257: Real-world testing and the whispers of "return to nothingness"

The vast fragments of information about the primordial web and The Great Fracture brought by the Sky Watchers' messenger, along with the warning of the urgent "Ancient Gaze," acted like a potent catalyst injected into the civilization's veins, pushing the entire Homeland base into a high-intensity operational cycle at near-maximum capacity. The nerves, which had slightly relaxed after repelling the World Devourer, tightened once more. The air was filled with a unique mixture of excitement and anxiety—the ultimate vitality a struggling civilization could unleash when facing an unknown catastrophe.

The interdisciplinary research team led by Evelyn entered a state of near-frantic analysis. The encoding methods and knowledge structure of the information fragments from the high-dimensional messenger far surpassed the Homeland's existing scientific framework, resembling celestial scripture. However, merely attempting to understand the paradigms and energy models implied by the residual knowledge of these "celestial scriptures" was enough to illuminate a series of unexpected branches on the base's technology tree. In energy theory, groundbreaking hypotheses were formed regarding the interaction model between Order and Chaos at the cosmic string level. In material science, preliminary progress was made in the biomimetic synthesis of unnatural bio-alloys found in the World Devourer' wreckage. In spatial technology, theoretical design began for a new generation of short-range jump drive prototypes, inspired by the "Dimensional Fold Stabilization Technology" mentioned in the information fragments. Every bit of progress was accompanied by massive consumption of computational resources and countless sleepless nights, yet no one complained. Everyone understood they were fighting for an extra chip of survival for the future of their civilization.

The base's defense system underwent its second comprehensive post-war upgrade. The energy output thresholds of all defensive platforms were recalibrated, the phase synchronization algorithms for the shield generator arrays were optimized, and the response speed and coverage precision of the fire units were further enhanced. More importantly, the "antennae" of the Deep Space Monitoring Network extended outward with unprecedented breadth and sensitivity. A large number of miniature, long-endurance passive sensing probes were launched into more distant orbits. They no longer merely scanned conventional energy and matter signals but began attempting to capture extremely faint, strangely frequent "background fluctuations" and "dimensional ripples"—any clue possibly related to the Ancient Gaze or other potential threats mentioned by the Sky Watchers was under surveillance.

As the core focus of all these efforts, Excellence's personal training also entered a more targeted and rigorous combat-oriented phase, optimized by Evelyn based on the newly acquired information, and implemented under Su Mu's regimen of "iron-fisted supervision" combined with "nagging care." The goal was clear: to maximize the application of the wings of order in complex combat environments in the shortest possible time, and to begin exploring the use of higher-level authority within Order, involving the ability to interfere with local rules.

The new training ground was selected in a desolate asteroid belt several light-years away from the main Homeland base. The environment here was harsh, with complex gravity, littered with rocky and metallic celestial bodies of varying sizes and compositions, and constantly surrounded by interstellar dust and faint radiation belts. It was an ideal location for simulating space encounters, extreme maneuvers, and complex energy environments. Training here meant that even if a few asteroids were accidentally destroyed, it would have no impact on the base, making the cost negligible—a point that greatly pleased Su Mu.

"Today's training curriculum," Black Armor, the disciple of White Elder, said as he stood beside the viewport of the 'star observer,' a sleek, ancient-looking silver-gray observation vessel the size of a destroyer. He conveyed the instructions to Excellence, who was suspended on the periphery of the asteroid belt, via an encrypted high-fidelity quantum communication channel. His voice came through the communicator, steady as a mountain, carrying a strange rhythm that seemed to soothe spatial fluctuations. "It is mainly divided into two parts. First, testing the independent stability, maneuverability maintenance, and self-repair efficiency of the wings of order and its energy core under extreme complex energy interference environments. Second, and more importantly, guiding you to initially attempt using the 'Rule Intervention' authority contained within the source of Order, which transcends mere energy output. I will utilize the myriad manifestations disk, a secret artifact of the Starwatchers lineage, to generate a controllable complex interference field in this area, simulating various cosmic extreme phenomena and ancient energy disturbances. What you must achieve is: first, sever the active energy link with The Weave, relying solely on your own 'Order Source Core' and the light wings' energy circulation system to maintain existence and maneuverability; second, persevere for the scheduled duration within this interference field while maneuvering flexibly to evade the most lethal energy vortices; finally, attempt to actively identify and use your power of Order to 'soothe,' 'guide,' or 'neutralize' specific, relatively obvious 'Chaos Energy Nodes' within the interference field. Note that this is 'intervention' and 'guidance,' not crude 'annihilation' confrontation. Do you understand?"

