Chapter 115: The Adult Zhao Jiayi

A moment.

The surging memories gradually subsided, and the subtle changes within Lin Qing’s body, down to the cellular level, also came to a halt.

He opened his eyes, and the world before him seemed to have changed once more.

All manner of energy flows, rays, and fluctuations… as if mirrored within his heart at this very moment.

“Supernatural matter?”

Lin Qing extended one hand; a drop of blood seeped from his skin. Crimson strands of pale blue light began to flow and converge within the drop, like a 3D model, as vast quantities of pale blue energy compressed and coalesced, gradually shaping the form he desired.

After roughly five minutes, having consumed about one-tenth of his energy, a longsword approximately one meter in length finally formed—entirely black, with faint pale blue luster.

“So this is… supernatural matter derived, condensed, and formed from my own matter and vast energy?”

Lin Qing examined the longsword in his hand, tapping it lightly—it felt indistinguishable from real matter.

Moreover, he had deliberately adjusted the density of the supernatural matter; by his estimation, the blade weighed roughly half a kilogram.

“Let’s test its hardness.”

Lin Qing’s hands shimmered with metallic luster; one gripped the spine, the other the hilt, and he strained to snap it—but the pure black blade showed not the slightest bend.

“Oh? So sturdy?”

Deep emerald light suddenly flared in Lin Qing’s eyes; his arm muscles swelled violently as he exerted every ounce of strength.

Yet the blade remained utterly unyielding, not even a trace of deformation.

“As expected…”

Lin Qing smiled faintly. “The fourth-tier ability of the Celestial Orbit Sovereign bloodline—‘Supernatural Matter’—can indeed form materials akin to nanomaterials, even adjust density.”

According to Dawn Group’s research data—

“Supernatural Matter,” when viewed microscopically, possesses extremely small grain sizes, an immense number of grain boundaries, and severe obstruction to dislocation movement—known as the size effect—resulting in astonishing strength and hardness.

Mastery of this ability also allows control over the density and mass of supernatural matter.

Lin Qing didn’t understand how he controlled its microscopic changes.

It was like an ancient person unable to explain how his own arm moved.

“Retract.”

Lin Qing thought, and pale blue light flowed over his skin; the pure black longsword dissolved into that light and merged into his body.

“Deploy.”

He extended his hand again; pale blue light surged, and the pure black longsword reappeared instantly.

“Indeed, it can be stored.” Lin Qing smiled.

Supernatural matter, being half-matter, half-energy, could naturally transform into compressed energy and be absorbed into his body, then re-manifest as matter when needed.

It was merely a thought away.

But once energy became supernatural matter, its nature changed—it could no longer replenish his energy.

“It can’t be used long-term by others.”

Lin Qing recalled the data on this ability.

Maintaining supernatural matter in stable form continuously consumes energy—it requires constant support from his own energy.

Otherwise, if separated from him for more than thirteen seconds, it would automatically revert to compressed energy and begin dissipating.

“But I still have ‘Celestial Orbit Coordinates’—I can use them to attract supernatural matter after it reverts to compressed energy, pulling it directly back to the coordinate…”

Lin Qing felt relieved.

Celestial Orbit Coordinates naturally attracted objects imbued with his energy; attracting his own energy directly was even simpler.

As long as he made himself the coordinate, he could effortlessly recover the energy transformed from supernatural matter.

“Hmm… I should make more supernatural matter weapons these days.”

Lin Qing mused inwardly. “Too bad I can’t craft firearms or bows—otherwise this ability’s ceiling would be too high.”

Firearms rely on gunpowder gas pressure or other energy sources to launch projectiles.

Bows store energy through elastic deformation, then release it suddenly to propel arrows at high speed.

But supernatural matter is purely rigid—it cannot undergo any elastic deformation, making bows impossible.

The best application is to exploit its high strength and hardness by making the edge extremely thin—its lethality remains formidable.

Alternatively, one could maximize its density to create extremely heavy weapons, though density has a hard upper limit.

“Good.”

