Chapter 191: The Sky Islands Open Again

"Use the Seventh-Rank Space Fortress of the Wisdom Star Group to manufacture a bomb capable of destroying Earth..."

Lin Qing couldn't help but transmit a voice inquiry: "With only a year and a half left until Earth's full opening, will there be enough time to manufacture it?"

"If all goes smoothly, it should be enough time." Chu Hongjun transmitted a voice: "Didn't you say you can still go to the Vacuum Great Tomb? Since there is a time-accelerated environment there, I will give you an automatically running production device then. You take it there via the alternate space, and you will have enough time to help me complete part of the device, which can make the explosion more powerful."

Lin Qing transmitted a thought-voice: "That is no problem, but... isn't Dean Chu able to enter Ruin No. 4, the 'Golden Merchant Association'?"

This ruin, the Golden Merchant Association, is somewhat like an intermediary platform. It cultivates different intelligent lives and mechanical race bodies. As long as accurate information and coordinates are provided, and as long as there is authorization, it can help with purchasing or selling.

Furthermore, with the strength of the mechanical race bodies, combined with the Golden Merchant Association's spatial channels, it is absolutely safe.

Simply put, the Golden Merchant Association provides safe channels for purchasing and selling.

Only three-star universal citizens native to Earth are qualified to become junior members of the Golden Merchant Association, allowing them to purchase or sell with help from any first-level civilization.

"Although I am a junior member of the Golden Merchant Association, I cannot buy the most critical parts of materials and devices."

Chu Hongjun transmitted a thought-voice: "The Golden Merchant Association only helps me purchase on behalf of others in first-level civilizations. But materials with spatial properties are extremely rare even in 1.9-level civilizations; they are not sold to the outside world at all. Moreover... there are only a few 1.9-level civilizations in the galaxy, so it is impossible to buy much in a short time."

Lin Qing understood.

Essentially, the Golden Merchant Association is just a runner and a purchasing agent; it is merely safer and the round trip is faster.

For things that truly cannot be bought, the Golden Merchant Association will not resort to forceful robbery.

"So, we can only start with the Seventh-Rank Space Fortress of the Wisdom Star Group."

Chu Hongjun transmitted a thought-voice: "This will depend on your clone, Kadoan. Kadoan's authorization in the Wisdom Star Group should be higher than Lei Tong's, right?"

"Yes." Lin Qing transmitted a voice: "Kadoan has third-tier authorization in the Yuanchen Civilization, while Lei Tong, although a Yuanchen Envoy, previously only had fifth-tier authorization. He was only granted fourth-tier authorization after becoming a Star Divine Servant."

In the Yuanchen Civilization, the first-tier authorization is named 'Sword of Yuanchen', and only that Archon possesses first-tier authorization.

The second-tier authorization belongs to the three big shots of the Yuanchen Civilization's Military Department, Commercial Department, and Supervisory Department.

The following third-tier is for the elders of the Elder Council.

"Can Kadoan still access the core secrets of the Yuanchen Civilization now?" Chu Hongjun transmitted a voice inquiry.

"Yes."

Lin Qing transmitted a voice: "The Archon still trusts Kadoan quite a bit. Kadoan also has second-level jurisdiction over the Yuanchen Civilization's interstellar fleet stationed on Mars."

Chu Hongjun hummed, then transmitted a voice: "Then we cannot simply let Kadoan betray the Yuanchen Civilization. Even if we must seize the Seventh-Rank Fortress, we must preserve the Yuanchen Civilization's trust in Kadoan."

"But... how should we do it?" Lin Qing transmitted a voice.

If Lei Tong dies inside the fortress, the Yuanchen Civilization will inevitably suspect Kadoan first.

Because...

Within the entire Wisdom Star Group, only Kadoan can forcibly control the fortress over Lei Tong. Once Qi Lingxiao enters, besides Kadoan, who else could be the second suspect?

"I have already formulated a plan."

