vstars Chapter 163 Zhou Cheng
Chapter 163 Zhou Cheng
Top of the tower.
Chen Fan looked in the direction where the transport boat had disappeared.
Traces of talismanic fire still lingered in the clouds.
A charred line.
It stretches from the horizon all the way to the main hall.
"Old Chen."
Bai Jingjing's voice came from behind.
She was holding a warm yellow crystal plate in her hand.
The surface of the board is covered with countless tiny points of light.
Each point of light is a furnace.
"The furnace network is stable."
"The furnace complex of the Seventh Tower can last for three years."
"No need to add more staff."
Chen Fan took the crystal plate.
The light spots moved very evenly.
Like a heartbeat.
He pointed to three dark spots in the corner of the board.
"These three."
"The temperature keeps dropping."
Bai Jingjing glanced at it.
"That's a backup furnace."
"normal."
"The main furnace keeps running, but the standby furnace is like this."
Chen Fan didn't ask any more questions.
Give the crystal plate back to her.
At the foot of the tower.
The monsters' camp is now empty.
three days ago.
Most of the monsters retreated to Flower Fruit Mountain.
Only the guards of the seventh tower remained.
Twenty people.
They're all veterans.
The leader was someone who had followed Chen Fan in Boyue Cave back then.
A wolf demon.
One of his ears was broken off.
But his eyes were fiercer than anyone else's.
"grown ups."
The wolf demon shouted from below the tower.
"The Bull Demon King has sent men."
On the mountain road.
A blue ox is carrying a wooden box.
They slowly climbed up.
The person driving the cattle was a young boy.
Two short horns on its head.
Wearing ill-fitting armor.
Flame patterns are engraved on the armor plates.
It is the symbol of the Bull Demon King's personal guards.
"Military Advisor Chen."
The boy knelt on one knee.
"The king sent me to deliver something."
The wooden crate was opened.
Inside was a black iron token.
A bull's head is engraved on the front.
The reverse side has a line of text.
[As long as the mountains stand, we will live]
"The king said."
He will protect Flower Fruit Mountain well.
"Reassure the strategist to go."
"besides--"
The boy took a cloth bag out of his pocket.
"Madam Qing also asked me to pass on a message."
Inside the cloth bag were several blue scales.
Each piece is about the length of a finger.
Sharp edges.
It gleamed with a cold light.
Chen Fan picked up a piece.
The scales have fine lines on their surface.
Like a snake.
It also resembles a dragon.
"She said."
"She's watching over the tower."
"Who dares to touch the Seventh Tower?"
"Who did she turn into an ice sculpture?"
Chen Fan put the scales back into the cloth bag.
Tell Old Ox.
"Leave the mountain to him."
"Give the tower to Xiaoqing."
"Wait for me to come back."
The boy kowtowed.
He turned over and climbed onto the cow.
They went down the mountain.
The footsteps hadn't disappeared yet.
Si Mo walked over carrying a scroll of silk.
The silk scroll was covered with names.
The source is indicated after each name.
Sun Wukong - Flower Fruit Mountain
[Yang Jian's Fragments - Guanjiang Estuary]
[Guanzi Hall - Main Hall]
[Si Mo's Pre-Departure Notes]
The last line is still empty.
The ink was not yet dry.
"My name is written down."
Si Mo laid the silk book on the stone platform.
"Yours hasn't been written yet."
Chen Fan glanced at the list.
"Where is Tang Sanzang?"
Si Mo moved his finger downwards.
I made a dot in the blank space.
"It was originally written about him."
"It was crossed out later."
"You said he would stay behind."
Chen Fan remained silent.
Inside the sleeve.
The fragment of black light was still vibrating.
The frequency is faster than before.
He recalled the moment the transfer boat left.
The direction in which the fragments flew.
Not the main hall.
It's the direction from the base of the tower.
That's the direction in which those seventeen applicants who were supposed to be fruit feeders disappeared.
"system."
Chen Fan silently recited in his heart.
[Hint: New variable detected]
[Source: Calibrator source file]
[Related Object: Tang Sanzang]
[Relevance: High]
Chen Fan frowned.
"What do you mean?"
[Note: There is an unrecorded association between Tang Sanzang and the source file of the calibration tool.]
[Specific related content needs to be found by searching the source file]
Recommendation: Reassess the list of those remaining on the front lines.
Tali.
Tang Sanzang is organizing the register.
The booklet was turned to page seventeen.
On that page.
The names of the seventeen applicants.
Neat and tidy.
Each name is followed by the same note.
[Applicant's self-description: Fruit feeder]
He raised his head.
As Chen Fan walked in.
"Something happened?"
Chen Fan relayed the system's message.
Tang Sanzang listened.
There was a few seconds of silence.
You mean...
"Me and that calibrator."
"Is it related?"
The system is showing a high correlation.
Chen Fan pressed down on the corner of the table.
What is the specific connection?
"It won't tell."
Tang Sanzang closed the register.
My finger is pressed on the cover.
The cover leather is very old.
It has developed rough edges.
There is a small burn mark at the corner.
"I remember."
"This booklet was obtained from the main headquarters."
"When you take it."
"There's a stack of old files at the very bottom of the shelf."
"They were all bound with iron wire."
"There are no words on the cover."
"Only the serial number."
Chen Fan's gaze sharpened.
What's the number?
Tang Sanzang thought for a moment.
"Number Seven".
The file name is—
"Fruit feeder recycling process".
Outside the tower.
It was completely dark.
The light from the fireplace shone in through the window.
The shadows of the two people were stretched very long.
It was in Chen Fan's sleeve.
The black light fragments suddenly stopped vibrating.
A dead silence.
then.
A very faint sound came from the fragment.
It wasn't the sound of speaking.
It's a friction sound.
It looks like someone is using their fingernails.
Scrape the coffin lid.
"That old file."
Chen Fan kept his voice very low.
"Still in the main hall?"
Tang Sanzang shook his head.
"It should be there."
"But when I flipped through it..."
"The last page was torn out."
"The tear is very fresh."
"No more than three months."
Three months.
This was the moment when Chen Fan activated the amoral system.
That was when he started feeding Sun Wukong fruit.
This happened a hundred years ago.
Three months of tearing.
Chen Fan pressed his brow.
"List".
"Adjustments are still needed."
"Those who go to war."
"Including you."
Tang Sanzang was not surprised.
They simply put the register into a bundle.
"When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow at noon."
Chen Fan turned and walked to the door.
It stopped again.
"tonight."
"Help me find that old file number seven."
"No matter how many pages are left."
"Give it all."
Late at night.
Chen Fan was the only one left in the tower.
He sat at the stone table.
The list of those going to war was spread out on the table.
The name on the silk scroll has been extended by one line.
[Tang Sanzang - Source File Link]
The ink on Si Mo's paper was still wet.
A few more lines of smaller text appeared next to it.
It was a note she added at the last minute.
[Calibrator Source File]
[Fruit Feeder Recycling Process]
[Old File No. 7]
Chen Fan stared at these lines of text.
He tapped his fingers twice on the table.
A window suddenly popped up in the system.
[Notification: Fragmented text information detected]
[Source: Fragments of Old Documents]
[Content Preview: If the calibrator malfunctions, prioritize its recovery—]
The video cut out.
The last two characters were not displayed.
Chen Fan's pupils contracted.
"Recycle what?"
[Information corrupted and cannot be read]
[Recommendation: Check the complete source file after arriving at the main hall]
The window disappeared.
on the table.
The edges of the silk scroll suddenly curled up.
It looked like it had been roasted by fire.
It was as if something had come into play.
I pressed it down from the back.
Chen Fan lowered his head.
See the back of the silk scroll.
Two words slowly emerged.
The ink is very light.
The handwriting, however, was very familiar.
It's Tang Sanzang's handwriting.
[Feeding fruit]
outside the window.
The fire in the seventh tower suddenly shot up.
In the flames.
Seventeen figures were reflected in the image.
Standing at the foot of the tower.
