New Life from the Wreckage, Symbiosis Between Two Races, and the Prelude to the Age of Balance
The dust and smoke from the starship crash finally dissipated three months later.
In the valleys of the Broken Mountains, verdant vines have sprouted from the mountains of metal debris. These vines are not ordinary plants, but "Symbiotic Vine" brought by the rebel base—a special species that can form a symbiotic relationship with metal. The vines absorb energy from the metal to grow, while secreting a liquid that repairs the metal, gradually giving the cold debris a life-giving glow.
Tang San stood at the edge of the valley, watching Blue Crystal and a group of blue-eyed Mechanic Race debugging a large machine. The main body of the machine was modified from the engine wreckage of the "Order" and connected to a transparent pipe at the top. A pale purple liquid flowed through the pipe—a product of the fusion of Chaos Energy and the core energy of the Mechanic Race, which could provide nutrients for the Symbiotic Vine of the entire mountain range.
"In another month, the first 'symbiotic zone' on the continent will be completed here." Blue Crystal's voice was much smoother than before, her metal hand stroking the mechanical shell, her blue eyes glowing softly. "The Symbiotic Vine will cover all the debris, converting the metal energy into a form suitable for organic life to absorb. Then, crops can be grown in the valley."
Tang San smiled and nodded, his gaze falling on the field not far away. Oscar was with several Mechanic Race rebels, experimenting with planting improved potatoes. The seeds of these potatoes had been soaked in Fusion Energy liquid, and their roots could directly absorb nutrients from the metal debris, making them grow much more vigorously than ordinary potatoes.
"The yield is 30% higher than expected." Oscar wiped the sweat from his brow and held up a potato the size of a fist. "It will be ready for harvest in two more months, enough to supply the needs of Heaven Dou City and the Rebel Base."
This cross-species cooperation was unimaginable just three months ago. In the early stages of the main fleet's crash, humans remained wary of the Mechanic Race rebels, while the Mechanic Race, haunted by the shadow of a thousand-year war, kept their distance from organic life. It wasn't until the first Symbiotic Vine sprouted on the wreckage that the two races truly put aside their differences—when metal and plant grew together under the sunlight, all suspicions seemed so insignificant.
"The 'energy conversion station' in the Far North Ice Plains is nearing completion." Dai Mubai's voice came through the communication crystal, tinged with excitement. "Using the energy of the Ice Plains Ancient Dragon to power the starship core will completely neutralize the Order Energy within the metal wreckage. The converted energy can be directly supplied to the Heaven Dou City's defensive array, saving nearly half the Soul Power consumption compared to before."
Tang San took the crystal and infused it with Soul Power: "Have Lin Ye transmit the control parameters of the Golden Crow Fire as soon as possible. The temperature during energy conversion must be stabilized at the critical point. Too high a temperature will cause an energy explosion, and too low a temperature will not be able to completely neutralize the Order Energy."
"Don't worry, Lin Yan is keeping an eye on him." Dai Mubai's voice was tinged with laughter. "That kid is currently learning mechanical repair from Tie Sen's apprentice. He's always carrying around wrenches, tinkering and hammering away, he's more dedicated to it than his cultivation."
Tang San couldn't help but laugh. After the war, Lin Ye's younger brother, Lin Yan, did not choose to continue cultivating, but instead became fascinated with the mechanical technology of the Mechanic Race. Tie Sen was happy to see this happen and specially sent the most skilled rebel in mechanical modification to be his teacher. Now, Lin Yan can independently repair simple mechanical devices.
"By the way, the council received news from the southern swamps." Dai Mubai's tone turned serious. "The tribes there have discovered some small starship wreckage. The residual Order Energy within the wreckage hasn't been completely removed, causing the surrounding swamp to begin metallicizing. We need to send people to deal with it."
"I'll go," Blue Crystal volunteered. "Those wreckage belong to the main fleet's reconnaissance ships. They have a self-protection mechanism in their core program, and only we can completely disable it."
Tang San nodded. "I'll have Xiao Wu go with you. Her Teleportation can help you quickly locate the wreckage. Also, bring enough Fusion Energy fluid. Inject it directly into any metallized areas to suppress the spread of Order Energy."
The metallicization in the southern swamps is more severe than expected.
The reeds transformed into silvery-white metallic threads, and a thin metallic film covered the water's surface. Several stray Soul Beast had begun to metallize, their movements becoming stiff and sluggish. Blue Crystal crouched down, her fingers touching the metallized reeds, her blue eyes flashing rapidly as she analyzed the frequency of the Order Energy fluctuations.
"It's the ' Dormant Program ' at work." Blue Crystal's brows furrowed slightly, his metal hand pressing against the ground, blue energy seeping into the soil from his fingertips. "Before the crash, the mainframe implanted Dormant Program into all reconnaissance ships. Once organic life is detected, it will automatically release Order Energy, slowly assimilating the surrounding environment."
Xiao Wu looked at the metallized Soul Beast, her eyes filled with heartache. "Can they be healed?"
