Category: A Girl Dies Every Day in Her Dream Life

Chapter 147: Crashing Crisis, Deep Space Behemoth!

With her enhanced perception, Qualcomm’s every move became crystal clear to Luo Xue. She finally saw through his true method of attack.

The distorted shadow was indeed just a projection, but when it tore space to attack, there would be a fleeting moment when it overlapped with the real world.

This was the only chance to injure Qualcomm.

Luo Xue seized this opportunity, not focusing on completely dodging the attack, but only avoiding fatal injuries.

She used the remaining time, before Qualcomm’s connection with the real world ended, to counterattack.

However…

Even if one knew Qualcomm’s weakness, it was still extremely difficult to launch an effective attack in such a short time, less than half a breath.

Unfortunately… Luo Xue wasn’t an ordinary martial artist; she was a cultivator.

“Double Pupils, Mystic Dark Eyes, activate!”

Luo Xue’s eyes instantly turned crimson, her overlapping pupils twitching like terrifying, twisted ghosts.

Qualcomm, overlapping with the real world, paled as he was stared at by these eyes.

He suddenly found that he had lost control of his body, falling through the rift in space-time, about to return to the real world.

What… was going on?

Wasn’t Luo Xue a martial artist?

A strength-type ability user… how could she possess an ability similar to a Seer’s?

Qualcomm’s thoughts became chaotic and uncontrollable. He rarely encountered such a situation. This was clearly the result of Luo Xue’s attack.

“…Soul Snatch!”

Qualcomm’s three souls and seven spirits were scattered. Not having embarked on the path of cultivation, he hadn’t refined his soul, and this attack almost annihilated his fragile soul.

However, since Qualcomm’s main body was still within the space-time rift, Luo Xue’s pupil technique was weakened, allowing him to survive.

But even so, it took Qualcomm a while to gather his soul, much longer than Sect Master Zhang.

This brief loss of control was enough for his body to fall out of the space-time rift.

The distorted shadow flickered and split, and Qualcomm’s hunched figure stumbled out, barely able to stand by supporting himself against a nearby instrument.

After just this short battle, Qualcomm seemed to have aged decades, his hair turning gray at a visible speed. This was the result of excessive soul damage.

He looked up at Luo Xue, who was also injured, a spatial crack slicing through half of her left shoulder.

The residual spatial fragments were still tearing at her wound, making it impossible to heal completely even with survival points.

This was the terrifying aspect of Qualcomm’s ability. Spatial tears weren’t just sharp blades; the residual damage would continuously torment the victim until the spatial distortions were naturally smoothed out by the laws of the world.

“You win.” Qualcomm sighed. “Miss Luo Xue, you survived your third death…”

Luo Xue, however, ignored Qualcomm and quickly helped the bleeding Ceres up.

Ling Ling also helped, flustered by the blood. She couldn’t participate in the battle between Qualcomm and Luo Xue and didn’t even know why it was happening.

“Don’t worry… she’s fine. I didn’t kill her, just made her lose consciousness.” Qualcomm forced a pale smile. “The future of the Federation depends on young people like her… heh… very good, at least in the limited future we have.”

Even now, Qualcomm hadn’t given up on his ideals. He still believed that the current human civilization was on the verge of destruction.

“…The deactivator.”

Luo Xue clutched her shoulder, enduring the intense pain, and said in a deep voice.

She had barely won this battle, thanks to Ceres’s help. Without it, Luo Xue wouldn’t have been able to seize that fleeting opportunity and defeat Qualcomm.

“It’s already deactivated,” Qualcomm said softly, his expression dejected. “This is the result of your victory…”

Just as he said before, Qualcomm was gambling on the possibility of successfully jumping to another world after activating the “string vibration” device, not destroying the entire Suspended High Tower.

If directly activating it still had a sliver of hope, after Luo Xue disrupted about 10% of the device with her spiritual power, this hope was extinguished.

Hearing Qualcomm’s answer, Luo Xue immediately sensed the state of the teleportation formation.

Qualcomm wasn’t lying. Besides the parts on the upper three levels that Luo Xue had forcibly deactivated, the runes on the lower six levels were also gradually dimming, and the entire Suspended High Tower finally stabilized.

“Now… the Suspended High Tower should be preparing for an emergency docking. It has been operating continuously for so long, and after such a disruption…”

Qualcomm limped towards his wheelchair and sat down unsteadily.

He huddled in his wheelchair, like a lonely old man, a relieved smile on his face.

“This is the end, my mission is over…”

“Master Qualcomm, you will face the Federation’s judgment and be sentenced to death for crimes against humanity.”

Ceres opened her eyes weakly, supported by the equally injured Luo Xue.

“I don’t care.” Qualcomm said indifferently. “A loser… this is my fate.”

He calmly accepted this, even though it meant certain death.

Suspended High Tower 132 was adjusting its course, heading towards the nearest ground docking facility, descending towards the surface at a steady pace.

Having been repeatedly sabotaged by Night Owl and damaged by the “string vibration” device, the tower’s disaster engine was overloaded, nearing its limit.

They sat in silence, even Ling Ling, because of the oppressive atmosphere, lowered her head, not daring to move.

“Miss Luo Xue, I’m curious about something.” Qualcomm suddenly asked softly.

“Hmm?”

Luo Xue raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Are you a martial artist, a Seer, or… neither?” Qualcomm said slowly. “I saw it, you can use disaster energy, directly.”

Spiritual power was the so-called disaster energy. Luo Xue wasn’t surprised by Qualcomm’s discovery, because she had never concealed the power she used, it was just that those who hadn’t embarked on the path of cultivation couldn’t sense it.

But being directly hit by Luo Xue’s attack, and being an expert in the technology of the previous civilization, it wasn’t surprising that Qualcomm noticed this.

Ceres, on the other hand, was shocked, looking at Luo Xue in disbelief.

“Miss Luo Xue, how did you do that?”

That was disaster energy…

For the people of the new civilization, directly using disaster energy for combat was as unimaginable as using nuclear energy for combat in Luo Xue’s previous life.

The bodies of ordinary people couldn’t withstand the impact of spiritual power, nor could they control it. They could only use devices to manipulate this energy.

“I…”

Luo Xue hesitated. She couldn’t say that she obtained this power after going to another world, could she?

If she did, both Qualcomm and Ceres would go crazy.

They both believed in the existence of another world described by “string theory.” The difference was that Qualcomm thought he could go there, while Ceres thought it was impossible.

However, before Luo Xue could come up with an excuse, the alarms in the Suspended High Tower blared again.

This time… even the ninth level wasn’t spared.

“What’s going on?” Ceres was startled. She looked at Qualcomm, whose expression remained calm. “Master Qualcomm, didn’t you deactivate the spatial jump device?”

“I did.”

Qualcomm said softly.

“He did,” Luo Xue frowned slightly. “And I can confirm that there are no signs of the ‘string vibration’ device operating in the entire Suspended High Tower.”

“Then this alarm…”

Ceres’s expression turned anxious.

Having carried out missions for the Federation for many years, she was very familiar with the alarms of the various Suspended High Towers, but she had never heard such an urgent alarm.

It was as if… they were facing a crisis that could destroy the entire Suspended High Tower.

“It’s been many years… since anyone has heard this alarm.” Qualcomm said faintly, looking up at Ceres. “Officer, have you… heard of deep space behemoths?”

“Deep space behemoths? You mean a deep space behemoth is attacking? Those monsters that destroyed five Suspended High Towers are back?” Ceres’s heart leaped into her throat. “How could this happen so suddenly… wait, could it be…”

“You’re half right. It’s related to the ‘string vibration’ device, but not entirely.” Qualcomm said.

“Since you’re so familiar with ‘string theory,’ you should know that in ‘string theory,’ deep space behemoths are chaotic ‘strings,’ able to freely travel between dimensions.”

“The ‘string frequency’ that makes up a deep space behemoth isn’t fixed. Once it overlaps with a certain world, it will appear out of thin air, causing disasters…”

“You… knew about this all along?” Ceres murmured.

“It’s a problem we encountered during the first test run of the device. This way…” Qualcomm said faintly, “Firstly, the Federal Council will finally take the issue of civilization’s continuation seriously, instead of repeatedly playing their boring political games in the Suspended High Towers.”

“Secondly, deep space behemoths, as creatures that can travel between dimensions, are worth studying. Perhaps we can use their remains to improve the ‘string vibration’ device.”

However, what Qualcomm didn’t say was the price of defeating a deep space behemoth.

Last time… five Suspended High Towers were destroyed, and they didn’t even manage to capture the behemoth.

Ceres stared blankly at this man. She thought she understood him, but he always surprised her.

Qualcomm hadn’t come up with this plan on a whim. He had been planning for fifty years, perfecting it to the extreme.

But if it was exposed at the beginning, Qualcomm knew that the Federal Council would never allow him to continue, which was why he had activated the “string vibration” device without hesitation.

Now… it seemed it was too late. Although the “string vibration” device wasn’t fully activated, it had still disrupted the Suspended High Tower’s “string frequency” to a certain extent, attracting a deep space behemoth.

Just then, the bright sunlight outside the observation window gradually dimmed, and Luo Xue looked up, seeing dark clouds rapidly spreading, almost covering the entire sky.

The Suspended High Tower was descending towards the ground, but a strange fluctuation followed closely—the deep space behemoth had locked onto its target and was descending upon this world.

“Perhaps you should consider yourselves lucky. Witnessing the arrival of a deep space behemoth… is both a misfortune and a fortune.”

Qualcomm turned his wheelchair slowly.

He leaned back, looking at the sky.

“Ah, it’s here… We… are all its prey…”

…

The arrival of the deep space behemoth affected not just Suspended High Tower 132, but the entire human civilization.

All Suspended High Towers, sooner or later, detected the behemoth’s presence and sounded the highest level alarm, including Suspended High Tower 1, where the Federal Council was located.

The Federation had received Ceres’s report, but before they could react, they received the news of the deep space behemoth’s arrival, causing chaos.

However, the Federal Military reacted quickly, immediately calculating the behemoth’s arrival point, and the patrol fortresses nearby immediately moved at full speed, trying to eliminate the behemoth before it could gain a foothold.

The Suspended High Towers above number 300 were true war machines, designed to fight deep space behemoths.

Meanwhile, within Suspended High Tower 132, panic had gripped most of the Tower People, especially those on the upper three levels.

During a rapid descent, let alone escaping on small aircraft, even deploying the docking facility was difficult.

At this moment, all the Tower People shared the same fate. No one could escape this disaster alone.

In the boundless sky, the dark clouds churned, forming a giant vortex.

Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled within the vortex, filled with various substances pulled in by its force.

Deep space behemoths didn’t appear out of thin air. Their arrival required the support of this world, and this support came from these substances.

As its “string frequency” approached, the outline of the deep space behemoth finally appeared.

A giant, emotionless eye within the vortex of dark clouds looked coldly at this world, staring at its prey, Suspended High Tower 132.

A massive claw, about half the size of the Suspended High Tower, extended slightly, slowly reaching for the rapidly descending tower, as if picking up an object.

Chapter 146: Finally, I’ve Caught You

Qualcomm saw that Luo Xue had indeed stopped the “string vibration” device, at least partially.

And… since Qualcomm wasn’t a cultivator, he couldn’t sense spiritual power and didn’t know how Luo Xue did it.

This unknown factor caused Qualcomm, who had held the initiative from the beginning, to waver slightly.

“Miss Luo Xue, can you really stop the ‘string vibration’ device?” Ceres exclaimed in disbelief, but seeing Luo Xue’s still serious expression, she calmed down slightly. “Could it be…”

“This is already your limit.” Qualcomm said in a deep voice.

“Perhaps?”

A strange smile appeared on Luo Xue’s pale face.

Besides Luo Xue, only Ling Ling could vaguely sense the fluctuation of spiritual power, but she didn’t know what was happening, just holding Luo Xue’s arm with a confused expression.

“But this won’t work. Activating the ‘string vibration’ device is already risky, with a very low success rate. Now that you’ve stopped part of it, the entire Suspended High Tower might be torn apart before the ‘string vibration’ is complete.”

Qualcomm said faintly, “My goal is to make a last-ditch effort before facing judgment, not to destroy Suspended High Tower 132, my life’s work.”

“Is there a difference?”

Ceres said indignantly.

If not for a whim, following Luo Xue to Suspended High Tower 132, she wouldn’t have discovered Qualcomm’s secret.

If Qualcomm continued, once he reached Level 10, beyond human limits, and activated the “string vibration” device, the Federal Council could only watch helplessly as this bastion of human civilization was buried in the turbulent flow of space-time.

Even Ceres, who was very interested in these theories, thought this was impossible, let alone the conservative old fogies in the Federal Council.

After Qualcomm activated the “string vibration” device without hesitation, Ceres had secretly notified the Federation, but she hadn’t received a reply yet.

“So… stop the device, Qualcomm. I know you can.” Luo Xue said in a deep voice.

She saw the runes that controlled the operation among the pieced-together formation runes.

Besides the activator, Qualcomm should also have a deactivator to stop the “string vibration” device.

Such a massive project couldn’t be activated without testing. In Qualcomm’s plan, he would conduct a test run every ten years for fifty years, only fully activating it at the end of his life.

Qualcomm remained silent, not responding to Luo Xue.

Because just like the activator, the deactivator was also a one-time use item.

Once the device was stopped, Qualcomm couldn’t reactivate it before finding a new activator. Doing so would be burying his dream with his own hands.

He sat silently in his wheelchair. Even though the first activation of the “string vibration” device had plunged the entire Suspended High Tower into unprecedented panic, his resolve remained unshaken.

“I don’t want to kill you, Luo Xue, really, because you’ve surprised me.” Qualcomm sighed. “After meeting you, I realized you’re actually a good kid. It would be a pity for you to die at my hands.”

Despite saying this, Qualcomm slowly stood up from his wheelchair.

