radicalducati Page 261
Page 261
The crystals, which had previously only passively glowed, now seemed to come alive. They began to pulsate rhythmically, each pulsation making the golden light even more dazzling. Even more astonishingly, some smaller crystals began to detach from the inner wall, as if drawn by an invisible force, converging towards the center of the cavity.
Is this... self-repair? Lin Ye stared at this scene in shock.
In the center of the cavity, the detached crystals are recombining to form a more complex and sophisticated energy core structure. New neural networks are growing from the inner walls, coiling around this nascent core like living snakes.
[A sharp rise in the energy level of the biological construct has been detected.] The whisper carried an unusual hint of urgency. [The energy reading has exceeded the safety threshold; immediate evacuation is recommended.]
Evacuate now? Where do we go? Li Sha looked around with a wry smile. All the passageways were shaking violently, making it impossible to tell the way they came.
Suddenly, the shaking stopped.
An eerie silence fell over the entire cavity, broken only by the pulsating golden crystals. Then, a deep voice resounded directly in their minds; it wasn't language, but a pure communication of consciousness:
...Finally...it's here...
Lin Ye and Li Sha exchanged a shocked glance, both seeing disbelief in each other's eyes.
"Is that you speaking?" Lin Ye asked tentatively, while tightening his grip on the shard in his hand.
"...The holder of the key..." the consciousness responded, its voice tinged with barely concealed weakness, yet simultaneously possessing an awe-inspiring power... "Thank you for your gift..."
"What are you?" Lisa couldn't help but ask. "This ship? Or... something else?"
...I am Ara-gata...one of the last bloodlines of the Skywatchers...the consciousness slowly spoke, ...a long slumber...almost exhausted my life...
As their consciousnesses communicated, the surrounding crystals began to project blurry images. Lin Ye and Li Sha witnessed a breathtaking sight: in an endless sea of stars, a massive fleet of biological ships was sailing, their sizes comparable to asteroids, their surfaces covered with luminous biological crystals.
...That war... tore apart the stars...The voice of the Wild Fang carried deep sorrow...My people were almost completely wiped out...I was forced to slumber here...waiting...
The image transformation shows how Wild Fang discovered the wreckage of the ancient spaceship and how he used his last strength to capture it as nourishment to sustain life.
"How long have you been asleep?" Lin Ye asked.
...Time...has no meaning...Arakawa replied, ...but my energy...is about to run out...if it weren't for your arrival...
Suddenly, the entire cavity began to vibrate again, but this time it was not a joyful tremor, but rather a kind of urgency.
[Warning!] A whispered voice suddenly interrupted, [Abnormal fluctuations detected in outer space! Multiple unidentified ships are approaching!]
Lin Ye's heart sank: Were they pursuers?
[The energy signatures don't match. These ships...are larger and more powerful.]
Aragaki's consciousness was suddenly filled with vigilance and... anger?
...They've come...Wild Fang's voice turned icy...those destroyers...
The golden crystals projected a new image: three menacing black warships were emerging from the void, their hulls etched with a disturbing symbol—an abstract eyeball entangled in twisted thorns.
This is... Lin Ye stared at the symbol, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
Just then, the fragment in his arms suddenly began to vibrate violently, emitting an unprecedented heat!
The entire bio-ship emitted a deafening roar—not just a sound, but a soul-shaking howl. All the crystals simultaneously erupted with blinding golden light, and the neural networks pulsated like raging blood vessels.
Arakawa's consciousness was filled with resolve:
This time... I won't run away...
Lin Ye felt the temperature of the shard in his hand rising, as if responding to Huang Ya's rage. He looked at Li Sha and found that her face was also pale.
They awakened more than just a hungry biological ship.
What they awakened was a vengeful spirit from ancient times.
And the hunters have already come knocking.
Chapter 547 The Awakening Beast
The violent tremors within the passage gradually subsided, but a deeper, more powerful pulsation took its place, as if the colossal creature beneath our feet was awakening from a millennia-long slumber, stretching its stiff limbs. The previously sickly, flickering light on the inner walls now steadily emitted a vibrant golden glow, and the faint, sweet, fishy smell in the air was diluted by a refreshing sensation akin to ozone after rain.
"It...it's alive?" Li Sha leaned against the slightly elastic, even warm, inner wall, looking with lingering fear at the sticky stains left behind by the melting black arthropods on the ground. That attack was too fast and too fierce; if it weren't for the energy pulse erupting from the core heart, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Lin Ye didn't answer immediately. He gripped the still-warm fragment of the Key of Creation tightly in his hand, clearly feeling the connection between it and the biological ship named "Wild Fang" growing stronger and clearer. It was no longer a vague, instinctive response, but a... stream of consciousness, tinged with extreme exhaustion yet gradually becoming clearer.
“It’s not entirely a comeback,” Lin Ye said slowly, his gaze warily sweeping across the depths of the passage where golden light flowed. “It’s more like it was forcibly awakened from a near-death coma. It’s still very weak, but its consciousness is rapidly recovering.”
