23: Chapter 23 Signals from the Depths of the Mine

In the darkness, time seemed to stretch. Within the ventilation duct maintenance platform, there was only the sound of Lin Qiming's suppressed breathing, Xiao Haozi's occasional restless movements, and the cold scanning reports sent by Hephaestus every few minutes.

[External life signal cluster has entered the core range of Sector B-7, approximately two hundred meters from the original workshop entrance. Quantity confirmed: forty-seven. Multiple metal weapon reactions detected, including eight powder-driven firearms and one high-energy suspected Logging Gun. Movement pattern: dispersed search formation, medium advance speed.]

Lin Qiming leaned against the rusted pipe wall, his miniature flashlight turned off to save energy, leaving nothing but absolute darkness before his eyes. But his consciousness seemed to penetrate the thick layers of rock, "seeing" everything happening outside through the blurred images and sounds transmitted back by several hidden monitoring nodes.

In the feed from Node 1, swaying beams of light and moving figures appeared. The Iron Tooth Gang had indeed come, and with a massive lineup. They were much more cautious than last time; at the front of the group, someone held a heavy metal shield (likely a hatch door salvaged from abandoned equipment) to lead the way, while those behind used long poles to carefully probe every inch of the ground.

But some of the traps Lin Qiming had laid did not rely on ground triggers.

As the search party approached the final corner outside the cavern entrance, a thug walking on the flank accidentally brushed his shoulder against an almost invisible thin wire on the rock wall.

Buzz—!

The moment the thin wire snapped, a large bundle of sharp metal scrap and stones, suspended high on the rock wall by a system of ropes and pulleys, came crashing down! The coverage area was exactly the middle section of the team.

"Watch out above!"

Screams and angry curses rang out simultaneously. The monitoring footage shook violently, showing at least three or four people being struck and falling to the ground, while others scattered in panic.

But this was only the beginning.

In the chaos, someone stepped on a pressure plate Lin Qiming had preset. That was the first link in a chain-reaction trigger device.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Inside the cavern entrance and at the corners of the tunnel, three directional blast traps were detonated almost simultaneously! Flames expanded in the narrow space, and countless metal fragments, crushed stones, and even rusted iron nails that Lin Qiming had specifically added sprayed toward the entrance in a fan shape!

The monitoring screen was instantly filled with the flash and smoke of the explosion, then the camera of Node 1 seemed to be hit by shrapnel; the screen went black, and the signal was cut off.

But the roar of the explosion, even through thick rock layers and pipes, faintly reached Lin Qiming's hiding place, dull like distant thunder.

Xiao Haozi curled into a ball in fear. Lin Qiming tightened his fist, silently counting in his heart. These traps had consumed most of his gunpowder and material reserves; the effect should not be poor.

[Node 2 signal normal. A violent explosion was detected at the cavern entrance; multiple life signals are rapidly decaying or have disappeared. The external team has fallen into severe chaos and has temporarily stopped advancing.] Hephaestus's report confirmed the effectiveness.

However, the Iron Tooth Gang was clearly prepared this time and was fierce enough. The chaos lasted less than ten minutes before the Scar-faced Strongman's roar rang out again (captured via Node 2's audio, somewhat distorted but clear): "Don't panic! Shields forward! Drag the wounded to the back! Everyone else, charge in with me! He's just one person; once the traps are gone, he's just meat for the slaughter!"

Heavy footsteps and the sound of metal clashing approached once more. Node 2's screen showed several thugs holding heavy metal shields, braving the possible remaining scattered traps (though the main ones had already triggered), and forcibly charging to the metal plate door of the cavern entrance.

"Smash it open!"

Axes and heavy hammers began to frantically strike the door panel. Clang! Clang! Clang! The sound echoed through the pipes.

Lin Qiming remained expressionless. He had deliberately not reinforced that door to its limit just so they could "smoothly" break through and enter the next trap zone.

A few minutes later, accompanied by a loud sound of twisting metal, the door was smashed open. The shield-bearers were the first to pour in, followed by the rest of the crowd.

In Node 2's footage, the interior of the cavern was revealed—workbenches, the pool, the moss bed... and no one there.

"Where is he?!"

"Search! He must be hiding inside!"

