Chapter 164: Goodbye, Zhao Jiayi

Lin Qing's heart trembled.

A hundred-year soul?

He had lived only a little over forty years in total across his past and present lives, yet he was born in 2002—so he had indeed lived over a hundred years!

After dying at Yan Qingqing's hands in his past life, he had experienced a long, hollow dream, feeling himself sink unconsciously into it, as if drifting endlessly through boundless heights.

After an unknown length of time, when he awoke again, he had become Lin Qing of 2120.

Perhaps… his soul had not dispersed after death?

Had it waited decades before finding a suitable body? Or had he been reborn, only regaining his past memories a few years ago?

He didn't know exactly what had happened.

But…

Could it be related to the Entropy Reversers? "... Why did Director Chu say that?"

After a long silence, Lin Qing looked at Chu Hongjun and finally spoke slowly.

"I asked you here because I've confirmed this."

Chu Hongjun said calmly: "The soul is intimately tied to the Void. Though Level One civilizations have no way to determine a soul's age, your behavior, habits, and other aspects reveal your changes."

Lin Qing frowned slightly.

Chu Hongjun glanced at him, sat down beside him, and said:

"The moment you contacted me through Chu Hui's communicator, the instant you saw me—even though you controlled your expression well—you were still only an Awakened Being, with no divine office at all. I sensed your emotional fluctuations."

"After comparing similar emotional fluctuation samples, I confirmed that your emotions at the time, beyond surprise, included nostalgia and a sense of time's passage."

"Your reaction suggested you didn't expect me to reach this point—but in fact… after the Apocalypse of 2045, nearly all surviving human elites already knew me. By then, I was already one of the leaders of the surviving humans."

"Before the Apocalypse, I was always stationed at a military research base—you could never have met me. So your recognition must have come after the Apocalypse."

"Your reaction made me suspect something was off about you, so I investigated you closely."

Chu Hongjun looked at Lin Qing. "The investigation results were clear: I compared all surveillance data about you before November 2120. Your behavior, habits, and mannerisms changed after that point."

Lin Qing remained silent.

Indeed.

After his memories fused with the original body's memories, he was Lin Qing—but the influence of his past-life memories inevitably left changes.

"In Lin'an City, you who previously had no interest in the Spring Festival suddenly wished your colleagues a Happy New Year and sent out red envelopes."

Chu Hongjun continued: "You had already studied the Fourth-Sixth Version of the Morning Qi Method since early 2120, yet you showed no sign of it for nearly a year—then suddenly mastered it in December. That's another anomaly. Of course… you could claim you'd mastered it long ago and just concealed it."

"When you first practiced shooting at the range for a month, you suddenly revealed a talent for marksmanship—was that preparation for later?"

"From your subsequent behavior, your awareness of danger has vastly increased compared to before. Even if you use your cousin's serious injury as an excuse, your caution and killing habits still exceed what's normal for an eighteen-year-old Gao San student."

"Combined with your recognition of me, and your deliberate searches of films and TV shows before 2025—works you recommended to Zhao Jiayi all originated from before the Apocalypse."

"Therefore, we can conclude…"

Chu Hongjun looked at him. "You're most likely from before the Apocalypse. But your genetic analysis shows no age discrepancy—so it must be your soul."

Lin Qing took a deep breath.

"... I thought I'd been careful enough." He sighed.

"You have been careful." Chu Hongjun glanced at him. "At least you never tried to profit by plagiarizing lost cultural works, nor did you investigate your past."

"But humans are humans—you can't truly hide yourself perfectly."

Chu Hongjun said softly: "If not for me, you wouldn't have been exposed. Besides, soul possession and rebirth are common in the universe. Starborn beings simply need a body perfectly attuned to their soul to achieve it."

"But I'm not a Starborn being. Before Earth became a Perfect Planet, there were no Starborn beings, right?" Lin Qing said.

"Of course you're not."

Chu Hongjun said: "Starborn beings need at least a Primitive Being's body to possess. The best method is cloning yourself—otherwise, finding another human whose body perfectly matches your soul is far too improbable."

