The bonfire in the cave gradually died down, and the sky turned pale. A night of vigilance and rest made everyone feel a little better. Liam leaned against the rock wall, and the golden and black glimmer at his fingertips flickered on and off. The fear of dreaming about the mysterious leader last night had not yet dissipated, and that cold mockery echoed repeatedly in his mind. But looking at his sleeping companions around him—Elena curled up in the corner, her brows still slightly furrowed, presumably still thinking about the uncracked Shadow data; Wang leaned at the cave entrance, the bandage on his arm was a little loose, but he still maintained a vigilant posture; Dr. Gray guarded beside Kane, his eyes occasionally falling on Kane's monitor, his expression solemn; while Kane remained unconscious, his breathing weak but steady, and various indicators on the monitor were slowly returning to stable levels.
Awake?" Dr. Gray noticed Liam's movement and spoke in a low voice, fearing to wake others up. "How's your energy recovery? Did you leave any sequelae after forcing the crystal power last night? I just checked your vital signs. Your heart rate and brain waves are fairly stable, but your energy fluctuation is still weak. You need to recuperate slowly and not rush to overdraw your power again."
Liam nodded gently, moved his stiff shoulders, and his tone was a little tired but still firm: "I'm fine. I just feel a slight tingling in my brain occasionally, which should be a sequela of energy disorder. I dreamed about that mysterious leader last night. His aura is colder than the Shadow Envoy's, and I can feel that he must be waiting for us in Antarctica. But now, the most important thing for us is not to think about these things, but to find a safe temporary base first and build a laboratory. On the one hand, we can cure Kane; on the other hand, we can crack the Shadow Organization's R&D data to find more clues about the 'Star Core' and the ancient ruins. At the same time, we need to find a way to study the energy characteristics of the spiritual energy crystal to prepare for the subsequent trip to Antarctica."
His words voiced everyone's thoughts. After the disastrous defeat at the Shadow Base and last night's raid, everyone knew that without a stable stronghold and systematic scientific research support, they could not compete with the remaining forces of the Shadow Organization with just passion, let alone find the "Star Core" before them. The so-called "closer to reality" is to hold on to a trace of warmth in a dangerous situation, deal with unknown dangers while steadily doing what is in front of them—treating diseases, conducting scientific research, and building strongholds. These seemingly trivial daily tasks are the foundation for them to fight evil and protect the world.
When dawn broke, everyone woke up one after another. Elena rubbed her swollen temples, and the first thing she did was turn on her terminal. The screen displayed the uncracked Shadow data from last night, with dense codes and formulas that made people dizzy. "I cracked a small part of the encrypted data last night," Elena said with a hint of joy and solemnity. "I found some rules about the location of the Shadow Organization's scientific research bases. They prefer hidden areas with complex terrain and special energy fluctuations, which also explains why they can build a secret base underground without being discovered. In addition, the data also mentions that the energy fluctuation of the 'Star Core' can resonate with the geomagnetic field at the Earth's poles. This may help us accurately locate the ancient ruins in Antarctica, but it requires precision instruments for measurement, which we don't have at hand at all."
If we don't have equipment, we'll build it ourselves!" Wang stood up, pulled the loose bandage, and said enthusiastically. "I studied mechanical engineering in college and also participated in the construction of temporary laboratories. As long as we can find suitable materials, we can build a simple temporary laboratory that can barely meet the needs of data decryption, energy measurement, and injury treatment. There should be abandoned villages or mining areas nearby. It's very likely that we can find usable steel, wires, and abandoned instruments there. We can go to collect them, and by the way, find some food and drinking water—we can't live on compressed biscuits all the time. Long-term malnutrition will only drag down our bodies, not to mention the subsequent battles and scientific research."
Everyone agreed unanimously. After a simple division of labor, they began to act. Dr. Gray stayed in the cave to continue taking care of Kane, sorted out the remaining medical supplies, and planned the medical area of the laboratory; Elena took Liam to stay near the cave to crack the remaining Shadow data, record the energy fluctuation of the spiritual energy crystal in Liam's body, and initially carry out scientific observation; Wang set off alone to the distant abandoned village to collect materials needed for building the laboratory and living supplies.
In the cave, Elena connected the terminal to the portable data processor brought out from the Shadow Base, and her fingers slid quickly, with codes jumping continuously on the screen. Liam sat beside her, stretched out his hand, and let Elena attach the detection instrument to his wrist. On the instrument screen, a faint golden and black curve fluctuated continuously—that was the energy fluctuation trajectory of the spiritual energy crystal. "Strange," Elena frowned, with a hint of confusion in her tone. "The energy fluctuation of your crystal is completely different from that recorded in the Shadow data. It has no dark impurities at all, but instead carries a pure vitality. Moreover, its fluctuation frequency actually has a faint resonance with Kane's brain waves—could it be that Kane also has some kind of connection with the crystal?"