"Understood." Excellence's voice came through the communicator, calm and firm. He was suspended in the cold vacuum, the pair of wings of order on his back fully unfurled. Their silver-white light was not dazzling but flowed as if possessing substance, appearing sacred and majestic against the backdrop of the dark starry sky and the faint reflections of the asteroid belt. After the previous high-intensity physical and virtual training, especially following that costly "accident," his basic control over the light wings was now proficient. At the very least, he no longer spun himself out like a top due to an overly aggressive thought, or lost control of his posture by subconsciously "kicking out" while hovering. The synchronization between his will and the wings was nearly instinctive.

"Begin."

Black Armor said no more. He raised his hand, and above his palm materialized the phantom image of a three-dimensional compass, about a foot in diameter, with an extremely complex and intricate structure. This myriad manifestations disk was neither metal nor jade, appearing entirely translucent deep blue. Inside, it seemed to contain a miniature galaxy and swirling nebula, with countless dust-like light points moving in mysterious trajectories. As Black Armor injected a wisp of pale golden energy with his fingertip and gently nudged it, the compass phantom suddenly flared with light, emitting a deep hum, as if originating from the depths of the universe.

In an instant, the scene drastically changed within the spherical space, approximately five hundred kilometers in radius, centered on Excellence's location!

The relatively calm vacuum suddenly "boiled," like a lake struck by a massive stone. Visible light began to twist and scatter, forming patches of bizarre, colorful halos. The previously stable micro-gravity field became chaotic, its direction and magnitude changing instantaneously, as if countless invisible hands were pulling randomly. More fatally, countless streams of energy turbulence, vastly different in nature and color, generated out of thin air. Some were blazing hot like solar prominences, appearing blindingly bright white and emitting terrifying heat; others were bone-chillingly cold, appearing deep blue, seeming to freeze space itself wherever they passed; some emitted eerie purple-black ripples capable of severely interfering with or even distorting the Perception signals of organisms and sensors; and still others appeared a murky dark red, surging toward Excellence as if alive, attempting to erode and contaminate the pure Order field on his body, and even drill into the light wings' energy pathways to cause destruction.

This was precisely the complex field simulated by the myriad manifestations disk, integrating various extreme cosmic natural phenomena (such as gravitational tidal anomalies, high-energy radiation bursts, and dimensional micro-leakage) along with the energy interference methods commonly used by certain ancient hostile entities. Its purpose was to test and hone Excellence's extreme adaptability and response capabilities to the maximum extent possible under safe and controllable conditions.

Pressure struck like a mountain collapse and a tsunami! Excellence immediately felt his body sink, as if he had been thrown into a raging vortex of rapids. The stable lift and propulsion fields provided by the light wings were severely disrupted, becoming sluggish and difficult to control, causing his flight posture to shake and drift uncontrollably under the influence of various chaotic forces. More troubling, the endless streams of energy turbulence, each with different properties, clung to him like a gangrene, continuously impacting, consuming, and testing his Order protection. He could clearly feel the output of his own energy core escalating, and the light of his wings fluctuating slightly under the counter-impact and erosion of the energies.

"Steady your mind! Do not brute-force confront the entire field!" Black Armor's steady voice penetrated the interference, carrying a strange power. "The interference field may appear chaotic and violent, but the internal energy flow still possesses its own 'pathways' and 'nodes.' Open up your Perception, try to 'listen' to the 'rhythm' of this Chaos, and search for the relatively weak links, the gaps in energy conversion, and the 'contradictory points' within the Chaos rules themselves. Use your Order to act as a delicate 'comb' or a 'scalpel'—to sort out, to guide, to resolve, rather than smashing an anvil with a sledgehammer!"

Excellence forced himself to calm down from the initial shock, settling the impatience caused by the drastic environmental change. Following the instruction, he stopped trying to use his wings to forcefully resist all incoming turbulence. Instead, he raised his Perception, linked to the wings of order, to an unprecedented level of sharpness. His consciousness spread out like a delicate spider web in all directions, striving to penetrate the violent energy facade to capture the deeper flow patterns, differences in energy density, and the interaction "nodes" between the turbulent streams of different properties.

Simultaneously, he began attempting to actively mobilize the deeper, more fundamental power within the wings of order and his own energy core—a power that was not merely energy for striking or defending, but a special "authority" capable of influencing local physical rules and energy states. This feeling was mysterious and profound, but the vague revelations he had gained from the Sky Watchers' information fragments, along with White Elder's occasional seemingly casual pointers, now converged in his mind like trickling streams.

Order was not rigid dogma, but dynamic balance, harmonious guidance, and the sorting and transformation of Chaos.

He focused his attention on a particularly active, dark red corrosive energy current that was constantly trying to drill into the energy pathways of his left light wing. Instead of batting it away with his wing or deploying an energy shield to block it, he controlled a single "Light Feather" on the outermost edge of his left light wing, making its energy structure extremely pliable and permeable. Like the most nimble probe, he "gently" "cut into" a tiny "gap" where the dark red turbulence's energy structure was loosest and where several energy beams of different attributes converged, achieving near-impossible precision and angle.

