On the third day of the return voyage, Lu Yan kept Yu Zhizhi by his side, introducing her to others as his adopted daughter. This was a decision Lu Yan made after careful consideration, recognizing that Yu Zhizhi, being young and intellectually impaired, clearly needed a legal guardian. Coincidentally, he hadn’t yet utilized the school district apartment he had purchased in City S. The only issue was that Lu Yan, being only 28 years old, did not qualify for adoption. However, this was not a major problem. After all, with Tang Xunan being 103 years old, listing the adoption under his name worked just the same.
The patrol ship, often working at sea, rarely encountered children of her age, and the little girl was dearly loved by the crew members. Lu Yan had initially been worried that the child might be scared in an unfamiliar environment, but Yu Zhizhi adapted well, eating and sleeping regularly, showing good recovery.
From the second night onward, Lu Yan began receiving several messages of condolence on his phone, essentially telling him, “Everyone dies at some point,” and urging him not to be too distressed.
Director Li advised, “Rest well after you return.”
Zhou Qiming offered, “Contact me anytime if you need anything.”
Ning Huai inquired, “When will you arrive? I’m waiting for you in City A.”
…
Lu Yan did not respond to any of them.
He questioned the system, “Is a trial necessary? Can’t we just use divine purification directly?”
The system replied, “Without a trial, the divine purification would revert pollutants back to their state before contamination, which is to say, a normal human state.”
The system added, mockingly, “You wouldn’t want to use your talent and have your loved one turn into an old man. Though, I don’t really mind either. After all, Tang Xunan’s inheritance is quite tempting for anyone.”
“What is the ‘Trial’ talent?” Lu Yan asked.
“If I had to explain, it’s somewhat like the Book of Merit and Demerit in the underworld. You could judge all beings. But when you judge others, this talent also applies to you.”
“Within your authority, those who meet the standards will continue to exist; those who don’t will receive corresponding punishment.”
“What authority?”
“Spiritual power threshold, or pollution value.”
Lu Yan only partially understood but reached a preliminary consensus with the system: they needed to acquire this talent as soon as possible.
A week later, Lu Yan arrived in City A with Yu Zhizhi. The welcoming party at the airport included Director Li and Minister Wang, whom Lu Yan had only met once before. Half a year ago, Minister Wang still had a full head of dark hair, but now it had turned completely white. He briefly spoke with his liaison, primarily to let others know that his mental state was stable. Lu Yan planned to visit the Disease Prevention and Control Center. As he was about to board the car, he heard Minister Wang’s voice from behind.
“Mr. Lu,” Minister Wang said, “Sorry to bother you. Do you have... part of Tang Xunan’s remains, or do you know the approximate sea area where they are? We plan to send a team to retrieve them.”
Tang Xunan’s death had not been made public, but it had become an unspoken consensus among the upper echelons. Minister Wang had been Tang Xunan’s liaison decades ago. Lu Yan pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and handed over a broken blade, saying, “Fix this knife. It might still be useful in the future.”
When Lu Yan reached the City A Disease Prevention and Control Center, he found Ning Huai smoking at the entrance. Despite Harbingers being resistant to low temperatures, Ning Huai, possibly because he had had children, was dressed very warmly. He had been out of Changjia for two months but still hadn’t fully adapted to modern life. Seeing Lu Yan, Ning Huai smiled, “Not bad, I thought you’d come back missing an arm or a leg. The headquarters wants you to write a mission report.”
Everyone was curious about what Lu Yan and Tang Xunan had encountered at the center of the storm, but Lu Yan was too lazy to write. Ning Huai leaned in and whispered, “With no tiger in the mountains, the monkey calls itself king. That thing from District 5, Emperor Shitian, had previously applied to the center, wanting you to perform a pollutant removal surgery on him... The headquarters declined on your behalf.”
“Perhaps because of the second Red Moon, many high-ranking Harbingers’ spiritual power thresholds have soared. Now, with a spiritual power threshold of thirteen thousand, Emperor Shitian is the top ranker in the absence of Tang Xunan.”
“He knows you’re back. He’s been waiting at the City A Disease Prevention and Control Center for two days now. Ignore him when you see him; I’ll
be with you.”
The system couldn’t help but taunt, “Oh, coming to bully the widow.”
Ning Huai’s spiritual power had also increased, but it was just over eleven thousand. Lu Yan said, “System, update the information.”
Since leaving R'lyeh, Lu Yan could feel a renewed vigor within him, but he hadn’t examined it closely. The system updated:
“Host Lu Yan, spiritual power threshold 17,100, mutation degree 31.2. The talent ‘Harbinger’ significantly lowers your mutation degree, but without it, your spiritual power threshold could have been even higher.”
“Talents: 1- Harbinger, 6- Omniscience, 14- Mental Reconstruction, 17- Life Absorption, 25- Devouring, 111- Delirium.”
“Mutation direction: Old God.”
“After devouring the black octopus and merging with the kingfish, you can freely transform parts of your body into tentacles. You inherit the black octopus's talents and its eyes, which can appear anywhere on your body under your control, possessing the properties of talent 14. Your tentacles are covered with deep red scales, able to use talent 17 unconsciously. You possess the ability to live underwater and to heal other Harbingers through medical means.”
“You have high aggression, a stable and uncontaminated mental state, a lethal body, strong self-healing, and defensive capabilities. You can fight, heal, and defend. Congratulations, you are invincible on land.”
Lu Yan was fairly satisfied with his condition.
