novelraw Chapter 135 : Off-Season
Chapter 135 : Off-Season
"Energy wave signal fluctuations inside the God-Abandoned Domain can't even be captured. Later it was Master Tasia who became the first to discover the spatial attribute anomaly, defining this type of energy as 'space.' Subsequently, the spatial attribute of the God-Abandoned Domain was confirmed. Currently, all spatial energy signals obtained by the Star Alliance also come from Master Tasia."
Master Tasia was the most recent space attribute awakened one known to the Star Alliance. After she defined the space attribute, many previous predecessors' awakening attributes in the Star Alliance were redefined.
Chen Sui's expression showed some surprise when she heard this name.
Master Tasia's student was called Lalnuo.
Currently, one had passed away due to mental domain withering syndrome, and the other, also due to the same disease, couldn't leave the protection of the medical ward.
"I remember that the God-Abandoned Domain cleanup missions are very frequent, basically once a year?"
Zhang Yingjie immediately linked this information.
Xie Chunshi's fingertip trembled slightly, and he nodded slightly.
As this topic was brought up, Na Luo River's Commander leaned back, the bangs falling over his forehead making his expression difficult to discern between light and shadow.
On the other side, Xie Yi also lowered her head, her emotions somewhat low.
Chen Sui noticed this point and instinctively looked to the side.
Xie Chunshi's voice was slightly lower, "Because the God-Abandoned Domain's energy attribute changes every year, with frequent variations, crossover chaotic storms during the process will destroy base stations and monitoring instruments, requiring constant maintenance by the Border Army."
Chen Sui suddenly thought, a few years ago, when Xie Liuyun took the not-yet-awakened Xie Chunshi into the God-Abandoned Domain, was it for this opportunity?
"The energy source of the God-Abandoned Domain is borrowed from other energy fields."
"The fracture should also be space attribute," Chen Sui reminded, "but what the anchor point for the fracture's descent is, no one knows to this day."
"If someone knew, wouldn't the Star Alliance be able to prevent fracture descents? If so, many people wouldn't die in the descents."
Noya blinked his crimson gold eyes, responding to Chen Sui's words.
Upon hearing the space attribute, he had a moment of losing composure, but now he had regained calm, though his eyes occasionally looked toward Chen Sui.
Chen Sui guessed he seemed to have something to say to her, but she wasn't in a hurry; after leaving, Noya would definitely come to find her.
"Are you okay?"
Seeing Xie Chunshi speak, Chen Sui patted the boy's broad shoulders. Under her palm, the smooth, solid muscles were somewhat tense, but they suddenly relaxed when she touched them.
Xie Chunshi turned to look at her, his clear and handsome brow and eyes looking over. Chen Sui noticed a momentary surprise in his eyes, followed by a smile, his brows and eyes relaxed, making him look somewhat dazed and quite obedient.
Blinking his clear black eyes, he shook his head slightly: "I'm fine, it's been a long time."
Xie You, hearing his voice and looking over, saw Xie Chunshi talking to the analyst with a faint smile.
Black Mamba's eyes suddenly narrowed.
Something wasn't right.
Anyway, he wouldn't talk to He Lanqi like this.
And smiling like that.
An alarm bell rang in Xie You's heart, and he was about to scrutinize Chen Sui when suddenly many images flashed through his mind.
Zhu Jing Fu's analyst dominating him, the long spear thrusting fiercely, cannons sweeping across...
Xie You fell silent.
That's not right. At this point, it wasn't a question of whether Chen Sui was worthy or not, but rather—
Xie Chunshi was definitely somewhat indulgent toward the analyst, but with this performance, he seemed a bit inadequate for Chen Sui!
Xie You suddenly felt somewhat guilty, quickly glancing at Chen Sui.
That glance roughly meant 'my fragile brother who can't take care of himself has finally found a strong tree to rely on.' As a brother, I'm really sorry, but my brother is actually marrying up.
Xie You's mind went through what seemed like a long storm, but for Chen Sui, it was just a few short seconds.
Hearing Xie Chunshi say he was fine, she immediately relaxed, withdrew her hand, turned her head, and faced Gu Qinxue on the other side. The two pressed their bodies close together, whispering into each other's ears, afraid that others might hear even a bit.
Xie Chunshi's smile froze on his face as he stared at the back of the analyst's head: "..."
It's okay. Chen Sui's social distance with him had taken a step closer, which was already quite an achievement.
And across from Zhu Jing Fu, Xie You, who had noticed this scene: He had worried too early; it was just his brother's one-sided show. He had wasted his time thinking so much.
