Courtyard House: Primordial Chaos Pearl

In the golden wheat fields of the Mars base, robotic arms are harvesting the fifth crop of improved wheat. Thanks to the application of interstellar nutrient fortifiers, the fullness of the wheat ears has increased by 30%, and the protein content has exceeded 15%, setting a new record for Martian agricultural production. Meanwhile, in the cavernous ecological chamber of Osmos, the "green vein network" formed by symbiotic plants and subglacial lake microorganisms has stabilized the oxygen self-sufficiency rate at 90%. In the resource hub of Vesta, nutrient solutions modified with comet nucleus organic molecules have doubled the vitamin C content of interstellar vegetables and are being transported to the experimental bases of various alliance members via Starship-2.

"The Symbiotic Green Vein Project is progressing smoothly, with symbiotic plants already planted on 12 planets/celestial bodies, increasing the ecological self-sufficiency rate by an average of 65%." He Yushui presented the data at the alliance video conference, his tone revealing his satisfaction.

At this moment, Lin Xiangyang received an unusual alarm: "The symbiotic plants in the Gushenxing Cave Ecological Chamber are showing signs of withering! Microbial activity has plummeted, oxygen concentration has dropped from 90% to 72%, and the withering area is expanding."

The live feed on the screen showed that the once vibrant green leaves of the symbiotic plant had turned yellow and curled, with a layer of white, fluffy substance attached to its roots. He Yushui's expression instantly turned serious: "It's an invasive microorganism! This fluffy structure is neither a native species of Gushen Star nor the symbiotic bacteria we cultivated. It's robbing the symbiotic plant of its nutrients and inhibiting its growth."

The test data came back quickly: the invading microorganism was an unknown fungus that reproduced extremely rapidly, was resistant to low temperatures and radiation, and could attach to plant roots and soil to form a dense "nutrient barrier," blocking the exchange of substances between symbiotic plants and native microorganisms. Even more worryingly, a small number of spores of this fungus were also detected in the subglacial lake ecosystem of Pallas and the symbiotic plant zone of Vesta.

"Where is the source of the invasion?" Lin Dong asked at the alliance's emergency meeting, his tone calm. "This fungus couldn't have appeared out of thin air; it was most likely carried and spread by interstellar transport ships."

The Alliance's tracing team quickly launched an investigation and eventually identified a cargo spacecraft that departed from a test base in a newly joined Alliance country in South America and passed by Asteroids. Fungal spores remained in the cargo packaging materials of the spacecraft—the test base had not strictly adhered to the Alliance's sterilization standards when introducing the symbiotic plants, causing fungal spores from the local soil to adhere to the packaging and spread to various planets with the spacecraft.

"We must immediately launch the 'Green Vein Defense War'!" Lin Dong proposed a three-tiered response plan: "First, isolate the contaminated area and conduct strict sterilization testing on all interstellar transport ships to block the transmission path; second, under the leadership of He Yushui, unite microbiology experts from various countries to cultivate natural enemy microorganisms of the invasive fungi or optimize the defense mechanisms of symbiotic plants; third, upgrade the Lighthouse system to V7.0, adding an 'Ecological Invasion Early Warning Module' to use the Chaos Beads to deduce the fungal spread path and deploy protection in advance."

The member states of the alliance responded quickly: ESA provided high-resolution gene sequencing equipment to analyze the metabolic mechanisms of invasive fungi; Brazil contributed antifungal gene fragments from tropical plants; India shared its microbial natural enemy breeding technology; and Red Star Agricultural Machinery mobilized its Starship-2 aircraft to transport emergency sterilization equipment and uncontaminated symbiotic plant seedlings to the contaminated areas.

He Yushui and her team settled in the Gushenxing karst cave, conducting emergency research in a sterile laboratory. She discovered that the fatal weakness of invasive fungi is their intolerance to high concentrations of "symbiotic mucus"—the special polysaccharides in the mucus secreted by symbiotic plants can destroy the cell wall structure of fungi. However, the symbiotic plants in the contaminated area had lost their ability to secrete mucus, requiring artificial intervention.

"We can take a two-pronged approach," He Yushui proposed. "On the one hand, we can extract the mucus from the uncontaminated symbiotic plants to make an 'antifungal agent' and spray it on the contaminated areas to kill the invasive fungi; on the other hand, we can use Chaos Pearls to improve the genes of the symbiotic plants, enhancing their mucus secretion ability and antifungal activity, thus resisting invasion from the root."