Chu Hongjun transmitted a voice: "This plan also requires your cooperation."

Immediately, he looked at Qi Lingxiao and spoke: "After this opening of the Sky Islands concludes, prepare to act against the extraterrestrial civilizations. Can you kill Lei Tong?"

Qi Lingxiao helplessly said: "If he doesn't hide inside that turtle-shell-like Seventh-Rank Fortress, I can certainly kill him."

"If you can enter the interior of that Seventh-Rank Fortress, what is your success rate?" Chu Hongjun asked.

"That is naturally one hundred percent." Qi Lingxiao declared: "With Lei Tong's meager strength, even with the treasures the Yuanchen Civilization gave him, he is just like that. If it takes me more than three strikes to kill him, I will eat ten jin of blue-veined cheese when I return."

"That is good." Chu Hongjun nodded slightly.

Yi Leina Duo suddenly asked: "Do you want Zhao Jiayi to contribute? Her power 'Gate of the Unbounded' can indeed teleport, but the Gate of the Unbounded can only teleport within the range of her thought observation. That Seventh-Rank Fortress completely blocks thought observation, so the Gate of the Unbounded cannot work, unless she can enter and leave a mark."

"It has nothing to do with her."

Chu Hongjun shook his head: "She cannot help. With her current strength, the spatial vortex formed by the Gate of the Unbounded can be forcibly dispersed by the power of just the fifth layer of the Yu Xingyuan. Before Lei Tong, there is no chance to stabilize the Gate of the Unbounded."

Yi Leina Duo frowned slightly and said no more.

"Dean Chu."

Lin Qing spoke up: "Why wait until after the Sky Islands open? Acting earlier could also avoid competition from extraterrestrial civilizations, right?"

Among the intelligence he brought back from the Vacuum Great Tomb was information on all the floating islands of the Sky Islands, which he naturally shared with these three.

Star Divine Servants can enter the nine floating islands in the upper layer.

"There is no special reason."

Chu Hongjun said calmly: "It is just that, using the destruction of Earth as a deterrent, the prerequisite is that Earth possesses sufficient value. To deter a 1.9-level civilization and make a 1.9-level civilization keep our secret, Earth must also demonstrate a value that drives even 1.9-level civilizations mad, yet dares not be exposed. This requires Lei Tong to personally witness the upper layer of the Sky Islands. Since it will be discovered sooner or later, it is safer to do it earlier."

Lin Qing understood.

That is indeed the logic.

Currently, the value of Earth exposed to the eyes of the Wisdom Star Group has not yet reached the point where it would drive a 1.9-level civilization mad.

Divine Techniques?

Even some stronger first-level civilizations have certain Divine Technique inheritances; the key lies in the inability to cultivate them.

The Holy Words are useful, but not enough to drive all 1.9-level civilizations mad.

However, the inheritances of the nine floating islands in the upper layer of the Sky Islands truly involve second-level civilizations. For a 1.9-level civilization, that is an extremely precious inheritance.

Enough to drive a 1.9-level civilization completely mad!

"Humans are like this."

Chu Hongjun said softly: "The more they crave, the more they fear losing. Only in this way can true deterrence be achieved."

Lin Qing nodded and added: "However, with Lei Tong's strength, he cannot obtain the inheritance from the trial of any floating island in the upper layer of the Sky Islands; he will probably only understand a little bit of the surface."

"Enough."

Chu Hongjun said: "If he understood it completely, it would also be a troublesome matter."

He looked at Qi Lingxiao again and said: "This time, do not go to the Sky Islands opening. Anyway, given your situation, you will not obtain truly good things in the upper layer of the Sky Islands."

"Not going?" Qi Lingxiao was stunned, then asked in confusion: "It is fine, but why?"

Chu Hongjun looked at him: "Recall the requirements for entering the Sky Islands yourself. If you go, won't Lei Tong know you are already a Star Divine Servant? He might directly take that Seventh-Rank Fortress and leave Earth; that would be troublesome."

