There was a risk that her Celestial Eye Royal Bloodline could be exposed, so as soon as she got the Star Core, she handed it over to the Saints’ hand society.
Yun Ruoxi had previously considered that the copy of her created by [Twin Flowers] was dangerous, but she didn’t expect that this Star Core would ultimately be obtained by Dr. Forefinger, who secretly made a copy of her.
But now it seemed her worries were unnecessary.
If her royal bloodline were exposed, it would definitely alert the upper echelons of the Saints’ hand society, and what awaited her would be far more than just mind control.
‘A reserve move that’s exposed is no longer a reserve move. Now this Flower of Darkness can actually work for me, stirring up the waters.’
‘By the time there are three Yun Ruoxis, you audience members can join Lin Zhen in guessing which one is the real me.’
Yun Ruoxi couldn’t even imagine how spectacular Lin Zhen’s expression would be if all three of her actually appeared before him at the same time!
‘Dr. Forefinger’s order is to act discreetly and not make a big fuss. Since that’s the case…’
Yun Ruoxi opened the Starmap of this area, glanced at it, and immediately understood everything.
Because a spaceship could use a Stargate to warp directly to any location within the Stargate’s range of influence.
So the Evil Beast would most likely stay outside the Stargate’s radius, at the closest point on the shortest route to Chatosi’s planet, and attack them before Lin Zhen’s second warp.
But although she knew the possible ambush spot, Yun Ruoxi couldn’t do anything about it this time.
Twin Flowers grow on the same vine and naturally compete for nutrients until one withers and dies.
Since Yun Ruoxi didn’t have the [Twin Flowers] Star Core and couldn’t control the Flower of Darkness, she would be devoured and bitten back by the other.
So Dr. Forefinger wouldn’t let his hidden trump cards tear each other apart.
On the screen, the Flower of Darkness Yun Ruoxi was squinting at the enlarged photo of Lin Zhen’s face.
Her eyes showed a hint of excitement, like a big cat spotting its prey.
The original Yun Ruoxi saw Lin Zhen as a friend, but the Flower of Darkness Yun Ruoxi regarded him as a worthy enemy to hunt.
This fit the logic of [Twin Flowers].
So watching the anime in the upper right corner, Yun Ruoxi naturally didn’t notice the risk in this seemingly insignificant detail…
“Lao Xi’s eyes are getting excited.”
“She sees her husband, of course she’s excited. Time to collect the bread tax (bushi).”
“Lao Xi is going to kill Lao Zhen. Ah, they really are a pair of star-crossed lovers.”
“No more words. These two are truly a pair of star-crossed lovers.”
That was all the footage of the Flower of Darkness Yun Ruoxi. Then the camera switched to Lin Zhen, who had been offline for a while.
He had no idea he was now being targeted by both the real and fake Yun Ruoxi, about to face a hellish Xiao Xi trio.
He was genuinely happy to be reunited with Zi Jiu, Aili, and Anvil after so long.
Lin Zhen looked at the three before him with joy.
“But how come all of you got here before me? Come to think of it, we haven’t seen each other for over two years.”
“Yeah, but last time was way too dangerous.”
Anvil nodded with lingering fear.
The last time they’d gathered like this was because Lin Zhen had intel on the Saints’ hand society. They’d all set out together, but not only did they get nothing, they nearly had a major accident.
Hopefully, this time would be better.
“Let’s go eat first. Didn’t Aili book a private room?”
Zi Jiu, who had grown into a big sister, looked at Lin Zhen with a smile, not hiding the emotion in her eyes.
“We didn’t set out from the Academy, so naturally we were faster than you, Ajin brother!”
After explaining why she and Anvil had arrived so quickly, Aili led them to the private room she had reserved at a restaurant.
“Xiao Ai has been earning a lot lately, so this meal is on me for my brothers and sisters!”
Between her scholarship as an Academy student and her wages from eliminating evil as an assassin over the past two years, she had saved up a considerable sum, given her modest expenses.
But that sum was only more than what Anvil had; Lin Zhen, for instance, earned far more than Aili just from project bonuses and scholarships, and Zi Jiu also had the Arms Combat Association’s president’s allowance.
But it was Aili’s gesture, so at her request, they all gladly accepted.
“Scum Lao Zhen, getting project bonuses and project funds.”
“Tonight’s bill is on Miss Ai!”
“Unbeatable Miss Ai!”
Dishes featuring the characteristics of various races, typical of the interstellar era, were served one after another.
After eating, they left the restaurant satisfied and returned to the port. After handling the temporary docking procedures, they boarded Lin Zhen’s spaceship one by one.
From now until the mission ended and they returned to the Fifth Spaceport, they would all travel on Lin Zhen’s ship.
This wasn’t because they were so close that they had to stick together.
It was the best choice for safety.
Although three ships meant three chances for error, if something unexpected happened during the journey through the Star Sea, staying together would not only make it easier to handle than being apart, but they could also take turns piloting to rest and regain strength.
Moreover, Lin Zhen’s supernatural power itself made his spaceship the safest and most reliable.
And another reason… the most important one.
In operations related to the Saints’ hand society, there was a considerable chance of directly encountering their people.
If they had their Academy ship shot down, the Saints’ hand society could find their hiding place by checking the ship’s black box or even from the ship’s model.
Even if they escaped the Saints’ hand society, the peaceful life they’d finally obtained would be destroyed again.
But Lin Zhen’s spaceship was different.
Not only had it been heavily modified, but it was also protected by Chicha.
Unless all of them were captured, it couldn’t be shot down, let alone have any accidents.
And if they really were captured, what need would there be to protect the ship?
Chatosi was being pursued by the Galactic Security Office and could be arrested at any moment.
Time was precious now.
So Lin Zhen and the others didn’t plan to rest at the Fifth Spaceport. As soon as they boarded his ship, they set off directly.
“Everyone, long time no see!”
Chicha, who had taken over as the ship’s central AI, projected his image and greeted the three—Aili, Zi Jiu, and Anvil—onboard.
They quickly responded with smiles.
Although Chicha was a cyborg from a thousand years ago, this small team had long considered him one of them.
The Feiyao type 3 modified exited the port and followed the lane toward the Stargate warp zone behind it.
Seeing the Stargate’s blue glow at the edge of the view, Lin Zhen raised his hand and shouted.
“Everyone, we’re about to depart!”
“Yeah!”