Ever since Lin Xiaohe learned that time flowed differently inside the Black Domain versus outside, she and Brother Dong threw themselves into the intense task of selecting supplies.
Brother Dong asked, “Grass seeds, fruit seeds, smart temperature and humidity control systems – do you want them?”
“Yes!” Lin Xiaohe opened the Planet Transformation Plan in her mind.
“I also need gene repair formulas, artificial gravity simulation pods, tritium-helium fuel rods, closed-loop hydroponic systems, 3D printers, ice mining equipment, soil processors for star soil, high-efficiency solar panels…”
To save resources, they planned to use the soil from Kyushu Star to build surface structures.
As for atmospheric transformation, they couldn’t rely solely on the seeds Changqing had given them. They decided to take a two-pronged approach: using algae reaction tanks in the early stage and relying on Lin Xiaohe to grow plants in the later stage.
Brother Dong had a wide network of contacts. Almost every time Lin Xiaohe made a request, he could immediately find a corresponding supplier.
His brow furrowed tighter and tighter. He stopped what he was doing and asked hesitantly, “Are you guys planning to transform an entire planet?”
Lin Xiaohe considered Brother Dong to be a trusted ally, so she didn’t try to hide it from him. “Yes.”
Brother Dong looked thoughtful. “When it comes to transformation technology, the Gaia Academy’s ecological dome technology and barren star environmental improvement system are the best in the entire Federation. A lot of conglomerates like to use those two technologies.”
The Federation had extensive experience in transforming planets. After all, not every star could be as habitable as Tigre Star.
Lin Xiaohe said helplessly, “Is it that I don’t want them? It’s that I don’t have the money!”
Besides, would Gaia Academy even dare to sell those two technologies to her?
Brother Dong remained silent.
Money. What a tormenting little demon.
The two of them worked together seamlessly, ordering the Mantis Armed Group around like headless chickens.
One after another, autonomous unmanned cargo ships flew to the vicinity of the Stardust Wall.
After placing all her orders, Lin Xiaohe’s only task now was to wait.
She stood on a cold star in the black market and gazed up at the starry sky.
Countless stars shone brightly, but in the vast canopy of the sky, darkness dominated.
She withdrew her gaze and opened the message Melina had sent her.
After she fled into the Black Domain, the Ministry of Security pressured the military, demanding that the Sixth Star Ring’s military set up outposts at the triple border and send troops into the Black Domain.
The commander of the Sixth Star Ring’s military district firmly refused. His reason was that the First Federal Court had not issued a verdict, so there was no proof that Lin Xiaohe was a traitor.
Lin Xiaohe still retained her military status. The Federation military would never persecute their own comrade.
When the Ministry of Security’s spokesperson heard their response, they exploded with rage. “The First Federal Court was blown up by Lin Xiaohe herself! How can they issue a verdict?”
The military wouldn’t listen. They insisted on following proper procedures. If they wanted to expel Lin Xiaohe, they had to produce a court verdict bearing Lin Xiaohe’s own signature.
The Ministry of Security’s spokesperson then argued, “In front of the entire Federation, Lin Xiaohe killed so many people in the courtroom. You can’t deny that, can you?”
The military deflected. “That’s a matter for the Federal Police. It’s outside our military’s jurisdiction.”
The two sides bickered back and forth. The Ministry of Security tried to use public opinion to force the military’s hand.
The First, Second, and Third Star Rings were outraged. They believed Lin Xiaohe was the century’s biggest murderer and a sinner against the entire Federation.
But the reactions in the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Star Rings were very calm. Official announcers shouted themselves hoarse, but ordinary people just went about their daily lives.
Therefore, the Sixth Star Ring’s military felt no pressure from public opinion whatsoever.
Reading this, Lin Xiaohe felt a tumult of emotions.
In her memory, the bald commander who doted on his wife and spoiled his son had shown a side of courage and principle.
She continued reading.
For some unknown reason, after nearly a month of squabbling, the Ministry of Security suddenly backed down and completely withdrew from the matter.
Lin Xiaohe frowned. No wonder the Mantis Armed Group dared to organize sightseeing tours. It was because the Ministry of Security had given up.
She read that line several times. She felt it didn’t match the Ministry of Security’s typical domineering style of conduct.
Melina’s thoughts aligned with hers.
Melina guessed that the Ministry of Security’s sudden retreat might be related to that top-secret file.
The top-secret file had special protection mechanisms. Once opened, or if someone entered the wrong password, a self-destruct sequence would trigger.
Melina didn’t dare to crack it herself, but she believed Lin Xiaohe could figure it out.
And she was right.
In front of Xinbao, the protective mechanisms of this top-secret file were like a layer of tissue paper, easily pierced with a light poke.
Inside was a massive compressed file, containing not only text documents but also a large number of video and image files.
Lin Xiaohe opened the first document. Five large characters greeted her eyes: Project Leviathan.
Lin Xiaohe’s eyelids twitched. In Federation mythology, Leviathan was an ancient sea monster symbolizing chaos, destruction, and forces beyond human control.
Why would the Federation name a project after Leviathan?
A vague suspicion formed in Lin Xiaohe’s mind. The contents of this project confirmed her suspicion.
…
The fact that Lin Xiaohe had emerged from the Black Domain couldn’t be hidden. The fleeing tourists immediately reported it to the Sixth Star Ring’s government.
The government sent patrol officers to escort the tourists. After getting them to safety, they didn’t immediately go to the black market to pursue Lin Xiaohe. Instead, they reported the matter up the chain of command.
Inside the Federation’s internal system, Lin Xiaohe’s danger level was very high, reaching orange level.
Therefore, upon receiving news of her activity, the Federation’s central government decided to coordinate with the military to launch a pursuit operation.
But an unexpected event interrupted the operation.
Chu Huaizhi had woken up!
In the high level VIP ward of Tigre Star’s First Hospital, Cassian was crying his eyes out, tears and snot streaming down his face.
“You old bastard! You’re finally awake!”
Chu Huaizhi opened his eyes. He felt incredibly heavy all over, as if gravity had been increased a hundredfold.
“How did I end up in the hospital?”
Cassian wiped his face and said grumpily, “You should be asking yourself that! How could you just eat anything? Did you even know what that thing was before you shoved it in your mouth?!”
Chu Huaizhi chuckled, rubbed his head, and said sheepishly, “Well, my physical constitution was at least super 3S. I was just having a little fun, you know?”
Cassian’s expression was blank. He ruthlessly dropped a bombshell. “Oh, sorry to tell you, but that ‘little fun’ of yours accidentally cost you your super 3S constitution.”
Huh?!
Chu Huaizhi was dumbfounded. “I lost what?”
Cassian enunciated each word, enthusiastically telling him the reality. “Right now, your mental strength is 1, and your physical constitution is C grade. So? Still want to have fun?”
Oh, come on!!
Chu Huaizhi felt like crying but had no tears. “It’s over, it’s over. I’m so weak now. Lin Xiaohe’s definitely going to look down on me, isn’t she? Boo hoo hoo, I’ll just have to live off my apprentice from now on.”
No problem. His apprentice had 10 billion credits. She could support him.
As soon as Lin Xiaohe was mentioned, Cassian’s heart ached fiercely. “Sorry to say, but your apprentice is gone too, because of your little stunt.”
