Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 550 - 184. The Nature of Society

Chapter 550: 184. The Nature of Society

"Yawen Heskethin." Zaniya said calmly, "It seems you don’t yet understand the truth about the ’Society.’"

"What exactly is going on?" Li Aozi asked gravely, "You’re not joking, right, Zaniya? Yawen is only 23 this year—if it’s just a namesake, that’s too far-fetched."

"Very surprising, right?"

Zaniya shrugged,

"This is the essence of the ’Society.’

"No matter what your name was in life, once you join the ’Society,’ your personal existence would gradually be erased. Once you return to the ’Society’ body once, your individuality will be completely gone."

"The ’Secret Society’ has even more terrifying traits—their citizens are called ’Professionals.’ 3 Speakers, 13 Senators, 72 Jury members, 666 Citizens. That’s the total count."

"However, even though it seems like a small population, these Professionals possess incredibly terrifying abilities. Their powers can directly manipulate the rules and concepts of the world. For example, the ’White Knight,’ with the most terrifying offensive power, can slice through anything in the world just by continuously sharpening its blade, something other ’Societies’ cannot do."

"Rather than saying Secret Citizens are Professionals, it’s more accurate to say they are merely vessels. Once an individual outside dies, they will be completely forgotten by history, but their profession remains intact forever."

"As for the previous ’Tailor,’ I remember but she died, so I no longer know. As long as Yawen Heskethin is still alive, she will completely become the vessel of the ’Tailor’; her name is ’Tailor,’ a profession and identity given by the Society."

Li Aozi heard such detailed information about the ’Secret Society,’ or rather, the ’Society’ for the first time. One could even say that the Hunters Association didn’t have this complete an understanding of the ’Society.’

"So, joining the ’Society’ means you are no longer yourself... that’s what it means."

Li Aozi unconsciously lowered his voice,

"I thought Citizens were like organs, cells to the ’Society,’ but an individual cannot fully control the cells within their body, so Citizens still have their own consciousness and thoughts."

"That is all false." Zaniya said coldly, "I can guarantee the authenticity of my words—because the title ’Lichi Peak’ comes from the hero who betrayed the Secret—the ’Blacksmith’ Senator."

Zaniya’s candid words left Li Aozi deeply moved.

"... I never imagined it would be like this."

Li Aozi shook his head,

"Joining the ’Society,’ you can’t even keep your own name."

Li Aozi asked.

"So what if Yawen returns to the Secret body... what will happen?"

"There is good news and bad news."

Zaniya said,

"The good news is, Yawen won’t worry about going mad or turning into that monstrous form anymore. Her mind and emotions will become stable, and she will be very happy and joyful."

"The bad news is, Yawen Heskethin will instantaneously merge with the entire ’Society,’ her consciousness will be fused and impacted by generations of ’Tailors,’ ultimately becoming a loyal offspring of the Secret."

"The Secret Mother loves her children—but her children are these professions, not the individuals who hold the professions."

It’s no wonder when he saw ’White Knight’ Youhe Lai being so erratic... he was probably always struggling and fighting with the profession of the ’White Knight.’

But the more one struggles, the more one relies on power, the more one desires power, the more one craves the ’Society.’

When he returned to the body, Youhe Lai was already dead, and the ’Secret Society’ accepted a loyal Jury ’White Knight.’

Li Aozi clenched his fist.

This was too terrifying.

It’s no wonder he’d never heard of any Omega Tier powerhouse or deity willingly subjecting themselves to the ’Society’; it truly was a one-way ticket to hell.

Thinking about this, Li Aozi hurriedly asked,

"Zaniya, since you know so much about the secrets, do you know how to liberate Yawen from the hands of the Secret?"

To his surprise, Zaniya glanced at him sideways, "Leoz, you’re so hung up on that vinegar jar of a sickly, insecure girl?"

"After all, we’ve come this far together," Li Aozi said, "She’s also had a tough time and has done much for me. I don’t want to owe anyone."

"Haha, that’s more like it. I like guys as tough as metal. That way, when they bend, it’s more interesting."

Zaniya nodded in satisfaction,

"To liberate a secret Professional, ’Doctor’ used to research these things. He’s sort of the creator of that kid in your arms, or maybe the father? Anyway, if you want to know more about these things, get in good with Dialan. You’ll have a chance to find ’Doctor’ then."

"Judging by your tone... ’Doctor’ must’ve lived for a thousand years already. The Society Citizens become short-lived once they leave the Society. Are you sure we can still find him?"

Li Aozi questioned,

"Dialan hasn’t mentioned her father either; he might already be dead."

"I’ve told you before." Zaniya reminded, "When a Secret Citizen dies, mortals will no longer remember their name, what they did is erased from history. Only those still alive or external Secret Citizens will record them. Otherwise, they will not be recorded in history, and no one will remember their names."

"And now, you still remember ’Doctor’s’ name, Leverkusen Dokete." Li Aozi’s eyes lit up, "That means he is still alive?"

"Think optimistically, maybe he already found a way out of the Secret!"

Zaniya encouraged,

"If all else fails, we can find Vellia—she’s a special woman, belonging neither to the ’Society’ nor the Starry Abyss. She surely knows ’Doctor’s’ whereabouts."

"Let’s take it one step at a time."

Li Aozi didn’t hold much hope.

But at least there was a way to save Yawen, better than having no progress at all,

"Don’t worry, at worst, I’ll look with you." Zaniya patted Li Aozi’s shoulder, "After all, you’re my current Sword Bearer. Whatever the difficulty, we face it together."

How rare, this broken Divine Artifact actually acted like a normal person.

Li Aozi was just about to continue talking when he suddenly stopped, a bright female figure appeared before him.

"Oh?"

The woman had a seven-stringed zither at her waist and wore a veil that did nothing to hide her captivating beauty. When she saw Li Aozi, her eyes lit up, seemingly moved by his stunning beauty. Then her eyes moved down, landing on the sword in Li Aozi’s hand. She let out a light gasp and then said with a smile,

"I didn’t expect to see the Sword Bearer of this generation’s Sword of Destiny Awakening here."

Li Aozi glanced at her. Among women, she was a peerless beauty, highly ’Charming,’ and slightly inferior to himself. However, she had no ’Sovereign’ essence at all, her biological readings showed she was merely a Gamma Rank mortal.

Since she knew Zaniya, there might be a side quest, but Li Aozi didn’t have time now; his friends were still missing.

"Are you a visitor to the school?"

Li Aozi asked.

"Sort of. I came to visit a leader at your academy." The woman said regretfully, "But I couldn’t find the old friend, and now with all this happening, I’m lost..."

Li Aozi pointed to the library behind,

"I’ve cleared out the Growth-armored Vanguard over there. You can stay inside."

"Really? Thank you, handsome." The woman thanked him after a brief surprise.

"It looks like you’re searching for someone,"

She took an amulet out of her pocket and handed it to Li Aozi,

"Maybe this can help."

[You’ve received an item—’Interlocking Talisman’]

[An unknown talisman that seems to improve your luck.]

"Thanks." Li Aozi quickly said thanks, then continued forward with his sword.

The veiled woman watched Li Aozi’s departing figure, folding her arms, seemingly calculating something.

"Is it just my imagination?"

The veiled woman stroked her chin, her beautiful eyes revealing confusion,

"This pretty boy gives me a strangely familiar feeling."

Especially, the figure holding a baby and charging forward with a sword.

That posture, it had a sense of déjà vu.

Forget it, now is not the time.

The veiled woman shook her head and turned away.