Chapter 67

Deep within the "Guan Zhou" research base, a massive ancient vehicle floated in an energy field, its deep blue patterns flickering like breath. Gu Qingcheng's team worked frantically, connecting intricate instruments to the "Guan Zhou"'s hull, attempting to decipher its internal structure.

When Qin Feng arrived, Gu Qingcheng immediately approached him, her face a mix of exhaustion and excitement: "Boss, we just discovered an extremely unusual interface on the exterior of the 'Guan Zhou''s energy core—or rather… a device resembling a 'Lock'."

Qin Feng followed her gaze to an unremarkable corner of the "Guan Zhou"'s core region, where a circular area composed of countless fine, twisted, unknown symbols pulsed with an unsettling vibration, its center slightly sunken.

"We tried simulating multiple energy frequencies to unlock it, but all failed," Gu Qingcheng said gravely. "And each failure triggers a peculiar interference wave—not targeting equipment, but directly striking the… spiritual layer of the person attempting the unlock. Two engineers have already experienced brief dizziness and nausea."

Spiritual interference? Qin Feng's eyes flickered. The technology of this "Guan Zhou" was indeed far beyond modern civilization's understanding.

"System, scan this device." He commanded inwardly.

【Scanning… High-dimensional energy-encrypted lock detected. Preliminary classification: variant of 'Spirit Energy Contract Lock'. Forced cracking success rate below 0.01%. Risk of core energy backflow and catastrophic consequences.】

【Tip: This lock requires a specific 'Spiritual Frequency' or 'Permission Key' to open. System may attempt deep intervention, simulating high-frequency spiritual waves to strike, but requires the Host to provide a powerful spiritual anchor and endure potential backlash from failure.】

"What exactly is the backlash?" Qin Feng asked.

【Mild: spiritual injury, splitting headache. Severe: possible permanent imprinting by the ancient 'Malicious Curse' within the lock, leading to sustained spiritual erosion or Misfortune interference. System database incomplete—risk cannot be precisely assessed. Recommend naming this device 'Curse Key'.】

Curse Key… the name fits.

Qin Feng stared at the ominous circular region, his gaze calm. One key to the System's upgrade was deciphering the energy core. This "Curse Key" was an unavoidable barrier.

"What do I need to do?" he asked directly.

【Host, place your palm against the central depression of the 'Curse Key'. System will guide your spiritual energy to construct an impact channel. During the process, maintain absolute mental clarity and resist any spiritual impact or hallucination.】

The risk was high. But Qin Feng had no reason to retreat.

He ordered Gu Qingcheng and her team to evacuate to a safe zone, then stood alone beneath the colossal "Guan Zhou", facing the eerie "Curse Key".

Taking a deep breath, Qin Feng slowly raised his right hand and pressed it without hesitation into the central depression.

The instant his palm made contact—

Hum!

A cold, viscous, malevolent energy surged instantly up his arm, racing toward his brain. The scene before him twisted violently—no longer the high-tech research base, but a nightmarish landscape of mountains of corpses, piles of bones. Shrill wails and malicious curses struck his eardrums and mind like physical waves.

【High-intensity spiritual contamination detected! Activating purification protocol! Host, hold fast to your core!】 The System's voice grew urgent.

Qin Feng grunted, feeling as if ten thousand needles pierced his soul simultaneously. Yet his gaze remained sharp as a blade; his iron will, like a rock, held his spirit firm, unmoved by the onslaught of illusions and noise.

"System, continue!" he growled inwardly.

【Simulating spiritual wave impact—beginning! 10%… 30%… 50%…】

As the System deepened its intervention, the twisted symbols on the "Curse Key" blazed with blinding red light. A stronger, older malice surged like a tide—this time, not merely illusions. Qin Feng heard the desperate roars of countless beings at death's brink, felt a Malicious Curse spanning eons, trying to drag him into eternal abyss.

Veins bulged on his forehead, his temples throbbed, and a trickle of blood seeped from his lips—the physical manifestation of severe spiritual impact.

【70%… 80%… Warning! Curse imprint attempting to form! Host, focus! Imagine your strongest power—drive it away!】

Strongest power? Qin Feng's mind flashed with countless images—the cold indifference of controlling wealth and power, the ruthless crushing of enemies' schemes, and… the absolute will buried deep within the life's origin, born of the System and Life Matrix Optimization, transcending mortal limits.

"Get out!"

A roar from the depths of his soul—not through his throat, but like thunder exploding within his spiritual realm—a pure, tyrannical, inviolable force of will, like the sun melting snow, slammed into the attempting imprint.

Hiss—

As if a red-hot iron plunged into ice water, the cold, malevolent energy emitted an invisible shriek and rapidly receded.

【90%… 100%! Impact complete! 'Curse Key' energy signature recorded, temporary Permission Key acquired! Energy core interface open!】

The hum ceased abruptly.

The illusions and curses retreated like a tide.

Qin Feng withdrew his hand, swaying slightly, his face pale but his eyes blazing with startling clarity. He felt a faint, yet real, connection forming between himself and the "Guan Zhou".

【Warning: Host subjected to minor spiritual curse erosion. Future 72-hour Luck value slightly reduced; minor inconveniences likely. System has suppressed it—will fully purge after upgrade completion.】

Luck value reduced? Minor inconveniences? Qin Feng wiped the blood from his lips, unconcerned. Compared to the progress gained, this cost was negligible.

"Success?" The safety door opened and Gu Qingcheng hurried in, seeing Qin Feng's pale face, she asked anxiously.

"Yes." Qin Feng nodded, gazing at the now-dulled "Curse Key", its symbols slightly more orderly. "Now we can attempt direct connection to the energy core. Accelerate the analysis."

"Yes!" Gu Qingcheng looked at Qin Feng with deep admiration. She didn't know exactly what had happened, but she had felt the terrifying surge of Spiritual Pressure in that instant. This man had once again accomplished the impossible.

Qin Feng did not linger. He turned and left. He needed to absorb the Star Marrow as soon as possible, complete Life Matrix Optimization, then prepare for the System's final and most energy-intensive step—resource infusion.

The "Curse Key" had been breached. Another major obstacle had been cleared from the path to System upgrade.

Yet the so-called "Luck value reduction" seemed already beginning to take effect. On his way back to his residence, the estate's smart lighting flickered unusually several times; a bird, inexplicably appearing, nearly crashed into the bulletproof glass before him…

The minor inconveniences had begun.