The Blue Return Era

In the 34th year of the cataclysm, Earth was left beneath a sky of orange-brown toxic fog.

The Celestial Ark rose into the sky. One hundred and seventy-two million people evacuated to the Starsea Refuge, while 6.48 billion were left behind in the wasteland. Going outside required a heavy-duty gas mask. Acid rain would burn any skin it touched.

Lu Chen, a PhD in environmental engineering, held a ticket aboard the Ark, a chance at survival left to him by his parents in the sky. He tore it up.

Dozens of researchers who refused to give up formed the Return to Blue Front. In an old underground research station, they painstakingly reclaimed three hectares for an experimental restoration field. When the Ark's satellites captured a photo of the land, the people in the sky grew restless. If Earth could be restored, what was the point of the Ark?

Airdropped agents disguised as bandits were already on their way. A single boarding pass could buy a traitor, and a catastrophic wave of acid fog was bearing down on them.

Three hectares of experimental fields. More than thirty lives. Win, and the Return to Blue Era begins. Lose, and Earth remains an orange-hazed dead star forever.