Chapter 56: Clues Bought with Life

"It is a quantum trap!" Xu Yan's pupils constricted as Jiyu instantly recognized the dangerous technology from the Ram star database records in his consciousness. "A higher-dimensional space mapping trap; forced entry results in instant decomposition across different dimensions."

Jiyu's consciousness immediately took over. 'The trap structure is complex, containing a large number of non-standard encryption algorithms, but its core architecture features a 17.3% redundancy, matching early Ram star reverse-engineering characteristics. There is a design flaw. Cut in from the third energy string's flank, and exploit the millisecond-level synchronization delay during its self-replication to break through.'

Following Jiyu's analysis, the chaotic energy structure on the main holographic star map suddenly shifted, instantly deconstructed and visualized by Jiyu's formidable computing power. Countless dense energy strings glowing with dangerous red light intertwined into a massive three-dimensional network, upon which a subtle, deep-blue glowing weak point was highlighted, flanked by cascading waterfalls of complex cracking algorithms and a countdown timer.

[Three-Dimensional Visual Effect Display]

The entire quantum trap resembled a massive, intricate, and constantly morphing three-dimensional light sculpture occupying the center of the star map.

The energy strings representing danger glowed a scorching red, pulsing like blood vessels.

The breakthrough path calculated by Jiyu manifested as a slender yet stable blue light band, winding through the gaps of the (red) network, precisely pointing toward that deep-blue weak point.

Like orbiting stellar rings, it displayed real-time energy intensity, dimensional folding rate, optimal entry angle, and time window.

"Duan Peng, follow the blue navigation path closely! Ouyang, maintain interference on the trap's energy sensors! Mingjie, concentrate all shield energy to the bow, prepare for impact!" Xu Yan's voice was like bedrock as he issued clear commands one after another.

The hull of the *Explorer 8* slightly adjusted its angle, acting like a nimble assassin as it charged headfirst into the web of death along that blue light band woven by wisdom and technology.

Violent tremors struck, as if the entire universe were squeezing this tiny starship.

The friction between the shields and the trap's energy produced a piercing screech.

The scenery outside the viewport was completely distorted, colors losing fidelity as they plummeted into a kaleidoscope-like nightmare.

Just at the moment when the blue path was about to reach its end—

'Synchronization delay appearing! Now is the time! Maximum power, charge!' Jiyu's prompt acted like a final verdict, coinciding with the command issued from Xu Yan's lips.

Duan Peng let out a roar, pushing the engine thrust to its absolute limit!

The *Explorer 8* shuddered violently, shooting forward like an arrow released from a taut bow, forcefully squeezing through that split-second spacetime gap!

Behind them, that massive quantum trap contracted and exploded violently as if enraged. Even across a vast distance, the released energy shockwave caused the hull to shake fiercely.

They had succeeded!

A silence of survival after a catastrophe descended upon the bridge, broken only by the humming of operating instruments and the heavy breathing of the crew.

"The trap... has been cracked..." Wu Mingjie stared in disbelief at the data returning to stability.

Ouyang Nan, however, lunged toward the deep-space scanner, her voice trembling with excitement. "The energy disturbance from the trap core's explosion just now... shook loose a hidden signal source! It's very faint... but this frequency... is the residual fluctuation of the *Vanguard's* emergency beacon! It is homologous to the signal fragment my father left behind back then!"

Everyone's gaze instantly converged.

Xu Yan immediately gave the order: "Lock onto the signal source coordinates! Approach with caution, scan for any residual traps or structures."

The *Explorer 8* cautiously sailed toward that sector of space that had just experienced the energy storm.

The scanner meticulously combed through every inch of space.

Finally, at the edge of a distorted spatial fold, the sensors captured an extremely faint, almost dissipating energy signature—it was precisely the distress beacon of an ancient-model interstellar exploration vessel, bearing heavy traces of artificial interference and sabotage.

Even more heart-stopping was that amidst the floating dust near the beacon wreckage, an inconspicuous, severely damaged black box was drifting—part of the holographic log recorder used by old exploration vessels!

