130: Chapter 129 Cradle, Web Weavers, and Negotiation

At a distance of two light-seconds, under curvature compression, there was less than ten seconds of buffer time remaining.

Zhao Yan's reaction was faster than thought.

"Shut down the active curvature engine, switch to inertial gliding! Concentrate all shield energy to the bow, enable the Dimensional Stability Anchor layer! Zhou Zhe, maximum power to the Silent Veil—we don't need to hide anymore; what we need now is a stable existence!"

The order was executed in an instant.

The space curvature on the ship's outer layer receded like a tide, and the violent deceleration caused the entire ship's structure to emit groaning sounds of metal stress.

On the main screen, the constantly changing vortex projection had expanded to occupy most of the field of view, its edge's flowing light tentacles almost licking the observation window.

But the anticipated impact did not occur.

The ship seemed to pass through a layer of viscous liquid light curtain, sinking into some kind of... soft stagnation.

The external starry sky disappeared, replaced by a boundless space composed of soft, milky white light.

There was no concept of up, down, left, or right here, no sound, only a gentle sense of presence that enveloped everything.

"We... got in?" Li Mubai's voice carried disbelief.

"We did." Ashes looked around, its dark golden eyes slightly constricted, "This is not conventional space. This is a 'projection interface' of a high-dimensional structure within three-dimensional reality. We are interacting directly with the 'user interface' of an ancient facility."

"User interface?" Zhao Yan frowned.

"More accurately, it's its 'sensory layer'." Ashes extended its hand, and as its fingertips brushed through the air, it stirred up ripples like water, "This facility is sleeping, but its basic sensory system is still operating. The value resonance emitted by our Weaver body touched it like a finger brushing across a spider web. Now, it is trying to understand the source of the touch."

As if to verify its words, images began to slowly emerge in the center of the milky white space.

First was that crystal plain—a scene identical to the one in Sarah's dreams and the reflections of the sub-nodes.

The outlines of the seven spires gradually became clear; stars flickered on the tops of three of them (corresponding to the three resonance connections already established), while the other four were dim and lusterless.

In the center of the plain, that huge "Cradle" of light was clearly visible, but inside it were no longer sleeping shadows, but rather complex, constantly flowing geometric structures.

"That is..." Zhou Zhe stared at the structure inside the Cradle, "Some kind of... topological model of a consciousness network?"

"More than that." Elena's voice came through the communication channel (deep space signals had actually penetrated this space), "That is the materialized expression of the 'web weaver protocol'. In the top-secret records of the Talos Civilization, the Weaver is not a single civilization, but a maintenance protocol for a 'civilization value resonance network' that spans the galaxy, jointly maintained by seven Alpha-level Covenant nodes. The function of this network is—"

She paused, seemingly checking the data that had just been deciphered.

"—to weave a 'safety net' in the universe composed of highly orderly civilization values, used to buffer high-dimensional invasions, suppress the spread of chaotic consciousness entities, and provide a sanctuary for the sparks of civilization in extreme situations. But this protocol requires all seven nodes to be activated to function fully. And looking at the image, only three nodes are online."

Three online nodes: this one in the Kuiper Belt (Cradle), the direction of the Orion Dark Nebula, and the direction of the Galactic Center.

Four offline nodes: locations unknown.

"So the Cradle is not an infant," Zhao Yan whispered, "It is a core node of the web weaver protocol. We didn't wake up a monster, but a... guardian system."

"But why is it sleeping?" Zhou Zhe asked, "If this protocol is so important—"

"Perhaps because of the cost." Ashes interjected, "Maintaining a value resonance network of this level requires consuming unimaginable amounts of energy and consciousness resources. After the Talos Civilization perished, there might not have been enough civilizations capable of assuming the responsibility of node maintainers, so the protocol could only enter a low-power sleep state, waiting for a new 'Weaver' to appear."

At this moment, the geometric structure inside the Cradle suddenly changed. Countless filaments of light spread out from the core, weaving a complex star map in the space—the very one the nano-probe had previously mapped, but more detailed. The three online nodes were highlighted, while the position of the pioneer was marked as a faint but special flashing point.

Next to the flashing point, a line of Covenant runes appeared:

"Potential Weaver candidate detected: composite consciousness structure (Order-Chaos dynamic equilibrium type)"

"Resonance intensity: Grade B (cultivatable)"

"Apply for qualification test: Yes/No?"

Qualification test. This term made everyone alert.

"What happens if we choose 'No'?" Zhao Yan asked.

Ashes stared at the line of runes: "It might be judged as 'unwilling', the node will forcibly cut off the connection with the Weaver body and 'invite' us out of this space. But it will also leave a negative evaluation in the protocol records, affecting any future interactions related to the Covenant."

