Samsara Paradise: Dream Weaver of Connections.

The aroma of tea wafts through the air.

During his break, Lin Yi picked up his teacup, staring at the ceiling, seemingly lost in thought.

Su Xiao had already returned to the other side of the lounge, against the wall, holding the alchemy recipe parchment scroll he had obtained from the sealed box.

Bubuwang went over to look at it for a while, but found that he couldn't understand the distorted symbols at all. So he wandered back to the butler robot and began to study the more than 300 newly unlocked functions.

Lin Yi drank the tea in his cup in one gulp. The warm liquid, with its refreshing aftertaste, slid down his throat, slightly relieving the minor fatigue brought on by continuous battles and teleportation.

He put down his teacup and took out the dark gold certificate from his pocket—a certificate for the mining rights of a large high-seismic steel vein.

Having it is like having a treasure trove in the void that continuously produces top-grade alloys.

However, for Lin Yi at this stage, direct mining is not realistic.

What he needs is to transform this future resource into strength that he can use right now.

The soul fragments of most of the Giwatos students have successfully fused with the bodies of the Shadow Legion.

However, there are dozens of light spots, which are much brighter than the others, but they are in a peculiar "frozen" state.

Unlike the other fragments, they did not integrate smoothly into the Shadow Body. Instead, they generated a strong repulsion and resonance at the edge of contact, as if... the "quality" or "characteristics" of these soul fragments were too special for ordinary shadow matter to bear.

It's like trying to stuff a star into a glass of water.

Just then, an unusual ripple appeared in the air of the lounge.

It wasn't a fluctuation from transmission; it was more like space being briefly "pushed open" by some higher being.

"Squeak-"

A tooth-grinding sound rang out, and the heavy metal door of the lounge suddenly displayed distorted ripples on its surface. Then, a short, hairy figure "squeezed" in without warning.

It is Lord Rat.

He was still wearing that vest stained with wine, his small round sunglasses were askew, and he exuded a sleepy languor and a faint smell of alcohol.

But unlike before, there seemed to be a hint of solemnity deep in its blood-red eyes.

Its appearance was so sudden that the other contestants in the lounge immediately went on alert.

Lord Rat ignored all of this.

With its eyelids drooping and its steps unsteady, it walked straight up to Lin Yi.

Then, it raised its paw, pulled a crumpled, even slightly charred, piece of paper from its vest pocket, and tossed it aside.

The note fluttered lightly onto the coffee table in front of Lin Yi.

"Boy, yours." The Rat's voice was muffled. After speaking, it didn't wait for Lin Yi's response, turned around, and just like when it came in, its body "melted" into the metal door panel. The ripples subsided, as if it had never appeared.

The entire process takes no more than five seconds.

Dead silence.

The lounge was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

A few seconds later, heavy breathing began to sound, the sounds of others relaxing from extreme tension.

All eyes, filled with complex and indescribable emotions, were focused on Lin Yi and the unremarkable piece of paper in front of him.

The Void Swordsman's messenger... no, that was clearly the Void Swordsman's own direct subordinate force, known for his madness, violence, and complete unpredictability—the Rat Lord.

Although the person just now seemed drunk, their ability to disregard the rules and directly penetrate multiple layers of notarized security barriers already speaks volumes.

The Abyss Doctor of this Reincarnation Paradise actually managed to get in touch with that madman's faction.
The Void Race participants, who had initially looked down on Lin Yi because of Di Lin's offense, now had completely changed their expressions.

It was a mix of fear, reassessment, and a hint of relief—relief that I hadn't done anything out of line.

Lin Yi reached out and picked up the note. He could feel a faint trace of spatial energy remaining on the paper, which confirmed his guess.

Unfold the note; it was written in Hill's distinctive handwriting, using a combination of encrypted symbols that only they could fully understand.

The note listed a long list of materials and brief requirements, most of which Lin Yi had never heard of. Even with his current knowledge, he could only barely recognize about a third of them. And those he did recognize were all rare items from the void.

Hill's intention was clear: the soul fragments of these elite students had enormous potential, and it would be a waste to simply fuse them with the bodies of ordinary Shadow Legion members.

She needs Lin Yi to find special materials that can match or even stimulate these potentials, and then perform customized fusion in order to truly create an army of gods.

