Chapter 122: Dark Clouds Gather

"Those who awaken their genes and see the number on the first painting receive a reward of one thousand points."

The administrator said: "If your gene recombination level allows you to see the number on the second painting, you receive a reward of five thousand points."

"Five thousand points?" Lin Qing nodded slightly.

Though of little immediate value to him now, it was still decent.

"However, since you discerned the number on the second painting while still at the gene awakening level, there is an additional reward."

"What?" Lin Qing looked at him.

"A second-class starflight suit." The administrator smiled.

"Oh?" Lin Qing’s eyes lit up. "That’s quite good."

Back in the underground research facility, Chen Guang had given him a first-class starflight suit, but that suit would likely no longer suffice.

After all, it was merely a child-sized spacesuit, designed for alien children—suitable only for those before gene awakening.

Even then, his strength had been enough to tear apart that first-class starflight suit.

Now, he was far stronger than he had been then, let alone the even more extraordinary enhancements to come.

The headquarters also offered first-class starflight suits for exchange, but they required two thousand points.

What about second-class?

With his clearance level, he had never found such a thing in the headquarters’ exchange store—now it seemed they did have them after all.

"Mr. Lin, please wait a moment. I’ll apply for your second-class starflight suit." The administrator smiled and turned away immediately.

Lin Qing stood where he was, lost in thought: "So the headquarters values willpower quite highly..."

At that moment, a streak of light suddenly shot out, coalescing beside him into Chen Guang, dressed in a white gown like an angel. She spoke: "Gene recombination, starflight divine office, and the primal level all demand willpower. Of course the headquarters values it—and there’s another hidden, crucial reason."

Lin Qing said nothing, only looked at her with curiosity.

"The Zhi Star people."

Chen Guang said: "Among the Zhi Star people, some strong ones excel in telekinesis—the type with a third eye in their forehead. Telekinesis users often master mental deception techniques; the stronger your willpower, the easier it is to resist."

Lin Qing understood.

It seemed the high-ranking officials of Earth’s patrol headquarters were either Unionists or Autonomists, hence treating the Zhi Star people as the assumed enemy.

"Still, I didn’t expect your willpower to be this strong?"

Chen Guang looked at Lin Qing with disbelief. "It seems you’ll have a very high chance of passing the later trials of the Transmission Tower."

Lin Qing knew why she was surprised.

After all, according to the data she’d found, he was just an ordinary teenager under nineteen, with no real experience—yet possessed such astonishing willpower. It was absurd.

Yet there are always some people whose thinking patterns are inherently different, whose view of life and the world is unique.

Some experience little but possess extraordinary willpower; others seem to have endured much, yet grow even more timid. These things are hard to explain.

Soon, the administrator in charge of the willpower test emerged from the depths of the corridor, carrying a heavy black metal briefcase.

"Mr. Lin, the smart lock on this case is coded with your DNA and iris signature. Only you can unlock it."

The administrator handed the briefcase to Lin Qing. "The case itself is extremely expensive, forged with a small amount of rare third-class alloy. Only patrol officer-level strength can break it."

"Oh?" Lin Qing raised an eyebrow slightly.

Third-class alloy was indeed rare. Its melting point, durability, and overall strength were astonishing—far beyond Earth’s industrial capacity. Only the urban zones could produce it.

Even for the Zhi Star Group, third-class alloy was a precious resource.

Why, then, did the Broken Stele Prison, despite restraining its inmates, still enforce tiered management?

Because different zones of the prison were built with different materials. The first level was made of second-class alloy; deeper levels incorporated more third-class alloy, because even the Zhi Star Group couldn’t afford such extravagance.

If the prison were built entirely of third-class alloy, only primal-level power could hope to shake it.

The power of hypermatter was so potent precisely because hypermatter itself rivaled third-class alloy—and came with innate forging craftsmanship!

Achieving such sharpness in a material of this strength was extremely difficult.

"You’re giving me the briefcase too?" Lin Qing asked.

