Chapter 68: Tracing the Origin of Pure Fire, Data Ruins

The black plague was completely purified by the Pure Fire Light, leaving not the joy of surviving a disaster but a deeper shock and bewilderment. That pure purification power, originating from Hui Jin's Pure Fire Origin and beyond comprehension, seemed like an ancient sigh echoing in everyone's heart.

Hui Jin stood alone on the purified ground, closed his eyes and focused, the pure white flame at his fingertips no longer flickered but flowed like liquid light. He was communicating with the awakened ancient force, trying to understand its source.

Chen Mo did not disturb him, turning instead to check on Han Qing and the others. The rule freeze lingering in Bingfeng Valley was extremely stubborn, and Su Yu and Li Siwen tried various methods, all to unsatisfactory effect.

"It's not just low temperature," Su Yu frowned. Under the True Knowledge Vision, Han Qing and the others harbored strands of eerie blue, almost living Rule Chains within their bodies, "They are like a 'conceptual' wound that directly negates part of their life activity and the possibility of energy circulation. Conventional treatments are fighting the entire 'Negation' rule itself."

Li Siwen scanned with a modified instrument, the data screen flickering with chaotic waveforms: "The energy signature shares the same source as Bingfeng Valley's energy net, but is more restrained and... malicious. It continuously emits a subtle interference wave that blocks cellular self-repair and the flow of Primordial Force."

Chen Mo placed his hand on Han Qing's cold forehead, his consciousness probing, immediately feeling a needle‑like sting and a strong repulsion. His rule‑mediation power seemed somewhat powerless when confronting this highly condensed rule damage bearing the Ark's seal.

"Unless we find an 'antidote' for this rule wound, or fundamentally 'override' this Negation rule, otherwise..." Li Siwen did not finish, but the meaning was clear.

The camp's atmosphere grew oppressive again. The external threat remained unresolved, while the internal wound was already so troublesome.

At that moment, Hui Jin slowly opened his eyes. It seemed as if white flames were quietly burning in his pupils, and his entire aura became deeper and more ancient.

"I see..." his voice carried a strange echo, as if he were not speaking alone, "I see an endless... Data Ruins. The wreckage of countless civilizations, shattered rules, twisted spacetime, all drift and vanish there. The Chaos Whisper is like background noise, omnipresent."

He looked at Chen Mo: "The source of Pure Fire was not born to oppose, but emerged at the edge of that Ruins, from a civilization long gone, ignited to maintain the last bit of 'order' and 'purity' amid ultimate chaos... the Fire of Definition."

Fire of Definition!

The phrase jolted Chen Mo's mind. His Primordial Core, whose essence is also 'Definition', is more about guiding and utilizing existing Primordial Law. Yet the 'Fire of Definition' spoken by Hui Jin sounded more like a creative force that forcibly defines 'order' from nothing! Even if it might be only a negligible spark.

"The plague released by the Ark, and that energy net," Hui Jin continued, the Pure Fire at his fingertips drifting toward Han Qing, slowly merging into his body, "Their source of power also points to that Data Ruins. But what they represent is the 'consumption', 'assimilation', and 'entropy increase' side of the Ruins. They aim to pull everything back into the embrace of chaos."

The white Pure Fire met the eerie blue Rule Chains inside Han Qing, without fierce confrontation; the Pure Fire flowed like gentle water, enveloping those chains, attempting a 'redefinition'. The process was extremely slow, yet the bluish‑purple frost marks on Han Qing's face seemed to fade bit by bit.

"Effective!" Su Yu exclaimed delightedly.

"But it's too slow," Hui Jin withdrew the Pure Fire, shaking his head, "My power has just awakened, it's too weak. Moreover, this is like forcibly editing code in the opponent's preset program; a slight misstep could trigger even stronger repulsion."

He looked at Chen Mo: "To save them, to confront the Ark, we need a deeper understanding of the power of 'Definition', we need to find ways to amplify Pure Fire, or... discover other methods to counter the force of the Data Ruins."

At that moment, a team member in charge of monitoring residual communication signals rushed over.

"Engineer Li! Team Leader Chen! We've captured a very weak, intermittent broadcast signal! From the northwest!"

