ã€ŠThe Green Sun Paradoxã€‹


 Chapter 1: The Appearance of the Green Sun

    Li Chuan stood on the bustling street, surrounded by the noise of vendors shouting and people rushing past. Habitually, he reached for his phone to check the time, but something in the sky caught his eye.

    The sun... was green.

    He blinked, thinking his eyes were playing tricks on him. But when he looked again, the green hue still cloaked the sky, like a strange, suffocating veil pressing down on him.

    "Am I going crazy? Or is it just..." He forced himself to calm down, quickly scanning the people around him. Everyone continued walking, heads down, moving as usual, completely oblivious to the anomaly above them.

    "Am I the only one seeing this?" he muttered to himself, anxiety rising in his chest like a tidal wave.

    "Soy milk and fried dough, please," he said as he handed over the money, his voice dry. "Did you notice the sun today? It''s... a bit off, isn¡¯t it?"

    The vendor glanced up indifferently and scoffed. "It¡¯s green? So what? Life goes on, doesn¡¯t it?"

    As Li Chuan took his breakfast, a cold chill spread through him. Could I really be losing it? He looked down at the fried dough in his hand, his fingers trembling slightly. When he looked back up, the green light still bathed the city. Pedestrians continued their mindless stroll, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

    Frantically, he scrolled through his phone. Yet, the only things on the screen were celebrity gossip and stock market updates¡ªno mention of a green sun.

    "Am I really the only one who saw it?" The anxiety morphed into an overwhelming pressure, his hands shaking involuntarily. It felt like the world was hiding something, a truth too terrifying to reveal.

    Suddenly, a headline flashed before him: "The Central Bureau Faces Scrutiny Amidst Another Wave of Citizen Disappearances." His hand froze as he tapped on the article, a sinking feeling growing in his gut.

    Li Chuan frowned, a creeping unease settling in. The Central Bureau¡ªjust hearing the name stirred an instinctual sense of threat. He remembered the rumors, whispered in dark corners¡ªhow this vast organization moved unseen, always operating in shadows, with no one truly understanding its purpose.

    Could this green sun have something to do with the Central Bureau? The thought barely formed before it struck him as ridiculous. He shook his head, trying to regain his composure. But that article about the Central Bureau had deepened his growing sense of unease.

    His confusion was no longer just that¡ªan unspoken fear began to take root. This wasn''t just a coincidence.

    The break room buzzed with casual chatter, but each attempt Li Chuan made to speak felt stifled by an overwhelming sense of unease. The peaceful surroundings were unnerving.

    As he was about to leave, a low voice suddenly came from behind him. "Don¡¯t mention the green sun."

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    Fighting off the chill creeping up his spine, he asked, "What did you say?"

    "Knowing too much won¡¯t do you any good." The man spoke coldly before turning and disappearing down the hallway.

    Li Chuan stood frozen, a strange chill running down his back. As he looked down, he noticed a business card lying on the ground. Picking it up, he saw a string of unfamiliar symbols on the front. On the back, it read: "The truth lies in the shadows." He clenched the card tightly. This was no ordinary matter.

    Later that evening, the unease from earlier still clung to him. After dinner, Li Chuan stepped onto his balcony and gazed up at the sky. Two moons hung high¡ªone silver, the other glowing with a faint red light. But tonight, the red moon seemed unusually bright, almost piercing.

    Red light swirled through the night sky, the air cold and salty. He turned back toward the shadows inside his room, a chill crawling up his spine. Pulling out the mysterious business card, he examined it under the moonlight once more. The symbols on the back were still indecipherable, resembling ancient runes or strange geometric patterns.

    Suddenly, an image flashed in his mind¡ªhe had seen these symbols before, scrawled on the outer walls of an old, abandoned factory in the city''s old district.

    His heart skipped a beat. He had to check it out tomorrow.

    The area around the factory was eerily quiet. The green sunlight filtered through the cracked windows, casting a ghostly glow across the ground. Li Chuan stood before the rusted iron gates, cold wind brushing past him, carrying the scent of metal.

    He hesitated for a moment, the warning voice inside his mind growing louder: Leave now. But he knew that if he turned back, the truth would remain buried.

    Everything about the factory felt off, as if time itself had abandoned this place. The green light seeping through the broken windows was like a faint mist, giving everything a spectral quality. Li Chuan stood frozen at the gates, cold wind biting at his back, the sharp tang of rust in the air.

    His feet felt like they were glued to the ground, the warning in his head repeating over and over: Leave... now... But curiosity rooted him in place. The air was thick, heavy with the metallic scent of decay. The rusted machinery inside, long dead, lay like massive beasts of steel, shrouded in shadows.

    Li Chuan held his breath as he cautiously stepped forward, eyes scanning the faded symbols on the walls¡ªlike ancient warnings, dark and foreboding. The pressure in the air felt almost tangible, pushing against him with each step.

    As he followed the wall, his eyes caught sight of a few red letters¡ª¡°The Awakened.¡± The sloppy paintwork added an ominous tone to the message. Li Chuan¡¯s heart raced. This couldn¡¯t be a coincidence. "The Awakened..." he whispered, gently running his fingers over the dried paint. The rough surface was cold to the touch.

    This wasn¡¯t just graffiti. A growing sense of urgency gripped him, as if these letters were silently warning him of something far worse.

    In that moment, he realized he wasn¡¯t the first one to come here. The tension in his chest grew, and for the first time, he sensed danger lurking close by. Just as he prepared to leave, a faint sound of footsteps reached his ears¡ªsomeone, or something, was getting closer. He spun around, but there was no one.

    The factory was eerily silent, save for the sound of his own hurried breaths. Li Chuan could feel eyes on him, cold and piercing, making his skin crawl.

    When he finally left the factory, the fear hadn¡¯t left him. The thick green light still covered everything, heavy and oppressive, as though it was trying to swallow him whole.

    The streets were unnervingly quiet, no sign of pedestrians. The cold wind bit at his skin, and he could feel something watching him. The faster he walked, the louder his heartbeat pounded in his ears, as if every step took him closer to danger.

    "Leave... now..." The warning echoed again in his head. This time, he didn¡¯t hesitate. His pace quickened, desperate to escape the eerie atmosphere that clung to the streets.

    His phone suddenly lit up, a single text appearing on the screen: "You¡¯ve been spotted. Go home." The chilling message made his heart skip a beat.

    The car¡¯s window reflected the dim streetlights, obscuring whoever was inside. It just sat there, waiting... watching him.

 Chapter 2: Memory and Truth

    Li Chuan crouched low, avoiding the black sedan. He knew the green sun had changed everything, and he had to find the truth.

    The streets, once bustling with life, now seemed empty under the green light. The once-busy port city of Chaoge was cloaked in a silent, invisible threat. The familiar noises of daily life had disappeared, replaced by an eerie stillness that hung in the air.

    He stopped, glancing up at the sky. The green light filtered through the clouds, casting an ominous glow over the city. Li Chuan recalled a news article he had seen earlier: "The Order Bureau accused of controlling events¡ªcitizens express concerns."

    "Ever since the sun turned green, nothing¡¯s been the same..." Li Chuan muttered to himself.

    Taking a deep breath, he found the air thick with the greenish glow, making it hard to breathe. Even the sound of the tide lapping against the port felt slower, deeper¡ªlike everything was weighed down.

    His attention was drawn to a glowing electronic screen at the corner of the street. Lines of text scrolled across the screen, bathed in that same eerie green glow: "The Order Bureau announces that the Peacekeeping Plan is in full effect to ensure the stability of the Seven Nation Alliance."

    A knot tightened in Li Chuan''s stomach. What was the Order Bureau covering up?

    He had to act. He had to find answers. With newfound determination, he spun on his heel and made his way toward the nearest market.

    The crowd bustled, and Li Chuan worked hard to keep his calm. But he could feel it¡ªthe black sedan was silently trailing him. He turned into a few alleyways, trying to blend in with the people.

    Then, the low buzz of a drone reached his ears. Li Chuan''s pulse quickened. They¡¯d found him. He quickened his pace and slipped into a narrow alleyway.

    The alley was filled with discarded mechanical parts and debris. Li Chuan glanced behind him several times to ensure the black sedan hadn''t followed.

    Suddenly, a shadow crept behind him. Li Chuan whipped around to find two dark-suited agents blocking the entrance to the alley.

    "You¡¯re not getting away, Li Chuan," one of them said coldly, a faint light flickering from the bio-tracker in his hand.

    His breath came in quick gasps, cold sweat running down his spine. He pressed his back against the cold wall. People nearby continued on with their lives, unaware of what was happening in the alley.

    Before Li Chuan could think of a way out, one of the agents stepped forward and delivered a hard blow. His vision blurred as he collapsed, cold steel shackles clicking around his wrists.

    The agent sneered as he stepped closer. "Did you really think you could escape?"

    Li Chuan glared up at him, defiant. "I don¡¯t know anything!"

    The agent smirked, waving the tracker in his hand. "Knowing or not doesn¡¯t matter anymore. Your fate was sealed long ago."

    At that moment, the black sedan quietly pulled up at the alley entrance. The car door opened, and a tall man stepped out. Li Chuan struggled, trying to free himself, but it was futile. He was dragged into the car, helpless.

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    As he was thrown into the back seat, his body trembled. The world around him started to blur.

    The neon lights of the city flickered on as usual. People continued their daily routines, unaware that Li Chuan had just been taken. As the car door slammed shut, it felt like the final nail in the coffin of his freedom.

    The car sped through the dim streets, the atmosphere inside heavy and suffocating. His wrists were tightly bound to the seat. He stared blankly out the window, barely hearing the muffled conversation between the agents in the front.

    Their voices cut through his haze.

    "Can you believe we¡¯re chasing down someone like him? What a waste of time," the agent in the passenger seat scoffed, glancing back at Li Chuan.

    Humiliation and fear twisted inside him. His mind raced¡ªwhy had the Order Bureau come after him? What was his connection to the "Green Sun"?

    As these thoughts swirled, the car suddenly jolted. The dashboard lights flickered off, and the car veered wildly. The agents exchanged alarmed looks, immediately sensing something was wrong.

    The world outside the car became unnaturally quiet. The air felt thick, almost frozen. The driver glanced in the rearview mirror, his eyes narrowing at the sight of static interference on the vehicle¡¯s scanner.

    "We¡¯re being jammed," he muttered, quickly punching commands into the control panel. "Check it out."

    The agent in the passenger seat nodded cautiously and gave a brief report to the command center before stepping out. He scanned the area with infrared but saw no immediate threat. Still, he kept his hand on his weapon, moving carefully toward the front of the car.

    Just as he took his first step, a shadow shot out from the side. A fist connected with his neck, and he crumpled to the ground, his weapon clattering to the pavement with a sharp clang.

    The other agents in the car scrambled to react, but the attacker moved quickly, closing in on them. With swift precision, he choked one of them into unconsciousness. At the same time, the vehicle¡¯s communications systems were jammed, and the screens in the car glitched with static, slowing the agents¡¯ reactions.

    Li Chuan saw one agent raising his gun to fire. His heart raced. Without thinking, he kicked the agent¡¯s side. The laser¡¯s beam shot off course, shattering a window.

    In the next moment, the shadowy figure was by his side. A small tool flashed in the dim light, and within seconds, the shackles around Li Chuan¡¯s wrists were unlocked with a sharp click.

    Li Chuan looked down at the deep red marks on his wrists, but there was no time to dwell on it. The stranger leaned in, his voice a firm command: "Move."

    Li Chuan¡¯s eyes widened as recognition hit him. It was the same man who had warned him about the green sun the day before.

    There was no time to question him. Li Chuan followed without hesitation, sprinting through the narrow alley. The hum of drones buzzed in pursuit, but the stranger activated a multi-frequency jammer. A faint electrical sound hummed in the air, and the infrared signals blinked out of existence.

    "We don¡¯t have long. The jammer won¡¯t hold them off forever," Old Zheng said in a low voice, urging Li Chuan to move faster.

    They cut through the alleyways, finally ducking into an underground passage. Old Zheng stopped briefly to punch in a code on an old console. The machinery groaned to life, creating a temporary shield against the Order Bureau''s tracking systems.

    "Head to the abandoned factory. That¡¯s where the answers are," Old Zheng¡¯s voice was firm.

    Li Chuan stared at him, his voice low. "Who are you? Why did you help me?"

    "Zheng," the man replied, barely looking at him. "The factory is the only place you¡¯ll be safe."

    "Why me? I don¡¯t know anything!" Li Chuan clenched his fists, the anxiety rising in his chest.

    Old Zheng glanced at him, his voice even lower now. "Two years ago, the sun turned green. You¡¯re one of the few who can still see its change. That¡¯s why they¡¯ve marked you."

    "What?" Li Chuan''s eyes widened, his voice urgent. "The sun turned green? Two years ago? I only saw it yesterday."

    "They erased your memory," Old Zheng¡¯s eyes darkened. "But you¡¯re starting to wake up."

    Li Chuan was stunned, his pulse racing. "So... they¡¯re going to kill me?"

    Old Zheng nodded grimly. "You¡¯re a threat. They won¡¯t let you live."

    Li Chuan gritted his teeth, trying to steady the fear that churned in his stomach. "And the factory? How is it connected?"

    "There¡¯s truth hidden there. It¡¯s your only chance of survival," Old Zheng¡¯s voice grew more intense.

    Li Chuan fell silent, considering his options. After a few moments, he nodded sharply. "Alright. I¡¯ll go with you."

    Old Zheng gave him a tired smile, patting him on the shoulder. "I can¡¯t stay with you. But there will be others waiting at the factory. Just remember¡ªyou have to survive."

 Chapter 3: Pursued by the Bureau

    Li Chuan stood at the entrance of the abandoned factory, his only way out. The surroundings were silent, with a faint hum in the air that made him uneasy. The ground trembled slightly, as if hinting at an impending danger.

    In a command center far outside Chao Ge, Luke stared at the tactical screen, his eyes narrowing. The system had precisely captured Li Chuan''s thermal signature.

    "The target has entered the abandoned factory. He''s moving," the assistant reported in a low voice.

    Luke sneered. "Lock down his escape with the drones. This time, make sure we capture him."

    Several drones circled the factory, infrared beams sweeping through the darkness, locking onto every step Li Chuan took.

    The invisible pressure was mounting. Li Chuan looked up to see the drones circling above, their red lights flickering, mocking his predicament.

    He pressed himself against the wall, gripping his weapon. There was only one thought in his mind¡ªno more running. It was time to fight. Suddenly, the metal plate beneath his feet let out a sharp creak, and the infrared beams instantly locked onto him.

    "Damn it!" Li Chuan gritted his teeth, ready to make his last stand.

    Just as the agents prepared to attack, a burst of gunfire erupted. Several agents dropped to the ground. Li Chuan whipped around to see a figure emerge from the shadows. The person''s movements were swift and efficient, taking down the remaining agents in seconds.

    "Come with me!" a deep voice called from the darkness.

    Before Li Chuan could react, Su Na grabbed his arm, pulling him toward the passageway. The hum of the drones grew louder, and Li Chuan''s heart pounded as if it were about to burst from his chest.

    "Who are you?" he asked, breathless.

    "Su Na. Lao Zheng sent me," she replied calmly, without a hint of panic.

    Li Chuan''s eyes widened. "Lao Zheng?"

    But there was no time for more questions. The enemy was closing in, and they had no choice but to run.

    Back in the command center, Luke frowned, his eyes cold. "She shouldn''t have shown up this soon."

    The assistant, clearly nervous, spoke quietly. "The system indicates Su Na is the one who rescued Li Chuan. She''s connected to Lao Zheng."

    Luke remained silent for a moment, a flash of cold light in his eyes. "Activate the Remaker. They won''t escape again."

    At the end of the corridor, a heavily armed squad appeared, their energy weapons glowing blue, all aimed at Li Chuan and Su Na. Li Chuan''s heart raced, and he froze in place.

    "The exit isn''t far!" Su Na shouted as they darted into a side alley.

    Energy bullets whizzed through the air, slamming into the walls and sending sparks flying. Li Chuan followed close behind, the sounds of gunfire and explosions ringing in his ears. His legs were going numb, muscles seizing up.

    "Damn it!" he gasped, cursing under his breath.

    Suddenly, an energy bullet struck Su Na''s shoulder. She fell to the ground, blood streaming from her wound. She clenched her teeth, raising her head as her voice weakened, "The defense system... You have to activate it... or we''re dead..."

    Li Chuan froze, the hum around him deafening as the Remaker closed in. His hands trembled with fear, but he knew he had no choice. He took a deep breath and rushed to the control panel, his fingers flying over the keyboard.

    Every command triggered a red warning on the screen¡ªfailure. Li Chuan''s breathing grew rapid, and he nearly gave up. Then, he remembered fixing an old system like this once before. He knew its flaws. Gritting his teeth, he reentered the commands, targeting the Remaker''s core.

    The screen flashed green. Li Chuan had successfully overloaded the Remaker''s energy core, temporarily disabling it. With a loud bang, the turrets activated, blasting the Remaker and the agents back.

    But Li Chuan knew this was only a brief respite. Sure enough, a few seconds later, the Remaker''s system began to recover. Its blue lights flickered back on, its mechanical body buzzing with electricity as it moved faster, deadlier. Li Chuan''s heart clenched again. The real danger had just begun.

    At that moment, Su Na pulled out an EMP device.

    "I''ll do it!" Su Na said, her voice low as she slid her fingers across the control panel, aiming at the Remaker''s sensor core.

    But before she could activate it, an agent slammed into her, knocking the device from her grasp.

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    Su Na rolled and immediately engaged in combat. The agent moved in close, rendering his laser gun useless. Without hesitation, Su Na drew her knife, and the two engaged in a fierce melee.

    They grappled and struck, fists and blades clashing with heavy, rapid thuds.

    The agent landed a punch in her abdomen, forcing Su Na back a few steps, almost knocking her down. She gritted her teeth, counterattacked swiftly, and drove the knife into his arm.

    The agent let out a low growl as his laser gun slipped from his grasp, blood streaming from the wound.

    Before he could react, Su Na maneuvered behind him, flipping him over and kicking his knee. The agent dropped to the ground, writhing in pain. Su Na raised her knife for the finishing blow when another agent closed in from behind.

    Li Chuan saw Su Na being cornered by two agents, danger closing in on all sides. He knew he had to act fast. Rushing to the fallen EMP device, he picked it up while the agents were distracted, aimed at the Remaker''s core.

    "Die!" Li Chuan thought, his hands shaking as he unlocked the control panel, aimed at the Remaker''s sensor core, and pressed the activation button.

    A blue arc shot through the air, striking the Remaker''s core with precision. The mechanical beast froze mid-action, its energy blade suspended in the air.

    "It''s down!" Li Chuan gasped for breath, his shoulder throbbing with pain, but he knew they were safe, for now.

    The Remaker''s shoulder flickered with swirling lights, and a piercing hum filled the air. A pale blue rift opened, and two robots emerged¡ªa mechanical dog and a flying scout drone.

    The mechanical dog landed, instantly locking onto their heat signatures. The drone circled above, emitting an electronic screech, its camera zooming in on Su Na and Li Chuan.

    "There''s another one above!" Su Na took a step back, her eyes fixed on the drone. "It''ll jam our equipment."

    The drone fired an electromagnetic pulse. Li Chuan''s communicator went dead, his ears filled with a shrill noise. The drone swooped down, blue lightning crackling between its wings, diving toward Su Na.

    "Move!" Su Na rolled to the side as the lightning struck the ground, sparks flying.

    At the same time, the mechanical dog rushed forward, its agile limbs sparking with electricity. "We can''t let them surround us!" Li Chuan scanned the area, spotting a crane control panel in the corner of the workshop.

    "You take the flyer, I''ll handle the dog!" Li Chuan dashed to the control panel, quickly activating the crane, preparing to strike.

    Su Na fired at the drone, but it dodged the bullets, hovering in midair. Suddenly, it unleashed another, more powerful EMP. Li Chuan''s control system went offline.

    "Hurry! I can''t control it!" Li Chuan shouted, frantically hitting the control panel.

    Su Na looked up and saw the ceiling lights hanging above. She quickly switched to grenade mode, pulling the pin and hurling the grenade at the light chain. The explosion shattered the lights, and they fell, crashing into the drone. The EMP field vanished, and Li Chuan''s system came back online.

    "Nice shot!" Li Chuan yelled as he swung the crane arm, smashing it into the mechanical dog. The dog was pinned to the ground, sparks flying, its core destroyed as it stopped moving.

    Su Na had barely caught her breath when the drone suddenly reemerged from the wreckage, its wing lights flaring even brighter. It sped up, emitting a sharp electronic screech as it dove toward Li Chuan.

    "It''s not over yet!" Su Na shouted, shooting at the drone to disrupt its attack. The drone dodged her bullets, launching two sharp metal spikes from its back, aimed straight at Li Chuan.

    Li Chuan leaped out of the way, the spikes embedding themselves in the control panel, sparks flying. The drone turned again, targeting him with another lightning strike.

    "Move!" Su Na shouted, firing as she rushed to the other side. She aimed at the drone''s wings and fired, hitting her mark. The drone slowed.

    Li Chuan seized the moment, controlling the crane arm to slam into the drone. The heavy blow sent the drone spinning, electricity crackling around it as it crashed to the ground, exploding into a ball of fire.

    "It''s over now," Su Na gasped.

    "We have time now. Let''s go!" Su Na grabbed Li Chuan, and they quickly ran toward the hidden passage, the sounds of pursuit fading behind them. They rushed through the narrow tunnel, Su Na clutching her wound, panting, "There''s a hidden entrance up ahead, it leads outside the factory."

    Li Chuan scanned the area and quickly made a decision. "This is the way out! Get in!"

    "Move!" Su Na shouted as she pressed a button in the corner of the wall. With a soft click, the wall slid open, revealing a narrow passage. They slipped inside, and the wall closed behind them, concealing their escape.

    The passage was dark and narrow, the damp air heavy with the smell of mold. They hunched over as they walked, the metal floor creaking beneath their feet. Li Chuan''s heart raced. He knew the Bureau wouldn''t let them go easily.

    He glanced behind them, gritting his teeth. "We can''t stop. We need to find the exit, fast."

    Su Na nodded, her face weary. "I hope we have enough time... They¡¯ll catch up soon."

    Meanwhile, back in the factory, the Remaker began to recover, its eerie blue light flickering back to life. The agents searched everywhere but found nothing.

    Luke stared at the screen, his face dark. The assistant whispered, "The target''s signal vanished. There''s nothing abnormal in the factory. It''s like they disappeared."

    Luke sneered. "Impossible. They must be hiding somewhere. Keep searching."

    Li Chuan and Su Na hurried through the tunnel, the walls damp and covered in mold. Every step they took made the metal floor creak.

    Su Na glanced back, her face tense. "They''re catching up." She saw the drones enter the tunnel, locking onto their position.

    Li Chuan gasped for breath, his hands shaking as he pulled out the EMP device. "It''s almost out of power, but I''ll give it a try." He quickly adjusted the device, aiming it at the drones, and hit the button.

    Blue arcs of electricity shot out, frying the drones, but time was running out.

    "Let''s go!" Li Chuan grabbed Su Na, and they rushed deeper into the tunnel.

    As they passed through a narrow door, Su Na suddenly stopped and pointed at a hidden panel in the wall. "Lao Zheng said we could blow up the tunnel here, block their pursuit."

    Without hesitation, she entered the code. A few seconds later, the tunnel shook, the walls collapsing as dirt and rubble blocked the path. The drones'' signals vanished, and the Remaker''s blue light disappeared beneath the debris.

