317: The "Temple of Starlight" deep within the cemetery

The voyage of the hope through the Stardust Graveyard had become a peculiar ritual.

Every time they passed the wreckage of a civilization, Wen Youyi would lead the entire bridge crew to stand in solemn silence and perform a hand-over-chest salute.

Although most of the crew did not fully understand the meaning of this gesture, everyone could feel the solemn atmosphere—as if they were not crossing a dead Star Domain, but visiting an interstellar cemetery spanning eons.

Old K's attitude toward Wen Youyi's actions had shifted from initial disapproval to silent observation, and now, to a certain degree of respect.

"Kid, you're the first captain I've ever seen treat a 'graveyard' like a 'Holy Land'," Old K said on the third day of the voyage, speaking with rare seriousness. "Most people come here either to scavenge some valuable 'trash' or because they're backed into a corner and have nowhere else to hide. Someone like you... who acts like they're on a 'pilgrimage,' is a first for me."

Wen Youyi looked at a massive crystal wreckage drifting slowly past the porthole—it must have been a relic of a civilization skilled in crystal technology; even in its shattered state, it still refracted a dreamlike radiance.

"If one day our civilization also perishes," he said softly, "I hope that when later generations pass by our wreckage, they can pause and pay their respects, rather than scrambling to rummage through what's left to see what valuable things they can tear apart."

Old K was silent for a moment, the red light in his mechanical eyes flickering slightly: "Your words... remind me of my teacher. He was an archaeologist too, and he always said, 'The destruction of every civilization is a tragedy, and we, as those who come after, should at least remember what the tragedy looked like to avoid repeating it.'"

"Is your teacher... still alive?"

"Dead." Old K's voice was calm, but a bottomless sorrow was hidden beneath that calmness. "He died in a raid by the Star Devourers. Our civilization... didn't last three months. I was one of the few who escaped, carrying his archaeological notes and some useless junk."

Wen Youyi glanced at Old K and did not continue the topic.

Everyone had wounds they didn't want to touch. In this sea of stars, almost everyone carried the ghosts of several civilizations on their backs.

On the fourth day of the voyage, they arrived at the end of the "safe passage" marked on Old K's star map.

Ahead, the density of stardust suddenly increased, forming a grey barrier that was almost tangible. Through the gaps in the barrier, one could vaguely see a completely different scene behind it—there were no floating wrecks, no eerie stardust, only pure darkness, and deep within that darkness... a faint but continuously flickering starlight.

"That is the core area of the graveyard." Old K pointed to the barrier. "Once you pass through this 'stardust wall', you truly enter the depths of the graveyard. My star map ends here—I've never been any further in."

Wen Youyi pulled up the detector data. The data showed that the "stardust wall" was not naturally formed; its energy structure was extremely orderly, like some kind of... protective barrier.

"Is there a way to get through?" he asked Aila.

Aila was analyzing the data via remote connection: [The energy frequency of the barrier is very special and repels most conventional matter. But... the hope's outer armor has residual energy from the Star People, and combined with the 'affinity' we've accumulated in the graveyard over the past few days, we might be able to attempt a 'request for passage'.]

"Request for passage? Request from whom?"

[From the graveyard itself.] Aila explained, [According to my analysis, the stardust in this graveyard does not drift in a disorderly manner; it is regulated by some kind of macroscopic consciousness. Our actions during these few days of travel have earned us the 'goodwill' of this consciousness. If we state our intentions, we might be allowed to pass.]

Wen Youyi thought for a moment: "How do we do it?"

[Use the 'star key'.] Aila said, [It is not only the key of the Star People but also one of the oldest 'identity credentials' in the sea of stars. If the consciousness of this graveyard still remembers the Star People, it should recognize it.]

Wen Youyi took out the star key from his pocket. Since entering the graveyard, the light on the surface of the star key had been brighter than usual, as if resonating with the surrounding stardust.

He walked to the porthole, pressed the star key against the glass, and broadcasted through the external loudspeaker:

"We, as later generations, are fleeing the pursuit of the Star Devourers and wish to pass through the depths of the graveyard. We hold the token of the Star People and promise not to take anything from this place, nor disturb the peace of the departed. We only ask for passage. We hope for your permission."

The light from the star key shone through the porthole, casting a circle of silvery-white light spots on the stardust wall.

Time ticked by, second by second.

Just when everyone thought there would be no reaction, the stardust wall suddenly began to "flow"!

Billions upon billions of stardust particles, as if moved by an invisible hand, slowly parted to the sides, revealing a... door.

It was not a door in the physical sense, but a vortex channel made of rotating stardust. The inside of the channel flickered with a soft light, extending deep into the darkness.

"It... agreed?" Zhao Iron Pillar widened his eyes.

Old K's mechanical eyes flickered wildly, clearly struggling to analyze the incredible sight before him: "I've been hanging around the periphery of this graveyard for thirty years, and I've never seen this thing open! Who on earth... are you people?"

