Chapter 153: Smooth Passage |
The spacecraft glided smoothly through the light veins of the Star Language Route, leaving the thrilling dangers of the Shattered Light Belt far behind. Xiao Lin was in the observation deck, calibrating the newly installed stellar dust analyzer. The screen displayed intricate spectral curves, recording the particle density and energy fluctuations of every star region they passed.
"Xiao Lin, come look at this." Xiao Ai's voice came through the communicator, carrying a note of surprise.
He entered the cockpit and followed Xiao Ai's pointing finger—the starry sea ahead seemed to have had a curtain gently drawn aside, revealing a luminous domain never before seen on any starmap. This light region displayed a peculiar spiral structure, with a central star emitting soft white light, surrounded by seven planets of different colors, each rotating slowly in the cosmos like precious gems.
A Xing pulled up data from the deep space detector, her brow slightly furrowed. "This should be an 'unregistered star region,' but detection results indicate... signs of intelligent life activity."
Xiao Ai's eyes widened. "We've discovered a new civilization?"
Xiao Lin's heart gave a sudden jolt. He remembered what Mr. Lin Mo had once said—the Star Language Route was not just a link between known worlds, but also a bridge to the unknown. And now, this bridge seemed to be extending before his eyes toward an entirely new starry sea.
After brief discussion, A Xing decided to slow the spacecraft for closer approach while activating stealth detection mode to avoid alarming any potential inhabitants. Xiao Lin was tasked with analyzing spectral data, while Xiao Ai attempted to capture any possible signal bands.
Several hours later, they received their first message from the unknown civilization—a melody composed of pulsed light. The melody was simple yet pure, containing some profound emotion, as if expressing life's curiosity and reverence toward the universe.
Xiao Lin closed his eyes, listening quietly. Countless images surfaced in his mind: the Hope Tree swaying in the wind, children laughing among the woods, the crystal network shimmering in the starry sea... He suddenly understood—this might be what Mr. Lin Mo called "Star Language," a means of communication transcending language itself.
The first contact occurred in orbit around a azure planet. The civilization called themselves the "Light Leaf Tribe," their technology based on light energy, bearing astonishing similarities to the crystal network. The Light Leaf Tribe's Elder told them that in their legends, the Star Language Route was known as the "River of Hope," a gift left by a traveler from distant realms in ancient times.
An indescribable emotion surged in Xiao Lin's heart. He finally understood that Mr. Lin Mo's legacy transcended not only time and space, but civilizations as well. And he had the privilege of becoming a new link in these light veins.
In the following days, they shared the technical principles of crystal engines with the Light Leaf Tribe, while the tribe taught them methods for long-distance travel using stellar winds. Xiao Lin recorded all data from this contact, preparing to bring it back to Lin Mo Station to supplement the Star Language Route's database.
On the day of departure, Light Leaf children waved goodbye outside the spacecraft's viewport, singing that original pulsed light melody in their own language. Xiao Lin stood in the observation deck, watching the receding starry sea, silently vowing to pass this newly discovered route—and this cross-civilization friendship—to more people.
As the spacecraft re-entered the familiar Star Language Route, the crystal control console's glow remained soft yet steadfast. Xiao Lin touched the "Successor" badge on his chest, suddenly feeling it warmer than ever before. He knew that no matter what unknowns and challenges future journeys might bring, as long as he carried light in his heart, he would never lose his way.
In some corner of the universe, Mr. Lin Mo seemed to be watching them with a smile. And the Star Language Route, this light vein connecting countless civilizations and hearts, continued extending toward even more distant starry seas...
This story could develop into a multi-chapter interstellar adventure novel. I could help you design more alien civilizations, route crises, and character growth arcs. Would you like me to do this?