> "You want to interrogate me? Sure, just let me put this plant pot inside first."
— Lin Zhou · Herb Shop Laborer and Cosmic-Level Forbidden Physique Holder
---
Inside the Spirit Herb Shop.
The ground still bore traces of cracked rune patterns from the recently disturbed ruin. A faint blue glow lingered in the air, though all spiritual pressure had now calmed.
Li Xinglan stood in the courtyard, her Judgment Spear glowing cold white with starlight, pointed directly at Lin Zhou.
Her voice was sharp as winter wind, laced with pressure:
> "Lin Zhou, the Star Surveillance System has classified you as a 'High-Anomaly Spirit Source of Unknown Origin.' Temporary interrogation procedures are now in effect."
Lin Zhou tilted his head, holding a potted herb. "Didn't you just say I sat on a stone slab?"
"That slab is the entrance to Forbidden Ruin Site #7 of the capital."
"How was I supposed to know you buried it so close to the surface?"
Li Xinglan fell momentarily silent.
Lin Zhou placed the plant pot in a corner and dusted off his hands.
"If you want to interrogate me, fine. Just don't damage my Nine-Leaf Licorice plant."
Xiao Li raised his hand on the side: "Waitwaitwaitwaitwait—!"
Li Xinglan glanced at him. "Who are you?"
"I'm his... partner," Xiao Li said, puffing up his chest. "You think just because you're dressed fancy you can do whatever you want? My bro's got a job now. He has dignity. He's a registered temp worker at our herb shop."
Li Xinglan: "..."
Lin Zhou patted Xiao Li's shoulder. "It's alright. Let me finish the talk. I'll come back and move soil once she's done interrogating me."
---
[Temporary Interrogation · Herb Shop Courtyard]
Li Xinglan and Lin Zhou stood face to face, spiritual barriers flowing around them. The surveillance mirror floated silently overhead.
She spoke coldly:
> "Your existence has disrupted three leyline waves, accidentally activated one ancient ruin, triggered one Level-3 surveillance alert, and caused the mirror to respond more than forty-two times."
> "You claim to be a mortal, yet caused such large-scale energy anomalies. Does that seem normal to you?"
Lin Zhou sat on a rickety wooden stool and replied:
> "I think you're the abnormal ones."
Li Xinglan's gaze sharpened. "Do you understand that if your 'anomaly' cannot be classified, it may be judged as a 'Potential World-Ending Factor' and subject to forced reclamation?"
Lin Zhou looked at her, calm and unshaken:
> "You can try."
In an instant, spiritual pressure across the courtyard sank like a collapsing ceiling.
Outside the barrier, the surveillance staff nearly fainted. "Did he just provoke her?! He dares to provoke Lady Li?!"
But Li Xinglan froze slightly.
The moment those words left Lin Zhou's mouth, the celestial star routes trembled ever so slightly. Surveillance images blurred for half a second, and energy detection went completely haywire.
She narrowed her eyes—alert bells blaring in her mind.
> "That wasn't provocation… That was some kind of 'will-based reaction.' The moment killing intent targets him, the very world origin moves to protect him."
Now she understood why the Surveillance Hall had never issued a full suppression order on Lin Zhou—
This man… was not a destroyer of Heaven's laws.
He was some kind of patch embedded in the foundation of existence.
—One that could neither be judged, nor removed.
---
[Interrogation Continues · Emotional Faultline]
Li Xinglan forcibly suppressed the tremors in the spiritual field and resumed coldly:
> "If you wish to continue living, you must accept full-time emotional monitoring and surveillance tracking by the Star Hall."
Lin Zhou looked at her. "So that means I can't have emotional fluctuations anymore? No sneezing? No anger?"
"Can you even control that now?"
Lin Zhou fell silent.
Suddenly, he lowered his head and clenched his fists.
"What if… one day, I really do get angry? What then?"
Li Xinglan stared at him. "...The entire Celestial Star Domain would tremble."
Lin Zhou slowly stood, asking softly:
> "Then how would you handle me? Chains? Prisons? Drugs? Or seal my soul and erase my mind?"
There was no anger in his voice. No hatred.
Only exhaustion—suppressed for far too long.
Li Xinglan was stunned.
For the first time, she felt something from this "high-risk subject"—
Sadness.
---
[Xiao Li Bursts In · Scene Instantly Collapses]
"Bro! The shopkeeper brought your new uniform! It's pink!"
Li Xinglan: ????
Lin Zhou: "...That's really bright."
"It looks great on you! I tried it, but I'm too skinny."
Li Xinglan stared at the two of them discussing the pink work uniform seriously.
Her cold facade began to crack.
Finally, she let out a long sigh.
She lowered her spear and turned away, speaking calmly:
> "From today onward, you are allowed to move freely. But you must report all emotional fluctuations to the Star Surveillance Hall daily."
> "I will supervise you personally."
Xiao Li blinked. "You're staying?"
Li Xinglan's tone was cold and firm. "I don't believe you'll behave."
Lin Zhou: "I can't even bring myself to eat a second steamed bun."
"Now I'm even more suspicious."
---
[Chapter End · Celestial Surveillance · Full Mobilization]
The entire Star Surveillance Hall was forced to establish a Lin Zhou Daily Incident Response Unit.
One member monitors whether he sneezes.
One tracks if he laughs.
One analyzes emotional resonance between him and Xiao Li.
One watches if Li Xinglan… blushes.
System Bulletin:
> "Subject: Lin Zhou. Supervised personally by Star Judgment Officer Li Xinglan."
"Designation: Unclassifiable Entity."
"Threat Level: Unknown · Extremely Dangerous."
"World Notice: Remain vigilant—he's just trying to live his life."