228: Combat readiness upgrade and "Fog Breaking" plan

The reconnaissance team returned safely to Bedrock Base with valuable video footage and personal experiences.

When the images of the twisted, shadowy tentacles and the fleeting glimpse of ancient ruins were played in the control center, everyone realized that the Misty Ghost Domain was by no means an ordinary place; it hid immense dangers, but also potentially held unimaginable opportunities.

"We can be certain that deep within that mist, there is definitely an ancient ruin, and it is highly likely related to the ‘Return to Ruins’," Wen Youyi said, pointing at the frozen, blurry outline of a giant stone structure.

"However, the environment there is extremely harsh. The mist itself carries spiritual erosion, and there are those... corrupted, twisted creatures. Last time, we were detected and counterattacked just by being on the periphery."

Zhao Iron Pillar recalled the chilling mental shock and still felt a lingering fear: "That ghost place is incredibly sinister. Relying just on our current manpower and equipment, trying to force our way in would probably be tough."

"That’s right," Mu Wanqing added. "Based on the final data transmitted back by the hummingbird, the intensity of that mental shock is already approaching a low-level Heart Demon. If we go deeper, the impact will only be stronger. We need better protection."

Senior Brother Li adjusted his glasses and analyzed: "According to the data, the mist has extremely strong interference with both energy and physical perception. Our bedrock communication talisman works fine on the edge, but its effectiveness will inevitably be greatly reduced once we go deeper. We need a means to keep the team from getting lost and losing contact in the mist."

Senior Brother Zhang stared at the image of the shadowy tentacles: "The defensive capabilities and aggression of these twisted creatures are unknown, but they clearly possess a certain level of intelligence and know how to attack reconnaissance units. We need stronger individual combat capabilities and area-clearing means."

The problems were clear: insufficient mental protection, communication and navigation prone to interruption, insufficient understanding of twisted creatures, and a lack of effective area-clearing capabilities.

In response to these problems, a specialized battle readiness upgrade centered around exploring the Misty Ghost Domain was launched across the base. Wen Youyi named it the "Fog-Piercing" Plan.

1. Reinforcement of the Mental Defense Line: Mu Wanqing led the Alchemy Workshop, using the "Calming Bead" as a core, and added more auxiliary medicines that stabilize the mind, beginning to attempt to refine a more effective "Heart-Clearing Pill," aiming to significantly increase resistance to mental erosion in a short period. At the same time, she collaborated with Senior Brother Li to research whether the medicinal power of the "Heart-Clearing Pill" could be combined with the bedrock communication talisman to create a more durable "Spirit-Protecting Jade Pendant."

2. Innovation in Communication and Navigation: Senior Brother Zhang and Ying proposed a bold concept—the "Star Beacon Navigation System." Using multiple specially made "Star Beacon Stones" that can continuously emit stable Star Power beacons, the lead team members would deploy them along the exploration path. Subsequent team members could then maintain direction and contact in the mist by sensing the beacons, allowing them to find their way back along the beacons even if communication were temporarily interrupted. Senior Brother Li was responsible for the refining and encryption of the Star Beacon Stones to ensure that the signals would not be easily interfered with or forged.

3. Equipment and Firepower Upgrade: The industrial zone was running at full speed, crafting stronger personal equipment for all combat personnel who might participate in the operation. Zhao Iron Pillar’s heavy sword was reinforced again, and "Evil-Breaking" and "Shock" runes were inscribed on it, which should be more effective against those viscous tentacle monsters. At the same time, Senior Brother Li designed a one-time area-of-effect strike Magical Artifact named "Star Rain." Once activated, it could scatter a large number of metal fragments containing Star Power toward a designated area. Although the production cost was high, it should be effective for clearing unknown swarms of monsters or opening up a situation.

4. Targeted Training: Wang Wu was responsible for organizing combat teams to simulate the misty environment within the base (using energy fields to create interference and low-intensity mental pressure), conducting drills for team coordination, signal recognition, skirmishes, and emergency evacuations. The focus was on cultivating tacit understanding and adaptability in situations with obstructed vision and poor communication.

The entire base was like a massive war workshop, with all departments collaborating closely for a common goal—to conquer the Misty Ghost Domain and find the entrance to the "Return to Ruins"!

Amidst this tense atmosphere, there were also some amusing interludes.

In order to test the "Shock" effect of his new heavy sword, Zhao Iron Pillar almost shook the metal dummy in the testing area into pieces, and was punished by Senior Brother Li, who wore a dark face, to forge iron in the industrial zone for three days, euphemistically called "familiarizing with weapon characteristics."

There was another time when Mu Wanqing, while attempting to fuse the medicinal power of the "Spirit-Protecting Jade Pendant," accidentally messed up the proportions. The resulting jade pendant not only failed to calm the mind but instead caused people to have brief, extremely manic hallucinations. An unfortunate member of the technical team hugged the cleaning Puppet in the base and spun around for a long time, affectionately calling it the "most beautiful piece of scrap iron in the world," which made everyone roar with laughter.

These little interludes slightly relieved the tension of battle readiness and also made the team atmosphere more harmonious.

Time passed quickly in the busyness. Half a month later, the preparations for the "Fog-Piercing" Plan were basically ready.

The more effective "Heart-Clearing Pill" was successfully produced; the first batch of encrypted "Star Beacon Stones" and improved "Spirit-Protecting Jade Pendants" were distributed; everyone’s main combat equipment had been updated; the "Star Rain" Magical Artifacts had also been stocked in sufficient quantity for three fierce battles; and the combat teams’ performance in the simulated misty environment had significantly improved.

Wen Youyi stood in the control center, looking at the high-spirited and well-equipped team members, his heart filled with confidence.

"Comrades!" His voice spread throughout the base through the amplification magical array, "The ‘Fog-Piercing’ Plan is ready! Target—the ‘Misty Ghost Domain’!"

"This time, we are not probing, but going to pierce through the mist and reach the core directly!"

"For freedom, for the truth!"

"Set off!"

The high fighting spirit burned in the eyes of every "Starfire" member like tangible flames.

The ark of hope carried this fully upgraded army of freedom, set sail again, and headed without hesitation toward that unknown mist that devoured the light.