Chapter 205: Awakening the Gardener and the Gaze from Orbit

Carrying the hard-won lava energy crystals and a heart full of doubts, Lin Mo and Lingna quickly retraced their steps under the guidance of the crystalline guides. The maintenance corridor lay silent, as if the lava-armored beasts and the strange black sludge had been nothing but a dream—only the faint lingering scent of sulfur and a trace of icy chill proved they had ever existed. The ancient hum had not sounded again; the ark’s wreckage had sunk back into stillness, but that brief awakening had stirred awe—and raised even more questions.

In the ecological dome hall, Ellie remained on high alert; seeing them return safely, her tense shoulders relaxed slightly. Liyana still slept peacefully, her complexion slightly rosier under the life-glow emitted by the seed crystal.

“Found some energy crystals—hope they’re useful.” Lin Mo placed the several orange-red crystals onto the platform. The moment they touched its surface, the molten glow within them brightened slightly, engaging in subtle energy interactions with the platform itself.

“Zero, status?” Lin Mo looked toward the console still linked to the platform interface.

“Stable connection established. The ‘Gardener’ AI core remains in extreme weakness, but portions of its base database are readable. Downloading fragmented data regarding this ecological unit, the ark’s basic structure, and its energy systems.” Zero reported, “These lava energy crystals exhibit high-temperature and high-activity properties; they must be converted by the platform before absorption. Estimated conversion efficiency: 65% to 70%.”

“Begin conversion and injection immediately. Prioritize sustaining the ‘Gardener’ core and basic life support.” Lin Mo ordered. Better than nothing.

Zero’s console guided the platform to emit a faint glow; the lava crystals were drawn upward by invisible force, floating to specific recesses along one side of the platform. Fine streams of energy, like golden threads, were siphoned from the crystals and channeled into the platform. The platform emitted a low hum; its surface patterns lit up sequentially, beginning energy conversion and transmission.

As energy flowed in, the lighting overhead stabilized slightly, and the faint hum of the air circulation system grew stronger. Most importantly, the emerald seed crystal at the platform’s center radiated a life-glow that visibly brightened and stabilized!

Hum…

The massive hexagonal crystal screen lit up again; the flickering snow and garbled code shortened considerably. The cold electronic voice returned, still weak but no longer broken:

【Energy input confirmed... Source: geothermal-derived crystals, purity: medium, conversion efficiency: 68.4%... Core energy level raised to 4.1%... Basic functions extended... Thank you, Guardian.】

Success! Though the gain was minuscule, it had truly worked!

“Gardener, report your status and the condition of this ‘New Oasis’ ark.” Lin Mo asked, his voice low, urgency stirring within him.

【Status report: Severe damage. Ecological sector B-7 integrity: 31%. Life support system efficiency: 18%. Main energy lines severed. Connection to other ark sectors lost: 97.3%. Database corruption rate: 89.7%.】 The Gardener’s voice held no emotion, merely stating the grim facts.

[Ark 'New Oasis' overview: An ecological ark built from remnants of the ancient World Tree and a star-dust core, designed to traverse the star-seas and spread life and order. During its standard navigation cycle, it encountered an unknown dimensional storm... and a vanguard unit of the Annihilation Tide, sustaining heavy damage and being forced to land in this unknown star region. Upon landing, the core power chamber, the 'Earth Vein Energy Well,' was voluntarily sealed and put into sleep mode to prevent a total explosion. Most other sectors became disconnected or destroyed.]

The Annihilation Tide! So it was true! The shadow behind the Doctor—the Devouring Maw—had already extended its tendrils into this star region!

“Earth Vein Energy Well?” Lin Mo seized on the key detail. “Where is it? Can it be restarted?”

【The Earth Vein Energy Well is located in the ark’s core zone. Navigation data is partially missing. The optimal path requires traversal through the main energy conduit network, but multiple segments are currently severed. Several backup maintenance tunnels may be attempted, but risks are unknown. The well’s current state: dormant. Restart requires two conditions: one, a sufficiently powerful initial energy surge; two, at least one ‘World Tree Seed’ as a trigger to harmonize the energy surge and reactivate the dormant star-dust core within the well.】 The Gardener provided the answer—but each condition was brutally demanding.

A powerful initial energy surge... a World Tree Seed... Lin Mo’s gaze involuntarily drifted to the emerald seed crystal at the platform’s center. That was a ready-made World Tree Seed! But it was the key to sustaining this ecosystem and the Gardener’s existence; removing it to restart the well would likely cause immediate collapse.

As if sensing Lin Mo’s hesitation, the Gardener continued: 【Warning: Removal of this seed will cause complete shutdown of B-7 ecological unit. Risk of permanent dormancy for the ‘Gardener’ core increases. Recommendation: Prioritize locating alternative energy sources to sustain this unit, or... locate other scattered seeds. According to fragmented logs, prior to the ark’s crash, several seeds were ejected via emergency protocols and scattered across different ark sectors or... the planet’s surface.】

Other seeds existed! This was a new hope—and a new objective!

“Scattered seeds... can you detect their approximate locations?” Xiang Lingna asked, unable to contain herself. Her right-arm crystal had a strong resonance with this seed—could it sense others too?

【Detection systems are severely damaged. Cannot perform wide-area precise scanning. But seeds emit unique life-energy signatures; within close range, they can be faintly sensed via high-sensitivity life-energy detectors or... via your right arm’s ‘Key.’】 The Gardener’s reply turned attention to Lingna.

At that moment, Zero’s console suddenly blared an urgent alarm, cutting off the conversation!

“Warning! High-intensity, high-precision scanning beam penetrated the ark’s external shielding! Source: Low Earth orbit! Signature matches: Doctor’s reconnaissance craft active probe system!”

“Scanning beam is focusing! Target locked: anomalous energy fluctuation zone in this ecological unit! We’ve been detected!”

Every face turned pale.

“Cease energy conversion immediately! Go to minimum power silent mode!” Lin Mo ordered at once.

The platform’s glow dimmed instantly; energy extraction from the lava crystals halted. The hall’s lighting returned to its former dimness. Only the seed crystal continued its steady, faint radiance. The Gardener’s screen darkened rapidly, retaining only minimal operational functions.

But it was already too late.

The invisible, orbital scanning beam—like a cold finger—had already brushed across the entire ecological hall, lingering for a moment on the seed crystal and on Lin Mo and the others.

Though the beam quickly moved on, a chilling sensation—like being watched by a venomous serpent—gripped them all.

Zero’s console fell silent for several seconds, then issued an even more chilling alarm:

“Orbital reconnaissance craft signal altered! One vessel is adjusting attitude, descending orbit altitude! The other two remain stationary, establishing information relay lockdown!”

“Descent target... predicted impact point... this location!”

“Assessment: Enemy preparing to deploy airborne combat units or... conduct precision bombardment!”