JFWCM Chapter 79

Jiang Wan’yuan’s Obsession

Yi Shang, Jichuan, and Zhang Yao returned empty-handed from the “Shattered Star Abyss.” The damage to the spaceship and the failure to find the second key weighed heavily on everyone’s mind like a heavy cloud. Yi Shang returned to their temporary base on the edge of interstellar space and went straight to the control panel filled with data, her eyes full of unwillingness and persistence.

Her slender fingers slid rapidly across the console, re-examining all the clues about the “Shattered Star Abyss” and the second key, trying to find details they had overlooked. Jichuan and Zhang Yao silently walked to her side, joining her in sorting through the data. “Yi Shang, look, could this analysis of energy fluctuations be related to what we found on the abandoned planet?” Zhang Yao said, pointing to a set of data on the screen. Yi Shang frowned slightly, her eyes fixed on the data, lost in thought. After a while, she slowly opened her mouth and said, “It’s possible, but we’re still missing a key connecting point. Let’s re-derive it.”

The three of them huddled around the console, constantly discussing and analyzing, trying to piece together a clear lead from the complex information. Time slipped away in the tense work, and Yi Shang almost forgot her fatigue, immersing herself wholeheartedly in the excavation of clues. Her eyes were focused and firm, and her usually cold face was now a bit more dignified due to her concentration.

However, hours passed, and they still hadn’t found a breakthrough. Yi Shang stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the vast starry sky, her thoughts drifting into the distance. Jiang Wan’yuan’s voice and smile appeared in her mind, that brilliant smile, that energetic figure, was the motivation for her to persevere. “Wan’yuan, where are you… I will definitely find you,” Yi Shang murmured in her heart.

Returning to the control panel, Yi Shang took a deep breath and said to Jichuan and Zhang Yao, “We can’t limit ourselves to the existing clues; maybe we should think from a different angle. Let’s reinvestigate Jiang Wan’yuan’s father’s research, starting from the source, and maybe we can find clues related to the ‘Shattered Star Abyss’ and the key.” Jichuan and Zhang Yao nodded in agreement, and the three immediately took action.

They spent several days collecting relevant data on Jiang Wan’yuan’s father’s research through various interstellar network channels. Yi Shang didn’t let go of any detail, even the most inconspicuous document, she studied it carefully. In the massive amount of data, she finally found an encrypted file. After several hours of continuous cracking, the contents of the file gradually appeared before their eyes.

The file recorded Jiang Wan’yuan’s father’s research on a special energy, which was extremely similar to the energy fluctuations of the “Shattered Star Abyss,” and mentioned a mysterious organization called the “Starlight Sanctuary.” According to the file, this organization seemed to be related to a series of mysterious events in interstellar space and was likely to know the whereabouts of the second key.

Yi Shang looked at the contents of the file, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes: “This ‘Starlight Sanctuary’ may be the key we are looking for. Let’s find a way to find them.” However, finding a mysterious organization was easier said than done. They inquired about the “Starlight Sanctuary” through various connections, but most of what they got were vague rumors. Some said that the organization was hidden behind the interstellar black market, manipulating various illegal transactions; others said that they were a group of fanatics pursuing ancient interstellar power, searching for mysterious relics in every corner of the universe.

After many inquiries, they finally got an important clue from an interstellar black market merchant: members of the “Starlight Sanctuary” often appeared at an interstellar port called “Dark Moon Port.” Dark Moon Port was a mixed bag, full of various dangers and opportunities. But in order to find the second key and thus find Jiang Wan’yuan, Yi Shang and others did not hesitate to decide to go.

The spaceship sailed towards Dark Moon Port, and as the distance shortened, Yi Shang’s mood became more and more tense. She knew that this operation was full of uncertainties, but it was their only hope at the moment. The outline of Dark Moon Port appeared in sight, this interstellar port was like a huge fortress floating in the universe, its surface was covered with various weapon facilities, and spaceships came and went around it, a busy scene.

Yi Shang landed the spaceship in the designated area of ​​Dark Moon Port, and the three walked out of the spaceship. The port was filled with a pungent smell, and alien races of various skin colors and shapes were shuttling through the narrow passages. Yi Shang wore a black tights combat suit, vigilantly observing everything around her. Jichuan and Zhang Yao followed closely behind her, also maintaining high vigilance.

