A request for protection, past and present lives (5K)

The top-floor reception room of the Blue Star Commonwealth Headquarters building seemed to be a tranquil world of its own.

Outside the window, the city is bathed in the joy of new life, the air is filled with a faint fragrance of plants, and delicate tea and snacks are laid out on the table.

Soft natural light streams through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the warm, textured wooden tabletop and complementing the several ornamental plants indoors whose leaves shimmer with a subtle, luminous glow.

Xuanji was extremely efficient and had already prepared everything according to Lin Yi's instructions.

Lin Yi and Aurelia sat facing each other.

After a brief silence, Aurelia decided to get straight to the point.

Grandmother Liyue's words of advice still echoed in my ears.

She was instructed to make sure she explained the situation clearly and completely, without concealing anything or causing any misunderstandings.

Sincerity is the best strategy when facing this seemingly young but actually mature and insightful Human Race.

Any attempt to conceal or embellish can become a fatal rift in a long-term relationship.

While revealing the family's predicament might seem embarrassing, as if they were forced to seek refuge, starting with one lie only leads to countless more, making it a losing proposition. Only by treating others with sincerity can one gain genuine recognition.

She took a soft breath, her icy blue eyes meeting Lin Yi's directly, and said frankly, "Lord Lin Yi, first of all, I must clarify that I am not Human Race, but from the Spirit Race."

Lin Yi nodded calmly. "I know that. Among the basic information about the universe that Master passed on to me before was a basic introduction to the major races in the universe."

Seeing that Lin Yi knew about the Spirit Race, Aurelia refrained from going into further details about the background.

Her tone turned slightly serious as she continued, "I come from a Star Domain level family called 'Xina' within the Spirit Race. However, our family is now facing a powerful enemy, and the situation is critical. In order to preserve our bloodline and power, we have decided to sell our family property in the Spirit Race territory and relocate the entire clan to the relatively safer Human Race territory."

She paused slightly at this point.

Throughout her long life, she was well protected in the early stages as the pride of her family, and only needed to focus on her own cultivation.

Later, her family suffered a drastic change, and she went to the Human Race to serve as Civilization Guardian. She mostly cultivated in seclusion and observed silently, and rarely needed to reveal her predicament to a "stranger" so directly, especially not to make a request that was almost like seeking refuge.

The subject of her attention was Lin Yi, whom she had personally witnessed rise from a Primary Civilization civilization to where he is today, and even became a disciple of a deity.

A slight embarrassment swept through her heart, like a tiny ripple on a calm lake.

This feels a bit strange.

Both were trying to ask for help, but when facing His Xuchen Chen, she only felt endless majesty and pressure. However, when facing Lin Yi, perhaps because she had witnessed his growth, she felt a little uncomfortable when describing her own "downfall".

Aurelia's slender fingers unconsciously clenched together on her knees, but quickly relaxed again.

"However, since I've been protecting and nurturing this civilization and its leader, it doesn't seem inappropriate for him to protect the future?"

This thought flowed through her heart like a clear spring, calming the ripples within.

Aurelia adjusted her mindset, her gaze regaining its firmness, and continued:

"As a guardian of the Blue Star Civilization Blue Star Civilization, I have witnessed your astonishing rise and deeply understand your unparalleled potential. Therefore, after discussing with my family, we have decided to come to Blue Star and dedicate all the resources, knowledge, and connections we possess to help you and contribute to the growth and development of the Blue Star Civilization."

Her words were very direct, without any beating around the bush.

"And our only request is," Aurelia leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed intently on Lin Yi, "That when you have truly grown up and possess sufficient power in the future, we hope you can help our Xina Family return to the Spirit Race Relyat Starfield and help our family reclaim our lost home planet."

Relyat!

Lin Yi almost thought he was hallucinating.

He forcibly suppressed his rapidly beating heart and the gasp that almost escaped his lips, using all the composure he had gained in both his past lives to maintain a calm and composed expression on his face.

