As Chen Ran's fingers touched the spirit ore, he suddenly felt a subtle vibration spread from his palm throughout his entire body. It wasn't ordinary physical vibration, but a peculiar resonance, like an ancient melody echoing in the depths of his soul.
"Mr. Chen?" Lù Xīngyáo noticed the change in Chen Ran's expression and quickly stepped forward.
Chen Ran slowly withdrew his hand, his gaze calm, "It's responding."
"Responding?" Professor Zhang and Lù Xīngyáo exclaimed almost in unison.
"This spirit ore seems to hold some kind of information, or rather, it is a medium itself," Chen Ran mused for a moment. "Perhaps, through it, we can unlock some secrets about the spiritual energy revival."
Upon hearing this, Professor Zhang immediately assembled the research team to begin analysis. But the moment the instruments were activated, the spirit ore suddenly released a powerful energy fluctuation. The air in the laboratory became viscous and scorching hot, as if the entire space was being torn apart.
"Stop it quickly!" Professor Zhang urgently pressed the emergency shutdown button, but the energy spread uncontrollably.
A few seconds later, strange cracks appeared on the laboratory walls, and light spilled from the fissures, illuminating every corner. Chen Ran stood in the center, his eyes slightly closed, sensing the trajectories of these energies.
"Mr. Chen, be careful!" Lù Xīngyáo tried to approach but was blocked by an invisible force.
Chen Ran slowly opened his eyes, his voice calm yet carrying authority, "Don't come closer. This energy is trying to resonate with my spiritual energy, but it's too chaotic and needs time to stabilize."
Professor Zhang and the others could only retreat, the entire laboratory filled with a tense and solemn atmosphere.
Under the impact of the energy, Chen Ran's consciousness once again entered the mists of the previous night. This time, however, he felt a clearer guidance, as if countless voices were whispering, or perhaps, it was the call of some grand existence.
"Chen Ran..." a deep voice echoed through the void, carrying an undeniable authority and ancientness.
"Who are you?" Chen Ran's voice was firm and clear.
"I am a survivor of the Heavenly Court..." The voice gradually weakened, but the profound emotion within it could still be felt.
"Why did the Heavenly Court collapse? Who was the enemy?" Chen Ran asked urgently, but only a faint sigh responded to him.
At this moment, fragmented images flickered in his mind: collapsing palaces, uncontrolled torrents of spiritual energy, and endless darkness in the depths of space.
When the images vanished, Chen Ran's consciousness returned to reality. He opened his eyes, and the energy fluctuations of the spirit ore had gradually subsided, but he felt an unprecedented sense of urgency.
A few minutes later, Wáng Yuè arrived at the laboratory with several senior military officers. Seeing the chaotic scene, his gaze swept over everyone, finally resting on Chen Ran.
"Mr. Chen, what exactly happened here?" Wáng Yuè's tone was grave.
Chen Ran calmly replied, "The energy of the spirit ore activated some hidden information, but it remains an unsolved mystery."
Wáng Yuè nodded, "Regardless, we must strengthen our cooperation. The spiritual energy revival is not just a scientific research problem; it also concerns national security."
"Cooperation is possible, but there are some bottom lines I will not compromise on," Chen Ran's tone, though gentle, was irrefutable. "This spirit ore and its secrets must be primarily deciphered by us."
Wáng Yuè pondered for a moment, then finally nodded in compromise, "Alright, we respect your opinion. But I hope you understand that we need faster results."
Late at night, Chen Ran stood alone outside the laboratory, gazing up at the starry sky. The mists from last night and the whisper of the Heavenly Court survivor continued to echo in his mind.
"Can the truth of the Heavenly Court's collapse really be found through clues from these spirit ores?" he murmured to himself.
In the distance, Professor Zhang walked over and handed Chen Ran the latest analysis report, "Mr. Chen, this is the result of the preliminary analysis of the spirit ore."
Chen Ran took the report and his pupils contracted slightly as his gaze swept over the data. "These fluctuations... are exactly consistent with what I sensed in the mists."
"What does this mean?" Professor Zhang asked curiously.
Chen Ran said softly, "This might be a key to the Heavenly Court."