Chapter 117

The next morning.

"Master, the Patrol Headquarters has acted."

Early that morning, Chen Guang's voice rang in Lin Qing's mind: "Last night, after Boke was assassinated, the Patrol Headquarters conducted a full investigation of the Broken Stele Prison and uncovered the new patrol officers who had been helping inmates serve their sentences."

Lin Qing wasn't surprised, only asked: "How many were caught?"

Chen Guang said: "This morning, the entire Training Division was sealed off. Patrol Envoys from the Seventh and Twelfth Divisions led dozens of elite patrols in a surprise raid and apprehended eight inmates disguised as new patrol officers on the spot."

"Eight? That's quite a few—no wonder…"

Lin Qing suddenly understood and glanced at the Exentropy's 【Current Order Level】.

It was now 28.6 levels.

"At this rate, level 100 doesn't seem so far off…" Lin Qing nodded inwardly.

Of course, he understood that the main risks and sources of chaos in the Training Division were these impostor extraterrestrial smugglers.

After this purge, it would be hard to find such gains again in the Training Division.

Even if inmates inside the prison were killed, they wouldn't increase the Order Level.

Because inmates in prison were already in accordance with order—just as criminals serving their sentences would increase the Order Level.

"Once my authority level upgrades, I can also apply to become the 'Honorary Supreme Commander' for several cities or even several provinces."

Lin Qing mused, "That way, these places would be sufficiently tied to me, forming part of my sphere of influence—then, if I clean them up again, I should gain a significant boost in Order Level."

It wasn't enough to just randomly visit a city and kill a few lawbreakers to raise the Order Level.

First, it had to be within his sphere of influence, and something he could reasonably oversee.

Like Lin'an City—his official jurisdiction and social connections were all there, so that counted as his sphere of influence.

Even if Headquarters immediately appointed him Supreme Commander of the entire Huaxia region, he couldn't possibly manage the population and territory—his personal capacity was insufficient.

Moreover…

Lin'an City originally had an Order Level of only 0.3; without clearing out the wanted criminals and underground factions, it could never have reached 5.7.

So, he'd have to wait until his authority expanded to that scale before beginning to clean up city by city.

"A Third-Class Elite Patrol, even if stationed at Headquarters, can concurrently serve as Supreme Commander of an entire province."

Lin Qing had a clear goal in mind: "If I become a Patrol Envoy, I can concurrently serve as Supreme Commander over multiple provinces; several Senior Directors even oversee patrol affairs across entire nations."

Normally, only First- and Second-Class Elite Patrols who couldn't remain at Headquarters were dispatched to various regions as Patrol Supreme Commanders.

They wielded immense power and held high status.

But this was also because they couldn't enjoy Headquarters' many benefits and privileges—essentially compensation from Headquarters.

"Once my gene awakening is complete, I'll apply to become a Second-Class Elite Patrol."

Lin Qing thought inwardly, "As for Third-Class Elite Patrol… I'll probably have to wait until next year."

He had killed Boke, whose strength approached that of a Third-Class Elite Patrol, but only because Boke was bound by electromagnetic handcuffs and leg irons, unable to even adjust his own genes—he couldn't exert his full power.

Without that advantage, he wouldn't have needed to rush into the prison to kill him outright.

Moreover, he must now lie low for a while.

Otherwise, if he immediately applied to become a Second-Class Elite Patrol, exposing his innate combat methods would be manageable—but the critical issue would be revealing his Bloodline Level Four abilities; others would immediately suspect him as the killer.

Especially after realizing how extraterrestrial civilizations viewed Earth humans, he could never afford to act ostentatiously.

"After a while, once my gene awakening is complete and I become a Second-Class Elite Patrol, it won't seem so conspicuous."

Lin Qing made his decision: "Once I repay my current debts and pre-empt the Level Four core ability of the Celestial Sovereign, I can begin gene awakening."

With his current gene optimization index of 132.4%, gene awakening would be effortless.

Since he could no longer perform other Level Four gene optimizations, once he preempted the Level Four core gene ability—"Wings of the Heavens"—he could begin gene awakening.

"For now, I'll just quietly earn points."

Lin Qing immediately asked: "Chen Guang, what's the fastest way to earn points without exposing my true strength?"

A streak of white light shot out, forming before him a white-dressed, emotionless little girl.

"Points?"

Chen Guang understood his meaning and said: "There are three methods."

"Three?" Lin Qing looked at her.

"First, earn them yourself—you must become a First-Class Elite Patrol first."

Chen Guang said: "Only Elite Patrols can take on individual missions; then you can hunt down those Red-Listed wanted criminals—I'll filter the data, and Zhao Jiayi can use her telekinesis to search, greatly improving efficiency."

