Chapter 248: Cold Dark Fundamental Particles

The night wind was desolate. With the large-scale spread of the extreme cold vortex, fine snowflakes began to fall in many areas near Hengshan Pass.

After a great battle, the people in the camp gradually cleaned up the mess of the battlefield, and the noisy convoy gradually became quiet.

The Infinite was brightly lit.

"You little girl, you actually drove the mecha out without the permission of me and your Lin Ge. You're too bold!" In Carriage No. 2, Kiki pinched Sasha's little face and said in a lecturing tone.

"I was wrong, I was wrong, Sister Kiki, I was wrong~"

"It's fine. The insect tide surrounded us from all sides; this situation indeed required mecha combat." Lin Xian said directly to Sasha: "Tonight, I'll modify the door of Carriage No. 11 slightly so you won't have to climb out next time."

Sasha quickly escaped from Kiki's clutches and nodded at Lin Xian: "Mm-hmm, I'll listen to Lin Ge."

At this time, the team's key personnel were all in Carriage No. 2, and everyone first summarized the battle situation.

"We solved the trouble here tonight. Staying in place to reorganize will be relatively safer, but the extreme cold vortex is covering us quickly, so we can't stay too long."

"Aside from ammunition consumption, we didn't suffer any major losses this time." Chen Sixuan held the record manual and said: "This area has encountered an insect tide, and the track conditions aren't very clear. If we want to depart as early as possible, I suggest we depart before dawn like the other convoys, so we can react in time if we encounter problems."

"Hmm." Lin Xian nodded. "Looking at it, several convoys also need quite a bit of time to rest. We need to prepare more ammunition tonight. After passing Yuankou, we'll enter the Parma Grassland. That's an open area; it'll be hard to find any supplies there."

He still had to make some preparations tonight; time waits for no one. Ding Junyi moved the Hell Black Chrysanthemum over. Everyone saw that the red light on it had completely extinguished, leaving only a trace of extremely faint fluorescence flowing in the carriage like an air current.

Besides that, there was also a silver box on the table, inside of which was the new Blood Calamity Plant brought from the Eagle convoy.

Everyone's gaze turned to this strange plant. There seemed to be some purple energy flowing in the root core, which looked quite magical.

Ding Junyi took it in her hand and observed it carefully, then said: "It indeed has some commonalities with the No. 1 calamity plant. If it's a new calamity plant, it should have very special characteristics."

"I hope it will be useful to us." Lin Xian said.

Chen Sixuan looked at the convoys camping outside and said seriously: "After this disaster, our marks should all have been cleared, but I don't know about them..."

"What? They don't believe it?" Kiki couldn't help but ask.

Lin Xian shook his head and said in a deep voice: "I've advised them. They should be thinking about it, but it's still the same problem: we have the Hell Black Chrysanthemum, they don't. This mark is hard to represent concretely. If they really encounter danger, these people might still act based on reality."

Ding Junyi shrugged and said: "This is normal. The nature of living things is to seek advantages and avoid harm. Killing these monsters currently has no clear benefit. Conversely, the return on investment for running away is higher. So, in dangerous situations, people will choose to run rather than test whether the danger can be overcome by force. There's no benefit, is there?"

Lin Xian's expression darkened slightly upon hearing this. Ding Junyi's words hit the nail on the head. If all survivors couldn't realize that counterattacking and solving strange entities was a key issue related to their own survival, then it would be impossible to reverse this consensus.

"Let's leave it at that for now. These things aren't for us to consider. When we reach Xilan, we need to obtain many supplies and intelligence from the Phoenix Society. As for the data on dark marks, we just need to synchronize it over. Whether they accept it or not is not within our scope of ability."

When all is said and done, the team's primary goal is survival space. Lin Xian can only continuously synchronize this information to every survivor team he encounters. As for how many people he can influence, that's no longer something he can change.

Ding Junyi nodded and was about to take the Blood Calamity Plant for research, but Lin Xian suddenly called out to her.

"Director Ding."

"Hmm?"

