In 1960, Freeman Dyson proposed a novel theory about artificial celestial bodies. It involved a network of satellites forming nodes that would orbit the Sun, using energy absorption devices to completely envelop the star and capture most, if not all, of its energy output.
To put it simply, it was a natural fusion reactor that used a star as its power source, siphoning away every last bit of energy from an entire star system.
Dyson believed that the energy reserves inherent to a planet like Earth were extremely limited—far from enough to support the development of its civilization to an advanced stage.
In a star-planet system, the vast majority of radiant energy from the star is wasted. The planets in our Solar System, for instance, only receive about one-billionth of the Sun’s total radiated energy.
A highly developed civilization would inevitably have the ability to enclose its sun within a massive spherical structure, allowing it to intercept most of the star’s radiant energy. Only this could sustain the civilization long-term and allow it to reach a sufficient level of advancement.
Dyson believed such a structure was a logical necessity for any civilization in the cosmos with long-term survival prospects and ever-increasing energy demands. He even suggested searching for these artificial structures as a way to find alien super-civilizations.
According to the Kardashev scale’s three-tier classification, a civilization that has mastered the Dyson Sphere—one capable of harvesting the energy of its entire star system—has reached a Level Two civilization.
Shen Feng understood what a Dyson Sphere was. ’But what the hell is this Reverse Dyson Sphere that envelops its own planet?’
While it could absorb all the stellar radiation hitting the planet and drastically improve energy efficiency, it would also cause extremely severe problems, such as environmental degradation.
’The key thing is, if you had this kind of technology, it would be better to build solar power stations in space and beam the energy back to Earth.’
’After all, space is more than big enough to build power stations of an extraordinary scale.’
’Building this Reverse Dyson Sphere is as ridiculous as mastering rocket propulsion only to strap a rocket to a bicycle for a speed boost.’
’No... something’s wrong... This is completely illogical...’
Shen Feng’s brow furrowed.
’To be able to build such a massive Reverse Dyson Sphere in near-Earth orbit proves this world’s civilization had more than enough aerospace technology. There would be no need to expend so much time and effort building something like this for such a small amount of energy.’
’The massive reserves of helium-3 on the Moon alone would be enough for Earth Civilization to advance by an order of magnitude using controlled nuclear fusion. The energy from that would far exceed what humanity could ever get from sunlight.’
’Come to think of it, it’s no wonder the people of this world see the Salvation Army and their Commander as villains.’
’After all, they suddenly blotted out the sky, then vanished completely. Then they created all these monsters and just let human civilization wither. If you told me the Whisperers did it, I’d believe you.’
’At this point, perhaps the only way to find out the reason behind all this is to directly assimilate and devour the Reverse Dyson Sphere.’
Shen Feng’s Consciousness Antennae instantly sent the command up the sky-piercing Tower of the Gray Tide.
Immediately, at the point of contact between the Tower of the Gray Tide and the Reverse Dyson Sphere, a vast Nanomechanical Cluster began to devour and assimilate the structure.
"Xiaofeng, there’s a problem. Take a close look at the material used to build this Reverse Dyson Sphere." Jingwei’s voice sounded again. Her main consciousness had already entered the Tower of the Gray Tide to precisely control the Gray Tide as it devoured the Reverse Dyson Sphere enveloping the entire Earth.
Shen Feng immediately extended his own Consciousness Antennae and quickly discovered the problem.
The material composing the Reverse Dyson Sphere was extremely hard and dense, restructured and stabilized at the molecular level. And its structure was incredibly familiar.
"This is... a dormant, super-massive Gray Tide!" Shen Feng said, frowning.
’A Reverse Dyson Sphere? No, this is far too familiar to me.’
This was nothing less than a super-construct made of the Gray Tide!
The only difference from the Gray Tide he currently controlled was that the Gray Tide within this Reverse Dyson Sphere had undergone subtle structural adjustments. This new structure had the inherent ability to absorb and shield energy.
At the same time, encasing this several-meter-thick Reverse Dyson Sphere was another layer of graphene material with superconducting properties. He had no idea what it was for.
"There are numerous hollow spaces and structures inside this Reverse Dyson Sphere, spread throughout the entire shell. I suggest you come up here and take a look." Jingwei’s voice had grown much more serious.
Shen Feng’s expression also turned solemn as he looked around.
Below the Tower of the Gray Tide, several thousand survivors had gathered—almost the entire remaining population of Hai City.
Dozens of Quantum Ghosts were still scattered throughout the city, wandering and phasing through walls as they made their way toward the Tower of the Gray Tide.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Shen Feng controlled the Gray Tide’s tendrils, using the Quantum Force Field Core to annihilate the Quantum Ghosts and make them dissipate into the void.