Wen Youyi did not answer, but instead ordered: "The 'Hidden Dragon' will go in first to scout. After confirming it's safe, the hope will follow."

"Hidden Dragon" turned into a silver shadow and slid silently into the channel. Ten minutes later, it sent back information: "The channel is safe, the energy is stable, and it is about three hundred miles long. At the exit... the scene is abnormal."

"What kind of scene?"

"It looks like... a palace?"

Wen Youyi and the others looked at each other.

A palace in the depths of the graveyard?

The hope slowly sailed into the channel. It was surprisingly smooth inside the channel, and the stardust walls on both sides were like flowing waterfalls, breathtakingly beautiful. The stardust no longer felt oppressive; instead, it felt like... it was welcoming them.

They quickly finished the three-hundred-mile journey.

When the hope sailed out of the channel exit, everyone on the bridge held their breath.

Before them lay a huge, spherical empty space, at least a thousand miles in diameter. The "walls" of the space were composed of dense stardust, emitting a soft silvery-white light that illuminated the entire space.

And in the center of this space, an... architectural structure was suspended.

It was a palace made of pure starlight, with no physical substance, only a structure woven from light and shadow. It had towering spires, broad halls, and winding corridors, with every detail as exquisite as a work of art. Below the palace, countless tiny points of light floated, resembling stars, and also resembling... Souls.

Most striking was the emblem hanging above the main entrance of the palace—seven stars surrounding a burning sun, which was seventy percent similar to the ship emblem of the hope!

"This is..." Wen Youyi murmured.

[A projection of the 'Starlight Sanctuary' of the Star People.] Aila's voice carried irrepressible excitement. [One of the legendary three Holy Lands of the Star People! I always thought it was just a legend; I didn't expect it to actually exist! Although this is only a projection, not a physical entity, but... this is too amazing!]

Old K was completely dumbfounded. He kept his mouth open, his mechanical eyes almost popping out: "Star, Star People... you actually have the Legacy of the Star People? No wonder... no wonder the graveyard was so friendly to you! This graveyard... is very likely built by the Star People back in the day!"

Wen Youyi had the hope slowly approach the starlight palace.

The closer they got, the more they could feel that grand and sacred aura. Although the palace was made of light and shadow, it radiated a truly undeniable pressure, as if it were scrutinizing every visitor.

In the void in front of the main gate of the palace, a huge crystal monument floated. The monument was covered with ancient characters, flickering with a faint light.

Aila quickly translated: [‘Later generations, if you can see this monument, it means you have been recognized by the graveyard's consciousness. This is a projection of the ‘Starlight Sanctuary’, containing the messages and warnings of the Star People to future civilizations. To enter, you must pass three trials, proving your wisdom, courage, and compassion.’]

"Trials?" Zhao Iron Pillar scratched his head, "We have to take a test even at a time like this?"

Wen Youyi's eyes lit up: "Perhaps... this is exactly what we need."

He looked at Aila: "Aila, what will the Star People's trials be about?"

[According to legend, the Star People's trials never test martial power, only the essence of a 'civilization'.] Aila recalled the information in the database. [The trial of wisdom is usually solving a complex puzzle; the trial of courage is facing the deepest fears in one's heart; the trial of compassion... is demonstrating respect and protection for life.]

Just then, the text on the crystal monument changed, and the first paragraph appeared:

[First Trial: Wisdom. Solve the following riddle—‘All things have an end; what does not perish? All civilizations have a limit; what lasts forever?’]

The bridge fell into deep thought.

"All things have an end; what does not perish?" Senior Brother Zhang pushed up his glasses. "From a physical perspective, energy is conserved, but energy also changes form... does that count as not perishing?"

"All civilizations have a limit; what lasts forever?" Senior Brother Li frowned. "Knowledge? Technology? But these can also be lost."

Old K stared at that sentence and suddenly spoke: "The Star People were famous for liking philosophical riddles. There is no standard answer to this kind of question; the key is... whether your answer can move them."

Wen Youyi did not answer immediately. He walked to the porthole, looking at the graveyard outside composed of countless civilization wrecks, looking at the drifting stardust, and looking at this Starlight Sanctuary.

He remembered his experiences along the way—from the rebellion in the Ranch World to the escape in the starry sky; from being harvested as "livestock" to standing before the Holy Land of an ancient civilization today.

He thought of the civilizations that had turned into stardust, the phantom of the "Watchman" that had warned them, the teacher Old K had lost, and Aila's brother who had died.

Finally, he whispered the answer:

"All things have an end, only 'memory' does not perish. All civilizations have a limit, only 'Legacy' lasts forever."

The moment the words fell, the crystal monument shone brightly!

[Answer accepted. Wisdom trial passed.]

The text on the monument changed:

[Second Trial: Courage. Demonstrate your courage when facing the 'end'.]

