199: Evolution Frenzy

The starship ascended into the sky, embarking on its journey through the Star Sea.

Looking out through the porthole, the area outside Lei Yu Star was no longer barren.

The super-large warp stargate was still under construction, which was not an overnight task. Across the entire star system, several artificial small celestial bodies had already formed, covering the planet and forming an external defensive line.

On the other side of the planet, a special team from the Federation was carrying out deployments.

In the past, when no one knew, the Mining Star had already been equipped with defensive measures; now, it was being further perfected.

Every Gaia Planet is a core area of the Starfire Federation, a true cradle of talent, and highly valued.

And the defensive measures for Lei Yu Star, after the planet's divine essence came into being, were further strengthened, with an immeasurable upper limit.

After a glance at the increasingly beautiful and constantly changing Lei Yu Star, the starship sailed on, performing a warp jump... The starship warped, traversing through the stargate network, getting closer and closer to the central star system.

The Federation was in its prime; while chaos was inevitable in the frontier regions, within the core star system, navigation was smooth and uneventful.

After returning to the academy by starship, Qin Jin, guided by a dedicated person, took a star shuttle, left the academy, and headed to a certain location on Zhi Xia Star.

Zhi Xia Star was a Gaia Planet that had been completely developed. In his past cultivation, Qin Jin rarely explored this planet, but this time, he took the opportunity to admire it thoroughly.

Finally, the star shuttle docked in front of an independent, large research base.

After Qin Jin exited the star shuttle, several figures approached him.

Leading the way was Zhong Yi, dressed in a research uniform, followed by several staff members. Upon seeing Qin Jin, she smiled slightly: "Qin Jin, you're finally here."

"Follow me."

With that, she led the way, and after identity verification, entered the base and proceeded into the central building.

The research base covered a vast area. Upon entering the building, hurried figures were visible everywhere. Besides humans, there were also intelligent technological beings that resembled real people. Zhong Yi led the way, introducing as they walked: "The Candle Fire Spirit's abilities are unique. During this time, with continuous research and development, the team's size has also been steadily increasing."

"Moreover..."

She paused slightly, her steps unwavering, and looked back at Qin Jin: "The Candle Fire Spirit's abilities overlapped with a research project that the academy had been conducting. After deliberation, the two research teams merged, and a new direction for advancement was preliminarily confirmed."

Beside him, Qin Jin nodded.

One of the reasons he returned to the academy early was because he had received an invitation from this research team.

It's worth mentioning that Candle Fire Spirit was the temporary name he had given to that anomalous life form, which had now been confirmed as its final name.

Zhong Yi continued, her words flowing: "After confirming the direction, the team made good progress. The reason we invited you here this time is to let you understand and experience it."

"After all..."

She kept him in suspense, not stating it directly, only saying: "Given your identity, it's most suitable."

They went deeper.

After more than a dozen identity verification measures, Zhong Yi led Qin Jin to the innermost research lab.

Looking around, at the center of the lab was a specially designed life pod. Various data flickered on the panel in front of the pod, and inside the life pod was a figure Qin Jin was familiar with.

[Candle Fire Spirit]

Flames burned above it, its body like a ghost. Compared to when Qin Jin had captured and sealed it, its size had noticeably increased, appearing to have grown. It was currently in a deep slumber, its flames flickering.

Next to this life pod were other life pods; some were completely empty, while others had interwoven transcendent powers inside, looking distinctly different.

Just as Qin Jin was observing, a woman's voice sounded from the front.

"We are attempting to replicate the [Candle Fire Spirit]."

Qin Jin looked in the direction of the voice. It was a woman, dressed in a research uniform, with short hair and glasses, exuding a capable aura.

Under Qin Jin's gaze, she continued: "The Star Sea anomalies contain myriad wonders. Being able to analyze Star Sea anomalies also holds significant meaning."

"This little fellow."

She looked at the Candle Fire Spirit: "Anomalous life forms are very rare. Although it is not fragile, some research methods applied to it could lead to irreversible changes, exhausting the resource. Therefore, our methods are extremely gentle, and we are also trying to replicate anomalous life forms to increase our understanding of Star Sea anomalies."

At this point, she paused.

Beside Qin Jin, Zhong Yi spoke: "Qin Jin, this is Zhao Wanging, Dr. Zhao."

"Dr. Zhao was the lead of the other research project and has now joined us to jointly advance the research and development."

"Student Qin Jin."

As Zhong Yi's words fell, Zhao Wanging extended her hand, smiling softly: "I've heard your name for a long time. Seeing is believing; you truly live up to your reputation as a renowned genius Martial Artist of the academy, possessing a unique demeanor."

"You're too kind."