His intent was highly concentrated, his spirit focused like a needle. Through the "Light Feather probe," he precisely injected a pure, gentle, non-aggressive Order fluctuation—one that purely represented "stability," "peace," and "orderliness"—into the interior of that chaotic "node," as if performing the most delicate microsurgery.

"Sorting... harmonizing... guiding... returning to the proper stillness..."

A marvelous change occurred at the microscopic level. The dark red turbulence, originally aggressive and constantly writhing, did not explode or get forcibly dispersed after being injected with this wisp of gentle Order fluctuation. Instead, its internal violent and conflicting energy structure seemed to be gently stroked by an invisible, tender hand, starting to become docile and orderly. The chaotic dark red color gradually faded and transformed, first turning into a relatively mild orange-red, and then merging into the relatively peaceful pale golden base tone of the surrounding spatial background energy, finally dissipating completely as if it had never existed. The Light Feather it had briefly contacted was not only unharmed but its surface energy luster seemed to have become slightly more mellow and condensed as a result.

It worked! And it felt far "less taxing" and "more sophisticated" than brute-force confrontation!

Excellence's spirit soared, as if he had pushed open a door to a new world. He began actively moving and traversing the violent interference field, no longer merely passively evading, but actively "diagnosing" and "pruning" this chaotic "energy garden," like a highly skilled doctor or an experienced gardener. He searched for "key nodes" where energy accumulated and clashed violently, or "active turbulence" that had an amplifying effect on the overall interference field, using the tips of his wings, his fingertips, or occasionally guiding the power of Order directly with his mind to perform precise "microsurgery." Although each successful "soothing" or "guidance" only affected a small area, and the efficiency seemed low while the consumption of mental focus was enormous, the effect was immediate. Wherever he passed, the violent energy turbulence would temporarily subside, twisted light would straighten, and chaotic gravity would stabilize in a small area. More importantly, through this high-intensity, meticulous practice of "Rule Intervention," his understanding and application of the power of Order deepened at an astonishing speed. In this state, his wings of order seemed to be infused with new vitality; their light became more restrained and solid, the flow rate of the surface runes accelerated, and their energy interaction with the surrounding environment (even the chaotic environment) appeared increasingly harmonious and natural, as if they were learning how to dance with this "sea" of Chaos.

"Performance exceeds expectations!" A rare hint of clear admiration flashed in Black Armor's eyes. "Your talent for comprehending and applying the essence of Order is extremely high. Maintain this rhythm and mindset, and pay attention to balancing core energy distribution and mental recovery. The intensity and complexity of the interference field are about to be raised to the second preset gear!"

Before he finished speaking, the phantom image of the myriad manifestations disk in his palm flared with light again, and the trajectory of the internal galaxy suddenly accelerated!

Buzz—!

The "ferocity" of the entire interference field suddenly jumped by an Order of magnitude! Not only did the intensity, frequency, and variety of the energy turbulence multiply, but, more vexingly, small, short-lived "Rule Anomaly Zones" began appearing randomly in the field! The physical rules within these zones would temporarily undergo bizarre changes: for instance, the direction of local gravity might suddenly reverse, pulling everything toward the vacuum that was originally "up"; or light in a certain area would no longer travel in straight lines, but bend into closed rings with connecting ends; there might even be brief phenomena of "Causal Lag," where unpredictable micro-delays occurred between actions and their results...

The pressure Excellence faced instantly surged! Fine beads of sweat immediately appeared on his forehead, and his breathing became slightly rapid. He had no choice but to push his wings of order to a higher output state, their silvery-white light shining like two miniature full moons in the chaotic starfield. He no longer pursued quickly and broadly “smoothing over” the Chaos, but instead poured more energy into extreme maneuverability and evasion, using the abnormal mobility provided by his wings to shuttle and turn like a ghost through the gaps of constantly forming and annihilating “law anomaly zones” and the weak interstices of violent energy currents. At the same time, with higher precision and a more cautious attitude, he searched for the most suitable timing and safest node to perform that delicate “Rule Intervention.” This was more like walking a tightrope over a bottomless abyss or fishing for a needle in a boiling oil pot, an extreme test of instantaneous judgment, control, and psychological endurance.

Just as Excellence was fully concentrated, adjusting his state to its peak, striving to cope with this upgraded interference field, and gradually finding his rhythm again—

A sudden change, without any warning, descended!

He had just successfully used a subtle wingtip touch to disturb and dissipate a “light bending ring” that was about to form, his mind not yet fully disengaged from its highly focused state. An indescribable, faint ripple, seemingly originating from the ultimate destination of all things, the end of all meaning—cold, hollow, yet with a strange allure—like an undercurrent lurking beneath the deep sea, silently penetrated the composite interference field meticulously constructed by Black Armor and the myriad manifestations disk. It also pierced through Excellence’s own already solid Order protection field, directly “flowing” into the deepest part of his consciousness in an incomprehensible, unstoppable manner!

