255: The light of the dome and the message from "Return to the Void"

The integration test of the power and neural network was a great success, injecting a shot of adrenaline into the construction of "hope".

Morale across the base was high, and the progress of each project team accelerated significantly.

However, building a starship capable of interstellar travel was like building with blocks; any weak link could lead to total failure.

Under Wen Youyi's coordination, several key projects advanced in parallel.

Construction of the ecological dome entered its most critical phase.

The massive, transparent crystal dome was carefully hoisted into place, fitting seamlessly with the ship's structure.

Inside the dome, complex energy field generators, water circulation Systems, and air purification rune arrays were laid out layer by layer.

Mu Wanqing practically lived at the construction site, leading the ecological team members to debug every detail as if they were caring for an infant.

"Increase the simulated light intensity by another five percent; the heading stage of the star rice requires a stronger spectrum."

"The nutrient solution flow rate in Zone B is uneven. Check the No. 3 pump and the delivery pipes."

"Warning! Warning! The isolation door of the 'Moonlight Rabbit' No. 3 breeding chamber is not fully closed. One has escaped! Catch it quickly! Don't let it chew on the experimental seedlings!"

The ecological dome was a hive of activity, frequently echoing with Mu Wanqing's cool, urgent commands and the commotion caused by various minor accidents.

The escaped 'Moonlight Rabbit' was eventually captured by the agile Wang Wu with a flying pounce.

When he carried it back to the cage by its ears, it was still chewing on half a leaf of fluorescent algae with an innocent expression, leaving everyone between laughter and tears.

But the hard work was not in vain.

When the first batch of 'star rice' successfully filled with grain under the simulated starlight, the heavy ears of rice bowed the stalks; when the 'Star-Spotted Fish' swam in schools in the clear circulating pool, their scales reflecting specks of starlight; when the fluorescent algae turned the treated wastewater as clear as mountain springs, everyone knew they had succeeded.

This dome would become the vibrant 'green lung' and 'granary' for 'hope' during its voyage.

Meanwhile, the 'star core engine' prototype, overseen by Senior Brother Zhang, was undergoing thrilling tests one after another.

Although it was still far from being able to drive a starship, the prototype was already able to stably convert the energy guided from the star core into continuous and controllable thrust.

Even though the thrust was only enough to push a small cart, it verified that the core concept of 'leveraging power' rather than 'brute force' was correct.

Every successful ignition boosted the confidence of the power team.

Besides coordinating the overall situation, Wen Youyi focused more of his energy on another crucial matter—attempting to establish contact with the elusive 'Guixu'.

The crystal key was not just a key and a star map; according to the decoded information, it should also possess the function of ultra-long-range directional transmission, theoretically capable of sending a specific identification signal to the 'Guixu Lighthouse'.

However, this function consumed a massive amount of energy, and it was uncertain whether the other party was still operational or able to receive it.

"This is our best chance to 'say hello' before heading to 'Guixu'," Wen Youyi said at the core meeting.

"If there is anyone left at 'Guixu', receiving a signal from a common 'Seed' might elicit a response, or even provide us with guidance.

If there is no news... then we must be mentally prepared to face a dead and silent ruin upon arrival."

This attempt carried both risks and opportunities.

Activating the directional transmission required consuming a large amount of energy from the key and the main star core, which might affect the construction schedule.

Furthermore, it was unknown whether the signal would be intercepted by the 'Creation Heavenly Court' or other unknown entities after it was sent.

After repeated deliberation, everyone finally decided to conduct a tentative transmission with the lowest power and for the shortest duration.

On this day, the base's core energy zone was tightly secured.

Wen Youyi stood in the center of the specially made transmission array, holding the crystal key.

Around the array, Senior Brother Zhang, Senior Brother Li, and others nervously monitored the energy fluctuations.

"Initiate deep resonance of the key, lock onto the 'Guixu Lighthouse' coordinates." Wen Youyi closed his eyes, his Mental Energy perfectly synchronized with the key and the star core.

The star map inside the key swirled.

A faint wave of thought, containing specific identification codes and information about the 'Seed', had its energy extracted by the key.

After being extremely condensed, it was silently "launched" toward the distant coordinates marked on the star map.

There was no earth-shattering light, nor any deafening sound.

Only Wen Youyi and the key could feel an invisible "ripple" pass through layers of spatial barriers and shoot into the depths of the Universe.

The energy consumption was greater than expected; the light of the main star core visibly dimmed by a fraction.

After the transmission ended, Wen Youyi's face was somewhat pale, and Mu Wanqing hurriedly stepped forward to tend to him.

Next came a long, anxious wait.

One day, two days... ten days passed, the key had no reaction, and the 'Guixu' coordinates on the star map remained silent.

Just when everyone thought this transmission had fallen into the sea like a stone, or that 'Guixu' had long since been annihilated, late on the twentieth night—

The crystal key, which had been quietly floating on the console, suddenly flickered spontaneously and extremely faintly!

Immediately after, a fragmented, interference-filled, yet incredibly clear telepathic message, like a whisper traversing endless time and space, echoed directly in the depths of Wen Youyi's mind:

[ ...Signal...confirmed... 'Seed'...returning...path...dangerous...correction...coordinates updated...waiting... ]

The message stopped abruptly, and the key returned to calm, as if the flickering just now had been an illusion.

But Wen Youyi knew it was not an illusion!

"Guixu" was still there!

And it had received their signal and sent back a message!

Although the message was incomplete, it mentioned "path dangerous", "coordinates updated", and "waiting"!

"There's a response!" Wen Youyi opened his eyes abruptly and growled excitedly.

The news spread quickly, and the entire base was in an uproar!

This not only confirmed the existence and activity of "Guixu", but also meant that their future voyage might not be completely lonely; on the other side of the stars, there might be pioneers waiting for them!

hope had never been so concrete, so within reach!

The construction of "hope" was from then on endowed with a deeper meaning—it was no longer just about fleeing or exploration, but a journey home... spanning time and space.

(End of Chapter)