Chapter 70

The icy wind atop the rampart carried smoke and the stench of decay, brushing against Lin Mo’s bloodstained robes. He leaned on the Earthvein Arbiter, its hilt emblem flickering weakly, his arm still trembling slightly. Ali stood beside him, her cold eyes scanning the battlefield, moonlight gathering at her fingertips, ready to repel any further attack.

The shattered remnants of the Order Crystal plate lay scattered in the filthy slime, utterly dimmed. But deep within Lin Mo’s consciousness, that clear set of coordinates burned like a searing brand, radiating an inescapable presence.

“It’s a trap,” Ali said sharply, her voice laced with dread and fury. “That rat hiding in the shadows (the Doctor) tried to lure you in with false intel.”

“I know,” Lin Mo replied, his voice hoarse. He wiped blood from his lips, his gaze sharp as a hawk fixed on the coordinates. “But the energy signature of these coordinates… it’s too similar to the Sanctuary’s core. Even if it’s fake, the Doctor must have encountered something like it.” He recalled the other “Arks” mentioned in Kane’s journal.

At that moment, an extremely faint yet intensely urgent energy fluctuation erupted without warning from the coordinates within his consciousness! This fluctuation was no longer mere temptation or mystery—it carried fragmented, fading, and… desperate cries for help! Its core frequency closely matched the rhythmic pattern of the slumbering Sanctuary core!

【...energy...depleted...】

【...frontline...collapsed...】

【...annihilation...imminent...】

【...request...support...same-origin...】

Fragmented thoughts, carried by this cry for help, transmitted clearly! As if the dying core of another Ark, consumed by the tide of annihilation, emitted its final lament!

Lin Mo’s body jolted violently! This sensation… was too real! So real it tightened his heart! The blue glow of the Anchor of Order resonated faintly in response to this same-origin fluctuation! Even the slumbering core beneath the earth, the foundational link, seemed to send a barely perceptible… tremor?

“What’s wrong?” Ali immediately noticed Lin Mo’s disturbance.

“The coordinates… they’re sending a distress signal!” Lin Mo’s voice held disbelief. “It feels… like another Sanctuary core! It’s about to fail!”

“Distress?” Ali frowned, her eyes filled with suspicion. “Too convenient! Just after we repelled the Rotclaw assault, a distress signal appears? It’s definitely the Doctor’s trick!”

“I know!” Lin Mo took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the fluttering in his chest. “But what if it’s real? If another Ark ruin exists, being consumed by the Annihilation Tide, it might hold critical information to fight Rotclaw—or even a way to repair our Sanctuary core!” He thought of the Sanctuary core’s energy reserves, now at 17.3%, and its permanently disabled functions.

“Too risky!” Tong Xu’s loud voice rang out as he and Wrench and Lingna arrived. “Who knows what waits for us in that hellhole? What if it’s Rotclaw’s nest? Or the Doctor’s trap? Our territory just endured a major battle—we need to rest!”

“Tong Xu is right!” Wrench shrank back. “Boss, we’re low on resources—we can’t afford another gamble!”

Lingna watched Lin Mo anxiously, her small hands twisting her sleeve.

Lin Mo stared silently at the dimming blade in his hand, then at the winding crack on the rampart, repaired by Order energy, and finally toward the direction of the slumbering Sanctuary core deep within the Earthvein fissure. The awakening of the Thorn Will had brought power—and responsibility. Protecting this home meant more than repelling current attacks; it meant seeking the spark of hope for the future. These coordinates, true or false, were a thorn embedded in his flesh—unremoved, he could not rest.

“Not everyone goes,” Lin Mo declared, his voice steady. “I’ll lead a small elite team for a rapid recon. Ali, Master Tong Xu—you stay behind to hold the territory, repair the rampart, and guard against another Rotclaw assault.”

“I’m going with you!” Ali said at once, her tone leaving no room for refusal. “My Moonlight power suppresses decay—we’ll move faster in recon and retreat.”

Lin Mo met Ali’s resolute gaze and knew he couldn’t refuse. He nodded. “Fine. Next candidate… Wrench, modify your detector. It needs to detect high-concentration decay energy and Order signals at long range.”

“Me?” Wrench pointed at his own nose, then brightened. “No problem, Boss! I’ll build a super radar! Lingna, help me—your Jade Aura is sensitive to energy!”

“Lingna stays,” Lin Mo said, gently patting her head. “Your power is more vital for the territory’s recovery. Help Master Tong Xu tend the nursery and the rampart vines.”

Lingna, though disappointed, nodded obediently.

“No time to waste—prepare immediately!” Lin Mo ordered. “Ali, check your gear and restore your strength. Wrench, you have half a day to modify the equipment. Master Tong Xu, I entrust the territory to you. Lingna, use your power to soothe this land as much as you can.”

Everyone sprang into action. The depression once again filled with tense, orderly bustle.

Lin Mo walked to the edge of the Earthvein fissure and sat cross-legged. He needed to restore his strength quickly—and more importantly, attempt to communicate with the slumbering Sanctuary core. He sank his consciousness into the Order link, like calling into the dark depths of the ocean.

【...coordinates...distress...true or false...】

【...request...guidance...】

He transmitted the thought again and again. After what felt like an eternity, a faint, nearly vanished response finally emerged from the deep “sleep”:

【...signal...same-origin...fluctuation...real...】

【...danger...level...unknown...extremely high...】

【...core...unable...to assist...】

【...wish...you...well...】

The response ceased. The Sanctuary core fell silent once more.

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

Lin Mo’s heart sank, yet hardened with resolve. He looked toward Wrench, modifying his detector, and Ali, meditating in stillness. The Thorn Heart’s first active expedition—target: the Annihilation Coordinates! Whether ahead lay the spark of hope or the Doctor’s deadly trap, he must press forward!

On the Doctor’s main screen, clear footage displayed Lin Mo and Ali preparing to depart, and Wrench’s device, modified with a special detection module.

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

【Target Lord’s trust level increased to: Moderate (coexistence of crisis and hope).】

【Target team composition: Lord Lin Mo (carrying contamination source), individual Ali (high-threat purifier), individual Wrench (technician/low combat capability).】

【Annihilation Coordinates (real) environmental parameters loaded: high-concentration decay field (Rotclaw secondary nest), spatial chaos traps (Doctor’s preset), anti-Order energy nodes (x3)…】

【‘Seed of Annihilation’ final activation command… synchronized… countdown: 00:59:59…】

The Doctor’s cold fingertip hovered above a crimson virtual button labeled 【Activate Annihilation Protocol】, his lenses reflecting the flickering countdown digits.