Distorted spatial cracks appeared around him, twisted light passing through his body, forming an indescribable shadow.

“Uncle Qualcomm…”

Ling Ling was a bit scared. Although Uncle Qualcomm seemed different today, she also felt like he hadn’t changed at all.

His previous kindness and his current coldness and ruthlessness were no different.

Qualcomm had transformed into his space-time avatar. He seemed to be embedded within this space-time, difficult to describe.

“I see… countless worlds overlapping with ours…”

Qualcomm’s hoarse voice echoed from all directions. The shadow extended slightly, like Qualcomm extending his hand, slowly approaching Luo Xue.

Slow, but precise.

The shadow’s target was Luo Xue’s heart. She couldn’t dodge. No matter how she tried to escape, the shadow followed closely.

In Qualcomm’s eyes, countless possibilities flickered in the future, but the world a few seconds later became increasingly clear, all pointing towards one outcome.

Luo Xue’s heart would be pierced by the space-ripping power of the twisted shadow, and she would die.

He followed this predetermined outcome, there was no possibility of salvation.

Ceres tried to slightly delay Qualcomm’s movements to buy time for a counterattack.

But she realized in despair that her ability had no effect on the twisted shadow, as if it were hitting empty air.

Because… the twisted shadow before Luo Xue and Ceres wasn’t Qualcomm himself, but just a projection of him in this world.

“The Law of Space and the Law of Time…”

Luo Xue’s breathing quickened slightly. She knew that some Nascent Soul cultivators had comprehended these two monstrous laws, but most could only master one.

Even just one of these laws made one almost invincible among cultivators of the same level, especially the Law of Time, which was extremely difficult to deal with.

Even though Qualcomm could only use a small fraction of these two laws now, for example, seeing the world a few seconds into the future through the Law of Time, and slightly tearing space through the Law of Space, it was still… fatal.

“Find a way to stall him, he can’t maintain this state for long.”

Just then, Ling Ling suddenly spoke.

Luo Xue and Ceres looked at her in surprise.

“The… necklace told me…”

Ling Ling shrank back slightly.

Whenever she encountered a problem, she would habitually ask the necklace, because Qualcomm had said it contained her father’s wisdom.

Ling Ling felt that she was stupid and couldn’t understand anything, so she had always relied on the necklace. This was her limitation, the reason her research hadn’t progressed.

Although the “Lingxi Remains” possessed Lingxi’s knowledge and thoughts, it was still an inanimate object, unable to think independently, only passively providing answers.

Often, asking the right questions was more difficult than finding the answers.

But now, facing Qualcomm, this characteristic of the “Lingxi Remains” became an advantage.

As Qualcomm’s only friend, Lingxi was probably the person who understood him the most in this world.

“Uncle Qualcomm’s legs… seem to be injured because of this ability…” Ling Ling added.

“Controlling space-time also causes irreversible damage to oneself?” Luo Xue murmured. “Such powerful power is indeed worth such a price.”

A Level 9 ability user was actually only equivalent to a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, but Qualcomm’s ability allowed him to kill even peak Core Formation cultivators.

As long as they hadn’t formed a Nascent Soul, once their heart, brain, or other vital organs were destroyed, they would die.

But now…

Even though she knew that Qualcomm couldn’t maintain this state for long, Luo Xue had no way to deal with this shadow that didn’t truly exist in this world.

“Fine, Miss Luo Xue!” Ceres gritted her teeth. “I still have one trump card… I can give it to you!”

“What is it?”

As soon as Luo Xue asked, the shadow suddenly paused, then turned and charged towards Ceres.

Seeing this, Luo Xue understood. This trump card must be a threat to Qualcomm, which was why he changed his target.

Ceres couldn’t answer Luo Xue’s question. She used all her strength to transfer her trump card to Luo Xue, then several spatial cracks appeared on her body.

Ceres didn’t have Luo Xue’s speed and couldn’t dodge before the shadow tore through space.

In the blink of an eye, Ceres collapsed, severely injured, blood pooling beneath her.

“Ceres…”

Luo Xue couldn’t worry about her, because the shadow had turned and was now charging towards her.

The next moment, Luo Xue knew what Ceres’s gift was.

“So… this is it?”

Luo Xue’s pupils constricted. In her vision, everything slowed down, but this was just her perception; time itself hadn’t actually slowed down.

To be precise, her reaction speed had been enhanced several times, even dozens of times.

Her perception was also enhanced.

Ceres’s neural control could manipulate, sever, and weaken others’ nervous systems, and naturally, it could also enhance them.

But this enhancement wasn’t just a simple strengthening. Luo Xue realized that along with her enhanced perception, the pain she felt also increased exponentially.

Ceres never used this trump card unless absolutely necessary, because it was a double-edged sword, aimed at both the enemy and herself.

Also, just as Ling Ling had said, Qualcomm couldn’t maintain this state for long.

His movements had already slowed down considerably, and Luo Xue could even hear his faint panting from within the distorted space-time.

“More possibilities…”

In Qualcomm’s vision, the future became blurry and uncertain.

The clear image from a few seconds later rewound, almost overlapping with the present. And beyond that, countless possibilities overlapped, offering no guidance.

But Qualcomm was no ordinary person. This couldn’t shake his resolve. His space-ripping attack continued.

This time, the spatial crack appeared directly at Luo Xue’s heart.

With Luo Xue’s speed, she could barely dodge, but this time… she didn’t completely avoid it, just shifted her body slightly, and the crack sliced through her shoulder.

“…What’s going on?”

Qualcomm instinctively felt something was wrong, but the blurry future didn’t tell him what.

“Finally, I’ve caught you… Qualcomm…”

Luo Xue’s expression twisted slightly from the intense pain, but a triumphant smile appeared on her lips.

 

Chapter 145: “String Vibration,” Activated

Qualcomm had seen Luo Xue before.

She was very young then, barely able to speak.

Due to malnutrition, all the children in the settlement looked like bean sprouts and were quite mature for their age.

Among these children, Luo Xue was the one who left the deepest impression on Qualcomm.

Not just because of her pitiful appearance, but also the unusual determination in her eyes, devoid of any childish innocence.

Qualcomm had come to take Ling Ling away, but ultimately abandoned the operation.

Because he realized that Ling Ling had already integrated into the settlement, becoming a Wastelander.

Taking her away now would only leave a lingering attachment in her heart, and this wasn’t what Qualcomm wanted.

Great men didn’t dwell on minor details or temporary gains and losses.

Qualcomm had made a mistake and wouldn’t repeat it.

Therefore…

He decided to eliminate all of Ling Ling’s attachments, leaving her with only loneliness.

The adults in the settlement were forced to leave, leaving the children behind, barely surviving on meager resources.

Not all the children in the settlement were killed by Qualcomm. In the dangerous wasteland, accidents were too common.

Even the smallest natural disaster, the weakest beast, could instantly take a child’s life.

As time passed, almost all the older children, either by accident or by manufactured accidents, lost their lives, leaving only Luo Xue to accompany Ling Ling.

The fire that burned Luo Xue during the extreme cold disaster was Qualcomm’s doing, and so was Night Owl’s assassination attempt, but Luo Xue survived both.

What was so special about this girl…

Qualcomm was curious. This was why he was sitting before Luo Xue now.

“I can’t guess, Miss Luo Xue.” Qualcomm smiled, his elbows resting on the armrests of his wheelchair, his fingers interlocked, his head slightly lowered. “Perhaps Xiao Liu and the others exaggerated my abilities, but in the end, I’m also just a mortal.”

“In this world ruled by disasters and calamities, you and I are both mortals.”

Ling Ling finally sensed the tense atmosphere and hid slightly behind Luo Xue, looking at Qualcomm cautiously.

Ceres stood beside Luo Xue, a strange flame flickering in her eyes. Her ability was ready to be unleashed.

Although controlling the nervous system of a Level 9 ability user was a fantasy, she could still slightly influence him.

Ceres didn’t know what Luo Xue’s plan was, but she knew that once Qualcomm activated the so-called “string vibration” device, the entire Suspended High Tower 132 would most likely be destroyed.

“Relax, Miss… Ceres, you’re a veteran Federal officer, you should understand my personality.”

Qualcomm looked at Ceres and said faintly, “If I wanted to activate the ‘string vibration’ device, I would have done it the moment I discovered the leak, not wait until now.”

Ceres’s tense body relaxed slightly, but she remained vigilant.

She knew Qualcomm was right, but she also knew… that he was cunning and unpredictable.

Just like Liu Yun said, don’t try to understand Qualcomm.

Because he was an unreasonable madman.

“It seems you don’t intend to tell me the secret, which is a pity.” Qualcomm shook his head and sighed. “But it doesn’t matter, it’s just a little curiosity of mine, whether it’s satisfied or not doesn’t matter.”

With that, Qualcomm took out something Luo Xue recognized.

A formation rune.

Although she didn’t know what material it was carved from, the spiritual power within it was even stronger than that of a spirit stone, probably artificially imbued.

Luo Xue wasn’t an expert in formations, but she had a Senior Sister who was, so she had seen many ingenious formations and was familiar with formation runes.

“This is the activator for the ‘string vibration’ device,” Qualcomm said, shaking the rune. “Just infuse it with disaster energy, and it will activate the device… Don’t worry, Miss Ceres, hear me out, okay?”

Ceres resisted the urge to snatch the activator. She knew that Qualcomm would have enough time to activate it before she could take it.

“But Miss Luo Xue, it seems… you recognize this?” Qualcomm looked at Luo Xue, his eyes filled with curiosity. “A great creation of the previous civilization, not many people recognize it, and even fewer have seen it in person.”

“…No comment.”

Luo Xue replied in a deep voice, but she had already confirmed it in her heart.

Indeed… the previous civilization was very likely a cultivation civilization. The style of these formations had distinct traces of the Immortal Martial World, and the technological aspects were mostly modifications made by the new civilization.

Luo Xue had already tried it before. This world had the conditions for cultivation, just that the spiritual energy was much thinner, making it much more difficult.

Perhaps it was because of the natural disasters, or perhaps because of the broken civilization and lost inheritances, but now, besides ability users, humanity didn’t have another way to enhance their strength.

“Sigh, you won’t even satisfy a little bit of my curiosity.” Qualcomm said with a regretful expression. “But it doesn’t matter. I’ll tell you a story, and after you’ve heard it, you can think about it carefully.”

Without waiting for Luo Xue and Ceres’s agreement, Qualcomm started his story.

“Doctor… oh right, the Lingxi you mentioned, he was actually my childhood friend. We’ve known each other since we were very young…”

Qualcomm’s voice was calm, his eyes filled with memories, as he recounted this unknown past.

Many people knew that Lingxi was the foremost expert in ability user research, but few knew… that Qualcomm was the foremost expert in the artifacts of the previous civilization.

The ninth level of Suspended High Tower 132 was Qualcomm’s laboratory.

So far, Qualcomm had been able to attempt creating Suspended High Tower engines. The engine of the small aircraft was his work.

If he continued like this, within a few decades, humanity would be able to mass-produce Suspended High Tower engines.

At that time, the Suspended High Towers wouldn’t be limited to just a few hundred, and human civilization would enter an unprecedented golden age.

But… was it truly a golden age?

“Suspended High Towers are just… a product of humanity bowing down to natural disasters.”

Qualcomm, the only expert in natural disaster energy research, sneered and came to this conclusion.

“But without the Suspended High Towers, there would be no human civilization today.” Ceres said in a deep voice.

“A raging sea batters a lone boat, waiting for its demise amidst the alternating day and night… Humanity can’t live in a cradle forever.” Qualcomm said calmly. “Lingxi didn’t support my plan. While he was alive, I didn’t continue the research on the ‘string vibration’ device.”

“You can create such a device?”

Luo Xue frowned slightly and asked.

“Are you referring to this?” Qualcomm picked up the formation rune in his hand. “Unfortunately, I can’t. The so-called ‘string vibration’ device… is actually the entire Suspended High Tower, and I… this activator, just provides the necessary energy for the device.”

He raised his hand slightly, looked at his palm, and smiled faintly.

“My ability allows me to hear the sound of the ‘strings’… or rather, to hear the voice of myself in another world.”

Qualcomm pointed to his ear. “A world that is constantly changing, five seconds into the future.”

“A time traveler?”

Ceres couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Sort of.”

Qualcomm nodded.

Hearing this, Ceres finally understood why Qualcomm was so certain about “string theory.” Because he could actually contact another world.

“Only after I reach Level 10 and can merge my physical body with space-time will the ‘string vibration’ device truly have meaning.” Qualcomm’s expression was filled with regret. “It’s a pity… I was one step away, and you discovered me.”

“Perhaps we can keep it a secret and let you continue your plan?” Luo Xue suddenly said.

Ceres’s eyes widened, and she was about to argue with Luo Xue, but seeing Luo Xue wink at her, she held back.

Luo Xue didn’t have any attachment to the Suspended High Tower, but Ceres did. She had been taught since childhood that the Suspended High Towers were the mothers of the new human civilization.

Qualcomm’s actions were akin to matricide, unforgivable to all Tower People.

“Indeed, only a Wastelander would say that,” Qualcomm shook his head, then continued, “My story is over, Miss Luo Xue. Can you tell me about your understanding of the artifacts of the previous civilization?”

As he spoke, Qualcomm seemed to remember something and slapped his forehead. “Oh, wait, there’s one more thing…”

He took out another formation rune and connected it to the activator in his hand. Instantly, a massive amount of disaster energy poured into it.

The rune glowed faintly, and after a moment, the entire Suspended High Tower began to vibrate imperceptibly, accompanied by a sharp, low hum.

From the first to the eighth level, alarms rang throughout the Suspended High Tower, panic spreading among the Tower People, like a disaster approaching.

“Alright, now we can continue our conversation.”

Qualcomm, the culprit behind all this, breathed a sigh of relief, his expression seeming more relaxed. “Activating the ‘string vibration’ device will take some time, but it’s enough for us.”