Lin Xian took a deep breath and asked: "I remember that in string theory, gravity is the only fundamental force that can traverse spatial dimensions, right?"

As soon as this was said, everyone looked at Lin Xian with strange expressions, not knowing why he would suddenly ask such an academic question.

Ding Junyi stopped and looked at Lin Xian, pondering for a moment before saying:

"My academic focus is biology. The string theory you mentioned is a discipline of theoretical physics. According to quantum gravity theory, all fundamental particles are viewed as vibrating strings. These strings exist in a curled-up nine- or ten-dimensional space, not our three-dimensional space. The graviton, as the carrier of gravity, is a closed string. Its ends are not fixed in our three-dimensional space but can move freely in extra dimensions. This means gravity can indeed traverse into higher dimensions."

After finishing, she changed the subject, adjusted her glasses, and said: "Do you think the dark tide is actually a dimension of another dark-side world that has performed a superpositional coverage on our world?"

"What do you mean? What are you talking about?" Kiki looked puzzled, and the others looked even more confused.

"Can't understand..." Sasha muttered in a low voice.

Lin Xian knew Ding Junyi understood what he meant, but at this moment, he didn't know how to explore this issue, so he just shook his head and said: "Nothing, just some strange thoughts."

Lin Xian remembered he had once watched a movie called "Interstellar." In it, the protagonist Murphy's father, Cooper, obtained the solution to the gravity equation inside a black hole. He used gravity to traverse spatial dimensions and transmitted this information to Murphy via Morse code. Murphy used this information to finally solve the other half of the gravity equation, enabling humanity to build huge space stations capable of entering space, thereby avoiding the extinction crisis on Earth.

And earlier, when he used the gravitational lens skill in the darkness, although it was only a very small area, Lin Xian had truly seen two worlds—darkness and light—twisted and intertwined together by the lens like water ripples.

The most critical question was that the world before dawn could produce a black-hole-like suction force in the dark, attracting and crushing the red-light-headed monster and a large number of black insects.

He couldn't figure out the principle behind this, but it seemed that strange entities would hide under the darkness and only appear after passing through the dark tide. Perhaps there was a very important determining factor here.

"Chen Laoshi." Lin Xian suppressed the thoughts in his brain and said to Chen Sixuan: "Arrange it. Prepare enough dinner. Everyone is tired today, and since it's cooling down tonight, we urgently need to replenish more physical strength."

Chen Sixuan nodded: "Hmm, I know."

"By the way." At this time, Ding Junyi suddenly looked at the silver box on the table and asked Lin Xian: "This seems to be a mobile plant cultivation box specially designed for storing plants, but it doesn't look like a Federation product. Did they say specifically which organization it belonged to?"

Lin Xian shook his head: "Not very clear. Uncle Wu said they found it in a wiped-out scientific research convoy. They didn't know the affiliation of this convoy. Their original goal was to find the Phoenix Society and use it to exchange for some supplies."

"Eh, is that so." Kiki picked up the silver box with her fingertips and moved it in front of her to examine it carefully: "Looks very high-end. Doesn't look like something a small organization could produce."

Then she turned it around and suddenly stopped, because she saw an extremely small logo on the bottom of the box—a triangular symbol.

Everyone's gaze turned over.

"What logo is this? Doesn't seem like I've seen it before?" Chen Sixuan said.

Shu Qin and Dalou both shook their heads.

"Maybe, like that foundation, it's the logo of some scientific research organization. Perhaps it has something to do with the Phoenix Society." Lin Xian said at this time.

Lu Xingchen, who was on the side, took a look. His gaze sharpened slightly, and the relaxed expression on his face faded. He didn't speak.

"Buzz..."

"Buzz..."

"The Phoenix Society Western Orchid outpost reports to the Yunjiang Plain region: Received investigation reports from various survivor organizations and monitoring teams. A large number of alien creatures have been discovered in the blizzard brought by the extreme cold vortex. According to the physical characteristics of captured live specimens, these creatures are quadrupedal strange entities 1.2-1.6 meters in size, with scales and spikes on their bodies and tail spikes over twice their body length. Sampling analysis confirms they contain highly toxic substances. The Phoenix Society formally names them 'Snow Demons.' They mainly hide in the snow layer, can conduct small-scale activities during the day, and will enter a berserk state at night..."

