Ji Xinghuo’s heart skipped a beat, never having imagined Zhao Manying would reveal such an enormous secret.
The Alien Species level system is universal across the Star Realm and all civilizations in the Milky Way; ADC had simply copied it from the Star Realm, changing only the name.
Basic, Advanced, Transcendent, Supra-limit.
These four levels constitute the majority of Mutants’ encounters with Alien Species, with Star Fall lying just beyond that reach.
When a Star-falling Species appeared, it would trigger celestial events, something Ji Xinghuo had witnessed when he obtained the "Dimension Stomach" from Qing Hong.
Above Star Fall, there are two higher levels of Alien Species.
They are: Solar Eclipse and Cosmic Light!
Just like the Star-falling Species, the appearance of a Solar Eclipse Species would also cause celestial phenomena in the Star Realm, affecting an even larger area, turning the skies dark over at least hundreds of thousands of square kilometers, mimicking a solar eclipse, thus the name of this level.
The Star-falling Species was already so powerful that they never appeared on the market, and possessing one could endow a Mutant with immense potential.
Ji Xinghuo couldn’t imagine just how terrifying a Solar Eclipse Species could be.
In his knowledge, Earth’s history had only rumors of Solar Eclipse Species, but nobody had publicly claimed to possess Solar Eclipse Abilities.
Among the 49 Heavenly Kings globally, only two or three were suspected of having Solar Eclipse Abilities, yet none were confirmed.
A single Solar Eclipse Species was enough to drive everyone mad.
It was not surprising then that the Quartz Group had made a move against Zhao Manying’s father.
Ji Xinghuo gently patted Zhao Manying’s back, "Did you join the Emperor Star Club to get close to the Shi Family and avenge your uncle?"
"Mhm." Zhao Manying nodded.
Ji Xinghuo admired her courage and her endurance, asking, "Does Shi Hongyi not know about your hatred for him?"
"He thinks he’s done a flawless job, always keeping me in the dark," Zhao Manying replied.
"Are you sure?" Ji Xinghuo pressed.
If he were in Shi Hongyi’s shoes, having killed someone, and then seeing the victim’s daughter entering a league club owned by the company, he would definitely be wary.
No matter how confident, he would at least investigate her to ensure she had no capacity for revenge.
And the talent and strength Zhao Manying showed, if she were to grow up, and if she were to ever learn the truth, it would be a source of endless trouble.
He would be sure to nip it in the bud!
Doubt flashed across Zhao Manying’s face, "Shi Renzhong definitely doesn’t know, Shi Hongyi... I’ve had very little contact with him, so I can’t be totally sure."
"This is too dangerous for you," Ji Xinghuo shook his head.
"I understand." Zhao Manying’s eyes were resolute, "I have always lived alone and have prepared for the worst. Moreover, my current fame and honor are my amulets; even if Shi Hongyi wanted to harm me, he would have to consider the consequences."
But Ji Xinghuo begged to differ.
Shi Hongyi, as a Heavenly King, was immensely powerful and the richest man in the country, with resources and influence beyond the common person’s imagination. Yet she, intent on avenging her father, had approached him willingly; if Shi Hongyi had even a hint of suspicion, her fate would be sealed.
If he were in her shoes, he would choose a more secure path of revenge, venturing into the Star Realm to adventure, waiting until he was powerful enough before taking action.
Zhao Manying clearly saw what he was thinking.
"I can’t leave my mother and brother behind." She spoke softly, "I am the only one who knows the truth. If I had left Earth at that time, Shi Hongyi would have immediately guessed my father’s contingency. I was only sixteen years old then, just an ordinary person with a very low chance of survival in the Star Realm."
"You’ve thought it through."
A realization dawned on Ji Xinghuo, and he felt a pang of sympathy.
A sixteen-year-old girl had carried such a heavy burden of responsibility and hatred; eight years had passed, and not only had she grown strong, climbing to the top of the Ladder as number one, and possessing powerful abilities, but she had also gotten close to her enemy, taking firm steps on the path of revenge.
But it was like dancing on a tightrope, a single misstep could lead to disastrous consequences.
Suddenly, Zhao Manying asked, "Aren’t you going to ask me where that Solar Eclipse Species is?"
Ji Xinghuo smiled honestly.
To others, the Solar Eclipse Species might be an irresistible lure, driving them to madness and making them abandon family, wealth, love, and everything else just to possess it.
But to him, it wasn’t that important.
Because he already had the Wanxiang Star Pupil, which was more precious and powerful than ten Solar Eclipse Species. Even without the Wanxiang Star Pupil, he believed he could stick to his principles and moral boundaries.
"I’ve known for a while that you’re different from others." Zhao Manying wrapped her arms around Ji Xinghuo’s neck, pressing her body close, and said happily, "You’re a genuinely good person, emotionally stable, honest, and although you’re like a piece of wood, unaware of romantic gestures and not the type to uplift someone’s spirits, other women might find you boring, but I like you just the way you are. Plus, you’re strong and handsome, which is why I wanted to be your girlfriend, and now I’ve even shared this secret with you."
"Am I really that good?" Ji Xinghuo’s face flushed, "Hahaha, maybe I’m just pretending."