[Confirmed. The overall energy level of the biological construct 'Wild Fang' has significantly increased, exceeding the minimum maintenance threshold. Core consciousness activity is becoming more active.] A whispered voice calmly analyzed in his mind, [It is attempting to establish a more stable mental communication link.]
As if to confirm the whispered words, that deep, ancient consciousness resounded directly in their minds once more, much clearer and more coherent than before, though still bearing an undeniable weakness and age:
…The holders of the key…thank you for awakening them…
"You are 'Wild Fang'? This ship itself?" Lin Ye asked in his mind, while gesturing for Li Sha to remain vigilant. Although the fragments seemed to soothe the behemoth, one could never be too careful when facing a completely unknown ancient being.
…Yes…and no…” Arakawa’s consciousness responded, with a peculiar sense of reduplication, …Arakawa is my name…and also my race…the last vessel…our consciousness…is one with the ship…
As it spoke, blurry yet breathtaking fragments of images began to flow across the inner walls, which were composed of golden biological crystals—in the vast sea of stars, countless enormous biological ships of various shapes soared, some as steady as whales, others as agile as demonic birds, their bodies covered with dazzling biological crystal decks, radiating an awe-inspiring life force. However, the scene abruptly ripped apart, darkness descended, and countless ferocious black warships, marked with twisted thorns entwined around their eyes, swept across like locusts, destructive energy beams lashing out at these cosmic behemoths. The explosions and silent spiritual cries intertwined to create a final, apocalyptic elegy.
…The Destroyers…They brought the end…War tore the stars apart…My people perished…I was forced into eternal slumber…Awaiting my resurrection…
In the video, Lin Ye saw "Wild Fang" itself severely damaged, dragging its broken hull as it crashed into this desolate star field. Finally, using its last bit of strength, like a stranded whale capturing its prey, it pulled the wreckage of an ancient spaceship that had also crashed into it, and began to slowly absorb that negligible amount of energy to maintain a minimum level of life until today.
"So, those fleets outside with the thorny eyeball symbol are the 'Destroyers'?" Lin Ye grasped the key point, which coincided with the crisis warnings that the fragments in his arms kept sending.
…Yes…they chase the light of the origin…devouring all aliens…the aura of the key…will attract them…Deep fear and a rage suppressed for countless years surged within Wild Fang’s consciousness.
"The Light of Origin? Is this what you mean?" Lin Ye raised the fragment of the Key of Creation in his hand. The fragment resonated slightly in the golden environment, emitting a soft halo.
…It is…one of them…a fragment containing the very essence of life and creation…something the destroyer thirsts for…and the hope that awakens us…
Just then, a sentry's urgent warning broke the brief exchange through the communicator: "Lin Ye, Li Sha! External sensors have detected a high-energy reaction! Those three unidentified ships are attacking the energy membrane of the T-9 structure with all their might! The energy membrane is fluctuating violently, and its defense strength is continuously decreasing!"
Lin Ye and Li Sha's expressions changed simultaneously. The pursuers were indeed unwilling to give up!
"Wild Fang! Can you stop them?" Lin Ye asked immediately, as time was of the essence.
…Insufficient energy… The awakening and expulsion just now consumed a great deal of energy… The sustaining field cannot withstand their weapons for long… Wild Fang's response carried a hint of helplessness and anxiety. …I need more energy… to restore basic functions… including movement and defense…
Move! Lin Ye's heart skipped a beat. If Huangya could move, their chances of escaping this desolate place would greatly increase!
"What kind of energy do you need? Besides the fragments, our own database energy is almost depleted..."
…Pure high-dimensional energy is best…but any usable energy source will do…I can convert it…it's just a matter of efficiency… Huangya's consciousness swept over them, seemingly carefully sensing…Inside your spacecraft…there is an unstable high energy…but it's dangerous…filled with an aura of chaos and destruction…
It undoubtedly refers to that abnormal structure in the history log area that was sealed away layer by layer!
Lin Ye and Li Sha exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes. The biological ship's sensory capabilities were terrifying; it could detect what was inside even through the database shell and multiple seals.
"That's a dangerous entity we're sealing away; it absolutely cannot be used!" Lin Ye resolutely refused. Releasing that thing would only bring disaster upon themselves.
…Understood…then…there is only one choice…Wild Fang’s consciousness decisively shifted, pointing deeper into the passage…towards the core of the 'stomach sac'…where lies the core remnant I couldn’t fully digest…perhaps still containing usable energy crystals…to help me accelerate its extraction…
Assisting in energy extraction? That sounds much more reliable than directly confronting pursuers or releasing anomalous structures.
"Sentinel, how much longer can the database last?" Lin Ye needed a precise timeframe.
"Energy reserves: 0.9%. Internal seal stability: 67%. The rate of decline has slowed slightly due to external energy field interference, but the trend remains unchanged. The remaining safe time is estimated to be about 5 hours."
Five hours... Time still hangs like a sword of Damocles overhead.
“Alright! We’ll help you extract the energy!” Lin Ye decided immediately. “But in exchange, after you regain some of your abilities, you must ensure our safety and assist us in repairing or leaving this place!”
