Virtual Reality Cultivator-Chapter 62: The Nexus Calling

Back aboard the Ardent Flame, the atmosphere was anything but calm. Ember sat in the briefing room, eyes fixed on the holographic map of the Genesis temple, now projecting five glowing points—locations of the remaining Nexus Protocol network.

Nova rotated the map and zoomed in on one of the points.

"This one... it's in the Zarkhon system. A former war zone between humans and the Dravok species. Ancient tech remnants and extreme magnetic fields—an ideal place to hide something."

Bell crossed her arms. "I've been there. It's dangerous territory, but not unreachable."

Ethan added, "The issue isn't just the location—it's who else already knows about this."

Enemies in the Shadows

Elsewhere in the galaxy, within a hidden station made of black metal and shrouded in thick red mist, a group of beings gathered around a massive screen displaying Ember's face as she opened the Genesis temple.

"She lives..." one of them whispered, its voice echoing with layered tones.

The central figure—tall, with glowing silver eyes and a biomechanical robe—smiled faintly. "Subject S-01 has surpassed her limits. It is time... to accelerate the awakening."

He pointed at the screen. "Send them. Let her know Nexus is watching."

Journey to Zarkhon

Within hours, the Ardent Flame plunged through hyperspace. The tension aboard was palpable. The crew knew this mission was no longer just about answers. It was a battle against a destiny written long ago.

Claire found Ember in the ship's observatory. Beyond the transparent glass, stars shimmered like watchful eyes.

"Are you sure we're ready for this?" Claire asked.

Ember stared into the void of space. "No. But if we don't try, we're letting them rewrite the future of humanity... and the entire galaxy."

Zarkhon: The Frozen Planet

As they entered Zarkhon's orbit, they were greeted by a hostile sight. The planet's surface was snow-covered—not with ordinary snow, but crystalline dust from wrecked ancient technologies, destroyed in the war.

Nova groaned. "High electromagnetic interference. Our sensors are operating at half capacity."

"We'll have to go manual," Bell said.

Fully equipped, they descended in hover transport.

Metallic ruins jutted from the snow, scarred and torn by old battles. Amid the wreckage, they discovered a sealed underground structure—marked with the same symbols found on Genesis.

Ember placed her hand on the panel. Once again, the symbols glowed, and the door slowly opened.

"This is it..." Ember whispered. "The next Nexus gate."

The Attack

Before they could enter, a deafening roar filled the sky. A ship shaped like a mechanical locust descended from the storm clouds, and from it poured bio-synthetic soldiers—flesh-wrapped machines with blazing red eyes.

"Nexus has sent... its guardians," Seraphina murmured.

The battle erupted.

Bell fired explosive rounds. Claire moved like a blur, dancing between shots with deadly grace. Ember, once more, called upon her psionic power.

Read latest chapters at freёweɓnovel.com Only.

But this time... something was different.

New Power

As Ember raised her hands, energy from the ground surged into her body. Her eyes blazed, and ancient symbols formed a glowing circle beneath her feet.

"What are you doing?" Nova shouted from behind cover.

"I don't know..." Ember replied—but her voice echoed as if layered with another.

With a single push, she blasted the enemies in a radius of dozens of meters. The air cracked, and reality trembled. When the dust settled, silence remained.

The team stared at her, awe and fear mingling in their expressions.

"You've... changed," Claire whispered.

Ember collapsed to her knees, breath ragged. But in her mind, whispers began to stir—voices of something far older.

The Second Gate Opens

After the battle, they entered the underground structure. Inside, they found a chamber much like Genesis's—but this time, not a holographic message.

An artifact: a glowing orb of energy, pulsing with information in an unknown language.

Seraphina touched it, and her body shuddered. When she spoke, it was not in her voice.

"Nexus is not just a project... it is a sentient entity. It gathers the consciousness of failed humanity... and now demands rebirth."

The artifact lit up and dissolved—merging into Ember's body. And in that moment... she knew.

Nexus is alive. And it was calling her home.

Chapter Close

Back on the ship, the crew now understood—they weren't just fighting remnants of old wars or failed experiments. They were facing a conscious being that had evolved through countless souls, and it had placed Ember at the center of the coming storm.

Ember stood before the crew.

"We can't turn back. We move to the next point. But now... we prepare not just for war, but for something that may not be from this reality at all."