Chapter 7

“Boom!”

A thunderous sound shook the air, and a dazzling light sliced through the dark cave. Everyone focused their gaze and saw that the spot that should have been perfectly sealed had suddenly formed a small opening, with rays of light spilling inside from the outside.

“That is…”

“What?”

【!!! The cave has been broken open? Has the rescue team arrived?】

【This is the fastest rescue in history—they actually found an exit?】

【?? No, this isn’t a rescue. Their rescue squad is still on the spaceship.】

【Then what is this now?】

【I have a somewhat immature guess…】

【I have one too…】

【Could it be that Su Lanjin wiped out all the sinister demons, and that’s why the underground abyss’s cave entrance broke open from the inside?】

【Although it sounds exaggerated, I think it’s possible.】

【+Mainframe number, it really seems possible! Let’s hope for this possibility.】

The viewers excitedly stood up, their chests filled with enthusiasm and tears shimmering in their eyes.

If they could truly come out of the underground abyss unharmed, it would be a new milestone for the entire Federation.

Everyone was excited, joyful, rubbing their hands in anticipation, eager to fast-forward to the moment they would know the answer.

Everyone’s eyes grew intense, tightly fixed on the screen, afraid to miss even the slightest movement.

The chat was suddenly empty—no one sent messages, and no one criticized Su Lanjin’s rash actions. Everyone was waiting, waiting to see if the place glowing with light was truly the exit.

They had never imagined that leaving the underground abyss could be so simple and brutal.

It turned out the “key” to breaking open the underground abyss was hidden inside the porcelain jars. All they needed to do was destroy all the sinister demons inside the jars until the spiritual energy disappeared, and the exit would automatically appear.

Even using the binding technique, by consuming the spiritual energy, the underground abyss could be cleared of all spirit energy, just like those few contestants who used binding spells.

So, the way to escape the underground abyss was actually this simple?

The spectators who had bought tickets and were watching from outside couldn’t help but cover their cheeks, tears shimmering in their eyes, feeling a wave of sorrow in their hearts. Some even had relatives who had died inside the abyss, sitting quietly in their seats, bowing their heads and crying.

If only they had known earlier, if only they had known sooner, maybe…

Tears blurred their faces—regret for never having resisted before.

Every single member of the Federation watching the live stream felt deeply ashamed by Su Lanjin’s decisiveness and by their own shallow understanding.

If this knowledge were made widespread, would those spirit manipulators trapped inside the abyss have a chance to save themselves?

This thought flashed through everyone’s minds. Not only did the audience become stirred, but even the researchers forced to watch this rookie selection battle, who only came because of the underground abyss, were stunned.

The underground abyss could break open on its own?

Without a single soldier or injury, simply by completely binding all the sinister demons inside the porcelain jars, one could escape?

No need to wait for rescue, no need to wait for the sinister demons in the jars to emerge, and no need to helplessly watch one’s life slip away inside?

For the first time, the researchers felt disbelief.

After studying the underground abyss for thousands of years, from past to present, they had never thought such a simple method could break through it—and this simple approach made them excited beyond words.

“This… this… this is a rookie? She must be a genius.”

Several people exchanged glances, disbelief shining in their eyes. Unfortunately, the fact was true—far more shocking than anything they had seen.

At the same time, the entire selection tournament forum was flooded with hot posts about Su Lanjin.

#Su Lanjin’s Palm Technique That Commands Respect—Self-Created or Outsider Method?#

#Shock! Su Lanjin Is Actually From the Empire??#

#No More Fear of the Underground Abyss Because We Have Her!#

#Counting the Ways Su Lanjin Has Upended Everyone’s Expectations#

…

Countless posts about Su Lanjin emerged suddenly, already blazing with popularity. Coupled with today’s sudden collapse of the underground abyss, the entire selection tournament’s network felt like it was lagging, with almost no signal at all.

Yet, despite the poor signal, everyone couldn’t help but watch the live stream while constantly refreshing the forum posts.

#… Su Lanjin actually came out of the underground abyss?#

#Who can explain how Su Lanjin’s mind works?#

#Su Lanjin’s true identity is actually…#

On the homepage of the internal star network’s selection tournament forum, there were thirty full posts about Su Lanjin, with the second and third pages almost completely filled as well.