It was not a sound, not an image, nor any form of energy impact. It was more like a “conceptual pollution” directly acting on the concept of existence itself, a “conceptual whisper” about “ending” and “nothingness.”

Its content could not be translated into any known language, but the core “idea” it conveyed, carrying soul-freezing chill and despair, instantly branded itself into Excellence’s Perception:

“...Order...ultimately returns to nothingness...splendor...all turns to dust...birth...struggle...glory...annihilation...reincarnation...futile...meaning...illusory...come back...abandon this heavy existence...merge into eternal silence...embrace that final peace...return to...the Gui Xu...”

This Whisper was not a surrender offer; it was more like a negation and deconstruction of the fundamental meaning of existence, an almost pathological praise and summons to “ending” and “nothingness.” It directly stirred the primal fear of demise within life, yet twisted it into an enticing “liberation” and “destination.” It didn't destroy your strength, but rather disintegrated your reason for using it.

“Ugh—!”

Excellence was struck as if by lightning, his body trembled violently, and he let out a muffled groan! His brain felt as if billions of icy steel needles were simultaneously piercing it, or as if all warmth and color had been instantly drained, plunging into an absolute, suffocating gray and dead silence! His vision blurred, and countless shattered, despair-filled illusory fragments flashed wildly and then vanished in his consciousness! The wings of order, which had been steadily shining behind him, flickered violently like a candle in the wind, their light unstable, and their energy structure showed signs of brief disorder, almost collapsing entirely! His previously precise flying posture instantly went out of control, and his body, under the influence of chaotic gravity and his own imbalance, spun towards a nearby asteroid, dozens of kilometers in diameter with a rugged surface, about to crash into it!

“Excellence!!” In the star observer bridge, Su Mu and Evelyn, seeing this scene through the monitor, were scared out of their wits and cried out in alarm! Black Armor’s face also changed dramatically, and without hesitation, he immediately prepared to stop the myriad manifestations disk’s operation and activate the observation ship’s emergency tractor beam for rescue.

“Don’t come over—!”

At the critical moment, Excellence, relying on his remaining, almost instinctive will to survive and his conviction to protect, let out a hoarse roar in the last instant before his consciousness was engulfed by the icy void! He bit his tongue sharply, the acute pain bringing a tiny but crucial moment of clarity, and with all his might, he gathered his almost dissipated thoughts, issuing a command to the flickering wings of light behind him!

Buzz!

The wings of order responded to their master’s call at the last moment, their light suddenly solidifying. Though no longer as brilliant as before, they erupted with their final strength, powerfully flapping downwards and to the side!

Whoosh!

Excellence’s out-of-control body narrowly grazed the jagged rock spires on the asteroid’s surface, kicking up a spray of shattered rock and dust. He managed to regain his balance, hovering in the void once more, but his face was ashen, cold sweat streamed down his forehead, his chest heaved violently as he gasped for breath, his eyes filled with the shock of narrowly escaping death, and a deeper astonishment and horror at the bizarre attack method he had just experienced.

What the hell was that?! It completely ignored physical defenses and energy barriers, directly attacking the core of consciousness, even shaking one's Perception of the meaning of one's own existence?! Compared to The Whisper of Entropy, which was full of madness and devouring desires, that thing just now was even more bizarre, more “fundamental,” and even more...despairing!

The myriad manifestations disk interference field was swiftly withdrawn by Black Armor, and the surrounding space returned to its original relative calm, leaving only some lingering energy ripples that had not yet fully subsided. The star observer quickly approached, and a tractor beam pulled the somewhat exhausted Excellence back into the ship.

“What happened? That fluctuation just now...it definitely wasn’t the myriad manifestations disk’s effect!” Su Mu was the first to rush over, supporting the somewhat unsteady Excellence, her face filled with anxiety and lingering fear. Evelyn also immediately stepped forward, holding a scanner for a quick check, her brows tightly furrowed.

“It was The Whisper of the Guixu People.” An old and solemn voice sounded at the hatch. White Elder had arrived on the star observer at some point, his face more serious than ever, with even a rare hint of sternness in the depths of his eyes. “I didn’t expect their ‘sense of smell’ to be so keen, their reaction so swift. It seems that beyond mere ‘observation,’ they have already listed Excellence, this nascent, uniquely radiant ‘Order node,’ as a key ‘target of interest.’”

“Guixu People?” Excellence, supported by Su Mu, sat down, drank a tube of high-efficiency energy supplement handed to him by Evelyn, and caught his breath, though his voice was still somewhat hoarse. “Are those the ancient beings mentioned in the Sky Watchers’ information, who believe that all things ultimately return to annihilation? What...what exactly are they? How can their attack method be so bizarre?”

