Echoes and Choices

The stone chamber was deathly silent, making it hard to breathe. The metal panel went completely dark.

Shen Moxin's lips trembled as she rushed forward, only to be stopped by Shi Jian's iron-like arm. "Calm down!" Shi Jian roared, "All three 'probes' are broken! It's the energy field over there actively shielding us!"

"But you saw it! Wasn't that...?" Shen Moxin's voice trembled uncontrollably.

"I saw it." Shi Jian's throat bobbed. "I can't see clearly."

This one sentence caused an uproar.

"It's definitely humanoid! But why isn't it moving?"

"An energy projection? Or a residual consciousness?"

"It could be a trap! What strange things can't happen in that godforsaken place?"

"But the compass signal is still there!" Li Wangye pointed at the Rock- solid green compass in Shen Moxin's hand, his voice rising, "If it were a corpse, could the energy be this stable?"

"Shut up, all of you!"

Yun Youzi stood at the doorway, clutching an old bronze mirror that rippled like water. The old man's eyes were wide open, his sharp gaze sweeping over every face. "Something's wrong outside. Those flies that were scared away a few days ago on the outskirts of the Black Stone Mountain Range have returned. They've gotten bolder."

He touched the mirror with his thin finger, and several faint, moving outlines of light appeared in the center of the ripples.

"At least three groups of people are positioned to the northeast, due north, and northwest of the ruins, the closest being no more than twenty li away from us as the crow flies. They are observing and tentatively inching their way in," Yun Youzi said in a deep, resonant voice. "Why? Because it's too 'quiet' here."

A chill ran down everyone's spine.

Since Lu Yuan entered the stone gate, the energy turmoil in the rift subsided, and the ruins area fell into a strange "calm." There were no eruptions, no tremors, and even the surrounding turbulence weakened. This calm was a source of hope for "Spark," but for external forces, it was a temptation that "the danger has passed."

"They're guessing whether the 'treasure' inside has stabilized, or... whether someone has gotten their hands on it." Yun Youzi's lips twitched, devoid of any smile. "' Spark's ' base can't be hidden anymore. By tomorrow at the latest, some fearless individuals will definitely have made their way to the outer perimeter. At that time..."

Fight or run? If we fight, our remaining forces might be able to deal with scattered scouts, but attracting a team of Soul King or higher would be annihilation. If we run, we must retreat immediately and abandon everything.

But what about Lu Yuan? What about that shadow that might still be hovering beneath the stone gate?

The pressure felt like a boulder pressing on my heart.

"The energy field analysis is complete." Mo Chen suddenly spoke, his fingers tracing runes on another metal plate. His voice was dry but clear. "The energy wave interfering with the 'probe' has a unique nature. It's not offensive destruction, but more like a... high-level 'shielding' or 'repulsion.' Its structure is orderly, with a clear direction and exclusivity."

He looked up, his eyes shining behind his glasses. "To give an analogy, it's like a room where the owner turns on the lights, closes the door, and hangs a 'Do Not Disturb' sign. The 'probe' got too close and was 'asked' to leave."

Shi Jian frowned. "Master? You mean...?"

"Lu Yuan," Mo Chen said decisively, "Only his Soul Power frequency can resonate with the core of the ' Gate of Finality.' If the energy field exhibits this orderly and exclusive 'management' state, the most likely explanation is that his consciousness is active, and perhaps... he has even made initial contact with or gained some kind of 'authority' within the stone gate."

This speculation is more specific and more startling. Did they gain partial access to the "door"?

"Then why isn't he moving?" Li Wangye couldn't help but ask.

"I don't know." Mo Chen shook his head. "Deep Meditation? Communicating with some kind of being? Or is there something wrong with the body, and only consciousness is active? There's too little information. I can only say that this possibility exists."

Hope and risk hang on this thin thread.

"I'll go."

A hoarse, weak, yet clear voice came from the corner.

Everyone turned their heads sharply.

On the makeshift stretcher, Lin Xiao opened his eyes. His face was as pale as paper, and the bandages on his chest were stained with faint blood. His amber pupils regained focus as he quietly gazed in the direction of the stone platform.

"Lin Xiao! You're awake!" Bai Zhi rushed over to check his pulse.

Lin Xiao ignored them, gritted his teeth, and used his elbows to support himself as he slowly lifted himself off the stretcher. The movement aggravated his wounds, and his forehead was instantly covered in cold sweat, his breathing becoming heavy like a broken bellows.

But he straightened up, leaning against the rock wall, his gaze sweeping over everyone before landing on Yun Youzi's face.

How long was I unconscious?

"Four days," Shi Jian replied.

Lin Xiao twitched the corner of his mouth. "That's enough." He took a breath and looked at Shen Moxin, "The compass... is still lit?"

Shen Moxin nodded vigorously and held it up in front of him.

Lin Xiao stared at the stable green light for a few seconds, then closed his eyes to sense it. A few breaths later, he opened his eyes, his arrogant and sharp spirit still clear despite being masked by weakness.

"Pick him up." Those two words were swift and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.

The stone chamber fell silent once more. Everyone looked at Yun Youzi. The pressure finally settled on this temporary decision-maker.

Yun Youzi didn't look at anyone. He looked down at the moving light in the bronze mirror, then looked up at the dim control core, his aged fingers unconsciously stroking his beard. Time passed, with only suppressed breathing and Lin Xiao's heavy panting.