…The contract is established…The key holder and his companion…will be guests of the Wild Fang…A clear and solemn affirmation came from the Wild Fang’s consciousness. At the same time, the golden light in the passage ahead of them suddenly became brighter and more concentrated, like a path forged in light, pointing straight to the depths of darkness.
"Follow the light!" Lin Ye said to Li Sha, and the two of them immediately set off along the path of light without hesitation.
This time, the fleshy ground beneath their feet seemed to become more "proactive," with a slight, pushing, wriggling sensation that made their progress much easier. Golden energy flowed ceaselessly within the thick, vascularized energy channels on the surrounding walls, emitting a deep, melodious hum, as if the entire ship were singing.
They could clearly sense that this colossal cosmic beast, which had slumbered for countless years, was truly... breaking free of its shackles and awakening!
Meanwhile, on the exterior of the T-9 construct, the energy membrane that held up the last line of defense began to ripple with increasing intensity under the relentless and frenzied energy bombardment from the three Void Predator warships, threatening to shatter at any moment.
Chapter 548 Core Stomach
Guided by the golden light, Lin Ye and Li Sha moved swiftly along the biological passage. The passage became increasingly complex, with numerous branches and lymph node-like bulges appearing. Some muscle fiber-like tissue bands rhythmically contracted and relaxed, regulating the flow of energy.
It felt like exploring inside some kind of super-organism. Lisa exclaimed as she ran, still awestruck by the spectacle before her despite the danger.
Stay vigilant. Lin Ye gripped the explosive welding torch tightly. Although Huang Ya had shown goodwill, the interior of this bio-ship remained shrouded in mystery.
Fortunately, the fragments of the Key of Creation continued to emit gentle pulses, and wherever they went, the slightly writhing inner walls would calm down, as if to show their submission.
About ten minutes later, the passage opened up, and they were back in the huge stomach cavity.
The scene here has been completely transformed. The biological crystals on the inner walls of the entire cavity have turned into a dazzling gold, pulsating powerfully and illuminating the space as if it were daytime. Most of the neural networks that were originally wrapped around the ancient spaceship wreckage have retracted, leaving only a few of the thickest ones still connected to the power core area of the wreckage, but no longer drawing energy; instead, they seem to be transmitting a weak amount of energy to maintain the structure of the wreckage.
The wreckage of the ancient spaceship appeared even more dilapidated, with metal fragments constantly peeling off, except for the power core area, which was enveloped by a stable pale golden halo.
"That's it." Huangya's consciousness pointed to the halo. The remnant's energy was nearly depleted, but deep within its core, there should still be a stellar core battery that hadn't been completely decomposed. "Take it out and connect it to the main energy circuit for me."
A star core battery? Li Sha's eyes lit up. It sounded like a high-energy device! How do we retrieve it?
Lin Ye carefully observed the halo and the precarious wreckage below. The wreckage was extremely unstable, and the halo was located directly above a huge rift in the wreckage's abdomen. Below was a bottomless darkness, with broken cables faintly visible, flickering with dangerous electrical sparks.
The location is too dangerous, and the structure is unstable. Going directly there would probably be...
No direct contact is required. Wild Fang provides specific instructions; use the resonance of the key to guide your tools. The energy crystals will respond to similar energies.
Homogeneous energy? Lin Ye immediately understood. He took out the fragment and brought it close to the explosive welding torch. To Li Sha's surprise, golden patterns that echoed the fragment appeared on the metal shell of the welding torch.
Sentinel, an analysis tool for energy conduction adaptability.
Analyzing... The tool's energy circuit has undergone unknown optimization, increasing output efficiency by 15% and improving stability. It is speculated that this is due to remote empowerment by Huangya through fragments of the Key of Genesis.
"Very good!" Lin Ye agreed. "I'll guide the cutting, you stay on guard and provide support. Sentinel, continue scanning the wreckage for stability; issue an immediate warning if there are any signs of collapse!"
clear.
Lin Ye took a deep breath and walked to the edge of the cavity. Beneath his feet was a platform woven from thick neural networks, and through the gaps, he could see writhing biological tissue below.
He raised the enhanced high-energy welding torch and switched it to precision cutting mode. A beam of energy with a pale golden hue shot out, landing precisely on the edge of the pale golden halo surrounding the power core.
laugh--!
The energy beam merged perfectly with the energy halo of the Wild Fang, which was slowly sliced open to reveal an even more dazzling, molten crystal-like core. At the center of the core, a blue-white crystal the size of a human head, an irregular multifaceted shape, was suspended, its surface flowing with chilling arcs of energy.
"That's a star core battery!" Li Sha exclaimed, the energy reading was incredibly high! However... it doesn't seem very stable!
Indeed, the surface of that blue-white crystal was covered with fine cracks, and energy was flowing restlessly within it, as if it might explode at any moment.
Be careful, it's on the verge of collapse. Gently guide it, soothe it with the power of the key. The consciousness of the Wild Fang is urgent.
Lin Ye held his breath and poured more fragmented energy into the welding torch. The energy beam became softer, like invisible hands gently wrapping around the unstable star core battery.