Chapter 22: The Precepts of the Battle Sovereign and a New Anomaly

As Lin Ling understood it, a Battle Sovereign’s primary duties extended beyond merely resisting invasions from extraterrestrial beings and guarding the World Tree; they also encompassed safeguarding the continuation of their own nascent species and, to a certain extent, assisting in their development.

Both Bisika and Little White had previously informed her that the intrinsic precepts binding all primeval Battle Sovereigns strictly forbade excessive interference in the internal affairs of other races. Actions such as helping them expand their territory or conquering other lands were absolutely prohibited.

Even in the face of invasion by other races, a Battle Sovereign was not permitted to intervene, unless their home planet was under direct assault or on the verge of annihilation; only then could a primeval sovereign offer aid.

These precepts, received from the Mother Goddess after a Battle Sovereign’s three-year protection period, served as a strict code of conduct. Their specific content varied depending on each sovereign’s origin and abilities.

Furthermore, the detailed stipulations of these precepts were forbidden to be disclosed to anyone else.

If such regulations applied to the precepts of her other siblings, then Lin Ling herself might very well be bound by similar restrictions in the future.

While there was no immediate cause for concern, what would happen after three years?

It seemed imperative that she dedicate these three years to helping the people of Blue Star enhance their combat prowess. Otherwise, they would surely be bullied by other races later, a future Lin Ling desperately wished to avert.

With this in mind, Lin Ling resolved to investigate whether the anomalies could be utilized to bolster humanity’s strength. She even considered attempting to subdue ancient fierce beasts, much like Wangzai.

Lin Ling had also contemplated ways to advance technological levels, but she quickly dismissed the idea. After all, even with rapid development over just three years, it would be impossible to catch up to interstellar civilizations that had progressed for thousands, if not tens of thousands, of years.

The chasm between them was simply too vast to bridge easily.

Instead, it would be far more effective to find a way to secure a few Sixth or Seventh-tier experts, or even Eighth-tier demigods, to bolster their defenses. Relying solely on Lin Ling would prove rather awkward.

Should she venture out to repel extraterrestrial beings in the future, there was a real risk that her home might be utterly wiped out upon her return.

Without further ado, Lin Ling swiftly soared towards Ruohua Mountain, intent on investigating the anomaly first. As for the other ancient creatures, several seemingly powerful individuals had not yet made a move, leaving their intentions and friendliness uncertain.

If they were to cause trouble, it would not be too late for her to intervene and “educate” them.

And wouldn’t it be delightful to play the savior and gain some popularity in the process?

However, if certain countries were to come under attack, she would be quite content to observe the spectacle first. The feeling of taking revenge under the guise of public duty might be rather satisfying.

****

Ruohua Mountain, the very genesis of everything, was truly a place plagued by misfortune.

What was once a bustling tourist destination now lay in utter disarray, its former glory likely impossible to reclaim.

Professor Lu and his research team had been working tirelessly around the clock here for about a week. Alongside the investigation bureau, they were attempting to uncover the whereabouts of the silver-haired girl who had appeared during the world-altering event, as well as the world-shattering silver laser that had manifested a week prior.

Despite days of relentless effort, their endeavors had yielded nothing. Just as everyone was at their wit’s end, they suddenly detected a peculiar fluctuation emanating from halfway up Ruohua Mountain.

The energy signature bore a slight resemblance to that of the silver laser observed previously.

Professor Lu believed this phenomenon must be connected to the silver-haired girl.

More importantly, it appeared to be a new form of energy! Consequently, his team immediately gathered their equipment and headed to the source to commence their investigation.

At this very moment, Professor Lu was engrossed in writing a report, meticulously documenting the frequency and peak values of the fluctuations.

“Professor! This is bad!” A staff member, clad in a protective suit, rushed into his makeshift workshop.

“What is it? Don’t panic, what happened?” Professor Lu tried to calm the young man’s agitated state.

Young people nowadays were far too prone to agitation; one should always learn to face problems with composure.

“The… the… the fluctuation, it suddenly vanished!”

“What? Perhaps the equipment is malfunctioning. Just try another unit,” Professor Lu’s brow began to twitch.

“We’ve already tried, and it truly can’t be detected anymore!”

“Damn it!” Professor Lu cast aside all notions of elegance and composure. Forgetting his notebook, he dashed out.

****

Meanwhile, Miss Lin Ling, the instigator of all this, was idly toying with a USB drive-sized, deep crimson crystal in her hand.

This deep crimson crystal was, in fact, the anomaly of Ruohua Mountain.

Just moments prior, Lin Ling had directly stabilized this volatile anomaly. Simultaneously, she compressed the vast amount of spiritual energy it had been releasing externally back into the crystal’s interior, forming the deep crimson crystal she now held.

Judging by the spiritual energy’s color within and its tactile sensation, it was undoubtedly a crystal imbued with a significant amount of fire-attribute spiritual energy. As for how to use it, she would inquire with Little White and Bisika upon her return.

For now, she might as well deal with a certain hot-tempered little animal. (*@ο@*)

As the ground violently trembled,

a colossal, dark brown figure burst forth from the earth, observed by the stunned gazes of researchers and soldiers alike.

A furious roar deafened all, and an enraged gaze fixated upon everything before it.

The colossal beast had arrived here, drawn by the powerful fire-attribute spiritual energy, believing it to be a heaven-sent opportunity that could elevate it to the Seventh-tier. Yet, now it found absolutely nothing.

“Where’s my spiritual energy?”

The immense disparity between its expectation and reality made it impossible for the beast to remain calm. Its fury desperately sought an outlet, and the humans before it seemed like a suitable target.

The colossal beast launched its attack on the humans. With a single flick of its tail, two transport vehicles were flung directly towards the nearby guarding soldiers. The well-trained soldiers immediately dodged and swiftly opened fire in retaliation.

Alas, the beast’s hide was tough and thick; bullets could not inflict even the slightest damage. Instead, they merely infuriated it. While harmless, constant harassment was an utterly displeasing experience.

The colossal beast retaliated, directly opening its maw as immense heat surged from deep within its throat.

“Boom!”

In the next instant, a massive inferno of flames swept towards the soldiers.

Professor Lu had just arrived at the chaotic scene when he witnessed this sight. The sky-rending sea of fire surged towards him, terrifying him so much that he collapsed onto the ground.

In the fleeting moment before death was about to claim him, he recalled his ordinary life.

“I’m sorry, son, Dad won’t be able to stay with you…” Professor Lu continuously apologized to his family in his heart, repenting for his past irresponsibility towards them.

“No, no, no, you’re making me a little awkward. Just knowing you regret it is enough; try to visit home more often in the future…”

Just as the professor braced himself for death, a gentle female voice, like a melody from heaven, suddenly echoed within his mind.

!!!

‘What in the world was happening??’

The once ferocious inferno, poised to engulf their lives, suddenly diminished. The vast sea of fire instantly dissolved into scattered flickers, then vanished without a trace, leaving only a faint warmth on the faces of the survivors.

Giant Beast: ‘??? Where’s my fire?’

Soldiers: ‘?? We’re still alive?’

Professor Lu’s attention, however, was entirely captivated by the figure hovering in mid-air—the silver-haired girl whom nations worldwide had sought for days without a single lead.

‘It’s… it’s… it’s her??!’