Head tilted back.
A dark light burned in his eyes.
Chapter 512 Priority Recycling of Fruit Feeders
When those two characters appeared on the back of the silk scroll.
Chen Fan stopped.
It's not panic.
Yes, it's confirmed.
The ink on the two characters “餵果” is very light.
But he recognized the handwriting.
Tang Sanzang had a habit when writing.
The last stroke is always half a point heavier than the previous stroke.
This page of the silk manuscript is also like that.
He looked up.
Outside the window, the fire in the seventh tower is blazing.
Seventeen figures were reflected in the firelight.
Standing at the foot of the tower.
Head tilted back.
His eyes burned with a dark light.
Sun Wukong jumped out of the cabin.
Walk behind him.
I glanced at the silk scroll.
I glanced out the window again.
"Then we absolutely have to go."
He only said one sentence.
I won't ask any more questions.
Not much to say.
His tone was as calm as when he was talking about what to eat tonight.
Chen Fan turned the silk scroll over.
New words appeared on the back.
This time it's not Tang Sanzang's handwriting.
It is a mark for those who contemplate the scriptures.
A line of small print was squeezed into the corner.
The ink wasn't dry yet.
[Fruit feeder registration records show]
[Application node and corrector activation time overlap]
[Overlap rate 87%]
【correct】
[92%]
The numbers are still jumping.
It finally stopped at 98%.
Chen Fan stared at the number.
Many fragments in my mind began to piece together.
It wasn't something I suddenly realized.
It's little by little.
Like putting broken bones back together.
Each piece is attached.
It only hurts for a moment.
Fruit feeder.
They fed Sun Wukong a fruit that lasted for a hundred years.
Those peaches.
Each one represents node coordinates.
Corrector.
Responsible for correcting the trajectory of the Journey to the West world.
There is no moral system.
Used to counter the pilgrimage system.
Among these three.
One step is missing.
It's been added now.
That link is:
The fruit feeder provides the node coordinates.
The corrector locks onto the target.
There is no ethical system in charge of implementation.
One link leads to another.
Indispensable.
And himself.
That's the fruit feeder.
They started feeding them a hundred years ago.
Chen Fan pressed down on the silk book.
The knuckles of the fingers are white.
It's not because I'm afraid.
It's because this matter needs to be thought through clearly.
If the link is real.
So, how much priority does he hold in the eyes of the General Headquarters?
It is not simply an "object of observation".
It is a core component.
Components that must be recycled.
It has the highest priority.
He turned around.
He picked up a blank bamboo slip from the table.
The carving knife is held in my hand.
Start carving the words.
Sun Wukong leaned against the cabin door.
He didn't make a sound.
Watching him carve.
Wukong knew this was the time.
We shouldn't disturb them.
When the seventh line was finished.
Chen Fan paused for a moment.
He took a deep breath.
Continue carving.
This is the settlement plan for the seventh node's agency rights.
If something goes wrong on the expedition.
If he is recycled.
This solution ensures that the seventh node does not crash.
Make sure the monsters who remain on Flower Fruit Mountain are safe.
There will be no leaderless group.
He carved it very carefully.
Each one was carefully considered.
Priority of agency rights.
Resource allocation permissions.
Emergency trigger conditions.
Finished writing the last one.
He put the bamboo slips into a sealed envelope.
A fire mark was engraved on the envelope.
Only Sun Wukong can open it.
"Old Chen."
Wukong spoke.
The voice was lower than usual.
"This reads like a suicide note."
Chen Fan handed over the envelope.
"It's a suicide note."
"But I don't plan to use it."
Wukong accepted the envelope.
He tucked it into his arms.
I didn't say any of that nonsense like "I will definitely protect you".
He only said one sentence.
"Then I won't let you use it."
Doorway.
Tang Sanzang walked in.
He was holding the register in his hands.
Page seventeen is still open.
He glanced at the bamboo slips.
I glanced at the dark figures outside the window.
"I have to go."
"The old Buddhist archives chain".
"On-site identification is required."
His reasons are very valid.
Chen Fan knew there was more than just that reason.
Tang Sanzang never lies.
But there are some things he will keep to himself.
For example, the eyes of those seventeen fruit feeders.
For example, his own handwriting appeared on the back of the silk book.
For example, when he flips through the register.
The length of time my fingers lingered on those names.
It took longer than others.
Chen Fan didn't press the matter.
"OK."
"Count you in."
Tang Sanzang nodded.
Put the register on the table.
Page seventeen has been completely flattened.
The above are seventeen names.
Each one is followed by the same note.
[Applicant's self-description: Fruit feeder]
Chen Fan's gaze fell on that line of text.
It paused for three seconds.
Pick up a pen.
At the very bottom of the list.
He wrote his name.
Chen Fan.
Fruit feeder
It's finished.
He put down his pen.
The pen clattered on the table.
The sound was very soft.
But all three people inside the room heard it.
Sun Wukong patted the hatch.
"The list is finalized."
"Then let's go."
The voice just fell.
Someone was knocking on the door.
Three times.
It's urgent.
Si Mo pushed the door open and came in.
He was holding a roll of pictures in his hands.
The picture is made of waterproof leather.
The edges were still covered with salt frost.
She opened the image.
Spread it on the table.
The diagram shows the tidal line of the zeroth recovery port.
This is not an ordinary tide.
The lines are distorted.
It looks like a living thing crawling.
The time is marked in the center of the image.
[Current window: 7 days]
Highest Tide: Day 5
Suitable for navigation: only during tidal rise.
Si Mo pointed his finger at the highest point of the tide.
"Only two days."
"Miss these two days."
"The tide will swallow everything."
"Including the boats that are moored."
She looked up.
Something flashed in my eye socket.
It's like nothing at all.
"Port Zero".
"Also known as the starting point for fruit feeders."
Chen Fan stared at the tide chart.
The center of the picture.
The location of the zeroth recovery port.
It was marked with a line of small print.
The handwriting is similar to that on the back of the silk scroll.
It's in the register.
The same.
[Priority Recycling Area for Fruit Feeders]
Chapter 513 Tide Chart
A tide chart was laid out on the table.
Si Mo's finger was still pointing at that mark.
[Priority Recycling Area for Fruit Feeders]
Chen Fan remained silent.
He looked at the center of the picture.
The location of the zeroth recovery port.
The area is marked with a dense array of tide lines.
Red line.
Blue line.
Black line.
Each one is marked with a time.
Si Mo flipped the tide chart to the second layer.
The silk surface is translucent.
A more detailed image then appears below.
"Seven-day tidal cycle".
Her finger slid along a red line.
"high tide."
"ebb."
"Pingchao" (平潮).
"Each section is marked with the time of the general office's inspection."
Chen Fan stared at the red line.
On the red line.
The area is covered with a dense array of inspection markers.
One shift per hour.
There are twelve students in the class.
Six shifts rotate.
Almost seamless.
"almost."
Si Mo seemed to see right through what he was thinking.
The finger is placed on a notch at the end of the red line.
The gap was very narrow.
Less than the width of a fingernail.
"Blind spot".
"Within the seven-day window period."
"Appeared only once."
"continued."
She paused.
"Half an incense stick's worth."
Sun Wukong peeked over from the side.
"Half an incense stick?"
"What can you do with that?"
"They can get in, but they can't get out."
Si Mo ignored him.
He continued pointing at the gap.
"The highest point during the tidal surge."
"The general inspection team will change shifts at that moment."
"The old team is being withdrawn."
"New class, off!"
"There is a gap of half an incense stick's time in between."
She flipped to the third layer of the tide chart.
On this floor.
The date is not marked.
It's the route.
Entrance from Port Zero.
To the core area.
There are seven routes in total.
Each route is marked with a different colored line.
red.
blue.
green.
black.
White.
yellow.
purple.
"Seven routes."
"All six routes have regular inspections."
"There is only the seventh one."
Si Mo pointed his finger at the purple line.
"blank."
"There are no inspection records."
"No patrol markings."
There's nothing there.
