82: Chapter 81 The Shadow of the Countdown
The prismatic crystal grew slightly warm in Lin Shen's hand, its internal nebula-like substance accelerating in rotation and resonating more strongly with the milky-white corridor. The path ahead seemed to have sensed the "key." On the wall a hundred meters away, which had previously appeared as an endless, straight corridor, a new archway with a faint golden halo flowing along its edges slid open silently.
"Authorization upgraded, path opened." That cold, neutral voice resonated directly in the four people's consciousness again, without extra explanation.
"Move." Lin Shen led the way. Time was their greatest enemy.
Passing through the archway, the environment changed abruptly. They entered a much grander spherical space, likely exceeding five hundred meters in diameter. The "floor" of the space was the milky-white material extending from under their feet, but the "walls" and "dome" were composed of continuously flowing, shifting star maps and complex energy structure projections, as if they were inside a dynamic model of the universe. In the center of the space floated hundreds of milky-white cubes of varying sizes, revolving slowly; the surface of each cube flashed with different symbols or dynamic images.
"This looks like a... control center or knowledge index hall." Elena looked up at the cubes. "Each cube might represent a certain type of knowledge or functional module stored in the Cradle."
Lin Shen raised the prismatic crystal in his hand. The crystal emitted a faint golden beam, sweeping across the nearest batch of cubes. The cubes touched by the beam reacted immediately: some had surface symbols light up, projecting brief introductory information (translated directly into consciousness); others vibrated slightly, emitting harmonics of different frequencies; a few dim cubes remained unresponsive after the beam swept over them.
"The crystal allows us to 'identify' and 'initially interact'." Lin Shen interpreted the feedback information. "The ones that lit up are primary or partially open modules we already have permission to access. The ones vibrating might require higher authorization or specific conditions. The dim ones... are likely completely locked or damaged parts."
His gaze quickly swept over the projected information of the lit-up cubes: "Basic Environmental Maintenance System Overview", "Principles of Primary Spirit Particle Field Regulation", "Civilization Information Recording and Retrieval Protocol (Incomplete)", "Basic External Threat Analysis Database (Old Version)", "sower Ethical Guidelines (Abstract)"...
These were precious knowledge, but not the "weapons" or "defensive means" they urgently needed.
"Search for modules related to 'defense', 'weapons', and 'planetary anchor control'!" Lin Shen said to Elena, while scanning quickly himself.
"Here!" Elena pointed to a larger, slowly rotating cube, its surface projecting dynamic images similar to energy barriers and orbital defense facilities. "'Regional Spirit Particle Shield Generation Theory (Basic)', Access Authorization: Temporary Visitor - observer (Can view theoretical framework and energy consumption models, no specific construction blueprints)."
"And this one!" Zhao Yan pointed to another cube with images similar to network node connections on its surface. "'Secondary Anchor (Planetary Defense Node) Status Monitoring and Basic Coordination Protocol (Requires Inheritor authorization or authorization from the anchor itself)'... We need higher authorization."
Authorization, it was always authorization. They were like having entered a heavily guarded treasury, where their temporary pass only allowed them to look at the display signs in the showroom, but not open the safes containing the actual items.
Lin Shen frowned. The technology tree system was frantically absorbing the theoretical frameworks of those open modules, and many related branches were rapidly enriching and growing, but this required time to convert into actual capabilities. And the scissors of the Pruning Faction would not give them that time.
"Is there a way to quickly upgrade authorization? Complete a higher-level trial?" Medical Officer Topologist asked the key question.
As if responding to his question, the group of slowly revolving cubes in the center of the hall suddenly changed their trajectories and scattered outward. A cylindrical platform rose from the "floor" in the center of the hall, and new consciousness projection information appeared on the platform:
"Deep Interaction Protocol detection initiated."
"Detected that temporary visitors are carrying 'Basic Potential Certification' and 'Primary Knowledge Base Access Key'."
"Detected external high-threat targets approaching, posing a direct threat to the Cradle and associated candidate civilizations."