Lin Qing fell silent.

"Before the Apocalypse, Earth's energy from the Liuda Sects was entirely used to elevate itself—Earth's lifeforms couldn't evolve."

Chu Hongjun stared at Lin Qing and said slowly: "From your case, you were clearly an ordinary person before the Apocalypse. Yet your soul didn't disperse after death—and even managed possession and rebirth?"

Lin Qing stayed silent for a moment, then asked: "What does Director Chu think is the reason?"

"The most likely explanation I can think of is just one…"

Chu Hongjun stared at him. "You were born with an awakened power, weren't you?"

Lin Qing said nothing, only sighed.

"I guessed right."

Chu Hongjun looked at him. "Even a Level Seven or Eight power might revive a person, but none can keep a soul intact for decades without dispersing—that touches the Void… So your power must be at least Level Nine?"

Lin Qing remained silent, letting Chu Hongjun continue speculating.

"No need to deny it."

Chu Hongjun said softly: "When Yi Leina Duo told you Zhao Jiayi's third eye represented a Level Nine power, you showed no desire or longing. You're someone who survived the Apocalypse—even if you truly cared for her, you wouldn't react this way. That means… you believe you don't need such a talent."

Lin Qing also confirmed one thing in his heart.

It seemed Chu Hongjun couldn't discern his current emotional fluctuations.

He had already prepared his response.

"Maybe… but I'm not sure." Lin Qing shook his head.

"Naturally awakened power bearers don't require testing. Not knowing is normal."

Chu Hongjun nodded slightly, then added: "From now on, you needn't worry about exposure. Any suspicious signs that might reveal you as a power bearer, I've already altered or erased."

"I understand the importance of power bearers."

Lin Qing took a deep breath and said firmly: "Since Director Chu knows, what do you intend to do?"

Chu Hongjun looked at him. "Nothing."

Lin Qing was slightly stunned.

"You just need to keep hiding yourself well."

Chu Hongjun said calmly, "Our protection of you is already sufficient now. If we strengthen it further, it will only cause the extraterrestrial civilizations to notice we care too much about you, thereby generating unnecessary suspicion."

Lin Qing slowly nodded and said, "Good."

"I only hope you remember one thing."

Chu Hongjun looked at him expressionlessly. "No matter when, no one on Earth is more important than your life. You must preserve your own life."

"No one?" Lin Qing frowned slightly.

"Don't say such foolish things as 'all lives are equal.' Distinguishing based on importance is true fairness."

Chu Hongjun said lightly, "With your authority, even if your evolution is insufficient, as long as you live long enough, you will have a complete opportunity to lead Earth to a Level Two civilization. Perhaps you don't understand the significance of this, but you just need to know... in terms of survival priority, you are highest, followed by Yi Leina Duo, and then me and Qi Lingxiao below. Do you understand?"

Lin Qing naturally understood his meaning.

As long as there is one authority awakener in a civilization, the next phase can explode like a bomb, continuously spawning a large batch of authority awakeners.

And he, who is actually a Level Ten authority awakener, means that the potential ceiling for the birth of geniuses in the civilization can reach Level Ten.

As long as enough Starfall Source Stones are accumulated, and as long as there are people whose authority potential does not exceed his, he can develop their potential and create new authority awakeners! Although Earth, this perfect planet, can theoretically birth people with up to Level Eight potential at most, miracles may exist in the universe, and moreover... developing someone with Level Eight potential can also create an unparalleled genius with a Level Eight ceiling!

Level Eight means the potential ceiling has reached Ultimate Star Life.

"Does that include you, Dean Chu?" Lin Qing looked at him.

"I know you don't like me." Chu Hongjun glanced at him and said calmly, "If such a day truly comes, you can sacrifice me first; for me, that would be just right."

Lin Qing frowned slightly and asked, "Does Dean Chu think the civilization is more important than his own life?"

"Whether it is important naturally depends on one's standpoint."