“You!”

Ceres was shocked and, ignoring the huge difference in strength between her and Qualcomm, rushed forward, trying to snatch the activator.

But unexpectedly, Qualcomm tossed the activator rune to Ceres and said with a smile,

“Here, keep it as a souvenir.”

Ceres, without thinking, immediately tried to destroy the activator.

But it was useless. The changes in the Suspended High Tower continued.

Just as Qualcomm said, this was just the activator. The real “string vibration” device was the entire Suspended High Tower.

Because it required the powerful energy of the Suspended High Tower’s engine to generate enough power for the “string vibration.”

“Why?”

Luo Xue asked in a low voice.

“No reason. I would press this button eventually. I kept it in my hand only because I wanted you to listen to my story.” Qualcomm shrugged. “You don’t understand. Unless I kill you, this matter will definitely reach the Federation, because of Miss Ceres.”

“Besides, killing you isn’t realistic. Imagine… a Level 7 Federal officer dying in Suspended High Tower 132. It would cause a huge commotion, and I would have to resign.”

Qualcomm hadn’t hesitated at all.

Even though he knew that the chances of success for activating the “string vibration” device were low in the current situation, he still didn’t hesitate.

Because if he didn’t activate it now… there wouldn’t be another chance, and that would be a true failure.

As for the price of failure, Qualcomm didn’t care. This was why he was called a madman.

“You wanted to know about my understanding of the artifacts of the previous civilization?” Luo Xue raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “Master Qualcomm, you seem very interested…”

“I am very interested.” Qualcomm nodded.

“Now, you can see for yourself.”

Luo Xue closed her eyes, her senses covering the upper three levels of the Suspended High Tower.

She could clearly sense that some key locations on the upper three levels were emitting spiritual power fluctuations. These should be the nodes of the formation.

There were so many that with Luo Xue’s current cultivation, she couldn’t completely destroy them.

After all, this was a plan Qualcomm had started decades ago, and after Lingxi’s suicide, he had spent nearly ten years on it. It wasn’t something that could be stopped by simply destroying a few runes.

However…

Disrupting a part of it, Luo Xue could still do that.

The moment Luo Xue closed her eyes, Qualcomm’s expression changed drastically. He had heard the future five seconds from now and muttered in disbelief,

“Wait, how… how did you do that?”

Soon, the vibrations on the upper three levels stopped. The “string vibration” device’s operation was forcibly halted.

“I just found the core of the formation.”

Luo Xue opened her eyes and said slowly.

The key to breaking a formation was to analyze its structure, find its core, and disrupt it.

Although the formation Qualcomm had set up was vast and complex, due to the difference in their systems, he had only crudely pieced together the formation runes.

Luo Xue’s understanding of formations was almost non-existent, but she was still from the Immortal Martial system and could see through the essence of the formation at a glance.

Just like in the Mount Fengyin conspiracy, Luo Xue used a small amount of spiritual power to disrupt the entire formation’s operation.

Unfortunately, Luo Xue’s cultivation was limited, and she could only cover the upper three levels. The lower six levels were too vast. If she tried to sense and disrupt them one by one, the “string vibration” device would probably have already activated.

Chapter 144: Reunion

“Is it really that serious?” Luo Xue raised an eyebrow. “But after careful consideration, this plan is indeed not feasible.”

“…Of course, it’s not feasible.”

“Mainly because there’s not enough time. Otherwise, it might be worth a try.” Luo Xue said regretfully.

Charging Hidden Flower required time, and so did escaping the Suspended High Tower with “Sparrow,” but what they lacked most now was time.

“What are you even thinking?” Ceres looked at her as if she had seen a ghost. “Even a Level 9 martial artist wouldn’t dare to be exposed at an altitude of five thousand meters. That’s equivalent to facing the wrath of a natural disaster head-on.”

Just then, Liu Yun, who had been under Ceres’ control, suddenly opened her eyes and said,

“The Mayor wants to see you.”

“Hmm?”

Luo Xue and Ceres looked at Liu Yun, their expressions changing slightly.

“Didn’t you block all her means of external communication?” Luo Xue asked.

Ceres frowned deeply.

“That shouldn’t be possible…”

Luo Yong and Chen Ting shouldn’t have given up on their search of the second level yet. The second level was the size of an entire city. It wouldn’t be easy to find the ruins of the emergency shelter, let alone confirm Night Owl’s death.

At least in the short term, Qualcomm shouldn’t know about the situation here… let alone contact Liu Yun.

“You underestimate Master Qualcomm.” Liu Yun shook her head. “No matter what, as long as he wants to do something, he can do it.”

Liu Yun and the others’ admiration for Qualcomm was undisguised. They didn’t even address him as Mayor, because the only person they followed was Qualcomm, not the position of mayor.

“Then why couldn’t he find Night Owl before?”

Ceres asked, a faint smile on her lips.

“…Because we were incompetent.” Liu Yun looked away and said in a deep voice. “Since you’ve already learned Master Qualcomm’s secret from Night Owl, it’s normal for him to want to see you.”

“Do you know this secret?” Luo Xue asked.

Liu Yun shook her head.

“I don’t know, and I don’t want to know.”

Luo Xue and Ceres exchanged glances. They knew that no matter what… they had to see Qualcomm now.

“Where does he want to meet us?”

Luo Xue looked at Liu Yun and asked.

“The ninth level of the Suspended High Tower,” Liu Yun said softly. “You will be the first guests to visit the ninth level. Besides the mayor, only two people have been up there in history.”

“Lingxi, and his daughter, Ling Ling.”

This was a special privilege. The ninth level was always where the highest authority hid all their secrets, the true center of control for the entire Suspended High Tower.

It housed the controls to forcibly activate the Suspended High Tower’s engine, which could only be done by the mayor in emergencies.

Once activated, the Suspended High Tower would descend five thousand meters and forcibly dock with the ground.

Therefore, entering the ninth level was equivalent to entering the heart of the Suspended High Tower.

Who would willingly let others enter their heart?

Was Qualcomm’s action to show his sincerity to Luo Xue and Ceres, or was he planning to let them witness his final act of madness?

The situation was back in Qualcomm’s control, and Luo Xue and Ceres were once again passive.

“And…” Just then, Liu Yun suddenly said, her gaze towards Luo Xue turning strange, “Master Qualcomm seems to be asking for… ‘Miss Luo Xue’ and ‘Miss Ceres’.”

“Luo Xue?”

Ceres looked at Luo Xue, confusion in her eyes.

Was this her real name?

But it didn’t seem familiar…

At least, she hadn’t heard of it before.

Luo Xue’s pupils constricted.

She knew that the appearance of this name meant that Qualcomm already knew her true identity.

…He knew that she was the ghost from the wasteland who hadn’t been killed.

“Access to the ninth level has been granted to you. You can enter anytime.” Liu Yun continued. “However… I’ll give you one piece of advice. Don’t try to understand Master Qualcomm, you can’t.”

“Tsk, a brainwashed fan’s unique admiration for their idol.”

Ceres scoffed, but her expression turned serious.

“How do we get up there? The gravity elevator?”

Luo Xue looked towards the elevator, which wasn’t far.

“Of course not, the gravity elevator doesn’t go to the ninth level.” Before Liu Yun could speak, Ceres shook her head and answered, “How should I put it… the entire Suspended High Tower has ‘doors’ to the ninth level.”

Ceres stood up, took Luo Xue’s small hand, and said softly,

“Hold on tight.”

Luo Xue was stunned for a moment, then felt her body suddenly become much lighter.

Strange runes appeared, enveloping her and Ceres, their power familiar to Luo Xue.

“This is… spiritual power?”

Luo Xue’s eyes widened in surprise, and she immediately examined the runes carefully.

Then, she discovered a terrifying fact.

These runes… were teleportation runes, encrypted.

The entire eighth level of the Suspended High Tower was enveloped in a teleportation formation that could transport people to the ninth level!

“Calm down, Miss Guijiao… Luo Xue.” Ceres tightened her grip on Luo Xue’s hand, thinking she was panicking because she had never experienced this before. “There might be a bit of discomfort during the spatial jump, but it will be over soon.”

“But how could the Suspended High Tower have this…”

Luo Xue looked at the increasingly bright runes, her expression dazed, and murmured softly.

The teleportation formation was activating, it would take some time.

“You mean the spatial jump device? This was left behind by the previous civilization and can only be used on the Suspended High Towers.” Ceres explained. “Because the power to drive this device can only be the energy converted from natural disasters.”

“Wait, spiritual power is… the energy converted from natural disasters…”

Luo Xue reached out and touched the floating runes, and a familiar spiritual power flowed into her body briefly.

Indeed, this so-called disaster energy… was highly pure spiritual power! So dense that it almost had physical form!

Could it be that the true nature of natural disasters was actually a turbulent tide of different types of spiritual power, similar to the Blood Sea?

And the so-called Suspended High Tower engine… was actually a formation?

Could the previous civilization… be a cultivation civilization…

Luo Xue’s mind raced, countless questions arising.

But soon, the teleportation formation… or rather, the spatial jump device, was ready.

Luo Xue and Ceres vanished in a flash of white light, leaving behind only Liu Yun, still tied to the bed, her expression downcast.

…

“Welcome, my guests.”

Qualcomm’s voice was calm and steady, his earlier amiable demeanor gone, his cold eyes filled with authority.

He sat in his wheelchair, his back to the sunlight, seemingly having maintained this posture for a very long time.

Ceres, having just arrived on the ninth level through the spatial jump device, was still disoriented, almost collapsing to the ground.

Luo Xue supported her, holding her waist to prevent her from falling.

After all, Luo Xue had used teleportation formations before, and this was just to the next level.

The teleportation formations Luo Xue used before were long-distance ones, the process hundreds of times longer, and the discomfort much greater.

The ninth level of Suspended High Tower 132 was quite simple. The place where Luo Xue and Ceres landed looked like an abandoned laboratory, a small room filled with various instruments, most covered in dust.

At the end of the laboratory was the only observation window in the entire Suspended High Tower, but it was also simple and unassuming, like an ordinary window, letting in some sunlight.

The middle-aged man in the wheelchair bathed in the sunlight, but his expression was hidden in the shadows.

“Qualcomm…”

Luo Xue looked at the man in the wheelchair. She knew that this meeting was completely different from their previous encounter.

Before, it was Suspended High Tower 132 receiving Federal officers. Now, it was a confrontation between her and Qualcomm.

After a while, Ceres recovered and looked at Luo Xue in surprise.

She had thought that Luo Xue would be worse off than her and had planned to support her after they landed, as she had never used a spatial jump device before, only heard of it.

But… it was Luo Xue who helped her.

The spatial jump device was only used within the Suspended High Tower to reach the ninth level, and not all Suspended High Towers had it. Some used secret passages to reach the ninth level.

As for the spatial jump device itself, unfortunately, like all creations of the previous civilization, it couldn’t be replicated or studied.

“I didn’t expect you to be alive, Miss,” Qualcomm said with a cold smile, “This was Night Owl’s last mistake in his final mission—tell me, what was his end?”

Luo Xue was silent for a moment, then replied,

“He was buried under the rubble.”

Qualcomm gently tapped the armrest of his wheelchair and said slowly,

“Quite vengeful, Miss.”

“I just thought some things… should be returned to him… and to you as well.” Luo Xue said softly.

She looked up at Qualcomm, who was looking down at her, but her gaze wasn’t subservient, but rather carried a hint of pride.

A cold smile appeared on Qualcomm’s lips.

Only Ceres, who didn’t understand anything, looked confused. What was going on? Did they know each other before?

But they hadn’t seemed to during their previous encounter on the seventh level…

Wait, back then, Luo Xue was called “Li Guijiao.” She had deliberately concealed her real name, which meant… it was very likely that her appearance was also a disguise?

Ceres’s heart sank slightly. She had already been trying to imagine how mature this little girl was, but she hadn’t expected that from their very first meeting, Luo Xue had been wary of everyone.

“Where is Ling Ling?”

Luo Xue asked in a deep voice.

Qualcomm didn’t answer immediately, but looked deeply at Luo Xue.

Then, he sighed deeply.

“Behind you.”

Luo Xue looked back in shock and saw a small figure standing at the laboratory door, looking at her with a mixture of fear and anticipation.

Fear because Luo Xue’s current appearance was that of a stranger, and Ling Ling was always shy.

She had been in the Suspended High Tower for two years, but she still rarely spoke to anyone, only Qualcomm could manage a few words with her.

Anticipation because…

“…Sister Xue’er?”

Ling Ling tilted her head. This unfamiliar girl gave her a feeling similar to Sister Xue’er, but she didn’t look like her at all. How strange…

Although Qualcomm had told Ling Ling to go back and rest, she hadn’t left.

The reason she came to the observation window wasn’t because Qualcomm was here, but because she had the habit of looking down at the earth from here.

Even though Sister Xue’er, whom she missed the most, was missing, her whereabouts unknown.

Ling Ling always felt that as long as she looked down at the earth, Sister Xue’er would be within her sight, even if she was just a tiny speck…

Luo Xue almost didn’t recognize Ling Ling at first, because she had changed so much.

Before, Ling Ling, living in the wasteland, had always been dirty, her hair a mess, lucky to have some rags covering her body, let alone any nice clothes.

Now, Ling Ling’s hair was neatly tied into a ponytail, and she wore a clean, oversized lab coat, looking like a little girl cosplaying as a researcher.

Only her clear, big eyes hadn’t changed, even her slightly timid demeanor was exactly the same as in Luo Xue’s memory.

Luo Xue’s worried heart finally relaxed. The worst-case scenario hadn’t happened. Ling Ling was safe and sound, standing right before her.

“A’Ling, it’s me.” Luo Xue smiled and reached out to rub Ling Ling’s hair. “It’s good… that you’re okay.”

Ling Ling instinctively shrank back, but feeling the familiar warmth and touch of Luo Xue’s hand, tears welled up in her eyes.

