046. The Mind Mentor
He could handle most enemies early on, but the limitations of Omega Energy manipulation meant he couldn't expand his capabilities further.
Otherwise, with such an overpowered ability like[Gravity Control], even a novice could casually pull together a high-mass celestial body.
If that were the case, why would he go to such lengths to focus on the Blood Demon path? He'd just crush through anything, flattening obstacles like a truck.
The emergence of the elemental community provided Li Aozi with some combat freedom—it was a pretty solid ability.
This was a delightful surprise.
"Next, it's time to get my[Astral Echoer]."
[Echoer]is actually the weakest phase of the[Starfall Master]class. Players usually stockpile experience before switching classes to quickly bypass this stage and level up the main class to 120, immediately transitioning to[Archpriest], wasting no time.
This is because[Echoer]comes with a nasty debuff—prohibiting the learning of supernatural knowledge.
A level 60[Echoer]can't win against anyone.
And a level 61[Echoer]can't beat anyone either.
However, for Li Aozi, this wasn't a concern.
With the Elai Spirit bloodline, Element Architecture, the Blood Demon path, ownership of a「Mythic Artifact」, and Omega Energy in his Sequence—even a hardcore player couldn't grind to this level of power within one version.
When he steps onto the[Echoer]pathway, no one at the same level will be able to stand against him.
No matter how many fleets come, he'll shatter them all.
If he acquires Yavanna's[Object Resonance], his[Archpriest]stage self might even upset the balance of the rules.
Unlike the rare endgame class of[Starfall Master],[Archpriest]is an extremely popular mid-game class, bar none.
With incredible mobility and terrifying output, capable of long-range kiting and close-range burst kills, it's a must-pick in competitive tournaments.
Yet, 97% of players stop following this path after becoming[Archpriest].
After checking his condition, Li Aozi lay down. He'd spent some time flying over here and couldn't use[Dominant Form]for another two days, so he needed to adjust for tomorrow's challenges.
Valkyrie Fortress, with its pervasive blue cold lighting, felt icily detached, but for Li Aozi, it was oddly comforting.
From his time as a player, there was no place he knew or cherished more than Valkyrie Fortress.
For nomadic players, whether it was grabbing drinks, bragging, and picking up quests at Soul Tavern, savoring cyber delicacies at Wild Wolf Restaurant, or visiting the "Sweetie Luv-luv-luv" district for unspeakable services with filters blocking explicit visuals and audio—these had been daily routines spanning fifteen versions, amounting to around 300 years.
Perhaps feeling nostalgic, lying on the hard bed, Li Aozi suddenly felt a thought rise in his heart:
[Should I have a permanent residence?]
Though he was a lone wolf, he had integrated into this world.
Acquiring some real estate might help build a sense of belonging. If he ever suffered an accident, couldn't fight anymore, or if he settled down with someone, having a base could mitigate future risks...
Logically, wasn't this a normal reaction?
Li Aozi frowned, sitting up as he began to review his memories.
[Wait!]
[Wasn't this what I thought when I first arrived?]
Counting on his fingers, he went over every detail of his arrival.
With[Intelligence]reaching 110.8, surpassing both N4 and Du Zexin on Azure Star, he could now process information with heightened clarity.
His memory recall had also significantly improved; even tiny, neglected details now surfaced in his mind.
——————————
"Not only did they slap a 'Weakened' status on me, they also threw me onto some unknown novice planet—who's pulling this prank?"
"Who knows where I landed; I need to find a mirror and activate the system."
"Are you kidding me? Didn't Azure Star get blown up by the Galexian civilization in version 2.5?!"
"I should have realized sooner… the white man's body was uninjured, yet he died suddenly—a trick characteristic of the Spectral Fiends."
"What about[Logging Off]? How do I exit this game?"
...
Everything seemed fine.
Yet something didn't feel right. Reason told Li Aozi to trust his instincts, strengthening his suspicion.
Returning to the beginning, recalling his initial thoughts, he examined them one by one:
"The Galactic Era year is 220, while the game『Star Abyss』1.0 version's public beta starts in 226. Even accounting for the closed beta, it'll be 222 at the earliest."
"In other words, I'm ahead by two years, giving me ample preparation time!"
