126: Young eagles spread their wings and head to the East China Sea; an old factory hides danger and disrupts peace.

Chapter 129: Eaglets Spread Wings for the East Sea, Old Factory's Hidden Danger Shatters Peace

On the forty-fifth day after the promulgation of the "Eternal Kingdom Basic Law," the first group of cross-district youths from the Southwest and Northwest, on their way to study, boarded the maglev train bound for the East Sea Barrier Base.

The children from the Southwest were mostly dark-skinned, carrying the scent of rice stalks and earth, clutching boiled eggs their mothers had tucked into their hands, curiously pressing against the windows to watch the fields rushing by. The children from the Northwest had a sturdier air; many came from worker families, carrying simple bags on their backs, their eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge. Among them were both naturally conceived children and the first batch of gene-optimized children: Lin Xiaoyu from the Southwest, whose logical computation far surpassed his peers but who was poor with words; and Ivan Lin from the Northwest, of mixed Bear and Chinese descent, full of energy and always asking wildly imaginative questions.

When the special train arrived at the East Sea Base, the platform was packed with welcoming teachers, students, and volunteers. Children from the East Sea Base, dressed in uniform school attire, politely offered bottled water and welcome booklets. However, after just a few exchanges, a subtle divide began to show.

"You haven't even studied the basics of quantum computing?" a gene-optimized child from the East Sea Base frowned, looking at the ordinary notebook in Lin Xiaoyu's hand, a hint of superiority in his tone. "We started learning basic programming at three years old."

Lin Xiaoyu's face flushed crimson instantly. His grip on the notebook tightened until his knuckles turned white, and he lowered his head, unable to speak. Seeing this, Ivan stepped in front of him, retorting in stiff Chinese: "Learning happens at different times, no one is born knowing! We came here to learn, not to be mocked!"

The argument quickly drew the attention of the supervising teacher and Li Fang, the educational director of the East Sea Base. Li Fang crouched down, patted Lin Xiaoyu's shoulder gently, then looked at the East Sea child. "Knowledge isn't about who learns first or last; talents vary for everyone. The 'Basic Law' says all are equal—not that we are all the same, but that everyone has the right to learn and the duty to respect others."

She paused, then smiled at all the children. "From today, you are all members of the 'Eternal Fledgling Class.' Here, you have access to ancient texts from the Civilization Seed Vault, laboratories from American scientists, and companions from all Five Districts. What you will learn isn't just knowledge, but how to be tolerant, grow together, and support one another."

The children's emotions gradually settled. Lin Xiaoyu looked up at Li Fang, a new spark of determination lighting his eyes. Ivan patted Lin Xiaoyu's arm and grinned. "Don't worry, I've got your back from now on!"

Just as the children of the Eternal Fledgling Class were starting their new life at the East Sea Base, an urgent alarm sounded from the Northwest Heavy Industry Zone.

Following a resolution from the Citizens Representative Congress, the Northwest Heavy Industry Zone had begun an environmental protection equipment upgrade project. While demolishing an abandoned old factory from the Bear nation, workers accidentally breached a sealed underground chamber. A thick, foul stench of dark matter instantly poured out, and the readings on monitoring instruments spiked wildly—the chamber contained preserved dark matter experimental residues and un-destroyed Infection Samples from research on the Hell Envoy conducted by the Bear nation years ago!

"General! Massive Dark Matter Residue has been discovered at the abandoned factory in the Northwest Heavy Industry Zone. It has already caused mild infection in three workers, exhibiting symptoms of skin lesions and mental confusion!" The voice of the Northwest zone director, filled with panic, came through the quantum communicator to the East Sea Base command room. "The seal is broken, and dark matter mist is spreading. If it contaminates the snowmelt water sources, the consequences would be unthinkable!"

Lin Zhou stood up abruptly. The holographic strategic map instantly switched to display the Northwest Heavy Industry Zone. Around the abandoned factory, a Dark Purple Mist was spreading. Several infected workers had been rushed to medical facilities, and the engineering team had evacuated to a safe distance, but the mist's expansion was faster than anticipated.

"Activate the Five-District Emergency Coordination Protocol immediately!" Lin Zhou ordered firmly. "Dispatch a Gene-Enhanced Warrior Squad from the Northern Territory Defense Line, equipped with Purification Energy Suits, to arrive on-site within one hour. Seal off the area around the factory; no one is to approach. The East Sea Base research team, led by Dr. Mary, will bring Dark Matter Decomposition Equipment and Infection Treatment Serums via high-speed transport to reinforce the Northwest. The Southwest Purification Zone will deploy Soil Purifiers along the snowmelt watercourses to prevent contamination. The Lingnan Coastal Area will dispatch Coast Guard Patrol Boats upstream, ready to activate purification measures at the first sign of pollution in the river!"

As the orders were issued, the coordinated response across the Five Districts sprang into action.

The Gene-Enhanced Warriors from the North, clad in golden purification suits, arrived by transport and swiftly erected a triple-layered Purification Energy Barrier around the abandoned factory, containing the Dark Purple Mist within the core area. Dr. Mary's research team, upon arrival, immediately set up a temporary laboratory to analyze the composition of the Dark Matter Residue and prepare targeted decomposition agents. Soil Purifiers from the Southwest were transported overnight and deployed along the snowmelt tributaries, creating a purification line. The coast guard from Lingnan stood ready upstream, vigilant for any contamination.

