269: Post-war healing and "shadow" samples

"Qianlong," carrying the glory of its first victory and a body full of "scars," slid silently back into the base's dock.

Its deep blue "dragon eye" was noticeably dimmer, and its originally smooth and sleek silver hull was covered in many fine, dark spots that looked as if they had been corroded by acid.

In some places, it was even slightly dented, having lost the rhythmic luster that had once given it a sense of vitality.

The crowd, who had been waiting in the dock for a long time, saw "Qianlong" in this state, and their cheers instantly turned into gasps of distress.

"Oh, my baby! How did you get chewed up like this?!" Zhao Iron Pillar was the first to rush up.

He wanted to touch it but didn't dare, circling around "Qianlong" as if his own child had gotten hurt in a fight outside.

Mu Wanqing and her medical (Medicinal Pill refining) team immediately followed.

First, they sprayed a large amount of specially made "Spirit Cleansing Mist" onto the damaged parts of the hull to disperse any potentially remaining corrosive energy.

Then, they began to carefully "wipe" the spots using gentle starlight energy and special medicinal agents.

"Qianlong" was very obedient, staying completely still.

It only occasionally transmitted faint ripples of thought, carrying "stinging pain" and "grievance," like a poor child whose anesthesia had worn off after surgery.

Xiao Wu hurriedly consoled it through the sensor node: [Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Big Sister Mu is treating your wounds; you'll be better soon.

You were so amazing just now, smashing that ugly monster to pieces! You're a hero ship!]

[Really... amazing?] "Qianlong's" thoughts carried a hint of uncertainty and anticipation.

"Of course! Your analysis was accurate, your tactics were decisive, your strikes were ruthless, and that final thrust was super cool!" Senior Brother Li said while quickly plugging in a data cable to download the combat logs, showering it with praise without hesitation.

"It's just that the defensive strategy could be optimized. Next time, let's come up with a more flexible 'Flowing Silver Active Shield' so we don't have to take hits head-on..."

Senior Brother Zhang, meanwhile, was already holding the newly downloaded data, his eyes shining.

"This is so precious! Real-combat energy confrontation data! And the energy residue sample of that 'Shadow Devourer'! Quick, Wang Wu, where are the samples you collected?"

Wang Wu carefully brought out several special transparent containers that shimmered with purification Star Patterns.

Inside were sealed a few extremely thin, dark purple energy threads that seemed ready to dissipate at any moment, along with some inactive metal debris left behind after being corroded.

"Most of that thing dissipated; I only managed to catch this little bit of residue. However, the corrosion marks remaining on 'Qianlong's' hull are also excellent research samples."

Hearing that they wanted to study the "bad thing," "Qianlong" immediately transmitted a cooperative thought: [Give... take it all... study it clearly... next time we meet... hit it hard!]

This "vengeful" yet "studious" little demeanor amused everyone.

Wen Youyi carefully examined "Qianlong's" injuries and confirmed they were all "superficial wounds."

The main damage was to the outermost "Flowing Silver" armor and a small number of Star Pattern circuits; the core "heart module" and the ship spirit consciousness were unharmed, which finally made him truly breathe a sigh of relief.

The repair work was primarily led by Senior Brother Li and Senior Brother Zhang, who headed the technical team, in coordination with "Qianlong's" own "Flowing Silver" repair capabilities.

It was expected to be restored to its original state in a few days.

What was more important right now was analyzing that "Shadow Devourer."

In the base's core analysis room, several threads of dark purple energy, tightly sealed, writhed slightly within a special "Star Pattern containment field," emitting unpleasant fluctuations.

The key hovered nearby, emitting a soft silver glow, constantly monitoring and suppressing this energy.

Senior Brother Li and Senior Brother Zhang mobilized all available analytical means: energy spectrum scanning, material composition analysis, fluctuation simulation reproduction, key information comparison...

"Energy properties confirmed: highly corrosive, phagocytic, and possessing a faint Chaos consciousness.

Its basic composition... is very complex, seeming like a forced amalgamation of various negative energies (resentment, greed, desire for destruction) and some unknown 'adhesive'." Senior Brother Zhang stared at the data cascading down the light screen.

"This 'adhesive'... there's a vague match in the key's database, labeled as 'Reapers low-tier creation characteristic energy'."

"In other words, this thing was indeed manufactured or modified by the 'Reapers' (Creation Heavenly Court or their ilk)." Senior Brother Li's expression was grave.

"But its color and form are different from the 'gray-white devourer' recorded by the 'Star People.' It's more... 'dirty,' more chaotic."

Wang Wu offered a guess: "Could it be a 'knockoff' or a 'mutant'?

Just like how in the Ranch World, the spirit net sometimes spawns some weird, unconventional 'Heart Demons' or 'Extraterrestrial Demons'?

This Starry Sky Debris is an ancient battlefield, and the energy environment is chaotic. Perhaps some low-tier servants left behind by the 'Reapers' underwent uncontrollable mutations here?"

"It's possible." Wen Youyi nodded.

