223: Vientiane

Qin Jin's gaze fixed upwards.

Myriad Phenomena Star System.

Qin Jin had long understood this star system through continuous learning and deepening his familiarity with the Federation.

If the Torch Star System, where the Federation's Ancestral Star was located, was the nominal core of the Federation, then the Myriad Phenomena Star System was the actual governing core, the true hinterland of the Federation, and its greatest stage.

According to the information Qin Jin had gathered, there was more than one Level 10 life planet, or Gaia Planet, within the Myriad Phenomena Star System. Furthermore, unlike Lei Yu Star, which was still gradually advancing and growing, these planets had already reached the Federation's [Level 10] limit.

Even so.

According to some core documents, Level 10 life planets were the upper limit of the Federation's rating, but not the upper limit for truly perfected Gaia Planets!

"The next stop is the core of the Federation."

Anticipation flashed in Qin Jin's eyes.

To travel ten thousand miles and read ten thousand books is a literal description, but in the interstellar age, to truly have the opportunity to set foot in various star seas undoubtedly greatly expands one's knowledge and is a rare feat.

On the terminal, the information faded.

Qin Jin's eyes flickered with thought, and he spoke, "Candle Kite."

"What's wrong?"

After a moment of hesitation, Qin Jin didn't continue, instead saying, "I'll tell you on the way."

This platform, located near the docking area, was independent of the star fortress. Qin Jin followed the two soldiers into the star fortress's teleportation array, then took a vehicle, finally arriving in front of an office.

Ahead, the two soldiers turned around, and one of them said, "Please."

The other lowered his voice, as if he had received prior instructions, and said, "The superior who wants to see you is named Liu."

Qin Jin nodded and walked in.

Inside the entire office, only one figure stood in the center. He had his back to Qin Jin, and in front of him was an illusory sand table. Within the sand table, two star seas overlapped, and at their intersection, various strange scenes flashed.

As Qin Jin entered, the figure turned around.

He was in military uniform, middle-aged, with a weathered look in his brows, and he carefully observed Qin Jin.

"Heavenly Selection Liu."

His gaze swept over the Heavenly Selection's star on the shoulder, and Qin Jin was the first to speak, addressing him.

"Qin Jin."

Heavenly Selection Liu, whose real name was Liu Lingyun, now uttered the name, looking at him with a benevolent smile, "Just now, I looked over your file."

"Martial Abyss Qin Jin."

"You truly are a talented individual."

Qin Jin was neither humble nor arrogant, "Heavenly Selection, you flatter me."

"Hahahahaha."

Hearty laughter came from his mouth, and the appreciation in Liu Lingyun's eyes deepened. He spoke, "Do you know why I asked to see you?"

"Please enlighten me, Heavenly Selection Liu."

"Take a bold guess. I want to see if you have an idea."

Hearing the scrutinizing tone in his voice, Qin Jin's thoughts flickered, and under the other's gaze, he slowly spoke, "I imagine it's related to Tianhuang Star."

"A total of more than ten people left Tianhuang Star during this window period, and I was the last to leave during the final step of the process."

"Therefore..."

"I met the conditions or requirements for certain matters?"

Qin Jin's tone was steady.

"Clever."

Liu Lingyun nodded.

He turned sideways, his palm covering the virtual sand table. After touching it several times, the virtual sand table evolved, and within it, a scene clearly appeared of more than ten people being enveloped by a patterned array together.

However, on the platform in the real world, outside the patterned array that protected everyone, nothing else could be seen.

But in this virtual sand table, outside the array, there were other complex forces constantly surging, containing vastness. Qin Jin only cast his gaze over it, and a sense of restraint and suppression arose around him.

"This is an incomplete evolution of rules."

"To achieve this on a sand table is already the limit."

Liu Lingyun's voice was somewhat emotional, "Tianhuang Star, a world without the existence of rules, holds great significance for the Federation."

"The Light of Fantasy within it already gives that special planet infinite possibilities. Because of its inherent [rule-less] characteristic, it further allows the Federation to use this opportunity to test and compare the [rules] that exist in the current star sea."

"All personnel who can enter Tianhuang Star are extraordinary individuals recognized by the Federation."

"However, due to the differences in rules between the two worlds, not everyone can enter Tianhuang Star multiple times. This doesn't even relate to cultivation realm, but rather a born affinity. If the affinity is insufficient, even an extraordinary being who has ascended to a high realm, though able to forcibly enter, will encounter great danger and undergo mutations upon leaving."

At this point, Liu Lingyun paused slightly.

He looked at Qin Jin, "This final process is precisely a test involving this aspect."

"From the rule-less Tianhuang Star, returning to the real star sea, and re-contacting rules, with the help of the Federation's arrangements, how far one can endure also affects the qualification for subsequent entry into Tianhuang Star."