They came to the port’s trading hall, which was full of all kinds of strange goods, from alien biological specimens to mysterious energy crystals, everything was available. Yi Shang walked to a stall, the owner of the stall was a short alien merchant with three eyes. Yi Shang took out a precious energy gem and placed it in front of the merchant, lowering her voice and saying, “I’m looking for the ‘Starlight Sanctuary,’ if you know their news, this gem is yours.”

The alien merchant’s three eyes flashed at the same time, he looked around, and then said in a low voice: “I heard that people from the ‘Starlight Sanctuary’ have recently appeared in the port’s underground arena, I don’t know what they are doing specifically. But if you want to find them, you have to be careful, they are not good people.” Yi Shang put away the gem and said to the merchant, “Thank you.” Then she left with Jichuan and Zhang Yao.

Following the merchant’s guidance, they came to the underground arena. The arena was crowded with people, and various alien races gathered here to watch cruel gladiatorial matches. Yi Shang and others struggled to move through the crowd, looking for clues related to the “Starlight Sanctuary.” Suddenly, Yi Shang noticed a group of people in white robes and silver masks on the stands, their clothes and behavior were very similar to the members of the “Starlight Sanctuary” in the rumors.

Yi Shang signaled Jichuan and Zhang Yao to follow, and the three quietly approached the group. Just as they were about to observe further, a guard spotted them and stepped forward to stop them: “Who are you? This is not a place for you to come.” Yi Shang calmly looked at the guard and said, “We are very interested in the ‘Starlight Sanctuary’ and want to chat with you.” The guard sneered: “The ‘Starlight Sanctuary’ is not something you can see if you want to. If you know what’s good for you, leave quickly.”

Jichuan took a step forward, trying to reason with the guard, but was pushed away by the guard. Seeing this, Yi Shang quickly took action and subdued the guard. This move attracted the attention of the group of people in white, and they all stood up and surrounded Yi Shang and the others. A white-clothed man who looked like a leader stepped forward and said coldly, “You are very brave, daring to cause trouble in Dark Moon Port. Tell me, what do you want from the ‘Starlight Sanctuary’?”

Yi Shang looked at him without fear and said, “We are looking for the second key, and we heard that you may know its whereabouts. We have no malice, we just want some information.” The white-clothed leader looked Yi Shang and the others up and down, and said after a moment of silence: “The second key is indeed related to us. But if you want to get the news, you have to pass our test.” Yi Shang answered without hesitation: “Okay, we accept the test.”

The white-clothed leader led Yi Shang and the others to a secret room in the arena, which was filled with various complex instruments and mysterious devices. The white-clothed leader pointed to a huge crystal ball in the center of the room and said, “This crystal ball is connected to a mysterious space, which is full of various dangers and puzzles. You have to cross this space within the specified time and find the token hidden inside to pass the test.”

Yi Shang looked at the crystal ball, took a deep breath, and took the lead to walk into the light emitted by the crystal ball. Jichuan and Zhang Yao looked at each other and followed closely behind. When they entered the mysterious space, they found that this was a world composed of various strange light and suspended islands. Below them was endless void, and they would fall if they were not careful.

Yi Shang carefully stepped onto the nearest floating island, which was covered with various mechanisms and puzzles. With her wisdom and calmness, she quickly solved the first puzzle and opened the passage to another island. Jichuan and Zhang Yao were responsible for guarding behind, preventing possible dangers.

In the process of crossing the mysterious space, they encountered various dangers, including sudden energy storms and ferocious alien creatures. Yi Shang solved the puzzles while fighting against the dangers. She was agile, dodging flexibly in the energy storm, and repelling alien creatures with the weapons in her hands. Jichuan and Zhang Yao also fully assisted, fighting alongside her.

Time passed by every minute and second, and the specified time was getting closer and closer. Just when they were about to lose confidence, Yi Shang found the token on a hidden island – a metal plate engraved with mysterious runes. She picked up the metal plate, and the three quickly rushed towards the exit.

When they returned to the real world with the token, the white-clothed leader showed a hint of surprise: “I didn’t expect you to really pass the test. In that case, I will tell you the clues to the second key.” The white-clothed leader took out an ancient map and pointed to a remote planet on the map and said, “The second key is on this planet, but it is full of dangers and has powerful guardians. If you want to get the key, you have to be fully prepared.”

Yi Shang took the map, looked at the markings on it, and said firmly, “Thank you, we will go.” After leaving Dark Moon Port, Yi Shang and others returned to the spaceship and began to prepare to go to that mysterious planet.