177: Chapter 177 Hydrothermal Vent Guardians: The Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Battle of Totem Awakening

Investigation Assembly: Debut of Hydrothermal-Specific traditional martial arts Equipment

Three weeks after the Global Martial Arts Academy received the report from the Technical Department, the "Atlantic Hydrothermal Exploration Team" was officially formed.

Unlike the low-temperature exploration of the Mariana Trench, the "Black Smoker Hydrothermal Field" at the Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge is characterized by high temperatures (up to 400°C), strong acidity (pH 2.5), and hydrothermal vents.

Conventional traditional martial arts equipment was incompatible, so the exploration team developed "Hydrothermal-Specific traditional martial arts Equipment," which incorporated the energy characteristics of various global schools.

When the Chuanwu Starship exploration vessel docked at the Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge scientific research zone, Kofi, a descendant of the Ghana Marine traditional martial arts, was already waiting on the deck.

He had dark skin and wore a martial suit woven from "heat-resistant seaweed fiber" from the hydrothermal zone, with a "Hydrothermal Qi Energy Whistle" made of hydrothermal metal hanging from his waist, the body of which was engraved with spiral-shaped hydrothermal runes.

"The hydrothermal vents in the Black Smoker Hydrothermal Field emit 'Qi Energy Interference Currents'," Kofi said, pointing to the faint black smoke columns visible beneath the sea surface.

"Ordinary Qi Energy will be scorched by the high temperatures here; only 'Thermal Fusion Energy' can resonate with the hydrothermal energy. My Family's Legacy is a 'traditional martial arts that Coexists with Hydrothermal Energy,' which can help everyone adapt to the environment here."

On the deck, the team members were tuning their new equipment: Xiao Kaya combined Ice Soul Energy with Kofi's Thermal Fusion Energy and injected it into the "Temperature-Controlled Qi Energy Diving Suit."

The pale blue Ice Soul Energy formed a "cooling layer" inside the suit, while the pale red Thermal Fusion Energy formed an "acid-resistant layer" outside the suit.

The two types of energy intertwined, allowing the diving suit to withstand 450°C high temperatures and highly acidic seawater.

Sato's "Ninja Qi Thruster" was upgraded to a "Thermal Flow Propulsion Type," with hydrothermal runes engraved on the nozzle, allowing it to utilize the airflow from the hydrothermal vents to accelerate and save on Qi Energy consumption.

Amina replaced the tip of her Shamanic Martial Force totem staff with a "Hydrothermal Biological Crystal Core."

Once pale brown Shamanic Martial Force was injected, the crystal core glowed with a pale red light, enabling communication with the tube worms and shrimp-like creatures in the hydrothermal zone.

The equipment of the new generation team was also full of ingenuity: Xiao Juan's Nature Qi gloves incorporated "hydrothermal seaweed fiber," allowing her to touch high-temperature hydrothermal vents without injury.

Karim's Pyramid Force bracers were embedded with "hydrothermal metal sheets," which could convert hydrothermal energy into a supplement for his Pyramid Force.

Mei's Ninja Qi throwing knives were coated with an "acid-resistant coating," allowing them to remain sharp even in acidic seawater.

Laila's Shamanic Martial Force belt hung with "hydrothermal insect egg sacs," containing hydrothermal shrimp eggs that could purify weak Spirit-Devourer residues and would come to life upon contact with water.

"According to the plan, after Kofi leads us to the hydrothermal node," Chen Wu stood in the center of the deck, holding the fusion jade, "Xiao Kaya will use Temperature-Controlled Energy to stabilize the hydrothermal vents and prevent high-temperature interference."

"Amina and Kofi will use Shamanic Martial Force and Thermal Fusion Energy to communicate with the hydrothermal creatures and obtain the node's location."

"Sato will be responsible for scouting the surrounding Spirit-Devourer residues, and the new generation team will use Youth Guardian Energy to monitor the Leyline Qi Energy fluctuations in the hydrothermal zone, immediately issuing a warning if any abnormalities are detected."