Leliárez Leliárez!

Isn't this... isn't this the name of the Mercenary Group he belonged to in his past life?!

The "Relyat" Mercenary Group, which he wandered and struggled in the stars, and finally found a sense of belonging.

The Commander seemed cold but was actually protective of his own; the vice- Commander always had a smile on his face but was shrewd and calculating; and then there were the brothers and sisters who had risked their lives together on missions. He spent thousands of years there, until that accident.

Countless chaotic thoughts churned in Lin Yi's mind.

After a moment's hesitation, he couldn't help but press on, "Excuse me, Ms. Aurelia, you just said your home star system is called Relyat?"

Aurelia watched Lin Yi's reaction with a strange feeling. Could it be that the information given by His Xuchen contained some special markings or explanations regarding the Spirit Race star system "Relyat"?

She was momentarily confused, but she repeated it clearly, her tone filled with deep longing for her hometown and the pain of leaving it behind:

"It's the Relyat Starfield. That's the ancestral land that our Xina Family has guarded for generations, and it's also my hometown."

After he finished speaking, the reception room fell into a brief silence.

Lin Yi maintained a listening posture, even nodding slightly to indicate that he was seriously considering the proposal.

But in reality, his thoughts were churning wildly.

Home in the Relyat Starfield

Wait, that's not right!

The Relyat Starfield, Aurelia, the Xina Family.

These names collided and connected in Lin Yi's mind like lightning.

Relyat!

Aurelia!

Xina Family Na!

Relina, Relina!

This... this absolutely cannot be just a coincidence.

Lin Yi silently pondered these words, his heart churning with increasingly turbulent emotions.

The Mercenary Group Relina in her previous life was very likely Aurelia.

The name "Relyat" Mercenary Group likely originates from the star system where their family's home planet is located.

Lin Yi looked at the elegant Spirit Race woman in front of him, who had to leave her homeland and seek help for the future of her family. She seemed to overlap with the seemingly strong but occasionally weary and lonely figure of his former Commander Relina.

Once the seed of doubt was planted, some details that Lin Yi had taken for granted and subconsciously ignored in his previous life now seemed so abrupt and suspicious when he looked back on them.

In terms of time, back then, as a free Star Core level, I used the funds given to me by the Civilization Guardian to complete my first interstellar voyage, arriving at Zi Chen Star, the capital of the Purple Gold Star Union. At the Purple Gold Star Union branch of the Galactic Mercenary Alliance located there, I passed the assessment of a one-star mercenary.

At that time, I was feeling lost and had nowhere to go when I happened to find "Relyat," a newly established Mercenary Group that was recruiting Star Core level mercenaries, in the local Mercenary Group recruitment section.

At the time, I just thought it was luck or a coincidence.

But now, upon careful comparison of the timeline, the conclusion of the Blue Star Civilization assessment, the end of Guardian Aurelia's term, and her quiet departure from the founding of the "Relyat" Mercenary Group are perfectly aligned.

Clearly, this was no coincidence, but rather a plan that Aurelia began implementing immediately after leaving Blue Star.

Furthermore, after his application to Relyat Mercenary Group was approved, Lin Yi discovered that although the Mercenary Group was newly established, all of its initial members were experienced experts with strength at least at the mid-stage of the Star Core level.

Only he, a newbie who had just entered the second stage of the Star Core level and had no foundation or reputation in the mercenary world, was actually recruited.

At the time, Lin Yi only thought that the Commander was unconventional or that the team was in urgent need of manpower in its early stages.

Looking back now, it's likely that the Commander, who used the alias "Relina," had already hatched a plan when she looked through his simple resume and saw the information about the civilization he belonged to.

It was obvious that she recognized herself, or rather, she recognized that she came from Blue Star.

The suspicious aspects don't stop there.

In her past life, in the Mercenary Group, the Commander Relina, did indeed guide all the members; it was her responsibility as the Commander.

