Passing through that invisible force field barrier was like passing through a warm water curtain; the sounds of pursuing artillery fire and the chilling killing intent vanished instantly. The Ark Maxim trembled slightly and entered a completely new space.
Inside the cabin, everyone was speechless with awe at the sight outside the observation window.
This was not the barren lunar surface covered with craters they had imagined, nor was it completely shrouded in darkness. Within the force field was a huge artificial ecological dome, covering a vast basin on the far side of the moon. The inner walls of the dome simulated blue skies and white clouds, and even had a small, softly glowing artificial sun providing light and warmth.
However, this world, known as the " Endless Vearth," is permeated with a lingering sense of desolation and decay.
As far as the eye can see, there is a vast and dilapidated silver urban ruin. The towering buildings have beautiful and smooth lines, full of futuristic technology, but most of them have collapsed or are covered by thick cosmic dust. Places that may have been bustling streets are now empty, with only some small, oddly shaped cleaning robots gliding by like ghosts, cleaning up the dust that can never be cleaned up.
Some areas still bear the charred marks of an energy overload explosion, or huge gaps that seem to have been torn apart by some terrifying force. There is no sound of life in the air, only the faint hum of the spaceship's engines and eternal silence.
There are no plants, no rivers, only cold metal, smooth crystals, and lifeless ruins. This is the tomb of a civilization, a silent witness to a lost glory.
"This... is this the Endless Vearth?" Usopp's voice carried disappointment and a hint of coldness. "It looks like a giant junkyard..."
"It's not a junkyard," Robin's voice carried a heavy tone and pity, "It's a... lost home. The lunar civilization, it seems, ultimately couldn't survive here either."
Chopper sadly lowered his head. "There's no sign of life... Where did they all go?"
Looking at the desolate ruins, Nami's initial expectation of treasure vanished, replaced by a strange sadness.
Even Luffy stopped smiling, pressed down his Straw Hat, and silently gazed at the enormous ruins.
Franky, however, was more focused on the structure of the buildings and the remaining traces of technology. "These building techniques... are amazing! Even in such a dilapidated state, the structure hasn't completely collapsed! SUPER-- ancient technology!"
Allen's perception spread like mercury, quickly covering the area. He sensed a strong, lingering sadness and resentment, but also caught a faint, yet incredibly tenacious, life force! And a more core energy source, originating from the same source as the Ark Maxim and the Star Chart!
"No, it's not completely silent." Allen suddenly spoke, pointing towards the city center, where there was a relatively well-preserved, pyramid-shaped silver building with a huge, crystal-like structure at the top that was flashing a faint white light at an extremely slow frequency.
"There are faint signs of life there, and a... still functioning energy core."
This news was like a stone thrown into stagnant water, creating ripples.
"Someone's still alive?!" Luffy's eyes lit up instantly.
"Life signs? Energy core?" Franky exclaimed excitedly, "Could it be the central hub of this city?"
"Let's go take a look!" Robin said immediately, his archaeologist's instincts fully activated.
The Ark Maxim landed slowly in a relatively open plaza in front of the pyramid structure. The group disembarked, their feet rustling on the fine dust-covered ground, the sound particularly clear in the silent world.
They approached the entrance to the pyramid—a massive, tightly closed silver metal door. The door was covered with intricate patterns, and had a groove in the center.
Robin carefully examined the patterns on the door, then glanced at the Star Map Tablet in Allen's hand, his eyes flashing. "The shape of this groove... seems to match the edge of the slab."
Upon hearing this, Allen carefully inserted the Star Map Tablet into the groove.
"Click..."
With a soft click, the stone slab fit perfectly into place. The patterns on the door lit up with a gentle white light, as if they had been infused with life. Then, the heavy metal door slid open slowly to the sides with a low, grinding sound, revealing a deep passageway inside, filled with soft light.
An even richer, more ancient aura, accompanied by the resilient pulse of life, emanated from the depths of the passage.
The Straw Hat Pirates exchanged glances, nodded, and stepped into the last stronghold of the lunar civilization.
Will they be facing survivors? Artificial intelligence? Or... the last messages and legacy left behind by this lost civilization?
The truth of the Endless Vearth is right before your eyes.