The lava star covered the sky with raging fire, and rivers of sulfur and magma flowed between the rocks. The real fire phoenix shuttled through the sea of ​​fire and sent a communication to the dragon ray. Opal kept thinking about that moment over and over again - the white light seemed to be something.

Is this kind of fluctuation an explosion of the power of faith?

That was a sign of a certain level of ability rising, but besides him and Lecter, who else knew the power of faith?

Coraline can't be with the Empire, Legson?

It might be Legson, but besides them, there are also Jasmine and Shepherd, and Shepherd is even less likely.

Xun can be considered one, if he can obtain the power of faith.

Blue light flashes in the sea of ​​fire, found!

The red mecha landed in the magma, Opal said: "Teacher?"

Rector's voice came from his mind: [It's not a problem, just a small injury.]

Opal saw that the dragon ray had transformed into what it looked like when they first met, an egg-shaped metal cabin, and Lecter was immersed in the sea of ​​time.

Opal took the metal cabin away from the magma sea, reached a high place, and looked around. Lecter's voice said: [The injury this time is not serious. Leave the nutrition cabin in two hours. You can fully recover within twelve hours.

.]

[The energy of the dragon ray is almost used up.] Opal said: [Raymond forgot to charge it, I will give you some of Phoenix's energy.]

Opal wanted to connect the energy pipeline between Phoenix and Dragon Ray, but Rector refused.

Rector: [Keep your own energy and replenish it after entering the lava star.]

This is an endless world of flames, just like the spiritual realm of Coralin, where volcanoes and magma are erupting all the time. Opal felt her eyes hurt after looking at it for a long time, so Phoenix turned the transparent window into green.

"Thank you." Opal said: "Where are the lava people?"

"You're welcome." Phoenix said, "Try the consciousness wave diffusion ability you learned from Rector."

"Meditation?" Opal said, "I think you mean meditation."

He closed his eyes and began to meditate.

The scanning setting is turned on in the mecha, and the infrared ground thumbnail is clearly visible. There is a giant mechanical device at the eruption vent of the volcano.

"I can assist you in sensing and recording everything that happens within five light years around you." Phoenix said, "As long as you use the waves of consciousness in my body."

Opal's mind was too strong, and Phoenix was simply an amplifier of the power of faith. He flew towards the crater and saw a huge gate made of Selke alloy.

There is a line of ancient human writing on it: Furnace of Flame.

Opal looked around and saw a weak light on the door. In fact, in this high-temperature environment, it was impossible to see the indicator light clearly, but Phoenix received the communication.

"Please state your intention." A synthesized electronic voice came from the communication channel.

Opal thought for a moment and said, "Phoenix, how much do you know about this creature?"

"Gray matter creatures." Phoenix said: "They also originated in another parallel universe. They belong to another branch of the Phantom Star People. They are very different from your carbon-based life forms. I think you only need to explain your purpose, and they will have

The ability to judge.”

Opal sent Yinni's special envoy message, and a moment later an electronic voice from the door said: "Please come in."

The door opened with a bang, revealing a red world inside, which was actually filled with magma.

In other words, if you want to enter the realm of gray matter, you have to sink into this river of magma.

Opal thought for a moment, but still didn't dare to go in alone, so he turned around and flew to look for Lecter. The red mech stretched out his hand to lift the dragon ray, pressed it to his chest, and merged with the dragon ray.

[Be careful of burning.] Lecter reminded.

As soon as the dragon ray entered Phoenix's body, Opal immediately felt a wave of heat rushing towards his face. However, what was different from the black iron alloy coffin he was trapped in was that the dragon ray turned into pieces and completely merged with Phoenix.

In one piece, True Fire Phoenix's mecha turned into a beautiful rose red color.

Rector leaned against Opal dripping wet, and the two sat down in the control cabin. Rector coughed a few times, and Opal said, "Let's soak it for a while longer."

Lecter waved his hand to indicate that it was okay, and the mecha flew towards the gate of the lava country again.

Opal said: "Who attacked you, teacher, did you notice it?"

Lecter shook his head, and Opal said: "I thought no one in the universe could hurt you... except Coraline and Legson..."

"Opal." Lecter said solemnly: "I think we are close to the truth, hurry up."

Opal understood what Lecter meant. Someone was blocking them here. At first, he thought it was just Rotman's pursuers. However, judging from the situation, it was not entirely true. He suspected that Legson was mixed up with the mecha team and ordered them to

Underestimating the enemy, they launched another almost successful raid.

Phoenix sank into the tide of lava. Opal's mind was completely relaxed at this moment, and he also felt that Rector was reading his analysis.

"What do you think, teacher?" Opal asked, consciously exploring Rector's thoughts.