Qin Jin responded politely.

In front of him, Zhao Wanging was about to speak when, not far away, another person noticed his arrival, their eyes brightening. Before the person arrived, their voice preceded them: "Student Qin Jin, you've come at just the right time!"

Dr. Chen.

The original leader of the academy's [Candle Fire Spirit] research team, who had previously traveled to the Weiyang Star System and met Qin Jin.

He strode over, excitement in his eyes, and quickly said: "We have preliminarily completed the merger of the two projects, and we've already made a breakthrough."

"Qin Jin, would you like to experience it?"

Hearing this, Qin Jin raised an eyebrow and said: "Of course."

As his response sounded, Dr. Chen seemed prepared. He summoned a light screen and rapidly tapped on it. Silently, Qin Jin clearly felt a mental contact.

This contact was somewhat similar to, yet distinctly different from, when he first entered the dream world created by the Candle Fire Spirit.

Qin Jin lowered his mental barrier, attempting to connect with it.

The next instant, everything in his vision changed. In Qin Jin's sight, it was first pitch black, then light appeared after a few breaths. Within the entire space, points, lines, and planes continuously appeared, intertwined, and reorganized. It was somewhat like the vision in [Contemplation]. These points, lines, and planes quickly formed a [small world].

Or rather, a small dream world.

As the dream world took shape, Qin Jin sensed it. He looked down at himself, as if being scanned and formed. In this world, he gradually generated a physical body. Beside him, Dr. Zhao, Dr. Chen, and Zhong Yi all solidified into physical forms and appeared here.

Within the completely blank world, four figures emerged.

Qin Jin perceived all of this and said: "Entering a dream world through the mental plane?"

When he first encountered the dream world created by the Candle Fire Spirit, the dream world felt as real as if it truly existed and possessed a physical form.

"You can understand it that way."

Zhao Wanging's voice sounded.

"My team's initial research direction was precisely a mental communication network world. In reality, this is a direction many people are researching."

She spoke eloquently: "The Star Sea is vast and boundless. Two people truly located in different star systems, or even different planets, may never meet in their lifetime, even with today's convenient transportation. Various communication networks fill this gap, allowing everyone to communicate in real-time."

"For a long time, various teams within the Federation, large and small, have conducted deeper research based on this point."

"Martial Artists temper their minds. The mental plane is a tangible power that every Martial Artist can truly see and touch. So... is it possible to construct a completely new, special communication network through the mental plane, allowing Martial Artists within the Federation to enter it at any time for communication, sparring, and mutual verification of their abilities?"

Her expression was calm as she slowly said: "Martial arts originated among the populace and gradually became an extremely important evolutionary path within the Federation during the Great Era of Exploration. However, just as an orange grown south of the Huai River is an orange, but grown north of it is a trifoliate orange, there are many systems within martial arts. Different environments and atmospheres greatly influence each person's martial arts style."

"If such a communication platform could truly emerge, where Martial Artists from various star systems could interact, it would greatly promote the development of martial arts in the Federation."

"Furthermore, if it could go a step further, allowing evolvers from other paths within the Federation to also connect to it, that would be a grand event for our Starfire Federation, worthy of being inscribed in the Federation's history."

Qin Jin listened intently.

Zhao Wanging continued: "In the past, many related platforms emerged, but ultimately failed for various reasons. Among them, three reasons were most crucial."

"First, the cultivation of martial arts is, after all, not just about the mind."

"After the mind enters it, it cannot reproduce one's true progress in martial arts, and instead may lead to some deviation between the mind and the self."

"Second, everything is too illusory. Trying to cultivate truth from falsehood might lead martial arts astray."

"Third, if it's only low-realm Martial Artists, it's fine. But once a large number of high-realm Martial Artists enter, the unparalleled immense mental power would naturally break through the entire [mental network], making it difficult to sustain."

"The Federation possesses special items capable of sustaining it, but such items often come from Cosmic Gods. For martial arts, a core evolutionary path of the Federation, such solutions cannot be adopted."

"Therefore, it has been delayed."

"These three reasons have also been plaguing us."

Hearing this, Qin Jin mused: "So, you combined this peculiar dream-shaping ability with the mind?"

"Exactly."

Dr. Chen spoke at this moment, nodding slightly: "The mind is limited, but dreams are unconstrained. Within a dream, humans can achieve anything they wish."

"Student Qin Jin, you have personally experienced the [Candle Fire Spirit]'s dream ability, so you should have some understanding of its authenticity."

Qin Jin nodded.

As Dr. Chen waved his hand, a light screen appeared in the empty world, displaying the [Candle Fire Spirit] currently in slumber.