"Red-Listed wanted criminals?" Lin Qing nodded slightly.

Normal patrols and public security agencies issue only S- or SS-class wanted notices, yielding only First-Class Merit.

But Red-Listed wanted criminals carry at least a Special-Class Merit; their strength varies, but all are at least First-Class Elite Patrol level, with those near the top reaching Third-Class Elite Patrol level.

Above them are the Black-Listed wanted criminals, who earn Honor Merit—or even the highest honor, "Flame of Civilization."

Solving these Red- or Black-Listed wanted criminals earns the Patrol Headquarters additional points.

These point rewards function like bounties.

"But there are drawbacks."

Chen Guang said: "First, you can't reveal your true strength, so you can't capture the strongest Red-Listed criminals. Second, if you capture too many, people will naturally suspect you have telekinesis."

Lin Qing nodded and asked: "What are the other two methods?"

Chen Guang said: "The second method is to pretend you got lucky and accidentally discovered some research or invention the Patrol Headquarters needs, and donate it to Earth's civilization—like the Energy Stabilizer."

"Do you have any left?" Lin Qing asked.

"Yes," Chen Guang nodded slightly. "But this method should only be used once or twice at most."

"That sounds decent."

Lin Qing nodded slightly and asked: "What's the third method?"

Chen Guang analyzed, "The third point is to expose your Instinct-level Free Body combat technique to a few high-level headquarters members. The headquarters will naturally gift you certain resources, but try to keep the scope small."

She said, "The Wisdom Star Group is also searching for Earth geniuses. Once they confirm your potential is immense, they will force you to sign a servitude contract."

"Force?" Lin Qing frowned.

"Yes," Chen Guang said. "Unless you reach the Primal level or take up a Star God position, if the Wisdom Star Group forces you to sign a contract, you cannot resist, and Earth civilization cannot help you."

Lin Qing frowned slightly.

No wonder the headquarters helps geniuses hide their strength; is this the reason?

"Does the Wisdom Star Group only care about combat technique geniuses?" Lin Qing asked.

"You could say that," Chen Guang nodded. "Mainly because the number of Star God positions is limited, and the key to taking up a position is combat technique. If people know you possess the Star Transmission Tower, it will be even more troublesome; with the cultivation provided by the Star Transmission Tower, the chance of successfully taking up a position is too high."

Lin Qing realized.

After all, the Star Transmission Tower is used to cultivate candidates for God positions.

"Where does one take up a position?" Lin Qing asked curiously.

Chen Guang did not hide it, saying directly, "Doesn't the Patrol Headquarters have three major forbidden zones? Those three major forbidden zones are the places to take up Star God positions."

Lin Qing was slightly stunned, then understood: "So that's how it is..."

"The number of Star God positions is limited and very important; the Wisdom Star Group also attaches great importance to them."

Chen Guang said, "Perhaps it is due to the laws of the universe civilization. The Wisdom Star Group is just competing fairly with Earth civilization, which can be seen as giving Earth civilization a chance."

Speaking to this point, she shook her head slightly, "But absolute fairness does not exist in the universe to begin with. The Wisdom Star Group will recruit those Earth geniuses who might take up Star God positions in advance and sign servitude contracts with them."

"So that's how it is..."

Lin Qing fell silent for a moment, then sneered, "Willing to sign a servitude contract is already the Wisdom Star Group cherishing talent."

!.

"Perhaps," Chen Guang said. "The specific situation is something only the few at the very peak of Earth civilization would know."

Lin Qing nodded slightly, knowing she was referring to people like Qi Lingxiao, founder of the Chaoyang Martial Hall, and Chu Hongjun, founder of the Dawn Group.

He pondered for a long while, then asked, "If news leaks that I have cultivated the 'Free Body' combat technique to the Instinct level, what is the probability that the Wisdom Star Group will seek me out to sign a contract?"

Chen Guang said, "100%."

"100%?" Lin Qing was involuntarily slightly stunned.

"Of course, it would just be an invitation for you to join the Wisdom Star Group."

Chen Guang said, "Merely a basic combat technique is not enough to force you to sign a servitude contract, but the benefits on the contract are already enough that the vast majority of people cannot refuse."

Lin Qing nodded slightly.

He heard that most Earth geniuses who were discovered became part of the Wisdom Star Group; the attraction can be imagined.

Chen Guang continued, "But if you subsequently master a Primal-level combat technique, such as the 'Star Indestructible Body', then the Wisdom Star Group will inevitably force you to sign a servitude contract to prevent you from truly succeeding in taking up a position."

