Chapter 196: The Great Purge

Wisdom Star Group.

The top floor of the Lone Star Fortress.

The silver-haired old man walked into the vast hall, looked at Lei Tong inside, and spoke: "What important resources are still needed on Earth? It just so happens that the experimental materials are running low; I must go to the Mars outpost."

"Lord Kadoan, shall I send you back to Mars?" Lei Tong asked.

"Just send me into space," the silver-haired old man shook his head. "It just so happens that these people on Earth are all busy exploring the Sky Archipelago."

"Very well." Lei Tong immediately issued an order: "Lone Star, enter space."

This seventh-tier fortress, suspended above the metropolitan zone, immediately began accelerating upward; in just one minute, it was already fifty thousand kilometers above the ground.

The silver-haired old man also boarded a small fifth-tier spaceship, detached from the Lone Star Fortress, and flew toward Mars.

The small shuttle-shaped spaceship began accelerating continuously, gradually approaching sub-light speed.

"Estimated arrival at Mars in twenty-one minutes."

The intelligent system inside the spaceship automatically broadcast the message, while the silver-haired old man gazed at the Earth, which was gradually receding.

"Did Chu Hongjun have the Kadoan avatar leave Earth at this moment to clear suspicion?"

Lin Qing narrowed his eyes slightly. "However, given Kadoan's authority, the arrangements left within the Lone Star Fortress are sufficient..."

As an elder of the Yuanchen Civilization, Kadoan's authority belongs to the third tier, while Lei Tong is of the fourth tier. Any order Kadoan left in the Lone Star Fortress, Lei Tong has no qualification to violate without going through the application process.

"The Kadoan avatar will remain at the Mars outpost from now on, monitoring the movements of extraterrestrial civilizations at all times."

Lin Qing pondered silently. "Given Earth's current strength, once that interstellar fleet on Mars mobilizes, Earth cannot stop it..."

Speaking purely of supreme combat power, Earth has Qi Lingxiao and actually fears the Yuanchen Civilization little, but it cannot withstand the Yuanchen Civilization's sheer numbers and sufficiently advanced technology.

Leaving aside top-tier combat power, judging solely from what Kadoan's memories reveal, there are thousands of space fortresses and warships in the Yuanchen Civilization that have reached the 'sixth-tier' standard of a cosmic civilization!

Although only a portion of these are used for war, their threat is actually greater than the Star Deities of the Yuanchen Civilization.

Just the war fleets stationed on Mars are enough to cleanse Earth countless times.

"However, with Chu Hongjun threatening to destroy Earth, and with top-tier experts like Qi Lingxiao at the ninth layer of the Yu Xingyuan, that is sufficient to deter extraterrestrial civilizations..."

Lin Qing had studied the space fortresses and cosmic fleets in Kadoan's memories, so naturally he understood.

A sixth-tier fortress can generally be confronted directly by a Star Deity with individual strength, which is the eighth layer of the Yu Xingyuan.

But Qi Lingxiao is a Rare Deity!

Star Deities with Rare Deity titles are almost all at the ninth layer of the Yu Xingyuan, capable of killing a seventh-tier fortress with their bare bodies; if they wish, they can easily destroy sixth-tier fortresses one by one!

"However, Qi Lingxiao is after all only one person; he cannot hold back such a vast cosmic fleet..."

Lin Qing sighed silently. "One and a half years; I wonder what level I will reach..."

Earth.

The massive Lone Star Fortress has returned to Earth, landing again above the metropolitan zone.

Inside the fortress, on the top floor, Lei Tong did not pay attention to this; he let the intelligent system control it, while a portion of his consciousness remained within the Second Universe Network, focusing on exploring the empty island in the Sky Archipelago.

Although the difficulty of the trial was extremely high, already making him feel incapable, he was still trying his best.

"Lord Kadoan will arrive at Mars in twenty minutes," the intelligent system reminded. "Before Lord Kadoan left, he opened the core spatial layer for transferring the hidden laboratory. The set time is ten minutes; currently, three minutes remain."

Lei Tong nodded lightly, paying no mind.

The outer shell of this Lone Star Fortress is crafted from spatial material, a perfect and leak-proof protection.

But spatial material is after all precious and rare; only the critical outer shell, main structure, and internal core layer of the Lone Star Fortress are made of spatial material.

Under normal circumstances, the internal core layer is also completely closed and sealed.

However, Lord Kadoan's laboratory is also a place of highest secrecy; it is quite normal that it was specially hidden and moved into the core spatial layer, so he paid no mind.

