128: Strange movements in the forest conceal ancient secrets; young eagles work together to unravel the mystery.

Chapter 131: Ancient Secrets in the Forest, Fledglings Unite to Solve the Mystery

Half a month after the crisis in the coastal waters of the South of the Ranges was resolved, the "Eternal Fledgling Class" of the East Sea Barrier Base welcomed its first cross-district research mission—traveling to the Northern Territory Ecological Conservation Area to participate in wildlife observation and ecological data collection.

The special train crossed the vast Northern Territory wilderness. The scenery outside the window gradually changed from the prosperity of the East Sea to the vastness of the forest sea. Lin Xiaoyu held his backpack filled with observation manuals, his eyes full of anticipation; Ivan Lin leaned against the window, excitedly pointing at the reindeer herds in the distance, constantly muttering the Northern Territory legends his grandfather had told him. Several children from the East Sea Base were also traveling with them. The former estrangement had long since dissipated through daily interaction, and they were now gathered together, discussing the wildlife they were about to see.

"The Northern Territory Ecological Conservation Area is the largest oxygen reservoir in the country, hiding many rare species that survived the apocalypse," Teacher Li Fang explained, standing in the carriage with a holographic map. "Our mission this time is to assist the Ministry of Ecology's researchers in collecting activity data for snow leopards and sika deer, while monitoring the soil and water sources in the forest to see if dark matter residues have affected the ecology."

Upon arriving at the research camp in the Northern Territory conservation area, they were greeted by ecological representative Chen Ye. Fatigue was etched on his face, but a hint of anxiety was hidden in his eyes: "Teacher Li, children, welcome to the Northern Territory. However, there have been some anomalies in the forest recently. Our infrared cameras captured some strange tracks that are neither known wildlife nor appear to be Mutated Organisms."

Chen Ye pulled up the infrared camera footage: in the forest at night, a massive dark shadow flashed by. Its outline was blurred, and only the airflow it created as it moved could be seen, which was strong enough to bend the surrounding trees. Even more bizarrely, where the shadow passed, the dark matter residue levels in the soil would briefly spike and then quickly drop back down.

"Could it be dark matter remains from the Northwest Abandoned Factory blown to the Northern Territory by the wind?" an East Sea child asked curiously.

Chen Ye shook his head: "We have monitored the air and soil in the forest, and dark matter residues have remained stable within a safe range, only becoming abnormal when the shadow appears. Moreover, these tracks are too large; Mutated Organisms couldn't possibly have such a massive size while remaining so stealthy."

Lin Xiaoyu stared at the screen, suddenly pointing at the ground where the shadow had passed: "Teacher Li, look at the grass here. Although it's been flattened, there are no signs of corrosion. Instead, it looks like it's been nourished by some kind of energy, appearing greener than the surrounding grass."

Everyone's gaze focused on the screen. Just as Lin Xiaoyu said, the vegetation in the area where the shadow passed was exceptionally lush, which was the complete opposite of the corrosive nature of dark matter. Dr. Mary received the message remotely and immediately retrieved the geological data of the forest, quickly sending back feedback: "Beneath this forest lies an ancient crustal fault where undiscovered natural energy veins may exist. That shadow might be some kind of Ancient Creature that relies on the energy from the veins to survive. The spike in dark matter residues might be a brief fluctuation caused by the reaction between its energy and the veins."

This speculation shocked everyone—after the apocalypse, humans could still discover unknown Ancient Creatures in a corner of the Earth.

The research mission was immediately adjusted to "tracking Ancient Creature tracks and monitoring energy vein fluctuations." The children were divided into three groups and led by researchers deep into the forest to set up monitoring equipment. Relying on his superior logical thinking, Lin Xiaoyu analyzed the infrared camera angles and planned the optimal deployment route; Ivan Lin utilized his physical strength, shuttling through the dense forest with tools to quickly install the monitors; the children from the East Sea Base skillfully operated Quantum Communication Equipment, transmitting data to Dr. Mary in real-time.

"The trees here are hundreds of years old, and the patterns on the trunks are so strange." An East Sea child touched the trunk of an old pine tree, which was covered in spiral patterns resembling some kind of natural runes.

Lin Xiaoyu leaned in to observe, his eyes suddenly lighting up: "These patterns are very similar to the ancient rock paintings in the Civilization Spark Museum! Dr. Mary said that ancient humans might have recorded special creatures and energy phenomena they had seen."

He immediately took photos of the patterns with a portable camera and sent them to Dr. Mary. Not long after, Dr. Mary's reply arrived: "These patterns are naturally formed energy conduction trajectories! The energy from the veins is conducted upward through the tree trunks, nourishing the entire forest. That Ancient Creature is likely the guardian of the vein's energy; it won't actively attack humans, but we must not disturb it."

Just then, an alarm came from the monitoring point Ivan Lin was responsible for: "The energy fluctuations here are exceptionally strong! The shadow is approaching!"

