The question hung heavy in the air, thick with the weight of expectation and the chilling undercurrent of the unknown. "What are you willing to offer in exchange?" The Queen Mother's voice, ancient and resonant, echoed through the Xinghai, each word a palpable presence in the tense silence. Lin Zheng, his mind racing, knew that their next words would determine their fate.
He glanced at Mei, her face pale but resolute. She met his gaze, a silent understanding passing between them. They had discussed this possibility, the potential need to barter for information, for help. They had even considered what they might offer, but facing the Queen Mother herself, the reality of the situation felt far more daunting.
Xiao, their fingers flying across the console, whispered urgently, "Father, I've found something. It's an incomplete record, a fragment of an ancient ritual. A ritual of…transcendence. It's said to allow mortals to commune with celestial beings."
Lin Zheng's heart pounded. He remembered whispers of such rituals in the ancient texts, rituals shrouded in mystery and whispered warnings. They were considered dangerous, even heretical, by some. But if they could offer the Queen Mother something of value, something that piqued her interest…
"Are you sure, Xiao?" he whispered back, his voice barely audible.
"It's fragmented, Father," Xiao replied, their eyes still glued to the console. "But it's the only thing I've found that even remotely resembles something…significant."
Lin Zheng took a deep breath, steeling his resolve. He turned back to the comm system, his voice echoing through the ship. "Queen Mother," he began, his voice trembling slightly but gaining strength as he spoke. "We possess knowledge of an ancient ritual. A ritual of…transcendence. A ritual that was said to allow mortals to commune with the celestial realm."
The silence that followed was even more profound than before. The hum of the ship's engines seemed to fade into the background, the only sound the faint thumping of the crew's hearts. Then, the Queen Mother's voice returned, laced with a newfound curiosity.
"A ritual of transcendence… Intriguing. Tell me more, descendants of the Ming. Describe this ritual."
Lin Zheng, his mind working quickly, relayed what he knew, drawing on the fragmented information Xiao had unearthed. He spoke of chants and gestures, of offerings and preparations, of the delicate balance between worlds that such a ritual could disrupt. He emphasized the danger, the potential for unforeseen consequences, hoping to convey both the value of the knowledge and the respect they held for its power.
As he spoke, the energy emanating from the chasm intensified. The beam of light pulsed with greater frequency, and the hum resonated through the Xinghai with increasing intensity. The crew felt a strange pressure building within the ship, a sense of anticipation mixed with dread.
"This ritual… it is indeed intriguing," the Queen Mother said, her voice now tinged with a hint of something that sounded almost like… excitement. "But it is also dangerous. Are you certain you understand the risks involved?"
Lin Zheng hesitated. He knew they were playing a dangerous game, offering something they barely understood themselves. But the whispers of the Yueyang, the faint hope of finding other survivors, spurred him on.
"We understand the risks, Queen Mother," he replied, his voice firm despite the tremor in his heart. "But we are also desperate. We have traveled for generations, lost and adrift. We believe this ritual… that it could hold the key to finding our lost kin, to reclaiming our heritage."
The Queen Mother was silent for a long moment, a silence that felt heavy with unspoken power. Then, she spoke, her voice softer now, almost… wistful.
"Heritage… A powerful motivator. A bond that transcends time and space. Very well, descendants of the Ming. I will allow you to perform this ritual. But be warned. If you fail, the consequences will be severe. And if you succeed…" Her voice trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished, hanging in the air like a veiled threat. "…the knowledge you seek will come at a price."
Lin Zheng felt a chill run down his spine. He had made a bargain with the Queen Mother, a bargain whose terms were still unclear. But he had no choice. The whispers of the past, the faint hope of a future, compelled him forward.
"We are grateful, Queen Mother," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and apprehension. "We will not fail."
"We shall see, descendants of the Ming," the Queen Mother replied, her voice echoing with an ancient power. "We shall see."
The beam of light pulsed once more, bathing the Xinghai in its otherworldly glow. The hum intensified, filling the ship with a palpable energy. The crew braced themselves, ready to face whatever lay ahead. They had made their bargain. The price of the past was about to be paid.