Moreover, he had no authority to enter or stop it.

Anyway, it is only a few minutes.

"However, the difficulty of this upper empty island is too high..."

Lei Tong frowned slightly. "I can only proceed slowly; it is best to wait until my strength is greater... Mastering Divine Skills is probably hopeless, but genetic optimization is still possible. I heard that the ultimate Star Beings of a second-tier civilization can have a genetic optimization index reaching hundreds of times the cosmic standard..."

The cosmic standard for genes, that is, the standard where genes must awaken, is a genetic optimization index of 100%.

His current genetic optimization index, under the energy optimization of the eighth energy level, only reached 4300%.

It is said that Lord Archon once obtained a bloodline-enhancing treasure from a nine-star civilization, and his genes reached 110 times the cosmic standard, that is, 11000%!

However, that great figure from the nine-star civilization who came to Earth back then, possessing only the life level of a high-level primordial being and not mastering Divine Skills, was already so strong; his genetic optimization index was obviously extremely high.

It is said he was one of the excellent descendants of the founder of that nine-star civilization; as a Void Being's bloodline, such superior genes are quite normal.

"The ruins of Earth's pre-civilization must also have treasures that optimize genes..."

Lei Tong's heart was filled with longing. "In the future, when the Yuanchen Civilization's great army descends upon Earth, as a native Wisdom Star person of Earth, I should be able to enjoy many benefits first..."

Thinking of this, he suddenly frowned slightly: "Those Earthlings probably also obtained many treasures from the pre-civilization ruins. After my Yuanchen Civilization's great army descends, I will force them to spit them out, especially that Lin Qing; such a genius must have obtained even more treasures..."

He also knew about those pre-civilization ruins, but the ruins were right there; his aptitude was insufficient, so he could never obtain any treasures, and could only covet them with his eyes.

Suddenly—

"Hmm?"

Lei Tong's eyes suddenly changed; he looked toward the main entrance of the hall, somewhat incredulous.

Standing there was a young man with a indifferent expression; a vertical eye emitting a faint silver light was visible between his eyebrows.

"Lin Qing?"

Lei Tong could hardly believe his eyes. "How did you get in?"

This is the interior of the Lone Star Fortress!

Even a supreme expert at the ninth layer of the Yu Xingyuan could not infiltrate here silently!

But he remembered Councilor Yan Qingqing, suddenly imprisoned in a different space, and immediately understood.

"Do you truly possess the spatial ability to infiltrate the Lone Star Fortress?"

Lei Tong narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing at Lin Qing, the vertical eye on his brow faintly flickering with thunder. "A ninth-level ability is indeed extraordinary... What? You, a genius from Earth who despises the Star Sages, have come to see me today specifically. What is it you want?"

As he spoke, part of his consciousness had already drafted and sent a series of emails via the Second Universe Network to the high command of the Mars garrison and the Yuan Chen Regent.

As for Lin Qing?

A mere Primal Divine Servant—why would he care?

He could crush him with a flip of his hand.

Moreover, no one on the entire Earth was worth his fear, so he was merely surprised.

"There is one matter."

Lin Qing looked at Lei Tong and said calmly, "There is too much trash on Earth. It is time to clean it up."

In that instant, the vertical eye on his brow moved slightly, and an invisible spatial channel quietly opened.

In a flash, a figure suddenly surged out of the spatial channel. Accompanied by a terrifying aura that erupted abruptly, the figure instantly transformed into a straight beam of light, charging straight at Lei Tong!

Seeing the intruder, Lei Tong's pupils suddenly contracted to the size of needle points.

"Qi Lingxiao!!"

Amidst his shock, he immediately realized one thing—

Qi Lingxiao's Star-Level Divine Servant trial must have already succeeded!

Lei Tong had no time to think further. Endless thunder immediately swirled across his body surface, each bolt of thunder possessing power far more terrifying than thunder formed by nature.

At the same time, he activated the treasure bestowed upon him by the Regent of the Yuan Chen Civilization. Immediately, obscure power surged forth, filling his entire body and doing its utmost to protect his form.

His defensive capabilities instantly skyrocketed to the peak of the Yu Xingyuan eighth layer!

"Die, old man!"

In the blink of an eye, Qi Lingxiao grabbed a heavy, black long staff from his hand and smashed it down upon Lei Tong's head!

Under the eruption of terrifying power, the entire Lone Star Fortress trembled.

The moment the battle erupted, Lin Qing immediately retreated at high speed.