Tang Sanzang frowned.
Why?
Si Mo looked up.
In the eye sockets.
That flickering thing reappeared.
"Because that's the recycling channel."
"Only in, no out."
"They're inside."
"Either be recycled."
"Want it?"
She paused for a moment.
"Become part of the inspection process."
There was a moment of silence around the table.
Chen Fan stared at the purple route.
That line runs straight from the entrance into the core area.
There was no turn.
There are no branches.
Go all the way to the end.
"Let's go this way."
He placed his finger on the purple line.
Sun Wukong grinned.
"nonsense."
"Do you think I'm afraid of them taking it back?"
The divination stick container containing the incomplete Yang Jian manuscript trembled slightly on the corner of the table.
Bamboo skewers collide.
It makes a crisp sound.
Chen Fan looked at the divination sticks container.
"What did Yang Jian say?"
Inside the divination sticks container.
A sign popped up.
The signature only has two characters.
【and】
The person observing the sutra stood up from the corner.
His eyes were filled with tears.
The scriptures were turned even faster.
"Observe".
"through."
He managed to utter two words.
"Observe".
"OK."
Si Mo looked at Chen Fan.
"Is the strategy finalized?"
Chen Fan nodded.
"It's settled."
He checked them one by one.
"I."
He pointed at Sun Wukong.
"monkey."
"Tang Sanzang".
"Yang Jian's Fragments"
"The one who contemplates the sutra."
He looked at Si Mo.
"you."
Si Mo was taken aback.
"I?"
"I am not part of the combat unit."
Chen Fan shook his head.
"You drew the tide map."
"You know the route well."
"I need your directions."
Si Mo remained silent.
A few seconds later.
She pulled a black thread from her sleeve.
Wrapped around the wrist.
"OK."
"I'll lead the way."
Chen Fan turned around.
He looked at the other two people at the table.
Bai Jingjing and Xiaoqing stood by the window.
outside the window.
The fire in the seventh tower is still burning.
Seventeen figures were reflected in the flames.
"Bai Jingjing".
Chen Fan spoke.
"The seventh node is yours."
"Rear dispatch".
"Full authority"
Bai Jingjing nodded.
I didn't ask any more questions.
"clear."
"Xiao Qing".
Chen Fan looked at the other person.
"You're in charge of intelligence gathering."
"Connect all the outposts."
"As soon as there is any movement."
"Report to Bai Jingjing immediately."
Xiaoqing nodded.
A burst of emerald light appeared at my fingertips.
"It's already connected."
"Seven sentry posts."
"All passed."
At the edge of the table.
Sun Wukong is carrying the golden cudgel.
"When are you leaving?"
Chen Fan looked out the window.
On the tide chart.
The red line is still fluctuating.
"Wait until the tide rises to its highest point."
"the day after tomorrow."
"Midnight"
He turned to the person at the table.
"Go back and prepare."
"The day after tomorrow evening."
"Set off."
The crowd dispersed.
Chen Fan remained at the table.
Stare at the tide chart.
The image above.
The sign for Port Zero was still gleaming faintly.
Si Mo walked to the door.
Look back.
"There's one more thing."
Chen Fan looked up.
"explain."
Si Mo pointed his finger at the end of the purple route.
"In the core area."
There is a door.
"There is a line of text engraved on the door."
Chen Fan looked at the label.
The handwriting is blurry.
Can't see clearly.
"What character?"
Si Mo shook his head.
"The source file record has been erased."
"Cannot be found."
"That's all I know."
She paused.
"That door has been open for three hundred years."
"It's never been turned off."
Done.
she left.
Chen Fan stared at the label.
The words carved on the door.
It has been open for three hundred years.
It wasn't turned off.
He thought of the black light fragment in his sleeve.
I thought of the seventeen fruit feeders in the register.
I thought of the two characters Tang Sanzang wrote on the back of the silk scroll.
[Feeding fruit]
outside the window.
The fire in the seventh tower leaped even higher.
Chen Fan rolled up the tide chart.
Put it in your sleeve.
Turn around.
They almost bumped into Tang Sanzang.
Tang Sanzang was standing at the door at some unknown time.
He was holding a piece of paper in his hand.
The paper is old.
The edges are damaged.
It looks like it was taken from some kind of booklet.
"Old Chen."
He handed me the page.
"It was taken from old Buddhist archives."
"You should take a look."
Chen Fan took the paper.
On paper.
There is only one line of text.
The handwriting is neat and legible.
It looks like a copy of a Buddhist scripture.
[Corrector Recitation]
Below are four lines of verse.
Chen Fan glanced at it.
The pupils suddenly contracted.
The bottom right corner of the paper.
It was stamped with a seal.
The inscription contains only one character.
【net】
Chapter 514 Corrector Recitation
The paper is very light.
It feels almost weightless in your hand.
Chen Fan stared at the four lines of verse.
Pupil constriction.
It's not because of the content.
It's because of the handwriting.
Every stroke at the end.
They all have extremely fine cracks.
It felt like something was pressing down on the back of the paper.
It's not ink.
The texture of the paper itself has been altered.
"This thing."
He raised his head.
Where did you dismantle it?
Tang Sanzang leaned against the door frame.
Her fingers unconsciously twirled the prayer beads.
I picked three.
Stop.
"The Old Scripture Pavilion".
"The third floor."
"Sealed area".
He paused.
"The lock is the seal of the character 'pure'."
Chen Fan turned the paper over.
There's nothing on the back.
But the line reads "calibrator recitation".
Look through the back of the paper from the front.
It shows a shallow dent.
He reached out and touched it.
My fingertips just touched the dent.
Fragments of black light hidden in the sleeve.
There was a sudden jolt.
It's not hot.
It's an earthquake.
The vibration frequency is very low.
It's so low that only bone conduction can hear it.
Chen Fan abruptly withdrew his hand.
The vibrations from the black light fragments also stopped.
"Oh."
He placed the paper on the table.
"This thing."
"It's related to the calibrator."
Tang Sanzang nodded.
"Clean Seal".
"It is the highest level of Buddhist restrictions."
"Things that are sealed."
"It's not an evil thing."
"It is something that should not exist."
Chen Fan stared at that page of paper.
The paper is torn on all four sides.
However, the direction of the damage is very neat.
It came from a tightly bound booklet.
It was forcibly removed.
"It shouldn't exist."
"Then you should keep them."
Tang Sanzang paused again, his hand still holding the prayer beads.
"It's not something to keep."
"It cannot be destroyed."
He pointed to the bottom right corner of the paper.
That "clean" character seal.
"This seal."
"It was originally a destruction stamp."
"After adding the cover."
"Any scripture will self-destruct."
"But this page."
"It can't be burned."
Chen Fan's gaze sharpened.
He reached out again.
This time I didn't use my fingertips.
Press your entire palm onto the paper.
The fragments of black light vibrated inside the sleeve as if they were about to explode.
But he didn't let go.
The temperature of the paper surface began to change.
From room temperature.
It should be warm.
It gets hot.
Within three seconds.
A second layer of writing appeared on the paper.
Below the original four-line verse.
It seeped out like a watermark.
只有一行。
[Corrector Core Response Trigger Condition: Recitation Bar]
Chen Fan released his grip.
The writing disappeared immediately.
The paper temperature also returned to normal.
He flexed his fingers.
My joints are stiff.
It felt like something had drained away its heat.
"Disposable."
The voice of the sutra contemplator came from outside the door.
Chen Fan turned his head.
She stood in the corridor.
He held the compass in his hand.
Compass pointer.
It was facing the pages of paper on the table.
Spinning wildly.
"The recitation is a one-time use item."
She walked in.
"After triggering."
"All marks on the paper will disappear."
"Including the things that Buddhism originally sealed away."
"You Buddhist sect."
Chen Fan looked at Tang Seng.
"Just how much information related to the calibration device is hidden?"
Tang Sanzang did not answer.
He stared at that page.
There's something in his eyes.
It doesn't seem like compassion.
