Six months after the golden-blue Balance Crystal Core on the boundary wall stabilized, the Co-Prosperity Zone ushered in a true "rebirth".
The Star Spirit Clan's temporary settlement was built on the west side of the Tree of Chaos, where what was once a barren rocky wasteland had now been transformed into a floating garden by countless luminous star threads. The Star Spirit Clan's wings shimmered in the sunlight as they taught the cultivators of the Co-Prosperity Zone how to reinforce objects with star threads, while the cultivators taught them how to cultivate Symbiosis Grass —two completely different life forms that gradually merged through their interactions.
Xiao Yan's essence slowly recovered under the nourishment of the Tree of Chaos. He spent most of his time sitting at the foot of the tree, watching the various races come and go. Xiao He often brought him a newly drawn star map to ask for his advice. On the star map, the blank areas that originally represented the Hyperdimensional Interstice had been filled with dense star orbits by the Star Spirit Clan, marked with "safe routes" and "remnants of shattered planes".
"Chief Xing Yao said there are at least seven surviving civilizations in the Hyperdimensional Interstice," Xiao He said, pointing to seven points of light on the star map. "They are all barely surviving under the threat of the World Devourers. Should we...?"
"I'm going," Xiao Yan interrupted her, lightly touching the spot of light with his fingertip, "But not now."
He looked towards the top of the Tree of Chaos, where a slender branch had sprouted from the grayish-black fruit. At the end of the branch was a translucent "star," and within the star, one could vaguely see images of other planes—a "cross-plane perception organ" that the Tree of Chaos had spontaneously developed after absorbing the energy of the Balance Crystal Core.
" The Tree Spirit said that this star can be used to build a ' Star Bridge '," Xiao Yan said with a hint of anticipation. "But it needs enough 'samples of diverse laws' to be stable. The Star Spirit Clan's star threads are the first; we also need the core laws of other civilizations to allow the Star Bridge to adapt to the rules of different planes."
This news caused a stir in the Alliance Council. If the Star Bridge could be built, the Co-Prosperity Zone would no longer be limited to the Critical Star Domain, but could truly become a hub connecting the multiverse—this was the future that Xiao Yan had vaguely envisioned when he established the Chaos Anchor.
The first batch of " Star Bridge Envoys " was quickly formed: Xiao Yan personally led the team, Xing Yao accompanied them as the representative of the Star Spirit Clan (her star silk could initially stabilize the Star Bridge energy), Xiao He was responsible for recording the law samples along the way, Meng Ke led the elite of the Destruction Clan as guards. Their first stop was the " Crystal Core Civilization " marked by the Star Spirit Clan - a race that takes " Crystal Law " as its core and is good at building defensive fortifications.
The inaugural activation ceremony of the Star Bridge was held Tree of Chaos. Xiao Yan infused the star with the Power of Chaos, and the star instantly erupted with dazzling light, transforming into a pillar of light piercing the sky. The other end of the pillar connected to Star Domain shimmering with seven-colored light in the Hyperdimensional Interstice —the mother planet of the Crystal Core Civilization, " Crystal Light Star."
"The passage is 87% stable; it's passable." Xing Yao's wings fluttered slightly, star threads wrapping around the pillar of light, like railings added to a bridge. "But it can only last for three hours; we must return within the time limit."
As the group stepped into the pillar of light, the surrounding scenery instantly distorted. Unlike the turbulence of the shuttle ship in the Hyperdimensional Interstice, the interior of the Star Bridge was exceptionally stable. Golden and blue energy flowed around them like water, and they could hear countless subtle resonances of laws— the Star Bridge automatically adapting to the spatial rules along its path.
Half an hour later, the pillar of light dissipated, and they found themselves in a world made of colorful crystals. The sky of Crystal Light Star was pale purple, the earth was transparent crystal, the distant mountains shimmered with a metallic luster, and tiny crystal fragments floated in the air, emitting gentle energy fluctuations.
"Is anyone there?" Xiao He tried calling out, and her voice reflected between the crystals, turning into a series of pleasant resonances.
Suddenly, the crystal ground ahead cracked open, and a "person" composed of hexagonal crystals slowly rose up. It had no facial features, and the crystal on its head shimmered with a red light, clearly warily observing the outsider.
