Super Gene Ⅱ: Evolution

Lin Shen didn't know what the Heavenly Consort's gift was, but as far as he knew, pets and Spirit Base couldn't be used in the racial ranking battles.

Because the ranking was a measure of a race's strength, it was limited to only using one's own Strength and Life Base, and even equipment and Battle Suits were prohibited.

Although Lin Shen had no intention of participating in the battle, the fact that the Heavenly Consort said her item could help him aroused his curiosity—what exactly was it?

"Come here," the Heavenly Consort beckoned Lin Shen with a wave of her hand.

Lin Shen hesitated for a moment, thinking to himself, "Whether I participate or not, I should take any benefits first. Besides, it's time to get closer to the Heavenly Consort. Perhaps my 'Fire Seed' might still have a chance—it wouldn't be good to refuse."

With that thought, Lin Shen approached the Heavenly Consort, maintaining a distance of three steps.

"Come closer," said the Heavenly Consort again.

Lin Shen had to take another step forward, leaving only two steps between him and the Heavenly Consort.

"Closer," the Heavenly Consort continued, looking at Lin Shen.

Lin Shen hesitated; coming any closer would mean standing right in front of the Heavenly Consort, which seemed somewhat improper.

But it would be somewhat inappropriate to voice this reluctance himself.

After a moment's hesitation, Lin Shen still took a small step forward.

"Stretch out your hand," the Heavenly Consort finally said with satisfaction.

Lin Shen obediently extended his hand to the Heavenly Consort, expecting her to give him something. But he was taken aback when she suddenly took hold of his palm.

Lin Shen was startled, unsure whether he should withdraw his hand. If the Heavenly Emperor found out, could he be misunderstood?

Luckily, the room housed only the two of them, and Lin Shen hadn't noticed any surveillance equipment. As long as the Heavenly Consort kept silent, no one else should know.

But Lin Shen failed to understand why the Heavenly Consort suddenly took his hand—could it be because he was handsome, and she wanted to keep a pretty man in secret from the Heavenly Emperor?

"Your Highness, I am a man of morals and limits. I would never engage in such deeds," Lin Shen silently established his persona in his mind. Your next journey awaits at empire

"If I were to give you an opportunity to make a request to me, what would you desire?" the Heavenly Consort asked while looking at Lin Shen.

Lin Shen thought to himself, "What else could I request but to share a bed with you?"

"I have no other desires, only hope that Your Highness and His Majesty may achieve your hearts' desires," said Lin Shen aloud.

"You do have a way with words," the Heavenly Consort let go of Lin Shen's hand, leaving something in his palm.

Lin Shen sighed with relief, realizing she indeed had something to give him.

"Take the item with you, it will be of use to you. For my elder brother's matter, I would ask that you take special care as well," the Heavenly Consort sounded somewhat tired and waved her hand, "You may go."

"Thank you for your gracious gift, Your Highness. I shall take my leave," Lin Shen said, seeing that the Heavenly Consort didn't wish to say more and left, holding the item.

After Lin Shen left the Splendid Palace, the Heavenly Consort looked at his receding figure, a blush crept over her cheeks, and she muttered inwardly, "That man isn't all that virtuous either, his mind full of sordid thoughts."

Little did Lin Shen know that the Heavenly Consort was aware of the thoughts in his mind. Had he known, he certainly wouldn't have let her touch his hand.

Upon leaving the Imperial Palace, Lin Shen took out the item the Heavenly Consort had given him for a closer look.

Expecting some divine object, he was surprised to find it was merely a crumpled piece of paper. Unfolding the paper and glancing over it, he saw it was filled with small letters.

"Seven Steps Soul Lock…" Lin Shen scrutinized it for a while, realizing that it described a stepping technique. It was merely a simple series of seven steps, but it was capable of endless variations when applied.

"What use is a stepping technique for me? I don't have time to practice such things," Lin Shen folded the paper and put it away, planning to let Yun practice it later.

Returning home, Lin Shen opened the chest to look at the three thousand Celestial Crystal Coins again, truly reluctant to use them to pay off his debts.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Since no one has come to collect the debt yet, let's just keep it for now," Lin Shen thought about what to do with the money when suddenly a beautiful point of light appeared before his eyes.

The light appeared abruptly, as if it had leapt out of nowhere, but there was no disturbance at all.

Lin Shen sprang back, his body wrapped in the Carapace, one hand holding the Scrap Sword, and the other grasping the Pet Gun, staring intently at the point of light.

Strangely, the light spread out and transformed into a Scroll of Light in mid-air, with no images inside, only countless points of light moving around, like the stars in the sky.

One of the stars flew out from the scroll, gradually expanding and turning into a light sphere the size of a balloon.

Seeing this, Lin Shen already knew what it was.

Every time the cosmic ranking battle was initiated, Ethnic Invitation Cards would appear before those who were eligible to participate.

This thing that had appeared out of thin air must be the Ethnic Invitation Card.

Generally speaking, any adult lifeform in the universe that has used a teleporter to leave their mother planet and reached other Life Planets would receive an Ethnic Invitation Card.

However, on the Human Mother Planet, Lin Shen had never seen an Ethnic Invitation Card, nor had he witnessed a cosmic ranking battle.

The next second, the light sphere turned into an elf-like figure the size of a palm, flapping its wings of light, and said to Lin Shen, "Human, you now possess the eligibility to participate in the cosmic ranking battle. Would you like to strike?"

"I'd like to first understand the rules of the cosmic ranking battle," Lin Shen said to the elf-like shadow.

He was very curious, wondering who organized the cosmic ranking battle and who issued the invitation card.

Even the Supreme Clan did not have the ability to do something that involved the whole universe.

"The cosmic ranking battle is divided into an elimination round and a ranking round..." the Elf Shadow explained the rules of the cosmic ranking battle in detail.

After listening, Lin Shen thought for a moment and asked, "Does it mean I can only represent humans in battle, but I can use any name I want for myself?"

"Yes, you can only represent your own race in battle. As for your own name, it's entirely up to you to decide," the Elf Shadow answered.

"Are battles limited to one's own Strength and Life Base without the use of any equipment or pets?" Lin Shen asked again.

"Yes," the Elf Shadow affirmed Lin Shen's question once more.

"Is it possible for me not to fight and just send my Life Base into battle?" Lin Shen asked further.

"No, you must fight in person," the Elf Shadow shook its head.

"After I register to fight, can I forfeit?"

"You can."

"Is there any penalty for forfeiting?"

"There is not."

"..."

After asking many questions, Lin Shen chose to register first; after all, he could forfeit even if he had signed up.

"Thank you for your participation. There are ten universal days until the start of the first elimination round. Please be sure to stay in your best competitive state. Goodbye." The Elf Shadow flew back into the scroll, which then rapidly closed and finally turned into a point of light and disappeared.

"This is too strange, who exactly organized the cosmic ranking battle?" Lin Shen thought of those teleporters.