Like vigilance.
"It's not hidden."
"It's congested."
"The Buddhist community had contact with the calibration device back then."
"The specific contents are sealed on the third floor of the old scripture pavilion."
"All documents have been stamped with the 'clean' seal."
"The demand is that the lockdown never be lifted."
He pointed to the reading slip.
"This page."
"It's the only one."
"Items with expired seals."
Chen Fan picked up the recitation slip again.
This time, a piece of cloth was used as a mat.
The cloth was torn from the cuff.
Why did it fail?
"Because of the fruit feeder."
When Tang Sanzang uttered those three words.
Si Mo's hand trembled slightly outside the door.
The tide chart almost fell to the ground.
"The starting point for fruit feeders."
"It is the zeroth port of call."
"The underlying protocol of the calibrator is buried there."
"The recitation bar is the only key to triggering the protocol."
"But it can only be used once."
He raised his head.
There was no black light in the eye sockets.
There was only an indescribable weariness.
"The Buddhist community discovered this initially."
"Then seal the recitation strip."
"It's not that I'm afraid it will be used."
"It's because I'm afraid it will be used in the wrong place."
Chen Fan tucked the cloth-wrapped recitation strip into his pocket.
"And now?"
"Used in the wrong place."
"It's still being used in the right place."
Tang Sanzang was holding prayer beads.
One by one.
It was twisted very slowly.
There is no answer in the Buddhist scriptures.
"The answer lies at Port Zero."
He turned and walked out.
I walked to the door.
They paused for a moment.
"Old Chen."
"You who have gone on expeditions."
"We're heading deep into the harbor."
Chen Fan did not deny it.
Tang Sanzang didn't wait for an answer.
The figure disappeared at the end of the corridor.
The person observing the sutra was still standing inside the room.
She stared at the scroll in Chen Fan's arms.
The compass needle finally stopped.
Pointing due north.
"You've made up your mind."
She asked.
"Not deep into the harbor."
"I will never take it out."
Chen Fan nodded.
He rolled up his sleeves.
A fragment of black light was embedded in his wrist.
The shape has changed.
It turned out to be irregular fragments.
Now they have formed a ring.
The inner side of the ring.
It is engraved with a circle of extremely fine characters.
It is a four-line verse on the recitation strip.
"It keeps its own record."
Chen Fan looked at the ring.
"The contents of the memorization notes."
Remember this moment.
"Can only be used once."
He lowered his sleeves.
"Then let's do it this time."
Use it where it's most needed.
The bell rang at the seventh node.
It's not telling the time.
It's a broadcast.
The sound spread from the top of the tower.
Pass through all the pools of reversal.
Pass through all sequence locations.
Pass through the outer edge.
Those forces that exist outside the established order.
They heard it all.
The broadcast contained Chen Fan's voice.
It's very brief.
"During the expedition."
"The overturning case pool remains open as usual."
"All deletion actions".
"All cases will be frozen for investigation."
"Those who feel they deserve to be here."
"You can apply now."
"Those who feel they are not qualified."
"You can also apply."
"The series of reversals."
"I don't reject anyone."
The broadcast has ended.
The outer edge exploded.
The news came flooding back like a tide.
Messengers from seventeen peripheral powers.
They arrived at the seventh node almost simultaneously.
The things they handed over.
It's not a name card.
It is a draft treaty.
Every single one of them was a gesture of goodwill.
Every single one is an offer of allegiance.
At the end of each draft.
Each one had a line of small print written on it.
[Request for approval to overturn the verdict]
Chen Fan did not accept the agreement.
He only replied with one sentence.
"Wait until I return from the expedition."
"Alive."
"signature."
Everyone is preparing for the seventh node.
The transport boat was moored at the foot of the tower.
The fire in the stove has been reduced to its lowest setting.
Leave only a tiny spark.
Si Mo pinned the tide chart to the bulkhead.
Mark the highest point of the tide with a red line.
"Two days."
She pointed to the red line.
"Only two days."
"Missed this high point."
"The zeroth port of return will be swallowed up by the tide."
"Your ship."
"They can't come back either."
Chen Fan stood in front of the boat.
He had a reading slip tucked in his pocket.
A ring formed from fragments of black light on the wrist.
Slightly warm.
He looked towards the main hall.
There.
The iron-gray light of the outer ring of the recycling courtyard.
It's still flashing.
It's not extinguished.
It means to gather together.
They converge into a tiny point.
It's like taking all the light.
It all got sucked in.
into the night.
The last night before departure.
Chen Fan sat in the cabin.
Take out the recitation strip.
Place it on your lap.
The paper is calm.
No words appeared.
There was no temperature change.
But he knew.
This time tomorrow.
He will use this page.
Use up the things that Buddhism had sealed away.
Used up the only key to the calibrator.
outside the window.
Recycling Court Outer Ring Direction.
A beam of light.
It shot into the sky without warning.
The beam of light was extremely thick.
It pierces straight into the clouds from the ground.
Iron-gray light.
It illuminates half the sky.
It looked like a gash had been cleaved open.
Chen Fan put the recitation slip back into his pocket.
Step out of the cabin.
Everyone came out at the seventh node.
Standing at the foot of the tower.
Staring at that beam of light.
The center of light.
There's a figure.
Enveloped in a beam of light.
It rises slowly.
I can't see the face clearly.
The figure was not clearly visible.
I only saw that person.
She was wearing a ring on her wrist.
Black.
The surface of the ring is engraved with four lines of verse.
The handwriting is similar to that on the recitation slip.
The same.
A voice came from the beam of light.
It's not a human voice.
It's a system broadcast.
[Priority Recycling Area for Fruit Feeders]
[Start]
Chapter 515 Outer Ring of Light
When the beam of light illuminates.
The stone slabs on the outer ring of the main hall began to shake.
It wasn't an earthquake.
It's a transfer.
The stone slabs were turned over one by one.
The black tracks were visible underneath.
Boxes were lying in the tracks.
Metal box.
Each one was sealed with a talisman.
The writing on the talisman was very fresh.
It was drawn on the spot.
Si Mo stood at the edge of the pillar of light.
He was holding a jade pendant in his hand.
The back of the jade plaque is engraved with the pattern of the main hall.
There is only one character on the front.
【transport】
She pressed the jade pendant into the pillar of light.
Ripples appeared on the surface of the light beam.
Like a pebble breaking the surface of water.
The ripples spread out.
The scene inside was revealed.
It's not light.
It is a passageway.
The walls of the passageway were densely packed with cabin doors.
Sounds came from behind each door.
Footsteps.
The sound of metal clashing.
There was also a very low chanting sound.
"The outer ring road transfer has begun."
Si Mo took back the jade tablet.
He turned around.
His face was expressionless.
"All eight ring roads are in motion."
"By tomorrow morning at the latest."
"All transfers are complete."
Chen Fan stood at the entrance of the main hall.
Stare at the beam of light.
The bottom of the light beam.
The boxes are still overflowing.
It rises from the orbit.
Ten in a group.
They are automatically stacked neatly.
When the boxes were stacked to the twelfth layer.
The outer array of runes lit up.
Each talisman was burned.
The flames were blue.
The blue flames spread along the box.
A human-shaped outline was burned out.
The silhouette knelt on the box.
Hands clasped together.
He was muttering something.
The sound was very soft.
But it drowned out all the noise.
"What is that?"
Sun Wukong jumped off the boat.
The golden cudgel rests horizontally on his shoulder.
"dead?"
Si Mo shook his head.
"Not a dead person."
"It's a chanter."
"Every fruit feeder who brings fruit into the recycling area."
"Each one should be assigned a person to read the text."
"The person reciting the text is responsible for reading it aloud."
"I can't finish reading the entire script."
"The box can't be opened."
Chen Fan remembered the piece of paper in his arms.
A four-line verse on the paper.
And there's that "clean" character seal.
"Where do the people who recite the scriptures come from?"
Si Mo did not answer.
They were just looking at the human figure inside the beam of light.
