# Chapter 977: The Pusher of the Era
Jiangnan's expression turned serious: "That Void Sea ruin was left behind by the Ancient Holy Star!"
"The star chart and star gate are also Holy Star things, but they've been destroyed!"
"I suspect they're from the last spiritual energy resurgence..."
Yang Jian's heart sank. He hadn't expected Jiangnan to have made an unexpected discovery during this Void Sea trip!
"How do you know about the Holy Star? Have they made a move against you?"
Jiangnan shrugged: "They targeted me last time when I was pulling nails in the Abyss!"
"They sent people to test me a few times, and I managed to brush them off. This time the Void Sea got tangled up with the Holy Star again, so I figured I'd ask!"
Yang Jian winced. He had no idea the Holy Star had been testing Jiangnan!
Being targeted by the Holy Star organization and still alive? That took some skill!
Yang Jian took a deep breath, pinched the bridge of his nose, his face full of worry.
"No wonder. You've been too restless, caught their attention early."
"About the Holy Star, I don't know much either. They're too mysterious."
"Ruins like the one in the Void Sea - other countries have found them too, like the Lantis Ruins in Fish Country."
"But a major discovery like the star gate and star chart? That's a first."
Jiangnan was stunned: "More than one site? There are more?"
"Damn, how long has the Holy Star existed?"
Yang Jian frowned deeply.
"Multiple spiritual energy resurgences in history have involved the Holy Star, including this one."
"At the beginning of this resurgence, spiritual disasters broke out all over the world, and Bose bodies appeared frequently, even clashing with humans multiple times."
"Humans had no way to deal with Bose bodies until space-type ability users appeared, which improved things."
"And all those Bose bodies came from one organization - the Holy Star."
Jiangnan shuddered. His guess was right - the Holy Star was indeed a Bose body organization!
Igor wasn't the only one; he was just one of them?
Then the waters ran far deeper than he'd thought!
"What's the Holy Star's goal? What are they after?"
Yang Jian's expression grew grave: "Not sure. Bose bodies are higher lifeforms. There's too much we can't understand."
"But you can guess. The number of spirit ruins on Blue Star keeps increasing."
"All the space gates are leaking spiritual energy. The world's spiritual energy concentration has been rising in a straight line. It'll explode sooner or later."
"One day, Blue Star will become something like a spirit ruin. And humans?"
"What do you think the difference is between humans and spirit beasts in the eyes of Bose bodies?"
Jiangnan held the phone dumbly, genuinely frightened by Yang Jian's speculation.
What were they after? What was there to gain on Blue Star?
Only one thing - Blue Star itself!
Yang Jian continued: "The Dike No-Man's Land, the Sahara Desert, the Maya Rainforest - too many places like that on Blue Star."
"They're all concentrated outbreaks of spirit ruins. You're in the Western Frontier, you can feel it. After more than twenty years, the environment in the No-Man's Land is almost no different from inside a spirit ruin."
"Ever since the spiritual disasters were suppressed, the Holy Star has rarely made a move. Bose bodies hardly appear anymore."
"Have they disappeared? No. I feel like they're playing a long game, like a pair of eyes in the dark night, watching us."
Jiangnan's scalp tingled. No wonder Yang Jian had been suspicious when Jiangnan brought Jiangning back to the country!
He'd repeatedly asked about Jiangning's stance, clearly suspecting she was from the Holy Star!
"Brother Jian, is there nothing we can do? Just watch things develop?"
Yang Jian smiled bitterly: "What can we do? The only thing we can do is survive."
"The Holy Star is the pusher of the era, pushing human civilization step by step toward the abyss. We've been struggling all along."
"Whether we'll be destroyed in the abyss or seize the opportunity, break the shackles, and rush toward an unprecedented peak - everything is unknown."
"And I... believe in the possibilities of humanity!"
Jiangnan stood up and looked out the window at the vast No-Man's Land.
In this crazy era, humans were like people crossing a river in a huge wave!
One wrong move and the whole boat could capsize. But if they made it through, there would be rebirth.
The spiritual energy resurgence had indeed brought unprecedented crises to humanity, but also opportunities.
And what role was he playing in all this?
Thinking of Zhong Yingxue and Xia Yao, Jiangnan's gaze gradually grew firm.
He'd never had grand ambitions. Once upon a time, setting up a vendor stall, earning enough for rent and tuition, having enough for a meal - that was enough.
But now, Jiangnan only wanted to protect the people he loved.
The future was uncertain. Constantly getting stronger, surpassing yesterday's self - that was the only choice.
Jiangnan slowly clenched his fist and smiled brightly.
"Got it, Brother Jian. I have a rough idea now. This star gate and star chart - I might as well take them!"
