02:06 AM.

[Scanning Progress: 9%]

Just as Lin Xian began entertaining the thought that their group might not be able to leave Haiyan Island tomorrow, the metal die flipped another number.

"Hey, Lin Xian, look!" KIKI exclaimed in surprise. "The number on the die changed again!"

"It's showing 5 now. What does that mean?"

Lin Xian glanced over and paused. This was the first time he'd caught the metal die's transformation in real time. He checked the countdown but found no matching numbers, causing him to frown. "No correlation, but this thing is definitely being controlled by something. Otherwise, why would it keep changing like this..."

"Such a strange object." KIKI manipulated the metal die with her telekinesis, attempting to flip it. But now, no matter how she prodded it, the die remained unresponsive. "It's stopped moving again..."

KIKI became determined, summoning her power armor's operating computer. "Alright, let this lady give it a proper examination."

"How do you plan to study it?" Lin Xian asked.

"First record all the number changes, transformation timings—anything that follows a pattern," KIKI said. "I think these numbers must represent something. There's definitely a secret here."

Lin Xian nodded. "Makes sense. But if we don't store it in mechanical space, you'll have to keep holding it with telekinesis or use my specially designed electromagnetic arm. Either way consumes significant energy."

"I know. If there are no other issues, I can place it on the Infinite later for power supply. Might as well let Director Ding study it too," KIKI declared confidently.

Lin Xian considered this was still more useful than leaving it in the Black Star Forge. "Be careful though. If this thing drops, it'll punch a hole straight through our train."

"No problem."

After KIKI studied it for a while, the air grew quiet. She glanced at Lin Xian, who was intently scanning the device, and hesitantly said, "Lin Xian..."

"Hmm?"

"Don't overthink it. I don't believe that countdown is a big deal for you."

Lin Xian looked up. Though this sounded like KIKI comforting him, he detected traces of nervousness in her tone. He realized that despite her casual words, the little rascal was actually quite worried about his mysterious countdown. After some thought, he replied, "Actually, I'm not that concerned. Back then, we were fleeing from the night every single day, with life and death hanging by a thread. We survived desperate situations like Dawn City. Now, if I can truly make contact with the dark civilization, it might even be a good thing."

KIKI looked at Lin Xian, her eyes shimmering. "I know about your plans with the Phoenix Society. What do you think the Foundation's next move will be?"

Lin Xian shook his head. "Not sure. Time isn't on our side. The Nightwalker Organization, North American Defense Front, and Storm Alliance have already united to investigate and eliminate the Crimson World and the Foundation. With the Synchronization Device, all thirteen Star Abysses have operational plans underway. The true nature of the dark civilization will surface eventually. Investigating the 13th Star Abyss and the Foundation isn't our main objective anyway."

"You know our real goal is reaching the poles. And incidentally, seeing whether his Sword Bearer's Pacific crossing will draw out the Foundation's forces from the Republican Archipelago and Star Abyss waters. Look, haven't we already found some clues?"

KIKI floated over and, seeing no one around, naturally straddled Lin Xian's lap, pressing herself against his chest. Feeling his warmth, she murmured softly, "I just remembered—you weren't like this before. You used to watch me like a hawk even when I ate bread. Now you're playing the savior of humanity?"

Lin Xian chuckled helplessly. "Hey, this isn't about being a savior. We can't just follow the Phoenix Society's Dawn Center team at their snail's pace rescuing people. They'll take two months just to cross South America. If we take the ocean route, we can reach the poles in half a month. With Star Glory Heavy Industries there, my mechanical supernatural power can develop rapidly. I'm considering my own interests too, you know."

"Alright, alright, you're right~" KIKI lifted her face to look at Lin Xian. "By the way, that Chen Yanxiu from Sacred Revelation said the dark civilization's plan is to merge all life into one. Do you think he meant something like the mycelium network? That's what came to mind when I heard it."

"The mycelium network in Yijin City does share some similarities," Lin Xian said. "It's comparable to humanity's digital consciousness cloud network. If life forms became like that, individual existence would lose all meaning."

"Do you think advanced civilizations emerge this way?"

"No idea..."

"Hey, do you think those two starships from the Vanguard Initiative that escaped will reach Far Star?"

"How should I know? Hey, I'm scanning here. Why don't you get some rest? Where do all these questions keep coming from?"

"Ugh, I can't sleep! Hearing about your countdown still gives me the creeps..."

"Don't overthink it. Get some rest—we might face bigger troubles ahead."

"Fine... It's just so hot here. Ah!"

"What's wrong?"

"You... you're poking me!"

"You're the one sitting on me like this!"

"I don't care!"

"Then stop squirming..."

The night passed quietly as Lin Xian continued scanning. The secret submarine base remained undisturbed. For safety, Ning Jing had brought A Bai to guard the upper channel entrance, keeping watch against the anomalous entity lurking just beyond the wall in the flood discharge channel.

Lin Xian periodically contacted the Infinite remotely to check their status. Eventually, KIKI succumbed to exhaustion and fell asleep clinging to him. Lin Xian used his electromagnetic arm to secure the metal die, checking it occasionally. But after several hours, the die's numbers never changed again, appearing completely random and deepening Lin Xian's suspicions.

[Scanning Progress: 80%]

The massive device before him was the largest single mechanical structure Lin Xian had ever scanned. As the blueprint grew clearer, his expression turned increasingly grave.

09:25 AM. The sky remained dark, and the geothermal well still radiated intense heat.

KIKI awoke from deep sleep, blinking drowsily. "Lin Xian, what time is it?" When she received no response, she immediately sat up from his embrace and looked at him. Lin Xian's face was as dark as still water, showing signs of fatigue from the all-night scanning, with beads of sweat on his forehead.

"What's wrong?" KIKI asked, immediately sensing something amiss.

[Scanning Progress: 100%. Deep-3 Nuclear Thermal Emplacement Blueprint acquired.]

Lin Xian dismissed the completed scan interface and exhaled deeply. After having KIKI move off him, he stood up and walked to the edge of the mechanical arm, gazing down at the giant deep well with parched lips.

"This device isn't for feeding the deep-sea anomalous entities..."

"Then what's it for?" KIKI asked.

Lin Xian shook his head, his expression uneasy. "This nuclear thermal emplacement device discharges massive amounts of nuclear thermal energy into the surrounding waters, attracting almost all the anomalous entities in the South Sea here. Doesn't that strike you as odd? These entities don't feed on this energy—they operate by absorbing dark energy. So why would they need feeding?"

"Huh?" KIKI looked momentarily stunned before realization dawned. "Oh right! As Director Ding said, those entities all come with their own power sources, running on absorbed dark energy. So the Foundation's purpose must be... close monitoring of those monsters? Isn't this place supposed to be a monitoring center?"

Lin Xian turned back to look at KIKI. "You're forgetting one thing—they only have one monitoring target."

"Uniga-1!"

KIKI's eyes widened as her quick mind made the connection.

"All those gathered monsters are food for Uniga-1. This place..."

"Is that creature's feeding ground!!"