Chapter 121: Strongest Will

"The Metropolitan Circle..."

Tang Wanqiu fell silent for a moment, then sighed, "The Metropolitan Circle won't intervene. Or rather... no extraterrestrial powers will intervene, including Earth-based factions invested by extraterrestrial civilizations. They simply can't interfere."

"Why?" Lin Qing couldn't help but ask. "Wasn't the prison built by the Zhixing Group?"

"The situation is very complex."

Tang Wanqiu said in a deep voice, "Even with my clearance, I can't find much. I only know that there seem to be multiple extraterrestrial civilization factions that, for certain reasons, are jointly boycotting the Zhixing Group and demanding entry to Earth."

Lin Qing was stunned: "Demanding entry to Earth?"

Tang Wanqiu nodded slowly and said, "The Zhixing Group seems quite passive as well. The final agreement resulted in... no extraterrestrial civilization may send personnel to Earth again, including the Zhixing Group itself."

She sighed. "Although this prevents extraterrestrial civilization factions from sending people to Earth, they have no authority to restrict the extraterrestrial stowaways already on Earth. There's nothing they can do, so the Metropolitan Circle won't intervene."

Lin Qing finally understood a bit.

"Master," Chen Guang's voice suddenly rang in his mind, "When the Zhixing Group arrived on Earth in 2047, they did so under the guise of investment and were the most domineering. All personnel sent by other extraterrestrial civilizations were imprisoned by the Zhixing Group on charges of infringing trade secrets."

Lin Qing inwardly marveled.

However, he felt these extraterrestrial civilizations also seemed to be abiding by certain rules, daring not to be too reckless; otherwise, how could Earth possibly hold them off?

"In any case..."

Tang Wanqiu said, "As long as these prisoners don't enter the Metropolitan Circle, the Metropolitan Circle's laws don't apply to them. We Earth civilization must handle it ourselves."

"Handle it ourselves?" Lin Qing frowned slightly.

He had already personally experienced how much these extraterrestrial civilizations looked down on Earth.

Even the weakest extraterrestrial stowaways didn't take Earthlings seriously. How could they expect these already lawless prisoners to abide by Earth civilization's laws?

It's like modern humans, fully armed with rifles and completely equipped, entering a primitive tribal village and then demanding the tribespeople obey their orders. Most people probably couldn't accept that.

"However, most of these extraterrestrial stowaways were imprisoned in the Duanbei Prison decades ago."

Tang Wanqiu shook her head and said, "They also don't know that our Earth has become much stronger than it was decades ago. When they first arrived on Earth decades ago, civilization on Earth had just been rebuilt, and even the highest levels were still just ordinary people."

Lin Qing nodded thoughtfully.

In 2045, when the apocalypse ended, Earth was covered in high-energy radiation everywhere. The beneficiaries were probably the Earth's high-level officials back then.

Who knows...

Whether among these people are the leaders of the settlements he knows.

"What is the strength level of these seven hundred-plus prisoners?" Lin Qing asked.

Tang Wanqiu said, "The weakest are the prisoners on the first floor of the prison, generally possessing the strength of one-star or two-star Elite Patrol officers. As for the prisoners on the second, third, fourth, and fifth floors, the strongest are the outstanding ones among the three-star Elite Patrol officers."

Speaking of this, she fell silent for a moment before saying, "But the most difficult to deal with are actually the criminals in the 'Forbidden Zone' at the very bottom of the prison."

"Forbidden Zone? What strength level?" Lin Qing asked aloud, though he already had a guess in his heart.

"Primordial Lifeforms, or those who have achieved the Starry Sky Divine Office," Tang Wanqiu sighed.

Lin Qing fell silent too.

Once one achieves the Starry Sky Divine Office, that is the level of a Patrol Commander!

And Primordial Lifeforms are even at the level of the three Senior Ministers of the Patrol Headquarters!

"There are actually such powerful beings in the Duanbei Prison?" Lin Qing couldn't help but ask.

"They were all imprisoned by the Zhixing Group back then," Tang Wanqiu said. "For the Zhixing Group, dealing with powerful beings at this level is naturally simple, but for us, it's a huge trouble."

She said softly, "But the three Senior Ministers must remain stationed at the Headquarters. Of us twelve Patrol Commanders, at least nine must be stationed at various locations within the Headquarters. It would be even safer if all of us stayed at the Headquarters, so..."

Lin Qing's heart stirred.

It seems the Headquarters still holds a great secret. There must be some special reason why someone must remain stationed there.

"The data on the seven hundred-plus prisoners will be sent to you shortly."

