42: Whispers of the Sacred Core and Echoes of the Past

Following Ling Shuang into the underground entrance of the water treatment plant, a mix of mold, oil, and a peculiar sweet scent assailed Lin Mo. The passage was not the dark and damp place he expected; instead, it was illuminated by soft blue fluorescent stones embedded in the walls. The air, filtered, felt relatively clean. The steep metal stairs leading downwards had been reinforced, and on the walls, abstract patterns depicting stars, gears, and a neural network-likeSpreading patterns were meticulously carved, clearly the masterpiece of the Spirit Craftsmen.

The deeper they went, the clearer the stable and orderly energy fluctuations from deep underground became. Lin Mo could feel that the seed of source blood fragment in his Sea of Consciousness resonated faintly with it, not out of excitement or longing, but more like a… confirmation, a peaceful sensing of encountering a 'kindred spirit' with different attributes.

They passed through the first and second basements, which had been converted into living quarters and workshops. Some Spirit Craftsmen were busy, some maintaining weapons, others carving intricate patterns on metal or crystals with glowing chisels, and still others meditating with their eyes closed, faint spiritual energy radiating around them. When they saw Ling Shuang bringing a stranger down, they cast curious and scrutinizing glances, but their discipline was strict, and no one came forward to disturb them.

Finally, they arrived at the entrance to the third basement. A heavy door made of some dark silver alloy blocked their way. There were no keyholes or handles on the door, only a millstone-sized, clear blue crystal embedded in the center, its internal glow flowing as if a living being was breathing within. Ling Shuang stepped forward, placed her palm on the blue crystal, and closed her eyes. Her energy staff and the crystal on the door lit up simultaneously, and a soft ripple swept across the door.

“Buzz…”

With a deep vibration, the heavy alloy door silently slid open to both sides, revealing the scene behind it.

Inside the door was a vast underground space, more like a solemn underground temple than a room. The dome was high, illuminated by clusters of glowing crystals, making the entire space as bright as day. In the center of the temple, there was no complex instrument or altar, but a slowly rotating blue orb, about five meters in diameter.

The orb's color was from the same source as the crystal on Ling Shuang's staff, but it was deeper and vaster. It was not a solid entity, but composed of countless fine, sand-like spiritual energy runes and pure energy streams, like a miniature nebula, operating according to some profoundly mysterious law. It exuded a warm, peaceful aura, yet contained infinite wisdom and power. This was the holy core.

Around the holy core, five elders, three men and two women, sat in a circle, dressed in simple gray robes. Their hair was white, and their faces were etched with the marks of time, but their eyes were as clear and sharp as those of young people. Powerful spiritual energy fluctuations emanated from them, subtly connected to the central holy core, as if they were jointly maintaining some ritual or balance. This was the Elder Council of the Spirit Craftsmen.

The moment Lin Mo stepped into the hall, the central holy core visibly brightened, its rotation speed slightly increased, emitting a clearer resonance. At the same time, the five meditating elders all opened their eyes, their gazes instantly focusing on Lin Mo. Their eyes were filled with shock, scrutiny, and a hint of… indescribable expectation.

The leading elder, with a lean face and eyes that seemed to penetrate one's soul, slowly spoke, his voice ancient yet carrying an undeniable power: “Stranger, welcome to the final sanctuary of the Spirit Craftsmen. I am the Chief Elder, Mo Heng.” His gaze fell on Lin Mo, as if reading a profound ancient text, “The holy core rejoices at your arrival, something unprecedented in its long years of dormancy. You… bring a different ‘order’.”

Lin Mo could feel a gentle yet immensely vast mental energy field enveloping the entire hall. This was not malicious, but a deep-level scan and perception. He did not resist, merely stood calmly, the power of the seed of source blood flowing naturally within him, the editor in a highly alert but non-hostile standby state.

“My name is Lin Mo,” he introduced himself again, meeting Mo Heng’s gaze frankly. “I have no intention of disturbing your tranquility; I am merely following a guide, passing through this place.”

“A guide?” another female elder, named Qing Lan, with gentle yet extremely perceptive eyes, softly asked, “Is it a guide from that… ancient ‘fragment’ within your body?”

They indeed sensed the seed of source blood! Lin Mo's heart tightened slightly; the perception abilities of these elders and the holy core far exceeded his expectations.

“One could say that,” Lin Mo did not completely deny. “It guides me eastward.”

“Eastward…” Elder Mo Heng murmured, exchanging a meaningful glance with the other elders. “Indeed… it aligns with one of the holy core’s prophecies about the fragments.”

“Prophecy?” Lin Mo caught the keyword.

Elder Mo Heng did not answer directly, but turned his gaze to the slowly rotating holy core in the center. “Mr. Lin Mo, do you know what the ‘holy core’ is?”

Based on his perception and the editor’s analysis, Lin Mo offered his conjecture: “It exudes power of stability and order, originating from the same source as the core fragments of the ‘reality stabilization anchor’ that I know, but its manifestation… is more focused on the mental and informational levels.”