“Sister Xue’er!”

Ling Ling rushed into Luo Xue’s arms, hugging her tightly and sobbing slightly.

Ceres blinked, suddenly feeling like a third wheel.

But seeing the other third wheel’s indifferent expression, Ceres continued watching.

Qualcomm was patient, not interrupting their reunion, just unconsciously tapping his fingers on the armrest of his wheelchair, his expressionless face betraying no thoughts.

“Sister Xue’er, why have you changed your appearance again?” Ling Ling rubbed her eyes, looked up at Luo Xue tearfully, and asked, “Did you… reincarnate?”

“…I didn’t reincarnate.”

Luo Xue glanced at the smiling Ceres and sighed slightly.

Her appearance changed slightly.

Her body became smaller, her snow-white hair cascaded down to her waist, and her face, more delicate than the ghostly girl’s, made even the worldly Ceres marvel.

“How did you survive?”

Qualcomm suddenly asked.

Luo Xue thought for a moment, then replied,

“Guess.”

Chapter 143: The Sun Also Rises

Ninth Level of Suspended High Tower 132.

This was the highest level of the entire Suspended High Tower. Compared to the vast first level, it was quite small, only the size of a small village.

For many years, only Qualcomm and Lingxi, the best of brothers, lived here.

But after Lingxi’s suicide, Qualcomm rarely stayed here.

The ninth level remained closed until Ling Ling arrived.

After coming to the Suspended High Tower, Ling Ling lived on the ninth level. She was also the only one who could freely enter and exit the ninth level without the mayor’s permission.

Qualcomm, on the other hand, rarely stayed here. Today was just a whim, coming up for a short rest.

There was an observation window on the ninth level that offered a direct view of the outside world. It was the only place besides the main control room where one could see the outside.

Qualcomm sat huddled in his wheelchair, his hands tucked in.

At this moment, he didn’t look like the omnipotent master of the Suspended High Tower, the powerful Mayor Qualcomm, but rather a lonely old man.

Indeed, although he looked middle-aged, Qualcomm was already quite old.

Another difference between ability users and cultivators was their lifespan. Ability users lived much shorter lives.

Qualcomm possessed combat power equivalent to the Core Formation Realm, but his lifespan was similar to a mortal’s.

A ninety-year-old cultivator could still look like a youth, while a ninety-year-old ability user was already old and frail.

“…”

Qualcomm silently looked out the observation window at the boundless darkness enveloping the earth, stretching between the clouds.

He looked at the endless natural disasters raging on the surface below. Every disaster meant that a group of Wastelanders would be displaced, forced to embark on a journey to find a new home.

And it also meant that countless lives would be lost.

After the fall of the previous civilization, the new human civilization had already survived twelve day-night cycles, but… how much longer could they last? Could they continue to survive?

Qualcomm didn’t know.

He just felt that he was doing what he had to do, whether others understood or not.

“Little Doctor, you’re here?”

Qualcomm said faintly.

As his voice fell, a small figure beside him jumped, like a startled rabbit.

“Ah!”

“Hmm… your footsteps have become much lighter. I almost didn’t hear you. Could it be that you’ve awakened?”

Qualcomm slowly turned around, his gaze softening as it fell on the trembling young girl. “Don’t be nervous, I’m just asking.”

There were rumors that Lingxi had used a normal awakening potion on his daughter, but only Qualcomm knew it was a lie.

Not to mention that there was no such thing as a “normal” awakening potion. Lingxi’s research hadn’t reached that point before his death. Moreover, Lingxi wished for his daughter to be an ordinary person, to avoid being involved in these troublesome matters.

In Lingxi’s own words, ability users were just “patients.”

Ling Ling had been tested at birth. Like her parents, she didn’t have the potential to be an ability user.

Qualcomm had always respected his old friend’s wishes and didn’t intend to use the awakening potion on Ling Ling.

So if Ling Ling awakened her abilities, Qualcomm would actually be worried.

“No…”

Ling Ling hid slightly behind the wheelchair, avoiding Qualcomm’s gaze.

“Perhaps after coming to the Suspended High Tower, with proper nutrition, your physique has improved.”

Qualcomm chuckled, not minding Ling Ling’s wariness.

He looked towards the horizon again, seemingly waiting for something.

Ling Ling curiously peeked out, but saw nothing. There was only desolate darkness outside the observation window.

Seeming to sense Ling Ling’s confusion, Qualcomm said slowly,

“Wait, just wait a little longer…”

Wait for what?

Before Ling Ling could ask, she saw what Qualcomm was waiting for.

A faintly golden sun appeared, its light piercing through the mist shrouding the sky, casting a weak but persistent sunlight on the observation window.

It was warm.

“Wow…”

Ling Ling was stunned.

She knew about the sun, but during the long twelfth Eternal Night she had experienced in her short life, the sun had never appeared.

The endless night was the main theme of this world.

“The thirteenth Eternal Day of the new civilization… is about to arrive.” Qualcomm said faintly. “The current sun is the gentlest sun… but then, it will be the most terrifying disaster. Heh, you’ll miss the night.”

“Oh…”

Ling Ling was still dazed, staring at the increasingly bright sun, as if she was seeing the most beautiful thing in the world, greedily cherishing every moment.

“It’s said that before the disasters arrived, the previous civilization used the power of the sun to drive these disaster engines. It was a glorious era, a pity we can’t see such grandeur again.”

Qualcomm muttered to himself, then seemed to be chatting with Ling Ling. “I’ve always wondered, the disasters that even such a great civilization couldn’t withstand, why has the new civilization been able to survive? Is it just luck?”

“Does this mean that the new civilization is actually precarious? No matter how much it develops, it can’t escape its current predicament?”

“If that’s the case… does our effort even have any meaning?”

Qualcomm murmured softly.

Ling Ling, although she had recovered, couldn’t understand Qualcomm’s words.

So she thought for a moment and channeled these words into the necklace.

Soon, a response came from the necklace, directly entering Ling Ling’s mind.

“All lives have an end, but we can’t deny the meaning of life just because there’s an ‘end’ or a ‘conclusion.’ The meaning of life isn’t just about its ‘length’ or ‘continuation.’ A fleeting moment of brilliance is still brilliant. Human civilization… should be the same.” Ling Ling blurted out.

Qualcomm abruptly turned to look at Ling Ling, his gaze unfamiliar.

“Uncle Qualcomm, what… what’s wrong?” Ling Ling shrank back slightly. “Did I say something wrong…”

“…I think it’s wrong, but also right.” Qualcomm’s eyes flickered slightly, then he leaned back in his wheelchair. “He thought I was wrong, and I thought he was wrong, but we were still brothers.”

“He believed in the power of life, I carried the burden of civilization. We weren’t the same kind of people… Perhaps this tragedy was destined from the moment we met.”

“Mmm…”

Ling Ling didn’t dare to input these words into the necklace again, afraid of saying something wrong.

“Little Doctor… thanks to you, I thought I would never have the chance to talk to him again.” A faint smile appeared on Qualcomm’s lips, carrying a sincerity he rarely showed.

“…Who?”

Ling Ling peeked out from behind the wheelchair.

“Your father.” Qualcomm exhaled slowly and raised his trembling hand, pointing at the sky. “Look… that’s the sun, our mother, the source of our disasters.”

“Before such a magnificent existence, all human joys and sorrows are insignificant.”

The difference between Qualcomm and Lingxi was whether they were willing to pay any price to achieve their goals. Lingxi’s answer was no, while Qualcomm walked alone on a path no one understood.

Ling Ling didn’t know what to say. She only knew that Uncle Qualcomm was saying something profound, and she couldn’t even understand it, let alone comprehend it.

If she used the necklace to understand, Qualcomm would show that expression again…

However, if Ling Ling could truly understand Qualcomm, he wouldn’t have said these things in front of her.

Only in front of Ling Ling would Qualcomm reveal a sliver of his long and terrifying plan.

This was an absolute secret that couldn’t be mentioned.

The two sat there quietly for a while, watching the faintly visible sun gradually brighten, its weak light bringing a hint of warmth. Then, Qualcomm’s hunched posture changed.

He slowly straightened his back, his expression stern and dignified, like a general planning a battle.

His cold and indifferent gaze was fixed on something ahead, but not the sun, but something further, something unseen.

“It failed.”

Qualcomm said slowly.

No one had reported to him, no one had told him that everything was ready, no one had reported on the battle… Qualcomm already knew that they had failed again, and it was a more crushing defeat than two years ago.

Two years ago, after Night Owl brought Ling Ling back to the Suspended High Tower, the time had finally come to destroy the data stored in the Archives Bureau.

Qualcomm himself was responsible for these records of the past and secrets, and it was impossible for them to be leaked.

Qualcomm had thought that these secrets would be buried forever, until the plan was complete, but he hadn’t expected that Night Owl would learn about them from Ling Ling…

After Ling Ling resonated with the necklace, some unprocessed secret memories, including some buried past events, surfaced in her mind.

Night Owl’s most egregious act was asking Ling Ling some questions after she resonated with the necklace.

Ling Ling, without hesitation, revealed the plan that Lingxi and Night Owl had formulated. Although she didn’t understand it, everyone present was shocked, including Night Owl.

Soon, everyone except for Night Owl was silenced. Only Night Owl, relying on his newly acquired Level 6 abilities, managed to escape.

But because Suspended High Tower 132 hadn’t docked with the ground, Night Owl couldn’t leave the tower.

Two years after the scheduled ground docking, Night Owl’s whereabouts were finally discovered, and Qualcomm thought that this matter could finally be put to rest.

But unexpectedly…

“Who could it be? Those two Federal officers? Or…”

Qualcomm turned to look at the trembling Ling Ling, a habitual smile appearing on his lips, but it was devoid of its usual warmth, only coldness.

“Uncle Qualcomm…”

“Little Doctor, you go back and rest first. Uncle has some matters to attend to.” Qualcomm patted Ling Ling’s head and said with a smile.

“Oh… okay.”

Ling Ling quickly nodded, then looked back at Qualcomm as she left, as if pondering something.

Qualcomm just smiled and turned his wheelchair, watching Ling Ling leave.

The bright sunlight fell on the back of his wheelchair, his expression hidden in the shadows.

…

“The gravity elevator doesn’t go directly to the ninth level. It only operates between the first and eighth levels.” Ceres said. “Because the ninth level is the mayor’s private domain. Even in the most chaotic Suspended High Towers, the ninth level remains untouchable.”

“This is also a symbol of the mayor’s supreme authority. Only the highest authority can occupy the ninth level.”

“Well said,” Luo Xue blinked and asked, “So the question is… how do we get up there?”

“There’s only one way to reach the ninth level: obtain the mayor’s permission.”

“…Do you think Qualcomm will agree?”

“I don’t think so,” Ceres shrugged. “Of course, there’s another method, although it’s not really a method.”

“Tell me.”

Luo Xue twitched her lips. She had a feeling that this so-called method… wasn’t very reliable.

“Although there are no official records, there are rumors that there’s a small observation window on the ninth level that offers a direct view of the outside.” Ceres gestured with her hands. “About this big, made of high-strength glass, but much weaker than the outer shell of the Suspended High Tower.”

“So you’re saying…”

Luo Xue had a bad feeling.

“If you can expose your body to the vacuum at five thousand meters, and have the destructive power of a Level 8 martial artist in their transformed state, you should be able to attack from the outside, shatter the glass, and enter the ninth level.”

Ceres waved her fist, a faint smile on her lips. She was clearly joking.

How could any human do that…

The observation window was too small, only big enough for one or two people to pass through, so using large-scale weapons was also impossible.

But after hearing Ceres’s words, Luo Xue actually started thinking seriously.

“It seems… feasible…”

With her physique, the five-thousand-meter altitude shouldn’t be a problem.

Charging Hidden Flower for two days would be enough destructive power.

“Hey, hey, Miss Guijiao, don’t do anything crazy!” Ceres’s eyes widened. “Five thousand meters, that’s almost directly exposed to deep space!”

“I can do it, but unfortunately, there’s no time…” Luo Xue murmured.

Ceres broke out in a cold sweat. Miss Guijiao was too bold!

Did she mean that if she had enough time, she could use this method to invade the ninth level?

“Moreover, if we want to leave the Suspended High Tower now, we can only use ‘Sparrow’…”

Luo Xue was still considering the possibilities.

“Don’t actually start planning! Not to mention whether it’s even possible, invading the ninth level is equivalent to declaring war on the entire Suspended High Tower!”

Ceres almost jumped up, wanting to slap herself. Why did she even say that?

Chapter 142: Their Deaths, All Related to You

“This matter… is very serious, almost unsolvable, unless we can suppress Qualcomm.”

Ceres took a deep breath. “But Qualcomm is a Level 9 ability user. I’m not sure I can defeat him… or rather, I’m not sure I can escape.”

“A Level 9 ability user… what’s the difference between Level 7 and 8?” Luo Xue asked.

“Miss Guijiao, you really don’t know anything about these things. It’s good to have talent, reaching Level 7 at such a young age.” Ceres looked at Luo Xue enviously. “It’s a pity, I’m more than ten years older than you, yet I’ve only just reached the threshold of Level 8.”

Unlike cultivators, who improved their realm step by step, ability users could directly reach high levels upon awakening.

Ability users were ranked based on two aspects: ability strength and ability control.

With sufficient talent, one could reach the level where they could transform upon awakening, instantly becoming a Level 7 ability user, lacking only combat experience.

After awakening, there weren’t many stable ways to improve, only through regular training to develop one’s potential.

But then, the Lingxi Laboratory developed the gene potion, which could optimize an ability user’s genes, increasing their upper limit.

Night Owl was originally a Level 5 ability user. After using the gene potion, he reached Level 6.

The achievements of the Lingxi Laboratory weren’t just the Lingxi Potion, known as “Devil’s Blood.” Their research on ability users was groundbreaking.