In the globally broadcast "Exploration Assembly" footage, 380 billion viewers watched the novel hydrothermal traditional martial arts equipment through their lenses.

The live chat was filled with exclamations: "The traditional martial arts equipment is so innovative! Ice Soul Energy can actually cool down and resist acid!"

"Kofi's Thermal Fusion Energy sounds so cool! The hydrothermal zone finally has its own exclusive traditional martial arts!"

"Xiao Juan's gloves can touch high-temperature hydrothermal vents? That's amazing!"

Data from the Technical Department showed that the number of reservations for global "Remote Qi Energy Support" had exceeded 420 million, with countless martial arts fans leaving comments saying, "Looking forward to the traditional martial arts battle in the hydrothermal zone."

Hydrothermal Descent: Adapting traditional martial arts Energy to Extreme Environments

As the "Chuanwu Starship Micro-Submersible" slowly descended, the seawater temperature gradually rose.

When it descended to 2,000 meters, the water temperature outside the submersible reached 30°C.

Under the illumination of the searchlights, schools of Thermal Shrimp could be seen swimming around the black smoke columns, their shells glowing with a pale red light, which was a natural reaction to the hydrothermal energy.

"The 'Black Smoker Valley' is 500 meters ahead; the hydrothermal node is right next to the largest hydrothermal vent in the valley," Kofi reminded via the communicator.

"The water temperature there is as high as 380°C, and it is extremely acidic, so you need to use Temperature-Controlled Energy to protect the submersible throughout the journey!"

Xiao Kaya acted immediately; the pale blue Ice Soul Energy and the pale red Thermal Fusion Energy formed a double-layered shield outside the submersible.

The shield made a "hissing" sound upon contact with the airflow from the hydrothermal vents, but it steadily blocked the high temperature and acidic corrosion.

When descending to 3,000 meters, the submersible was suddenly caught in a "hydrothermal vortex."

This vortex was formed by the intersection of the airflow from the hydrothermal vents and the seawater, containing fine hydrothermal minerals that could wear down ordinary metal.

"Use Thermal Fusion Energy to guide the direction of the vortex!" Kofi shouted, injecting pale red Thermal Fusion Energy into the submersible's thrusters.

The airflow ejected by the thrusters resonated with the vortex, and the vortex was tamed as if it had been domesticated, opening up a safe passage for the submersible.

"The Leyline Qi Energy in the hydrothermal zone is 'thermal,' completely different from the 'cold' nature of the Antarctic," Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan analyzed through the detector.

"The energy fluctuations of the node are very strong, but they are masked by the energy of the hydrothermal vents, so we need to use Shamanic Martial Force to cooperate with the hydrothermal creatures to pinpoint the location."

Amina immediately extended her Shamanic Martial Force totem staff outside the submersible.

Pale brown Qi Energy diffused along the tip of the staff, and soon, a group of tube worms swam toward the totem staff.

Their tubes glowed with a pale red light as they gently wrapped around the staff, as if guiding the way.

"They say the node is on the left side of the 'Red Flame Vent,' where there are 'warm stones'," Amina translated the Qi Energy fluctuations of the tube worms.

"But there is 'black bad Qi Energy' around the vent that hurts creatures that get close; it should be Spirit-Devourer residue."

Xiao Juan closed her eyes, and Nature Qi spread out along the submersible's searchlights, forming a pale green "Qi Energy Perception Net" in the pitch-black seawater.

"I've sensed it! 50 meters to the left of the Red Flame Vent, there is a pale golden Qi Energy fluctuation; that is the location of the node!"

"But there are three strands of black Qi Energy around it, wrapping around the node!"

When the submersible arrived at the Black Smoker Valley, the scene before them shocked everyone.

The valley was filled with hydrothermal vents of various sizes, with black smoke columns shooting straight up toward the sea surface.

Beside the largest Red Flame Vent stood a "Hydrothermal Totem Stone" half-buried in hydrothermal deposits.