Tang Wanqiu sighed helplessly, "Unfortunately, the Headquarters is more dangerous right now. Otherwise, it would be good for you to stay at the Headquarters."

Lin Qing didn't say much.

Under these circumstances, with the necessity of remaining stationed at the Headquarters, even a fool could see that the Headquarters is more dangerous.

He wished to leave as soon as possible and certainly didn't want to stay longer.

"If you need potions, tell me now," Tang Wanqiu said. "Any amount exceeding your quota can be advanced from me. Try to come to the Headquarters as little as possible."

Lin Qing pondered for a moment and said, "Then give me two hundred vials of 'Limit Origin Energy Type III', and also one kilogram of 'Second Spring'."

"Cultivating the 'Gene Cultivation Method'?"

Tang Wanqiu nodded slightly. "Alright, I'll have someone deliver it to you immediately. Pack up and leave the Headquarters as soon as possible."

Lin Qing nodded, feeling a slight relief in his heart.

Limit Origin Energy Type III is the best potion to assist in cultivating the 'Gene Cultivation Method'. It allows one to develop physical attributes more easily, doubling efficiency.

As for the Second Spring, as the mildest fourth-level energy source, its primary function is to restore energy.

Previously, he used Black Nest No. 16 to restore energy. But now that he has undergone gene awakening, although Black Nest No. 16, as a third-level potion, is still effective for him, its effect is certainly inferior to the Second Spring.

At critical moments, the faster the replenishment, the better.

After returning to his apartment, Lin Qing began packing his things, preparing to move.

Actually, there wasn't much to move. Mainly Zhao Jiayi's virtual gaming equipment and some items needed for cultivation.

However, once the appointment for the highest commander of the Jiangnan region is issued, the Headquarters will also transport some high-tech facilities there to build a complete security protection system at his residence.

At the same time, there will be eighteen Elite Patrol officers assigned by the Headquarters as his subordinates.

"Going to Jiangnan?"

Zhao Jiayi asked curiously, "Are you returning to Lin'an City today?"

"Yes," Lin Qing nodded slightly.

Actually, he didn't really want to return to Lin'an City either.

Order levels have dropped so significantly, indicating potential crisis and chaos within his life circle, yet since Headquarters remains unscathed, the trouble must naturally be in Lin'an City.

But since the appointment has already been decided for Lin'an City, he is temporarily unclear about the situation in other cities.

So, returning to Lin'an City first is fine.

After all, with Zhao Jiayi's telepathic scan, and his own combination technique of Instant Light plus Celestial Orbit Coordinates, if danger truly arises, this move is enough to escape.

Moreover, his current scope of authority has expanded greatly; one could say the entire Jiangnan District now belongs to his life circle.

He could start investigating other regions first, or simply lie low for a while.

In another half month, he can advance the "Gene Cultivation Method."

By then, with his strength greatly enhanced, reaching true Third-Star Elite Patrol strength will be much safer.

For him, this is also an opportunity.

As long as he can eliminate more prisoners, raising the Order Level to one hundred should not be difficult.

Eliminating even the most ordinary Gene Awakeners increases the Order Level by about two levels. Those with Second-Star Elite Patrol strength, once eliminated, can increase the Order Level by 2.3 levels or more.

As for those with Third-Star Elite Patrol strength... they are all at least three levels of Order Level change to start with, and are currently too dangerous to provoke.

"Is it very dangerous?" Zhao Jiayi asked.

"Indeed, it is relatively dangerous." Lin Qing nodded.

"It's fine. After my Gene Awakening, my physical attributes improved rapidly, and my telepathy improved rapidly too." Zhao Jiayi wrinkled her small nose. "If it really comes to it, I can help you."

"Unless it is absolutely necessary, you are not allowed to act."

Lin Qing looked at her. "Once you, a telepathic Awakener, are discovered, that will be true major trouble."

Zhao Jiayi went "Oh," and said, "Alright then..."

Lin Qing shook his head slightly, while inwardly pondering.

If it really comes to it, he would use that untested move; currently, it should be effective.

!.

Before leaving, Lin Qing also went to the Headquarters facility used for testing willpower.

Determining it early means he won't need to make a special trip to Headquarters next time.

Once Gene Reconstruction becomes possible, he can break through directly.

"Mr. Lin, there is one painting in each of these three rooms."

Before the test, the person in charge explained carefully to him: "As long as you can resist the mental interference of the paintings and clearly see the numbers I just projected onto the paintings with a laser, you pass."