Liam followed her gaze to Kane, with a hint of surprise in his eyes: "I don't know either. Kane was the first experimental subject to be injected with symbiotic energy at the Shadow Base. Perhaps, because of this, his body can resonate with the energy of the spiritual energy crystal. Maybe when he wakes up, he can bring us some unexpected clues. By the way, is there any method about the fusion of spiritual energy crystal and symbiotic energy in the data you cracked? I feel that when the crystal energy erupted last night, there was still a lot of power that I couldn't control. If we can find a fusion method, my brain development progress may be further improved, and I can better protect everyone."
"I'm still looking," Elena shook her head gently, with a hint of helplessness in her tone. "The part about crystal fusion in the Shadow data has the highest encryption level. So far, I can only see sporadic records, which say that it requires 'pure mental power' and 'compatible energy carrier'. The initial fusion of your symbiotic energy and crystal energy is already a miracle. The subsequent fusion cannot be rushed, otherwise it may lead to energy disorder and backlash. Our current top priority is to build the laboratory first and find precision instruments to further study the fusion method and calculate the precise location of the 'Star Core'."
At the same time, Wang had arrived at the distant abandoned village. The village was small, most of the houses had collapsed, overgrown with weeds, and the air was filled with a rotten smell, which was obviously abandoned for many years. Wang searched carefully in the village, avoiding collapsed walls and sharp debris. His efforts paid off. In an abandoned warehouse, he found a batch of abandoned steel, wires, small generators, and several damaged detection instruments—although they could no longer be used normally, many parts could be reused after disassembly. In addition, he found several boxes of unexpired compressed biscuits, bottled water, and even some simple kitchen utensils and vegetable seeds in a dilapidated civilian house.
Great! These things are enough for us to use for a while!" Wang rubbed his hands excitedly, quickly sorted and packed these supplies, and carried them on his shoulders. On the way back, he made a detour to collect some dry wood and stones to build the foundation and walls of the laboratory. Although the wound on his arm ached faintly and his shoulders were sore from the weight of the supplies, the thought of building the laboratory, helping his companions, and getting closer to finding the "Star Core" and defeating the Shadow Organization filled him with strength.
By noon, Wang returned to the cave with the collected supplies. When everyone saw the pile of materials and living supplies, they all showed joyful expressions. After a simple lunch—compressed biscuits with bottled water, which was simple but much warmer than last night's cold food—everyone immediately started building the temporary laboratory. Without professional tools, they used gravel as hammers and iron wire to fix steel; without cement, they mixed clay with lime and stirred it evenly to build walls; Wang was responsible for disassembling abandoned instruments to extract usable parts; Elena and Liam were responsible for building the framework of the laboratory; Dr. Gray helped aside while taking care of Kane, and occasionally instructed everyone on how to build safely to avoid accidents.
The construction process was not smooth. The abandoned steel was severely rusted and difficult to fix; the mortar mixed with clay dried slowly and needed to be pressed repeatedly; when disassembling the instrument, Wang accidentally hurt his finger, and blood flowed continuously, but he only bandaged it simply and continued to work; because his energy had not yet fully recovered, Liam became a little out of breath after moving a few pieces of steel, and a slight tingling pain came from his brain again, but he still gritted his teeth and insisted, refusing to stop his movements; Elena's old abdominal wound ached faintly when she bent down to build the framework, but she just stood up straight, rubbed her stomach, and continued to work.
When the sun set, a simple temporary laboratory was finally built beside the cave. The laboratory was not big, about a dozen square meters, with a framework built of steel and stones, and the outer layer was pasted with clay. Although simple, it was strong enough to shelter from wind, rain and sunlight; inside the laboratory, it was divided into three areas—the medical area, the scientific research area, and the storage area. The medical area was equipped with the medical supplies sorted out by Dr. Gray and Kane's monitor, simple but clean; the scientific research area was equipped with disassembled instrument parts, Elena's terminal and data processor, and a temporarily built workbench; the storage area piled up the remaining materials, food and drinking water, neatly classified and placed.
Everyone sat exhausted at the door of the laboratory, looking at the simple but hopeful laboratory in front of them, and their faces showed tired but relieved smiles. Wang leaned against the wall, rubbed his sore shoulders, and said with a hint of pride: "I didn't expect we really built it! Although it's simple, at least we have a decent stronghold. Later, we will improve it slowly, add more scientific research equipment, and we can carry out systematic research."
Yes," Dr. Gray nodded, his eyes falling on the medical area of the laboratory. "With this laboratory, I can better treat Kane and monitor everyone's physical condition at any time to avoid energy overdraft and wound infection again. When Kane wakes up, we will find a way together to find more scientific research equipment and materials, further crack the Shadow data, and study the characteristics of the spiritual energy crystal."
Elena turned on the terminal and connected it to the temporarily built power supply system of the laboratory—that was modified by Wang with an abandoned generator. Although the power supply was unstable, it was enough to support the use of the terminal and simple instruments. "I have imported the Shadow data into the processor of the workbench," Elena said with a hint of expectation. "Next, we can use the laboratory equipment to slowly crack the encrypted data, calculate the energy resonance frequency of the 'Star Core' at the same time, and accurately locate the ancient ruins in Antarctica. In addition, I want to do an experiment to test the resonance between the crystal energy in Liam's body and the geomagnetic field, which may find a faster way to fuse energy."
