The spaceship docked at a temporary port, and as the massive bay doors slowly closed, Heimerdinger was the first to jump down. With the anti-gravity devices in place, the space station didn't need to simulate planetary rotation for gravity, so stepping onto the surface felt almost identical to the Freljord. Jayce and Viktor followed closely behind, their eyes filled with awe as they took in the surroundings. Kai'Sa, guided by Zoe, moved towards the window along the wall, gazing down at the vast, blue planet below. Li Lin and Caitlyn were the last to disembark from the ship.
The first-phase orbiting space station was off-limits to unauthorized personnel, as it contained the key facilities that maintained the entire station. Currently, mechanical engineers were working non-stop on the second-phase expansion. According to Li Lin's plans, the construction of the space manufacturing plant and the mecha hangar base needed to proceed simultaneously.
Aside from the giant mechanical warrior Gaboga stored in the academy's large construction facility, Li Lin's Battlecast, the newly assembled Overlord Sword Demon, and the Overlord Zero model were all stored in modular groupings within the warehouse. In case of an emergency, it would take a certain amount of time to assemble the mechs. When facing enemies of demigod level or higher, battles could change in an instant, with every move calculated not by seconds but by heartbeats, so a minute of mecha assembly could lead to numerous unexpected surprises.
If the mechs were kept fully assembled at the base, they could be transported using a quantum portal, ready for action in two to three seconds. Alternatively, they could be deployed directly from the space station; once within the atmosphere of the Freljord, they could be transported to their target using Hextech, much faster than reassembling them each time.
As for why the mecha base wasn't built in Piltover, Li Lin's earlier lack of control over the city's finances meant that the only viable location was the southern plains near the city, which could easily be detected by other families. But now, with the space station plan and sufficient technology and funding, constructing the base in outer space was the best choice. Besides, with Zoe's help, the most aggressive Star Spirits were already dead, so there was little risk of trouble from the Titans.
Once the space manufacturing plant was completed, the Starforged Battle Mech, Dragon King, could be constructed. Following the AI's instructions, several mechanical engineers began showing the others around the space station. Kai'Sa was dragged off by Zoe to another part of the station, but Li Lin wasn't concerned about them triggering any dangerous switches, so he let them go. After walking with Caitlyn for a while, the two of them headed toward the command center that Li Lin had designed specifically for himself.
Inside a specially crafted glass corridor that completely blocked ultraviolet rays, Caitlyn pressed her right hand against the cool glass, staring out at the dazzling stars. Li Lin stood behind her, taking her warm left hand into his, his body pressed gently against hers as he kissed the violet-scented strands of her long, shoulder-length hair. Caitlyn's beautiful eyes blinked, and she watched him through the almost-transparent reflection in the glass. "I wish time could stay like this a little longer," she whispered.
Li Lin remained silent, letting out a quiet sigh as he gripped her hand a little tighter.
"Sorry," she said softly, a trace of apology in her eyes.
"Why apologize?" he asked, his voice calm.
"I... I didn't think before I spoke." Caitlyn smiled helplessly, turning to face him. Her right hand gently caressed his face as she looked up into his eyes. "I don't want to put too much pressure on you."
"If you mean Bel'Veth, I'm actually quite confident," Li Lin replied, gently placing his hand on her delicate hand. He smiled. "The AI has found traces of the Darkin through Incognium Runeterra, and Aatrox is already searching for them."
"Even if finding the living weapons of the Darkin isn't as easy as we expected, with my newly developed mechs, alongside Azir, Nasus, Aatrox, and Malphite, I don't believe we'll lose to a mere Void creature." His tone was confident.
Caitlyn's guilt melted away as she felt his reassurance. She stood on tiptoe and lightly kissed the corner of his lips. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.
"Don't mention it," he said, brushing her delicate nose with his finger. "Let's go see my command center. I've also prepared a room for us."
"Hmm?" Caitlyn raised an eyebrow, noticing the glint of curiosity in her eyes. Li Lin chuckled and replied, "After all, we are still mortal, and we need rest, right?"
"But we've already modified our bodies three times. Even if we don't sleep, it won't be a problem." Caitlyn had already guessed what Li Lin had in mind, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. She playfully huffed, "Anyway, you're always thinking about doing something bad."
"I never said anything," he smiled innocently.
"I know what you're up to without you saying it," she teased.
