Chapter 109: Extraterrestrial Stowaways!

“Try again?”

The head of the Gene Optimization Zone glanced at Lin Qing with slight surprise but said nothing, simply letting him sign the contract and approve it.

After all, he had seen this scenario many times before.

Normally, a person could achieve only three or four rounds of gene optimization from high-energy radiation, but some individuals always managed four.

Though rare, most people fantasized they were among that minority.

Since one first-class merit entitled him to only three rounds of high-energy radiation evolution, he naturally said nothing.

…

In the blink of an eye, it was July 14.

As Chen Guang had predicted, the gene optimization for the ability “Divine Speed” succeeded on the first day of the third round.

Lin Qing thus gained a new third-tier gene ability: “Divine Speed.”

After activation, “Divine Speed” roughly doubled his speed—a significant enhancement.

His gene optimization index had reached 91.6%.

If he wished, even without prepaying for Gene Awakening, he had an excellent chance of succeeding in Gene Awakening! But once awakened, further gene optimization would become impossibly difficult.

He could still continue exploring the fourth-tier abilities of the Celestial Ruler bloodline, so he naturally chose to wait a little longer.

Even so, Lin Qing’s strength had improved considerably since his first arrival at the Patrol Headquarters.

His strength, speed, perception, and recovery had all seen substantial gains.

With “Instant Light” activated, he even felt he could hold his own against some second-rank elite patrols.

“Now I just need the Headquarters to produce the ‘Energy Stabilizer.’”

Lin Qing mused to himself, “I’ve already repaid the Star Refining Art. With the Energy Stabilizer, I can finally attempt to unlock the fourth-tier abilities of the Celestial Ruler bloodline.”

Tomorrow is the 15th.

According to the training division’s schedule, new patrols must select one patrol mission each month on the 15th and go out on duty.

If capable and available, selecting multiple missions is permitted.

“Forget it, I’ll deal with it when I get back.”

Lin Qing didn’t mind waiting a few days—it wasn’t urgent.

The missions available to new patrols were all appropriately challenging, achievable by anyone with Patrol Chief-level strength.

His true strength now was at least close to that of a second-rank elite patrol.

This level of difficulty for new recruits was no challenge at all.

…

The next morning.

Inside the training division’s office building, new patrols arrived one by one to select suitable patrol missions.

“Lin Qing.”

Yuan Anping and Xu Qiu waited for Lin Qing at the first-floor entrance; Yuan Anping couldn’t help sizing him up and asked, “Why have you been invisible since arriving at Headquarters? I’ve barely seen you at meals. Listen, there are plenty of entertainment spots on the island—I’ve had no one to go with.”

Lin Qing shrugged, “I’ve been busy training. I just eat whatever I can at the apartment with Jia Yi.”

“Poor girl…” Yuan Anping sighed. “She traveled all this way alone just to follow you, and now she’s constantly ignored.”

“She’s actually quite happy,” Lin Qing said, glancing at him.

The island had plenty of high-tech equipment; he’d bought Zhao Jiayi a full VR setup with hyper-realistic immersion, and now she was utterly addicted to first-person games and movies—she’d forget to eat if he didn’t remind her.

It suited him well too, since he needed to train, and it kept her from dragging him into watching ancient TV dramas.

“How’s your progress lately?” Yuan Anping studied Lin Qing.

“Only half a month—no real progress,” Lin Qing shook his head.

Yuan Anping seemed like a double agent—who knew if he’d use Lin Qing’s strength to include him in some plan?

So he’d decided to hide his true capabilities from Yuan Anping as much as possible.

“What about Xu Qiu? How’s she doing?”

Lin Qing changed the subject, glancing at the cold, aloof female patrol beside him.

Being fellow townspeople, he was only truly close to these two among all the new patrols.

“I just finished my third gene optimization,” Xu Qiu said. “My strength has improved significantly, but my combat techniques haven’t advanced much—and… the Bloodline Evolution Method is just too hard to cultivate.”

Lin Qing was surprised. “You’re also practicing Bloodline Evolution?”

“My aunt helped me,” Xu Qiu shook her head slightly. “The gene optimization and bloodline evolution serum were all arranged by her—I wouldn’t have access to such benefits on my own talent.”

“So it’s Patrol Envoy Tang,” Lin Qing realized.

He himself received gene optimization benefits because he fulfilled the contract’s additional clause—most new patrols selected by Headquarters couldn’t complete them.

Patrol Envoy Tang, as an Envoy, held fourth-rank authorization at Headquarters.

If she was willing to help, it was perfectly normal for her to pay out of pocket so Xu Qiu could enjoy these privileges.

“What kind of bloodline evolution serum did you get?” Lin Qing asked curiously.

Xu Qiu had no intention of hiding it: “The ‘Minor’ version of the Primitive-tier serum.”

“Not bad,” Lin Qing nodded slightly.

Among the selectable options in the Gene Optimization Zone, he’d noticed those bloodline evolution serums.

The “Minor” version of the Primitive-tier serum and the “Trace” version of the Stellar-tier serum both required one Honor-level merit.

The Stellar-tier serum had an even better “Minor” version, but it required the legendary highest-tier merit—“Flame of Civilization.”

“Let’s go in and pick our missions.”