The mechanical arm cautiously retrieved the tattered recorder fragment into the isolation analysis chamber.

Ouyang Nan's hands trembled; she could barely operate the console.

Xu Yan stepped forward and took over personally.

Through careful power connection and data restoration, the tattered recorder struggled to project an extremely unstable holographic image filled with snow and interference static.

Within the projection was Ouyang Jing's familiar face, though etched with extreme exhaustion and panic.

The background showed the violently shaking bridge of the *Vanguard*, with flashes of explosion fire cutting across periodically.

[Ouyang Jing (Voice intermittent, interspersed with static electricity): "...Seventh attempt failed... The 'Echo' is not a natural phenomenon... It is the 'Sentinels'... They are guarding the 'Legacy'... Redeem does not want resources... They want to awaken... Absolutely must not..."]

[ (A violent explosion sounded, and the image shook intensely) ]

[Ouyang Jing (Voice more urgent, carrying a desperate cry): "...Coordinates... in the shadow of the 'Silent Colossus'... Find the 'Cornerstone'... to truly understand the Alliance's... true origin... Warning... The 'Watcher' is no longer dormant..."]

[ (The image abruptly cut off, finally freezing on Ouyang Jing's expression of extreme terror, as if gazing upon an incomprehensible, horrifying sight) ]

The holographic image vanished, and the recorder fragment puffed a wisp of grey smoke, completely dead.

Dead silence filled the bridge.

Ouyang Nan slumped into her chair, tears silently sliding down. She had finally heard her father's dying words with her own ears, yet they brought even more mysteries and shocks.

Duan Peng and Wu Mingjie exchanged glances, somewhat dazed by this sudden influx of information.

"'Sentinels'? 'Legacy'? 'Cornerstone'? The true origin of the Star Alliance?" Duan Peng muttered to himself, "What on earth did the old captain discover?"

Xu Yan's brows were locked in a tight frown. Deep within his consciousness, Jiyu was also processing this information at high speed.

'The terminology mentioned in the log, such as "Sentinels," "Legacy," and "Cornerstone," exhibits a 0.3% correlation with classified residual scrolls in the ancient Ram star database. It is deduced to involve an extremely advanced unknown precursor civilization predating the current Star Alliance. Redeem's objective may not be simple destruction, but rather an attempt to acquire or manipulate a certain left-behind power or technology.'

At that very moment, a faint red light suddenly ignited inside the dead recorder fragment!

"Not good! There's a self-destruct mechanism!" Xu Yan cried out in alarm.

But it was already too late.

With a soft "poof," a puff of white smoke rose from inside the fragment, and all physical structures instantly melted under high temperatures into an unrecognizable sludge.

However, at the very instant before the fragment was completely destroyed, the main console screen flashed, automatically receiving and saving a multi-layered encrypted coordinate data stream that had been forcibly triggered and transmitted!

The coordinate data automatically decrypted, eventually locking onto a distant and unfamiliar region on the star map—one that, according to database markings, bore only a single codename: "LR-7 Silent Colossus Ruins."

The recorder itself had been reduced to nothingness, leaving behind only this single clue pointing toward the unknown and danger.

Ouyang Nan wiped away her tears, stood up, and gazed with resolute eyes at those cold coordinates: "A clue traded with my father's life... the 'Silent Colossus'... No matter what is there, we must go!"

Xu Yan stared at the newly appeared coordinates on the star map. The mists of Echo Valley seemed to have dissipated slightly, only to reveal an even more colossal and ancient shadow looming behind them.

His parents' disappearance, Redeem's madness, the buried history of the Star Alliance, and the potential legacy of a precursor civilization... All these clues seemed pulled by an invisible thread toward the shadow of the "Silent Colossus."

"Transmit the information back to the command center, set the course, target: 'LR-7 Silent Colossus Ruins.'"

Xu Yan's voice broke the silence, carrying unquestionable resolve. "Let us go and see what kind of 'Legacy' is worth the price of so many lives."

The *Explorer 8* adjusted its direction, its engines emitting a deep roar as it once again charged resolutely into the deeper, unknown abyss of the universe.