"The aura of the Star Spirit Clan... and... unfamiliar laws." The crystal-like voice rang out like colliding crystals, "You... have come seeking refuge?"
Xing Yao stepped forward, the starlight threads on her wings shimmering. "We come from the Co-Prosperity Zone to invite you. We have defeated the main force of the World Devourers and are building Star Bridge, hoping that all threatened civilizations can unite and share a safe living space."
The red light on the crystalline human's head flickered even faster. " The World Devourers... weren't their mother cores sealed away?"
"It's a temporary seal," Xiao Yan replied, the Power of Chaos condensing into a faint light in his palm. "But the fragments of laws in the Hyperdimensional Interstice are still constantly breeding new resentment. We need to unite all forces to completely eliminate the threat. Your Crystal Law excel in defense, which is exactly what we need."
The crystalline being remained silent for a moment, then the red light above its head gradually turned into a friendly green. It stepped aside to make way. "Come with me to see the chieftain. We really... can't hold on much longer."
The main city of the Crystal Core Civilization is a huge crystal dome. Beneath the dome, countless crystal people are busy repairing a huge crack—a wound left by the World Devourers. Although the mother core has been removed, the remaining resentment is still slowly eroding the core of Crystal Light Star.
"Our Crystal Law can absorb energy, but they cannot purify resentment." The Crystal Core Clan, a massive rhomboid amethyst, spoke wearily, "If you can help us clear the resentment from the cracks, we are willing to contribute samples of our Crystal Law, and even... join the Co-Prosperity Zone."
This was precisely Xiao Yan's purpose for this trip. He and Xing Yao joined forces, using the Power of Chaos to guide the star threads, like tiny scalpels, penetrating deep into the cracks little by little to completely purify the remaining resentment. The crystal man, on the other hand, used his own essence to reinforce the crystal dome, preventing it from collapsing during the purification process.
Three hours later, when the last trace of resentment was dispelled, the sky above Crystal Light Star turned an unprecedented azure. The Crystal Core Clan handed Xiao Yan a "Primal Crystal Core" containing pure Crystal Law: "This is our sincerity. We look forward to seeing our own Crystal Tower in the Co-Prosperity Zone."
On the Star Bridge back to the Co-Prosperity Zone, Xiao Yan gripped the Origin Crystal Core tightly in his hand. The crystal core was slightly warm in his palm, resonating strongly with the star particles of the Tree of Chaos. The pillars of light on the Star Bridge were more stable than when they arrived, and even fine crystalline patterns appeared on the walls of the passage—proof of the fusion of the law samples.
"The first Star Bridge... is a success." Xiao He looked at the stable point of light connecting to Crystal Light Star on the star map, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Xiao Yan gazed at the distant Hyperdimensional Interstice, where six points of civilization awaited discovery. He knew that building the Star Bridge was only the first step; the real challenge was how to enable civilizations with different laws and beliefs to achieve true "symbiosis" in the Co-Prosperity Zone —just as the Tree of Chaos embraced gold and black, the Star Bridge embraced light and shadow.
After their return, a new branch sprouted from the stardust of the Tree of Chaos. The stardust on the branch shimmered with seven-colored light, proof of the integration of the Crystal Law. The Tree Spirit conveyed a joyful thought: when all seven branches are covered with stardust, the Star Bridge will be able to reach every corner of the multiverse.
In the night of the Co-Prosperity Zone, the Star Spirit Clan Sky Garden and the Crystal Core Civilization's temporary Crystal Tower faced each other across the night sky. The blue light of stardust and the colorful light of crystals intertwined, forming a dazzling band of light. Xiao Yan stood under the Tree of Chaos, watching the various races moving back and forth in the band of light, a long-lost smile appearing on his lips.
He knew this was not the end of the story.
Deep within the Hyperdimensional Interstice, there may be undiscovered threats; the fusion of diverse civilizations will inevitably be accompanied by friction and collision. But as long as the Star Bridge continues to extend, as long as the Tree of Chaos continues to grow, and as long as the belief in protection continues to be passed down, this starry sky will forever move slowly towards "balance" and "symbiosis".
Their legend has only just begun to unfold.