With the advancement of technology, more and more people came to realize that life was not a sudden spark of cosmic inspiration—wisdom and order were.
The current S-class individuals were among the most prominent flickers of that light.
Thus, from cities of chitin drifting in space to scorched golden lands pelted by acid rain; from frozen stars carved into infinite palaces to oppressive civilizations where every building stacked upward toward the zenith... Lei Ting’s journey to warn the masses concluded on the final day of the year 4007.
On that day, he snapped the necks of a dozen people, drafted thousands of designs, and ultimately dismantled a planet where only the ultra-wealthy could see the sun and the elite could touch the clouds. In its place, he forged a semi-metallic world, arranged reasonable living environments for the survivors, and turned to leave.
If he were the one to make every decision and allocate every resource, all conflict would eventually center on him. That would do nothing to help the future of a civilization after its deck had been reshuffled. Whether they failed to learn how to resist, reform, and govern themselves, or were simply labeled as part of the "Sun Star’s Faction," neither outcome was desirable.
On the first day of the new year, Lei Ting returned to the territory of the Human Federation. He did not head straight for the Capital Planet; instead, guided by his own judgment and the "Radiant Exemplar," he completed the latter half of his work.
The numbers were higher than the estimates from two years prior. In recent days, the number of planets he had destroyed exceeded one thousand.
One thousand inhabited, habitable planets...
Even for the Human Federation, this was no small figure. Yet, the signals sent from these worlds were never received by any external terminal. This was not only due to the collapse of the Star Net but also because Lei Ting had pre-emptively deployed information interception fields around these systems.
Furthermore, whenever he entered a star sector, he used his super-powers to transmit messages to the local Federation Legions, guiding them to advance, retreat, or strike nearby enemies.
After months of total isolation and lonely drifting, the guidance from the "Sun Star" allowed these restless wanderers to finally see a lighthouse on the shore.
Even for the genetically modified Orionids, the emotional issues etched into their bones could not be erased; if anything, the existence of six genders had reinforced and amplified these traits. Because Lei Ting deliberately timed his arrivals to bring light and information just before an entire fleet descended into madness, the various Legions—which had previously never truly submitted to him—quickly expressed their total obedience.
Lei Ting felt no ripple of emotion regarding this.
His lack of sentiment made it difficult for him to feel the weight of morality. Under the current circumstances, even though he still operated by his old personal code, the "efficient" options judged by his own rationality and the "Radiant Exemplar" had become his primary choice.
However, while passing by a certain Legion Commander who stood with a bowed head, he suddenly paused and glanced sideways.
"One of Hemuer’s people," Lei Ting said, his tone flat. "Angye dealt with him, yet allowed him to promote a successor... Interesting."
The immense pressure, akin to facing a literal star, nearly solidified the surrounding space. The current Commander of the Seventh Legion was instantly drenched in cold sweat, finding it difficult to breathe.
But Lei Ting did not make things difficult for him. He resumed his stride, heading toward his original destination.
He could hear how many people in that moment labeled this behavior as "arrogance" in their hearts, believing the greatest arrogance was the disdain to even stoop to trouble others. But that wasn't what Lei Ting was thinking. Hemuer was dead, and Angye had been cast out to serve as a chess piece; the remaining forces would eventually become the Federation’s sword and shield, charging into battle alongside him. So, what did it matter?
Dissent? That was fine. In any event or scenario, a monocracy was undesirable; it was a lock placed upon future possibilities.
If a lock had to exist temporarily for the sake of safety, then a key had to be there as well.
No matter how unyielding the lock, people had to be given the chance to change it—though Lei Ting did not believe he would be changed by anyone, he knew he was currently locking doors from the outside that people had once perceived as open.
Therefore, he needed, and even expected, rebels, challengers, and traitors.
Following this, he organized the military's various affairs and implemented new offensive, defensive, and patrol arrangements within the Federation’s star sectors. The reorganized Great Legions were highly efficient, executing his orders without hesitation. Soon, the complete military deployment map of the Human Federation existed only within his mind.
During this period, the "Principal" sought him out in the capacity of the "Recorder" to make a request.
"The enrollment time for new students has been delayed by nearly half a year... Xiao Lei, I cannot wait any longer." He appeared quite anxious. "My students, my children, the future stars of humanity—they are still trapped on their home planets. Now that the Star Net has ceased service, remote education is ineffective. I cannot wait. I must lead them out of those small worlds to witness the vast universe, to 'record' them, and to create a new future upon all of that..."
Lei Ting was silent for a moment before saying, "Very well. I will dispatch a fleet to escort you."
"Thank you for your understanding." The Recorder looked visibly relieved. "Wait... does the Federation military still have spare capacity to be dispatched?"
As he spoke, he paused. "...Or rather..."
"You should know that is my power," Lei Ting said. "Much like the ships you carry aboard the *Solar*, except your power is built upon the 'illusory'—" He used the word without hesitation— "while my power is the opposite."
The Recorder seemed to feel a sense of melancholy at this. "Xiao Lei, good child, why did you turn yourself into this..."
"To adjust myself and better face the future," Lei Ting replied. "There is nothing wrong with it. Are you not the same? Every time you 'repair ships' in the hangar, you are actually adjusting the details of your illusions so they are indestructible when they need to go to war."