"And 'Yes'?"

"Enter the test process. But the test content is unknown, and the risks are unknown." Ashes looked at Zhao Yan, "However, if we pass the test, we might gain temporary control over this node, or even... obtain partial permissions for the web weaver protocol."

Permissions. This term made Zhao Yan think of the "official succession ceremony" mentioned by Lin Shen. Perhaps the qualification test was part of the ceremony.

"We need to discuss this with Lin Shen—"

Before the words were finished, the light filaments in the Cradle suddenly vibrated violently. On the star map, the brightness of the node representing the direction of the Orion Dark Nebula began to fluctuate sharply, as if struggling.

At the same time, Elena's exclamation came from the communication: "Earth is monitoring an anomaly! A strong gravitational wave burst is coming from the direction of Orion, the intensity level... is approaching a supernova explosion! But there are no visible phenomena in optical observations!"

"It's not a physical explosion." Ashes' voice suddenly became heavy, "It's a resonance attack. Someone is attacking that node."

On the star map, the brightness of the Orion node dropped another notch, and the connecting filament between it and the Cradle also became thin and fragile.

New runes appeared in the Cradle:

"External attack detected. node 2 (Eye of Orion) damaged, resonance connection stability dropped to 41%."

"Critical warning for overall stability of the web weaver protocol: If node 2 goes offline, the protocol will degrade to 'maintenance mode', and the safety net coverage will shrink by 67%."

"Requesting candidate assistance: Stabilize connection to node 2 / Abandon this node (selection will affect test content)"

Crisis and choice pressed down simultaneously.

At the Qinling Command Center, the technology tree system in front of Lin Shen was frantically popping up messages.

"web weaver protocol interaction request detected."

"External attack event detected—analyzing attacker characteristics..."

"Characteristics matched: Pruning Faction secondary weapon 'value entropy increase shell'. Operating principle: injects a large amount of chaotic, contradictory, and self-denying consciousness information fragments into the target, destroying the purity and order of its value structure, leading to the collapse of the resonance connection."

"Current attack intensity assessment: node 2 is expected to go offline in 1.2 standard hours."

1.2 hours. The Orion node is over 1500 light-years away from Earth; any physical intervention would be too late.

But the technology tree system provided another plan:

"It is recommended to use the Weaver body's resonance connection to inject an 'order reinforcement waveform' into node 2 in reverse. The Weaver body currently possesses Order-Chaos dynamic equilibrium characteristics, can resist entropy increase contamination, and can provide a temporary value anchor for node 2."

"Risk: The Weaver body may absorb part of the entropy increase contamination, leading to internal balance disruption."

"Success rate: 58%"

Lin Shen immediately connected to the pioneer: "Zhao Yan, select 'Stabilize node 2 connection'. Then have the Weaver body prepare for resonance reinforcement. The technology tree system will provide the waveform modulation scheme."

"But Sarah and the probe—"

"This is the only way to save that node. It is also an opportunity to prove to the Covenant that we have the ability to assume the responsibilities of a Weaver."

Inside the ship, Zhao Yan looked towards the medical area. The crystal of Sarah's consciousness was emitting a soft pulse, while the patterns on the surface of the nano-probe were rapidly calculating various possibilities.

"Zhou Zhe, execute."

"Understood."

The Weaver body was reactivated. Under the guidance of the technology tree system, Zhou Zhe began to modulate a complex resonance waveform—it contained the warm traits of "connection and persistence" from Sarah's consciousness, incorporated the resilience logic the probe had learned from human history about "finding a way out in desperate situations," and finally added a trace of "Order Defender" value fragments provided by Ashes from the Executive Court.

The waveform surged through the resonance connection network between the three nodes towards the distant Orion direction.

On the star map, the light filaments representing the connection began to brighten again. The downward trend of node 2's brightness slowed down.

But a new problem emerged: during the waveform transmission, the part of the Weaver body representing Sarah's consciousness began to "feel" the pain that node 2 was enduring—it was an intense pain of having its value structure forcibly torn apart and being infused with chaos and self-doubt.

In Sarah's crystal, those previously covered fragments of guilt were suddenly activated by this pain. They did not evolve into negative emotions again, but began to... transform. Guilt turned into "I understand your pain," turned into "You shouldn't have to bear it alone," turned into "I will share the burden."

She began to actively absorb the entropy increase contamination fed back from node 2.

It was not resistance, but inclusion.

The nano-probe detected this change. Its logic core began to calculate frantically: Sarah's behavior was completely irrational from a resource optimization perspective, which would endanger the Weaver body and even her own safety. But in its value assessment function, the weights of words like "sacrifice," "responsibility," and "connection" were soaring rapidly.

