52: The value of the blueprint, the price of the Ark

The icy Antarctic wind seemed to linger on the metal walls of the command room, but at this moment, the atmosphere within the Deep Blue’s core research lab was exceptionallyhot.

On the gigantic holographic projection screen, dizzyingly complex geometric structures, energy flow paths, and formulas for unprecedented material compositions slowly rotated, decomposed, and recombined, emitting a Deep Blue glow—this was the blueprint for the Deep Blue Heart energy core, deciphered from the ancient relic’s core.

Lin Feng stood before the screen, arms crossed, brows tightly furrowed, but his eyes flickered with an uncontrollable flame of excitement.

Around him were gathered several of the base’s top scientists; Chief Engineer Chen Lao was so agitated his fingers trembled slightly, his eyes, magnified by his reading glasses, fixed on every detail.

“Unbelievable… it’s a miracle!” Chen Lao’s voice quivered as he pointed at a constantly pulsating light cluster structure in the center of the blueprint.

“The theoretical value of this energy conversion efficiency… far exceeds our existing fusion technology! Look at how this confinement field is constructed; it completely breaks free from the frameworks of tokamaks or inertial confinement.

Is this… is this some kind of spatial resonance technology?”

“More than that, Chen Lao,” the young energy physicist Li Rui beside him spoke rapidly, his fingers flying across the virtual keyboard, bringing up a magnified local view.

“Look at its energy output port design—multi-phase, tunable, almost zero loss! This means it can not only provide nearly infinite energy, but also directly adapt to all our current weapon systems, propulsion systems, and even… future energy shield concepts!

Its output power and stability are enough to support the activation and maintenance of the ‘Starport’ module!”

Lin Feng took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and asked in a deep voice, “Key question: How long will it take to build? What do we need?”

The excitement in the research lab cooled slightly.

Chen Lao pushed up his glasses, his expression becoming solemn.

“Commander, the blueprint itself is extremely advanced, but also… extremely complex.

We have never seen several of the core materials it uses, and there are no matching records in our database.

I speculate they might need to be synthesized under extreme pressure or special energy environments, or… they aren’t even elements from Earth.”

“Additionally,” Li Rui added, “many fundamental physics theories contained in the blueprint, such as its description of partial operations on spatial dimensions, already exceed our current theoretical framework.

Understanding and implementing it will require significant breakthroughs in basic research.

Time… with our current manpower and resources, conservatively estimated, it will take at least five, or even ten years or more, for technical breakthroughs and material preparation.”

Five years? Ten years?

Lin Feng’s heart sank.

Although the countdown for “unlocking the ‘Starport’ module” on the system mission panel was still long, the threat from the Ark organization, the acceleration of global upheaval, and the system’s occasional warnings of “deep space whispers” all gave him a strong sense of urgency.

This Deep Blue Heart was the key to opening the door to the future, but the key itself was too heavy to lift.

Just then, the communications officer’s voice came through the internal channel, with a hint of undetectable tension: “Commander, a communication request from the Ark organization has been reconnected, priority… highest.

They state they are willing to engage in ‘friendly negotiations’ regarding the ‘relic item’ in your possession.”

What was bound to come, came.

Lin Feng’s eyes sharpened; the technological fervor of moments ago was instantly replaced by cold vigilance.

The Ark’s reach extended faster and more precisely than he had anticipated.

“Connect it, transfer it to my personal tactical terminal, highest encryption level,” Lin Feng commanded, turning to walk into a smaller tactical analysis room nearby.

Chen Lao and the others immediately fell silent, stepping back a few paces with serious expressions, leaving the research space to him.

The light in the tactical room dimmed.

A multi-encrypted optical screen popped up in front of Lin Feng; once the image stabilized, it was not the elegant lady from before, but a middle-aged man in a well-tailored dark grey uniform, with a stern face and sharp, eagle-like eyes.

Behind him was a simple but technologically advanced background, with giant circular screens and data streams vaguely visible.

“Commander Lin Feng,” the middle-aged man’s voice was deep and magnetic, carrying the composure of someone long in a position of power, “I am a senior representative of the Ark Council, codenamed ‘Albatross’.

First, congratulations on your remarkable discovery in Antarctica.” His tone did not convey much congratulation, but rather sounded like a statement of fact.

“Let’s get straight to the point, Mr. Albatross.” Lin Feng skipped the pleasantries, his tone flat, his gaze fixed on the other party.

“What do you want? And what can you offer?” He deliberately avoided mentioning the name Deep Blue Heart.

Albatross’s lips curved into a barely perceptible arc, seemingly appreciating Lin Feng’s directness.

“Very good.

Our Ark organization’s pursuit of knowledge and technology is eternal.

