84: Successfully returned to the RV

The crystal floated in the air, over two meters above the ground.

Qin Lin observed the surroundings and found a depression in the platform beneath the crystal.

The shape matched the crystal perfectly.

That place was likely meant to be a base for some kind of equipment, but the crystal stone had occupied the position after appearing.

Qin Lin thought for a moment and took out a specialized storage box from his tool kit.

This was also purchased from the System Store, specifically designed for storing crystal stones.

It featured heat insulation and energy shielding functions.

He opened the box and adjusted it to capture mode.

Mechanical claws extended from inside the box, aiming at the crystal.

But just as the mechanical claws got within a meter of the crystal stone, an anomaly occurred.

The crystal stone's light suddenly intensified, and the surrounding temperature plummeted!

[Warning: Rapid temperature drop!]

[Current Temperature: -95.1°C]

[Protective Suit Constant Temperature System: Overload Warning (87% load)]

[Suggestion: Retreat immediately!]

Qin Lin gritted his teeth and persisted, controlling the mechanical claws to continue forward.

At a distance of half a meter, frost began to form on the surface of the mechanical claws.

The mechanical joints made a "creaking" friction sound.

The low temperature caused the lubricant to solidify, making movement difficult.

At thirty centimeters away, the mechanical claws were completely covered in a layer of ice and stopped moving.

"Damn it."

Qin Lin cursed under his breath.

He retracted the mechanical claws; the ice layer on them was two centimeters thick.

With a hard knock, the ice shattered, but the joints of the mechanical claws were already damaged and could no longer be used.

The first plan had failed.

Qin Lin pondered.

This crystal stone actually had a self-protection mechanism.

It would release even lower temperatures when approached.

He needed a method that allowed for rapid approach and rapid removal.

His gaze fell upon the thermal cutter.

Maybe... he could use thermal energy to disrupt the temperature field around the crystal stone first, then quickly take it away?

He decided to give it a try.

Qin Lin retreated to the doorway, adjusted the thermal cutter to maximum power, and aimed it at the platform beneath the crystal stone.

A bright red beam shot out, hitting the metal platform.

High heat collided with extreme cold, producing a violent reaction.

The ice layer vaporized, white mist filled the air, and the metal platform made a "sizzling" sound.

The crystal stone's light began to flicker, and fluctuations appeared in the surrounding temperature field.

Now!

Qin Lin lunged forward, holding the storage box in his left hand and reaching out with his right.

The moment he approached the crystal stone, he felt it.

It wasn't cold, but a kind of... devouring.

All heat, all energy, was being absorbed by the crystal stone.

Even with the protective suit's insulation, he could still feel that sense of emptiness, as if life itself was being drained away.

His hand passed through the Domain of low temperature, and his fingertips touched the crystal stone.

It was icy, but not bone-chilling.

The touch felt like touching some kind of living creature; he could feel the pulsation of energy inside.

He grabbed it firmly.

The crystal stone broke free from its floating state and fell into his hand.

Almost simultaneously, the temperature in the entire control room began to rise.

It wasn't warm, but it rose from -90°C to -80°C, -70°C... once the crystal stone left, the low-temperature Domain it created began to collapse.

Qin Lin quickly placed the crystal stone into the storage box and closed the lid.

[Storage Complete: eternal frozen marrow (Complete Intermediate) has been stored]

[Energy shielding in effect, radiation stopped]

[Ambient Temperature: -68.4°C (continuing to rise)]

Success!

Qin Lin breathed a sigh of relief, but then immediately felt something was wrong.

His body... was very heavy.

He couldn't lift his arms, and his legs felt like they were filled with lead.

Breathing became difficult, and the oxygen supply in his helmet seemed insufficient.

[Warning: Protective suit performance degradation]

[Reason: Prolonged exposure to extreme low temperatures, material embrittlement]

[Constant Temperature System Efficiency: Dropped to 65%]

[Body Surface Temperature: 34.1°C (continuing to drop)]

[Suggestion: Return to the Doomsday RV immediately]

Qin Lin looked down at his protective suit.

Fine cracks had appeared in the outer layer material, and movement at the joints was noticeably stiff.

The tool ejection mechanism at the fingertips of his gloves was stuck and could not be retracted.

He had to go back immediately.

He turned around and headed back the way he came.

But every step was harder than when he arrived.

The protective suit had become heavier, the magnetic boots' suction power had weakened, and he was slipping on the ice.

His breathing became increasingly labored, and white mist began to appear on his helmet's visor.

That was the water vapor from his breath condensing in the low temperature.

The tunnel seemed to have lengthened.

It had only taken ten minutes to get here, but now it felt like he had been walking for a century.

Qin Lin leaned against the wall; the ice layer was bone-chillingly cold, felt even through his gloves.

[Body Surface Temperature: 32.7°C]

[Constant Temperature System: Severely overloaded, suggest turning off non-essential functions]

[Remaining Energy: 43%]

Qin Lin turned off the helmet's thermal imaging and night vision, keeping only basic vision and communications.

The world before his eyes went dark; he could only barely make out the outlines ahead.

"Qin Lin? Qin Lin, how are you doing?"

Su Yuran's anxious voice came through the communication channel.

"I... got it."

Qin Lin gasped for air.

"Returning now, but the protective suit... has some problems."

"What?"

Several voices rang out simultaneously.

"Don't rush, speak slowly."

This time it was Han Qing, her voice calm and professional.

"What specific problems? What's your body temperature? Is breathing difficult?"

"Protective suit material embrittlement, constant temperature System efficiency dropped."

Qin Lin reported while walking.

"Body temperature 32.7, breathing... a bit difficult."

"You're hypoxic," Han Qing judged immediately.

"Adjust your breathing frequency, take deep, slow breaths, don't rush. How far are you from the RV now?"

Qin Lin checked his positioning:

"About... two hundred meters."

"Walk slowly, don't run, save your strength. We're preparing to receive you."

"Okay..."

The communication cut off, and Qin Lin focused on walking.

The last two hundred meters would only take two or three minutes on level ground, but now it felt like a vast chasm away.

The howling wind made him unsteady, and snow hit his visor, blurring his vision.

His body temperature was still dropping: 32.1°C, 31.8°C... the precursors of hypothermia began to appear:

Sluggish thinking, numb limbs, and an intense drowsiness washed over him.

He couldn't sleep; if he slept, he wouldn't wake up.

Qin Lin bit the tip of his tongue, the pain clearing his mind slightly.

Finally, the outline of the RV appeared in the wind and snow.

That silver-gray snow pile was the warmest sight in the world at this moment.

The vehicle door opened, and a pale blue barrier expanded.

Several figures stood within the barrier, looking out anxiously.

Qin Lin used his last bit of strength to stumble forward.

The moment he crossed the barrier, warmth enveloped him.

But at the same time, the protective suit made a crisp "crack" sound.

The outer layer material completely cracked, the fissures spreading like a spiderweb.

"Quick! Help him take it off!" Han Qing's voice rang out.

Several hands reached out at once, helping him undo the buckles and remove the helmet.

Cold air rushed in, but the warmth inside the vehicle quickly neutralized it.

Qin Lin slumped on the floor, breathing heavily, his lungs burning with pain.

"Carry him to the Medical Room!"

"Yuran, go prepare hot water and towels. Wanwan, go get the medical kit. Yu Rou, go turn up the air conditioning!"

The professional qualities of a doctor were displayed vividly at this moment.

The others, who were in a panic, immediately found their pillar of support and acted according to instructions.

Qin Lin was carried to the bed in the Medical Room.

Han Qing quickly checked his condition.