Finally, it made a decision that stunned Zhou Zhe:

The probe began to actively "weave" the most logically rigorous and structurally orderly parts of its matrix into a filter, blocking the space between Sarah's consciousness and the entropy increase contamination. It would use its own order to filter the chaos and protect that warm consciousness that was learning "inclusion."

"Logical deduction conclusion: Her way of existence is more 'beautiful' than my optimal algorithm."

"Therefore, protecting this beauty is the highest priority task."

The moment the filter was formed, the pressure on Sarah's consciousness plummeted. And the resonance waveform she released, mixed with the will to include and share, suddenly had its effect multiplied—node 2's brightness stopped falling and even began to recover slightly.

New evaluations appeared in the Cradle:

"Candidate performance record:"

"1. Actively chose to assist the damaged node (Responsibility +)"

"2. Innovative use of dynamic equilibrium waveform (Creativity +)"

"3. Individual consciousness demonstrated 'inclusive sacrifice' (Value purity ++)"

"4. Auxiliary consciousness entity autonomously evolved a 'guardian' tendency (Co-evolution +)"

"Comprehensive score: Grade A."

"First round of qualification test passed."

"Unlock rewards: Temporary node access permission (Cradle), web weaver protocol basic archive (partial)"

The milky white space began to change. Countless floating light screens appeared all around, flowing with massive amounts of Covenant runes and data streams—these were the records of galactic civilization activities spanning hundreds of thousands of years, value resonance network topology maps, and sealing archives of various high-risk consciousness entities saved by this node.

And in the center of all the light screens, a more complex star map slowly unfolded. This time, the positions of all seven nodes were marked; although the coordinates of the four offline nodes were blurry, their outlines were visible. The star map showed that if all seven nodes were activated, their resonance network could cover one-third of the important civilization regions in the galaxy.

But the star map also marked many red warning areas—these were "chaotic consciousness enrichment zones," "high-dimensional erosion cracks," and "known Pruning Faction activity zones." Near the Orion node, there was an expanding Pruning Faction activity marker.

Ashes walked to the star map, its finger pointing to the third online node in the direction of the Galactic Center: "This... is the location of the Executive Court's headquarters."

Zhao Yan was stunned: "Your Executive Court is a Weaver node?"

"No. But the headquarters of the Executive Court is built upon the 'physical shell' of that node." A complex expression flashed in Ashes' eyes, "Our first Presiding Judge was once one of the guardians of that node. Later, the node entered a sleep state for unknown reasons, and the Executive Court inherited part of the guardianship duties, but lost the permission to directly access the node's core. So... it requires seven nodes to coordinate to be fully activated."

It looked at the light structure in the center of the Cradle.

"If the web weaver protocol is fully restored, the activities of the Pruning Faction will be greatly suppressed—the resonance network can provide early warning of their entropy increase attacks, and can reinforce the value structure of civilizations to resist 'pruning'. This is why the Gardener Chief wanted to send out scout ships in advance, or even attack the nodes directly... they are afraid of this network being restarted."

Just then, the star map suddenly emitted a glaring red light. A new warning marker lit up in a desolate star region just two hundred light-years away from the Solar System.

Marker information:

"Signs of a 'Scavenger' type consciousness entity awakening detected."

"Awakening trigger: Incomplete high-order resonance fluctuation (Cradle activation + node 2 assistance)"

"Estimated arrival time at the nearest civilization zone (Solar System): 11 to 15 standard days."

"Threat level: Star-extinction level."

Scavenger. The thing Lin Shen had warned about before.

They were attracted by the incomplete order fluctuations and were coming to "clean up" the source that might disrupt the balance.

The runes of the Cradle changed again:

"Candidates face multiple crises: node 2 continues to be attacked, Scavengers are about to arrive, and their own civilization faces the threat of pruning."

"Final test content generated: Amidst the above crises, formulate and execute a sustainable 'regional web weaving plan' to prove the ability to maintain the stability of a local value network under pressure."

"Plan submission deadline: 72 standard hours."

"Available resources: current node temporary permission, protocol basic archive, own civilization and ally forces."

"Rewards for passing the test: official Weaver candidate qualification, secondary control of node 1 (Cradle), complete theoretical package for Dimensional Stability Anchor technology."

"Consequences of failing the test: revocation of temporary permissions, forced repatriation, the Cradle returns to sleep, and the Solar System will face all threats independently."

72 hours. Formulate a web weaving plan capable of dealing with Pruning Faction attacks, the Scavenger threat, and maintaining regional stability.

Zhao Yan looked at his crew, looked at Lin Shen in the direction of Earth on the screen, and looked at Ashes beside him.

Then, he calmly replied to the light in the center of the Cradle:

"We accept."