Chapter Six: The Answer

The "Physical System" and the "Elemental System" each have their own strengths. In terms of close combat, the Physical System can undoubtedly overpower most Elemental practitioners. But in actual combat, unless one is stealthily ambushed, the Elemental System will hardly ever allow you to get close.

In truth, even now, after Lin Lei’s advancement to the second realm and his plundering of several second-tier demon ghosts, as well as those monstrous kin, his raw destructive power still couldn’t compare to Wen Xiang’s. Yet, the third advancement exam would never be a simple contest of destructive strength. If Wen Xiang could pass, Lin Lei was confident in his own chances too.

Huo Qi had no idea how Lin Lei had performed in the Xiajiang Forbidden Zone, and thus couldn’t fathom the source of Lin Lei’s confidence.

“By the way,” Lin Lei suddenly remembered something and looked toward Huo Qi. “Consultant Huo, if I obtain breakthrough materials in their natural state and need the Bureau’s help to cleanse them of ‘alien energies,’ how many investigation points would it cost?”

Huo Qi’s eyebrows shot up, his face flushed slightly as he asked, “You have high-tier breakthrough materials? For which breakthrough?”

Seeing Huo Qi’s excitement, Lin Lei hurriedly replied, “Third-tier, third-tier…”

“Oh,” Huo Qi nodded with disappointment.

Lin Lei was speechless. Even if he had materials for an even higher breakthrough, it’s not as if he’d offer them to Huo Qi—what was there to be disappointed about?

Huo Qi composed himself and pondered for a moment. “Removing alien energies costs half the investigation points you’d need to apply for the corresponding breakthrough material, but you won’t have to wait in line… But tell me, how long have you been a Source Energy user? Where did you get third-tier materials?”

Breakthrough materials were rare, and the higher the tier, the fewer there were. For most Source Energy users, obtaining second-tier materials was difficult without special circumstances. Lin Lei had only joined the Bureau less than a month ago. Completing his Source Energy accumulation was actually plausible—after all, Lin Lei was a natural awakener, and with some Source Energy potions and strong compatibility, it was possible.

But acquiring breakthrough materials was far from straightforward. Without special assignments, even Lin Lei would have to wait months for his turn to receive them.

Lin Lei narrowed his eyes slightly but didn’t conceal the truth.

“It was when I first entered the Bureau, Consultant Huo. Do you remember after I completed my first assignment, I applied to extend the use of the Source Energy Radar…”

Lin Lei briefly described how he had obtained the Ever-Burning Feather. Li Xue Shu knew about this as well, and since Lin Lei needed the Bureau’s help to cleanse the feather of alien energies, there was no reason to hide anything.

“There was such an incident?” Huo Qi was taken aback.

Lin Lei nodded. “I reported the matter, and you can find the records. The person involved was likely a wild cultist, accompanied by a group of ‘Shapeshifters.’ I killed them all…”

In fact, had Li Xue Shu not helped testify, and Lin Lei couldn’t provide a clear account of how he acquired the third-tier material, the Bureau would have subjected him to a round of review.

Huo Qi clicked his tongue in amazement. “You really have incredible luck. The Ever-Burning Feather is such a rare breakthrough material; I couldn’t even apply for it myself…”

“You managed to get it from an ordinary cultist?”

“But if it were me, unless it was an official assignment, I’d never take the initiative. Even with the Source Energy Radar, I wouldn’t expect such a situation. You, kid…”

Huo Qi’s expression was complicated. Lin Lei was a rare sort—while most avoided trouble, he completed his task and then actively spent investigation points to extend his use of the Source Energy Radar, running around in the middle of the night.

So diligent—it’s no wonder he gained something.

Huo Qi shook his head and continued, “Breakthrough materials generally come from special items in the Forbidden Zones, which are intersections between other worlds and our own. Thus, breakthrough materials are often contaminated with alien energies…”

“Actually, it’s not only breakthrough materials; most extraordinary materials, even items found within Forbidden Zones, can be tainted by alien energies. In fact, this energy is a manifestation of Source Energy abnormalities and even mutations.”

“If it’s ordinary items or Source Devices, the contamination is usually minor and doesn’t matter much—just exercise caution when using them.”

“The problem is, breakthrough materials are crucial to our advancement, so alien energies can have a significant impact. Hence, cleansing is generally required…”

As Lin Lei realized this, he asked, “Consultant Huo, do you know why, in our Source Energy cultivation, we need these materials to help us break through?”

Huo Qi replied, “The purpose of breakthrough materials is to enable Source Energy users to unlock new Source Qualities. Only by awakening higher Source Qualities can we reach higher realms and accumulate more Source Energy…”

Lin Lei couldn’t help but ask, “What exactly is Source Quality?”

Huo Qi coughed. “The concept of Source Quality is rather abstract. I can’t explain it clearly myself…”

He evidently didn’t know much. “If you’re interested, you should consult Dr. Zhou Wei. As a Source Energy consultant, she understands this area much better.”

Lin Lei narrowed his eyes and nodded silently.

Huo Qi went on, “Back to the Ever-Burning Feather. This item is quite precious. To apply for it, you’d need at least a thousand investigation points. Cleansing it of alien energies would cost you five hundred!”

“The Equipment Department handles this. As long as you have enough investigation points, you can request it anytime!”

“You should be able to reach the requirement in a few days. However… the Bureau won’t return the breakthrough material immediately. When your Source Energy overflows and your mental state is checked, you’ll complete your breakthrough directly in the Bureau.”

Lin Lei narrowed his eyes slightly. “That’s acceptable.”

Thanks to his previous assignment, five hundred points were hardly an issue. As for the Bureau’s special requirements, Lin Lei understood. The dangers on the path to Source Energy cultivation were too great—as long as the Bureau didn’t confiscate the breakthrough material, it was fine.

Huo Qi’s expression grew even more peculiar. “With your rate of progress, in two months you’ll reach full overflow and then advance to the third realm with the Ever-Burning Feather, won’t you?”

Lin Lei scratched his head and smiled honestly.

It wasn’t a matter of whether he could advance—he was confident that he would. With two months left, he could easily complete more assignments, whether dealing with cultists or anomalies, and swiftly accumulate Source Energy.

Huo Qi’s realization was a boon for Lin Lei. When, in the future, he really achieved such feats, it wouldn’t seem so surprising.

“If there’s nothing else, Consultant Huo, I’ll take my leave.”

“Hold on.” Huo Qi raised his brows, grabbed Lin Lei’s arm, and smiled. “I remember I mentioned before that you should have your Blessing level reevaluated. If you’re free, let’s take care of it today, shall we?”

Lin Lei was slightly startled, then withdrew his arm and nodded. “Alright.”

His own strength had increased so dramatically that the C+ Blessing level he wore was actually more conspicuous. There were several A-level Blessed in the Jade Sun Branch alone, so raising his Blessing rating a bit wouldn’t matter.

For him, a higher Blessing rating would make his strength seem more appropriate.

Huo Qi nodded, then stood up. “Let’s go then.”