183: Stargate and Mask

Inside Pierpoint Space Station, orbiting Mars, Chen Hao sat at the chairman's desk, scrutinizing a report from the Technology R&D Department.

"Master, the Star Gate prototype has completed all inspections," Bronya said, bringing a freshly made lemon tea to Chen Hao, "Sister Jade is asking if we should proceed with the on-site anchoring test as planned."

Chen Hao tapped lightly on the control panel: "Yes, begin. Notify the task force, target the outer perimeter of Pluto's orbit."

"Directive transmitted," Bronya's wristband flashed faintly, "Should the Eastern Federation be notified?"

"Not yet," Chen Hao's gaze swept across the bustling spaceport outside the viewport, "Once the Star Gate's stable operation is confirmed, then we can consider cooperation."

Bronya's movement, as she was about to massage Chen Hao, suddenly paused, her tone filled with concern: "Master, your physiological indicators are abnormal. Heart rate increased by 15%, adrenaline levels elevated. Should I initiate the health monitoring protocol?"

Chen Hao shook his head: "No need. It's just..." His gaze became distant, "I have a strange premonition."

Bronya snapped her fingers, and several light screens unfolded beside her: "Do you wish to raise the defense level?"

"Not for now," Chen Hao shook his head, "Let's focus on the Star Gate test first."

Three minutes later, the scientific research vessel "Pioneer" completed all preparations. This black and gold ship, equipped with the most advanced spatial jump engine and electromagnetic shield, was the pride of a study group in the Technology R&D Department.

Chen Hao looked at the various system parameters, simulating all possibilities of the experiment in his mind.

"Energy core stable, output power 98.7%."

"Life support system all green."

"Star Gate prototype loaded, spatial particle stabilization field activated."

Chen Hao nodded: "Initiate warp procedure, begin test."

With a slight tremor, a transparent membrane began to appear around the "Pioneer," and after slowly accelerating for several tens of seconds, it suddenly vanished from normal space.

The warp process lasted only forty seconds. When the "Pioneer" reappeared in normal space, the view outside the viewport was completely different. The sun had become a faint speck of light in the distance, and Pluto rotated silently far away.

"Arrived at target coordinates," the pilot reported, "0.3 astronomical units from Pluto's orbit."

Chen Hao's gaze swept across the holographic star map: "Begin deploying the Star Gate."

The technical team moved swiftly. Through the monitoring screen, the Star Gate prototype could be seen being slowly pushed out of the cargo bay by mechanical arms. This circular device, one hundred and fifty meters in diameter, had a smooth surface with some company logos engraved along its edges.

"Energy readings stable," the technical director's voice came through the communicator, "All systems operating normally."

"Initiate anchoring procedure," Chen Hao commanded.

The Star Gate slowly unfolded, and twelve anchor points shot out simultaneously, forming a perfect spherical array in space. Each anchor point released blue energy beams, converging at the center.

"Spatial curvature stabilizing... 10%... 25%... 45%..."

"Spatial curvature stabilization complete, channel opened, activation procedure ready."

As the energy output increased, the distorted space at the center of the Star Gate gradually formed a stable vortex. Chen Hao could feel the surrounding space vibrating slightly, as if the entire universe was trembling for this newborn gateway.

Just then, he suddenly frowned, his fingers unconsciously clenching. That feeling of being watched returned, and it was stronger than before.

"It's that feeling again..." Chen Hao murmured to himself, his fingers unconsciously tapping the control panel.

The last time he felt this gaze was when the consciousness projection of the Aeon of The Hunt, Lan, visited. Could Lan have something else to find him for?

"Ya Ya, I'll go entertain the guest; you keep an eye on things here."

Bronya nodded slightly, her silver hair gently swaying with her movement: "Understood. Is it Mr. Lan?"

"Probably," Chen Hao walked towards the lounge, "But it feels a bit different. No matter, I'll know when I get there."

A flicker of worry crossed Bronya's eyes, but she didn't ask further.

Chen Hao sat down on the sofa in the lounge and closed his eyes. As his consciousness focused, he felt his perception begin to ascend, gradually detaching from the constraints of conventional space.

When Chen Hao "opened his eyes" again, he was already in that familiar high-dimensional space. Here, there was no up, down, left, or right; countless light bands flowed in the void, and distant stars twinkled.