Everyone immediately gathered at the area via quantum communication. Deep in the forest, a massive figure slowly emerged—it was a Giant Deer the size of an elephant, with antlers branching like tree limbs covered in pale gold patterns. Its body emitted a soft energy glow, precisely the shadow captured by the infrared camera. It lowered its head to graze on the green grass, its movements slow and elegant. Wherever its energy glow reached, the vegetation became even more lush.

"It's so beautiful," a girl whispered, her eyes filled with awe.

The Giant Deer seemed to sense the presence of humans. It raised its head and looked at everyone with amber eyes, showing no hostility but rather observing them. Lin Xiaoyu slowly stepped forward, holding a handful of freshly gathered grass: "We mean no harm; we just wanted to come and see you."

The Giant Deer stared at him for a few seconds before slowly walking forward, lowering its head, and eating the grass from Lin Xiaoyu's hand. The children around them held their breath, afraid of disturbing this ancient being.

Just then, a violent explosion suddenly came from the outskirts of the forest, and the energy fluctuations instantly became chaotic. The Giant Deer's eyes suddenly became alert, and it turned to charge into the depths of the forest.

"Not good! It's a transport convoy from the Northwest Heavy Industry Zone being attacked by remnant Mutated Organisms!" An emergency report came through Chen Ye's communicator. "The Mutated Organisms have broken through the defense line and are fleeing toward the forest. They might disturb the Ancient Creature or even trigger an energy vein riot!"

Everyone became tense—if the Ancient Creature was startled or if the energy veins rioted, it would not only destroy the Northern Territory's ecological barrier but might also cause the energy to combine with dark matter residues, creating new threats.

"Activate Five Districts emergency collaboration immediately!" Lin Zhou's voice came through quantum communication. "Genetic-enhanced Soldiers from the Northern Territory Defense Line, proceed immediately to the transport convoy's location to clear out the Mutated Organisms; the Northwest Heavy Industry Zone will dispatch Engineering Robots to reinforce the defense line; the East Sea Base research team will guide the children in using monitoring equipment to lead the Ancient Creature toward the forest core, away from the battlefield; the Southwest Purification Zone will deploy a Purification Energy Barrier at the forest outskirts to isolate the energy fluctuations from the battlefield!"

With the orders issued, all parties acted quickly. Under Lin Xiaoyu's direction, the children adjusted the energy frequency of the monitoring equipment to emit a soft guidance signal; the Giant Deer followed the signal and slowly moved toward the forest core. The Genetic-enhanced Soldiers of the Northern Territory soon arrived at the transport convoy's location and engaged in a fierce battle with the Mutated Organisms. The arcs from Magnetic Storm Rifles and purification energy beams intertwined, eliminating the Mutated Organisms one by one.

Engineering Robots from the Northwest quickly reinforced the defense line, and the Purification Energy Barrier from the Southwest was also deployed in time. The energy fluctuations of the battlefield were completely isolated from the forest. The Giant Deer stopped at the forest core, glanced back at everyone, and then slowly disappeared into the depths of the forest. The energy fluctuations on the monitors also stabilized.

With the crisis resolved, the children breathed a sigh of relief, their faces showing tired but excited smiles. During this research trip, they not only saw an Ancient Creature but also personally participated in resolving a crisis, truly understanding the meaning of "protecting the ecology" and "Five Districts as one."

"You all did a great job!" Chen Ye patted the children's shoulders. "You used your wisdom and courage to protect the Ancient Creature and safeguard the ecology of the Northern Territory. This is what the future of the Eternal Kingdom should be—developing technology while respecting nature; protecting humanity while embracing other lives on Earth."

The research mission ended, and the children boarded the special return train. Lin Xiaoyu wrote in his notebook: "The forest sea of the Northern Territory hides the secrets of the Earth; the Eternal Kingdom needs us to protect every life." Ivan Lin drew a sketch of the Giant Deer and wrote beside it: "It is our friend, and we will protect its home together."

In the command tower of the East Sea Base, Lin Zhou looked at the monitoring data from the Northern Territory with a gratified smile. Chen Hao handed over a report: "Commander, the Ancient Creature in the Northern Territory has returned to the forest core, and the vein energy is stable; the Mutated Organisms in the Northwest have been completely cleared, and the transport convoy is safe; the children of the Fledgling Class have returned smoothly; this research trip has helped them grow a lot."

Lin Zhou nodded, his gaze fixed on the five intertwined stars on the holographic sand table. The construction of the Eternal Kingdom was not just about establishing rules and developing technology, but also about rebuilding the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. Those ancient beings, those fragments of civilization, and those growing youths were all indispensable parts of the Eternal Kingdom.

"Notify all settlements," Lin Zhou said into the communicator, "organize the discovery and protection process of the Northern Territory's Ancient Creature into an Ecological Protection Manual and distribute it to all citizens. Let everyone know that our Eternal Kingdom is not only a home for humans but also a home for all life. Protecting nature is protecting ourselves."

A chorus of responses came through the communicator, voices filled with strength.

As the sun set, the golden afterglow spilled over the forest sea of the Northern Territory, casting long shadows of the trees; on the East Sea special train, the children's melodious singing spread across the vast land.