Lin Qing swung the longsword in his hand, satisfied; the black blade flashed, yet produced almost no sound.

It was simply too sharp, encountering minimal air resistance.

In the early days of the apocalypse in his past life, while searching a ruined mansion with his companions, he’d discovered a cold weapon collection room and chosen a sharpened Tang sword.

He later mastered its techniques and grew accustomed to using it.

This supernatural matter longsword was truly a divine blade, capable of slicing through iron like mud—perfect for close combat.

“Huh.”

Pale blue light flashed—the longsword vanished from Lin Qing’s hand.

“‘Supernatural Matter’ also requires twenty-five uses to repay.”

Lin Qing pondered: “If I could cultivate the ‘Endless Celestial Radiance,’ and use it to hurl weapons, combined with supernatural matter-made ranged arms, and set Celestial Orbit Coordinates on enemies…”

Merely imagining the scene made him shudder.

He was immensely eager.

“Once this matter is settled, I’ll earn points quickly, repay these debts, awaken my genes, and master two new combat arts as soon as possible!”

Lin Qing took a deep breath, then activated his will, commanding the Transmission Star Tower to release Chen Guang.

A streak of light shot from his body, forming a little girl clad in pure white robes, like an angel.

Now that he fully controlled the Transmission Star Tower, he could manifest Chen Guang, the tower’s sentient intelligence—but only he could see her; she was merely an Yishi projection.

“Chen Guang, check the list of new recruits under the Training Division who are practicing the Zizai Body combat art. Give me the roster.” Lin Qing said.

He could check it himself—but he didn’t want to draw suspicion.

“Alright.”

Chen Guang tapped her fingertip; a list, also an Yishi projection, appeared before Lin Qing’s eyes.

Lin Qing scanned it swiftly, nodded slightly, and said: “I’ll prepare. I’ll deal with Mr. Bok soon—he’s supposedly a big shot from the Dilarxi Civilization?”

A flicker of mockery glinted in his eyes.

No matter their status among extraterrestrial civilizations, once on Earth, they all acted like grand figures, constantly referring to Earthlings as “natives,” treating them like livestock.

The Yehong he killed today was barely at the level of a Two-Star Elite Inspector.

Even if the Dilarxi Civilization wasn’t as advanced as the Zhi Star people—unable to achieve universal gene awakening—it was surely not far behind. Yet Yehong’s strength would have been ordinary among them, yet he still looked down on Earth’s civilization.

Still, even on Earth, big cities look down on small towns—how much more so across cosmic civilizations?

Looking at it this way…

These aliens are just… people.

People die when killed.

“From his prison records, his status in the Dilarxi Civilization must be high.”

Chen Guang said: “If you kill him, you absolutely cannot be discovered—it would be a major problem.”

“Not killing him is also a major problem,” Lin Qing said. “Once he learns Yehong is dead, he’ll inevitably suspect me. He must die.”

He paused. “I’m certain I can escape from prison—but I don’t know how to get in.”

Chen Guang looked at him and whispered: “Then I have a plan.”

…

That night.

Deep into the night.

“How is it?”

In the living room, Lin Qing looked at Zhao Jiayi across from him. “Did you confirm which inspectors in the Training Division are gene-awakened?”

“There are quite a few,” Zhao Jiayi said, puzzled. “But why does the Training Division have so many gene-awakened people? Several of their records clearly aren’t gene-awakened.”

“They’re all extraterrestrial stowaways who transformed.”

Lin Qing gave a casual explanation, then added: “List the specific people. Just give me their room numbers.”

Zhao Jiayi nodded slightly and recited: “Room 1521 and 1607 in Dormitory Building One, room 0314 and 1105 in Dormitory Building Two…”

She rapidly listed all the suspicious gene-awakened individuals she’d detected with her telekinesis.

“Hmm.”

Lin Qing cross-referenced them mentally with Chen Guang’s data, then nodded. “A few can be confirmed—they’re definitely prisoners from Duanbei Prison.”

By comparing the prison mission timelines and the combat arts they practiced, the identification was precise.

