The Third World – Extra Chapter 番外

Su Ling stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking through the glass at the bustling city of Kepler 4b. Three and a half years had passed, and since the day Lin Yuan disappeared, her heart had never truly been at peace. The report on the table emitted a faint blue light, and the title of the report was: "Phased Achievements of the Astral Dew in Environmental Purification". She gently closed the report and rubbed the cover with her fingers, but her thoughts drifted back many years ago.

Over two hundred years wasn't long for her. But in this interstellar Federation, it was enough for a lot of human generations to pass. Back then, as a Half-God Race member, her situation was much more complex than it is now.

In the original world of the Half-God Race, due to her strong adaptability and intelligence, Su Ling took on the responsibility of a "guide", leading and managing their resources and energy. However, the situation changed abruptly. The sudden attack of the Zerg forced the Half-God Race to disperse, and many of her fellow clansmen chose to hide their identities. Su Ling came to the Federation and chose to blend into human society with a false identity.

With her wisdom and analytical skills, she quickly caught the attention of the federal high-ups. Only a few of the highest councilors in the Federal Parliament knew her true identity, that of a Half-God Race member who had lived for more than two hundred and thirty years. She presented herself with a false identity of a seemingly innocent and cute person in her thirties, but behind the scenes, she became an important advisor to the Federation, especially in the fields of energy and strategic resource management. The Astral Dew's existence was the first "gift" she secretly shared with the Federation.

…

"The Yeqingxuan family is really interesting," a faint smile played on Su Ling's lips.

She remembered the first time she met Ye Qingxuan, it was during a legal debate in the Federal Supreme Court. Ye Qingxuan was an elite in the federal legal community. Beneath her cold exterior was a warm heart. Su Ling greatly admired Ye Qingxuan's wisdom and courage. Gradually, the two went from being colleagues to friends.

As for Lin Tiance, Su Ling didn't have that much affection for him. She knew that Lin Tiance was an excellent scientific researcher, but his pursuit of power and interests made Su Ling a bit wary. However, she still gave the energy-depleted Astral Dew to him for research. She needed Lin Tiance's tech and resources for her plan.

Lin Wanqing was like a little sister to her, always bringing her some laughter and a relaxed atmosphere. And what about Lin Yuan? Su Ling's evaluation of him had always been, "Infinite potential, but overly strong self-awareness, and he needs time to grow."

Her plan started with the Zerg.

Su Ling was well aware that if the federal government continued to take the threat of the Zerg lightly, then the entire Federation would be in crisis in the future. So, she used available resources and intel to stage an apparent "accident" that led the Zerg to attack the northern civilian zone of Kepler 4b.

Through this action, Su Ling successfully attracted the attention of the federal government and made them realize the true extent of the threat posed by the Zerg. This action had a high cost. She knew her plan might hurt innocent people, but for the Federation's long-term good, she had no alternative.

…

"Li Xingchen..." Su Ling murmured, her thoughts drifting to the figure of that woman.

Li Xingchen was a junior that Su Ling knew in the Half-God Race. Although the two didn't have a direct blood relationship, they were still considered the same clan, so Su Ling adopted her. As a warrior, Li Xingchen had a firm will and outstanding strength, and Su Ling admired her very much. But she knew that Li Xingchen's fate was already sealed.

In order to make Lin Yuan grow and for the Astral Dew to truly play its role, Li Xingchen made the sacrifice. During the Zerg Star battle, Su Ling knew Li Xingchen might die. But she didn't intervene as she thought Li Xingchen's sacrifice was needed.

Her thoughts gradually returned to reality. Su Ling looked at the report on the table and felt a multitude of emotions. The Astral Dew had already started to purify the environment of Kepler 4b. This planet was slowly recovering, and more areas could be planned as safe zones suitable for civilians to live in. And she had also completed part of her duty as a guide.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door.

"Come in," Su Ling put away her emotions and regained that innocent smile.

The door was pushed open, and a woman in silver and white battle armor walked in. The woman was valiant and heroic, with a cold face, but there was a hint of softness in her eyes. In her hand, she held a strange folding fan. The fan bones were dark brown, adorned with black metal and silver threads.

The folding fan trembled slightly in the air and slowly floated in front of Su Ling.

"Mother," a familiar voice came from the folding fan, and it was none other than Li Xingchen.

Su Ling's smile paused slightly, and a complex look flashed in her eyes: "Xingchen... Is that you?"

"It's me," Li Xingchen's voice carried a hint of tenderness. "Although my physical body has perished, my consciousness and spirit still exist. Thanks to the power of this folding fan and the Astral Dew, I was able to reshape part of my form."

Su Ling looked at the floating fan and sighed softly, "Seems you've chosen a different way."

"I just did what I had to do," Li Xingchen said calmly. "However, I still need to complete my mission. I came to you hoping to get your help."

"Go ahead," there was a hint of seriousness in Su Ling's tone.

"The problems within the Federation haven't decreased, and the threat of the Zerg still exists," Li Xingchen said.

Su Ling was silent for a while and then nodded slightly: "Alright, I'll do my best. However, we must clear the hidden dangers in the Federation. You know I've never trusted humans. Ye Qingxuan is the exception; she's my best friend.

"I understand," Li Xingchen said, her voice firm.