But at this moment, after deliberately reviewing the situation, Lin Yi realized that the attention and energy the Commander had devoted to him was significantly greater than that of others.

From the most basic energy control techniques to the advanced methods of applying rules, Relina was always exceptionally patient in guiding him, and would even keep him behind alone when others were resting to correct a minor mistake.

At first, Lin Yi only thought that he was the weakest in terms of strength and needed more "catch-up lessons".

Looking back now, when he later improved his strength rapidly with his own efforts and this extra guidance, gradually stood out in the team, and even surpassed some veteran members, this special care did not diminish, but instead became more profound, and began to involve some knowledge of the Star Vortex level.

The teammates would occasionally jokingly say with envy, "The Commander really treats Lin Yi differently." The speaker might not have meant anything by it, but the listeners...

The listener seemed indifferent as well.

Lin Yi felt rather ashamed at this moment.

At the time, I was so preoccupied with the heavy burden of civilization and the desire to improve my strength that I actually accepted this unusual favoritism as a matter of course.

Another point Lin Yi recalled was the difficult and dangerous process he went through when he broke through to the Star Vortex level.

Just as he finally succeeded, before his breathing had fully stabilized, Relina immediately came looking for him.

It now appears they were clearly observing quietly.

However, when Relina arrived, she didn't offer many congratulations. Instead, she calmly placed a legacy crystal in front of him, containing a complete Star Vortex level cultivation technique and a wealth of insights.

That cultivation technique was far superior to the common ones circulating in the market. At the time, Lin Yi only felt that the Commander was generous and deeply grateful.

Looking back now, did this generosity also carry with it an expectation and investment in the memory of the deceased?

Even after his breakthrough, when he asked her for leave to go to Zi Chen Star for strength certification in order to help his hometown Blue Star be promoted to an administrative star, Relina not only readily agreed, but also gave him an extra life-saving talisman to seal away his full-force attack.

Unfortunately, he ultimately encountered a Star Domain level opponent, and didn't even have the chance to activate the talisman.

Moreover, there is also new evidence.

Just now, the two of them transformed into a stream of light together. Although Aurelia deliberately concealed most of her aura, the unique rhythm that seemed to nourish all things and soothe wounds was clearly the same as the Life Rule mastered by Commander Relina, which he had experienced countless times in his previous life.

That warm and powerful life force, under whose protection he had fought, he would never mistake.

There may be more than one powerful cultivator who has mastered the Life Rule, but all the clues, combined with the surname "Xina" and the star domain "Relyat," seem to be guided by an invisible hand, precisely pointing to that one and only answer.

The Aurelia Sheena standing before him was none other than his Mercenary Group from his previous life— Relina.

Lin Yi carefully considered and reviewed the situation, and combined it with what Aurelia had just said about her family encountering a powerful enemy and fleeing to the Human Race territory. Now he thought that the various preferential treatments Relina had given him over the past thousands of years might not only be because he had once served as Civilization Guardian of Blue Star, but also because the two of them shared the same heavy burden and were in the same boat.

As for why she Incarnation "Relina," changed her appearance and name, and established Mercenary Group on her own in the Human Race territory.

Lin Yi could guess the general idea almost instantly.

Given Aurelia's Spirit Race beauty, without the protection of her family background, being Star Vortex level being would still be somewhat dangerous. Furthermore, she would likely need to avoid potential trouble from rival families.

As for her establishing Mercenary Group, she probably wanted to secretly accumulate power and build connections in the Human Race territory, seeking opportunities and allies to help her family break through the current predicament and return to their homeland.

Having figured all this out, Lin Yi felt a surge of indescribable bittersweetness and enlightenment.

Relina —no, Aurelia— despite her own family suffering great hardship and displacement, still offered him, a man from her "homeland," all the care and help she could.

Looking back now, without the help and support of Commander "Relina" in his previous life, Lin Yi would never have been able to break through to the Star Vortex level. And these were precisely the key foundations that enabled him to make rapid progress and snowball his strength in the early stages of the Civilization Assessment in this life, thus leading Blue Star to create miracles.