The note ended with a brief note: "Time is limited, so hurry."

Lin Yi put away the note, stood up, and said to Su Xiao, who was not far away, "I'm going out for a bit."

Su Xiao's attention was still half on the alchemy recipe, and upon hearing this, he simply nodded slightly to indicate that he understood.

Just then, a nimble figure darted out from the shadows at Su Xiao's feet and leaped onto Lin Yi's shoulder in a few steps.

It's Benny.

The sleek-furred cat affectionately rubbed its head against Lin Yi's neck, then turned to Baha and meowed, its voice filled with obvious anticipation.

Baha flapped its wings and flew over, landing on Lin Yi's other shoulder, acting as a translator: "Boss, Benny said she's feeling bored in the room and wants to go out with you to see the 'commercial area' of the Strongest Tournament."

It tilted its head and imitated Benny's tone, "'Bai Ye is either fighting or researching those incomprehensible formulas all day long, and Bubu and Amu only know how to eat and play. My financial management talent is completely useless here! There must be fun and good things outside!' -- That's roughly what it said.

Lin Yi glanced at the cat on his shoulder.

Benny opened her big, round eyes, her face showing an innocent expression that seemed to say, "Please take me with you, please take me with you."

Su Xiao looked up from the parchment scroll, glanced at Benny, and said in a flat tone, "Let it go. This guy loses money nine times out of ten in the 'business' he does in the Paradise of Reincarnation. It's time for him to come out and see the world and learn what real trading is."

He paused, then added, "Keep an eye on it and don't let it cause any trouble."

"Meow!" Benny meowed in dissatisfaction, seemingly protesting Su Xiao's belittling of its business acumen, but its tail wagged happily.

Lin Yi's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile: "Okay."

Lin Yi raised his hand and gently rubbed Benny's chin with his knuckles, which elicited an even more cheerful snoring sound in return.

He turned and walked toward the door, with Benny perched steadily on his left shoulder, her tail tip gently brushing against his neck.

Baha landed on his right shoulder, muttering, "Alright, the babysitter eagle is officially online. Benny, it's a promise, just watch and don't scratch, especially don't mess with those guys who look like they can't afford the compensation."

"Meow~" Benny drawled out the sound as a sign of agreement, but her bright cat eyes were already eagerly scanning the area outside the door.

Without further delay, he turned and headed toward the metal door of the lounge, carrying Benny and Baha on his shoulders.

As the metal plaque was placed on the device next to it, the door slid open silently.

The scene outside the door was exactly the same as when he arrived: a spacious and bright corridor, milky white stone floor, soft simulated natural light, and contestants walking or talking in twos and threes.

Just as Lin Yi stepped out of the room and the metal door closed behind him, the two contestants from a plant-based void race who were talking in hushed tones closest to him abruptly stopped.

As if sensing something, they turned to look at Lin Yi. Then, under the curious gazes of Baha and Benny, the two tall, slender race representatives with tiny flowers in their hair quickly put on respectful smiles and bowed to Lin Yi in unison.

"Physician," one of them spoke, his voice rustling like leaves in the wind, "I am Ge Luo of the Qing Teng Clan, and this is my companion, Ye Ying. Congratulations on your successful advancement."

Another person chimed in, “The second round of competition will undoubtedly be even more intense. If you need anything during the competition, or encounter any mission scenarios related to our race, please feel free to contact us. Our race has some expertise in intelligence and logistical support, and we will certainly do our best.”

They spoke very politely and humbly, but their meaning was very clear: our Qing Teng clan is willing to provide you with any assistance we can in the upcoming competition, in order to forge a good relationship.

Lin Yi nodded calmly in response, "Thank you."

Without much small talk, the two representatives of the Qing Teng tribe bowed again and then stepped aside to make way for each other.

Lin Yi continued walking forward.

But the story doesn't end there.

As if a signal had been activated, Lin Yi would "encounter" contestants of different races or factions every few meters he walked down the corridor.

Benny, perched on Lin Yi's shoulder, went from initial curiosity to utter astonishment. Her little head darted around, watching wave after wave of contestants, each with their own unique appearance and powerful aura, expressing goodwill or at least neutrality towards Lin Yi in their own way.

