Chapter Forty-Five: The Ever-Burning Feather

Li Xueshu possessed a unique ability beyond the blessings of ice and snow—she could glimpse the trajectories of certain people and events. Judging by present circumstances, her power seemed to have its limits. She appeared able to see only the developments involving people or things she interacted with directly.

When the matter was resolved and the logistics personnel had dispersed, Lin Lei called out to Li Xueshu.

“I have something to show you…”

Li Xueshu followed him into a dim, cramped room nearby. Lin Lei turned and fished out a black box from his pocket. As he opened it, a thick, potent energy radiated out, and inside lay a feather glowing with a red light.

After careful consideration, Lin Lei had decided to let Li Xueshu see this feather. First, while he knew the object was extraordinary, he judged its value not excessively outrageous. Second, Li Xueshu herself was powerful and shrouded in mystery—he doubted she would covet the item for herself.

“The Ever-Burning Feather?”

Li Xueshu’s eyes flashed and her brow arched in surprise. “You really are lucky!”

Though surprised, Li Xueshu’s expression remained calm, confirming Lin Lei’s guess: the feather was indeed unusual, but perhaps not too precious.

He looked to her. “You really know what this is, Captain? What exactly is it?”

Li Xueshu narrowed her eyes slightly. “You’ve probably heard Dr. Zhou mention that advancing in source energy cultivation requires special breakthrough materials, right?”

A realization dawned in Lin Lei’s eyes. “So this is a material for advancing a stage?”

Li Xueshu nodded slightly. “The Ever-Burning Feather is a class-three breakthrough material. It allows a source energy user to ascend from the second to the third stage. Among such materials, this feather is of particularly high quality, greatly increasing the odds of a successful advancement.”

Her explanation calmed Lin Lei at once. “So it can only be used to break from the second to the third stage?”

No wonder Li Xueshu showed no interest—she was already a third-stage master and had no use for such a thing.

Li Xueshu smiled. “Materials for breaking through stages differ greatly in type and function, even among those of the same level—let alone those of different grades. They can’t be interchanged.”

“A third-stage breakthrough material can’t be used to break through to the second stage. Even if it could, the total source energy contained in this Ever-Burning Feather would drive you mad in your current state!”

Lin Lei’s face grew solemn.

The Calming Pendant was certainly helpful, but it was a low-level source artifact. He had little confidence it could shield him from the emotional upheaval triggered by higher-level source energy.

Li Xueshu, meanwhile, took the box from Lin Lei and inspected the feather carefully before shaking her head.

“Moreover… breakthrough materials are naturally tainted by special alien energies…”

“This feather is no exception. It must be cleansed before it can be used.”

Lin Lei’s mind raced. He thought of how much gluttony energy he had to expend to “feed”—perhaps it was this lingering “alien power” that caused it?

He turned to Li Xueshu. “How does one cleanse this ‘alien energy’?”

Li Xueshu’s gaze grew sharp. “The Bureau has established protocols for purification. When the time comes, just hand it over to the Bureau. You’ll spend a certain number of investigation points, and it will be handled…”

“There’s no need to hurry. At your current source energy level, cleansing the alien energy would be too heavy a burden. Wait until you reach the second stage, accumulate more investigation points, and then purify it.”

“The second stage…” Lin Lei nodded and asked, “I remember you can apply for breakthrough materials once your source energy is overflowing—how many investigation points would I need?”

Li Xueshu raised an eyebrow. “The prerequisites for a self-initiated application are two hundred investigation points, a full source energy state, and a mental stability review. Then you’ll be put in the queue.”

“The queue? There’s a queue?” Lin Lei was momentarily stunned.

Li Xueshu nodded. “Breakthrough materials are exceedingly rare. Materials for the second stage are the most basic in value but the most in demand—there’s never enough supply.”

“The waiting period depends on your blessing level, source energy talent, and investigator rank—a mix of factors…”

“For some low-ranked investigators with no blessings and little talent, it can take years to reach the front of the line…”

“Years?” Lin Lei’s mouth twitched. “How long would it take by my standards?”

Li Xueshu considered a moment. “Roughly three months to half a year. Your blessing and source energy talent are both high, but I can’t say for sure.”

Lin Lei nodded and asked, “Normally, how many investigation points does one task yield?”

Li Xueshu lifted her eyebrow. “The number of points depends on performance. On average, a first-level investigation task yields about fifty points…”

“But more difficult or deeper investigations can yield more points…”

“For instance, your recent mission to destroy the ghoul nest involved a third-stage master from the Free Alliance. You’ll likely earn more points for that…”

“Even after deducting the points spent on the Source Energy Radar, you should receive at least a hundred points.”

Lin Lei nodded, a hint of resignation on his face. “So to reach two hundred points, I’ll need to complete at least two more investigations, and then wait in line? Getting breakthrough materials is harder than I thought…”

Li Xueshu shook her head. “You’re forgetting the requirements for full source energy and the subsequent evaluation. If a source energy user is too heavily influenced, or their mental and emotional control is lacking, even the most gifted can’t apply for breakthrough materials!”

Lin Lei clicked his tongue. “Troublesome, truly troublesome…”

Li Xueshu shook her head. “There’s no help for it. Source energy is powerful but also dangerous. The consequences of losing control are disastrous. If you don’t want to turn into an aberration and be hunted down by your colleagues, you must safeguard your mental state.”

Lin Lei nodded helplessly.

Li Xueshu raised her brow and stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Actually… besides the standard application process, some special investigations may offer breakthrough materials as rewards.”

“I’ll keep an eye out for you. There’s no need to be impatient—steadily enhance your source energy and hone your abilities. You never know when such a task might come your way.”

Her tone was subtle, as if implying something more.

This made Lin Lei’s heart skip a beat.

Knowing of Li Xueshu’s special abilities, he suspected her words held a deeper meaning.

His eyes flashed, and he nodded. “Then I’ll trouble you to keep watch for me, Captain.”

Li Xueshu nodded, stifled a yawn, and seemed to remember something.

“By the way, there are other ways to quickly earn investigation points.”

She wore a faint, knowing smile. “If you refer a new source energy awakener to join the Bureau, you’ll receive two hundred investigation points directly.”

“And if your referral joins the Operations Division, you’ll receive five hundred points!”

“Is there really such a good deal?” Lin Lei’s eyes lit up, and a thought struck him.

Li Xueshu had referred him to join the Bureau, and he’d made it into the Operations Division—did that mean she had already earned five hundred points thanks to him?