Chapter 26: The Descent
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Psychic synchronization with an alien body is the final procedure in the cultivation of alien bodies, ensuring that the soul of the alien body practitioner is one hundred percent harmonized with the alien body.
After synchronization is completed, the Alien Body Management Bureau will use a starship to deliver the cultivated alien bodies into the atmosphere of Tianji Star, to designated locations, a journey that takes about three to five hours. During this period, all expenses are covered by the government.
When Lin Rui walked out of Si Malin's laboratory, he found Wang Sen already waiting outside, the young man's face flush with excitement.
Lin Rui couldn't help but chuckle, "It seems, Wang Sen, that the talent you've awakened is quite impressive?"
"It's incredible! Both the Divine Authority and Sky Speed bloodlines!"
Wang Sen laughed so hard he almost couldn't close his mouth: "As expected from a high-ranking demon of the Seventh Realm! The alien body cultivated has directly awakened two top-tier bloodline talents."
Lin Rui nodded slightly, for his own alien body had awakened these two bloodline talents as well, in addition to the unawakened mutated version of the Sacred Body.
The Divine Authority bloodline boasts immense strength and physical resilience, while the Sky Speed bloodline significantly enhances speed and reflexes, extraordinarily powerful.
Many companies within the Federation have developed numerous assistive prosthetic gears specifically tailored for these, priced extremely high.
So-called assistive prosthetic gear refers to devices that do not relate to the cultivation process of prosthetic martial cultivation but can enhance combat ability nonetheless.
"What talent did you awaken?" Wang Sen asked, both worried and curious, "You seemed a bit distracted when you approached earlier. Did the alien body cultivation not go well?"
Lin Rui shook his head, a complex expression on his face: "The alien body Professor Si Malin cultivated for me is fine, it's just—how should I put it? Never mind, let's go report to Professor Han."
Lin Rui had never expected such a turn of events with his alien body.
So much so that his head was still a bit muddled.
If Professor Si Malin's judgment was correct, then the bloodline talents currently possessed by his alien body were frighteningly powerful—a complete Sacred Body coupled with two superior bloodline talents.
This was a good thing for him, but given his family situation and the circumstances with Xue Bogao, Lin Rui couldn't help but worry.
Lin Rui really wanted to ask Lin Xi what the situation was with that drop of blood. Did Lin Xi know the origin of that blood?
However, after opening Lin Xi's chat interface, he closed it again.
What if the original owner was aware of all these circumstances?
Wouldn't asking such questions be tipping his hand and exposing his own identity?
The two of them then hurried to Professor Han's office, only to be turned away.
They did not manage to see Professor Han but instead met a graduate student named Li Li in another office under Professor Han's name.
Li Li was amiable and courteous, "The professor has already entered the sleep capsule and is descending into an alien body. It might be two months before the official start of the semester before he has time to meet you two juniors. As for your alien bodies, the professor has granted you autonomy as long as you do not go beyond the boundaries of Wang City County. If you must leave Wang City County, you need to report to him in advance."
Li Li then sent them a QR code and a long list of book titles through a private chat interface: "This is the reading list from the professor. Part of it is the basic knowledge of the university, which is the direction you must focus on for the next two years. You can do some preliminary research before the official start of the semester; the other part is the papers and books published by our professor, which you must be familiar with.
The QR code is for our work group. You can join it. If you encounter danger after descending, you can ask for help in the group. If the professor has tasks for you, he will also notify you in the group. Oh, by the way, just yesterday, the quantum communication relay device set by the Alien Body Management Bureau at our sandbank was destroyed by the Governor of Tianji Star, so you might receive a notice from the Alien Body Management Bureau when you descend—"
Lin Rui and Wang Sen exchanged glances upon hearing this. The destruction of the quantum communication relay? That could be troublesome.
The biological chip in an alien body houses two communication modules that rely on quantum entanglement technology: one with higher power, designated for contact with the quantum descent apparatus for the descent of the soul and consciousness of the alien body practitioner; and one with lesser power, used only for communication and requiring the support of a quantum communication relay, also known as particle communication.
Li Li continued, "Although the biological chip is capable of electromagnetic communication, I recommend not using it. The people of Tianji Star have already developed cultivation techniques for detecting electromagnetic waves, which are now widely implemented. Many alien body practitioners have come to grief because of this. You should have been taught in school. That's all."
Perceiving that Li Li intended to see them out, the two had no choice but to rise to leave.
As Lin Rui stood up, he remembered the gift box in his hand and left it on Li Li's desk with a smile, "Could you please pass this gift to the professor for me? And when might you be free, senior? I'd like to treat you to a meal."
"I've been very busy recently." Li Li shook his head slightly: "Let's make plans some other time."
It was after Lin Rui and company had left that he sighed softly, gripping the gift box as he walked to the first alien body descent chamber at the end of the corridor.
Professor Han Kedao had not descended into an alien body but was standing in front of a 'Godsleep 2' sleep capsule, making preparations for descending.
Li Li placed the gift box on a small table nearby: "Professor, I've sent the two juniors away. This is the gift from Lin Rui."
He hesitated slightly but still spoke up to advise: "Professor, I've inquired about these two juniors. They're quite promising, especially Lin Rui, whose martial cultivation talent is extraordinary. He ranked in the top 11 in the alien body practical examination, far surpassing us. He's a talent that other alien body companies can hardly obtain!"