“Let’s discuss in detail after returning to base. It’s not advisable to stay here long,” White Elder said gravely, signaling Black Armor to pilot the ship back.

Back in the central conference room of the Homeland base, the atmosphere was more somber than ever before. Wang Jianguo, Su Mu, Evelyn, Excellence, as well as White Elder and Black Armor, were all gathered, and everyone’s expression was grim.

White Elder slowly began, his voice echoing in the silent conference room: “The Guixu People, strictly speaking, are not a ‘race’ with a unified form or social structure. They are more like a ‘conceptual aggregate,’ or rather, a wandering ‘phenomenon,’ formed in the dimensional rifts during The Great Fracture—that catastrophe that swept countless dimensions—from a mixture, sedimentation, and mutation of countless annihilated civilizations, shattered laws, and the deepest despair and nihilistic obsessions of living beings.”

“They have no fixed physical form, typically infiltrating and influencing the real world through ‘nihilistic whispers,’ ‘sense of existence erosion,’ and ‘meaning deconstruction dreams.’ Their core ‘doctrine’ (if it can be called a doctrine) is the firm belief that all things, no matter how glorious, how orderly, how full of vitality they once were, their ultimate, sole, and most beautiful destination is complete ‘Gui Xu,’ that is, returning to absolute ‘nothingness,’ eternal ‘silence,’ a state of pure ‘void’ without matter, energy, information, or meaning. They believe that all existence, all struggles, all love and hate, creation and destruction, are meaningless futility over infinite time scales, and only by actively embracing ‘Gui Xu’ can one achieve true ‘peace’ and ‘liberation.’”

“Their Whisper is the carrier of this ideology. It can directly act on the deep consciousness of intelligent beings, stirring up the target’s hidden fear of death, confusion about the future, doubt about efforts potentially being in vain, and questioning of the meaning of existence... and infinitely amplifying and distorting these, ultimately inducing the target to produce a strong sense of nihilism and self-negation, either ending their own life in despair or abandoning all resistance, willingly being assimilated and devoured by their ‘nihilistic’ essence, becoming part of the Gui Xu. For them, seeking out ‘hope nodes’ that are vibrant, greatly potential, and shining with the light of ‘Order’ or ‘life,’ and then using whispers to induce them to wither on their own or drag them into eternal silence before they can grow, is an almost instinctive ‘mission’ and their understanding of ‘ultimate aesthetics’—witnessing brilliant things voluntarily step into darkness.”

The conference room was dead silent, with only the slightly heavy breathing of those present. This kind of enemy was more horrifying and impossible to guard against than the straightforward destroyers like the World Devourer! The World Devourer, at least, were tangible threats that could be seen, touched, and fought with firepower and strength. But the Guixu People, their attacks directly targeted the mind, will, and the very foundation of existence, rendering conventional physical and energy defenses almost completely ineffective.

“That last time was merely a tentative, long-distance ‘Whisper’ projection.” White Elder’s gaze fell on Excellence, who was still somewhat pale. “The fact that you could withstand it without preparation, without immediately being dragged into the abyss of despair, and even managed to break free and stabilize yourself at the last moment through instinctive belief, already proves that your will is far more resilient than ordinary people, and the foundation of Order in your soul is exceptionally solid. But, my child, this is just the beginning.”

His tone became incredibly serious: “Once you are ‘marked’ by the Guixu People in this way, they will be like sharks smelling blood, continuously, patiently, and in increasingly stronger, more insidious ways, subjecting you to ‘Whisper erosion.’ Especially when cracks appear in your mind—when you feel tired, lonely, doubtful, afraid, or witness something you cherish being damaged, or your efforts encountering setbacks—their whispers are most likely to exploit the vulnerability, amplifying your negative emotions until they break you down.”

Excellence recalled the icy, dead grayness in his consciousness just now, and the tempting despair of all things returning to nothingness, and still felt a tremor in his heart. He looked at the unconcealed worry in Su Mu’s eyes beside him, at Evelyn’s tightly pursed lips and solemn gaze, and then at Wang Jianguo’s mountain-like steady yet equally worried face. The coldness and wavering born from the Gui Xu Whisper in his heart gradually gave way to another, warmer, firmer, and more surging power.

He was not alone. He had this Homeland, tempered by hardship yet still warm and united, to protect; he had these companions, who shared life and death with him and could be fully trusted, fighting alongside him; he had countless ordinary yet resilient people silently supporting him from behind. These concrete and vivid bonds, these meanings worth fighting for, were the most solid anchors of his existence in the world, his most powerful shield and most fervent flame against all “nihilistic” whispers.

“I understand.” Excellence took a deep breath, straightened his back, his eyes once again clear and resolute, the paleness replaced by a sense of restrained power. “I will remain vigilant at all times. However, since they have already come knocking, avoidance and fear are meaningless. Is there a way to actively counter, or even... strike back against this ‘conceptual’ erosion?”