Xie You smoothed his bangs, looking at Xie Chunshi with a somewhat disappointment at his brother's inability to grasp the opportunity.
Xie Chunshi looked at him puzzledly, "What's wrong?"
Xie You blinked, spreading his hands to indicate he was fine.
Chen Sui sensed the gloomy atmosphere around Xie Chunshi. Although he said he was fine, the Commander always tended to suppress his emotions deep inside.
Chen Sui felt that it shouldn't be so easy to brush over, but the central hall wasn't a good place to discuss these things. Plus, Gu Qinxue had just tugged at her sleeve, so Chen Sui turned to look at her.
"The one we met at the exhibition hall earlier, is it related to the God-Abandoned Domain?"
Gu Qinxue's observation was very meticulous. Chen Sui had shared a lot of information with her, and now with the space attribute being revealed, Gu Qinxue immediately connected these scattered pieces of information.
Chen Sui nodded: "I suspect it should be the main energy body of the God-Abandoned Domain."
"Then the energy field descent in the Polar World—"
Chen Sui lowered her eyes, pondering for a moment, then responded: "The fracture fragment might be one of the anchor points."
Thinking about it, Chen Sui also felt that the energy field descent in the Polar World was somewhat unusual, more like moving part of an energy field here rather than generating a new one.
And the fracture fragment was a medium for transmitting this energy.
"The God-Abandoned Domain is currently in the fire attribute phase. The abnormal frequency of fire attribute energy in other energy fields should also be due to this space attribute issue?"
He Lanqi looked toward the other analysts.
Gu Qinxue patted Chen Sui, ending their chat. Chen Sui looked at the energy pattern on the light screen.
Zhang Yingjie extracted several large energy field activities from the vast information flow.
"Fire Cloud Mountain's energy fluctuation has slightly decreased, the Arena is also decreasing, other SSS-level energy fields all have fluctuations, but the amplitude is very small."
Chen Sui narrowed her eyes, "What if we look at them all together?"
Zhang Yingjie understood her meaning. He performed a simple processing of the images on his light brain, and Chen Sui, looking at the synthesized pattern, suggested: "Can we also look at the God-Abandoned Domain's fluctuation situation?"
"There doesn't seem to be much correlation?" He Lanqi couldn't see the connection between the two situations.
"It seems not just energy field fire attribute outbreaks. I was just chatting with Qi Songhuai, and at their training area, fire attribute awakened ones can clearly briefly summon their spirit bodies even outside the energy field environment. Xin Yan also said the surrounding fire attribute concentration has increased."
From the Xitisi team, the foot soldier canceled his light brain's privacy, turning the information interface toward them.
"Complex, too complex," Noya hugged his head, "Besides the God-Abandoned Domain information, are there any other documents?"
Zhao Jingzhi was surfing the StarNet. Hearing this, he glanced at the dynamics: "No more, just this one. The StarNet has already exploded. Besides the God-Abandoned Domain information, there's also an update on the Star Alliance's space attribute awakened ones."
Zhang Yingjie nodded, merging the light brain information together: "Then I'll post this to the large group?"
Xie Chunshi: "Fine, let's rest for today. Our arrangements should be out by tomorrow."
Zhu Jing Fu's Commander stood up and bumped fists with Zhang Yingjie on the other side. The boy with sensor glasses maintained a somewhat grave expression: "I feel like a storm is coming."
"Don't think too much," Xie Chunshi looked at him. Zhang Yingjie had a cautious personality and liked to preset scenarios, needlessly adding to his worries.
Noya was completely different. The golden-haired shota stood up, stretching contentedly: "Commander Zhang, worry less. Even if the sky falls, our teachers will hold it up."
After saying this, Noya reached back to Xie Yi, receiving a small snack that the agile attacker shared: "Mm, delicious, no wonder you've been eating nonstop, Xie Scenery."
Xie Yi smiled mischievously, extending her arm back to also offer one to Chen Sui, who was preparing to leave.
Chen Sui accepted it, thanked her, and then left with the Commander.
After each team returned to their team area, they reviewed the StarNet information once more.
In Na Luo River, Xie You opened his light brain, constantly searching for information about the God-Abandoned Domain, capturing traces of Xie Chunshi from those years in the few seconds of public footage.
[Xie Scenery: Have you seen Little Brother Chun]
Xie You rubbed his brow and replied to her.
[Stupid Liar Bro: No]
[Xie Scenery: I saw him]
Xie You received the God-Abandoned Domain casualty list she sent.
At the bottom, Xie Chunshi's name was prominently displayed.