"Better in our pockets than left for the Holy Star to use."
Though it was all speculation, Jiangnan was certain the Holy Star wasn't brewing anything good!
Yang Jian smiled bitterly: "Be careful. You've entered the Holy Star's sight too early. Your rank hasn't caught up yet. Don't capsize in a ditch."
Jiangnan chuckled: "Don't worry. I've got a hand full of trump cards, a basket full of nuclear bombs. Can't die!"
With that, Jiangnan rubbed his nose: "Watch out for Li Mingshan."
Then he hung up...
Yang Jian's smile froze. His face turned pale as paper, his ears ringing!
He knew Jiangnan's personality. Saying that meant he was certain Li Mingshan was from the Holy Star, didn't it?
Yang Jian took a deep breath: "Shadow!"
In the office, a figure formed from the shadows behind the curtain, the entire person hidden in darkness, face unclear.
"Secretary-General!"
Yang Jian lowered his head: "Investigate! Investigate Li Mingshan, see if he has any connection to the Holy Star. Do it all in secret. Don't let him notice."
The shadow nodded and was about to leave.
But Yang Jian struggled, then called Shadow back. He finally let out a long sigh.
"Forget it... don't investigate. Even if we find out, what can we do?"
Yang Jian leaned back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling, a hint of melancholy in his eyes.
"Uncle Li has fought for the country for over twenty years. That's enough. He should live for himself now..."
"But please, stay a little longer. Jiangnan is still young. He can't take up that banner yet. It would crush him."
"Give him a little more time. He's already growing fast..."
Yang Jian muttered to himself, his eyes filled with lingering worry.
When a person stands on a mountaintop long enough, they always want to go higher.
But if they don't let go of some things, they can't climb higher.
...
Jiangnan lay sideways on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The forward outpost at night was still busy.
Outside the window, a fat orange cat stared at Jiangnan through the window, grinding its teeth.
ฅ(｡Ф◠Ф)ฅ
Two cat claws extended, glinting coldly in the moonlight.
I'll scratch him to death! Pet me? Pulled all my tail fur off!
Damn it!
I got laughed at by my friends for so long. It's only started to grow back after half a month!
Maybe I'll just bite him to death. That seems more satisfying!
But the fat orange cat hesitated. It wasn't easy to make a move here either.
Just then, Jiangnan the Bull Demon turned over, saw the big orange cat outside the window, and his eyes lit up!
(۶ᵒ̌ꇴᵒ̌)۶
He reached out to grab it.
"Come on! Let big bro pet you a bit!"
Fat Orange Cat: (Ф⌂Фꐦ)↝ Hiss~
What the hell is this black bull demon!
So terrifying!
Is... is he also a spirit beast?
Jiangnan grabbed nothing. The fat orange cat made a few agile leaps and vanished.
Jiangnan pouted: "Won't let me pet you? I'll go pet Xiao Jiuwo then! Hmph!"
The fleeing fat orange cat's little heart was pounding with fright.
It sneaked all the way to Zi Yuan's room, expertly opened the window, jumped onto the sofa, and lay down on a cushion.
Big eyes fixed on Zi Yuan in the living room, full of longing.
But it was puzzled - why was she acting strange today?
Zi Yuan, in her pajamas, was pacing back and forth in the living room holding a pillow, her eyes full of hesitation.
"Should I tell him or not? If I tell him, and my intervention ends up determining the future again - what then?"
"But if I don't tell him, Jiangnan will completely lose his mind!"
Zi Yuan scratched her head, turning her purple hair into a bird's nest.
But she finally threw away the pillow, rushed out the door, and hurried toward Jiangnan's room!
"Bam!" The door burst open. Jiangnan, who was petting Xiao Jiuwo, was startled.
"Zi Yuan? What's up? Do you need the little spray bottle?"
Zi Yuan rolled her eyes: "Who's asking you for a little spray bottle? There's something I think I should tell you."
Jiangnan was confused. What was so urgent at this hour?
Zi Yuan's expression was serious: "I'm going to tell you, but promise me you won't go crazy, won't get angry. I need you to handle this calmly."
"I'm afraid you'll lose control."
Jiangnan frowned, a bad feeling creeping in.
"Go ahead. I can control my emotions."
Zi Yuan bit her lower lip: "Earlier, when I was in the Void Sea, I had a vision of the future."
"I dreamed that you and Big Thunder got into a fight. The way you looked was terrifying."
"I was afraid you'd get distracted in the Void Sea, so I didn't tell you then. After all, even if I did, the gate wasn't open and you couldn't get out."
Jiangnan frowned: "Big Thunder and I had a fight? Over what?"
Zi Yuan: "Because of Mountain Cat. I'll call Liu Mang over. See for yourself."