The darkness and mist at the bottom of the Rusted Canyon enveloped the five men like a cold veil. Above, the searchlight beams of the Ripper base, like the tentacles of a ferocious beast, swept futilely across the jagged cliffs. The roar of engines drifted from near and far, signaling the dispatch of search craft. But the complex terrain deep within the canyon and the pervasive, natural mist that interfered with energy detection offered them a precious respite.
They found a crevice, sheltered by a giant, umbrella-shaped fungus emitting a faint blue glow, and barely made their way inside. The crevice was damp and cold, and the air lingered with the acrid scent of rusted metal. Aisha immediately unfolded several pieces of batik cloth she had brought with her and spread them across the uneven ground. The ancient patterns on the cloth, symbolizing "purification" and "tranquility," glowed gently and firmly in the gloom, like a bonfire in the night, not only dispelling the remnants of unpleasant energies but also bringing a sense of spiritual comfort. A small area of stability quietly took shape. Buakaw stood guard at the outer edge of the cave entrance like a silent stone lion, his bronze skin gleaming metallically in the dim light. His muscles tensed, his ears capturing the sounds of wind, water, and any other unusual noises not native to this deadly canyon. Nguyen Thi Mai, like the most nimble swift, silently collected the condensed water droplets seeping from the rock wall, imbued with faint, living energy. With her fingertips, she guided the water, gathering and purifying it with gentle, rhythmic movements, before distributing it to her parched companions.
Lin Xingyun didn't bother to rest; he immediately retrieved the gleaming metal storage device he had snatched from the control console. Its interface was odd, a far cry from Earth technology. He attempted to penetrate it with a trace of psychic energy and immediately felt the complex and sturdy barrier of energy circuits within.
"This object's structure is bizarre, its energy circuits densely covered like thorns. Forcing a breakthrough could lead to disaster," Dilawang said gravely. He took the device and gently placed the warm, white jade Buddha against its surface. He closed his eyes, his breathing slowing. A calm yet penetrating spiritual force, like the most nimble chisel, began carefully probing the nodes and cracks in the energy circuit. "It requires patience, like water dripping through stone, to achieve a silent opening."
Time slipped slowly in silence and tension. Just as Dilawang concentrated his efforts on cracking the code, a familiar, gentle yet vast spiritual wave, like a thawed stream in early spring, pierced through layers of mist and rock walls, gently brushing past their hiding place. It was the Crystal Descendants of Pearl Lake! They had evidently sensed the previous energy clash and alarm, following the indelible aura of the Light Tree emanating from Lin Xingyun and the others.
Several silver-blue figures, like mercury flowing silently into the crevice, slipped into the rock. The leading Crystal Descendant's body shone with light, conveying a stream of information mingled with concern, inquiry, and urgency, like a warm tide that surged into everyone's consciousness. Lin Xingyun concentrated and calmed his mind, briefly recounting his previous experiences—the infiltration, the discovery of the crystal energy core, the knowledge of the threat to Earth, and the thrilling escape.
The light of the Crystal Descendants suddenly fluctuated violently, revealing intense anger and deep concern. They conveyed a clearer and more urgent message: the predators' actions were like a poisonous creeper, eroding the very foundations of the Light Tree, endangering the planet's balance. They were preparing to perform a ritual inherited from the planet's ancient memories, attempting to communicate with the dormant sea of consciousness and seek a way to stabilize the "seed of life" (the Light Tree). However, this ritual required powerful and pure external energy as a "fuse" and "resonating chord." Lin Xingyun and his four companions, especially the tokens they carried, fused with the Light Tree's source power and bearing the imprint of an alien civilization, were their only hope of igniting the ritual.
"We must do our best." Lin Xingyun's gaze swept over his companions, receiving a resolute, unwavering response. This was not only a reciprocation for their previous gift, but also a desire to sever the demonic claws reaching for their homeland and confront a common enemy. At that moment, Dilawang let out a long sigh, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He opened his eyes. A faint beam of light emanated from the storage device, interweaving in the air into flickering, distorted images (perhaps some kind of universal message code spanning the galaxy).
The intelligence they had deciphered was far more shocking than they had imagined!
The images revealed that the "Shredders," calling themselves the "Universe Burners," were an extremist organization that believed in "absolute order and ultimate efficiency" and whose sacred mission was to plunder galactic energy and eliminate so-called "inefficient and redundant civilizations." They viewed the vast universe as a garden in constant need of "manicure." Earth, due to the "uncontrollable and wild" psychic energy that erupted after the spiritual rain, had been marked as a target for "observation and possible thorough purification." Even more alarming was the fact that the Gene Alliance and the "Shadow Serpent"'s actions on Earth appeared to be under the observation and even covert guidance of this "Universe Burners" organization! The glaring path on the star map, pointing towards the solar system, was a cold, long-term plan of "observation and intervention"! The intelligence contained another crucial piece of information: The "Universe Burners" have been searching the universe for legendary "Stargate Anchor Points"—ancient nodes that maintain the stability of hyperspace passages, attempting to control these interstellar lifelines and realize their ambitions for efficient conquest. The Angkor Wat Stargate is very likely one of these "anchor points"!
