Chapter 184: The Second Clone

Lin Qing slowly closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the second Eternal Gate within his mind.

Just now, this second Eternal Gate had also welcomed its own soul.

"It succeeded."

Lin Qing opened his eyes. "I clearly sealed the alien space, yet the Eternal Gate still sucked Cardan's soul over here. It truly can cross space..."

Major factions begin involving space from the Ninth Tier onward, so it is quite normal for the Eternal Gate, as a Tenth Tier ability, to have this effect.

In the next instant, accompanied by surging energy, a flicker moved at his brow, and a wisp of light point flew out.

The spatial scale where the light point resided rapidly expanded, and in an instant, it transformed into a silver-haired elder of the Star Mind race.

It was none other than Cardan.

However, this elderly appearance was merely to maintain Cardan's past state; in reality, Cardan had already restored himself to the peak of his life.

"Star Battle Armor."

Lin Qing casually took out a pre-prepared Third-Tier Star Battle Armor and gave it to Cardan.

Cardan immediately claimed the Star Battle Armor as his own, then transformed it into his past attire.

Afterwards, the main body and the clone exchanged a glance.

Cardan immediately took flight into the sky.

Meanwhile, Lin Qing flew toward the mountain peak, arriving at the very top of the Bronze Giant Peak in a short while.

Standing here was a space gate resembling a stone door, with rippling water in its center.

Sitting beside the stone door was a man, who was none other than Chairman Yan.

"Is it over?"

Chairman Yan sized up Lin Qing and said, "You possess the strength of the Fifth Layer of the Yu Xingyuan; even Rodris is not your match. Killing these few people should not be too difficult, right?"

"It was fine." Lin Qing smiled. "Trouble you, Chairman Yan, to guard the gate for me. Next, Chairman Yan can continue the trial."

Chairman Yan was still bound by the contract of the extraterrestrial civilization, so the truth of this operation was not revealed to him; he was only told to kill the others within this relic space and asked to help guard the space gate.

Moreover, the obstruction of the Bronze Demon Mountain's Heavenly Light power prevented anyone at the peak from sensing what was happening below.

It was fortunate that Chairman Yan did not go down to help; otherwise, given Chairman Yan's state of near-death, once Cardan used that life-depriving method, would he not have died on the spot?

"As long as it succeeded, that is enough."

Chairman Yan turned to glance at the bronze staircase below and slowly shook his head. "The requirements for mental willpower in this relic are far too high. I consider my willpower well-honed, yet I reached my limit after climbing only six thousand-plus steps. I still do not know what rewards this relic holds."

Obviously, Did Chu Hongjun and the others had not told him the specific function of Relic Number Six.

"Six thousand-plus steps? Chairman Yan's mental willpower is quite strong." Lin Qing said.

"I have just experienced more." Chairman Yan smiled with a hint of self-mockery. "You are so young yet managed to enter; you are far more excellent than me..."

Lin Qing shook his head slightly.

"Enough, I will continue trying."

Chairman Yan sighed and said, "I hope this relic can help me."

Lin Qing did not speak further, merely watching Chairman Yan fly downward.

He did not know what had happened to this Chairman Yan; becoming a Primal Divine Servant in merely two or three years back then was absolutely a sign of extraordinary talent, yet now he had become like this? He did not ponder it further, merely casting a glance downward.

In the depths of the Heavenly Light in that direction, Cardan was hiding.

"First, sort through the memories."

Lin Qing did not rush to leave the relic space; instead, he sat down before the space gate and began to sort through Cardan's memories.

Although the memories spanned over a hundred thousand years, with the mental power of such a life level, which was tens of thousands of times stronger than an ordinary person's, a simple sorting would not take too long.

Cardan.

In the 74,411th year of the Tianxiang Era of the Yuanchen Calendar, born on the Imperial Star of the Yuanchen Civilization, 'Yuanhu Star', he was regarded as the number one genius of that era in the field of life research.

Even the tedious and complex scholar trials took him only three hundred years to complete, becoming a Star Divine Servant.

He assumed the regular Star-level Divine Servant post—【Life Theologian】.

He has lived for sixteen thousand years to date.

For the vast majority of this life, Cardan conducted research and study for the field of life sciences of the Yuanchen Civilization, making countless contributions that propelled the progress of civilization.

"An academic type..."

Lin Qing quickly browsed through Cardan's life memories and soon found several of Cardan's most important secrets.

"A corpse of a terrifying life form suspected to be from a Second-Tier Civilization? So... that physical body was formed through research and imitation?" Lin Qing suddenly felt a stir in his heart. "A special metal plaque was also found on the corpse? He called it a Life Plaque? It can deprive life?"

