Chapter 135: The Celestial System

“Star corpse?” Lu Yu was taken aback.

“That’s right, Star Corpse!” Zhang Qing emphasized, “Star as in celestial star, Corpse as in a dead body! However, don’t think it refers to something like the corpse of a star. According to the information we’ve gathered, a Star Corpse isn’t the remains of a star, but rather a human corpse. Just—”

Zhang Qing’s expression turned solemn as he said, “Only when a person whose Star Soul has surpassed the ninth level dies, their corpse can truly be called a Star Corpse. Rather than calling it a Star Corpse, it’s more accurate to say it’s an honorific title for a deceased powerful individual!”

Lao Wu interjected, “I think by now, in this End Times, Brother Lu should already know that this world was never home to only one intelligent species—humanity. So if there were demons back then, there would naturally have been humans too. The abilities we now possess must have existed in the past as well, and there certainly were even more powerful ones. And the Star Corpses are formed from the corpses of those whose Star Souls have transcended the ninth level. In that era, such individuals were kings who stood second to none and ruled over all others. When someone reaches that level, wouldn’t there naturally be a vast amount of burial goods upon their death?”

Lu Yu’s heart stirred, and he said, “You mean to go to the burial ground of the Star Corpse?”

Zhang Qing smiled and said, “That’s right, we’re heading there. What do you think about this mission? Are you interested?”

The two individuals, one old and one young, didn’t seem particularly strong at first glance—one resembled a student, and the other looked like an overweight retired official. However, as Lu Yu approached them, he could vaguely sense that both of them possessed considerable strength.

Zhang Qing’s strength was probably equal to his, or perhaps slightly higher.

If it came down to a real fight, the old man’s strength was probably even greater. At the very least, if he launched a sudden surprise attack, neither Zhang Qing nor himself might be able to withstand a single strike. Don’t let his kind and approachable appearance fool you—he should also be a fifth-level Star Soul. Lu Yu held an even higher assessment of the old man, and thus became more cautious.

Lu Yu, eyeing the two of them, said, “What if I say no?”

“Then I’m very sorry. We certainly don’t want this matter to get out. Either you endure the inconvenience of waiting until we leave the burial ground, after which we’ll let you go, or we kill you now to protect our secret.” Zhang Qing narrowed his eyes, the thin slits revealing cold, murderous glints.

“Then tell me, who else could there be?” Lu Yu asked calmly, his expression unchanged.

“There are two more people. One has already been confirmed, although he is not in this city at the moment—he should return within the next few days. As for the last one—” Zhang Qing smiled and said, “I’m currently searching for him too. I have a feeling I’m close to finding him.”

“So, I need to wait until you find the last person before I can go in there?”

“Of course. The conditions for entry are set, and no one can change them,” Zhang Qing said helplessly. “Brother Lu, since you’ve offended the Sunset Alliance here, you should also be more careful. After all, the Sunset Alliance has considerable influence here, and it seems they have some connection with the military.”

“In that case, I agree to join.”

Lao Wu said, “Of course, don’t give a damn about them either. The waters run deep in this city. A mere Luo Ri Alliance isn’t that big of a deal.”

Speaking thus, Lao Wu spat contemptuously and said, “If their actions threaten our current operation, with just the three of us we could wipe out his Sunset Alliance. So, Young Brother Lu, rest assured, you can stay safely in this city. Anyone who dares to cause trouble can be dealt with—just give the word. If they truly dare to make a move, all you need to do is speak up.”

Lu Yu smiled and said, “I never really took these guys seriously in the first place. But you mentioned that the waters in this city run deep—what exactly did you mean by that?”

After the apocalypse, several factions emerged in this city. Among the three organizations that control the mines—the Blood Eye, Sunset, and Blue Path—the strongest is the Blood Eye. For reasons unknown, these people began to resemble demon soldiers after consuming humans and monsters. They number in the tens of thousands and are highly united, allowing them to continuously suppress Sunset and Blue Path. However, Sunset and Blue Path have military backing, which prevents the Blood Eye from making reckless moves. Furthermore, the Blood Eye maintains some connection with the Celestial Deity organization, which itself shares a cooperative relationship with the military. The Celestial Deity and the military sometimes clash but also occasionally act together. Many people cannot figure out what these groups truly intend, leaving countless others uncertain about which faction to choose. Naturally, there are also many powerful loners in the city who have their eyes set on the mines, patiently waiting for the right opportunity.

Listening to Lao Wu’s explanation, Lu Yu couldn’t help but furrow his brows as well.

This city is indeed chaotic enough, and the water is deep enough. The situation here can be described as “pulling one hair moves the entire body,” illustrating the delicate balance among the various factions currently present in the city.

As for Lao Wu’s words, they also revealed his disdain and a touch of arrogance towards these powers, proving that in the eyes of this old man, these forces were simply not worth his notice.

Lu Yu, upon hearing about the Celestial Deity Organization and recalling the Celestial Deity System, was eager to ask about it.

But he still managed to restrain himself.

Sometimes, asking more questions can make the other person understand you better and see through you more easily.

Lu Yu listened carefully, asked a few inconsequential questions, and then parted ways with the two.

