Gu Jianlin lay sprawled on the soft, cushiony sofa, feeling as though he might sink right into it.

He had just finished showering, dressed in loose pajamas, his damp hair draped with a clean towel.

It was now half past two in the morning. His phone was charging beside him, the screen showing the interface of the Deep Space Network. The forum threads were updating furiously, discussing tonight's battle.

Because of the Nightmare Master's turmoil, the Ether Association's administrative PR department had been called up for overtime, working through the night to clean up after the frontline fighters. The urban infrastructure division was also busy around the clock, restoring damaged buildings in the city, including deploying psychological counseling teams trying their best to erase the memories of all witnesses.

Outside the window, the torrential rain had abated intermittently, but helicopters belonging to the Dawn Combat Sequence could still be seen flying back and forth.

Credit where it's due—this commitment to ordinary people's safety is definitely worth praise.

This is what the Ether Association truly stands for.

If not for the Judgement Court, the Ether Association might genuinely have been a good organization.

The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom.

Through the misty, frosted glass, a slender and graceful silhouette could be vaguely discerned.

And an exaggerated curve at the chest.

Gu Jianlin glanced for just a second and felt a sudden surge of inexplicable heat rise within him, quickly averting his gaze.

He recited the Great Compassionate Mantra under his breath, forcing himself to calm down.

It was the first time in seventeen years that he had brought a girl home.

After all, Moon Princess genuinely didn't have anywhere else to go. Staying overnight in the West Port Forbidden Zone was obviously out of the question. Moreover, the hotel listed on that business card was over thirty kilometers away, and considering the lack of cabs right now, walking there would take until dawn. Outside, the streets were crawling with Ether Association personnel, making the situation extremely unsafe for her.

"Glad the lease hasn't expired yet. Might as well renew…"

Gu Jianlin muttered to himself, "Otherwise, bringing her home directly would've likely caused trouble."

At that moment, the bathroom door slid open. Moon Princess, still wearing her cat-faced mask, emerged wrapped in a towel. Her jet-black hair was coiled behind her head, and she stepped barefoot onto the floor.

"You wear a mask even while showering?"

Gu Jianlin cast a quick glance at her but quickly shifted his gaze away again.

"Do you want to see my face? Do you want to marry me?"

Moon Princess retorted with a single line that immediately silenced him.

Gu Jianlin had already completed a psychological profile of her—examining her tone, her gaze, her body language.

And analyzing her behavior down to the most minute details.

But the results were so absurd that they seemed completely divorced from reality.

Nonetheless, this girl clearly understood him very well, even knowing some vulnerabilities in his personality.

She always managed to strike him down with just a sentence.

"We're both worn out tonight. Rest early,"

Gu Jianlin said, expressionless. "Which room are you taking?"

This apartment had two bedrooms, one for him and one for his father.

The last time Gu Jianlin had returned here, he had cleaned up the rooms, replaced the bedding and other necessities. He disliked the feeling of staying in a place full of dust—it felt like living in a tomb.

All household items were stocked in pairs, perhaps because he expected that familiar ringing of the doorbell once more, followed by the sight of his father hauling bags inside and laughing heartily.

But in the end, it wasn't the middle-aged man who moved in—it was a young beauty.

Clearly, she made a much more pleasant sight than the former occupant.

Moon Princess was stunning. Though the cat-faced mask obscured her face, her figure was impeccable—slender and graceful curves, a full chest, and snow-white skin soft as petals.

Fine by him. Old Gu might as well continue staying downstairs; no need to come back.

"I'll take this room,"

Moon Princess casually pointed to the left-hand room, hugged her clothes tightly, and turned inside.

That happened to be Gu Jianlin's bedroom.

Good choice.

With a *clack*, the door closed, followed by faint shuffling sounds. Who knows what she was up to?

Gu Jianlin ignored it, picked up his phone, and glanced again at the Deep Space Network.

Suddenly, a notification sounded with a ding.

Taixu appeared on the Deep Space Network interface, its soft, alluring voice like a lover's whisper: "Dear D-level investigator Gu Jianlin, as you've officially become an Omega Sequence candidate, access is now granted to the highest-level residency qualification in Black Cloud City, along with S-level exploration strategy investigation rights."

"Access to the Omega Sequence secret medicine allocation database has been granted."