Lin Yi couldn't help but think of another possibility. If he had only died at the Star Core level, perhaps at the Star Core 5 or 6 level, relying solely on the wonder of his Spiritual Enlightenment Qi, he might still have a good chance of obtaining a 7th level rating, but the process would inevitably be much more tortuous and lengthy.

But if it takes a year, or even several years, before they can effectively eliminate the Star Core level Abyssal Beast and obtain the evolution fluid, then, will Li Zhenguo, the core pillar maintaining the efficient operation of Xia Country and even the entire community, still be able to hold on until then, given his already exhausted body and spirit?

Without Li Zhenguo's superb political skills and coordination abilities, can the various factions and departments within Blue Star still maintain that same close unity and efficient, seamless coordination?

Ultimately, will the Blue Star Civilization be able to achieve a Level 5 rating?

But if the Blue Star Civilization fails to reach Level 5, will the detached Master Xuchen still consider taking him as a disciple?

Based on Lin Yi's previous observations, it's highly unlikely that it will happen.

Everything will be different.

call.

Lin Yi let out a long sigh of relief.

He stopped dwelling on these assumptions that could no longer be verified.

The past is history; what matters is seizing the present and creating the future.

Regardless, Relina in her past life Aurelia in this life have shown him and to the Blue Star a deep debt of gratitude.

This will not change.

Thinking of this, Lin Yi raised his eyes and met Aurelia's icy blue eyes, which were slightly uneasy because of his silence, and a gentle smile bloomed on his face.

"Ms. Aurelia."

Lin Yi slowly spoke, "I, Lin Yi, on behalf of myself and the entire Blue Star Civilization behind me, agree to your and the Xina Family's request."

Putting aside the fact that a Star Domain level family has pledged allegiance and provided full support, it is undoubtedly a timely help for Blue Star, which has just entered the world of stars, and can greatly shorten the time for accumulation and exploration.

But considering the unspoken bond between them, Lin Yi never even considered refusing.

Moreover, it's not uncommon in the universe to exchange a promise of the future for full support in the present.

Upon hearing this, the barely perceptible tension in Aurelia's eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a bright, relieved look.

But she remained composed and listened quietly.

"You are the guardian of Blue Star," Lin Yi continued, his tone sincere. "In the earliest stages of our civilization, as we stumbled into the unknown cosmos, your very existence was an invisible protection and guidance. To have your recognition and trust is a great honor for me."

He paused slightly, a perfectly timed, slightly teasing warmth appearing on his face, instantly easing the overly formal atmosphere in the room.

"After all, you are the guardian deity of our Blue Star. Tell me, who could refuse the request of their guardian deity?"

This half-joking remark caught Aurelia off guard.

A smile unexpectedly bloomed on her usually aloof and stunningly beautiful face, like a snow lotus suddenly blossoming on an icy plain, breathtakingly beautiful.

Then, Lin Yi suppressed his smile, stared at Aurelia, his gaze becoming sharp and resolute like a drawn sword, and then, word by word, clearly made his promise.

"Please convey to your family that Blue Star will be the most solid rear base for the Xina Family on their new journey across the stars."

Then, Lin Yi's voice suddenly rose, "When I have enough power, I will definitely go to the Spirit Race territory to help the Xina Family return to the Relyat Starfield and reclaim their homeland."

This vow, like a resounding bell, echoed in the small reception room, seemingly penetrating the walls, reaching the stars above and the Nine Nether below.

Aurelia gazed at the solemn-looking Human Race man before her, and hearing his resounding promise, her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

After thousands of years of wandering, the family's crisis, and the heavy burden on their shoulders, at this moment, it seemed as if they had finally found a place to Time Stop and see a glimmer of hope for the future.

An indescribable sense of peace, like warm spring water, quietly soothed her somewhat weary soul.

"Thank you, Lin Yi," Aurelia said softly.