Yan Bei has always resided in the Disease Prevention and Control Center of City A, choosing not to move elsewhere. It's said that due to his poor sense of direction, he's too lazy to memorize a new location. Besides, the staff at the center take good care of him.
Lu Yan, accompanied by Yu Zhizhi, approached Yan Bei, somewhat awkwardly requesting, "Could you take care of the child for a few days?" Yan Bei is known for his good nature and high spiritual power threshold. His drawings are also quite appealing. With Lu Yan heading to the floating island, entrusting Yu Zhizhi to Yan Bei seemed fitting, especially since both had spent time at the research institute and were acquainted.
Yu Zhizhi, trailing behind Lu Yan, had a vacant look in her eyes, lacking focus. Yan Bei, surprised, asked, "Is this… Subject 0?"
"Yes," Lu Yan confirmed without denial, "Brought by Tang Xunan at 19."
After a long hesitation, Yan Bei eventually voiced his concern, "I heard Tang Xunan has passed away… Are you alright?"
Lu Yan replied calmly, "Still alive, not dead."
Despite rumors of Tang Xunan's death, Lu Yan asserted he was alive. Yan Bei, piecing together the possibilities, pressed his lips together in silence, considering that Tang Xunan might have become a Pollutant.
It's no wonder Lu Yan is reluctant to write a mission report. Humanity needs and is grateful for the Harbinger Tang Xunan. Once a tyrant becomes a Pollutant, like those rebellious test subjects of the past, it becomes an entity to be wary of and, depending on the situation, to be eliminated.
Yan Bei tried to discern any signs of sadness or grief on Lu Yan's face but failed. Perhaps this is simply who Lu Yan is—always calm, always detached.
Yan Bei took Yu Zhizhi's hand, saying, "I'll take good care of Yu Zhizhi. Where are you planning to go? Back to K City?"
"I'm heading to the floating island for some business," Lu Yan replied.
[According to records, the floating island is situated atop a massive thundercloud.]
[There, only beings capable of flight can move freely, as stepping on clouds would most likely result in falling through.]
[Fortunately, though you lack wings, Emperor Shitian, with the talent for levitation (Talent 175), is just a few hundred meters away.]
Talent 175, literally allowing any object to levitate.
The system earnestly suggested, "[Going to the floating island alone is too troublesome. Bring an assistant.]"
Lu Yan didn't linger long in Yan Bei's room. Upon exiting, Ning Huai had already lit a new cigarette, holding it between his slender fingers without smoking it.
"I'll see you out. I've got a mission these next few days. Are you going abroad to spend time with Michael?" Ning Huai asked.
Despite having fought alongside Lu Yan, he, like others, made the same mistake of underestimating Lu Yan's strength. This was natural, considering Lu Yan had only become a Harbinger a year ago, and his last recorded spiritual power threshold, three months prior, was just over 8,000.
Within the headquarters' territory, Emperor Shitian might refrain from acting against Lu Yan out of respect for others. But outside, it was uncertain.
It wouldn't surprise anyone if a person, knowing they were near death, acted rashly.
The headquarters had considered having Lu Yan treat Emperor Shitian. However, Emperor Shitian hadn't joined the special operations department, and Tang Xunan had previously sought the Pope's assistance, mentioning Lu Yan's high mutation degree. A one-for-one exchange under such conditions seemed highly unfavorable.
Lu Yan removed his gloves, slightly flexing his fingers, "I want to test my spiritual power threshold."
Ning Huai was taken aback, "Sure."
As they approached the testing area, a tall, burly man floated towards them—literally.
Emperor Shitian, with his legs crossed, hovered in mid-air, his body pierced with many holes adorned with gold jewelry and long chains. Sporting long hair and three heads, six arms—though the additional heads seemed mindless—his muscular physique bore many scars, badges of honor from battling Pollutants.
His dark skin and stern expression exuded an intimidating aura, his neck adorned with decorative items.
Lu Yan's gaze settled on a spot below Emperor Shitian's neck and above his ribcage.
The system queried, "[What are you thinking about, staring so long?]"
"I'm considering getting one for Tang Xunan," Lu Yan mused.
"[…]"
Behind Emperor Shitian, numerous protrusions bulged, each containing a seed that resembled a lotus seed. His condition was indeed precarious.
"Harbinger," Emperor Shitian began, his voice echoing, "I…"
Lu Yan interrupted, "
I know what you want to say. Wait a moment."
He took a tester from a staff member, attaching it to his wrist. The device's numbers rapidly increased, sounding an alarm upon reaching 15,000—the device's maximum limit.
The staff member scrambled, apologizing, "Sorry, Mr. Harbinger. It seems the device is malfunctioning. Let me get you another."
Bringing another tester, he explained, "This is the latest from the Third Research Institute, with a maximum spiritual power threshold of 17,000…"
This device, with its complex dashboard, was clearly a meticulously developed high-end product. No sooner had he finished speaking than the screen displayed a glaring 17,000.
"How could this be… Our equipment was tested for over half a month at the institute! How could it suddenly malfunction?"
A scientist, puzzled, tested another device on himself, showing a reading of 321. Ning Huai tested himself, getting 11,072.
His mouth agape, the cigarette falling from his hand, he uttered in disbelief, "… What?"
This was not what he had anticipated. Even Emperor Shitian couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, his normally erect posture slightly bending.
Removing the device from his wrist, Lu Yan looked at Emperor Shitian, "I can save you. But you'll need to accompany me to the floating island."
He couldn't fly.
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