Inside the factory, the Dark Matter Residue emitted an eerie glow. The surrounding metal structures were already heavily corroded. Dr. Mary, wearing a heavy-duty purification suit, carefully approached to collect samples with her instruments. "These are skeletal fragments from a Hell Envoy. Back when the Bear nation conducted their research, they didn't perform a complete purification. Instead, they sealed it in this chamber. Over time, the dark matter energy has seeped out, forming this source of infection."

She transmitted the sample data back to the East Sea Base. Lin Zhou stared at the analysis results on his screen, his brow furrowed. "We must completely eradicate the residue and neutralize all dark matter energy within 24 hours. If the mist breaches the containment, it will pollute the Northwest's industrial output and snowmelt water sources, potentially even affecting the Southwest's grain-producing regions!"

Engineers from the Northwest Heavy Industry Zone worked alongside surviving Bear nation technicians. Following Dr. Mary's instructions, they modified engineering robots, installing dark matter decomposition modules. The Gene-Enhanced Warriors patrolled the factory perimeter, guarding against any Mutated Organisms that might be attracted by the dark matter. In the temporary medical station, the medical team administered Purification Potion to the infected workers and closely monitored their vital signs.

Time ticked by. Although the spread of the dark matter mist was slowed by the containment, it continued its gradual creep. Ivan, Ivan Lin's father and a representative Bear nation engineer, volunteered to enter the core area to operate the modified engineering robot for residue removal.

"I'm familiar with this factory's layout and understand the principles of the dark matter experiments. I'm the best choice to go in!" Ivan stated with determination, donning a heavy-duty purification suit and taking control of the robot's terminal.

Watching Ivan's figure on the screen, Lin Zhou said gravely, "Stay safe. Evacuate immediately if anything abnormal occurs!"

Ivan nodded. Piloting the engineering robot, he entered the factory core. Dark Purple Mist swirled around him; the purification suit's energy shield flared to life, resisting the corrosion. He precisely manipulated the robot's arms, placing each piece of Dark Matter Residue into a Decomposition Chamber. Dr. Mary remotely adjusted the concentration of the decomposition agent, ensuring complete neutralization, leaving no trace of dark matter energy.

Just as the final fragment was being placed into the chamber, an accident occurred—a corroded steel beam from the factory ceiling suddenly gave way, crashing down towards Ivan!

"Ivan! Get out of the way!" Lin Zhou shouted from the command room.

Ivan reacted swiftly, maneuvering the engineering robot to shield himself. The beam struck the robot's mechanical arm with a deafening crash. Although the arm was bent out of shape, it successfully protected Ivan. The Decomposition Chamber activated, and within the golden energy, the Dark Matter Residue gradually dissolved into nothingness.

The readings on the monitoring instruments instantly dropped to zero. The purple mist inside the factory slowly dissipated, and the purification suits' shields deactivated.

"Success! All residue has been neutralized!" Dr. Mary's voice was filled with excitement.

Outside the factory, the Gene-Enhanced Warriors stood down. The engineering team began cleanup operations. The medical team reported good news: the infected workers' conditions had significantly improved, and their vital signs were stable.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts across the Five Districts, the crisis in the Northwest Heavy Industry Zone was successfully resolved.

Meanwhile, back in the "Eternal Fledgling Class" at the East Sea Base, under Teacher Li Fang's guidance, Lin Xiaoyu operated a quantum computer for the first time and successfully completed a basic programming task. Ivan Lin quickly became friends with the East Sea children, teaching them Bear nation wrestling techniques. The sound of children's laughter filled the school grounds. The initial divides and differences began to fade through shared learning and mutual support.

Standing atop the command tower, Lin Zhou watched the feed from the now-secure Northwest Heavy Industry Zone, then looked down at the joyful scene of children playing at the East Sea Base. A faint, gratified smile touched his lips.

Chen Hao approached, handing him a report. "General, the environmental equipment upgrade project in the Northwest has resumed. It's projected to be fully completed within three months. The cross-district education program for the Eternal Fledgling Class is progressing smoothly; the children are adapting well. Additionally, the Ministry of Ecology reports that the population of wildlife in the Northern Territory Ecological Conservation Area has increased by 15% compared to last month."

Lin Zhou took the report, his gaze shifting to the five interconnected nodes glowing on the holographic strategic map.

The construction of the Eternal Kingdom was never a smooth journey. There were moments of eaglets spreading their wings and trials hidden within old factories; debates over educational equity and the delicate balance between environmental protection and development. Yet, it was precisely through these repeated tests and their resolutions that the bonds between the Five Major Settlement Areas grew stronger, and the hearts of the people became more united.

"Notify all Settlement Zones," Lin Zhou spoke into the communicator. "Compile the entire resolution process of this Northwest crisis into a case study. Share it with all citizens to illustrate this truth: as long as our Five Districts stand united, uphold the rules of the Basic Law, and embrace a spirit of mutual tolerance, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome, no homeland we cannot protect."

A chorus of firm, resolute affirmations echoed back through the communicator, filled with conviction.