Black Mamba was stunned for a moment, his finger hesitating as he clicked in.
So what was he trying to prove? To confirm that Xie Chunshi didn't want to abandon him back then, and that in these years away from the Xie family, he had compelling reasons?
Xie You thought for a moment, his finger still hovering, his black pupils flickering.
In those years, he only had his brother and Xie Yi. Xie Xifeng had a bunch of romantic entanglements, and his mother had also left the Star Alliance to become a star sea traveler.
But Xie Chunshi wasn't like that. His mother disappeared in Queyu Valley, and from then on, his third uncle seemed to go crazy, with his mind not too clear, capable of doing any crazy thing.
Xie Chunshi leaving the Xie family wasn't as rumors said, to cut ties and return to the Song family for succession.
Thinking about it now, it should have been to avoid the obstruction from the military zone and different forces, in order to find Aunt Baining.
Xie You closed his eyes briefly, opening them somewhat reluctantly as he clicked in.
[Xie Chunshi, 14, initial awakening]
[Mental domain invasion level 73%]
[Awakening failure possibility: 80%]
Xie You's heart skipped violently.
After Xie Chunshi left, he had cried and blamed him, but upon seeing this message, he couldn't help but redden his eyes.
—Brother, with your body covered in wounds, where did you go then?
He resented Xie Chunshi for abandoning him and not being a qualified elder brother, but how qualified a brother had he been?
When Xie Chunshi was suffering hardships, he was probably still wondering why Xie Chunshi would rather go to the Song family than come back to the Xie family for a visit.
I should die, Xie You pressed against his wrist, his black hair falling, his expression heavy.
At the same time, those who also saw this message included the people in the Zhu Jing Fu specialized area.
"Awakening failure?"
Chen Sui looked up. Xie Chunshi sat in a swivel chair, his brow and eyes peaceful, showing no fluctuation despite this being his own experience.
Gu Qinxue sighed: "When the Commander came out at that time, he was no different from me and Zhou Chen."
A lot happened six years ago.
Chen Sui lowered her eyes: "Were you forcibly awakened? Otherwise, how could the failure level be so high?"
Generally speaking, after the mental domain is opened, through long-term energy accumulation, gathering the core crystal, and the spirit body appearing, awakening is considered successful.
For such a high failure rate, either Xie Chunshi was like her, with the core crystal and mental domain being incompatible, or the opening of the mental domain was not a natural occurrence.
"It wasn't exactly forced awakening. Before entering the God-Abandoned Domain, my mental domain was already opening, but the core crystal hadn't yet formed."
Xie Chunshi explained calmly: "In the God-Abandoned Domain, I encountered an energy body invasion, or rather, a parasitic probe."
Chen Sui's pupils contracted.
Gu Qinxue and Zhou Chen's gazes also followed closely.
"Parasitism?!"
Including Puluo, all four were somewhat shocked.
Xie Chunshi nodded, glancing at Chen Sui from the corner of his eye: "Similar to wanting to send an energy body into my mental domain."
"But in the energy field, there was another energy that induced my core crystal to form prematurely, causing the parasitism to fail. The energy body, realizing it couldn't invade, withdrew from my mental domain, but still left large amounts of space attribute energy, lingering in my mental domain."
"Another energy?"
Chen Sui pondered.
Gu Qinxue thought of something: "Could it be the blood lineage awakening theory that was popular at that time?"
The blood lineage awakening theory was a possibility proposed by the analyst community regarding awakening, suggesting that during direct blood relatives' awakening, they could sense other relatives' energy fluctuations.
At that time, Xie Liuyun took Xie Chunshi in and out of various energy fields precisely because of this possibility, vainly hoping to determine Song Baining's location through his awakening.
Chen Sui immediately thought of something: "Was it your mother's energy?"
Xie Chunshi shook his head: "I don't know."
"After leaving the energy field, Master Lalnuo performed spiritual healing for me. After my awakening stabilized, I've been on mission assignments with the Border Army ever since."
Chen Sui nodded, no wonder Xie Chunshi had so many Border Army mission points.
"Energy bodies can actually parasitize humans? Does the military zone know about this? It's terrifying!"
Xie Chunshi glanced at his light brain: "They know."
"Master Lalnuo's mental domain withering was the result of failed parasitism."
"If you hadn't formed your core crystal at that time, or if the energy body hadn't withdrawn—"
Chen Sui lowered her eyes, thinking of something, and suddenly spoke.
Xie Chunshi nodded, still feeling somewhat fearful after many years: "I would have met the same fate."
"Holy shit."
