298: Key Echoes and the Resonance of "Flowing Silver"

Wen Youyi's deep communication with the key in the secret room lasted for three whole days.

During these three days, he did not eat or drink (of course, given his current cultivation level, fasting for a short time was not a problem), and his entire focus was immersed in the mental world composed of the star map inside the key and endless starlight.

He was no longer a simple Observer or user, but was attempting to become a "dialogue partner."

He poured the heart-palpitating pulsation beneath the "Anvil," the eerie silence of the "Beehive," the desperate struggles of the entire base, and the deep-seated longing and anxiety for the "Return to Ruins" home, like a trickling stream, continuously into the vast starlight of the key.

At first, there was only silence.

The key was like an ancient philosopher of the starry sky, just silently emitting radiance, reflecting the rotation of the star map.

But Wen Youyi did not give up.

He transformed his thoughts into the purest questions and appeals, asking repeatedly:

"'Return to Ruins' is calling us, but our path is blocked by shadows.

What is sleeping there?

How should we deal with it?"

"We have inherited the spark of the 'Star People,' but are trapped in the quagmire left behind by the 'Reapers.'

Seniors, have you left behind a way to break this deadlock?"

"Time is running out, the giant beast is about to wake up.

Our 'hope' has not yet spread its wings...

Please guide us, even if it's just a glimmer of light..."

His thoughts echoed in the starlight, like a stone thrown into a deep pool, at first causing no ripples.

But after I don't know how many hundreds or thousands of calls, the eternally rotating star map inside the key seemed to... pause for a brief moment.

Immediately following that, a stream of consciousness, far clearer and more complex than the previous "call," like thawing spring water, slowly surged into Wen Youyi's consciousness.

It was not specific language or images, but more like a mixture of emotions, memories, and information.

He "felt" a deep sense of sorrow and regret, as if coming from the distant past, the grief of witnessing the collapse of a glorious civilization and the scattering of its sparks.

He also "touched" a resolute will to protect, which was the undying belief of the pioneers of the "Star People" in their final moments, sealing the essence of their civilization into the key, setting the coordinates for "Return to Ruins," and looking forward to the Legacy of future generations.

Then, there were some more fragmented, yet directly relevant information snippets:

Regarding the automated war sequences of the "Reapers"...

Low-level units (such as the Beehive) are responsible for regional clearing and resource recovery...

High-level or dormant units (such as underground mega-structures) usually hibernate in energy-rich areas or key nodes, guarded and maintained by low-level units...

Awakening requires specific command sequences or meeting strict conditions (such as continuous high-intensity threats, core energy anomalies, etc.)...

Some dormant units have long and unstable awakening processes due to age or damage...

And, some scattered experiences of the "Star People" in countering such war creations:

Targeting their reliance on specific energy frequencies and material structures...

The "purification" and "interference" properties of pure starlight are key...

One can utilize the "logical inertia" and "response latency" of their internal energy circuits and defense mechanisms...

Destroying their "command beacon" (such as the Bee Queen) or key energy nodes can lead to System disorder or even a chain collapse...

More Advanced "information meme" attacks require a deep understanding of their underlying protocols...

Finally, there was a clearer "echo," full of anticipation and a hint of urgency:

"Spark... return... path... revealed... 'cradle' will collapse... 'ark' must launch... hurry... 'beacon' will guide... the final..."

The information flow stopped abruptly here, the key's star map resumed its rotation, as if everything just now was an illusion.

But Wen Youyi knew it was not an illusion.

The key had responded to him!

Although the information was still fragmented, the direction was very clear!

He opened his eyes suddenly; although his mind was extremely exhausted, his eyes were frighteningly bright.

"There is a way..." he whispered to himself, his voice hoarse but full of strength, "The key has given us a direction... it's not about running away, it's about fighting, and also... setting sail!"

He immediately rushed out of the secret room and summoned all the core members.

"The key has responded!" Wen Youyi got straight to the point, quickly sharing the fragmented information he had obtained, "That 'big guy' underground is indeed a dormant unit of the 'Reapers'; the awakening conditions are strict, and the process is long and unstable.

The 'Beehive' is likely just trying to establish initial contact or request 'authorization'; there is still time before it truly wakes up, but not much!"

"Our countermeasures, the key also gave us hints: use the properties of pure starlight to attack its System weaknesses; use the rigidity of its internal logic to create chaos; most importantly—we must complete the 'hope,' launch the 'ark,' and head to 'Return to Ruins' before it fully wakes up!"

"The key's final echo, 'the cradle will collapse, the ark must launch,' the 'cradle' likely refers to this wreckage area eroded by the 'Reapers'' power, including that giant structure about to wake up!

We must leave here!

And the 'ark' is the 'hope'!

What the 'beacon' points to is 'Return to Ruins'!"

This news greatly lifted everyone's spirits!

Although the road ahead was still dangerous, at least there was a clear direction and strategy, rather than waiting for an unknown countdown in the dark.

"What are we waiting for then! Let's do it!" Zhao Iron Pillar roared, "Build the big ship, kick over the Beehive, and we're going to our new home!"

"The technical approach is also clear," Senior Brother Li quickly digested the information, "We need to design more efficient 'starlight purification/interference' weapons, targeting the 'Beehive' and potential energy nodes of the underground facilities.

At the same time, we need to study how to use the 'Bee Language Maze' technology to conduct deeper levels of interference and deception on their internal communications and logical judgments."

"And the 'information meme' attacks," Senior Brother Zhang added, "Although our current technical level is insufficient, we can start by understanding the 'Beehive's' underlying protocols to prepare for the future."

"More importantly, the 'hope' itself," Wen Youyi emphasized, "It is not just a vehicle, but our future home and fortress.

It must be strong enough, intelligent enough, and... 'alive' enough!"

Just then, Xiao Wu ran into the main control room, panting, with an expression of unbelievable excitement on his face: "Boss! The 'hope's' neural network! It... it seems to have 'understood'!

Just now, I tried to transmit the crisis and the information from the key's guidance to it, and the energy flow of the entire network suddenly became very... very 'passionate'!

Moreover, it has started to actively optimize the structure of several key areas, and efficiency has increased by at least 20%!

Even the 'heart module' is sending back particularly strong fluctuations of support!"

Everyone was stunned, then ecstatic!

The "Flowing Silver" neural network, this "collective consciousness" they had birthed and was currently evolving, not only understood the crisis but was actively cooperating to accelerate its growth!

This was truly a timely help!

"Good! Excellent!" Wen Youyi excitedly slapped the table, "Xiao Wu, keep communicating with it! Guide it to focus this 'will to grow' on the most critical System construction!

Senior Brother Li, Senior Brother Zhang, immediately adjust our construction plans based on the neural network's spontaneous optimization data, and learn from this 'living' System!"

hope has never been so concrete.

The key guides the way forward, "Flowing Silver" accelerates growth, and the entire base shares the same desire.

Although the pulsation beneath the "Anvil" is still like a sword hanging over their heads, and although the silence of the "Beehive" is still unfathomable.

But the "Starfire" base has already clarified its direction and clenched its fists.

They are no longer blindly racing against an unknown countdown.

They are making a final, all-out sprint for a "breakout" and "setting sail" that concerns the survival of their civilization!

(End of chapter)