Qin Jin’s gaze was fixed upward.

Wanxiang Star System.

With continuous learning and deepening familiarity with the Federation, Qin Jin was already familiar with this star system.

In terms of nominal importance, the Torch Star System, where the Federation’s Ancestral Star is located, is the core. But the Wanxiang Star System is the actual governing core, the true hinterland and largest stage of the Federation.

According to the information Qin Jin had gathered, within the Wanxiang Star System, the tenth-level Life Planets, namely the Gaia Planets, exist—not just one—and they are already at the Federation’s rated [tenth level] limit, unlike Thunder Star, which is still improving and growing.

Even.

According to some core data, the tenth-level Life Planets are the upper limit of the Federation rating, but not the limit for the truly perfect Gaia Planets!

"The next stop will be the core of the Federation."

Expectancy flashed in Qin Jin’s eyes.

Traveling ten thousand miles, reading ten thousand books, is a literal description, but in the Interstellar Era, to truly have the chance to explore various star seas significantly broadens one’s insight—a rare occurrence.

The information on the terminal disappeared.

Thought flashed in Qin Jin’s eyes, and he spoke: "Candle Kite."

"What’s wrong?"

After a moment of hesitation, Qin Jin did not continue speaking, instead saying, "I’ll talk about it on the way."

This platform near the docking area stood independent of the Star Fortress. Qin Jin followed behind two warriors, entered the teleportation array inside the fortress, and took a vehicle that finally arrived in front of an office.

Up ahead, the two warriors turned back, and one of them spoke: "Please."

Another one lowered his voice slightly, as if pre-arranged, saying: "The superior you want to meet has the surname Liu."

Qin Jin nodded and walked inside.

Inside the entire office, there was only one figure standing at the center, with his back towards Qin Jin. Before him was a virtual sand table, within which two Star Seas overlapped, displaying various strange scenes at their intersections.

As Qin Jin entered, the figure turned around.

Wearing a military uniform, a middle-aged appearance, a sense of weather and frost between the eyebrows, he carefully examined Qin Jin.

"General Liu."

Qin Jin was the first to speak, after a quick glance at the epaulet stars on his shoulders.

"Qin Jin."

General Liu, whose full name is Liu Lingyun, called the name and looked at him, revealing a friendly smile: "Just now, I looked at your dossier."

"Martial Abyss Qin Jin."

"Truly an exceptional talent."

Qin Jin replied steadily: "The general praises me too highly."

"Hahahaha."

A hearty laugh came from his mouth, and the appreciation in Liu Lingyun’s eyes deepened. He spoke: "Do you know why I called you here?"

"Please enlighten me, General Liu."

"Boldly guess, let me see if you have an idea."

Detecting the sense of examination in his voice, Qin Jin’s thoughts raced. Under the gaze of the other, he spoke slowly: "I suppose it relates to Desolate Star."

"During the window period, a total of a dozen people left Desolate Star, and when participating in the final step of the process, I was the last to leave."

"Therefore..."

"I fulfilled certain conditions or requirements?"

Qin Jin’s tone was calm.

"Smart."

Liu Lingyun nodded.

He turned to the side, covering the virtual sand table with his palm, and after a few touches, the virtual sand table transformed, revealing the scene of several dozen people simultaneously surrounded by an array pattern inside.

However, on the actual world platform, outside the array pattern protecting everyone, no external elements could be seen.

Yet in this virtual sand table, outside the array, there were peculiar, complex forces continually surging within, containing vastness that made Qin Jin feel a sense of binding and suppression with just a glance.

"This is the incomplete evolution of rules."

"Achieving this step on the sand table is already the limit."

Liu Lingyun’s voice carried some lament: "Desolate Star, a world without rules, holds great significance for the Federation."

"The Light of Imagination it possesses grants that special planet infinite possibilities. Due to its inherent [rule-free] nature, the Federation can use this opportunity to test against the [rules] in the current Star Sea."

"However, the differences in rules between the two worlds mean not everyone can enter Desolate Star multiple times. It’s unrelated to realm and more about an innate compatibility; if the compatibility is insufficient, even though an Extraordinary at a High Realm can forcibly enter, upon leaving, they face great danger and mutation."

Liu Lingyun paused slightly here.

He looked at Qin Jin: "This final process involves the test on this aspect."

"Returning from the rule-free Desolate Star to reality in the Star Sea, re-exposing oneself to rules. With the Federation’s support, how far one can endure also affects future qualifications to enter Desolate Star."

"Qin Jin."

"You handed in a perfect score sheet."

"Not only during this window period, but since the Federation deepened its research and created this stage, your performance has been outstanding, standing at the forefront."

"According to the process, normally there would be special contact when you next enter Desolate Star."

"However, after fetching your detailed information via the Military Department, I felt a prior meeting was necessary to explain some matters."

His voice was calm, and he watched Qin Jin: "When you visit Desolate Star next time, and in each subsequent entry, you need to cooperate with the Military Department to accomplish a few tasks. A Martial Arts Family like yours, with excellent rule compatibility, can have a tremendous impact on Desolate Star."