The humanoid figure is still chanting.
The sound got faster and faster.
It's getting denser and denser.
It's like rushing to meet a certain time.
Finish reciting the scripture.
"A man who recited the inscription died."
Si Mo suddenly said.
She pointed into the beam of light.
The box on the very top shelf.
The humanoid shape is fading.
The green flames burned upwards from the soles of the feet.
When the fever reaches the knees.
The humanoid figure paused for a moment.
Raise your head.
Show your face.
There are no facial features on its face.
It only has one mouth.
The mouth is still moving.
I'm still reading it.
But the sound could no longer be heard.
"The recitation is endless."
"The box is ruined."
"The fruit feeder inside is also useless."
Si Mo withdrew his hand.
"This is recycling."
The flames engulfed the humanoid figure.
The box fell from the top floor.
It fell to the ground.
It broke into eight pieces.
It's empty inside.
There was nothing there.
Sanzang walked over at some unknown time.
He now held an incense burner in his hand.
Bronze incense burner.
The furnace body is engraved with scriptures.
He placed the incense burner on the ground.
He took out three incense sticks from his sleeve.
Insert it.
The incense burned by itself.
The smoke rose straight up.
Like a thread.
Tripitaka clasped his hands together in prayer.
He recited a Buddhist chant.
Then he turned around.
Looking at Chen Fan.
"Old Chen."
"There's another thing mentioned in the old Buddhist archives."
"The person reciting the mantra is not from the Buddhist sect."
"It was sent from Heaven."
"Every reciter."
"They were all people who participated in feeding the fruit back then."
Chen Fan's pupils contracted slightly.
"you mean--"
"They took themselves home?"
Tripitaka did not answer.
They simply picked up the incense burner.
Heading towards the beam of light.
The column of smoke bent.
Bending towards the beam of light.
The smoke was drawn in.
Swallow it.
Not a single trace remained.
Suddenly, it got bright outside the window.
The direction of the seventh node.
A black beam of light shot into the sky.
The beam of light was very thin.
It's much narrower than the outer ring road of the main hall.
But the color is pure.
It was as black as ink.
Si Mo glanced at it.
"The seventh node has also been activated."
"The docking link is now open."
"Now, the seventh node and Flower Fruit Mountain."
"People can be sent into the main hall at the same time."
Chen Fan turned to look into the cabin.
A group of people are calibrating their equipment.
The fragments of Yang Jian's writings lay open on the table.
Automatic page turning.
Runes flew out from every page.
The runes were affixed to the armor.
The armor surface gleamed with a silvery sheen.
The person observing the sutra stood in the corner.
He was holding a book in his hand.
The pages were turned very quickly.
Her eyes were fixed on the book.
He was muttering something to himself.
After reading a passage.
Just tear off a page.
He stuffed it into the cloth bag at his waist.
The cloth bag is bulging and full.
Quite a few have already been installed.
Tang Sanzang was the quietest.
He sat at the bow of the boat.
The register was on his lap.
Turn to the last page of the booklet.
He pointed to a name.
That person was crossed out.
But the name hasn't been completely blacked out yet.
A line of small print was written on the side.
The characters were written by Tang Sanzang himself.
[Go in this time.]
Erase this name completely.
Sun Wukong walked to the bow of the boat.
He swung his golden cudgel across the bow of the boat.
The stick was lying there.
Like a threshold.
He didn't turn around.
The sound was very soft.
But everyone heard it.
"Old Chen said so."
"This trip isn't just a quick look around."
"It's about going in and tearing an opening."
"It's torn open."
"The fruit feeder will be able to come out."
"Can't tear it open—"
He paused.
Golden light emanated from the golden cudgel.
"We have to tear it even if we can't."
"Wukong's life."
"I've never fought a battle that required a make-up exam."
No one spoke in the cabin.
But everyone is moving.
They moved even faster.
The sound of armor clashing.
The sound of the rune activating.
The sound of the cloth bag tightening.
The sounds were all mixed together.
It's like a machine.
One last preheating before ignition.
Chen Fan walked out.
Standing on the stone steps.
On the square in front of the main hall.
It was packed with people.
The seventeen came from the seventh node.
The thirty-two newly selected from Huaguo Mountain.
There were also former subordinates who had come from all over the headquarters to feed the fruit.
There are too many to count.
But a dark light burned in everyone's eyes.
Chen Fan spoke.
The sound wasn't loud.
But everyone can hear it.
"The tower guard."
"The one who guards the mountain."
"The one who guards the pool of reversals."
"The three lines must not be broken."
"I said it."
"No matter what happens in the main hall."
"These three lines."
"We'll hold it even if it kills us."
He didn't say "if".
It didn't say "as much as possible".
Everyone responded in unison.
The voices were in unison.
It looked like a rehearsal.
But Chen Fan knew there wasn't.
Just these people.
Everyone understands.
The beam of light suddenly doubled in size.
It soars straight up from the outer ring road.
The clouds at the top of the beam of light were torn apart.
A hole was exposed.
The cave was black.
The edge of black.
Something is moving.
It's not a cloud.
It's not a bird either.
It is a boat.
Two black boats.
They rose from different directions.
The bow of a boat is engraved with patterns of the Heavenly Court.
Another one.
A lotus platform engraved with Buddhist symbols.
Both boats flew towards the main hall.
It's not fast.
But the direction is clear.
Si Mo looked up.
"Following the boat."
"One ship each for the Heavenly Court and the Buddhist Sect."
"They are also waiting for someone."
"Wait for us to go in."
Chen Fan stared at the two boats.
There were no lights on the boat.
But there were figures moving on the deck.
The figure was very blurry.
The face is not visible.
All I could see were what they had in their hands.
They were all holding the same thing.
That ship in Heaven.
Each person has a mirror.
The Buddhist ship.
One lamp for each person.
The mirror and the light were both on.
The sunlight shone on the clouds.
The clouds looked as if they had been burned.
Two characters were burned out.
【Recycle】
Chapter 516 Anyone who dares to follow will be taken away.
Wukong pressed against the gunwale of the boat.
The knuckles slowly tighten.
"Old Chen."
"Those two in the back."
"We've been following them for three hours."
Chen Fan did not turn around.
He stared at the clouds ahead.
Deep in the clouds.
The protective light of the seventh node is fading.
"Let them follow."
"The closer you get, the better."
Wukong grinned.
on the deck.
Yang Jian leaned against the cabin door.
He held that tattered page in his hand.
The edges of the fragment gleamed with gold.
Si Mo poked his head out of the cockpit.
"Brother Chen."
"The tide will be at its peak in half an hour."
"Once you miss it, it's gone."
Chen Fan nodded.
He walked to the stern of the boat.
Raise your hand.
On the stern protective cover.
He knocked three times.
The sound was very soft.
But there were two boats in the clouds.
It stopped at the same time.
Chen Fan spoke.
The sound penetrated through the protective shield.
It spread very far.
"From Heaven."
"From Buddhism."
"Listen carefully."
I'll say it again.
He pointed his finger at the void outside the protective shield.
"Three hundred li from here."
"It is a high-risk area outside the main building."
"You guys keep going."
"It was voluntary for me to go in."
"He who is determined to live or die."
There was no response from the clouds.
On that ship in Heaven.
Someone held up a mirror.
The mirror light swept over.
The light shone on Chen Fan's face.
Chen Fan didn't move.
The mirror's reflection lingered on his face for a moment.
It was moved again.
The boat of Buddhism.
The lights came on.
In the lamplight.
A figure stood up.
He was holding a string of prayer beads in his hand.
The sound of prayer beads turning.
Through the clouds.
Through the protective shield.
Everyone can hear it.
Chen Fan lowered his hand.
Turn around.
"I won't listen."
"Then don't blame me for not saying it."
Wukong had long been unable to be restrained.
He stepped out of the protective shield.
The golden cudgel appeared in his hand.
The stick shuddered.
A beam of golden light swept out horizontally.
It's not about rowing a boat.
It's the void outside the protective shield.