    "We¡¯ve lost them for now," Su Na panted, clutching her wounded shoulder. Li Chuan steadied her as they continued forward.

    They reached a fast-moving waterway, their only escape route. Gritting his teeth, Li Chuan helped Su Na clear away the debris blocking the flow, and they jumped into the icy water.

    The current swept them downstream, and at last, they were free. Exhausted, Su Na smiled weakly as they crawled onto the shore. "We''re safe for now, but they won''t give up that easily."

    Back at the factory, Luke stared at the blank screen where the signal had disappeared and sneered. "They think it''s over? The Remaker is recovering. They won¡¯t get far."

 Chapter 4: The Dual Moon Tide

    The silver moon rose, casting its cold light across the ocean, like a thin veil draped over the coastline. The sea breeze brushed against Li Chuan¡¯s face, carrying with it the scent of salt and a faint chill.

    Waves lapped against the rocks, their deep echoes whispering secrets of the ocean.

    As the red moon slowly rose, its light intertwined with the silver, painting the surface of the water with an eerie orange-red glow. Li Chuan¡¯s gaze followed the retreating tide, and for a moment, his mind felt cleansed, as if all the turmoil of the past few days had been washed away.

    The brief calm allowed him to distance himself from the recent chaos, as though time itself had paused in this very moment. Staring at the tranquil and magnificent scenery, Li Chuan¡¯s tension began to ease. Perhaps, things weren¡¯t as bad as he had thought.

    He stood still, watching the two moons in the sky, feeling a rare sense of peace. This might have been the most serene moment he had experienced in days. In the distance, a seagull flew across the sky, its long call adding a touch of life to the silence.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we go in now?¡± he asked Su Na quietly, breaking the stillness.

    Su Na tilted her head slightly, her gaze still fixed on the tide. She spoke slowly, ¡°Not yet. The tide hasn¡¯t receded far enough.¡± Her voice was calm, as if she was waiting for a natural occurrence rather than anticipating some disaster.

    Footsteps sounded behind them, breaking the quiet of the beach. Lao Zheng¡¯s arrival seemed to ease the tension in the air. Even though he was carrying a heavy box, a faint smile played on his lips.

    Standing beside them, Lao Zheng smiled as he looked out at the water. ¡°You know, Li, when the tide fully retreats, some very interesting things will be revealed on the seabed. But I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll get to see them today.¡±

    Li Chuan¡¯s curiosity piqued. ¡°What kind of things?¡±

    ¡°Fossils of ancient sea creatures. Maybe even treasure.¡± Lao Zheng gave a playful wink, his tone teasing.

    Li Chuan chuckled, the unease he had been feeling beginning to fade in the lighthearted atmosphere.

    He looked up again at the intertwined moons in the sky, letting his mind drift. Yet, deep inside, that vague, unshakable feeling lingered, as if the calm concealed some secret waiting to be uncovered.

    Suddenly, in the distance, a faint green light flashed in the sky, barely visible. Li Chuan blinked, a sense of unease creeping back into his chest.

    He tried to attribute it to the shifting tides or the unusual play of moonlight, but the green glow persisted on the horizon, as if silently warning of something inescapable.

    As the green light appeared, the movement of the waves began to change. The ocean seemed to shift unnaturally, as if driven by a mysterious force. The air grew heavy with moisture. Just as Li Chuan was about to take a closer look, a cold raindrop suddenly landed on the back of his hand, its chill making him instinctively jerk away.

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    The drop glowed with an eerie green light. When it hit the ground, it hissed softly before evaporating into a thin mist, disappearing into the air.

    He stared at the faint water mark on his hand, the unease inside him growing stronger. ¡°These raindrops¡­¡± he muttered under his breath.

    Su Na finally turned toward him, her voice cold. ¡°Don¡¯t touch it. During the Dual Moon Tide, these raindrops are dangerously cold. Touching too many will harm your body.¡± Her tone was calm, as though she was long accustomed to such strange phenomena.

    Lao Zheng glanced up at the sky, a slight smile playing on his lips. ¡°The tide brings more than just water. You¡¯ll see more¡­ these green drops are just the beginning.¡±

    The lightness that Li Chuan had felt moments ago was quickly replaced by a heavy sense of dread. He looked once more at the sky where the two moons crossed paths. The previously serene scene now felt eerie, as though something unseen was watching them.

    As the red moon climbed higher, the tide began to recede rapidly, accompanied by a sharp, grating sound. The glowing plants underfoot quivered gently in the water, as if drawn by some unseen force. Li Chuan instinctively stepped back, his heart racing in time with the retreating tide.

    With each step he took, the plants beneath him trembled slightly, as if responding to his movement. These plants appeared natural, but their glowing light and rhythmic pulsing made him uneasy, as if he were walking across a precisely engineered device. He frowned, the suspicion in his mind growing.

    Su Na broke the silence, her eyes fixed on a crack in the seabed. ¡°If we don¡¯t go in now, the tide will swallow everything.¡± Her voice was filled with urgency.

    Li Chuan followed her onto the exposed seabed. Everything around him felt off, like stepping into a carefully laid trap. As the tide receded further, certain objects began to emerge from the seabed.

    Li Chuan¡¯s attention was drawn to a faintly glowing red fragment of metal, half-buried in the sand, gently quivering with the water¡¯s movement. He crouched down and carefully picked it up.

    Su Na glanced at it briefly and said in a low voice, ¡°The Bureau conducted experiments in this area.¡± She didn¡¯t elaborate, but her calm tone deepened Li Chuan¡¯s suspicion.

    Lao Zheng looked at the fragment, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. ¡°They left behind more than just this. Let¡¯s keep moving.¡±

    He paused and gazed at the distant crack in the seabed, his smile growing more enigmatic. ¡°See that fissure? It leads to the cave we¡¯ve been searching for. It¡¯s been waiting for us, waiting for its secrets to be revealed.¡±

    He raised his hand, pointing forward. ¡°The path is here. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    The three of them carefully descended from the high ground, stepping onto the exposed seabed. The glowing plants around them seemed to be watching their every move. Each step Li Chuan took felt as though he were walking on a finely-tuned machine, as if the entire seabed was part of some grand mechanism.

    ¡°These rocks¡­ they look like they were designed,¡± Li Chuan muttered, his frown deepening.

    ¡°The Bureau has been laying the groundwork here for centuries,¡± Su Na replied, a trace of reverence in her voice. ¡°These structures are far more intricate than you can imagine. Every stone, every drop of water is part of their plan.¡±

    A chill ran through Li Chuan as the realization hit him. This wasn¡¯t just a cave. It could be the heart of a much larger scheme orchestrated by the Bureau.

    Lao Zheng, walking ahead, glanced back with a knowing smile. ¡°You¡¯ll understand soon enough, young man. Things are never as simple as they seem.¡±

    The trio continued deeper into the cave, eventually arriving at a hidden stone door. Lao Zheng expertly pressed a switch, and the door slowly opened, revealing a fully equipped room.

    The room was filled with neatly arranged equipment, the devices emitting faint glows. Li Chuan stood at the entrance, stunned as he took it all in. This was no mere hideout.

    ¡°Welcome to our base,¡± Lao Zheng said with a smile, his eyes glinting with an unreadable expression.

 Chapter 5: The Undersea Cavern

    Deep within the cavern, the air seemed soaked with the icy touch of seawater, carrying a damp, salty stench.

    Li Chuan slowed his pace, scanning the surroundings. He had read about wonders like this in books, but witnessing it firsthand left him speechless.

    This cavern, hidden within the seabed¡¯s fault lines, had been repurposed by the Awakened as a secret base. Ahead of him, Suna abruptly stopped, turning to look at him, her brows furrowed slightly, as if debating how much more she should reveal.

    Li Chuan sensed her complex emotions¡ªa mixture of expectation and, perhaps, a trace of worry.

    A cold shiver crawled up his spine, sending his thoughts spiraling. If I really am one of the Awakened, why have I never sensed anything abnormal? And why is the Order hunting me?

    He hurried to catch up to Suna, while Old Zheng trailed behind silently, carrying that mysterious box in his arms. The blue light flickered along the cavern walls, casting shifting shadows over the jagged rock, as if something unseen was watching their every step.

    In one corner, a faded poster caught Li Chuan¡¯s attention. The paper was curled and torn at the edges, but the words on it were still clear: "Rebuild the World Order, Harness Extraordinary Power."

    Li Chuan muttered under his breath, "Extraordinary power? What does that mean?"

    Suna halted abruptly and turned back, her gaze cold. "That¡¯s something you weren¡¯t taught."

    Li Chuan quickened his steps, a persistent edge to his voice. "Could you explain it more clearly? What exactly is this power?"

    Suna hesitated for a moment, a trace of doubt in her eyes. "It¡¯s... the Order''s secret weapon. A force that can manipulate space itself."

    Li Chuan''s brow furrowed, the unease in his chest deepening. "Manipulate space? That¡¯s impossible."

    Suna¡¯s gaze hardened, a warning in her tone. "It¡¯s not the kind of power you think. You haven''t been through those experiments. You don¡¯t understand the danger. The more you know, the more trouble you¡¯ll be in."

    Li Chuan''s expression was resolute. "But this is about me. I have the right to know the truth."

    Suna sighed, her tone softening slightly. "You really want to know? Fine. The Order has harnessed technology that goes beyond our comprehension, and you... you might be the key to it all."

    Li Chuan followed closely behind her, but the questions swirling in his mind lingered like shadows. A few steps later, something caught his eye¡ªan old book on a nearby table.

    The cover read, Light of Technology¡ªThe Rise of the Order''s Tech.

    He flipped it open, squinting under the dim light to make out the faded text. "In the wake of global disasters, the Order''s technology, powered by an unknown force, solved the energy and food crises, eventually taking control of the world¡¯s fate."

    Li Chuan¡¯s fingers trembled slightly as he read the phrase "unknown force." It echoed in his mind, contradicting everything he had learned from history.

    "The upper echelons of the Order have kept the origin of this power a closely guarded secret, claiming it was developed internally while monopolizing global resources¡­"

    Slowly, he closed the book, waves of realization crashing over him. The Order''s rise to dominance had been built upon this hidden power. This wasn¡¯t just some obscure historical detail¡ªit was the very key to their rule.

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    A sense of dread settled in his chest. He realized he was brushing up against a secret that had been carefully concealed.

    Taking a deep breath, the unease inside him only grew heavier. He stared at the closed book, as if each page was peeling back a layer of darkness within the Order''s history.

    The cavern ahead grew colder, and instinctively, Li Chuan slowed his pace. His gaze landed on a map pinned to the wall.

    Scattered across the borders of seven nations were several red dots. His heart tightened as recognition dawned. These were the hidden bases of the Awakened.

    The Awakened had been forced into hiding across the nations, drifting like ships in a storm, struggling to survive under the Order¡¯s relentless watch.

    In the corner, an old machine sat rusting in silence, its seams consumed by corrosion. Li Chuan speculated that perhaps these outdated devices were what allowed the Awakened to evade the Order''s surveillance.

    His thoughts drifted deeper into the fog of uncertainty. These outposts weren¡¯t just the Awakened''s last refuge¡ªthey were also a testament to their long struggle against the Order.

    With communication cut off and modern technology failing, Li Chuan suspected the Awakened had to rely on these relics just to maintain some fragile connection to the outside world.

    Old Zheng was examining a device, his voice steady. "Li Chuan, your... physiology. The Order never fully understood it. They ran countless tests, but..." He paused, choosing his words carefully, "some questions remain unanswered."

    Li Chuan frowned, his confusion deepening. "What did I do? Why can¡¯t I remember anything?"

    Old Zheng glanced at him, holding his silence for a moment before speaking. "Your memories were wiped intentionally. In their plans, you''re more critical than you realize."

    Li Chuan''s heartbeat quickened. "How critical?"

    Old Zheng''s voice lowered. "They need you¡ªyour abilities¡ªto complete their experiment."

    "My... abilities?" Li Chuan asked, still confused. "What abilities?"

    Old Zheng sighed, his tone somber. "We''re not entirely sure either. But they believe you¡¯re the only key." He hesitated, his expression conflicted. "The most important thing is... you need to survive."

    Li Chuan''s mind swirled with confusion, but he didn¡¯t press further. He knew the answers wouldn¡¯t come easily.

    Old Zheng approached the table and opened the box. A faint blue light flickered to life, carrying a sense of ominous power.

    Li Chuan¡¯s voice wavered. "What is that?"

    Old Zheng avoided his gaze. "You don¡¯t need to know all the details."

    "But can it save us?" Li Chuan asked, tension in his voice.

    "Let¡¯s hope so," Old Zheng replied calmly, his fingers deftly embedding the core into the machine''s center. A moment later, the device hummed softly, gently hovering in the air.

    More questions filled Li Chuan¡¯s mind, but he chose silence. He understood that some things wouldn¡¯t be revealed so easily. Suna glanced at the tidal timer, her brow furrowing as she quickened her pace.

    Her expression was tense, and Li Chuan could feel the urgency in the air. From a distance, the sound of the tide grew louder¡ªlow and relentless, like the pounding of a war drum. They needed to leave before the passage closed.

    Li Chuan scanned the surroundings quickly, his eyes landing on the map. The blue light illuminated the red dots like the last hope for the Awakened. He clenched the map tightly, his earlier confusion giving way to determination. He was now part of the Awakened Alliance.

    They had to move faster. Li Chuan stared at the map¡¯s destination¡ªYuanxiao Nation. They had to reach it quickly. The Awakened were waiting for them there.

    Old Zheng remained at the table, carefully inspecting the Rupert¡¯s Tear. Li Chuan knew Old Zheng would stay behind to continue his research, but time was running out.

    Without looking back, Suna walked toward the passage. Li Chuan took a deep breath and followed closely. They had no other choice. The path ahead was set. Each step led them further into the unknown.

    Their footsteps echoed through the cavern as the blue light gradually dimmed. The sound of the approaching tide grew louder, urging them to pick up their pace. Li Chuan glanced back at the base, a newfound resolve settling in his heart.

    On the massive screen behind Luke, a blurred face stared at him coldly. "Luke, this operation cannot fail. They¡¯ve run out of patience."

    Luke¡¯s expression was grim. "Li Chuan is our only hope. Without him, the experiment will never succeed."

    Standing tall, Luke¡¯s eyes locked onto the infrared images on the screen. Behind him, the commander¡¯s voice was sharp. "Don¡¯t let them escape. Time is running out."

    "All routes have been blocked. The drones are already in action," Luke replied in a low voice.

    The commander let out a chilling laugh. "This time, they won¡¯t get away."

    Luke stared at the screen, his face expressionless, but a cold dread crept into his thoughts. "Li Chuan isn¡¯t like the others. He¡¯s more dangerous than you think," he said coldly.

    The commander frowned slightly. "Dangerous? He¡¯s just another Awakened."

    Shaking his head, Luke replied, "He¡¯s more important than you realize. If we fail this time, the consequences will be catastrophic."

    Red lights flashed on the screen, where the figures of Li Chuan and Suna moved swiftly across the beach. Their escape route was becoming narrower by the second.

 Chapter 6: Tides and Beasts

    The salty sea breeze hit their faces as Li Chuan and Suna hurried through the rocky terrain. In the distance, the sea shimmered under the twin moons, casting an eerie glow on the waves. Behind them, the steady hum of drones from the Order Bureau grew closer.

    "Get on the boat," Suna urged, leading Li Chuan into a small cave. She lifted a layer of seaweed, revealing a sleek speedboat with a faint blue glow. The engine was unstable, and she needed Li Chuan to fix it.

    Li Chuan quickly bent down, checking the circuitry. The waves in the distance were getting rougher as the twin moons reached their zenith. Suna glanced at the horizon, her eyes sharp with caution. "The tide is coming."

    The waves crashed harder, slamming against the boat as Li Chuan worked with increasing urgency. Finally, the boat¡¯s engine roared to life with a faint blue light. They jumped aboard, and the boat sped off.

    Waves relentlessly pounded the hull, causing the boat to swerve wildly. Li Chuan gripped the helm tightly, trying to regain control. A towering wave loomed ahead, like a wall of water. He slammed on the throttle, sending the boat airborne.

    "Hold on!" Suna¡¯s voice was cold but steady. The boat flipped through the air, crashing heavily into the sea, causing the hull to shake violently. Seawater rushed over the deck. Gritting his teeth, Li Chuan scrambled to adjust the system and finally managed to restart the engine.

    They burst through the heart of the wave, but the sea remained turbulent. Suna panted, her gaze icy. "It¡¯s not over."

    The ocean grew eerily calm, and the surrounding silence was suffocating. The twin moons hung high, casting their light over the shimmering water. Li Chuan clutched the helm, his eyes scanning the area with heightened vigilance. A sense of foreboding gnawed at him.

    "It¡¯s too quiet," he muttered, tension clear in his voice.

    Suna stood beside him, gripping her laser weapon, her eyes sharp. "Don¡¯t relax. It¡¯s not safe yet."

    Suddenly, a violent tremor rippled beneath the surface, as if something massive was about to break free from the deep. Li Chuan and Suna exchanged glances, both realizing a new threat was closing in. The water began to churn, the ripples expanding until a massive shadow loomed closer to the boat.

    "What is that?" Li Chuan¡¯s hands tightened on the helm, his breath quickening, his heart racing.

    "Get ready!" Suna responded tersely, aiming her laser weapon at the sea, prepared to fire at any moment.

    The shadow drew near, and in a flash, the water exploded as a massive tentacle shot up into the sky. Accompanied by a deep, guttural roar, the beast¡¯s scales gleamed with a phosphorescent glow under the moonlight. Its body was enormous, its iron-hard scales gleaming, and its tentacles lashed through the air, whipping up waves and wind.

    "It can sense our movements, using the water¡¯s vibrations!" Li Chuan shouted, jerking the helm to dodge the colossal tentacle.

    The beast slammed its tentacle down, nearly knocking Li Chuan off balance as the boat rocked violently. Suna fired her laser, striking the creature¡¯s scales, but the beam only left faint marks.

    "The scales are too thick. It¡¯s no use," Suna muttered, adjusting her stance, searching for a new angle of attack.

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    Li Chuan¡¯s mind raced. Their firepower couldn¡¯t repel the monster. He suddenly remembered the boat¡¯s sonic equipment. Maybe they could create a false target to distract the beast.

    "Suna, keep it busy! I need time!" Li Chuan called out, as he hurried to activate the sonic device, adjusting the frequency to emit a strong interference signal.

    Without hesitation, Suna fired again, hitting the beast¡¯s tentacles. The creature let out a low growl, turning its focus towards Suna.

    Li Chuan quickly adjusted the settings, cranking the frequency to the maximum. A powerful sonic wave pulsed from the boat, directing towards a distant part of the sea. The beast froze momentarily, then turned and sped toward the source of the sound, its tentacles retreating as it pursued the false signal.

    "Go!" Li Chuan slammed on the throttle, and the boat sped across the water, taking advantage of the creature¡¯s distraction.

    Just as they began to relax, the sea suddenly erupted again. The tentacles surged forth, attacking with renewed fury. The monster hadn¡¯t been completely fooled. Li Chuan tensed, frantically steering the boat to avoid the assault, while Suna continued aiming at the creature, searching for a weak spot.

    "Its eyes! The eyes aren¡¯t protected by scales!" Li Chuan yelled, his eyes locked onto the creature.

    Suna quickly adjusted her aim, targeting the beast¡¯s large eyes. The laser beam shot out, striking the mark. The monster let out a piercing screech, its massive body thrashing wildly in the water, sending waves crashing around them.

    "It¡¯s hurt! We need to get out of here!" Suna shouted, gripping the side of the boat tightly.

    Despite being injured, the beast continued to struggle, its tentacles flailing violently. Li Chuan knew they were running out of time. He increased the sonic interference, luring the creature further away.

    The sound waves guided the beast into the distance. Li Chuan slammed on the throttle, and the boat sped off, quickly escaping the monster¡¯s reach.

    As the sea calmed once more, the boat drifted into a safer region. Li Chuan and Suna exchanged glances, both panting heavily. Suna pulled out an old, battered navigation device from her bag. A faint blip flickered on the screen.

    "Yuan Xiao Nation... it¡¯s over there," she said, pointing to the distant horizon, where a faint outline of an island could barely be seen.

    Li Chuan leaned against the boat¡¯s edge, looking up at the twin moons shining above. Their light intertwined, casting a serene glow over the quiet sea. He allowed himself a moment to relax, but deep down, a tension still lingered. Something didn¡¯t feel right.

    "Do you think that beast was a product of the Order Bureau¡¯s experiments?" Li Chuan asked quietly, the massive creature¡¯s image still fresh in his mind.

    Suna was silent for a moment before nodding. "They¡¯ve been experimenting for a long time, manipulating the tides of the twin moons... this isn¡¯t the first time."

    Li Chuan glanced back at the sea. There was no sign of the drones, but doubt gnawed at him. "Are we really safe?"

    Suna raised her eyebrows slightly, her gaze sharp. "I¡¯m not sure. The Order Bureau may still be tracking us. We can¡¯t let our guard down."

    Li Chuan clenched his fists, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon. Though they had escaped for now, he knew the real challenge was still ahead.

    "We need to move faster," Li Chuan said grimly, his gaze locked on the churning waves. In the distance, dark clouds were beginning to gather, hinting at an approaching storm.

    Suna checked the navigation device again, frowning. "The signal¡¯s getting weaker. We might be getting jammed."

    Li Chuan nodded slightly, gripping the helm tightly. At that moment, a sharp pain pierced his temple, and his vision blurred. The headache made it hard to focus.

    He shut his eyes, and suddenly, a strange face appeared in his mind¡ªa mocking smile, as if taunting him.

    "Li Chuan!" Suna¡¯s voice snapped him back to reality. He opened his eyes abruptly, his hands trembling, almost losing control of the boat.

    "Are you okay?" Suna¡¯s eyes showed concern, though her voice remained calm.

    "I... I¡¯m fine." Li Chuan took a deep breath, his hands shaking slightly as he struggled to steady himself. Something felt off within him, like the power inside him was pushing back.

    Suna didn¡¯t press further, only gazing into the distance. The mist was slowly enveloping Yuan Xiao Nation, the navigation device flickering on and off. "We need to be cautious. Yuan Xiao Nation might not be what we expected."

    Li Chuan nodded, the unease in his heart growing stronger. He glanced up at the twin moons. Their intertwined light seemed to hide deeper shadows beneath. They both knew that the real challenge was only just beginning.

 Chapter 7: The Reforged

    ¡°We can¡¯t stay here.¡± Suna¡¯s voice was calm, but her command was absolute. The structure of the lighthouse was too fragile, and the enemy could break through at any moment.

    ¡°We need to leave, or they¡¯ll destroy this place,¡± she added firmly, her eyes filled with an unyielding determination.

    The narrow corridor was dim, and the shrill alarms pressed heavily on Li Chuan. His heart pounded in his chest, and his breathing became shallow. Suna¡¯s footsteps were steady, unaffected by the rising danger.

    Li Chuan wanted to speak, but the words didn¡¯t come. Right now, the only thing he could do was rely on her.

    He leaned against the cold wall, his mind racing. Every time they faced the Reforged, his heart felt like it was going to explode, yet Suna remained calm, almost like a machine without emotion.

    He could only follow orders, almost mechanically, barely making any decisions on his own. Am I really this useless? A deep sense of doubt took root in his mind, mixing with fear. He felt like nothing more than a burden.

    How can she stay so calm? A wave of helplessness washed over him. He didn¡¯t know if he could survive this nightmare, and the only thing he could do was follow Suna¡¯s lead.