Yuan Anping glanced at Lin Qing and Xu Qiu. “Should we go together?”

Xu Qiu shook her head. “My aunt has assigned me—I won’t join you.”

Lin Qing added, “Jiayi has been cooped up on the island for half a month—I’m taking her out for a few days. I won’t be joining you either.”

Yuan Anping stared in disbelief. “I’m going alone?”

He sighed helplessly. “Fine, I’ll find a mission by myself.”

Lin Qing silently exhaled in relief. Yuan Anping might be a double agent—who knew what special actions he’d take after leaving Headquarters?

Moreover, Yuan Anping’s current strength was at least second-rank elite patrol—stronger than Lin Qing now.

He had no desire to get involved in such trouble.

Better to keep his distance.

…

On the first-floor wall of the office building, five large screens now displayed a list of missions.

The central screen showed an official notice.

Lin Qing studied it closely.

【Future elite patrols, today is your first mission under Headquarters. Here are three points you must understand】

【First, Headquarters’ patrol jurisdiction covers all global regions except urban zones and the three forbidden zones, primarily focusing on four critical ‘Supervised Zones’】

【Second, no matter the circumstances, you are strictly forbidden from entering any marked urban zone or the three forbidden zones】

【Third, the four Supervised Zones harbor stowaways from extraterrestrial civilizations, each under different levels of supervision—conduct searches accordingly】

Below the notice was a world map.

The map marked major urban zones and three regions obscured by black veils.

Additionally, four red-labeled zones were clearly marked.

The four Supervised Zones were—

【God Island】、【Broken Stele Prison】、【Blood War City】、【Molxi】.

Below the map were detailed descriptions of each Supervised Zone.

Lin Qing stood in the first-floor lobby, staring at the central screen, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Four Supervised Zones? Stowaways from extraterrestrial civilizations?”

“And three forbidden zones?”

He’d never heard this before—had never discussed it with Chen Guang.

Beside him, Xu Qiu reminded him, “Headquarters primarily handles these four Supervised Zones.”

Lin Qing nodded slightly in understanding.

Each major city had its own local Patrol Bureau, whose Patrol Chiefs could handle most situations.

Thus, except for rare special cases, Headquarters’ main responsibility was these four Supervised Zones.

“My aunt said Headquarters’ duty is somewhat like prison patrol.”

Xu Qiu sighed. “Sometimes we even have to capture stowaways who escape from the Supervised Zones—it happens often.”

“Have you ever seen an alien?” Lin Qing asked.

“I’ve seen pictures of extraterrestrial stowaways at my aunt’s house,” Xu Qiu nodded. “They’re all human, just somewhat different—some are nearly identical to Earth humans.”

Lin Qing immediately thought of Zhao Jiayi.

She looked exactly like an Earth human—just smelled nicer.

And from his long-term observation and scent analysis, Zhao Jiayi had never experienced menstruation—that was another difference.

“The Zhi Star people frequently appearing in urban projections are also nearly identical to Earth humans—just with an extra eye on their forehead,” Yuan Anping added.

“True,” Lin Qing said. “Why don’t they call them the Three-Eyed Clan?”

“Probably because it sounds bad,” Yuan Anping laughed.

Xu Qiu glanced at him and frowned slightly. “Don’t discuss Zhi Star people in public places.”

Yuan Anping immediately grabbed a zipper that didn’t exist and sealed his mouth shut.

“Master.”

At that moment, Chen Guang’s voice echoed in Lin Qing’s mind: “Only some Zhi Star natives possess a third eye; without it, they’re identical to Earth humans—no one knows if it’s a racial trait or something else.”

“Oh?” Lin Qing pondered.

Yet even if their appearances were the same, the differences were immense.

Zhi Star natives were born able to achieve gene awakening effortlessly, and their souls seemed strong enough to endure the storm-like energy fields.

The gap was so vast they could almost be called two different species.

“Pick a mission—we’re already late. The easy, profitable ones are probably all taken.”

Xu Qiu began examining the task descriptions on the other four large screens.

Lin Qing also studied them closely.

【Mission ID E27895: Suspected extraterrestrial stowaways have infiltrated the outer zones of God Island. Known information follows… Remaining slots: 3】

【Mission ID E27902: Routine inspection of Level One of Broken Stele Prison, plus one-day outdoor recreation. Temporary need for… Remaining slots: 26】

【Mission ID E27987: High-ranking VIPs in Blood Battle City are suspected of capturing Earth humans for combat arenas. Led by a Three-Star Elite Patrol. Short on outer perimeter patrols… Remaining slots: 61】

【Mission ID E27999: A crewman has vanished in Zone F of the Moerxi spacecraft…】

These missions were all tied to the Four Supervision Zones.

And there were no solo missions—most were posted by the Headquarters’ Elite Patrols.

Some could depart immediately, others had fixed departure times, none later than tomorrow.

“I found one.”

Xu Qiu suddenly said: “I’ve applied. You two take your time—safest missions are usually God Island and Moerxi.”

Lin Qing glanced at her—he guessed she’d found the mission assigned by Tang Wanqiu.

He had no interest in asking.

“Hmm… which one to pick?”

After a moment’s consideration, Lin Qing made his choice.

(End of Chapter)