All the elders showed expressions of approval. Elder Qing Lan nodded and said, “You are very perceptive. The holy core is indeed a core fragment of the ‘cosmic anchor’. But unlike fragments that typically stabilize physical reality, when it disintegrated, it carried more of the ‘information’ and ‘spiritual’ imprints of the old world’s civilization, as well as… partial ‘deductions’ of the future.”

She paused, her tone carrying a hint of sanctity and solemnity: “It is not only an energy source but also the origin of our spiritual energy system, a living historical record and prophetic crystal that records the past and foretells the future.”

Living historical record? Prophetic crystal? Lin Mo’s heart trembled. The seed of source blood fragment within him leaned more towards the material level of stability and reconstruction, while the holy core here leaned towards carrying information and spirit! This explained why the Spirit Craftsmen could awaken and utilize spiritual energy, a highly ordered mental power.

“The holy core long ago foretold that travelers carrying fragments of different ‘orders’ would come from the west, pointing eastward,” Elder Mo Heng continued, his gaze fixed on Lin Mo. “And you, Lin Mo, your arrival, and the nature of the fragment within you, confirm this part of the prophecy. It foretells that deep within the ‘Withered Land’ to the east, lies a great secret concerning the survival of this world… and possibly the ultimate answer.”

Secrets of the East? Concerning the world's survival? Lin Mo felt the weight on his shoulders increase. This coincided with his own feelings, but the holy core's prophecy gave this journey a grander and more urgent meaning.

“What else did the holy core foretell?” Lin Mo pressed, “About The Great Erosion, about the tide of delusion?”

Upon hearing the term “tide of delusion,” the elders’ expressions grew solemn. Elder Mo Heng said in a deep voice, “The holy core’s memory bank regarding that disaster is also severely damaged. It only left some fragmented information: it was not a natural disaster, but a ‘covering’ and ‘distortion’ from beyond reality, targeting the very foundation of our world. The disintegration of the cosmic anchor was a final self-rescue measure taken to prevent the entire world from being instantly assimilated and annihilated, but it also led to the fragmentation of reality and the disruption of its rules.”

“And the tide of delusion is the remnant of that covering power… It is ubiquitous, polluting reality, distorting life, and giving rise to Corruptors… Furthermore, it seems to possess some… rudimentary collective consciousness, constantly trying to repair the ‘loopholes’ caused by the anchor’s disintegration, to complete that unfinished ‘covering’.”

Lin Mo gasped. The information previously analyzed by the editor, such as “high-dimensional interference” and “extremely high priority for reality distortion,” was now confirmed! The Great Erosion was an intentional attack from beyond the world! And the disintegration of the reality stabilization anchor was a tragic act of self-preservation!

“Then we…” Lin Mo was about to ask further when the central holy core suddenly underwent a new change!

It was no longer just rotating; at its core, the spiritual energy runes began to intensely combine and transform, finally projecting a blurry, constantly flickering holographic image!

In the image, there was an boundless, colorful but malicious sea of energy—the true form of the tide of delusion? And deep within that tide, several colossal, scaffolding-like… structural shadows could vaguely be seen! They seemed to be drawing power from the tide, and also… restraining something?

At the same time, a fragmented, seemingly from the distant past, mental message full of urgency and warning directly poured into the minds of Lin Mo and all the elders:

“…Stop… ‘Echo of the End’… key… in… core… unity… beware… the ‘False God’s’… spokesperson…”

The image and mental message receded like a tide. The holy core’s light dimmed considerably, and its rotation slowed, as if the recent burst had consumed a vast amount of energy. The hall was silent. The elders’ faces were incredibly solemn; clearly, the information revealed by the holy core this time was more extensive and more terrifying than any previous revelation.

“Echo of the End,” “key,” “core unity,” “False God’s spokesperson”… these unfamiliar terms carried ominous portents. Lin Mo stood still, digesting this astonishing information. His journey to the East became clearer in its objective, and also heavier. He not only had to find answers but possibly also to stop the so-called “Echo of the End.” And “core unity,” did it mean gathering all the fragments of the reality stabilization anchor?

“Mr. Lin Mo,” Elder Mo Heng’s voice pulled his thoughts back to reality. The elder’s eyes were filled with unprecedented seriousness. “The prophecy is being fulfilled; time may be running out. The holy core chose to show you these things, meaning you will be a crucial piece in this game… perhaps even one of the players.”

He paused, then made a decision: “The Spirit Craftsmen’s sanctuary is willing to offer you all the help we can—intelligence, supplies, and even… send a guide to assist you in crossing the Withered Land ahead.”

Ling Shuang stepped forward, looking at Lin Mo, her eyes firm: “If you don’t mind, I am willing to serve as a guide. I am quite familiar with the conditions at the edge of the Withered Land, and…” She glanced at the holy core, “My spiritual energy might be able to provide some assistance along the way.”

Opportunity and responsibility were simultaneously laid before him. Lin Mo looked at the elders and Ling Shuang, then felt the faint, continuous resonance between the seed of source blood within him and the holy core. He did not hesitate for long. “I accept your help. Thank you.” A new alliance seemed to have been forged at this moment. And the path to the East, after revealing a glimpse of a cruel truth, became even more enigmatic and… impossible to retreat from.