How come I was the one being targeted?

"Eh--!?"

Alan, who was leading the way, turned back when he heard this and saw Bai Jun's cornflower-blue eyes staring at him. He immediately tried to explain something in a panic: "No, no, no... I, I didn't mean it that way, just, just..."

"Alan, you must also call me Bai Jun, without the word 'Mr.'. That way it's fair."

Bai Jun gave him a gentle smile on his pale face.

Alan, who had been staring blankly with his head raised for a long time, finally turned around and made strange noises of "Ah Ba Ah Ba" in panic. He quickly pulled up the collar of his uniform to cover half of his red face, and then took a step forward.

Compared to the reception platform when we first arrived at the space station yesterday, today's base module section has a more human touch. The staff members walked out of the dormitory one after another, chatting and laughing as they walked towards the same destination, the restaurant.

"Who's that guy next to Section Chief Alan? He's super-good-looking. Hey! I'm helping you with this week's project. Can you get his contact information for me?"

"You're dreaming! Can't you sense his icy aura? Maybe he's the legendary iceberg handsome man... Besides, even if I really had the guts to go up to him, how could I possibly give you the contact information I've asked for?"

“That’s right…”

On the way, you can hear many female staff members whispering to each other, and the male staff members are also whispering with their heads down. The topics are slightly different, but the subject of discussion is the same.

"He actually took care of all those Rift Creatures by himself? Guh... So terrifying, I feel like he's even stronger than Brother Alan."

"It's true that I can't say he's bad, and he looks... well, okay, I admit he's a little more handsome than me."

"Xi, it would be so embarrassing if someone heard you talking so close to me!"

—Sorry, I heard everything.

This was the first time that Bai Jun felt so disgusted with his hearing, but since he had heard it, it was impossible for him to ignore these comments. He then glanced at the men who were gossiping over there, and instantly scared them so much that they fled with pale faces.

After having a simple breakfast with Alan, Bai Jun came to the containment section of the Black Tower Space Station under his guidance.

Passing through a long, cold corridor, there are cabinets on both sides filled with colorful objects. Alan said that these are all rare objects collected by the Black Tower from all over the universe.

Because Ms. Black Tower's collection efficiency is too strong, the huge space station is unable to collect display cabinets that match the rare objects. In the end, they had to collect the rare objects that Ms. Black Tower specifically named, and divide the rest that were not of interest among the staff in the space station for their own research, so that everyone can make full use of them.

At the end of the passage was an unremarkable room. The closer Alan got, the stiffer his expression became. When he reached the door, he was already sweating profusely. With a stiff smile, he explained to Bai Jun:

"Bai Jun, you can go in by yourself. I, I won't go. After all, I'm just a small section chief. I can't compare with Station Chief Ester."

Bai Jun could see that Alan seemed to be a little afraid of the black tower, but he didn't say much and walked in alone.

The meaning of the room here is unclear, and the interior seems extremely empty. The only thing that can be called equipment is the display case in the center of the room, which should be loaded with rare objects collected from all over the Black Tower. But when Bai Jun saw the star core containing terrifying energy on the display case, his eyes widened instantly.

Something deep within the soul seemed to tremble constantly at the breath of the star core. That existence was not the Sui Emperor, but something deeper...

A warm current flowed through the limbs from somewhere, the heartbeat in the chest gradually accelerated, and a familiar power gradually spread throughout the body in a completely new form, and was about to spread in the body with exponential power.

This impulse is by no means attracted by the star core itself, nor is it out of a desire for it... but is completely opposed to the star core itself, a kind of arrogance that overrides itself?

As he carefully felt this unknown power, a nameless anger arose, causing Bai Jun to forget to breathe.

"What are you standing there for? Come here quickly."

Heita frowned his cute eyebrows slightly and impatiently urged Bai Jun who was standing stupidly at the door.

When he came to his senses, the power that had just been gradually channeled out of his body disappeared without a trace, and even the nameless anger disappeared out of thin air, as if everything was an illusion. Bai Jun was stunned for a full moment and barely recovered from his previous state.

Seeing Bai Jun approaching, Heita patted the sample record in his hand and stared at him with the same eyes as he would a lab mouse:

"Hehe, it's amazing! In order to restrain this unactivated star core and save the Azure Planet from disaster, I built an entire space station... and someone can actually go back to basics and solve it with just a gun - seriously, how did you do it?"

