Chapter 132: A Slightly Heavy "Thought"

“Xing,” Tian Dao asked from the kitchen doorway, pulling two bottles of Deep Blue Metropolis’s signature soda, Blue Melody Mountain City, from the refrigerator. He tossed one casually toward the figure lounging on the sofa a few feet away—Chen Xing.

Chen Xing caught it mid-air and popped the cap with a soft pfft. After taking two long gulps, she wiped her mouth and said, “Tian Dao, don’t treat me like an idiot. You know, back in the base, my theoretical scores were second only to you and Kalolin—and far ahead of that dense Ruli by a good few spots.”

“True enough,” Tian Dao replied, walking behind the sofa and leaning against the backrest, fingers drumming lightly on the fabric. “Even if you do catch me, it’s not exactly a disaster. You’re the only one whose presence wouldn’t trouble me much.”

He took a sip of his own soda, smiling. “In fact, having you around actually simplifies things that would’ve otherwise required more effort.”

He paused, eyes fixed on the fizzing blue liquid. “You know, of course, that your brother Chen Kong is here?”

Chen Xing nodded. “Yeah. I’ve known for years. I noticed early on that his quantum leap had gone off-track—deviated from the intended path.”

“But back then, we Stellar Prodigies had to stay hidden. We couldn’t show our faces freely in the Federation. So we didn’t reach out.”

“Not until four years ago, when Central Council’s Ainet declared the fall of Yujin Base and the death of Doctor Dragong. Only then did those hunters lift their manhunt on us.”

Chen Xing paused, her brow furrowed slightly. “There’s just one thing I’m curious about…”

Before she could finish, Tian Dao cut in with a knowing smile. “You’re wondering why Ainet stood up for us specifically. Why he warned everyone not to experiment on us like lab rats.”

“And… why he didn’t cancel my own wanted status, right?”

“Mm.” Tian Dao dropped onto the sofa, staring at the bubbling soda in his hand. His sapphire eyes darkened, as if reflecting depths no one else could see.

“Xing… have you heard of the twelve Miracle Stones?”

"Of course. The foundation of the Lieyang family was built upon one."

“And since you know that, you also know that, throughout the history of the New Federation, only five Miracle Stones have ever been recorded.”

Chen Xing’s expression shifted after a moment of silence. Then, realization struck.

“So you’re saying… the real cause behind the base’s destruction six years ago was the Ironcrown Family’s obsession with finding the Miracle Stone that Doctor held?”

“And that’s why they’ve never dropped my warrant—because they’re afraid I might be protected by another family, and that I could leak the secret of the Stone’s location.”

“Smart,” Tian Dao said, smiling. “Xing. Your instincts are still as sharp as ever—and as utterly unreasonable.”

Chen Xing narrowed her eyes, frowning slightly. “If that’s true, then I think I finally understand why you’ve been hiding your identity… and why you’ve structured your plan this way.”

“Oh?” Tian Dao leaned forward, genuinely intrigued. He wanted to know just how far her Yaoxing Zhigan—her uncanny intuition—had reached.

“Here’s what I think,” Chen Xing said. “The Ironcrown Family is chasing me so relentlessly because they’re certain you know where the Miracle Stone is.”

“And they suspect that the Stone might actually be in your possession.”

“So they have to hunt you relentlessly—while also avoiding suspicion from others.”

“Keeping my warrant alive? That’s the perfect cover. The ideal excuse.”

“Exactly,” Tian Dao nodded. “Go on.”

Because what she’d said was precisely the reason he’d had to keep pretending in Season 2. Not because he feared the Ironcrown Family—far from it. But if they showed up too soon, it would disrupt the current narrative, shatter his control over the unfolding events.

“And another thing,” Chen Xing continued. “Knowing the threat from the Ironcrown Family, your only real options were either to seek protection from one of the Four Great Families… or from some old, powerful figure.”

“But if it were just the first choice,” she added, “you wouldn’t have stayed hidden this long. You’re not the kind to hand your fate to someone else.”

