190: The first "demolition" and the energy core

After basic survival issues were resolved, Wen Youyi began to turn his gaze towards the larger, more energy-reactive wrecks surrounding the "Hope Platform."

They likely contained the building materials and energy they desperately needed, or perhaps even... the legacy of an ancient civilization.

The first target was locked onto a giant wreck about three li away from the "Hope Platform."

This wreck resembled a broken section of some kind of starship, with a volume dozens of times that of the "Hope Platform," its surface covered in various broken pipes and cabin structures.

According to data previously transmitted back by the "explorer," there was a stable, medium-intensity energy source inside.

"This big bone looks tough, there must be good stuff inside!" Zhao Iron Pillar rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

"We can't just use brute force," Wen Youyi reminded him.

"We have few hands and are weak, so we must use our wits. Our goal is to find usable building materials and energy sources, and... try our best not to disturb any 'native inhabitants' that might exist."

The "native inhabitants" he referred to were, naturally, the elusive "Flowing Silver."

After simple preparations, a "demolition squad" consisting of Wen Youyi, Zhao Iron Pillar, and Wang Wu set off.

The three of them wore protective suits simply tanned from "Iron-Wire Vines" and animal hides (from the residual fur of some star creature brought back by the explorer earlier).

Carrying their tools and utilizing the low-gravity environment, they leaped between the wrecks like agile apes, approaching their target.

As they approached the giant wreck, a more concentrated (but also more decayed) surge of Star Power rushed toward them.

The surface of the wreck was covered in impact craters and the marks of time, with some huge fissures resembling the mouths of monsters, deep and dark, leading to unknown places.

"Go in through that largest fissure," Wen Youyi said, pointing to a crack ahead large enough for several people to walk through side-by-side.

"Stay alert."

The three entered one after another.

The interior was dimly lit, with only some unknown moss (not the variety they cultivated) emitting a faint phosphorescence.

The air... there was still no air, but the gravity seemed slightly stronger than outside.

The internal structure of the wreck was complex, like a maze.

Broken metal frames, twisted pipes, and scattered debris of unknown equipment could be seen everywhere.

Many places were covered in thick, dust-like metal particles.

"Boss, look at this!" Wang Wu discovered several plate-shaped crystals emitting a faint blue light in the corner of a relatively intact cabin.

"The energy reaction is very stable!"

Wen Youyi stepped forward to inspect them, tapping them gently with a tool; the crystals emitted a crisp sound.

"It seems to be some kind of energy transmission or storage unit. Bring it back for Old Zhang to study."

Zhao Iron Pillar, on the other hand, became interested in a thick, dark-gold shimmering metal support pillar.

"This thing is sturdy! It would definitely make a good roof beam if we take it back!" He swung his heavy sword, attempting to cut it off.

"Clang!" Sparks flew, but the metal pillar only bore a white mark.

"Hey! It's pretty tough!" Zhao Iron Pillar got annoyed and gathered his strength to strike again.

"Wait!" Wen Youyi suddenly pressed down on him and tilted his head to listen.

"There's a sound!"

An extremely faint rustling sound, like flowing sand, came from deep within the wreck and was rapidly approaching!

"It's the 'Flowing Silver'! A lot of them!" Wang Wu's expression changed; his perception was the keenest.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a wave of silver-gray "liquid" surged around the corner of the passage ahead like a tide!

They covered the floor, walls, and ceiling, and wherever they passed, even the metal dust was devoured!

The sheer number far exceeded any they had encountered before!

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!" Wen Youyi roared.

The three turned and ran!

But the path they had come from was already half-blocked by the surging "Flowing Silver"!

"Go this way!" Wen Youyi, with sharp eyes, spotted a relatively narrow passage leading upward on the side.

The three climbed desperately upward.

The "Flowing Silver" below was like a living tsunami, in hot pursuit; they could even crawl upward along the vertical walls!

"Damn it! How many of these things are there!" Zhao Iron Pillar cursed as he climbed.

The end of the passage was a relatively spacious room that looked like a control room, but the only exit had been blocked by fallen boulders.

They had been driven into a dead end!

"Let's fight them!" Zhao Iron Pillar's eyes turned red, and he was about to turn around and fight head-on.

"Don't be impulsive!" Wen Youyi's gaze swept rapidly across the control room and suddenly locked onto a spherical device half-embedded in the console in the center of the room, which was still emitting a faint glow.

In the center of that device was a fist-sized, dark red crystal that pulsed slowly like a heart module, emitting a pure and powerful energy fluctuation!

It was the energy core of this wreck!

A crazy idea flooded into Wen Youyi's mind.

"Iron Pillar! Forget about the 'Flowing Silver'! Use your strongest strength to attack that glowing sphere! Smash it!" Wen Youyi roared, pointing at the energy core.

"Huh? Smash it?" Zhao Iron Pillar was stunned.

"No time to explain! Hurry!"

Zhao Iron Pillar had absolute trust in Wen Youyi's commands.

Upon hearing this, he hesitated no longer, let out a roar, poured all his spiritual power into his heavy sword, unleashed his earth-yellow Protective Aura, and used every ounce of his strength to strike fiercely at the energy core!

"Earth-Splitting Slash!"

"Boom—!!!"

The heavy sword struck the dark red crystal with precision! The crystal shattered at the impact!

In an instant, a terrifying energy shockwave centered on the core swept out like a storm!

The entire control room shook violently, and the metal walls twisted and deformed!

The surging "Flowing Silver" tide that was about to swarm up was hit head-on by this sudden, violent, and peerless energy shockwave.

Instantly, like ice thrown into boiling water, large swathes of it vaporized and were annihilated!

The rest emitted sharp mental screeches, as if they had encountered a natural predator, and retreated in panic and disarray!

The energy storm lasted for several seconds before slowly subsiding.

The control room was in shambles, but the passage leading below had been sealed off by twisted metal, and the "Flowing Silver" could not get through for the time being.

The three survivors of the ordeal slumped to the ground, gasping for air (although there was no air, it was a habitual action).

"Bo... Boss, how did you know that smashing that thing would work?" Zhao Iron Pillar asked, still shaken.

Wen Youyi looked at the shattered core and explained, "'Flowing Silver' relies on energy to survive and act."

"Although the energy core of this wreck is decayed, it is still one of their important sources of 'food.' By smashing the core and releasing chaotic energy far exceeding their tolerance limit, it's like pouring a pot of boiling oil into an anthill; naturally, they dispersed."

Wang Wu gave a thumbs up in admiration: "Brilliant! Simply brilliant!"

Although the process was thrilling, this "demolition" operation had huge gains.

Not only did they bring back those energy crystals and some useful metal samples, but more importantly, they had verified an extreme method for dealing with large amounts of "Flowing Silver," and... discovered a relatively safe "dungeon area" (this control room) that possessed an independent energy source (even if it was destroyed).

"It seems that in this 'back garden,' there are Treasure Troves everywhere, but also traps everywhere." Wen Youyi murmured, looking at the dead, silent starry sky outside the window.

(End of Chapter)