263: Alien engine, technological blueprints

Laboratory No. 3.

This place was completely different from the rough and bloody nature of the rest of the starship.

The surrounding walls were forged from some unknown silvery-white metal; they were reflective enough to act as a mirror, yet radiated not a hint of coldness.

Complex formations were carved into the floor, but what flowed through them was not spiritual power, but a pale blue energy resembling liquid lightning.

The air was filled with a peculiar scent, a mixture of formalin and metallic rust.

Scarface and a group of pirates were currently huddled in a corner like a bunch of quails, not daring to breathe loudly.

Before them stood over a dozen massive transparent crystal tanks, inside which were soaked various grotesque biological remains.

There were giant pythons with wings.

There were fleshy tumors covered in eyeballs.

There was even a well-preserved... humanoid creature wearing damaged armor, only its head resembled a blooming metal chrysanthemum.

This was the "Doctor's" territory.

A madman who terrified the entire Black Sail Pirate Crew.

The young man with a monocle and an effeminate air was currently standing before a console in the center of the laboratory, studying with great interest the small pile of ashes that Lin Fan's "corpse" had turned into.

"Incredible..."

"The energy structure has completely collapsed, and even the most basic particles have annihilated, yet it still retains the most primitive life imprint."

"This is a subversion of existing life Laws!"

The Doctor muttered to himself, his eyes flashing with fanatical light.

He suddenly raised his head and looked at Scarface and the others.

"When will he appear again?"

Scarface's body trembled, and he hurriedly replied, "Re... Report to the Doctor, we don't know either. He... he just suddenly stood up..."

"Trash."

The Doctor snorted coldly and ignored them further.

His gaze fell back onto the pile of ashes.

Just then.

The pile of ashes lying quietly on the metal table began to squirm and converge without warning.

It was as if an invisible hand was kneading these tiny particles back together.

First, the bones.

Then the Meridians, flesh, and skin...

Under the shocked gaze of everyone, including the Doctor.

A complete human form was reconstructed in just a few breaths.

Lin Fan opened his eyes and looked around blankly.

Then, he looked down at his intact body and nodded with satisfaction.

【Ding! Detected that the Host has completed a "High-Risk Energy Self-Destruction Death". Death sensation level: Squad level. Death object intensity: Energy Hub.】

【Comprehensive judgment: Excellent-grade death!】

【Calculating rewards...】

【Congratulations to the Host for obtaining an Excellent-grade reward: Alien Energy Affinity (Elementary)!】

Another new reward.

【Alien Energy Affinity (Elementary)】: You have gained basic perception and control capabilities over non-spiritual power energy Systems.

Although it is not a Materials to repair the Mustard Seed World, it seems quite useful.

At the very least, next time I touch an electric gate, I might not die so quickly.

"Perfect! Too perfect!"

The Doctor's exclamation interrupted Lin Fan's thoughts.

He rushed up in one stride and circled Lin Fan several times, as if looking at a peerless treasure.

The light flickering in the eye behind his monocle made Lin Fan feel as if he had been stripped naked and placed on an anatomy table.

This look was very wrong.

"What... what do you want to do?" Lin Fan subconsciously took a step back, striking a vigilant pose.

"Don't be afraid." The Doctor wore a smile he considered kindly, yet his voice was full of temptation.

"I won't hurt you."

"I just... want to invite you to do me a small favor."

Lin Fan sneered inwardly.

Only a fool would believe you.

However, he was currently in the enemy camp, outnumbered, and facing a mad Doctor whose depth he couldn't fathom, so it was not wise to clash head-on for now.

"What favor?" He asked with feigned hesitation.

"A very simple, and for you, absolutely safe little favor."

The Doctor pushed up his monocle, turned, walked to the other side of the laboratory, and pressed a button on the wall.

Rumble—

The thick metal wall slid open to the sides, revealing an even larger space.

A hot, violent wave of air rushed toward him.

That was an engine room.

And in the center of the engine room floated a "heart"... so huge it was indescribable!

It was entirely dark red, its surface covered in blue veins resembling blood vessels, pulsing rhythmically, rising and falling.

Every pulse caused the entire starship to tremble slightly.

However, the surface of this "heart" was covered in cracks of all sizes, with countless violent energy arcs continuously overflowing from the cracks, emitting terrifying "zizz, zizz" sounds.

"This is an alien civilization engine we discovered in an ancient ruin."

The Doctor's voice was filled with obsession and fanaticism.

"Its power far exceeds all the spiritual energy cores of this era. But it is very unstable; no one can get close to it, let alone repair it."

"Any matter that attempts to touch it will be instantly decomposed."

Saying this, he turned his head and stared fixedly at Lin Fan with those burning eyes.

"But you are different."

"You, you can't die."

"You are the only 'tool' in this world that can repair it."

Lin Fan looked at the violent "heart," his eyelids twitching uncontrollably.

This thing...

Looks a hundred times more dangerous than that energy hub from before!

If this exploded...

Wouldn't I be able to get an even higher quality reward?