Where the golden light passed.
A line was split in the clouds.
Both sides of the line.
The clouds were churning.
Like a wound cut open by a knife.
"Three lines."
Wukong's staff tip was pointing at that line.
"Step back."
"Step back outside the line."
No refunds.
He grinned.
The teeth gleamed in gold.
It was so white it shone.
"I'll use myself as a target for practice."
The Heavenly Court's ship retreated first.
They retreated very quickly.
The boat emerged from the clouds.
一直退到那条线外。
舟上的人影。
手里的镜子暗了下去。
佛门那艘没退。
念珠还在转。
It's spinning faster and faster.
舟身不但没退。
反而往前贴。
贴得很近。
几乎要碰到悟空划的线。
杨戬从舱门边走出来。
手里的残篇扔出去。
残篇在空中展开。
A flash of golden light.
一道符文从纸上飞出去。
符文很小。
It's only the size of a fingernail.
但它飞过的地方。
佛门舟头上的灯。
One lamp after another.
Went out.
不是被打灭。
是灯芯上的火。
被什幺东西吸走了。
灯灭的瞬间。
舟头侧边。
一张符纸烧了起来。
符纸上刻着三个字。
【定位符】
符纸烧完。
佛门舟晃了一下。
舟上的人影终于站起来。
念珠断了。
The beads rolled all over the ground.
舟身开始后退。
退得比天庭那艘还远。
悟空收起金箍棒。
Look back.
「还跟不跟？」
No one answered.
两艘舟停在云层深处。
The light is off.
镜子也没亮。
只有舟身的轮廓。
在云里。
Appearing and disappearing intermittently.
陈凡走进驾驶舱。
司墨手指按在控制台上。
控制台中央。
潮汐图在跳动。
潮汐最高点。
还剩不到一刻钟。
"sail."
Chen Fan said.
司墨手掌按下去。
伪转运舟震了一下。
舟身底部的炉火。
猛地蹿高。
火焰从第七塔里涌出。
灌进舟底驱动阵。
The formation lit up.
It was blindingly bright.
舟身开始上升。
升得很稳。
防护罩外。
第七节点的光芒。
Round and round.
从舟身两侧剥离。
像脱掉一层壳。
壳剥完。
舟身彻底脱离了护域。
outside.
是一片漆黑。
There is no starlight.
没有云层。
There was nothing there.
Only black.
陈凡站在驾驶舱前窗。
窗外的黑暗。
浓得像是固体。
"Outer ring road of the main hall."
司墨低声说。
「风险区边缘。」
陈凡盯着黑暗。
In the depths of darkness.
Something is moving.
It's not light.
是一种更深的黑。
在黑暗里游弋。
看不清形状。
只看见它经过的地方。
黑暗会变得透明。
像被吞噬了一层。
"What is that?"
Chen Fan asked.
Si Mo shook his head.
"have no idea."
「总厅档案里。」
「没有这一段的记录。」
控制台上。
黑色签印忽然亮了。
印文从签印表面浮起来。
One word at a time.
排成一条线。
线指向黑暗深处。
in the dark.
那条线所指的方向。
慢慢裂开。
不是光裂开。
是黑暗自己裂开。
The crack is very narrow.
只容一艘舟通过。
裂缝两侧。
黑暗像水面。
Round and round.
It spreads outwards.
「暗航道。」
Si Mo's voice was strained.
「只有签印能看见。」
「也只有签印能打开。」
陈凡回头看了一眼舟尾。
舟尾方向。
云层早就看不见了。
天庭和佛门的舟。
也没跟来。
It's not that I don't want to follow.
是跟不了。
黑暗吞掉了一切。
他看着前方裂缝。
In the crack.
It is not darkness.
是一种没有颜色的空间。
Like a mirror.
又像水面。
舟身飘了进去。
裂缝在舟尾合拢。
合拢的瞬间。
Inside the cockpit.
所有人的手腕上。
那只黑色环。
It lit up at the same time.
环面上的四句偈。
Line by line.
浮到半空。
【校正者诵条】
then.
It's a system broadcast.
不是之前那种机械音。
是一个人的声音。
It's very light.
像贴着你耳朵说话。
Welcome back.
"Fruit feeder".
The boat jolted.
In front.
没有颜色的空间里。
出现了一座建筑。
建筑的轮廓。
跟第七塔。
The same.
但比第七塔。
大了百倍。
At the foot of the tower.
There are people standing there.
Row upon row.
I can't see the face clearly.
只看见他们手腕上。
都戴着黑环。
环面上。
四句偈。
亮得像火。
第517章暗航道
黑色签印碎片悬在陈凡掌心。
三寸长。
边缘参差。
像从什幺器物上硬掰下来的。
碎片表面浮着一层光。
不亮。
反而吸光。
周围云层的颜色都被它抽走了。
司墨伸手。
指尖点上碎片边缘。
"Don't touch it."
She withdrew her hand.
指尖已经白了。
像被冻过。
There is no temperature.
没有知觉。
"This thing."
「只认餵果人。」
陈凡把碎片翻过来。
背面刻着一条线。
弯曲的。
从一角延伸到另一角。
线的一端标着一个点。
The other end.
There was nothing there.
司墨盯着那条线。
「暗航道。」
「旧塔时期用来运实验体的。」
「天庭废弃后。」
「从所有海图上抹掉了。」
"This is all we have."
她指着碎片。
"It can be opened."
Sun Wukong came closer.
I glanced at it twice.
"It's well hidden."
「外面那些巡逻舟。」
「知不知道这条路？」
Si Mo shook his head.
"have no idea."
「第八塔的记录里。」
「也没这条航道。」
She paused.
「至少表面记录里没有。」
唐僧站在舟尾。
手里捏着那张诵条。
纸面上的四句偈。
字迹开始发亮。
不是光柱那种白。
是暗红色。
Like embers.
他把诵条举高。
对準碎片的方向。
诵条上的光。
跳动了一下。
「有共鸣。」
Tang Sanzang said.
"Very weak."
「航道深处。」
「有什幺在回应。」
Sun Wukong raised his eyelids.
"Alive?"
「还是死的？」
Tang Sanzang did not answer.
诵条上的光。
It's dead again.
陈凡把碎片按进舟首的凹槽。
凹槽原本是放罗盘的。
罗盘三天前坏了。
指针乱转。
司墨说是潮汐干扰。
碎片嵌入。
Perfectly fitted.
舟身震了一下。
No sound.
But everyone sensed it.
像船底被什幺东西托起来。
Then I put it down.
In front.
云层开裂。
It wasn't blown away by the wind.
是往两边退。
退得整整齐齐。
像两扇门。
It was dark behind the door.
There is no light.
没有颜色。
There was nothing there.
"Go in."
Chen Fan said.
The boat started moving.
不是帆推的。
是碎片在牵引。
舟一入黑暗。
The surroundings fell silent instantly.
之前还能听见风声。
听见远处潮汐的低响。
Now there's nothing left.
Dead silence.
司墨点亮手环上的链路。
光只照出三步远。
Three steps away.
还是黑。
「所有节点感应都断了。」
她低头看手环。
面板上密密麻麻的链路图。
全灰了。
只剩一条。
指向舟内。
「内部链路还在。」
「外部全屏蔽。」
She looked up.
「连第八塔的信号。」
「到这里也收不到。」
孙悟空耳朵动了动。
"That's great."
「外面那些镜子灯盏。」
「也照不进来。」
他嘴上这幺说。
手已经摸向耳后的金箍棒。
棒子没变大。
但棒身开始发烫。
"It's too quiet."
猴子的声音压得很低。
"This is not normal."
「这种安静。」
「往往埋伏着东西。」
唐僧把诵条收回袖中。
My fingers are still trembling.
It's not because of the cold.
诵条上的余烬色光芒。
appeared again.
这次更亮。
他把诵条重新抽出来。
纸面上的四句偈。
已经全亮了。
暗红的光。
从纸背透出来。
照在唐僧脸上。
他盯着光。
"The third sentence."