The thugs scattered to search. Soon, someone discovered the entrance to the hidden room.

"There's a door here!"

They attempted to push open the door Lin Qiming had crudely made from metal plates. The door was easily knocked open.

Just as the last person stepped into the hidden room, the final and most "gentle" trap Lin Qiming had preset triggered—not an explosion, but sound.

In a corner of the hidden room, the maximum volume playback function of that old recording device was activated. Lin Qiming's previously recorded and processed voice erupted at maximum volume, creating a deafening echo in the enclosed space:

"Welcome to Deep Rock Workshop, scumbags! The gift has been delivered, I hope you like it! As for me... you'll never find me!"

The voice was full of mockery and provocation. More importantly, it drew everyone's attention, making them all look toward the source of the sound at that moment.

And at the very same second their attention was drawn—

Sizzle... Bang!

Electric igniters hidden under the processing tables and workbenches were triggered by a simple delay circuit. A faint electric spark ignited the small amount of gunpowder and tinder beneath.

Boom! Boom!

Two explosions, not particularly violent but enough to start a fire, erupted under the benches, instantly igniting the dry moss and rags soaked in animal fat piled nearby!

Flames surged up, quickly spreading to the wooden tabletops (some materials were wood) and the piled-up clutter. Thick smoke began to rise.

"It's on fire!"

"Put it out! No, get out first!"

The hidden room was suddenly in chaos. Some wanted to fight the fire, others wanted to run out, crowding at the doorway. Thick smoke soon filled the area, and Node 2's image became blurred, then the signal was interrupted as the camera was damaged by fire or smoke.

Lin Qiming cut the connection to the external nodes. He had done all he could. The traps had killed or injured some enemies, created chaos, and bought time; finally, a fire destroyed facilities in the workshop that might have been used and created further trouble.

Now, it was time to leave completely.

He took one last look in the direction he had come from in the pipe, where the noisy voices of people and the crackling of fire could still be faintly heard. Then, he turned around, facing the darkness deeper within the pipe.

"Hephaestus, scan the pipe path ahead, assess safety, and look for possible exits or large spaces."

[Scanning... The pipe ahead slopes downward at about thirty degrees, extending about fifty meters before a horizontal fork appears. The left fork shows structural collapse and blockage. The right fork is clear; after extending about eighty meters, the pipe diameter expands and connects to a larger underground space. Abnormal energy readings detected within the space.]

Abnormal energy readings? Lin Qiming felt a chill in his heart. In the Hive Bottom, abnormal energy usually meant danger: mutant creature nests, leaking radiation sources, unstable chemical pools, or... Warp pollution.

"Energy reading type? Intensity?"

[Reading types are complex, including weak Information-state fluctuations, low-intensity electromagnetic radiation, and energy residues of an unknown spectrum. Intensity is low but persistent. Cross-referencing with stc core database... 63% match: suspected dissipation characteristics of Ancient ones relics technology. 22% match: suspected Necrons technology residues. 15% match: Unknown.]

ancient ones relics? And possibly more than one site? And Necrons stuff too?

Lin Qiming's heart skipped a beat. Danger often coexisted with opportunity. ancient ones relics could significantly increase the stc core repair progress, which was his most urgent need. But Necrons stuff... was extremely dangerous and the mortal enemy of Ancient One technology; their energy fields might interfere with each other, producing unpredictable consequences.

To go, or not to go?

He glanced at Xiao Haozi. The little fellow seemed to have sensed something as well, appearing somewhat uneasy yet curious.

"Hephaestus, assess the risk of crossing that space directly and the possibility of bypassing it."

[According to the pipe structure scan, the right fork is the only viable path to the lower regions (the left is collapsed). Crossing the space is unavoidable. Risk level: Medium-high. Unknown energy fields may have negative effects on biological organisms, may attract dangerous creatures, and may trigger unknown mechanisms. Suggestion: High alertness, rapid passage.]

There was no choice. Either retreat to the workshop area being occupied and burned by the Iron Tooth Gang, or move forward and cross this place that might hide treasure or fatal danger.

Lin Qiming gritted his teeth. "Advance. Maintain maximum-level scanning; alert me immediately to any abnormalities."

[Command confirmed.]

