Chapter 216: Looking to the Future

"Everyone, starting today, Earth's crisis has been resolved."

In the defense base's main hall, Lin Qing smiled at the array of Earth's strongest figures: "Whether it's a 1.9-level civilization or a Level 2 civilization, none can threaten Earth from now on."

"Really?" Qi Lingxiao exclaimed in delight.

"Is it over...?" Yi Leina Duo also felt dazed, as if it weren't real.

Chu Hongjun nodded calmly: "The previous civilization was Level 3; achieving this is normal. The key is... how long can it last?"

"I can't guarantee more, but at least... you won't need to worry for ten thousand years."

Lin Qing smiled and turned to Qi Lingxiao: "If you, Director Qi, can become a Gravekeeper, that time can be extended to fifty thousand years."

"Oh?" Qi Lingxiao's eyes lit up, then he sighed helplessly: "I can't even enter the Vacuum Mausoleum."

The requirement to enter the Vacuum Mausoleum is being a native of Earth, with a soul age over a hundred years, and crucially, possessing or having the potential for a power capacity of thirty-eight thousand kilograms of Starlight Source Stone.

After Lin Qing helped him enhance his power last time, his power level rose to the Ninth Tier, but it still didn't reach the thirty-eight thousand kilogram standard.

"It's fine."

Lin Qing said: "Five Imperial Princes from Level 9 civilizations are sealed on Mars—perhaps one of them has a power awakening exceeding thirty-eight thousand kilograms. If not, once my strength is sufficient, I'll search other 1.9-level civilizations."

The Cosmic God series of divine offices greatly assist top-tier civilization powerhouses.

"Your current strength?" Qi Lingxiao couldn't help but study Lin Qing.

"Not yet enough. When I become a Star-level divine office holder, it will be enough," Lin Qing said. "Dean Chu and Ms. Yi Leina as well—so long as you meet the three criteria for Gravekeeper: Primordial Realm Star-level subject, Yu Xingyuan Tier Ten strength, and mastering the Gravekeeper's secret art, you can become a Gravekeeper."

Qi Lingxiao thought for a moment: "Didn't you say earlier that a Primordial Realm Star-level subject must have transformed into a star within thirty years and possess strength sufficient to sweep through Yu Xingyuan Tier Eight?"

"It's fine."

Lin Qing said: "This requirement can be bypassed—it measures physical age, not soul age. As long as it's within thirty years after transforming into a star, it's acceptable. Ms. Yi Leina's power soul homeland can reconstruct her body after death, though she must re-cultivate. Once you make further progress, Director Qi, you can use this method to meet this criterion."

Starlight divine offices fuse with the soul; even after death and resurrection, as long as the soul hasn't dispersed, the divine office remains.

Even if Qi Lingxiao is resurrected, he remains a Starlight divine office holder—only his body reverts to ordinary human form.

With proper preparation, restoring to the Ultimate Starlife level within thirty years is simple; sweeping through Yu Xingyuan Tier Eight will be effortless.

"But Yu Xingyuan Tier Ten is difficult," Qi Lingxiao frowned slightly. "Even if I obtain and successfully cultivate the Combined Divine Art, I'll only barely touch the threshold."

He currently stands at the upper reaches of Yu Xingyuan Tier Nine; mastering the Combined Divine Art would barely let him approach Tier Ten.

"This isn't hard to solve."

Lin Qing said: "I am now a Gravekeeper and have certain permissions in the Azure Archipelago. Except for the topmost empty island, I can allow anyone—regardless of level—to enter any other empty island's legacy."

He paused. "Of course, whether you pass the legacy trials depends entirely on yourselves."

Qi Lingxiao exhaled in relief: "That's good."

Lin Qing suggested: "Actually, Director Qi, you could first become a Primordial Realm Star-level subject. As a Star-level subject, you receive a gift from the Primordial Realm—a treasure sufficient to boost your gene optimization index several times, even tenfold. Then you'll naturally reach Yu Xingyuan Tier Ten strength."

He glanced at Chu Hongjun and Yi Leina: "Dean Chu and Ms. Yi Leina aren't combat types; becoming a Primordial Realm Star-level subject will be troublesome. Or wait until you become Voidlife."

"We're not in a hurry," Chu Hongjun said calmly. "Ten thousand years isn't long—even for cosmic civilizations, ten thousand years of history is still very young."

Lin Qing nodded.

