Chapter 426: Search

In the bedroom of Infinite Train Car No. 1, Lin Xian observed the mysterious container in the dark; eerie sounds echoed outside the window, and it was only 2 a. ., pitch black.

As before, this object emitted a force that suppressed psychic abilities when not stored in a lead box, leaving one feeling weak and drained—but fortunately, it was in a relatively safe environment; Lin Xian now had the Black Star Forge for storage, making handling it much easier.

"What did you find?" Chen Sixuan stood beside him with a cold light lamp, frowning; the same force made her feel uneasy too.

Lin Xian shook his head: "Nothing. At first, I thought it resonated with my Mechanical Heart, so I brought it along. After fleeing through the snowfields of Hengshan Pass, I forgot about it entirely—I still don't know what's inside…"

"But this time, it displayed my name." He sighed, staring solemnly at the strange container.

"Hello, Lin Xian." Chen Sixuan's gaze shifted: "That sounds like it's speaking to you."

"I felt the same," Lin Xian said.

"But that's strange—this thing shouldn't be able to receive any external information at all."

The Black Star Forge was Lin Xian's unique mechanical psychic space; no external information could enter except his own consciousness, so he naturally ruled out remote transmission of this message. At this moment, Lin Xian could only entertain one hypothesis: the container possessed some form of intelligence or self-awareness—otherwise, how could a password matrix screen possibly speak to him?

Lin Xian activated the matrix password screen, thought for a moment, then entered 0 through 9; since it was an 11-digit code, he added another 0 at the end.

【INCORRECT PASSWORD】

【RESTART TIMER: 23: 9: 9】

As expected, the password was wrong.

This left Lin Xian deeply puzzled and even more curious about the mysterious container; he urgently wanted to open it and see what was inside, so he called for Viola.

"Viola, can you crack this matrix password?"

Viola extended her hand; her knuckles rotated and emitted several filaments that connected to the password device, then spoke:

【This device uses a superlattice password based on a physical unclonable function (PUF), generated from the physical properties of semiconductor superlattice materials. Password verification relies on the true randomness of hardware signals and requires matching the physical device's real-time response. Only one correct input is permitted; any failed attempt causes signal failure. The device also has a self-destruct mechanism: if brute-force attempts are detected, the physical component triggers irreversible circuit fusing or signal distortion, permanently destroying its password-generation capability.】

Viola turned to Lin Xian: 【Analysis indicates algorithmic brute-forcing is impossible. According to the prompt, forcibly damaging the physical structure would cause Re-Suspended Conductive Fluid leakage. I currently lack data on the fluid's basic properties, but can infer it is hazardous. Do you confirm disassembly?】

Lin Xian took a deep breath, staring at the mysterious container, his curiosity burning—but he didn't know what consequences the Re-Suspended Conductive Fluid leakage might cause. He hesitated.

"It greeted me by name—and then said nothing. How odd."

Lin Xian thought of Hua Xiaoling; his subconscious told him to handle this cautiously.

"Since it's connected to that Foundation, finding their people should yield answers," Chen Sixuan said reassuringly. "One of your reasons for crossing the Pacific was to investigate this mysterious organization, wasn't it?"

Lin Xian nodded. "When I connected with the Corpse-Driving Cult's consciousness, I did see some humans—they all bore a mark."

He pinched the bridge of his nose: "At the Qingshui Town test site, both Kiki and I saw that same mark. I'm sure I didn't misremember."

"Does the Phoenix Society believe this organization communicates with some Dark Civilization?" Chen Sixuan said.

"The Phoenix Society has investigated many things."

Lin Xian said: "Professor Ye told me Qingshui Town was just one case. The Phoenix Society, alongside regional groups, has cataloged hundreds—perhaps thousands—of post-apocalypse organizations. But this SIID Foundation wasn't formed after the Apocalypse. The Lofei Consortium was already a globally renowned powerhouse before the Apocalypse, with vast wealth rivaling nations and close ties to the Federation. From Yurius's intel, I learned even organizations like the Crimson World were originally funded and built by the Foundation—proof of their immense influence."