Liam stood up, walked to the workbench in the scientific research area, looked at the instrument parts on it, and a hint of firmness flashed in his eyes: "I will cooperate with you at any time. Whether it's cracking data, calculating positions, or testing energy fusion, as long as it can help everyone, as long as we can find the 'Star Core' before the Shadow Organization, I am willing to try. However, we cannot relax our vigilance. The remaining forces of the Shadow Organization must still be looking for us, and that mysterious leader is also staring at us in the dark. While carrying out scientific research and construction, we must always keep vigilant, take turns to stand guard, and prevent them from raiding again."
As night fell, a faint light lit up in the temporary laboratory—that was several lighting lamps modified from abandoned light bulbs. Although the light was dim, it illuminated the road ahead for everyone. Dr. Gray guarded the medical area, continued to take care of Kane, and occasionally recorded Kane's physical data; Elena and Liam sat at the workbench in the scientific research area, focusing on cracking the Shadow data, occasionally exchanging scientific research ideas in low voices, their fingers sliding quickly on the keyboard, and the codes and formulas on the screen gradually became clear; Wang stood guard at the cave entrance as agreed, his eyes vigilantly scanning the surrounding environment. The wind blew through the woods, making a rustling sound, and every movement made him instantly tense.
The light in the laboratory was particularly warm in the dark night. There was no fierce battle before, no life-and-death crisis. Instead, it was a plain but down-to-earth daily life—someone guarding, someone doing scientific research, someone standing guard, someone recovering from injuries. These seemingly ordinary life and scientific research details made this journey full of unknowns and dangers more realistic and warm, and also added a firm hope.
Late at night, Elena finally cracked a small part of the encrypted data about the "Star Core" positioning. She excitedly woke Liam up: "Liam, look! We can use the energy fluctuation of the spiritual energy crystal, combined with geomagnetic field data, to calculate the precise location of the 'Star Core'! Although it still needs further verification, at least we have a direction. Moreover, I also found that the remaining forces of the Shadow Organization seem to be using the same method to locate the 'Star Core', but their calculation accuracy is not enough, and they haven't found the specific location yet. We still have time. As long as we speed up the scientific research progress, we will definitely find the 'Star Core' before them."
Liam leaned closer to the screen, looked at the calculation data and coordinate range above, and a hint of joy flashed in his eyes: "Great! This is the significance of building our laboratory. Only by steadily doing scientific research can we take the initiative. After we verify the coordinates, improve the energy fusion method, and when Kane wakes up, we will immediately prepare to go to Antarctica."
At that moment, Wang's low shout came from the cave entrance: "Liam, Elena, come quickly! There's a situation, but it's not the Shadow Organization's people!"
The two felt a tightness in their hearts, immediately got up, walked quickly to the cave entrance, and looked in the direction Wang pointed—only to see a faint light moving in the distant woods, accompanied by a few low coughs, which seemed to be a lost person. The night was dark, and they couldn't see the other person's appearance and identity, nor could they be sure if the other person was dangerous. But suddenly, a stranger appeared in this desolate place, which was inevitably vigilant.
What to do? Should we go over and have a look?" Wang lowered his voice, with a hint of confusion in his tone. "Judging from the other person's appearance, he doesn't look like a member of the Shadow Organization. Instead, he seems to be in trouble and lost. But we can't relax our vigilance. If this is a trap of the Shadow Organization, deliberately luring us out, it will be troublesome."
Liam looked at the faint light in the distance, fell silent for a moment, and said firmly: "We go over to have a look. No matter who the other person is, if he is really in trouble, we can't stand by and do nothing; if it's a trap of the Shadow Organization, we can take the opportunity to solve them, so as not to leave hidden dangers in the future. Elena, you stay in the laboratory and guard Kane and the scientific research equipment; Wang, you go with me, and pay attention to keeping vigilant."
After making all arrangements, Liam and Wang quietly walked towards the distant woods, gathering faint energy at their fingertips respectively, making preparations for battle. In the night, the faint light was still moving slowly, and the cough became clearer and clearer. A new unknown was quietly approaching. The light in the temporary laboratory was still on. Dr. Gray guarded beside Kane, and Elena stared at the scientific research data on the screen. They all stood firm silently, preparing for the upcoming trip to Antarctica and protecting the world in their own way.
They knew that the road ahead was still full of dangers—the remaining forces of the Shadow Organization were watching covetously, the mysterious leader was waiting in Antarctica, the secret of the "Star Core" had not been solved, and the energy of the spiritual energy crystal needed to be further controlled. But they were no longer afraid, because they had a stable stronghold, systematic scientific research support, the company and protection of each other, and the firm strength precipitated in the ordinary life. The road of scientific research is boring and long, and the trivialities of life are ordinary and real, but it is these ordinary and real things that make them hold on to their original intention and hope in a dangerous situation.