research consciousness connection technology and stable field control models to ensure the feasibility of the technology."
Countries such as Saiwen and Sairang also expressed their support.
Faced with a common external threat, the Nine-Nation Alliance demonstrated unprecedented unity.
However, Miao Weizhen's next words slightly cooled the atmosphere that had just heated up:
"To build a collective consciousness capable of guiding a stable field, we need a core. A core that can be trusted by all civilizations, capable of carrying and coordinating the wills of hundreds of millions of people." He turned his gaze to Wen Ling, who had been silent the entire time. "The Covenant Master, His Highness Wen Ling, is the only candidate at this time."
This means that Wen Ling must not only become a political leader, but also a spiritual hub that unites the entire alliance. This requires him to bear unimaginable mental pressure and even risks.
Wen Ling felt the gazes of the crowd, filled with anticipation and worry.
He tightened his hand slightly under the table. At this moment, he felt Miao Weizhen's hand gently covering the back of his hand under the table, steady and powerful.
He stood up, his deep green eyes swept across the room, and he spoke clearly:
"If this is the only way to protect all living beings, I have no choice but to do it."
The direction of the alliance was thus determined:
Make every effort to prepare for the "Tide of the Void", integrate resources, build an energy network, and with Wen Ling as the core, develop and test collective consciousness connection technology.
After the meeting, Wen Ling stood alone in front of the observation window, looking at the beautiful Mirror Sea planet in the distance. It was both hope and a heavy responsibility.
Miao Weizhen approached silently.
"Are you scared?" he asked in a low voice. It was the same question as before, but it contained a deeper meaning.
Wen Ling shook her head gently, leaning on Miao Weizhen's sturdy shoulders, drawing strength from him. "With you, Xinglan, and everyone here, I'm not afraid. It's just... I feel a great sense of responsibility."
"You are not alone." Miao Weizhen hugged him, his voice low and firm, "Behind you is the entire alliance, and me. No matter what the spiritual connection needs to endure, I will be your closest 'anchor'."
At this moment, Xing Lan came over with a preliminary report, his face showing the excitement and solemnity of a researcher: "Brother, Wen Ling, the technical team has made a breakthrough! We have discovered the blueprint of the 'Consciousness Resonance Amplifier' left behind by an ancient civilization, deep in the ruins on the seabed! It can greatly enhance and purify the consciousness connection! But..."
She paused. "Activating and harnessing it requires extremely high mental strength and stability from the core guide, and requires extensive adaptive training and deep connection testing beforehand."
Wen Ling and Miao Weizhen looked at each other.
"Let's get started." Wen Ling's tone was calm and firm. "We don't have time to waste."
A new journey, a life-or-death race against time, officially begins. Taoyuan Mirror Sea, a supposedly peaceful utopia, has become the last bastion against a cosmic catastrophe.
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