The stone body glowed with a pale red light, and its surface was engraved with runes of the same origin as the Whale Soul imprint, with three strands of black Spirit-Devouring Energy wrapped around the stone, slowly eroding the Qi Energy of the Totem Stone.

"Prepare to exit the cabin!" Chen Wu gave the order.

"Kofi, use Thermal Fusion Energy to set up a 'Thermal Energy Isolation Zone' around the Totem Stone to prevent hydrothermal vent interference."

"Xiao Kaya, use Temperature-Controlled Energy to protect the team members and prevent them from being scorched by the high temperatures; everyone else, follow the plan!"

The moment they exited the cabin, the high heat rushed toward them, but the Temperature-Controlled Energy shield took effect immediately.

The "Qi Energy pedals" under the team members' feet were also switched to "Thermal Fusion Energy pedals," and the pale red light supported everyone as they walked steadily in the hydrothermal zone.

In the globally broadcast "Hydrothermal Descent" footage, the audience was stirred with excitement.

The live chat was filled with cheers: "The traditional martial arts energy methods are so well-adapted to the environment! Thermal Fusion Energy can actually guide a vortex!"

"The Red Flame Vent is so spectacular! The Totem Stone has finally been found!"

"The team members walking in the high temperatures as if walking on flat ground—traditional martial arts are too awesome!"

Crisis Erupts: Spirit-Devouring Hydrothermal Puppet Attack

Just as everyone approached the Totem Stone, the Red Flame Vent suddenly erupted violently.

Three "Spirit-Devouring Hydrothermal Puppets" rushed out from the black smoke columns.

They were fused from giant tube worms, Thermal Shrimp, and minerals in the hydrothermal zone.

The tubes of the tube worms were wrapped in black Spirit-Devouring Energy, their shrimp pincers glowed with a dark purple light and could spray high-temperature Spirit-Devouring liquid, and their bodies made of minerals could resist ordinary Qi Energy attacks.

"These Puppets are hydrothermal creatures contaminated by Spirit-Devouring Energy!" Kofi's expression changed drastically.

"They can absorb hydrothermal energy to strengthen themselves; ordinary attacks are useless!"

Before he could finish speaking, a Puppet's shrimp pincer sprayed black Spirit-Devouring liquid, rushing toward Xiao Juan.

Karim immediately blocked it with his Pyramid Force bracer.

As the Spirit-Devouring liquid touched the hydrothermal metal sheet on the bracer, it made a "hissing" corrosive sound, and tiny holes actually appeared on the metal sheet.

"The Spirit-Devouring Liquid can corrode the thermal vent metal!" Karim exclaimed. Suddenly, the tube of another Puppet wrapped around Mu Qing's ankle. The high-temperature tube, carrying Spirit-Devouring Energy, instantly scorched Mu Qing's Qi Energy circuits, causing his Five Elements Energy to circulate more slowly. "This Puppet's body temperature exceeds 400°C; my Temperature Control Energy can barely hold it back!"

Eric immediately swung his Holy Light Qi sword, the silver light slashing toward the tube wrapped around Mu Qing. The tube was severed, but nourished by the thermal vent energy, it instantly grew new branches and attacked Mu Qing again.

"We need to cut off their source of thermal vent energy first!" Kofi shouted, injecting pale red Thermal Fusion Energy into the 'Energy Veins' beside the red flame vent. The thermal vent energy in the veins was temporarily blocked, and the Puppet's movements slowed down significantly.

Chen Wu immediately deployed tactics: "Sato, Mei, use Ninja Qi + Thermal Fusion Energy to attack the 'Energy Core' of the Puppets—the parts of their bodies that glow with a dark purple light; Amina, Leila, use Shamanic Martial Force + hydrothermal organisms to guide the tube worms to wrap around the Puppets' limbs and restrict their movements; Xiao Kaya, Mu Qing, use Temperature Control Energy + Five Elements Energy to set up a 'Cold-Heat Balance Array' around the Totem Stone to prevent the thermal vent energy from being absorbed by the Puppets again; Xiao Juan, Karim, use Youth Guardian Energy to purify the Spirit-Devourer residue around the Totem Stone and buy us time!"