Otherwise, the impact of the Lingxi Potion wouldn’t have been so widespread, and the consequences wouldn’t have been so severe.

“Ahem…”

Luo Xue coughed awkwardly. She really didn’t know much about these things, and since they were two different power systems, it was difficult to compare them.

She could only make a rough estimate of their combat power, and due to the differences between abilities, this estimate was just for reference.

“To be precise, Level 7 ability users can transform at a cost—their abilities changing their physical state. In this state, they can hardly be called human, more like… deep space behemoths.”

Ceres explained, “Level 8 ability users can transform without any cost, and their abilities are more deeply integrated into their bodies.”

“As for Level 9… since there are less than fifty Level 9 ability users in the entire Federation, there aren’t many records. It’s said that… just a rumor, Level 9 ability users can transform into their abilities themselves, completely controlling them.”

Like Luo Yong, if he reached Level 9, his transformation wouldn’t be just metallization, but a complete transformation into an iron man.

Of course, this was just Ceres’s speculation. She hadn’t seen a Level 9 ability user in action.

Because most Level 9 ability users were either mayors or military leaders of the Suspended High Towers, representing the entire tower, so they rarely acted personally.

“In that case… things are indeed very troublesome.”

Luo Xue sighed. The fate of the entire Suspended High Tower 132 was now in her hands.

Her original plan was to learn Ling Ling’s whereabouts from Night Owl, and she had indeed found out, but she also learned an unexpected, deadly secret.

Luo Xue and Ceres had practically found Night Owl openly. Their disguises were just a formality, and everyone knew the truth.

Luo Xue didn’t expect Qualcomm to not see through their plan. If he couldn’t even see through this, he wouldn’t be the mayor.

Just like before, Qualcomm wouldn’t believe that Night Owl didn’t reveal anything before his death.

“Calculating the time, that assistant, Liu Yun, should be awake by now.” Ceres said in a deep voice. “Miss Guijiao, we have to make a decision quickly. The Suspended High Towers are very important to the Federation… no, to all of human civilization.”

After all, these were miraculous creations that the current human civilization couldn’t replicate. Even the lives of millions of Tower People weren’t as important as a single Suspended High Tower engine.

“Let’s find Ling Ling first.” Luo Xue said softly.

“That little scientist?” Ceres frowned slightly. “Do you really know her? Or rather, does she really know you?”

She hadn’t known Ling Ling’s name or true identity before, but because the incident of Suspended High Tower 132’s laboratory being fined for employing child labor was so well-known, Ling Ling was nicknamed “Little Scientist” within the Federation.

Now it seemed… the nickname was quite fitting.

“Well, we can at least talk.” Luo Xue said vaguely, not wanting to reveal everything. “That’s all Night Owl would know. As for the rest… we can only ask the person involved.”

She rubbed her temples, a bit of a headache. “We’ll probably have to face Mayor Qualcomm himself. Let me think…”

Luo Xue didn’t know Qualcomm well, but from their few encounters, he was clearly a difficult person to deal with, and he was also a Level 9 ability user, probably equivalent to Core Formation.

“He’s an amiable madman, who makes unreasonable plans with a gentle smile.” Ceres said faintly. “Even the Federation is wary of Mayor Qualcomm, calling him a once-in-a-century genius.”

“Being able to carry out such a crazy plan, he deserves that title.”

Luo Xue sighed, looked at the dead Night Owl on the ground, and her eyes flickered.

“Miss Ceres, is this emergency shelter important to the Suspended High Tower? Does it matter if it’s destroyed?”

“At least in the records I know, such structures have been used less than a handful of times.” Ceres replied. “After all, this is a shelter for the engine maintenance workers. The only disaster they would encounter… is an engine malfunction.”

If a Suspended High Tower’s engine malfunctioned, the entire tower would be in danger, and a shelter would be useless.

“That’s good.”

Luo Xue nodded, then walked out of the emergency shelter.

Ceres quickly followed, asking with confusion, “What are you doing?”

“Giving him a proper send-off.”

Luo Xue turned around and punched the emergency shelter, imbuing it with her sword intent.

Instantly, countless cracks appeared on the shelter.

A moment later, accompanied by the roar of the nearby engine, the shelter completely collapsed, countless debris burying Night Owl deep within the ruins.

“In your next life, may you be born into a better world.”

Luo Xue whispered softly.

“What did you say?”

Ceres strained her ears.

“Nothing.”

Luo Xue turned and walked towards the gravity elevator.

Ceres silently watched her receding figure and took out her digital terminal.

She looked at the screen, her lips pursed, as if pondering something.

Finally, Ceres put away the digital terminal and sighed.

“Fine, I’ll trust you this once.”

“…I wonder if that’s what the little sister called Guijiao would do.”

…

Liu Yun slowly opened her eyes, then a look of terror appeared on her face.

How could she… fall asleep while receiving Federal officers?

She only remembered talking to Luo Xue and Ceres one moment, then waking up like this the next.

No, that wasn’t right…

The content of their conversation was blurry, she couldn’t remember clearly. This definitely wasn’t normal for her.

As the mayor’s personal assistant, Liu Yun’s memory was impeccable. Even words she heard in her sleep, she would remember verbatim.

Someone had tampered with her memory…

Could it be those two visitors? What were they planning?

Liu Yun stood up, her expression anxious.

She had to find the two Federal officers immediately, but she froze after a few steps.

“Sister Liu, you’re awake?”

The ghostly pale and thin girl smiled at her, and the knowledgeable blonde woman beside her nodded slightly.

“You…”

Liu Yun was confused and sat back down.

Only then did she notice that the nearby guards and attendants were also unconscious.

After all, Liu Yun was also a Level 7 ability user, with some resistance to Ceres’s hypnosis.

It could be said that the reason she was unconscious for so long was because of Luo Xue’s punch…

This was Luo Xue and Ceres’s original plan. Liu Yun’s memory was a mess, and Luo Yong and Chen Ting had seen two different people.

Even with the many suspicious points, Qualcomm didn’t have any direct evidence that it was the two Federal officers who took Night Owl.

This was usually the case, but now Luo Xue and Ceres possessed a deadly secret.

In that case… Qualcomm didn’t need evidence, he just needed a little bit of suspicion.

With Qualcomm’s personality…

A little suspicion was enough to justify taking action.

While Liu Yun was still disoriented, Luo Xue said directly,

“I want to see Ling Ling.”

“Okay… huh?” Liu Yun subconsciously nodded, then was stunned after realizing what she had just heard. “You… you know her?”

Suspended High Tower 132’s protection of Ling Ling was comprehensive. Not to mention her appearance, even her name hadn’t been revealed, for fear of others suspecting her relationship with Lingxi.

The reason they reported her to the Federation was that they were worried that being too secretive would attract unwanted attention.

After staging a farce of being fined for employing child labor, others would just laugh it off and not investigate further.

Luo Xue had originally planned to approach this matter slowly after learning about Ling Ling, but now it seemed there was no time.

She had to see Ling Ling as soon as possible.

However, Ling Ling wasn’t the key to Qualcomm activating the “string vibration” device. Without her, Qualcomm could still activate it, just with a higher risk.

Therefore, finding Ling Ling wouldn’t solve this thorny problem.

“Miss Liu Yun, please introduce us. Lingxi’s daughter. As ability users, we admire him very much.” Ceres said with a smile.

Dr. Lingxi had created many groundbreaking works that changed the landscape of ability users, and before the “Lingxi Laboratory” incident, he was the most respected scientist among all ability users.

Even after his death, many ability users believed that he was coerced by the ruthless Qualcomm.

“Sorry, regarding this matter, Dr. Ling Ling… she can’t meet with people casually. I have to ask Master Qualcomm.” Liu Yun forced herself to stay calm, discreetly biting down on a small, sand-grain-sized emergency contact device hidden between her teeth.

This device was usually hidden in her back teeth. Once crushed, the tower headquarters would receive an alert, along with her last words.

Liu Yun wanted to stall Luo Xue and Ceres here and inform the headquarters so that Mayor Qualcomm would know about the current situation.

Unfortunately…

She couldn’t crush the device.

Just then, Liu Yun saw Ceres calmly using tweezers to remove something small and metallic, a smile in her narrow eyes.

“Sorry, Miss Liu Yun, I played dentist for a bit and removed a bad tooth for you.”

Ceres, having been in the Federation for many years, was very familiar with these little tricks. Luo Xue might have overlooked it, as she didn’t even know such a thing existed.

“If that’s the case…”

Liu Yun’s expression darkened, and she looked down at her fingers.

Her nail polish had been completely removed, neatly placed on the bedside table.

The miniature listening devices on them were all destroyed.

“I’m just a part-time manicurist, not very skilled.” Ceres said regretfully. “I originally wanted to give you a different style, but there’s no time.”

Liu Yun finally realized that they had come prepared. This was a premeditated ambush.

But she didn’t even have any memory of the ambush itself. There was no evidence left behind.

If not for the seriousness of the matter, Luo Xue and Ceres’s actions would have been flawless.

“Why do you want to see her?” Liu Yun calmed down slightly and asked in a deep voice. “She’s just Lingxi’s daughter. Master Qualcomm took her in to… take care of his old friend’s daughter…”

“To take care of his old friend’s daughter… was it necessary to kill an entire settlement of Wastelanders?”

Luo Xue interrupted her.

Liu Yun was stunned, her pupils constricting.

Why… did she even know about this?

Within Suspended High Tower 132, less than a handful of people knew about this.

“Xiao Hei, Ah Qi, Xingchen, Wang Lili…”

Luo Xue lowered her eyelids slightly, reciting one name after another.

Memories of the past flashed through her mind, blurry smiling faces.

Luo Xue looked up at Liu Yun, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

“Their deaths are all related to you.”

Liu Yun was silent for a moment, then sighed and said,

“She’s on the ninth level of the Suspended High Tower, personally cared for… or rather, watched over, by Master Qualcomm.”

Chapter 141: A Mad Act, A Difficult Choice

“Phew, we finally escaped.”

Ceres symbolically twisted her wrist, as if she had just carried Night Owl herself.

But she hadn’t. Night Owl’s nervous system was completely under her control, and he had burst forth with incredible speed, escaping the battlefield at the cost of nearly overdrawing his own life force.

The price was evident. When Ceres released her control, Night Owl felt an unprecedented pain, worse than any torture.

What was more terrifying was that Ceres had severed the connection between his nerves and his throat, so he couldn’t even scream.

Luo Xue followed closely behind, and taking advantage of the lingering effects of All Day Flying Flowers, successfully helped them escape Luo Yong and Chen Ting’s pursuit.

Led by Ceres, the three arrived at an inconspicuous corner and entered a standard honeycomb room.

“Oh, Miss Guijiao, don’t move yet, let me check your injuries.”

As soon as they entered the room, Ceres rushed over to examine Luo Xue’s hands.

Taking a full-powered blow from a Level 7 ability user in their strongest form, even another Level 7 ability user wouldn’t be unscathed.

“I’m fine.” Luo Xue quickly pulled her hands away from Ceres and shook her head. “Just a minor injury, it will heal soon.”

Actually, after blocking Luo Yong’s attack, Luo Xue’s arms had been completely shattered. She couldn’t withstand a body cultivator of that level head-on, at least not yet.

But Luo Xue quickly used her survival points to heal her hands, barely managing to block the attack.

This was much more convenient than the Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill, just a bit more expensive, and it was a one-time use, which pained her.

[Survival Points -30]
[Current Survival Points: 980]

“You’re fine?”

Ceres asked suspiciously.

Could Miss Guijiao be a Level 8 ability user?

But that didn’t seem right…

Even for a Level 8 ability user, their advantage over a Level 7 ability user should be the ability to transform without any cost…

In their normal state, the difference between Level 7 and Level 8 wasn’t that big.

“Ahem… Big Sis, you don’t have to worry.” Luo Xue touched her nose and quickly changed the subject. “By the way, how did you know no one was here?”

“The second batch of Suspended High Towers were all built uniformly, their structures are almost identical, especially the lower three levels, even the locations of the rooms are the same.” Ceres answered Luo Xue’s question.

“This place is called an emergency shelter. It’s very close to the Suspended High Tower’s engine and can’t be used as a residence, but it can be used as a shelter in emergencies—it might be useful, perhaps, I don’t know, anyway, almost no one comes here.”

She glanced at the dying Night Owl, raised her finger, and released her control over his throat nerves.

“Aaargh… huh?”

Night Owl’s long-suppressed scream was cut short as the hellish pain disappeared.

“I’ve severed all your sensory nerves,” Ceres shrugged. “You’re welcome. I just didn’t want you to disturb Miss Guijiao’s questioning… And don’t look at me like that, I’m not going to eat you.”

Night Owl looked at Ceres, dressed as a punk girl, with fear in his eyes.

She was terrifying…

This woman toyed with his nervous system like it was a toy.

And he could only endure, powerless to resist.

“Why did you reveal my name?”

Luo Xue looked at Ceres, frowning slightly.

Although Li Guijiao was just an alias, it still represented her identity as a Federal officer. Being caught by Suspended High Tower 132 wouldn’t be good.

“He’s about to die, it doesn’t matter.” Ceres said, a hint of pity in her eyes. “His heart meridian is severed. Even the best healers can’t do anything… That enforcer is quite something.”

“Who… are you…” Night Owl’s pupils constricted, then he sighed. “Are you also after Qualcomm’s secret? No… you can’t handle it.”

“I don’t know if what I want to ask is related to this so-called secret, but even if it is, I have to know.”

Luo Xue walked up to Night Owl, who was slumped against the ground, and looked down at him.

She suddenly realized that Night Owl had looked at her like this two years ago, with the same pitying gaze.

Only this time… their roles were reversed.

“Ask away.”

Night Owl seemed uncomfortable being looked at like this and averted his gaze.

“In March of the thirty-first year of the twelfth Eternal Night, you accepted a mission to assassinate someone.” Luo Xue said faintly. “I want to know… why?”