"Emergency Protocol initiated: Risk Assessment and Potential Catalysis Trial."
"Trial Content: Collaborative Cracking. Objective: Utilize existing authorization and knowledge to design a temporary joint defense plan in a simulated environment to counter the current level of threat ('Pruning Faction' infiltration units) and verify its basic feasibility."
"Resources: Open all knowledge modules accessible to 'Temporary Visitors'. Limited calls to Cradle simulation computing resources allowed."
"Time Limit: 12 hours of simulation time (external time flow ratio 10:1)."
"Success Reward: Granted 'Crisis Response Temporary Collaboration Authorization', opening partial defensive technology blueprints and limited control interfaces for Cradle local defense systems."
"Failure Consequence: No direct punishment, but the failed assessment will be recorded, affecting the final Inheritor evaluation. Loss of real time."
A lifeline, but also a more severe test. It was no longer an assessment of character, but a direct test of learning ability, innovation, and collaboration under extreme pressure. Moreover, 12 hours of simulation time meant about 1.2 hours of real external time would pass. They had to come up with a plan that could convince the Cradle within this time.
"We have no choice." Lin Shen looked at his teammates. "We must accept. Zhao Yan, you are responsible for assessing the threat and designing interception plans from a military and tactical perspective. Elena, you and I will work together to fully digest and absorb all open theories on spirit particle shields, energy weapons, and consciousness interference, and find points of integration. Medical Officer Topologist, you monitor our physiological states and try to understand the Cradle's simulation environment and resource calling logic from a system level to see if there are any exploitable loopholes or room for optimization."
"Understood!" The three replied in unison.
The cylindrical platform shone brightly, enveloping the four of them. Their consciousnesses were drawn away again, cast into a highly realistic simulation environment—a simplified model of the Solar System, with the focus on the Moon and Earth. Red dots representing the Pruning Faction infiltration units were approaching at high speed from several directions. They could call upon the "Tool Library" representing their existing knowledge modules that appeared nearby, as well as a small portion of blue light streams representing the Cradle's simulation computing resources.
The countdown began.
At the same time, Lunar orbit, Kunlun station.
Chief Geologist Xu Feng stared at the integrated tactical screen, his face grim. On the screen, seven light dots representing Pruning Faction infiltration units were breaking through the outer warning network composed of Star Ring and traditional detectors along eerie, flickering trajectories, approaching the Moon. Their speed was extremely fast, and their stealth level far exceeded the detectors destroyed last time.
"Star Ring consciousness interference network is operating at full power, but the effect on predicting their trajectories is very poor!" The operator reported. "They seem to have adopted more advanced spirit particle noise shielding and random trajectory algorithms!"
"Launch all defense turrets at Kunlun station, activate the hidden missile arrays preset on the lunar surface!" Chief Geologist Xu Feng ordered. "Send a message to Earth, request support from Tianshu station (if the Qingtian channel allows) and any possible orbital defense platforms! Must not let these things get close to the Cradle area!"
Earth, Ling Shu Base.
Minister Li Weimin and Academician Chen Qiming were overseeing the main control center. The atmosphere was so heavy it could be wrung out like water.
"The Qingtian channel has just stabilized, transport capacity is limited, and heavy defense platforms cannot be quickly deployed." Dr. Zhou Zhe reported. "Tianshu station's own defensive weapons are mainly for defending against meteorites and small debris, with insufficient firepower. The Earth orbital defense network is adjusting its aim, but it takes time, and long-range interception accuracy will drop."
"What about the Gardener side?" Minister Li Weimin asked.
The light and shadow of Gardener Representative Qi flickered: "The main force of our Guardian Faction fleet is too far away to make it in time. We can try to provide more precise tactical feature analysis of the Pruning Faction units and remotely enhance the specific frequency interference capability of the Star Ring, but the effect cannot be guaranteed. Also... we have detected abnormal energy activity peaks inside the Cradle, which may be related to Commander Lin Shen and his team's actions."
