Chapter 82
The aftermath of the successful resonance, like warm sunshine, dispelled the gloom that had gripped the Alliance for days. Monitoring data indicated that the core of the "Reality Stabilization Field" had been successfully awakened, entering a low-power, stable operating state, and establishing a preliminary, yet firm, connection with Wen Ling's consciousness. This meant that, facing the "Void Tide," they had at least a chance of launching their final defense.
The control room erupted in long-suppressed cheers, many hugging and weeping. Susie clapped Lao Lin's back excitedly, nearly making him stumble. Lao Lin muttered, "What a disgrace!" but couldn't help but smile. Xinglan hovered in front of the holographic console, his silver hair gently swaying with the energy flow, a smile of relief on his face.
Wen Ling slowly opened her eyes, her deep green pupils showing an unconcealable fatigue, but deeper inside was the clarity and determination that came with success.
The first thing he looked at was Miao Weizhen beside him.
Miao Weizhen's face was even paler than his, his temples throbbing from the aftereffects of excessive mental exertion, but he remained erect. Seeing Wen Ling's gaze, he nodded slightly, his tense jawline softening for a moment.
"How do you feel?" Miao Weizhen's voice was a little hoarse.
"Like... embracing a star," Wen Ling replied softly, with a strange feeling. "Warm, vast, and full of the power of life."
He tried to get up, but felt dizzy and was firmly supported by Miao Weizhen.
"Don't worry." Miao Weizhen's arms supported him firmly. "Han Zhong has cleared out the rats outside. The base is safe."
At that moment, Luo Yan walked in silently, his face solemn. "Minister, Your Highness. The interrogation results of the attacker are out. He was a killer, with a neurotoxin hidden in his teeth. He committed suicide during the arrest. The three energy experts... had clean backgrounds, but they had all been exposed to the same unregistered 'stimulant' drug before the incident. Preliminary tests show it contains trace amounts of psychotropic ingredients."
The clue was broken again, and it still pointed to the omnipresent yet invisible and intangible shadow.
"Qu Beichen..." Wen Ling whispered.
"He's like a poisonous catfish at the bottom of the water, always stirring up the mud while hiding himself in the deepest depths." Miao Weizhen said coldly, "This test proved the feasibility of resonance, and he also tested the strength of our defenses and its internal vulnerabilities. It's not a loss, but it's not a win either."
For the next few days, the entire alliance reveled in the joy of success, but the core leadership dared not let up even a little. Wen Ling needed time to adjust to the deep connection with the stability field core; Miao Weizhen handled post-test matters while strengthening internal cleansing. Luo Yan's security team thoroughly combed the entire base again, uncovering several more deeply hidden "nails."
That evening, Wen Ling met Ayuan while doing restorative consciousness training at Jinghai Beach.
Ah Yuan was carefully transplanting a shimmering plant into a special soil near the coast. Seeing Wen Ling, she smiled and nodded, then continued with her work.
"Ayuan, what is this?" Wen Ling walked closer and looked at the plant curiously.
"This is the 'Star Tear Orchid,'" Ayuan explained with a gentle look in his eyes. "It can only grow in an extremely pure energy environment. I found that the energy field near the Mirror Sea became particularly gentle after being affected by the stable field, so I wanted to try to grow one. Look,"
She pointed to the dew-like specks of light rolling on the slender leaves. "It's said that it absorbs negative emotions and blooms a soothing fragrance. I think... maybe it will be helpful in maintaining the stability of the consciousness network in the future."
Wen Ling was somewhat moved. While everyone was focused on the vast energy network and war preparations, A Yuan was concerned about the smallest lives and people's inner peace.
"Thank you, Ayuan." Wen Ling said sincerely, "Sometimes, the most powerful strength comes from the most gentle protection."
Ayuan smiled shyly and continued to take care of her star tear orchid with her head down.
After leaving the coast, Wen Ling encountered Susie and Lao Lin, who were directing engineering robots to repair the external facilities damaged by the explosion. The two were still arguing.
"I told you to use carbon nanotubes here to reinforce it! The best strength-to-weight ratio!" Susie pointed to a section of the structure.
"The best? Repair time increased by 30%! Efficiency is the most important thing in wartime, understand? Use composite armor plates for quick coverage!" Lao Lin refused to give in.
But this time, while they argued, they worked in perfect harmony. Seeing Wen Ling, Susie waved her oil-stained hands: "Your Highness, come and see our newly modified defense node!" Lao Lin supplemented the technical details, his tone stiff but professional.
"Thank you for your hard work." Wen Ling sighed as he looked at the rapidly restored facilities. "It's because of you that the Alliance has been able to reach this point."
Susie grinned, while Lao Lin cleared his throat uncomfortably and turned to oversee the next maintenance point.
At night, Wen Ling told Miao Weizhen what she had seen and heard during the day.
"Ayuan's Star Tear Orchid, the quarrel between Susie and Lao Lin...they are all protecting this place in their own way." Wen Ling leaned against the head of the bed, her tone soft.
Miao Weizhen sat beside him, massaging his still sore temples. "Yes," he replied. "Everyone has their place. My responsibility is to ensure that these places are not destroyed and that your efforts are not in vain."
