The passage to Uranus's core was no corridor in the physical sense, but a bizarre, treacherous path formed from pure energy turbulence and folds in space. Rampaging silver-white energy surged like an out-of-control waterfall, carrying dark-red beams that siphoned life as it battered through the narrow passage. The air reeked of pungent ozone and held a cold, oppressive weight that reached deep into the soul.
Lin Yan spread his pale-gold World Flame domain, shielding Robin behind him as he struggled forward like a reef resisting the current. The domain's edges continually annihilated the incoming energy turbulence with sizzling sounds, consuming enormous amounts of power. Robin concentrated on recalling the records of Uranus's internal structure in the system data, guiding Lin Yan along a relatively safe route.
The deeper they went, the clearer that cold, lofty will became. It seemed omnipresent, seeping into every strand of energy and every inch of metal wall, as though the enormous wreck itself possessed life and consciousness, coldly watching the two tiny ants that had intruded into its heart.
"Turn left. There should be a buffer chamber three hundred meters ahead, a maintenance node from the old era. We might be able to avoid the main energy flow there for a while," Robin shouted over the deafening roar.
Lin Yan turned as instructed, forcibly opening a relatively stable space, and the two slipped into a dusty circular chamber where most of the instruments were broken. In its center, a console-like device still flickered with faint blue light.
Temporarily free of the energy turbulence's direct impact, both breathed a sigh of relief, but their nerves remained taut.
"Imu's will has completely permeated this place," Lin Yan said gravely, his golden eyes scanning their surroundings. "He's watching us through Uranus's core, even... actively directing the energy turbulence