Inside the bedroom of Infinite's Carriage 1, Lin Xian observed the mysterious container in the darkness. Strange noises echoed outside the window—it was only 2 a.m., and the world was pitch black. The most update n0vels are published on novel•fire.net

As before, if this object wasn't stored inside a lead-lined box, it would emit a force that suppressed supernatural abilities, making people feel physically weak. Fortunately, they were in a relatively safe environment, and Lin Xian now had the Black Star Forge to store it, making handling much easier.

"Did you find anything?" Chen Sixuan stood beside him with a cold light, frowning. The force emanating from the container made her uncomfortable as well.

Lin Xian shook his head. "No. Initially, I thought it might resonate with my Mechanical Heart, which is why I brought it along. After escaping through the snowy plains at Hengshan Pass, I forgot about it. I still don’t know what’s inside..."

"And this time, it displayed my name." He sighed, his expression grave as he stared at the strange container.

"Hello, Lin Xian." Chen Sixuan’s gaze shifted. "That sounds like it’s speaking to you."

"I feel the same way," Lin Xian said.

"But it’s strange. This thing... shouldn’t be capable of transmitting any information."

The Black Star Forge was a unique subspace created by Lin Xian’s mechanical supernatural power. Nothing from the outside world could penetrate it except his own consciousness. That ruled out the possibility of someone remotely sending this message. The only remaining explanation was that the container itself possessed some form of intelligence or self-awareness. Otherwise, how could a password matrix screen "speak" to him?

Lin Xian triggered the password matrix display again. After a moment’s thought, he inputted digits 0 through 9, followed by an extra 0 to complete the 11-digit code.

**[Password Incorrect]**

**[Time until next attempt: 23:59:59]**

Unsurprisingly, the password was wrong.

This deepened Lin Xian’s confusion and curiosity. He was desperate to open the container and see what was inside, so he summoned Viola.

"Viola, can you crack this matrix password?"

Viola extended her hand, her finger joints rotating as thin filaments extended and connected to the password device. Then she spoke.

**[This device utilizes a PUF (Physical Unclonable Function) superlattice encryption system. The principle is based on the physical properties of semiconductor superlattice materials. Password verification relies on the true randomness of hardware signals. Only one correct input is permitted per attempt. Incorrect attempts will cause signal failure. Additionally, the device contains a self-destruct mechanism. If brute-force intrusion is detected, the hardware will trigger irreversible circuit fusion or signal distortion, permanently disabling password generation.]**

Viola turned to Lin Xian. **[Analysis suggests algorithmic brute-forcing is impossible. Furthermore, the warning indicates that forcibly damaging its physical structure will cause the suspension fluid to leak. At present, I cannot determine the properties of this fluid, but I can infer it poses some level of danger. Do you confirm disassembly?]**

Lin Xian took a deep breath, staring at the mysterious container. His mechanical supernatural power could devour the device, but he didn’t know what consequences the leaking suspension fluid might bring. He was torn.

"It greeted me, but then nothing else. How bizarre."

He thought of Hua Xiaoling. His instincts told him to handle this cautiously.

"If it's related to that Foundation, we’ll get answers once we find their people," Chen Sixuan reassured him. "One of your goals in crossing the Pacific is to investigate this organization, right?"

Lin Xian nodded and tossed the container back into the Black Star Forge. "When I connected with the Corpse Drivers’ consciousness, I saw some humans. They all bore the same insignia."

He rubbed his temples. "You and KIKI saw that symbol at Qingshui Town’s testing grounds. I doubt you’ve forgotten."

"The Phoenix Society suspects this organization may have some form of communication with the Dark Civilization," Chen Sixuan said.

"The Phoenix Society has investigated extensively."

Geddy spoke up. "Professor Ye mentioned it to me. Qingshui Town was just one site. In their joint investigations with other organizations, they’ve uncovered hundreds of pre-apocalypse groups. But the SIID Foundation wasn’t established after Doomsday. Before the Skyfall Event, the Lofy Consortium was a globally prominent financial powerhouse, wealthy beyond measure, with close ties to the Federation. From Julius’ intel, Chu Yan and I learned that even the Crimson World was initially backed by the Foundation. That alone speaks to their influence."

Geddy recalled the massive testing grounds at Qingshui Town with its domed sky barrier. Her brow furrowed. "At first, I thought the Crimson World made radical breakthroughs in dark creatures and supernatural research through bloody experiments. But that’s too simplistic. Organizations like the Phoenix Society have top-tier researchers in every field—those scientists, those frontline R&

D teams, are no fools. If you compile intel from the Nightwalkers and the North American United Front’s covert ops, it’s clear the Crimson World and the Foundation aren’t just ideological doomsday cultists..."