"‘Indestructible.’ That word is less suited to me than it is to you," the Recorder whispered. "No one is more suited for it than you."
"Let it be." Lei Ting had no desire to talk further and stood up steadily. "My power will escort you, Principal. Just as your power was once dispatched to pursue my Dean."
Even though his emotional fluctuations had remained at nearly zero for a long time, he still understood clearly that while few had truly helped him, he had to know how to repay them regardless of their motives.
Furthermore, given the current situation...
"The agreement is in effect, Principal." Before leaving, Lei Ting nodded slightly toward the Recorder. "Please believe that your investment will not be in vain."
Years ago, on an ordinary day, he had entered that dark room inside the *Solar* and seen an agreement that required no signature.
Now, it was time for him to fulfill the responsibilities stipulated in that agreement.
"Let the transport ships set sail, Principal. My power travels with you," Lei Ting said. "Just as it was back then."
"—But now, please feel free to usher in the future. I am here in this starry sky; therefore, the *Solar* is unstoppable."
...
In the starless darkness, the Recorder watched his retreating back. As that figure vanished into the radiance, he looked toward the distant light that was the only thing resembling a "sun" and chuckled.
"See?" His voice carried a soft, layered resonance. "I told you he was a good child."
***
After more than half a year, the "good child" Lei Ting finally returned to his loyal Capital Planet.
By now, the Capital System had officially restored local area network communications through several pre-set contingencies and the base stations Lei Ting had forcibly replaced earlier. However, because this technology was based on traditional Federation internet protocols, the latency was currently quite high.
Because the replacement of the base stations had been so abrupt and strange, and the current results were so effective, Lei Ting heard many people suspecting that he was the mastermind behind the Star Net’s shutdown after his return...
If it were the Lei Ting of the past, he would have been stuck between laughter and tears. But now, he didn't even have the urge to explain. He simply took his seat in the Parliament Hall and said, "Prepare to regulate the scale and behavioral patterns of the large commercial conglomerates."
"...Hm?!" The silent crowd looked up. In the next second, some fainted while others squeezed their eyes shut and lowered their heads. "...A-apologies. But the commercial groups have already been completely decoupled from the military..."
"That is their duty," Lei Ting said indifferently. "Now, separate politics from them as well. Specifically, the commercial associations related to the Capital Planet—do as I say."
"Why?!" Rarely, someone in the Parliament began to resist fiercely. "Our entrepreneurs have sacrificed so much for us and for this war! They have done nothing wrong! The kind entrepreneurs of the Business Association..."
"..." Lei Ting listened, thinking to himself that this was getting more and more ridiculous. "Enough."
With a *clack*, the man, along with the standard-issue emergency protective suit he wore for wartime, was slammed back into his chair. "Do as I say... I do not like killing those against whom there is no evidence yet, but I dislike repeating myself a third time even more. Go tell those 'socialites' who treat others like fools."
He stood up, his posture ramrod straight, and nodded slightly to the councilors whose hovering seats had been forced down from all directions.
"You've lived in high places for too long; do not forget that people have brains," he said. "The power of merchants must be restricted. Do not forget the story of 'The Tian Clan Usurping Qi'."
"..........................."
The people in the Parliament Hall, who had been radiating various positive and negative emotions, were suddenly and collectively bewildered.
"...Sorry, please wait," Yondel, who had been silent, whispered into the microphone. "'The Tian Clan Usurping Qi'? What is that?"
".................."
...Lei Ting also fell silent.
Although it was very simple to find similar events in galactic history, at this moment, he fully realized how vicious the weapons that struck based on "heritage" truly were.
Whether it was the brilliance or the dross, culture was the crystallization of history, and history was the greatest field of experience and lessons for a civilization.
Although people did not like to learn from history... without studying history, one could not be wise. A race without a correct understanding of its history and culture had no future.
...Fine. Since things had already reached this point, and since influence and change possessed a quality of precedence—opening up this kind of knowledge now would not affect the Federation’s basic structure.
"Have the Education Department add history to the basic curriculum. Note that higher-level institutions must also have relevant courses..." Lei Ting’s voice was slow and deep. "...And tell those 'Archaists' who shout 'Crystallization of Primordial Era Culture!' at everything to study properly. Stop messing around!"
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 人联 (Rénlián) | Human Federation | Short for the Human Union/Federation. |
| 阳星 (Yángxīng) | Sun Star | Lei Ting's title/moniker. |
| 光辉典范 (Guānghuī Diǎnfàn) | Radiant Exemplar | Lei Ting's specific power state or ability path. |
| 记录者 (Jìlùzhě) | The Recorder | The "Principal's" identity as an S-class being. |
| 太阳号 (Tàiyáng Hào) | The Solar | The name of the Principal's ship/base. |
| 田氏代齐 (Tián Shì Dài Qí) | The Tian Clan Usurping Qi | A Chinese historical reference to a subordinate family taking over a state through gradual influence. |
| 复古主义者 (Fùgǔ Zhǔyìzhě) | Archaists / Retro-revivalists | People obsessed with "Primordial Era" (Ancient Earth) culture. |
| 始源时代 (Shǐyuán Shídài) | Primordial Era | Refers to the ancient era of humanity (Earth era). |