Night Owl abruptly turned to look at Luo Xue, his face filled with disbelief.

“How do you know about this mission? Are you… Qualcomm’s person?”

But he quickly dismissed this guess.

“No, if you were Qualcomm’s person… you wouldn’t be asking me.”

“So, do you know the true purpose of this mission?” Luo Xue asked again.

“I do.” Night Owl lowered his eyelids. “It seems you really want to know that deadly secret…”

“Hurry up and tell us, you don’t have much time left.” Ceres added.

“Are you really sure…”

Night Owl still hesitated. After all, these two girls had gone through so much trouble to save him, and he didn’t want to harm them.

“Do you think that if we took you away, and then you died… would the Suspended High Tower think it’s more likely that you kept the secret, or that you shared it?”

Luo Xue said faintly, “The moment you fell into our hands, the Suspended High Tower should have already assumed that we know the secret.”

“…That’s true, I told you so.” Night Owl sighed in resignation. “That mission was to silently assassinate a Wastelander child in a settlement. The true purpose… was to take away Lingxi’s daughter, Ling Ling, from the settlement.”

Luo Xue’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Ling Ling… was actually Lingxi’s legendary daughter?

Since few children in the settlement had living parents, including Luo Xue, Ling Ling being an orphan wasn’t unusual.

But Luo Xue quickly suppressed her surprise and continued listening.

Ceres noticed this, but didn’t say anything.

“There were many reasons why they had to go through such lengths to bring back Ling Ling. After all, killing a few Wastelanders wasn’t a big deal. They’re just… dead. Not many people would care.”

In his final moments, Night Owl calmly recounted the cruel truth.

“In short, Ling Ling was brought back to the Suspended High Tower and, in some way, participated in the experiment her father couldn’t finish, continuing the research on the awakening potion.”

“The research on the awakening potion isn’t a secret. Even the Federation knows about it.” Ceres said.

“As for Ling Ling’s existence, she was indeed registered in the rebuilt laboratory, and because of her young age, Suspended High Tower 132 was even fined for employing child labor. They just didn’t say she was Lingxi’s daughter.”

“You’re saying… Ling Ling is currently in Suspended High Tower 132?” Luo Xue turned to Ceres, her voice laced with anxiety.

“Logically, she should be. After the Federation issued the fine, they ordered Mayor Qualcomm to dismiss Ling Ling, but… they’re probably still continuing the research in secret.”

Ceres nodded, but her expression was still puzzled.

“But… how could a nine-year-old child conduct such research? When Lingxi committed suicide, he burned all his research data, not even the archives have any records.”

“They used some… special methods.” Night Owl’s voice was weak. His heart meridian was severed, and he was only alive because of Ceres’s ability. “She obtained Lingxi’s memories and thoughts. The legendary Lingxi Potion… its research has continued.”

“The Federation hasn’t completely banned the research, they just haven’t publicly approved it.” Ceres said. “The Council knows the value of this potion, the benefits it could bring, but there’s just a small price to pay… This isn’t a deadly secret.”

“No, you don’t know his true purpose… the true purpose of his research.” A bitter smile appeared on Night Owl’s lips. “It’s not about letting ordinary people become ability users. The original goal… was to explore the tenth level, beyond the ninth level of ability users.”

“Hmm?”

Ceres frowned slightly. She wanted to say that it didn’t seem like a big deal, but she patiently continued listening.

“Qualcomm is also an ability user, a Level 9 ability user, this… shouldn’t be a secret within the Federation, right?” Night Owl said slowly.

Ceres nodded.

“But you don’t know his ability… Have you heard of ‘string theory’? His ability proves the existence of ‘string theory,’ and he even created a device that can change ‘string vibrations’ based on it, but a Level 9 ability user isn’t strong enough to fully control it.”

Night Owl said in a low voice, “In other words, Qualcomm wants to… travel between worlds. He wants to take the entire Suspended High Tower 132 and leave this world filled with disasters and nightmares by changing its ‘string vibrations’…”

“Impossible,” Ceres immediately blurted out. She had done extensive research on this. “Even if ‘string theory’ is proven, traveling to other worlds by changing ‘string vibrations’ is almost impossible.”

“Not to mention whether we can even adapt to the basic rules of other worlds, it’s hard to say if ‘other worlds’ even exist.”

From her earlier discussion with Luo Xue on the small aircraft, it was clear that Ceres was fascinated by this topic and was among those who most readily accepted this theory.

Even she thought it was impossible. If Qualcomm’s plan was revealed, it would never be approved.

Moreover…

Qualcomm wanted to take an entire Suspended High Tower with him.

This was something the Federation would never accept. Every Suspended High Tower was humanity’s most valuable asset, and losing even one was a great loss.

“We have to report this to the Federation immediately.”

Ceres took out her digital terminal.

“Wait a moment.” Luo Xue raised her hand and stopped Ceres. “This matter… can’t be revealed now.”

“Why?”

Ceres paused.

“Do you think the Federation will allow Qualcomm to continue his research?” Luo Xue asked.

“Absolutely not, even the most radical council members wouldn’t allow such a crazy act.” Ceres shook her head.

“Based on your understanding of Qualcomm, what do you think he will do… once the Federation decides to intervene?” Luo Xue asked again.

Ceres was silent for a moment, then put down her digital terminal.

“He will immediately activate the ‘string vibration’ device, even if it’s out of control.”

“At that time, the entire Suspended High Tower 132 will be buried along with his madness.” Luo Xue said softly.

This was why Night Owl couldn’t reveal this secret. As long as someone knew, Qualcomm would silence them.

If too many people knew, he would activate the device, and everyone would die, along with the entire Suspended High Tower.

A difficult choice.

“Hehehe… I’ll leave it to you…”

Night Owl looked at the two girls’ troubled expressions and chuckled triumphantly.

Luo Xue glanced at him and suddenly said,

“Do you know who I am?”

“You are…”

Night Owl narrowed his eyes. He had been guessing Luo Xue’s identity since they met, but he couldn’t figure it out.

Luo Xue’s appearance was different from anyone he knew, and those who could block Luo Yong’s full-powered attack with their bare hands were extremely rare. He couldn’t tell.

“In this life, I… did have a good start.” Luo Xue said slowly.

“What!” Night Owl’s eyes widened. “You… you are…”

He remembered.

The stubborn gaze of the girl buried under the rocks was still fresh in his memory.

It was her.

She… wasn’t dead?

Or… had she been reborn?

An indescribable sense of absurdity and irony filled his mind. Night Owl felt like the world was playing a joke on him.

At this moment, his heart meridian completely ruptured, his pupils losing focus, and the life known as “Night Owl” quietly ended.

“Miss Guijiao, what do you mean?”

Ceres was completely confused. Why did Night Owl suddenly know her identity after hearing those words?

She had used all the resources of the Federation and couldn’t find any information about Luo Xue, only concluding that she was a Wastelander before and therefore had no records in the Suspended High Towers.

“He played a joke on me before, and I’m just returning the joke.” Luo Xue said, then sighed. “Actually, I just want to know where Ling Ling is…”

Chapter 140: Hidden Flower, All Day Flying Flowers 

A sharp, deadly dark light flashed, and Night Owl barely dodged. He was covered in wounds, exhausted.

Although he had obtained the gene potion and advanced to Level 6 after completing the mission to assassinate Luo Xue, facing a Level 7 martial artist and a Level 7 enforcer simultaneously, he was still outmatched, only able to flee.

“There’s no point running anymore, you can’t escape, Night Owl.” Luo Yong sighed. “Just give up… We’ll burn incense for you every year.”

“Spare me the pleasantries. If you really want to help me… let me leave the tower.” Night Owl chuckled bitterly, gripping his hidden blade. “I just want to live. I can’t survive on Suspended High Tower 132.”

“What secret did you learn…”

Luo Yong was increasingly puzzled. Why did Night Owl suddenly betray them, going from the mayor’s most trusted subordinate to his most wanted target?

Even if he knew, learning this secret would put him in the same situation as Night Owl, but he couldn’t help his curiosity.

“Heh… it’s too crazy. Even if I told you, you wouldn’t dare to believe it.”

Night Owl dodged Chen Ting’s dark light attack, but this time, he wasn’t fast enough, another wound appearing on his body.

Enforcers could control various elements, some even able to manipulate natural disasters within a certain area.

Chen Ting was a Shadow Enforcer. Perhaps influenced by the shadow element, she was always silent.

Luo Yong’s strength was enough to kill Night Owl, but it would take time.

The reason Qualcomm sent Chen Ting as well was that he knew only she would kill without hesitation.

She was like an emotionless killing machine, every move aimed at Night Owl’s vital points.

“Sorry, brother, but if that’s the case, I can only make you suffer a bit more.” Luo Yong took a deep breath, his muscles bulging, his eyes bloodshot. “Hopefully, in our next lives… we can still be brothers.”

In an instant, Luo Yong transformed into a four to five-meter giant, his muscles swelling abnormally, turning an iron-gray color, metallic crystals erupting from his flesh, gleaming coldly.

Luo Yong had decided to end his brother’s life quickly, paying the price to activate his ability.

In this form, Luo Yong could crush even Yinke alloy, humanity’s strongest material, with his bare hands.

Night Owl, an assassin, didn’t have the robust physique of a martial artist. A single punch could shatter his bones, turning him into a bloody mess.

Chen Ting frowned slightly and said coldly,

“Is this necessary?”

This transformation put a heavy strain on an ability user’s body and wasn’t used lightly unless facing a formidable foe.

“Sending my brother off is worth it.” Luo Yong exhaled hot air, his body rapidly heating up to adapt to the metalized blood and flesh. “Don’t worry, I’ll control myself and try not to damage the machinery and equipment here.”

Chen Ting didn’t say anything, tacitly agreeing.

She turned and attacked Night Owl again, several hidden blades forcing him into a corner.

At the same time, Luo Yong leaped high, his fist smashing down towards Night Owl.

“Sorry, brother, this might hurt a bit… but it will be quick!”

Looking at the approaching metal giant, Night Owl’s pupils constricted.

He opened his mouth, wanting to reveal the secret.

Once they knew this secret, the mayor would never let them go.

But…

“Qualcomm… Mayor, you’re quite the schemer, sending Luo Yong and Chen Ting to kill me.” Night Owl closed his eyes slowly, sighing inwardly. “I still can’t… let them, let the entire Suspended High Tower, be buried with me…”

“Boom—”

The iron fist struck.

Night Owl was unharmed.

He opened his eyes in astonishment and saw a small, unfamiliar girl before him.

The girl, with her slender arms, had blocked Luo Yong’s punch.

“Hiss… that hurts. She must be a peak Foundation Establishment body cultivator…”

Luo Xue winced, pushed Luo Yong away, and shook her hands in pain.

Nangong Mengxiang was a peak Foundation Establishment body cultivator, troublesome even for Core Formation cultivators.

“Wow, you even blocked ‘Iron Man Luo Yong’s’ punch. It seems I underestimated you.”

A woman’s surprised voice came from beside them, but she didn’t seem too shocked.

Luo Yong, staggering back, looked at the scene before him in astonishment.

He hadn’t expected to be stopped by a little girl who didn’t even look like an adult.

More importantly…

Where did these two come from?

Luo Xue and Ceres had both disguised themselves to avoid giving Suspended High Tower 132 any excuse.

After all, they were here as Federal officers, and interfering in the tower’s internal affairs was a taboo.

Luo Xue had several classic disguises.

Ceres had shown Luo Xue her amazing makeup skills. Before the transformation, Ceres had looked like a knowledgeable professional woman.

But after putting on makeup, she had become… a punk girl.

Exaggerated eye makeup, tanned skin, pink wavy hair, and purple lipstick. She looked like a different person.

Luo Xue almost thought Ceres also knew the Thousand Faces Cultivation Art.

“Who… who are you…”

Night Owl stared blankly at the two, as if they had descended from the heavens, unable to understand. When had he ever known… such a strange pair?

They actually risked offending the Suspended High Tower to save him?

“Don’t misunderstand, we just want to ask you something.” Luo Xue glanced at Night Owl. “I was watching just now, you and this iron man seem to be quite close?”

Seeing Night Owl again, Luo Xue felt a strange sense of irony.

Two years ago, she had been hunted by Night Owl, and two years later, she had saved his life.

Although the reason she saved him was to ask about Ling Ling’s whereabouts.

“…We grew up together, like brothers.”

Night Owl’s eyes flickered, and he lowered his head.

“Forget about your past. Ce… Big Sis, find a place where we can talk, take him there.” Luo Xue looked at Ceres.

“No problem.”

Ceres snapped her fingers, and an invisible force made Night Owl stand up.

“You’re… a Seer? Level 7?” Night Owl was shocked.

“You know about that too?” Ceres blinked. “But I’m not, I’m just a kind-hearted passerby.”

“…Although I don’t know who you are, you’re harming him by doing this.” Luo Yong said in a deep voice, his voice like the clang of metal. “In his situation, a quick death is the best outcome.”

Chen Ting also wasn’t idle. Several hidden blades were aimed at Night Owl, and a few more were hidden, aimed at Luo Xue.

“Sorry, we’ll return him to you after we’re done asking.”

Luo Xue said apologetically, but she stood between Luo Yong and Night Owl.

Luo Yong’s expression darkened.

“Are you also interested in the secret he knows? If so… you can’t leave either.”

“What secret?” Luo Xue paused, then realized it was the erased records in the Archives Bureau. “I’m not interested. I just want to know some other things.”

“…No matter what, you can’t leave.”

Luo Yong strode forward, charging towards Luo Xue.

Although he was large, his movements were surprisingly agile. In the blink of an eye, he passed Luo Xue and lunged towards Night Owl.

Luo Xue quickly followed, blocking Luo Yong again.

But perhaps because Luo Xue looked like a child, and a girl at that, Luo Yong didn’t want to fight her and dodged again, his movements almost a blur.

However, Ceres intervened.