"Consider it a bonus. You can use it to store other items," the administrator smiled.

Lin Qing nodded slightly. Such a large case was perfect for storing various potions later.

"Master, a second-class starflight suit alone is worth thirty thousand points."

Chen Guang said: "This case probably contains only a pea-sized amount of third-class alloy—worth at most one or two thousand points."

"A pea-sized amount?" Lin Qing was stunned.

A pea-sized piece of third-class alloy was worth one or two thousand points?

In that case, the hypermatter ability was a bit insane.

But that was only because Earth’s civilization lacked the capability to forge third-class alloy—otherwise, it wouldn’t be so absurd.

…

Back at the apartment, Lin Qing opened the password-locked case containing the second-class starflight suit.

Compared to the first-class suit, the difference was minor—it was still a gel-like substance, just larger and faintly shimmering with color.

Lin Qing sliced his finger, letting it absorb some blood. The second-class starflight suit immediately transformed into his new patrol uniform.

"The second-class starflight suit is extremely durable. Only the very top-tier third-class elite patrols might be able to tear it apart."

Chen Guang said: "It also allows you to survive in space and withstand many extreme environments. Normal attacks won’t affect you at all."

"Oh? Good." Lin Qing smiled slightly.

The headquarters gave a second-class starflight suit to those with exceptional willpower precisely to ensure such individuals survived.

With such strong willpower, the chances of gene recombination or attaining a divine office are higher. It’s only natural they deserve special treatment.

Thirty thousand points may be a lot, but such extraordinary willpower appears in only a handful of people. It’s well deserved.

"Time to go back."

Lin Qing packed all his potions into the case using shock-absorbing foam. After leaving the training room, he found the smart moving robot had already transported everything he needed to the fighter jet.

Even the moving robot and another life-support robot had been loaded onto the jet.

Zhao Jiayi was already waiting downstairs.

"Lin Qing."

Zhao Jiayi’s telepathic voice echoed: "The eighteen elite patrols assigned to you have already assembled downstairs."

"I’m coming down."

Lin Qing replied, cast one last look at the apartment, then picked up the case and descended.

On the open ground near the apartment entrance.

Zhao Jiayi wore a standard black business suit. Opposite her stood eighteen elite patrols.

Most were male, a few female, mostly Han Chinese. Lin Qing strode forward and said: "Apologies for keeping you waiting. I’m Lin Qing, the highest commander appointed by headquarters for the Jiangnan region. From now on, you’ll serve under me—call me Captain."

"Yes, Captain!"

The elite patrols responded in unison, expressionless.

Though they found it odd that a newcomer, not yet promoted to elite patrol, was their commander, they voiced no objections.

Though not disciplined soldiers bound by the creed of obedience, they understood headquarters wasn’t foolish. If they made this assignment, they had good reason.

The Jiangnan region covered three provinces—two hundred million people. The responsibility of commanding such a vital area was immense.

Of Earth’s eight billion people, being entrusted with two hundred million meant he was among the top dozen or so patrols beneath the patrol officers.

There were only twenty or so third-class elite patrols. So he must be among the best of the two-hundred-plus second-class elite patrols.

It was astonishing for a newcomer to possess such strength—but such people did exist.

They had no objections.

"Alright, let’s go."

!.

Lin Qing nodded slightly, scanning the elite patrols. He was reasonably satisfied.

Of nearly eight hundred new patrols, there were over two thousand elite patrols.

Every half-year, two or three hundred new patrols arrived. The training division allowed a maximum of three years, and over half became elite patrols.

Elite patrols who didn’t join any division could serve at headquarters for at most ten years.

After ten years, the total naturally reached over two thousand elite patrols.

Over two thousand were first-class elite patrols; three hundred were second-class; third-class elite patrols numbered only twenty or so.

The eighteen elite patrols assigned to Lin Qing included six second-class and twelve top-tier first-class patrols—quality was decent.

Lin Qing understood.

In battle, these men would offer him little direct help.

