Chapter 65

The white light of the Life Bulwark was like an inverted bowl, tightly shielding the Echo Camp. Outside the light curtain, the land eroded by the Data Plague remained deathly black, forming a stark contrast with the gradually reviving greenery within. The plague had been isolated but not eradicated; it was like an ugly scar, reminding everyone of the malice from the Ark.

Chen Mo's face remained somewhat pale; continuous high-intensity rule mediation consumed greatly. He stood at the edge of the bulwark, gazing at the black area, his fingertips unconsciously tracing complex trajectories in the air, trying to analyze the deep structure of the plague data. Mere isolation is not enough; we must find the source, find a way to thoroughly cleanse or even counter it.

Su Yu came over holding a bowl of hot soup brewed from mutated roots and a bit of dried meat, and gently placed it beside him. "Li Siwen is leading the technical team in trying to analyze the plague sample's Deletion Command sequence, hoping to find its logical loophole. Han Qing has intensified patrols in all directions, especially the north." She followed Chen Mo's gaze and said softly, "Has there been any response from Hui Jin?"

Upon discovering the plague, Chen Mo immediately sent people to the Shattered Stairs to seek the guide Hui Jin. The Pure Fire Cult has a unique understanding of purification and might be able to help.

"Not yet." Chen Mo shook his head, lifted the soup bowl and took a sip; the warm liquid slightly dispelled his inner weakness. "But we must make multiple preparations. This plague is not merely destruction; it is more like a……beacon."

Beacon?

"Hmm." Chen Mo pointed at the black area, "It is continuously emitting an extremely weak but specific information pulse, directed northward. I suspect it is not only destroying, but also feeding back information about this place to the releaser, and possibly……slowly eroding the foundation of the Life Bulwark."

Su Yu's expression shifted slightly; her True Knowledge Vision carefully sensed, and indeed in that dead silence she caught a faint, clearly directional energy leakage. "Are they monitoring us?"

"Very likely." Chen Mo's eyes turned icy, "So we cannot merely stay on the defensive. Li Siwen's research needs time, and Hui Jin's aid is uncertain. We must take the initiative, locate the plague's release point, at least disrupt their surveillance to buy time."

Taking the initiative, venturing into the unknown, possibly Ark-controlled territory, the risk is extremely high.

"I'll go." Han Qing's voice came from behind; he had somehow already stood here, eyes firm, "Reconnaissance and infiltration are my forte. I'll bring a few capable men to get a clear picture of their situation."

"Too dangerous." Su Yu objected, "The enemy's technology level is unknown, and there is that strange plague weapon."

"Precisely because it's dangerous, we cannot wait for them to prepare." Chen Mo made his decision, "Han Qing, pick five people, agile and skilled in wilderness survival. Don't engage head‑on; focus on reconnaissance. The main goal is to locate the plague's release point, confirm the enemy's forward base position and scale. If possible, capture a 'tongue' back."

He paused, looking at Han Qing: "Take this." He drew from his bosom a transparent crystal the size of a fingernail cap, nurtured with Primordial Core power. "Inside lies a trace of my rule imprint; if you encounter an insurmountable danger, crush it, and I can vaguely sense your position, perhaps providing a remote rule interference."

Han Qing solemnly received the crystal, nodded, and said, "Understood."

That night, Han Qing led five elite scouts, vanishing like ghosts into the darkness north of the camp. Their departure made the camp's atmosphere even more solemn.

The next afternoon, just as Chen Mo and Su Yu assisted Li Siwen in attempting to use highly concentrated Primordial Energy to "scorch" a small piece of plague sample from the isolation zone (effect minimal, the plague data's resistance extremely strong), the outer patrol squad brought news—Hui Jin had arrived.

He did not come alone. Behind him followed a dozen or so Pure Fire Cultists, but unlike any sect seen before. These cultists had serene eyes, and the Pure Fire glow on them was warm and steady, resembling Hui Jin's demeanor. They brought several sealed cases crafted from special wood and crystal.