He turned his miniature flashlight back on, the beam piercing the darkness and illuminating the dust-covered, cobweb-filled pipe sloping downward ahead. He adjusted his backpack, gripped his machete, and began to carefully crawl downward.

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

The inner wall of the pipe was slippery and the angle steep; he had to brace his hands and feet against the walls to control his speed.

Xiao Haozi was much more agile, scouting ahead and occasionally turning back to check on his safety.

The fifty-meter inclined pipe seemed endless.

Finally, a horizontal junction appeared ahead.

The left side was completely blocked by rubble and twisted metal.

The right side was a pitch-black opening, like the throat of a giant beast.

Lin Qiming crawled into the right-hand branch.

The pipe here was relatively flat, but the air began to fill with a strange smell—like ozone mixed with aged metal rust, along with a faint, indescribable "cloying" sensation that made one slightly nauseous.

[Environmental energy concentration rising. Informational state fluctuations increasing.] Hephaestus prompted.

After advancing another sixty meters or so, the pipe suddenly opened up.

The flashlight beam shone out, but could not see the opposite wall.

Lin Qiming crawled out of the pipe opening, his feet landing on solid but dusty ground.

He raised his flashlight and swept it around.

This was a massive underground cavern, seemingly a combination of a natural karst cave and artificial excavation.

The ceiling was very high, disappearing into the darkness.

The ground was rugged and uneven, scattered with massive, regularly shaped metal components—clearly the wreckage of some large-scale equipment.

On the walls, one could see traces of artificial reinforcement and ancient lighting conduits that had long since extinguished.

And the most eye-catching feature was located to the right of the cavern center.

There stood (or rather, was half-buried) a huge, polyhedral metal object, its surface covered in thick dust and mineral scale, yet its complex geometric shape and intricate patterns were still visible.

It was about three or four meters high, dark gold in its entirety, with damaged areas revealing shimmering crystal structures inside.

Around this large object lay many smaller fragments, some metal, some crystal.

Among these fragments, some were emitting extremely faint, multicolored lights: eerie blue, dark purple, sickly green...

And the stc core in Lin Qiming's arms began to heat up the moment he stepped into this space!

It wasn't a physical high temperature, but a kind of "resonance heating" originating from the informational level!

At the same time, at the edge of his vision, the game panel automatically popped up a series of urgent prompts:

[Warning! High-concentration homologous informational state radiation field detected!]

[Resonance initiated! Repair progress accelerating!]

[Energy absorption efficiency increased by 500%!]

[Unlocked data stream forced injection!]

[...]

Lin Qiming felt a wave of dizziness, as if massive amounts of fragmented information were flooding into the stc core along some invisible channel, and through the core's connection to him, assaulting his consciousness.

Countless bizarre and surreal images flashed before his eyes: the birth and annihilation of stars, mechanical constructs as large as mountain ranges sailing through the void, indescribable glowing entities performing incomprehensible rituals, the flames of war sweeping across the galaxy...

"Hephaestus! Stabilize the core! Filter the information stream!" He growled, bracing himself against a cold piece of metal wreckage to keep from falling.

[Attempting to stabilize... Information stream is too complex and incomplete... Initiating basic filtering protocol...] Hephaestus's voice also seemed to carry a hint of "strain," [Suggest subject focus your mind and attempt to guide the resonance, rather than resisting it completely. Resistance may lead to information overload damage.]

Lin Qiming forced himself to calm down, no longer trying to "block" the incoming information, but instead letting it flow through the stc core like channeling a flood, allowing Hephaestus to perform preliminary filtering and caching.

The intense dizziness subsided slightly, but that bloated pain of his mind being stuffed remained.

He looked at the massive polyhedron in the center of the cavern.

Without a doubt, this was the source of the resonance, a large-scale ancient one technology device—very likely a part of a "signal repeater," or some other apparatus related to it.

And those scattered glowing fragments were either pieces that had fallen off it, or other ancient ones relics fragments associated with it.

The energy signatures of some of these fragments were similar to the small fragments he had found before, but much stronger; others were completely different, emitting an unsettling, cold green fluorescence—that was likely the technological residue of the Necrons, two hostile technologies coexisting here in an eerie manner.