She activated her ability, and Luo Yong instantly felt his body stiffen, falling from mid-air.

He lost control of his body, as if all his nerves had been severed.

“Don’t move.”

The heavily made-up punk girl looked at the falling Luo Yong with a gentle smile, a hint of mockery in her eyes.

“She’s… a Seer who can control the nervous system?”

Luo Yong’s pupils constricted, wanting to warn Chen Ting.

But he couldn’t speak. His nervous system wasn’t his own.

Those with this ability were rare. Who was this woman?

Although Suspended High Tower 132 also had an ability user with a similar ability, her level wasn’t high, only Level 4, not on the same level as this woman.

To be able to affect a Level 7 ability user, she had to be at Level 7 or above.

At the same time, Chen Ting, who had been silent, also made her move.

While Luo Yong was still talking, she had already moved to a suitable position, waiting for an opportunity.

And the moment Luo Yong was hit by Ceres’s ability, Chen Ting struck, several hidden blades flying towards Night Owl’s throat and heart.

Unfortunately, Ceres had also anticipated Chen Ting’s intentions. Under her control, Night Owl burst with incredible speed, dodging the blades.

However… Chen Ting didn’t hesitate and instantly entered her shadow state.

Just like Luo Yong’s metallization, the shadow state was also Chen Ting’s strongest form, allowing her to use the shadow element to briefly walk in the shadow realm.

Half of her beautiful face transformed into a ferocious ghost, and her body gradually turned dark and translucent.

“How troublesome.” Ceres frowned slightly. “A Level 7 ability user’s form transformation… tsk, using it so frequently will shorten your lifespan.”

“In our line of work, living to a ripe old age is impossible.”

Chen Ting’s cold voice echoed from all directions, like a demonic whisper.

Countless hidden blades shot out from different directions, blocking all of Night Owl’s escape routes.

Night Owl’s eyes showed despair. He knew that if the Level 7 ability user hadn’t transformed, he could still have a chance.

But once she went all out… it was a complete crushing defeat.

Reaching Level 7 was a qualitative change for ability users. When their bodies reached a certain critical point, they could overload their abilities.

This overload would cause mutations in their bodies, transforming them into another form, and their combat power would also greatly increase.

A Level 7 ability user in their normal state was roughly equivalent to the Foundation Establishment Realm, and after transformation, they could rival even peak Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Luo Xue’s previous judgment of ability users’ strength was slightly off. The limit of the human body was indeed the peak of Foundation Establishment, but ability users after transformation were on a different path.

The metalized Luo Yong and the shadow-formed Chen Ting, in a sense, could no longer be considered human.

Just then, Luo Xue, who hadn’t been able to catch up to Luo Yong, arrived.

She didn’t know why Chen Ting’s combat power had suddenly increased, but she had a countermeasure.

—”Hidden Flower.”

Although she had only charged it for half a day, it was enough to double the power of her next strike.

However, Luo Xue hadn’t brought a sword, and she hadn’t reached the level where she could use her fingers as a sword.

So…

Luo Xue’s gaze fell on the fallen Luo Yong.

To be precise, on the metallic crystals that had erupted from his body after his metallization.

Luo Yong, sensing Luo Xue’s gaze, felt a chill down his spine.

“What is this little girl planning?”

“I’ll borrow something from you.”

Luo Xue reached out and pulled out a piece of metal crystal, along with some flesh and blood. With a swipe of her finger, the metal crystal transformed into a short dagger.

Luo Yong didn’t feel any pain, his nerves were disconnected, but the scene still made him break out in a cold sweat.

All of this happened in a few breaths. By the time Luo Xue had the metal dagger, the hidden blades had already struck Night Owl.

Ceres calmly controlled Night Owl’s nerves, minimizing his injuries, barely keeping him alive.

As Chen Ting was about to launch her next attack, Luo Xue’s childish voice rang out.

“All Day—”

Instantly, brilliant flower petals seemed to fall from the sky, swirling and dancing, enveloping the entire battlefield.

And amidst these falling petals, Luo Xue, holding a dagger, appeared beside Chen Ting.

The falling flowers and the young girl created a beautiful scene.

The next moment, killing intent filled the air.

“—Flying Flowers!”

Every flower petal carried a terrifying killing intent, attacking Chen Ting. Even in her shadow state, she couldn’t completely avoid them.

Chen Ting was forced to teleport away, escaping the range of All Day Flying Flowers.

She had a strong feeling that if she was directly hit, she would die—after all, Chen Ting wasn’t a martial artist and didn’t have many defensive methods.

“Thump—”

As Luo Yong’s massive body crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust, the short battle came to an end.

When the dust settled, both the mysteriously appearing sisters and Night Owl were gone.

“They… took Night Owl and escaped?” Luo Yong clutched his injured arm, his face darkening. “Damn it, it’s all my fault…”

“Night Owl won’t survive. The hidden blades pierced his heart.”

Chen Ting shook her head, her alluring figure emerging from the shadows, looking at the empty ground.

“But… before he died, would he tell his saviors that deadly secret?”

Chapter 139: Ling Ling’s Little Secret

Ninth level of Suspended High Tower 132.

Ling Ling sat in her room, several vials of potions before her, the fruits of her recent labor.

Or rather, her father’s work.

—Awakening potions.

A miraculous creation that could grant ordinary people abilities, humanity’s most ambitious attempt in this disaster-ridden civilization, on the verge of success, just one step away.

However, for some reason…

Whenever Ling Ling looked at these potions, fragmented memories would surface in her mind, filling her with sadness and helplessness.

Why…

Where did these feelings come from?

Ling Ling looked down at her chest.

Around her neck was a beautiful necklace, its pendant a crimson gem, faintly emitting a sinister red light.

Ling Ling gently picked up the pendant and held it up to the warm light above, staring intently.

“Daddy…?”

A silent ray of light emanated from the crimson gem.

Mayor Qualcomm had told her that this was the only thing her father had left her, and by wearing it, she would gain his wisdom, to complete his unfinished work.

Mayor Qualcomm was right. Ling Ling knew that whenever she stood at the lab table, countless thoughts and memories would guide her experiments.

If she took off the necklace, she couldn’t understand any of the experimental parameters or procedures…

However…

Ling Ling had no memories of her father, as described by Mayor Qualcomm.

Her earliest memories were of living in the wasteland with other Wastelanders, struggling to survive.

Until she was seven years old, when everyone she knew had died in accidents, and she was left alone in the settlement, found by Qualcomm and brought back to the Suspended High Tower.

But even though life in the Suspended High Tower was much better than in the settlement, Ling Ling still didn’t feel a sense of belonging.

She felt lost and uncertain, always cautious, afraid of upsetting others.

Mayor Qualcomm said that these experiments were her father’s unfinished work and that she had to continue them. Ling Ling agreed.

Her innocent mind couldn’t understand all of this. In her eyes, Mayor Qualcomm was a good person, who treated her well, although he looked scary and fierce.

“Creak…”

Just then, the door opened slightly.

A thin figure appeared at the doorway, a middle-aged man in a wheelchair, looking older than usual.

“Uncle Qualcomm?”

Ling Ling quickly put down the necklace pendant, her movements flustered.

“Relax, Little Doctor, why don’t you rest for a bit?” Qualcomm said gently, a smile on his face. “Still… working?”

“No, Uncle Qualcomm, I’m already resting.”

Ling Ling shook her head and said softly.

Qualcomm didn’t enter the room, just sat at the doorway, looking at the potions in front of Ling Ling, a complicated look flashing through his eyes.

“Sigh, still… not much progress?”

These awakening potions were all theories proposed by Lingxi when he was alive. Ling Ling was only responsible for verifying and replicating them.

But even so… the progress was still far from ideal.

Even though Ling Ling’s compatibility with the “Lingxi Remains” she wore had reached an astonishing level, compared to Lingxi, she was still less than half as capable.

Not to mention replicating Lingxi’s brilliant ideas, even continuing his research was extremely difficult.

Qualcomm knew that the appearance of one Lingxi was already a miracle. He shouldn’t expect a second one.

Even Lingxi’s biological daughter couldn’t do it.

“Um, Uncle Qualcomm, is it because… I’m too stupid…”

Ling Ling asked timidly, her eyes filled with anxiety.

“No, Little Doctor, this matter… is my fault.” Qualcomm sighed and closed his eyes slightly. “If not for the mistake I made back then… sigh, it wouldn’t have come to this.”

His mistake was letting Lingxi know about the public opinion, letting him know that he was the culprit behind the deaths of thousands, which led him to choose suicide in despair and pain.

If he had realized this earlier, Qualcomm would have confined Lingxi, just like the current Ling Ling, on the eighth or ninth level, blocking all outside information, and let him focus on his research.

Ling Ling remained silent. The more Qualcomm said this, the more she felt it was her fault.

She lowered her head, clutching her clothes tightly.

“It’s fine, just continue the research at a normal pace, don’t rush, relax.”

Qualcomm smiled gently, trying to ease the atmosphere. “By the way, Little Doctor, do you know why I call you Little Doctor, instead of your name?”

“Why?”

Ling Ling looked up slightly, her beautiful eyes filled with childlike curiosity.

“Because your father’s nickname since childhood was ‘Doctor.’ He was always very smart, a genius, so we all liked to call him Doctor. I didn’t expect him to actually get a doctorate from the Federation and even hold an important position in the Federal Laboratory.”

A look of reminiscence appeared in Qualcomm’s eyes. “If I hadn’t called him back, he would probably still be at Federal Headquarters. Heh… it’s a pity, there are no ‘ifs’.”

Ling Ling listened, but didn’t speak.

Whether it was Uncle Qualcomm or her father, they were both strangers to her, and these past stories didn’t resonate with her.

However, Qualcomm was just here for some casual conversation.

He wouldn’t reveal anything she shouldn’t know. He didn’t want to make the same mistake again.

More importantly, after today, once Night Owl was dead, many secrets would be buried forever.

The only place that might leak these secrets, the Archives Bureau, had already been burned down by Qualcomm, and he had even blamed it on Night Owl.

If nothing unexpected happened, Ling Ling would spend the rest of her life in the laboratory, carrying her father’s will, continuing this great, yet unacceptable, experiment, and the deeper secrets within it.

“Little Doctor, you’ve worked hard recently, so take a break. I’m also going to rest for a bit.” Qualcomm looked up, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening. “When you get old, you always think about the past, wanting to chat with old friends. I hope you don’t find me annoying, little one.”

“No, no,” Ling Ling quickly waved her hands. “Uncle Qualcomm… is a good person.”

“Heh… if you say so.”

Qualcomm smiled noncommittally, left the room, and thoughtfully closed the door behind him.

After Qualcomm left, the small room became quiet again, and Ling Ling breathed a sigh of relief.

Whenever she faced Uncle Qualcomm, although he was always kind, Ling Ling couldn’t help but feel afraid.

She lay down on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

She wondered… how was Sister Xue’er doing now?

Was she missing, or…

No, impossible, she would definitely find Sister Xue’er…

Ling Ling slowly closed her eyes and unknowingly entered a meditative state, the Breathing Technique circulating naturally.

After Luo Xue taught her the Breathing Technique, Ling Ling had been cultivating diligently, but the results weren’t very good. She could only barely progress in the Post-Heaven Realm, mostly just strengthening her body.

Actually, the best time to start cultivating was around ten years old, when the soul was fully formed. Forcibly cultivating earlier could damage the body.

However, the Breathing Technique was different. As the most common cultivation technique in the Immortal Domain, even ordinary people with a little bit of talent could cultivate it, so it was fine for Ling Ling to start early, even if her strength didn’t improve much.

Of course, there were still benefits. At least, her strength was much greater than that of ordinary children, and nourished by the spiritual energy, Ling Ling had become quite graceful, looking older than her actual age.

…

“Hmm? The surrounding spiritual energy seems to be disturbed?”

Luo Xue paused slightly. Her senses were very sharp, especially towards changes in spiritual energy.

This level of disturbance was common in the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss, but this was her first time encountering it in the post-apocalyptic world—after all, she hadn’t embarked on the path of cultivation before and couldn’t sense spiritual energy.

“What are you talking about?”

Ceres looked up and asked.

“It’s nothing, you continue, you continue…”

Luo Xue scratched her cheek.

Perhaps, it was just some special ability…

Luo Xue and Ceres were currently in the Archives Bureau on the seventh level, avoiding all of the mayor’s eyes and ears.

The Federation had established Archives Bureaus and Investigation Bureaus in every Suspended High Tower, independent of the towers themselves, answering only to the Federation.

Therefore… information like access control and surveillance here wouldn’t go through the Suspended High Tower, but directly to the Federation.

Of course, the guards around were still from the Suspended High Tower, but for Ceres, a Seer, ordinary people couldn’t stop her.

Ceres easily snuck Luo Xue into the Archives Bureau and began searching for Night Owl’s file.

“This is… strange…” Ceres put down her digital terminal and scratched her head. “How could this be?”

“What’s wrong?”

Luo Xue looked up and asked.

“About Night Owl… a lot of information is missing from his file. This is normal, since he’s an assassin, doing dirty work for Suspended High Tower 132 for many years, but it shouldn’t be… completely blank, without any records.”

Ceres flipped through the information on the digital terminal. “Look here, three months of information from two years ago were deliberately erased. After returning from a special mission, the next record is that he fled after the Archives Bureau arson incident and is still at large.”

“You’re saying… the Suspended High Tower tampered with it?”

“Impossible, although this data is stored within the Suspended High Tower, but… wait, the arson case before?” Ceres seemed to realize something and frowned slightly. “Could it be the arson case… yes, it’s possible, using the arson case to erase a portion of the records, this has happened before…”

“But when the data was restored, the Federation should have checked and made sure there were no missing important files…”

“Do you think Night Owl’s file is important?” Luo Xue suddenly asked.

Ceres paused, then shook her head.