Sato and Mei acted immediately—Mei's Ninja Qi darts, coated with Thermal Fusion Energy, accurately struck a Puppet's Energy Core, causing black smoke to rise from the core; Sato used his thermal flow thrusters to circle behind the Puppet and injected Ninja Qi into the core, causing its dark purple light to instantly dim; Amina and Leila's Shamanic Martial Force attracted a large number of tube worms, which wrapped around the Puppets' limbs, rendering them immobile; Xiao Kaya and Mu Qing's Cold-Heat Balance Array unfolded around the Totem Stone, with light blue and pale red lights intertwining, completely cutting off the transmission of thermal vent energy to the Puppets.

The coordination between Xiao Juan and Karim was even more impressive—Xiao Juan's Nature Qi spread along the hydrothermal deposits, and the pale green light purified the Spirit-Devourer residue around the Totem Stone like spring rain; Karim's Pyramid Force formed a 'Qi Energy Barrier' in front of the Totem Stone, blocking the sporadic Spirit-Devouring Liquid sprayed by the Puppets.

In the 'Crisis Response' scene of the global live broadcast, the audience watched intently, and the chat was filled with cheers: "The tactics are so well-coordinated! Thermal Fusion Energy + Ninja Qi can actually break the core!" "The tube worms are so powerful! They can actually wrap up the Puppets!" "Xiao Juan and Karim's Guardian Energy is getting stronger and stronger!"

Totem Activation: Hydrothermal traditional martial arts and Global Resonance

After dealing with the Spirit-Devouring hydrothermal Puppets, everyone was finally able to focus on activating the hydrothermal Totem Stone—Kofi injected Thermal Fusion Energy into the Totem Stone, and the pale red light spread along the runes. The temperature of the stone body gradually rose, but it stopped at the key runes, unable to continue activation.

"It requires a 'balance between hot-natured Qi Energy and cold-natured Qi Energy'," Kofi frowned. "The Totem Stone's runes require the resonance of both cold and hot dual energies. My Thermal Fusion Energy is hot-natured, so it needs the cold-natured Ice Soul Energy to complement it!"

Xiao Kaya immediately stepped forward, injecting pale blue Ice Soul Energy into the key runes of the Totem Stone. The pale red and pale blue lights intertwined, the runes instantly lit up, and the last trace of Spirit-Devourer residue wrapped around the stone was purified.

"We also need the 'Life Qi Energy' of Shamanic Martial Force and hydrothermal organisms!" Amina placed her Shamanic Martial totem staff against the Totem Stone. The pale brown Qi Energy resonated with the surrounding Thermal Shrimp and tube worms, and countless pale red Life Qi Energy flowed along the tip of the staff into the Totem Stone, making the light of the stone body brighter and brighter.

"The final step, inject the 'Pure Heart' with Youth Guardian Energy!" Chen Wu shouted to the new generation team. Xiao Juan, Karim, Mei, and Leila immediately gathered around. The four-colored Qi Energy converged in front of the Totem Stone into a "Youth Guardian Light Sphere." The light sphere was injected into the stone body, and all the runes of the Totem Stone lit up, forming a pale red beam of light in the seawater of the hydrothermal area, shooting straight to the sea surface.

The beam of light resonated strongly with the Global Leyline Guardian Array—the purity of the Leyline Qi Energy at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge instantly increased to 100%, and the Spirit-Devourer residue in the hydrothermal area was completely purified; the Ice Soul Mark in the Antarctic and the Whale Spirit Mark in the Mariana Trench lit up simultaneously, and the "Sea-Land Coverage" of the Global Leyline Guardian Array expanded to 70%.