The sense of crisis, like a scalding cold water, instantly spread from the galactic scale to the very survival of their homeland! Earth is not only our root, but also the forefront of a massive interstellar storm about to sweep across the world!
"We must stop them. Not only must we defend this place, but we must quickly find our way back and protect our homeland!" Lin Xingyun's voice was low but resolute, his gaze sweeping across the shocked, yet increasingly fiery, eyes of his companions.
Carrying a heavy sense of responsibility and an unprecedented sense of urgency, they, led by the Crystal Descendants, quietly left the Rusted Canyon like flowing water merging into the shadows, returning once again to the dreamy and majestic shores of Pearl Lake.
The atmosphere at the lakeside now was a stark contrast to the usual tranquility and peace, now filled with a sacred solemnity. Hundreds of Crystal Descendants gathered around the Light Tree. Their bodies no longer moved randomly, but instead formed an ancient formation imbued with the profound principles of heaven and earth. Silver-blue light connected with each other, interweaving with the billions of light strands cascading from the Light Tree, creating a vast, slowly rotating energy pattern above the lake. This pattern, far more complex than any pattern on Ayesha's batik, seemed to encapsulate the mysteries of the galaxy and the cycle of life.
The Crystal Descendants conveyed the core of the ritual: five individuals, using tokens as a bridge, would thoroughly merge their soul energy with the power of the Light Tree, injecting both into the pattern's five source nodes. This would guide the ritual, help the Light Tree connect more deeply to the sea of planetary consciousness, and secure a solid foundation.
Without a moment's hesitation, the five resolutely headed for the designated nodes. Lin Xingyun stood at the center, feeling the call of the earth beneath her feet and the starry sky above her. Ayesha, Nguyen Thi Mai, Buakaw, and Dilawang stood at the four corners, like stars guarding the center. When their tokens touched the energy node, and they poured their full strength and focus into it—
"BOOM!"
The entire Pearl Lake seemed like a giant beast awakening! The Light Tree erupted with unprecedented brilliance, like a supernova, eclipsing the radiance of the twin stars! The tranquil lake surface was no longer calm. A massive column of water shot up into the sky, transforming into a vast curtain of water surrounding the Light Tree. Within this curtain of water, the energy veins of the entire planet, the rushing of underground rivers, and even the faint traces of the deep starry sky were reflected! A vast consciousness, indescribable, as vast as the ocean, as ancient as time itself, slowly awakened like the warm depths of the sea, forming a brief yet profound connection with the souls of the Light Tree, the Crystal Child, and Lin Xingyun!
In this miraculous resonance, they seemed to "see" fragments of the planet's memories spanning billions of years, the birth and death of life. They also felt the deep wounds left by the depredations of the "Cosmic Burner" and the planet's silent lament. The ancient planetary consciousness imprinted a vague understanding of the fundamental cosmic laws of "rooting," "growth," and "cycle" into the depths of their souls, like a brand.
At the same time, the Light Tree responded to this call, gathering the power of all beings. Its roots spread at an unprecedented speed deep within the planet, drawing on a more fundamental force. The radiance of its crown grew more solid and restrained, as if it had taken root in the void of starry space. A tide of energy, purer, heavier, and imbued with a strange "anchoring" quality, surged back into the five people's bodies.
Lin Xingyun clearly felt the "Ancient City Barrier Pattern" on his palm undergo a transformation. No longer simply a pattern resonating with the earth, faint starlight began to flicker within its depths, as if striking some inexplicable, subtle resonance with the spatial structure of the Qingmi Galaxy itself! A strong premonition arose in his heart: If he could fully comprehend the secrets of this "spatial anchoring," perhaps... he could capture the star path home, or even... influence the stargate connecting to his distant home! This ancient ritual, merging the power of the planet's will, native life, and alien visitors, lasted an entire alien day and night. As the vast light gradually subsided and the lake's waters gently receded, the Light Tree remained majestic, its aura growing deeper and more stable, as if it had truly become the anchor of this star region. The light of the Crystalline also grew more concentrated and spiritual.
The ritual was a success! The Light Tree's foundation was solidified, and the "Universe Burner"'s plundering plans would be thwarted. And in the process of protecting their alien homeland, the five Star Sea Shamans unexpectedly discovered the secret of a deeper connection with the universe, and saw the dawn of hope for their return.
No longer merely passing visitors on an alien planet, they had become part of the web of destiny weaving through the galaxy, shouldering the dual mission of protecting their homeland and safeguarding interstellar balance. The path back to Earth, though still shrouded in fog, had now illuminated the first signpost.
(End of Chapter 24)