"Yes, but it will take time." Blue Crystal took out the Fusion Energy fluid and injected it into a metallic waterbird. "The Fusion Energy can neutralize the Order Energy within them, but full recovery will take at least a month. We need to find all the reconnaissance ship wreckage first and remove the Dormant Program."
Over the next ten days, Xiao Wu's Teleportation and Blue Crystal's energy detection worked in perfect harmony. They found seven reconnaissance ship wrecks deep in the swamp, each hidden in the mud or underwater. If Blue Crystal hadn't been able to sense the faint fluctuations of the Order Energy, they would have been completely unable to discover them.
During the Dormant Program clearing the last piece of debris, an unexpected event occurred. The core of the debris suddenly erupted with a strong red light, and a beam of Order Energy shot directly at Blue Crystal's chest—this was the program's final defense mechanism, using the energy of self-destruction to attack the nearest target.
"Watch out!" Without thinking, Xiao Wu Teleportation teleported in front of Blue Crystal to block her.
The energy beam struck Xiao Wu's shoulder, and the silvery-white metal rapidly spread from the Xiao Wu, causing her to groan in pain. Blue Crystal's eyes flashed with blue light, and her blue energy erupted at full power, deflecting the Order Energy beam back into the core of the wreckage. At the same time, she injected a large amount of Fusion Energy liquid into Xiao Wu's wound.
"Why did you do this?" Blue Crystal asked, her voice trembling slightly as she looked at the slowly fading metallic color on Xiao Wu's shoulder. In the logic of the Mechanic Race, sacrificing oneself to protect others was an inefficient act, but at this moment, looking at Xiao Wu's pale face, her core felt a tremor she had never experienced before.
Xiao Wu endured the pain and smiled at it, "Because we're partners. Isn't it normal for partners to protect each other?"
"Partner..." Blue Crystal repeated the word, a complex light flashing in its blue pupils. It remembered Tie Sen's words—"True order is not cold logic, but the courage to break the rules to protect each other." At this moment, it seemed to finally understand why the rebels were willing to bear the stigma of "heretics" in order to fight against the absolute order of the mastermind.
The metallization of the swamp was brought under control after half a month. The healed Soul Beast remained in the area covered by the Symbiotic Vine. The water birds, their feathers still carrying a faint blue light, were able to move freely among the vines, coexisting peacefully with the Mechanic Race were adjusting the machinery.
On the way back to Heaven Dou City, Blue Crystal looked at the faint marks on Xiao Wu's shoulder that had not yet completely faded, and suddenly stopped. She took out a blue crystal fragment from the core of her chest—it was condensed with her own core energy and contained pure Fusion Energy.
"This... is for you." Blue Crystal handed the fragment to Xiao Wu, her metal fingers trembling slightly. "If you encounter Order Energy again... it can protect you."
Xiao Wu took the fragment; it felt warm and smooth to the touch, as if it were alive, gently pulsating. She smiled and tied the fragment around her neck, "Thank you, Blue Crystal."
The blue light of the Blue Crystal flickered a few times, then it turned around and strode forward quickly, its metallic footsteps seeming a bit faster than usual.
In the plaza of Heaven Dou City, a new statue is under construction. The main subject of the statue is a silhouette of a human Soul Master shaking hands with a Mechanic Race rebel, and the base is inscribed with the words: "Balance is not about self-preservation, but about the coexistence of all things."
Tang San stood in front of the statue, watching Lin Ye direct the Mechanic Race craftsmen to adjust the metal's curvature, and watching Tai Long and the rebels move the stones together. His heart was filled with an unprecedented peace.
Inside the council chamber of the Balance Council, human representatives and representatives of the Mechanic Race resistance were discussing the details of the Symbiosis Convention. The covenant stipulated the rights and obligations of the two races in areas such as resource allocation, technology sharing, and crisis response. More importantly, it was the first time that "respect for differences" was written into the fundamental law of the continent.
"The energy cycle of the Star Orbit has stabilized." Lin Ye walked in, holding the latest star map. On the map, the energy flow between the continent and the nebula showed a perfect bidirectional arc. "News has come from the Rebel Base that the Symbiotic Vine in the nebula have also begun to grow. Before long, that place will also become a suitable habitat for both races."
Tang San looked out the window. The golden rays of the setting sun shone on the vines in the symbiotic zone, reflecting a strange luster where metal and plant matter intertwined. He knew that a brand new era was beginning—not the era of humanity, nor the era of the Mechanic Race, but the "Era of Balance" belonging to all life.
Those starship wrecks that once symbolized war and destruction are becoming a breeding ground for new life; those races that were once hostile to each other are now joining hands to write a chapter of symbiosis.
The path to balance may always be challenging, but as long as we remember that metal can be revitalized by the Entanglement of vines, and plants can thrive under the nourishment of metal, then no matter what the future holds, this continent can find its own light of balance amidst differences and coexistence.
Tang San and his companions, along with allies like Blue Crystal and Tie Sen who crossed the Sea of Stars, will serve as the prologue to this era, forever etched in the river of time, witnessing the eternity of balance and symbiosis.