The concept furnace had never blazed so fiercely.
Six thousand two hundred and seventeen streams of light slowly revolved beneath the dome, like a galaxy taking shape.
Lin Ye stood at the center of the furnace, the Civilization River Cloak behind him as vast as a sea of stars. Six thousand two hundred and seventeen points of light flickered silently, making him look like a being who had stepped out of myth.
Radiant Stilllight stepped forward, leaning on the [Spear of Definition].
More than seven hundred new patterns had been inscribed on the spear-each a mark left by a rescued civilization.
"Tuner." He dropped to one knee. "All combat units of the New Era Network have assembled and await your orders."
"How many?"
"Twelve hundred elites, all willing to burn their essence to light the way for those who come after-warriors prepared to die."
"Prepared to die?"
Lin Ye turned, his gaze sweeping over the twelve hundred figures standing at attention.
He raised a hand, and six streams of silver-white light split from the cloak behind him and entered six of the warriors.
All six grunted, then their eyes cleared-the histories, joys, sorrows, and lingering wills of six civilizations had entered their minds.
"What I want are people who survive."
"Survive, and remember them. Survive, and make sure more people remember them."
All twelve hundred warriors dropped to one knee.
There were no cries, no oaths.
Only a silence so heavy that it brought spacetime to a standstill.
It was the silence of those entrusted with a burden.
Lin Ye nodded. "Good."
He turned toward the distant, cold radiance beyond the dome that belonged to the Archivist Network.
"Seven days ago, we rescued six thousand two hundred and seventeen forgotten civilizations from the Taotie Court."
"Today, we're going somewhere ten