"Qin Jin."

"You submitted a perfect score."

"Not only in this window period, but also after the Federation's research deepened and this segment was specially set up, your performance is an undisputed leader, ranking among the top."

"According to the procedure, a dedicated person would normally contact you the next time you entered Tianhuang Star."

"However, after I retrieved your detailed information through the Federal Military Department, I felt that I should meet you in advance and explain some things to you."

His voice was calm as he looked at Qin Jin, "When you next go to Tianhuang Star, and every subsequent entry, you will need to cooperate with the Federal Military Department to accomplish certain tasks. A Martial Artist with such excellent affinity for rules, like you, can play a huge role within Tianhuang Star."

Upon hearing this, Qin Jin nodded, having no objections.

The qualification for Tianhuang Star went through the Federal Military Department's channels, and Qin Jin had an excellent relationship with the Federal Military Department. Although he had never joined, from the beginning of the planet's divine phenomenon to the formation of the mecha team, a tacit understanding had long been established between them.

In terms of realm and combat power, compared to the colossal Federal Military Department, he couldn't yet play much of a role, but he would absolutely not mind doing what he could to help the Federal Military Department.

Only with returns after effort is there a long-term path.

Seeing Qin Jin nod, Liu Lingyun continued, asking, "During your cultivation on Tianhuang Star this time, did any fantasy life forms arise because of you?"

"Yes."

Qin Jin replied.

"When you go next time, if the fantasy life form that arose because of you is still there and has not vanished, you can actively cultivate it and help it advance."

"At that time, relevant information will be transmitted to you."

"If it has already disappeared, then actively create one that suits your wishes and help it grow."

"This kind of fantasy life form, born from a person, is very important to you and to the Federation."

Hearing his words, Qin Jin seemed to be deep in thought.

Seeing that Heavenly Selection Liu did not seem prepared to explain in depth, Qin Jin's heart stirred, and he spoke, "Heavenly Selection Liu, within Tianhuang Star, there are many restricted areas. I heard that many of them are inhabited by top-tier fantasy life forms, could it be..."

"That's right."

Liu Lingyun nodded, "The fantasy life forms in the restricted areas are closely related to the Federation, and all of them are born from individuals."

"You just need to know this; do not delve deeper. This involves the Federation's plans, and even I do not know the full picture, only performing my duties."

"I understand."

After a few words of caution, Liu Lingyun ended the topic and instead chatted with Qin Jin about personal matters.

It was clear that this Heavenly Selection, stationed at the star fortress and responsible for Tianhuang Star, was very interested in Qin Jin.

After some conversation, Qin Jin said goodbye, preparing to leave.

Just as he reached the office exit, a voice sounded from behind.

"Qin Jin, thank you."

Qin Jin turned back, looked at him, and showed a puzzled expression, "Heavenly Selection Liu, this is...?"

"I have an old subordinate who visited your hometown and once met you."

Liu Lingyun waved his hand as he spoke, "Go on."

Qin Jin left the office.

Combining Heavenly Selection Liu's demeanor with his words, Qin Jin had already realized that the 'old subordinate' he spoke of had clearly gone to Lei Yu Star to participate in the planetary divine phenomenon, survived the tribulation, and succeeded!

"That Senior Ten Thousand Tribulations Martial God really gave me a great gift."

"Although I haven't joined the Federal Military Department, I already have my own 'connections' within it."

A thought flashed, and Qin Jin shook his head.

Outside, the two soldiers who had brought him were waiting. Seeing him leave, they led the way back again.

Qin Jin's thoughts raced.

From beginning to end, although he was prepared to go to the battlefield and train in the legions, he had never intended to join the Federal Military Department.

Just as he had chosen Martial Abyss and rejected Heavenly Policy back then, he didn't want to be constrained.

However, people follow their path, and the Federal Military Department is an extremely complex system, but the side it is currently showing him is one of extreme optimism, constantly raising the stakes.

"Take it one step at a time."

"I originally wanted to be like Teacher Gu, but it seems a bit difficult now. However, within the Federation, there are many systems, and unless one truly reaches the pinnacle, one is destined to make a choice."

"This could also be considered... a happy problem."

Suppressing those thoughts, Qin Jin thought of Heavenly Selection Liu's words: "It seems that these fantasy life forms born from individuals also have other opportunities, but only Federal personnel who can enter Tianhuang Star multiple times can obtain relevant information."

"If one can only enter once, the fantasy life forms created can only grow wildly and it would be difficult for them to reach a high realm. Perhaps there are other considerations in between."

"Fantasy True Dragon."