Qi Lingxiao paused slightly.

To enter the floating islands of the Sky Archipelago, besides requiring one to be a cosmic citizen of Earth, the upper, middle, and lower layers each have different requirements.

The lower-layer floating islands require an Awakened Being and possession of a Basic Divine Office.

The middle-layer floating islands require a Primordial Being and possession of a Primordial Divine Office.

The upper-layer floating islands require a Star Being and possession of a Star Divine Office.

"Alright."

Qi Lingxiao shook his head. "Not going this time doesn't matter. After all, those nine upper-layer floating islands are of little use to me. With my talent... an Eighth-Tier Lifeform, I have almost reached the limit."

After his awakening, he could sense the power of the Eighth Tier, which is why he could evolve step by step into an Eighth-Tier Lifeform.

But this is almost the upper limit.

Even with the Divine Office driving evolution, without the ability to sense higher tiers, the difficulty is unimaginably high.

Just like Kadoan.

In merely a few hundred years, he had reached the limit of evolution, with no progress whatsoever for over a hundred thousand years.

Over these hundred thousand years, Kadoan had experienced the evolution of Divine Office simulations over a thousand times, but without the ability to sense the Ninth Tier, he could not comprehend at all what the structure of a Ninth-Tier Lifeform actually was.

Involving incredibly complex and obscure spaces, without the ability to sense them, it was like a blind man searching for a glowing fish in an endless deep sea.

Forget a thousand times; even if it were ten million times, there would probably be no hope.

"However, for a Divine Son, this is not unchangeable..."

Lin Qing's heart stirred. "As long as one awakens the Authority first, then raises the Authority's level, it can be done..."

After becoming a Divine Son, he already knew how to raise the Authority's level.

It was just that he could not realize it yet, so he had no rush to say it now; it would not be too late to speak of it later when the opportunity arose.

"However, exactly how should I enter that Seventh-Rank Fortress?" Qi Lingxiao asked.

"Very simple."

Chu Hongjun pointed at Lin Qing and said, "This matter requires Lin Qing's effort. At that time, you will hide in the alien space within his third eye. After he enters that Seventh-Rank Fortress, simply release you."

"Lin Qing?" Qi Lingxiao was surprised, then looked at Lin Qing and said, "Then it depends on you, Lin Qing."

Lin Qing nodded.

Chu Hongjun looked at Lin Qing again and said, "Lin Qing, after the Sky Archipelago opens, there is one thing you must do, and only you can do it."

"What?" Lin Qing asked in confusion.

Time passed day by day.

Taking advantage of the Sky Archipelago not yet opening, Lin Qing casually found a time to certify as a Primordial Divine Office holder at the Star Patrol Council, instantly obtaining the identity of a Star Patroler.

At the same time, his position at the Star Patrol Council jumped directly to 'Chairman'.

Yes, he was now one of the six Chairmen of the Star Patrol Council.

Members of the Star Patrol Council were required to be Primordial Divine Office holders, while Chairmen were required to possess the strength of the Sixth Layer of the Yu Xingyuan. Even without using World God, Lin Qing possessed the peak strength of the Sixth Layer of the Yu Xingyuan, naturally meeting the requirements and easily ascending to Chairman.

Come to think of it, when he first joined the Star Patrol Council, there were still seven Chairmen, but Chu Hongjun blew one up, and he killed another.

Regarding this, the Wisdom Star Group did not say much.

After Lei Tong became a Star Divine Office holder, this was his first exploration of the upper layer of the Sky Archipelago; naturally, he dared not tear up his relationship with Chu Hongjun and could only pretend nothing had happened.

Moreover, Lei Tong was now unsure whether Qi Lingxiao had succeeded and dared not leave that fortress at all.

"Confirmed."

At the summit of the Trial Space of the Star Transmission Tower, Lin Qing looked at the Yu Xingyuan Ranking Board before him, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

At this moment, his newly created account '1' was ranked twelfth on the Yu Xingyuan List.