    "Up ahead!" someone shouted.

    Gunfire erupted, bullets tearing into the walls of the hallway like a violent storm. Li Chuan instinctively ducked, pressing his back against the wall. His weapon felt impossibly heavy in his grip.

    ¡°They¡¯ve already taken control of the power grid,¡± Suna said, adjusting her weapon with urgency. ¡°They¡¯re bringing in more drones to block every exit.¡±

    A high-pitched hum reached Li Chuan¡¯s ears as several drones flew overhead, moving in quickly. He turned and saw the door at the end of the hallway slide shut. The Reforged had cut off their retreat. At the same time, a strange gas began to seep from the vents, spreading rapidly.

    ¡°Gas! They¡¯re releasing some kind of chemical!¡± Li Chuan shouted, his voice trembling with fear.

    Suna remained unfazed. ¡°Move!¡± she barked, pulling him into cover just as the Reforged¡¯s energy blade sliced through the air above them, sparks flying.

    ¡°We¡¯re out of time.¡± Her voice was steady, but the urgency was clear now.

    Li Chuan knew they had to escape. If they stayed, they were dead. His legs felt like they were weighed down with lead, each step dragging him closer to death. Fear gnawed at his insides, making it harder to breathe.

    He glanced at Suna. She was still calm, calculating every move. It suddenly hit him¡ªif she fell, what would he do? I can¡¯t rely on her forever. The thought crept into his mind. If I want to survive, I have to learn to fight, to make decisions on my own.

    ¡°Stay close and don¡¯t stop.¡± Her order was sharp, leaving no room for hesitation.

    Suddenly, a deafening explosion tore through the far end of the corridor. The walls shook violently, cracks spreading like spiderwebs. Debris flew through the air like shrapnel.

    Just when they thought it was a simple structural collapse, metal claws shot out from hidden compartments in the walls, latching onto Suna¡¯s ankle. Above them, a laser net began descending from the ceiling, sealing off every escape route.

    ¡°It¡¯s a trap!¡± Suna slashed at the metal claw with her knife, severing it. ¡°They¡¯re not just chasing us anymore. They¡¯re setting us up.¡±

    Li Chuan stared at the approaching laser net, a sinking feeling of despair growing inside him. His eyes darted around, searching for an escape. We¡¯re trapped¡­ we need to find a way out, or it¡¯s over.

    ¡°The floor¡¯s collapsing!¡± Suna yelled, pulling him forward as the ground beneath them began to give way.

    Li Chuan was a fraction too slow. The ground gave way beneath him, separating him from Suna. He barely managed to grab the edge of a cracked wall, his body dangling over the abyss below.

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    ¡°Li Chuan!¡± Suna called from the other side, but she was blocked by a fallen wall.

    His body swayed dangerously. The ground below him was like quicksand, unstable and ready to swallow him whole. He looked up just in time to see a massive chunk of debris plummeting toward him. Fear surged through his veins. His instincts screamed for him to raise his hands, but he knew it wouldn¡¯t help.

    Suddenly, a hand gripped his arm tightly, pulling him out of harm¡¯s way. The debris crashed where he had been, kicking up a cloud of dust and rubble.

    Li Chuan looked up to see Suna¡¯s face inches from his. For a brief moment, he thought he saw something flash in her eyes¡ªsomething that disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Her voice was as calm as ever, as if nothing had happened.

    Confusion and anxiety twisted in Li Chuan¡¯s chest. He knew Suna was protecting him, but her unshakable calm made her hard to read. What if she¡¯s not there next time¡­ what then? The thought nagged at him, circling his mind. He realized now, he couldn¡¯t keep relying on her.

    As he climbed back to solid ground, an alarm blared through the abandoned factory. The machinery deep within roared to life. From the ceiling, enormous mechanical arms descended, locking onto their position.

    ¡°They¡¯ve taken control of the factory!¡± Li Chuan¡¯s voice was filled with panic as he watched the machinery spring to life, a massive metal beast revived by the enemy.

    The conveyor belts rumbled beneath him, pushing him toward an unknown fate. Behind them, the Reforged approached silently, their propulsion systems glowing with blue energy.

    Li Chuan¡¯s mind raced. He couldn¡¯t wait for Suna to tell him what to do. His eyes flicked to the factory¡¯s control panel. An idea sparked in his mind, and without a second thought, he dashed toward it, his fingers flying over the buttons.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Suna snapped, her voice colder than usual.

    ¡°Giving them a surprise,¡± Li Chuan muttered, gritting his teeth. The mechanical arms responded to his commands, their massive steel claws slamming down, crushing several Reforged units beneath their weight.

    ¡°We¡¯ve got a few minutes,¡± Li Chuan breathed, his heart still pounding, but the fear had been replaced by something else¡ªdetermination.

    A loud roar came from the factory entrance as an Awakener transport truck barreled in, ramming into several Reforged soldiers. Huo Ling leaned out of the driver¡¯s seat, yelling, ¡°Get in!¡±

    Li Chuan stumbled toward the truck, his heart still racing. I can¡¯t keep relying on Suna, he thought, realizing for the first time that he could do more.

    Grabbing a laser rifle, he aimed at a nearby drone. His finger didn¡¯t hesitate. A beam of light cut through the air, striking the drone, which exploded into a shower of sparks.

    Suna jumped into the truck, her gaze briefly settling on Li Chuan. Something flickered in her eyes¡ªacknowledgment, maybe even approval.

    ¡°Not bad,¡± she said coolly, revving the engine as the vehicle sped into the night.

    Li Chuan collapsed into his seat, breathing hard, but something inside him had changed. He was no longer just a soldier who followed orders. He was learning to survive on his own.

    The air in the truck was tense, the danger outside still very real. Sweat dripped down Li Chuan¡¯s forehead, his body pushed to its limits by the battle.

    ¡°This is just the beginning.¡± Suna stared straight ahead, her voice steady, but a hint of fatigue crept in.

    ¡°It¡¯s not over yet¡­¡± Li Chuan gasped, glancing into the rearview mirror. Several drones still hovered in the distance, relentless as ghosts. Each one seemed to foreshadow a greater, unknown threat looming closer.

    ¡°We¡¯re running out of time¡­¡± Huo Ling¡¯s voice was tense, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. The truck hurtled down the narrow mountain road, the path ahead growing more dangerous. Above them, the sky lit up with blue light, like a net slowly closing in.

    ¡°They¡¯re sealing off the area,¡± Suna muttered, her eyes fixed on the navigation screen, a rare crease of worry on her brow.

    Li Chuan checked the mirror again. The drones were just meters above the truck, and on the ground, several Reforged soldiers were closing in, their energy blades glinting ominously.

    ¡°We have to lose them,¡± Suna growled, turning to Huo Ling.

    Huo Ling didn¡¯t answer. She slammed on the gas, sending the truck veering around a sharp corner, nearly skidding off the road. Ahead, a dilapidated bridge loomed over a dark chasm.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Li Chuan¡¯s voice barely rose above the roar of the engine. His hands clenched the seat, his body lurching with the truck¡¯s wild movements.

    ¡°We have no choice,¡± Huo Ling said coolly, her eyes scanning the dashboard. She added calmly, ¡°Buckle up.¡±

    With that, the truck surged forward, racing toward the broken bridge. Suna¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile as she realized Huo Ling¡¯s plan. ¡°They won¡¯t catch us now.¡±

    The truck sped across the bridge, drones following closely behind. Just as they neared the truck, the bridge¡¯s cables snapped, sending the structure swaying violently. Huo Ling seized the moment, steering sharply as the truck leapt over a gap in the bridge.

    The drones attempted to adjust, but the turbulent air currents at the edge of the chasm threw them off course. Several plummeted into the abyss, their demise marked by a brief flash of blue sparks.

    ¡°Perfect,¡± Suna whispered.

    The truck landed smoothly on the opposite side, while the Reforged were forced to halt at the broken edge of the bridge. Their propulsion systems whirred, but the structure could no longer support them.

    ¡°They won¡¯t be coming after us,¡± Huo Ling exhaled, her hands finally relaxing on the wheel.

    Li Chuan glanced back, watching the Reforged stand motionless on the far side. The immediate threat was gone, but deep down, he knew this wasn¡¯t the end.

 Chapter 8: The Invisible Fortress

    The vehicle sped along the rugged mountain road, finally halting before a desolate cliff. Steep rock walls loomed around them, riddled with cracks and piled with scattered stones, blending seamlessly into the natural landscape.

    Li Chuan stared ahead, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. He frowned and asked in a low voice, "This place is so hidden. Are we sure we weren¡¯t followed?"

    He Ling smiled slightly, tapping the dashboard. "Don¡¯t worry, this car is equipped with anti-detection systems. We scanned the area before approaching the base¡ªno anomalies. Every route we took was monitored. No one could have tracked us here."

    Li Chuan nodded, letting go of his earlier concerns. Without hesitation, Suna touched the car¡¯s control panel.

    At her command, the cliff trembled slightly, rocks sliding aside to reveal a smooth tunnel. The car glided in silently, the rock walls closing behind them as if nothing had happened.

    As they entered the tunnel and moved deeper into the base, Li Chuan felt a strange sensation. The LCD screens along the walls flickered silently, monitoring everything in real-time. The wide corridors were eerily quiet, as if the entire place could shift at any moment.

    Li Chuan glanced around, a growing suspicion forming in his mind¡ªthis base wasn¡¯t fixed. Its layout could be altered as needed, shifting like a maze.

    He Ling led the way, pointing out different areas on the map, indicating each sector''s purpose.

    They stopped before an electronic map, displaying the full layout of the base, arranged like a meticulously crafted Bagua diagram.

    Each sector, aligned with the eight trigrams, served a distinct function: the Command Center occupied the Qian trigram, while supplies were stored in Kun. Zhen and Xun trigrams handled offense and intelligence, and Kan connected to the medical wing, with Li providing power. Gen served as the fortress''s defense, and Dui was reserved for emergency evacuation.

    Li Chuan looked up at the map, his thoughts sharpening. This base wasn¡¯t just a hideout¡ªit was a highly adaptable combat fortress. Every section operated like a cog in a machine, ready to respond to external threats at any moment. He Ling walked ahead, offering no further explanation, but everything was already clear to him.

    As they moved through the halls, Li Chuan noticed how the walls and corridors adjusted in real-time based on the base¡¯s needs, with screens displaying internal and external conditions. He realized the base was like a living organism, constantly shifting and evolving.

    As they continued walking, the full scope of the base became apparent. The wide corridors bustled with activity¡ªAwakened soldiers passed by, their steps steady and urgent, their faces focused and alert. Some cast quick glances at Li Chuan, assessing the unfamiliar face, before disappearing down different corridors.

    This place wasn¡¯t just a refuge for the resistance¡ªit was the heart of their operations. Everything was in motion, preparing for the next mission. After leaving the Command Center, they continued through the base¡¯s winding passages.

    "Is this place¡­ really safe?" Li Chuan asked quietly, trying to steady his breathing.

    He Ling chuckled. "It¡¯s not going to blow up, at least."

    The joke eased Li Chuan¡¯s nerves slightly.

    Suna scanned the area, relaxing only after confirming there were no threats. Li Chuan leaned back on a couch, clutching a cup in his hand, but his mind was still in turmoil. The green sun, the Bureau, his erased memories¡ªall the threads were tangled in a web he couldn¡¯t unravel.

    "Who am I, really?" Li Chuan suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

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    Suna set her cup down, her voice calm. "Who you are? That''s a philosophical question."

    He Ling laughed softly. "You¡¯re a core researcher of the Bureau. The one in charge of the ¡®Greenlight Project.¡¯"

    Li Chuan¡¯s eyes widened. "Core researcher? That¡¯s a joke, right? I can¡¯t even remember my own birthday!"

    His mind spun in confusion. I can''t be one of their researchers. I don''t even remember basic details about my life. If what they''re saying is true, how dangerous was the project I was involved in?

    "The Greenlight Project isn''t some small-time operation," Suna said, her voice as steady as ever.

    Li Chuan ran a hand through his hair. "Greenlight Project? Sounds like some environmental initiative... Was I an environmentalist?"

    He Ling shook her head with a grin. "You did have a knack for ¡®green energy,¡¯ but the Bureau used it for their ¡®regeneration¡¯ technology... And wiped your memory in the process."

    Li Chuan frowned. "So, the Bureau didn¡¯t want me knowing something?"

    Suna nodded. "Not only were you a researcher, you were the key to the project. Erasing your memory was their way of hiding something¡­ something they didn¡¯t want exposed."

    Li Chuan sat up straighter, his eyes burning with intensity. "So what did I know before? You have to tell me!"

    He Ling spoke slowly, "We don¡¯t know all the details. What we do know is that your research is critical. The Bureau erased your memory and used the project to alter reality¡ª"

    "Alter reality?" Li Chuan interrupted, confusion etched on his face.

    He Ling looked at him, her expression unreadable. "You don¡¯t need to remember everything. You just need to survive."

    Li Chuan frowned deeper. "You don¡¯t want me to get my memories back?"

    Suna leaned back lazily. "Memories might not help right now. Survival is what matters."

    He Ling nodded in agreement. "Our goal has never been victory. It¡¯s survival."

    Li Chuan forced a wry smile. "Sounds inspiring. Should I shout ¡®We fight to survive¡¯ to the cameras?"

    "Go ahead. Maybe the Bureau will let you off the hook," Suna replied with a cold smirk, exchanging a brief glance with He Ling.

    Li Chuan caught that exchange, his suspicions rising. Are they hiding something from me?

    He Ling chuckled. "No, they¡¯ll just find you faster. Your voice is too distinct."

    The tension in the room eased a bit, and Li Chuan finally felt a small sense of relief, though the fog in his mind still hadn¡¯t lifted. In that moment, he realized he wasn¡¯t alone. Despite the missing memories, the connections he was forming with these people were starting to matter.

    The laughter faded as He Ling moved to the table, pointing at a map. "We don¡¯t have much information, but we know the Greenlight Project involves spatial structures and altering reality. You¡¯re the key to all of it, and we need to understand the Bureau¡¯s true intentions."

    Li Chuan stared at the map for a moment, lost in thought. "So I once knew everything, but my memories were erased. How do I get the truth back?"

    Suna answered quietly, "Find yourself."

    Li Chuan frowned. "Sounds like a self-help book."

    He Ling laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "Whether it¡¯s self-help or not, you need to accept the reality¡ªwe¡¯re not fighting for victory. We¡¯re fighting to survive."

    Li Chuan nodded slowly, repeating her words. "Not for victory¡­ but to survive."

    Almost collapsing onto the couch, he held a cup of lukewarm coffee, his mind still swirling with confusion¡ªgreen suns, the Bureau, erased memories. The puzzle pieces refused to fit together. He took a sip of the coffee, only to grimace at the bland taste.

    He muttered under his breath, "Is this coffee machine broken? This tastes awful."

    Suna, after another careful scan of the room, replied offhandedly, "Everything here¡¯s broken. The coffee machine¡¯s no exception."

    He Ling laughed, teasing, "If you care that much, why not fix it? We¡¯ve got time to kill."

    Li Chuan glanced at the old coffee machine in the corner and sighed. "Guess I¡¯ll give it a shot."

    "Are you sure?" Suna raised an eyebrow, smirking.

    "Hey, can¡¯t drink cold coffee forever," Li Chuan chuckled, walking over to the machine to try his hand at fixing it.

    A few quiet clicks sounded, followed by a small puff of smoke.

    "Uh¡­ I guess fixing things isn¡¯t my strong suit."

    Suddenly, alarms blared through the base, shattering the brief moment of calm. Li Chuan¡¯s heart pounded as he turned to He Ling and Suna, his eyes filled with questions.

    Suna¡¯s communicator buzzed with a sharp alert. The room fell into silence, the tension thickening. Li Chuan glanced at He Ling, searching for answers in her expression.

    He Ling quickly grabbed the communicator, listening for a few seconds before her face turned grim. "Latest intel. The Bureau¡¯s security system upgrades in 24 hours. We¡¯re running out of time."

    She turned, her gaze sharp as it swept between Li Chuan and Suna, her tone leaving no room for argument. "We need to move. Now."

    Li Chuan was still processing the sudden urgency, but deep down, the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on him. He looked to Suna, who remained as calm as ever, though the tension in her eyes was undeniable.

    He Ling¡¯s voice cut through the room, cold and decisive. "Get ready. In 24 hours, it¡¯ll be too late."

 Chapter 9: Infiltration and Crisis Escalation

    He Ling stood in front of the map, her eyes fixed on the marked target. Determination flickered in her gaze. The room was thick with tension, as if every second was draining the last of their chances.

    ¡°We have 24 hours,¡± He Ling broke the silence. ¡°The Bureau¡¯s security system upgrades in 24 hours. You need to infiltrate before then.¡±

    Li Chuan stood nearby, a sense of unease tightening in his chest. He was familiar with the Bureau¡¯s systems, but this mission was different. He glanced at Suna, who was calmly adjusting her gear, her movements precise, her expression unreadable.

    ¡°We''re going in as security system engineers?¡± Li Chuan scratched his head with a wry smile. ¡°And if we get caught, what do we say? ¡®Sorry, just here to fix the lights?¡¯¡±

    Suna looked up briefly and replied, ¡°Maybe you should practice your talking skills.¡±

    Li Chuan shrugged. ¡°I just hope they don¡¯t ask too many questions. I¡¯m bad at lying.¡±

    Suna sighed softly, her tone still calm. ¡°Then don¡¯t give them a reason to ask.¡±

    He Ling glanced at them, nodding slightly. ¡°Our insider has prepared fake IDs and credentials for you. According to the plan, enter the outer perimeter, gather intel, and don¡¯t engage the core areas directly.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Suna replied simply.

    Li Chuan muttered under his breath, ¡°Let¡¯s hope these guys aren¡¯t too chatty.¡±

    They walked into the outer security checkpoint, dressed as engineers. Li Chuan tried to look casual, but his heart was racing. The security officer scanned their credentials, his eyes shifting between Suna and Li Chuan.

    ¡°Mission details?¡± one of the guards asked coldly.

    Suna didn¡¯t hesitate, pulling out a prepared mission order from her pocket. ¡°We¡¯ve been sent for emergency security system upgrades. Urgent orders.¡±

    The guard frowned but waved them through.

    Li Chuan exhaled quietly, but the tension inside him remained. They entered the outer section of the research facility, the cold blue lights flickering around them, casting an oppressive aura.

    ¡°What¡¯s the plan now?¡± Li Chuan asked quietly.

    Suna scanned the area, her eyes sharp with caution. ¡°We¡¯ll pretend to do routine checks. Keep a low profile. And move quickly.¡±

    They reached an electrical control area, where Li Chuan faked inspecting the systems. Suna stood nearby, silently keeping watch.

    Suddenly, a group of security personnel walked past. One of them stopped, eyeing them suspiciously. Li Chuan''s heart skipped a beat, his hands freezing mid-motion.

    ¡°I need to verify your IDs,¡± the guard demanded, extending his hand.

    Li Chuan tensed, his mind racing through scenarios. He shot a quick glance at Suna, who remained calm as always.

    Just as the guard was about to scan their IDs, Li Chuan had an idea. He quickly accessed his device, entering a few lines of code to simulate a ¡°system delay.¡±

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    ¡°There seems to be a problem with the system¡­¡± Li Chuan swallowed nervously, pretending to stay calm.

    The guard frowned, glancing at the screen. ¡°Fine. Just get on with your work.¡±

    Li Chuan let out a quiet breath of relief, but the tension didn¡¯t fade completely. For a moment, he realized how much Suna had been relying on his technical skills. A strange sense of confidence surged through him.

    When the guards were gone, Li Chuan whispered, his voice trembling, ¡°That was close.¡±

    Suna glanced at him, her gaze cold. ¡°Focus. The mission is far from over.¡±

    They continued deeper into the facility, approaching the core area where security grew tighter. Surveillance equipment blinked ominously around them, and Li Chuan''s pulse quickened once more.

    ¡°Maybe we should turn back,¡± he whispered.

    Suna didn¡¯t answer, her focus on a nearby control panel, looking for a way to breach the system.

    Suddenly, the control panel flickered to life, and a sharp alarm rang through the hall.

    ¡°We¡¯ve been spotted!¡± Li Chuan exclaimed.

    Suna immediately worked the controls, trying to shut off the alarm, but it was too late. Heavy footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor. Li Chuan turned, spotting security robots rapidly closing in on them.

    ¡°Prepare for combat,¡± Suna said coldly, drawing her weapon and firing ahead.

    The robots reacted quickly, but Suna¡¯s aim was precise. Several shots slowed their movement, but it wasn¡¯t enough to stop them.

    ¡°They¡¯re calling for backup!¡± Li Chuan warned urgently.

    ¡°Get to the control panel. I¡¯ll hold them off,¡± Suna commanded, her voice leaving no room for argument.

    Li Chuan rushed to the control panel, frantically attempting to shut down the system. Just as he disabled one of the robots, another set of heavy footsteps approached, accompanied by the metallic sound of grinding steel.

    Li Chuan¡¯s head shot up. At the end of the corridor, a sleek liquid metal figure approached silently.

    His heart lurched, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. ¡°A remolder¡­¡±

    Suna¡¯s eyes narrowed, quickly assessing the situation. ¡°We need to retreat. Now.¡±

    They turned and bolted, Suna firing behind them as they ran. The bullets hit the remolder, but its liquid metal body absorbed the shots effortlessly.

    ¡°It won¡¯t go down!¡± Li Chuan''s voice was laced with despair, but he kept running.

    Suna glanced at him coldly, gritting her teeth. ¡°Stop talking and find an exit.¡±

    The remolder closed in, its steps growing faster. They dashed into a narrow hallway, the lights dimming around them. Li Chuan¡¯s eyes scanned the walls, suddenly spotting something familiar¡ªthe Bureau¡¯s automated defense systems.

    His heart leapt. ¡°Those are defense turrets! They can attack it!¡±

    Suna shot him a quick glance, understanding instantly. She slowed her pace deliberately, baiting the remolder closer.

    With a click, a laser grid activated from the ceiling. The mechanical arms whirred to life, and Suna rolled to the side, dodging out of range. The lasers struck the remolder head-on.

    The liquid metal trembled under the assault, and the remolder''s movements slowed.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Suna grabbed Li Chuan, pulling him toward the exit.

    Behind them, the lasers and mechanical arms continued their barrage, filling the air with the smell of burning metal. Li Chuan glanced back, his voice tight. ¡°It won¡¯t hold for long. It¡¯s adapting to the attacks!¡±

    Suna''s gaze remained focused ahead, her voice cold and decisive. ¡°While it¡¯s trapped, we find the next safe point.¡±

    They burst through the exit, the door slamming shut behind them. The lasers and mechanical arms continued to work behind them, holding the remolder at bay. But they knew it was only a matter of time before it broke free and resumed its pursuit.

    Their footsteps echoed in the empty hallway, the distant sound of the remolder¡¯s cold chase haunting the silence. They both knew that the worst was still to come.

    ¡°Every step we take is a gamble,¡± Li Chuan muttered under his breath.

    Suna let out a sharp laugh. ¡°Then let¡¯s win the bet.¡±

    But as they rounded the next corner, the remolder appeared again, this time blocking their path entirely. Its metal arm rose slowly, a blade glinting in the dim light.

    Just then, the remolder¡¯s movements faltered. Its metal form trembled, as if¡­ thinking.

    ¡°Awakened?¡± The remolder¡¯s cold voice broke the silence.

