172: Chapter 172: All Gathered and Returned, Third Trial Begins

17 minutes.

From the lowest level of the ruins to the spiral staircase at the surface, Lin Ye counted 2,347 steps, taking 11 minutes.

Three minutes slower than the descent.

It wasn't because of fatigue.

It was because of the [civilization spark chip] in his arms.

Resting against his heart through three layers of clothing, it pulsed at a frequency of 1.7 seconds per beat.

Synchronized with his heartbeat.

Synchronized with the final words left by that consciousness 470,000 years ago.

———

The 12th minute.

Eight people rushed out of the ruins' entrance.

Behind them, the silver-white circular building that had stood for 470,000 years without ever collapsing—began to tilt.

It wasn't an explosion.

It was a "return."

The moment those dark gray metal walls touched the pale purple light of the sky, they began slowly disintegrating from the edges inward into extremely fine, dust-like particles.

The particles did not fall.

They drifted upward.

Drifting toward the sky of the Eternal Star Domain's second trial, filtered by the energy shield of Star Ring City.

Drifting toward the direction where that mass of dark purple mist had vanished 470,000 years ago.

———

Lin Ye stood in place.

He watched the building completely disintegrate within 17 seconds.

Watched those particles drift toward the sky.

Watched the particles at an altitude of 1,700 meters, pulled by some invisible force, converge into an extremely thin, pale golden thread of light.

The direction the thread of light pointed to—was not the Eternal Star Domain.

Not the Big Dipper Star Field.

Not any Star Domain he knew.

It was "Above the Heavens."

———

[System Prompt: Ruins self-destruction complete]

[The last traces of the ancient civilization "Xinhuo"—dissipated]

[You have obtained: civilization spark chip (Permanently Bound)]

[civilization spark chip · Current Status]

[Unlocked Information:]

[1. The Truth Behind the Xinhuo Civilization's Extinction (Complete)]

[2. Above the Heavens · Worldview (Basic)]

[3. Reapers Intelligence (Incomplete)]

[4. Spark Legacy Questline (Pending Activation—Requires Rank ≥ 70)]

[5. Mechanical Civilization Favorability System (Activated)]

[Current Mechanical Civilization Favorability: Respect (Recognition from the Xinhuo Remnants)]

[Favorability Effect: Initial attitude of all mechanical units +2 levels, transaction prices -20%]

———

Lin Ye closed the prompt.

He pressed his hand to his chest.

Through the three layers of clothing, that chip was still pulsing.

1.7 seconds per beat.

In complete synchronization with the final words left by that consciousness 470,000 years ago, with the direction the dark purple mist vanished, and with the pale golden thread of light drifting toward the sky—

Completely synchronized.

———

Su Qingyue walked to his side.

She didn't speak.

She just looked at the sky.

Looking at the direction where the pale golden thread of light had vanished.

———

Shi Potian walked over.

His left fist hung at his side.

Metallic debris from the mechanical guards still clung to its surface.

He looked at the empty sky.

Three seconds.

He spoke.

"That direction," he said.

"Is that the enemy?"

———

Lin Ye didn't answer immediately.

He looked at the light thread that had already vanished.

"Yes," he said.

———

Shi Potian said nothing.

He simply raised his left fist—the same fist that had stood firm against three strikes from the Rank 70 Ancestor Phantom in the Ninth Trial of the Ancestor Star, that had crushed the Mother Empress's cephalothorax in the Mother Empress Hall, and that had smashed 24 mechanical guards in the ruins—

He raised it before his eyes.

Watched it for three seconds.

Then lowered it.

———

"Let's go," Lin Ye said.

"The mission is complete."

———

The eight of them.

Turned around simultaneously.

Heading toward the Reception Station.

———

[System Prompt: Expedition team returning]

[Current Coordinates: Ancient Ruins Rubble]

[Target Coordinates: Eternal Star Domain · Second Trial · Reception Station]

[Distance: 570 kilometers]

[Estimated Time: 7 hours]

[Mission Status: star core energy 10/10—Completed]

[Remaining Mission Time: 1 day, 17 hours]

———

Seven hours later.

Reception Station East District · Heavenly Court Outpost.