"But whether it's genuine or a knockoff, it proves that the power of the 'Reapers' has already permeated this Debris area.

Furthermore, its behavioral pattern—consuming matter and energy to grow stronger—is highly expansive and destructive.

This time, 'Qianlong' was lucky to encounter a lone one that perhaps wasn't too strong yet. If this thing has a group, or more Advanced forms..."

He paused, looking at the "heart module" and several "little bean sprouts" quietly waiting in the corner of the analysis room.

The "heart module" transmitted worried ripples, and the "little bean sprouts" also huddled together, emitting waves of uneasy "ripples."

Even these simple creations could feel the threat.

"We must strengthen the base's defense and early warning systems." Wen Youyi made a decision.

"We cannot rely solely on the concealment of the debris itself. 'Qianlong's' encounter proves that our range of activity needs to be re-evaluated, and we must increase the patrol and monitoring frequency of our outer observation points."

"Additionally," he looked at the few threads of dark purple energy, "using this sample and combining it with the information from the key, we need to develop detection and countermeasure methods specifically for these types of 'Reapers creations' or 'mutants' as soon as possible.

For example, more sensitive early warning Star Patterns, and more effective purification or lethal energy modes."

Senior Brother Li and Senior Brother Zhang exchanged glances, seeing the challenge and excitement in each other's eyes.

Another new project!

"Qianlong's" repairs and the research on the "Shadow Devourer" proceeded simultaneously.

The repairs went very smoothly.

"Qianlong's" own "Flowing Silver" repair capability exceeded expectations.

After absorbing a large amount of pure starlight energy and special "Flowing Silver nutrient," the damaged armor moved, grew, and filled in at a speed visible to the naked eye.

In just one day, most of the mottling and dents on the surface had disappeared, and it became lustrous with silver light once again.

In the repaired areas, the Star Patterns were even more solidified than before, as if they had been "tempered" by the battle.

"This recovery ability... it's simply Heaven-Defying!" Zhao Iron Pillar marveled.

"It's even faster than my self-healing as a Body Cultivator!"

"Qianlong" also transmitted pleasant ripples of "recovery."

Its deep blue "dragon eye" became bright again, and it even took the initiative to "show off" its newly grown armor, transmitting a little pride: [It's even stronger!]

Meanwhile, research on the "Shadow sample" achieved an unexpected Breakthrough.

During an attempt to bombard the sample with starlight energy of different frequencies, Senior Brother Zhang discovered that when the energy frequency was adjusted to a pure, high-frequency band similar to the "Soul filter" purification environment, the dark purple energy threads produced an extremely violent repulsive and "painful" reaction, dissolving rapidly as if being scorched.

"It works! Highly pure 'Star People' Origin energy is the bane of this thing!" Senior Brother Li said excitedly.

"But it requires very high purity and intensity. Like 'Qianlong's' starlight pulse, it must be highly compressed and refined to be effective; ordinary starlight energy might instead be consumed by it."

"This shows that the power of the 'Reapers' and the power of the 'Star People' are fundamentally opposed, like water and fire." Wen Youyi analyzed.

"Our advantage lies in the key and the star core. We can design a 'purification pulse' or 'divine shock' type of Star Pattern weapon specifically for this type of enemy."

"Not just weapons," Xiao Wu raised a hand, proposing a bolder idea.

"Since pure starlight can 'scorch' them, can we set up a layer of 'pure energy warning zone' around the base, composed of a large number of 'little bean sprouts' or special Star Pattern arrays?

It's like sprinkling a circle of insect repellent around the house, making these 'dirty things' instinctively unwilling to come close?"

This "insect repellent" analogy made everyone's eyes light up.

"Feasible!" Senior Brother Zhang immediately began to conceptualize.

"We can design a 'warning-type purification array' that runs at low power during normal times, emitting gentle, pure starlight fluctuations.

It won't consume excessive energy, and it can form a repulsive field against existences like the 'Shadow Devourer.' Once a strong enemy intrudes and triggers a violent reaction in the array, it can also serve as an early warning."

"Good idea! Add it to the priority R&D projects immediately!" Wen Youyi affirmed.

"Let's call it... the 'starlight gauze curtain' project."

Crisis brings pressure, but it also fosters innovation.

"Qianlong's" injury in its first battle instead became a catalyst for advancing the "Starfire" base's defensive technology and targeted weapon development.

A few days later, "Qianlong" had completely recovered and even benefited from the misfortune; its hull strength and energy control precision had both improved.

It sat in the dock, "looking" at Wen Youyi with eagerness, and transmitted a clear thought:

[Next time... when I go on patrol... I will be more careful... and also more powerful!]

Wen Youyi smiled and patted its cold hull.

"You will. But next time, you might not be going out alone."

He looked toward the distance at the keel of the "hope" that was being built at an accelerated pace, and at these companions beside him who were full of fighting spirit and wisdom.

The path of the star sea is surrounded by powerful enemies.

But they, too, are growing and arming themselves at an astonishing speed.

The Hidden Dragon has already tested its edge; next, it is time for the starfire to spread, and to build a fortress.

(End of chapter)