Chu Hongjun said in a light voice, "In my view, the entire Earth civilization is not as important as you alone, but in others' eyes, perhaps the whole universe is not as important as themselves living one more year, is it not?"

Lin Qing fell silent for a moment, then spoke, "I originally thought only the Hall Master Qi Lingxiao, who is called the Earth Hero, would have the mindset of a savior. I didn't expect Dean Chu to be the same."

"Qi Lingxiao truly considers himself a savior."

Chu Hongjun said lightly, "He was born into wealth, comes from a prominent family, and is Earth's strongest genius. Only when realizing his self-worth can he feel satisfied. Therefore, his sense of responsibility is heavy, and he does not mind sacrificing himself. Although he is somewhat rash, he is indeed a fool willing to die for the collective."

"As for me..." He paused, glanced at Lin Qing, "You can treat me as an intelligence given orders."

Lin Qing was stunned.

"Regarding Yi Leina Duo, you should keep a closer eye on her from now on."

Chu Hongjun said, "Yi Leina Duo is a good leader, but she cares too much about emotions. When truly facing a life-or-death choice, she cannot abandon everything."

Lin Qing frowned slightly.

Why does it feel... like Chu Hongjun is leaving his last words? "That pre-civilization ruin, you should go see it."

Chu Hongjun said, "However, since you have already awakened your authority, wait a bit. A One-Star Universal Citizen can only enter once. It is best to wait until your strength reaches its limit to gain the maximum benefit from it. So... try to enter before you attempt the Primordial Divine Office trial."

Lin Qing understood his meaning.

Once obtaining the Primordial Divine Office or transforming into a Star Life, one becomes a Two-Star Universal Citizen.

So...

Before attempting the Primordial Divine Office trial is the strongest state of a One-Star Universal Citizen.

"If one has already awakened authority, will that ruin still provide Starfall Source Stones?" Lin Qing asked.

"Yes."

Chu Hongjun nodded slightly and said, "As long as it is an Earthling with a soul age over a hundred years, regardless of strength, one can go to test for authority. As long as the authority meets the awakening standard line of 38,000 kilograms, that ruin can lend you enough Starfall Source Stones for awakening."

"Lend to me?" Lin Qing's eyes lit up unexpectedly. He said, "So, I can borrow Starfall Source Stones to help others awaken?"

"Yes, you can." Chu Hongjun looked at him. "Are you willing to lend?"

"Of course I am." Lin Qing nodded.

He knew very well that his authority is Level Ten, requiring over 800,000 kilograms to awaken.

This means... he can borrow over 800,000 kilograms of Starfall Source Stones from the pre-civilization ruin! At that time, he can choose to repay his debt, or use it to awaken Level Nine authority for Yi Leina Duo and Zhao Jiayi, and also allow the Black Flame Clone, Chu Hongjun, Qi Lingxiao, and other Earth strong ones to awaken their authority!

"If I can awaken authority for Zhao Jiayi and Yi Leina Duo, that would be a good choice."

Chu Hongjun pondered for a moment and said, "However... the 38,000-kilogram authority awakening is merely the entry threshold for that pre-civilization ruin. At that time, it must also be confirmed whether your authority meets the standard."

Lin Qing was lost in thought.

He naturally confirmed he met the requirements.

This is also his opportunity.

In the trial where a Divine Underwalker sublimates into a 'Divine Son', one must fight against geniuses from other Level Two civilizations.

If one fails, this path will be completely cut off.

No matter what, one must prepare with all one's might.

"I will go when my strength reaches its limit." Lin Qing said.

Chu Hongjun nodded slightly, looked at him again, and suddenly said, "Do you have a grudge against the Yan family in your past life?"

This person is too smart... Lin Qing sighed inwardly and spoke, "Why do you say that?"

"Although you kill decisively, if there is no grudge, merely being obstructed by someone shouldn't lead you to kill directly." Chu Hongjun said calmly, "Do you have a grudge against Yan Qingqing in your past life?"

