Terra.
Several days had passed since the landing of the two manned rockets, "Dream Boat One" and "Empire Pioneer".
During these days, the astronauts, following the established mission objectives, had step by step used the various devices and equipnt carried on the rockets to complete and perfect the survival bases.
By the end of the Fifteenth Rule, both temporary survival bases had been fully constructed.
These two survival bases currently still heavily relied on resource drops from Tianshui Star, requiring regular launches of rockets carrying supplies for replenishnt. They were still far from achieving self-sufficiency.
However, you have to eat one bite at a ti. The fact that they had successfully established a foothold was already a significant step forward for humanity.
The next step after establishing a foothold was to begin using various professional instrunts and equipnt to conduct on-site exploration of the planet.
Although several superpowers on Tianshui Star had launched probes in previous years, most efforts had been superficial and tentative.
Now, humanity had fully pivoted, pouring massive resources into the space sector. Combined with the "special substance" answer obtained from the Nano Swarm intelligence, humanity's overall enthusiasm for space exploration was extrely high.
At this mont, inside the oxygen environnt chamber built at the Dream Boat One survival base, the astronauts were discussing.
Here, they didn't need to wear bulky space suits. They only wore a set of Constant Temperature Tech Underwear purchased from the Ascension Store, over which they wore a layer of specially-made insulated space clothing from the Space Agency.
"This rule period was really short, only seven days," one astronaut said with concern. "We definitely can't go back. We can only stay here to greet the next rule. What if..."
The expressions of the other astronauts were also quite grave.
When the previous rule ended, the voice of the Fire Thief had echoed in their minds.
This undoubtedly ant that even though they were on Terra, they were still bound by the Doomsday Rules and the Fire Thief.
Originally, the Space Agency's plan was to consider, during the Interval Period after the Fifteenth Rule ended, whether to bring them back.
Now, there was no need to consider it. Seven short days simply weren't enough ti.
"Let's hope it's a simpler rule."
"Yeah, we don't have that many resources to use here."
"I think it'll be difficult. The last rule had no punishnt and no reward. Given the Fire Thief's style, this one could be a high-risk rule."
"..."
Everyone fell silent for a mont. Then, Team Leader Wei Xuan spoke up: "Don't be pessimistic. No matter what the next rule is, we must hold our ground to the end. The country spent resources to send us here, not for us to sigh and moan here."
"The Team Leader is right."
"We are the pioneers shouldering humanity's future, haha. We definitely can't admit defeat!"
These astronauts were the elite of ten thousand, their resilience far exceeding that of ordinary people. Even if they felt slightly low, they quickly regained their fighting spirit.
"Beep beep."
At that mont, the team leader's communicator rang. He picked it up to answer, but just as he was about to speak, a series of piercing, agonized screams suddenly erupted from the communicator.
"Ahhh!!!"
The sudden screams gave Team Leader Wei Xuan and the other astronauts a huge fright. They imdiately realized those were screams from the astronauts on the "Empire Pioneer" rocket.
"What happened!" Wei Xuan cald himself and shouted into the communicator. "Robert! Are you there? Please respond if you hear !"
Robert was the team leader of the "Empire Pioneer." Although the two groups of astronauts had built their survival bases in different locations, they communicated daily, exchanging information.
"Urgh ah! Help!!!"
The screams in the communicator continued. Wei Xuan shouted anxiously, "This is Wei Xuan! Please respond if you hear !!"
The only response was more agonized screams. Then, a very rushed and urgent phrase was spoken. Wei Xuan could tell it was Robert's voice, but it was mixed with screams and he couldn't make out what was said.
Then, the communication abruptly cut off. Wei Xuan imdiately tried to call back, but could no longer get through.
Dead silence filled the room. Each astronaut looked at the others with frightened expressions.
They didn't know what had happened at the other survival base, but the screams that ca through the communicator were the kind of sounds a person only makes under extre panic and despair.
Yet, every astronaut who could participate in this mission was an elite human, one in ten thousand. Each had undergone detailed and complex psychological testing on Tianshui Star to ensure only those with strong ntal fortitude were selected.
So, what could they have encountered that would scare these resilient elites into making such screams?
An indescribable atmosphere of fear began to spread through the room. Everyone's expression was extrely grave.
Team Leader Wei Xuan took a deep breath at that mont and imdiately contacted the Space Agency on Tianshui Star to report the situation.
Soon, a reply ca back from the Space Agency.
"After double verification with the Suroma Space Agency, it is confird that communication with the astronauts of the Empire Pioneer has been lost. However, please note! According to the life detection systems remotely connected to them on the rocket, their vital signs have not disappeared."
Wei Xuan and the others were shocked when they saw the Space Agency's reply.
Hearing those agonized screams earlier, they thought the Empire Pioneer astronauts must have encountered extre danger. But if their vital signs hadn't disappeared, it ant they were indeed still alive.
Not long after, new orders arrived from the Space Agency.