The more life evolves, the more individual power transcends the group. At the level of a patrol officer, one person could slaughter everyone beneath them.

But many tasks are too mundane for one person to handle alone. Assistance was still necessary.

…

On the headquarters’ island, too many teams were departing today, and buses were insufficient. On the road to the airport, groups marched rapidly.

Besides elite patrol teams, ordinary first-class elite patrols and new patrols were also heading to various regions as reinforcements.

For example, Jiangnan received an additional fifty first-class patrols or new patrols.

But Lin Qing’s fighter jet could carry only thirty people. The rest would have to take headquarters’ aircraft to Jiangnan.

"Captain, aren’t we taking this route? The assigned patrol teams are all waiting at the airport."

One elite patrol, noticing Lin Qing leading them down another path, asked curiously.

"I have a private fighter jet. It’s faster." Lin Qing replied casually.

“Private fighter jet?” The elite patrol officer finally understood.

Of course—elite patrol officers of three-star rank usually own private fighter jets, with speeds at least several times the speed of sound, far faster than the headquarters’ aircraft.

Private fighter jets are typically parked at another airport on the island.

Not long after, the group arrived at the airport; after passing inspection, the patrol officers saw the blue fighter jet parked in front of docking bridge D207.

“This is…”

“An FT-series jet?”

“I thought FT-series jets cost at least fifty thousand points minimum?”

“Good heavens…”

All the patrol officers stared at the jet in astonishment, their eyes filled with disbelief.

How could a new patrol officer—even if exceptionally talented and powerful—have accumulated so many points?

Even most three-star elite patrol officers, the headquarters’ top operatives, hesitated to buy such an expensive private jet!

This FT-series private jet was forged entirely from second-grade alloy—its value was unimaginable.

One point could buy over a million yuan; tens of thousands of points meant tens of billions!

And even with tens of billions, you simply couldn’t buy one.

Only patrol envoys could afford to purchase a jet of this caliber!

“Enough.”

Lin Qing didn’t want others to know the patrol envoy’s special treatment toward him, nor did he wish to explain further—he simply said, “Get on board.”

The elite patrol officers grew even more convinced their captain was extraordinary, dared not ask further, and promptly climbed the boarding ramp in silence.

“Haha, Lin Qing.”

At that moment, a familiar laugh rang out—Xu Qiu and Yuan Anping walked over from the opposite terminal.

“I was just about to call you,” Lin Qing smiled slightly.

Xu Qiu had also successfully awakened her genes, like Yuan Anping, now a one-star patrol officer; naturally, she had been prioritized for the Jiangnan region patrol team.

Both were old acquaintances—he naturally planned to bring them back to Jiangnan.

Besides, the jet had enough space.

“Your aunt really treats you well,” Xu Qiu glanced at the jet and immediately recognized it as Tang Wanqiu’s private fighter.

But she understood that if Lin Qing hadn’t shown sufficient potential, his aunt wouldn’t have treated him this way merely out of appreciation.

Moreover, the headquarters assigning Lin Qing as the supreme commander of Jiangnan region spoke volumes.

“Lucky to ride your coattails,” Yuan Anping grinned.

Lin Qing glanced at him but said nothing.

Since arriving at headquarters, Yuan Anping had seemed to take no special action—perhaps still waiting for an opportunity.

The Illuminati behind him likely hadn't anticipated the sudden breach of the Broken Stele Prison, forcing headquarters to deploy most of its personnel.

…

One hour and twelve minutes later, the blue fighter jet crossed the borders of Jiangnan’s three provinces and landed at the patrol-exclusive airport in Lin’an City.

Stepping out of the cabin, Lin Qing looked up at the sky above—endless dark clouds loomed, as if a storm was imminent.

“Back so soon…”

Lin Qing took a deep breath and descended the boarding bridge from the jet.

【Current Order Level decreased by 2.8 levels】

At that moment, a line of blood-red text suddenly appeared before his eyes.

(End of Chapter)