“It’s… not really important…”

“Perhaps there are other files you consider unimportant that were also destroyed, and Night Owl knows about them.” Luo Xue said in a deep voice. “It seems that this Mayor Qualcomm… is indeed hiding quite a few things.”

Ceres wasn’t surprised. She said,

“It’s normal. Every Suspended High Tower has its secrets, and so does the Federation. So as long as it’s within the rules… these things are tacitly approved.”

“Hmm… well, there are some things I want to know. Since the files were destroyed, I can only find Night Owl himself.” Luo Xue said.

She had originally wanted to see if she could find any information about Ling Ling in the Archives Bureau, but she found nothing. Now, the only one who might know Ling Ling’s whereabouts was Night Owl.

She couldn’t just ask Qualcomm directly…

Luo Xue wasn’t that naive, and her Foundation Establishment cultivation didn’t allow her to act recklessly in the Suspended High Tower.

“But where can we find Night Owl… He’s still a fugitive. According to the records, Suspended High Tower 132 has been searching for him for two years without any results.” Ceres asked.

“It’s just that the records haven’t been updated. Liu Yun’s reaction just now was quite obvious.” Luo Xue said in a deep voice. “I initially thought she just didn’t want us to interfere in the affairs of this tower city, but now it seems… it’s probably because Night Owl knows something he shouldn’t.”

The destroyed files, the deliberately concealed information, and Mayor Qualcomm’s hasty departure just now…

“So now, they must be pursuing Night Owl.” Luo Xue said with certainty. “At least for now, the battle isn’t over yet!”

Once the battle ended, the files would be updated.

Just a simple sentence, “The mastermind of the Archives Bureau arson case resisted arrest and was killed,” and these secrets would be buried forever.

Ceres pondered for a moment, then said,

“If what you said is true, then he should be on the lower three levels.”

“Why?”

Luo Xue asked.

“Because for such a search, they can be thorough on the upper and middle three levels, but the lower three levels… it’s difficult to conduct a thorough search.” Ceres smiled wryly.

“Because the lower three levels are all maintenance workers, their registration files aren’t complete, and even with tight security, there are still some Wastelanders who sneak in during docking. There are many unregistered residents.”

“The higher-ups don’t really care. After all, the resource quota for the lower three levels is fixed. More people mean less for each person. The specific distribution is up to the workers themselves. Even a few deaths aren’t a big deal.”

“In this situation… how can they conduct a thorough search?”

Chapter 138: The Secret of Suspended High Tower 132

“Okay, I understand.”

Qualcomm closed the digital terminal and handed it to a waiting subordinate, his expression turning serious.

He had been accompanying Luo Xue and Ceres on a tour of the seventh level of the tower, but before they could go far, Qualcomm received a call and seemed to have learned something.

“Master Qualcomm, do you have something urgent to attend to?” Ceres asked. “If so, please go ahead, there’s no need to personally guide us.”

Luo Xue and Ceres had originally intended to explore the tower city themselves.

But Qualcomm insisted on being their guide, saying that they couldn’t neglect Federal officers.

As for whether he really thought that… or didn’t want Luo Xue and Ceres to roam freely within the tower city, it was unknown.

“Heh… it’s not exactly urgent, but I do have something to attend to. I might… have to excuse myself for a while.”

Qualcomm said with a regretful expression. After a moment of contemplation, he waved to someone beside him.

“Xiao Liu, come here and accompany the two officers around the city.”

A woman in a black business suit with short hair stepped forward, her head slightly lowered, and replied,

“Yes, Mayor.”

“Xiao Liu is my secretary’s assistant. She’s very familiar with the city.” Qualcomm looked at Luo Xue and Ceres with a smile. “If you have any questions, you can ask her.”

“Miss Guijiao, Ms. Ceres,” Assistant Xiao Liu extended her hand to Ceres. “My name is Liu Yun. Pleased to meet you.”

“Miss Yun, hello.”

Ceres replied with a smile.

“Actually, it should be Miss Liu…”

Luo Xue corrected from the side.

“Hmm?” Ceres blinked. “Really? But why can I call you Miss Guijiao…”

“I just don’t bother correcting people.”

“You can call me whatever you like,” Liu Yun seemed rather serious, her tone indifferent. “We’ll also need your cooperation with our work later.”

Hearing this, before Luo Xue and Ceres could speak, Qualcomm waved his hand dismissively, feigning a stern expression.

“Hey, what are you saying? How can we ask Federal officers to cooperate with us? Xiao Liu, it should be us cooperating with the Federal officers.”

“…It’s fine, it’s the same.”

Although Ceres maintained her smile, she cursed this old fox inwardly.

This was clearly his instruction to Liu Yun, yet he had to say it like this.

“Master Qualcomm, we won’t delay your business any further. We’ll be going then.”

Ceres raised an eyebrow. She didn’t want to stay with this old fox any longer.

“Alright, alright, have fun.”

Qualcomm leaned back in his wheelchair, his expression amiable.

Ceres and Luo Xue bowed to him, then continued walking under Liu Yun’s guidance.

Watching their receding figures, Qualcomm’s expression gradually darkened, his amiable demeanor gone.

“Have you caught him?” He asked slowly.

“We’re still pursuing him. The target’s strength is not to be underestimated.” The subordinate said in a low voice. “At least a Level 6 ability user… Master Luo Yong is on his way. The second level has been completely sealed off. He can’t escape.”

“Two years ago… you also said that.” Qualcomm said faintly.

“This subordinate knows his mistake.”

The subordinate immediately lowered his head.

“Let bygones be bygones. Just capture him quickly.”

Qualcomm waved his hand, leaned back in his chair, and frowned slightly.

“He’s been hiding on the second level for two years… I didn’t even consider the possibility of him disguising himself as a technician. But why expose himself now?”

“This subordinate doesn’t know, but… there’s a guess.” The subordinate said. “He’s in the department responsible for maintaining and activating the docking facility. His original plan was probably to tamper with it during docking and escape.”

“But he exposed himself in broad daylight, and when the Federal officers arrived… Perhaps he mistakenly thought this docking procedure was with the ground?”

Qualcomm’s face darkened as he listened, and he didn’t speak.

After a moment, he shook his head.

“No, that’s unlikely. Night Owl is so cautious, he wouldn’t make such a mistake. There must be… another plan.”

Qualcomm looked up in the direction Luo Xue and Ceres had left and said slowly,

“Federal officers… that’s right, there aren’t many opportunities to contact Federal officers. He must want to tell them what he knows. He deliberately exposed himself!”

Qualcomm’s heart sank even further.

“Has Luo Yong arrived yet?” Qualcomm asked softly, his voice hoarse.

“Not yet… but soon, very soon!” The subordinate quickly replied. “The city defense department has already started narrowing down the search area. Once Master Luo Yong arrives, the capture operation can begin immediately!”

“Not enough, send Chen Ting as well.” Qualcomm’s fingers unconsciously tapped the leather armrest of his wheelchair. “The mission objective has changed. Kill Night Owl.”

“Kill… kill Master Night Owl?”

The subordinate’s face was filled with panic.

“Yes, I originally wanted to ask him a few more questions before permanently eliminating the threat, but since he’s so uncooperative, forget it.” Qualcomm said indifferently, then turned his wheelchair and headed towards the gravity elevator. “I’m going to rest. I want to see his corpse when I wake up.”

“As you command, Master Qualcomm.”

The subordinates bowed in unison, watching Qualcomm enter the gravity elevator.

The mayor was returning to the ninth level of the tower. No one dared to follow.

Only after the elevator doors closed did the subordinates start whispering amongst themselves.

“What exactly did Master Night Owl do wrong? First, they pursued him, then they locked down the tower, and now they want to kill him?”

“Are you new here? Haven’t you heard the rumors? It’s said that he knows some secrets he shouldn’t know… things that even Master Luo Yong and Master Chen Ting, who are a level higher than him, don’t dare to touch!”

“Sigh, the affairs of these big shots… it’s better not to know too much. You never know when your head might roll…”

“Keep your voice down, don’t let anyone hear. This is the seventh level. Some things… should only be said on the lower three levels.”

The lower three levels were where the maintenance personnel worked, and supervision there was lax. The big shots rarely paid attention to this place. Otherwise, how could Night Owl have avoided so many searches?

But gossip aside, the mayor’s orders still had to be carried out immediately.

Soon, the order to kill Night Owl reached Luo Yong and Chen Ting.

They had been colleagues with Night Owl, all members of the High Tower’s Special Operations Team. Receiving the order to kill their old friend filled them with mixed emotions.

But they also knew very well that once their old friend accidentally learned some things, he had no chance of survival.

“After all, it’s about… Master Qualcomm’s deceased brother, Dr. Lingxi… Why bother?”

…

On the second level of the Suspended High Tower, Night Owl was desperately trying to escape.

Unlike the order and structure of the upper three levels, the lower three levels were relatively chaotic, which gave Night Owl a chance.

But clearly, this chance was running out.

Although the second level housed precious equipment and devices, and destructive weapons couldn’t be used, Qualcomm didn’t care about the cost of capturing Night Owl. The city defense department was using human lives as a barrier, forcibly restricting Night Owl within a small area.

They were playing a game of cat and mouse in this small area.

The cats were his two old friends, and he was the trapped rat.

“Night Owl, give up.” Luo Yong sighed. “For old times’ sake… I’ll make sure you die painlessly.”

“No… Boss, you don’t understand what Qualcomm is doing.” Night Owl took a deep breath and said, “As long as I’m in this Suspended High Tower, I’m not safe.”

“Don’t worry, Boss, I won’t tell you. Because those who know… have to die. If everyone knew, Suspended High Tower 132 would be gone. Qualcomm… is a complete lunatic!”

Luo Yong’s heart trembled upon hearing this, but Chen Ting wasn’t affected.

She moved swiftly, pressing towards Night Owl, her attacks fierce and deadly.

The battle on the second level had a huge impact on the entire Suspended High Tower, almost half of the tower’s systems shutting down.

…

“Anything else you want to know?” Liu Yun asked faintly.

“Nothing.” Ceres shook her head.

Luo Xue leaned forward and asked, blinking,

“Sister Liu, what was the Mayor busy with just now?”

Although Luo Xue currently looked like a ghost, she was still quite cute.

Liu Yun almost stumbled at her words.

But she was a professional and quickly regained her composure, replying in her usual indifferent tone,

“I’m sorry, but what the Mayor does is not something I can know—I can only speak freely about what I’m allowed to know.”

“Oh.” Luo Xue nodded and asked casually, “Then, Sister Liu, do you know Night Owl?”

Liu Yun’s pupils constricted slightly, and she quickly lowered her head and said,

“Yes, a Federal wanted criminal, and the mastermind behind the arson case here. The Federation is very interested in him.”

Liu Yun naturally knew about the capture of Night Owl. Since the Mayor hadn’t told them anything, she didn’t dare to reveal anything either.

“Not really, I’m just personally interested in him.” Luo Xue said, staring intently at Liu Yun. “Just now, the Mayor went to deal with something related to Night Owl, right?”

Luo Xue was confident in her ability to read people. When she mentioned Night Owl, Liu Yun’s expression was like she was saying, “How did you know?”

Liu Yun was shocked that Luo Xue knew about this.

Although her surprise was only for a moment, it was enough for Luo Xue to notice.

“No, it’s not.” Liu Yun shook her head and said faintly. “Night Owl has been wanted by the Federation for a long time. How could the Mayor be dealing with his matters now?”

“If you say so, then it must be true.” Luo Xue snapped her fingers. “Sister Liu, you just said you didn’t know anything, but now you know it’s not?”

“…”

Liu Yun didn’t say anything. She seemed calm on the surface, but she had already let it slip.

“Miss Guijiao, what should we do now?”

Ceres rubbed her hands excitedly. She smelled something big brewing.

This trip was definitely worth it. It couldn’t be just for a formality, could it?

“Let’s get rid of these troublesome eavesdroppers first.”

Luo Xue glanced at Ceres and sighed softly.

She felt that Ceres was a bit too excited…

“No problem.”

Ceres responded, her green eyes turning blank, and an invisible mental wave swept out, a strong wave of drowsiness washing over everyone around them.

“Hypnosis ability?”

Luo Xue also felt the drowsiness, but she could still resist it.

“Just a small application.” Ceres said, but didn’t reveal her specific ability, being quite cautious.

Liu Yun’s eyes widened in shock.

“What are you trying to do?”

She was also a high-level ability user, and this simple hypnosis wasn’t very effective against her.

“Something that’s not convenient for others to see.” Luo Xue teleported behind Liu Yun. “Please rest for a while, Sister Liu, we’ll be back soon—sorry!”

“You—”

Liu Yun struggled against the drowsiness, trying her best to use her ability on Luo Xue.

But Luo Xue was faster.

“Stun Technique!”

She clenched her fist and punched Liu Yun in the head.

Liu Yun’s consciousness faltered slightly, and she could no longer resist the drowsiness, collapsing to the ground.

Luo Xue shook her hand. Although she couldn’t use techniques or abilities because of “Hidden Flower,” her physical strength was still very strong.

At least knocking someone out wasn’t a problem.

“You call that a Stun Technique?”

Ceres twitched her lips. She had thought it was some kind of special ability.

But…

Well, Miss Guijiao was indeed a martial artist. This was her ability.

“Just say whether it works or not.” Luo Xue rolled her eyes at Ceres, then picked up the unconscious Liu Yun. “Find a safe place to put these hypnotized people.”

“The seventh level usually has confession rooms, completely sealed small rooms.” Ceres said. “Once locked, they’re completely isolated from the outside world. It should be safe enough. Hey, do you want me to help you carry a few?”

“No need.”

Luo Xue picked up the remaining people with her other hand.

These were the spies lurking nearby, also affected by Ceres’s hypnosis.

A petite girl holding one person in her arms and carrying seven or eight others tied together with her other hand, this scene was quite impactful.

“Let’s go.” Luo Xue narrowed her eyes slightly. “I want to see… what exactly is going on with Night Owl.”