The three-story steel structure gleamed with a cold metallic luster under the pale purple light of the Eternal Star Domain. The windows of the intelligence analysis center on the top floor glowed with a pale blue data stream; it was Qin Ruoxue's intelligence node refreshing at a speed of 1,700 entries per second.

At the entrance of the first-floor reception area stood a person.

Chen Hao.

———

His chaos unit no. 1 was parked 17 meters behind him.

The particle rifle on the right arm had been replaced—it was no longer a standard model, but a new rifle, entirely silver-white, with 47 intricate patterns engraved on the barrel.

[Particle Rifle · Chaos Custom Type II]

[Type: Mecha Main Weapon]

[Quality: Legendary]

[Attack Power: +5,700-6,800]

[Special Effect 1: Chaos Attribute Adaptation—When the pilot has the Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body, damage +20%]

[Special Effect 2: Energy Cycle Optimization—During continuous firing, overheat time is delayed by 30%]

[Special Effect 3: Ballistic Stabilization System—Accuracy +15%]

[Engraving: Hao · Heavenly Court Unit One · Custom]

———

Chen Hao looked at Lin Ye.

Three seconds.

He spoke.

"Mining Area No. 1," he said.

"Three pieces."

"Mining Area No. 2—"

He paused.

"Didn't go."

———

Lin Ye looked at him.

"Why?"

———

Chen Hao took out two pieces of [star core energy] from his pocket.

He held them in his palm.

"Dragon Clan Alliance," he said.

"They took Mining Area No. 2."

"The 47 guardian mechas were cleared by them."

"When we arrived, they were already mining."

———

Lin Ye didn't speak.

Chen Hao continued.

"Cang Xuan was there."

"Rank 64."

"Golden Dragon Imperial Clan."

"He glanced at me."

"Then he said—"

———

Chen Hao paused.

"'Heavenly Court.'"

"'Mining Area No. 1 is yours; we won't fight for it.'"

"'Mining Area No. 2 is ours; don't come here either.'"

"'We each mine our own; don't look for trouble.'"

———

Lin Ye was silent.

Three seconds.

"And then?"

———

Chen Hao handed the two star core energy pieces to Lin Ye.

"Then he gave me these."

"Said—'A meeting gift.'"

———

Lin Ye took the two star core energy pieces.

[star core energy ×2]

[Current Mission Progress: 10/10 → 12/10 (Exceeded)]

———

He looked at the two energy pieces.

Three seconds.

"Cang Xuan," he said.

"Dragon Clan."

"Giving a meeting gift."

———

Chen Hao nodded.

"He said—"

"'I watched the 72-hour bloody battle in Chaos Valley.'"

"'You're stronger than those vampires from the Blood Clan.'"

"'Let's be friends.'"

———

Lin Ye didn't speak.

He put the two energy pieces into his pocket.

Placing them alongside the other 10 pieces of star core energy.

———

[System Prompt: Expedition team star core collection mission—Officially Completed]

[Total Collected: 12 (Exceeded by 2)]

[Mission Rating: S+]

[Mission Rewards:]

[1. Third Trial "Prodigy Arena" entry qualification ×10]

[2. Faction Reputation +200,000 (Cumulative +400,000)]

[3. Unlocked Hidden Plot "Spark Legacy"]

[4. Obtained Title "Civilization Guardian"]

[5. Excess Completion Reward: Seventh Fleet of the Eternal Starfield grants [Heavenly Court - First Generation] ×1]

———

Lin Ye looked at the line for [Heavenly Court - First Generation].

Three seconds.

He looked up.

In the sky to the east of the Reception Station, a silver-white light was slowly descending.

It was a ship.

47 meters long.

17 meters wide.

7 meters high.

The entire body was streamlined, its surface covered in Starflare Alloy Type III Composite Armor, reflecting a cold, mirror-like luster under the pale purple sky.

The bow featured four photon cannons in a row, each three meters long; currently in standby mode, their muzzles pulsed with a faint blue-white fluorescence.

On each side of the hull were three sets of anti-gravity engines, currently making fine adjustments to its posture every 1.7 seconds.

