After the Memory Anchor of the Star Domain of Oblivion stabilized, the Web of Laws of the Co-Prosperity Zone underwent a significant "growth." The dark golden light representing "ancient memories" merged into the Six-Colored Halo, forming a brand-new "seven-colored halo." As the halo rotated, the dark golden patterns, like tree rings, flowed slowly through the other six-colored lights, closely connecting the "past" and "present" of the universe.
The changes in the Tree of Chaos are the most obvious. On its trunk, dark golden growth rings intertwine with the gray-gold of the Primordial Law, with each growth ring corresponding to an ancient civilization that has been awakened. On the surface of the gray-black fruit at the top of the tree, a complete "ancient star map" emerges. When it overlaps with the star map projection of the Co-Prosperity Zone, one can clearly see how the laws of the two eras are inherited from one another.
"These growth rings are 'recording' things." Xiao He stroked the newly formed lines on the tree trunk, a slight vibration emanating from her fingertips. " The Tree Spirit said that every expansion of the Web of Laws, every addition of a new civilization, leaves its mark here, just as history books record every important moment."
By analyzing the vibrational frequencies of the tree rings, the Star Patrollers made an even more astonishing discovery: these tree rings not only record the laws of known civilizations, but also hide some "unactivated" dark patterns—these correspond to areas on the star map that have never been explored before, suggesting that there are more ancient civilizations sleeping, waiting to be awakened.
"We cannot rush to awaken all civilizations," Qing He cautioned in the Alliance Council, pointing to a projection of tree rings. "The vibration frequencies of these dark patterns vary; some are compatible with existing laws, while others carry strong 'conflict warnings.' It's like opening a dusty box; we need to first determine whether it contains treasure or poison."
The polyhedral messenger of the Geometry Clan projected a probability model. "According to calculations, 73% of inactive civilizations are likely 'peaceful,' while 27% pose a potential risk of conflict. We can begin by exploring the dark patterns whose vibrational frequencies are closest to the seven-colored halo."
Ultimately, the council decided to establish the " Growth Ring Exploration Team," with Xiao He as the captain. The team members included the Dream Guardian of the Dream Clan, the Analysts of the Geometry Clan, and the Time Guides of the Time Condensation Clan. Their mission was to gradually awaken the dormant ancient civilization based on the vibration frequencies of the dark patterns in the annual rings, proceeding from high to low according to "compatibility."
The exploration team's first stop was an ancient planet known as " Echo Star." According to the dark patterns on the tree rings, a civilization once existed here with " the Law of Sound " at its core—they could weave laws with sound and build worlds with melodies, but they fell into slumber during a cosmic "silent period."
The surface of Echo Star is covered with thick sonic crystals that can record and amplify surrounding sounds. When the exploration team's starship landed, the crystals emitted a long, resonant sound, as if welcoming long-awaited visitors.
"They are 'responding' to our arrival." The Dream Guardian closed his eyes, and pale purple light merged into the crystal. "I can hear the melody sealed within the crystal, an ancient ballad about 'harmony'."
Xiao He took out a tender leaf from the Tree of Chaos and placed it on the largest sound wave crystal. The Primordial Law within the leaf resonated with the Law of Sound of the crystal, and countless flowing musical notes appeared on the surface of the crystal. These notes converged in the air, forming a "bridge of light" made of sound, leading to the core of the planet.
At the core stands a colossal "tuning fork tower," its spire inlaid with a " Sound Source Crystal " emitting a soft white light—the core of the Sound Civilization and the reason they have fallen into slumber.
" The Sound Source Crystal's energy is almost depleted." Xiao He looked at the cracks in the crystal and understood. "The cosmic silence period has deprived them of 'sound nourishment,' just like a singer who has lost their audience and can only remain silent in the end."
The analysts from the Geometry Clan immediately reconstructed the energy cycle of the Sound Source Crystal using high-dimensional mathematics. "We can 'recharge' it using the resonance of the seven-colored halo! The compatibility between the Law of Sound and the Law of Balance is as high as 91%, and as long as an appropriate amount of Power of Chaos is injected, it can be made to emit sound again."
Xiao He infused the Power of Chaos into the Sound Source Crystal. At the same time, the Dream Guardian used the Law of Dreams to awaken the dormant consciousness within the crystal, while the Geometry Clan adjusted the frequency of the energy injection to ensure perfect harmony with the Law of Sound.
Three days later, as the first rays of sunlight shone on the tuning fork tower, the Sound Source Crystal suddenly burst forth with dazzling light, and a pure "primordial sound wave" shot into the sky, spreading throughout the entire Echo Star. Wherever the sound wave passed, the sound wave crystals lit up, and ancient songs echoed across the planet's surface. The members of the slumbering Sound Civilization —a group of beings with transparent wings and bodies shaped like musical notes—slowly awoke from the crystals.
"We... have finally received a 'response'," the chieftain of the Sound Civilization said in a melodious voice, his body composed of countless flowing musical notes. "Thank you for bringing a 'new melody,' allowing our songs to continue to be sung."
The awakening of the Sound Civilization has added a new dimension to the Web of Laws. They can transform the laws of different civilizations into unique "law melodies"—for example, transforming the resilience of the Power of Destruction into a deep bass, the potential of the Flowing Colors Clan into a lively treble, and the balance of the Power of Chaos into a main melody. These melodies intertwine to form a "cosmic symphony" that transcends races.
When the exploration team returned to the Co-Prosperity Zone with the messengers of the Sound Civilization, a bright gold symbol representing the " Law of Sound " appeared in the seven-colored halo. On the rings of the Tree of Chaos, the newly added patterns shimmered in the sunlight, resonating harmoniously with the other patterns, as if they were humming that ancient harmonious song together.
Xiao He stood by the tree, listening to the melody flowing from its rings, her heart filled with hope. She knew this was just the beginning of the exploration; countless hidden patterns within the rings awaited activation, and countless songs awaited to be sung.
The rings of the Web of Laws will continue to grow and enrich with each exploration and awakening, ultimately becoming an "epic of balance" engraved in the universe, belonging to all civilizations.
In the distant sea of stars, the vibration frequency of the next dark pattern is increasing, a call from another ancient civilization, waiting for the exploration team to respond, to listen, and to compose a new melody together.