The atmosphere relaxed as they walked toward the command center, laughing and chatting. However, for some reason, the corridor seemed to stretch on endlessly, no matter how much they walked.
Li Lin glanced at Caitlyn, who was still smiling brightly at him, and felt an unfamiliar unease tightening in his chest.
"Don't you feel like something's wrong?" he asked, furrowing his brow.
"What do you mean?" Caitlyn asked, pausing as she looked up at him. Li Lin lowered his gaze to himself and shook his head. "Never mind."
He then walked toward the corridor window and cautiously reached his hand out. A deep blue light flashed, and to his surprise, his hand passed right through the glass. It felt similar to when Zilean pulled his consciousness into another plane.
Li Lin sighed inwardly, not hesitating to pass through the illusionary, seemingly real scene before him. As he stepped through, he experienced the same strange sensation as when Zoe used her portal, his mind becoming momentarily hazy. Time felt like it had paused, though only for less than a second, yet he felt as if he had lived through centuries in that brief moment.
Once he regained his bearings, Li Lin realized he was floating in space. Around him, countless shimmering lights appeared almost within reach. Caitlyn was gone, and the space station had vanished. His Infinite Battle Armor also failed to respond, much like when Zilean had pulled him into the time gap. But this time, the one pulling him was an even more supreme and towering being.
"You broke free of my magic much faster than I anticipated," a deep, resonant male voice echoed in Li Lin's ears.
As the stars shifted across the black sky, a massive dragon's face appeared before him. It seemed to be right in front of him, yet in reality, it was light-years away. The dragon's eyes gleamed with the light of countless stars, and its face was not its true form, but an image conjured by star magic. It had a bone-white mask made from the stars themselves, with fangs that stretched across countless light-years. His blue beard and body were studded with morning stars, forming constellations, creating a unique universe within his body.
The Star Forger Dragon King—Aurelion Sol.
Li Lin's heart nearly leaped out of his chest. He glanced up at the dark golden crown atop the dragon's head and quickly lowered his gaze. With his deep knowledge of rune magic, Li Lin sensed the cursed aura of the star magic. Millennia ago, the Star Spirits had crafted a cursed crown for this god who created the stars, and thus imprisoned him in an area not far from the Rune World. He had been unable to break free from the bindings, and it was through his knowledge that the Sun Disc was created, drawing divine power to forge god-like celestial warriors.
As soon as I left the Rune World, the Star Spirits' constraints on him diminished greatly, allowing him to pull my consciousness to his side. Li Lin quickly understood the situation but remained calm. He knew Aurelion Sol, understood his hatred for the Rune World, and knew that he wished to destroy this planet as an example. However, Li Lin also knew the temperament of this creator god.
Suppressing the unease in his heart, Li Lin performed the highest noble greeting of Piltover, the most respectful gesture he could think of.
"Great Starforged Dragon King Aurelion Sol, who possesses endless blessings and protection, the all-knowing creator god, your deeds in crafting the stars are unparalleled. You have given us the source of life, the Sun. Your wisdom is beyond measure, and your power of creation is awe-inspiring... I, Li Lin of the Runeterra, offer you my highest salute."
An irresistible force lifted Li Lin's head, and Aurelion Sol raised one massive dragon claw in another galaxy. A spark of starlight appeared, shooting across the sky in a perfect arc, and before Li Lin could react, it gathered in the dragon's palm.
With a loud explosion, a miniature star condensed.
"Cowering, worshiping, and marveling—these are the ways of mortals, and none are exempt."
Then, with a powerful fist, the star in his palm was crushed, scattering into countless particles that vanished into the void. The creation and destruction of stars happened in the blink of an eye, at the whim of the Starforged Dragon King.
Li Lin held his breath, even though he had experienced similar god-like powers from two worlds, he had never encountered anything quite like this. He didn't know why Sol had shown him this, but before he could come up with any words of praise, Sol's gaze shifted, locking onto him.
Li Lin felt a chill run down his spine, his body drained of strength as if he were an ant beneath the gaze of a human. The difference in power was beyond comprehension—a gap between dimensions.
"In the place where I was born, all was silent. They called me a comet or a dragon, but they could never describe my true form... In this world of unity, I alone stand supreme." Aurelion Sol's voice boomed with pride. But there was no denying that he relished being called a "creator god."
"You, the soul of another world, Zoe has mentioned you to me."