Thinking of the reluctance in its dragon eyes when he left, Qin Jin muttered to himself, "I've done what I can; now, it's up to your own fortune."

He traveled all the way, arrived at the docking area, and boarded the sailing boat, where a familiar feeling came over him.

The moment he entered the sailing boat, the terminal screen flickered, and Candle Kite's figure appeared.

This time, she wore a work uniform, with a cheerful smile on her face: "Captain Qin Jin, we are setting off again."

"You just now..."

"First, help me bring up the communications."

"Received."

Candle Kite stopped speaking. After responding, her figure became slightly ethereal. In a flash, several information boxes appeared, displaying the messages he had received while on Tianhuang Star.

After entering there, Candle Kite fell silent, and communication naturally cut off. Qin Jin could be considered to have truly entered a state of [seclusion].

Among the messages, some were casual chats from acquaintances, while others were more important, such as the survey questionnaire sent by Lü Xuan's team. This involved recording his personal information and evaluating his mecha. Since a large team was to be built to grow with him, it would naturally not only appear when a new mecha was built each time.

Like water dripping through stone, each record of information would make the team members more familiar with Qin Jin, and perhaps in the future, they could play a greater role.

In addition, Qin Jin also received a message from Bai Huaiyu. After failing to follow Qin Jin, she, as Qin Jin suggested, began observing the students of Martial Abyss as a civilization observer. Xie Wuhai was at the forefront, followed by Chi Wenwu and others on the list.

They belonged to the same cohort, but each person's nature and growth trajectory were different, offering completely different directions for observation.

The most unexpected message Qin Jin received came from [Tang Qian]. The message was from a long time ago, sent at the beginning of Qin Jin's entry into Tianhuang Star, and seemed somewhat urgent.

This Federal Major Heavenly Selection, who was once responsible for Star God Chosen, had not contacted Qin Jin for a long time, but this time he initiated contact.

He read through the messages and responded to each one.

The message sent to Tang Qian quickly received a reply. Its content was no longer urgent, merely inviting Qin Jin to meet up when he returned home.

"Major Heavenly Selection Tang Qian has gone to Lei Yu Star again?"

"Judging by his words, he seems to be staying in Lei Yu Star for a long time, otherwise, he wouldn't have sent me such an invitation."

After a flurry of activity, the communication screen in front of him dissipated.

Qin Jin looked at Candle Kite.

Candle Kite's big eyes were filled with curiosity: "Qin Jin, what did you want to say?"

"I need to add a new course to my curriculum."

"Hmm?"

Candle Kite floated to Qin Jin's side: "Which one?"

"It involves arrays."

"For example, the Federation's teleportation arrays, restriction arrays, and even spiritual energy arrays. I want to gain some understanding of them."

Qin Jin's tone was steady.

This was not a sudden whim, but a long-held thought, reinforced after experiencing the final process on Tianhuang Star.

Both Great Desolation and the Federation had [arrays].

In the Great Desolation, the Divine Cauldron Restriction was the largest array, and the bamboo forest secret realm where he first obtained the Heavenly Azure Method was also enveloped by an array.

The Federation had teleportation arrays and spiritual energy arrays. Qin Jin had vaguely witnessed the scene during the Star God Chosen, where force fields overlapped in the star sea, restricting the gods.

These were the external reasons why Qin Jin wanted to understand arrays.

Besides the external reasons, there were also internal reasons. The Nine Secrets of Star Seeking had the [Array] character secret, and if one wanted to encompass all phenomena, arrays were the most suitable method. Understanding them, in Qin Jin's view, would also help him organize his own path.

Candle Kite, this little assistant, served as a teacher. As the top artificial intelligence of Martial Abyss, she knew countless things, so Qin Jin directly presented his idea to her.

"Arrays."

Candle Kite looked thoughtful: "There are related courses in the academy's electives, but they are not deep enough. Martial Abyss's philosophy is still centered on oneself."

"Qin Jin."

"If you need it, I can contact the main body to plan a relevant course for you."

"However, courses on spiritual energy arrays can only be understood by Spiritual Energy Users."

"Integrate them all."

Qin Jin said decisively, "It can also be an opportunity to learn more about Spiritual Energy Users."

"Okay."

"I will contact the main body now."

During their conversation, the sailing boat had already ascended into the star sea, embarking on a new journey.

Candle Kite's avatar hovered in place, a torrent of data flashing in her eyes.

"Candle Kite's main body."

Qin Jin muttered to himself, his expression becoming serious.

In the Weiyang Star System, although Senior Su had saved him and Venerable Observer ultimately took him away, he had already known everything at that time. Martial Abyss had also used its means for him, summoning Candle Kite's main body to descend!

This artificial intelligence of Martial Abyss was not a purely technological creation; she herself was a powerful being!