A World Worth Protecting

ove.
They needed to find out about the universe that rested beyond their borders.
They desperately needed to understand what was going on in the star systems surrounding them.
This would allow them to be more prepared for their next contact with an alien civilization, regardless if they were friendly or hostile.
This would prevent the war with the Dao Palace from repeating itself.
They wouldn’t have to face similar despair.

 This was a civilization trying to progress.
It wasn’t something he alone could accomplish.
This required the efforts of countless people.
As a civilization started its path towards greater progress, many people would have to contribute their own talents, as well as unleash and showcase their potential to the world.

 Even though this project seemed highly dangerous, Wang Baole did note from the files how the Federation had given lavish resources to everyone who was participating in the project.
Each person had been given more than a dozen second-generation Anti-Spirit Bombs.
Each bomb had been proven a sizable threat to a Soul Conduit realm cultivator.

 The Federation had also preserved a copy of everyone’s genetic information.
It had used the Dao Palace’s technology to preserve a part of their souls.
In the event that one of them perished in their mission, they would have a chance at being resurrected once the Federation’s Spirit Science technology reached a breakthrough in the future!

 What Wang Baole could do now was give Zhao Yameng and the others the Dharmic Armaments that he had crafted himself.
He also used his cultivation to create multiple replicas of himself and gave them to his friends.
They might come in useful in a fight!

He had to ensure that these replicas of himself didn’t emit spirit energy, which might cause his friends unnecessary trouble.
Wang Baole tried his best to seal their spirit energy.
This meant that his connection with these replicas was weakened.
The result was avatars that emitted virtually no spirit energy and had no spiritual presence, yet didn’t affect how powerful each avatar was!

In the days that followed, Wang Baole sensed many of the avatars that he had sent to his friends dropping out of his radar.
He knew what their disappearance meant… it meant that his friends had left the Solar System.

 His spirits low, he left his house and began wandering Ethereal City alone.
He watched as pedestrians and vehicles made their way across the city and listened to the bustle of the city around him.
Then, he wandered some more, aimlessly, and found himself next to a lake.
He sat down and stared at the lake, as well as the lotus leaves adrift on the surface of the lake, as he began to think.

 He thought about his childhood, his college days, and his time in the Dao Palace.
Finally, he thought of his battle with Daoist You Ran and Zi Yue’s Soul Seed, and the strand that extended deep into the cosmos.

 Time passed slowly.
The sun set, and the moon rose.
Wang Baole’s eyes grew brighter.
He didn’t notice that someone had appeared behind him a while ago.
It was a young man, and he had a wooden sword on his back and a gourd in his hand as he leaned against a huge tree.
He watched Wang Baole as he drank from his gourd.
There was an unfathomable look in his eyes.
He seemed to be deliberating on his words and how to begin to comfort Wang Baole.

 Wang Baole didn’t seem to notice him.
Instead, the light in Wang Baole’s eyes grew increasingly brighter, and he began to mutter to himself.

 “They have their mission.
I, too, have mine… with great power comes great responsibility.
I might care nothing for fame and reputation, and might be as carefree as a wild bird, intent on living a free life, but for the Federation, I have no choice but to take up the heavy burden of the Federation President!

 “There is no way around it.
I didn’t ask for an incredible, heaven-defying level of cultivation, a pure and righteous heart, and amazing looks.
The people need me.
The Federation needs me.
Yes… the alliance needs me to become their president!”

 The expression of the young man leaning against the tree turned odd when he heard those words.
He slapped his forehead lightly and swallowed the words of comfort he had wanted to say to Wang Baole.

 “I can’t dwell on my friends’ departure.
I have to get my spirits up.
I have to unleash my power, the power of the most handsome man in the Federation!” Wang Baole got to his feet suddenly as he muttered to himself.
He lifted his head skyward and was about to shout out a few words of encouragement directed to himself.
His mouth opened, but before he could say anything, he heard someone coughing behind him.
It was a sound filled with exasperation.

 “My dear Junior Brother, you have… a really unique way of cheering yourself up.”

 When Wang Baole heard that, he immediately stiffened.
Then, he turned his head abruptly.
His eyes landed on the young man leaning against a huge tree… it was his senior brother, Chen Qing!

 He stared at Chen Qing.
Instead of starting a conversation immediately, Wang Baole… fell silent.

 Chen Qing mirrored his silence.
They stood by the lake.
A breeze swept past, stirring ripples on the surface of the lake and their hair.

 A long moment passed, and Chen Qing rubbed his forehead.
Then he sighed and flung his gourd towards Wang Baole.
His eyes were earnest as he said softly, “Baole, intelligent souls are often sensitive ones as well.
I only found this out when I came here just now.
Don’t misunderstand me.
The matter that lies unresolved in your heart.
I didn’t put it there.”

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