"Yes, she spoke of you, telling me how you were tricked by the vile and selfish Star Spirits, having your knowledge of star creation stolen and your powers drained."
Li Lin displayed an expression of righteous indignation, gritting his teeth as he exclaimed, "I am deeply outraged by this! How dare those foolish beings act in such a lowly manner towards you, the great Creator God!" He continued with fervor, "I had intended to avenge you, but sadly, despite the blessings of two worlds, I cannot stand against the star spirits of the heavens. However, if given the chance, I would not allow these treacherous and vile beings to survive!"
Amazed by Li Lin's words, Aurelion Sol couldn't help but recognize the sincerity in them. It was clear that Li Lin might truly carry out such a vow, especially given his deep disdain for the star spirits, who were never viewed as benevolent in his eyes. He also knew that they would never act as Soraka did—abandoning her eternal, indestructible godhood to descend to Runeterra, where she would endure the agonizing flames of magic to enlighten and guide the ignorant barbarians.
"Your resolve surprises me, mortal," Aurelion Sol remarked, his voice carrying a note of astonishment. "I did not expect to find someone like you in this land of Runes. It makes me hesitate, even if only slightly, in my thoughts of destroying this world." After a brief pause, he added, "Well, just slightly."
Aurelion Sol, the Star Forging Dragon, was a proud god. At times, he spoke in contradiction, and Zoe often joked about his arrogance and boastful nature. Although, to be fair, he could indeed do what he claimed.
Li Lin, feeling the need to address the reason for his summons, took a deep breath and nervously asked, "May I ask why you called for me today?" He had learned from Zoe that Aurelion Sol wanted to meet him, but she had not explained the god's purpose for the audience.
"You—" Aurelion Sol's voice trailed off before he continued, "You possess knowledge of how to create a sun. But your method is vastly different from mine. It's not magic."
Li Lin quickly understood. The Star Forging Dragon created stars through magic, never needing to comprehend the inner workings of a sun. But Li Lin's technique, based on nuclear fusion, was far beyond Sol's comprehension, and this intrigued him. Aurelion Sol wasn't omniscient; there were things he didn't understand or cared not to learn, with stellar fusion being one of them.
"I come from a world where stars form naturally, and the technology I use, nuclear fusion, is based on the principles of these stars. It has developed into a full-fledged science in my world..." Li Lin explained, briefly outlining the process of nuclear fusion—the reactions that occurred within the sun.
Upon hearing this, Aurelion Sol's brilliant blue eyes shimmered with a flash of understanding and awe. "How marvelous!"
Aurelion Sol then inquired with renewed curiosity, "Where is your world? Perhaps, once I am free, I might travel there myself."
Li Lin's expression darkened as he sighed. "Zoe told me that my world has been devoured by the Void."
Aurelion Sol fell silent for a moment before speaking again, his tone solemn. "Those vile creatures, the Void, are but the scars upon the surface of reality, ever shifting and distorting all that they touch. But they do not understand the true nature of this universe's workings. The universe expands, growing ever more chaotic. Entropy is inevitable. Even I cannot reverse it."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle in the air. "Every universe has its end, including this one. In time, the Disaster Dragon will inherit my power and shatter the foundation of this world."
The truth of it was staggering, and Li Lin could barely grasp it. Aurelion Sol continued, his voice darkening further, "In other words, all things will eventually return to nothingness, and the corruption of these otherworldly beings will only hasten this process. Their interference is a violation of the universe's natural order."
Li Lin stood frozen, stunned by the magnitude of what he was hearing. The notion of universal entropy, the Disaster Dragon consuming everything, and the Void disrupting the world's natural flow were beyond his comprehension.
Aurelion Sol was pleased by Li Lin's reaction. He took pleasure in enlightening mortals, revealing the hidden secrets of the universe—a practice he had enjoyed for countless ages, and one he still relished.
"The land of Runes," Aurelion Sol continued, "is a planet where multiple realms intersect. The Void targets this place precisely because it lies between the realm of matter and the realm of nothingness. If the Void claims it, it will consume the entire celestial realm, and even the giants will be helpless against it."
He scowled, eyes blazing with fury at the thought of the star spirits. "This is why they dared to steal my knowledge and use my power to create their vile, pathetic half-god pieces."
At the mention of the star spirits, Aurelion Sol's rage burned fiercely, and his deep, resonant voice became tinged with a threatening intensity. Had he not held back, Li Lin's soul might have been obliterated then and there.