Su Lanjin became the first contestant to explode in popularity across the entire audience section of the internal star network during the selection tournament.

…

…

“Captain, the contestants are all safe and have come out of the underground abyss by themselves. Should we continue moving forward?”

A team member who was closely watching the live stream exclaimed in surprise.

“No need. Move to the next rescue location.”

Wei Zhe shook his head and took a long, deep look at the hole that had been broken open from the inside out, a slight smile curling at the corner of his mouth. “We’ve received new rescue orders. Head to Planet A48.”

“Understood.”

The entire rescue team chose to stop moving when they were still 200 kilometers away from the barren star, while another military unit, directly ordered by the highest commander, continued on the route toward the barren star.

“Huh, they actually came out.”

A man in military uniform glanced at the big screen, admiration flickering in his eyes. “This kid named Su Lanjin is very sharp. If we recruit her, it would definitely be good.”

Sikong Heng rubbed his chin, speaking with interest, “This person is interesting. She does what others wouldn’t dare to do—very bold, but also fits the character of our army. What do you think? Will the Border Control Academy get involved? If the academy doesn’t, then the army?”

Hearing this, Wen Hanzhou lazily leaned back in his chair, the collar of his uniform slightly turned out, his Adam’s apple faintly visible, long legs slightly bent, exuding an air of noble restraint.

“Not suitable for the army.”

Wen Hanzhou slightly lifted his eyes and glanced indifferently at Sikong Heng, then looked past him at the driver and said, “Speed up.”

“Yes, Marshal.”

Wen Hanzhou narrowed his dark eyes, staring at the broken ceramic jar flashing quickly on the live stream screen. The runes on it were visibly covered by the demonic energy, like…

For some reason, Wen Hanzhou could sense a terrifying storm brewing within it.

“Really not suitable?”

Sikong Heng stepped forward and bumped Wen Hanzhou playfully. Wen Hanzhou, already deep in thought, immediately darkened his expression, glanced sideways at him, and coldly said a few words: “Not suitable.”

“Alright then, if she’s really not suitable, when the academy rushes in to snatch her up later, I’ll be the one who gets the first pick since I’m closest. Don’t come crying to me afterward.”

Sikong Heng spoke flippantly, his eyes teasing, silently thinking: She’s “not suitable,” huh? Ever since the news came out, I’ve been watching Su Lanjin for hours—tsk tsk tsk.

Faced with Sikong Heng’s mocking expression, Wen Hanzhou’s face stiffened for a moment, then he turned his head and pretended to nap.

“Pfft.”

“Wen Hanzhou, you’re still the same. You might as well just live on the battleship forever, better yet, just stay on the frontline—after all, you’re basically a fanatic when it comes to killing those sinister demons.”

Wen Hanzhou: “…”

Wen Hanzhou shifted slightly and continued to fake sleep.

Seeing this, Sikong Heng clicked his tongue, didn’t press the matter, rubbed his nose, and went back to watching the live stream, feeling once again: The new generation is really pushing the old forward.

—

Inside the capital star,

The Federation’s top officials gathered in one place, all eyes glued to the broadcast.

When Shu Yangming saw the sinister demons vanish, the demonic energy disappear, and the underground abyss automatically crack open an exit, a gleam lit up his eyes.

For years, the existence of the underground abyss had trapped their front-line forces in a pincer attack. If they could figure out how to get out of the abyss, could they reduce casualties—or even avoid them entirely?

“I think this method is worth trying.”

Xie Shaobin thought for a moment, then continued, “Su Lanjin’s method is to release the sinister demons inside the ceramic jar and kill them all in one strike before they wake up fully. Our job would just be to contain them.”

“Once the demonic energy disappears and the abyss is purified, an exit will break open from inside. But if we can’t fully contain the monsters, it might end like the corpses buried inside the abyss before. So, we must be completely sure we can contain the monsters.”

“Shaobin is right. We need to try again, but it must be a safe attempt. After the selection contest ends, Shaobin, you should borrow some people from them.”

Shu Yangming nodded approvingly and handed Xie Shaobin a file. It was filled with all of Su Lanjin’s information, and at the top was her rank circled in red ink: Double C.