On the jump engine hatch at the stern, a line of words was engraved:

【Heavenly Court - First Generation】

———

[Starship · First Generation]

[Type: Interstellar Vessel / Light Battleship]

[Quality: Legendary]

[Manufacturer: Seventh Fleet of the Eternal Starfield · Starship Factory]

[Delivery Recipient: Heavenly Court]

[Technical Parameters:]

[Length: 47 meters]

[Width: 17 meters]

[Height: 7 meters]

[Mass: 1,700 tons]

[Power Core: Nebula Type IV Fusion Reactor ×2]

[Jump Engine: Eternal Type VII—Capable of spatial jumps within a 100 light-year radius, 17-minute cooldown]

[Normal Speed: 0.5 light-years/day (Cruise Mode) / 1.7 light-years/day (Overload Mode/Limited to 7 minutes)]

[Weapon Systems:]

[1. Bow Photon Cannons ×4—Single shot damage: 17,000-23,000, Range: 0.3 light-seconds, Cooldown: 7 seconds]

[2. Broadside Missile Pods ×6—17 missiles per pod, can be equipped with conventional/armor-piercing/high-explosive warheads]

[3. Stern Point-Defense Cannons ×2—Automatic interception, effective against mecha-grade targets, Rate of Fire: 47 rounds/second]

[4. Jump Jammer ×1—Can prevent enemy units within a 100km radius from jumping, duration 30 seconds]

[Defense Systems:]

[1. Energy Shield Generators ×3—Total absorption limit: 470,000 damage]

[2. Composite Armor Layer—47% physical damage reduction, 31% energy damage reduction]

[3. Emergency Escape Pods ×17—Can accommodate 170 people]

[Carrying Capacity:]

[1. Mecha Hangar ×1—Can accommodate 10 Chaos Mass Production Type I units or 1 chaos unit no. 1 + maintenance unit]

[2. Personnel Cabin ×1—Standard capacity of 100 people (includes beds/life support)]

[3. Cargo Hold ×1—Volume 300 cubic meters, maximum load 300 tons]

[4. Command Deck ×1—Can accommodate 7 people for simultaneous combat command]

[Current Status: Pending Activation]

[First Captain: Unappointed]

[Note: This ship is a "Friendship Vessel" gifted to Heavenly Court by the Seventh Fleet of the Eternal Starfield. It can receive free supplies and repairs at any friendly port in the Eternal Star Domain.]

———

Lin Ye stood beneath the starship.

Looking up.

Looking at those four photon cannons.

Looking at those three sets of anti-gravity engines.

Looking at the words engraved on the stern.

【Heavenly Court - First Generation】

———

Behind him were eight people.

Chen Hao, Su Qingyue, Shi Potian, Zhou Tieshan, Chu Yunxi, Lu Xinghe, Yun Qianxue, and Qin Ruoxue.

And Zhao Wuji, who had walked out from the Reception Station.

Nine people.

Nine pairs of eyes.

All looking at that ship.

———

Zhao Wuji was the first to speak.

His voice was somewhat raspy—the price of vocal cord wear after seven days of high-intensity material logistics.

"Boss."

"This ship..."

"How much is it worth?"

———

Lin Ye didn't answer.

He looked at the line: [Capacity: 100 people].

100 people.

Enough to bring all of Heavenly Court's core main force.

Enough to cross the sea of stars and head to the third trial.

Enough to—

Bring everyone back safely when necessary.

———

"Not for sale," Lin Ye said.

———

Zhao Wuji was stunned for a moment.

Then he laughed.

The laughter was light.

"...I was just asking."

———

Lin Ye turned around.

Looking at those nine people.

"12 pieces of star core energy," he said.

"10 for the mission."

"The remaining 2—"

He paused.

"Are for Chen Hao."

———

Chen Hao was stunned.

"For me?"

———

Lin Ye handed the two star core energy pieces to him.

"chaos unit no. 1," Lin Ye said.

"Energy core upgrade."

———

Chen Hao took the two energy pieces.

He looked at them.

Three seconds.

He tucked them into his pocket.