This time, before anyone could react, the scene around them suddenly changed!

Outside the porthole, it was no longer the Starlight Sanctuary, but... a scene of the hope being destroyed!

Three giant mother ships of the "Star Devourers" surrounded the hope, and countless artillery fire poured down. Shields shattered, the hull broke, and crew members screamed in the flames. Wen Youyi could even see "himself" being pierced by an energy beam, falling on the bridge.

"It's an illusion!" Aila immediately warned, [But it's very real! Don't be deceived!]

But the illusion was too real—the vibration of the explosion, the heat wave of the high temperature, the desperate cries, and one could even smell the burnt odor. Several crew members on the bridge were already pale, almost collapsing.

Zhao Iron Pillar, with red eyes, was about to rush out of the porthole: "Damn it! Fight them to the death!"

"Iron Pillar! Come back!" Wen Youyi shouted sternly, "This is a trial! It's not real!"

But the illusion continued. The hope completely disintegrated, turning into a burning wreck in the starry sky. All his companions were dead, leaving only Wen Youyi "alone" floating in the void, surrounded by the cold gaze of the Star Devourers fleet.

A voice sounded in his mind: "Give up. You are destined to fail. All resistance is futile. Become a part of us; at least... you can still 'exist'."

That was the temptation of the Star Devourers, striking directly at the deepest fear in his heart—the fear of failure, the fear of companions dying, the fear of all efforts coming to nothing.

Wen Youyi closed his eyes.

He remembered the confusion when he first transmigrated to the Ranch World, the difficulties of establishing the first "Cooperative", the joy of planting the first "star moss" in the Shelter, and the cheers of everyone when the hope set sail.

He remembered the promises he made to Zhao Iron Pillar, Senior Brother Zhang, Senior Brother Li, Wang Wu, Mu Wanqing, Xiao Wu, and Aila...

"We will find the Ruins."

"We will survive."

"We will win."

He opened his eyes, his gaze clear and firm.

"I refuse."

The simple two words seemed to use up all his strength.

"Even if I am destined to fail, I will fight to the end. Even if my companions all die, I will remember them. Even if everything comes to nothing... at least we have resisted."

He looked at the Star Devourers fleet in the illusion, word by word:

"And you, will never understand what it means to be 'alive'."

The illusion shattered.

The crystal monument lit up again:

[Courage accepted. Facing the end without yielding is true courage.]

[Third Trial: Compassion. Prove your respect and protection for life.]

This time, the scene changed to a strange starry sky. In front, a vibrant planet was being entangled by the tentacles of the "Star Devourers," and the civilization on it was sending out desperate calls for help.

And next to the hope, a wormhole appeared—it was a shortcut to a safe area; if they went in, they could completely shake off the Star Devourers and safely reach the "Ruins".

A choice: save that strange civilization, but it would expose their position, they might be caught up by the "Star Devourers," and everyone might die; or, ignore them and save themselves.

A line of text appeared on the crystal monument: [You only have sixty breaths to decide.] The countdown began.

The bridge exploded into chaos.

"Save them! We must save them!" Zhao Iron Pillar roared.

"But we can barely save ourselves!" Senior Brother Li said anxiously, "If we save them, we might all not survive!"

"Those are countless lives!" Wang Wu's eyes were red.

"But we also have a responsibility to protect the people on the ship!" Senior Brother Zhang was rarely excited.

Countdown: Fifty breaths.

Everyone looked at Wen Youyi.

Wen Youyi looked at the entangled planet, looking at those desperate distress signals.

He thought of the Ranch World—the world that had been harvested for countless years, those of his kind who were treated as "livestock". If someone had reached out to help back then, perhaps everything would have been different.

Countdown: Thirty breaths.

He connected to the ship-wide broadcast and said calmly:

"I know this decision is very selfish. But I want to ask everyone—why do we want to escape? Why do we want to resist the 'Star Devourers' and the 'Reapers'?"

After a brief silence, someone replied: "To survive!"

"Right, to survive." Wen Youyi said, "But if in order to survive, we watch another civilization perish, then what is the difference between us and those cold-blooded 'Reapers'?"

Countdown: Ten breaths.

"So, I have decided—to go and save them."

No cheers, no opposition. Everyone on the bridge straightened their backs, their eyes firm.

"Full ship battle stations! Target—that planet! Weapons Systems preheating!"

Countdown: Zero.

The imagined attack did not come.

The illusion shattered again.

The crystal monument bloomed with unprecedented brilliant light:

[Compassion accepted. Not sparing oneself to protect others is great love.]

[Three trials passed. The Starlight Sanctuary is open to you.]

The gate of the Starlight Sanctuary slowly opened.

A gentle path of light extended from inside the gate, reaching the bow of the hope.

An ancient and majestic voice sounded in everyone's mind:

"Come in, successors."

"The Legacy of the Star People... has been waiting for you for a long time."

(End of chapter)