"Currently, with our efforts, the first two problems have been preliminarily resolved."

"As for the third point."

"As an anomalous life form born from the Star Sea, it possesses a sufficiently high upper limit. Our replication and analysis of it are also in preparation for the future."

At this point, Dr. Chen looked at Qin Jin: "Student Qin Jin, I have granted you permission."

"You can personally experience it."

"In this dream world, allow yourself to no longer be confined to [mind], but truly enter this world."

Hearing this, Qin Jin raised an eyebrow.

He pondered, lost in thought. With a slight mental shift, his body in the dream space fluctuated.

And for Qin Jin, it was as if he had passed through a door, personally entering it.

The feeling was somewhat similar to when he first encountered the dream world shaped by the Candle Fire Spirit.

"Wait."

Sensing the surging power within him and the surrounding environment, Qin Jin's gaze sharpened as he looked at the other three: "The mind is merely a catalyst."

"My true self has entered this dream world."

"At the same time, the dream world has some kind of overlap and connection, allowing me to see you who are here."

"This is no longer a mental network, but a true dream world!"

"Your perception is indeed keen."

Dr. Chen's eyes rippled: "Since you've already discovered it, I don't need to explain much more."

"Student Qin Jin, you can view it as another mode."

"Now, you can proactively make some bold attempts."

"Attempts, huh."

Qin Jin looked at the empty space around him, considering the introduction from the two doctors. Deep in thought, with a slight shift of his mind, points, lines, and planes reappeared in front of the four.

Intertwining and constructing, in just a few breaths, a giant object a hundred meters tall appeared in the dream space.

That was... the Abyssal Dragon!

This wasn't Qin Jin bringing the Abyssal Dragon here, but rather utilizing the characteristics of the dream space and his understanding of the Abyssal Dragon to create an Abyssal Dragon that only existed within the dream space.

As Dr. Chen said, dreams are unconstrained.

The appearance of the Abyssal Dragon also drew the attention of the other three. Although they didn't know its origin, they could see its extraordinary nature. With a little thought, they could guess who this suddenly appearing mecha belonged to, and their expressions varied.

Beside the three, Qin Jin leaped out and already boarded the Abyssal Dragon.

In the dream space, he performed [Connection].

The connection felt similar, yet subtly different.

His understanding of the Abyssal Dragon was extreme; he had participated in its creation, and his resonance reached a breakthrough level. However, the construction time in the dream space was limited, so there were some differences.

Nevertheless, it was sufficient.

In the open area, the Abyssal Dragon stood alone. Under the gaze of the three behind it, at the other end of the open area, the dream fluctuated, and a new evolving entity took shape.

It was another massive creature, resembling a lion or a beast, radiating light all over, appearing to be composed entirely of energy, with lightning flashing.

Ji Lei Beast.

In the past, after Qin Jin entered the Congenital Realm, the first transcendent life he contemplated was the Ji Lei Beast, which he understood very well.

The Ji Lei Beast appeared, lifelike. It roared, its voice shaking the surroundings, lightning flashing all over its body. The next instant, brilliant lightning streaked across the sky, striking towards the Abyssal Dragon.

Qin Jin's expression remained unchanged. He took a step forward, and the Abyssal Dragon attacked, raising its arm to block the incoming lightning.

The lightning struck the mecha arm.

The defensive barrier did not activate. At the moment of impact, runes flashed on the Abyssal Dragon, its power being dissipated, and a portion of the power was even directly absorbed.

The Abyssal Dragon was a custom mecha created for Qin Jin, with the transcendent factors of Dragon Gate Peak at its core.

His own areas of expertise were naturally reflected in this new mecha.

While blocking with its arm, the Abyssal Dragon charged forward, its speed erupting, and delivered a punch.

Boom!

The punch struck the Ji Lei Beast. As power erupted, dragon patterns seemed to surge, and the entire massive body of the beast was shattered in an instant, completely disintegrating.

This Ji Lei Beast was created by Qin Jin, modeled after the contemplative life form within the martial arts treasure pearl.

But now, it was no longer an opponent he couldn't defeat in a single blow.

Under the burst of power, the four sides of this dream space clearly fluctuated, seeming unable to bear it.

With one punch, the enemy was defeated. As his mind surged, the Abyssal Dragon also disintegrated, and Qin Jin's body landed on the ground, deep in thought.

Behind him, Dr. Chen's voice sounded.

"Student Qin Jin, how do you feel?"

"Boundless potential."

Qin Jin's voice sounded as he looked at the dream world, whose fluctuations were gradually subsiding: "If all the shortcomings can be remedied and it can truly be promoted, then the Federation might, because of this dream world, unleash an evolutionary frenzy."