Everyone was stunned. After the system was isolated, global communications were almost completely crippled; aside from the old‑era network they were trying to repair, who else could broadcast under such conditions?

Li Siwen immediately rushed back to the makeshift communication station, put on headphones, and his hands flew over the battered equipment. Amid the chaotic hum of electricity, a weak yet clear female voice with a distinct old‑era accent came through intermittently:

"... repeat... this is... Seventh Ecological Maintenance Station... 'Qingrang'... we have been attacked by... unknown Data Lifeform... defense system about to collapse... request... any survivors receiving this signal... assistance... coordinates..."

The signal was then drowned by a burst of harsh, beast‑like electronic static and vanished completely.

"Seventh Ecological Maintenance Station? Qingrang?" Li Siwen quickly flipped through the data compiled from the Luo Ya Legacy and old‑era ruins, "Found it! One of the auxiliary projects of the old‑era Ark Project, intended to build underground ecological shelters to preserve flora, fauna genetics and ecological samples! If it truly still exists..."

Everyone's breathing quickened. A well‑preserved old‑era ecological station! It meant potentially unpolluted soil, seeds, clean water, and perhaps even remaining technology and energy! For the camp, still in ruins, this was undoubtedly a lifeline!

But, 'unknown Data Lifeform attack'? That immediately evoked the Ark and that bizarre Data Plague.

"Is it a trap?" Han Qing struggled to sit up, his voice weak yet clear, "A bait deliberately released by the Ark?"

Su Yu pondered briefly, shook her head: "It doesn't seem like it. That sense of despair and weakness doesn't feel like a disguise. Moreover, if the Ark knows our location, a direct massive assault fits their modus operandi better."

Chen Mo looked northward, then at his seriously wounded companions, weighing his thoughts.

The Qingrang Ecological Station might hold resources to heal Han Qing and the others (pure life samples that could neutralize rule wounds), and might also contain clues to counter the Data Ruins' power (research on old‑era counter‑systems), not to mention its immense survival value.

But the risk was equally great. Unknown Data Lifeforms, possible Ark ambushes, and the uncertainty of a long‑range dash.

"We must go," Chen Mo decided, his voice unequivocal, "This is not only for resources, but also to find a way out of the current impasse. Hui Jin, the guide, your Pure Fire may have a unique effect on Data Lifeforms; we need your help."

Hui Jin nodded: "The Fire of Definition exists to purify chaos. It is an undeniable duty."

"I'll go with you," Su Yu stood beside Chen Mo, "My True Knowledge Vision can detect danger in advance."

"Captain, I'm going too!" Zhang Yang shouted immediately.

"Me too!" Wang Hu echoed in a deep, resonant voice.

Chen Mo looked at them, shook his head: "No, Zhang Yang, Wang Hu, stay behind. The camp needs guarding, Han Qing and the others need protection. This operation values precision over numbers."

He looked at Li Siwen: "Engineer Li, analyze the exact coordinates of the signal source as soon as possible and plot the optimal route. We'll travel light and return quickly."

In the end, the personnel assigned to go to the Qingrang Ecological Station were: Chen Mo, Su Yu, Hui Jin, and five Pure Fire Cultists selected by Hui Jin with the highest resistance to data contamination.

Just as they were about to set out, the young girl who had previously been infected by the Data Plague and was unexpectedly saved by Pure Fire shyly approached Chen Mo, holding a small bundle wrapped in clean cloth.

"Brother Chen Mo... this... take it with you," the girl said softly, but her eyes were firm, "It's a few Ning Shen Grass I grew from soil I previously collected and that Pure Fire purified... It may not be much, but... I hope it can help you."

Chen Mo was slightly startled, took the still earth‑scented bundle, and felt a warm surge in his heart. He nodded: "Thank you. We'll bring back more than just the herbs."

He turned, his gaze sweeping over the entire camp, over every face bearing hope and worry.

"Hold the home safe until we return."

Without grand speeches, Chen Mo, Su Yu, Hui Jin and the other five, eight in total, bearing simple gear and the bundle of Ning Shen Grass, faced the wind from the northwest, laden with unknowns and danger, and set out once more.

The Qingrang Ecological Station—an oasis of hope or another desperate trap? The answer lies beneath the data‑filled lands to the northwest.