The Yuan Chen Civilization was only Level 1.8, yet it had developed over hundreds of thousands of years.

There's no way around it—civilization development requires time to accumulate.

"But Earth has power awakenees and numerous treasures. As long as we continuously select promising individuals for power awakening, our development speed will accelerate rapidly," Chu Hongjun said.

Lin Qing could already envision Earth's future.

Power awakenees everywhere, numerous powerful legacies secured, the most talented and trustworthy individuals even becoming Primordial Realm subjects and Gravekeepers...

If a Voidlife emerges, Earth will transform into a high-dimensional planet. Once enough Starlight Source Stone is accumulated, Earth could even become a Void Sanctuary, evolving into a Level 2 civilization of the Void Sea.

All of this depends on sufficient time.

"If future generations become Gravekeepers, it will certainly prove Earth's potential. But I still hope all three of you will become Gravekeepers."

Lin Qing looked at the three: "After I pass the Star-level divine office trial and become a Star God, new changes will come—perhaps new divine arts will emerge, capable of compensating for the combat weakness of non-combat divine offices."

Chu Hongjun said calmly: "First, focus on extending Earth's protection as long as possible."

Lin Qing nodded: "I'll continue meditating in the cultivation chamber. Ten thousand years at tenfold acceleration equals one hundred thousand years. First, let Earth ascend to Level 2 civilization."

Even if the path to Voidlife is difficult and the future ahead is dark, with one hundred thousand years at hand, he refused to believe he couldn't succeed.

Earth already has its crucial power awakenees; once a single Voidlife is born, Level 2 civilization is inevitable!

Within these ten thousand years, if we cultivate the next Gravekeeper, we extend it to fifty thousand years.

Ten Gravekeepers? That's five hundred thousand years.

With such a long time, if any Gravekeeper becomes a Voidlife, they'll earn one hundred thousand points, extending another one hundred thousand years.

So, as things stand, as long as we don't slack off, there's little pressure.

"If anything happens, just notify me on the Second Cosmic Web," Lin Qing said. "You can't leave the spacetime concealment zone for now—but... a few hundred light-years is still vast."

Though a few hundred light-years is enormous, he couldn't guarantee whether a Level 2 civilization could monitor such a range.

What if leaving this zone led to discovery and capture by a Level 2 civilization?

So, it's best not to leave at all.

A few hundred light-years of vast starry space is more than enough for development.

"No problem."

Chu Hongjun said: "We have the Golden Guild, and now we've acquired fleets and artifacts from the Level 9 civilization—we can purchase anything anytime through the Golden Guild."

Lin Qing nodded: "Until Earth ascends to Level 2 civilization, remain hidden."

With the immense pressure of external threats gone, Earth's elite held a small-scale victory celebration during this rare moment of ease.

In truth, most Earthlings still didn't know these events—perhaps only noticing that former extraterrestrial forces like Zhixing Group had vanished entirely from Earth. But a new era had already begun.

"Chairman Yan, you really don't need to be so pessimistic."

At the banquet, Yan Que, as one of Earth's high-ranking officials, was in good spirits, but Lin Qing could see that Yan Que now felt a sense of peace, as if his final wish had been fulfilled before death.

After all, Yan Que's soul had been cursed by a Star Office Bearer's technique, causing his lifespan to continuously dwindle—he had only a few years left to live.

"Nothing much," Yan Que shook his head slightly. "Seeing this outcome now, I have no regrets even if I die."

This curse was bound to his soul; even Yi Leina Duo's power, "Soul Homeland," could not save him, so he naturally held no hope.

"I can save you."

Lin Qing shook his head slightly and said, "Of course, I don't have this ability yet—but wait a while, it shouldn't be a problem. I can extend your lifespan right now."

In the past, to guard against unforeseen events, Chu Hongjun did not trust Yan Que, so he concealed and guarded many things—but now it was different.

"Extend?" Yan Que was stunned, then grew excited and tense.

Though he had prepared himself to face death, who would willingly die if they could still live?

"Right now."

No error, one shot, one content, one look!

Lin Qing smiled, and the vertical eye in his forehead, glowing with silver-white light, stirred—immediately, the Black Flame Avatar flew out from it.

"This is…" Yan Que exclaimed in surprise: "Black Flame Clan?"

"My avatar."

Lin Qing casually spoke—the Black Flame Avatar stepped forward to Yan Que's side, touched a fingertip to him, and activated the power "Indestructible Flame."

