116: Chapter 115 The Examination Hall, Bonus Questions and the Silent Judge

23 days after the verdict was issued, in the diplomatic contact zone of the "Cradle" base in Earth's geostationary orbit.

The second official contact with the "Blade - Seventh Execution Court" was arranged within a highly isolated virtual consciousness space. This was for security reasons—to prevent any potential consciousness infiltration or technical espionage.

As human representatives, Chu Yunshen and Elena had their consciousness projections appear in a pure white, boundless space, facing two condensed clouds of dark silver light with edges as sharp as blades.

"We are the 'Blade of Judgment' and the 'Blade of Memory' of the Seventh Execution Court." The light cloud on the left transmitted a cold and direct stream of consciousness, devoid of superfluous etiquette. "Based on the 'Return to Ruins Cage' data and 'Prisoner Whispers' records you provided, the internal assessment has been completed. Intelligence synchronization is as follows."

A massive data packet instantly flooded into the consciousness of Chu Yunshen and Elena. The information was highly structured and presented with almost brutal efficiency:

1. Regarding the 'Abyss Devourer' (Codename: Void Sentient-7):

Origin: Discovered at the end of the 5th expansion cycle of the Sower Civilization, within the dark matter halo of the Milky Way's Perseus Arm. Non-carbon/silicon-based life; essentially a highly ordered aggregate of dark energy consciousness that can perceive and slightly interfere with the physical constants of the conventional material world.

Capture and Experimentation: The Order Reconstruction Faction (then still a Radical Faction within the "Blade") attempted to "weaponize" it, aiming to create a "reality distortion field" capable of regionally modifying the strong nuclear force or electromagnetic constants. The experiment was partially successful, but the Sentient developed unpredictable consciousness distortions, exhibiting strong "existential hunger" and "assimilation tendencies," beginning to indiscriminately devour experimental facilities and the consciousness of operating personnel.

Imprisonment: After it went out of control, the Radical Faction leader "Gardener Chief" (codenamed "Pruner" at the time) ordered the construction of a temporary cage, utilizing the "Spacetime Stasis" technical framework left behind by his mentor Alpha, combined with the most stable Gaia Network node in the Solar System at the time (Return to Ruins). Cage Principle: Using node energy to create a local time-loop cage and locking its consciousness core to the node's logic, forcing it into a semi-nightmarish state of "eternally digesting its own existential paradox."

Current Risk: Your external energy impact damaged some "gears" of the time loop, leading to signs of its consciousness briefly awakening. The "learning behavior" it exhibited is a manifestation of its essential nature—the Void Sentient feeds on "information" and "order." It yearns to understand the cage, the attacker, and everything else to fill its eternal void, and may use this as a means to find a way to escape.

Suppression Suggestion: Direct energy attacks are strictly prohibited. The "Spacetime Stasis" gears need to be repaired or reinforced. The technical principles for repair can be provided, but the required "Spacetime Calibration Crystal" may only have limited stock at the "Silent Outpost."

2. Regarding 'cold fang' (Codename: Emotional Entropy Increaser-3):

Origin: A failed product of the Reconstruction Faction's early "Civilization Stress Test" project. Through gene editing and consciousness interference technology, a natively emotion-sensitive silicon-based microorganism was forcibly fused with trace fragments of dark energy consciousness leaked from the "Abyss Devourer" experiment, with the intention of creating a biological weapon capable of amplifying internal conflicts within target civilizations and inducing societal self-collapse.

Result: The fusion developed an independent consciousness, but its "food" was fixed as the negative emotional energy of sentient beings, such as "fear," "suspicion," and "despair." It was no longer controllable, began hunting indiscriminately, and exhibited the terrifying characteristic of reproducing (splitting into secondary sub-entities) through consciousness resonance.

