The Power of the Sun...
As soon as this was mentioned, Azir and the angelic sisters turned their gazes toward Li Lin.
"Isn't harnessing the power of the sun relatively easy?"
Li Lin's lips curved into a subtle smile.
"The sun's essence lies in a nuclear fusion reaction. Achieving this process isn't actually difficult; the challenge lies in finding materials capable of withstanding the extreme heat and pressure. Luckily, I happen to have just the right synthetic materials that meet these criteria."
Since nuclear fusion combines both theoretical and practical knowledge, Li Lin deliberately simplified parts of the explanation for their understanding.
Concerned that the concept might still be too abstract, he even used an AI to project simulations, illustrating his points.
When he explained how the sun continuously undergoes nuclear fusion reactions, Leona was utterly stunned.
What was this? The sun's power wasn't magic, but merely the result of a special reactive process?
Of course, in this universe, stars were rarely formed naturally.
Apart from constellations birthed naturally by Celestial Beings—similar to Aurelion Sol—most suns were creations of Aurelion Sol and his kin during their cosmic journeys.
In addition to sustaining their own fusion reactions, these suns were also maintained by their creators, which ensured they rarely reached the end of their lifespan.
Aurelion Sol earned the title "Star Forger" precisely for this reason.
Beyond manifesting as a dragon to descend upon Runeterra, he was known for crafting most of the stars and planets in existence.
The Starborn were aware of this and encouraged the people of Runeterra to give him this illustrious title.
However, to Aurelion Sol, the term "dragon" was something of an insult, despite being called the "Dragon King."
After explaining the basics of the sun's mechanisms, the Sun Emperor merely dismissed the topic with a casual "youthful talent," while the angelic sisters chose not to delve deeper. Leona, however, remained persistent, bombarding Li Lin with questions.
She wanted to tap into the sun's power herself, to summon her "Solar Flare" and let Li Lin analyze the differences.
If possible, she thought, not just her but the entire Solari order could freely wield the sun's power.
But Li Lin knew better. The Solari were fanatics who demanded absolute devotion to the "sun." If they could actually control its power, who knows what chaos might ensue?
Fortunately, Soraka—the Star Child—arrived just in time after finishing her repairs to the mountain range. Without her intervention, Li Lin wasn't sure how he could have pacified Leona.
A blue-purple streak of light descended from the heavens, materializing into a humanoid form. All five people present turned their gaze to the figure—Soraka—her expression slightly displeased, her brows faintly furrowed.
"The World's Chosen..."
Her voice was ethereal and clear, carrying an otherworldly melody. Just hearing it seemed to rejuvenate their spirits.
"You are favored by two worlds. Why, then, do you harm the earth?"
Her sorrowful tone, paired with her golden eyes shimmering in the darkness, left everyone momentarily stunned—Li Lin included.
Li Lin and the angelic sisters were shocked by how Soraka had bluntly revealed his identity, while Azir and Leona were equally stunned by her declaration that he was "favored by the world."
"The World's Chosen? No wonder..." Azir murmured.
"Two worlds... chosen?" Leona tilted her head, her confusion written all over her face.
Li Lin opened his mouth. "You..."
"Just call me Soraka," she interrupted.
The woman with a golden crescent staff placed her right hand over her heart, bowing slightly.
"One blessed by the world itself deserves respect."
For a moment, Li Lin fell silent. Perhaps it was her demeanor, or perhaps it was some unseen magic at play, but he sighed softly.
"My apologies. I believe my invention is safe and controllable. According to my calculations, while the explosion might cause part of the mountain range on Mount Targon to collapse, it won't pose any danger to others."
He glanced back at the Arcane Confinement Device holding Xerath. "To defeat this evil Ascended, I believe my actions are justified."
To Li Lin's surprise, Soraka, who he thought had come to reprimand him, simply raised her staff and lightly tapped him on the head.
As though worried the hard star-metal might hurt him, she infused a touch of gentle magic at the point of contact, making what should've been a punishment feel more like a soft caress.
"You..."
Li Lin was completely dumbfounded, his deep brown eyes glinting with astonishment.
"Did you think I was here to scold you?"
For nearly ten millennia, Soraka had traveled across Runeterra. She had witnessed humanity's betrayals, struggles, and endless chaos, often born from simple misunderstandings. Yet, despite the pain of shedding her godhood and enduring the searing agony of a mortal existence, her compassion for humanity remained steadfast.
Through love, foresight, and celestial wisdom, she sought to guide them. Over time, though, this divine being had begun to adopt a faint trace of mortal warmth.
Li Lin instinctively nodded, only to be tapped on the head again.
"You!" Soraka glared at him. "Truly incorrigible!"
"Uh..."
Li Lin looked somewhat embarrassed.
This kind of "tough love" education from a caretaker was something he wasn't used to.
"Wanting to defeat the evil forces is admirable, but have you considered the world that has blessed you with its care? She has already endured so much pain, just like you humans. You could have chosen a more harmonious way…"
Soraka placed her right fist over her chest, closing her eyes as if listening to the guidance of the stars. Suddenly, her expression shifted slightly. When she reopened her eyes, her gaze toward Li Lin had completely changed.
"Your future is shrouded in chaos… Even the stars cannot perceive your fate. Why is this?" she muttered in shock, almost to herself. "This shouldn't be possible."
"Maybe it's just because I'm too special," Li Lin shrugged, not giving it much thought.
After all, he had already crossed worlds, and even had a system by his side. What was impossible at this point?
Soraka's heart was a whirl of emotions.
She had long observed how mortals, through their seemingly insignificant acts of recklessness, had begun to forge a brand-new path for themselves, revealing boundless potential. The images she saw from the heavens were so unlike what unfolded on the mortal plane.
And within Li Lin, she saw a brilliance that seemed to represent humanity, a reflection of this unique planet's future.
Even though his path was mired in chaos and darkness, it brimmed with dazzling hope.
The Void...
"I had intended to guide you, just as I've done for countless others over the millennia—enlightening them, helping them unlock hidden potential, and using their brief spark of life to illuminate uncharted paths."
Soraka pressed her lips together, hesitating. "But you… I don't know how to describe it. I've never encountered a destiny like yours. I cannot offer you the guidance you deserve."
Even the Child of the Stars could not unravel the future of this mortal...
Azir, Kayle, and Leona were left at a loss for words, unsure how to express their feelings.
Morgana, on the other hand, wasn't particularly surprised. She had learned much about Li Lin from Zoe during one of their exchanges.
If it weren't for Li Lin's explicit request to Zoe not to reveal his identity as a "traveler from another world," who knew how many people her loose tongue might have told…
Soraka sighed, her gaze toward Li Lin filled with complexity. "Your destiny is fraught with turmoil. Though I cannot offer the guidance you seek, my thousands of years of experience roaming this land tell me that every choice you make will determine the survival of this world.
"Remember this—a single, vital truth."
She paused briefly.
"At the crossroads, you will always face two choices. And you can only pick one."
[End of Chapter]
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