A dark flame instantly enveloped Yan Que, burning relentlessly at his flesh.

"Ugh…" Yan Que felt an intense heat as if melting him whole—his body seemed to dissolve and collapse.

But he knew Lin Qing had no reason to harm him, so he did not resist, letting it proceed.

"It'll be over soon."

Lin Qing sat beside him, sipping his wine, smiling as he observed the scene.

Yan Que dared not use Soul Homeland to rebirth, because after rebirth he would become an ordinary person—his life force too weak, his lifespan draining a hundred thousand times faster, leaving him no time to grow before the curse killed him again.

But the Black Flame Avatar's power, Indestructible Flame, could restore the body to its perfect state and extend lifespan by tens of thousands of years.

Though it was only an Eighth-Echelon power, it was far more useful than Soul Homeland.

"Later, pick one of those Imperial Princes and upgrade the Black Flame Avatar's power to Ninth Echelon…" Lin Qing thought to himself.

Soon, the dark flame faded, revealing Yan Que once more.

At this moment, Yan Que looked as if reborn from fire—completely reborn, his life force fully restored to its peak.

"I…" Yan Que felt his current state, unable to believe it.

He had once studied the Sacred Glyphs for extending lifespan—his original lifespan had been tens of thousands of years; he had only two or three thousand years left, and would surely be drained by the curse within two years at most.

Now, the life force consumed by the curse had been restored to its peak—even more vigorous than before!

Even though his life force still drained a hundred thousand times faster, he could now live for decades more.

"Your life force hasn't truly vanished—the curse didn't reduce your lifespan limit; it merely corroded and damaged your body."

Lin Qing said casually, "In ten or twenty years, I'll restore it again—your life force will return to peak. But… I can't do anything about natural life force loss—that's a true reduction in your lifespan limit."

"That's enough," Yan Que took a deep breath and said sincerely: "Thank you, Lin Qing."

"It's nothing," Lin Qing shook his head slightly. "As for completely removing the curse, wait a while—I have no way to do it now."

Perhaps, once the Black Flame Avatar's power evolves to Ninth Echelon, it might help.

But there's no rush now.

Though his strength could kill those Imperial Princes, forcing control over them as he had done with the Seventh Imperial Prince to extract their power sources remained extremely difficult.

So, wait until I become a Star God.

Legends say Star Gods can forge legendary faction-specific artifacts. Though I haven't obtained the forging method, the previous civilization certainly had it.

"I still have vast room for growth."

Lin Qing wasn't in a hurry. "Take it slow. When I've reached the limit in every aspect, I'll enter the Star God Trial."

…

The day after the victory banquet, Lin Qing returned to the Vacuum Tomb.

Now that he was the Tomb Keeper, as long as it wasn't a technique that severed spacetime travel, he could return directly to the Vacuum Tomb from anywhere in the universe.

But such techniques likely only existed in Level-Three civilizations, so he was still very safe.

"How long do you plan to seclude yourself this time?" Prince Su studied Lin Qing.

"Until I've reached the limit in every aspect," Lin Qing said. "The Star God Trial requires experience and perception—I still have much to learn."

"Hmm, keep this mindset," Prince Su nodded approvingly. "It's hard to find someone in the universe with higher talent than you, but there are still some in the Void Star Sea—always remain humble and reverent."

Lin Qing said nothing, only apologized: "After the Star God Trial, I'll begin my duties as Tomb Keeper, and then help find a successor—by then, the Star Office Bearers can join the Cosmic Star Patrol Alliance, making it easier to search everywhere."

The minimum standard for members of the Cosmic Star Patrol Alliance—

Star Office Bearer, with Yu Xingyuan Level Ten power.

His power was sufficient, but he wasn't yet a Star Office Bearer, so he could only wait.

"A little time—no big deal."

Prince Su warned: "When you're confident enough, choose a tomb and attempt the inheritance trial. You get only one chance—choose the tomb most suitable and best for you."

Lin Qing asked curiously: "Which tombs have the best inheritances?"

"Best?" Prince Su smiled at him. "Didn't you just ask me about faction-specific artifacts? Some of these tombs contain true, powerful artifact forging methods—especially the tombs of the Six Saints, which hold the highest-grade artifact inheritances."

She paused, a sly smile on her lips: "Of course, at your current level, you have no chance of obtaining them."

(End of Chapter)