His words still carried their inherent coldness, but Wen Ling could hear a subtle shift in them. He no longer viewed everyone except himself as a potential threat, but began to recognize their value as part of the "alliance."
"Weizhen," Wen Ling held his hand, "we will definitely succeed, right?"
Miao Weizhen stopped and looked at him deeply. Even in the darkness, it was difficult to conceal the concentration and determination in his eyes.
"I will." He leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Wen Ling's forehead, "Because I will never allow myself to fail."
The tide of the Mirror Sea gently laps against the shore.
The success of the first resonance test was like dropping a boulder into a tranquil lake, sending ripples swiftly across the known star system. More and more marginal civilizations sent envoys, requesting to join the Alliance, seeking the protection of its "Reality Stability Field." The Alliance's influence expanded at an unprecedented rate, and resources, talent, and technology converged like rivers flowing into the sea, merging into the Peach Garden Mirror Sea.
But this rapid expansion also brought new problems.
The clamor in the Provisional Parliament was deafening. Representatives of the newly joined civilizations were eager to secure their rights, while the nine established nations cautiously guarded their positions. Resource allocation, voice, technology sharing... every issue was subject to intense negotiation.
Wen Ling sat at the head of the table, patiently listening to the demands of all parties, attempting to find a balance within the complex web of interests. His face looked even more exhausted than in the past few days. Not only did he have to deal with the complexities of government affairs, he also had to devote considerable time daily to deep resonance training with the core of the stability field.
"We can't go on like this." After a meeting, Miao Weizhen looked at the dark circles under Wen Ling's eyes and said firmly, "These trivial matters will drag you down. You need to focus on resonance training. The 'Void Tide' won't wait for us to argue out a result."
"I know." Wen Ling rubbed his brows. "But the alliance can't just be an empty shell. Internal stability is equally important. Weizhen, we need a more effective operating mechanism."
Soon, a proposal called the "Alliance Contribution Points System" was put on the agenda. This plan quantified the input of each nation and civilization in terms of resource supply, technological contributions, and military assistance, directly linking contribution points to voice and resource quotas. At the same time, a "Permanent Council of the Alliance" was established, composed of the nine members with the highest contributions. These councils would be responsible for making day-to-day decisions, though major decisions would still require a unanimous vote.
This relatively fair and competitive plan was eventually passed after several rounds of intense discussion and Miao Weizhen's subtle pressure. The parliament's efficiency improved significantly, allowing Wen Ling to free herself from the tedious daily affairs.
However, the shadow of external threats has never dissipated.
Han Zhong's patrol fleet engaged in several firefights with unidentified small groups of troops in the border star region. The enemy was well-equipped and cunning in their tactics, retreating after a single strike and refusing to linger in the fight, clearly engaged in sustained harassment and intelligence gathering.
Information intercepted by Luo Yan's security department also showed that the covert infiltration had never stopped, and the means were even more covert. Some rumors began to spread quietly among the lower-level soldiers and the people.
Questioning the authenticity of the "Tide of the Void", exaggerating the "dictatorial" tendencies of the alliance's top leaders (especially Miao Weizhen), and alienating the relationship between new and old members.
"They are shaking our foundation." Wen Ling looked at the report submitted by Luo Yan with a serious expression.
"Fear and suspicion are the cheapest weapons." Miao Weizhen stood in front of the star map, his sharp eyes sweeping across the star regions where harassment battles were taking place. "Qu Beichen knows very well that the chances of winning a head-on confrontation are slim. He is trying to disintegrate us from within."
He turned and looked at Wen Ling: "It's time. We need a decisive victory, not only to crush his harassment, but also to catch him."
A bold battle plan took shape in Miao Weizhen's mind. He would use the alliance's increasingly sophisticated energy network and consciousness connection technology to set a trap and lure Qu Beichen's main force out.
"This is very risky." Xing Lan expressed his concern after learning of the plan. "What if the other party doesn't take the bait, or their strength exceeds our expectations..."
"He will come." Miao Weizhen said firmly, "His greed for the stabilization field core is greater than anything else. We just need to give him a bait he can't refuse."
His eyes fell on Wen Ling, with an undisguised desire to protect her: "Of course, the premise is to ensure absolute safety."
Wen Ling pondered for a moment and nodded, "I agree. Passive defense will only allow him to continue to consume us. The specific battle plan will be jointly formulated by you, Han Zhong, and Luo Yan."
As the Alliance frantically prepared for a counterattack, in a remote interstellar bar with a weak signal, a shabby man wearing a wide-brimmed hat silently watched a news report on the Alliance's latest developments on the screen. He stroked an ancient pocket watch in his hand. On the inside of the watch cover was a blurry photo of a woman with a gentle smile.
He tilted his head back and drank the low-quality synthetic liquor in the glass, slapped a few coins on the bar, lowered the brim of his hat, and disappeared into the dim alley outside the bar.
The direction seems to be a transit station leading to Jinghai in Taoyuan.
The storm is gathering, and forces from all sides are converging towards the Mirror Sea.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