With that, not a single Quantum Ghost remained in the Hai City Ruins. Judging by their travel speed, no new ones would appear for at least a few days.
The people here were safe, for now.
He casually planted the metal rod embedded with the Quantum Force Field Core in the ground before the young girl named Xiaocao. Then he spoke to Jingwei.
"Alright. Take me up."
The moment he finished speaking, the Gray Tide base beneath his feet writhed, enveloping him completely. It then transported him into the core of the adjacent Tower of the Gray Tide, shooting him upward at lightning speed like an elevator.
Peering through the translucent outer wall of the Tower of the Gray Tide at the dark world outside, and listening to the whistling wind, Shen Feng couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.
’A space elevator,’ he mused, ’that was the original purpose of Nanomechanical Cluster technology.’
’The Gray Tide, on the other hand, was just a byproduct of a catastrophic accident involving that very same technology.’
’How ironic life can be.’
As Shen Feng ascended, the entire Tower of the Gray Tide rapidly transformed. More of the Gray Tide, fed by devouring the Reverse Dyson Sphere, began attaching itself to the structure above.
The base of the Tower of the Gray Tide also began to retract, pulling upward like a foot being lifted.
Before the eyes of the several thousand survivors, the colossal Tower of the Gray Tide ascended with incredible speed. Like a tear being drawn back into the heavens, its base lifted from the earth and vanished into the night, leaving only smooth, bare ground in its wake.
The ruined buildings that once stood there had vanished completely.
The silvery-white light that had emanated from the Tower of the Gray Tide was gone, plunging the Hai City Ruins back into a dead, silent darkness.
Only the metal staff before Xiaocao, glowing with a blue light, continued to shine steadily, illuminating an area dozens of meters wide.
After what they had just witnessed, everyone present now understood: that blue, spherical stone could kill the Evil Ghosts!
Whoever controlled this "Magic Staff" would become the uncrowned king of this endless darkness!
Greed filled the eyes of everyone present as they stared at the "Magic Staff," but for the moment, no one dared to make a rash move.
After all, the man had planted the "Magic Staff" in front of Xiaocao, seemingly gifting it to her.
That man was far too mysterious and powerful; no one dared to defy his will.
The young girl, Xiaocao, was somewhat dazed, not understanding why he had placed such a powerful weapon before her.
But her long life in this apocalyptic world had taught her to seize every opportunity. She immediately grabbed the "Magic Staff," gave it a light swing, and stood among her kinsmen. Her family, in turn, closed ranks around her, protecting her at their center.
Then, as one, they all looked up at the pitch-black sky. A silver point of light had appeared—the very direction in which the mysterious man had vanished...
The Tower of the Gray Tide’s transport speed was incredible. Coupled with Shen Feng’s own powerful physique and the protection of his Gray Tide Battle Armor, he quickly traversed thousands of kilometers, arriving inside the Reverse Dyson Sphere at the edge of near-Earth orbit.
The gravity here was noticeably weaker. Shen Feng stepped lightly out of the Tower of the Gray Tide and found himself in what looked like a corridor.
The surrounding metal structures had already been devoured and replaced by the Gray Tide under his control, which now emitted a soft white light, illuminating the area brightly.
However, since he didn’t know what this thing’s purpose was, he had the Gray Tide reconstruct the original microstructure even as it devoured the dormant swarm.
Walking down the empty corridor, he discovered it still contained thin oxygen and even had an oxygen supply system. It had clearly been designed like a space station, with plans for long-term habitation.
"Jingwei, what’s the status? Any new discoveries?" Shen Feng asked as he walked down the empty metal corridor.
In a rare moment of seriousness, Jingwei said:
"Nothing yet. This thing is just... enormous. Even with an exponential increase in consumption speed, this will take a very long time. However, I have found large quantities of helium-3 inside, as well as some elements unique to lunar rock."
Shen Feng nodded.
"I see... I was wondering how they could possibly transport something this massive from Earth into space... So they devoured the Moon..."
Jingwei’s voice came through again, this time even more solemn:
"I suggest you take a look at this..."
As she spoke, an elevator door opened before Shen Feng, ready to take him to the outer edge of the Reverse Dyson Sphere.
"Look at what?" Shen Feng asked, stepping into the elevator, puzzled. "Did you find this world’s version of my last will and testament? Tell me, if I were to die, do you think a similar ’me’ would show up in my world to complete my mission? Wouldn’t that be a trip?"
As he spoke, he arrived at the outer edge of the Reverse Dyson Sphere. A window slid open silently, allowing him to look out at the stars beyond Earth through a pane of transparent nanometal—a magnificent sight no one had laid eyes on for centuries.
Shen Feng took one look, shuddered, and slammed the window shut, yanking his head back.
"Pardon the intrusion."