"The Omega Sequence Alchemy Weapon reserve has been unlocked."

"The Omega Sequence Mythical Weapon reserve has been unlocked."

Gu Jianlin read these updates, astonished beyond words.

The sheer resources that were now at his disposal overwhelmed him!

"The purpose of the Omega Sequence is to screen the most talented from the current generation's leading figures, cultivating their ability to resist the Ancient Gods' contamination, teaching them mastery over Breathing Techniques and Forbidden Spells, and enabling them to battle within the Ancient God Realm alongside the Ancient Ancestors. Ultimately, these candidates may even have the capacity to directly confront the Ancient God Clan,"

"For each generation, the strongest Omega Sequence candidate is crowned with the title of King, becoming the prime beneficiary of the Catastrophe Plan and inheriting the Ghost Valley Secret Treasure, eventually embarking on the path to challenge the Ancient Supreme."

"Throughout the Ether Association's history, not every Omega Sequence generation has produced a King. Candidates worthy of the title are exceptionally rare. However, if a King does emerge, they become humanity's secret weapon, possessing enough strength to rival the Ancient Supreme itself…"

The mention of the Ghost Valley Secret Treasure caused Gu Jianlin's pupils to contract slightly.

According to the files left behind by his father, the Ghost Valley Secret Treasure was highly likely to be the key weapon for contending with the Candle Dragon Venerable.

"So, becoming the strongest in the Omega Sequence?"

Gu Jianlin found this goal quite relatable.

After all, he harbored the power of the Qilin within him; once it matured, he would be unstoppable.

There would be no human capable of challenging him.

"So this is the Omega Sequence's cultivation program. No wonder everyone is so desperate to join—this is the only place to learn Breathing Techniques and Forbidden Spells? Seems like the King of Qing has already given me some special privileges."

Gu Jianlin murmured to himself, "The title of King?"

He suddenly realized that perhaps the King of Qing was a King!

No wonder the Omega Sequence spared no expense or effort, channeling vast resources into nurturing talents.

The so-called Catastrophe Plan was likely aimed at fostering individuals as capable as the King of Qing.

Besides the King of Qing, there must exist other Kings.

Perhaps the Red King, Black King, White King, and so on.

At that moment, Gu Jianlin thought of another question.

If the Omega Sequence continued operating for centuries, wouldn't the number of Kings—the so-called Catastrophes—grow too large?

Wouldn't they eventually run out of colors to use?

Well, that wasn't his concern.

The key point was that whether it meant becoming the strongest in the Omega Sequence under the Catastrophe Plan…

Or exploring the Qilin Immortal Palace, it was a golden opportunity.

He had to seize it.

Only then could he face the Candle Dragon Venerable.

As for the curse of the Ghost Car Ancestor—ha.

If he could take down the Candle Dragon Venerable, why would he fear a mere Ancestor?

Speaking of which, Old Gu had truly been unreliable.

Always proclaiming that he sought to fight against the Candle Dragon Venerable for the sake of his son's world.

Now, the Candle Dragon Venerable had come knocking.

A lifetime spent searching for a way to break the curse, and he still couldn't save himself.

The curse remained unbroken, and the Ghost Car Ancestor would undoubtedly arrive.

"What a mess."

Gu Jianlin stared at the files, growing drowsier with each passing moment.

Finally, he drifted into a deep sleep on the sofa.

Outside, the soft rain fell, splattering against leaves as the wind howled mournfully.

Unbeknownst to him, the bedroom door silently opened. A lithe, petite shadow stood before him.

"Hmph."

Moon Princess uttered a soft snort, then gently draped the blanket she carried over him.

Her movements were light, careful not to disturb the sleeping boy.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning illuminated the heavens, its brief flash revealing the sharp lines of Gu Jianlin's cold and defined profile. Even in sleep, his brows remained tightly furrowed, his body taut, as if haunted by a relentless dream.

Moon Princess didn't disturb him. She crouched beside the sofa, resting her chin on her hand while watching him silently.

A tender hand rose and placed itself softly against his forehead, gently smoothing his furrowed brows.

"You've worked so hard."

She murmured quietly, "I'll stay by your side, always."

If I can.

[ps: This book first launched on Qidian Reading App. Next update at 11:30 p.m. tonight. Just recovered from a fever. Will write more in the next chapter.]