94: Chapter 94 Oasis of Life: The "Core of Ecological Cycle" is in Place
As the "pangu industrial zone" and "Nuwa" roared on the lunar surface, rapidly expanding the physical boundaries of the "Guanghan Palace" base, another critical system—one determining whether the base could truly achieve long-term self-sufficiency and support future deep-space voyages—reached a decisive moment: the core module of the closed artificial ecological cycle system, code-named "tree of life," was officially delivered to the base and began its final installation and debugging.
This system, based on technical blueprints provided early on by Lin Mo and continuously optimized by Earth's scientists, was no less important than energy or structure. It wasn't just about providing food; it was about creating a stable, internally circulating micro-biosphere in this forbidden zone for life, achieving the regeneration and balance of oxygen, water, and food.
The core module consisted of several massive sealed compartments delivered via a dedicated cargo spacecraft. Under the precise operation of engineers and robots, these compartments were carefully docked within the base's newly expanded ecological zone.
"Report! The water cycle purification unit is installed, and the connection pipelines show no leaks!"
"Report! The air regeneration and composition adjustment module is online; initial parameters are being set!"
"Report! The core crop factory shelving is deployed, and the nutrient solution supply system is ready!"
A series of reports echoed in the ecological zone's control room. The technicians here were focused, treating the system as if it were a newborn baby. They knew that the success or failure of this system would directly affect the quality of life and even the survival baseline for future lunar personnel.
The system began injecting the initial media and solutions. Within the water cycle unit, special high-efficiency microbial colonies were activated, responsible for decomposing and purifying organic impurities in the circulating water. In the air regeneration module, algae reactors based on efficient photosynthesis began operating, absorbing the carbon dioxide exhaled by astronauts and releasing fresh oxygen. In the multi-level vertical agricultural factory, specific spectrum LED strips lit up, simulating sunlight on Earth to provide energy for the crops about to be sown.
The final step was sowing.
Dr. Li Wei, the scientist in charge of the agricultural system, personally and carefully placed a batch of selected seeds, improved through space breeding, into the preset planting slots. These seeds included bok choy and lettuce with short growth cycles, vitamin-rich tomatoes and cucumbers, as well as prototype seeds for dwarf wheat and potatoes as staple food supplements.
As the last seed was gently covered with a specially made simulated lunar soil substrate, everyone held their breath. Dr. Li Wei pressed the start button.
Nutrient solution began to circulate among the roots according to precise ratios; LED lights automatically adjusted their spectrum and intensity based on the crop growth cycles; environmental sensors monitored temperature, humidity, and gas composition in real-time, feeding data back to the "fuxi - moon palace model" for fine-tuning to ensure the crops remained in the optimal growth range.
A few days later, amidst everyone's anticipation, the first touch of tender green quietly broke through the substrate, poking its head out within the enclosed planting slot!
"It sprouted! The bok choy has sprouted!" a young researcher shouted excitedly through the internal communication system, his voice trembling.
The news spread through the base as if it had wings. Even the engineers busy welding structures outside couldn't help but look toward the ecological zone through the observation windows, sincere smiles appearing on their faces.
That tiny bit of green appeared so dazzling and full of life on this gray, dead, alien land. It didn't just represent food; it symbolized hope—the symbol that humanity, even in the harshest environments, could rely on technology and wisdom to carve out its own oasis of life.
Standing on the observation gallery of the ecological zone, Wang Yan looked at the thriving greenery. He took a deep breath of the air, freshly regenerated by the system and carrying the faint fragrance of plants, and reported to Earth via the communicator:
"Elder Chen, the 'tree of life' system has been successfully activated. The first batch of crops has sprouted and is growing well. 'Guanghan Palace' is truly becoming a self-sustaining home!"
In the Earth Command Center, Elder Chen watched the vibrant green on the transmitted screen, his eyes shimmering with excitement. The success of this step meant that Dragon Country's presence on the moon had truly moved from 'exploration' to 'settlement.'
Inside the "Torch Dragon" safe house, Lin Mo also saw the image of that green. He smiled slightly, a hint of warmth rising in his heart. The power of technology was not just for creating weapons and speed, but for protecting and continuing life.
This oasis of life on the far side of the moon was like a lone lamp in the dark; though faint, it steadfastly proclaimed the indomitable vitality of human civilization. It breathed soul into "Guanghan Palace" and laid the most fundamental survival foundation for the even longer interstellar expeditions of the future.