31: Resonance and Choice

Lin Mo leaned "exhausted" against the cold metal console, his face pale and his breathing rapid, perfectly portraying someone who had overdrawn his strength and barely completed his task. He lowered his eyelids, concealing the surging cold anger and determination in his eyes. In his mind, the pain, resentment, and despair transmitted from the core fragment in the Source Blood Pool were like a red-hot branding iron, deeply seared into his soul.

Zhou Weian looked at the temporarily stabilized data of Generator No. 3, then at the "weak" Lin Mo. His fervent research desire almost overflowed from his eyes. He forcefully suppressed his excitement and said in as calm a tone as possible, "Lin Mo, you did very well! Go to the rest area to recover first, we'll handle things here." He motioned for an assistant to take Lin Mo away.

Lin Mo did not refuse. Supported by the assistant (he indeed needed some support), he limped out of the core maintenance area. He could feel Zhou Weian's substantial, closely following gaze behind him.

He was led to a small lounge on the outskirts of the maintenance station, which contained only simple tables, chairs, and a water dispenser. The assistant left with a quick "ring if you need anything," clearly indicating that the crisis at the maintenance station was not fully resolved and still required a large number of personnel.

As soon as the door closed, Lin Mo immediately straightened his back. The "weakness" on his face vanished instantly, replaced by immense solemnity. He quickly locked the door, leaned his back against the cold metal door panel, and tightly clutched the fragment in his pocket with his left hand.

The editor interface clearly appeared in his consciousness. The energy reserve showed 0.65 units; the "performance" and covert investigation just now had consumed little. His mental strength, tempered by the purple crystal, had extremely strong regenerative capabilities and was now largely recovered.

This was not the time to rest!

He had to take advantage of the brief window when Zhou Weian and the others were busy stabilizing the generator and couldn't spare any attention, to establish a deeper connection with the imprisoned core fragment! The brief contact just now had yielded information that was too complex and emotional; he needed clearer communication.

He once again sank his consciousness into the editor, activating the Energy Structure Simulation, but this time the target was not the generator, but directly the contaminated core fragment (seed of source blood) deep underground in the Source Blood Pool!

"Target locked: Contaminated reality stabilization anchor core fragment (seed of source blood). Establishing deep mental link... Risk extremely high! Warning: Risk of consciousness contamination and energy backlash! Continue?"

"Continue!" Lin Mo said without hesitation. No matter how high the risk, it was better than sitting idly by, allowing The Committee to desecrate this power, and even ultimately bringing disaster upon themselves!

The editor consumed energy, and an extremely subtle, highly condensed thread of mental power, following the previously explored path, cautiously probed underground again. This time, he was no longer merely perceiving, but carrying the pure orderly aura of his own fragment, and a mental fluctuation full of comfort and goodwill transformed by the editor.

The thread of mental power penetrated layers of obstacles and once again reached that cruel space filled with dark red light.

In the Source Blood Pool, the core fragment, entwined by countless dark red, vein-like energy strands, seemed to sense this clearer, gentler, homologous aura, and suddenly vibrated again! This time, its reaction was no longer merely a painful wail, but also carried a hint of eager anticipation and... cautious probing.

A clearer, but still chaotic, stream of intent, more potent than before, surged back along the mental thread:

(Confused fragments... darkness... whispers... unable to escape...)

(Cold container... needle-like extraction... pain...)

(Those twisted creatures... they... are devouring me... and changing me...)

(You... are different... pure... warm... kindred...)

(Help... help me... disconnect... purify... the filth... or... destroy...)

Broken intentions, interspersed with fragments of painful memories and a longing for freedom. Lin Mo could feel the fragment's remaining instinct—its adherence to "order" and "purity," and its extreme hatred for the filth and shackles upon it. It would rather be destroyed than continue to be contaminated and enslaved in this way!

Lin Mo's heart trembled. He tried to respond with his own intent, translated and transmitted through the editor:

"I can feel your pain. I am like you; I hold a fragment. The Committee is abusing our power. Tell me, how can I help you? What does disconnecting mean? How should purification be carried out?"

He directed his questions straight to the most crucial operational level. Resonance and sympathy alone were useless; he needed a concrete plan.

The core fragment's vibration intensified, as if a dying person had clutched at a last straw. A more complex stream of intent, containing partial energy structure information, was transmitted back:

(Connection... energy conduits... binding array... nodes... destroy nodes... can temporarily disconnect...)

(Purification... requires... a stronger source of order... your core... resonates with me... guide... flush... but... dangerous... my contamination... will erode you...)

(They... use my power... to feed monsters... control minds... this is... sacrilege...)

(Quick... not much time... their 'main control core'... is monitoring...)