「【暗航尽处有余音】。」
Chen Fan turned his head.
「余音？」
「谁的余音？」
Tang Sanzang did not answer.
诵条的光。
开始颤动。
不是无规律的颤。
是有节奏的。
Like a heartbeat.
陈凡看向航道两侧。
舟的速度不快。
碎片牵引着。
稳稳前行。
黑暗开始变淡了。
不是亮了。
是黑暗本身。
开始分出层次。
近处的黑是实心的。
远处是空的。
Further away.
航道壁上出现了东西。
刻痕。
Line by line.
Densely packed.
从壁顶延伸到壁底。
陈凡让舟靠近。
I see it clearly now.
It is a serial number.
【实验场 003】
【实验场 011】
【实验场 027】
刻痕很旧。
边缘被什幺东西腐蚀过。
但没有完全磨灭。
编号连着编号。
一路向深处延伸。
司墨的手环。
It suddenly jumped.
不是链路恢复了。
是记录模块。
自动启动了。
手环里。
一个声音传出来。
Intermittently.
像老式录音带。
「回收港...暗航道...共标记...四十七个实验场...」
The sound stopped.
又响起。
「已废弃...已删除...」
「第九实验场...」
「旧号...」
声音彻底断了。
舟停住了。
碎片的光。
照在前方航道的壁上。
There.
刻着一行编号。
比之前所有编号都大。
字迹更深。
像是一刀一刀凿进去的。
【实验场 099】
编号下方。
There was also a line of smaller text.
It wasn't engraved on.
是烧上去的。
字迹焦黑。
【前身:第九实验场】
孙悟空耳后的金箍棒。
猛地烫了一下。
猴子抽出来。
棒身通红。
他盯着那个编号。
"The Ninth Experimental Field".
"Old Chen."
「咱们来过这里。」
Chen Fan remained silent.
他盯着那行烧焦的字。
诵条上。
暗红的光。
骤然炸开。
照亮了整个航道。
壁上。
所有的编号。
都亮了。
#第518章第九实验场旧号
光炸开之后。
壁上所有的编号都亮了。
不是一盏盏亮。
是同时。
It felt like we had been waiting for a long time.
陈凡盯着那行烧焦的字。
【前身:第九实验场】
前身。
这个词用得很怪。
像是说现在的第九实验场。
已经不是原来那个了。
观经者从舱里出来。
手里捏着半页纸。
The paper is old.
The edges were burned.
「壁上这些编号。」
他把纸递过来。
「我试着对照了一下。」
「总厅外环的星区图。」
Chen Fan took the paper.
纸面上画着三列符号。
第一列是壁上编号。
第二列是外环坐标。
The third column.
全是同一个词。
[Deleted]
「所有对应坐标的场。」
「都标注已删除。」
观经者声音很轻。
「包括咱们现在走的这条航道。」
「外环图上根本没有记录。」
「是被抹掉的。」
Sun Wukong leaned over and took a look.
「抹掉就抹掉呗。」
「咱们又不是第一次碰上这种事。」
The person observing the sutra shook their head.
"no the same."
「外环图是总厅自己用的。」
「不是对外公布的版本。」
「连自己人都要瞒。」
「说明这些实验场。」
「出过大事。」
唐僧站在壁前。
手指摸着那行烧焦的字。
诵条在他怀里。
暗红的光一明一暗。
Like a heartbeat.
"Old Chen."
He turned his head.
「这首诗不是佛门写的。」
Chen Fan looked at him.
How did you know?
唐僧指着诵条上的四句偈。
The handwriting is neat and legible.
但每一笔收尾。
都带着往上勾的痕迹。
「佛经没有这种笔法。」
「这是道门的。」
「更旧的道门。」
「旧到还没分家那会儿。」
杨戬从舟尾走过来。
残篇在他肩头翻页翻得飞快。
「后方有东西。」
他伸手指向暗航道深处。
「一艘小舟。」
「跟了很久了。」
Sun Wukong drew his golden cudgel.
The rod was still hot.
「砸掉。」
陈凡按住他手腕。
"Wait a moment."
「对方在躲什幺。」
Yang Jian nodded.
「它在躲巡检。」
「每次光柱扫过来。」
「它会提前往边上靠。」
「比我们躲得还快。」
「像是很熟这套。」
陈凡盯着后方黑暗。
看不见舟影。
只能偶尔看见一点微光。
一闪就灭。
It's not a lamp.
是某种信号。
孙悟空挣开陈凡的手。
「躲巡检又不代表是好人。」
「老陈你什幺时候这幺怂了。」
Chen Fan ignored him.
从腰后抽出黑帐单。
Turn a new page.
把壁上的旧号抄上去。
字写得很慢。
Each stroke, one character at a time.
抄完之后。
又在下方加了行小字。
【外环图已删除】
【总厅内部抹除记录】
【前身存疑】
Finished.
他把黑帐本合上。
"The one who contemplates the sutra."
「这壁上编号。」
「最早的是哪个。」
观经者走到壁边。
手指沿着线条往下滑。
滑到最底部。
那里有一行编号。
比其他所有编号都浅。
浅得快看不出来。
像是被刮掉的。
但颳得不乾净。
还留着一层灰印。
"this."
观经者凑近看。
「编号前面还有个符号。」
"Not numbers."
「是旧轨制的记号。」
他把纸翻过来。
对照着画了一遍。
纸上出现一个图形。
Circle.
里面套着三角。
三角中心。
点了一个点。
陈凡没见过这个符号。
但唐僧见过。
唐僧盯着那个图形。
「总厅开府第一纪的徽记。」
「那时候还没有实验场。」
「只有清场区。」
他把诵条抽出来。
诵条上的红光。
照在那个浅淡的记号上。
光一照。
记号突然亮了一瞬。
then.
壁上所有编号。
齐齐闪了一下。
像是什幺东西被触发了。
光柱从航道深处扫过来。
这次没有扫过就走。
而是停在前方不动。
光柱正中。
出现一行字。
字影浮动。
不是刻在壁上的。
是投出来的。
[Ninth Experimental Field]
【第一次运转纪年】
【星区坐标:■■■■■■】
坐标被涂黑了。
不是后期涂抹。
是原本就这样。
像是这个坐标。
不该被任何人知道。
观经者手指在纸面上抖了一下。
「星区坐标被锁了。」
「总厅最高加密等级。」
「对应的位面。」
「不是普通实验场。」
「是镜面。」
Chen Fan looked at him.
「什幺镜面。」
观经者没答。
从怀里掏出另一页纸。
是总厅外环图的副本。
他把副本摊开。
手指点在外环边缘。
一个不起眼的位置。
那里的标注。
There is only one word.
【net】
陈凡看见那个字。
想起诵条上的印。
印文也是这个字。
唐僧把诵条翻过来。
lower right corner.
那方印还在。
【net】
「镜面位面。」
观经者声音发乾。
"It means..."
「所有实验场。」
「都是它的镜像。」
「是照着它複製出来的。」
"include."
He paused.
"Flower and Fruit Mountain".
Sun Wukong gripped his golden cudgel tightly.
棒身的温度突然降下去。
冷得烫手。
"did you mean."
「花果山不是真的。」
「是个副本。」
The person observing the sutra shook their head.
「不是副本。」
「是镜像。」
「镜像和副本不一样。」
「副本是仿製的。」
「镜像是被投射的。」
「投射的源点。」
他指向那个【净】字。
"It's here."
壁上投出的字影。
It became even brighter.
【第二次运转纪年】
【状态:中断】
【原因:■■■■】
原因也被涂黑了。
One segment after another.
It surfaced.
It was destroyed again.
【第三次运转纪年】
【状态:中断】
【原因:■■■■】
【第四次】
【第五次】
【第六次】
连续七条。
全部中断。
全部涂黑。
到了第八条。
字影停了很久。
才浮出来。
【第八次运转纪年】
【状态:覆盖重写】
【操作者:■■】
这次没有涂黑。
操作者后面。
是一个模糊的图形。
陈凡认出了那个图形。
外环图副本上。
总厅的徽记。
The same.