White Elder pondered for a moment, then slowly said: “The Guixu People are formless and insubstantial; conventional physical and energy attacks are largely ineffective against them. What can truly contend with them is only equally powerful and pure ‘mental strength’ and ‘will to exist.’ Specifically, this means a sufficiently firm ‘will to survive,’ a ‘passion for life’ as fervent as a star, an unbreakable ‘mental defense line,’ and a clear and unshakable understanding of the meaning of one’s own existence. Your power of Order, especially the positive concepts and emotions contained within it, such as ‘protection,’ ‘hope,’ ‘creation,’ and ‘connection,’ naturally have a certain restraining and purifying effect on the nihilistic attributes of the Gui Xu. The key is that you need to learn to actively transform these positive concepts and emotions from vague beliefs into concrete, strong, controllable ‘mental energy fields,’ or rather, condense them into a blazing ‘heart fire,’ forging an indestructible ‘shield of will.’”

He paused, then continued, “Furthermore, in the long history of the Lost Star Cluster, there has not been a lack of experience in dealing with such threats. There is a lineage, known as the Soul Suppressors, whose path focuses on tempering the mind, holding fast to one’s true self, and resisting various forms of nihilistic erosion and spiritual pollution. Perhaps we can try to send a message through the contact methods left by the Sky Watchers, inquiring if any masters from the Soul Suppressors lineage would be willing to come to our aid, or at least provide some basic defensive methods and training insights. However,” he changed his tone, his gaze sweeping over everyone, “distant water cannot quench a nearby fire. The Lost Star Cluster is vast and boundless; information transmission and personnel travel take a long time, and whether the Soul Suppressors are willing to intervene, and when they might arrive, are all unknown. Before substantial external assistance is obtained, Excellence, your primary reliance can only be yourself, and the support these companions around you can provide.”

Rely on himself, and his companions. Excellence’s gaze once again met Su Mu, Evelyn, Wang Jianguo, and the others, and a warm current surged in his heart. He nodded heavily: “I understand. I will find a way. Conveniently, my path of Order also requires more tempering of the mind. Next time they come, I will let them see clearly what it means for ‘hope to never extinguish,’ and what it means that ‘bonds are strength’!”

In the following days, Excellence's training schedule, besides continuing to deepen the maneuverability and tactical application of his wings of order and the refinement of Rule Intervention, prominently featured a crucial new item: Specialized Training in Mental Protection and Will Tempering.

Su Mu mobilized all the resources available to her, bringing in the base's top psychological experts, neuroscience professors, and a few veterans who had displayed extraordinary mental resilience during the exile. Working closely with the research team led by Evelyn, they utilized The Weave's simulation capabilities and advanced neuro-consciousness monitoring equipment to tailor an extremely rigorous yet highly targeted "Comprehensive Anti-Nihilism Erosion Training Program" for Excellence.

The contents of this program were complex and in-depth, including:

Willpower Persistence Training Under Extreme Pressure: Maintaining clear cognition and proactive action in simulated extreme environments (such as desperate survival, prolonged solitude, or high-intensity information bombardment), countering simulated negative emotions and thoughts of surrender.

Positive Emotional Memory Anchor Reinforcement: Using deep meditation and neuro-feedback technology to repeatedly recall and strengthen genuine and profound memories and emotional experiences closely linked to positive concepts like "Protection," "Joy," "Knowledge Seeking," "Friendship," and "Responsibility," solidifying them as stable "beacons" and "cornerstones" in the mind.

Active Construction and Confirmation of Existential Meaning: Under the guidance of mentors, engaging in deep self-dialogue and value clarification to define and continuously reinforce the multiple meanings of one's existence (as a guardian, as an explorer, as a companion, as a member of the Homeland, etc.), transforming them from abstract concepts into a concrete, vivid, and detailed "Meaning Map."

Cautious Adaptive Desensitization Training: With the White Elder personally providing protection and Evelyn strictly monitoring physiological indicators, Excellence was cautiously and gradually exposed in a controlled environment to extremely weakened and filtered information fragments simulating The Whisper's characteristics, training his ability to recognize, be vigilant, and mobilize positive forces for resistance and purification.

The process was undoubtedly full of pain and challenge, like having his spirit hammered in a forge repeatedly. Yet, Excellence endured it willingly. He knew this was not just about increasing his strength, but a battle for survival, for the sake of protecting those he loved. Every time he successfully held firm against the simulated desperate Whispers by relying on the memory of Su Mu's smile, the recollection of Evelyn's focused profile, and the deep affection for the warm lights of the Homeland, he could feel his will becoming tougher, like refined steel; his control over the power of Order, especially its warm, protective aspect, also became more proficient.

