239: Returning with a full load and the "Star Hub" project

The evacuation process went more smoothly than expected. Perhaps it was because the Corrupted Wolf King had been slain and the core ruins had collapsed, causing the Corrupted creatures on the periphery of the 'Misty Ghost Domain' to become sparse and chaotic. Coupled with the faint astral pressure radiating from the crystal key, the exploration team passed through the twisted jungle without any dangerous incidents and successfully rendezvoused with the 'ark of hope' hovering on the outskirts of the swamp.

The moment the last team member stepped onto the deck and the airlock slowly closed, everyone let out a long sigh of relief. Their tense nerves finally relaxed, and a powerful sense of exhaustion surged over them like a tide. Many collapsed directly onto the floor, and even a tough guy like Zhao Iron Pillar was leaning against the wall, gasping for breath.

Inside the ark, it was brightly lit, and the familiar star energy warmly enveloped everyone, creating a stark contrast between heaven and Hell compared to the filthy, oppressive environment outside.

"We're back... we finally made it back safely, damn it," Zhao Iron Pillar muttered, feeling as if he had fought a war that lasted for years.

Mu Wanqing didn't have time to rest; she immediately began more detailed examinations and treatments for the wounded. Wang Wu forced himself to stay alert and began to take stock of the losses and gains of this operation, especially the condition of those who were seriously injured.

Although Wen Youyi was equally exhausted, his spirit was in a state of strange excitement. He held the crystal key, which had returned to a calm state, and felt the vast information and power contained within it, his heart surging with emotion.

The ark quietly ascended, its concealment Formation fully activated, and began its return journey towards 'Bedrock Base'.

A few days later, the ark smoothly entered the base's berth. When the airlock opened and Wen Youyi and the others stepped out, covered in the dust of the journey and carrying the crucial key, Senior Brother Zhang, Ying, Mo Chen, and others who had been waiting at the berth immediately surrounded them.

Seeing that everyone in the team was wounded and exhausted, yet their eyes were bright—especially when they saw the crystal key emitting an extraordinary aura in Wen Youyi's hand—everyone understood that they had succeeded! They had also paid a huge price!

There was no idle chatter; the wounded were immediately sent to the medical room for the best treatment. Wen Youyi took the core members directly to the council chamber.

He recounted the experiences of this trip to the 'Misty Ghost Domain' in full, detailed, and original order, including the ancient palace, the broken stone tablets, the final guardian, the tragic battle at the bridgehead, and the various magical properties of the key.

Upon hearing the tragic epic of the ancient resistance civilization, hearing about the 'place where the ark set sail' and the 'Legacy' of the 'Kindling,' and hearing how Wen Youyi cleverly lured the 'Scavenger' into a bloody battle with the Corrupted Wolf King, as well as the concealment and acceleration abilities the key displayed at critical moments, the council chamber was alternately silent and filled with exclamations. Everyone's emotions rose and fell with his narrative.

"...So, what we found was not 'Return to Ruins' itself, but the key and star map leading to the real 'Return to Ruins'," Wen Youyi concluded at last, carefully placing the crystal key on the platform in the center of the council chamber. "More importantly, this key itself is a huge treasure vault and... a strategic-level tool!"

He emphasized the key's potential 'remote energy transmission and information relay' function.

"If we can master and utilize this function," Wen Youyi's gaze swept across the crowd, his tone filled with irrepressible excitement, "it means that even if we find 'Return to Ruins' in the future, or if our members are scattered across various locations executing missions, we can use the key to build a safe communication and energy support network that spans vast distances! This will completely change the operational model of our 'Starfire'!"

This prospect shocked everyone! This meant that 'Starfire' would no longer be an isolated stronghold but could potentially become a true, distributed resistance network!

"We must thoroughly research this key as soon as possible!" Senior Brother Zhang adjusted his glasses, a fanatical light unique to researchers flashing in his eyes.

"Exactly!" Wen Youyi nodded. "I propose that we immediately launch the highest priority research project—the 'Star Hub' project! The goal: fully analyze the functions of the crystal key, especially the remote communication and energy transmission technology, and attempt to dock and upgrade it with our 'star chain' System!"

'Star Hub,' meaning the hub of the stars, implied that this key would become the core node of the future 'Starfire' network.

"Agreed!"

"Full support!"

Without any objections, it was passed unanimously!

The 'Star Hub' project was immediately launched. With Wen Youyi personally in charge, and Senior Brother Zhang, Ying, and Senior Brother Li forming the core technical attack team, they concentrated the base's best resources and computing power to begin a careful, comprehensive inspection and research of the crystal key.

The research process was not smooth sailing. The technological level of the key was too high; many structures and principles were beyond their current scope of understanding. However, with a clear direction and the 'friendly' cooperation of the key itself (it seemed to recognize Wen Youyi as the holder of the 'Kindling'), progress, although slow, was constant.

First to be confirmed was the key's function as a super energy source and authority core. The star energy contained within it was pure and vast, far exceeding that of a main star core fragment, and it seemed capable of slow self-regeneration.

Secondly, regarding the remote function, the technical team discovered that there was indeed an extremely complex mechanism within the key, similar to 'resonance' and 'projection.' It could lock onto specific 'beacons' in the distance (such as another star core fragment or a specific receiving device) and establish a mysterious connection that transcended ordinary spatial distance, through which information could be transmitted and energy could be transported.

But this required two conditions: one, a sufficiently powerful energy drive; two, there must be a specific 'beacon' in the distance that could be locked onto.

"In other words, if we want to build such a network, we first need to create 'sub-keys' or 'beacon devices' that can be recognized by the key and distribute them to various strongholds or important members in the future," Senior Brother Zhang analyzed.

"Moreover, the energy consumed every time the remote function is activated will likely be an astronomical figure," Senior Brother Li added. He looked at the seemingly endless starry sky inside the key, his tone filled with awe. "With our base's current main star core, I'm afraid it won't be able to support many large-scale transmissions."

The challenges were huge, but the hope was even greater!

Just as the 'Star Hub' project was proceeding intensely, other work at the base did not stop. Mu Wanqing used samples of some unknown plants brought back from the ruins (under the premise of ensuring safety) to begin researching whether it was possible to cultivate higher-quality 'star spirit plants.' Mo Chen and Wang Wu's Liaison Group, based on the gains from this operation, re-evaluated the list of personnel and the external situation...

The 'Bedrock Base,' full of gains and hope, became more refined and sharper, like tempered steel.

Everyone knew that mastering the key was just the beginning. The real journey, the path to 'Return to Ruins' in the depths of the sea of stars, and the magnificent dimensional war had only just begun.

(End of chapter)