Zhang Qing indicated a meeting place, and they would meet every three days.

This method will not change until all the people are gathered.

Certainly, if anyone gets into trouble, as long as the problem is significant enough, the other two won’t stand idly by and must step in to help.

After parting ways with the two individuals, Lu Yu walked out of the alley onto the street.

By this time, news of Lu Yu and others breaking through the bridge defense line, the conflict between Lu Yu and Gu Lei, and even the incident of Lu Yu beheading a captain of the Sunset Alliance in the tavern had already spread widely.

Everything about Lu Yu was being spread throughout the city.

The Luoyu Alliance actually holds the mining rights to one-third of the mines!

Such an organization holds the lifeblood of the city’s warriors in its hands—who would dare to offend them?

More and more details were uncovered, revealing that the expert who had broken through the bridge defenses was actually the controller of a mine in another city.

Moreover, it is different from places like Nanjing.

The mines in Fanggang are controlled by two individuals, and they have always remained under the control of these two people.

“No wonder even the invitation from the leader of the Sunset Alliance was dared to be thrown away; this person truly has the capital to be arrogant.”

Many people exclaimed in admiration.

Although they did not see it with their own eyes, they believed that these things could not be wrong.

If an ordinary person had killed someone from the Sunset Alliance, they would probably already be marked for assassination by the Sunset Alliance.

Now, however, the Sunset Alliance has shown no reaction at all, indicating that Lu Yu indeed possesses the strength to make the Sunset Alliance wary.

As people were talking about Lu Yu, he appeared on the street in front of several old buildings.

Several teenagers were chasing and play-fighting each other in the street, while a teenage boy stood aside, continuously swinging a very low-grade Stellar Soldier sword through the air.

The boy’s clothes were already soaked, and he looked somewhat exhausted. However, he still wore a determined expression, gritting his teeth and enduring, allowing sweat to slide down his cheeks, along his neck, and into his clothes.

Lu Yu nodded appreciatively and walked up to the child. With a warm smile, he kindly asked, “Little one, may I ask you a few questions?”

The child stopped swinging the knife, raised his head, looked at Lu Yu, blinked his eyes, and said, “Is there anything wrong, Uncle?”

“Uh! Uncle!” Lu Yu touched his chin, looking both amused and helpless. “Do I look that old?”

“If Uncle has something to ask, just hurry up and ask. I still need to train, you know?” The child waved his Star Soldier card excitedly and said, “Once I get a bit stronger, I’ll be able to team up with someone like Uncle and go hunting together.”

“Answer my question, and I’ll give you ten Star Spirit Beads!” Saying this, Lu Yu placed ten Star Spirit Beads from his hand into the child’s palm.

The child, wide-eyed with excitement, looked at the Star Spirit Pearl in his hand and nodded eagerly, saying, “Please ask, please ask.”

“What is the relationship between the Celestial Deity Organization and the Celestial Deity System?”

The child looked at Lu Yu in surprise and said, “Uncle, you don’t even know this?”

Lu Yu smiled and said, “I just arrived from out of town. It’s been a while since I last came into the city. Right after entering, I heard people talking about this Heaven God Organization and Heaven God System. I wanted to find out more about it. Many people are discussing it—what exactly is going on?”

“I don’t know much about the Celestial Deity Organization. I only know that the Celestial Deity System was developed by them,” the child thought for a moment and continued, “From what my father told me, the Celestial Deity System seems to have merged with something from this era. You can put the flesh and blood of monsters you’ve defeated, or items like Star Spirit Pearls, into the system. Based on the quantity and value of what you contribute, the system will evaluate and assign a rating. With this rating, you can then exchange for items of different levels.”

“Like this, huh?” Lu Yu hesitated for a moment and asked, “Then can you tell me where the Celestial God System is located?”

“It’s in the People’s Square towards the northeast direction, past two blocks.” The child earnestly drew a few simple lines on the ground using a star soldier, and then excitedly continued, “I’ve heard from my dad that so far only one person has entered the fourth level of the Heavenly God System and obtained a treasure from within, instantly becoming one of the top experts. I also hope to become a top expert in this city like that uncle someday.”

“Well then, you can try your best.” Lu Yu smiled at the boy, made a knife gesture with his hand, and gently sliced diagonally upward, then smoothly dragged it downward, saying, “Chop toward the ribs first, then drag the blade toward the chest and abdomen. This creates the greatest damage and is the easiest way to do it.”

After Lu Yu finished speaking, he walked towards the place the boy had pointed at.

The boy stood in place, his mind fixed on Lu Yu’s posture, completely unaware that Lu Yu had already left.

After a long while, the boy finally came to his senses, jumped up, and said, “I understand now, I understand now! Uncle, you’re truly amazing!”

The boy looked around and realized that Lu Yu had already walked out of sight.

Lu Yu was already several blocks away by now. He patted his backpack lightly and, recalling the boy’s words, couldn’t help but laugh.

In his backpack, he carried an arm of the Devil King.

If it’s truly as the boy said, that any monster’s flesh and blood can be submitted for evaluation, then what rank would the Demon Lord’s arm receive?