A full half-cup of tea time had passed.

Yun Youzi exhaled a long breath, straightened his hunched back, and slowly swept his gaze over the crowd.

Li Wangye.

"Here!" Li Wangye, startled.

"Take two people and go to the warehouse immediately. Pack all the core materials, research notes, drawings, and Source Seed samples needed for the second emergency evacuation plan into boxes. Seal them with isolation talismans. Don't leave anything out." Yun Youzi spoke calmly. "The people on the seed list, except for those I've pointed out, are under your command."

Li Wangye's expression changed. "Elder Yun, what's wrong...?"

"Su Yan." Yun Youzi ignored him.

Su Yan stepped forward, her dark, bright eyes calm.

"Go assist Li Wangye. Before the documents are sealed, you do a final check of the list. Keep Lu Yuan's core notes with you at all times." Yun Youzi paused. "If we don't make it up, the theoretical foundation of ' Spark ' will depend on you from now on."

Su Yan pursed her lips into a straight line and nodded vigorously.

Bai Zhi.

Bai Zhi raised her head, her eyes gentle yet firm.

"You're in charge of transferring Lin Xiao and all the wounded. Follow the second plan; you know the backup location. Once you arrive, conceal your whereabouts and wait for contact." Yun Youzi paused for a moment. "If you don't receive any news from us or Lu Yuan within a month, you can decide your own whereabouts, but you must ensure the continuation of the 'seed'."

Bai Zhi's fingers trembled slightly, and she lowered her eyes, letting out a soft "Mmm".

Yun Youzi looked again at Shi Jian, Shen Moxin, Mo Chen, and Lin Xiao by the wall.

"Prepare the strongest support team." Yun Youzi's voice deepened. "Me, Mo Chen, Girl Shen, and Shi Jian, the four of us will go down. Lin Xiao, you and everyone else, evacuate immediately."

"No!" Lin Xiao suddenly looked up, groaning as his wound flared, but he stared intently at Yun Youzi. "I can move! I have to go!"

"Are you going to your death?" Yun Youzi interrupted without hesitation, his eyes sharp as knives. "You need help to walk even three steps now! What are you going down there for? To hold us back? To let another one of us go down with the life-saving path that Lu Yuan risked his life for?"

Lin Xiao gritted his teeth, a faint shadow of vertical pupils appearing deep within his eyes. But when he saw Yun Youzi's unyielding gaze, and then looked at his own bleeding bandages, his strength vanished. He slumped back against the rock wall, slammed his fist into the ground, and said nothing more.

"The four of us form the strongest reconnaissance and support team we can currently assemble. I'm familiar with ancient runes and energy environments, Mo Chen understands Soul Tool control and on-site analysis, Girl Shen can provide mental support and stability, and Shi Jian is responsible for frontal defense and contingency planning," Yun Youzi said slowly. "We will bring the best equipment, with reconnaissance and attempts to establish contact as our primary objectives. We will not take unnecessary risks. If things become unfeasible..."

He paused. "If things become unmanageable, we will withdraw immediately. That's an order."

Shen Moxin's lips moved, and she finally nodded vigorously. Mo Chen pushed up his glasses, his fingers unconsciously touching the tool bag at his waist, and silently accepted the gesture.

"If we fail to come up, or if our descent causes even greater unforeseen events," Yun Youzi said, looking at Li Wangye, Su Yan, Bai Zhi, and the surrounding team members, "Then you who left with the relics are the last Core Flame of ' Spark.' Survive and pass on what Lu Yuan left behind. This is more important than anything else."

The stone chamber was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. It was a scene of tragic grandeur, yet tinged with unwavering trust. At this point, any emotional arguments were a luxury; only execution mattered.

"Action."

The stone chamber came to life instantly. Li Wangye and Su Yan rushed to the storeroom; Bai Zhi directed the preparation of stretchers and medicines; the other team members silently checked their belongings.

Shi Jian walked to the weapon rack and silently selected equipment. Mo Chen leaned over the workbench and quickly adjusted the Soul Tool, muttering about the energy threshold. Shen Moxin carefully put the compass away from her body and organized the mental amulet and potions.

Yun Youzi knelt down in front of Lin Xiao and handed him a small jade bottle. "Inside are three ' Heart-Protecting Pill,' my most treasured possession. If your injuries recur on the journey, take one; it can keep you alive," the old man whispered. "Live. Wait for him to return, or... wait for the news we might bring back."

Lin Xiao gripped the jade bottle tightly, his knuckles turning white, and finally squeezed out through gritted teeth, "... Okay."

Just as the support team was making intensive preparations and the evacuation team was quickly packing up --

Rapid footsteps echoed from the narrow passage outside the stone gate! A young team member responsible for outer perimeter security scrambled in, his face deathly pale. "Report... report! The northeast and due north sentry posts have simultaneously transmitted urgent Soul Power signals! At least three unidentified Soul Master teams have suddenly accelerated and are rushing straight towards the outer perimeter of the ruins! They're moving extremely fast; at most... at most, they'll reach the first line of defense in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!"

He gasped for breath, his voice trembling with tears. "One of them... had an exceptionally strong aura. Even from a great distance, it made my heart race and my legs go weak... Old Chen, the sentry, said that the pressure was probably... probably at the level of Soul Douluo!"