The style of this account name was quite similar to Chu Hongjun's.

He had deliberately misled in this way.

Please... collect_(!)

The top eleven were Qi Lingxiao's ten accounts and Lei Tong, so he happened to be twelfth.

If one did not consider Chu Hongjun, who relied on technological means, in terms of pure personal combat power, on Earth he could already be called the world's third!

"If I unleash my full power and use World God, I can easily sweep through the Seventh Layer of the Yu Xingyuan; when facing those 'Star-Eating Demons' in the Eighth Layer who have entered their growth period, I can also barely hold on."

Lin Qing pondered silently, "I am indeed currently at the top tier within the Seventh Layer of the Yu Xingyuan, not too far from the Eighth Layer..."

From the Fifth Layer to the Seventh Layer of the Yu Xingyuan, one faces only Blood Demons.

But the Eighth Layer of the Yu Xingyuan is where the Yu Xingyuan Demons 'Star-Eating Demons' enter their growth period; each one is extremely terrifying.

In a one-on-one, Lin Qing could still barely struggle, but if six types of Star-Eating Demons joined forces, with his current strength, even World God could not withstand a few strikes.

Normally, only Combat-type Star Divine Office holders can pass the Eighth Layer; it is normal that he cannot pass.

"Currently, if I want to improve further, I must first transform into a Star Being."

Lin Qing pondered silently, "Only a Seventh-Tier Lifeform can begin to master Seventh-Tier Divine Arts and Holy Scripts; at that time, I can enter the Vacuum Great Tomb again..."

The power of the Seventh Tier is also known as 'Star Origin', which has a great connection with planetary consciousness; power at this level has a huge impact on consciousness.

Therefore, only a Star Being can truly master the Star Origin power of the Seventh Tier.

However...

Actually, Lin Qing could already transform into a Star Being and become a Seventh-Tier Lifeform.

After all, because of Kadoan's memories, he had comprehended the essence of dozens of Seventh-Tier powers; he could completely choose any one or several to transform his life.

But he was also unclear which powers were most suitable for helping him transform into a Star Lifeform.

Different divine offices, talents, life essences, and so on will all differ.

If there is any mishap, not only will potential be affected, but the life form's strength will also weaken.

"I can only first fulfill the duties of the Lord of Arms, relying on the Lord of Arms to drive life evolution, allowing me to experience one perfect evolution..."

Lin Qing was not in a hurry. "After the Sky Archipelago concludes, my mother-in-law mentioned she would help me. At that time, I can use divine weapons to kill a few Starborn beings, or kill dozens of Primal Divine Office holders, and seize a bit of life essence."

When he killed Kalo before, his pursuit was instant annihilation; the World God exploded the opponent into fragments the moment he unleashed his power, leaving no chance to use the Lord of Arms' divine weapons, thus naturally missing this opportunity.

Fortunately, there are many Starborn beings from extraterrestrial civilizations.

After the Sky Archipelago concludes, I will just go kill a few more.

Before his transformation into the Ultimate Starborn being, as long as there are enough strong ones for him to kill, he can transform into the Ultimate Starborn being in one breath, just like nourishment.

Unfortunately, the extraterrestrial civilization strong ones on Earth might not be enough.

Moreover, the most important thing is to improve divine techniques; the life level is merely a threshold.

In the blink of an eye, time arrived at December 29, 2124.

1:50 AM.

"Five minutes left; the Sky Archipelago of the Second Universe Network is about to open again."

Inside the meditation room of the underground base, Lin Qing sat cross-legged. Just then, he sank his consciousness into the consciousness sensor and logged into the Second Universe Network.

In this Second Universe that almost completely mirrored reality, Lin Qing opened his eyes again.

"Chen Guang, teleport me to the previously marked teleportation location."

After Lin Qing gave the order, he immediately vanished from the meditation room, appearing directly at the surface location he had marked in advance.

Now that he is a two-star universe citizen, he naturally has the 'teleport' permission.