"Lan?" Chen Hao's voice echoed in the void, "What do you want from me?"

There was no response. Only the light bands flowed silently.

Suddenly, a colossal red mask emerged from the void, almost filling his entire vision. The mask was adorned with golden striped patterns, its expression constantly changing. At times it laughed, at times it cried, at times it was angry, and at times it was calm.

"Aha! You guessed wrong!" A joyful, almost delirious voice echoed in the void, "It's not that rigid Lan, it's the lively and adorable Aha!"

Chen Hao's pupils constricted sharply: "The Aeon of Elation?"

The mask spun joyfully: "Clever, clever, so clever! As expected of the Aeon of Preservation! Though still a baby!" It suddenly leaned closer, almost touching Chen Hao's face, "Qlipoth, that old-fashioned one, never mentioned me, did he? Aha!"

Chen Hao forced himself to remain calm. As a transmigrator, he naturally knew who Aha was. The most unpredictable Aeon in the astral express universe, whose existence was defined by creating chaos and seeking fun.

The most powerful trailblazing messenger, without a doubt.

"Aha, what do you want from me?" Chen Hao asked cautiously.

The mask suddenly split into seven smaller masks, circling Chen Hao: "What do I want? Of course, I've come to see my newly acquainted old friend!" One of the masks made an exaggerated sad expression, "I heard there's a 'childhood' Aeon of Preservation in this universe, how could Aha not come say hello?"

Chen Hao's vigilance remained undiminished: "Just to say hello?"

"Of course not just to say hello!" All the masks simultaneously showed joyful expressions, "Aha also brought a gift for his new old friend!"

The seven masks re-merged into one giant smiling face, then suddenly opened its mouth and spat out a beautifully wrapped gift box. The gift box floated in the void, its colorful ribbons fluttering without wind.

"Open it and see!" Aha's voice was full of anticipation, "I guarantee you'll love it!"

Chen Hao hesitated. Refusing an Aeon might not be wise, but refusing Aha was definitely a wise move. However, he was still an Aeon of Preservation; even if he couldn't defeat her, he could at least defend himself.

He reached out and touched the gift box; the ribbons automatically untied, and the lid slowly opened.

In an instant, several multicolored rays of light burst forth from the box, frantically swirling around Chen Hao. Purple Nihility, red Destruction, blue Remembrance, green Abundance... Each ray of light represented a different path power.

Chen Hao was shocked to perceive that the path energy throughout the universe was growing at an astonishing rate. The various paths, which were originally in a seed state, now, as if injected with a catalyst, broke through the soil and grew vigorously.

As for the path of Preservation, it had now grown from a shrub-sized sapling into a large tree over ten meters tall.

"This is..." Chen Hao's voice trembled.

"Surprise!" Aha's mask spun merrily. "Aha has brought all the representative items of the various paths from the Star Rail universe! How about it, are you happy?"

Chen Hao was at a loss for words. In a sense, Aha had indeed given him a great gift. The introduction of several paths would greatly enrich the possibilities of this universe. But on the other hand, Aha had actually done something good.

Just as Chen Hao was contemplating, a sudden change occurred. Except for a golden light enveloping a sci-fi style steam train model that remained in front of him, the other lights suddenly scattered at an astonishing speed, flying to various parts of the universe.

"Aha! The game has begun!" Aha's mask excitedly split and reassembled. "Let's see what kind of waves these little guys will stir up in this universe!"

Chen Hao then realized, "Wait... you mean..."

"Exactly, exactly!" Aha interrupted him. "Aha wants to have a big, big fun in this universe!" The mask suddenly moved closer, revealing a sly expression. "And you are the protagonist of this show!"

Chen Hao's mouth twitched slightly. As expected, Aha wouldn't do anything without a purpose. Introducing so many paths into this universe was just to see how they would interact and collide to create "interesting" sparks during their growth.

"Why me?" Chen Hao couldn't help but ask.

The mask suddenly became serious. "Because you are different from Qlipoth." Its voice was uncharacteristically grave. "You are more interesting. Aha is very curious how a Preservation Aeon who knows the 'script' and can also create 'scripts' will respond to challenges from the universe."

Chen Hao's heart trembled. Aha knew he was a transmigrator?

