204: Energy Crisis and Foodie Navigation

The steel defense line composed of automatic turrets greatly increased the sense of security at the base, but the energy problem raised by Wen Youyi weighed on everyone's hearts like a giant boulder.

The "Matter Decomposition and Recomposition Furnace" in the Industrial Zone was a major energy consumer; although the "Flowing Silvers" diligently carried energy fragments to "feed" it, it was just a drop in the bucket. The expanded ecological cycle System required energy to maintain lighting and climate control, and more future high-tech devices were even more "hungry." Meanwhile, the star core fragment inside Wen Youyi's body had noticeably dimmed after supporting "star chain" communications, multiple high-intensity battles, and turret debugging, like a phone with a low battery, making people feel anxious.

"We can't go on like this," Wen Youyi said, tapping the table in the Council Chamber, with a rough energy balance chart drawn by Senior Brother Zhang spread out before him. "We're currently spending more than we earn, barely getting by on our old savings and the 'Flowing Silver' scavenging. If we don't find a new stable energy source, let alone development, even this current defense System might stop working due to a lack of energy!"

Everyone fell silent as they looked at the glaring red deficit on the chart. They had only been living well for a few days when the shadow of an energy crisis loomed over them.

"Boss, I'll do whatever you say!" Zhao Iron Pillar was the first to speak up. "Are we going to pull off a big job? Looking for that... whatever, a bigger star core fragment?"

"Exactly!" Wen Youyi nodded heavily. "We must take the initiative and search for a more powerful energy source. According to scattered records in the database and the resonance sensing between star core fragments, there must be other star core fragments in this Starry Sky Debris, or even... possibly an incomplete star core itself!"

This goal made people both excited and apprehensive. Excited because once found, the base would truly take off; apprehensive because everyone knew that treasures of this level were inevitably accompanied by unimaginable dangers.

"How do we find it? This damn place is so big, we'd be like headless flies," Wang Wu raised the most practical question.

Wen Youyi had a plan ready, and he showed a somewhat sly smile: "Looking for it on our own is indeed like finding a needle in a haystack. But... we have 'people'!"

He turned his gaze out the window toward those silver figures slowly squirming among the debris.

"Did you forget? These 'Flowing Silver' things have a natural affinity for high-energy objects! They scavenge everywhere, but they're actually looking for energy! To them, the star core fragment in our hands is a top-tier delicacy!"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood!

Senior Brother Zhang slapped his thigh hard: "Brilliant! Youyi, you want to use our star core fragment as 'bait' to sense and attract those 'Flowing Silvers' interested in higher energy sources, and then... follow them?"

"Exactly!" Wen Youyi smiled. "It's called 'Foodie' Navigation! Our fragment is like a scent, and those 'Flowing Silvers' looking for a bigger 'cake' are the best guides! They will instinctively move towards directions with denser energy!"

No sooner said than done. Wen Youyi immediately went to the outskirts of the base. He didn't take out the star core fragment—that would be too dangerous and could attract uncontrollable things. Instead, he carefully guided out a wisp of extremely pure star core aura, like releasing a wisp of enticing food aroma.

Sure enough, the surrounding groups of "Flowing Silver" immediately became restless, squirming towards Wen Youyi's direction one after another, their silver liquid surfaces fluctuating as they expressed their desire.

But Wen Youyi observed carefully and found that most of the "Flowing Silvers" were just lingering near him, attracted by this aura but without a clear sense of direction. Obviously, the aura of the fragment in his hand was already a top-tier existence for the "Flowing Silvers" in the nearby area.

"It seems I have to invest a bit more." Wen Youyi thought for a moment and decided to take a bit of a risk. He controlled that wisp of aura, slowly and intermittently "extending" it deep into the debris where he speculated energy might be more abundant, simulating an illusion that "there's something better to eat over there."

At the same time, through the star core fragment, he sent a vague, guiding intent to the "Flowing Silver" group: "Over there... delicious... more..."

This process was extremely delicate, like dancing on a tightrope; he had to stir the "Flowing Silver's" desire without actually letting them lose control and go on a rampage.

Hard work pays off. After Wen Youyi continued "fooling" them for nearly an hour, a portion of the "Flowing Silver" individuals that appeared particularly "smart" or more sensitive to energy began to show unusual movements!

They no longer circled Wen Youyi, but instead moved hesitantly, looking back with every step, slowly squirming towards the direction Wen Youyi had guided them! It was as if they were saying: "The scent here seems to be drifting from over there? Let's go take a look?"

It worked!

Wen Youyi was overjoyed. He immediately noted the direction and continued to make fine adjustments to ensure this special "Silver Flow Vanguard Squad" wouldn't stray too far.

"The direction is confirmed! The Northeast Deep Zone!" Wen Youyi returned to the base and brought the good news.

An Expeditionary Exploration Team was immediately formed. The captain was naturally Wen Youyi, the main combatant Zhao Iron Pillar was indispensable, Wang Wu was responsible for recording and assistance due to his meticulousness, Senior Brother Li needed to bring various detection and maintenance tools, and two "Purifier" members with agile movements and strong perception were also selected.

All of them put on the latest "Starfire Armor" and were issued "Life Support Belts" and plenty of "star iron" pellets. Wen Youyi even took almost all of the high-quality Spirit Stones in the base's inventory, just in case.

Before leaving, Wen Youyi looked at the reinforced and automated "Bedrock Base," then at Senior Brother Zhang, Ying, and the others who remained. He solemnly instructed: "After we leave, the base will enter a state of maximum alert. Unless it's an extreme emergency, do not take the initiative to contact us to avoid the signal being captured. We will definitely return in as little as seven or eight days, or as long as half a month!"

"Don't worry, Youyi! We've got things here at home!" Senior Brother Zhang pushed up his glasses, his eyes firm. Ying also nodded gently to reassure him.

"Let's go!" Wen Youyi took a deep breath and was the first to step out of the base gate.

Zhao Iron Pillar carried his increasingly heavy "Starfire" greatsword and followed with a grin: "Hehe, off to hunt for treasure! Hope we find a big one!"

Wang Wu cautiously checked his equipment, muttering: "Safety first, safety first..."

The group of six followed the "Silver Flow Vanguard Squad" that had been "fooled" into moving forward, resolutely plunging into the deeper and more unknown depths of the broken starry sky.

Energy is the lifeblood of civilization. For the future of "Starfire," this adventure into the tiger's den was imperative.

(End of Chapter)