Chapter Eighteen: The Five-Colored Pillars of Light

After identifying a suitable location for establishing a base, the advance team settled into their routine. In just a single day, they managed to clear several square kilometers of open land around the lake.

During this process, the team discovered several differences between this world and the real one. For instance, in this world, both day and night each lasted a full twenty-four hours. Furthermore, the sun here did not rise in the east and set in the west as it did on Earth; rather, it seemed to operate on a dimming and brightening mode. It was as if a giant lamp hung in the sky, gradually dimming until it was completely off—ushering in the night. When night ended, the lamp would slowly brighten again, repeating this cycle endlessly.

Although the advance team focused primarily on building the base, they had not abandoned exploration altogether. The goal of their expeditions, however, had shifted from searching for particular landforms to simply mapping the area, and fewer people were now sent out to explore.

On the third day, in a forest some thirty kilometers southwest of the base, Chen Nian, Xiao Hu, and Old Li were making their way further southwest. They had brought supplies and had already been out for most of the day. Unlike Xiao Hu and Old Li, Chen Nian wore an extra set of leather armor. The construction was simple—two pieces of hide from a giant beast’s belly, pierced and bound together with sinew. Though it offered limited protection, it was light and well-suited for exploration. At Chen Nian’s waist hung a half-meter-long white blade, fashioned from the tooth of a giant beast. Having distinguished himself in the battle against the giant beast, he was now the best-equipped member of the advance team.

“It won’t be long before we’re out,” Chen Nian said, glancing at the bright sun overhead. He then lowered his gaze, eyes wide. Less than twelve hours remained on the countdown. If this alien metaverse was a game, it was by far the dullest he had ever played—most of his time was spent exploring. Yet, he could not deny it was also the most thrilling and demanding; failure here would have dire consequences.

“Brother Chen, when this round is over, will you come back in next time?” Xiao Hu suddenly asked, his tone tinged with reluctance. The two had explored together for so long, even hunting wild beasts side by side. A bond had formed between them, not to mention that Chen Nian was Xiao Hu’s idol.

“I probably will. This game is actually pretty fun,” Chen Nian replied with a smile.

“You’re really optimistic, Brother Chen. I bet quite a few people in the team won’t be coming back next time.”

“That’s true,” Chen Nian agreed. He knew, even if others didn’t, that most of the old scientists would not return. Even if they wished to, the authorities would never allow it. After only three days, some were already physically struggling.

As they chatted, Old Li’s hushed voice came from behind. “You two, look over there!”

Startled, Chen Nian and Xiao Hu turned in the direction Old Li indicated. About a kilometer or two to the southeast, a massive pillar of multicolored light stood upright, like a rainbow forced straight and plunged into the ground.

“What is that?”

“No idea.”

“Should we go take a look?”

The three exchanged glances. Old Li said, “You two wait here. I’ll go check it out. If I’m not back in an hour, head back and report.”

“I’ll go with you, Instructor Li,” Xiao Hu said urgently.

Old Li smiled faintly and patted Xiao Hu on the shoulder. “Chen Nian here has proven his worth and will surely get another chance to come back. You, as a space force soldier, will also have another chance. But as for me, I don’t have much use left. If it turns out to be something valuable, I might at least earn some merit. What, you want to compete with me for credit?”

“No, I—” Xiao Hu shook his head quickly.

“I—” Chen Nian started to speak, but Old Li cut him off. “Forget it. When we set out today, Wang Yinlong privately instructed me to keep you safe, since you’re a born commander. If it weren’t for your insistence on coming along, he would’ve kept you at his side.”

Hearing this, Chen Nian frowned slightly and prepared to remove his armor and short blade.

“No need, I’ve got my own weapon. As for that little jacket, it’s not much good to me,” Old Li said, revealing a white dagger. “Hey, I only managed to get this thanks to you. All right, I’m going in. You two wait here and stay alert. Don’t just stand around—if anything seems wrong, run.”

With that, Old Li gave Chen Nian a long, deep look, then turned and slipped into the dense forest. Despite being sixty years old, he moved with the agility of a leopard.

Chen Nian stood where he was, unsettled by the look Old Li had given him before leaving.

“Don’t think too much, Brother Chen,” Xiao Hu said quietly. “Instructor Li is a man with a story. He always looks out for us younger ones.”

“Oh? What happened to him?” Chen Nian asked.

“I heard it from the old hands in the space force. After retiring from active duty, Instructor Li became a special forces trainer. His son followed in his footsteps and enlisted as well. Under his guidance, his son became a legendary soldier by the age of twenty. It was quite the tale at the time…”

“And then?” Chen Nian’s voice dropped, already sensing a tragedy.

“You must have heard about what happened eighteen years ago, right? The world was on the brink of war over gene serums. Spies were everywhere. That year, the higher-ups came to Instructor Li’s unit to recruit top operators for a dangerous secret mission. Instructor Li, being utterly impartial, recommended his own son. Ten men went, his son as their leader.”

“They didn’t make it back?” Chen Nian’s tone was grave.

Xiao Hu looked up, his eyes red-rimmed. As a fellow soldier, he understood the pain all too well.

“No. All ten… perished.”

After a moment of silence, Xiao Hu continued, “It hit Instructor Li hard, but he never felt he’d done wrong. He never regretted it. Still, it led to conflict with his wife—they argued constantly and eventually divorced over it. After that, he was transferred to the newly founded space force. Maybe because of all this, he’s especially protective of the younger generation. That’s why, when danger arises, he’s always the first to step up.”

“So, he’s alone,” Chen Nian murmured, gazing at the spot where Old Li had vanished.

“Yes. Otherwise, why would his family have agreed to let him volunteer for this?”