Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'

"Reincarnated baby, the ability of near immortality—well, although I am already a living sun, I still have some need for longevity."

After all, a mere few billion years of lifespan indeed pales in comparison to the near immortality of the primordial species.

It's rather unfortunate that I didn't acquire the ability to directly modify probabilities like Lord Entropy—that's a whole different dimension from simply throwing stones.

Ordinary strong men, no matter how imaginative, can only imitate beasts, monsters, and superhumans, understanding only how much rock can be shattered with a punch.

But even a preschooler knows that comparing a toy-breaking, arrogant first grader to the gentle, harmless world tycoon, the latter is surely more powerful.

This is the difference in realms and levels.

Pawns devour each other, horses leap, elephants stomp, cannons blast, the spectacle is exhilarating.

Yet a being like Lord Entropy is above the chessboard, indifferent to the casualties, at most remarking, 'What a shame, bad luck this round.'

What the Secret Society longs for is likely that kind of ability.

Or rather, the Secret started with just two goals:

1. Terraform Azure Star into Earth, gather more Senators, and ultimately complete the Secret Council;

2. Seize the power to manipulate probabilities from Lord Entropy.

The former doesn't need much elaboration, as the greed and brutality of Earthlings prevents them from properly building Azure Star.

As for the latter, even the Flame-Haired Girl can guess what the purpose of seizing Lord Entropy's ability is.

"Starry Abyss."

Careful thought reveals it.

'Silent Disconnect' focused on erupting in recent years, backed by all of the Society's unity, leaving the Narrative Civilization helpless, directly severing contact with the lower Starry Abyss.

Once Lord Entropy's power is grasped, even if the Narrative Civilization has the power to solidify spacetime—even a turtle has time to peek out, it can't stay still in the Inherent Time Domain forever.

It's considered an open strategy.

Narrative Civilization can spar in the Inherent Time Domain against the Society led by Secret, where the Society certainly can't enter—as not every narrative is like the Void, monopolizing the entire Starry Abyss, letting the Inherent Time Domain fill the cosmic universe.

There are plenty of scattered, numerous civilizations, and once the Narrative Civilization closes its gate, the Society must pivot, sharpening teeth and claws, targeting these poor souls.

But if they emerge to face them, it plays right into the Society's hands, whose powerful infiltration and mobility will impose a crushing advantage on the Starry Abyss Civilization.

Of course, in terms of accumulated power, the Narrative Civilization still has the upper hand, its scale stands as evidence, but if even the power of primordial species is obtained, how the battle evolves becomes unpredictable.

"At least, this problem is temporarily solved, and the larger environment grants some opportunities to the Starry Abyss Side, but how to proceed in the future... never mind, I can't be bothered to think."

The Flame-Haired Girl turned to look at Du Zexin's remains.

Du Zexin's death didn't bring much shock to the Flame-Haired Girl.

Perhaps it's due to deepened divinity accompanying her ascent on the Pathway, perhaps she has surpassed the age of youthful fervor, perhaps she has formed new bonds.

In any case, this matter has passed.

"Although I am not clear on how Du Zexin was corrupted and fallen by Secret, there are indeed too many channels of contact on Azure Star."

Said without understanding, but given her intelligence enhanced by Earthly lineage, she can guess a bit:

From the end of the White Knight's battle, Du Zexin's physical death, yet his flesh remained intact.

From then on, Du Zexin's situation seemed off.

She held a single hand to her forehead, and old vistas resurfaced:

"How is your body?" Li Aozi turned to the consciousness-uploaded Du Zexin, asking.

"... No big issues."

In her witness perspective, Du Zexin's machine flashed warning lights, seemingly evasive.

"Really? Your head's been chopped off, and you inhaled that poison gas."

Li Aozi expressed skepticism.

"I've refrigerated and frozen it, reattached the head with the Biochemist, and as for the gas, it's simpler by replacing the lungs with prosthetics—as an agent of the Third Rule, it's quite easy for me to buy these things."

The yellow indicator continued to blink.

—He's lying.

The Flame-Haired Girl opened her eyes.

From then, Du Zexin had already realized he was corrupted.

If not for his mechanical body, he might've become a Secret Citizen on the spot.

No, even a mechanical body couldn't halt the Secret Erosion.

Du Zexin managed to persist until fleeing to the Outer World purely by resilient will.

"You were prepared to perish together, Du Zexin."

Since he had long realized his days were numbered, Du Zexin still wanted to do something for himself and this world, even in corruption, he remained devoted to the people in his heart.

He wasn't conquered by Earthlings' power and violence; instead, he was disappointed with David Lyn's Frost Plated, despite being Ethers Eroded, he didn't forget his inner kindness.

She shook her head.

"The fallen, failed warrior, though corporeally annihilated, bones vanished, remains a warrior."

For her, giving such an assessment was enough.

As a tyrant with hands stained by blood and innocent lives, she had no right to criticize an idealist like Du Zexin.