The smoke of the mine ruins had yet to fully clear. Valerius's cruel handiwork, along with his words of looking forward to their next encounter, were branded deep within everyone's hearts. The self-destruction alarm of Zone Zero still echoed in their ears, carrying a final threat of death. Leading all survivors, Jin Wanchao fled the hellish mine with massive quantities of resonant crystal mere moments before the detonation.
Back at the Geothermal Main Station, there was no trace of triumph or joy in the air. Although Ah Huo had woken from his coma, the light in his eyes had been utterly snuffed out by the sight of his younger sister Ah Rou struggling upon the experimental table. He sat silently in the corner, polishing his steam gauntlets over and over again. Every movement he made held a deathly cold killing intent, sharper than any blade. Old Zhong's face was etched with exhaustion and rage, while Wrench and the rest of their crew were filled with unease. Valerius's Chimera Project had shattered all their illusions about the Black Steel Council.
Jin Wanchao had no time for sorrow or fury. He could clearly perceive the flames burning within every soul around him, reduced to faint embers after being scorched by overwhelming despair. The traps laid by Valerius and the brutal truths they had uncovered had dealt a heavy blow to the entire team.
He walked over to Ah Huo and gently patted his shoulder. Ah Huo did not respond, continuing his mechanical polishing without pause.
"Ah Huo," Jin Wanchao spoke in a hoarse yet unyielding tone, "your sister is still waiting for us."
Ah Huo's body jolted sharply, and his movements came to an abrupt halt. Slowly, he lifted his head. Bloodshot eyes finally flickered with a faint resolve far stronger than anything seen before.
Jin Wanchao said no more, knowing Ah Huo had understood his meaning.
He turned to look at Old Zhong, whose gaze was clouded with worry. Yet upon meeting Jin Wanchao's steadfast eyes, those doubts solidified into quiet, gathered strength.
"Old Zhong, Ah Huo," Jin Wanchao raised his voice, letting it reverberate across the spacious station, "it is time to construct the Resonance Frame."
At these words, every person present lifted their heads in shock.
The Resonance Frame, an ancient artifact mentioned within the Whispering Fang that could vastly amplify the range and potency of Jin Wanchao's divine perception. Now, they possessed an abundant stock of resonant crystal needed to bring it to life.
The heavy shadows of defeat and despair were instantly dispelled by a new surge of hope and purpose. They had suffered setbacks, yet they had never surrendered. Valerius had sought to break them with hopelessness, but Jin Wanchao always carved a path toward salvation from the cracks of despair.
The entire Geothermal Main Station stirred into action once more. This time, however, there was no frantic haste or reckless fervor, only calm professionalism and grim determination. The successful retrieval of resonant crystal had granted them unprecedented confidence.
Jin Wanchao took charge as the chief engineer, the Whispering Fang in his hand humming steadily as torrents of data flooded his mind. He could visualize every gear, every energy pipeline, and every power node of the Resonance Frame, knowing their precise positions and connections down to the smallest detail. Old Zhong led a team of master craftsmen, translating every blueprint specification into tangible reality with divine precision. Ah Huo channeled his cold, smoldering rage entirely into refitting weapons and gear, vowing for every component to carry their wrath against the Black Steel Council.
The clanging of metal on metal, the crackle of arcing electricity, the low rumble of steam generators, and the unique thrumming of cut resonant crystals wove together into a new anthem forged by creators.
Three days later.
At the heart of the Geothermal Main Station stood a colossal structure assembled from countless gears, pipelines, and translucent resonant crystals. Towering ten meters high, forged from dark iron and refined steel, its surface was etched with ancient, mystical runes that glowed softly beneath the cool azure radiance of the crystals.
This was the Resonance Frame.
Rugged and bulky in appearance, it exuded an air of solemn sanctity beyond description. Its central core housed hundreds of resonant crystals of varying sizes, drawing endless power from the Geothermal Main Station to converge into an overwhelming surge of energy.
Jin Wanchao stood before the frame, his inner flame burning steady and calm. As he attuned himself to this transformative power on the verge of awakening, his heart remained tranquil. He did not indulge in the thrill of strength; instead, he embraced the suffering and prayers of all souls across this land.
"Initiate activation," Jin Wanchao commanded.
Old Zhong, Ah Huo, and the core team members placed their hands simultaneously upon the activation runes encircling the frame.
A deep hum echoed forth, bathing the entire station in gentle yet formidable azure light. The glow was not harsh to behold, carrying warmth and compassion within its aura.
Jin Wanchao slowly pressed his palm against the frame's central core.
A thunderous roar resounded outward.
The flame dwelling deep inside him erupted forth like a breached flood surge, pouring violently into the Resonance Frame. The core blazed to life in an instant, every resonant crystal flaring with dazzling luminosity while the runes slithered across the structure like awakened living entities.
Unprecedented power surged through Jin Wanchao's entire being in an instant.
His perception expanded infinitely, spilling beyond the boundaries of the Geothermal Main Station, piercing thick layers of crust, stretching across the entire city subjugated under the Black Steel Council's rule. He saw it all: the dilapidated slums of the Lower District, rusted abandoned factories, cold desolate streets. He heard it all: the quiet murmurs of countless people trapped in darkness, their fear, despair, defiance, and the faint flickering embers of inner hope clinging stubbornly against the odds.
His connection to this vast realm was vivid and all-encompassing, as if the entire Lower District had become an extension of his own body. He witnessed the numb expressions etched upon the oppressed populace and the longing burning quietly within their eyes.
Amid the overwhelming tide of information flooding his senses, Jin Wanchao clearly heard the terrified cries and desperate pleas of countless children trapped within the Nursery Factories.
And rising above all these cries of agony, one fragile yet unmistakable voice cut through the chaos straight to his heart.
Brother...
Jin Wanchao's pupils contracted sharply. He opened his eyes wide, radiating unparalleled resolve.
Turning toward Ah Huo and Wrench beside him, his tone steady, firm, and unshakable.
"I have found her. All hands, prepare for war."