“Prisoners from Duanbei Prison?” Zhao Jiayi gasped. “Alright.”

Lin Qing stood up, ruffled her hair. “I need to kill one of them, retrieve certain items, and assume their identity. You’ll help me lock their location.”

“Kill one here—in the Inspector Headquarters?” Zhao Jiayi asked, stunned.

“I’d like to, but the difficulty and risk are too high.”

Lin Qing shook his head slightly. “But these people will eventually leave the headquarters. Once I know their destination, I’ll take a nearby mission—we’ll go out together. It’s just inconvenient—I’ll have to keep shuttling back and forth.”

“I see…”

Zhao Jiayi thought for a moment, then said: “What if you wait three more days?”

“Wait three more days?” Lin Qing looked at her, puzzled. “What do you mean?”

I’ll turn 21 today.

Zhao Jiayi hesitated, then said: “By then, my telekinesis will be much, much stronger—I can eliminate one of them from afar, and no one will notice.”

Lin Qing paused slightly and asked: “Are you sure?”

“Uh… this only applies to ordinary gene-awakened individuals,” Zhao Jiayi said weakly. “If they’re too strong, I can’t guarantee it.”

“They won’t be that strong.”

Lin Qing said: “These extraterrestrial stowaways have all been injected with life suppressants—they can’t evolve. They’re just prisoners from the first level of Broken Stele Prison, at most equivalent to a two-star elite patrol officer.”

“Then there’s no problem,” Zhao Jiayi nodded confidently at once.

Lin Qing grew even more curious—what race did Zhao Jiayi belong to? “Master.”

Chen Guang’s voice echoed in Lin Qing’s mind: “She’s definitely from an extraterrestrial race naturally gifted in telekinesis. She awakened before adulthood, and after coming of age, she’s even stronger—able to make ordinary gene-awakened individuals vanish silently from afar? Even among the extraterrestrial races my father knows, she’s among the most Tianfu .”

Lin Qing fell silent, without any urge to probe further.

If she could tell him, Zhao Jiayi would have already told him.

Three days later.

July 21, noon.

“Happy birthday.”

After placing the meals delivered by the catering department on the table, Lin Qing set down the specially ordered three-tier cake, turned off the room lights, then lit the candles shaped like “20 YEARS OLD.”

In the candlelight, Zhao Jiayi blushed slightly, lowering her head shyly.

Her father said their homeland had no such custom, so this was her first birthday ever.

But this sense of ritual filled her with an inexplicable joy and emotion.

“Make a wish,” Lin Qing smiled, ruffling her hair. “You’re an adult now.”

Zhao Jiayi nodded nervously and said: “Then I’ll…”

“Don’t say it out loud,” Lin Qing covered her mouth with his hand, shaking his head with a smile. “It won’t work if you do.”

“Oh…”

After Zhao Jiayi made her wish, blew out the candles, and finished this unusually lavish birthday meal, she grinned and said: “It’d be great if we could celebrate birthdays every day.”

“Have you changed?” Lin Qing studied her. “I don’t see any difference.”

“Not yet.”

Zhao Jiayi tilted her head. “It’ll happen today, but exactly when? Dad said that when I come of age, I’ll feel the change myself.”

“Oh.” Lin Qing wasn’t in a hurry. “Alright, I’ll go train first.”

Though he currently lacked enough points to purchase resources for the Heavenly Track coordinates and bioenergy traits, he must still complete five daily repayments of the Zizai Body combat technique, and attempt to enter the Great Infinite Celestial Radiance and the Refining Heart Method—none of these can be skipped.

…

Before long, evening arrived.

“Lin Qing.”

A knock came suddenly, and Zhao Jiayi’s excited voice rang through the door: “I’ve come of age! Come out and see me!”

“Come of age?”

Lin Qing opened his eyes, stepped out of the training room, and opened his bedroom door to find Zhao Jiayi standing barefoot at the threshold, her big eyes blinking, fingers pointing at herself, eagerly awaiting his reaction.

What kind of “spot the difference” game is this…? Lin Qing studied her carefully and shook his head: “You don’t look any different.”

