In the 73rd year of the Star Dome Calendar, the viewport of the Forgefire Embryo Starship was filled with a hexagonal golden-green radiance. A vibration like the buzzing of a swarm resonated from the Nianlun core in Chen Feng’s palm. Outside the viewport floated the "Forgefire Symbiotic Hive," a structure ten thousand kilometers in diameter, composed of layers of hexagonal cells woven from Sophora fiber and Stardust Alloy. Each cell shimmered with the deep blue of the Cold Abyss Ice Crystal and the golden-green of the Sophora Nianlun. At the heart of the hive, the "Queen Forge-Core," embedded with Cold Abyss Ice Crystal, emitted an erratic hum.
"Chen Feng! The hive’s symbiotic frequency is suffering from a swarm-effect malfunction," Su Yuhan said, pointing to her monitor where light points representing mechanical swarms were breaking away from the cell grid. "These swarms, formed by the symbiosis of Sophora fiber and nanomachines, are being eroded by a 'mechanical rust fungus.' The frequency of this fungus... it’s identical to the 'natural repulsion wave' of the String Breakers!"
Liu Ruyan’s communication line cut in, bringing a chaotic signal composed of grinding gears and rustling leaves. Appearing on the screen was the semi-mechanical bee-folk leader, Jin Huai, his body a construction of Sophora inner bark and mechanical exoskeleton, a "Symbiotic Bee-Core" derived from the same source as the Cold Abyss Ice Crystal embedded in his chest. "Outsiders... the swarms are attac…
Chapter 58