The sample records indicate that it started with the accidental leakage of energy from the star core two months ago, followed by the star core energy causing a rift in the confinement compartment a month ago, and the rift activity reaching its peak a few days ago.

According to the Black Tower's reasonable and never-wrong judgment, these residual star core energies should have been able to support the rift for several months.

The latest page recorded that after the rift completely disappeared yesterday, the remaining energy of the star core in the confinement section was directly reduced to zero. The instigator of all this was actually the man in front of him who seemed to have no merit except for his good looks.

"How? Just bang-bang-bang! It's done."

"Choose your words more carefully. And who did you learn that way of speaking from?... It always makes me feel uncomfortable for some reason."

Heita made an extremely unhappy sound of clicking her tongue. The way Bai Jun spoke reminded her of a very disgusting and childish hacker. If Bai Jun didn't look like someone who would have anything to do with a hacker, Heita would have every reason to suspect that there was some kind of connection between him and that hacker.

The records of the Rift samples also record relevant information about the Rift creations. Those things will record the etheric information of things touched by the Rift, and mix it with the data stored in the Rift itself to produce a grafted Rift creation.

The monsters created by assimilating the rift with the collected biological data retain the original biological form but also have some mutations.

However, she heard Alan's report yesterday that some kind of rift creature that can completely transform into the same appearance seems to have appeared recently, which aroused Heita's great curiosity. Unfortunately, the rift has now been destroyed, and it is impossible to capture those alien rift creatures.

"By the way, Ms. Heita, are my physical examination data out yet?"

"No, I was too lazy to research yesterday, so I'll just chalk it up to your special physique."

Bai Jun asked the question that had been bothering him for a long time. Heita raised her head and answered clearly and concisely. Looking at her, she looked just like a student who just picked a topic and handed it in perfunctorily at the end of the university semester.

"You're jumping to conclusions without even looking at the material? That's incredibly irresponsible..."

"Otherwise, do you think your life is more meaningful than destroying the Rift?"

Heita said matter-of-factly, "There's no such thing as likes or dislikes for collections; it's only about whether or not people are interested. This depends entirely on its research value. I don't need your willingness. I'm just interested in your ability to destroy the Rift, and that's enough."

"The reason I called you here today is very simple. I need to collect the power you used to destroy the Rift, and then—"

Heita turned around and suddenly caught a glimpse of the changes that had occurred to the star core stored in the display case. He was so surprised that he stood there in a daze.

The star core, which had been violent and violent originally, was now hiding in the corner of the display case innocently like a child who was afraid of something. It changed its arrogant attitude and sickly restrained all the violent energy it emitted.

Heita stared at the star core in a daze, then changed her gaze to look at Bai Jun who looked confused, then looked back at the star core, and then looked at Bai Jun again. After a brief brainstorming, a terrible idea emerged in her mind.

- Could it be that it wasn't the power used by Bai Jun that destroyed the Rift, but himself!?

"Ahem, plans have changed. I think you and I have more important things to do right now. How about this? Come find me in my office and I'll show you some fun stuff."

"Test something fun?"

Although Bai Jun didn't say anything, his face was full of distrust.

"You're quite suspicious, little brat. Don't worry, I won't let you get hurt at all. With my skills, even drawing blood won't damage your blood vessels. After I finish this test, I'll go check your physical condition and start your treatment process tomorrow, okay? Humph, I'm only a little interested in you now. Once I lose my enthusiasm, I won't even study you even if you beg me to."

Heita snorted, and after agreeing to complete Bai Jun's goal first, the light in his eyes quickly dissipated, leaving only the puppet in automatic answering mode.

The woman who comes and goes like the wind probably refers to someone like this...

Bai Jun wanted to ask her what she meant, but the situation had developed to this point, so he had to take back the question that was on the tip of his tongue. After all, he couldn't ask questions to an empty doll... Doll?

After realizing this, Bai Jun's eyes immediately became excited. He first looked around as if to confirm the environment, and then approached the empty doll of the black tower with anticipation on his face.

