Chapter Sixty-Seven: Lie Down

Zhang Linna looked at Sophia in confusion, hesitated for a moment, and said,
“I’ve only just begun cultivating and haven’t even reached the first rank. How could there be anything special about me?”
Sophia sneered and stepped in front of Zhang Linna.
“It doesn’t matter. Let me sort this out for you. Aside from Meng Xiaojiao, who enters this world at set times each day, you’re the only hunter to physically enter the mission world, aren’t you?”
Zhang Linna nodded.
“After you started following Cheng Zhi, did you ever come into contact with spirit stones?”
Zhang Linna nodded, then shook her head.
“I haven’t touched one, but I did accompany Cheng Zhi to the geology corridor. I could sense the presence of spirit stones there, but that feeling was different from when you brought one right in front of me later.”
Sophia paused, then pressed further,
“How was it different? Was there a discrepancy?”
Zhang Linna thought for a moment, searching for the right words.
“The first time I went to the geology department, I was far away from it. I only felt a faint energy fluctuation, not as intense as later on. But I could sense a metallic energy.”
Sophia nodded slightly. She’d heard from Zhou Yi and the others that the spirit stone had originally been encased in a shell, which they had removed to make it easier to transport. That was likely the difference.
As for the effect, Cheng Zhi had only touched the spirit stone while it still had its shell and awakened. Zhang Linna’s difference probably stemmed from the same cause.
Sophia let the matter drop.
“It seems the spirit stone is to blame.”
Zhang Linna stared into Sophia’s eyes, her face expressionless.
“That’s all I know, and I’ve been honest with you. Please, just make it quick.”
Sophia regarded Zhang Linna with interest. The woman showed no hint of begging for mercy, which surprised her. Whether hunter or chosen, death here meant true death—there would be no coming back in some other world.
Still, she’d never heard of a hunter being taken into the base or to Time City. This would have to wait for Waldner’s return; killing this woman now would be a waste.
With that, Sophia called toward the door,
“You may come in!”
Almost at once, the door opened and Carter entered, followed by the others, all bowing their heads with utmost respect, clearly cowed by Sophia’s earlier display.
Sophia glanced at Zhang Linna and said again,
“Find a separate room to detain her. Give her food and clothing. Everything else will wait until Mr. Waldner returns.”
At Sophia’s command, Carter gestured, and the group stepped forward, unbound Zhang Linna, and escorted her away.
…

Zhou Yi emerged from the water, wiping his face with a hand.
Just now, why had Sophia made everyone witness Zhang Linna’s interrogation?
Had she discovered some secret?
Zhou Yi shook his head. There was no point in speculating—if trouble came, there’d be no avoiding it.
According to Sophia, his mark was unique, and she’d protect him. Waldner’s attitude when he’d first arrived at the base had already made that clear.
He stepped out of the bath and changed into clean clothes. He didn’t care for the bed that looked like a space capsule; to him, it resembled a coffin more than anything else.
He picked up a towel, intending to dry off.
Just then, the control panel on his wrist vibrated, and Natasha leapt out from it. The abruptness of it was more startling than elegant.
Zhou Yi froze, staring at Natasha.
“Zhou Yi of Group Eight, the Lord Waldner requests your presence.”
He pointed at himself.
“Just me?”
“Yes.”
He quickly ran the towel through his hair, then stepped out of the room. Following Natasha’s guidance, he arrived before a door.
The metal door was seamlessly shut, not a crack to be seen. Zhou Yi was about to knock when it opened automatically.
Waldner and Sophia were both inside. Seeing Zhou Yi, Waldner’s face broke into a smile; his pallor was so bloodless he looked vampiric, and the smile sent a chill down Zhou Yi’s spine, as if he were prey before a predator.
Zhou Yi lowered his gaze and quickly entered, pressing his right hand to his chest.
“Greetings, my lord.”
Waldner’s smile was slow and deliberate.
“You are quite a surprise. You’ve captured two hunters, subdued an awakened one, and even retrieved a spirit stone. For your first official mission in the world, these accomplishments are rare indeed.”
Zhou Yi kept his eyes down and said nothing, unsure of Waldner’s true intentions.
“I want to know—did you touch the spirit stone?”
Zhou Yi nodded. The stone egg he’d absorbed had changed him; if Sophia could sense it, Waldner surely could as well.
“Yes, my lord, I did.”
Waldner’s fingers drummed on the armrest of his wheelchair. Although he had already grown muscle on his legs and appeared normal, he still favored the wheelchair—perhaps to set himself apart, or to increase his presence.
Zhou Yi’s mind wandered briefly, but he quickly refocused and waited in silence. The room was so still he could hear each breath; Sophia said nothing either.
He kept his eyes on his toes, thinking nothing at all. Whether Waldner was pondering or observing him, Zhou Yi couldn’t tell, but he knew better than to show any weakness.

Perhaps Waldner least wanted any chosen one in Base 72 to advance, or the base would not be filled with slaves, and all the chosen would not be sent from Time City.
It all seemed tied to energy quotas—more people meant more shares, but slaves didn’t require these, and could be replaced at will. That was their purpose.
Just like Zhang Linna and the others, who ran into trouble in World 2000—no hunter clan came to their rescue, nor was any action taken.
They were just a disposable batch, like miners in diamond mines, paid the lowest wage to extract the most precious gems, discarded at the first sign of illness or injury, quickly replaced by the next group.
The chosen ones were different; they were watched by Time City itself, and any one could be the next base lord. If they were harmed, Time City would not take it lightly.
After a long while, Waldner finally spoke.
“Not bad. The two captured hunters—have Carter send them directly to Time City by teleportation. Send the spirit stone as well.”
Sophia paused and looked at Waldner in confusion. After all, Waldner was of the metal element—before reporting the spirit stone, he could have handled it in the base, and no one would have questioned it.
“To Time City?”
Waldner nodded without explanation. Sophia realized there must be a reason and did not press further, immediately issuing commands from her control panel.
When all was done, Waldner turned to Zhou Yi.
“It’s been three years. You are the first chosen one to emerge from Base 72. Sophia, allocate thirty percent of the energy value to Zhou Yi. From now on, your group eight will be an official base group, eligible for star-level missions.”
Zhou Yi felt no particular excitement. To him, fifteen percent or thirty percent made little difference, since he neither knew the total nor how much he needed to advance.
Still, he pressed his right hand to his chest and saluted Waldner.
“Thank you for your favor, my lord. I’ll take my leave.”
Waldner waved him away.
“Go ahead. This is your first time receiving energy value. Sophia, go with him and observe. When he touched the spirit stone, though the attribute was different, he still gained some energy. He may advance—help guard him. This is good news for our base.”
Sophia saluted as well, then led Zhou Yi out of the room.
They walked in silence to Zhou Yi’s quarters, Sophia in front, Zhou Yi following.
This was the base, and with Waldner back, Zhou Yi knew better than to ask any questions here.
Once inside, Sophia closed the door, activated her control panel, and glanced at Zhou Yi.
“Lie down. Choose whichever position is most comfortable. Let’s begin.”