Sealing: After causing the destruction of several outposts, it was sealed deep within the Siberian ice sheet by the "Gardener Chief," who personally led a team, using an absolute zero freezing force field combined with a "Logic Lock Virus." Sealing Principle: Forcing its consciousness into a low-power "predatory dream cycle," making it endlessly repeat the predatory process in its dreams while never being truly satisfied, thereby exhausting its vitality.

Current Risk: Due to the "Prisoner Resonance" caused by the loosening of the "Abyss Devourer" seal, and the unprecedentedly abundant "negative emotional food" generated within your civilization due to the technological leap, the seal is failing under this dual stimulation. Once the awakening progress exceeds 60%, it may possess the ability for remote "consciousness projection" and the spreading of an "emotional plague."

Suppression Suggestion: Implement physical "deep freeze reinforcement" before the awakening progress reaches 75%. This requires "Absolute Zero Core" technology, and the blueprint for this technology... is also likely in the "Silent Outpost" archives.

3. Regarding the 'Silent Outpost' (Codename: Silent Watch):

History: Established jointly by the "First Generation Blade" under Alpha's direct command and sower scholars (including Talos), it served the functions of observation, research, and... preserving the spark of civilization and forbidden knowledge. It is internally divided into the "Light Zone" (led by the sower, focusing on ecological and cultural research) and the "Shadow Zone" (led by the First Generation Blade, focusing on weapons, anomalous entity research, and containment technology backups).

Reason for Silence: After the Order Reconstruction Faction coup, they attempted to seize control of the outpost. The station commander at the time (a close friend of Talos and a member of the First Generation Blade) activated the "Final Silence Protocol," sinking the main body of the outpost into the Kuiper Belt to be frozen, and destroying all conventional access paths. Before the silence, he sent the ecological database of the "Light Zone" and the non-core weapon blueprints of the "Shadow Zone" back to the predecessor of the "Seventh Execution Court," which had not yet completely fallen.

Restart Conditions: Requires both "sower Inheritor Authority" (key holder) and "Blade Orthodox Inheritor Authority" (Blade of Judgment). That is, Sarah Chen's consciousness key, and... the information flow paused subtly here, "an agent recognized by our Seventh Execution Court who holds Alpha's 'Original Heart Emblem'."

Potential Gains: In addition to the two urgently needed technical materials mentioned above, it may also contain Alpha's original research notes on anomalous entities like the "Void Sentient" and "Emotional Entropy Increaser," as well as... a full-spectrum analysis of the early design weaknesses of the "Gardener Chief" and his main fleet, the "pruning ship."

Information transmission ended. The pure white space was silent.

Chu Yunshen quickly digested this shocking content. They had not only inherited the prison but also the prison's blueprints and the duties of some of the prison guards? And opening that most critical "armory" or "technical archive" (Silent Outpost) actually required the collaboration of humans and the defector faction of the "Blade"?

"We need the 'Spacetime Calibration Crystal' and the blueprints for the 'Absolute Zero Core' technology, as well as Alpha's research notes," Chu Yunshen stated directly. "In exchange, we can share more precise monitoring data on the current state of the 'Abyss Devourer,' as well as the sociological model of 'cold fang's' emotional infection patterns that we obtained in the 'Common Future' simulation."

"Agreed," the Blade of Judgment replied crisply. "But blueprint sharing will only occur after confirming the acquisition of the physical items. Research notes can be provided in part beforehand. Additionally, the Seventh Execution Court requires that a 'Supervising Blade' from our side accompany you when you head to the 'Silent Outpost' to ensure Alpha's legacy is not misused."

This was expected. "The candidate for the 'Supervising Blade'?"

"Will be designated by the Court and notified before the mission departs."

"Regarding the agent with the 'Original Heart Emblem'?" Elena grasped the key point. "Who is the agent you recognize?"

The two light clouds showed clear emotional fluctuations for the first time—a complex frequency mixed with sadness, guilt, and determination.