And the disgusting Whispers of the Guixu People, just as the White Elder had predicted, began to follow him like a shadow, appearing with increasing frequency and subtlety. Sometimes during the gaps in his deep meditation when his consciousness relaxed; sometimes in the moment of exhaustion after high-intensity physical training; sometimes even when he was casually chatting with Su Mu and Evelyn, enjoying rare moments of peace—that cold, hollow, seductive sound of nihilism would quietly seep in, attempting to sow seeds of doubt and despair in the least guarded corners of his mind.

The first time he encountered it outside of training was in the Ecological Garden. He was checking the growth of the latest batch of starlight lettuce seedlings with Su Mu. Su Mu was humming an unknown cheerful tune, carefully touching the leaves; the sunlight (simulated) streamed through the dome onto her, creating a peaceful and beautiful scene. It was then that The Whisper quietly sounded, trying to make him feel that this vibrant scene "will eventually wither and perish, and all growth is a futile process toward death." Excellence's finger trembled, and he nearly dropped the recording pad he held. But he immediately forced himself to focus, turning to look at Su Mu's focused and lively profile, feeling the pure, warm aura of meticulous care for life emanating from her, and then looking at the tender green plants around them, which were still striving to stretch out and shimmer even in the simulated environment... The sense of nihilism that had attacked him melted away instantly, like snow meeting warm sunshine. He silently built a wall of conviction in his heart—"protecting this beauty and vitality"—and completely isolated the remaining noise of The Whisper.

The second time was in the Central Laboratory. He and Evelyn had worked continuously for nearly twenty hours to verify a new model concerning the resonance between the power of Order and The Weave nodes. Both were exhausted, their eyes bloodshot. The Whisper seized the opportunity, suggesting to him that "all knowledge seeking and exploration, in the face of the universe's eternal indifference and nihilism, is merely a mantis trying to stop a chariot—it will eventually be forgotten and is worthless." At that moment, Excellence did feel a strong mental fatigue and existential void. But when he looked up and saw Evelyn's eyes across from him, tired but still shining with the light of indomitable curiosity, and heard her slightly hoarse but excited mutterings after suddenly catching a calculation flaw, that pure passion burning for the sake of understanding the world's mysteries and the continuation of civilization instantly infected him, dispelling the gloom in his heart. He turned the belief of "exploring the unknown and lighting the path forward with like-minded companions" into fuel and fed it to his inner fire, and The Whisper failed again.

Every successful resistance made Excellence's mental barrier thicker, and his understanding and application of his own power of Order deepened. He found that when he actively and clearly integrated concrete and vivid beliefs and emotions—such as "protecting Su Mu's smile," "supporting Evelyn's research," "responding to Wang Jianguo's trust," and "defending the Homeland's lights"—into his Order energy cycle, that power became warmer, more stable, and full of "vitality," significantly enhancing its purification and resistance effect against the Gui Xu Whispers. When deploying his wings of order in this state, their light would naturally emit a faint halo that made people feel safe, warm, and hopeful, as if capable of dispelling gloom and despair within a certain radius.

The White Elder had been silently observing Excellence's growth, and the approval in his eyes grew stronger. The boy's firmness of character, rapid growth, and deep comprehension of the true meaning of Order far exceeded his initial expectations. Perhaps this youth from a distant foreign land truly had the ability to become a ray of dawn against the Gui Xu erosion and even other deeper darknesses in this star domain—a genuine "Coordinate of Hope."

However, just as Excellence was gradually adapting to the Guixu People's Whisper harassment and beginning to effectively defend his mind, a new, more practical and urgent trouble had already traced the path of resources and arrived at the Homeland's doorstep.

In the main control center of the base's Deep Space Monitoring Network, a piercing high-priority alarm sounded again. This time, the signal originated from a remote star domain approximately 320 light-years from the Homeland, where several star systems rich in resources but environmentally unstable and not yet fully developed were located. Monitoring data showed abnormal subspace ripple fluctuations in the area. The spectral characteristics of the fluctuations were partially similar to the data recorded when the World Devourer previously appeared, but there were distinct differences—it was more covert, orderly, had stable fluctuation cycles, and... the monitoring station captured regular, high-intensity energy extraction signals accompanying the fluctuations, a pattern highly similar to large-scale "Targeted Resource Collection" or "Planetary-Scale Mining" activities!

Almost simultaneously with the monitoring alarm, a small Engineering Fleet dispatched by the Homeland to the L-7 Mining Point on the edge of that star domain, performing routine rare mineral exploration and reserve assessment (consisting of three Industrial Ships and two Frigates), sent back intermittent, heavily jammed emergency distress signals:

"...This is the Explorer Seven Fleet... encountering unknown... unidentified... Black Ships... three in number... medium size... They haven't opened fire directly... but... they are using some kind of beam... to extract solid core energy from the XT-3 Gas Giant... We attempted to warn and stop them... Our attacks... the energy beams seem to have been... absorbed or deflected by them? Defenses completely ineffective! Repeat, defenses ineffective! They've noticed us! One of them is turning... unknown energy lock... shield energy is being rapidly drained! Engine power dropping! Requesting emergency support! Requesting..."