He had long been interested in the structure and details of the doll, and while she was away he wanted to see if he could figure out something. After all, Bai Jun was a skilled artisan, and he wouldn't be so poor that he couldn't even understand something by stealing the information.

"The cheeks are soft, the muscle density is similar to that of a normal girl, the fat density is just right, and the subtle body temperature is the finishing touch. But the most crucial thing is the internal nerve structure. How does this doll experience the five senses..."

While Bai Jun was so engrossed in his research, he didn't notice that Heita's eyes were gradually regaining their brilliance.

"Oh, by the way, kid, I forgot to tell you, remember to bring me the sample records on the puppet's hand... Also, what are you doing to my puppet?"

After noticing the strange feeling on his face and neck, as well as Bai Jun's unruly little hands, Heita's eyes immediately became dangerous.

"Ah, uh... Well, Xi, can you listen to my explanation?"

Bai Jun withdrew his hand with a stiff expression, took a few steps back without saying a word, and wanted to explain something in a sweaty state, but the other party didn't seem to be willing to accept the explanation as he took out the hammer.

"Kougua! Alan, save me—!"

"I'm here! Bai Jun, are you okay?"

Alan rushed into the room immediately after hearing Bai Jun's cry for help. Before he could see what was happening, he collided heavily with Bai Jun who was knocked flying towards him.

Space Station Stories: Chapter 86: Confused Transformation (5k1)

"You're so slow! You've been following me for so long, don't you know that my time is precious? I mean the one standing outside the door!"

Heita, who had been waiting in the office impatiently, made a dissatisfied complaint the moment Bai Jun opened the door and came in. His gaze and voice passed by Bai Jun's side, making Alan, who was standing at the door, shiver.

"S-Sorry, Ms. Heita, this is my problem..."

In order to make Bai Jun suffer less, Alan spent a lot of time on the way introducing him to Ms. Heita's temperament, hobbies, habits, and things she disliked. Alan, who was late for a moment without realizing it, was so nervous that he walked in trembling like a helpless child.

"Why are you so scared? I'm not going to eat you. Forget it. I'm in a good mood today. I won't bother with you. Go out."

Seeing that Alan was cowering like a mouse encountering a big cat as usual, Heita immediately lost all interest and was too lazy to continue arguing with him. After waving his hand to drive Alan out, Heita threw a physical examination report to Bai Jun.

"As you wish, take it. Don't you want the physical data?"

Bai Jun took the medical report. The white paper was covered in numerous technical terms he couldn't understand, but that didn't matter, because the bottom line contained the Black Tower's verdict: "Under normal circumstances, the patient will not survive more than fourteen years."

So cold and cruel...

Although Bai Jun was mentally prepared, he couldn't help feeling depressed after seeing the conclusion that he would not live more than fourteen years.

"To put it simply, your body has suffered extremely serious injuries in the past. While the Power of Plenty is healing you, it has also overdrawn your cellular activity. It's like taking out a loan from a bank. Once your cells completely lose their activity, you'll die. But..."

Heita looked at Bai Jun with interest.

"Even an Immortal would not feel well if they were to absorb such a high concentration of the Power of Plenty in one breath, and would most likely fall into a beastly frenzy. Yet, with your ordinary human body, not only did you not burst like a balloon under the Power of Plenty, you were actually able to maintain your original human form. Honestly, if it weren't for your data showing that you were indeed human, I would have thought you were a member of the Plenty Clan from some unknown place."

"Wait.... Are you saying that the cause of all this is actually abundance!?"

After hearing that the culprit for the loss of his vitality was not Emperor Sui but Fengyao, Bai Jun asked in a somewhat inappropriate manner.

Heita didn't say anything, her expressionless face had already answered Bai Jun's question.

It seems that Tail was right when he said that Sui Huang wouldn't be interested in his life or emotions. He had been wrong about Sui Huang all along, but it was still strange. Why did he feel strange every time he used Sui Huang's power? There might be other reasons...

Bai Jun calmed himself down and asked tentatively, "...Can Ms. Heita cure it?"

"do not know."

Black Tower, who always prides himself on being a genius, unexpectedly gave an ambiguous answer.

"As much as I hate to admit it, I have to admit that your situation is incredibly unique—the ability of a human body to withstand high concentrations of abundant energy, and the ability to destroy rifts and suppress star cores—either of these two points would be enough for me to study for a while, but you possess both. So, I can't say for sure if I can cure you. I'll leave it to fate. Let's see if I can come up with a plan before you die."

