The laboratory's alarms grew more piercing, and Lin Hao's nerves were stretched to their limit.
He quickly pulled up the surveillance footage, discovering that the group of unidentified individuals had already breached the outer defense System and were closing in on the laboratory's core area.
Their equipment was clearly not that of ordinary armed forces, but rather a highly modified tactical squad, possibly even equipped with some unknown technological weapon.
"I can't hesitate any longer," Lin Hao muttered to himself, his fingers rapidly tapping on the control panel.
He activated the laboratory's self-destruct program, setting a ten-minute countdown.
This was his last line of defense; if he couldn't stop the invaders, he would rather completely destroy the laboratory and all its secrets than let them fall into the hands of others.
At the same time, Lin Hao quickly placed the black crystal into a specially designed protective box.
He knew that this crystal might be his only bargaining chip, and the key to his future Trade with the devouring starry sky.
He slung the box over his back and quickly ran towards the laboratory's emergency exit.
However, just as he was about to reach the exit, a strong energy fluctuation suddenly emanated from deep within the laboratory.
Lin Hao sharply turned his head, discovering that the black crystal was emitting a dazzling light within the protective box, as if responding to some external call.
"This is bad!" Lin Hao's heart sank, realizing the situation was even more complex than he had anticipated.
He quickly opened the protective box, discovering that the energy fluctuations on the crystal's surface were becoming increasingly intense, even beginning to affect the surrounding air, forming distorted spatial crack.
Just then, the laboratory wall was torn apart by a powerful force, and several fully armed invaders rushed in.
Their gazes were cold, and their weapons were pointed directly at Lin Hao.
"Hand over the crystal, or you will pay the price," the leading man said coldly, his voice carrying an undeniable threat.
Lin Hao did not answer, but quickly pressed a button on the protective box.
Instantly, the crystal released a powerful energy shockwave, pushing back the surrounding invaders several meters.
Lin Hao took the opportunity to rush towards the emergency exit, however, he had only run a few steps when he felt a strong suction force from behind him.
He looked back and saw that the energy released by the crystal had formed a small spatial vortex, devouring everything around it.
The laboratory walls, equipment, and even the invaders were mercilessly drawn into the vortex.
Lin Hao resisted the suction with all his might, but his body was still being pulled towards the vortex bit by bit.
Just as he was about to be swallowed, a familiar voice sounded in his mind: "Earthling, it seems you need my help."
It was the devouring starry sky!
Lin Hao didn't have time to think, and immediately responded: "If you have a way, act quickly! Otherwise, this Trade will end here!"
The devouring starry sky let out a low laugh: "Interesting, you dare to threaten me in such a situation.
However, your courage makes me admire you."
Before he finished speaking, Lin Hao felt a powerful force pull him out of the vortex.
His body was enveloped in a faint glow, as if he were in an independent space, unaffected by the outside world.
"This is my second help to you, Earthling," the devouring starry sky's voice sounded again, "But remember, every help comes at a price.
You owe me, and you must repay it in the future."
Lin Hao had no time to respond, because he saw that the invaders had been completely swallowed by the vortex, and the laboratory was beginning to collapse under the impact of the energy.
He quickly rushed out of the emergency exit and ran towards the safe area outside the laboratory.
A few minutes later, the laboratory was reduced to ruins in a huge explosion.
Lin Hao stood in the distance, watching the soaring flames, his heart filled with complex emotions.
He knew that this explosion not only destroyed the laboratory but also the invaders' plans.
But at the same time, he also realized that his actions had attracted the attention of more forces.
The devouring starry sky's voice sounded in his mind again: "Earthling, your troubles have just begun.
Those invaders are just the tip of the iceberg; more forces are secretly eyeing the crystal in your hand.
If you don't want to be drawn into a larger vortex, you'd better find my spaceship as soon as possible."
Lin Hao frowned and asked, "Your spaceship? Where is it?"
The devouring starry sky did not answer directly, but transmitted a set of coordinates to Lin Hao's mind.
It was a coordinate located in a remote area of Earth, seemingly hidden in a desolate desert.
Lin Hao did not hesitate and immediately decided to go to that coordinate.
He knew that he had no retreat; his only hope was to continue cooperating with the devouring starry sky and uncover the secret behind the crystal.
In the following days, Lin Hao crossed countless dangers and finally arrived at the location of the coordinates.
There, indeed, was a strange spaceship, shaped like a giant black crystal, emitting a faint glow.
Lin Hao approached the spaceship and found that the hatch opened automatically, as if welcoming his arrival.
He took a deep breath and stepped inside the spaceship.
The interior space of the spaceship was much larger than it appeared from the outside, like an independent small world.
Lin Hao saw that the surrounding walls were covered with complex symbols and patterns, seemingly recording some ancient civilization.
"Welcome to my Domain, Earthling," the devouring starry sky's voice echoed within the spaceship, "Now, we can begin the real Trade."
Lin Hao nodded, his heart filled with both anticipation and vigilance.
He knew that this Trade would completely change his fate, and possibly even the future of the entire Earth.
"Tell me, what exactly is this crystal?" Lin Hao asked, placing the protective box on the ground.
The devouring starry sky was silent for a moment, then replied: "This crystal is a fragment of the time-space core, possessing the power to control space and time.
It originally belonged to a destroyed civilization, and is now scattered throughout the Universe.
The one in your hand is just one of them."
Lin Hao's heart trembled, realizing that the crystal in his hand possessed such powerful strength.
He continued to ask: "Then why did you give it to me? What is your purpose?"
The devouring starry sky let out a low laugh: "My purpose is very simple—I need an agent, an agent who can help me collect all the time-space core fragments.
And you, Earthling, are the one I have chosen."
Lin Hao was silent for a moment, then said firmly: "If I agree to help you, what will I get?"
The devouring starry sky's voice became serious: "You will gain power beyond human imagination, and may even become one of the Dominators of the Universe.
But at the same time, you will also face endless dangers and challenges.
Are you willing to accept such a fate?"
Lin Hao did not answer immediately, but fell into contemplation.
He knew that this was a life-and-death choice.
But eventually, he looked up and said with firm eyes: "I am willing."
"Very good, Earthling," the devouring starry sky's voice carried a hint of approval, "Then, our Trade is officially established.
From now on, you will embark on a Dao full of unknowns.
And I, as your guide, will help you uncover the mysteries of the Universe."
Lin Hao nodded, his heart filled with determination.
He knew that he had embarked on a Dao of no return.
But no matter how many dangers and challenges lay ahead, he would bravely move forward to pursue the unknown truth.
The spaceship slowly ascended, disappearing into the vast Universe.
And Lin Hao's adventure had just begun…