Chapter 00065: The Selection Method
# The Selection Method
Chapter 65
Novel: Abandon The Universe
Chapter 65: The Selection Method
Despite the fact that the guard team from True Promise Star had left with around twenty people, Lan Xiaobu acted as if nothing had happened and did not report this matter to Commander Tai.
When Commander Tai had just arrived at Heavenly Net Star, he greeted everyone and instructed them not to leave the Resting Pavilion casually. After that, he had not shown his face, much like the battleship Shang Nuo He, and was completely absent. Because he never made an appearance, he remained unaware that twenty-three members of the guard team had left.
Most of the time, Lan Xiaobu was immersed in intense cultivation. It had been proven that cultivating in places rich in Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi yielded far better results. Since entering the vast universe, Lan Xiaobu had not slackened in his training, yet his progress had been stagnant. However, after only a dozen days on Heavenly Net Star, he felt the presence of the Innate Realm.
This realm, which he had previously been unable to touch, was now easily sensed by him. Lan Xiaobu's heart surged with excitement; as long as he successfully stepped into the Innate Foundation Establishment, and had subsequent techniques, he would be on the path of cultivation.
Seeing the possibility of establishing his foundation, Lan Xiaobu cultivated even more diligently. As another twenty days passed, just as he felt he was on the verge of breaking through to the Innate Realm, he stopped his training.
Having cultivated to this point, Lan Xiaobu was no longer a novice. Furthermore, he had even developed his divine sense, enhancing his feeling that once he broke through the Innate Foundation, the commotion caused by absorbing the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi could be quite substantial.
Heavenly Net Star prohibited cultivation, and while he was currently practicing martial arts, if his martial arts movements were sensed to be too great, others might mistake him for cultivating, and that could cost him his life.
He decided not to practice the Muscle-Tendon Altering Sutra and instead focused on the Spirit Refining Technique. Lan Xiaobu's divine sense had nearly reached a range of twenty meters, but he still could not break through to the second tier.
Just as the selection for the Hundred Mo Star System was about to begin, Lan Xiaobu was not planning to continue his training when someone knocked on his door.
Lan Xiaobu extended his divine sense and was surprised to see Qin Yue.
What did Qin Yue come to find him for? Lan Xiaobu wondered, but he opened the door nonetheless.
"Lieutenant Lan..." As soon as Qin Yue entered, she hurriedly bowed.
Lan Xiaobu waved his hand, "Qin Yue, we are on the same team, and we will soon face a crisis. I won’t stay in the Star Expedition Army, and I doubt you will either, so there’s no need to mind the title of lieutenant. Just call me Xiaobu from now on."
"Okay, Big Brother Xiaobu." Qin Yue quickly changed her wording.
Lan Xiaobu smiled, "Qin Yue, you must have something to discuss with me?"
Qin Yue nodded, "Yes, it’s about the selection competition for the Hundred Mo Star System in a few days. I have some things I want to say."
"You know about it?" Lan Xiaobu looked at Qin Yue with confusion; mentioning the selection competition meant she must know something about it.
A complex emotion flashed in Qin Yue's eyes as she sighed, "Yes, I do know, but I’m afraid to say it. I truly admire you; the decisions you made and the words you spoke before, if it were me, I probably wouldn’t dare to say or do such things in my entire life. I know, Big Brother Xiaobu, you must not be from the Hundred Mo Star System, but from a very strong place."
This thought had long existed in Qin Yue's mind. Lan Xiaobu had scored eighty points in the first round of the science assessment in the Star Expedition Army, and since he had not heard of many simple rules, it was evident he came from a high-level technological civilization planet. She even suspected that Lan Xiaobu hailed from a planet exceeding level-five technological civilization. What puzzled her was why someone of his status would join the Star Expedition Army.
Lan Xiaobu felt a bit awkward; he indeed was not from the Hundred Mo Star System, but the place he came from didn’t even reach the level of a primary technological civilization, let alone a high-level civilization.
Seeing Lan Xiaobu's expression, Qin Yue became even more certain of her thoughts, but she proactively changed the subject, "Big Brother Xiaobu, your previous guess was correct. I am a royal member of Blue Asia Star, and I know very well how brutal this selection is. The hundred-person guard team is essentially a means to fill the void."
"How so?" Lan Xiaobu's spirit lifted. As long as he knew how to fill the void, he would have a chance. He stayed here because he understood that the death rate for this guard team was not one hundred percent. If it truly reached one hundred percent, there would be no need for him to remain.
Qin Yue stated, "I’ve heard that entering Jade Dawn Star requires undergoing a round of soul deprivation."
Lan Xiaobu blurted out, "Could it be that the guards are there to deal with soul deprivation?" Qin Yue replied, "Yes, as long as you enter quickly, the soul deprivation targets the outer members. Those whose souls are deprived are left with only their shells, as if they are dead. In fact, those who undergo soul deprivation don’t survive for more than three days..."