Zhao Manying shook her head resolutely, "You’re not."
Ji Xinghuo felt a bit embarrassed, as this was the first time someone had seen through his heart. He changed the subject, "Where is the Eclipse Species?"
Zhao Manying raised her right hand and tapped her forehead with her fingertip.
"The Alien Species has been integrated by you?" Ji Xinghuo was stunned for a moment before he realized, surprised. He had thought the Alien Species had been taken by Shi Hongyi.
"This Alien Species is something my dad spent over a decade obtaining in the Star Realm, pouring in a lot of energy and resources. For this, he nearly lost his life several times. It was his personal war bounty and has nothing to do with the Quartz Group," Zhao Manying said slowly. "But when he was about to obtain it, people from the company tracked him and reported to Shi Hongyi. My dad found a way to get the Alien Species in advance and entrusted someone with it and his last words to hand them over to me."
Ji Xinghuo listened intently.
"Afraid of being noticed by Shi Hongyi, I integrated the Alien Species immediately." Zhao Manying looked into Ji Xinghuo’s eyes and whispered, "This Ability is called ’Quantum Mind’."
"It allows my brain to have capabilities similar to a Quantum Computer, enhancing and extending all perceptions, precisely calculating information, letting me master my body completely. Whatever I do, I operate with over a hundred times the efficiency, aiding in Cultivation, Martial Arts, and Alien Species training."
"In battle, Quantum Mind can also control and calculate information, allowing me to make the most accurate decisions in the shortest time."
Zhao Manying spoke of her Ability’s effects without reserve.
Ji Xinghuo was stunned and speechless.
It was indeed an Eclipse Species, it sounded stronger and more comprehensive than his own "Microscopic Perception."
Previously, when he sparred with Zhao Manying, he had sensed that she never made mistakes in battle, as if she were an emotionless humanoid machine, incredibly precise, with no fluctuation in emotions.
So her brain was actually like a computer!
Martial Arts, Cultivation, battle, high-speed thinking, information gathering, emotion control – the impact of Quantum Mind was immense.
"No wonder your talent is so strong!" Ji Xinghuo couldn’t help but exclaim.
"I was already quite amazing," Zhao Manying said proudly, lifting her head, "Even without Quantum Mind, I wouldn’t be far behind. Of course, I couldn’t compare to a monster like you. Before I met you, I never thought about dueling Mutants of the same or even lower ranks. I would lose."
While saying this, she stared at Ji Xinghuo, "Are you really an Earthling?"
Ji Xinghuo knew what Zhao Manying really wanted to ask was whether he had any secrets, but he did not want to tell anyone right now.
Zhao Manying didn’t ask further, continuing, "The place where my dad obtained Quantum Mind is hiding even more secrets. Based on his conjecture, there must be other Alien Species there. Shi Hongyi has been secretly searching for that place all these years, which might be one of the reasons he hasn’t taken action against me."
"That place?" Ji Xinghuo was somewhat curious.
"I’m not really sure either," said Zhao Manying with a troubled expression. "My dad’s last words included coordinates. I’ve never been to the Star Realm; I guess it’s within the territory of the True Dragon Dynasty, and it’s very far away."
"I will definitely explore it in the future. Do you want to come with me?" asked Zhao Manying. "Your experience adventuring in the Star Realm is richer than mine, and you’re the only one I trust."
"Sure," Ji Xinghuo agreed.
A place that could yield an Eclipse Species likely held great dangers. Whether it was out of concern for Zhao Manying or the tremendous benefits, he should accompany her.
Since it was a matter for the future, the two made a promise and stopped discussing it.
"Why did you expose our relationship earlier?" Ji Xinghuo finally asked.
Zhao Manying replied, "To create an opportunity for you to have more contact with Shi Renzhong."
"You read my mind." Ji Xinghuo chuckled, "But the cost is a bit high; I can’t hide my identity anymore."
"With such a big event today, someone will certainly investigate you," Zhao Manying said with a hint of apology. "I should have been more careful, just a regular ticket purchase would have been fine. Then you wouldn’t have been assassinated or had your identity revealed."
"It’s okay," Ji Xinghuo knew it wasn’t intentional.
Although it went against his wishes, exposing his identity too soon might bring some troubles, it was not a significant issue.
"You’re so kind!" Zhao Manying couldn’t help but lean in closer.
Afterward, the two did not talk much more. After splitting up with Ji Xinghuo, Zhao Manying returned to the Emperor Star Club’s training grounds for a team match review.
Ji Xinghuo gathered clues in the stadium, but found nothing substantial.
More than an hour later.
The Swordsmen from the Sword Bureau withdrew from the Tian Qin Stadium, leaving the scene to the Security Department’s handling.
The following investigation was led by the Intelligence Information Department, involving interrogations, identity checks, reviewing surveillance footage, data retrieval, and tracing the origins of the androids—there was plenty of work to be done, and it wouldn’t yield immediate results. Ji Xinghuo couldn’t help either.
He waited for Zhao Manying in the stadium’s parking lot and started browsing his smartphone, only to discover the online world had exploded with news.
To be precise, his identity had been exposed!