249: A new journey begins with the "Hope" ship setting sail.

The discovery of the hidden starlight path was like lighting a lighthouse in the long night, instantly dispelling the dull atmosphere brought about by the Bedrock Base's dormancy. When the news spread, everyone was invigorated! Not only had they successfully survived the crisis, but they had also found a clear direction toward the legendary "Guixu"!

hope had never felt so real!

Inside the control room, a 3D star map floated in mid-air. That illuminated silver trail was like a thin yet resilient silk ribbon, connecting them to a distant hope. All the core members, including Wen Youyi, Senior Brother Zhang, Senior Brother Li, Mu Wanqing, and Zhao Iron Pillar, gathered here, their eyes burning as they stared at this path to the future.

"Although this path avoids most known danger zones, it is still incredibly long." Wen Youyi pointed at the star path, his tone serious yet excited. "Based on the star map's scale and the information from the key, even if we have an 'ark' capable of interstellar travel, with our current capabilities, this will be a long journey measured in 'years'."

"Years?" Zhao Iron Pillar scratched his head. "Then how long will it take to get there? What will we eat on the way? What will we drink?"

"That is the problem we need to solve next." Wen Youyi's gaze swept across the crowd. "Finding the path is only the first step. We need a ship truly capable of long-term, long-distance interstellar travel. We need sufficient energy, sustainable food and water sources, and preparation for the unknown risks of deep space... This is a systematic project, far more complex and grand than building the base or developing the 'spirit net'!"

There was no fear, no shrinking back; the fire of challenge burned in everyone's eyes. From struggling to survive at the bottom of the Qingxuan Sect to establishing the base and then thwarting Black Shas's plot, every step they took was about creating possibilities out of the impossible. Now, with a path to the sea of stars right before them, how could they be afraid?

"Let's do it! We have to do it!" Zhao Iron Pillar was the first to roar out. "It's just building a big ship! We could even build a base, so are we afraid we can't build one that can fly?"

"That's right!" Senior Brother Li pushed his glasses, the light of a technical fanatic flashing in his eyes. "We have the database of the ancient starships, high-level technology from the crystal key, and that magical material assistant, 'Flowing Silver'! As long as we are given time and resources, we can definitely build it!"

"Regarding energy," Senior Brother Zhang chimed in, "the main star core is recovering, and the key itself is a powerful energy source. We can also look for other energy sources that might exist in the Starry Sky Debris along the way, or 'mine' for supplements like we did before."

Mu Wanqing considered it from the perspective of survival: "The technology for the ecological zone needs an upgrade. We must establish an ecological circulation System capable of long-term stable operation within a closed spaceship to achieve self-sufficiency in food, water, and air. This requires more efficient planting, breeding, and purification technologies."

Wang Wu and Mo Chen looked at each other, and Mo Chen said, "We can't completely give up on external communication either. Although the passage is destroyed, the technology of the 'spirit net' has matured. We can find suitable locations along the way to set up beacon nodes. On one hand, they'll serve as navigational markers; on the other hand, perhaps we can re-establish communication with external comrades who restore contact in the future."

The more they debated, the clearer their thoughts became; the more they discussed, the more defined the direction grew. A grand blueprint named the "Voyage Plan" gradually took shape amidst the crowd's intense discussion.

The core of the plan was to build a super starship capable of carrying the future of the "Sparks" on an interstellar voyage! It would integrate all the highest technological achievements of the base, using the crystal key and the main star core as its core energy. It would draw from ancient starship designs, utilize new Materials like "Flowing Silver" for reinforcement, and be equipped with a complete ecological circulation System along with powerful defense and detection functions.

This ship would be named—"hope"!

It symbolized their determination to break through their cage and find their ultimate hope and destination!

The "Voyage Plan" was officially launched! The entire base was like it had been injected with a new Soul, instantly switching from a "dormant" state to "overdrive" mode. Every department and every person began to operate at high speed around this grand goal.

The industrial zone was brightly lit once again. Under Senior Brother Li's leadership, they began designing the various components of "hope" based on the ancient database and key information, especially the core power System and hull structure. Senior Brother Zhang and Ying devoted themselves fully to miniaturizing and increasing the efficiency of the ecological circulation System. Mu Wanqing's Alchemy Workshop began stockpiling large quantities of various Medicinal Pills, especially top-grade ones that could be preserved for a long time to handle special situations. Zhao Iron Pillar's combat team took on the heavy responsibility of searching for and collecting rare Materials in the debris area surrounding the base... The base's energy consumption climbed once again, but this time, it was burning for hope!

Wen Youyi devoted most of his time to further research on that hidden starlight path and to the work of using the key to accelerate the recovery of the main star core. He knew that the construction and voyage of "hope" could not succeed without powerful energy support.

Time flew by in the midst of the busyness. One year, two years... Inside the "Bedrock Base," changes occurred every day. A huge dock was carved out, the keel of "hope" was laid, and various advanced pieces of equipment were manufactured, assembled, and tested bit by bit. Although its completion was still a long way off, the starship carrying their dreams was moving from blueprint to reality at a speed visible to the naked eye.

One day, Wen Youyi stood before the skeletal frame of "hope," looking up at the behemoth with a heart full of emotion.

From sensing the truth of the "spirit net," to establishing the Mutual Aid Society, to drifting through the Starry Sky Debris, and now to being on the verge of embarking on the return journey through the sea of stars to find "Guixu"... This path had been covered in thorns and filled with danger.

But he had never regretted it.

He looked back; the base was brightly lit, figures were busy, and every face carried a longing for the future and a firm conviction.

Though the spark is small, it will eventually start a prairie fire.

And they were about to bring this spark to the vast sea of stars!

(Chapter 250 End)