She looked at Mo Xiaotian, her voice grave. "They must have some form of communication with the Dark Civilization. It may not be mutual—maybe it’s one-sided. But regardless, we can speculate that this connection might have existed even before the Skyfall Event!"

Mo Xiaotian’s pupils trembled. Her expression turned grim.

"So the Foundation might hold critical intelligence? They’re spies of some kind?"

"Hopefully," Lin Xian said.

"Hopefully?"

Lin Xian sighed and spread his hands. "If they are, then we might actually learn something, right?"

Chen Sixuan looked at him. "Lin Xian, do you and the Phoenix Society have some kind of plan?"

Lin Xian nodded. "You could say that. Once we reach the Republican Archipelago, we might need to assist Noah’s Phoenix Society headquarters. I’ll explain the details then."

"What about the Falcon Sea Group?" Chen Sixuan walked to the window, opened the blinds slightly, and peered outside before lowering her voice. "You said you wanted a bigger share, but I suspect you don’t actually want to cooperate."

Lin Xian blinked. "How’d you know?"

Chen Sixuan smiled. "Because that’s not like you. The night is dangerous, the sea unpredictable. Even if the Crystal Lattice is tempting, you wouldn’t actively hunt abnormal entities unless absolutely necessary. Besides, we already have three level-four blood crystals. You’d rather trade resources for more than risk fighting special-grade aberrations at sea, right?"

Lin Xian chuckled. "You know me too well, Professor Chen. Exactly. I understand survival teams hunting D or C-class aberrations for blood crystals. But actively seeking out special-grade ones—let alone a whole group—is just insane."

Though the Infinite’s crew wasn’t weak, humans were still outmatched against aberrations. Worse, these creatures weren’t like video game monsters—their attack patterns were erratic. One misstep, and even Lin Xian in his powered armor could be severely injured. Trading resources for blood crystals was far safer than taking such risks.

Lin Xian’s mechanical supernatural power gave him a natural advantage here, which was why he was more interested in the black market Vanessa mentioned. If he could scan that cultivation device and understand the nucleus seed’s growth process, things would become much simpler. Sometimes, he wouldn’t even need to go through the trouble—once day broke, he could communicate with the Phoenix Society through Chu Yan and likely get clearer answers.

Chen Sixuan walked over and sat beside Lin Xian, leaning gently against his shoulder and closing her eyes.

"This journey feels like a dream. Our train keeps moving forward, and our group keeps growing. Thankfully, you’ve always prioritized survival, so we haven’t taken unnecessary risks."

"But trouble is inevitable."

Lin Xian pulled her closer, sighing. "From the first night at sea, I sensed something unusual. Like those two Falcon Sea Group members said, the maritime factions are deeply entangled. Aberrations are evolving, and the deep-sea monsters are now openly hostile. The danger here surpasses that on land. We took the oceanic rail route to reach South America quickly, then cross the Storm Strait to the poles. Time is of the essence."

"Time to hurry?" Chen Sixuan asked. "But Viola hasn’t finished scouting the rail path yet, has she?"

"No, I mean we should hurry." Lin Xian pointed at his watch. "It’s almost 3 a.m."

Chen Sixuan’s face flushed when she realized what he meant. Before she could say anything, Lin Xian stood and carried her straight to the bed.

"Hey, there are monsters outside! What if we make too much noise?" she whispered urgently.

"Relax. If sound could give us away, we’d already be dead."

Lin Xian activated his Mechanical Heart, sealing the room’s door and window shutters. Only a cold light remained, casting an eerie yet thrilling atmosphere in the enclosed space.

Beyond the armored carriage lay the dark, empty station platform. The city was deathly silent, the chilling breaths of hidden monsters contrasting sharply with the heated gasps on the soft bed inside.

Lin Xian loved this feeling—the unknown terror outside the walls, the safe haven within. It was an intoxicating sense of security.

Perhaps influenced by him, Chen Sixuan had also grown fond of this intimacy laced with lurking danger.

Lost in the moment, unable to pull away.

---

Morning arrived, but the sky remained shrouded in darkness. The coastline churned with tides.

Inside the station, the Infinite stood silent. In Carriage 5, thunderous snores filled the air. Mo Xiaotian had woken early, washed up, and begun his training with the *Thunder Breathing Technique* that Lu Xingchen had devised for him.

This so-called "breathing technique" was essentially a modified calisthenics routine mixed with Taoist meditation methods Fire Bro had dug up from old cultivation forums. Though it seemed childish, the postures were impressive enough, and for Mo Xiaotian, it helped build physical strength and focus.

After finishing, he followed Fire Bro’s instructions, attempting to manipulate arcs of lightning between his fingertips.

