Chapter 58: The Suitable Ones and a Brother’s Secret

The matter of the Red Horned Beast had, for now, reached a conclusion. The next step involved regularly observing the progress of its bond cultivation with Zhang Shuhan.

Should this method prove viable, other giant beasts could also be considered for a period of free-range fostering.

However, elevating Blue Star’s overall strength could not solely depend on these colossal beasts, as they were, after all, only at the Sixth Rank. The primary objective remained the discovery of suitable individuals capable of accepting the Star Origin, for those of the Seventh Rank possessed far greater utility.

It truly was a troublesome endeavor. The Star Origin would only react upon encountering a suitable individual within a certain proximity.

To this end, Lin Ling had dispatched a multitude of clones over the past few days, each carrying a Star Origin, to scour the entire world. Their mission was to locate every suitable individual on Blue Star.

However, the results had been far from satisfactory.

Not to mention perfect suitable individuals, even the number of ordinary suitable individuals did not exceed thirty. Of these twenty-eight, a mere three had managed to pass the trials.

Incidentally, these so-called trials constituted a testing system devised by Lin Ling, Little White, and Bisika. Its purpose was to assess whether suitable individuals possessed sufficient capability to control and judiciously apply the power gained from the Star Origin.

This set of trials bore a resemblance to the Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation Mother Goddess had once used to test Lin Ling, a simulation conducted within the spiritual world.

Of course, it was far less complex and realistic than the Reincarnation Assessment. The tests created by Little White and Bisika were merely simple scenario simulations.

These simulations unfolded during the suitable individuals’ dreams, encompassing their behavior upon acquiring power, their handling of crises, their attitudes toward family and companions, and their reactions to temptation. The dream simulations ensured they would feel no sense of abnormality.

For those who passed the trials, Lin Ling would then perform a soul-search, reading their memories to conduct a secondary confirmation.

From the final results, it became clear that most people, upon gaining unrestricted power, either lost their fundamental human morality or chose to flee or surrender when confronted by more powerful adversaries, among other issues.

It was all a bit too realistic.

****

Ultimately, only three individuals qualified to receive a Star Origin.

One was the young girl from the Zhang family, Zhang Shuhan, whose success in the test was well within Lin Ling’s expectations.

The second was a young lady from the Sakura Nation, who gave off a very ordinary impression in all aspects.

The third, however, was a pleasant surprise: the sole perfect suitable individual on Blue Star. Furthermore, their spiritual power was a rare dual-attribute mixed type—a middle-aged man of F Nation and R Nation descent. Yet, his location was somewhat peculiar… he was currently serving time in an M Nation prison.

‘It seems it’s time for a prison break. 0-0’

Overall, this outcome left Lin Ling deeply disappointed. It was akin to Huaguo’s billions of people failing to produce eleven competent soccer players. No, it was even more severe. Blue Star, with over eight billion inhabitants, couldn’t even muster thirteen suitable individuals.

‘This is unbelievable. I wonder if my standards are too high.’

‘The road ahead remains long indeed!’

Little White’s subsequent comfort, however, offered Lin Ling a glimmer of hope. Due to the birth of the Battle Sovereign, Blue Star’s spiritual energy was steadily recovering. Under its influence, the soul power of humanity would eventually undergo sublimation.

While a large-scale increase wouldn’t be possible for over a century, the idea that it could influence souls to create more suitable individuals was not unfounded.

‘In that case, patiently waiting is the only option. After all, we won’t be attacked in the short term.’

As for the other two suitable individuals, a time would need to be arranged to approach them. The young lady from the Sakura Nation was currently deeply in love, so Lin Ling decided against disturbing her for now. Her partner wasn’t particularly impressive, so perhaps a clone could stir up some trouble.

The one in prison was still awaiting trial. Given he hadn’t committed any serious crimes, he would likely be released soon. Lin Ling would address that matter then.

And so, Lin Ling returned to her daily routine of studies. Topics like languages, magic, barrier arrangements, and political affairs were relentlessly poured into her mind by Little White, proving as monotonous and tedious as ever.

Until today, a week later.

It was a morning like any other.

A cacophony of hurried footsteps and the frantic rummaging of drawers roused Lin Ling from her slumber. While she had no need for sleep, she still maintained the habit.

Otherwise, the future would stretch endlessly.

Listening to the commotion outside her door, Lin Ling couldn’t help but wonder, ‘A thief?’

‘No, that’s not right. I’ve set up a spiritual energy barrier around the house. Not even a missile could get in, let alone a petty thief.’ She immediately extended her perception, discovering that only Lin Hui was in the living room.

‘What’s gotten into this kid so early in the morning? =-=’

Driven by curiosity, Lin Ling reluctantly dragged herself out of bed. Normally, she wouldn’t stir before ten on a weekend.

Effortlessly, she enveloped herself in spiritual energy. In the blink of an eye, the silver-haired beauty transformed into an ordinary man of unremarkable appearance.

Opening the door, Lin Ling adopted a sleepy expression, yawning as she walked into the living room. She was met with a scene of utter disarray.

‘Wow… what a mess! What is this guy doing?’

Noticing his elder sibling had woken up, Lin Hui quickly ceased his destructive activities and rushed toward Lin Ling, panting incessantly. This only confused Lin Ling further.

“Bro, uh, have you seen a small white gift box? I remember leaving it on the coffee table yesterday, but now I can’t find it.”

“A white gift box?”

“Yes, exactly!” Lin Hui replied eagerly.

“I’m not sure… What’s inside it?” Lin Ling thought back for a moment, but couldn’t recall anything. Seeing that Lin Ling had no idea, Lin Hui didn’t waste any more time and continued rummaging through the house.

“Does it glow?” Lin Ling’s sudden question startled Lin Hui.

He immediately asked, overjoyed, “Yes, it does! Bro, have you seen it?”

Upon hearing this, Lin Ling’s gaze shifted towards Wangzai. Seeing the situation, Wangzai instantly darted to the corner of the wall with lightning speed, then hugged his head and crouched defensively, looking at Lin Ling with pitiful eyes.

‘Please spare me…’

‘It seems it’s you again, you husky…’

This fellow had developed such a bad habit at some point. All day long, he loved collecting shiny metal objects. Just a few days ago, he had stuffed all the knives and forks into his dog bed, infuriating Lin Ling so much that she had grabbed him and given him a good ‘loving education’.

“Then you’d better check Wangzai’s bed.”

“Huh?”

Lin Hui suddenly realized he hadn’t searched that spot. He quickly shifted his search to the dog bed. Of course, under Lin Ling’s watchful eye, Wangzai dared not voice any objections.

After a thorough search, as expected, Lin Hui found his ‘treasure’. He quickly tucked it into his pocket.

‘?? He doesn’t want me to know? What is it, so mysterious…’

“Thanks, Bro! I have an urgent matter, so I’m heading out now. I’ll be back the day after tomorrow morning! Also, sorry, I’ll leave the room to you!”

Having found what he was looking for, Lin Hui grabbed his luggage and bolted without a backward glance, leaving a bewildered Lin Ling alone and stunned in the living room.

‘What has this guy been up to lately? Why is he keeping it such a secret from me…’

Considering her brother’s privacy and well-being, Lin Ling ultimately abandoned the idea of reading his memories.

Just then, Little White’s voice chimed in. “Master, it seems your brother turned the Valter Soul Gem you gave him into a necklace.”

‘??? The gem I gave him… he turned it into a necklace and gave it to someone else… A necklace?? Gave it to someone else??? Wow! What a guy! This must be a date!’

‘Wait, how long has he been back? He already has a girlfriend?!’