Su Ling rose and reached for the floating folding fan, saying, "Then let's begin."

=====================

苏灵站在巨大的落地窗前,透过玻璃看着开普勒4b繁忙的城市.三年半过去了,自林远消失的那天起,她的心情就从未真正平静过.桌子上的报告散发着淡淡的蓝光,报告的标题是:"星灵露对环境净化的阶段性成果".她轻轻合上报告,手指摩挲着封皮,思绪却飘回了许多年前.

两百多年的时光,对她来说并不算漫长,但在这星际联邦中,却足够让许多人类世代更替.那时的她,作为半神族中的一员,面临的处境远比现在复杂.

在半神族原本的世界,苏灵因为其强大的适应能力和聪慧,承担着 "引路人" 的职责,引导与管理他们的资源与能量.但时局骤变,虫族的突袭使得半神族不得不分散,许多族人都选择了隐藏自己的身份.苏灵来到联邦,选择了以一个假身份融入人类社会.

通过她的智慧和分析能力,她很快得到了联邦高层的注意.联邦议会中只有几位最高议员知晓她的真实身份,一个已经活了两百三十多年的半神族.她以稚嫩可爱的三十多岁假身份示人,却在背后成为了联邦的重要顾问,尤其是在能源与战略资源管理领域.星灵露的存在,也是她秘密透露给联邦的第一件 "礼物".

...

"青璇这家人,真有意思." 苏灵嘴角扬起一丝笑意.

她记得第一次见到叶青璇,是在一次联邦最高法院的一场法律辩论中.叶青璇是联邦法律界的精英,冰冷的外表下却藏着一颗温暖的心.苏灵对叶青璇的智慧和胆识非常欣赏,渐渐地,两人从同事变成了朋友.

至于林天策,苏灵并没有那么多好感.她知道林天策是一位优秀的科研工作者,但他对权力与利益的追逐让苏灵有些警惕.不过,这并不妨碍她将失去能量的星灵露交给他研究,她需要林天策的技术和资源来完成自己的计划.

林晚晴则像是她的小妹妹一样,总是给她带来一些欢笑和轻松的氛围.而林远呢?苏灵对他的评价一直是,"潜力无限,但自我意识过于强烈,需要时间去成长."

她的计划,从虫族开始.

苏灵深知,如果联邦政府一直对虫族的威胁掉以轻心,那么未来整个联邦都会陷入危机.因此,她利用手中的资源和情报,策划了一次看似 "偶然" 的事件,让虫族突袭开普勒4b的北部平民区.

通过这一行动,苏灵成功引起了联邦政府的关注,并让他们认识到虫族威胁的真实程度.这一行动的代价是巨大的,她也深知自己的计划可能会伤害到无辜的人类,但为了联邦的长远利益,她别无选择.

...

"黎星辰..." 苏灵喃喃道,思绪飘到那位女子的身影上.

黎星辰是苏灵在半神族中认识的一个小辈,两人虽然没有直接的血缘关系,但也算是同族,便收养了她.黎星辰身为战士,意志坚定,实力出众,苏灵非常欣赏她.但她知道,黎星辰的命运已经注定.

为了让林远成长,为了让星灵露能够真正发挥作用,黎星辰做出了牺牲.在虫星的那场战斗中,苏灵明知黎星辰可能会死去,但却没有阻止,因为她知道黎星辰的牺牲是必须的.

思绪渐渐回到现实,苏灵看着桌上的报告,心里感慨万千.星灵露已经开始对开普勒4b的环境进行净化,这颗星球正在慢慢恢复,更多的地方能规划为适合平民居住的安全区.而她,也完成了自己作为引路人的部分职责.

就在这时,一阵轻轻的敲门声响起.

"进来." 苏灵收起情绪,恢复了那副天真无邪的笑容.

门被推开,一个身着银白战甲的女子走了进来.女子英姿飒爽,面容冷峻,但眼中却带着几分柔和.她的手上托着一把奇特的折扇,扇骨呈深棕色,由黑色金属与银丝装饰.

那把折扇在空中微微一颤,缓缓漂浮到苏灵的面前.

"母亲." 从折扇中传来一道熟悉的声音,正是黎星辰.

苏灵的笑容微微一顿,眼神里透出复杂的情绪:"星辰...是你吗?"

"是我." 黎星辰的声音带着几分温柔,"虽然我的肉体已经消亡,但我的意识和精神依然存在.多亏了这把折扇和星灵露的力量,我得以重塑一部分形态."

苏灵凝视着漂浮的折扇,轻轻叹了口气:"看来,你选择了另一条路."

"我只是做了我该做的事." 黎星辰平静地说道,"不过,我还要继续完成我的使命.我来找您,是希望得到您的帮助."

"说吧." 苏灵的语气中多了一丝认真.

"联邦内部的问题并没有减少,虫族的威胁也依然存在." 黎星辰说道.

苏灵沉默了一会儿,随后微微点头:"好吧,我会尽力.不过,我们需要清理联邦内部的那些隐患.你知道,我从不信任人类.当然,叶青璇除外,谁叫她是我的至交好友呢."

"我明白." 黎星辰说道,声音坚定.

苏灵站起身,伸手将漂浮的折扇握在手中:"那就开始吧."