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He closed his eyes to rest.
The CS Celestial God System, the Kaian Empire's main star system.
Queen Star, where the Evil Tower was based, was also the main planet where the royal palace stood. The two, however, were on different continents, separated by thousands of kilometers of ocean.
After landing on Queen Star, Xu Qingran's first impression was that it was the planet most similar to Blue Star in his previous life.
From the plants growing there to the distribution of water and land, the cats and dogs mingling with people on the streets, and the birds that closely resembled sparrows and crows, everything was utterly familiar. A row of weeping willows along the riverbank swayed in the wind, carrying his thoughts back to his homeland.
The continent where the Evil Tower stood was called Northern Darkness, and it lay to the north.
Buildings nearly a hundred stories tall formed a complete hollow cylinder. Within the open space inside the largest stood another tower of a slightly smaller diameter. Like Russian nesting dolls, each large building enclosed a smaller hollow cylindrical building, and so on, for a total of six layers.
The innermost building was solid, a true "tower" that seemed to serve some other purpose and was not part of the prison. The outermost building was nearly as wide as the capital where he had lived in his previous life.
Round mechanical spheres filled the air above the towers, looking much like their "Heavenly Eye" security system.
The farther inward one went, the more dangerous the prisoners held there and the more serious their crimes.
Someone like Xu Qingran, who was only there for criticism and education, was naturally sent to Building No. 5 on the outermost layer.
On his way into the building with the guards, Xu Qingran saw all sorts of people. Some were so frightened they could only cry, some fought back fiercely like rebellious teenagers, and others cursed and raged helplessly. There were those who seemed out of their minds, as well as pessimists who wanted to smash their heads against the sturdy metal walls and end it all.
"You look very calm," the older guard walking beside him suddenly said.
On the way there, Xu Qingran had learned that his name was Chen Bin.
Chen Bin was also a heavy smoker. He had reluctantly put out the cigarette in his mouth just before entering the building. "I can't even sense the slightest bit of fear in you," he continued.
"That kind of composure is rare in someone as young as you, especially someone who grew up pampered."
Xu Qingran asked him, "Should I be afraid?"
Chen Bin laughed a few times and then said, "Yes, kid, you should be afraid."
"Unless your soul and spirit settle later on and you're confirmed not to be a Type E, you'll have to stay here until you pass the tower's test, and accept punishment for your terrible personality test results."
The Evil Tower's buildings were a deep black. Inside, the surroundings were dim and bare, and the air was stale, foul, and damp. It was hard to imagine that a place whose interior looked like an unfinished apartment could still exist in this era.
It gave him a strange sense of familiarity.
Several other boys and girls had been brought in with Xu Qingran for criticism and education, the youngest only twelve years old. They were sent into the same elevator and began ascending the tall building. A speaker hung inside the elevator, and every so often, piercing screams came from it, sounding as though someone was being tortured.
In the enclosed space, the horror was magnified several times over.
Sure enough, the youths who had worn expressions of utter hopelessness even before entering were so frightened they nearly huddled together, their lips growing paler and paler. Only Xu Qingran leaned comfortably against the other side of the elevator, one hand in his pocket, his posture relaxed, even a little impatient.
He looked like a leader who had come to sightsee or conduct an inspection.
"Brother, are we really going to become Type E Extremists? Are we going to be locked up in the Evil Tower forever?" The youngest among them, a long-haired girl, buried her face in the chest of the older boy beside her and wrapped both arms tightly around him in fear.
The boy was clearly afraid of the unknown future as well, but he still tried to keep his voice steady. Gently stroking the back of her head, he reassured her, "No, we'll definitely be able to leave soon."
Xu Qingran withdrew his gaze from the girl, lowered his head, and began staring into space again.
The elevator soon reached the sixtieth floor.
The layout and appearance of this floor were much more humane than those downstairs. But the long corridor still stretched out of sight, with rooms on both sides and no daylight to be seen, making it oppressive to look at.
Guards and staff passed through the corridor from time to time.
They were all dressed formally and wore very serious expressions. Some looked down at paper documents in their hands as they walked, though it was unclear what they were busy with.
They no longer all wore the same silver-and-black uniforms. Some wore more elegant black-and-gold outfits, with solid-gold badges on their chests bearing the image of a phoenix spreading its wings and crying out.
That was probably the emblem of the Golden Wing Camp.
Meanwhile, a miniature airship slowly descended onto the landing pad atop the Evil Tower's Building No. 5. Unlike ordinary aircraft, it was equipped with firearms and cannons for emergencies, and was made of dark gray Star Sand, a material several times harder than diamond.
The airship's door, marked with a golden badge, opened silently, and a man wearing a black-and-gold military coat over his shoulders stepped out. He removed his hat and raised his eyes, revealing a pair as beautiful as the deep sea, and the scenery around him seemed to lose its color.
"Admiral!" A guard stationed on the roof hurried over to greet him, raising his hand smartly to his temple in salute. Then he grinned, apparently quite familiar with the newcomer. "Are you here to inspect the Evil Tower again?"
The corners of the man's lips lifted slightly. Away from commanding on the battlefield, his gentle demeanor made him look like a modest, admirable gentleman.
"It was an order from the commander-in-chief, after all. I couldn't refuse," he said, walking toward the way downstairs. "It's fine, though. I can take the opportunity to have tea with your warden and get a little rest."
The guard who escorted him to the elevator looked regretful. "His Highness the First Prince? I really don't know why he always likes sending you here. Your strength and talent should be put to use somewhere more important."
Shen Tingyu glanced at the elevator button the guard had pressed for him. His smile deepened, but it did not reach his eyes.
The elevator soon arrived. He put his hat back on and stepped inside in his finely made boots. Before the doors closed again, he left the man outside with a casual reply.