「他们在重複做同一件事。」
陈凡盯着壁上那些中断的记录。
「做了八次。」
"All failed."
「然后覆盖掉。」
"Start over."
唐僧把诵条贴回怀里。
「第九次呢。」
壁上没有第九条。
光柱缓缓收回去。
航道重新陷入黑暗。
但壁上那些编号。
It's still lit.
光没灭。
rear.
那点微光又闪了一下。
Closer than before.
Chen Fan turned around.
盯着黑暗深处。
"Yang Jian".
「让它过来。」
杨戬没动。
残篇翻到某一页。
Stop.
「它自己会过来。」
The words fell.
黑暗里浮出一行字。
字很淡。
像是写的人怕被发现。
笔尖压得很轻。
【旧号第三道】
【我也有诗】
【我也想翻案】
Chen Fan finished reading that line of text.
诵条在唐僧怀里。
突然自己震了。
震得很轻。很急。
It's like a response.
第519章我也想翻案
旧号第三道。
那行淡字浮在黑暗里。
像怕被人看见。
陈凡盯着那几个字。
诵条在唐僧怀里震得更急了。
唐僧按住胸口。
诵条隔着衣服。
It's still jumping.
"Old Chen."
孙悟空耳后的金箍棒还在发烫。
他握住棒身。
「这人知道旧号。」
「还知道翻案。」
猴子眼睛眯起来。
「咱们来这儿的事。」
「除了舟上的人。」
Nobody knows.
司墨已经翻开了残篇。
残篇停在某一页。
页脚有个印子。
It's not a character.
是一个环的形状。
Black.
司墨手指点在印子上。
「第九实验场的旧号。」
Logically speaking...
「早该清空了。」
Yang Jian remained silent.
他盯着黑暗里那点微光。
微光越来越近。
慢慢显出一个轮廓。
是一艘小舟。
比尾随舟还小。
舟身破破烂烂。
像从垃圾堆里捡出来的。
舟头站着一个人。
I can't see the face clearly.
只看见他抬起手。
手里拿着一样东西。
是个环。
Black.
环面上刻着四句偈。
跟诵条上的一模一样。
小舟停在陈凡他们舟外。
隔着十步。
The man spoke.
His voice was hoarse.
像很久没喝过水。
「我知道一条路。」
「进第零回收港的路。」
"Abandoned".
「检修道。」
Chen Fan did not respond.
那人又往前靠了一步。
「我不要别的。」
"Just one request."
「让我上你们的舟。」
司墨合上残篇。
「你那个旧号。」
"The third one."
「是什幺时候的？」
The man remained silent for a while.
"The predecessor of the Ninth".
「被抹掉的倖存段。」
「你们应该没听过。」
「因为所有记录。」
「都被删了。」
孙悟空把金箍棒往甲板上一顿。
棒身烧得通红。
甲板烫出一圈焦痕。
「你说你是第九前身的。」
"How can you prove it?"
那人把手里的黑环举高。
环面四句偈亮了。
光线打在黑暗里。
照出一行字。
字浮在环上方。
It wasn't carved.
是烧上去的。
【倖存段编号: 099-03-前】
陈凡盯着那个编号。
诵条上。
第七塔的暗红光芒。
It suddenly exploded.
照得整个黑暗都在收缩。
杨戬开口了。
「前身编号。」
「第九实验场的旧制。」
"That's right."
「但这不能证明。」
「你不是回收港的人。」
The man chuckled.
The laughter was dry.
像砂纸磨铁皮。
"Recycling port?"
「他们要的是清空我们。」
「不是招安我们。」
He rolled up his sleeves.
手腕上戴着的黑环。
跟之前看到的不一样。
环面裂了。
裂缝里渗出光。
不是暗红的。
It is gray.
像灰烬的光。
「你们看见的环。」
「都是完整的。」
「因为它们还在回收序列里。」
「我这个。」
「是被拆过一遍的。」
Sun Wukong looked at Chen Fan.
猴子眼睛里的光在闪。
他在等陈凡决定。
Chen Fan didn't rush to speak.
他转头看翻案舱。
The hatch was open.
里面的扫描阵列。
It's still spinning.
「先让我查一查。」
陈凡声音很平。
「你说你是第九前身倖存段。」
「那就进舱走一遍。」
「所有基础链路。」
「都扫一遍。」
「扫完了。」
「再说上舟的事。」
那人没犹豫。
直接从自己舟里跳过来。
落上陈凡他们舟的甲板。
The footsteps were very light.
像踩在棉花上。
翻案舱门大开。
扫描阵列对準他。
一排光从头扫到脚。
又从脚扫到头。
舱壁上。
跳出一个界面。
界面上一行行数据跳过去。
Jump very fast.
最后停在一个地方。
数据定格。
【基础链路:第九系残印】
【年代:前身期】
【状态:已断裂-未回收】
【残印编号: 099-03-前-倖存】
司墨盯着那个界面。
残篇自己又翻了一页。
page.
印子从环变成了一个塔。
塔的形状。
跟第七塔一样。
但塔顶。
A piece is missing.
"It's true."
Si Mo said.
「第九系的残印。」
「回收系统不会留这种印子。」
「因为回收的时候。」
「先删的就是这个。」
孙悟空把金箍棒收回耳后。
棒身慢慢冷却。
猴子看着那人。
「敢骗人的话。」
「我砸了你。」
那人没理孙悟空。
他径直走到陈凡面前。
陈凡这才看清他的脸。
脸上全是疤。
不是刀疤。
是烧疤。
疤的形状很规则。
像被人用烙铁。
一个一个印上去的。
每道疤都对应一个环。
The man raised his hand.
把裂开的黑环。
举到陈凡眼前。
「你们刚才诵条上的。」
"I wrote it."
「旧号第三道。」
「我也有诗。」
「我也想翻案。」
舟上所有人都看着他。
No one speaks.
诵条在唐僧怀里。
突然不震了。
Tang Sanzang lowered his head.
诵条上暗红的光。
全部收回去。
收成一点。
点很小。
像针尖。
那点光。
对着那个裂开的环。
It lit up briefly.
环上的裂缝。
也亮了一下。
像在互相认。
那人盯着诵条。
His voice was even hoarser.
「当年七个人。」
「都在第七塔写诗。」
「我的诗没写完。」
「就被拉去删除了。」
「他们没删乾净。」
「留了一个字。」
陈凡问他。
"What character?"
那人把袖子放下来。
盖住手腕上的环。
"turn."
「翻案的翻。」
舟外。
黑暗突然裂开。
不是慢慢裂的。
It was just a moment.
撕开一道大口子。
Behind the opening.
bright.
The light is very bright.
The brightness is abnormal.
Chen Fan turned around.
看见前方。
暗航道的尽头。
一座建筑的轮廓。
从光里升起来。
Very big.
比之前看见的第七塔。
大了不止百倍。
The outline is becoming clearer.
On the tower.
刻满了编号。
每一行编号。
They are all glowing.
光不是暗红的。
It is white.
It was as white as bone.
司墨的声音很轻。
"Port Zero".
"arrive."
那人的声音从背后传来。
It's very light.
像怕被什幺听见。
"What do you think?"
「你是第一次餵果子的人？」
Chen Fan suddenly turned around.
那人已经退到舟边。
脸上那些烧疤。
Everyone was laughing.
每一道疤。
都像一张嘴。
「第九前身的时候。」
「也有一个餵果人。」
"Just like you."
「也有一根诵条。」
"Also in the seventh tower."
「写了诗。」
"Then."
「他被回收了。」
The boat jolted.
In front.
第零回收港的轮廓。
完全升起。
At the foot of the tower.
There are people standing there.
Row upon row.
手腕上戴着完整的黑环。
环面上的四句偈。
It was as white as bone.
They looked up.
看着陈凡的舟。
所有的脸。
都没有表情。
只有环。
It is glowing.