Hearing his life being treated like a toy in her mouth, Bai Jun couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth twice, and finally turned into a sigh that melted into the cold air of the office.

"I understand. I'll leave it to you, Ms. Black Tower. If there's nothing else, I'll leave first..."

"Wait a moment."

When Bai Jun turned around and was about to leave, Heita suddenly stopped him. In the former's puzzled eyes, she slowly turned on the huge screen behind her.

The huge screen instantly lit up, dyeing the office a deep blue. Bai Jun squinted his eyes subconsciously in the glaring light. He saw Heita with his back to the screen, extending his hand towards him, inviting him sincerely:

"I'm not going to beat around the bush, Bai Jun—a few colleagues and I are working on a major project. If successful, we'll be able to solve the ultimate problem that has plagued us for thousands of years: the mystery of the "Star God."

"Star God?"

After a period of adaptation, Bai Jun finally saw the content on the screen clearly, but after seeing a large number of star gods on it, he shook his head without hesitation and rejected the invitation.

You can tell that thing is very dangerous just by hearing it. "Hunting" Lan is the best example. Even if he has no intention, his every move in the process of hunting pharmacists is enough to cause a devastating blow to civilization, not to mention taking the initiative to study those great gods. By then, he might not even know how he died.

Bai Jun's reaction was not surprising, as Heita had anticipated this, but she believed that she had the capital to get the other party to join.

"'Star Gods'—just think about it, haha, what amazing beings! Some of these Star Gods were once even ordinary humans like you and me, but somehow, they gained powers beyond our imagination!"

"Mysterious, powerful, silent, terrifying! The mysteries surrounding them can't be fully explained in a few words. How were they born? Why were they born? What was the purpose of their birth? ... Bai Jun, let me ask you, have you ever thought about these questions?"

"I don't know. I've never thought about it, and I'm not interested."

Bai Jun was not interested in Heita's words at all. He just wanted to live his own life in peace and not get involved in any troublesome events.

Heita simply stared at him quietly with those beautiful eyes that looked like purple gemstones. Then he slowly spoke, "What if I told you that there was a way to save you in the simulated universe? Would you still keep your original answer?"

"......Why?"

After Heita uttered these words, Bai Jun's expression froze for a moment, and then his heart was filled with incomprehensible confusion.

"The principle of simulating the universe is to connect virtual Star Gods with the real destiny, thereby simulating virtual Star Gods whose godhood and wisdom are derived from real Star Gods. Then, we can ask them questions, questions of the omniscient and omnipotent Star Gods. I don't need to elaborate on the significance of this, right?"

If he could truly get the chance to question a Star God... no, by the time he got the chance, he'd probably already be a Star God's Emissary, right? And even an Emissary wouldn't necessarily possess the qualifications to question a Star God. Bai Jun had to admit, this was a crazy, yet rational, plan.

Seeing his expression gradually calm down, Heita curled up a smile and continued to explain:

"But because Star Gods lack free will and care about nothing other than their fate, they simply ignore questions from ordinary experimenters. But that's only true for ordinary people. But you, Bai Jun, are different."

Heita walked to Bai Jun's side, and this time there was a hint of passion in his smile.

"But as I just said, you possess two qualities that ordinary people cannot possess, which means you have the qualifications to be recognized by the Star God more easily than ordinary people! Take the test! As long as you can attract the glance of the 'Pharmacist', all your worries will disappear!"

Now he understood. He figured that Heita was using treatment as a cover to trick him into being a guinea pig. No wonder he was talking so mysteriously just now. It was probably because of this invitation.

"Go experience it now! I'll guide you through the simulated universe and make sure you don't lose anything! I'll also pay you a large sum."

After hesitating, Bai Jun finally agreed to Heita's request. He originally wanted to refuse, but the reason why he agreed in the end was very simple - because it seemed that there was no other choice except this method at the moment.

Heita took him to a corner under a huge screen, took out a helmet-like instrument from the center of the machine, and handed it to Bai Jun.

"Yes, put it on and just stand there. The machine will read your brain waves and automatically match the immersive simulation system..."