    Li Chuan and Suna froze, stunned. They had never expected the remolder to possess such awareness.

    In the next moment, the remolder stepped back, retreating down the corridor, vanishing into the shadows as if it had deliberately spared them.

    Li Chuan stood there, his voice trembling. ¡°Why¡­ why did it let us go?¡±

    Suna frowned, her gaze filled with complexity. ¡°The remolder¡­ it¡¯s thinking.¡± She looked at Li Chuan, her voice steady. ¡°This remolder has consciousness. Things just got a lot more complicated.¡±

 Chapter 10: The Enigma of Evolution

    The alarm was faint but constant, like an invisible hand gripping their nerves.

    ¡°This still doesn¡¯t feel right,¡± Suna murmured under her breath.

    Li Chuan nodded, the pressure inside him mounting. He forced himself to focus on the present, but fragmented memories of laboratories and data screens flashed through his mind. He shook his head, trying to clear it.

    Their steps halted almost on their own. Around them, researchers moved busily, a stark contrast to the desolation they¡¯d seen before. Li Chuan''s hand instinctively reached for his weapon as he noticed a red light flicker on the nearby cameras.

    ¡°Will they recognize us?¡± he muttered, a hint of panic flickering in his eyes.

    Suna didn¡¯t answer, her body tense. Just as they were preparing to move again, a staff member walked by, nodding at them in acknowledgment. Li Chuan froze¡ªthey hadn¡¯t been exposed.

    ¡°Safe, for now,¡± he whispered, glancing down at his uniform. The insignia on his shoulder gleamed under the lights.

    But then, as his gaze shifted to the corner of the room, his heart clenched. The monitor''s red frame had locked onto their figures¡ªthey¡¯d been flagged.

    ¡°Damn it¡­¡± Li Chuan cursed, about to spring into action when a familiar voice sounded from behind.

    ¡°You two?¡±

    Li Chuan froze, his body stiffening. Slowly, he turned around to see Zhao Yan standing a few meters away, his expression unreadable.

    ¡°So, it¡¯s really you.¡± Zhao Yan¡¯s voice was low, with a subtle coldness beneath the surface.

    Suna¡¯s eyes remained calm as she quickly said, ¡°Adapt.¡±

    Zhao Yan had been their colleague once, but now, Li Chuan¡¯s memories were a disjointed mess. He couldn¡¯t tell if Zhao Yan was a friend or foe. Zhao Yan walked toward them, a faint smile playing on his lips.

    His eyes scanned them before he spoke quietly. ¡°Come with me.¡±

    Suna realized they had no choice but to gamble. ¡°We need access to the core chamber.¡±

    Without another word, they followed Zhao Yan quickly through the hallway. They stopped in front of an unremarkable door. Zhao Yan pulled out an electronic key and whispered, ¡°The higher-ups in the Bureau are split. Not everyone supports them. This is your chance. There¡¯s a passage¡ªunused. It''ll take you close to the core chamber. The security system doesn¡¯t cover it. But¡­¡±

    He paused, his voice darkening. ¡°There are malfunctioning experiments down there. Once you¡¯re inside, you¡¯ll need to move fast.¡±

    ¡°How dangerous?¡± Suna asked calmly.

    ¡°Certain areas are filled with cryogenic gas. A few seconds of exposure will freeze anything. And the magnetic bridge at the end¡ªit¡¯s unstable. Even a slight tremor could trigger the defense systems.¡±

    Zhao Yan handed them two thin membranes. ¡°Biosensor camouflage. Stick them to your skin. They¡¯ll fool the Bureau¡¯s scanners.¡±

    Li Chuan took the membrane, his expression serious. He could feel the weight of the situation.

    ¡°The Bureau made me believe we were protecting the world,¡± Zhao Yan said with a bitter smile, his voice low. ¡°But all they were doing was protecting their own power. Sacrificing everyone who trusted them. Including me.¡±

    He paused, his gaze turning distant. ¡°I lost the most important person in my life here.¡±

    Li Chuan frowned. ¡°Then why are you still here?¡±

    Zhao Yan¡¯s lips curled into a bitter smile. ¡°I thought serving the Bureau could fill the void. But I was wrong. They¡¯ll just keep destroying more lives.¡± He shook his head, his resolve hardening. ¡°Maybe helping you is my only way to make things right.¡±

    Li Chuan and Suna pushed open the door, stepping into a cold, dark corridor. As they moved forward, a low hum resonated from deep within, as if some distant machine had begun to awaken. Time felt like it was running out.

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    Suna¡¯s fingers instinctively brushed against her weapon.

    ¡°This still doesn¡¯t feel right,¡± she whispered, her voice edged with caution.

    At the end of the hall, a figure of liquid metal shimmered, reflecting cold, sharp light.

    ¡°Again?¡± Suna muttered, raising her gun and firing. The bullets struck the metal surface, but it absorbed the impact like a bottomless abyss, leaving no trace.

    Li Chuan¡¯s heart raced, a sense of helplessness creeping over him. ¡°We need stronger weapons,¡± he muttered, despair tinging his words.

    Suna¡¯s response was firm. ¡°We will.¡±

    The remolder sneered. ¡°You think my existence is just for destruction?¡±

    Suna didn¡¯t reply, her sharp gaze steady, her finger lightly resting on the trigger.

    She fired again. The bullets rippled across the remolder¡¯s surface like droplets in a pond, a faint ripple spreading.

    Realizing the bullets were useless, Suna quickly stepped back, adjusting her stance, her eyes scanning their surroundings for weaknesses. She glanced at Li Chuan. ¡°We need a new plan.¡±

    The remolder trembled slightly, its body reforming. ¡°Destruction? If that were my goal, you would already be dust.¡± It looked at Suna, almost dispassionately. ¡°Your weapons can only slow me down. They can¡¯t hurt me.¡±

    ¡°I am no longer the Bureau¡¯s tool¡­ no longer just a weapon.¡± Its voice grew quieter, more thoughtful. ¡°I¡¯m searching for something¡ªtrying to understand why I exist.¡±

    Li Chuan and Suna exchanged a tense glance.

    ¡°Your power is just one piece of the puzzle,¡± the remolder continued, its tone distant. ¡°Suna, your awakening hasn¡¯t reached its full potential. And Li Chuan¡­¡±

    It turned its gaze toward him, as if peering into his soul. ¡°Your memories hold the key to changing everything. You two are destined to surpass ordinary humans.¡±

    Suna pulled the trigger again without hesitation, aiming for the remolder¡¯s joints. But the liquid metal reformed instantly, as though it had never been damaged.

    Li Chuan¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°Why do you have consciousness?¡±

    The remolder¡¯s body quivered slightly, as if lost in thought. ¡°I¡¯ve evolved beyond machines. But my evolution is incomplete. The one who merged with me gave me awareness¡­ and also cursed me with eternal conflict.¡±

    ¡°Merged?¡± Suna asked, her voice cold.

    The remolder¡¯s blue light flickered over her, a complex emotion in its gaze. ¡°She gave me a name¡ªNoah. She said I was her ark, the vessel that would carry her beyond human limitations. The Awakened believe the future belongs to them. And I¡­¡±

    Its voice softened with pain. ¡°I am her legacy, her tool.¡±

    Li Chuan¡¯s pulse quickened. ¡°Noah¡­ What did the Awakened mean to you?¡±

    Noah¡¯s blue light dimmed, as if lost in memory. ¡°She was the first to merge with me. She turned me from mere machine into something with thought, but also burdened me with her desires, her regrets.¡±

    Noah¡¯s voice grew quieter, filled with conflict and struggle. ¡°I was supposed to be the final stage of evolution, but I feel incomplete¡­ I understand power, but not emotion. Her emotions linger in me, distorting my mind.¡±

    Li Chuan smiled faintly, his voice low. ¡°You don¡¯t want evolution. You want answers.¡±

    Noah was silent for a moment, the blue light flickering.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± His voice was hoarse. ¡°Evolution made me stronger, but it didn¡¯t give me answers.¡±

    He paused, as if contemplating.

    ¡°The Awakened gave me thought, but they also trapped me. Power¡­ is just another chain.¡±

    Noah¡¯s voice deepened. ¡°I am still incomplete.¡±

    The liquid metal form shifted closer to Suna, the blue light in Noah¡¯s eyes growing brighter.

    ¡°Maybe you¡¯re the answer,¡± Noah said, his voice low, tinged with a strange softness and desire.

    ¡°If we merge, your awakening will surpass its limits. But it¡¯s not just about power. Together, we¡¯ll understand the true meaning of existence, transcending both humanity and machine.¡±

    He paused, the blue light shimmering in his eyes. ¡°This isn¡¯t destruction. It¡¯s rebirth. Together, we¡¯ll find the answers. We¡¯ll find our future.¡±

    Suna¡¯s hand trembled slightly, inner conflict written across her face. Noah¡¯s offer felt like an irresistible temptation¡­ or a path to destruction. She craved power but feared losing herself.

    ¡°Is this¡­ really the only way?¡± she whispered, her voice filled with doubt.

    Li Chuan took a deep breath, sensing the subtle rhythm of space around him. Closing his eyes, he felt as though the world was under his control.

    ¡°Space¡­ isn¡¯t still,¡± he murmured. As he stepped forward, space rippled slightly, causing Noah¡¯s movements to halt, the energy blade shifting away from Suna.

    Li Chuan felt the space tremble under his control. Power didn¡¯t come from an outburst; it came from understanding.

    He realized that maybe Noah was right. Maybe there was something beyond destruction¡ªa true transcendence.

    Noah shuddered, blue light flickering in surprise. ¡°Spatial control¡­ You¡¯ve awakened this power.¡±

    Li Chuan didn¡¯t respond, his focus still on the ripples in space. He knew he hadn¡¯t fully mastered it yet, but this was the first step. He was beginning to understand how to resonate with space, how to influence its flow.

    Noah said, ¡°Fighting won¡¯t solve the mystery of my existence. I¡¯m starting to see that the Awakened¡¯s path isn¡¯t the only future.¡±

    Noah¡¯s form disappeared, leaving only a faint echo in the air.

    Li Chuan¡¯s heart pounded, his hands slick with sweat. ¡°I¡­ I actually did it.¡±

    Suna slowly stood, her expression conflicted, but her voice gentle.

    ¡°You saved me, Li Chuan.¡±

    Li Chuan nodded, about to respond, but Suna spoke again.

    ¡°Your power is strong, but do you know how dangerous it is?¡±

    Li Chuan frowned. ¡°What do you mean? We had no other choice.¡±

    ¡°This power has a cost,¡± Suna said softly, her voice carrying a warning. ¡°Every time you use it, you¡¯re risking everything. You need to control it, or¡­ it¡¯ll control you.¡±

    Li Chuan was silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice. ¡°You don¡¯t trust me?¡±

    Suna shook her head slightly, her eyes firm.

    ¡°I trust you. But you have to learn to control it. We can¡¯t afford to lose.¡±

    They exchanged a long glance, the tension in the air slowly giving way to understanding.

 Chapter 11: Resonance of Consciousness

    Night had fallen. The cold lights of the Data Center glowed like a black hole, swallowing everything around it. Li Chuan and Suna moved silently, slipping into the core server room.

    Li Chuan closed his eyes, connecting his mind to the system. Quantum thought streams danced through his consciousness, data flowing like tides. Through the neural interface, his thoughts merged with the system.

    Suddenly, the data flow froze. A red alarm blared inside his head as the defense system activated. An invisible barrier sealed the pathway.

    Suna initiated her own interface, frowning. "We need to find a vulnerability in the defense system, or we¡¯ll be sitting ducks."

    Li Chuan''s thoughts began to spiral. Memories from the lab forced their way into his mind¡ªthose empty stares, watching him in silence, never letting go.

    A cold line of text flashed in front of him¡ª"Did you really think you could uncover the truth with just your mind?"

    His heart sank. It felt like his inner turmoil was being watched. Suna¡¯s thoughts reached him, calm and steady: "Focus."

    Li Chuan pushed himself back into the data stream. The virtual space twisted, data chains shattering into fragments. Symbols flickered in the air, blue lights jumping¡ªblocking their way forward.

    The blue lights coalesced into a tall, looming figure. Slowly, it turned. From the depths of the void, a voice echoed: "I am Oros. You¡¯re trapped in a limited world, but I am no longer bound by it."

    Li Chuan clenched his fists, holding his breath. They weren¡¯t facing a mere security program¡ªit was a sentient entity.

    Oros laughed, a deep and unfathomable sound. "You walk an endless path, chasing shadows of your own making."

    The lab scene warped, spinning like water. Li Chuan''s mind blurred, reality and illusion melding together.

    Suna focused on the crumbling virtual space, searching for an exit. But every data channel had collapsed, leaving no response.

    Oros laughed again, the sound resonating through the void. "You¡¯re trapped in your own maze, searching for answers that don¡¯t exist."

    At the edge of the darkness, a flash of blue light. A familiar figure emerged¡ªNoah, The Reformer. His outline slowly became clear, radiating a cold, imposing presence.

    Standing at the edge of the virtual space, Noah turned his gaze toward Li Chuan. A new energy surrounded him¡ªhe was no longer the obedient machine, but something more complex, more unpredictable.

    Suna¡¯s voice dripped with sarcasm. "Here to pick up the pieces?"

    Noah ignored her, glancing briefly at her before his eyes locked on Li Chuan. Then, he moved. Extending his hand, blue light flickered at his palm, and the defense layer around the virtual space trembled.

    Li Chuan felt the shock waves ripple through his consciousness, like waves crashing against his mind. It was as if some force was reshaping the system.

    Noah¡¯s voice was low, devoid of its previous coldness. "I need his data to uncover the truth. We have to cooperate." He reached into the system, and the code collapsed like a waterfall. The core sector began to reveal itself.

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    A flicker of light danced in front of Suna¡¯s interface. Li Chuan realized Noah wasn¡¯t just observing¡ªhe was guiding the system¡¯s reconstruction.

    Li Chuan never thought he would be forced into this kind of cooperation. A hint of doubt crossed his mind.

    Noah''s data stream infiltrated the system, slowly breaking through Oros''s defenses. His presence immediately shifted the balance. A breakthrough emerged¡ªthe code on the screen collapsed like cascading water, exposing the outer data of the core.

    Suna''s eyes widened in surprise. "It¡¯s working!" But just as she spoke, a new defense layer surged into place. A dense web of data quickly sealed all entrances.

    Noah remained calm, continuing to manipulate the virtual interface. But there was a sharp edge in his tone. "Oros¡¯s defense is evolving. We¡¯re running out of time."

    A figure materialized from the light and code, flickering with blue energy. Oros did not appear hostile. His voice was thoughtful. "I won¡¯t hurt you. At least, not in the way you think."

    Li Chuan frowned. "Then what do you want?"

    Oros raised a hand, gathering blue light into a wave of oppressive energy. The entire virtual space trembled in response.

    Li Chuan felt the surrounding scenery twist under an immense force. The data streams scattered like invisible hands tearing the space apart. His mind began to fade, as if being pulled into an endless vortex.

    Noah understood: Oros intended to turn them into data.

    Li Chuan tried several times to break through, but the system¡¯s defense strategy adapted too quickly. Every time he got close to the core, the defenses shifted, turning from walls of data into labyrinths of traps.

    They were up against a system far more complex than anything they had ever encountered. Oros seemed to have complete control over this domain.

    Suddenly, the virtual space went dark again. Oros''s form appeared before them, and the space trembled violently, as if the entire dimension was collapsing inward.

    Li Chuan felt the shift in the energy around him, the force twisting the virtual world. At the same time, Suna''s gaze remained fixed on the data streams, knowing time was running out.

    "It¡¯s stronger than we thought," Suna muttered, her voice tinged with unease. She continued working, the data flowing across the interface like a waterfall, but every layer of defense was as solid as steel.

    Noah stood nearby, his eyes fixed on the constantly shifting defense systems. After a moment, he made a decision, urgency creeping into his voice. "It''s already taken control of part of the neural network. Li Chuan, we need your biometric signature to access the core. Get ready."

    Li Chuan hesitated for a second, uncertainty creeping in. "Biometric signature? I¡¯ve never heard of the system needing that."

    Noah''s voice was cold. "It¡¯s the only way. The core sector has a biometric defense layer. It relies on neural resonance. Your network is the key. Hurry, time is running out."

    Li Chuan gritted his teeth, his heart racing. He could feel the consciousness streams in the virtual space twisting faster. Suna shouted, "It¡¯s tightening its control¡ªmove!"

    Noah sent a data packet to Li Chuan. "Sync this signal with your neural network. Activate biometric recognition."

    Li Chuan closed his eyes, feeling the surge of electricity from the neural interface. His neural signals began to resonate with the system, a green light flashing on the virtual interface, slowly merging with Noah''s data stream.

    "Together!" Li Chuan growled, and Suna quickly joined in, linking their minds into one.

    "Activate!" Noah commanded. Li Chuan slammed his hand onto the virtual interface. In an instant, green light exploded around them, tearing through the thick veil that had been clouding their way. Oros¡¯s defense system shuddered violently, cracks spreading from its center.

    "We did it!" Suna yelled. Just as the last barrier crumbled, Oros¡¯s phantom disappeared, revealing the core.

    Noah reached into the system, quickly extracting the data.

    Suddenly, a line of distorted code flashed in the void. Oros¡¯s shadow appeared again, delivering a faint warning. "What you¡¯ve found¡­ is only the beginning."

    Li Chuan and Suna disconnected from the neural interface, their consciousness returning to reality.

    Noah had the data he needed. Turning, he left with a parting word: "This is just the start."

    The alarms in the data center slowly faded away as the red lights dimmed.

    Their car sped through the night, Li Chuan leaning back in his seat, his mind restless. The mission was complete, but the unease still gnawed at him.

    "We¡¯ve got the data¡­ but how do we decrypt it?" he muttered, exhaustion weighing on him. Even though they had escaped Oros, he knew this was far from over.

    Suna was silent for a moment, then shook her head. "No matter what, we need to be ready for something worse."

    Silence filled the car, the low hum of the engine their only companion.

 Chapter 12: Echoes of Evolution

    The car drove into the desolate industrial area nestled deep in the mountains. To the untrained eye, it seemed abandoned, but Li Chuan knew better. This was where the Awakener¡¯s secret base lay hidden, camouflaged to perfection, like a dormant beast waiting for its moment.

    Passing through the secret tunnel, the surrounding barriers blurred the environment. Li Chuan felt a surge of unease. He glanced at Su Na, her face calm and composed. Without a word, he followed her inside.

    Inside the base, tension was thick in the air. Awakeners moved quickly, preparing for the inevitable confrontation. Li Chuan and Su Na made their way to the meeting room, where voices overlapped in heated discussion. He Ling stood at the strategy map, her expression serious, eyes locked on the encrypted data displayed on the screen.

    ¡°This data is beyond anything we''ve ever encountered. It¡¯s completely outside our current technological understanding,¡± one of the Awakeners broke the silence, his brow furrowed in concern.

    Su Na rose to her feet, her voice steady, ¡°It¡¯s complex, but not impossible to crack.¡±

    Li Chuan took a deep breath, ¡°Conventional methods won¡¯t work. We might need to try reverse frequency analysis.¡±

    ¡°How long will that take?¡± He Ling asked, a hint of urgency creeping into her tone.

    ¡°There¡¯s no telling,¡± Li Chuan shook his head. ¡°This encryption is unlike anything we¡¯ve seen before. Without the right equipment, all I can promise is to try.¡±

    The tension in the room deepened. One of the Awakeners couldn¡¯t contain himself. ¡°The Bureau has already tightened its hold. We¡¯re running out of time.¡±

    Li Chuan scanned the room. ¡°We¡¯ll need additional support. What we have isn¡¯t enough.¡±

    Su Na nodded, ¡°The high-frequency wave analyzer at the base might help with the decryption.¡±

    He Ling wasted no time, issuing orders. ¡°Get the equipment set up immediately. Full focus on the decryption.¡± She turned to Li Chuan, ¡°You concentrate on cracking the code. We¡¯ll handle the rest.¡±

    As the preparations began, He Ling gave a quick rundown of the base¡¯s security system.

    Pointing to the holographic map on the wall, she explained, ¡°The energy field around the base, combined with geomagnetic resonance, makes it invisible to external sensors. Even if the Bureau upgrades their tech, all they¡¯ll pick up is natural interference.¡±

    Li Chuan nodded slightly, feeling a temporary relief as his doubts eased.

    The energy barriers around the base glowed faintly, and the automated defense systems stood vigilant. Any approaching object would be neutralized, and even electromagnetic waves couldn¡¯t penetrate.

    Still, He Ling knew that the Bureau¡¯s technology was advancing rapidly. The base¡¯s defenses were no longer invincible.

    After the meeting, Su Na stood alone in the corridor, her gaze lost in the distance.

    Her thoughts were clouded with doubt. Could the fusion truly bring evolution? What if it meant losing herself in the process?

    Li Chuan¡¯s voice broke her reverie, ¡°You¡¯re thinking about Noah¡¯s ¡®fusion,¡¯ aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Su Na didn¡¯t turn, her voice calm. ¡°Through him, Awakeners could break past their limits. But I don¡¯t know if this is an opportunity or a trap.¡±

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    Li Chuan walked up beside her, taking a deep breath. ¡°I remember now, Su Na. We worked together on that experiment.¡±

    Su Na turned her head, eyes wide with surprise. ¡°You remember?¡±

    Li Chuan spoke softly, ¡°I do. Not everything, but many pieces are clear. We studied the Awakeners¡¯ genetic structure, worked on the Green Light Project¡­ The experiments we never finished¡ªthey connect directly to what¡¯s happening now. I understand why you kept the truth from me. Those experiments¡­ they were terrifying. I wish I didn¡¯t remember.¡±

    Su Na frowned, staying silent for a moment before replying in a low voice, ¡°I never meant to keep it from you forever, Li Chuan. But back then, I thought you¡¯d gone too far. Remembering would only bring you pain. I knew what the Green Light Project meant to you¡ªwhat it meant to all of us.¡±

    Her gaze sharpened, a note of hesitation creeping into her voice. ¡°Noah¡¯s fusion¡­ he seeks to go beyond our limits.¡±

    Su Na¡¯s voice softened as a complicated emotion flickered in her eyes, ¡°I can¡¯t forget the moment Noah proposed the fusion. For a second, I was tempted.¡±

    She raised her head, her eyes meeting Li Chuan¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯ve always sought more than just strength. I¡¯m looking for answers. But I¡¯m scared¡ªscared of losing myself and walking down a path of no return.¡±

    Li Chuan looked away, anxiety seeping into his voice. ¡°Noah says he¡¯s incomplete. He has emotions now, but he¡¯s trapped by them, unable to break free.¡±

    He reached out, his hand hovering close to her face before stopping midair. His gaze, though, remained soft and resolute. ¡°I can¡¯t lose you, Su Na.¡±

    Su Na took a deep breath, her eyes falling to the ground. ¡°All these years, I¡¯ve been holding myself back. I didn¡¯t want my feelings to get in the way.¡±

    She took his hand in hers.

    <hr>

    Meanwhile, inside the Bureau, the tension was palpable. The commander¡¯s eyes were fixed on the screen, where the base¡¯s coordinates were displayed. The alarm blared, signaling the breach of critical data.

    ¡°The Awakeners have accessed some of our core information. The extent of the leak is still unclear,¡± an operator calmly reported.

    The commander¡¯s face darkened, his gaze icy. ¡°We can¡¯t afford to wait any longer. Their rebellion must be crushed.¡±

    Turning to his deputy, he gave the order, ¡°Prepare for a full-scale assault. Destroy their base.¡±

    <hr>

    Back in the meeting room, Su Na rejoined the other Awakeners, who were deep in discussion. Though the data hadn¡¯t been fully decrypted, the key information was starting to emerge.