“So I think you’re trying to prove your worth—show Ainet, the Central Council’s leader, that you’re someone worth selecting as his successor. Then you could break free from their pursuit… and even stand on equal ground with them.”

Tian Dao chuckled. “So sure of yourself?”

He studied her face, watching the faint smirk rise at the corner of her lips. She gave her high ponytail a sharp flick.

“You really underestimate me, Tian Dao. The one who’s been chasing your shadow all this time.”

“There are few who truly understand you. Not just Kalolin. Me too.”

“I know your ambitions. I know the terrifying mind behind that genius mind of yours.”

“You never compromise. You can’t learn to compromise. You only accept things unfolding exactly as you envision them—and you’re so certain, so arrogant, that it must be this way. You refuse to accept any deviation.”

Tian Dao interrupted, “Yet you were the one who changed the plan, weren’t you? I never expected your intuition to be this accurate.”

Chen Xing’s smile faded. She looked at him, dead serious, her gaze locking onto his sapphire eyes.

“You’re wrong, Tian Dao. I don’t pick the one correct answer from countless possibilities.”

“I only choose answers I’ll never regret.”

“Because no matter how many times I live through this—hundred, thousand, ten thousand times—I’d make the same choice.”

“Even if that choice leads straight into the abyss… I’d walk into it without hesitation.”

“Because it’s the only one I truly believe in. The only one I can live with.”

Tian Dao exhaled softly. “So your ‘intuition’… is just about choosing what you won’t regret?”

He finally understood. Chen Xing’s Yaoxing Zhigan wasn’t about predicting outcomes. It wasn’t about being right.

It was about choosing what felt right—regardless of the future. No matter where it led.

She didn’t care about the result. She only cared that she’d made the choice herself. That was the only truth that mattered.

As for why the old Chen Xing hadn’t shown this kind of intuition—Tian Dao speculated she hadn’t yet discovered her true self. Perhaps something pivotal had happened, a moment of awakening, that finally clarified what she truly wanted.

And in that moment, her Yaoxing Zhigan had been born.

He wondered what that moment had been.

But he didn’t ask.

Because he already knew. He just… didn’t want to hear it spoken aloud.

Some truths were better left unvoiced.

So Tian Dao pretended not to understand. He changed the subject.

“Xing,” he said, “since you’ve figured it all out… I’ll need your help with a few things I can’t handle directly.”

“Because according to my predictions, your brother and the girl caught in the power struggle—she’ll soon stir up a storm in this so-called progressive, yet rotten, Steam Capital.”

“Some people are willing to sacrifice everything—even the Miracle’s Key—to cling to power.”

“And if that happens, Kong might be in danger.”

Chen Xing didn’t flinch. “It doesn’t matter. If he can’t survive a storm like that, then he’s not ready.”

“I can’t protect him forever. He has to learn to protect himself.”

Tian Dao watched her, his expression half-smile, half-serious. “Is that so? Funny… I remember hearing almost the same words from someone six years ago. Though the outcome… was rather different.”

“Tian Dao!” Chen Xing snapped, irritation flashing across her face. Before he could tease her further, she stood up and started walking toward the door.

But she stopped at the threshold.

She turned back, face serious, eyes unwavering.

“Tian Dao… I’ll clear the obstacles for you. And I’ll keep doing it—until you finally acknowledge me.”

Then she stepped out, the door closing behind her with a soft click.

Tian Dao remained seated, staring at the empty space where she’d stood.

His smile slowly vanished. His expression grew complex.

He’d heard the unspoken weight in her words.

She didn’t just want his approval.

She wanted more.

And if she did too much… the debt he owed her would become far heavier than any popularity debt in the Popularity System.

Tian Dao exhaled softly, then lifted the soda bottle and took a long, deep drink.

The icy liquid slid down his throat, but it couldn’t soothe the restless unease in his chest.

The one who craved absolute control… was suddenly feeling something he hadn’t felt in years.

Trouble.

And this time, it wasn’t something he could solve with strength.

Just… awkward.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end