———

[System Prompt: You have obtained the entry qualification for the "Third Trial · Prodigy Arena"]

[Third Trial Location: Hegemon Body Ancestral Star · Arena District]

[Entry Method: Via Ancient Star Road teleportation array, or by starship autonomous navigation]

[Arena Rules:]

[1. Each Trial Taker must consume 1 star core energy to obtain 30 minutes of arena combat time]

[2. The arena uses a "Point System": Gain 1 point for each opponent defeated; extra points for win streaks]

[3. Arena ranking will affect the order of entry into the fourth trial]

[4. Use of any recovery items is prohibited during arena matches; rely only on innate recovery]

[5. Upon death in the arena, you will respawn at the Ancestral Star's revival point, but current arena points will be reset to zero]

[Current eligible participants: 10 people]

———

Lin Ye looked at the words "Hegemon Body Ancestral Star."

Three seconds.

He turned to Shi Potian.

"Your Ancestor Star," he said.

———

Shi Potian said nothing.

He just looked toward the north.

In that direction.

570 light-years away.

Hegemon Body Ancestral Star.

———

"The arena matches," Lin Ye said.

"10 people."

"You lead the team."

———

Shi Potian turned his head.

Looking at him.

"...I lead the team?"

———

Lin Ye nodded.

"You are a returnee to the Ancestral Star."

"You've fought through the Nine Trials there."

"You understand the rules of that star better than any of us."

———

Shi Potian was silent.

Three seconds.

He raised his left fist to his chest.

"...Alright," he said.

———

Lin Ye turned.

Looking at that starship.

【Heavenly Court - First Generation】

———

"Chen Hao."

"Present."

"You will pilot this ship."

———

Chen Hao was stunned.

"...Me?"

———

Lin Ye pointed at the four photon cannons on the bow.

"You held the control sphere in chaos unit no. 1 for 2,820 seconds."

"You endured 170% recoil when the particle rifle backfired."

"In the battle against the Blood Altar guardian, you climbed its shoulder to insert the energy core."

"You led the team to clear the minor Star Beasts outside the Mother Empress Hall."

"In Mining Area No. 1, you forced back the Angel Legion in 9 seconds."

———

He paused.

"You deserve to pilot this ship more than anyone."

———

Chen Hao didn't speak.

He just looked at the ship.

Looking at the four photon cannons.

Looking at the three sets of anti-gravity engines.

Looking at the words 【Heavenly Court - First Generation】.

———

Three seconds.

He walked forward.

To the area beneath the bow.

Raised his right hand.

Pressed it against the armor plating.

The metal felt cold to the touch.

But his hand did not shake.

———

[System Prompt: You have appointed Chen Hao as the first captain of the "Starship · First Generation"]

[Captain permissions activated]

[Operations available:]

[1. Navigation Control]

[2. Weapon Systems]

[3. Hatch Management]

[4. Personnel Permission Allocation]

[5. Emergency Protocols]

[Current Crew: 0/100]

[Current Berth: Eternal Star Domain · Second Trial · Reception Station East District]

———

Chen Hao stood beneath the bow.

He didn't look back.

But he spoke.

"...Boss."

"This ship."

"Can it fly to the Hegemon Body Ancestral Star?"

———

Lin Ye looked at him.

"It can."

———

Chen Hao nodded.

He turned.

And walked into the ship.

———

[System Prompt: You have unlocked the teleportation coordinates for the third trial "Hegemon Body Ancestral Star"]

[Current Coordinates: Eternal Star Domain · Second Trial · Reception Station]

[Target Coordinates: Hegemon Body Ancestral Star · Outer Orbit]

[Navigation Methods:]

[1. Ancient Star Road Teleportation Array—Instant arrival, but requires 1 star core energy per person]

[2. Starship Autonomous Navigation—Takes 7 days, no star core energy required]

[Current Starship Status: Ready for Departure]

[Suggestion: Use starship navigation to save star core energy for the arena matches]

———

Lin Ye looked at the words "7 days."

Three seconds.

He turned around.

Looking at those nine people.

"In seven days," he said.

"Hegemon Body Ancestral Star."

"The arena matches."

———

Nine people.

Nine pairs of eyes.

All looking at him.

———

Su Qingyue walked to his side.

Her left hand took his.

Three seconds.

She let go.

———

"Seven days," she said.

"Enough for me to get used to that star's gravity."

———

Shi Potian took a step forward.

"Seven days," he said.

"Enough for me to go home and take a look."

———

Lin Ye didn't answer.

He just looked at the starship.

Looking at the engraved words on the stern.

【Heavenly Court - First Generation】

———

[Chapter 172 · End]