"Buzz... Federation Phoenix Society global report: The current location of the Dawn Center is the northern foothills of the Yun'an Ridge, coordinates 116.3913447°, 39.9053937°. The Dawn Center will arrive at Heavenly Machine in 3 days..."

"The Phoenix Society Western Orchid outpost reports to the Yunjiang Plain region: The snow layer in the central area of the extreme cold vortex has exceeded 2 meters. A large number of eyeless B-level strange entities have been discovered deep in the snow disaster. They are huge in size. Please survivors, be careful and take precautions!"

"Federation... Phoenix Society radio global report: The Nightwalker Ice Cube Neutrino Observatory has successfully separated a special energy particle from strange blood essence using the underground xenon cold dark screening method. This particle possesses a rest mass of 0. After kinetic acceleration, it produces quantum rising and decaying states. It has been confirmed that this energy particle matches the magnetic wave signal of ability users' spirit-swing values. This energy particle is formally named 'Cold Dark Fundamental Particle.' Currently, through special separation devices, this energy particle can be separated from strange blood essence and dark tide waves. Through experiments by ability user volunteers from the Nightwalker organization, it has been confirmed that this particle has a strong correlation with ability waves and biological genetic evolution. The Phoenix Society is collaborating with Xinghua Heavy Industry and the Silent Industrial City to develop portable separation devices..."

"Phoenix Society radio global report: In the near future, 147 mobile support outposts will be added to assist, train, and support various survivor teams, strengthening basic survival capabilities. The Nightwalker organization suggests: Please do not consume strange blood essence. When collecting blood essence, remember to wear protective measures to avoid being encroached upon by dark power!"

"Buzz... Survivor shortwave frequency band"

"The White Light convoy issues a warning to the surrounding 500-kilometer range, buzz... We... have been completely wiped out... Location is 150 kilometers northwest of the Red Glow section. Reminding everyone, do not run when encountering Snow Demons; their numbers will only increase... Argh!!!"

"Buzz... We are the Flying Tiger convoy, currently heading toward the Yunzhou Mountains direction. Currently, we have encountered multiple convoys that have suffered large-scale attrition. Snow water is highly toxic; do not use it for filtering and drinking. Those still alive, run to places without snow!!" "The Watcher Alliance, at coordinates 102.4571147°, 66.4545487° near Su Wind Village and Ya Lake, there is a large-scale battle between the Phoenix Society and the Interstellar Military. It is speculated that a terrifying night strange entity may have appeared in this area. It is recommended that everyone bypass this area."

"A super giant has appeared in the blizzard there!! It can fire laser cannons. It is currently uncertain whether it is a strange entity or a man-made object. Everyone run!"

"……"

"This is some information from earlier today, including some from tonight. Some were from earlier this morning, which I recorded and released together." Ding Junyi turned off the radio at this time and said to everyone: "I screened out some useless information. From the current look of things, dark energy should have been clearly captured. The key now is to conduct commonality analysis on various dark substances, organisms, and natural disaster phenomena. Once this difficulty is broken through, it should only be a matter of time before the secrets of the Star Abyss are unearthed by humanity."

"My god, it sounds like the grassland toward Western Orchid has turned into a snowfield, and it looks very dangerous?" Sasha said at this time.

"Looks like you're right." Chen Sixuan looked at Lin Xian: "Some people feel they can't run, but most still prioritize running away. But running away with a mark is even more troublesome."

Shu Qin frowned: "Team Leader Lin, that Snow Demon sounds like some kind of large-scale group organism, and it can even appear during the day. It looks like it can trigger the characteristics of the dark mark. This is indeed very troublesome."

Lin Xian nodded: "But there is still good news."

Ding Junyi seemed somewhat invigorated at this time. She said to Lin Xian: "Yes, it looks like the Phoenix Society is already developing this separation device. It should be a project that can formally utilize blood essence to enhance abilities and genetic evolution. In this way, the construction of various ability systems in the Angel Project should soon be made public. If there is a chance, I hope to obtain such a separation device from the Phoenix Society, and it would be best to also get a paper on this Cold Dark Fundamental Particle."