Lin Fan's heart immediately warmed up.

"I... I don't know how to repair it!" Lin Fan said with a look of distress, waving his hands frantically.

"It doesn't matter, I will teach you." The Doctor pointed to the energy nodes beside the engine, "I will tell you where to touch and how much energy to inject. You just need to follow instructions."

"If... if I mess up?" Lin Fan asked cautiously.

"Mess up?" The Doctor laughed, laughing extremely brightly, "That would be perfect; we could collect the most precious explosion data."

Lin Fan understood.

So, regardless of success or failure, he was just being used as a lab rat for them.

However...

This is exactly what I wanted!

"I understand." Lin Fan took a deep breath, his face showing a "heroic" expression, as if he were a hero about to sacrifice his life to save the world.

"To survive, I'll do it!"

Under the Doctor's "guidance," Lin Fan walked step by step toward the massive alien engine.

The closer he got, the stronger the oppressive feeling of that violent energy became.

The air became viscous; every breath felt like swallowing razor blades.

"Very good, just like that."

"Do you see the third energy node on the bottom left? Use your hand and press it." The Doctor's voice came through Divine Thought.

Lin Fan followed instructions.

His hand had just touched that node.

Hum!

A violent surge of energy instantly rushed into his body along his arm, frantically tearing at his Meridians and flesh!

Intense pain followed.

But Lin Fan endured it, not making a sound.

His attention was highly concentrated.

He could feel that the energy structure inside this massive "heart" was extremely unstable.

It was like a powder keg stuffed with explosives, with the fuse already lit.

And what the Doctor had him touch was one of the "safety valves" used to channel energy.

This madman really wanted to repair it.

A trace of imperceptible cunning flashed in Lin Fan's eyes.

Repair?

Are you kidding me!

How could I let such a good "experience pack" stabilize?

"Very good, hold it." The Doctor's voice came again, "Now, prepare to touch the blue node next to it..."

Lin Fan's mind, however, was already completely immersed in the perception of the energy flow inside this engine.

【Alien Energy Affinity】: This passive ability played a huge role at this moment.

He could clearly "see" that in the core position of this engine, there was a place that was the most fragile and also where the energy was most concentrated.

That was the "G" point to detonate the whole thing!

Right now!

Lin Fan did not listen to the Doctor's instructions.

His body felt as if it had been "pushed" by a huge force, and with a "stumble," he fell to the side.

And his outstretched hand, without deviation, "accidentally" pressed onto another area that was flashing with dangerous red light!

"No! You idiot!"

The Doctor's roar of horror exploded in Lin Fan's mind!

But it was already too late.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

Lin Fan saw that massive "heart" suddenly stop beating.

Immediately after.

Cracks like spiderwebs spread wildly, centered on where his palm was pressing!

A white light, blinding beyond description, burst forth from the cracks.

There was no sound.

No loud noise.

The entire world fell into a state of extreme silence and pure white.

Lin Fan's body, along with the "terrified" expression on his face, was completely turned into nothingness the moment the white light lit up.

Boom!!!

I don't know how much time passed, but the terrifying explosion sound, enough to tear eardrums, finally arrived belatedly.

Half of the cabin, along with Laboratory No. 3, was instantly vaporized in this violent explosion!

The violent energy shockwave sent the entire starship flying!

...

I don't know how much time passed.

Amidst the chaotic ruins, Lin Fan's figure re-condensed.

Before he had time to check this harvest, a roar filled with endless fury sounded in his ear.

"You... deserve... to die!"

A figure, charred all over, with half its body blown to pieces, crawled out of the ruins.

It was not the Doctor, but a middle-aged man wearing the attire of a technical supervisor.

Clearly, he was the person truly in charge of this engine room.

At this moment, his eyes were bloodshot, staring fixedly at Lin Fan; that look wished to swallow him alive.

"I want you to... Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering!!!"

The technical supervisor roared, pulling a small, pitch-black banner from his bosom.

The surface of the banner was carved with countless twisted, wailing ghost faces, and a chilling, extremely cold aura instantly enveloped the entire scene!

A vicious Magic Treasure specifically targeting the Divine Soul!

Lin Fan's heart gave a jolt.

If he were struck by this, it was really hard to say whether the System could protect his Soul.

However, just as the technical supervisor was about to activate the small banner.

A pale, slender hand appeared out of thin air and gently pressed onto his shoulder.

"Calm down, Chief Engineer."

A calm voice, yet carrying an unquestionable majesty, sounded from behind him.

"An explosive toy in exchange for an unkillable experimental subject."

"This deal, we profited."

The technical supervisor's body stiffened, and he turned his head in disbelief.

He saw a young man wearing black, gold-patterned robes, with a handsome face and a cold temperament, standing quietly there.

The Black Sail Pirate Crew, Vice Leader, "Blood Crow."

Blood Crow did not look at the technical supervisor again; his gaze passed over the other man's shoulder and fell with great interest onto the newly resurrected Lin Fan.

"Bring him back."

"My 'collection room' is still missing one... main course."