A month later, on the lunar surface, Guanghan Palace Base.
Upon the gray-white lunar plains, a cluster of silvery-white buildings had already risen from the ground.
They were not temporary, makeshift capsules, but a true permanent base—formed by dozens of large module capsules connected together.
They formed a circular structure covering more than five thousand square meters.
The surface of every capsule was coated with a special radiation-resistant layer, gleaming with a faint metallic sheen under direct sunlight.
At the center of the base stood a tall flagpole. A red flag hung quietly at its peak in the vacuum, made from special materials that kept it unfurled even without wind.
At the entrance to the base stood a huge plaque engraved with three characters: Guanghan Palace.
Inside Guanghan Palace Base, Life Support Center.
The hatch opened, and two astronauts in work uniforms walked in.
"Oxygen concentration normal, 19.8%."
"Carbon dioxide concentration 0.03%. Purification system operating normally."
"Air pressure stable, 0.95 standard atmospheres."
A young technician recorded the data at the control console, muttering under his breath.
The screen before him was filled with densely packed figures constantly changing.
The life support system—this was the lifeline of the base.
Three months ago, this place had still been deathly silent. Now, massive oxygen-generation tanks operated around the clock.
They electrolyzed water into oxygen and hydrogen, then delivered them to every module through a complex circulation system.
Beside them, the water recycling system recovered, purified, and reused every drop of wastewater, achieving a recovery rate of over 85%.
Further inside was the agricultural research module.
Rows of LED plant cultivation racks stood neatly arranged, growing lettuce, bok choy, strawberries, and even several tomato plants.
They flourished beneath artificial light. A female astronaut was harvesting ripe lettuce, a satisfied smile on her face.
"Today's