Although he possessed strength at the peak of the Yu Xingyuan seventh layer, and the gap between him and Lei Tong was not too exaggerated, within the interior of the Lone Star Fortress, he could not fully unleash the might of a World God. It was better not to interfere. If Qi Lingxiao could beat Lei Tong half to death, leaving him unable to resist, he would not mind finishing Lei Tong off with his own hand, using the Weapon Master Divine Servant to promote life evolution.

"Yu Xingyuan ninth layer... such terrifying power..."

Through his Demigod Domain, Lin Qing also fully sensed Qi Lingxiao's terrifying strength. That was power far surpassing his current World God!

Even if Qi Lingxiao only mastered a powerful Divine Skill, it was a powerful Divine Skill of the eighth level!

"Has the space distorted?"

Lin Qing immediately sensed the power Qi Lingxiao had unleashed. Even the space itself seemed unable to bear it, beginning to show faint waves of distortion!

Though completely unable to manipulate space, he was forcibly influencing it through strength that exceeded all limits!

"No!!"

Lei Tong's eyes were filled with unwillingness and horror.

Relying on the treasure within his body, he only blocked one strike. But the treasure could not withstand this terrible attack that exceeded all limits; it was directly destroyed. Immediately after, Qi Lingxiao swept past him with his staff!

"Boom—!"

No error, one sentence, one release, one content, one look inside!

Under the sweeping scourge of endless surging might, Lei Tong's body from the neck down was instantly pulverized, turning into nothingness and vacuum on the spot!

"Lin Qing!"

Qi Lingxiao reined in the might of the long staff in his hand and immediately transmitted his thoughts to Lin Qing.

Lin Qing did not hesitate. He immediately turned and charged at Lei Tong. At the same time, a dark golden skin membrane resembling a World Membrane appeared on his body surface—using a small piece of a World God's outer skin to protect himself, lest he be killed by a single thought from Lei Tong.

In his hand, a stream of dark golden light had also transformed into a weapon.

"Damn it..."

With only his head remaining, Lei Tong's heart was filled with regret and despair.

Seeing Lin Qing charge at him now, though his heart was full of killing intent, he could only summon a small amount of thunderous might brought by his Divine Servant, forming an invisible thunder domain, attempting to shock Lin Qing to death.

However, the invisible thunder exploded on the dark golden skin membrane on Lin Qing's body surface, causing only slight ripples in the membrane. It could not harm Lin Qing at all!

"Hmm? This is impossible! This fellow... still wants to kill me to promote his Divine Servant evolution?"

Amidst his shock, Lei Tong immediately realized what Lin Qing intended to do. He became even more angry and hateful. With his heart full of hatred, he made his choice without hesitation.

"Boom!"

Terrifying thunder suddenly erupted within his skull. Under the deliberate suppression of his defensive capabilities, his skull instantly turned to powder.

He had immediately chosen self-termination!

Lin Qing had just rushed near Lei Tong's remaining head and had not yet had time to act when he discovered that the skull had already been pulverized.

"As expected, it won't work..."

He stopped and couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

For the Weapon Master Divine Servant, if he could kill Lei Tong with a Divine Weapon and seize that most refined fragment of his life essence, it might even allow him to experience the transformation process of an eighth-level life form.

After all, Lei Tong was not only a Ultimate Star Creature but also a Star Divine Servant, possessing a higher-order life essence.

But at this level, wanting to commit suicide, it was impossible for him to kill in time.

"Wasted."

Lin Qing sighed and transmitted his thoughts: "I told you, you should have let Hall Master Qi kill him directly."

Hall Master Qi replied indifferently via thought transmission: "Whether I kill him or not makes no difference. At the very least, I need to kill dozens of Star Divine Servants to experience the transformation of a ninth-level life form once. Moreover, even if I experienced it, it would be meaningless. I cannot sense space at all, nor can I understand or comprehend it. There is no hope. It is better to give you a chance to try. Who knows, maybe he wouldn't have had time to commit suicide?"

Lin Qing shook his head slightly and transmitted his thoughts: "Regardless, it is good that we have resolved him."

Qi Lingxiao also laughed: "That's right. After enduring so many years, these two strikes today have finally vented our anger!"

Lei Tong.

The supreme leader of the Wisdom Star Group perished right there!

Not a single bone remained!

However, it is not yet time to celebrate.

"Qi Lingxiao," Lin Qing said no more, transmitting his voice immediately: "First, follow what Dean Chu taught you and destroy this fortress from within. I will go kill the Star Beings of the Wisdom Star Group."

