Though he didn't know what the Sun-Colored Starlight Gems truly were, Sam Li understood one thing—if those gems were shattered, they would bring about a catastrophe far greater than before.
Sam Li himself wasn't afraid, but this world would not survive another calamity.
Therefore, he had to make full preparations before destroying the giant and sealing away the two Sun-Colored Starlight Gems, ensuring no further disaster would occur.
Immediately after, Sam Li didn't attack the Sun-Colored Starlight Giant. Instead, he turned and departed Hollow Zero, returning directly to New Eridu.
The reason for his haste was simple—he had made a discovery.
Although his role-playing progress had reached one hundred percent, granting him the power of Planet Befall, restoring his peak strength, and even recovering all his memories... the system had not disappeared completely. Instead, it had left behind a mere "shell."
It could no longer increase progress, grant rewards, communicate, or respond—functioning like a system paralyzed beyond repair.
He could only hope the accumulated points were still usable.
...
Once he exited Hollow Zero, Sam Li immediately tried summoning the system.
This time, however, there was no familiar voice in his mind.
The system hadn't vanished entirely—its usual character status panel still appeared—but it took several seconds to respond, sluggish and dim, as if barely holding together.
[Host]: Sam Li
[System]: Ultimate Role-Playing System
[System Points]: 7,327,000
[Current World]: Zenless Zone Zero
[Current Role-Playing Character]: Geo Archon - Morax (Zhongli)
[Current Role Progress]: 100%
[Abilities]: Spearmanship – Rain of Stone, Jade Shield, Stone Stele
[Weapon]: Vortex Vanquisher
[Items]: None
[Shop]: Statue of The Seven, Jade Chamber, Serenitea Pot...
...
Sam Li attempted to communicate with the system, but it gave no response.
He tested a few functions and found that the system wasn't completely inert—it could still open the shop and inventory interfaces.
To verify whether the shop still worked, Sam Li decided to redeem a Statue of The Seven.
The moment he confirmed the exchange, there was no sound, no "ding" from the system—only a flash of golden light. A small stone statue appeared in his palm, quietly floating above his hand.
The miniature idol radiated soft golden light.
Within the glow stood a stone throne carved with golden veins, upon which sat a tiny deity, cross-legged, one hand resting before him, the other holding a small meteorite.
Clearly, this was the Statue of The Seven he had wanted.
Success.
The system still functioned.
Seeing this, Sam Li felt both relief and curiosity.
At that moment, he began to realize something—the system, though created by him before losing consciousness, did not draw all its power from himself.
For example, the ability to exchange system points for a divine statue... even as Morax, such a feat was beyond him. He could not possibly have constructed a system of this scale and precision by his own strength.
It was obvious now.
That voice—the call from the immortal dragon deep within the cosmos—must have contributed part of its power to the system.
A portion of the system's energy had originated from that divine dragon.
However, as Sam Li's role-playing progress reached completion, most of the system's energy had already been consumed. What little remained was fading slowly with time.
Soon, even this final shell would vanish completely.
If he wished to use the system's remaining power to seal the Sun-Colored Starlight Giant, he would have to do so before the last of its energy disappeared.
Fortunately, there was still enough time.
...
On his way back to the Hollow Zero Operations Department, Sam Li pondered deeply about that dragon among the stars—what it truly was, what connection it had to him, and why it had chosen to help him.
He didn't know.
Yet, for some reason, he felt a strange familiarity with it.
...
Half an hour later, when Sam Li returned to the Operations Department, he immediately saw Nicole, Billy, Anby, Nekomata, and Hu Tao waiting for him.
The moment she saw him, Nicole rushed over, scanning him from head to toe. Only after confirming he was unharmed did she finally breathe out in relief.
Billy threw his hands in the air excitedly. "See, Nicole! I told you there was no need to worry. Sam Li's too strong—no way those Ethereal could even scratch him!"
Nicole huffed. "You don't know anything. That giant's massive—rumor says it's thousands of meters tall! If it fell, it could flatten the entire Janus District. If he'd gotten hit, that would've been the end of him!"
At that, Hu Tao approached with a grin. "If you hadn't come back when you did, we were planning to head to Scott Outpost to wait for you."
Sam Li smiled faintly. "There's no need to worry. That giant can't hurt me."
Moments later, Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, Hoshimi Miyabi, Tsukishiro Yanagi, and Soukaku arrived as well.
For the past month, both the New Eridu Public Security and the Hollow Special Operations Department had been in a state of constant readiness—waiting only for orders from Sam Li or Keqing to begin the assault on Hollow Zero.
Zhu Yuan and Hoshimi Miyabi then briefed Sam Li on recent developments across the city.
With the operation against Hollow Zero in full swing, all of New Eridu had mobilized. Even ordinary citizens could feel the tension. Online forums were filled with discussions about the upcoming campaign.
Some citizens were exhilarated, calling this moment the dawn of a new era.
Others were pessimistic, convinced that even the Adepti couldn't triumph over Hollow Zero.
But the majority still believed in victory—and placed their faith in the Adepti.
During this time, many Outer Ring forces had also entered New Eridu, and the sudden influx of dozens of new groups caused brief chaos in the city.
Fortunately, the Public Security Bureau acted quickly, restoring stability.
For nearly a month, the entire city had remained on edge, bracing for the day of the final battle.
...
Upon hearing that Sam Li had returned, Keqing immediately set aside her work and came to meet him, providing a full report on the progress of the preparations.
Overall, the plan was nearly complete.
Every official organization, civilian group, and Outer Ring faction stood ready and awaiting orders.
Then, Keqing spoke seriously. "Mr. Sam Li, please set the official time for the operation to begin."
Sam Li replied calmly, "You are the one leading this operation. It's only right that you decide when it starts."
As the two spoke, several Adepti approached.
The moment they saw Sam Li, Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and Xiao all froze in astonishment.
Moon Carver's eyes widened, his voice trembling with joy. "Geo Emperor! Your power—it's been fully restored!"
Overcome with emotion, he addressed Sam Li by his true title—The Geo Archon.