Earth Metaverse 10 Years, Kapteyn's Star Metaverse Year 110, January 18.

Shawn Wen and Quinn exited the museum side by side, their steps steady. The initial confusion and unease had faded from their expressions.

Upon returning to the Star Palace, they found Mr. King and Sandy calmly waiting on the elegant sofa. Mr. King offered a slight smile and said, "Shawn Wen, we get down to business now?"

Shawn paused, a slight frown crossing his face; he was still uncertain about the so-called "main topic."

Quinn saw this.. Instead, he walked to the center of the meeting area and gently tapped the round tabletop. A soft blue halo slowly spread out, revealing an ancient Nine Palaces Diagram in the air. Each palace was inlaid with a runic tablet; but eight palaces were dim, while only the eastern "Zhen Palace" emitted a bright light.

Shawn's heartbeat quickened slightly; his intuition told him this was closely related to the Spirit Key in his hand.

"Twenty years ago, to help the Earth Meta-Origin Society lift the seal..." Quinn's gaze was sharp, his tone firm. "We used the Meta-Spirit Key System to carefully design the Nine Palaces Spirit Key. Their names, except for the Central Palace, correspond to the eight trigrams. The one you hold is the Zhen Palace Spirit Key."

Shawn looked up at Quinn, his brow furrowed slightly as he asked, "But why was the Earth Meta-Origin Society sealed?"

"It's a long story," Quinn sighed, gently patting Shawn's arm, his tone softening. "I'll send you the relevant information later; you'll understand once you read it."

After a pause, he continued, "Back then, we sent the Energy Spectrograms of the eight Spirit Keys, excluding the 'Central Palace Spirit Key,' to Earth, hoping someone would receive them and get in touch with us."

As he spoke, his face darkened, a trace of worry appearing between his brows.

"However, things are far more complicated than we imagined," Sandy, who had been silent, spoke in a deep voice. "After the eight Spirit Key Spectrograms were sent out, they were nowhere to be found until you appeared."

Shawn looked down at the yellowed piece of paper in his hand, a hint of incomprehension rising in his heart, and murmured, "Then... why am I the only one who can contact you?"

Mr. King smiled faintly. "Because... you're not the Meta-Origin Member."

Shawn was slightly stunned, and before he could grasp the meaning of these words, Quinn explained, "Meta-Origin Members are not allowed to send psychic information to the outside world. Only you, as an outsider, can contact us. But I'm curious, how did you come across this Spirit Key Spectrogram?"

Sandy nodded and added, "Typically, the Spirit Key Spectrograms we send out can only be received by members of the Meta-Origin Society, and they must be Divine Realms Members. Your situation is indeed unusual."

Quinn's gaze was serious, as if weighing his words. "From what Mr. King said, you obtained this picture from your grandfather?"

Shawn nodded without hesitation. "Yes, when I was six years old, my grandfather gave me this picture."

"...Things are getting intriguing. Unless... unless you and a Meta-Origin Member share the Same Spirit, and they transfer their Soul Energy to you..." Quinn murmured thoughtfully.

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Shawn didn't understand what Quinn meant by the Same Spirit and just stared blankly at the three of them.

Mr. King, who had been half-leaning on the sofa, now sat up straight, a flash of light in his eyes. "However, your appearance has given us new hope! We had once despaired, thinking that the people of Earth simply did not receive the Spirit Key Spectrograms we sent out until you contacted us."

Quinn's eyes flickered as he looked directly at Shawn. "Speaking of which... you should be able to guess what we wish you to do, right?"

In an instant, the room fell into a brief silence.

Everyone's eyes turned to Shawn.

The air seemed to freeze; Shawn could clearly hear his heartbeat. He frowned slightly, contemplated for a moment, then raised his head. "You... want me to find them, right?"

Although his words carried hesitation, his gaze was filled with determination.

"Right! Shawn is really smart!" Mr. King exclaimed, unable to hide his excitement.

"But time is running out!" Sandy's voice was low and powerful, his eyes filled with unwavering firmness. "We must find them as soon as possible and lift the seal of the Meta-Origin Society. If we're late, I'm afraid the AGI-ST Program will be difficult to stop."

Shawn took a deep breath and remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, his tone steady. "I understand. You are saving the Earth."

He paused, his eyes burning, the corners of his mouth slightly raised with a hint of youthful bravado. "Here, on behalf of the eight billion people of Earth, I thank you!" He looked straight at Mr. King, his tone composed. "Rest assured, I will do my best to find them."

Upon hearing these words, the three individuals exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting a mix of relief and subtle anticipation, as if long-awaited hope had finally arrived.

"Excellent! We will fully support you!" Mr. King declared with decisive conviction. He then turned to Quinn, a meaningful look in his eyes. "Quinn, please bring the Zhen Palace Spirit Key pendant to Shawn Wen, so he doesn't have to carry around that piece of paper all the time." As he spoke, he cast a sidelong glance at the yellowed drawing in Shawn Wen's hand.

Quinn was momentarily taken aback and exchanged a look with Sandy, their expressions showing surprise and hesitation.

"But... Shawn Wen is not yet a Meta-Orign Member ," Sandy said deeply, his brow furrowed.

"Alright, Sandy, let's not dwell on this for now," Mr. King said, waving his hand with a hint of urgency. "Quinn, please bring the Zhen Palace Spirit Key pendant."

"Understood." Quinn nodded and walked toward the sacred platform in the center of the Palace.

On the platform rested an exquisitely carved wooden box, exuding an air of solemnity. Quinn gently opened the lid, revealing an emerald green light—the octagonal Zhen Palace Spirit Key lay quietly inside, its unique jade meteorite luster refracting starlight, as if containing infinite energy.

The pendant Mr. King referred to was actually a medallion.

Quinn carefully took out the medallion and handed it to Shawn Wen with both hands, his tone solemn: "Shawn Wen, this medallion functions the same as that piece of paper. When catalyzed by a high level of Soul Energy, it will manifest into a green dragon. From today inwards, your status is no longer ordinary. The Meta-Origin Society recognizes you as a Soul Realm Member."

Shawn Wen was slightly shocked, complex emotions surging within him. He understood that this was not just a token, but also a responsibility.

He wanted to decline, but seeing the firm gazes of the three elders, he finally accepted it solemnly with both hands and said firmly, "Thank you, I will cherish it."

As Shawn Wen's fingertips touched the warm jade meteorite, a strange energy flowed through his body, as if some ancient will was responding to his touch.

He took a deep breath, his gaze resolute, and said slowly, "I will do my best to complete the mission."

Mr. King patted his shoulder gratefully and laughed, "I knew I wasn't wrong about you! Well done, Shawn Wen! However, the road ahead won't be easy."

Without hesitation, Shawn Wen hung the Zhen Palace Spirit Key around his neck and said deeply, "I understand; finding them is also the hope of us Earthlings."

Just as Shawn Wen was about to stand up, Quinn tapped the table and said with a chuckle, "Hey, why does it feel like everyone is too serious today? From now on, we're family. Shawn Wen, you're so young, and we're all older in seniority. How about this: from now on, you can call me uncle, and Mr. King and Sandy... just call them grandpa. How about it?" Shawn Wen was stunned for a moment, then smiled, "Alright! That's what I'll call you from now on."

The four of them smiled at each other and stood up, placing their hands together, their gazes resolute, and the atmosphere instantly lightened.

Amid the laughter, Shawn Wen walked out of the Palace, with Quinn following. As they walked, Quinn introduced him to the colors of the other seven Nine Palace Spirit Keys and the corresponding dark animal images.

However... he did not mention the Central Palace Spirit Key.