The light from the Totem Stone also projected an ancient image onto the seabed of the hydrothermal area: ancient traditional martial artists wearing hydrothermal martial outfits, living in symbiosis with hydrothermal organisms, using Thermal Fusion Energy to guide thermal vent energy and protect the balance of the leyline. At the end of the image, the ancient text "12 Nodes Resonance, Leyline Heart Appears" emerged.

"So it turns out we need to activate all 12 deep-sea nodes to find the Leyline Heart!" Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan said excitedly. "We have already activated 2, and there are 10 nodes waiting for us!"

Kofi looked at the Totem Stone, his eyes full of awe: "My Family Legacy is finally complete! In the past, we only knew how to use Thermal Fusion Energy to survive, but we didn't know that its true mission was to protect the leyline. Now, we can finally contribute to global traditional martial arts!"

The new generation team discovered the "Hydrothermal Guardian Egg" beside the Totem Stone—the egg was the size of a fist, glowing with a pale red light; it was the egg of the "Thermal Shrimp," the guardian creature of the hydrothermal area.

Xiao Juan gently stroked the egg with Nature Qi. The eggshell cracked open, and a small, reddish shrimp crawled out, gently rubbing against Xiao Juan's finger. "From now on, it will be our 'Hydrothermal Guardian Partner'!" Xiao Juan said with a smile. "With it, we will be able to adapt to the hydrothermal environment faster when we activate the next node!"

A New Journey: The Next Stop for Deep-Sea Exploration

When the exploration team prepared to return, Kofi invited everyone to visit the "traditional martial arts Symbiosis Zone" in the hydrothermal area—here, hydrothermal organisms and traditional martial arts Qi Energy formed a unique ecosystem: the shells of Thermal Shrimp could store Thermal Fusion Energy, the tubes of tube worms could transmit Shamanic Martial Force, and even the minerals of the thermal vents could reflect traditional martial arts Qi Energy, becoming natural "Qi Energy Mirrors."

"In the future, this place will become the 'Atlantic Hydrothermal traditional martial arts Base'," Kofi said to the global live broadcast camera. "We will train hydrothermal traditional martial arts successors here to provide support for subsequent deep-sea exploration, making Thermal Fusion Energy an important force in protecting the deep-sea leylines."

When the submersible left the Black Smoke Valley, the creatures of the hydrothermal area gathered around—Thermal Shrimp swam around the submersible, and the tubes of the tube worms swayed in the direction of the submersible, as if saying goodbye.

Xiao Juan, holding the Little Whale Spirit and the Thermal Shrimp, waved in front of the submersible's window: "We will be back! Next time we will bring more partners to activate the remaining nodes together!"

The final scene of the global live broadcast lingered on the surface of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge—on the deck of the Chuanwu Starship exploration vessel, the team members held up a rubbing of the hydrothermal Totem Stone and posed for a photo with Kofi; on the distant sea surface, the light beam of the hydrothermal area was still flickering, connecting with the light beams of the Antarctic and the Mariana Trench, forming a "Deep-Sea Guardian Light Belt" on the Earth's oceans.

In the chat, 380 billion viewers sent cheers simultaneously: "Hydrothermal area exploration successful! Sea and land protection has taken a step further!" "Thermal Fusion Energy is so cool! traditional martial arts has a new style!" "Looking forward to the next deep-sea node! Go traditional martial arts!"

Technical Department data showed that at this time, the stability of the Global Leyline Guardian Array had increased to 99.8%, and the number of reservations for the "Deep-Sea traditional martial arts Course" on the Chuanwu APP had exceeded 200 million.

Chen Wu looked at the 12-node map in his hand, his fingertips sliding over the mark of the third node—the Indian Ocean Ridge, which was marked as the "Cold Spring Node," completely different from the high-temperature environment of the hydrothermal area.

"Next stop, Indian Ocean Ridge," Chen Wu said to the team members. "There are new challenges there, and new traditional martial arts Legacies waiting for us. As long as we stick to our original intention of guarding, there is no difficulty we cannot overcome."