Seeing the discomfort in Li Lin's expression, Aurelion Sol reined in his power, softening his tone. "But this land of Runes is fortunate... because it has you."
He paused, then declared with authority, "I have made up my mind. The star spirits and their pawns must pay. If you are willing to destroy the Sun Disc and wipe out all the divine warriors, I will spare this world."
Li Lin was taken aback, his heart racing. He quickly explained, "I am familiar with the Emperor of Shurima, and I have convinced him of the star spirits' treachery. They have sworn not to worship the star spirits any longer but to turn their faith towards you, the great Creator God."
Aurelion Sol raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Is that so?"
The passage of time in the land of Runes was but a fleeting moment to Aurelion Sol. He had only recently observed the restoration of the Sun Disc and the fall of the war god Pantheon, noticing the internal strife among the star spirits. The Void's magical grip on his crown was weakening, the golden stardust falling like comets across the sky.
The Star Forging Dragon had always appreciated the devotion of mortals, and when they turned their faith to him, he was willing to bestow power upon them, if it pleased him. If the celestial warriors truly realized their mistake, abandoning the star spirits they should have distanced themselves from, Aurelion Sol had no issue granting them his power, so long as it was given freely, not taken by force.
Zoe could vouch for this, Li Lin added respectfully.
Aurelion Sol exhaled deeply, his mood clearly lifted. "If they truly turn to worship me, I will grant them my divine power."
He paused thoughtfully, then said, "The Sun Disc is based on my knowledge of creating the sun. You must modify it so that, even with the restraints of my crown, I can infuse it with divine energy and forge far more powerful celestial beings than the star spirits' crippled creations."
As Aurelion Sol spoke, a radiant beam of blue starlight shot from his eyes and entered Li Lin's body. A surge of dizziness overwhelmed him as he suddenly absorbed a wealth of knowledge. In addition to the ability to modify the Sun Disc, he now knew how to create new ascended beings, cure the souls affected by the Darkin, and even craft miniature suns!
Li Lin was overwhelmed by the newfound power—he could now harness energy in ways beyond his imagination, creating almost limitless sources of power. He could even build weapons capable of obliterating anything, surpassing the destructive potential of the material disintegration cannon.
Grateful, Li Lin bowed deeply. "Thank you for your wisdom, great Creator God. May I record your knowledge in the books of this world, to spread your infinite wisdom and boundless might?"
Aurelion Sol waved his hand dismissively, though there was a note of amusement in his voice. "I don't care how you humans describe me," he said, "But yes, mention my handsomeness and incredible intelligence, and I suppose that will suffice."
A rare chuckle escaped from him. "It's simple enough; you shouldn't make any mistakes, right?"
"Of course, great Creator God."
"Well then, you may go."
Before Li Lin could even say his farewells, Aurelion Sol's starlight magic enveloped him, and in the blink of an eye, he found himself back in the familiar corridor leading to the command center. Caitlyn walked beside him, her eyes sparkling as she smiled.
This was the familiar feeling he had been longing for. Li Lin let out a silent sigh of relief.
They continued walking, but then Caitlyn noticed something strange. She stopped and turned to him, tilting her head in confusion. "Li Lin?" she asked. "What's going on with you? You seem different."
Li Lin blinked, momentarily lost in thought. Then, with a playful smile, he grabbed her hand. "Different? What do you mean?"
Caitlyn circled around him, inspecting him from head to toe. "I can't put my finger on it, but there's something about you... You seem to have a more... wise, elder-like aura now."
Li Lin raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying I look older?"
She quickly pulled away from him, her face flushing. "No, I just mean you seem more... mature."
With a grin, Li Lin drew her close, kissing her softly before she could finish. She melted into his arms, unable to resist.
After a moment, he pulled away. "We're in public... If someone sees us, it could get awkward."
She spoke in a sweet, almost shy voice, "Fine... just don't make a habit of it."
"Of course, cupcake."
"Ugh, you're bringing that up again?"
"You never said you didn't like it," he teased.
"I just... don't really like it, okay?" She huffed, trying to justify herself.
Li Lin laughed, holding her even tighter, and they resumed their walk toward the command center.
As they walked, Li Lin glanced out at the stars, their brilliance filling the view. A final thought from Aurelion Sol echoed in his mind.
"Look into the stars. If you're lucky, we might lock eyes again."
(End of Chapter)
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