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The 'Top Ten' students from Alien Body College almost always choose to advance to battle suit colleges, participate in university martial arts leagues, and become martial arts stars in the public eye. Thus, the 11th place in the Alien Body practical assessment is actually the top student among alien body candidates in substance.
"I know his talent is strong."
Han Kedao answered with a bitter smile, "But what I need is immediate combat power! Someone like you who can help us explore those two ancient ruins and deal with all sorts of unforeseen situations as a battle suit user, not martial arts stars who have just received their alien bodies and can't yet focus on their alien skills. These two academic vacancies have cost us two powerful combatants over eight years. How can I be content with that?"
"Didn't Ms. Fang say she would speak on your behalf at the board meeting and secure additional funding for our project? And that she could arrange for us to receive some of Tianlan Group's decommissioned equipment?"
Li Li scratched his head and said with a sense of helplessness, "Professor, you have been very generous to them, not only allowing them freedom of movement but also specifically asking me and brother Wang to keep an eye on them. I don't think you need to do this, as it's clear you've done a good thing, only to be blamed later."
"Additional funding? Don't count on her."
Han Kedao snorted, as he found Fang Ranran unreliable. She appeared pure and lovely, but in reality, she was a crafty little fox, just like her father who'd made a name for himself in the federal political sphere with his smooth-talking ways.
"Enough! No need to persuade me; I'm just temporarily unable to contain my anger, and it's merely misdirected frustration. Once I've calmed down, I'll meet with them."
Han Kedao let out a sigh and then patted the sleep pod in front of him, "Go get ready too. We will descend together in two hours. We're going to be down there for a long time, possibly unable to return for up to two months—"
At that same time, at Mingde University's martial arts club, Lin Rui and Wang Sen were also preparing to descend to Tianji Star.
Both the main and deputy leaders of the club were absent today, and Fang Ranran along with Yu Feicui were also out, leaving the atmosphere within the martial arts club particularly somber.
However, Tianlan Group's custom-made 'Shenmian Type 3' had already been delivered to the martial arts club and placed in Lin Rui and Wang Sen's private resting room. Fang Ranran even hired a cute-looking and charismatically caring nurse, at a considerable cost, to assist with their initial alien body descent and take care of their physical bodies during their alien form's descent.
Lin Rui was lying quietly in the octagonal column-shaped Shenmian Type 3 life pod.
Various infusion tubes within were 'gurgling' as they pumped life-sustaining fluid in, completely submerging Lin Rui and wrapping around his body from all sides.
Lin Rui felt very warm, as if he had returned to the womb.
Wang Xiaofang, the nurse, stood by the 'Quantum Spirit Control Device' control panel, making various adjustments.
Wang Sen's descent time was a bit later than Lin Rui's, and he was in another room, chatting with Lin Rui.
Weirdo Youth (Wang Sen): It's bad; these next eight years are going to be rough. Professor Han doesn't just have a problem with us; he utterly despises us.
Gu Ying Tiandao (Lin Rui): How can you tell?
Weirdo Youth (Wang Sen): Brother Rui, can't you see? Look at the work group chat, not a single senior is speaking; it's too quiet. I bet that's not their real work group, just one to appease us. I've tried private messaging them, and not one has responded.
Weirdo Youth (Wang Sen): Also, I've done some digging, and it seems Professor Han is working on a project and has been scouring the world for free alien body users with strong combat power. His recruitment requirement is at least the rank of Captain, meaning all our seniors are at least Captains, possibly even Major ranked alien body users.
Lin Rui thought the same and frowned slightly as he looked at Professor Han's work group chat.
Right then, Yu Feicui sent a message to the group.
Heart of Jade (Yu Feicui): You're about to descend, right? Remember, safety comes first. Did you receive the notification from the Alien Body Administration? The relay is damaged, and communication is temporarily unavailable. Be extra cautious while it's being repaired.
Gu Ying Tiandao (Lin Rui): Understood!
Weirdo Youth (Wang Sen): Got it!
At that moment, the nurse named Wang Xiaofang spoke up, "Lin Rui, the Alien Body Administration has sent a message; your alien body has reached the designated location. However, the administration has issued a warning that there have been abnormal environmental changes in the counties around Wang City over the past three days, elevating the risk level for Warrant Officer ranked Martial Cultivators to S level."
"Heart rate normal, blood pressure normal, electroencephalogram normal, oxygen supply normal, organ responses good—"
"The life pod is functioning normally, the quantum network is stable, and the Quantum Spirit Control Device is in good condition. Ready to proceed with the soul attachment. Shall we descend now?"
Lin Rui's brow furrowed tighter. What's happening? Why has the risk level suddenly increased so much?
He then composed himself, "Descend now!"
Now that the arrow was on the string, he had no choice but to shoot. Lin Rui was actually looking forward to his first journey to Tianji Star.
Despite the fact that Lin Rui would have to focus primarily on the martial arts club for the coming years, he felt some anticipation for his soon-to-begin alien body career, the Tianji Star civilization, and the powerfully martial people of Tianji Star.
—After all, that was an alien civilization, rare and intriguing!