The passage at the end of the platform was not the metallic structure he had expected, but a smooth, warm, almost biological-feeling cavity. Faint, indigo blue light veins flowed on the walls, pulsing softly like blood vessels, synchronized with the constant "heartbeat" vibration. The air here was unusually pure, carrying a strange scent reminiscent of post-rain soil mixed with ozone, a world apart from the lethal toxic fog of the rusted graveyard outside.
The moment Chen Ke and Lia stepped into the passage, the energy arcs at the entrance behind them flared intensely, forming a dazzling curtain of light that sealed off their retreat. They didn't look back, only tightened their grip on their weapons and proceeded deeper along the sloping cavity.
The passage wasn't long, opening abruptly into a vast, spherical space.
At the center of the space hung a massive cocoon of light, woven from countless intricate filaments, pulsating rhythmically like a slumbering womb—the source of the "heartbeat" and the light veins throughout the space. Below the light cocoon was a base covered in complex ports and energy conduits, its technological level far surpassing any creation Chen Ke had ever seen.
Even more breathtaking was the scene covering the spherical walls. They weren't solid, but composed of countless flowing data streams and holographic images displaying vast star charts, complex genetic sequences, and vistas of unheard-of ecological worlds. They continuously evolved, lived, and died like living things.
This was the "Cradle."
"Father!" Lia exclaimed, rushing towards a corner of the spherical space. There, a middle-aged man with graying hair, dressed in shabby protective gear, was restrained in an energy field, unconscious but seemingly stable. It was her father, the "Listener."
Chen Ke didn't approach immediately. His gaze was drawn to a figure in front of the light cocoon.
It wasn't a living person, but a highly realistic holographic projection. It depicted an elderly man dressed in ancient attire, his face kind but his eyes holding a depth that seemed to see through the ages.
"Welcome, Inheritor," the projection of the old man spoke, his voice gentle yet resonating directly in Chen Ke's mind, identical to the signal he had received before. "I am the guiding program of the 'Cradle.' You may call me 'The Guardian.'"
Chen Ke didn't lower his guard, the cutter still aimed at the projection. "Inheritor? What do you mean? What is the 'Cradle'?"
"The Cradle is the Noah's Ark of human civilization, a repository of our former glory," The Guardian stated calmly. Simultaneously, the data streams on the walls shifted rapidly, displaying scenes of ancient human fleets traversing the stars, establishing colonies, followed by catastrophic images—war, plague, some unknown cosmic disaster, civilization snuffed out like a candle in the wind.
"After the Final War, the 'Cradle' was activated, carrying a complete gene bank, technology database, and civilization templates, hidden here, waiting for the time of revival." The Guardian's gaze settled on Chen Ke. "And you, the bearer of the 'Key,' are the chosen Inheritor, tasked with guiding the new beginning."
"The Key?" Chen Ke frowned, instantly thinking of the anomalous memory data. "That data fragment..."
"Correct. It was not merely memory, but an identity authentication and access key. Only one who could pass its trial, perceive the 'Cradle's' call, and reach this place is qualified to inherit all this," The Guardian explained.
At that moment, the entire spherical space shuddered violently! A fierce explosion and the discharge of energy weapons echoed from the cavity passage above.
"They have breached the outer defenses," The Guardian's tone remained calm, but the flickering data streams around indicated he was mobilizing the 'Cradle's' resources at full capacity. "'The Ring'... descendants of the survivors of the Final War. They have forsaken the vow of rebuilding and seek to control the 'Cradle,' to use its power for eternal dominion."
Chen Ke understood many things in an instant. "The Ring" wasn't a product of this era; they were ancient remnants, always searching for and trying to control the 'Cradle'! And the System... it was likely originally created by the 'Cradle' to maintain order, but over the long ages, lost contact with it, or perhaps was infiltrated or misled by "The Ring."
"Inheritor, time is short," The Guardian's image began to flicker slightly. "The 'Cradle's' core protocols forbid me from directly attacking humans, but I can transfer authority to you. You must decide the fate of the 'Cradle,' and... the future course of humanity."
A torrent of information began flooding into Chen Ke's implants, not a painful infusion, but a vast, oceanic release of permissions and knowledge transfer. He felt control over every system of the 'Cradle'—from environmental maintenance to defensive weaponry, from the databases to... the core light cocoon, where the "Seeds" capable of reseeding human civilization slumbered.
Simultaneously, the light curtain in the cavity passage was forcibly breached. Several armed figures in "The Ring" uniforms stormed in, their energy weapons instantly locking onto Chen Ke and the light cocoon.
"Stop him! Seize control!" the leader shouted sharply.
Lia threw herself fearfully in front of her unconscious father.
Chen Ke looked up sharply, data streams flickering rapidly in his eyes. He was no longer an isolated memory hunter; at this moment, he was connected to the entire 'Cradle.'
He felt the 'Cradle's' yearning—for rebirth and growth.
He felt"The Ring's" ambition—for power and control.
And he felt what Lia and her father represented—the remnants of pure humanity in this era.
He did not choose destruction, nor complete submission.
He raised his hand, not to wield a weapon, but to press down upon the air.
Hummm—!
The spherical space blazed with light. A powerful energy field erupted from Chen Ke, slamming all the intruding "Ring" members back against the walls, rendering them temporarily immobile. But he had controlled the intensity, sparing their lives.
He looked at The Guardian. "I accept the inheritance. But the method of rebuilding civilization should not be decided by ancient protocols or the ambitions of any organization." His gaze swept over Lia and her father, finally resting on the slumbering light cocoon. "It should belong to all 'people' who wish to live and are willing to strive for it."
The Guardian regarded him, and finally, a faint, almost imperceptible smile of approval seemed to touch his timeless features. "As you wish... Inheritor."
The projection dissipated. All authority and control merged completely with Chen Ke's consciousness.
The tremors gradually ceased, and the sounds of battle faded. Perhaps "The Ring's" follow-up forces were being held back by the 'Cradle's' activated defense systems.
Chen Ke walked to Lia's side and deactivated the energy field restraining her father. Lia looked at him with gratitude, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
Finally, he turned his gaze to the pulsating light cocoon, feeling the infinite vitality and potential contained within.
He had found the "Cradle," gained unimaginable power and knowledge, but had also shouldered an even heavier responsibility. The System's pursuit continued, the threat of "The Ring" remained, and this newly awakened "Cradle" was like a true infant, needing guidance and protection.
Deep within the Oblivion Graveyard, the seed of civilization had sprouted. But the path to guarding this seedling and carving out a future from the ruins was only just beginning.
(End of Volume 1)