Only then did he understand how Cardan had shaved off ninety thousand years of his lifespan.

"Where is the Life Plaque?"

Lin Qing immediately penetrated the alien space with his telekinetic power and began to examine that alien space which had been thoroughly cleared by the Zero-Point Energy Bomb.

Soon, he discovered that peculiar metal plaque at the edge of the alien space.

It was evidently blown to the edge of the space by the explosion before stopping.

Lin Qing reached out, and that metal plaque instantly vanished from within the alien space, appearing in his hand.

Strange patterns adorned this metal plaque, but the patterns appeared to be incomplete.

"It looks like just a component..."

Lin Qing pondered thoughtfully. "Directly colliding life force to annihilate the opponent's life force? Judging only by the quality of life force?"

At the same life level, with the same gene optimization index, using one's own life force to consume the opponent's life force can achieve a one-to-one ratio, equivalent to a mutual destruction.

Therefore, Cardan was able to kill those combat-type Star Divine Servants who had lived for hundreds of thousands of years.

Ultimate Star Beings generally have lifespans of only several hundred thousand years; those Star Divine Servants who were pillars of civilization, having lived for hundreds of thousands of years, were almost at the end of their lives.

And Cardan, a researcher in life sciences, was most clear about his own sensations and could easily raise his own gene optimization index; as long as he was willing to sacrifice his lifespan, he could naturally exhaust those old things to death.

"I have never even heard of such a treasure in a First-Tier Civilization... from a Second-Tier Civilization?"

Lin Qing studied this Life Token for a long while before putting it away.

He cannot use this Life Token yet.

This "Life Deprivation" almost ignores any ability he knows, relying solely on life level and gene optimization index.

Against those of the same life level as him, he can crush them with a single divine technique; he has no need for it.

Unless the opponent is an unparalleled genius possessing a divine technique like his, only then would this Life Token be useful.

"Cardon knows far too much about the Yuanchen Civilization..."

Lin Qing's eyes sparkled. "The key is... Cardon's research on life is far too profound..."

At this moment, he had not even dedicated his mind to studying the characteristic structure of the World God lifeform, nor focused on how to make his own life structure better fit the World God body.

Simply by thinking casually, with memories naturally surfacing, he already had many ideas!

"Perfectly fusing with the World God probably won't take long..."

Lin Qing took a deep breath. "Moreover, with Cardon's understanding of lifeforms, my gene optimization index can still increase! I can excavate more genes of the Cosmic Ruin Giant Spirits!"

It was almost foreseeable—

In a short time, his strength would surge again! "I can participate in the Primordial Divine Office Trial in a few days; this time I should have absolute confidence..."

Lin Qing showed a faint smile. "Moreover, Cardon actually comprehended the essence of so many types of life-force powers? This is truly..."

He had already confirmed it.

Cardon comprehended the essence of 547 sixth-level life-force powers, 61 seventh-level ones, and 9 eighth-level ones! Almost all were comprehended slowly over the long years after Cardon became a Star Divine Office Holder.

From the height of an eighth-level lifeform, comprehending the essence of sixth-level and seventh-level powers was indeed much easier.

But the essence of eighth-level power was very difficult; over a hundred thousand years, he only managed nine.

However, he had mastered not a single divine technique.

After all, scholar-type divine offices could not learn combat-type divine techniques. Cardon had only learned one scholar-type divine technique, "Analysis of All Spirits," by sheer chance.

Although Cardon had comprehended the various power essences required for this divine technique, he had not even mastered the sixth-level "Analysis of All Spirits."

Comprehending power essences only required high talent and sufficiently long time, but combining them into a divine technique was difficult.

Over more than ten thousand years, Cardon still failed.

"Is combining them so difficult?"

Lin Qing muttered to himself, then continued browsing Cardon's memories.

For him, browsing Cardon's memories was like observing another person's life, or watching a movie; it had no effect on him personally.

"Eleven lineages of Holy Letters of Life? One of them is actually quite useful to me..."

"Is the Yuanchen Civilization so strong? The strongest... the high-ups... the Elder Council..."

After roughly browsing Cardon's memories, experimenting a few times, and pondering for a while, Lin Qing made a decision.

He immediately logged onto the Second Universe Network.

He prepared to ask Chu Hongjun what the best course of action was; having Chu Hongjun arrange the plan was also the best option.

"Dean Chu." Inside the exclusive auxiliary space reserved for Chu Hongjun, Lin Qing looked at Chu Hongjun, who was still wearing a white lab coat, and said, "The plan succeeded."

Chu Hongjun did not inquire too much about the plan to kill Cardon; he only gave him a Zero-Point Energy Bomb.