Zhou Chen stood up in shock, "You're giving me goosebumps, no, what's going on?"
"How much do you know about the parasitism?"
After asking, Chen Sui thought of something and added: "Is this something that can be discussed?"
It probably wasn't confidential.
Xie Chunshi nodded, his face showing no smile: "Earlier it couldn't be."
He looked at his light brain, with updated dynamics, "Now it can."
Chen Sui understood his meaning and immediately went to check the StarNet.
Just now, the Border Army had updated its dynamics, making confidential documents public.
"The standard for energy body hosts, as far as we know, is that they prioritize space attribute mental domains, followed by newly awakened ones who haven't yet formed their core crystals."
"Generally speaking, space attribute awakened ones have a relatively weaker perception of awakening, forming their core crystals without knowing it, or even having the core crystal form simultaneously with the mental domain. The probability of having both is very low."
Xie Chunshi added.
Chen Sui smiled, pulling at her lips: "That's really—"
"Too coincidental."
"Huh?" Zhou Chen looked over, confused, "What do you mean?"
He asked cautiously, his hand unconsciously grabbing the corner of the table, somewhat nervous.
Tonight's news was too explosive. Zhou Chen had a feeling that he hadn't left the energy field yet, almost wanting to turn around and go back.
"I now feel that fighting energy bodies is much simpler than these mind games."
Zhou Chen sighed.
Chen Sui laughed: "Actually, there's no difference; energy body parasitism is also about fighting us."
It's just that compared to this clear-cut hostility, parasitism obtained an internal breakthrough, which is more helpful for energy bodies.
"That's too scary. I thought the sand mirage reliefs were just disgusting, but looking at it, it seems to be becoming real. My brain can't handle it."
Zhou Chen held his head.
"The documents are still being made public. The rest should be energy field information, nothing special."
Xie Chunshi said, looking at his light brain.
"The Border Army decided to seal this part of the information also out of concern that once it spreads among the masses, it would cause chain reactions and mutual suspicion."
Zhou Chen laughed: "I suspect the entire Gu family is energy bodies. Can we take them down?"
He asked sincerely.
Chen Sui was somewhat speechless, but thinking of something, she suddenly asked him: "Would you treat people parasitized by energy bodies as energy bodies to be dealt with?"
Zhou Chen originally wanted to nod, feeling this was a matter of course, but just as he was about to speak, he realized: "Ah, no, my brain isn't very good. Anyway, I'll follow you all. If Little Sui says to do it, I'll do it."
But Chen Sui's eyes showed no amusement.
Because she knew very clearly that she was one of those parasitized by an energy body.
According to what Xie Chunshi said, in cases similar to Lalnuo's, the result of failed parasitism is mental domain withering. Then would her situation be considered successful parasitism?
"Everyone's here," Yan Mingyu pushed open the door to the meeting hall and, seeing all five present, showed a surprised expression, "How are the examination reports?"
Xie Chunshi handed them to her. Yan Mingyu looked at them while somewhat apologetically saying: "Recently, energy field anomalies have been frequent, confidential documents have been made public, and the military zone has many affairs. To ensure the continuation of subsequent league matches, the Competition Committee has made some adjustments."
"Oh, right," Yan Mingyu looked toward Chen Sui, "Master Song just finished a meeting and is looking for you. Little Sui, do you have anything going on now? If not, go see him. Master Song is still on his way back."
Chen Sui nodded, glanced at the Commander, and left the meeting room early.
As soon as she went out, she saw a golden mushroom head squatting at the corner.
"Commander Noya?"
Chen Sui raised an eyebrow. Noya turned around gently, saw her come out, and immediately stood up, "Sister Sui!"
"Why are you here? Can't you sit over there?"
Chen Sui pointed to the Zhu Jing Fu specialized area's reception hall.
Noya was somewhat embarrassed: "Well, I'm just avoiding some people."
He was in the dead angle between two corners, hiding from people coming from one side by moving to the other. If he hadn't temporarily squatted down and reacted slowly, Chen Sui might not have caught him.
"I have something to talk to you about."
Noya's eyes flickered as he probed: "You've seen the military zone declassified documents, right?"
Chen Sui's heart instinctively carried some vigilance: "I have, what's up?"
"It shouldn't be my misconception," Noya muttered. He scratched his head, "Earlier in Sultry Red Forest, when you gathered lightning attribute energy, I felt it was somewhat similar. Later in the Polar World, I completely confirmed it. Sister Chen Sui, are you..."
"Space attribute?"
Noya whispered the last four words.