That energy core blueprint from the ancient Pioneer in your hands holds extremely high research value for us.” He directly stated his objective without evasion, demonstrating powerful intelligence capabilities.

“In exchange,” Albatross extended two fingers, “we offer two options for you to choose from.”

“Option one: Technology sharing.

The Ark will provide the synthesis recipes and core preparation equipment for the three key materials required by the blueprint—this is your biggest technical bottleneck at present.

At the same time, we will dispatch a top-tier physics and engineering team to assist you in your research endeavors.

In return, we require sharing all research results of the Deep Blue Heart and priority cooperation rights in its subsequent development and application.”

Lin Feng’s heart stirred slightly.

The conditions proposed by the other party precisely hit their current pain points.

Material recipes and team support could greatly shorten the R&D cycle, perhaps even reducing five years to one or two.

But sharing results and priority cooperation rights meant that core technology would be deeply infiltrated by the Ark, and in the future, they would likely be subject to its control.

“What about option two?” Lin Feng asked calmly.

“Option two: Resource integration.” Albatross’s finger lightly tapped the table.

“The Ark will directly acquire this blueprint.

The price is: control of an Ark standard ecological dome city located in the Western Pacific, fully equipped, capable of accommodating 100,000 people, with a complete defense system and independent energy.

As well as advanced weapons and supplies sufficient to arm a standard fleet.

Furthermore, we promise not to interfere in any form with the Deep Blue Alliance sphere of influence you establish for the next ten years.”

This option was even more tempting!

A ready-made, fully equipped giant offshore fortress city—this was the stable rear base and population/industrial hub Lin Feng currently dreamed of.

The armament for a fleet could instantly double his naval power.

Ten years of peaceful development was an invaluable treasure in today’s chaotic world.

The cost, however, was the complete loss of ownership and control over the Deep Blue Heart blueprint.

This core key, originating from antiquity and potentially leading to the stars, would fall entirely into the Ark’s hands.

Albatross looked at the silent Lin Feng and slowly added, “Commander Lin, please understand, the value of this blueprint lies in its inherent ‘potential,’ but transforming it into real power requires vast resources, time, and bearing immense technical risks.

Our Ark has the strength to bear all of this.

As for you, option two offers ‘real’ power that is tangible, visible, and can immediately enhance your survival and development capabilities.

In a world of upheaval, grasping present strength is often wiser than pursuing a distant future.”

His words were full of temptation, portraying the Deep Blue Heart as a heavy burden full of uncertainty, while depicting the Ark’s price as a powerful, readily available foundation.

Lin Feng’s fingers unconsciously traced the cold metal tabletop.

Two options: one might accelerate obtaining the key but lose partial control, the other would immediately gain immense assistance but completely give up the key.

The Ark’s calculations were ringing clear; no matter which he chose, the Ark would profit, the only difference being how much.

“I need time to consider,” Lin Feng finally spoke, his voice steady, betraying no inclination.

“Of course,” Albatross seemed to have anticipated this, revealing a formulaic smile, “the blueprint’s value warrants careful consideration.

However, please remember, the window of opportunity will not remain open forever.

Chaos is intensifying, and some of our common ‘enemies’ are also coveting this knowledge.

Three days, Commander Lin, we will only wait three days.

After three days, this communication frequency will expire, and our offer may… change.” He deliberately emphasized “enemies” and “change,” leaving a clear threat and sense of urgency.

The communication screen dimmed.

The tactical room was silent.

Lin Feng leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes, rapidly weighing the pros and cons, and every detail revealed in Albatross’s words: the Ark’s eagerness for the blueprint, their resource capabilities, the vague “common enemy”…

Suddenly, a piercing alarm blared through the entire base without warning!

Red warning lights spun madly in the tactical room!

“Warning! High-intensity, unknown source encrypted signal scan detected! Scan source deeply hidden, difficult to track! Scan target… pointing to the core research lab!” The tactical AI’s cold voice carried unprecedented urgency.

Lin Feng sharply opened his eyes, a fierce glint in them!

The Ark? Or… that “common enemy”?

They actually made a move so quickly?!

This was less a coincidence and more a signal that the other party was determined to get the Deep Blue Heart!

Were they forcing him to make a decision quickly, or did they intend to… directly seize it?

“Full base Level One alert! All defense systems activated! Electronic warfare team, full counter-tracking! Marines, seal all access to the core research lab!” Lin Feng abruptly stood up, a string of commands dropping like ice beads.

He took one last look at the communication log remaining on the tactical terminal, his gaze becoming incredibly sharp and cold.

The undercurrents beneath the negotiation table instantly turned into an open grab with bayonets drawn!

No matter how tempting the Ark’s price, now, his first priority was to ensure that this “fat meat” already in his mouth would not be easily taken away by anyone!

The value of the blueprint needed to be defended with iron and fire!