Lin Xian nodded: "Finally, there is some direction. If this kind of energy can be separated, humanity should be able to start truly utilizing the power of blood essence and the night."

!

"Wow, that means blood essence will become more and more valuable, right?" Sasha exclaimed.

"That's right." Kiki also nodded: "But what I'm more concerned about is the manufacturing of this kind of instrument. It shouldn't be simple. Even if it's portable, I estimate it's very precise."

"The Phoenix Society collaborated with Xinghua Heavy Industry; it shouldn't be a big problem. But how come I haven't heard of this Silent Industrial City?" Shu Qin asked.

"You don't know?" Kiki said mysteriously: "It's the Silent City. The mobile sea city built by the world's number one Wangyue Consortium. It is said that the city has a complete industrial system and can even drive onto land. I was particularly interested in this city at that time, but I never had the chance to go up and travel there later. It looks like it has now become a survivor traffic base and is collaborating with the Phoenix Society."

"Can drive onto land?" Lin Xian frowned slightly: "You don't mean to say that's a machine city, do you?"

"Really!" Kiki said seriously: "Many construction blueprints for this city circulated on the internet before. Although there were true and false ones, it can indeed be regarded as a large ship on the sea. If there were no industrial system, how would the Phoenix Society collaborate with this city?"

Lin Xian looked at Chen Sixuan and found her expression somewhat solemn at this moment.

"Chen Laoshi, what's wrong?"

Chen Sixuan, who was lost in thought, was called by Lin Xian. She reacted and then said: "What I'm concerned about is the blizzard problem they mentioned. Snow water is toxic and cannot be filtered. And the Snow Demons, the snow disaster, and what large-scale battle, the night strange entity area... these might be some problems we will face next."

Lin Xian nodded: "I've also paid attention to this point. There's a lot of information today. For us, there's good and bad. Currently, we must rush to Western Orchid as soon as possible. After rendezvous with the Phoenix Society people there, we should be able to get many answers about abilities and darkness. As for these problems on the road, our track direction is only this one. Or we could retreat in the opposite direction of the G5523 track to the Big Bamboo Mountains, but that's the No. 3 Star Abyss; it's impossible to go that way."

"No matter. Those monsters hide under the snow. My method is to shovel the snow. When the time comes, they will definitely have nowhere to hide!" Lu Xingchen said very confidently: "These things are either in the darkness or squatting in deep snow, which just goes to show that firelight is their fatal nemesis!"

"Good, good, good." Kiki clapped her hands upon hearing this: "Since you're so powerful, when the time comes, you'll be responsible for being tied to the front of the vehicle to shovel snow. It'll definitely be more efficient than the ice-breaking shield."

"Uh, no..."

"What is the super giant in the blizzard?" Sasha asked in surprise at this time: "Is it another very large monster?"

"Sounds like it." Shu Qin shrugged: "For something like this, I estimate it must be at least S-level."

"It can fire laser cannons. Could it be some man-made object?" Kiki said hurriedly: "Didn't that Hu Lushou tell us that the Phoenix Society is doing some Emperor Project in the Parma Grassland?"

"Stop guessing."

Lin Xian pinched the bridge of his nose and said: "There's a lot of information. We'll just keep paying attention. We can't draw any conclusions right now. We can only take it one step at a time. Everyone, get some rest early."

The advent of Cold Dark Fundamental Particles and separation devices, the ability system about to emerge, the Phoenix Society collaborating with the industrial system, the snow disaster under the extreme cold vortex, the Snow Demons, the super giant shadow at Yazehu...

Everything is like a layer of fog, lingering before everyone's eyes. Various forces are constantly operating, and survivors all over the world are racing against death.

Lin Xian knew that no results could be discussed at this time, so it was better to let everyone rest early to prepare for tomorrow's journey.