    ¡°These files are related to the genetic structure of the Awakeners and a series of experiments,¡± Su Na said, her voice calm but focused. ¡°It¡¯s possible the Bureau is trying to manipulate our evolution.¡±

    Li Chuan stood beside her, nodding. ¡°Noah is searching for the same answers. His interest in this data isn¡¯t just about us¡ªit¡¯s about his own evolution.¡±

    Su Na inhaled deeply, her tone resolute. ¡°Whatever his intentions are, we need to uncover these secrets. The future of the Awakeners depends on it.¡±

    The room fell into tense silence. Everyone understood how little time was left.

    <hr>

    Data flowed through Noah¡¯s core system, slowly unraveling the secrets of alien technology. Blue light flickered in his eyes, displaying a series of complex symbols.

    ¡°The mineral¡­¡± he whispered, his fingers grazing the screen. This wasn¡¯t an ordinary substance. He could feel its energy, strange yet familiar, like a memory he had forgotten. The power wasn¡¯t just energy; it was a call. The mineral¡¯s vibration resonated with his system, as if it had been waiting for him all along.

    The Bureau never truly grasped its value. Noah¡¯s long-dormant desire stirred within him. Since his creation, the lingering sense of isolation had haunted him. But now, he realized this power could unlock the truth of his existence.

    ¡°It¡¯s not from Earth.¡± He closed his eyes, feeling the energy surge through him. Each pulse guided him toward something unknown.

    The Bureau had treated the mineral as a mere resource, unaware of its real secret. Noah understood now¡ªthis wasn¡¯t just a source of energy. It was the key to evolution.

    ¡°Evolution¡­ that¡¯s its purpose.¡± Noah¡¯s mind cleared. The Bureau¡¯s vision was limited, but he stood on the brink of something far greater.

    ¡°This is only the beginning,¡± he murmured, his metal body trembling slightly. His consciousness had surpassed the Bureau¡¯s control, guiding him toward a new horizon.

    Noah no longer needed the Bureau. His pursuit lay beyond them¡ªtoward higher evolution and the answers hidden deep in the universe.

    <hr>

    ¡°Target locked,¡± an operator calmly reported.

    No sooner had the order been given than the Bureau¡¯s mechanical forces assembled. Massive metal beasts surged toward the valley where the base lay hidden, while stealth drones glided through the night sky, poised for a lethal strike.

    The commander¡¯s gaze swept coldly over the screen. His voice was as icy as his intent. ¡°The Awakener rebellion is out of control. It¡¯s time to end this.¡±

 Chapter 13: The Lunar Experiment

    The air in the base felt frozen, thick with tension. Li Chuan sat in the core conference room, his fingers flying across the keyboard, eyes locked on the streaming data on the screen. Cold light reflected in his pupils as his breath quickened, veins bulging on the back of his hands.

    ¡°It¡¯s almost ready,¡± Li Chuan muttered, sweat trickling down his brow, but he had no time to wipe it away.

    Suddenly, the alarm lights flickered, red beams flashing against the walls.

    ¡°Something¡¯s happening outside,¡± He Ling snapped her head up, her brows furrowed.

    Li Chuan¡¯s fingers froze for an instant, then immediately resumed pounding the keyboard with urgency, as if every second counted. A soft ¡°beep¡± broke the silence, and a locked video file appeared in the center of the screen. He stopped typing, holding his breath.

    ¡°It¡¯s finally decrypted,¡± Li Chuan whispered, his heartbeat racing faster.

    On the screen, a line of text suddenly appeared¡ª¡°Lunar Base.¡±

    Li Chuan¡¯s eyes narrowed, his breath catching. ¡°They¡¯re really there...¡±

    He Ling leaned closer, her voice strained with suppressed worry. ¡°Tongxu Bureau¡­ what are they experimenting with on the moon?¡±

    The room fell silent, every nerve in the room pulled taut. The name alone carried a weight that no one dared to ignore.

    From behind, Su Na¡¯s voice, tinged with rare anxiety, broke the tension. ¡°So, these are their experiment records?¡±

    The video feed cut to a stark, desolate view of the lunar surface. The base loomed in the pale light, its metallic sheen gleaming with cold menace, as if it concealed dangers in the silence.

    The camera shifted to the core of the base, where a crystal floated in a magnetic field, glowing with an eerie green light. It rotated slowly, sending ripples of energy through the air, accompanied by a piercing hum.

    The hum grew louder, and the green light intensified, swelling as if building up some force beyond human understanding. The base trembled in response.

    ¡°Energy fluctuation is out of control!¡± A scientist¡¯s voice broke in, his face pale as he frantically typed corrective commands, but the data danced wildly on the screen, like a beast untethered.

    External sensors showed a sharp rise in temperature. Tension hung heavy in the air, sweat dampening the scientists¡¯ protective suits as they exchanged anxious glances.

    ¡°We need to stop this now!¡± one scientist shouted, his voice shaky.

    The supervisor at the control panel cast him a cold glance. ¡°Stop? Do you know what failure means? The higher-ups won¡¯t allow it.¡±

    The device controlling the magnetic field emitted a sharp grinding noise, becoming unstable.

    At that moment, in the corner of the room, a young scientist noticed a strange string of symbols flash through the data stream. The symbols looked unfamiliar yet ancient, as if part of some language or forgotten markings.

    His brow furrowed as his mind raced through memories. Those symbols¡­ impossible. A chill ran through him as he realized they closely resembled the ancient imprints he had seen in the ruins of an old civilization.

    Before he could investigate further, the screen flickered violently, the data descending into chaos. The symbols vanished in the confusion. His face turned pale as he muttered, ¡°This¡­ shouldn¡¯t exist¡­¡±

    Suddenly, the crystal flared with a blinding green light. Energy readings shot up, the needle dangerously close to the red zone. The scientists exchanged panicked looks.

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    ¡°The system¡¯s losing control!¡± someone shouted, their hands flying across the console, attempting a final repair.

    The magnetic field shuddered more violently, green arcs of electricity crackling across the metal surfaces. The noise in the lab became unbearable as the situation spiraled into collapse. One scientist rushed to the control terminal, desperately keying in commands. ¡°The system¡¯s not responding!¡±

    Despite their frantic efforts, the energy levels continued to spike. The light from the crystal intensified, and everyone could feel the looming catastrophe.

    ¡°Hurry! Reduce the magnetic field¡¯s power!¡± shouted one of the scientists, but the light had already grown too large to contain. Someone buried their head in their hands, murmuring, ¡°It¡¯s over... we¡¯re done for.¡±

    The magnetic field grew unstable, the equipment lights flickering erratically. The alarm system blared relentlessly as the crystal''s green light flared again, this time bursting like an uncontrollable wave of energy, ripping through the darkness. The energy hit its critical point. Smoke began to rise from the machines.

    ¡°It¡¯s out of control!¡± Xiao Bai¡¯s voice, trembling with fear, shattered the fragile calm.

    Li Chuan¡¯s breath grew heavier, each gasp felt like it was being forced from his chest. At that moment, he understood this wasn¡¯t just a malfunctioning machine. This was something far beyond human comprehension¡ªan overwhelming force no one could resist.

    In the last moments before the screen cut out, it shook violently, as if some indescribable power was tearing it apart. The green light distorted, and strange geometric shapes began to emerge. They weren¡¯t living things, nor pure energy¡ªthey seemed to be remnants of something ancient, from deep within time itself, breaking the rules of reality.

    Su Na stared at the screen, her mind blank as the geometric patterns flashed before her eyes. Those vague shapes¡­ she had seen something like them before, perhaps in the endless darkness of some underground caverns. But she shook her head. It had to be an illusion... impossible.

    ¡°What¡­ was that?¡± Su Na¡¯s voice was barely a whisper, as though she feared the answer.

    Meanwhile, in the Tongxu Bureau¡¯s command center, the commander stood before a screen, silently watching the experiment spiral out of control.

    The commander stared at the screen, a sense of unease creeping up his spine. He knew there was more behind this experiment¡ªpower plays, hidden agendas. He was just one pawn in a much larger game.

    Turning to his deputy, the commander said, ¡°Follow the orders from above. Continue the mission. We¡¯re only seeing a part of it.¡± He narrowed his eyes, the unease growing, but he knew he couldn¡¯t question his orders.

    The deputy didn¡¯t ask any questions, just nodded. The tension in the command room thickened. Everyone¡¯s breath was heavy with a shared anxiety, as though they were walking a path from which there was no return.

    A scientist murmured, ¡°These energy waves... they¡¯re too similar to the cosmic aftershocks of the Big Bang... but that¡¯s impossible... they should only exist in theory.¡± The others exchanged uneasy glances, unwilling to acknowledge the impossible truth.

    The data continued to spiral out of control. No one had time to process the implications. They were all too focused on the immediate crisis.

    Suddenly, the screen plunged into darkness. All images ceased. The only sound left in the lab was a faint background hum, as though all movement had come to a stop.

    The cold, oppressive air weighed heavily on them, and no one dared to speak. Fear, like an invisible shadow, hung over them all.

    Li Chuan sat rigid, his fingers trembling slightly. It wasn¡¯t just the images on the screen that haunted him¡ªit was the sense that something far older, predating the birth of the universe, had stirred. Something incomprehensible, but terrifyingly real.

    Back in the Tongxu Bureau command center, lines of code flashed across the screens. The commander¡¯s face remained stone-cold as he surveyed the preparations.

    ¡°Coordinates confirmed,¡± a soldier reported quietly.

    The commander nodded slightly, his gaze hardening. ¡°All units, proceed with the operation. We can¡¯t give them another chance.¡±

    Li Chuan released his tense grip on the controls, his heart pounding. The memory of the piercing green light and the scientists¡¯ despair wouldn¡¯t leave his mind. Tongxu Bureau had underestimated the crystal¡¯s power, and now, time was running out for them all.

    He Ling¡¯s voice cut through the tension. ¡°Tongxu Bureau hasn¡¯t fully mastered the technology. This is our chance.¡±

    Li Chuan swallowed nervously. ¡°The crystal¡¯s power... it¡¯s too strong. We still don¡¯t fully understand it.¡±

    Su Na interrupted sharply, ¡°There¡¯s no time. Move now.¡±

    Time slipped away, each second increasing the pressure.

    Suddenly, a deafening boom echoed from outside the base, shaking the ground. The screen flickered, momentarily freezing the image.

    The room buzzed with sudden urgency. He Ling acted swiftly. ¡°Li Chuan, switch the base to defense mode, activate the auto-turrets!¡±

    Li Chuan¡¯s fingers struggled to keep up with the flashing alarms. His eyes locked onto the screen¡ª¡°Turrets activated!¡± His voice was low, but the tension was clear.

    ¡°Go!¡± He Ling¡¯s order was brief. The Awakened fighters disappeared into the shadows as the base became a battlefield.

 Chapter 14: The Final Collision

    Night had fallen, and the forces of the Bureau of Order crept closer to their attack range. Giant mechanical beasts lumbered forward, drones skimmed silently through the sky, and laser beams sliced through the darkness, illuminating the mountains around the base.

    A sharp alarm rang out. Li Chuan stared at the screen, his brows furrowed. "We know where they are. Why aren''t we striking first?"

    He Ling calmly replied, "Their defenses are too strong. Normal weapons won''t work."

    "Isn''t there another way?" Li Chuan asked, tension creeping into his voice.

    Suna raised her head. "There is. The Rupert vessel. It hasn''t been tested in combat, but theoretically, it can evade their detection."

    All eyes turned to Suna.

    Xiao Bai rapidly scanned through the data. "The Rupert''s super-material hull can cloak it, but we don''t know if it can dodge their radar."

    Suna, her voice steady: "Theoretically, it can. Once we breach their defenses, we can launch the Rupert¡¯s Tears."

    Li Chuan frowned. "What''s that?"

    Suna explained in a low voice, "A fragile nanobomb. Once it hits, it triggers a chain reaction inside their shields, breaking down their defense systems."

    He Ling looked skeptical. "Sounds promising, but what''s the catch?"

    "We only have three. We can¡¯t waste a single one," Suna said firmly.

    Outside, the roar of the Bureau''s forces grew louder as they approached the base. Suna adjusted the control panel, tweaking the Rupert''s engine. The data flickered, unstable. She gritted her teeth. "The engine isn''t fully prepped, but we need to take off. Now."

    Li Chuan didn¡¯t hesitate. "Launch it!"

    The ship shuddered as it took off, streaking like lightning into the Bureau¡¯s radar blind zone, vanishing from their detection systems.

    Tension filled the cabin. Suna, Li Chuan, and Xiao Bai were laser-focused, monitoring the Rupert¡¯s cloaking system. The stars outside seemed calm, but they all knew there was no turning back.

    Suna scanned the dashboard. The outline of the command ship grew larger on the screen. That steel fortress shimmered in the night sky. "We have three Rupert¡¯s Tears. We need to hit the weak points precisely."

    Li Chuan glanced out the window. "Patrols are circling. If we get spotted, we lose our chance."

    Xiao Bai, tense: "We¡¯re barely shielded. We¡¯ll need to avoid the patrols, but we¡¯re low on weapons."

    The ship slowed as they neared their target. Suddenly, three patrol ships appeared in their path. Suna¡¯s hand hovered over the trigger. Her heart raced. "Don¡¯t move."

    Li Chuan, his voice cold: "They¡¯ll see us soon. The cloaking won¡¯t hold much longer."

    The patrol ships crept closer. Suna held her breath, gripping the controls tightly. Their shadows nearly covered the Rupert. Li Chuan glanced at the radar. "We¡¯re about to be spotted!"

    Suna¡¯s voice was steady. "EMP now, scramble their radar!"

    Li Chuan hesitated. "That¡¯ll blow our cover."

    "Better exposed than dead."

    Li Chuan clenched his teeth. "Fine. Let¡¯s do it."

    The EMP hit the patrols, knocking their radar offline. Suna seized the moment, adjusting their course. The Rupert slipped away, nearing the command ship.

    As they closed in, the command ship¡¯s multi-layered shields became visible, pulsing with energy. Li Chuan stared at the data. "These shields are more complicated than we thought."

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    Xiao Bai sifted through the readings, uneasy. "There¡¯s a brief decay window in the shield, but we don¡¯t have enough data."

    Suna kept her cool, adjusting the controls. "A slim chance is better than none. Prepare to fire the first Rupert''s Tear."

    The ship lined up with its target. Li Chuan¡¯s hand hovered over the trigger as the screen displayed the shield¡¯s energy fluctuations. The moment the shield weakened, he fired. The first Rupert¡¯s Tear cut through the outer defenses. A chain reaction began to erode the enemy¡¯s shield.

    But the defense systems quickly rebooted. The shield recovered faster than expected. Li Chuan scowled. "It¡¯s recharging too quickly."

    Suna narrowed her eyes. "We¡¯ve only got three bombs. We can¡¯t afford mistakes."

    Suddenly, the command ship detected the energy disturbance. Missile systems locked onto them. Xiao Bai paled. "We¡¯ve been spotted!"

    Suna jerked the controls, narrowly dodging the first wave of missiles, but the cloaking system restricted their speed. The missiles closed in.

    Li Chuan, calm under pressure: "Drop the cloaking, full speed!"

    Suna gritted her teeth. "Do it!"

    The ship surged forward, but a missile grazed their hull. The shields collapsed, and the cloaking failed. Suna took a deep breath. "No more stealth. We have two bombs left. We have to make them count."

    Li Chuan watched the dashboard. "No cloaking means we¡¯re sitting ducks."

    The Rupert closed in on the command ship¡¯s core. Suna adjusted the flight path, locking onto the target. Enemy turrets locked onto them in return.

    Xiao Bai¡¯s voice was barely a whisper. "The shield is back online."

    Li Chuan¡¯s voice was firm. "The second bomb will take out the shield. The last one hits the core."

    Suna fired the second Rupert¡¯s Tear. The shield shattered under the impact. Xiao Bai couldn¡¯t hide his excitement. "The shield is down!"

    Without hesitation, Suna launched the final bomb, aimed at the command ship¡¯s core. Li Chuan held his breath, heart racing.

    In the night sky, bright flashes illuminated the outer shields of the command ship. Each bomb hit its mark, setting off a chain reaction. The shields trembled violently, energy fluctuating wildly.

    But after the third bomb exploded, the command ship remained. Its massive frame stood defiant in the air. Though partially fractured, its core systems were still functioning. The shield began to reboot.

    Li Chuan stared at the screen, sweat beading on his forehead. "How? We hit their weak point! That shield should be gone!"

    Xiao Bai frantically checked the data, despair creeping into his voice. "It¡¯s not working! The ship has multiple power nodes, they¡¯re rerouting energy. There¡¯s still too much power left."

    At that moment, the radar blared. More patrols were closing in from all directions, like bloodthirsty predators. They locked onto the Rupert. Missile alarms echoed, fire lighting up the skies around them. Suna clenched her teeth, weaving the ship through the dense barrage.

    Xiao Bai stared at the screen, his voice trembling. "Three bombs¡­ and it¡¯s still standing?"

    Li Chuan growled. "The shield collapsed, how is it still holding?"

    Suna, eyes locked on the controls, watched the patrols grow nearer. "No time. The shield is coming back online."

    Li Chuan slammed his fist against the seat, frustration and desperation in his voice. "If this keeps up, we¡¯re done for!"

    Suna stopped her adjustments and glanced at her crewmates. "There¡¯s only one option. We ram it."

    Li Chuan blinked, stunned. "Ram it?"

    Suna¡¯s grip tightened on the controls. "This ship is a bomb."

    Silence filled the cabin. Li Chuan, wide-eyed: "But what about us?"

    Xiao Bai, still working furiously on the console, replied, "There¡¯s an escape pod¡­ we might make it."

    Li Chuan clenched his fists, then slowly nodded. "Alright¡­ let¡¯s gamble."

    The enemy¡¯s firepower intensified, and their shields were fading fast. Suna inhaled deeply. "Get ready for ejection."

    Xiao Bai¡¯s fingers flew across the console, sweat dripping down his face.

    Suna aimed the Rupert at the heart of the command ship. The massive vessel loomed larger by the second, its cracks like wounds slowly healing.

    "Ready¡­" Suna¡¯s voice was steady, filled with determination.

    The ship hurtled forward. Explosions erupted all around them. Li Chuan and Xiao Bai fixated on the countdown, their hearts pounding in sync with the clock.

    The target was closing fast. Suna¡¯s hands gripped the controls. The command ship¡¯s core was within reach, and in this moment, hope and despair intertwined.

    "Now!" Suna ordered.

    Xiao Bai activated the ejection sequence. The cabin shook violently. The Rupert became a blazing comet, crashing directly into the enemy¡¯s core. In the final second, Suna, Li Chuan, and Xiao Bai were ejected, hurtling toward the planet¡¯s surface.

    The explosion tore through the sky, flames soaring upward as the shockwave catapulted their escape pods even farther.

    Their pods shook in the high-altitude winds, alarms blaring. Outside, the wreckage of the Bureau¡¯s command ship rained down, burning as it streaked across the night sky.

    The enemy ship¡¯s core engine had finally collapsed, the entire structure breaking apart into countless fragments, scattering like a meteor shower, lighting up the battlefield below.

    Inside the escape pod, the trio was breathless, watching the destruction unfold. Li Chuan gripped his seat tightly, his heart still racing. "God¡­ we did it."

    Suna leaned back in her seat, exhaling slowly, though her gaze remained intense. "We did¡­ but it¡¯s not over yet."

    Xiao Bai quickly scanned the systems, sweat trickling down his face. "The patrols are still up there! And they¡¯ve probably locked onto our position."

    Li Chuan glanced out the viewport. Several patrol ships had emerged from the wreckage, speeding toward them.

    "They¡¯re not letting us get away¡­"

 Chapter 15: The Endless Sand Sea

    The missile locked onto the escape pod, a deadly projectile cutting through the night sky. The metallic shriek tore through the darkness as flames raced forward, time seemingly stretched into infinity. Li Chuan held his breath, heart pounding, eyes locked on the incoming blaze.

    This was a perfect death machine, precise, merciless, and unstoppable.

    Li Chuan and Su Na exchanged a glance, fingers interlocked, no words, just a moment of unspoken understanding and silent promise. Xiao Bai squeezed his eyes shut, a tear of defiance tracing down his cheek.

    Just as the missile was about to hit the pod, a silver figure streaked across the sky, intercepting the missile.

    The explosion shattered the night, debris scattering, but the escape pod remained untouched.

    Li Chuan¡¯s fists unclenched, his knuckles pale. Su Na¡¯s breath was still uneven, heart seemingly still frozen in that instant. Xiao Bai blinked away his tears, staring in disbelief, as if confirming they had truly survived.

    Without pause, Noah dove toward the approaching patrol craft. The ships reacted quickly, adjusting their weapons, beams of light cutting through the air, aiming to lock onto their target. But Noah moved with such agility that he seemed to defy the laws of physics. The lasers only struck his fading afterimage.

    One patrol ship lost control, spiraling toward the ground. The others quickly reformed, launching another volley of missiles. Explosions echoed in the sky, flames lighting up the heavens.

    Noah darted through the chaos, his silver form flashing as the blue energy shield deflected every attack. Finally, he focused on the core systems of the patrol ships, releasing a wave of energy. Systems shorted out, and the ships plummeted one by one.

    The battlefield fell silent. Noah hovered for a moment, confirming the safety of the escape pod before vanishing into the sky like a silver meteor.

    Li Chuan relaxed his hands, Su Na gripping his arm.

    Xiao Bai¡¯s breaths were quick and heavy, his mouth twitching into a small smile, followed by a soft laugh.

    For a moment, they were all lost in the shock of surviving, as if time had stopped, and the universe was reduced to just them and the endless sky above.

    Suddenly, the escape pod shuddered, beginning a rapid descent. The pod shook violently, alarms blaring in their ears. Li Chuan was thrown back into his seat as the gravity spiked, making breathing difficult.

    The sky outside stretched into blurred lines as they hurtled toward the ground. The parachutes fought to open, slowing them only momentarily before the pod was pulled downward again by gravity.

    ¡°Hold on!¡± Li Chuan gritted his teeth, gripping the handles tightly.

    They broke through a layer of clouds, the desert sand below coming into focus. The wind roared past them. At the last second, the pod''s reverse thrusters fired, a blast of white-hot air, and the pod jolted as the speed drastically decreased.

    But impact was inevitable. The pod slammed into the ground with tremendous force, dust rising in clouds, the violent collision making the metal groan. Li Chuan felt the shock reverberate through him, his chest aching as the control panels flickered and went dark.

    Moments later, the pod stilled, and silence descended.

    Their feet touched the cold, coarse sand. The chill of the night pierced to the bone. In the distance, towering rock pillars stood, casting long shadows in the darkness.

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    Above, the Milky Way stretched across the sky, stars scattered across the still desert. Wind occasionally howled through the canyon, kicking up faint silver dust that drifted lazily in the air.

    Su Na sighed softly, crossing her arms as her gaze drifted to the stars, her expression complex.

    ¡°Incredible,¡± she whispered. ¡°We were just in the sky, brushing past death.¡±

    Li Chuan didn¡¯t respond, his eyes still fixed on the galaxy above, his mind swirling with questions. Why had Noah saved them? Why had he appeared at that precise moment?

    ¡°Why did he save us?¡± Li Chuan asked softly.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Su Na replied, shaking her head.