Lin Xian recalled the massive test site at Qingshui Town with its dome ceiling, his brow furrowed: "At first, I assumed the Crimson World made its breakthroughs through bloody experiments in dark biology and psychic research. But that idea was naive. Organizations like the Phoenix Society couldn't be weak in any field. Their scientists and frontline research teams weren't fools. If you combine the intelligence gathered by secret teams like the Nightwalkers and the North American Alliance, the Crimson World and the Foundation aren't merely ideologues who believe in a descent of consciousness…"

He looked at Chen Sixuan, voice low: "They must have some form of communication with the Dark Civilization. It may not be mutual—or even one-sided—but regardless, we can guess this communication may have begun before the Apocalypse."

Chen Sixuan's pupils trembled slightly; hearing this, her expression turned grave.

"So this Foundation might possess critical intelligence—perhaps as spies?"

"I hope so," Lin Xian said.

"Hope?"

Lin Xian sighed, spreading his hands: "If they are, then we have a chance to learn something, don't we?"

Chen Sixuan looked at Lin Xian: "Lin Xian, do you and the Phoenix Society have some plan?"

Lin Xian nodded: "Sort of. When we reach the Republic Islands, we may need to assist the Phoenix Society's headquarters in Noah. We'll see the details when we get there."

"What about the Eagle Sea Clan?" Chen Sixuan walked to the window, half-opened the blackout panel, glanced outside, then lowered her voice to Lin Xian: "You said you wanted more—but I suspect you don't want to cooperate."

Lin Xian blinked: "How do you know?"

Chen Sixuan smiled faintly: "Because it's not your nature. The night is dangerous and unknown; the sea is treacherous and elusive. Even if the lattice is tempting, unless absolutely forced, you'd never actively hunt strange entities for that purpose. Besides, we already have three Grade Four Blood Essences. You'd rather secure the breeding device, then trade resources and weapons for more—no need to risk yourself hunting Special-grade entities out at sea, right?"

Hearing Chen Sixuan's words, Lin Xian smiled: "Only Chen Laoshi understands me. You're right—caravans killing D- and C-grade entities for Blood Essence? I get it. But actively hunting a group of Special-grade entities? That's insane."

Though the Infinite Train crew was strong, humans still couldn't match strange entities. And these weren't game monsters—their attack patterns were erratic. One misstep, even if he piloted Unit-01, could leave him critically wounded. For some Blood Essence, the risk wasn't worth it—he'd rather trade resources.

Lin Xian's mechanical psychic ability gave him a natural advantage here, so he was far more interested in Vanessa's rumored maritime black market. If he scanned the breeding device and understood the core seed cultivation process, things could become simple—even unnecessary to complicate matters. Once dawn came, he could contact the Phoenix Society through Chu Yan; the situation might clarify quickly.

Chen Sixuan walked over and sat beside Lin Xian, gently leaning against his shoulder, closing her eyes.

"This journey has felt like a dream. Our train keeps moving forward, more people joining us—but thanks to your survival-first philosophy, we've avoided needless risks."

"But trouble is inevitable."

Lin Xian pulled Chen Laoshi into his arms, sighing: "On our first night at sea, I felt something deeply wrong. As those Eagle Sea Clan members said, maritime powers are deeply entangled, strange entities keep evolving, and the monsters beneath the deep sea have already revealed themselves. The danger is higher than on land. Our goal on the Oceanic Route is to reach South America quickly, then cross the Storm Strait to the Poles—we must hurry."

"Hurry?" Chen Sixuan said. "Hasn't Viola finished scouting the sea route yet?"

"No. I mean we need to hurry." Lin Xian pointed to his watch. "It's almost three."

Chen Sixuan realized, her face flushed instantly. She opened her mouth to speak—but Lin Xian had already stood, scooped her up, and carried her to the bedroom bed.

"Hey, monsters are outside! Make noise and we're dead!"

"Relax—if sound could get us found, we'd already be dead."

Lin Xian's Mechanical Heart activated, shutting all automatic doors and window blinds. The bedroom was left with only one cold light lamp—dark, sealed, creating an intense, contrasting sensation.

Outside the armored car, the dark, empty platform of the railway station lay silent; the city was utterly still, the cold, fearful breaths of monsters echoing in the shadows—utterly unlike the soft, warm breaths inside the bed.

Lin Xian loved this feeling: unknown terror beyond the walls, a safe haven within. It gave him an addictive sense of security.

Perhaps influenced by Lin Xian, Chen Sixuan too had begun to crave this intimacy amid darkness and fear.