The signal abruptly cut off here, leaving only unsettling static noise.

In the Emergency Conference Room, the atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point.

"Are the World Devourer returning? Or is it a variant of them?" Wang Jianguo asked in a deep voice, staring at the flashing red dot on the star map.

"The fluctuation characteristics are significantly different." Evelyn quickly pulled up the comparison data. "The World Devourer' energy signals are more 'Chaos' and 'violent,' tending towards indiscriminate swallowing and destruction. The signal detected this time, while equally powerful and aggressive, appears more 'purposeful' and 'technical,' clearly targeting high-value resources (planetary core energy). The behavior pattern is closer to... predatory, efficient extraction. The Engineering Fleet's report also mentioned that the enemy seems capable of absorbing or deflecting energy attacks."

"Extracting the planetary core... this targeted plundering of high-concentration energy and rare materials..." The White Elder stroked his beard, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes. "It reminds this old man of another group of survivors from The Great Fracture—the Law Stealers. They are a group of technology-supremacist, extremely greedy realists who believe 'all things can be used by me.' They are skilled at analyzing, replicating, and stealing various forms of energy and material technology, refining and modifying them to strengthen themselves or create powerful weapons and tools. They usually avoid meaningless frontal conflicts and are secretive in their movements, but once they lock onto a high-value target, they will stop at nothing to plunder it greedily and efficiently. Judging by the behavior pattern, it aligns quite well with this incident."

"'Law Stealers'?" Excellence frowned, feeling a headache coming on. Were there not too many opponents on this "chessboard"? He had just dealt with the World Devourer, who sought to destroy everything, then came the Guixu People, who sought to dissolve the will, and now the Law Stealers, who specialized in stealing resources? Just how many monsters and demons had The Great Fracture unleashed?

"The Engineering Fleet is in a critical situation; we must rescue them immediately!" Su Mu stood up, her tone decisive, leaving no room for discussion.

"The enemy's situation is unclear, and they possess the strange ability to absorb or deflect energy attacks. If a conventional battle fleet goes, it might not only fail to win but also suffer unnecessary losses, or even... deliver 'ammunition' to the enemy." Wang Jianguo analyzed calmly, his gaze finally resting on Excellence. "Excellence, your power of Order is unique in nature; it's not a simple energy attack, and it might be able to counteract the enemy's 'stealing' ability. Furthermore, the speed of your wings of order is sufficient to arrive and act before the enemy can react. This rescue mission will likely require you as the main force."

"I'll go." Excellence agreed immediately without hesitation. "It's a good opportunity. I also want to witness the methods of these 'ancient survivors' firsthand and test how much of my newly acquired skill I can bring to bear in real combat. If they truly are Law Stealers, I will use Order to show them that some things cannot be arbitrarily 'stolen' by them."

"I'm going with you!" Su Mu immediately followed up.

"I need to collect the Law Stealers' energy and behavior data on-site. This is crucial for refining our defense system and understanding these ancient beings." Evelyn also stood up, her tone resolute.

The White Elder nodded slightly: "This old man will also go. If the opponent is indeed the Law Stealers, there might still be room for negotiation; although they are greedy, they are not senseless destroyers. If they insist on plundering and refuse to stop, my presence can guard against them utilizing certain unconventional, cunning methods or artifacts."

A highly capable rescue team was quickly formed: Excellence (Main Combat/High-Speed Maneuver), Su Mu (On-site Command/Tactical Coordination), Evelyn (Technical Analysis/Data Collection), and the White Elder (High-Level Consultant/Potential Negotiator). They boarded the light chaser, a Fast Assault Ship that had been recently modified to emphasize speed and stealth, and brought along a small squad (twelve units) of the most elite Fortress-VI Heavy Mecha Warriors as auxiliary and support forces.

Without further delay, after a brief pre-mission briefing and equipment check, the light chaser silently slid out of the Homeland's dock. Its stern thrusters shot out a deep blue ion stream, rapidly accelerating, transforming into a streak of light tearing through the dark universe, speeding towards the remote star domain from which the ominous signal originated.

This time, they would face not the pure desire for destruction or the nihilistic Whisper, but greedy, cunning, and technologically bizarre resource plunderers.

New challenges and new battles awaited them on the other side of deep space. Excellence also wanted to know what kind of spark his mind and power, tempered by the Gui Xu Whispers, would strike when confronting these legendary Law Stealers.

"Law Stealers"... I hope your technology is interesting enough, and that you won't disappoint me too much.

The wake of the light chaser gradually disappeared against the backdrop of the brilliant yet indifferent galaxy, leaving only the persistently flickering lights of the Homeland base, stubbornly proving the tenacious existence of life and civilization in the endless darkness.