Chapter 774: The Star Disciple Arrives, A Private Conversation at the Bathhouse

“What? The Star Disciple wants to see me?”

Yu Yuan looked at Greenfield as if to say, “Are you kidding me?”

Greenfield bit into a tomato, savoring the slightly tart, refreshing juice bursting in her mouth. Her eyes had already narrowed in contentment.

“Opening a Transmission Portal with Black-hearted Fish was definitely the right call. What if I don’t want to leave now?”

Greenfield was giddily celebrating to herself.

Looking at Greenfield, Yu Yuan sighed helplessly.

He knew it!

Ever since their two worlds established a Transmission Channel, she had been coming over every few days, claiming that sensing the different worlds’ positions along the Star Tracks would improve her prophecies.

If she hadn’t immediately spent her time here sunbathing on the beach by Seaway Lake, he might actually have believed her.

But what could he do? She was a Lifeline!

Putting aside whether she was Absinthe, just considering the Star Disciple’s attitude toward her, he could only let her do as she pleased.

Hearing Yu Yuan sigh, Greenfield opened her eyes and stuck out her tongue.

She hurriedly said, “Right! Didn’t you ask me to find out about the rules for Superdimensional beings descending into Low-Rank worlds? I asked, and he said he wanted to talk to you in person.”

Greenfield shrugged.

“Don’t look at me. There’s nothing I can do.”

Yu Yuan rubbed his brow.

“Fine. When is he coming, and how?”

“Don’t ask me. I don’t know.”

Yu Yuan was about to say something else when he received a message from Quis.

-

Dead Mine Town, Myriad Nations Bathhouse.

It was still the same steamy bathhouse.

Two naked figures were reclining in the bath.

“This building is quite interesting. It can actually retrieve memories from the depths of your mind that have long since grown hazy.”

The Star Disciple said.

Old Dog lifted the towel covering his face and chuckled.

“Pretty interesting, right? It’s nice to come by and soak once in a while.”

As he finished speaking, another naked figure slipped into the bath.

Yu Yuan’s helpless voice rang out:

“Come on, do we really have to meet like this every single time?”

Old Dog gave a derisive laugh, pointed at Yu Yuan, and said to the Star Disciple,

“See? We’re doing this for his sake, and the guy doesn’t even appreciate it.”

The Star Disciple regarded Yu Yuan with interest.

His gaze held scrutiny and appraisal, along with a hint of something difficult to place.

Yu Yuan paid no mind to Old Dog’s teasing.

Just as Old Dog had said, ever since their last meeting, Yu Yuan had been coming by for a bath every few days.

Mm~~

Just a bath. Nothing else.

Yu Yuan hadn’t been eager to cozy up to him, either. Old Dog might be more friend than foe for now, but Yu Yuan couldn’t help but feel a little wary around these Transdimensional beings.

Like the legendary Star Disciple before him.

“Lord Star Disciple, I didn’t expect you to come in person,” Yu Yuan said, neither servile nor arrogant.

The Star Disciple’s lips curled slightly.

“I just wanted to see for myself the genius who crossed the Star Track Barrier and crushed two high-end Silver players with Bronze-level combat power.”

He paused, then continued,

“As expected, you live up to your reputation!”

Yu Yuan raised an eyebrow, then sighed.

“Alas… Lord Star Disciple, don’t get me started. Greenfield is an important ally of mine. When she was in danger, it was only natural that I went to rescue her.”

Then he quickly changed tack.

“But the losses this time were enormous! The item that let me cross the Star Track Barrier was Gold-tier! Its strategic value speaks for itself. And to deal with those two powerful fleets, my four sea turtles with ancient sea-beast bloodlines were all badly injured. I don’t even know if they’ll recover. It’s tragic…”

In the Giant Tree World, one Cloud-Tide Flying Turtle was lying quietly on the shore of Seaway Lake, sunbathing. It suddenly sneezed, jolting awake from its nap.

It stared blankly at its brothers dozing in the sun in the distance, then fell asleep again.

Yu Yuan’s expression grew even more pained.

“Our entire stockpile of combat missiles is gone. We used up all three of our remaining nuclear bombs, too. The giant marine creatures we raised were killed or wounded in that battle, nearly wiped out…”

Yu Yuan spoke with tears and sobs.

The smile at the Star Disciple’s lips stiffened a little. He stared fixedly at Yu Yuan, who was wiping away tears that weren’t there.

He turned to Old Dog, the meaning in his eyes unmistakable.

But at some point, Old Dog had draped the towel over his face again.

The Star Disciple’s mouth twitched.

He drew in a sharp breath, abandoned any thought of small talk, and got straight to the point.

“You were asking about the rules for Superdimensional beings descending into Low-Rank worlds. Why do you want to know?”

Seeing his reaction, Yu Yuan knew that his sob story hadn’t worked.

What a shame, he thought.

But business came first.

“I’m worried that after I just rescued Greenfield, the Blood Duke and the Mechanical Leader might hear about it and retaliate against me. I’m weak, so I have to be cautious.”

The Star Disciple could tell Yu Yuan wasn’t being honest, but a thoughtful look still flickered in his eyes.

Several seconds later, he spoke slowly.

“Civilization Rank absolutely forbids Superdimensional beings from entering Low-Rank worlds. If they force their way into one, they’ll only be suppressed by the Civilization Ladder.”

“If they use their power and cause massive destruction, they’ll face severe punishment, possibly even expulsion.”

The Star Disciple changed tack.

“But it isn’t absolute…” He surveyed the bathhouse.

“Old Dog told me this bathhouse was converted from his Old Dog Bar.”

“That’s right!”

The Star Disciple nodded lightly.

“Old Dog’s Bar is a channel into worlds of other ranks. As long as you don’t leave the bar, you won’t be punished by the Civilization Ladder, just as we are now.”

“The Transdimensional Council has similar privileges. As long as two-thirds of its members agree, they can briefly descend into a Low-Rank world and temporarily nullify the Civilization Ladder’s suppression and punishment. But there’s a strict time limit…”

At this point, the Star Disciple glanced at Yu Yuan.

“For example, if they enter a Bronze-Rank world, they can stay for only ten minutes. If they still refuse to leave after that, the Civilization Ladder’s suppression and punishment will take effect.”

Yu Yuan understood. “So that’s how it works!”

“Then, Lord Star Disciple, do these suppressions and punishments affect all Superdimensional beings? I mean… if someone who isn’t part of your Transdimensional Council descends into my world, will they be suppressed and punished too?”

At those words, the Star Disciple paused and gave Yu Yuan a long look.

“That’s right. The Civilization Ladder’s suppression and punishment apply to all Superdimensional life-forms, whether or not they belong to the Transdimensional Council. As long as their Life Level reaches the Superdimensional Level, they will inevitably be suppressed, unless they have an ability or item that can block the Civilization Ladder’s response.”

“If they aren’t recognized as Superdimensional by the Civilization Ladder, the punishment and suppression they face will be even more severe.”

At that moment, Old Dog spoke up.

“There’s another possibility…” He took the towel off his face and pointed at the Myriad Nations Bathhouse.

“If a Superdimensional being enters through this bathhouse and gets your permission to enter your world, they won’t be suppressed or punished by the Civilization Ladder, either.”

There was a meaningful lilt to Old Dog’s voice.

“I don’t know how this works, but there’s no doubt about the privilege. Anyone who walks out of this building has your permission treated as the Civilization Ladder’s permission…”

At that, Yu Yuan’s pupils contracted slightly.