A chill ran down Lan Xiaobu's spine. If Qin Yue spoke of this to others, they might not care or fully understand, but he knew all too well what it meant.
He practiced the Spirit Refining Technique and had encountered Lian's soul devouring attempt to possess him. Once the soul was deprived, the other party wouldn’t even want your body; you were essentially already dead. At this moment, Lan Xiaobu was even more convinced that his Spirit Refining Technique originated from Jade Dawn Star.
Qin Yue was unaware of Lan Xiaobu's shock and continued, "My father said that the soul deprivation on Jade Dawn Star is likely the work of a powerful cultivator. However, that cultivator may no longer exist, leaving behind only the channel for soul deprivation."
Lan Xiaobu remained silent, suspecting that it must be an array. If it weren’t an array, then it would be even more terrifying.
Could Lian have strengthened his soul by devouring others' souls? Would that existence on Jade Dawn Star do the same? Depriving others' souls to strengthen itself?
"The selection for the Hundred Mo Star System does not involve soul deprivation, but it is equally terrifying. For instance, the five geniuses from True Promise Star participating in the selection will face a challenge that involves entering a space of soul torment, where they will undergo severe mental attacks through top-tier brainwave impacts. It’s just like the third round of assessments we participated in for the Star Expedition Army, but the intensity is many times greater..."
"In that case, wouldn’t Commander Tai and the others face soul impacts as well?" Lan Xiaobu questioned.
Qin Yue explained, "No, during the selection assessment, the guards generally surround the geniuses taking the assessment. This soul impact space only targets the outer guards. If all the guards are knocked out by the soul impact within the stipulated time, then the participating geniuses will be affected. Generally, as long as there are enough guards, they can protect the ones in the center."
Pausing for a moment, Qin Yue continued, "The reason for establishing such a selection method is that the channel on Jade Dawn Star operates similarly. Generally, the soul deprivation after entering the channel starts from the outside. As long as you exit the channel quickly, once the outer guards’ souls are deprived, you have already crossed over into Jade Dawn Star."
Lan Xiaobu nodded, not caring much about the selection. He practiced the Spirit Refining Technique, repeatedly tearing and refining his own soul, and he didn’t believe he couldn’t withstand it.
What worried him was the soul deprivation in the Jade Dawn Star channel. If that existence was a proper formation, things would be manageable; if it were like Lian, a soul entity, then he would need to be cautious. If he carelessly had his soul deprived, that would truly mean death.
"Is soul deprivation the only selection?" Lan Xiaobu asked.
"No, there’s also martial arts combat." Due to the many dangers on Jade Dawn Star, there were even formidable life forms. Therefore, those entering Jade Dawn Star must possess a certain level of strength," Qin Yue explained.
Lan Xiaobu thought to himself that Chang Yuan, who had no background, must have some strength to be selected for the competition on Jade Dawn Star; it was likely for martial arts battles.
"However, once the guards protect the geniuses from their own stars entering Jade Dawn Star, the guards can also remain there and exit together with the geniuses from their respective stars," Qin Yue continued.
"Qin Yue, thank you for telling me all this. Knowing this gives me at least a better chance of survival," Lan Xiaobu expressed his gratitude.
Qin Yue lowered her head, "Big Brother Xiaobu, I should be the one thanking you. Thank you for saving me. If it weren’t for you, I would have already died at the hands of that demon."
Seeing Qin Yue's expression, Lan Xiaobu knew she must have more than just this matter in mind when seeking him out.
Sure enough, Qin Yue said again, "Big Brother Xiaobu, I have to go now."
"Are you planning to become a wandering star?" Lan Xiaobu looked at Qin Yue in surprise.
Qin Yue shook her head, "No, I am of royal lineage from Blue Asia Star. I have my own place on Heavenly Net Star and can obtain permanent residency here. Moreover, I will be leaving Heavenly Net Star soon."
Lan Xiaobu immediately understood; Qin Yue must have contacted someone while on Heavenly Net Star, and today was her farewell.
"A Xu is leaving with me as well. Big Brother Xiaobu, take care," Qin Yue bowed deeply and then hurriedly turned to leave.
Lan Xiaobu knew that she must be feeling quite down. He had saved her life, yet she knew she would surely die if she joined the guard team, and she had no way to save herself.
However, Lan Xiaobu was very grateful; Qin Yue coming to tell him this information was already a favor owed to her.
(Today's update ends here. Good night, friends! The updates for "The Ninth Under Heaven" are mostly around two thousand words, while "Abandoned Universe" is currently about three thousand words. After it goes on the shelves, it will be fixed at three thousand words.)
(End of this chapter)