"Yes." Lin Qing was too lazy to conceal it further. "Does Dean Chu plan to act on my behalf? No need, I want to do it myself."

"The three of us are still under contract restrictions in the eyes of the outside world and cannot act." Chu Hongjun said, "And Yan Qingqing is merely a Primordial Divine Office holder. Given you time, you can resolve it yourself."

"Contract restrictions?" Lin Qing asked in confusion.

At the same time, a thought stirred in his heart. Is it only in the eyes of the outside world?

Chu Hongjun said, "Contracts formulated by Three-Star Universal Citizens can at most constrain Two-Star Universal Citizens. Those contracts from extraterrestrial civilizations are formulated by Star Divine Office holders, so one must also achieve the Star-level Divine Office to ignore the contract restrictions."

Lin Qing suddenly understood.

"Does Hall Master Qi Lingxiao, with his current strength, not even have the confidence to achieve the Star-level Divine Office?" Lin Qing asked.

"The conventional ones are within reach."

Chu Hongjun said, "But the trial for a Star-level rare Divine Office is extremely difficult. Relying solely on the nine sets of Holy Characters... the hope is slim. Qi Lingxiao has mastered one Eighth-Level Divine Skill, giving him considerable confidence, but it is not the end yet, so he still wishes to wait a bit longer."

"However..." he said, "At the latest, before the next opening of the Sky Archipelago, he will go to participate in the Star-level Divine Office trial." Lin Qing understood his meaning.

May 20, 2126, is the day Earth truly opens.

Therefore, the end of 2124 is the last time the Sky Archipelago appears before Earth opens.

By the end of 2126, extraterrestrial civilizations will have entered.

"If there is truly no other way, he will also go to participate in the trial early."

Chu Hongjun glanced at Lin Qing and said, "What you did today... can be considered a help to us."

Lin Qing shook his head slightly and said no more.

He also knew the importance of these three; when Earth opens in three years, he has no confidence in catching up with these three.

Unless forced to the brink, he naturally would not let these three attempt the Star-level Divine Office trial early.

Once they fail, that would be trouble.

"That is all that needs to be said." Chu Hongjun said, "What you must do is cultivate well and keep your own life."

He suddenly reached out, and a crystal as black as a black pearl appeared in his hand.

"Carry it with you." Chu Hongjun handed it to Lin Qing, "It can save your life at a critical moment; you can also put it into a subspace storage device."

Lin Qing said no more and immediately put it away.

"Do you have any other important needs? If it is too important, I am not unable to act." Chu Hongjun said.

"There doesn't seem to be anything too important."

Lin Qing thought for a moment and said, "I wish to use the Weapon-Bearing Commander Divine Office to experience a life evolution once; it requires killing enough Divine Office holders of the same level, or a few of a higher level."

"If I do not act, I cannot directly capture people for you to kill." Chu Hongjun said, "However, I can help you formulate a plan and create an opportunity for you; whether you can kill them depends on yourself."

"Alright." Lin Qing nodded and said, "However, it is not needed for now. Like this... Dean Chu, when I need it, I will tell you?"

"Good, go now."

Chu Hongjun gently pushed the rimless glasses on his nose and also withdrew the domain shielding the surroundings.

Lin Qing nodded slightly, then turned and left.

Before leaving the Dawn Group, he went to the family district to check on his aunt and cousin, finding both in good health, obviously living well here.

He did not leave anything behind; after all, he had already decided...

In the future, the Feast Blessing provided by the Black Flame Clone would also be left for his aunt and cousin, allowing these two last blood relatives to obtain immortality.

Two days later.

Early in the morning, Lin Qing received news from Chairman Yan—the Star Patrol Council had already opened the usage permission for Energy Pool No. 7 to him.

He did not waste time; as soon as the news arrived, he immediately went there.

"This is the Energy Pool?"

In a spacious, sealed room stood a device about three meters long, nearly two meters wide, and one and a half meters high, resembling a sleep pod; its silver-gray shell, emitting a strange, peculiar glow, looked extraordinary.