1:55 AM.

"Boom!"

Amidst the vast starry sky, an invisible yet grand energy roar suddenly sounded, while at the same time, a vast and ancient aura rapidly spread from the depths of the firmament.

Only to see long rivers of stars, invisible to the naked eye of ordinary people, suddenly appear in the deep night sky, spanning the sky like long bridges, connecting islands floating high in the air.

These large and small lower islands were all at least over a thousand kilometers above the ground.

As for the 999 middle-layer floating islands, they were already more than five thousand kilometers away from the surface.

Streams of light flew up from the ground, rapidly rushing toward the high sky.

The majority were genius Primal Divine Office holders from various extraterrestrial civilizations, flying either alone or using flying vehicles, all charging toward the floating islands in the firmament.

"It has appeared!"

Lin Qing did not hesitate, directly transforming into a stream of light to break through the air and fly beyond Earth's atmosphere. Upon reaching high altitude, he immediately accelerated, arriving in the blink of an eye near the middle-layer floating island closest to him.

This was a floating island with a diameter of about nine hundred kilometers, resembling a vast aerial landmass, faintly visible under the shroud of white mist.

Above the floating island floated huge, dazzling special characters.

"Floating Island No. 029?"

After glancing once, Lin Qing immediately understood the positions of the various floating islands and accelerated toward a direction.

"Hmm, the closest one is the divine technique inheritance of the Lord of Arms lineage; I'll go get it first..."

In this near-zero-resistance space environment, Lin Qing instantly surged to a terrifying speed of over a thousand kilometers per second.

This was not even his limit; it was just a speed he could react to properly.

Star Divine Office holders, if willing, could gradually accelerate to tens of thousands of kilometers per second in resistance-free space, while space fortresses could accelerate to sub-light speeds.

Just a few seconds later, Lin Qing saw the massive floating island where the Lord of Arms divine technique trial was located.

Suddenly—

"Hmm?"

Three streams of light were seen passing by, chasing each other from not far away; they were clearly three Primal Divine Office holders, specifically three councilors of the Star Patrol Council.

However, the leading stream of light was clearly fleeing, while the two streams behind pursued relentlessly.

Lin Qing glanced over.

He suddenly discovered that the fleeing stream of light belonged to a deputy master of the Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall, one of the few Earthlings on the Star Patrol Council, and also someone on the side of the Earth Autonomy Faction.

The two pursuing from behind were Primal Divine Office holders from the Black Tower Civilization.

"What are you chasing?"

Lin Qing glanced over, too lazy to ask much, and simply tapped his fingertip. Immediately, streams of light formed by divine weapons flew out.

"Hmm? It's Lin Qing!"

"Councilor Lin, you dare to act without cause?"

The two men's faces changed; they immediately stopped and tried to resist, while anxiously transmitting their thoughts.

"I am killing you," Lin Qing said coldly.

Even without unleashing a divine technique, the divine weapons strengthened by the Holy Character 'Blood Edge', combined with his gene index nearly ten times that of peers at the same level, were beyond what these two could resist.

In an instant, amidst dozens of streams of light crisscrossing, the two Primal Divine Office holders of the Black Tower Civilization were immediately torn apart, left only to wait for resurrection.

When exploring the Sky Archipelago, the rules of all sides forbid acting without cause, but he did not care about such rules now.

Let alone these Primal Divine Office holders; even the top strong ones from various extraterrestrial civilizations, except for Lei Tong, were no match for him!

Or rather...

He was eager for Lei Tong to come out of that turtle-shell-like fortress to trouble him.

If that happened, Qi Lingxiao could act directly.

"Councilor Lin?"

The rescued vice-director also froze, seemingly surprised that Lin Qing had dared to intervene—and killed those two so easily?

He hadn't used the legendary divine technique, yet his strength was so astonishing?

Lin Qing glanced at him, gave a slight nod, said nothing more, and flew directly into the mist of the empty isle.

(End of Chapter)