Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 358 - 006. Evil Path Speedrun

Chapter 358: 006. Evil Path Speedrun

The blue moon gradually waxed, and the sky in the east exploded with brilliant rays. Although the narrative-level supernova storm was far from here, one only needed to look up to see the Cobris Mage Fortress, a mage tower spanning over 200 square kilometers, diligently patrolling the orbit of Baizhu Star and safeguarding this educational stronghold.

Li Aozi walked through the wilderness. The cold wind, encountering him, shyly bowed its head and circled around. Moonlight actively illuminated the path ahead of him, and those mushroom mats, which had originally calmed down, now simultaneously lit up with an excited glow. The long night was not lonely; the world harmoniously coexisted with him.

"We’ve arrived."

He crossed the hill, stepping on history and the vicissitudes of life. Li Aozi bent down, reaching out to touch the jagged, broken stone slabs. His powerful [Charm] enhanced his senses to some degree. Just by his palm, he could feel the wind emanating from the buried ruins.

"It’s right here. If I were to follow the normal procedure, I would have to first go to Liusu City, find a peddler who calls himself the [Fisherman], purchase three treasure maps from him, then go to the tavern, resolve a brawl, and listen to a female poet narrate the story of ’Felicia’s Glory.’

A 19-point [Intelligence] had its advantages. Many details of the plot from the previous life game resurfaced in his mind at this moment.

"After collecting the three pieces of the treasure map, the female poet would reveal her true identity: she was a descendant of the C3 Luca Type Aliens and would inform you that recently, there had been mysterious disappearances among the C3 Luca Type Aliens, asking you to investigate."

Li Aozi raised his hand, rubbing his temples. Before his eyes, scenes from his past experiences replayed like a movie.

"Returning to the peddler now, he would tell you: ’Falysia was once a great nation resisting monster invasions. They came from the outer cosmos, a planet called Haines flowed to this place.’ The entire Haines Planet was founded by the C3 Luca Type Aliens."

The process of [Heroes of Falysia] was lengthy but not dull. With the brainpower boost from his intelligence, Li Aozi linked together the previously scattered details:

"It is worth mentioning that the peddler would speak of a warrior named ’Lichi Peak’—a powerful knight from the time of the Falysia civilization. He fought all his life, amassing unimaginable wealth and hinting that the missing C3 Luca Type Aliens might have gone to the tomb of [Heroes of Falysia] to seek the soul of ’Lichi Peak.’"

"The female poet would then tell you her real name—Vellia Saint Valendino. As an [Adventurous Saintess], she hoped you could purify the Falysia ruins and bring back those bewitched C3 Luca Type Aliens."

"Players could obtain a key to the relic’s chambers from both the peddler and the poet, leading to different rooms and hinting at different endings."

The entire task’s length was seven natural days, but most of this time was spent collecting treasures, finding Vellia, and locating the peddler, the so-called [Fisherman] Luodun. The combat and adventure parts would not exceed eight disappearances.

If the goal were merely to get the [Elemental Sorcerer] occupation, Li Aozi could use a rather unscrupulous method for a speedrun.

This questline seemed pointless. In the previous life, the storyline involving the C3 Luca Type Aliens was not extensive. This species was relatively scattered and did not have a large population compared to the Taidaling Clan. They were more famous as mercenaries scattered throughout the galaxy.

But now the situation might be different.

He encountered unprecedented enemies on the Azure Star—the [Secret Society] ’Gaia’ and its social citizens’ assault. The Narrow Space Mirror also showed unease and reverence towards the [Secret Society].

And the [Secret Society] seemed to have an extraordinary interest in the C3 Luca Type Aliens.

Combining the details from the previous life, the setting of ’Falysia being a country resisting monster invasions’—Li Aozi instantly realized that if Falysia was a civilization from a prior age, then the monsters here likely referred to the [Society].

[Societies], essentially, were living civilizations. They could acquire ’diversity’ by devouring other civilizations. The stronger the [Society], the more diversified its ’acquisitions.’ Entities like the [Outer Society] ’Perjalai,’ raised to an extremity, had no shortcomings or weaknesses, their diversity rivaling any civilization.

On the surface, the concept of [Society] seemed abstract, but it actually personified civilization, giving it human traits.

The identity composition of [Societies] was clear and straightforward, usually conveyed by names and titles.

For example, the [Forged Society] Philoris:

’Forgery’ was its title, indicating ’falseness’ or ’forgery’ effects.

’Society’ signified its membership as a part of the [Societies].

’Philoris’ was likely the name of the highest governor before Philoris transformed into a society, during the civilization phase when pseudo-humans were dominant.

Civilizations had the potential to ascend and become societies, hence no one dared to be careless, all fearing their own corruption and transformation into selfless social citizens.

Should Frost Plated ever become a society, its name might then be [Maternal Society] Metadewei, or it could be Delverine—as per Li Aozi’s past observations, a society’s name typically comprised of four characters.

The most peculiar aspect of the [Secret Society] was its name, only two characters: ’Gaia.’

Extremely unorthodox.

Contemplating the interwoven connections among the ’Secret Society,’ the ’C3 Luca Type Aliens,’ and [Heroes of Falysia], Li Aozi decided to delve deeper into the relationships.

Maybe, he could uncover the weaknesses of the Secret Society from this.

Since that was the case—

Clang!

Li Aozi raised the [Dust Sealed Sanctum], striking the ground with one sword. The cold blade instantly filled with holy light, bursting with radiant brilliance.

—Magic weapons naturally exhibited stronger power on a magic planet.

"Shipbreaker Master."

Without hesitation, he twisted the hilt. The blade extended immediately, and the sword’s edge began spinning at high speed. The surge of sacred light shredded fiercely in an instant, transforming into a golden storm that swiftly bore down, piercing the earth. Soil melted in the searing heat and force, high-intensity energy even tearing through the air, causing flickering electric arcs around the drill.

No tunneling machine could match the destructive capability of a Shipbreaker Master weapon, its immense power and destructive might pushed to the extreme with continuous elemental energy infusion.

The heirloom masterpiece’s quality was certainly not in doubt. In seventeen seconds, Li Aozi pierced through 300 meters of granite and soil layers, depths even a nuclear explosion couldn’t reach.

"Who would want to follow the proper steps in the second round!"

Although lacking Arcane Energy, with this body having [Intelligence] at Gamma Rank along with all other attributes, Li Aozi’s overall performance completely dominated, surpassing even because of his increased strength. Intelligence was more than doubled, making operation smoother and even better than his original body—no, that was not right.

He never had an original body; all bodies were implant gears.

The Sovereign’s will granted the [Mutant] such a trait. Theoretically, he could perpetuate like a virus, constantly swapping hosts and bodies, but no matter which body, the chromosomes always bore his design.

Golden-haired individuals viewing the [Mutant]’s implant gear capabilities would dub themselves formidable war gods.

Bang!

The dome broke apart, and Li Aozi’s body immediately fell through the cavern from above, landing straight in the ruins. Upon landing, he didn’t hesitate for a moment, rolling to dissipate the impact and getting up to run instantly.

Hum—crack!

Just half a second after Li Aozi rolled and sprinted away, a scarlet sword cleaved down on the stone slab ruins. The vicious blade tore through, leaving a long gash several meters wide. Vermin spread from the sword’s crimson body.