Chapter 8
Under the guidance of Wen Ling and the leadership of Han Zhong, the team safely passed through the intricate ancient mine tunnels.
The air around them became increasingly stagnant, and the humming sound of energy disturbances seemed to penetrate directly into people's bones. The strange phosphorescent fungi on the rock walls became increasingly lush, and one could even see some tiny, insect-like luminous creatures crawling quickly among the fungi.
"We're getting closer." Han Zhong lowered his voice, his tone solemn. "The space ahead will be much wider, but it's also the most dangerous area."
Sure enough, after turning a corner, the view suddenly opened up. They were in a huge underground dome, so high that even the searchlight could not fully illuminate it.
Below was a mess of modern mining facilities - twisted metal supports, overturned transport vehicles, and countless broken pipes, as if they had been severely ravaged by an invisible giant hand.
In the center of these ruins, a huge pit with a diameter of tens of meters is clearly visible. The edge of the pit is irregular and molten, and the pit is bottomless. Only a heart-pounding, dark purple light can be seen faintly from the depths, accompanied by energy fluctuations like a heartbeat.
"It's right there... the core of the energy source." Susie's voice was trembling a little, but more excited. The data on the instrument screen on her wrist had rolled into an afterimage.
At this moment, a low, ancient roar echoed from the depths of the pit, accompanied by an even stronger energy shock! The entire dome began to tremble slightly, and gravel fell.
"Be careful!" Han Zhong shouted sternly.
More figures slowly stood up in the shadows of the ruins surrounding the pit - not just miners, but also some technicians wearing federal standard protective clothing. They also had empty eyes, gray skin, and were covered with phosphorescent bacterial spots, but their movements were more coordinated than the previous miners, and even had a strange... organization.
"They've been assimilated even more thoroughly!" Susie exclaimed, "And... they seem to be guarding that pit!"
Before he finished speaking, the contaminated technicians gathered dark purple energy balls in their hands and hurled them at the invaders! The energy balls struck the rock wall, instantly corroding a huge hole.
"Defend!" Miao Weizhen calmly ordered, the pulse pistol in his hand once again, firing with precise bursts in an attempt to disrupt the enemy's energy concentration. The guards also opened fire, but the enemy far outnumbered them and possessed long-range attack capabilities. For a moment, light bullets and energy balls intertwined in the air, and the sound of explosions was endless.
In the chaos, several contaminated beings broke through the fire net and charged towards Susie, who was attempting to decipher the energy signal. Han Zhong roared, drew his sword, and blocked Susie's path. With a flash of blade, he engaged the oncoming contaminated beings. The veteran general remained agile, his blade skills fierce and precise, carrying a murderous aura honed through countless battles.
Wen Ling was also caught up in the fray. He nimbly dodged an energy blast, picked up a broken metal pipe, and with a flick of his wrist, precisely parried a Defiler that attempted to lunge at Miao Weizhen from the side. His movements lacked Miao Weizhen's brutal, one-hit-killing brute force, but possessed a unique, calculated fluidity and efficiency that always defied danger with perfect timing.
Miao Weizhen caught a glimpse of Wen Ling's movements between shots, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes again. This fighting technique was definitely not ordinary aristocratic self-defense, but more like... a unique system that incorporated actual combat experience.
"Susie, how long will it take?" Miao Weizhen asked in a deep voice while changing the energy magazine.
"No! The interference is too strong! The core's energy frequency is constantly changing, as if it has its own consciousness and is resisting my analysis!" Susie shouted anxiously, her fingers operating rapidly on the instrument, beads of sweat oozing from her forehead. "I need a more stable data flow, or... or I can directly interfere with it!"
Direct interference? Everyone's heart sank. Going near that pit was tantamount to suicide.
At this moment, Wen Ling's eyes fell on the unusually lush phosphorescent fungi at the edge of the pit, as well as the luminous insects crawling quickly among the fungi.
An idea suddenly flashed through his mind, and he shouted to Susie, "Susie! Try to scan the life frequencies of those fungi and insects. They can survive here, so they must have achieved some kind of symbiosis or balance with the core energy. Their frequency may be the key."
Susie was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized: "Yes! Biological adaptive frequency, why didn't I think of it."
She immediately adjusted the scanning mode and aimed at the glowing creatures.
A moment later, she excitedly exclaimed, "We've found it! An extremely subtle resonant frequency! Minister, generate a stronger electromagnetic pulse for me. It doesn't have to be too strong, but it should cover our surroundings. I'll simulate this frequency and see if I can temporarily 'trick' or 'appease' that core."
Without hesitation, Miao Weizhen pulled a small device from his equipment bag and threw it. With a soft "bang," an invisible electromagnetic wave spread out.
Susie seized the opportunity and released the simulated biological frequency through an instrument amplification.
A miracle happened.
The pulsating dark purple light within the pit visibly faltered, as if paused. The surrounding frenzied attackers also paused, the purple light in their eyes dimming slightly, their attacks becoming slow and chaotic.
"It works! But not for long!" Susie shouted.
"General Han, take your men to cover the retreat! Susie, collect all the data! Wen Ling... let's retreat," Miao Weizhen made a prompt decision and issued the order to retreat.
His judgment was extremely accurate. Now was not the time to completely solve the problem. The best strategy was to obtain key information and evacuate safely.
The team fought and retreated, returning along the original route.
With the experience gained during the trip and the brief interruption of Susie's simulated frequency, the retreat process was relatively smooth.
When they finally rushed out of the mine and returned to the relatively safe port area, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if they were in another world.
Miao Weizhen immediately opened the communication, ordered the entire entrance to District 9 to be blocked, and mobilized more reliable personnel to guard it.
He stood under the dim lights of the port, looking at the blocked dangerous area in the distance with deep eyes.
Although this exploration failed to resolve the crisis, it revealed a more shocking truth - beneath the Yellow Springs Rust Port, there is an ancient energy source with a certain "consciousness" or highly complex program. It can contaminate and assimilate life forms, and its technological level is far beyond the current cognition of the Federation and Sailiang.
He subconsciously glanced at Wen Ling beside him.
The young man's golden hair still looked dazzling in the polluted air of the port. His fair face was stained with some stains, but it could not hide the calmness and wisdom in his deep green eyes.
"Your Highness's performance today is very impressive." Miao Weizhen spoke, his voice still flat, but this sentence itself was a high recognition.
Wen Ling turned her head, met his gaze, and nodded slightly: "It's my job." His response was humble and appropriate, but the gleam in his green eyes showed that he knew what he had won.
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