He paused, then said, "If you can clearly see the numbers on the first painting, it means your willpower is sufficient to begin Gene Reconstruction."

"What about the latter two paintings?" Lin Qing asked.

"The latter two represent the willpower requirements for assuming a divine office, and the willpower requirements for transforming into a primordial creature," the person in charge said.

He smiled and added, "If your willpower is strong enough, even if the requirements for the body and energy stages needed for Gene Reconstruction are not fully met, success is still possible, and the reconstruction speed will be faster."

Lin Qing understood.

"Then let's begin the test."

Walking into the first room, the painting facing him was a lush, dense jungle scene; within the painting, a vivid primeval forest was visible, its wild, ancient aura rushing toward him, as if placing him deep within the jungle.

"Is this the mental influence?"

Lin Qing took a careful look and immediately discovered the numbers projected onto it by the laser.

Turning to leave the room, the person in charge waiting outside, seeing him emerge so quickly, could not help but exclaim in astonishment, "Mr. Lin, won't you try a bit more? Giving up so quickly?"

"No need."

Lin Qing shook his head slightly. "The numbers on the painting are 1658744."

The person in charge was stunned and exclaimed in surprise, "So Mr. Lin saw them? That fast?"

Based on his experience, even those meeting the willpower requirements for Gene Reconstruction usually require a considerable amount of time to filter out the paintings' mental interference and thus see the numbers clearly.

As for seeing them this quickly?

His willpower must already far exceed the standard required for Gene Reconstruction.

"Does Mr. Lin wish to continue testing?" the person in charge could not help but ask.

"Good." Lin Qing nodded.

Besides being an Entropy Reverser, his only advantage is his willpower.

During those storms of his past life, the willpower required to endure severe headaches repeatedly while struggling desperately, and the experiences of the apocalypse, obviously tempered his willpower.

Not to mention he had experienced true death and rebirth once; this is almost a unique experience.

For someone who has experienced life and death, there are far fewer things worth fearing.

Walking into the second room.

This painting was a brilliant starry sky; each dazzling star was enough to cause a heart-felt shock, drawing one deep into it.

Lin Qing gazed at this starry sky for a while, then turned and left the room.

"This time was a bit slower, but still very fast." The person in charge looked at Lin Qing with a gaze of anticipation. "Did Mr. Lin see them?"

"659988." Lin Qing nodded slightly.

"Correct."

The person in charge praised, "Mr. Lin's willpower is indeed formidable. Do you want to try the third image? The willpower required for this image is terrifying; if quantified, its willpower requirement is more than ten times that of the second image!"

"I'll give it a try." Lin Qing said no more, immediately turning to walk into the third room.

On this third painting, everything was pitch black; there was nothing at all.

Lin Qing looked carefully for a moment, seeing only a row of numbers vaguely, but still unable to see them clearly; without lingering further, he turned and left.

"Mr. Lin need not worry."

The person in charge seemed to have expected failure all along and immediately offered comfort: "Since these three paintings were placed here, no Gene Awakener has ever succeeded. Power is the vessel of will. When Mr. Lin's strength is sufficient, he will inevitably meet the standard."

"Indeed, it is very difficult." Lin Qing nodded slightly. "I have been looking for so long, yet I only see a line of very blurry numbers; I cannot make out what they are at all."

Upon hearing this, the person in charge was stunned. He looked at Lin Qing in disbelief, his mouth hanging open, and asked: "You... you mean you can see blurry numbers?"

"A little bit." Lin Qing nodded.

"I am unclear about other aspects, but your will is truly astonishing."

The person in charge could not help but exclaim: "With such will, even if your energy and physical body do not meet the standards for Gene Reconstruction, the hope of success should be very great."

"Is that so?" This was the first time Lin Qing had heard of this.

"In terms of will, among the Gene Awakeners at Headquarters, you are absolutely number one." The person in charge sighed.

Only then did Lin Qing understand why this person in charge had suddenly changed his form of address.

However, during combat, will is not needed; at most, it ensures more stable performance.

Moreover, the awakening of telekinesis values the sharpness of perception and has nothing to do with will.

Only breakthroughs at higher levels have requirements for will.

Furthermore, when a person's strength is powerful enough, they will naturally possess a powerful mental will; at most, it is merely relatively weak.

"If I have the chance to become a Primordial Being, before that, will should not be a problem..."

Lin Qing pondered silently, "It is mainly other aspects..."

"By the way, Mr. Lin."

The person in charge suddenly smiled: "Headquarters also has special rewards for those with strong will."

"Oh? What reward?" Lin Qing asked curiously.

(End of this chapter)