"What... on earth happened here?" Lin Qiming muttered.

Was it the remnants of a battlefield where an ancient ones facility was destroyed by Necrons? Or some kind of... experimental site?

He approached cautiously, avoiding those fragments emitting ominous green light, aiming directly for a larger crystal plate flickering with a warm, dark blue glow.

The crystal plate was about the size of two palms, embedded in a broken metal frame.

When he got within a five-meter range, the resonance of the stc core reached its peak, and the repair progress numbers began to jump crazily in his vision!

17.1% → 17.5% → 18.0% → 18.8% → 19.5% ...

It was rising almost every second!

At the same time, the energy reserves were also increasing slowly and steadily, absorbing the homologous energy dissipating in the environment.

He reached out and grasped the crystal plate.

It felt ice-cold to the touch, but inside, it seemed as if warm fluid was flowing.

[Contact: Large ancient ones information storage core fragment (moderately damaged).]

[Starting deep absorption...]

[Repair progress: 20.1% → 22.5%!]

[Energy gained: +8 ENU!]

[Unlocked damaged data fragment: Player Summoning Protocol · Framework (35%)!]

[Unlocked new blueprint: Basic Consciousness Projection Stabilizer (damaged)!]

[Warning: Hostile informational state contamination detected (Necrons phase marker). There may be active or dormant Necron constructs in this area. It is strongly recommended to leave as soon as possible after acquiring the required items!]

The Player Summoning Protocol repair progress jumped to 35% all at once!

A new blueprint had also appeared!

But Hephaestus's warning also made his hair stand on end.

Necron constructs?

Even the lowest-level Scarabs were not something he could handle right now.

He immediately looked around, his flashlight beam carefully sweeping over every shadowy corner.

He saw no signs of activity, but the presence of those green fluorescent fragments was a threat in itself.

He couldn't be greedy.

He quickly picked up two other smaller, blue-purple glowing ancient one fragment pieces nearby (avoiding all green-glowing fragments), and after absorbing them, his repair progress rose to 24.1%, and his energy reserves reached 35 ENU.

Then, he turned without hesitation and ran toward the other side of the cavern, toward an exit marker scanned by Hephaestus (a smaller, upward-leading natural rock crevice).

Just as he was about to reach the entrance of the rock crevice, a sudden change occurred!

In the center of the cavern, that huge polyhedral ancient one device suddenly emitted a low, hum that seemed to come from ancient times!

Immediately following this, the dim patterns on the device's surface suddenly lit up with a blinding golden light!

At the same time, those Necrons fragments on the ground emitting green fluorescence also seemed to be activated, their green light flaring up!

Two completely different, mutually hostile forces, in this enclosed space, after tens of millions of years, once again clashed violently!

Invisible energy ripples swept across the entire cavern, and the air crackled with popping sounds!

Lin Qiming felt as if he had been struck in the back by a heavy hammer; his entire body was thrown forward, crashing heavily at the entrance of the rock crevice!

[High-intensity energy opposition detected! Warning! Spatial stability decreasing!]

[Warp rift tearing tendency detected!]

[Recommendation: Escape immediately!]

Lin Qiming coughed up a mouthful of bloody spit, struggled to his feet, and dove into the narrow rock crevice without looking back.

Behind him, golden light and green light frantically intertwined and collided in the cavern, emitting thunderous roars, the entire underground space shaking violently, rubble falling like rain...

He climbed upward desperately, not knowing how long he had climbed, until the roaring and vibration behind him gradually weakened and disappeared, until his lungs burned like fire, until he couldn't squeeze any further, and only then did he collapse into a slightly more spacious, dark crevice.

The stc core in his arms was still warm, its repair progress fixed at 24.3%.

The Player Summoning Protocol was repaired to 35%.

New blueprints appeared in his mind.

He was still alive.

He had obtained valuable improvements.

But that cavern, those two ancient forces that had been entangled for tens of millions of years... were they just briefly disturbed, or would they be completely awakened?

Lin Qiming did not know.

He only knew that the secrets and dangers hidden in the deep darkness of the Hive Bottom far exceeded his initial imagination.

And between his stc core and these secrets, there existed some kind of profound resonance and connection that he did not yet fully understand.