After reviewing the data several times, Lei Ting set down his recording data pad, lost in thought.
According to the records, the biological experiment sites of the 'Xing' civilization were spread across most of the galaxy. The research institutes that monitored these experimental planets in real-time were stationed within the 'Spirit Bottom.' Each institute often corresponded to dozens or even hundreds of experimental planets. Some of these planets served as controls for one another due to similar conditions, while others conducted unique, individual projects.
However, through the passage of time, those research institutes—which once numbered as many as a hundred thousand—now saw less than one percent remaining. Even those that had managed to survive were in a state of ruin, with few alloy copper-plated boards left that recorded the summaries of their experiments.
It was interesting to note that the Xing civilization seemed to revere copper as a foundational metal. In their research institutes, Lei Ting had found a large number of daily necessities and handicrafts decorated with copper-plated components. After anti-corrosion treatment, these items remained as bright as new despite the wear of ages, shimmering with a dazzling orange-red glow within Lei Ting’s golden light.
As for the fragmented data recorded on the 'copper plates,' each belonged to a separate experiment. A few significant experiments had their processes recorded in concise language, while the rest only detailed the results.
Everything they had done, it seemed now, was for the sake of shedding their identity as 'Carbon Type-1.' They craved a change in their life form.
Lei Ting pondered.
He had a theory—was it possible that the Xing civilization had once faced a predicament similar to humanity's? After all, their desire to change their life form was clearly not for the sake of gaining some new power, nor was it simply because they were tired of being who they were.
So, what factors could drive a biological race to spontaneously seek change, other than the 'progress' inherently tied to 'intelligence'?
The answer, of course, was the 'threat of death and injury.'
And now, from his memories of the 'previous time,' Lei Ting knew that the Xing civilization did not actually exist in its entirety. It seemed only a tiny minority had 'survived,' existing as digital ghosts within a certain virtual space in the Ring World’s internal network. From their sensory input to their perception of time, they differed from conventional life.
Perhaps Lei Ting only needed to dismantle the Ring World, and the Xing civilization along with their foothold would vanish.
But was that possible?
Lei Ting would not imagine an opponent to be so foolish. The Xing civilization surely had its escape routes—more than one. He did not believe they lacked the ability to counter him. Moreover, even setting aside the many sapient races living upon it, the Ring World had its own necessity for existence. From the very beginning, it had been impossible for him to truly exercise destructive force against it.
Lei Ting’s brow furrowed. This time, he opened his faceplate and rubbed his temples.
Could the disaster that led the Xing civilization down this path be related to the shockwave at the end of the year?
...No. That shockwave had existed for a long time; it originated billions of years ago, whereas the Xing of the galaxy had existed for no more than six hundred thousand years. The establishment and destruction of the 'Star Net' had nothing to do with the Xing civilization of this galaxy... So, what exactly were they afraid of?
Were they afraid of war? Afraid of death? Afraid of an unknown disaster suddenly descending upon them?
Without knowing what had happened back then, any amount of speculation was useless. He also didn't know if the power that established the 'Star Net' still existed... If it did, what form did it take now? As these events unfolded in the universe and the network linking the stars was destroyed, was it watching all of this?
Lei Ting did not know.
After a long period of contemplation, he cast aside the questions he could not yet understand and placed the copper plates back into his 'City.' He looked out across the living room, then pulled back the curtains to gaze at the balcony beyond the sliding doors and the gloomy sky.
It was raining on the Capital Planet today.
The world was dark, and the moisture accumulating in the clouds had begun to overflow. A chill, damp mist pervaded the air, the trees in the greenery zone rustled, and spring wandered through the tense, nearly deserted streets.
The garrison fleet stationed outside the planet was clearly visible. Space elevators connected the heavens and the earth, their cables held taut by rigid supports and repulsion barriers. Pressure regulation systems worked constantly as they ferried people through the clouds.
Lei Ting withdrew his gaze and listened to the sounds of this district.
The sounds of people living, the sounds of military patrols, the sound of hovercar engines passing high-rise buildings, the sound of small fish swishing through the water in a pond...
He heard people complaining about the current strictness of management, and others praising the changes in the bureaucratic system over the past few months. But when they heard the multi-environment combat vehicles of the military softly grinding over the road, they all fell silent.
This made it difficult for him to feel happy. The people feared their guardians; the nation he loved should not be like this. But he knew very well that the Federation's military had never been the people's military, and he had no time to let it exist in another form. Being able to temporarily stop the various legions from using money and connections to recruit was already good enough for the time being.
Lei Ting clasped his hands and pressed them against his forehead, lowering his head in a long silence.
He had not rested for a very long time. His complexion remained healthy, but his expression showed a hint of fatigue. For him, sleep was no longer a necessity, but mental exhaustion was hard to ignore.
*Let’s just get through this year first,* he thought.