The information was still fragmented, but Lin Mo, combined with the editor's analysis, quickly grasped the key points:

1. To rescue it, he first needed to physically destroy the energy conduit nodes connecting the Source Blood Pool to the above-ground generator, temporarily cutting off energy extraction and contamination feedback.

2. To purify it, Lin Mo needed to use the inherent power of his own fragment, deeply resonate with it, and guide orderly energy to cleanse its contamination. However, this process was extremely dangerous, and Lin Mo could very likely suffer a backlash from the intense "erosion" contamination on the fragment.

3. The Committee's actions were playing with fire; they were not only extracting power but also seemed to be using this fragment for other dangerous experiments.

4. The Committee had a "main control core" monitoring everything, so actions had to be swift and secret.

Destroying nodes... deep resonance purification... Both steps were fraught with immense risks and uncertainties. Especially in the enemy's stronghold, once discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable.

But what if he did nothing?

If The Committee were allowed to continue, this fragment would sooner or later be completely contaminated or even destroyed, and The Committee's control and abuse of the reality stabilization anchor's power would only intensify. At that point, what would he, a "kindred" with a pure fragment, face? Moreover, the desperate plea from that fragment made him unable to ignore it.

The editor interface popped up another prompt:

"Analyzing received information... Feasibility assessment of plan in progress..."

"Plan One: Destroy energy nodes. Success rate: 65% (depends on precise knowledge of node locations and speed of action). Risk: High (triggering alarms, exposing oneself)."

"Plan Two: Deep resonance purification. Success rate: < 30% (host's current mental power and fragment energy are insufficient to completely purify target contamination). Risk: Extremely high (consciousness contamination, energy backlash, fragment damage or assimilation)."

"Comprehensive Recommendation: Prioritize Plan One to cut off energy connection, which can effectively alleviate the target's pain and weaken The Committee's energy supply. Plan Two needs to be considered in the long term, requiring a safer environment or an increase in host strength before attempting."

The editor's analysis was calm and cruel. With his current strength, attempting to completely purify that fragment was almost an impossible task; forcing it would likely get himself entangled. But merely destroying the nodes and cutting the connection was feasible. Although the risk was still very high, it could at least temporarily save it from continuous painful extraction, and also deal a heavy blow to The Committee's energy supply.

How to choose?

Should he take the risk, temporarily rescue this fragment, but at the same time completely stand against The Committee? Or should he temporarily endure, plan for the long term, but possibly miss the opportunity, or even watch the fragment be completely contaminated?

Lin Mo's mind flashed with Zhou Weian's greedy eyes, the numb faces of the survivors in the isolation zone, Li Rui's cautious warning, and even more, the desperate call from that fragment, like a drowning person.

He slowly raised his head, the last trace of hesitation in his eyes vanishing, leaving only cold determination.

He could not wait! The Committee's research had gone mad; every day he waited, that fragment faced one more day of being completely contaminated or destroyed, and The Committee might gain one more dangerous power. Moreover, the feeling of a homologous fragment being desecrated and tortured filled him with anger and unwillingness from the depths of his soul.

The reality stabilization anchor... They should be entities that guard order and stabilize reality, not tools and test subjects in the hands of ambitious individuals!

He chose to act!

But not to recklessly go straight to purification. He adopted the editor's suggestion and prioritized Plan One—destroying the energy nodes and cutting the connection!

This required precise planning and timing.

He needed to know the exact location and defensive situation of the energy nodes.

He needed to find a time when The Committee's attention was diverted.

He needed support and an escape route.

It would be difficult for him to do it alone.

He thought of Li Rui. This former special forces captain seemed to not fully trust The Committee either and possessed rich combat experience and a certain degree of leadership. Perhaps... he could try to enlist his help? But the risk was, Li Rui was, after all, from the official system. How loyal was he to The Committee? Would he betray the existing order for an "unknown object"?

And Professor Wang and Da Liu... he couldn't involve them; it was too dangerous.

Lin Mo's brain worked rapidly, and a preliminary plan began to take shape. He needed to contact Li Rui as soon as possible for probing and discussion. At the same time, he needed to use the convenience of working at the maintenance station to quickly ascertain the specific situation of the energy nodes.

Just then, there was a knock on the lounge door.

"Lin Mo, how was your rest? Researcher Zhou asked you to come over; he has a new discovery he wants to discuss with you." It was the assistant's voice.

Lin Mo's eyes narrowed. Zhou Weian was coming for him again so soon? Had he discovered something, or was he simply impatient to study him further?

He took a deep breath, quickly adjusted his state, and a suitable weariness reappeared on his face. He walked over and opened the door.

"Okay, I'll be right there."

He knew that the game with The Committee had entered a more dangerous, more direct stage. And every step he was about to take could determine his own fate, as well as that of this fragment, and many others.

He tightened his grip on the fragment in his pocket, feeling the power flowing within it, resonating with his will.

The choice was made; there was only moving forward.