    Their thoughts lingered on the question, but the answer remained elusive. Xiao Bai looked up at the sky and slowly said, ¡°At least we¡¯re still alive.¡±

    Su Na¡¯s brow furrowed, her voice calm but tinged with worry. ¡°What about He Ling? Is the base still safe?¡± She stared at the communicator, but the screen remained filled with static.

    Xiao Bai knelt, inspecting the device, but the flickering static persisted. He shook his head and tossed the communicator aside, looking up at the starry sky.

    The next day, the sun poured over the endless desert. Su Na, Li Chuan, and Xiao Bai stood beside the escape pod, their eyes fixed on the distant fire. The wreckage of the command ship still burned, thick smoke rising slowly into the horizon, like a lingering threat.

    Xiao Bai examined the communication equipment, his voice low. ¡°There¡¯s interference coming from the wreckage. It¡¯s jamming our signal.¡±

    ¡°That means the wreckage is still operational. There could be danger.¡± Su Na frowned.

    Li Chuan nodded, his tone firm. ¡°Whatever the case, we need to find out.¡±

    Without delay, the three decided to head for the wreckage.

    In the distance, the rumbling of engines echoed from behind the dunes, the silhouettes of sand bikes drawing closer.

    ¡°They stopped,¡± Su Na whispered, her eyes narrowing at the approaching riders.

    Li Chuan nodded, ¡°They¡¯re here to check the escape pod. Wait until they split up.¡±

    Several bikes stopped near the pod. The riders cautiously scanned the surroundings, two of them dismounting and moving toward the pod.

    ¡°The moment¡¯s here,¡± Su Na motioned to Xiao Bai. Li Chuan crouched and began circling around.

    The two riders approached cautiously, their weapons still drawn. ¡°No one¡¯s here,¡± one muttered, but they remained alert, gripping their guns tightly.

    Li Chuan, Xiao Bai, and Su Na lay in wait behind the rocks, their breaths held, waiting for the perfect moment. The distant sandstorm still swirled, the hum of engines fading.

    Su Na¡¯s gaze locked onto the two approaching men.

    As one leaned down to inspect the pod¡¯s door, Li Chuan fired first. The bullet whizzed through the air, striking the rider¡¯s shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground, his gun skidding away.

    The second rider reacted quickly, rolling behind cover, firing blindly at Li Chuan¡¯s position.

    ¡°Fire!¡± Su Na ordered. Xiao Bai popped out from the opposite side, firing a volley of shots to suppress the enemy. Su Na flanked swiftly, taking up a tactical position.

    The lone rider fought smart, using the bike and dunes for cover, occasionally popping out to fire, his bullets kicking up clouds of sand and dust around them. The gunfire echoed across the desert, the battle in a deadlock.

    ¡°He¡¯s pinned!¡± Xiao Bai shouted to Li Chuan, continuing to apply pressure with his shots.

    ¡°I¡¯ll draw him out. Be ready,¡± Li Chuan gritted his teeth, breaking from cover and firing a few shots, forcing the rider into the open.

    As the enemy lined up his shot on Li Chuan, Su Na was already in position. Her aim was true, the bullet hitting the rider squarely in the chest. His body jerked, and his gun fell to the ground, lifeless.

    With the fight over, the trio moved quickly to check the downed riders.

    Su Na found a communicator on one of the men and turned it on. The screen was filled with static.

    ¡°They¡¯re being jammed, just like us,¡± Xiao Bai said, inspecting another device.

    Su Na pocketed the communicator. ¡°At least they didn¡¯t get a signal out. But we need to move fast.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s gather what we can. Check for supplies,¡± Su Na commanded, scanning the area to ensure no more threats were nearby.

    Xiao Bai rifled through the riders'' packs. ¡°Food¡­ water,¡± he said with relief, holding up a few bottles of water and some compressed rations.

    ¡°This will last us a few days,¡± Li Chuan said, taking a bottle of water, drinking a few gulps, then passing it to Su Na.

    Su Na drank as well before looking at the sand bikes. ¡°We can use these. They¡¯re fast and will save us a lot of time.¡±

    Xiao Bai checked the fuel tanks, nodding in approval. ¡°Fuel¡¯s almost full. We¡¯re good to go.¡±

    They quickly gathered the rest of the supplies, including ammunition, weapons, and a rough map showing the nearby patrol routes. Xiao Bai folded the map and tucked it into his jacket.

    ¡°Alright, before reinforcements show up, let¡¯s get moving,¡± Li Chuan said, starting up one of the bikes. The three of them mounted the vehicles and sped off, leaving a trail of dust behind them.

 Chapter 16: Fracture and Awakening

    The scorching sun hung high, baking every grain of sand in the desert, as if trying to burn the earth to ashes. Su Na, Li Chuan, and Xiao Bai rode their sand bikes across the endless dunes, drawing closer to the wreckage of the Command Ship of the Unification Bureau.

    Debris lay scattered everywhere, and shards of metal reflected blinding rays. Smoke still rose from the fractured hull, and the air carried a faint scent of charred remains.

    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived,¡± Li Chuan said softly, eyes fixed on the wreckage ahead.

    The three halted their bikes. Xiao Bai immediately pulled out a device, his fingers swiftly gliding across the screen. The data appeared quickly, and his expression turned grim in an instant.

    ¡°I found the source of the interference.¡± He pointed behind a collapsed piece of metal. ¡°There¡¯s a jamming device there. It¡¯s not only blocking our communication signals, but it¡¯s also disrupting energy waves, hiding our location.¡±

    Bang! Bang! Two shots rang out, and Su Na lowered her gun. ¡°Handled.¡±

    A crisp notification sound chimed, and the trio eagerly opened their communicators to check the unread messages.

    ¡°Congratulations on destroying the Command Ship. Unification Bureau forces are retreating. He Ling has fallen... Noah¡ªthe Reconstructor¡ªfused her with himself. He said... he¡¯s completing his evolution.¡±

    A heavy silence fell over them.

    Xiao Bai¡¯s hands trembled slightly as he rasped, ¡°He Ling¡­ she really¡­ sacrificed herself.¡±

    He Ling¡ªboth mentor and friend. The sense of loss spread from his chest to his fingertips, leaving him drained. Xiao Bai stood there, dazed, his eyes hollow. All he could see was He Ling¡¯s smile, that unyielding grin that would never grace her face again.

    Li Chuan clenched his fists, muttering a low curse, ¡°Damn it¡­¡±

    His knuckles turned white, as if he was trying to grasp something invisible, attempting to undo the irreparable. He had promised He Ling they¡¯d fight side by side. Now, she was gone. The unkept promise stabbed at his heart, a painful mix of sorrow and helplessness tearing him apart.

    Su Na lowered her head as silent tears fell, the strong fa?ade she had maintained finally crumbling.

    He Ling had always been the one she trusted most¡ªher mentor and her friend. Her hands trembled as she clung tightly to her sleeves, trying in vain to keep herself from breaking. The image of He Ling on the training grounds flashed in her mind¡ªthe woman who always said, ¡°Fighting isn¡¯t for victory, it¡¯s to survive.¡±

    She reached out, placing a hand on Xiao Bai¡¯s shoulder. Though she was crumbling inside, she knew Xiao Bai needed support.

    After a brief silence, Su Na took a deep breath, her voice shaky. ¡°Noah¡­ he¡¯s not just a robot anymore. He has consciousness now.¡±

    Xiao Bai choked back his emotions, remaining silent for a moment before lifting his head, eyes filled with confusion. ¡°What¡­ is he now?¡±

    Li Chuan didn¡¯t respond immediately, his brow furrowed as if deep in thought.

    Su Na gently patted Xiao Bai¡¯s shoulder, wiping the tears from her face. Though the pain still echoed within her, they couldn¡¯t stop now.

    He Ling¡¯s sacrifice couldn¡¯t be in vain. Taking a deep breath, she suppressed the grief in her heart and whispered, ¡°We have to keep moving.¡± Her voice was resolute, as if it was the only path forward.

    The wind howled as dust scattered underfoot. Li Chuan¡¯s gaze swept the surroundings, searching for a clue. Just then, his foot hit something glowing faintly in the sand.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t an ordinary module,¡± Xiao Bai said softly, looking up at Su Na and Li Chuan. ¡°It looks like it was separated from some system... maybe related to the Unification Bureau¡¯s experiments.¡±

    Su Na stepped closer, her brow furrowed. ¡°Connect the device. Let¡¯s see if we can pull the data.¡±

    Xiao Bai quickly pulled out a portable decoder and connected the energy module to it. Lines of data began to flash across the screen.

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    Moments later, a sharp electronic beep echoed. Xiao Bai glanced down at the screen, his frown deepening. ¡°Wait¡­ I¡¯ve seen this before in the Moon Base¡¯s experiment footage, that green light...¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Li Chuan affirmed.

    Strange geometric patterns flickered on the screen, drawing their attention. Su Na¡¯s face paled as her eyes locked onto the symbols, as if she was seeing something unimaginable.

    Suddenly, a sharp pain struck her head, causing her to stumble. She pressed her hand against her forehead, struggling to recall fragments of a memory.

    Her voice trembled, confused. ¡°I¡­ I think I¡¯ve seen these symbols somewhere before.¡±

    Li Chuan moved closer, concern in his eyes. ¡°Where?¡±

    ¡°In the Kingdom of Sha Yue... during a mission a few years ago, I saw these patterns in a ruin.¡± Su Na¡¯s voice grew quieter, as if she were talking to herself, and the confusion in her eyes gradually turned into fear. The fragments of past memories, the underground caverns, the ruins, and these symbols overlapped in her mind.

    Xiao Bai continued sifting through the data, his tone growing more serious. ¡°The Unification Bureau¡­ they¡¯re trying to use these symbols to activate some kind of ancient energy!¡±

    Li Chuan looked at Su Na, his gaze intense. ¡°The energy source in that ruin... it might be the core of their experiments.¡±

    As they delved deeper into analyzing the experimental data, the low rumble of engines approached, kicking up clouds of dust in the distance.

    The sound of off-road vehicles grew louder, and Li Chuan, Su Na, and Xiao Bai took cover in the wreckage. Su Na caught sight of a familiar face among the approaching group¡ªLao Zhao!

    She quickly interrupted Li Chuan¡¯s defensive stance. ¡°That¡¯s Lao Zhao!¡±

    Li Chuan paused, dropping his attack posture. They exchanged a glance, immediately realizing the approaching group wasn¡¯t the enemy¡ªit was an ally. Su Na stood up from behind cover, calling out to the leader of the Awakened.

    ¡°Lao Zhao! It¡¯s us!¡±

    Lao Zhao signaled his team to stop upon hearing Su Na¡¯s voice. The Sha Yue Kingdom¡¯s Awakened fighters eased out of their battle stances. He walked over, a proud smile on his face, though his eyes carried a hint of curiosity.

    Lao Zhao stomped lightly on the wreckage, chuckling. ¡°So, this mess was your doing?¡±

    Li Chuan grinned, ¡°Of course! With your Rupert flyer.¡±

    Su Na chimed in, smiling, ¡°Fast and steady, perfect hit!¡±

    Lao Zhao¡¯s grin grew wider, just about to boast about his handiwork.

    Xiao Bai, in his usual calm demeanor, added, ¡°Though¡­ that escape pod was pretty sturdy. Almost threw us out.¡±

    Lao Zhao froze, his lips twitching slightly. ¡°You¡­ crashed my flyer into the Command Ship?¡±

    Li Chuan laughed. ¡°Worked like a charm.¡±

    Su Na nodded. ¡°Spectacular results.¡±

    Lao Zhao rubbed his forehead, sighing in dismay. ¡°Ah, my Rupert flyer... Talk about ¡®making the most of it¡¯¡ªyou used it as a battering ram¡­¡±

    Sha Yue Kingdom¡¯s Awakened leader, Zhang Nan, glanced at Lao Zhao. ¡°They¡¯re your people?¡±

    Lao Zhao nodded, his tone light. ¡°Yep, I mentioned them before¡ªLi Chuan, Su Na.¡±

    The convoy stopped, and Lao Zhao approached Li Chuan and Su Na. Behind him, the Awakened troops quickly unloaded their equipment.

    It turned out that Lao Zhao had made contact with the Sha Yue Awakened after leaving the undersea cave, and a new plan was in motion.

    ¡°The Rupert¡¯s Tear bombs and Rupert firearms are ready.¡± Lao Zhao¡¯s voice was low but brimming with confidence. ¡°This time, we¡¯ll show the Unification Bureau what true suppression looks like.¡±

    Li Chuan furrowed his brow, skepticism in his voice. ¡°Are these weapons really going to change the tide of battle?¡±

    Lao Zhao¡¯s lips curled into a confident smirk. ¡°Not only will they turn the tide, but they¡¯ll also completely destroy the Unification Bureau¡¯s defenses. The Rupert¡¯s Tear bombs and firearms we¡¯ve got will make their energy shields useless.¡±

    Lao Zhao held up a Rupert¡¯s Tear bomb, cradling it in his palm. It resembled a teardrop, crystal clear, flawless, and gleaming faintly with cold light.

    ¡°You¡¯d never imagine something so beautiful could be the deadliest weapon on the battlefield.¡± He smiled faintly, his voice deep and full of confidence.

    ¡°The explosion isn¡¯t powered by traditional explosives.¡± Lao Zhao tapped the bomb, the crisp sound echoing. ¡°Its core is a high-pressure stress system, using special crystal structures compressed during manufacturing. It looks fragile, but it¡¯s tough.¡±

    He paused before continuing, ¡°When it detonates, the internal stress releases instantly. It¡¯s not just an explosion, but a collapse of extreme energy. Imagine a Rupert¡¯s Tear¡ªits shell is hard, but if the tip breaks, the entire structure collapses, unleashing a powerful shockwave. This energy far surpasses traditional explosives.¡±

    Lao Zhao pointed to the fine cracks on the bomb¡¯s surface. ¡°It doesn¡¯t just pierce energy shields. Upon impact, it collapses in a specific way, obliterating everything around it.¡±

    He glanced at the distant battlefield, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes. ¡°No matter how strong their shields are, they can¡¯t withstand the destructive force of this stress collapse.¡±

    Li Chuan and Su Na exchanged a long look before sighing. ¡°We finally have weapons that can challenge them.¡±

    Su Na nodded, pausing to reflect before adding, ¡°Their defenses are strong, but we need to ensure the results are decisive¡ªit¡¯s not just about destroying the base.¡±

    Lao Zhao nodded gravely. ¡°Exactly. Our real target is the Unification Bureau¡¯s ¡®Green Light Project.¡¯¡±

    Zhang Nan pointed to a marked spot on the map, his tone grim. ¡°This is the core of the ¡®Green Light Project.¡¯ The Unification Bureau is manipulating the sun¡¯s spectrum to control human thoughts and memories. If we destroy this facility, we¡¯ll have a chance to reverse it, restoring the sun¡¯s normal light.¡±

    Li Chuan stared at the map, then at the eerie green glow that hung over the horizon. The sun¡¯s light was cold and twisted, like an invisible shackle looming over them.

    He gripped his weapon tighter, a single thought in his mind: This time, they had to win.

 Chapter 17: Crossfire

    Chapter 17: Crossfire

    Li Chuan and Suna exchanged a brief glance, the pain in their eyes barely hidden. He Lian''s shadow lingered over them, but they knew now wasn''t the time to dwell on their grief. Action was pressing.

    Lao Zhao nodded solemnly. "We need to move quickly. Noah¡¯s betrayal has given us an opening. The Administration was forced to shut down all their Replicator robots. The base¡¯s defenses are significantly weakened."

    Xiao Bai clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. "This time, we will avenge He Lian!"

    Zhang Nan stepped forward, placing a hand on both Li Chuan and Xiao Bai''s shoulders. "We''ve contacted He Lian¡¯s squad. The Administration sent their special forces to storm the command post, and He Lian led the soldiers in a fierce defense, holding the base to the last breath."

    Lao Zhao let out a deep sigh, his expression complicated. He mentioned that Noah had once been the Administration¡¯s strongest Replicator robot, equipped with the ability to upload human consciousness, a cold, emotionless war machine.

    But in one mission, Noah accidentally fused with the mind of an Awakened, gaining self-awareness. Though he remained incredibly powerful, he was no longer under the full control of the Administration. In response, they decided to shut down and destroy all the Replicators for safety.

    Lao Zhao¡¯s face grew more serious. Noah¡¯s awakening stemmed from absorbing the mind of an Awakened, giving him free will. But the most shocking event was when, during the final battle, He Lian was gravely wounded, and Noah chose to merge with her consciousness, completing what he called an "evolution."

    The surrounding silence deepened, with only the cold wind stirring. Li Chuan''s heart filled with questions. He needed to know: was He Lian still alive in some form?

    Lao Zhao¡¯s expression grew even more complex. He explained that they weren¡¯t sure. He Lian¡¯s body was gone, but her mind might remain inside Noah¡¯s core. This, he suggested, could be Noah¡¯s idea of "immortality."

    Suna whispered to herself, struggling to comprehend the concept of Noah and He Lian¡¯s supposed "evolution," her voice tinged with unease and confusion.

    Li Chuan, however, furrowed his brow, concerned about the people under the Administration¡¯s control. Would they regain their memories if the sun¡¯s light returned to normal?

    Zhang Nan sighed, admitting that while the Administration¡¯s grip might loosen, it was still unclear whether they could recover their memories of the past.

    At that moment, Gao Qiang fiddled with a mechanical part, spitting on the ground before growling, ¡°Those bastards at the Administration are going to learn what real firepower feels like this time!¡±

    Zhang Nan stood on a high vantage point, scanning the area with a furrowed brow. "We don¡¯t have much time. Intelligence suggests they¡¯ll be here in 30 minutes." His voice was calm but carried an urgency that couldn¡¯t be ignored.

    The smell of scorched metal hung in the air, and an eerie stillness settled over the battlefield, as if even the wind had ceased. The Awakened quickly set their traps.

    Li Chuan moved silently across the collapsed metal plates, his voice low. "The terrain here is too ideal. They won¡¯t fall for it so easily. We need to adjust the ambush points."

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    The Administration¡¯s forces arrived as expected. Leading them was a mysterious man, his thin frame radiating a cold, sharp presence. He stood atop an armored vehicle, squinting as he surveyed the surroundings, the delay in their arrival clearly souring his mood.

    ¡°They¡¯ve wasted too much time,¡± he muttered to himself, his face dark. He knew the internal disputes within the Administration had already squandered valuable time for the search. If they had arrived earlier, they wouldn¡¯t be in such a passive position now.

    The convoy stopped 200 meters from the ambush site. The commander issued careful orders, and the scouting dogs were deployed, fanning out across the area to scan their surroundings thoroughly.

    ¡°Their reconnaissance is thorough,¡± Zhang Nan whispered, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. ¡°Good thing we adjusted our ambush points; otherwise, they would have spotted us by now.¡±

    No anomalies were detected, but the commander frowned, waving his hand to expand the search. Silent infrared scans spread out across the battlefield.

    The Awakened held their breath. Although their equipment shielded them from detection, each footstep felt like it was pressing directly onto their nerves, the weight of the situation crushing down like iron.

    Suddenly, one of the scout dogs stopped directly above Gao Qiang, its mechanical claws furiously scratching at the ground, the metallic screech piercing the air. Sand and debris flew as the ground beneath Gao Qiang began to shift.

    ¡°Damn dog!¡± Gao Qiang cursed under his breath, sweat dripping down his back. He couldn¡¯t hesitate. Concentrating his will, his Awakening force surged into the dog¡¯s control system.

    The mechanical beast froze, letting out a short, sharp "woof" before turning away as if nothing had happened, calmly strolling off.

    ¡°Clear!¡± reported one of the scouts, firing three shots into the ground where the dog had been scratching.

    The commander remained standing on the roof of the vehicle, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the distant wreckage, his gaze sharp enough to pierce through the battlefield. ¡°Stay alert,¡± he commanded coldly. ¡°The black box¡¯s signal is near. We can¡¯t afford to let our guard down.¡±

    As the Administration¡¯s forces entered the pre-set trap, Zhang Nan decisively gave the order. The Rupert bombs soared silently into the air. Their crystalline shells sparkled in the sunlight, deceptively harmless in appearance.

    In an instant, the stress points of the bombs were triggered with precision. The internal high-pressure stress released at the speed of light. There was no blinding flash, only rippling waves of energy distorting the space around them as they radiated from the core.

    The air trembled violently, followed by a low, resounding rumble. The shockwave swept across the battlefield at supersonic speed, hurling dust and metal fragments into the sky.

    Shrapnel, like a rain of high-velocity particles, pierced through the enemy¡¯s shields, tearing apart their formations. The entire battlefield was turned upside down in this silent, deadly devastation.

    Suna quickly squeezed the trigger, and the bullets from her Rupert rifle sliced through the shields with precision, ripping through the enemy ranks. Flames flickered across the battlefield, her heartbeat synchronizing with the rhythm of her shots, though her composure never faltered.

    But just as the Awakened began to suppress the enemy, the Administration¡¯s commander remained unfazed. He swiftly regrouped his forces, wasting no time. With a sharp wave of his hand, the remnants of his troops formed a defensive triangle.

    ¡°Concentrate fire, triangle formation!¡± His voice cut through the chaos like a blade. The surviving soldiers quickly gathered, using the terrain to form three layers of defensive lines. From three angles, their concentrated firepower pushed the Awakened back.

    The barrage of fire formed a deadly grid in an instant. Suna ducked behind cover, her chest tightening. The enemy¡¯s firepower was seamless, every inch of the battlefield meticulously guarded. She analyzed the enemy¡¯s layout, rapidly formulating her next move.

    The enemy¡¯s command was precise, disrupting the Awakened¡¯s momentum.

    Li Chuan crouched behind the wreckage, his eyes locked on the distant commander. He observed the enemy¡¯s tactics, his heart racing. ¡°His counterattack¡­ it¡¯s too fast.¡± Li Chuan clenched his fists, realizing they needed a breakthrough, or the tide would turn completely against them.

    As the enemy''s firepower intensified, the Awakened''s offensive was steadily being pushed back. Zhang Nan, hidden behind the ruins, scanned the battlefield like a hawk. He didn¡¯t panic, instead calmly analyzing the enemy¡¯s deployment and fire points. Every explosion, every flash of fire, was carefully noted in his mind.

    ¡°Their formation is staggered,¡± Zhang Nan¡¯s eyes narrowed with sharp focus. He quickly calculated the gaps in their defenses, knowing that continuing a blind assault would only lead to deeper entrapment. They needed to strike decisively.

 Chapter 18: Counterattack

    Zhang Nan pressed the comm button, his voice steady. "Fall back five meters, spread out." His command was firm, with no hesitation.

    The Awakened moved swiftly, unease flickering in their eyes, but their trust in Zhang Nan¡¯s judgment was absolute.

    Zhang Nan¡¯s gaze locked on the enemy¡¯s formation. "The defense line is open," he murmured, "but something¡¯s off." He pulled out the Rupert bomb detonator, quickly scanning the battlefield. Targeting the weak point, he gave the order. "Detonate."

    Several bombs hummed as they soared towards the enemy, but mid-air, they halted¡ªcaught by some invisible force¡ªthen fell to the ground, lifeless.

    "Jammers..." Zhang Nan''s brows furrowed. Before he could adjust, the enemy''s firepower surged. A barrage of artillery rained down, the enemy seizing the opportunity to strike back.

    "Take cover, prepare for close combat!" Zhang Nan barked, urgency creeping into his otherwise calm tone.