“Don’t you feel I’ve got more presence now?” Zhao Jiayi puffed out her cheeks.

“You still act like a child.”

Lin Qing pinched her cheek. “Do you feel any change yourself?”

“Mm.” Zhao Jiayi nodded firmly, looking slightly proud. “I’ve awakened my genes.”

“Really awakened?” Lin Qing blinked in surprise. “You’re sure?”

He’d heard Zhi Star humans could achieve gene awakening upon adulthood—could Zhao Jiayi do it too? “Absolutely.”

Zhao Jiayi affirmed: “I can now adjust my genes to enter the optimal state for telekinesis. My telekinesis is far stronger than before.”

Before Lin Qing could speak, Zhao Jiayi’s cheerful voice echoed in his mind: “Believe me now?”

“You can do mental communication?” Lin Qing exclaimed.

“Just now, I extended my telekinesis as far as I could toward the ocean—I reached fifteen kilometers. That’s my current detection range,” Zhao Jiayi said.

Lin Qing smiled. “Then tonight, I’m counting on you.”

“By the way, what items do you need to take from those Broken Stele Prison inmates?” Zhao Jiayi asked.

Lin Qing paused, then said: “A contact-lens-like chip device, likely implanted in their eyeballs, used to alter iris patterns—and synthetic fingerprint sleeves that mimic fingerprints.”

To impersonate someone and apply for missions, infiltrating the prison, merely changing his appearance with Zizai Body wasn’t enough—he needed to bypass fingerprint and iris recognition.

But these extraterrestrial stowaways impersonating new patrol officers would inevitably carry these two items.

One is enough.

“Alright, but which one among them?” Zhao Jiayi asked.

“Choose the one in Room 1105 of Dormitory Building 2—‘Ferodal.’”

Lin Qing said slowly: “His real identity is the Broken Stele Prison inmate ‘Baiyue.’ Among those whose identities have been confirmed, his crimes are the worst—he’s consumed hundreds of Earth humans as food.”

If not for extraterrestrial civilization’s alien lords, such crimes against humanity would have seen him executed countless times already.

Yet he still boldly impersonates an Earth human, living freely and without fear.

Even… he occasionally takes leave from headquarters.

According to Chen Guang’s findings, every time this alien lord takes leave, a girl goes missing.

What’s happening is obvious.

“Alright, leave it to me.”

Zhao Jiayi nodded immediately, then glanced at Lin Qing and whispered: “But… you can’t watch.”

Lin Qing didn’t mind. “I’ll go back to the training room. Let me know when you’re done.”

Saying that, he walked toward his bedroom.

Behind him, Zhao Jiayi muttered in her native tongue: “You’re the best…”

Lin Qing paused slightly, but didn’t turn back.

After Lin Qing returned to his room, Zhao Jiayi rubbed her temples, muttering to herself: “Using this power again… I hope I won’t overexert myself too badly this time…”

…

Five minutes later.

【Current Order Level increased by 2.1 levels】

Inside the training room, a green prompt suddenly appeared before Lin Qing’s eyes.

He immediately understood—the prisoner had been eliminated by Zhao Jiayi.

“All done.”

Zhao Jiayi’s voice came from outside the door.

Stepping out of the bedroom, he saw Zhao Jiayi had opened the living room window—something seemed to have flown in.

“Here you go.”

Before her floated two transparent circular films resembling Yinxingyanjing , and two pairs of translucent gloves as thin as cicada wings.

She directed them toward Lin Qing with her telekinesis: “I protected them with my telekinesis during transit—no one noticed.”

“What about him? Did you dispose of the body?” Lin Qing asked.

He’d already instructed Chen Guang to suppress the signal emitted upon the disguised patrol officer’s death—but the body still needed handling.

“No body,” Zhao Jiayi shook her head, a trace of fatigue in her brow.

“Huh?” Lin Qing blinked in surprise.

“Master,” Chen Guang said. “I don’t know what happened, but according to the life-sign monitoring logs, the man simply vanished—like he never existed.”

(End of Chapter)