"On Azure Star, humanity is bound to the earth by gravity in technology, soul, and awareness. Only I come from the deepest reaches of the Star Abyss!"
"This is a golden opportunity. In the Galactic Era 220 on Azure Star, the supernatural system is just emerging. I can make the[Starfall Master]shine brilliantly with my experience!"
......
Stop.
Li Aozi singled out one sentence, repeatedly muttering it aloud:
"…'I can make the Starfall Master shine'?"
"Make[Starfall Master]… shine?"
Li Aozi's expression grew increasingly strange.
"Am I… really that selfless?"
"I should remember clearly, ever since starting my livestreaming career, I became mercenary, using any means necessary for views. Boosting[Starfall Master]was just a way to enhance my stream."
A faint blue glow flickered in his eyes, but Li Aozi remained resolute, actively challenging his thoughts:
"I love Starfall Master, but I shouldn't be so purely good-hearted. That's not who I am."
The blue light in his eyes pulsed faster, but Li Aozi kept his logic straight.
"I like babies because they like me… I'm no saint. Come on, would I really work for the sake of other Starfall Masters?"
[My mind, no, my consciousness… has been altered!]
[But why am I only realizing it now—]
Li Aozi paused, glancing at his skill menu.
[Skill Held]:"Genetic Editing Engineering"
......
[Mage]• Limited Effect:"Clarity Amidst Insanity"—You can substitute your[Intelligence]attribute for any other attribute, and your[Intelligence]will proportionally convert to 'Mind Defense' to resist equivalent mental damage.
......
"Mind Defense!"
Li Aozi snapped into clarity.
"This Mind Defense mitigated part of the subconscious suggestion!"
[Someone planted a mental suggestion on me the moment I became 'Li Aozi'!]
He sat up and dressed, sprinting through the streets and alleys of Valkyrie Fortress. To save time, he crossed gang-conflict zones, with pulse ammo and plasma rifle sparks brushing past him, yet he remained unharmed.
Vaulting off walls and leaping barriers, he dived from a high-rise, heading toward Valkyrie Fortress's inner core.
"That Spectral Fiend is suspicious!"
The Spectral Fiend, and the previous life of 'Li Aozi.'
At some point, a mental suggestion had been implanted.
"To make me pursue the revival of[Starfall Master], so I'd approach the Abyss Humanitarian Organization and explore the Outside World—someone deliberately steered me onto this path from the start."
At the time, he had no such thing as 'Mind Defense' or mental resistance.
Li Aozi felt a faint realization and landed smoothly from the high altitude, immediately dashing into a dark alleyway, twisting through walls and corners until he found a sorcery shop and knocked on the door urgently.
Bang bang bang!
"Grandmother Atamash! Hurry, it's urgent! I need your help!"
Li Aozi called anxiously.
Creak—
The door opened, revealing a small, simple sorcery shop with just a table, a crystal ball, and a short[Medium]in a red robe.
"I haven't seen you before, newborn Spirit."
The old woman spoke in a measured tone:
"You came to find me by name, and since it's urgent, I won't pursue who leaked the information… Sit down and tell me your troubles."
Li Aozi sat across from her as the door closed automatically behind him. The oil lamp, made of void whale oil, burned slowly, filling the air with a hypnotic scent.
"I ask, you answer."
The old woman opened a book, put on her reading glasses, and asked calmly:
"Name."
"Li Aozi."
"Hmm, it's your true name. Rest assured, I'll keep it confidential."
She made a subtle mark on an unseen form, reached into the void, and pulled out three cards, placing them on the table:
"Choose one by intuition."
Li Aozi casually chose a worn-looking card. The old woman flipped it over, and from the card emerged an ugly, dark, decayed creature, screaming incessantly at Li Aozi.
"What does this mean?"
Li Aozi frowned.
"[Failure]."
The old woman explained:
"Your past stems from a terrible failure, and it's this failure that led to your birth."
"What specifically does 'failure' mean? Career? Health? Love? Or a battle? Or perhaps, just a failed life?"
"[Failure]only has one interpretation." She stared at Li Aozi, "You lost everything. Fate, life, and an entire world."
Li Aozi suddenly shuddered, a faint blue glow in his eyes, yet he couldn't stop himself from pressing further:
"So, my former self… lost everything?"