"We have sensed the fluctuation of that malignant data," Hui Jin got straight to the point, the white markings on his face appearing to flow in the campfire light, "This shares the same source as the contamination of Chaos Whisper, but is more……refined and targeted. Is this the work of those White‑Clad Purifiers?"

Chen Mo briefly explained the situation, including his speculations about the Ark and the Plague Doctors.

Hui Jin fell silent for a moment, opened a wooden case, inside was a white powder emitting a cool scent. "This is Purifying Light Dust, made by grinding crystals imbued with pure Primordial Power, mixed with the essences of specific plants; it has some effect in neutralizing low‑level data contamination. But for this……targeted plague, it can probably only temporarily suppress, not eradicate."

He pointed at the isolated black area: "I can sense that its core contains a……command set. It is executing a very clear Deletion command. To thoroughly purify, either we find and shut down the command source, or……we cover it with a higher‑order Definition of Existence."

A higher‑order Definition of Existence……Chen Mo fell into thought. His rule mediation essentially guides and utilizes existing Primordial Law, whereas Definition is closer to the essential power of the Primordial Core, but its consumption and difficulty are also greater.

"We can try joining forces," Hui Jin proposed, "My Pure Fire excels at separation and neutralization, while your power excels at guidance and Definition. Perhaps we can combine them, in this eroded area, forcibly define a temporary Purification Zone."

This was a new approach. Chen Mo immediately discussed the details with Hui Jin. Su Yu and Li Siwen also joined in, providing observational data and technical support.

Just as they were focused on researching the purification plan, the camp's northern warning bell suddenly rang! Not the urgent clamor of an enemy attack, but a special rhythm signifying emergency contact!

"It's Captain Han Qing's signal!" the sentry on the Watchtower shouted loudly.

Chen Mo and the others immediately rushed to the north gate of the camp. There they saw a scout stumbling back, his whole body covered with burns from energy blasts and frost, his left arm unnaturally twisted—clearly he had endured a fierce battle and escape.

"Captain……Captain……" the scout, seeing Chen Mo, forced out a breath to report, "We……found……their outpost……in the north Bingfeng Valley……not just one……but many white‑clad people……and also……huge……metal structures……like a factory……"

He coughed violently, each exhalation carrying ice shards: "Han team……they covered for me……were……caught in a……blue energy net……that net……can freeze Primordial Power……they……are in danger……"

Before he could finish speaking, the scout collapsed from severe injury and exhaustion.

Bingfeng Valley! Factory! Energy net!

The information was immense, but the news that Han Qing and company had fallen into a desperate situation sank everyone's hearts.

"Save them!" Zhang Yang was the first to roar, his eyes blood‑red.

Wang Hu simply hoisted his battle‑axe.

Chen Mo restrained the two impulsive ones, his eyes sharp as a blade. He looked at Hui Jin: "Guide Hui Jin, the purification trial must be postponed. We need your help."

Hui Jin gazed at the severely wounded scout, sensing the lingering icy energy undulations from the north in the air, and nodded: "Purification also includes clearing the plague‑spreading evildoers. My warriors, I am willing to march with you."

Chen Mo no longer hesitated, quickly issuing orders:

"Li Siwen, hold the camp, continue researching purification methods, maintain the Life Bulwark!"

"Su Yu, come with me; your True Knowledge Vision can see through the weakness of the energy net."

"Zhang Yang, Wang Hu, gather all who can still fight, bring every usable heavy weapon!"

"Guide Hui Jin, please have you and your followers set out with us to deal with possible data contamination and that energy net."

His gaze swept over the crowd, his voice calm yet carrying undeniable authority:

"Objective, Bingfeng Valley!"

"Mission, rescue Han Qing and destroy that outpost!"

"Let those Plague Doctors know, their scalpels cannot touch our lives!"

The icy north wind swirled snow‑spray, fluttering the camp's newly raised banner. A rescue force mixed with Echo elites and Pure Fire Cultists, bearing a chilling killing intent, shot like an arrow released from its bow toward the northern valley shrouded in ice, snow, and unknown peril.

Beneath the shadow of the Ark's outpost, the beacon of counter‑attack has already been lit.