144: Progressing in an easy way

After the small interlude, work continued, but the atmosphere was completely different.

The Ling Tong Main Avatar hummed a cheerful tune, learned from some unknown plane, while processing data.

The blue lines on the sandbox representing the progress of the safe passage planning seemed to gain more vitality with the tune, steadily extending forward.

Brian refocused his attention on the riddle of the Sanctuary and the key, feeling his thoughts were much clearer.

Sometimes, momentarily stepping away from the problem itself can bring new inspiration.

"Spirit Eye," he said, his tone relaxed:

"While analyzing the data and planning the passage, also keep an eye out for anything... well, rather unique, something that looks like a key or is related to opening something, whether it's a symbol, an energy structure, or anything else. The clue might be hidden in some inconspicuous detail."

"Understood, Master! Leave it to Spirit Eye!"

The Main Clone responded with full enthusiasm, and new identification parameters were added to the massive volume of images and data transmitted back by the reconnaissance units.

Eric also stroked his chin, his projected gaze sweeping over the life source essence condensation pools and the strange terrain:

"Maybe the key isn't a physical object, but a specific energy frequency or... a piece of music? Haha, just kidding. But thinking about the problem in a relaxed way is actually quite interesting."

Relaxation spread.

The path of conquest was still full of challenges, but moving forward under heavy pressure was not the only option.

Occasionally stopping to appreciate the starlight dresses and lava candies by the roadside might make the subsequent steps lighter and more powerful.

Brian watched the Spirit Eye Avatar No. 5 happily trying on a new dress on the screen, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl into a faint, genuine smile.

Hmm, next time there's inter-plane delivery, he could consider bringing Eric some specialty flavors from his hometown.

After all, it must be tiring for this ally to pretend to eat candy while only being a projection.

The relaxed atmosphere acted like the best lubricant, allowing the massive war machine to operate more smoothly.

The planning for the safe passage advanced efficiently amid an atmosphere of high motivation.

The Ling Tong Main Avatar hummed a song, her fingers dancing lightly on the control panel, sending out optimization commands one after another.

On the sandbox, the blue light strip representing the safe passage was steadily infiltrating the inner interference zone like a slow stream.

"Reporting, Master! Phase one of the passage creation is complete! We have successfully cleared and 'pacified' a safe corridor five hundred meters wide and about fifty kilometers long in the outer area! Twelve temporary energy relay points and miniature outposts have been set up along the way!"

The Main Clone's voice carried the joy of completing a small objective.

"Very good." Brian nodded in satisfaction:

"Have the engineering units begin laying reinforced roads and the basic communication network. Next step, extend toward the 'Sanctuary,' and monitor changes in the rule repulsion force."

"Understood!"

Meanwhile, in the first-floor lounge area, the Spirit Eye Avatar No. 5 had already changed into the Nebula Tassel Dress.

The shimmering skirt swayed gently with her movements, as if she were wearing a piece of the starry sky.

Happily, she spun a few times in front of the energy-condensed mirror, then picked up a lava candy and carefully licked it.

"Hmm... although it's spicy, the more I eat it, the more addicted I get!"

She took a sharp breath and opened the magic net:

"Let's see what else is good to eat... Huh?"

Her attention was drawn to a recommendation column—

"Explore the Unknown? Start with your Taste Buds! Mystery Plane Specialty Snack Blind Box!"

"Blind box?"

Avatar No. 5's eyes lit up; this sounded very interesting!

She excitedly clicked on the details page, which stated that the box contained random mystery snacks from different unknown planes; they might be extremely delicious, or they might... well, require a bit of courage to taste.

"I'll buy one to try! And let Master and Mr. Eric have a taste too!"

She clicked 'Order' without hesitation.

After successfully placing the order, she happily shook the silver lightning pattern on her wrist, already looking forward to the moment the blind box arrived.

Just then, the War Room Clone reported with a hint of excitement, as if discovering a new continent:

"Master! While clearing a small life source essence condensation pool three kilometers to the left of the passage, we found something at the bottom of the pool!"

The screen displayed the image:

At the bottom of a small, emerald-glowing pool, a stone slab lay quietly.

The surface of the slab was covered with moss, but ancient, distorted symbols, never before seen, were faintly visible carved into it.

"These symbols look like the style of the 'ancient records' mentioned in the information stream!"

The Ling Tong Main Avatar also leaned in to analyze it.

"Retrieve it, handle it carefully, and send it back to the laboratory." Brian immediately ordered.

The advancement of the core mission was like adding acceleration runes to the gears.

The safe passage continued to extend, new discoveries followed one after another, and even the clue to the key seemed to inadvertently reveal the tip of the iceberg.

Brian took a sip of energy tea, feeling the peaceful flow of magic within his body.

He watched the Spirit Eye Avatar No. 5 excitedly browsing shopping websites on the screen, Avatar No. 3 directing the robots to retrieve the stone slab, and the Main Clone discussing the possible meaning of the newly discovered symbols with Eric... This state of busyness mixed with a sense of life, tension interspersed with lighthearted interludes, seemed quite good.

Conquering a plane might not just be for resources and power, but also for—

To experience more of the unique colors and flavors belonging to different worlds, like the Nebula Dress and the lava candy.

Of course, the prerequisite was to first knock open the door of the "Sanctuary" that held the answer.

"Spirit Eye,"

Brian put down his teacup, his tone as steady as ever, yet carrying a subtle hint of relaxation:

"Once the stone slab arrives, I and Avatar No. 2 (Laboratory) will immediately begin research. The passage creation will proceed as planned. Also..."

He paused, looking in the direction of Avatar No. 5: "...Remember to send one portion of that snack blind box to my laboratory when it arrives."

He was also a little curious about what the "surprise" from an unknown plane would taste like.

The Spirit Eye Avatar No. 5 immediately gave an OK gesture, her smile brilliant:

"Task guaranteed complete, Master!"

The lighting inside the laboratory was adjusted to a soft brightness most suitable for observation.

The stone slab retrieved from the bottom of the life source essence condensation pool was suspended in the central analysis field.

The moss and attachments on the surface had been carefully stripped away by the Spirit Eye Laboratory Clone using magic vibration, revealing its primitive material and the twisted symbols carved upon it.

Brian and Spirit Eye Avatar No. 2 (Laboratory) stood in front of the force field, their gazes focused.

Eric's projection was also nearby, stroking his chin with interest.