The journey back to the Lighthouse was more urgent than the journey there.
The samples and data Neji had brought back needed to be analyzed as soon as possible, and his experiences deep within the Chaos Echo also required time to process. More importantly, the existence of the Dark Gray Crystal and the aftermath of that mental assault had given Neji a vaguer yet more tangible understanding of the Final Watch Plan's ultimate purpose.
As the Orderkeeper slowly docked at the Lighthouse platform, its energy levels once again neared the warning line. The Crystal Tower's glow remained gentle and constant, as though utterly indifferent to the passage of time and changes beyond its walls.
Keeper Seven stood silently before the entrance, the diamond-shaped crystal on its chest shimmering faintly. When Neji stepped onto the platform, Seven's mental voice came directly to him. "Watcher Candidate, welcome back. The Lighthouse has received the preliminary signal of your mission's completion. Please proceed to the Screening Chamber to submit your mission samples and data, then undergo further evaluation."
Neji gave Xuan and the others a few instructions, telling them to rest on the platform and replenish their energy. He then entered the Crystal Tower alone once more, climbing the spiraling staircase.
The Screening Chamber was as empty as ever, its formation silent. When he stepped into the center and placed the collected sample containers and data storage devices on the ground, the formation lit up again, and a pillar of silver light descended from the dome.
That vast, ancient voice sounded as expected.
"Watcher Candidate, mission completion assessment in progress..."
The sample containers and data storage devices were enveloped by the beam of light as invisible scanning rays meticulously analyzed every item. In particular, the Echo Crystals collected from the inner edge, along with