Chapter 70: Distress Fluctuations, The Thorn's Expedition, and the Countdown to Annihilation

The cold wind at the top of the barrier, swirling with gunpowder smoke and the scent of decay, brushed against Lin Mo's blood-stained clothes. He leaned on the "Earth Vein Arbiter," its hilt emblem flickering weakly, his arm still trembling. Sister Ai Li stood beside him, her cold eyes scanning the battlefield, moonlight gathering at her fingertips, ready to ward off any potential follow-up attacks.

The shattered remains of the Order Crystal Plate lay scattered in the filthy slime, utterly devoid of luster. Yet deep within Lin Mo's consciousness, that set of clear coordinate information burned like a red-hot brand, radiating an inescapable presence.

"It's a trap," Sister Ai Li's voice was decisive, laced with lingering fear and anger. "That rat hiding in the shadows (the Doctor) wants to lure you in with false information."

"I know," Lin Mo's voice was somewhat hoarse. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes sharp as a hawk's, staring at the coordinates. "But the energy signature of these coordinates... is too similar to the Sanctuary Core. Even if it's fake, the Doctor must have encountered something similar." He recalled the other "Arks" mentioned in Kane's logs.

Just then, an extremely faint yet intensely urgent energy fluctuation erupted without warning from the coordinate information deep within his consciousness! This fluctuation was no longer the previous temptation or mystery, but filled with intermittence, exhaustion, and... a desperate plea for help! Its core frequency overlapped perfectly with the orderly rhythm of the slumbering Sanctuary Core!

【... Energy... depleted...】

【... Defense lines... collapsing...】

【... Annihilation... approaching...】

【... Request... support... same origin...】

Fragmented thoughts, 断续 and broken, accompanied this plea for help, transmitting clearly! As if a dying Ark Core, under the devouring tide of Annihilation, was emitting its final wail!

Lin Mo's body shuddered violently! This feeling... was too real! So real it made his heart clench! The blue light of the Anchor of Order resonated faintly under this same-origin fluctuation! The slumbering Sanctuary Core deep underground, the foundational link it maintained, also seemed to transmit a faint... pulse?

"What's wrong?" Sister Ai Li immediately noticed Lin Mo's abnormality.

"The coordinates... are sending a distress signal!" Lin Mo's voice was filled with disbelief. "It feels... like another Sanctuary Core! It's about to collapse!"

"A distress signal?" Sister Ai Li frowned tightly, suspicion filling her eyes. "This is too coincidental! Right after defeating the Rotclaw's attack, a distress signal appears? It must be the Doctor's trick!"

"I know!" Lin Mo took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart. "But what if it's real? If there truly is another Ark ruin being devoured by the Tide of Annihilation, it might contain crucial information to fight the Rotclaw, or even... a way to repair our Sanctuary Core!" He thought of the Sanctuary Core's energy reserves plummeting to 17.3% and some functions permanently shutting down.

"Too risky!" Thrum's loud voice rang out. He, Wrench, and Xiang Lingna had also rushed over. "Who knows what awaits us in that ghost place? What if it's the Rotclaw's main nest? Or a net set by the Doctor? The territory just went through a great battle and needs to rest!"

"Uncle Thrum is right!" Wrench缩缩 his neck. "Boss, our resources are thin; we can't afford to mess around!"

Xiang Lingna also looked at Lin Mo with worry, her small hands nervously twisting the hem of her clothes.

Lin Mo silently looked at the dimming blade in his hand, then at the winding crack on the barrier repaired by Order energy, and finally gazed toward the direction of the slumbering Sanctuary Core deep within the Earth Vein fissure. The awakening of the Thorn Will brought power, but also responsibility. Protecting this homeland meant not only resisting the current attack but also seeking the spark of hope for the future. These coordinates, whether real or fake, were like a thorn stuck in the flesh; if not pulled out, he could neither sleep nor eat in peace.

"Not everyone is going." Lin Mo made his decision, his voice steadying. "I will lead an elite squad for a quick reconnaissance. Sister Ai Li, Master Thrum, you stay to hold the territory, repair the barrier, and guard against another Rotclaw attack."

"I'm going with you!" Sister Ai Li said immediately, her tone leaving no room for argument. "My Moonlight power counters corruption; reconnaissance and retreat will be faster."

Lin Mo looked at Sister Ai Li's determined eyes, knowing he could not refuse, and nodded: "Very well. As for the others... Wrench, modify your detector. It needs to be able to detect high concentrations of corruption energy and Order signals from a distance."

"Huh? Me?" Wrench pointed at his own nose, then immediately grew excited. "No problem, Boss! I'll make sure to build a super radar! Xiang Lingna, come help; your Emerald aura is sensitive to energy sensing!"

"Xiang Lingna stays." Lin Mo patted Xiang Lingna's head. "Your power is more important for the territory's recovery. Help Master Thrum take care of the nursery and the barrier vines."

Although a bit disappointed, Xiang Lingna obediently nodded.

"No time to waste, prepare immediately!" Lin Mo ordered. "Sister Ai Li, check your equipment and restore your power. Wrench, you have half a day to modify the equipment. Master Thrum, the territory is in your hands. Xiang Lingna, use your power to soothe this land as much as possible."

Everyone immediately sprang into action. The depression fell once again into tense, orderly busyness.

Lin Mo walked to the edge of the Earth Vein fissure and sat cross-legged. He needed to restore his power as quickly as possible, and more importantly... attempt to communicate with the slumbering Sanctuary Core. He sank his consciousness into the Order link, like calling out in the dark depths of the sea.

【... Coordinates... distress signal... authenticity...】

【... Request... guidance...】

He transmitted his thoughts over and over. After an unknown duration, a response so faint it was almost vanishing finally came from that deep "sleep":

【... Signal... same origin... fluctuation... real...】

【... Danger... level... unknown... extremely high...】

【... Core... unable... to support...】

【... Wish... you... well...】

The response cut off. The Sanctuary Core fell silent once more.

The signal was real! Another Ark Core was truly calling for help! But the danger level was also extremely high!

Lin Mo's heart sank, yet it carried a sense of determination. He looked at Wrench modifying the detector and Sister Ai Li meditating with her eyes closed. The first active expedition of the Thorn Heart, target—Annihilation Coordinates! Whether ahead lay the spark of hope or the Doctor's deadly trap, they had to venture forth!

On the main screen of the Doctor's base, the scene of Lin Mo and Sister Ai Li preparing to depart was clearly displayed, along with Wrench's instrument, currently being modified with special detection modules.

【Distress signal simulation... successfully triggered target (Sanctuary Core) basic verification feedback.】

【Target Lord's trust level increased to: Moderate (crisis and hope coexist).】

【Target squad composition: Lord Lin Mo (carrying contamination source), individual Sister Ai Li (high-threat purifier), individual Wrench (technician/low combat power).】

【Annihilation Coordinates (real) environmental parameters loaded: high-concentration corruption field (Rotclaw secondary nest), spatial chaos traps (pre-set by Doctor), anti-Order energy nodes (x3)...】

【'Seed of Annihilation' final activation command... synchronization initiated... countdown: 00:59:59...】

The Doctor's cold fingertips hovered over a crimson virtual button labeled 【Annihilation Program Start】, the jumping countdown numbers reflected in his glasses.