It is said that this Sixth-Level Energy Pool, its shell alone being made of extremely high-strength Fifth-Stage material, is difficult even for those with the strength of the fifth layer of the Star Abyss to break.

Lin Qing immediately opened the pod door of the Energy Pool and lay directly inside.

Immediately, following the instrument's instructions, he began to sense the specific Sixth-Level energy he needed in the surrounding void, and his consciousness started to fully attract and gather this energy.

The principle of this Energy Pool is actually very simple.

It relies on the device's own field to stably confine the Sixth-Level energy attracted by the user within the device, keeping it in a stable state until the energy density reaches an astonishing level.

Until the energy density reaches a limit threshold, even repelling other energies.

In this way, for the user to sense and become familiar with this energy becomes effortless.

What seems like a very simple principle actually involves technology of an astonishing level.

The power of the Sixth Level falls within the domain of the Liuda Sects; to confine and accumulate it to such density while maintaining stability is simply inconceivable.

In the universe, only those Type I civilizations that focus on science and technology, and their knowledge-type Divine Office holders, could possibly manufacture such equipment; such civilizations are relatively rare throughout the entire galaxy.

Even through the channels of the Star Patrol Council, only eight Sixth-Level Energy Pools were obtained.

It is said that even the Wisdom Star Group only managed to acquire two, which were specially sent by the main star of their home Yuan Chen Civilization.

As for Seventh-Level Energy Pools, the Wisdom Star Group has not a single one!

Within the Star Patrol Council, only one has been obtained.

"Almost there, almost there..."

Lying inside the Energy Pool, Lin Qing attracted streams of strange, gentle energy full of vitality through his consciousness, continuously accumulating within the pod, making the energy density inside higher and higher.

Half an hour later.

"Beep."

As a prompt sound rang out, Lin Qing immediately understood that the energy density inside the pod had reached its limit.

At this moment, only a cyan-blue liquid resembling solid matter remained inside the Energy Pool, completely filling the pod, with no other energy whatsoever.

This cyan-blue liquid is one of the nine Sixth-Level powers whose essence he needs to comprehend.

Within the Sixth-Level powers of the Life System, its number is NO. 255, and it is also called 'Life Source Flow'.

"Indeed, only this one energy remains!"

Lin Qing could not help but feel joy.

At this moment, he could clearly sense that the surroundings contained purely this Sixth-Level energy, with absolutely no interference from other energies.

Generally speaking, only high-level primordial beings of the Sixth-Level life form could achieve such a thing.

And this energy concentration pool had indeed achieved exactly that! Under such conditions, with his affinity enhanced after inscribing the Holy Word 'Life Affinity', reaching a state of effortless fusion with the sixth-level life-energy was likely not difficult at all.

"Anyway, there's nothing else to do. First, familiarize myself with the nine powers, then condense the pseudo-divine spark, and finally draw upon them one by one to comprehend their essence."

Lin Qing did not overthink it, immediately immersing himself in the surrounding pure energy.

In the blink of an eye, two months had passed.

On June 7th.

"Beep. Beep."

The hatch of the energy concentration pool slowly opened. Amidst the substantial energy flowing like scorching fire, Lin Qing slowly rose to his feet.

"Finally..."

Lin Qing exhaled, immediately commanding the energy concentration pool to release its restraints, allowing the high-density energy within the chamber to dissipate.

During these two months, he had hardly left the energy concentration pool. Relying on the Starfall Battle Suit to convert energy for sustaining his life activities, he had simply soaked in this pool every day to quickly familiarize himself with these nine types of energy.

For a normal primordial being, even if capable of sensing sixth-level energy, it would take many years to become fully familiar with it.

Yet, with the Holy Word 'Life Affinity', his efficiency was already more than ten times higher. With the aid of the energy concentration pool, he had completely mastered the nine types of sixth-level energy in just two months!

A hundred times faster, or even more.

"The Star-Surveying Council... indeed, I didn't come here for nothing."