"They must be fighting for it!" Academician Chen Qiming clenched his fists. "We must hold on here! Launch the first phase of the 'Spark' plan, mobilize all available near-Earth orbital spacecraft, equip them with simple interference or impact modules, even if it means colliding, we must delay their speed!"
A hasty, asymmetric defensive war was forced to begin before humanity was fully prepared.
In the simulation environment, time flew by.
Lin Shen and Elena's consciousnesses were like high-speed processors, frantically absorbing, deconstructing, and reorganizing those theoretical modules. Zhao Yan constantly converted abstract theories into concrete tactical assumptions: How to use lunar terrain to set up spirit particle sensing traps? How to concentrate limited energy shields in the most critical directions? How to use the consciousness interference network in conjunction with physical kinetic weapons to deal with those highly stealthy targets?
Medical Officer Topologist discovered a feature of the simulation environment: The "realism" of the simulation computing resources provided by the Cradle was not entirely constant. When their proposed plan applied certain theories closer to their core principles and the logic was more self-consistent, the simulation's computing resources seemed to unconsciously "tilt," providing more refined simulation feedback, as if the Cradle itself was also looking forward to an excellent answer.
"It is guiding us! It is also learning our thinking patterns!" Medical Officer Topologist reminded.
Lin Shen understood in an instant. This was not just a simple test, but a "co-creation." They needed to come up with a plan that was not only effective but also full of "creativity" and "potential," a plan that would allow the Cradle to see the unique problem-solving approach of human civilization in a crisis.
"Adjust the direction!" Lin Shen shouted in the consciousness link. "Don't just pursue the optimal interception rate! Design a plan that reflects the fusion of our 'consciousness network', 'spirit particle technology', and 'traditional technology', reflecting our 'adaptability' and 'layered elastic defense' thinking when dealing with unknown threats! Zhao Yan, design a few 'weaknesses' that are deliberately exposed, but with counter-attack traps connected behind them! Elena, design the spirit particle shield to be locally reinforced and quickly transferable, showing flexibility!"
With the shift in thinking, the plan iterated rapidly. They were no longer just mechanically combining tools, but began "telling a story," telling the story of how a young civilization with immature technology but full of ingenuity and resilience used limited cards to deal with a high-intensity surgical strike.
At the 11th hour of simulation time, the plan was finalized. It was not perfect, with an estimated interception success rate of only 67.3%, but the plan was full of ingenious linkage designs and utilization based on the advantages of human consciousness networks, demonstrating an organic defense philosophy different from simple technology stacking.
They submitted the final plan.
The simulation environment froze, then receded like a tide.
The four returned to the spherical hall, and the light of the cylindrical platform gradually faded.
That cold voice sounded again, but this time, it seemed to have a trace of extremely faint, imperceptible "emotion"?
"Collaborative Cracking trial ended."
"Plan evaluation: Technical feasibility - medium, innovation - high, tactical flexibility - high, compatibility with candidate civilization traits - excellent."
"Comprehensive judgment: Passed."
"Granted 'Crisis Response Temporary Collaboration Authorization (Level 1)'."
"Opening technology blueprints: 'Modular Spirit Particle Sensing/Interference Array (Simplified Version)', 'Adjustable Focused Spirit Particle Shield Generator (Principle Prototype)'. Opening temporary control interface for Cradle Antarctic cavity peripheral defense system (25% power), time limit: until current threat is lifted."
"Warning: Practical application risks are borne by yourself. Cradle main defense system remains locked."
It worked!
At the same time, Elena's portable device received an emergency communication from the Kunlun station on the lunar surface. The signal was extremely distorted due to the environment inside the Cradle, but the key information was still identifiable:
"...Infiltration units broke through the first interference network... estimated contact within twenty minutes... already engaged in fire..."
The battle in reality had already begun!
Lin Shen clenched his fists, sharp light flashing in his eyes.
"Learn the open technology blueprints immediately! Zhao Yan, prepare to receive the defense system control interface! Our 'answer sheet' has passed, now, it's time to put the 'answer' into practice!"
The shadow of the countdown had turned into a blade coming head-on.