98: Nebula Barrier and Final Route

Carrying the final sacrifice and gift of the Guardian Cassius, Sun Zheng and the scouting team returned to the expeditionary vessel with heavy yet determined hearts. The glimmer keystone, fused with the core fragments of Cassius, now radiated a deeper and more majestic order light, as if carrying a will that spanned across the ages.

The fleet paused briefly in the "Silent Starfield" to hold a short moment of silence for the fallen Guardian. Afterward, Sun Zheng shared the information he had obtained with all the high-ranking Commanders.

"According to the information left by Cassius, the periphery of the nebula where the Seed Vault is located has been severely contaminated by the power of the void whisper. Its defense systems may have failed or even been twisted. Once we arrive, we will face the dual threat of a contaminated automated defense system and potentially lurking Whispering Shadows." Sun Zheng pointed at the area on the star map marked as the "Forbidden Nebula," his tone solemn.

"The energy and identification protocols he left behind can open a brief, relatively safe entry passage for us, but the duration is limited. Within this time, we must break through the contaminated zone and find the core of the Seed Vault—the origin spark."

"The real challenge lies in," Sun Zheng paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, "Cassius and previous clues have warned that the origin spark is not a simple weapon. It contains the fundamental power of order, which is extremely powerful but also extremely dangerous. Contacting it requires a pure heart of order; otherwise, one will be assimilated or even consumed by its power. We must not only find it but also ensure we have the correct method to 'carry' it."

The mission's objectives and risks were now clear. This was a race against time and an ultimate test of will.

"There is no turning back," Colonel Falcon said in a deep voice. "We have sacrificed too much to get here. We must succeed."

"All ships, enter maximum combat readiness! Target, the 'Forbidden Nebula'! Move out!" Sun Zheng issued the final command.

The Expeditionary Fleet activated its hyperspace engines once more, following the final route marked on Cassius's star map, making a final dash toward that unknown and dangerous nebula.

This voyage was exceptionally long and oppressive. Everyone knew that what awaited them at the end could be the spark of hope or the abyss of destruction.

A few days later, the fleet dropped out of hyperspace, and the sight before them took everyone's breath away.

Ahead lay an infinite, slowly rotating, magnificent nebula. The interior of the nebula was colorful, with vortices of gas and dust acting like cosmic brushes painting a grand picture. However, beneath this beauty lurked a heart-palpitating horror—the outer regions of the nebula were stained by an ominous, ink-like purple-black energy! This purple-black energy writhed and spread like a living thing; wherever it passed, the colors of the nebula grew dim and distorted, emitting an aura of chaos and death.

"The Forbidden Nebula... we've arrived." The Navigator's voice carried a hint of trembling.

"High-intensity chaotic energy barrier detected! The nebula's periphery is completely sealed!" the Sensor Officer reported. "The barrier energy readings... far exceed any enemy we've encountered before!"

The purple-black energy barrier was like a giant eggshell, enveloping the entire nebula and emitting a suffocating sense of pressure.

"Activate the Cassius Protocol!" Sun Zheng ordered without hesitation.

He walked to the center of the bridge, focusing his entire spirit on the keystone on his chest, guiding the pure energy and identification information left by Cassius. The keystone erupted with an unprecedentedly brilliant blue light, and a beam of Order Energy, refined to the extreme, shot out from the bow of the expeditionary vessel, like a key piercing toward that purple-black barrier!

Hum—!

The moment the order beam made contact with the chaotic barrier, a violent energy conflict erupted! The purple-black barrier fluctuated wildly as if being burned, attempting to swallow and annihilate the Order Energy. But the energy level left by Cassius was extremely high and contained the identification codes for the Seed Vault. After resisting for several seconds, the barrier was finally forced open, creating an extremely unstable temporary passage just wide enough for the fleet to pass through!

"The passage is open! But it's extremely unstable! Estimated maintenance time is no more than thirty minutes!" the Engineer shouted.

"All ships, pass through quickly in order! Maintain maximum alert!" Sun Zheng maintained the energy output, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. Maintaining the passage placed an immense load on him.

The expeditionary vessel took the lead and charged into the passage! The other three warships followed closely behind!

Inside the passage, the purple-black energy acted like living tentacles, constantly trying to close in and squeeze the fleet's shields. The Order Shields emitted ear-piercing shrieks upon contact with this energy, and energy was consumed rapidly.

"Whispering Shadows! They're coming!" Shadow's voice came through the comms.

Countless distorted Shadow creatures condensed from the chaotic energy on both sides of the passage, pouncing frantically at the fleet! They were more solid and more frenzied than those encountered previously in the corridors!

"Fire! Break through with everything we've got!"

The fleet's Phase Prism Cannons and missiles fired in unison, creating explosions of fire within the narrow passage. Order Energy had a neutralizing effect on the Shadow creatures, but their numbers were simply too great, coming in an endless stream!

The fleet struggled forward through the hail of fire, every second feeling as long as a century. Shield energy continued to drop, and the ship's hull began to sustain damage.

"The passage exit is just ahead!" the Navigator shouted.

Sun Zheng gritted his teeth and held on, but the light of the keystone began to flicker slightly. The energy left by Cassius was being consumed rapidly!

Finally, just moments before the passage collapsed, the fleet burst through the purple-black energy barrier and entered the interior of the nebula!

However, before they could even catch their breath, the sight before them caused everyone's hearts to sink.

The interior of the nebula was not the Guardian sanctuary they had imagined, but a... contaminated and distorted ruin!

In the distance, an enormous pyramid-like structure made of pure crystal floated at the center of the nebula; that had to be the Seed Vault. But its surface was now covered with purple-black energy veins, entangling and corroding it like parasitic vines! In the space around the building floated the wreckage of countless Guardian warships and defense platforms, similarly contaminated by the purple-black energy, moving slowly like zombies and radiating hostility!

"The Seed Vault... has been contaminated?!" Colonel Falcon's voice was filled with despair.

"No! There's still a faint order reaction in the core area!" The Sensor Officer pointed to the top of the Seed Vault pyramid, where there was an extremely faint yet stubbornly flickering blue light! "The origin spark might still be resisting!"

Hope remained, but the path leading to it was filled with contaminated defenses and infinite enemies.

"Prepare for battle!" Sun Zheng wiped away a trace of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth due to the energy backlash, his eyes burning with resolute fire.

"Target: the Seed Vault's core! Break into it at all costs!"