Lin Qing satisfiedly sensed the nine types of sixth-level energy intimately surrounding him. At this level, although he could not yet use them to transform his life, he could now condense a pseudo-divine spark within his mind.

Next, the energy concentration pool would no longer be needed.

Lord Yantian intended to use this environment to comprehend the essence, but Lin Qing, after condensing the pseudo-divine spark, could directly draw upon it.

Whether condensing the pseudo-divine spark or drawing upon it to repay debts, the energy concentration pool was no longer required.

After returning to his room, Lin Qing did not immediately begin condensing the pseudo-divine spark. Instead, he first picked up the communicator provided by the Star-Surveying Council to check his messages.

For these two months, he had been in a state of seclusion.

Thus, he had left behind an automatic reply.

"Eh?"

Lin Qing suddenly discovered that a week ago, Zhao Jiayi had sent him a message: 【I succeeded! Auntie said you're busy. Remember to find me when you're done.】

"Succeeded?"

Lin Qing's eyes lit up.

He still remembered Yi Leina Duo had mentioned that the divine office Zhao Jiayi attempted was the Cosmic Envoy? He immediately replied: 【Where?】

To his surprise, Zhao Jiayi replied instantly: 【Not convenient to see you right now (crying). Let's meet at the place we last saw each other. Wait a moment.】

"The place we last saw each other?"

Lin Qing immediately understood; she was referring to the Twilight Paradise where they held meetings at the Twilight Frontline.

After a moment.

"Lin Qing."

A gentle telepathic voice sounded: "Prepare yourself; I will guide you into the Twilight Paradise."

"Good." Lin Qing immediately responded.

To this day, he still did not know what level the Twilight Paradise, as a subsidiary space, belonged to.

He had never heard of any subsidiary space capable of time acceleration.

A meteor-like spaceship hung high in the sky, reflecting the desolate beauty of twilight.

The moment Lin Qing appeared inside the cabin, he heard a familiar, crisp voice from beside him:

"Lin... Lin Qing."

He turned his head and saw a petite girl standing not far away. Her jet-black hair was tied into a bun. On her mixed-race, beautiful face, a pair of eyes like the deep blue ocean looked at him with slight excitement, seemingly unable to hold back, yet hesitating.

"Why stand so far away?"

Lin Qing sized her up. "I thought that after not seeing me for so long, you would rush over to hug me upon meeting. Have we grown distant?"

"No way..." Zhao Jiayi lowered her head slightly, as if afraid to look at him, and whispered, "I was afraid you would forget me... And I haven't told you about my eyes yet. What if you didn't want to see me..."

Lin Qing raised an eyebrow slightly. "Transplanting the eyes to me, isn't that beneficial for me?"

"But I know that after transplanting the eyes to you, you will definitely be sad..."

Zhao Jiayi bit her lip. "Just thinking about it, I know how terrible it feels to be forced to absorb a friend's life... Or you would have to endure it yourself, and I would be even less willing..."

Lin Qing smiled. "Rest assured, if I can't endure it, I will definitely prioritize sucking from you."

"I don't believe you..." Zhao Jiayi muttered.

"Come here." Lin Qing beckoned to her.

"Oh..."

Zhao Jiayi then obediently walked over.

Lin Qing sized her up again, then touched her brow with his fingertip and asked, "Where are the eyes?"

"Hidden."

As Zhao Jiayi spoke, a vertical eye emitting a faint silver light slowly cracked open at her brow.

At this moment, through the Domain of the Pseudo-God, Lin Qing could feel that the space around her eye had undergone slight changes.

"Indeed, it affects space..."

Lin Qing nodded slightly and asked, "Did you use this eye to make those people disappear before?"

"Yes." Zhao Jiayi nodded her head and said, "This eye connects to a foreign space. Inside is pure vacuum, devoid of any matter or energy. I sent them directly in there; given enough time, they died."

"So that's how it is..." Lin Qing finally understood.

He asked again, "Is your ability to impersonate the Void God Clan's 'Cosmic Envoy' also due to your spatial talent?"

(End of this chapter)