Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 715 - 326. ’Thank you.

Chapter 715: 326. ’Thank you.

Upon thinking this way—

Li Aozi suddenly remembered that when he had used Isaac’s body to clear the Azure Star, he had already used [Bloodline] to exempt [White Knight]’s poison blood.

"—This solution is truly feasible."

From the known information, the issue with the Secret was its low population, extremely sparse: three Speakers, thirteen Senators, seventy-two Jury members, and six hundred and sixty-six Citizens.

Moreover, without exception, all required C3 Luca Type Aliens.

According to the Fairy of the Lake, even at their mother star, Haines, where C3 Luca Type Aliens were everywhere, it was very difficult to gather the Secret’s Council—roughly, the probability of converting one Secret Citizen was about one in a billion.

That’s worse than the lottery.

But Beyond the Abyss and Within the Abyss were different; the Starry Abyss’s least lacking resource was people.

At the Six-Layered Starry Abyss, if the Secret searched thoroughly, even with the worst luck, they’d be able to assemble the Council and rule the Starry Abyss.

In other words...

If Li Aozi could solve this problem, he might be able to completely block the Secret’s member supply, ensuring the Earthlings would forever be unable to invade the Starry Abyss.

Li Aozi did not get excited; he calmly considered the feasibility.

"I want to research Sequential Arcane Energy... I can’t do it alone."

"I need [Biochemists], I need more Arcane Scholars, I need Theologists of the [Sovereign] system to study and deconstruct the Mandate. In other words..."

Li Aozi squinted his eyes:

"I need the Life Commune."

Mr. Liue, along with hundreds of thousands of scientists with noble ideals, had once formed the Life Commune to break the Narrative-Level Civilization’s hegemony. Their perspective was: as long as everyone achieved immortality, they would set aside the pursuit of material civilization and instead work towards a noble ideal world together.

Although the Life Commune was overly idealistic and didn’t align with the interests of the stars, no one could deny their research on Arcane Energy and Life was absolutely top-notch.

"However, I don’t need to break the narrative hegemony—I want a Life Commune that belongs to me and serves only me."

Li Aozi didn’t like sharing benefits and power.

The weak people only needed to stand obediently behind him, accepting his domination and protection, without thinking about anything else.

"To resist the invasion crisis from Earthlings, if I don’t want to repeat Leoz’s disastrous defeat, I must create a Life Commune of my own."

Li Aozi opened the note-taking function on his system and, relying on his memory, quickly listed a name list. On it were names, occupations, origins, and alma maters of former Life Commune members.

"Astel Megan, Kubrick Dominic, Nangong Xiyue, Northern Star Chang’an, Lin Aimin, Kishida Ippon, Suteville Velazquez—hmm? Damn it, there turned out to be traitors from capitalist countries in the commune; I didn’t notice that back then!"

Without listing them, Li Aozi looked at the list and, coupled with the search engine, drew a breath of calmness.

These idealists from various civilizations included capitalists, landlords, farmers, mercenaries, demigods, high-rank priests, warlords, revolutionaries...

To change the narrative-level civilization’s hegemony, these people had abandoned their privileged treatment and betrayed their classes to gather here, seeking no return and no benefit, fighting for the ideal of equality for all.

How pure.

Perhaps their goal was indeed too vague and impractical, but this spirit and practical actions were enough to command respect.

He happened to be heading to the Hunter’s Gathering, so he could ask around.

"I need more scholars under my command."

Li Aozi closed the notebook function, composed himself, and looked at Nephis:

"It’s nothing, I’ve already dealt with it."

"I have nothing to say." Nephis said indifferently: "You broke my shackles; my past self is dead. I no longer belong to the company."

"Next, you will be hunted for killing company members."

Li Aozi said:

"Do you have any plans?"

"...I don’t know; I’ve never thought about such issues. Freedom doesn’t belong to me. I have no assets; my hometown was merely a breeding ground for selecting assassins. I have no one to rely on, and I have no relatives. It can be said that apart from this life, I truly have nothing."

Nephis was silent for a while, then said:

"I have no ideas, but I just want to live. I think... slowly find a reason that allows me to exist in this world."

"That’s right—just live on, and even with bad luck, you’ll encounter good things."

As Li Aozi said this, he flicked out a business card:

"Here."

"This is—"

Nephis caught the card and read:

"President of Baizhu Autonomous State, Leoz Dominet. Contact information..."

"If you can’t find the meaning of life, why not come work for me and give it a try?"

Li Aozi shrugged:

"I’m different from capitalists; I won’t treat people as resources. As long as you aren’t [Society], I treat everyone equally, regardless of your origin or species."

"Work, huh..."

Nephis contemplated for a moment and then looked up:

"Will I get paid?"

Li Aozi answered:

"Baizhu Star provides the basic thirteen insurances and four golds; specific pay is based on position and workload, more work, more pay. There are arranged dormitories, unified uniforms, and year-end bonuses. You get two days off weekly and legal holidays without any need to work on holidays. Overtime is paid four times the regular wage. I’m an industrialist and president; I won’t delay wages like financial landlords."

"...I think I have no alternative."

Nephis gently shook her head:

"How should I say this to you... you make me feel very different."

"What’s the matter?" Li Aozi looked at her.

"In the company, everyone ordered me around and dictated to me. In everyone’s eyes, I was a commodity; if unqualified, I’d be thrown into the pool for destruction."

Nephis clutched her chest, her expression stiff, as if she didn’t know what to do:

"But... you gave me freedom and the power of choice."

She looked at Li Aozi, trying hard to express her feelings:

"I feel strange; do normal creatures feel this way? What should I do? My emotions are incredibly calm, yet I feel very uncomfortable..."

Nephis poked her heart, her voice stiff, but her words were soft:

"My heart feels empty; there should be something in my eyes. I should say something; I should show some difference."

She opened her mouth, lowered her head, and softly said:

"But I can’t do it."

"I don’t know how to express to you that this body was chemically damaged and biologically modified, and I can’t express... emotions."

"Lord Leoz, please tell me, how would a normal person act in this situation?"

Nephis looked at Li Aozi and, for the first time, used the word "please" when speaking to someone other than a capitalist.

"...You don’t need to show anything."

Li Aozi raised the corner of his mouth, smiling:

"Everyone has their own unique traits; you are no different. If you can’t express emotions, there’s no need to force yourself—your awkward and speechless demeanor is quite amusing."

"...Amusing?"

"It’s cute, like a child limited by their level of education, unable to accurately express their feelings."

"Inability to express emotions..."

Nephis looked down, thought for a moment, then said:

"Then, please tell me, how would you react in this situation?"

"Me?"

Li Aozi empathized and thought for a moment:

"I absolutely can’t stand being confined; taking away one or two days of confinement or having things go awry makes my mind unstable..."

As a streamer, Li Aozi had a strong desire to act, and he hated being ignored.

If his freedom were taken away, Li Aozi felt he wouldn’t last long before really losing it.

So, he deeply sighed and said:

"If enslaved for decades and someone rescued me from a dark fate of enslavement—damn, no matter what that person is, I’d embrace and kiss them twice!"

Snap.

"Understood."

Nephis stepped forward, her strong arms opened wide, and she tightly embraced Li Aozi.

"Then, with my utmost passion, I’d show my gratitude... um, Nephis?"

Before Li Aozi could react, he was tightly restrained by powerful arms. He pulled a wry smile:

"Hey—"

"Thank you, Leoz."

She then opened her mouth, revealing slightly sharp crocodile teeth, as her pale pink lips touched Li Aozi’s ear.

Peck—