"It doesn't look very optimistic," Lin Xian said.

Chu Yan responded, "The more we discover about abilities, the more questions we have."

"Like what?"

"Have you ever considered whether it's good or bad for human bodies to inexplicably grow crystalline energy carriers?" Ye Lan spoke slowly.

Lin Xian froze upon hearing this. Truth be told, when he first heard about this from Vanessa, he had indeed pondered the same question.

"Of course, we can't objectively judge anything. After all, under the influence of abilities, people can already grow wings and tentacles, soar through the skies and dive underground. Growing a crystal isn't particularly remarkable. However, in our numerous crystallization growth experiments, many ability users have experienced hallucinations."

"Hallucinations?"

Ye Lan tapped a few keys on the computer, and several experiment logs appeared on the desktop. Lin Xian's brows furrowed as he read through them.

The list consisted mostly of ability users who had broken through the 10,000 peak threshold after crystallization, achieving the doubled or higher ability peaks Vanessa mentioned. But he also noticed the observation logs beneath each entry, where many crystallized individuals reported strange hallucinations in the short term. These reported visions bore an eerie resemblance to what Lin Xian had seen through the Corpse Drivers after Dawn City—some from darkness, others from the deep sea, all depicting abnormal scenes.

Stranger still, some with remarkably high ability peaks had... mutated.

"How could this happen?"

"Still unclear," Ye Lan said. "First, crystallization carries risks—the execution and cultivation process has high corruption toxicity. Second, we don't fully understand the changes this power brings or its subsequent hazards. Before mastering dark energy conversion technology, self-crystallization with third-level blood crystals was extremely dangerous. Moreover, once used, this power acts like a self-detonating dark mark in the night. Remember, the discovery of dark marks had just emerged then."

Lin Xian immediately understood why the Phoenix Society was being cautious.

After some thought, he said, "But using this power is an effective way to counter the darkness."

"True. That's why I had Chu Yan give you several fourth-level blood crystals obtained in Dawn City. As for cultivation, we're redesigning the approach with dark energy conversion technology. Research is ongoing—if we achieve positive results, I'll have Chu Yan send you the blueprints directly," Ye Lan explained.

"There's another thing," Chu Yan added, looking at Lin Xian. "Crystallization technology originated from the Sanctum organization. We've been investigating its origins, but you previously mentioned traces of the SIID Foundation in Star Abyss Region 13..."

Lin Xian suddenly realized, "No wonder. Professor Ye had already guessed it."

"Lin Xian," Ye Lan's gaze shifted slightly. "I told you before—if the dark civilization is truly targeting you, traversing the ocean route won't be smooth, even with the Sky Dome train."

"I know."

Lin Xian replied calmly, "Staying put or following Dawn Center is pointless. The ocean route is the fastest option."

He chuckled, glancing at Chu Yan. "That said, if our hypothesis about the Foundation being the dark civilization's true liaison on Blue Star is correct, and if crystallization—including the Sanctum organization—is connected to this, then me being targeted proves our deduction is right. If the dark civilization wants to eliminate me, our deterrent must be effective."

Black Star's expression turned grave as he addressed Chu Yan, "Weren't you just asking about the Southern Celestial Gate? Considering this, do you still think it poses a threat to the dark civilization?"

Lin Xian's smile slowly faded.

"That's... a fair point."

"Here's another possibility," Chu Yan exhaled, voicing his thoughts. "What if the message on the Southern Celestial Gate's photovoltaic array didn't come from the dark civilization?"

Hearing this, Ye Lan turned to him. "Why do you say that?"

"Because the message makes no sense. It doesn't sound like something a civilization that exterminated 99% of humanity would say," Chu Yan explained seriously. "'No resistance allowed'—why? What happens if we resist? We're already on the brink of extinction—could things get worse?"

Ye Lan remained silent, listening intently.

"First, the Star Abyss expanded according to its original 'plan,' while humans fled. From our observations, only after Crimson World intervened did Regions 5, 7, and 8 undergo massive mutations. It was after Julius's S-level connection that the abnormal entities besieged Dawn City, provoking human counterattacks."

"Under these circumstances, war was inevitable. The dark civilization doesn't negotiate with humans—their dark tides are night to us, just as our sunrise is night to them. We're in a dark forest;

as long as we lack dark marks, we can enter silent mode."

Humanity had evolved from panicked flight to gradually finding survival opportunities—a process of transformation.

"So what does 'no resistance allowed' mean? If it's from the dark civilization, it's meaningless. Assuming they're not simply incomprehensible or irrational, the message serves no purpose." Googlᴇ search novel fire.net

Lin Xian continued, "But if this message isn't from the dark civilization, the situation becomes worth investigating. I believe this is crucial information. Why? First, the message appears on the Southern Celestial Gate, blocked by the Sky Veil Barrier. Does this imply no connection? Assuming it's not the dark civilization, who is the message for? I've been thinking—there might be three possibilities..."

"First, another civilization addressing humanity. The logic is odd, and the probability seems low. If true, it spells even greater despair for us."

"Second, another civilization addressing the dark civilization. This is bold, but here's why: the communication uses dark matter particles. Perhaps the dark civilization receives it more easily, while we merely deciphered it by chance. If so, this message might be the true deterrent against the dark civilization! Though humanity suffers dimensional demotion, the universe teems with civilizations. A higher-tier civilization could make the dark civilization prey too, explaining why humanity survives post-Apocalypse Day. If they studied us, a dimensional demotion would leave no room for resistance, right?"