Chen Sui was stunned for a moment, her eyes flickering, intensely contemplating whether she should nod.
Noya didn't mind. After asking, he just waved his hand: "You don't need to answer me."
Noya made a 'shh' gesture, "I want to tell you, if you are space attribute, be careful in the energy field. Mama Hunis said that energy bodies specifically target space attribute awakened ones for parasitism. If you are, you must be very careful."
"Especially when going to the God-Abandoned Domain, I see your Commander Xie is probably aiming for the God-Abandoned Domain."
"The energy bodies in the God-Abandoned Domain are looking for hosts everywhere. I don't know what energy body it wants to parasitize, but it can't be a good thing."
"In short, if you are space attribute, be extremely careful."
Chen Sui was stunned for a few seconds, not expecting that this was what Noya wanted to say.
She couldn't describe what she felt, only that her emotions were very complex. On one hand, she might have been successfully parasitized; on the other, she was thinking about whether she would be dealt with if this matter was exposed. Yet Noya was simply worried and came to remind her.
"Aren't you afraid that I might be parasitized?"
If she became an energy body, from then on they would be enemies.
Noya didn't move toward this layer of meaning. His fluffy golden hair swayed with his sudden head raise, revealing his earnest eyes, filled with trust and concern: "Of course I'm afraid, the result of being parasitized is terrible."
His golden eyes flashed with sad emotions, "Great Grandmother Tasia and Master Lalnuo were both parasitized, which is why they developed mental domain withering syndrome. I don't want you to be like that too."
Noya was an orphan rescued by the Foreign Alliance and grew up there. The Hunis mother he mentioned was the president of the Foreign Alliance.
"Mm, thank you."
Chen Sui's confused thoughts were completely cleared under Noya's golden eyes' gaze.
Being parasitized wasn't her fault, Chen Sui thought.
The root of all this was the energy body. She was still herself and would never become a monster controlled by an energy body. She shouldn't waver.
Whether the parasitism was successful or not didn't matter to Chen Sui.
What mattered was that she wanted the energy body to die.
Noya pursed his lips and smiled, waving to Chen Sui with small movements: "It's nothing, I'm leaving now. Things are quite busy recently, we probably can only meet at the combat platform. Otherwise, I wanted to go to Poplar Star for a trip."
Noya left with some regret.
Watching his back, Chen Sui suddenly smiled. The vines on her head twitched a few times. Chen Sui sensed this anomaly, a dark color flashed in her pupils, and her expression returned to its usual determination and confidence.
She shouldn't have doubted.
She would never let the energy body successfully parasitize her. If only one between her and the energy body could win, it would definitely be her.
So, Chen Sui, don't waver.
The analyst's fingers, which had been holding the necklace on her chest, relaxed, and she walked toward the analysis room again.
In the spacious analysis room, Song Xingzhang was already sitting inside. In front of him was a floating light screen.
When Chen Sui entered, the first thing she saw in the light screen image was a pure white wall.
It seemed as if she could smell the slow-release drug scent through the light brain.
"Teacher?"
Song Xingzhang waved to her, and a face appeared on the light screen in front of him.
It was a kindly-looking old gentleman, skeletal, with white hair, but with a warm smile. Seeing Chen Sui, he perked up a bit, exerting effort to tidy his clothing.
Chen Sui noticed he was wearing a protective suit that isolated the surrounding energy.
"Young student, hello."
"Very pleased to meet you, I am Lalnuo."
Chen Sui's expression shifted, and she hurriedly looked at him formally: "Hello, Master Lalnuo, I am Chen Sui."
"It's an honor to meet you."
Song Xingzhang patted Chen Sui's shoulder, introducing to her: "Master Lalnuo has wanted to meet you for a while, but he is restricted to the main star's medical ward, and you can't get away due to busy league affairs, so he specifically called."
"Haven't disturbed your time, have I?" Master Lalnuo smiled, and if his emaciated appearance due to illness wasn't so obvious, Chen Sui thought he would be a lively old man.
"Not at all."
Chen Sui shook her head.
"Time is limited," Master Lalnuo looked up, and Chen Sui could guess from the layout that it was probably the medical robot's light screen. Mental domain withering syndrome also imposed time limits on using the light brain. "I won't bother with pleasantries. Little Song has told me about your situation. Young student, there is a space attribute in your mental domain."
"Or rather, you should have been a space attribute awakened one, but there is an energy crystal that has replaced your original core crystal, right?"
After hearing him, Chen Sui suddenly smiled.
Master Lalnuo spoke very euphemistically, forcibly breaking down the word "parasitism" into such a set of expressions.