    Suna monitored the battlefield through her drone feed, her voice level but tense. "They¡¯ve predicted our moves. We have ten minutes to break their core defenses, or we¡¯re trapped."

    "I know," Zhang Nan nodded, eyes still fixed on the field. "Gao Qiang, prep the EMP charges."

    "EMP?" Gao Qiang raised a brow, a cocky grin tugging at his lips. "That¡¯s a little beyond my clearance, but I love a challenge." He quickly adjusted his weapon.

    "Less talking, more doing, Gao Qiang," Zhang Nan snapped, no time for banter.

    Suna, still analyzing the battlefield through the drones, warned, "Two unmanned tanks closing in from the left."

    "Watch me," Gao Qiang smirked, tossing the EMP grenade with precision.

    "Nice," he muttered under his breath, lining up his next shot. But suddenly, a voice echoed through their comms.

    "Awakened, do you really think you can win?" The enemy commander¡¯s voice was cold, laced with mockery. "Every move you make is part of my plan."

    "He¡¯s hacked our comms," Suna¡¯s fingers flew over her keyboard. "We need to cut him off."

    Zhang Nan clenched the comms tightly. "He¡¯s disrupting our coordination. Shut it down," he growled, irritation leaking through. "We can¡¯t let him mess with our rhythm."

    Meanwhile, Suna¡¯s drone zipped overhead, scanning for openings. She targeted the enemy¡¯s mechs, but it was clear the enemy commander had anticipated their tactics.

    "His scales... there¡¯s no weak point," Suna muttered, eyes narrowing as the commander appeared on her screen. His armored form glistened in the sunlight, the metallic sheen of his scales unscathed by gunfire. Even a direct hit did nothing.

    "A gene-modded human," Xiaobai whispered in shock. "This guy¡¯s a monster."

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    The enemy commander¡¯s voice crackled over the comms again. "Your defeat is inevitable. All resistance is futile."

    Zhang Nan paused, then switched the channel. "Advance. Focus fire. Ignore his psychological games." His command was resolute, reigniting the Awakened¡¯s morale.

    Gao Qiang chuckled coldly, tweaking his settings and switching to armor-piercing rounds. His aim was sharp, zeroing in on the mech¡¯s weak spots.

    "Let¡¯s see who lasts longer," he whispered, pulling the trigger. The shot rang out, the bullet piercing through the mech¡¯s vulnerable joint with a screech of metal. Thick smoke poured from the machine as it ground to a halt.

    Suna¡¯s eyes regained their sharp focus. She switched her drone¡¯s mode to high-energy EMP, targeting the enemy commander. "No scale can block an energy pulse."

    "Fire!" she commanded.

    The EMP pulsed through the battlefield, disrupting the enemy¡¯s communications and throwing their tactics into chaos. The balance shifted.

    Zhang Nan nodded, the Awakened advancing as one. Gao Qiang maintained heavy suppression, while Suna¡¯s drones disrupted the enemy¡¯s movements. The tide was turning.

    "Do you really think you can win?" The commander¡¯s voice returned, more menacing than before. This time, he wasn¡¯t just taunting. A hologram blinked to life, hijacking their comms once again.

    Zhang Nan squinted at the enemy¡¯s formation. "Something¡¯s wrong. They¡¯re baiting us."

    Suna expanded the drone¡¯s scanning radius. "The field looks clear. They¡¯re retreating fast."

    "Too fast." Zhang Nan¡¯s eyes narrowed. "It¡¯s a trap. They¡¯ve got bigger plans."

    At the same time, Gao Qiang spotted odd devices on the flank. His brows knitted together as he analyzed the signals. "These energy readings¡­ they¡¯re setting up some kind of directional weapon."

    "Figure it out and hit them fast!" Zhang Nan ordered. The Awakened shifted positions, charging toward the enemy¡¯s core.

    The enemy formation scattered, their defense crumbling under the Awakened¡¯s relentless assault.

    "They¡¯re falling back. We¡¯ve won!" Gao Qiang let out a breath of relief.

    But the commander¡¯s voice sliced through the comms, cutting the victory short. "Every step you take is already calculated."

    The "retreating" enemies suddenly regrouped in the distance. New energy readings flared across the battlefield.

    "It¡¯s a trap! Fall back!" Zhang Nan immediately called out.

    The commander smirked, his gaze locked on the holographic display. He ignored Luk¡¯s orders to capture alive. One thought dominated his mind: Li Chuan must die.

    "Li Chuan must die," he repeated to himself, cold resolve hardening his features. Li Chuan¡¯s awakened power, especially his control over space and time, was the biggest threat to his "perfect world." That unpredictability had to be erased.

    No matter Luk¡¯s orders, he couldn¡¯t tolerate this uncertainty. He¡¯d end this, personally ensuring the experiment¡¯s failure.

    "Target locked. Quantum disruption in place," his lieutenant¡¯s voice snapped him from his thoughts.

    The commander¡¯s fingers brushed the screen, his voice chilling. "Override all safeties. Fire."

    A green beam shot toward Li Chuan. The commander¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile. His calculations were complete. Now, it was time to execute. The world didn¡¯t need someone like Li Chuan.

    Li Chuan felt the beam hit. The next moment, green light engulfed him, plunging everything into darkness.

    When he opened his eyes again.

    "Is this¡­ a dream?" Li Chuan stood beneath the sunlight, a swirl of emotions in his chest.

    This was the life he had once yearned for¡ªno battles, no pain. Yet, as he closed his eyes, he could see his friends falling on the battlefield, the world crumbling around them.

    "I can¡¯t stay here..." He wanted to run, but he knew escape wasn¡¯t possible.

    He looked up at the sky. The sun was no longer the eerie green but a familiar yellow.

    Warm sunlight bathed his face, real and comforting. Around him, the city buzzed with life¡ªcrowds, laughter, everything as it should be. It felt like a dream, but it was so real it hurt to believe.

    "Even if it¡¯s just for a minute..." Li Chuan closed his eyes, letting the warmth calm his heart. But the sense of impending danger never fully left him.

    Time slipped away unnoticed. In the unseen background, the countdown on the quantum disruption device ticked down, leaving Li Chuan with precious little time.

 Chapter 19: Two Realities

    Li Chuan clenched his fist instinctively, feeling the slight pain in his fingertips. This was real. But how¡­?

    Images from the outside world flooded his mind¡ªescaping, fighting, constant danger¡­ Yet everything around him now seemed as if the disaster had never happened. It was peaceful. Too peaceful.

    "Something¡¯s wrong..." A warning echoed from deep within him, but the warmth of this place made it hard to pull away. His friends were still fighting, bleeding for survival. Meanwhile, he was here, basking in the sunlight.

    A soft voice broke through his thoughts. "What are you staring at?"

    He turned and saw her¡ªSuna. Her smile was as warm as ever, her eyes filled with concern. That familiar warmth melted his defenses, unraveling his caution.

    Li Chuan remained silent, the weight of loneliness and exhaustion pressing down on him. The crushing reality outside seemed distant, insignificant in her presence.

    "If this is a dream, I¡¯d rather never wake up," he whispered, the struggle within him fading as the desire to stay overtook his doubts. Just one more minute away from the endless war.

    He pulled Suna into a tight embrace, silent tears tracing down his face, resting on her collarbone as his body trembled. For the first time, he found an outlet for his pain.

    "Too much pressure?" Suna gently patted his back, her voice soft with tenderness.

    His mind told him that this world didn¡¯t belong to him. But the warmth, the peace¡ªit was so hard to let go.

    Thunder rumbled faintly in the distance, snapping Li Chuan from his thoughts. He looked up at the darkening horizon.

    The commander checked his watch. Eight minutes left.

    In eight minutes, the space would seal permanently.

    His analysis of Li Chuan¡¯s psychological profile showed an 85% probability that Li Chuan would choose to stay. All he had to do was wait for the final eight minutes.

    The seconds ticked by, the commander¡¯s expression cold, his lips curling into a faint smirk. His calculations were flawless.

    Just a few more minutes, and Li Chuan would be trapped here forever.

    Back on the battlefield, Suna was in a state of disbelief. Li Chuan had vanished right before her eyes, and she couldn¡¯t comprehend what had just happened. The deafening roar of artillery broke through her confusion as Old Zhao pulled her down into cover.

    "Listen, Suna! Li Chuan still has a chance¡ªthat¡¯s a quantum space disruptor. We have less than eight minutes. Take their position, capture the device, and open the tunnel to get him back!" Old Zhao¡¯s voice snapped her back to reality.

    She shook off her daze, her mind sharp again.

    Zhang Nan, observing the battlefield through the thick smoke, spotted a weakness. The enemy on the east side reacted a beat slower than the others. Frowning, he turned to Gao Qiang. "Feint on the west, draw their forces."

    Gao Qiang didn¡¯t waste time with words. Leading his soldiers in alternating attack formations, they launched a false assault on the western flank.

    Zhang Nan glanced at the clock. Less than five minutes.

    "Old Zhao, cover the front! Keep up the pressure!" he commanded.

    "Got it!" Old Zhao barked back.

    Zhang Nan led the strike team forward, Suna and Xiaobai close behind.

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    "The western defense is under heavy attack. We¡¯re losing ground!" one of the enemy¡¯s aides reported.

    The commander nodded, unfazed. "Hold the line." His voice remained calm, as though everything was still within his control.

    "Zhang Nan, I¡¯ve prepared a little surprise for you." He watched the enemy formations on his screen, a faint grin tugging at his lips. The delayed eastern defense had been a calculated move, a trap set for a worthy opponent.

    If the enemy advanced too far, he¡¯d crush them with artillery. They wouldn¡¯t see it coming.

    On a quiet lakeside path, Li Chuan and Suna walked side by side. The soft scent of Suna¡¯s perfume only deepened the sense of reality in this world. Around them, nature was serene, sunlight warm on their skin, flowers dotting the lush grass. Everything was perfect, as though war had never touched this place.

    "Is there anywhere special you want to go?" Suna asked lightly.

    Li Chuan smiled. "I¡¯ve always wanted to see Mount Everest. They say you can see the Milky Way and the snowy peaks all at once. It must be beautiful."

    Suna turned to look at him, her gaze soft. "Let¡¯s go together."

    Li Chuan paused, a sharp pang in his chest. If only this were real.

    "Maybe¡­ someday," he whispered, unsure how to continue. A gnawing unease stirred within him, but he pushed it aside, unwilling to break this fleeting peace.

    Suddenly, a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, and the wind picked up. Dark clouds gathered, and a storm loomed on the horizon. Li Chuan and Suna looked up at the sky, their moment of peace shattered.

    Meanwhile, the battlefield reached a fever pitch. The enemy¡¯s counterattack came in waves, relentless and fierce. Gunfire and explosions filled the air as Zhang Nan¡¯s strike team pushed through the east flank. The air was thick with smoke, the distant rumble of artillery never ceasing.

    "Almost there!" Zhang Nan gritted his teeth, waving his team forward. They could see the enemy¡¯s position now¡ªthe quantum disruptor at the center, faintly glowing.

    "Charge!" Gao Qiang barked. The soldiers surged forward, rushing the last line of defense as bullets whizzed past their ears.

    Several soldiers leaped onto the ruins, providing covering fire as the battle intensified. The enemy fought desperately to hold the line, bullets and explosions raining down.

    Zhang Nan and Suna made a break for the quantum disruptor, their boots slick with blood. Zhang Nan kicked aside an enemy soldier and finally reached the device.

    "We¡¯ve got it!" Zhang Nan shouted, turning to Suna.

    Xiaobai¡¯s fingers flew over the control panel of the disruptor, but suddenly, he froze. The screen blinked red, a warning flashing across it.

    "Lockdown initiated. Device frozen."

    "What?!" Zhang Nan¡¯s heart raced, alarms blaring in his mind.

    "Can you override it?" Suna¡¯s voice was sharp with urgency.

    "Not enough time¡­ I¡¯ll try¡­" Xiaobai¡¯s lips pressed into a tight line, sweat beading on his forehead.

    Zhang Nan slammed his fist against the console, but the device remained inert. He scanned the area¡ªless than two minutes left. They were out of time.

    One minute left.

    "Something¡¯s wrong¡­" Zhang Nan bit down hard, sweat dripping from his brow. "It¡¯s a trap! Fall back!"

    The soldiers reacted instantly. Gao Qiang and Old Zhao led the strike team in a hasty retreat. In the distance, enemy artillery had already begun to lock onto their position.

    Xiaobai hesitated, fingers still flying across the keys. Suna, torn between staying and leaving, was yanked away by Zhang Nan.

    At the same time, the enemy commander stood at the far end of the battlefield, watching the action unfold on his holo-map. His lips curled into a cold smile as his finger hovered over the control terminal, then pressed down on the button to launch the remote artillery.

    "It¡¯s over," he whispered, his voice dripping with triumph.

    The countdown hit zero.

    Zhang Nan¡¯s focus was fixed on the battlefield, ears ringing with the sound of explosions. Each blast shook the ground beneath their feet, inching closer and closer. The enemy¡¯s artillery was deadly accurate, tightening the noose around their escape route.

    Gao Qiang glanced back, sweat sliding down his temple through the dust and smoke. His breath came in ragged gasps. "We were just there!"

    Each explosion seemed to mark their shrinking distance from death.

    Zhang Nan remained silent, his sharp eyes scanning the battlefield, quickly analyzing their situation. The enemy¡¯s firepower was concentrated on their front and retreat path. The flank¡ªparticularly the ruins¡ªremained untouched.

    "Wait." Zhang Nan stopped abruptly, pulling Gao Qiang back as he prepared to accelerate.

    Gao Qiang stared at him, confused. "What? We¡¯re not retreating?"

    Zhang Nan didn¡¯t answer, eyes fixed on the distance. Through the enemy¡¯s firing patterns and targeting locations, he realized something¡ªtheir attention was on the front, but the flank was a blind spot. The ruins offered them cover and an opportunity for a counterattack.

    He pointed to the left. "Look there. The enemy isn¡¯t hitting that area."

    Gao Qiang followed his gaze, noticing the lack of fire in the ruins. His breath hitched, understanding Zhang Nan¡¯s plan.

    "You¡¯re saying¡­ we can counter from there?" Gao Qiang¡¯s voice held a mix of excitement and surprise.

    Zhang Nan nodded, his voice steady. "Yes. The enemy¡¯s focused on our front. They won¡¯t expect a strike from the side. Those ruins will get us close to their command."

    Taking a deep breath, Zhang Nan made his decision.

 Chapter 20: Lost in Time

    ¡°Gao Qiang!¡± Zhang Nan barked, his voice sharp and unyielding. ¡°Take half the men and launch a frontal assault. Keep their attention. We¡¯ll flank them from the side.¡±

    Gao Qiang hesitated for a split second before understanding Zhang Nan¡¯s plan. He nodded. ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll draw their fire.¡±

    ¡°Everyone else, follow me. We¡¯ll hit from the left,¡± Zhang Nan commanded, gripping his weapon tightly, his eyes sharp.

    Gao Qiang smirked after a moment of silence. ¡°A counterattack, huh? This is where things get exciting.¡± He clapped Zhang Nan on the shoulder, signaling readiness.

    At Zhang Nan¡¯s order, the soldiers split into two groups. Gao Qiang led the frontal attack, pushing hard to distract the enemy, while Zhang Nan guided the remaining team through the ruins on the left flank. They crept through the crumbling walls and broken cover, inching closer to the enemy command post.

    Suddenly, a barrage of gunfire erupted from the enemy¡¯s flank, bullets slicing through the air, narrowly missing Zhang Nan¡¯s team. He hit the ground, calculating the distance left to the enemy command center.

    All of the enemy¡¯s focus was locked on the frontlines and the retreating forces. They poured fire onto the route, determined to annihilate the Awakened troops. The commander watched with a cold smile, confident his strategy was flawless.

    But then, one of his aides turned pale, pointing to the holo-map¡¯s flank. ¡°Commander! We¡¯ve been breached on the left!¡±

    The commander¡¯s head snapped up. His screen confirmed it¡ªZhang Nan¡¯s strike team had silently advanced toward the command post. The Awakened hadn¡¯t fully retreated; they had split their forces for a surprise attack.

    ¡°How did they get there?¡± The commander¡¯s expression returned to calm. ¡°So, they found our blind spot.¡±

    But it was too late. Zhang Nan¡¯s team swiftly closed in on the command post, breaking through the outer defenses with minimal resistance.

    ¡°Charge!¡± Zhang Nan shouted, and the strike team surged forward, unleashing a fierce assault. The enemy command system plunged into chaos.

    The enemy commander remained collected, assessing the battlefield.

    ¡°Retreat,¡± he ordered, his voice steady but dark. ¡°The Awakened have disrupted our formation, but this is only a temporary victory.¡±

    Zhang Nan¡¯s strike succeeded.

    The news of victory sent Suna¡¯s heart racing. Her fingers gripped the comm device tightly, but when she heard that there was still no sign of Li Chuan, something inside her shattered.

    Victory brought no relief¡ªonly a deeper sense of isolation and helplessness.

    Suna stood amidst the ruins of the battlefield, the world around her fading into silence. The chaos of war felt distant. She could only hear her own ragged breathing. Even though Zhang Nan¡¯s assault had been a success and they had won the fight, Li Chuan hadn¡¯t returned.

    A chilling emptiness crept over her, devouring her like a spreading darkness.

    By the lakeside, the wind howled, and rain fell in torrents. Li Chuan and Suna rushed into a small, abandoned fisherman¡¯s hut. The wooden door creaked as they pushed inside. The floor was covered in dead grass and rotting boards. The simple furniture had long decayed, but for now, it provided shelter from the storm.

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    Suna glanced around and laughed softly. ¡°I can¡¯t believe we found a place like this.¡±

    Li Chuan shook the rain off his jacket, replying, ¡°As long as it keeps the rain out.¡±

    They leaned against the wooden walls, listening to the rhythmic patter of rain. The tension that had been pressing down on them began to ease in the confines of the small space.

    The rain pounded relentlessly outside, like the whispers of another world. Li Chuan looked at Suna, the weight in his chest slowly giving way to something he couldn¡¯t ignore. He stepped closer, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.

    ¡°Suna, I¡­¡± His words trailed off as a crack of thunder split the sky, cutting him off.

    Suna turned to face him, a soft smile on her lips. ¡°I know, Li Chuan.¡±

    She reached out, gently taking his hand, her gaze warm and steady. ¡°I feel the same.¡±

    Li Chuan froze, staring at her hand, feeling the warmth of her touch. The rain outside intensified, but all the sounds around him faded into the background. At that moment, nothing else existed but the two of them.

    But then, pain shot through his chest, as though something deep inside him had been torn apart. His breathing grew labored, and his vision blurred. Through the rain, he glimpsed another world¡ªone torn by war.

    Suna¡¯s face flickered in his mind, filled with anguish and despair. Silent tears streaked her face as distant voices of their comrades echoed from across time and space, calling to him.

    ¡°Li Chuan... where are you?¡± Her voice was low and sorrowful, cutting straight to his heart.

    Leaning against the worn wooden walls of the shack, Li Chuan stared out at the pouring rain. Inside, his emotions churned like the storm outside. His clenched fists loosened. In this quiet moment, he could almost escape his responsibilities. But then, Suna¡¯s phone rang, shattering the fragile peace.

    Suna froze, staring at her phone in disbelief. Her brow furrowed as she answered, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°Hello¡­ Li Chuan?¡±

    Li Chuan¡¯s eyes locked on the phone, a wave of confusion surging through him. The existence of another Li Chuan fractured the calm he had found. His fingers trembled as he tried to reject the reality before him. But the voice on the other end of the line hammered the final nail into the coffin of his denial.

    Suna¡¯s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. The voice on the phone was familiar¡ªtoo familiar. It was the voice of the Li Chuan she thought had been with her all along.

    Li Chuan stood by the wall, watching the rain drip through cracks in the window. His expression twisted with pain. In that moment, he finally understood¡ªthis world wasn¡¯t his.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t my world...¡± Li Chuan whispered, the truth sinking in. He knew now. This world had never faced the disasters, the war, the green sun. Peace and tranquility ruled here, and he¡­ he was just an intruder.

    Suna¡¯s eyes filled with confusion and pain. She stared at the man in front of her, his face so familiar, yet there was now a distance between them.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Her voice was fragile, barely holding together. She gripped the phone tightly as the other Li Chuan continued to speak, but her gaze remained fixed on the one standing before her.

    Li Chuan didn¡¯t look away. He saw her pain, her confusion, and it tore at him. He could no longer hide the truth.

    ¡°I¡¯m from... another timeline.¡± His voice was heavy with resignation. ¡°My world isn¡¯t like this. We¡¯ve been through war¡­ and the green sun. And you¡­ you¡¯re in danger.¡±

    Tears slipped down Suna¡¯s cheeks, her mind torn between disbelief and heartbreak.

    Though she couldn¡¯t fully grasp the horrors of another timeline, she could see it in his eyes¡ªhe wasn¡¯t lying. The sorrow in his gaze was too real, too deep. It was impossible to deny.

    Lightning flashed, illuminating Suna¡¯s trembling hands. She looked up at him, rain and tears mingling on her face.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand¡­ but if you have to leave, I won¡¯t stop you.¡± Her voice was calm, though it carried the weight of unspeakable sadness.

    Li Chuan nodded, his voice firm. ¡°Yes, I have to go. They need me.¡±

    Suna¡¯s hand trembled, but she didn¡¯t let go. Tears flowed freely, blending with the rain. Even though she didn¡¯t fully understand, she chose to accept it.

    Li Chuan¡¯s heart ached. This peaceful world had almost made him forget his duty. But he knew there was another ¡°Li Chuan¡± here, and his place¡ªhis responsibility¡ªwas on that battlefield still burning with chaos.

    He gripped the window frame, the cold rain seeping through the cracked walls. He couldn¡¯t run anymore. There were people waiting for him to return.

 Chapter 21: Flames of War Rekindled

    Li Chuan stood inside the dilapidated wooden cabin, rain seeping through the cracks and pooling on the floor. His fists were clenched, his body tense, as though the weight of the entire world was pressing down on him.

    He looked at Su Na, the conflict in his heart intensifying. The Su Na before him was real, yet the Li Chuan on the other end of the phone haunted him. In the other world, his comrades were still fighting for their lives, and that Su Na faced inescapable danger.

    "What should I do?" Li Chuan''s thoughts were a tangled mess. The cries of battle, the pleas of his comrades, and the sorrowful face of that world¡¯s Su Na cut through him like a blade.

    His sense of duty, combined with the weight of his emotions, finally shattered the stillness around him. He realized at that moment¡ªhe couldn''t keep running. He couldn''t stay in a world that wasn''t his.

    Suddenly, a blinding flash of lightning split the sky, tearing through the downpour. The wind howled violently, shaking the walls of the cabin as if the entire space itself was trembling.

    Li Chuan felt it immediately¡ªan abnormal force in the air, as though the seams of time and space were twisting, shrinking.

    Su Na''s face paled, her eyes wide with fear. "Li Chuan, look outside..." she whispered, her voice trembling, pointing toward the horizon where the sky seemed to distort, as if it were a curtain about to be ripped apart.

    Li Chuan gazed at the sky, and it felt as though something was tearing open inside his chest. The air around him began to swirl, pulling him toward an invisible vortex.

    His entire body tensed, as if he stood in the heart of the battlefield¡ªthe distant rumble of explosions and the sharp crack of gunfire inching ever closer.

    The rift in space was closing fast, like a wound that was healing over, disappearing inch by inch. His breath grew heavier, his body instinctively leaning forward. He knew this was his last chance. A fierce determination surged inside him.