"Before Alpha departed," the Blade of Memory's voice became low, "he divided his personal emblem into three. One was left to Talos, symbolizing the 'ideal of protection and cultivation'; one was left to the 'Blade,' symbolizing the 'force to defend the ideal'; and the last one... he left to the 'Future Inheritor' who had not yet been born at the time, symbolizing 'a new possibility that transcends the limitations of the former two.' We believe that Talos's share is likely in the green soil, or has been passed to you along with his 'letter.' As for the one in our hands, it has been mostly lost with the split of the 'Blade.' As for the third one..."

The light cloud condensed, revealing an extremely simple symbol: a vertical beam of light cutting through the darkness.

"It is waiting for a holder who truly understands its meaning," the Blade of Judgment said. "Before heading to the 'Silent Outpost,' you had best find it, or... prove that you can gain the recognition of the 'Shadow Zone' without it. Otherwise, even if you gather both authorities, you may trigger the highest defense mechanism."

The communication ended, and consciousness returned.

Chu Yunshen and Elena's physical bodies jolted simultaneously, and they opened their eyes. Beside them, Lin Shen and Liaison Coordinator were waiting.

"How did it go?" Lin Shen asked.

Chu Yunshen quickly reported the intelligence and conditions obtained. When he heard about the need to find "Alpha's Third Emblem," Lin Shen frowned slightly.

"Talos's letter..." Elena mused. "In the stem of the memory fern, could it also hide... clues to the emblem? Or is the emblem itself some kind of... recognition of a state of consciousness or philosophy, rather than a physical object?"

"Possibly," Lin Shen pondered. "But the 'Blade' clearly thinks it's important. We need to proceed on multiple fronts: prepare the 'Silent Outpost' exploration team; continue researching temporary methods to stabilize and reinforce the two 'prisoners'; search for clues to the emblem; and... deal with the upcoming formal review from the Liaison Coordinator's side."

He looked at Liaison Coordinator, who stood silently to the side.

Liaison Coordinator's black crystal eyes turned toward them, its voice remaining flat: "Deep cooperation with the remnants of the 'Blade' will be recorded as 'high-risk associated behavior' in the parliamentary review. However, given the special threats you face, and the fact that the cooperation is aimed at obtaining necessary technology to control these threats, the committee may grant understanding, provided that—the cooperation process must be completely transparent and must not involve any technology exchange that could endanger other civilizations or the overall stability of the council."

It stepped forward, its pearl-white face expressionless, but there was a hint of... imperceptible admonition in its tone.

"Additionally, based on my observations over these days and the latest progress in your contact with the 'prisoners,' I have formed a preliminary assessment report, which will soon be sent back to the council. One of the core conclusions of the report is: the 'bonus questions' inherited by human civilization have a difficulty and danger level that far exceed the scope of a standard 0.7-level civilization defense."

"What does this mean?" Chu Yunshen asked.

"It means," Liaison Coordinator's crystal eyes swept over each of them, "the review criteria may be temporarily adjusted. The council will no longer just assess whether you 'possess the ability to manage the legacy,' but will also focus on assessing whether you 'have the capability and will to handle the extremely dangerous ancient remnants that accompany these legacies.'"

It paused, as if weighing its words.

"The next stage of the review will likely no longer be written Q&A or technical demonstrations."

"It might be... a live-combat stress test."

"Testing whether you are truly worthy of taking up this... examination paper that is heavy enough to crush countless civilizations."

After Liaison Coordinator finished speaking, its figure slowly faded and disappeared from the contact zone.

Leaving Lin Shen, Chu Yunshen, and Elena standing in the empty room, with the whispers of the deep-sea prisoner, the hungry pulsations beneath the ice sheet, and the Damocles sword named "Review," which would descend in an unknown form, seemingly still echoing in their ears.

They not only had to play the role of clumsy jailers beside a broken prison but also had to participate in a surprise test concerning the survival of their civilization under the gaze of a critical examiner.

And the first major question on the exam paper, perhaps, was how to—before those two ancient prisoners completely broke out of their cages...

Find the key to reinforcing the cages, or, be prepared to dance with the prisoners on the edge of the abyss.