The most practical thing currently is the new Blood Calamity Plant obtained. Lin Xian felt that after the appearance of Cold Dark Fundamental Particles, the mystery of dark marks, encroachment, abilities, blood essence, and calamity plants is destined to be gradually unveiled by humanity!

……

The Level 3 dark mark on his body was removed, and the entire Infinite convoy breathed a sigh of relief. Chen Sixuan and Miao Lu led people to start distributing food, while Lin Xian re-manufactured a batch of Roaring K23 electric Gatling guns and heavy firepower weapons to equip the team.

The entire camp of trains and cars gained a rare night of peace surrounded by insect corpses.

Under the cover of night, Sasha and Dalou, along with several Infinite team members, wore gas masks and rummaged through the insect corpses around the camp looking for blood essence.

"It stinks, it stinks."

Sasha held her gun. Although she was wearing a gas mask, she could still feel that unparalleled fishy stench.

Swish!

Dalou slashed open the head of a large black beetle with one strike. Amidst the black gas, a blood essence strangely appeared on the ground.

"Hey, found one!!" Sasha jumped over nimbly, picked it up, wiped it with her glove, and showed some joy in her eyes when she saw the crystal-clear red blood essence. Then she carefully put it into the waist bag she carried with her.

"Let's go, let's go, let's go look over there. I remember Brother Huo burned a big red insect there earlier; there must be blood essence."

It wasn't just the Infinite convoy searching for insect corpses; the other convoys were also patrolling and rummaging through the insect corpses near their own camps. On one hand, it was to avoid potential survivors, but mainly because blood essence was a very good equivalent, especially now that survivors knew the value of blood essence after the Phoenix Society developed it, their enthusiasm for this thing became even higher.

On the other side, Chen Sixuan and Miao Lu, Xiao Yuan, and the others in the convoy camp began exchanging various useful supplies with personnel from other convoys, while also exchanging some tips and small intelligence for dealing with apocalyptic life.

A campfire was lit in the center of the camp, and the various parties began to participate enthusiastically. When it was learned that there were seriously wounded personnel in the Eagle convoy and the Running Far camp, Lin Xian also let Chen Sixuan arrange for these people to be brought onto the vehicle to use the vehicle-mounted full-effect life treatment pods for rescue.

This immediately caused a sensation in the entire camp!

For the people in these convoys, high-level treatment pods were no less than the arrival of a miracle. Those who were originally wounded, and even children and women with long-term illnesses, felt the dawn of hope at this moment.

Many wounded were cured in a short time. At the same time, Chen Sixuan also led people to exchange for many useful living supplies, enriching the living carriages inside the train quite a bit.

The atmosphere of huddling together for warmth and mutual assistance in the apocalypse was very infectious. Not long after, the personnel of the several convoys became familiar with each other. Because they had to leave before dawn tomorrow, everyone was busy with exchange work. Men and technical personnel were repairing vehicles and armor, young boys and girls were also working hard to help move supplies and wash car windows, and the main force responsible for protection also took advantage of the precious time to train the young people who had just joined the sequence in marksmanship and rescue skills, contributing to the team.

……

【Wind Cannon—Mechanical Amplification】

【Mechanical Amplification Started: Wind Cannon 6:14:26】

【R&D Center】

【TRP 4th Generation Special Industrial Active Exoskeleton Power Armor (Blueprint): 3 days 10 hours】

Late at night, the exchange activities between the several convoys had stopped, and each convoy had begun to rest. Because of the rapid cooling, the team members responsible for rotation duty put on thick cotton clothes and patrolled around the camp.

In Carriage No. 12 of the Infinite, Lin Xian looked at the amplification project and the R&D project and took a deep breath.

Before dawn tomorrow, his Wind Cannon would be formally upgraded. He couldn't help but feel some anticipation. His attack methods would receive a large-scale advancement. It wasn't just the basic skill; the practical application of the gravitational lens this time truly exceeded Lin Xian's expectations. It had actually severely damaged that red-light-headed monster at a critical moment. He had originally thought it could only distort some light and be used as some kind of control skill. Now it seemed this skill still had a lot of room for development!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 249 =====