Using the computing power of Lighthouse V7.0, Lin Xiangyang deduced the fungal diffusion path and the effect of antifungal agents: "The antifungal agent is effective for about 72 hours in the cave environment. It needs to be combined with the release of natural enemy microorganisms to achieve long-term inhibition. I have fitted a fungal diffusion model and prioritized the establishment of protective zones in high-risk areas."

Yan Jiecheng then directed the Starship-2 to carry out "Interstellar Sterilization Operation": "All cargo ships must undergo triple sterilization—ultraviolet irradiation, high-temperature steam, and immersion in a mucus disinfectant—before they can enter the Alliance transport network. At the same time, sterilization robots will be deployed at the edges of the green veins of each planet for 24-hour patrol and monitoring."

After ten days of emergency treatment, the fungal invasion on Pallas was effectively controlled. Antifungal agents killed 80% of the invasive fungi, and natural enemy microorganisms took root and multiplied in the soil, inhibiting the fungal regeneration. The genetically modified symbiotic plant seedlings were replanted, and the leaves quickly regained their vibrant green color, with oxygen concentration steadily rising to 88%. Scattered pollution on Pallas and Vesta was also promptly removed, preventing large-scale ecological damage.

This crisis made the Alliance deeply aware of the importance of interplanetary ecological protection. The Council formally adopted the "Interplanetary Ecological Security Convention", which clearly stipulates that all interplanetary transportation must implement the "triple sterilization standard"; new members joining the Alliance must undergo ecological security training and equipment upgrades; and the Alliance established the "Interplanetary Ecological Emergency Response Center", with He Yushui as the director, to coordinate responses to emergencies such as ecological invasion and geological disasters.

When the news reached the courtyard, the Interstellar Agriculture Museum added a new exhibition area called "The Battle to Protect the Green Veins." Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui, along with the children, listened attentively to the guide's explanation as they gathered around the models of invasive fungi and the physical samples of antifungal agents.

"These invisible little things are terrifying; they almost destroyed the crops in space!" Yi Zhonghai exclaimed. "Fortunately, Lin Dong and his team reacted quickly, and the alliance worked together to save those green veins."

Liu Haizhong held up a newly written calligraphy scroll, bearing four powerful characters: "Protecting the Veins and Securing the Stars." "This calligraphy is dedicated to all the heroes of the Alliance. May they protect the ecology of every planet, ensuring that the green veins forever encircle the galaxy!"

Yan Jiecheng's wife, holding a plate of pastries made with Martian wheat, smiled and said, "The children all say they want to be 'Interstellar Ecological Guardians' when they grow up, protecting plants and microorganisms in space. When Lin Dong and the others come back next time, I'll let them try this 'Peace Cake'!"

Looking at the museum during the video call, Lin Xiangyang felt a surge of warmth in his heart: "Grandpa Yi, Grandpa Liu, Grandma Yan, thank you for your concern. The ecological crisis has now been resolved, and we are now advancing the 'Green Pulse Upgrade Plan,' which will equip the symbiotic plants on each planet with 'ecological monitoring chips' to monitor their growth status in real time."

Inside Vesta's resource hub, Starship-2 is loading a new generation of symbiotic plant seedlings—genetically modified seedlings that are not only more resistant to fungi but also secrete signaling substances that attract predatory microorganisms, forming an "active defense system." Standing on the observation platform, Lin Dong gazes at the green veins stretching to the horizon, his heart filled with unwavering certainty.

The path to interplanetary ecological conservation is never smooth, but as long as alliances work together, technology is employed, and nature is respected, all risks can be overcome. Symbiotic green networks are not only a network of plants, but also a symbol of human cooperation and responsibility, and a beacon of hope illuminating the galaxy.

Lin Xiangyang walked to his father's side and wrote a new note in the lighthouse system's log:

"Only when green veins are invaded do we realize the fragility of ecosystems; only when allies unite can we demonstrate our protective power. The significance of interstellar exploration lies not only in expanding territory, but also in protecting every inch of life. May we take responsibility as our root and cooperation as our vine, so that symbiotic green veins can grow sustainably in the galaxy."

Lin Dong looked at the sentence with anticipation in his eyes. The Alliance has set its sights on the next target, "Haumea," a dwarf planet outside the asteroid belt, rich in methane ice and organic matter. There, they might discover a more complex ecosystem, adding new vitality to the Green Vein Network.