"Good, you go out. Leave the rest to me!"

Qi Lingxiao laughed heartily, gripped his long staff with eager anticipation, and began to wreak havoc.

Meanwhile, following Karduan's memories, Lin Qing sped through the corridors of the Lone Star Fortress's core layer.

At this moment, the core space layer was not fully sealed; not all corridors were made of spatial materials, so he could simply pass through using the power of the vertical eye on his forehead.

This situation was caused by Karduan's clone, created specifically to seize the opportunity for the current circumstances.

"Critical Crisis! Critical Crisis!"

At this moment, the intelligent system of the Lone Star Fortress emitted waves of mental energy laden with information, transmitting them to all high-ranking officials within the fortress.

As an intelligent system of this caliber, it must be able to calculate the consequences should a powerhouse like Qi Lingxiao penetrate the fortress's core area, and it must also know that under such circumstances, there would be no time to evacuate Earth before it was destroyed.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Even while rushing forward, Lin Qing could feel the entire Lone Star Fortress trembling, obviously because Qi Lingxiao had begun to wreak havoc indiscriminately.

That terrifying power of the Ninth Layer of the Yu Xingyuan, if fully unleashed, would shake even the continental plates; now fully applied to the fortress's internal core, its destructive force was beyond imagination.

In the blink of an eye, Lin Qing had arrived at the private residence of a Star Being from the Wisdom Star Group.

Such newly built private residences were almost impossible to construct with the precious spatial materials; even if they were so sturdy that Qi Lingxiao had to attack them with full force repeatedly to break them, to him, they were practically undefended.

"Hmm?"

As Lin Qing passed through the wall and entered this private residence, the three-eyed female Wisdom Star Being noticed him, looking at him in shock: "Lin Qing?"

As one of the Chairmen of the Star Patrol Council, she naturally feared no Lin Qing, but she never expected Lin Qing to simply enter like this?

"Chairman Feiluo Jia, you are the first."

A cold sneer curled Lin Qing's lips, and a weapon formed from dark golden flowing light immediately appeared in his hand.

The slaughter began.

In the night, Chu Hongjun stood beneath the dark, heavy sky, gazing at the space fortresses bathing in neon light within the metropolitan zone, while also receiving a message from Qi Lingxiao.

"It succeeded!"

Yi Leina Duo beside him revealed a look of delighted surprise.

Chu Hongjun hummed softly, saying, "We are about to welcome the first day of Earth's freedom; it is time for fireworks to celebrate."

The next moment—

"Boom!!!"

"Boom!!!"

Two terrifying explosions suddenly erupted within the metropolitan zone. In the core area of the metropolitan zone, the space fortresses belonging to the 'Black Warrior Military Resources Company,' representing the Black Tower Civilization, and the 'Expedition Society,' representing the Goddess Stream Civilization, both suffered terrifying explosions from within at this very moment!

Even a Sixth-Rank space fortress, under the terrifying might of multiple Zero-Point Energy bombs, trembled violently, twisted and deformed, and then collapsed with a thunderous crash.

Gazing at this scene from afar, Chu Hongjun adjusted the glasses on his nose and said, "Prepare yourselves. The Star Beings of these two factions have suffered no casualties. If they manage to escape, you will handle them."

Yi Leina Duo looked at the scene, sighed with some reluctance, and lamented, "Our Earth compatriots died inside as well..."

She knew that to prevent the situation the Wisdom Star Group had previously encountered and to stop Chu Hongjun from using bombs inside the fortress, these two factions had specifically transferred Earth's geniuses into the fortress.

In other words, hostages.

But these two factions never expected that Chu Hongjun would still choose to do this.

"Once Lei Tong dies, these two factions will inevitably receive the news. If we don't do this, they will definitely flee Earth immediately."

Chu Hongjun said indifferently, "Qi Lingxiao cannot arrive in time to stop us, so we have no choice but to do this. Besides... the Earth geniuses of these two factions have all signed indenture contracts; even if they don't die inside, things will only be worse for them afterward."

He glanced at Yi Leina Duo and said, "Your power 'Soul Homeland' has already left their soul imprints, hasn't it? We can just resurrect them later."

Yi Leina Duo slowly sighed and shook her head, saying, "Soul Homeland can only preserve souls; the resurrected bodies will be those of ordinary people. They will have to cultivate again, starting from scratch."

Chu Hongjun said calmly, "Their divine offices remain; what is this small price to pay?"

(End of Chapter)