Chapter 424: The Last Plan

Every time an eye fully formed, the surrounding space would twist and distort, as if reality itself were fragile before this terrifying existence. Tentacles swayed in the air like sensors, and every movement brought intense fluctuations in reality; buildings, trees, and even humans on the ground would experience brief moments of distortion.

Across the globe, hundreds of millions of controlled "Star Brain" users simultaneously entered a strange state of stillness. They stood where they were, eyes vacant, bodies rigid, like human statues. But they were not truly still; they were vibrating at a frequency barely perceptible to the naked eye, and each vibration was accompanied by the loss of Life Energy. These people had become Yage's "biological batteries," providing a steady stream of the energy required for its descent.

Inside the Five Elements City Guardian Network Headquarters, the "Five-Core Energy Conversion Instrument" operated at full power, and a pillar of energy formed by five-colored light shot straight into the clouds, engaging in a fierce confrontation with the Void Vortex. This energy pillar was one of humanity's last hopes; although it could not completely stop Yage's descent, it at least succeeded in slowing the process.

However, as time passed, the device began to show signs of instability. Alarm lights on the control panel lit up one after another, and data fluctuations grew increasingly large, clearly indicating a risk of overload.

"Energy conversion rate has dropped to 62%!" Xu Feng reported anxiously, "The system cannot maintain current output for long!"

Xiao Yuan stared intently at the monitoring screen, her expression grave: "The Global Guardian Network is also decaying rapidly. The Millennium Great Barrier in Japan has already developed cracks, the energy shield in the Himalayas has dropped in intensity by 30%, and the situation in Europe and the Americas is not optimistic either."

Lin Xuan stood at the central command position, silently absorbing this information. His body had fully entered the "Five Elements Unity" state, five-colored light flowing beneath his skin; he was like an energy vessel, containing unimaginable power. But even in this state, he knew he could not completely stop Yage's descent from the outside.

Just then, the communication system suddenly emitted a sharp alert tone.

"It's Yang Zhiyuan's encrypted channel!" Xu Feng shouted in surprise, immediately connecting the communication.

Yang Zhiyuan's figure appeared on the screen again, more blurred and fragmented than last time. His body had been almost entirely consumed by Void Energy, with only a small part of his face retaining human features; his voice was intermittent and filled with pain as he spoke.

"Lin... Xuan... I have... one last... plan..." Yang Zhiyuan said with difficulty, "Star Technology... Headquarters... underground... Energy Furnace Core... I am preparing... to detonate..."

Everyone gasped. The Energy Furnace Core at the Xingchen Keji Zongbu was one of Yang Zhiyuan's proudest inventions, combining the most advanced quantum technology with special energy elements, and it contained astonishing power. Once detonated, the entire city center area would be severely affected.

"The explosion... will cause... energy reversal..." Yang Zhiyuan continued to explain, "Temporarily... weakening... Yage... buying you... time..."

"You will die!" Lin Xuan frowned; although Yang Zhiyuan had been eroded by Void Energy, he remained a respectable opponent and a potential ally.

Yang Zhiyuan revealed a bitter smile: "I... have long been... beyond... saving... at least... my death... will have value..."

The communication cut off again, and the screen returned to darkness. Everyone fell into a brief silence, digesting this sudden information.

"If he succeeds in detonating the Energy Furnace Core, it could indeed cause a temporary weakening of Yage," Xu Feng analyzed, "but it is far from enough. According to my calculations, even if the furnace core explodes, the Void Vortex will weaken by at most 30% and will recover quickly."

Lin Xuan nodded; he had already anticipated this. Yang Zhiyuan's sacrificial plan could only buy time, not fundamentally resolve the crisis. Right now, the only hope was himself—the power of "Five Elements Unity" might be able to deliver a fatal blow at the moment Yage was at its weakest.

After a brief and intense internal struggle, Lin Xuan made his final decision.

"I need to go directly to the center of the energy vortex," Lin Xuan's voice was unusually calm, "to release the full power of 'Five Elements Unity' at the position closest to Yage."

"No!" Xiao Yuan opposed almost instinctively, "That's suicide! The concentration of Void Energy at the center of the vortex is thousands of times higher than in normal areas; no one can survive there for more than a few seconds!"

Lin Xuan looked at her, his gaze firm and gentle: "This is the only way. The power of 'Five Elements Unity' needs to be released as close to the source as possible to produce the maximum effect. Besides..." He paused, pointing to the Void Erosion on his left arm, "I don't have much time left anyway."

Xiao Yuan wanted to continue arguing, but was gently pulled back by Xu Feng. Xu Feng's expression was heavy but understanding: "Lin Xuan is right. According to energy theory, the closer the distance, the more significant the impact effect. If he can release the power of 'Five Elements Unity' at the same time Yang Zhiyuan detonates the furnace core, it might truly deal a fatal blow to Yage."

The command center fell into silence; everyone understood that this might be humanity's last hope, and it also meant that Lin Xuan would almost certainly die.

Lin Xuan did not give everyone much time for grief and immediately began to arrange the final plan: "I need to carry the Five Cores to the center of the vortex. Xu Feng, prepare a portable Energy Stabilizer to ensure the Five Cores do not go out of control during transport. Xiao Yuan, contact the Global Cultivation Network and request that they fully strengthen the protective barriers when I take action to prevent the spread of potential energy shockwaves."

After the orders were issued, the command center immediately became busy. Lin Xuan walked to the side alone to check his state again. The "Five Elements Unity" state had been maintained for nearly an hour, far exceeding the theoretical limit. He could feel the cells inside his body being impacted by the powerful energy and gradually disintegrating, but the perfect fusion of his willpower and the Five Elements Power allowed him to suppress this damage for the time being.

The preparations were both tense and rapid. Xu Feng soon designed a special Energy Stabilizer that could safely contain the Five Cores and was equipped with a remote detonation device. Xiao Yuan completed communication with the Global Cultivation Network; all major nodes had received instructions and were prepared to strengthen defenses with full force at the critical moment.

Before leaving, Lin Xuan gathered all core members in the command center for final instructions.

"Regardless of the outcome tonight, the mission of the Guardian Network will not change," Lin Xuan looked around at everyone, his voice firm, "Even if Yage is repelled, the threat of Void Energy will still exist. I hope you will continue to hold your posts and protect this world."

He looked specifically at Xiao Yuan and Xu Feng, his two closest comrades and friends: "Xiao Yuan, if I cannot return, the leadership of the Guardian Network will be handed to you. Xu Feng will serve as Technical Director; you two must work closely together to lead everyone forward."