Seemingly seeing through his thoughts, the mask resumed its cheerful expression. "I know! Aha knows everything!" It suddenly began to spin faster and faster. "Time's up! It's time to say goodbye!"

"Wait!" Chen Hao hurriedly asked. "Is this train model—?"

"The astral express!" Aha's voice gradually faded as the mask dissipated. "Aha's special gift for you from Akivili!!"

With a final maniacal laugh, Aha's mask completely vanished into the void.

Inside the lounge of Pierpoint, Chen Hao suddenly opened his eyes, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead. In his hand was an exquisite train model, which flickered with a grayish-white light a few times before falling silent.

"Master!" Bronya pushed open the door, a rare look of panic on her face. "The space station detected multiple abnormal energy fluctuations in the Solar System! And then they left in various directions at an incalculable speed!"

Chen Hao stood up and quickly walked to the control room. "Holographic star map."

Bronya quickly brought up the holographic projection. On the star map, dozens of colored light points were flickering, each emitting unique path energy characteristics.

"The purple light point went towards the center of the Milky Way, the red light point is missing, and the green light point circled near Blue Star before heading towards the Centaurus direction..." Bronya reported quickly. "The energy readings do not match any known technology."

Chen Hao gazed at the star map, the train model in his hand slightly warm. "It's not technology, it's paths."

"paths?" Bronya tilted her head in confusion. "But besides Master's path of Preservation, this universe shouldn't..."

"It's different now." Chen Hao sighed softly. "The Aeon of Elation brought an excess of nutrients; almost all the paths have been activated."

Bronya's pupils contracted slightly. "This... what does this mean?"

Chen Hao's gaze became profound. "It means the rules of the game have changed." He gently stroked the train model. "From now on, this universe will become completely lively. Nihility, Destruction, Abundance, Remembrance... all paths will compete here."

Bronya was silent for a moment. "Master, is this a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Both." Chen Hao's lips curved into a complex smile. "paths will bring more possibilities, but also more dangers and challenges."

"I see, I understand." Bronya nodded, but her gaze never left the train model. "Master, what is that train model?"

Chen Hao nodded, placing the model on the control panel. "The astral express. The creation of the Aeon of Trailblaze."

The model suddenly emitted a faint light, and a holographic projection automatically unfolded, displaying a complex star map.

"This is..." Bronya's eyes widened in surprise.

"A map of the Milky Way." Chen Hao's voice held a hint of wonder. "Aha actually did something good this time. No, could it be that Akivili possessed him?"

Bronya's small mind raced, and she suddenly realized something. "Master, if the representative items of other paths also have special functions like this model..."

"Then the people or organizations holding them will gain unimaginable power." Chen Hao's expression became solemn. "Aha was right, this truly is a game. And we..."

He looked out at the vast universe beyond the viewport, where countless lights were flickering. "Are the protagonists of this game."

Bronya gently held Chen Hao's hand. "No matter what happens, I will face it with you."

Chen Hao squeezed her hand back, feeling the warmth of the life he had personally created. "I know. But now, we need to prepare."

He turned to the holographic star map, his gaze firm. "Notify the 'Trailblazer' to return immediately. Also, notify the Strategic Investment Department; they have a task."

As the command was issued, the entire Pierpoint Space Station entered a state of emergency. And in the distant starry sky, the path lights scattered by Aha throughout the universe were quietly changing the rules of this world.

Chen Hao stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, his golden eyes gazing at the rapidly changing starry sky.

Aha's "gift" had been delivered, and the game board was set. And he, the Preservation Aeon of this universe, would have to face unprecedented challenges.

"Master..." Bronya asked softly. "Will we win?"

Chen Hao gently stroked the train model, then suddenly thought of something, and the corners of his mouth turned up. "Of course we will. We're not fighting alone."

"Eh?" Bronya heard the joy in Chen Hao's voice, and a big question mark appeared on her small head. "Is it the Eastern Federation?"

"Of course not. Maybe in the future, but they are not enough right now."

"Then who is it?"

"It's a secret for now~"

"Eh~~~~~ Wow, Master, just tell me~"

In his mind-world, Chen Hao aimed a megaphone directly at Xiao Jixiang's small villa door.

"Xiao Jixiang, time to work!"