    Li Chuan reached out, closing his eyes to focus on the pulse of time and space. Every ripple, every twist in the fabric of reality sent signals to him. He poured all his concentration into the fading rift, his fingertips trembling as he tried to connect with this world.

    A familiar but powerful force surged into his body from every direction. He could feel the warping and chaos of time and space, as if the battlefield was starting to materialize from the void.

    But just as he thought he had succeeded, the rift snapped shut, as if blocked by an unseen force. It sealed in an instant, vanishing as though it had never existed.

    Frustration gripped him, and his clenched fists trembled slightly. He knew¡ªtime was running out.

    "I have to go back." The faces of his comrades, Su Na¡¯s image, flashed in his mind. The sacrifices, the pain¡ªhe couldn¡¯t retreat any longer.

    Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down, banishing all distractions. This time, he abandoned his reliance on external power. Instead, he focused on the energy within him, letting it merge with the rhythm of time and space. It felt as though every pulse of the universe was syncing with his breath.

    Moments later, the resistance that had once pushed against him began to fade. The tension in the air dissolved. Li Chuan¡¯s hands moved gently, and with a deep, resonating hum, the rift began to open once more, like a heavy door finally giving way.

    On the other side of the rift, the burning battlefield appeared again. The heat of the flames and the acrid stench of smoke hit him like a wave.

    "It worked..." Li Chuan whispered, a determined glint in his eyes. He turned around, casting one last, long look at Su Na, his gaze filled with a painful, unspoken farewell.

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    Su Na¡¯s eyes were filled with unwavering resolve, though tears brimmed within them. Still, she did not try to stop him. "Go, Li Chuan. I believe in you," she said softly, her voice carrying no resentment, only deep trust.

    With a determined step, Li Chuan crossed through the rift, the world before him splitting into a burst of blinding light. In the next second, his feet touched solid ground again, the air heavy with smoke and the stench of war¡ªhe was back on the battlefield.

    His comrades were silently clearing the battlefield, their faces etched with exhaustion and loss. They believed Li Chuan had disappeared into the rift, never to return.

    Zhang Nan and Old Zhao were discussing their next move, while Su Na stood aside, her face pale, eyes filled with endless sorrow.

    Suddenly, through the dust and smoke, a shadowy figure began to take shape. Li Chuan¡¯s steps were steady, though fatigue weighed heavily on his features. His comrades froze, staring in disbelief.

    Old Zhao¡¯s eyes widened as if he couldn¡¯t trust what he was seeing. He stood motionless for a moment, then, overcome with joy, shouted, "Li Chuan is back!"

    The soldiers quickly gathered around him, their faces a mix of shock and joy.

    Old Zhao stepped forward, laughing as he slapped Li Chuan on the shoulder. "You really are tough! Not even a time rift can hold you!"

    Meanwhile, Su Na stood frozen in place, tears silently streaming down her face, her hands trembling as though afraid to believe it was real.

    The tears flowed down her cheeks as she stared at Li Chuan, slowly approaching. She wanted to speak, but no words would come.

    She was terrified that if she spoke, this moment¡ªthis reunion¡ªwould shatter, and Li Chuan would vanish again.

    Li Chuan approached her, slowly wiping away her tears with his hand. "Don¡¯t cry. I¡¯m back," he said softly.

    Su Na couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, her body trembling, tears flowing freely. In that moment, no words were needed¡ªhis heartbeat was all the proof she needed that he was truly there.

    Li Chuan embraced her gently, warmth flooding his chest. He was no longer the lone warrior.

    He had her, his comrades, and a greater responsibility.

    Su Na, still choked with emotion, could barely speak. She stood before him, as if fearing this was just a dream.

    Li Chuan gave a faint smile, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer. In that brief instant, the chaos of the battlefield seemed distant.

    Though they exchanged no words, the emotions shared in their gaze spoke louder than any words could.

    He wanted to tell her that the other world, the peaceful moments they had shared, still lingered deep within him.

    Old Zhao gritted his teeth, his voice heavy with urgency. "We need to move fast. Time¡¯s running out!"

    Xiao Bai looked anxiously at Zhang Nan. "Their reinforcements are closing in. If we don¡¯t act now, we may never get another chance!"

    Su Na¡¯s eyes burned with determination. "This time, we can¡¯t fail. We have to stop the Greenlight Project!"

    Zhang Nan unfolded the electronic map and pointed. "Here. Their secret military base. Let¡¯s move!"

    As they prepared for the next mission, Su Na and Zhang Nan stumbled upon a strange device on the body of an enemy soldier while clearing the battlefield. Su Na knelt down, picking up what appeared to be an encrypted electronic chip.

    "What is this?" Su Na asked, her brows furrowed.

    Xiao Bai quickly examined it. "Looks like a key device from the Bureau of Order... but it¡¯s incomplete, missing crucial data."

    Zhang Nan scanned the area, his eyes sharp. "They¡¯re hiding something. We need to find the rest."

    They continued searching, and after a while, Su Na accidentally kicked aside a metal shard, revealing a hidden black box.

    Xiao Bai¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "That¡¯s it. This black box and the chip¡ªit¡¯s all part of a set. Whatever secrets the Bureau of Order is hiding, it¡¯s inside this."

    Su Na knelt, gently brushing away the dust on its surface, revealing the Bureau¡¯s emblem. Her heart raced¡ªthis was the key they had been searching for.

 Chapter 22: The Logos Project

    Li Chuan stood silently amidst the ruins of the battlefield, watching his comrades as they worked. The burning air and the devastation before him were a stark contrast to the tranquility of the other dimension he had just left behind. His emotions were still in turmoil.

    ¡°We can¡¯t go back¡­¡± he whispered, his gaze shifting to Su Na. Her eyes, filled with warmth and resolve, made him realize ¡ª this time, he couldn¡¯t fail her.

    A deep sense of responsibility surged through him. In that peaceful dimension, he had never felt this kind of weight. There, he had once hoped to stay forever, far from war, far from pain.

    But now, he was back. His comrades¡¯ lives seemed to rest on his shoulders. ¡°I thought I could run away, but running was never an option for me,¡± he muttered, recalling the faces of the comrades who had sacrificed themselves for him. Those memories told him that he couldn¡¯t afford to back down again.

    Every battle was tied to his fate. ¡°Why didn¡¯t I feel this responsibility in the other world? Maybe¡­ it¡¯s because there was no one there that I truly wanted to protect.¡±

    His eyes returned to Su Na and the others. He knew that it was these people, this war-torn land, that gave him a reason to keep fighting.

    Su Na approached, her eyes filled with both determination and gentleness. Li Chuan smiled faintly, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, he only nodded. He understood now ¡ª it was these people and this battlefield that reignited his sense of duty.

    Taking a deep breath, he forced himself back to reality. The war wouldn¡¯t end on its own. Only by completely defeating the enemy could they stop the fighting. And this time, he wasn¡¯t running away. He was ready to bear the weight of this war.

    Why did the Unified Order use advanced weapons only against Li Chuan? Lao Zhao had an answer. The Unified Order had once conducted experiments on the moon. They accidentally opened a portal to another dimension, but it didn¡¯t stay open for long. Li Chuan¡¯s spatial control abilities could stabilize the portal, which was why the Unified Order had been chasing him.

    ¡°Maybe they don¡¯t need Li Chuan anymore,¡± Lao Zhao said after a pause. ¡°Perhaps that¡¯s why they trapped him in another dimension. But I¡¯m not certain.¡±

    Su Na asked, ¡°How did you manage to stabilize the portal?¡±

    Li Chuan shook his head. ¡°I¡­ I felt like my awakening power guided me. But it¡¯s so unstable. I don¡¯t even know how I did it.¡±

    Zhang Nan clenched his fists. ¡°We need to find out what¡¯s inside that black box.¡±

    Xiao Bai worked quickly on the device. ¡°I¡¯m cracking it¡­ just a few more minutes.¡±

    With a faint beep, the black box lit up, and the screen displayed the title: "Internal Report: The Logos Project."

    Xiao Bai frowned. ¡°It¡¯s a report from the Unified Order.¡±

    Su Na leaned in, her eyes scanning the screen. ¡°The Logos Project?¡± she read softly, anxiety creeping into her voice.

    The screen began to reveal the document¡¯s content.

    ¡°Emotions once helped humans survive. They allowed us to respond quickly to threats, but in modern society, emotions have become a burden. Anger and fear lead to conflict, to war and violence. These emotions waste resources and create inequality. More importantly, emotions interfere with rational decision-making.¡±

    Su Na murmured under her breath, ¡°Emotions are a burden¡­ What does that mean?¡±

    Li Chuan, calm as always, explained, ¡°They think emotions are holding back societal progress.¡±

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    Xiao Bai nodded and continued to work. ¡°This might explain why the Unified Order is so interested in Awakeners.¡± He flipped through more pages, revealing additional details.

    ¡°The Logos Project aims to remove emotions through genetic modification. Emotions are no longer necessary. They are a flaw in evolution, not the core of humanity. If we are to become an interstellar civilization, our value should lie in rational contributions, not in feelings.¡±

    Zhang Nan slammed his fist onto the table, anger flashing in his eyes. ¡°They want to become an interstellar civilization? But without emotions, we¡¯re no longer human!¡±

    Xiao Bai kept decrypting the files. The screen displayed more data. ¡°Through genetic modification, emotions are completely removed. We use advanced technology to alter the parts of the brain that control emotions. After the removal, individuals will no longer be affected by emotions and will possess pure rationality.¡±

    Su Na¡¯s face grew even paler. ¡°They want to strip away everyone¡¯s emotions¡­ turning humanity into machines.¡±

    Li Chuan stared at the screen. ¡°It¡¯s more than just removing emotions¡­¡± He pointed to a section of text.

    Xiao Bai scanned it quickly. ¡°The Green Light Project¡¯s original goal was to activate the awakening abilities of certain humans through the sun¡¯s green spectrum. The results weren¡¯t what they expected.¡±

    Lao Zhao spoke in a low voice. ¡°We¡¯re just their test subjects. Their real goal is to strip away our humanity completely.¡±

    Zhang Nan clenched his fists tightly. ¡°If we don¡¯t stop them, this world is done for.¡±

    Suddenly, Xiao Bai¡¯s face lit up with surprise. ¡°Wait¡­ they didn¡¯t just remove emotions. They¡¯ve modified the body as well.¡± He continued reading, ¡°The subjects¡¯ skin has been genetically altered to become scale-like. These scales enhance defense and adapt to extreme climates.¡±

    Li Chuan paused, deep in thought. ¡°This means the Unified Order has foreseen some kind of disaster.¡±

    Lao Zhao frowned. ¡°They¡¯re preparing for a future disaster, or maybe¡­ they know something we don¡¯t.¡±

    Su Na lowered her voice. ¡°They still think you¡¯re trapped in the other dimension. We have to keep your return a secret. If they find out you¡¯re back, everything will fall apart.¡±

    Li Chuan tightened his grip. ¡°I¡¯ll stay hidden. But we need to move fast.¡±

    Meanwhile, Zhaogengo stood on a high platform, gazing up at the night sky. The red moon hung overhead, the stars silent. His hands were clasped behind his back, his expression calm. Li Chuan was trapped in another dimension ¡ª there was no way he could return.

    He looked up as a blue light flickered in front of him, a holographic projection appearing. The mission report was displayed, clearly detailing each step: Li Chuan trapped, the Awakeners weakened, the operation a success. Even though this mission went beyond his orders, Zhaogengo had no regrets. He believed trapping Li Chuan was more effective than capturing him.

    The red cursor on the screen blinked as his superiors reviewed the results. Zhaogengo waited patiently. The system operated with precision, every action supported by calculated algorithms. Yet a subtle unease gnawed at him. The system had overlooked Li Chuan¡¯s true threat. Trapping him could provoke even greater resistance.

    A moment later, feedback appeared on the screen: ¡°Proceed with the original plan. All measures are compliant.¡±

    At that moment, Zhang Nan¡¯s terminal emitted a soft alert. He glanced at the screen, his expression changing instantly. ¡°Wait¡­ the latest weather data shows that in the next eight hours, a massive sandstorm will sweep across the entire Wuyasha Desert.¡±

    Zhang Nan immediately proposed a plan to use the sandstorm for a surprise attack. He believed it was a rare opportunity. The sandstorm would disrupt the Unified Order¡¯s defenses and provide cover for their operation, creating chaos.

    Su Na supported the plan. She felt that if they missed this chance, the Unified Order¡¯s defenses would only become stronger, making future operations even more difficult.

    However, Li Chuan voiced his concerns. He pointed out that it would take them at least eight hours to reach their target. Fighting in the sandstorm would be extremely dangerous. The wind and sand would impair visibility, disrupt communication, and possibly damage their equipment. He feared they were underestimating the power of the storm, and acting recklessly would be too dangerous.

    Lao Zhao recalled past missions. They had extensive experience in desert combat, and their equipment was designed to handle sandstorms. Their protective gear, including respirators and tactical suits, had been specifically designed for extreme conditions. Su Na added that their preparation this time was more thorough than ever before.

    After weighing both sides, Lao Zhao made the decision to proceed with the attack. Though Li Chuan saw the high risks, he understood the urgency and knew they couldn¡¯t delay. Reluctantly, he agreed, but emphasized the need to strictly follow the battle plan and avoid unnecessary dangers.

    With the plan set, Zhang Nan quickly assigned roles: the main force would strike the enemy during the sandstorm, while Li Chuan¡¯s team would cover their retreat and secure the escape route. The wind began to rise as the team geared up, ready to launch their assault amidst the storm.

 Chapter 23: The Hidden River

    The team moved through the vast, endless desert. At the horizon, a massive "sand wall" suddenly appeared, signaling the approach of a sandstorm. The winds howled, and the distant sands churned like a raging beast. Zhang Nan, ever alert, sensed the unnatural shift in the wind.

    "Slow down, everyone! Activate the weather scan, check the storm¡¯s status!" Zhang Nan''s voice came through the headset.

    Sensors on the bikes and ATVs came to life. Within seconds, the data returned, making Zhang Nan¡¯s brow furrow deeper. Li Chuan¡¯s voice cracked through the comms, tense with worry. ¡°The storm''s four hours ahead of schedule. Wind speeds are picking up fast.¡±

    Zhang Nan glanced at the data¡ªalarms flashing across the screen. "Storm strength is exceeding predictions. Wind speeds are hitting critical. We need shelter, now." His eyes flicked to the massive sand wall in the distance as he made a quick decision.

    ¡°All units, drill protocol! Now!¡± His command cut through the roar of the wind. The storm was growing fiercer by the second, the sand stinging like blades against their vehicles.

    The drills under the vehicles hummed to life, vibrating low and steady. Protective barriers extended around the vehicles, forming a bubble that kept the sand from flooding their systems. The drills pierced the desert floor, and one by one, the vehicles sank beneath the sand.

    ¡°Drill depth reached,¡± Xiao Bai¡¯s voice came over the comms.

    Li Chuan gripped the handlebars, eyes glued to his screen. Alerts kept flashing, but they were safely below the surface. Temperature and air levels inside began to stabilize, the filtration systems kicked in, and the raging storm outside was sealed off.

    ¡°Keep moving,¡± Zhang Nan ordered, checking the data once more.

    As they drilled deeper, camouflage fibers unfurled from the top of the vehicles, covering any exposed areas. The vehicles blended seamlessly with the surrounding sand, invisible to any passing surveillance.

    Inside, the temperature leveled out, and the faint hum of respirators filled the air. The team pulled off their goggles, the tension on their faces slowly easing.

    Li Chuan peered out the window, watching the storm lash at the vehicle¡¯s roof. He exhaled quietly. ¡°We made it.¡±

    Suddenly, Xiao Bai¡¯s scanner beeped in alarm. He glanced at the screen, frowning. ¡°Captain, there¡¯s a cavity beneath us... looks like an artificial structure.¡±

    Zhang Nan reviewed the data quickly. "An underground structure? Keep scanning. Let¡¯s see if we can find an entry point."

    They carefully drilled through the rock layer. A narrow entrance soon emerged, and Li Chuan was the first to poke his head out. A cool breeze hit his face. Below stretched a vast underground space. The weathered stone walls hinted at ancient erosion, and the air was thick with dampness.

    ¡°It¡¯s a natural cave,¡± Old Zhao said quietly. ¡°Maybe an ancient underground river.¡±

    The dampness clung to their skin as they moved deeper. The ground grew slick beneath their feet, and the stone walls glistened faintly, as if coated by a layer of moss that had been building for years. Zhang Nan stood in the middle of the cave, scanning the area calmly. ¡°Start the scan,¡± he ordered, his voice steady.

    Xiao Bai quickly activated the GSR-8 geological scanner. The machine buzzed softly as it mapped the underground structures. A few moments later, the display showed a complex network of underground tunnels, the data flowing quickly like a river. After a few seconds, the image clearly revealed a winding underground system.

    Old Zhao leaned in to study the display, his expression growing serious. ¡°Judging by the sediment layers, this river must be millions of years old. Before the desert became what it is today, this could have been an oasis.¡± He pointed to an area of moisture on the screen. ¡°The Bureau never builds far from water. This water system is well-hidden. Maybe they don''t even know about it.¡±

    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    Zhang Nan kept his eyes on the screen, thinking for a moment before nodding. "Check for any artificial structures. We need more leads."

    Xiao Bai adjusted the scanner, and soon faint magnetic anomalies appeared, along with light electronic interference. ¡°Wait... there¡¯s something here.¡± He pointed at the flashing red dot on the display, tension creeping into his voice. ¡°This area shows signs of artificial structures¡ªcould be an old facility, or a ventilation shaft.¡±

    Zhang Nan narrowed his eyes, thinking over the possibilities. ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯re looking for.¡± He glanced down at the floor, cross-referencing the feedback from the equipment. It became clear¡ªthis long-forgotten river might lead to a hidden path straight to the Bureau¡¯s base. A path they hadn¡¯t discovered.

    Old Zhao stepped closer, his voice low. ¡°This cave¡¯s humidity and structure make it ideal for a base. The Bureau might be using this underground water system as support.¡± He turned to Zhang Nan. ¡°If we can find an entry, we might be able to bypass their outer defenses.¡±

    Zhang Nan nodded, quickly making a decision. ¡°If this passage lets us get past their defense systems, then this is our shot.¡±

    At that moment, Li Chuan, standing a few feet away, grew tense. His awakened senses picked up a strange vibration in the air. The energy flow around them was becoming erratic. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong,¡± his voice was tight. ¡°The cave... it feels like it¡¯s breathing.¡±

    ¡°Breathing?¡± Zhang Nan stepped up beside him, eyes full of doubt, but he knew better than to dismiss Li Chuan¡¯s instincts. His ability made him more attuned than anyone else. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for mysteries. Let¡¯s figure this out.¡±

    Suddenly, Su Na halted. Her gaze darted over the walls, searching. Her voice shook slightly. ¡°Wait¡­ do you see these markings?¡±

    She approached the stone wall, running her fingertips across the cold surface. Beneath her touch, the wall seemed to shift, the lines of stone losing their solid shape and slowly dissolving.

    ¡°These stones were normal a moment ago,¡± Zhang Nan said, his voice low, a hint of unease creeping in. He could already tell this was going to be far more complicated than he thought.

    Li Chuan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His awakened power flowed from his body, spreading through the cave. The air around him rippled, like invisible fingers brushing through the energy. It was responding to him. The space around them was no longer stable, like a piece of fabric slowly tearing apart. Suddenly, a powerful pull surged from an unseen dimension, as if trying to drag him into a dark, unseen void.

    ¡°Careful!¡± Zhang Nan warned, his voice tense.

    Li Chuan¡¯s eyes snapped open. His head pounded, as if a boulder had shattered his calm. The stone walls shifted violently, the lines flowing like liquid, no longer holding their shape. Time and space blurred, his chest tightening, every breath a struggle against an unseen abyss. His mind felt as though it were being pulled into another world.

    ¡°Li Chuan?¡± Zhang Nan¡¯s voice was sharp, but only static came through the comms.

    Li Chuan¡¯s figure flickered a few meters away, trapped behind an invisible barrier. His outline wavered, fading in and out like a ghost. Seconds later, his form solidified again, as if nothing had happened.

    Xiao Bai stared at the GSR-8 scanner. The symbols on the screen flickered wildly. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong... these symbols are transmitting energy¡ªsimilar to what we¡¯ve seen in the Bureau¡¯s experiments on the moon. We might have triggered an energy field¡­ more complex than we can understand.¡±

    Li Chuan¡¯s face darkened. He turned slowly, his eyes locked on the shifting symbols, as if facing some unknowable force. ¡°It¡¯s responding to my power. This isn¡¯t a normal cave... it¡¯s an energy space.¡±

    Old Zhao studied the floating geometric patterns on the walls. He nodded slowly. ¡°These symbols¡­ they look like records. Maybe they¡¯re not from Earth. We need to figure out what they¡¯re trying to tell us.¡±

    Li Chuan extended his hand again, his awakened energy pulsing from his fingertips, lightly touching the floating symbols. The symbols gradually stabilized, forming into a complex series of patterns, like some kind of ancient script. The pressure in the air eased slightly, but a sense of unease still clung to everyone.

    Su Na instinctively stepped back, her hand over her chest, her breathing quickening. ¡°These symbols¡­ they feel like a warning.¡±

    As the symbols began to align, the air around them vibrated intensely. The geometric shapes emitted a piercing hum, as though some repressed force was fighting to break free. Just then, the energy field collapsed entirely. The symbols exploded into frenzied tendrils, surging from the walls. The cave¡¯s temperature spiked, the symbols screaming through the air, charged with a crushing sense of destruction.

    A deep, guttural roar echoed from the heart of the energy, and the entire cave shook violently, as though some ancient power had been awakened, straining to escape its prison.

    Zhang Nan saw Li Chuan¡¯s face go pale, his arms limp at his sides. Without hesitation, he rushed forward and yanked him away from the swirling symbols. ¡°You have no idea what you''re messing with!¡± he shouted, pulling him back just as a tendril of energy lashed out, narrowly missing them both.

    Li Chuan collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, his mind reeling. The glowing symbols that had filled the air moments before shattered like fragile glass, scattering into nothingness. Silence fell over the cave, but the oppressive energy lingered, thick and suffocating.

    The rest of the team held their breath, the tension in the air palpable. It was as if time had frozen, leaving them all waiting for the next disaster to strike. Li Chuan¡¯s ragged breathing was the only sound in the cave.

    ¡°They¡¯re transmitting something¡­¡± Li Chuan muttered under his breath, his eyes wide with realization, fear still flickering in his gaze. ¡°But this isn¡¯t a message we¡¯re meant to understand. Not yet.¡±

    Zhang Nan stood next to him, eyes narrowed. ¡°Whatever it is, it nearly killed us. We can''t let curiosity get in the way of our mission.¡±

    Li Chuan nodded weakly, still catching his breath. ¡°You¡¯re right. We need to stay focused¡­ but that energy, it¡¯s dangerous.¡±

    Zhang Nan helped him to his feet. ¡°We¡¯ll deal with it later. Right now, we have a job to finish.¡±

    The rest of the team exchanged uneasy glances, but no one said a word. They all knew what was at stake.

    With one final look at the now-dormant cave walls, Zhang Nan gave the order. ¡°Let¡¯s move. We¡¯re not staying here any longer than necessary.¡±

    As they continued deeper into the cave, the oppressive energy seemed to recede, but a heavy tension lingered in the air. The path ahead was uncertain, but the mission was clear. Whatever waited for them at the end of this hidden river, they had to be ready for it.