Chu Yan nodded. "Correct. We've discussed this—Professor Ye and leadership reached similar conclusions."

Ye Lan added, "We've considered all three scenarios. The first is simplest and offers hope—meaninglessness is meaningful. The second or third scenarios still leave humanity at the food chain's bottom, even if a higher civilization preys on the dark civilization."

"No," Lin Xian interjected. "My third scenario excludes the dark civilization as the sender."

"Oh?" Ye Lan frowned. "Then what is your third possibility?"

Chu Yan also looked at him curiously.

Lin Xian grinned casually. "The third scenario involves another civilization addressing humanity—but the message isn't hostile. It's benevolent. Could that be possible?"

Chu Yan frowned. "You're saying 'no resistance' is meant to save us?"

Seeing Ye Lan's inscrutable expression, Lin Xian shrugged. "Alright, it does sound far-fetched..."

"Still worth considering," Ye Lan replied. "Currently, we're attempting to communicate with the Southern Celestial Gate to gather more dark matter particle data. Lin Xian, your plan made this possible—without it, we couldn't transmit information beyond the Sky Veil Barrier."

Lin Xian shrugged. "Well, I need to investigate Mount Garland's situation urgently. I'll leave you to it..."

"Lin Xian," Chu Yan called. "How are you holding up?"

"Calm for now, but tonight might be rough." Lin Xian briefly recounted his encounters at sea—Sanctum, Mount Garland, floating islands, underwater abnormal entities.

Chu Yan advised, "You're near shore. If danger arises, use the Sky Dome train to return to land."

"We'll see. If the Sanctum organization is linked to the Foundation and I'm their target, then the Sword Bearer's plan is half-successful," Lin Xian remarked.

Ye Lan cautioned, "Based on your account, finding connections may take time. The Foundation hasn't shown itself yet—keep contingency plans in mind."

"Understood, Professor Ye."

Lin Xian nodded, signaled to Chu Yan, and severed the consciousness link, returning to the Black Star Forge.

As he re-entered, a flash appeared—the damaged Dauntless-class starship he'd left for automated sequence devouring had completed absorption.

[Dauntless-class starship devoured]

[Devour successful: +15,500 Mechanical Source Points, +1,800 Devour Proficiency]

"A damaged Dauntless yields 15,500 points—a new one might exceed 20,000. Three could elevate my Mechanical Heart to Level 7!"

[Current Mechanical Heart: LV.6 (22,220/50,000)]

[Mechanical Awakening]: Mechanical Overlord

[Mechanical Devour]: LV.6 (2,900/5,000)—increases devour efficiency

[Mechanical Construction]: LV.6 (1,560/5,000)—improves building efficiency

Lin Xian's spirits soared at the rapid Mechanical Source Point accumulation—precisely why he hurried toward the poles. Had Dawn City's wrecked aircraft not been reduced to scrap, he'd have stayed to assist with cleanup. Acquiring and transporting the damaged Dauntless had been laborious, but perseverance paid off.

As he pondered obtaining more starships for devouring, another notification appeared behind the first. Pushing the initial message aside, golden text materialized:

[New skill acquired: Supercritical Diffraction Sword!]

"Holy shit!"

Lin Xian's pupils contracted sharply. The golden glow of the notification signaled not just a new skill—but a legendary one, matching his Gravitational Lens!

[Supercritical Diffraction Sword: Channel supercritical constraint rays through one hand to unleash a high-energy diffraction blade!]

"Constraint rays?" Lin Xian stared at his fingers, murmuring, "No way... handheld orbital weaponry?"

Baffled, he recalled the Dauntless only having orbital seismic cannons—how did devouring it yield constraint ray technology? That belonged to the Southern Celestial Gate and Hyperion directional constraint cannons. The Mechanical Heart's extension logic grew increasingly perplexing.

"Whatever... time to test it. This legendary skill probably drains energy like Gravitational Lens."

Shaking off his thoughts, Lin Xian felt KIKI calling him in reality. Before leaving the Black Star Forge, he glanced at the metal die again—it had undeniably shifted. The number now displayed:

1

On the western coastal slope, Lin Xian snapped back to reality as KIKI urgently called out:

"Lin Xian, the storm's coming!"

Whoosh—BOOM!

The once-clear island skies darkened abruptly. Winds howled, vegetation thrashed, and the air grew thick with metallic brine.

The distant sky twisted—clouds churned by invisible hands morphed from gray-white to leaden, then sickly violet-black. Waves abandoned natural rhythms, jagged peaks forming unnaturally, crashing against reefs with bone-shattering cracks.

"Something's wrong..." KIKI's drone feed distorted violently. She frowned at the screen. "This storm developed too fast—pressure changes are abnormal..."

Before she finished, all electronics screeched static. Lin Xian's power armor Geiger counter shrieked, needles pegging radiation alerts.

"Radiation storm?" Lin Xian stood, glaring at the thunderous sky. His expression darkened.

"Masks on, now!" KIKI ordered Shasha to seal her helmet, then turned to Lin Xian. "Do we still investigate the city?"

"No!" Lin Xian activated his communicator. "Monica, Qian Dele, Sister Ning—all teams return immediately! Before the storm hits!"

Kzzzt—

Only static responded.

"Damn it, comms are down!" KIKI panicked.

"Fall back now!" Lin Xian growled, eyeing the pitch-black sea behind them.

"Something... is coming!"