Chapter 209

The triangular formation of three San Tai Sanitation Units operated like a cold, killing machine; the energy cannon muzzles glowed brighter and brighter, locking Lin Mo and the others firmly in the northwest corner. Shadows writhed at the breach in their rear drop pods, suggesting new threats might descend at any moment. Above, through the dome’s rupture, the shadow of another reconnaissance craft could faintly be seen descending—like a circling vulture, waiting to deliver the fatal strike.

We cannot be trapped here!

“Gardener! Where does that maintenance passage lead? Is it safe?” Lin Mo spoke rapidly, eyes fixed on the approaching Sanitation Units, starlight energy once again gathering in his palms—but this time not for direct confrontation, but for interference and cover.

【Data missing… passage map corrupted… only known: this passage was used during early construction, theoretically connecting to the Ark’s deeper main maintenance corridor, but conditions along the route are unknown. Safety cannot be assessed.】 Gardener’s reply offered no reassurance.

Unknown is better than staying here and being blasted into ash!

“Ali, Lingna, move toward that passage entrance! Zero, distract them! Crystal clusters, lead the way!” Lin Mo made his decision instantly, issuing a rapid series of commands.

Zero’s console immediately channeled all energy into the jamming system, releasing a single invisible, sensor-targeted pulse of intense interference! The three Sanitation Units’ crimson sensors flared wildly in chaotic bursts, their aim thrown off—dense energy beams slammed into the surrounding cover, blasting debris everywhere!

The crystal clusters seemed to understand Lin Mo’s order—or perhaps instinctively sensed the passage was their only path to survival—emitting rapid clicking sounds, they leapt without hesitation toward the maintenance entrance on the far side of the hall, half-buried under rubble. Their small frames slipped effortlessly through the gaps in the debris.

“Go!” Lin Mo growled, thrusting both palms forward. A torrent of starlight energy erupted like a shockwave—not to kill, but to create a violent energy disturbance, further disrupting the Sanitation Units’ targeting, while simultaneously kicking up dust and debris to form a brief visual barrier!

Ali hoisted Liyana and moved like a ghost, following the crystal clusters through the smoke toward the passage entrance. Lingna forced herself to keep up.

Lin Mo covered the rear, retreating while fighting, using starlight shields to deflect scattered energy beams. Each parry left his arms numb, draining him severely.

Pfft! An energy beam pierced the smoke, grazing Lin Mo’s shoulder and tearing away a patch of skin. The searing pain made him grunt, but he didn’t slow his step.

Finally, the group reached the maintenance entrance. The opening was narrower than the previous repair passage—bending low was required to enter. Inside, darkness reigned, thick with the stench of decay and mildew.

Ali didn’t hesitate, diving in first. Lingna followed close behind. Lin Mo formed one final light shield at the entrance, absorbing a full volley of fire. The shield flickered violently, nearly shattering—he used the impact to leap backward and slipped into the passage.

Almost as he entered, the three Sanitation Units broke through the smoke and reached the entrance. But their massive bodies couldn’t fit through the narrow opening; their power claws frantically hacked at the metal frame, screeching loudly, sparks flying as they tried to widen the gap.

“They can’t get in! Move!” Lin Mo shouted. Inside the passage, darkness swallowed everything—only Zero’s console and the crystal clusters’ faint glows offered dim illumination.

This passage was older and more dilapidated, the ground uneven, dust piled thick enough to cover their ankles, the air thick and suffocating. Yet the leading crystal clusters moved with uncanny familiarity—they didn’t hesitate at the first fork, choosing a downward-sloping, more concealed side path.

“They seem… to actually know the way…” Lingna panted. In the dark, the emerald veins in her right arm seemed to offer a faint glimmer of vision.

“Follow them! Zero, record the path!” Lin Mo said firmly. They had no choice but to trust these native creatures.

The passage descended deeper, the terrain growing steeper. More pipes and cables appeared, many coated in thick, grayish fungal growths and spiderwebs. Some sections required crawling on hands and knees to pass. Far behind, the noise of the Sanitation Units destroying the entrance faded, then vanished entirely, replaced by a more unsettling, low hum—like the heartbeat of the Ark itself—pulsing intermittently.

After walking for an unknown length of time, the lead crystal cluster suddenly stopped, emitting a series of excited clicking sounds. It pointed its forelimb at an unremarkable metal panel, entirely covered in thick fungal growths on the wall ahead.

Zero’s scanning beam focused on it. “Detection: cavity behind. Energy signature… anomalous. Not starlight or biological energy—but… a stable, inert geological energy signature, similar to… high-purity crystal vein.”

A vein? Inside the Ark?

The crystal cluster began rapidly scraping away the fungal growth on the panel. Soon, an ancient, manually operated valve wheel emerged beneath.