"Succeeded?"

Chu Hongjun glanced at him and said, "Has Cardon become your clone?"

Lin Qing was momentarily stunned, looking at Chu Hongjun with some surprise: "Dean Chu, you already guessed?"

Although he had originally intended to reveal everything, he did not expect Chu Hongjun to have already guessed it.

"That is not hard to guess."

Chu Hongjun said calmly: "Those who had grievances with you before died mysteriously, yet you had alibis. Combined with the fact that you were once in the Second Forbidden Zone with that Black Flame Clan youth, as long as one takes 'you awakened high-level life-force authority' as the basis, deducing this is not difficult."

Lin Qing shook his head slightly and said, "Dean Chu's deduction is very accurate."

"The ability to create clones exists even in Type One civilizations; there is nothing worth being shocked about."

Chu Hongjun said, "However, being able to turn the dead into clones and resurrect them continuously is unheard of; such an ability probably only exists in Type Two civilizations."

【In one look, no wrong version!】

He sized Lin Qing up and said, "You just succeeded and came to find me immediately; it seems you want to ask me how to utilize this Cardon identity?"

"Yes." Lin Qing nodded immediately.

Chu Hongjun pondered for a moment and asked, "Your clone should retain the divine office from before death, right?"

"Yes." Lin Qing nodded.

"Can you log into his Second Universe Network account?" Chu Hongjun asked.

"That won't work."

Lin Qing shook his head and said, "The Second Universe Network is bound to consciousness. I can only pretend he registered a new Second Universe Network account; after all, a Three-Star Universe Citizen has this permission."

The Second Universe Network establishes different accounts based on life level and divine office, but it binds to consciousness, equivalent to a login password.

And this clone ability of his replaces the consciousness.

This made it impossible.

"A new account..."

Chu Hongjun narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "You have Cardon's previous memories. Did his account connect to any special auxiliary spaces or have any special friends?"

"Actually, nothing special."

Lin Qing said, "This Cardon account was actually newly created; his previous Second Universe Network account was cancelled before he usurped the body and was reborn."

"Cancelled? Why?" Chu Hongjun asked.

"Because of internal pressure within the Yuanchen Civilization."

Lin Qing said, "The various factions within the Yuanchen Civilization are also engaged in internal strife, and there is pressure from even stronger civilizations. Kadoan quietly came to Earth, using it as a pretext to retire and hide from the world, canceling his account to evade those people."

Chu Hongjun said, "In that case, use the excuse that 'the newly created account was discovered, so I created a new one'."

"That is what I was thinking too." Lin Qing nodded.

"Do you have information on the Yuanchen Civilization's plan to conquer Earth?" Chu Hongjun asked.

"Yes."

Lin Qing said, "To be precise, three extraterrestrial civilizations are joining forces, preparing to completely seize Earth. I will send you the specific details of the plan shortly."

Chu Hongjun nodded slightly and said, "With Kadoan as your identity, we can do much. If used well, there is every hope of dismantling and destroying the Yuanchen Civilization from within."

He paused, then said, "However, the most critical question... who is the strongest, or rather, the highest military power of the Yuanchen Civilization? What level?"

Lin Qing took a deep breath and said, "I also wanted to discuss this with you."

He said slowly, "As of the year Kadoan left the Yuanchen Civilization, the Yuanchen Civilization had at least over fifty Star Divine Office holders. The strongest among them should be the current Regent of the Yuanchen Civilization, who not only holds a rare Divine Office but also mastered two powerful Divine Skills, and is the only Star-level rare Divine Office holder within the Yuanchen Civilization."

"As expected..." Chu Hongjun frowned slightly.

If a Star Divine Office holder is merely a regular Divine Office, perhaps with a good combination of Holy Letters and excellent performance, it might be possible to pass the Divine Office Trial, allowing for repeated attempts.

However, for a rare Divine Office, with only one chance to take the trial, only geniuses who have mastered powerful Divine Skills have any hope of passing the Star-level Divine Office Trial.

The difficulty coefficient is completely different.

It is not strange for a Level 1 Civilization to possess Star Divine Office holders, but a rare Divine Office is truly astonishing.

"Unless Qi Lingxiao succeeds in the trial, we cannot possibly hold back the Yuanchen Civilization."

Chu Hongjun shook his head slightly and said, "Even if he succeeds, can he alone hold back the current Regent of the Yuanchen Civilization? What about the other Star Divine Office holders?"

He asked again, "What about the other civilizations?"