He had to keep his spirits up and do his best to ensure there were no oversights in his response to the events, but the workload was simply too immense. He worked while others worked, and he still worked while others were on holiday; this was how he had spent these days.
Taking a break in the midst of busy affairs, like he did in his youth? To the current him, that was a bit of a luxury.
“Tianhe, submit your self-check report for today,” Lei Ting murmured. His voice was not loud, but it was as deep and powerful as ever, carrying an air of rationality and steadiness. “Also, the results of the Military Department’s improvements—let me see what progress they’ve made.”
“Understood, Administrator Solar Star,” Tianhe’s voice rang out from a peripheral on the coffee table.
Soon, a large number of documents arrived, and Lei Ting immersed himself in his work once more.
But before setting aside everything else, he habitually sensed Evenheiler’s physical condition.
...His movement to open the files paused for a moment.
Because he realized that perhaps the day he would completely fall out with the other man was not far off.
***
【Abnormal energy reaction detected.】
Evenheiler casually closed the prompt box. He watched Cen Yan, who was blankly demonstrating his personal abilities in the training ground, and suddenly asked, “Does Solar Star know you brought him here?”
“I think... probably... not...?” Shane’s words were hesitant.
He searched his mind for the process of handling the formal procedures back then, only to find he could only remember Adjutant Susanna’s electronic signature and Lucas Kang’s nagging mouth as he packed Cen Yan’s things.
*Tsk, that guy really is a chatterbox and a fusspot. How did I not notice that in my last life?*
But thinking about it, Lucas’s reaction when they tried to abduct Cen Yan in his previous life seemed to have more explanations than just 'dignity' and 'Federation interests'...
Shane pursed his lips.
“Logically speaking, he should be very important to the Federation,” Evenheiler said.
“Not that important anymore. He has too much trouble controlling himself. The 'Boiling' has eroded him; even maintaining basic logical thinking is difficult for him to do on his own.”
Shane snapped back to reality and waved his hand to disconnect the optical computer peripheral.
“The controller in his body is symbiotic with him, responsible for regulating his behavior and emotions at critical moments. Now, his control is in my hands... The Federation doesn't lack similar talents. To the Federation, he is just a blade that is hard to control.”
To the Federation, if a blade lacked controllability, its usefulness became significantly less important.
But the Resistance was different—they were so short on people that their leader spent all day figuring out how to poach from others. Cen Yan’s importance was not diminished by his danger. Moreover, the Resistance had its own means of assisting him with self-control.
“Will you help him control himself? Through energy or spirit?” Shane asked. His words were so blunt they didn't sound like something a person like him would say. “You... uh, I heard you can.”
In his last life, he had joined the Resistance later than this, and his personal ability and control were not as strong as they were now. Back then, it was Evenheiler who had taught him how to better control his power.
This man was absolutely the best Esper instructor in the world. His energy could not only assimilate matter but could even devour, copy, and simulate the energy of others, providing a tailor-made demonstration for everyone.
“I could before.” Evenheiler glanced at Cen Yan, set down the peripheral in his hand, and turned to leave.
“Um... Huh??” Shane was startled and quickly chased after him. “Wait, Lord Starflow, 'before'—what does that mean?”
“Before means before. I can’t now,” Evenheiler said. He gave Shane a look. “No one will tell you this, kid,” he said. “I don’t know why Solar Star let you come, but I suggest you don’t think about destroying anything, and don’t think about sending any information back. Until you prove yourself, I’ll be watching you.”
“...”
Shane froze, suddenly realizing: Evenheiler was wary of him.
This feeling was somewhat foreign to him, though he had been mentally prepared, and...
*I wasn't even sent by Solar Star!!*
Shane didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He tilted his head to steal a glance at Evenheiler’s profile.
It had to be said, Starflow was truly good-looking. He wondered what exactly was going on between Solar Star and him.
He hoped the relationship between them could soften a bit—he didn't want to see this man killed by Solar Star’s own hands ever again.
Though it was a bit naive to say, one of these two was his idol, and the other was an even greater idol. Now that the latter didn't seem to have a tendency toward destroying planets for the time being, did that mean...
...this time, he could see a better future?
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 星 | Xing / Star | An ancient biological technology civilization. |
| 灵之底 | Spirit Bottom | A deep, hidden layer of reality or space. |
| 堕变 | Deterioration | A catastrophic biological/genetic collapse. |
| 碳一型 | Carbon Type-1 | A biological classification for humans and the Xing. |
| 环世界 | Ring World | A massive artificial structure housing digital remnants of the Xing. |
| 星网 | Star Net | An ancient interstellar network. |
| 天河 | Tianhe | The AI system (literally "Sky River" or "Galaxy"). |
| 阳星 | Solar Star | Lei Ting's title/codename. |
| 星流 | Starflow | Evenheiler's title/codename. |
| 沸腾 | Boiling | A state of power erosion or mental instability. |
| 猎户人 | Orionites | The human race in this