"Then if I hide it, the Wisdom Star Group won't know, right?" Lin Qing asked in confusion.

Chen Guang shook her head, saying, "This is an open scheme; you will understand later."

"In that case..."

Lin Qing pondered for a moment, then asked, "Then what do you think is the most practical plan?"

Chen Guang said, "You have a private friendship with Inspector Tang, right?"

"A little bit," Lin Qing said.

Chen Guang said, "As far as I know, Tang Wanqiu has also taken up a certain basic God position. She also rejected the Wisdom Star Group's invitation, so she must belong to the 'Autonomy Faction' or the 'Union Faction'."

Lin Qing's heart stirred, but he did not interrupt Chen Guang's words, continuing to listen to her.

"You can meet Tang Wanqiu privately, reveal to her in private that you have cultivated the 'Free Body' combat technique to the Instinct level, and then present two research inventions to her as gifts."

Chen Guang said, "Although points cannot be gifted to others, she can help you purchase the resources you need, and you can also find a good backer."

Lin Qing nodded thoughtfully, saying, "This method works. What are the Autonomy Faction and the Union Faction you just mentioned?"

"These are two of the three major factions formed after Earth civilization's high levels connected with the starry sky; the other is the 'Fuyong Sect'."

Chen Guang explained, "The Autonomy Faction hopes Earth is Earthlings' own territory; even if extraterrestrial civilizations enter, they must abide by Earth's laws. My father belongs to this faction."

"The Union Faction settles for less, hoping extraterrestrial civilizations and Earthlings develop and progress together, but Earthlings must have sufficient say."

Finally, she said, "As for the Fuyong Sect, they believe Earth is too weak; only by attaching themselves to a powerful civilization is there room for survival. It is purely centered on extraterrestrial civilizations."

Lin Qing realized.

In the end, it is all just for survival.

He did not think much more and immediately said, "Then I will find Inspector Tang Wanqiu in private."

One week later.

In a manor in the core area, at the center of the island where the Patrol Headquarters is located.

"No need to be restrained; sit down."

Tang Wanqiu sat on the sofa in the living room. After putting down the silver-gray instrument in her hand, she finally looked up at Lin Qing and smiled, saying, "You said in your phone message that you had something important to find me for?"

At this time, she was not wearing that Inspector's uniform, but a set of simple casual clothes, with her hair tied in a ponytail, adding a touch of daily life atmosphere.

"Inspector Tang, please look."

Lin Qing took two pre-printed documents from a file bag, placed them on the coffee table, and then pushed them over.

"What is this?" Tang Wanqiu casually picked up the document on the table and glanced at it, then was slightly stunned, her expression becoming more solemn, and she immediately began to read carefully.

After a long while, she finally looked up, sized up Lin Qing, and said softly, "If these two gene therapy drugs are real and effective, their value is quite high. You just let me see them like this?"

"These were meant for you," Lin Qing said. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have given you such detailed data."

"Oh?" Tang Wanqiu asked. "Where did they come from?"

"The source is hard to explain," Lin Qing shook his head slightly. "It is precisely because I cannot explain the origin of these two gene drug studies myself, and I am unsure how many points reward I can get, that after much hesitation, I decided to hand them over to you."

Exposing a small weakness voluntarily makes one more trustworthy.

"Aren't you afraid I'll cheat you out of your points?" Tang Wanqiu smiled.

"Inspector Tang has already done me a favor," Lin Qing said earnestly. "Even if you do cheat me, I'll accept it."

Tang Wanqiu chuckled and shook her head. "I wouldn't cheat you, little one, over such a trifling gain."

She set down the documents in her hands and said, "I can't accurately judge the value of these two gene drugs, but they're worth at least several thousand points. Just tell me what you want."

"I don't have any special requests."

Lin Qing didn't beat around the bush. "I just want an Energy Stabilizer and the Second Source, to cultivate the Bloodline Evolution Method."

He said hopefully, "If I can develop a fourth-level ability, after my gene awakening, my strength should reach the level of a three-star Elite Inspector. By then, entering the Inspector's branch won't be a betrayal of the Inspector's cultivation."

"A three-star Elite Inspector?"

Tang Wanqiu was stunned, then laughed. "The ace among Elite Inspectors isn't that easy to reach. Even with gene awakening, developing a fourth-level ability only brings you close; you haven't even hit the threshold yet."

"This..." Lin Qing pondered for a moment, then said, "Inspector Tang, I have cultivated the 'Zizai Body' combat technique to the instinctive level."

Tang Wanqiu was momentarily stunned.

"What?" She sat bolt upright, gazing at Lin Qing. "Are you sure?"

(End of this chapter)