"After an ergency decision, Team Leader Wei Xuan, you need to lead your team mbers to investigate the situation of the Empire Pioneer astronauts using probes or by personally going to the other survival base. If going personally, you must carry lethal weapons."
...
After the Fifteenth Rule ended, humanity's developnt path had beco clear.
One path was the exploration of space migration and the search for the special energy substance ntioned by the Nano Swarm.
The other path was the digitization and backup of human mories, achieving digital life technology.
These two paths were not mutually exclusive; they could proceed simultaneously, serving as insurance for each other. However, both paths were like voracious behemoths, with an imnse demand for resources.
Space technology, needless to say, had always been a major resource consur. But the energy demands for digital life were even higher.
Human mory was extrely complex, like an iceberg in the ocean. The conscious mories were just the tip above water; the real bulk was hidden beneath, in the subconscious of the human brain.
To truly back up human mories, these incredibly complex subconscious activities needed to be converted and stored. Even for a single individual, according to computer projections, this would require terrifying amounts of computing power and electrical resources.
If the subconscious of all of humanity were to be converted and stored, the resources consud would be astronomical, a conclusion the Human Consortium quickly reached.
Then a question humanity was unwilling to face, but had to face, would erge once the technology was successfully developed.
If there weren't enough resources to back up everyone's mories, who gets backed up first? How is the queue arranged?
If not handled properly, such a problem would inevitably trigger civil war among humans. Therefore, the Human Consortium decided not to disclose it for now, waiting until the technology was fully realized.
What if, before the technology was realized, humanity found that special substance in the universe, achieving nearly limitless energy acquisition? Although the hope was slim, it wasn't impossible.
On the other hand, the Human Consortium also rapidly passed a resolution.
Because previous rules had caused the demise of many nations, the lands of these countries were now almost uninhabited, their cities almost becoming ghost towns.
Rather than letting these lands lie empty, it was better to maximize their value.
This resolution was to utilize the vast uninhabited lands to manufacture massive quantities of photovoltaic panels, covering them to generate the enormous electrical resources needed for the Digital Life Plan.
After clarifying these two paths, besides channeling resources into fields related to these paths, the Human Consortium had two urgent matters to handle.
The first was to find and eliminate the leader of the parasitized forms, the "Prophet." From the surprise attack tactics on the Landing Site it had devised, it was clear that leaving it unchecked would pose a huge threat to humanity.
The second was to completely eradicate the Fire Thief Worship Cult. These cultists, as humans, had actually secretly collaborated with parasitized forms during this rule period, acting as human traitors, completely crossing the line of what humanity could accept.
Two paths, two urgent matters. These were the action guidelines for mber states determined by the Human Consortium in its latest eting. Everything else had to give way to them.
However, beyond these high-level strategies, each country also had its own dostic problems to handle.
After the exposure of the "Annihilator," Suroma began manufacturing more intelligent war machines, making comprehensive preparations for an attack on Fahe.
Beixing was conducting a comprehensive population survey, updating information on all personnel to maximize the utilization of talent and capabilities, ensuring everyone was in the position most suitable for them, forming a combined force to make the nation as a whole more efficient.
Due to the downfall of the many personnel involved with the Yuzawa Family, Sakura Prayer Country was still slowly recovering. In the short term, it only sought self-preservation and stability, having neither the desire nor the capability for other pursuits.
In Xisiya, Administrator Yelanka had to address the irreconcilable contradiction between her own insufficient power base and the strong opposition from the Lijeka faction.
As for the other few smaller nations, because their populations and production capacities were severely insufficient, they could only strive to maintain stability and cooperate to complete the industrial tasks assigned by the major powers.
Outside these nations, there were many survivors living in seclusion, revering nature, and so unaffiliated Ascendant rcenaries living on the edge of the knife. They also needed to fight for survival in their own ways.
The once-powerful Tulip Alliance had long since declined due to internal strife. After the [Extraterrestrial Parasitism] rule, the various warlord forces completely collapsed. It had now degenerated into so rcenary groups specializing in illegal commissions, despised by others.
Such a world, though scarred and battered, had not completely lost hope. Even while retreating step by step, humanity was still fighting for survival, and moving forward unwaveringly along the established paths.
And so, the seven-day Rule Interval Period passed in the blink of an eye. As soon as the ti arrived, the voice of the Fire Thief resounded promptly in the mind of every human.
[The Sixteenth Doomsday Rule has been issued]
[Doomsday Rule Sixteen: Death Race]
[Rule Content: 3 hours after the rule is issued, all Ascendants holding the item "Second Ascendant Challenge Tournant Invitation" will obtain the temporary special title "Contestant." Ascendants holding this title are mutually hostile to each other. They can see each other's nickna and point count displayed above their heads. Killing an opponent grants 1 point plus all points the opponent possesses. The rule duration is seven days.]
[Success Reward: Those ranked within the top 10,000 in points will receive different tiered rewards]
[Failure Penalty: Mind Power decay for those who forfeit]
[Note: This is a ga that belongs only to the brave. The weak and cowards, please consciously retreat, discard your invitation, and stay away from the conflict]
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