Rector blocked Opal's consciousness. Opal was a little surprised by this reaction, but thinking that if it was really Legson, it would probably be a big blow to Rector, so he didn't say anything else.

"Teacher." Opal wanted to say something like "I have never betrayed you", but she didn't know how to express it.

Rector said: "I understand, Opal."

The true fire phoenix travels through the long river of molten lava. There is no air or solid matter. All that can be seen is endless lava emitting light and heat. Opal has the illusion that he has entered the interior of the star. Slowly, Phoenix scans

The map shows that they passed through the third magma fault and entered the core of the entire planet.

He saw something different.

Opal finally understood why this kind of intelligent life was called "grey matter". In the orange-red high temperature, these individuals appeared lower in temperature and darker in color. They lived completely in magma.

Six spherical masses of gray matter gathered together, and tens of thousands of gray matter appeared in the magma sea at some point. Opal said: "Phoenix, is there a way to facilitate communication?"

Opal was originally intended to be a device similar to a translator, but Phoenix transformed into a completely transparent medium ball. This is the core area of ​​the entire lava star. There is no gravity. Opal and Lecter are slowly suspended, with their backs leaning against each other.

Back, facing the gray matter life forms appearing in all directions.

The outer shell of the gray matter ball was projected from within Phoenix, extending out complex data analysis. Opal was dazzled by what he saw, and he understood the last line of words - consciousness wave creature.

"You can use consciousness waves to communicate directly." Opal said.

Phoenix replied: "Conscious waves are the highest form of communication in the universe. There is no deception or concealment. You should leave this advanced method of consciousness waves unused and be sure to use language that gets twice the result with half the effort."

"Because we are still human beings, Phoenix." Opal said: "This kind of unilateral communication may not necessarily be what the other party is willing to do..."

Phoenix replied: "I mean between you and Rector."

Opal: "?"

He glanced at Rector, who said: "Phoenix, I have my reasons."

Opal said: "Teacher, are you coming or should I come?"

The next moment, Lecter took the initiative to connect his thoughts with Opal, and faced countless gray matter life forms like stars. He got the first piece of news.

【What is the purpose of human beings?】

Opal and Rector were like two personalities in one soul. They had a lightning-fast exchange about whether to use the power of faith to read each other's heart or to speak frankly. In the end, Rector remained silent, while Opal

Send out message.

[We inherited the ability of Prince Igna and came to investigate one thing. Regarding the whereabouts of a large number of polygonal silicon crystals produced recently. 】

A huge mass of gray matter in the center moves slowly: [The path of mutation instructed by the stars begins again. This time, the remaining individuals will resume their mission. Every once in a while, a human spacecraft will land outside our country, bringing them with them.

Take the polygonal silicon crystal. If you are willing, you can follow its direction to trace it.】

Opal: [What does the sudden path instructed by the stars mean?]

Rector: [Is it related to the mutation of the clones? 】

Opal:【!!!】

Gray Matter King: [Yes, the transcendent of the stars has appeared. The star group is no longer able to resist and will become a tool controlled by the transcendent. You humans will achieve complete victory this time. 】

Rector: [The transcendent of the stars refers to the people around me?]

Gray Matter King: [No.]

Opal instantly thought of one person - Kyle Ray?!

"It won't be him." Phoenix said: "The transcender of the stars refers to the person who reverses the established path after your dark age."

Gray Matter King: [Don’t enter our territory again, the last batch of silicon crystals will be handed over to you humans. Now, leave here.]

Lecter still had questions to ask, but the gray matter king suddenly emitted high heat and merged with the magma sea, and its existence could no longer be found. All the surrounding gray matter also escaped into the magma.

Lecter and Opal's consciousness disconnected, and Opal said: "Go back to the land, Phoenix."

The mecha was isolated from the high temperature and slowly floated up in the magma sea. Opal said: "What does the transcendent of the stars mean?"

Rector said: "The representative of humanity chosen by the Phantom Starmen."

Opal had too many things he didn't understand, so he asked again: "What is the path to mutation?"

Lecter pondered for a moment, and then said: "This is just an untested hypothesis... Ivory Tower believes that the mutation of self-awareness of the first replicator that triggered the intellectual revolution was due to the influence of stellar consciousness. Otherwise, replicating life according to design

According to the scientific and technological theory of the body itself, it is impossible for a mutation to occur."

Opal wondered: "Why do stars transform replicating life forms?"

Rector said: "I don't know, Opal, Nolan didn't tell me that he felt that I was not the person of his choice. In fact, his attitude towards the clone army was very vague. I felt that he was not very protective.

Human, but unwilling to help the replicants...Phoenix?"
To be continued...