In the dark carriage, Mo Xiaotian sat cross-legged in a corner, sweat dripping from his brow as he concentrated. Tiny crackles of electricity sparked between his hands, growing steadier with each attempt.

He exhaled slowly, focusing entirely on channeling the current from his left hand to his right and back again. As a rare lightning-type ability user, Mo Xiaotian trained diligently, hoping to one day become as strong as Fire Bro—strong enough to protect his mother, grandfather, sister, and the rest of the Infinite’s crew.

*Fzzzt.*

But then, in the middle of transferring the current, a flash erupted—and Mo Xiaotian vanished.

The carriage fell silent.

---

"Lin Xian!"

In Carriage 1, Lin Xian was still asleep when the door burst open. Chen Sixuan, who had been doing her morning rounds, stood at the entrance with a grave expression.

"Something’s happened!"

---

"What time exactly did he disappear?"

In Carriage 2, the core members of the Infinite had gathered, the atmosphere tense. Daluo, Fire Bro, Sun Yuzhen, and others stood around KIKI’s information hub as she pointed to a corner of the surveillance feed.

"8:06 a.m."

"Why did he vanish so suddenly?" Lin Xian frowned.

"Captain Lin," Daluo said guiltily, "I’m sorry, we—"

"Not your fault," Lin Xian cut in sternly. "Right now, finding him is the priority."

"According to the footage, it’s like he blinked out of existence. Viola alerted us immediately, but there’s no sign of him inside or outside the train," KIKI said anxiously. "It’s bizarre—like teleportation. Could it be a cursed artifact?"

Chen Sixuan’s face paled. They’d encountered something similar before. "Is there an anomalous radio station here too?"

Lin Xian shook his head. "The train has shielding, and Carriage 5 doesn’t have a radio."

"Strange," Qian Dele muttered, crossing his arms. "This doesn’t feel like an aberration attack. If it were, more than one person would be affected."

Fire Bro stood at the back of the group, his gaze sharp as he watched the footage of the vanished boy. His fists clenched audibly.

"Brother Lin, let me search outside. Don’t worry—if there are aberrations, I’ll deal with them far from the train."

"Me too. I can scout from the air, Captain Lin..." Sun Yuzhen, Mo Xiaotian’s mother, was paler than anyone, her voice trembling with urgency.

"Stay calm for now."

Lin Xian raised a hand. "I’ll send drones first. They have life-sign detection and can cover more ground than a solo search."

Fire Bro opened his mouth but swallowed his words. He knew Lin Xian’s decision was logical. As Mo Xiaotian’s "master," he was frantic—but there was nothing he could do.

Sun Yuzhen was on the verge of panic. Everyone knew the dangers outside—the entire Infinite had to stay dark to avoid detection. For an 11-year-old boy to vanish... the thought of what he might face was unbearable.

"Viola."

Just as Lin Xian was about to deploy the drones, a voice called from down the corridor.

"I can track his location!"

Everyone turned. Geddy and Vanessa, the two rescued the previous day, approached quickly. Geddy’s mechanical eye glowed blue as a small device on her left arm whirred to life.

"That kid used his ability, leaving behind spirit-wave traces. I’ve got a mini spirit-wave radar for maritime searches. It should locate him."

Almost instantly, the device responded. Geddy looked up at Lin Xian.

"Southwest. Seven o’clock direction."

Ning Jing frowned. "The coast?"

"Doesn’t matter. KIKI, Shiori, Ning Jing, Xiao Qing, A Bai, Fire Bro—our two fastest teams will head out now. The rest of you stay here. If there’s an attack, return fire immediately." Lin Xian activated his nano-powered armor, checking the time. "It’s not even 8:10 yet. Dawn should break by 10 at the latest. Even in the worst case, we just need to hold out for two hours."

"Got it. Be careful." Chen Sixuan and the others quickly suited up.

Sun Yuzhen trembled, torn between rushing out and staying rational. In the end, she nodded silently and followed Chen Sixuan to prepare defensive measures.

"We’ll come too. We know the sea better," Vanessa said.

"Fine."

Without wasting time, Lin Xian assembled the team. KIKI donned her armor, and soon, the blast doors opened. The group activated their thrusters and shot into the sky.

*Screeee—*

A wave of frigid air rushed into the carriage as shadowy figures stirred in the station’s dark corners.

Lin Xian and the others flew through a collapsed section of the station’s roof, heading straight for the southwestern coastline. Through their armor’s displays, the city below was a black expanse, the sky tinged with deep blue while only faint outlines of buildings were visible.

Dawn should have arrived, but the dark tide blotted out the sky. The sea stretched endlessly, an abyss without end.