147: Foundation Light

The existence of the concerto keystone was like installing a stable and powerful rule engine at the heart of the Alliance, and its impact was immediate and profound.

The rule anchor points of the keystone project, which once required immense resources and computing power to maintain, saw their stabilization efficiency increase several times under the light of the cornerstone, and energy consumption was greatly reduced.

Some fringe star systems, originally marked as "unsuitable for habitation" due to fragile rules, also saw their spacetime structures become more resilient, providing new possibilities for the expansion of civilization.

Einstein's "Rule Life Research Department" was renamed the "Keystone Coordination Department," and its work focus shifted from studying the growth patterns of the primal infant to assisting it in understanding and fulfilling its duties as the concerto keystone.

They developed more precise interfaces, converting rule data, network status monitoring, and cosmic-scale rule health reports from the tide of delusion, all held by the Alliance, into a rule language that the cornerstone could understand, for its reference.

The cornerstone's learning and comprehension abilities far exceeded expectations.

It did not simply execute stabilization commands; instead, it could actively and creatively "play" its rule power.

It would sense the "tension" or "inertia" of rules in a star system, and then, like a masterful conductor, mobilize its own "harmony" fluctuations, either to soothe or to stimulate, guiding them back to a healthier, more vibrant state.

It even began to attempt small-scale "pre-regulation" of rules, preemptively resolving potential rule conflicts that might arise from celestial activities or civilizational development.

Ling Shuang's connection with the cornerstone entered a new level.

Her Lullaby was no longer just a one-way comfort but had transformed into a true "concerto."

Her psionic energy, representing the emotions and will of the life network, intertwined with the cornerstone's power, representing the harmony of the rule's origin, jointly weaving a more magnificent cosmic tapestry.

She found that when her psionic energy carried strong positive emotions such as "hope," "courage," or "compassion," it greatly enhanced the cornerstone's effect in regulating rules, especially in healing rule scars left by wars or disasters, where the effect was particularly significant.

"It is through me that it feels and understands the power of 'heart,'" Ling Shuang said to Lin Mo after collaboratively healing a star system whose rules were chaotic due to a supernova explosion, "And my psionic energy, because of it, is closer to the root of the rules.

We... are growing together."

Lin Mo looked at the data of the revitalized star system on the star map, filled with emotion.

The existence they protected had now become an indispensable cornerstone and partner of the Alliance.

The Alliance's development report gained a prominent entry due to the cornerstone's existence, and presumably, the tide of delusion and the silent pure core would also have new assessments of this.

---

However, within balance and harmony, new challenges and subtle changes were also brewing.

The first to feel the pressure was the defense force led by Wu Yong.

As the Alliance's territory steadily expanded under a more stable rule environment, it encountered more and more unfamiliar civilizations and unknown phenomena.

Among them were some existences that were curious, vigilant, or even covetous of the light of the cornerstone.

A fleet of "Void Predators" from a distant galaxy, which evolved by devouring energy, attempted to approach a newly stabilized star system by the cornerstone, intending to draw abundant and pure rule energy from it.

They encountered Wu Yong's patrol fleet at the border.

A battle was imminent.

The Void Predators' technology was bizarre, capable of distorting local rules to a certain extent for attack.

However, when the rule disturbance of the battle reached a certain level, the concerto keystone, far away at the Watch Outpost, seemed to be "startled."

It did not attack directly, but rather projected the rule influence of its stable domain into the combat zone in a way that transcended physical distance.

In an instant, the rule structure of that airspace became exceptionally "solid" and "viscous," and the rule distortion methods relied upon by the Void Predators instantly failed, and their energy-devouring organs also malfunctioned due to the drastic changes in the rule environment.

Wu Yong's fleet, on the other hand, was like a fish in water, with its combat power doubling in the stable rule environment, easily defeating the chaotic enemies.

This small-scale conflict for the first time demonstrated to the outside world the terrifying aspect of the concerto keystone as a strategic deterrent force—it could not only create peace but also defend peace in an invisible way.

But this also brought new problems: Was the Alliance overly reliant on the cornerstone's power?

Would this reliance weaken the Alliance's own ability and determination to deal with crises?

How to maintain its independence and enterprising spirit while utilizing the cornerstone's advantages?

This became a new focus of discussion in The Committee.

---

Another subtle change occurred in the remaining Pilgrims' observers.

The official "onboarding" of the concerto keystone seemed to have a decisive impact on them.

Those individuals who were originally still lingering and calculating almost immediately ceased all activities as the cornerstone gained authority.

Their biomass structures began to slowly and irreversibly decompose, like melting ice and snow, eventually turning into the most basic rule particles and energy, dissipating into the universe without leaving any trace.

It was as if their sole purpose of existence was to observe and verify whether the primal infant could meet a certain standard.

Now that the standard was set and the answer was out, they had completed their mission and returned to nothingness.

This phenomenon made the Einstein Team feel regretful and also made them more aware that the level touched by the cornerstone was far beyond their current full understanding.

Behind those Pilgrims, perhaps deeper secrets about the self-inspection and renewal of cosmic rules were hidden.

---

The biggest change came from within the Alliance.

The existence of the concerto keystone was like a mirror, reflecting the mentality of various civilizations within the Alliance.

Most civilizations regarded it as a refuge and opportunity, actively investing in the construction and development of the Alliance, and technology, culture, and art ushered in a new period of explosive growth.

They began to spontaneously research how to better resonate with the cornerstone and how to integrate their own civilizational characteristics into that grand "concerto."

However, a very small number of civilizations, who advocated absolute independence or harbored doubts about transcendent power, felt uneasy.

They worried that the Alliance would gradually evolve into a theocracy or a technological dictatorship system with the cornerstone as its core, and they feared that the uniqueness of their own civilizations would be assimilated by the omnipresent "harmony" fluctuations.

Although this voice is currently very faint, Lin Mo and The Committee have not ignored it.

They knew that true harmony lies in embracing different voices, not in forcing uniformity.

To this end, Lin Mo promoted the establishment of the "Keystone Ethics Committee," inviting representatives from various civilizations, philosophers, and scientists to jointly discuss the ethical boundaries and codes of conduct for coexisting with the concerto keystone, ensuring that the Alliance's development is always based on free will and joint consultation.

---

On this day, Lin Mo, Ling Shuang, Einstein, and Wu Yong once again gathered in the Prospect Hall.

Outside the window was a more prosperous and stable Alliance territory; in the distance, the silent cosmic amber and the crystallized eternal cornerstone still reminded them of the vastness and mystery of the universe.

Beside them, the confinement room had been transformed into a more open "Keystone Sanctuary," where the concerto keystone radiated a constant and warm light.

"We have walked an incredible journey," Lin Mo began, his voice filled with emotion and determination, "From struggling to survive, to gaining recognition, and now to coexisting with the cornerstone.

We have proven the resilience of life, the value of wisdom, and... the power of cooperation."

"The road ahead is still long," he continued, "the pure core is observing us, the tide of delusion is recording us, and countless unknowns in the universe await exploration.

We have the powerful assistance of the cornerstone, but our ultimate destiny still rests in our own hands."

His gaze swept over his companions, finally resting on Ling Shuang and the radiance in the sanctuary.

"Let us continue forward, not as those who are sheltered, but as... fellow travelers.

Together with our concerto keystone, let us not only guard the existing harmony but also create new possibilities, answer deeper mysteries, and ignite this cluster of sparks into an eternal light that illuminates more dark corners."

The starlight was reborn, its light gradually intensifying.

The Alliance and its cornerstone were hand in hand, moving towards a broader future, and their story was far from over.