Lin Qing said, "The overall strength of the Black Tower Civilization and the Goddess Creek Civilization is inferior to that of the Yuanchen Civilization; one is Level 1.6, the other Level 1.5. Therefore, they all defer to the Yuanchen Civilization. If these two civilizations did not know the secret of Earth, the Yuanchen Civilization would never have given them a chance to get involved with Earth."

Chu Hongjun pondered in silence.

"In addition, there is a secret known only to the high leadership within the Yuanchen Civilization."

Lin Qing looked at Chu Hongjun. "The current Regent of the Yuanchen Civilization, and a few others, seem to be connected to a certain Level 1.9 Civilization."

"Level 1.9 Civilization?" Chu Hongjun frowned slightly.

"Yes." Lin Qing nodded.

Normally, for a powerful civilization like the Yuanchen Civilization—a Level 1.8 Civilization—it is almost the end of the road for a Level 1 Civilization.

And a Level 1.9 Civilization represents a civilization level with transcendent progress, worthy of being called the level closest to a Level 2 Civilization!

From Kadoan's memories, in the eyes of a Level 2 Civilization, Level 1 Civilizations are almost all insects.

But the status of a Level 1.9 Civilization is somewhat different.

It is rumored that the wormholes used for interstellar navigation in the cosmic starry sky were created by Level 1.9 Civilizations.

It is also rumored that only Level 1.9 Civilizations can possibly locate the Void Secret Realms of Level 2 Civilizations.

This is a very transcendent and special tier.

With over eight hundred thousand life-bearing planets in the Milky Way and tens of thousands of interstellar civilizations, the Yuanchen Civilization is considered a standout among them, but compared to a Level 1.9 Civilization, the gap is still very large.

"Level 1.9 Civilization..."

Chu Hongjun, lost in thought, said, "If that is the case, it is very troublesome. A Level 1.9 Civilization... is already nearly another tier."

"Does Dean Chu also have knowledge of this?" Lin Qing couldn't help but ask.

"Chairman Yan has had some contact with a Level 1.9 Civilization."

Chu Hongjun nodded slightly and added, "We need time now... You have already helped Yi Leina Duo awaken her authority, and you are progressing very quickly. As long as Earth Civilization survives, it should also become the next Level 1.9 Civilization."

He pondered for a moment and said, "Just pretend you escaped Kadoan's pursuit, relying on the 'Phase Armor Pearl' I gave you to survive and escape the Ruin Space."

"Phase Armor Pearl?" Lin Qing was slightly stunned, flipped his hand to produce a crystal resembling a black pearl, and said, "Is this what Dean Chu is referring to?"

Chu Hongjun hummed in affirmation and said, "This is for your survival. When it senses a life-threatening crisis, it will automatically protect you. It is estimated to be able to withstand a single strike from the eighth layer of the Yu Xingyuan, and only a full-power attack from the seventh layer of the Yu Xingyuan for a short while could break it. That is enough for us to save you."

Lin Qing understood.

From Kadoan's memories, such treasures could only be produced by a Level 1.9 Civilization or a Level 2 Civilization.

It is not strange that one exists on Earth.

"I understand." Lin Qing nodded immediately.

Chu Hongjun instructed, "Next, use Kadoan to observe the reaction of the Wisdom Star People."

Lin Qing nodded and said, "Good."

Chu Hongjun looked at him again and asked, "When do you plan to participate in the Primal-level Divine Office Trial?"

"In a few days." Lin Qing said.

The Primal-level Divine Office Trial lasts a maximum of 61 days, and a minimum of over 30 days.

Today is already October 19, 2124.

To catch the opening of the Sky Archipelago at dawn on December 29 at the end of the year, the safest time to participate in the Divine Office Trial is before October 29.

Less than ten days might not be quite enough.

However, the difficulty in the early and middle stages of the Divine Office Trial is relatively low; as the progress continues, it becomes harder, so continuing to improve after entering is also fine.

Speaking of which.

Even without further improvement, he would almost certainly pass the trial; improving further is merely for extra safety.

Immediately, after Lin Qing left the Second Universe Network, he returned to reality and directly left the Ruin Space where the Bronze Demon Mountain was located.

Afterwards, he went directly to the Star Patrol Council to cultivate.

And the news that he was still alive quickly reached the Wisdom Star Group.

Kadoan also immediately left the Ruin Space, personally meeting Lei Tong, who serves as the Yuanchen Envoy. Following Chu Hongjun's plan, Lei Tong indeed believed that Kadoan had created a new account.

Never expected... this was actually a different person.

After all, the authority of the tenth level already exceeds the comprehension of a Type I civilization.

In the blink of an eye, it was already October 28; Lin Qing was also preparing to set out for the Primal Divine Office Trial.

(End of this chapter)