*Beneath the Blackstone Obelisk.*
Qin Mo was engrossed in deciphering the activation method of the Blackstone Obelisk. By now, he had fully analyzed the material properties of Blackstone. It was a unique substance that could either inhibit or amplify psychic energy.
Whether Blackstone was discovered and harnessed by the Void Dragons or actually invented by them remained uncertain.
The Blackstone Obelisk had no visible interface. For less technologically advanced races, it would be nearly impossible to perceive this object as a device, rather than just a monument erected out of some ancient whim. But the obelisk was indeed a functional device, and for Qin Mo, unfamiliar with its workings, the first step to understanding it lay in breaking through the layered encryption that guarded its mechanisms.
"Astral Engine, allocate eighty percent of your processing power to me," Qin Mo commanded the Stone Man, while his true form in the Tyron system channeled the power of the Star Gods into the living metal shell.
With preparations in place, Qin Mo delved into the encrypted layers of the Blackstone Obelisk. But when he finally uncovered the encryption method, he found himself strangely unsettled. His words faltered, hanging unsaid on his lips before he reluctantly muttered, "Are you kidding me?"
The encryption method was shockingly simplistic, almost laughable. It was—purely and simply—a basic arithmetic question:
What is one plus one?
The calculation was not written in human digits but was disguised within complex data streams or vast informational matrices that could overwhelm any lesser mind. Yet, to Qin Mo, it was nothing more than the most elementary of equations.
"Was this encryption crafted by the Void Dragons or by some cosmic trickster?" Qin Mo mused, half-bemused, half-skeptical.
He did not rush to enter "2" but instead scrutinized the data further, eventually confirming that this math question was indeed the security mechanism.
At first glance, such an encryption might seem laughable, but it was ingeniously effective. The Void Dragons had distorted the math problem, rendering its answer an impossibility. Instead of yielding "2," the calculation could yield any result, even something beyond a numerical answer.
This encryption was unbreakable by any technology, regardless of advancement, because it defied fundamental logic—just as humans must die when mortally wounded, one plus one must always equal two.
Only a Star God could unravel the encryption by realigning the distorted equation. So long as the Void Dragons' pre-set answer was known, anyone could activate the obelisk.
Perhaps the Void Dragons possessed more sophisticated encryption, but this simplistic approach clearly served a purpose.
But the purpose itself was inconsequential; what mattered now was activating the obelisk. Qin Mo began parsing the information embedded within, attempting to discern the principles of Blackstone technology, with an eye toward reverse-engineering it. Soon, he would either augment it with new controls or rediscover its original functionality.
He abruptly halted his work, sensing a presence behind him. Turning, he saw a silver, hunched figure emerging from the shadows, inspecting its surroundings.
It was a Necron—its living metal body unmistakable.
And Qin Mo recognized it instantly.
The Necron Overlord, Trazyn the Infinite.
Known for his fascination with the histories of younger races, Trazyn was notorious for plucking pivotal individuals or artifacts from critical moments, then reconstructing historical scenes within his lair.
Trazyn's collection allegedly even included an Imperial Custodian, an Inquisitor, and a handful of ancient Space Marines.
"Who are you?" Trazyn asked as he ambled forward, his skull's eye sockets glimmering with green light. "I presume you're not the one I was meant to meet—Cawl."
Qin Mo nodded, turning back to his work. In the proper sequence of events, it should have been Cawl here, faced with seemingly insurmountable problems and eventually assisted by Trazyn.
The Necrons had their own seers; naturally, Trazyn was aware of this.
Trazyn continued to pace behind Qin Mo, observing the bustling servitor drones. Although he was certain he had never encountered these constructs, they sparked a faint memory he couldn't quite place.
"Who are you?" Trazyn asked again, his earlier question still unanswered. "I don't mean your name. Consider it a question of *what* you are."
Qin Mo ignored the Necron's aimless pacing and kept his focus on the task.
Analyzing the composition of Qin Mo's metal shell, Trazyn noted its similarities to Necron living metal, albeit with slight atomic variations.
Shifting his gaze back to the Blackstone Obelisk, Trazyn saw that Qin Mo was probing for its controls.
It was not hard to deduce who—or what—stood before him. This figure was either part of another Necron dynasty or… a Star God. Only one of these could decipher the obelisk.
With a mechanical chuckle, Trazyn's metal skull emitted a low, resonant laugh. "Ha, ha, ha. You do realize it's dangerous to expose your back to an uninvited guest? But worry not—I have no intention of harming you. I merely wish to understand what you are. Allow me to guess…"
He was interrupted mid-sentence as his body twisted into a distorted coil.
Showing neither pain nor struggle, Trazyn remained still; his actual consciousness resided on Solemnace, his tomb world, far from Cadia. This body was but a shell, now rendered useless.
"I know this power all too well… You are, indeed, a Star God," he remarked, unperturbed. "And a sane one, no less. How… remarkable."
Even with his body contorted, Trazyn's voice resonated smoothly.
"Have you merely come here to make your presence known?" Qin Mo asked without turning, continuing his work.
"Just an introduction," Trazyn replied. "In time, perhaps our paths could align to mutual benefit."
Qin Mo paused, turning to Trazyn. "You're suggesting that a Star God and a Necron should cooperate? You must have a loose wire somewhere. I'd have expected you to try and capture me."
"No one can linger in the past forever. Times have changed," Trazyn said, his tone almost smiling. "Whether compelled by circumstance or ambition, even Imperial Inquisitors have allied with those they once deemed abhorrent."
"I have no reason to work with you. You may leave," Qin Mo replied.
"Perhaps not yet," Trazyn's green glow flickered, signaling an attempted withdrawal of his consciousness, though he reactivated his shell a moment later, speaking once more: "The fleet you chased off has returned to the system. I've left you a few surprises on your Astral Engine. No need to thank me."
With that, Trazyn departed.
As Qin Mo withdrew his force over Trazyn's body, the mangled shell collapsed, the green glow fading from its eyes and ribs.
Qin Mo remained silent, his Astral Engine had already informed him of the happenings beyond Cadia.
The Chaos fleet had returned, emerging once more from the galactic rift.