This time I chose Paladin.

Chapter 223 Star Stones and Curious Objects

Ping Xingdou's body trembled violently. He suddenly raised his head, his face covered with tears, his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling, his lips moving silently, as if he were fighting against some unseen force.

The runes engraved inside the cell seemed to be affected by some kind of interference, and their light began to flicker irregularly.

Liang Zhenduan held his breath and stared intently at him.

Finally, from Ping Xingdou's violently trembling lips, two broken syllables were squeezed out:

"...Starstone..."

Liang Zhenduan's pupils contracted, and he immediately asked, "Star Stone? What do you mean?"

Ping Xingdou slowly raised his hand, as if being whipped by an invisible lash. He curled up, clutching his head tightly with both hands, and forced out an even more difficult roar through his teeth, each word seemingly stained with blood and fear:

"Starstone...don't come near..."

He abruptly raised his head, tossing a starstone from his backpack—a stone he seemed to have hidden away and cherished for a long time, one he hadn't even given to Nie Weiyang. His star-like eyes were bloodshot, and he issued a warning with almost his last ounce of strength:
"Fu Nian is inside the star stone! Don't look for her...!"

Before he could finish speaking, he seemed to have all his strength drained away, and he collapsed backward, completely losing consciousness. The flashing runes on the surrounding walls instantly returned to normal.

Liang Zhenduan stood there, his face extremely grim.

He looked at the unconscious Ping Xingdou, and then recalled the warning he had shouted with all his might.

Star Stone...

Do not approach the star stone...

A chill crept up his spine. Liang Zhenduan stood in the cold cell, all this information like a cold wedge, driving it deep into his mind.

Is Fu Nian inside the star stone?
He stared at the seemingly beautiful but ominous crystal on the ground. A detail he had deliberately ignored suddenly became clear.

Nie Weiyang had previously reported information about the Star Stones and [Netherworld Crystal - Imitation Star Stone Type]. Given the other party's style, they would surely leave some of these special items for the scholars of Gushi to study. However, when the other party left Gushi, not a single Star Stone was left behind.

At the time, he only thought that Nie Weiyang had other uses for him and did not think deeply about it.

But now it seems...

Did Nie Weiyang already know about the dangers of star stones?

He recalled Nie Weiyang's explanation of the Star Stone—'a collection of souls that cannot go to the afterlife'.

The description itself was vague and dangerous, but at the time, his attention was drawn to the extraterrestrial danger it represented, and he subconsciously ignored its inherent strangeness. The other party simply told him that there might be fragments of starstone near the city, suggesting he collect them, but not to study them indiscriminately.

Furthermore, what is the connection between a soul aggregate and the stars? It seems to be full of hints...

Liang Zhenduan slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, the cold air stinging his lungs.

He realized that Nie Weiyang knew far more than he was willing to reveal. And perhaps the other party's choice to take away all the known star stone samples was a form of silent protection.

Regardless of whether this is the truth, and regardless of Nie Weiyang's true intentions, this matter must not be concealed. Nie Weiyang may have already arrived in Pingdu; if the Star Stone truly poses a threat…

Liang Zhenduan immediately turned around, strode out of the cell, and ordered the guards at the door in a deep voice: "Without my direct order, no one is allowed to contact Ping Xingdou, and all monitoring data must be reported to me in real time!"

"Yes!"

Liang Zhenduan strode towards the office and scooped up a tiger-like phantom spirit lying on the floor in the corner. 'Send an inquiry to Nie Weiyang: Does the Star Stone possess high-risk characteristics related to the soul? Are Ping Xingdou and Fu Nian's anomalies directly related to it? Please reply immediately upon receipt!'

At the same time, he immediately began drafting a report, preparing to send it urgently to Pingdu through military channels.

Regardless of whether Pingdu had learned of the existence of the Star Stones from Nie Weiyang, he had to pass on his findings and warnings—especially since Nie Weiyang was currently in Pingdu and was very likely carrying those dangerous Star Stone samples!
……

Far away in Pingdu, inside the Wanxiang Research Institute.

Nie Weiyang concluded his informative lecture and politely declined the scholars' requests to collaborate on research.

He has too many secrets, and his connection with the human mind is an uncontrollable variable. Any in-depth testing may lead to unpredictable consequences.

As for individual ability...

He doesn't need scholars to optimize it.

However, before leaving, he left Zhenhui in the enchanting laboratory of the research institute.

"It's been with me for a while, but it was damaged in battle and now needs repair," Nie Weiyang said to the elderly scholar in charge. "I'm counting on you all."

With the help of several assistants, the old scholar solemnly accepted the battered and tattered shield: "Rest assured! We will draw on the strengths of many schools of thought and do our utmost to bring it back to you in even greater form!"

Nie Weiyang nodded, turned around, and left the research institute, which was a fusion of countless wisdom and miracles, without any hesitation.

He walked alone into the night of Pingdu, which was as bright as day. His figure gradually blended into the dazzling and bustling sea of ​​light, like a drop of water returning to the ocean. He was going to wander around and learn about the current situation in Pingdu.

In the distant ancient city, a storm was quietly brewing over the Star Stone. Meanwhile, somewhere in Pingdu, several elderly people stared at a report on the new technology before them, a hint of distress on their faces.

"Are you sure it's usable?"

"Now that the technical principles are in place, the development of derivative spells becomes clear. Tell the research institute to put it into serious consideration!"

"Goodness, such a generous gift won't be easy to repay. By the way, does he hold a rank?"

"The previous report said that this guy wanted to maintain an unofficial identity... He also has an unofficial organization called 'The Organization,' an elite combat group that doesn't even have a base."

“…Alright.” The old man seemed puzzled for a moment by what kind of extraordinary name it was, and finally fell silent with an expression that said, ‘Never mind, maybe that’s just how young people are.’

"Speaking of which, he seems to have some other information. We'll have to send someone to talk to him later."

"So you're telling me, where did he get all that intelligence?"

"Who knows? As it stands, it might be Administrator Number Two."

"He was in contact with Administrator Number Two before he came to the New World? Hmm..."

"So what exactly is his relationship with Administrator Number Two... Just ask him directly during the conversation later, don't beat around the bush, he can read minds and doesn't like nonsense and riddles."

After some discussion, one of them seemed to be deep in thought, and then beckoned over a few people.

"Give Comrade Nie the list of unclaimed artifacts." He said calmly, yet with extraordinary authority: "Tell him he can take as many as he wants. Go ahead."

(End of this chapter)