“It… wants to open this?” Lingna said uncertainly.

Lin Mo stepped forward and tried turning the wheel. It was heavily rusted. He strained with all his strength until, with a screeching metallic grind, it slowly rotated.

Click… clang…

The seemingly solid wall beside them suddenly sank inward, then slid open soundlessly, revealing a gap just wide enough for one person to pass through. A cold, strangely energized air rushed out, instantly clearing the passage’s foul atmosphere.

Beyond the gap was not another corridor or chamber—but a vast, unimaginable underground crystal cavern!

The cavern stretched beyond sight, its walls, ceiling, and floor covered in countless massive, uniquely shaped natural crystal clusters. These crystals were not transparent, but deep-hued—deep blue, dark purple, blazing red, ink-green… They grew silently, their interiors glowing with slow, flowing light, bathing the entire cavern in a soft, steady radiance, making it seem like a dream. The air was thick with inert energy, so dense it felt almost solid—each breath revived the spirit!

Most astonishingly, many crystal clusters were quietly resting atop the giant crystal clusters, their body glows interweaving with the crystals’ light, as if exchanging energy. On the cavern floor, even tiny, newborn crystal clusters—no larger than a fingernail—were slowly growing!

This… was their nest! Or rather, their “nursery” and energy source!

“Unbelievable… the Ark’s interior harbors such a natural energy cavern…” Lin Mo was stunned. Though the crystals’ energy was inert and unusable directly, their total volume was staggering!

The lead crystal cluster emitted cheerful clicking sounds, leaping into the cavern and merging with its kin. The others flickered their glows slightly at the newcomers’ arrival—no hostility shown, as if they had already accepted their presence.

“Perhaps… we can hide here for now…” Lingna said, gazing at the tranquil, beautiful cavern, her breath easing slightly.

But Zero’s console issued a warning: “Detection: cavern energy field exhibits extreme shielding effect. External scans cannot penetrate. Simultaneously, our external communication and signal transmission will be severely weakened—nearly severed.”

A safe haven—yet also a place of total isolation.

At that moment, Lin Mo’s gaze was drawn to a sight deep within the cavern. Amid countless colorful crystal clusters, a relatively open area stood. There rose a single, extraordinarily massive crystal column, pure milky white—its shape… eerily resembling a tree without branches or leaves! Its trunk stood straight, its roots tangled deep into the earth.

Beneath this “crystal tree,” the soil was a strange, charred black—alien to the energy-rich surroundings. Thick, tar-like black substances clung to the tree’s roots like sores, slowly, stubbornly spreading upward. Wherever they touched, the pure crystal dimmed, losing its luster!

The Invasion of the World-Eater’s Maw! It had spread here too—even devouring the cavern’s energy core!

“What is that…” Lingna also saw the disturbing sight; her right arm crystal sent a familiar wave of revulsion.

Lin Mo slowly approached the crystal tree. The closer he came, the more he felt the ancient, heavy energy within the milky crystal—same origin as starlight, yet far older. And he sensed more clearly now the cold, dead hunger radiating from the black corruption.

Just as his hand was about to touch the corrupted root—

【Warning! High concentration of annihilation contaminants detected!】 Gardener’s voice suddenly came through Zero’s console—apparently the cavern’s shielding couldn’t fully sever its faint link to the Seed, 【Target object: Suspected ‘geopulse energy crystallization juvenile’… extremely rare… being contaminated…】

Geopulse energy crystallization? Could this cavern be connected to the Ark’s geopulse energy well?

【Recommendation: Immediately remove contaminants! Otherwise, entire crystal cavern energy source will be contaminated—crystal cluster ecosystem will perish! But removal requires… World Tree life energy or equivalent purification force…】

World Tree life energy… Lin Mo and Lingna’s eyes met, then turned to the corrupted crystal tree.

Lingna gritted her teeth, stepped forward, and raised her cracked right arm, attempting to activate the emerald veins within. A faint life-glow flared, shining upon the black corruption.

Hss…

Black smoke rose. The corruption recoiled slightly, like a living thing—but clung stubbornly, even splitting off a tendril like a black serpent, coiling backward along Lingna’s emitted life energy!

Lingna screamed and stumbled back, face pale. “No… it’s too stubborn… my power isn’t enough…”

Lin Mo stepped forward instantly, turning starlight energy into a barrier and severing the attacking black tendril. To purify this place, they needed either more World Tree seeds—or… Liyana to awaken.

This safe haven concealed a danger they could not ignore.

Unbeknownst to them, shortly after they entered the cavern, several shadowy, twisted figures—formed from darkness—slid soundlessly along the narrow maintenance passage they had just passed. Crimson electronic eyes flickered once in the dark, then vanished back into the shadows.