Baha also abandoned his usual nonchalant demeanor and said in a low voice, "Aren't you... a little too popular? I feel like half the people in this corridor are greeting you?"

Lin Yi himself hadn't expected things to turn out this way.

He anticipated that his identity as an Abyss Healer, coupled with his previous interactions with the Feather Clan, Dream Spirit Clan, and others, might attract some attention, and even some forces that owed Hill favors might come to curry favor.

However, the frequency and scale at present clearly exceed the scope of "part".

Among these people who showed goodwill, he could sense a faint causal connection in some of them—traces of the "debts of gratitude" that Hill had left behind.

But much of it was completely unfamiliar to him.

Perhaps their mentors, elders, or races had interacted with the Abyss Healer lineage; perhaps it was simply due to their recognition of his strength and their fear of the potential energy network behind him; or perhaps it was Lord Rat's sudden appearance that played a subtle catalytic role.

In any case, this is not purely out of goodwill, but rather a social investment based on considerations of interests and risk assessment.

However, managing these social investments also requires considerable effort.

Lin Yi maintained a gentle yet distant polite smile, responding appropriately to each contestant who came to greet him or engage in brief conversation—neither appearing arrogant nor overly enthusiastic.

He spoke cautiously and never made any promises lightly, but he also accepted the goodwill signals released by the other party.

This kind of social interaction may seem relaxed, but it is actually extremely mentally taxing.

You need to instantly determine the other person's race, possible intentions, and subtext in their words, and give the most appropriate and safest response.

Half an hour later, Lin Yi had only walked less than 300 meters of the corridor.

His cheeks looked a little stiff from maintaining a smile for so long, and he also seemed a bit tired.

Finally, after the last group of contestants from the "Molten Dwarf" branch, known for its forging skills, left, the corridor ahead temporarily returned to quiet.

Lin Yi let out a soft breath and raised his hand to rub his slightly stiff cheeks.

"Meow..." Benny stretched out her paw and patted Lin Yi's shoulder comfortingly, her round eyes filled with sympathy.

Although it enjoys lively gatherings and socializing, it could also tell that the past half hour had been anything but easy for Lin Yi.

Baha clicked his tongue: "Goodness, I've really seen something new today. I've only ever heard Su Xiao say that some old guys in the void have a lot of influence and get respect wherever they go. Lin Yi, you're so young, and you've awakened this 'Face Fruit' ability a bit too early."

Lin Yi did not respond to Baha's teasing. His gaze had already moved across the empty corridor ahead and landed on a particularly conspicuous "window" not far away.

It was a magnificent arched window set against a milky-white wall, its style completely out of place with the overall minimalist and modern atmosphere of the rest area, full of the ostentatious and ostentatious feel that goblins love.

The window frame was inlaid with shimmering energy gems, and above it hung a huge sign that continuously played holographic advertising videos. The sign was labeled in both goblin script and Common tongue:

"Goblin Merchant Guild - Special Service Center for the Battle of the Strongest"

"Your most trustworthy void trading partner!"

"Resource exchange! Intelligence purchase! Equipment customization! Special service reservation!"

Note: This window has been jointly notarized by the Void Tree, Paradise of Reincarnation, Paradise of Apocalypse, Paradise of Holy Light... (and more than a dozen other notary offices omitted below), ensuring absolute security for transactions!

There was a short queue in front of the window, with about seven or eight participants waiting to complete their business.

Behind the window, you can see several goblin employees in neat uniforms, with pointed ears and darting eyes, busy at work.

Just as Lin Yi expected, with the business acumen of the Goblin Merchant Guild, how could they possibly miss out on a top-level event like the Battle of the Strongest, which brings together countless elites and representatives of various forces in the void?
Paying huge advertising fees to obtain an officially recognized "service window" allows them to directly do business with these high-quality clients and further expand their business network and influence. This investment is extremely worthwhile for them.

Lin Yi took a deep breath and walked toward the window of the Goblin Merchant Guild.

He didn't notice, or rather, he noticed but didn't pay attention, that not far behind him, at the corner of the corridor, the "miner" brother and sister from Tianqi Paradise were staring in disbelief at the entire process of him being "surrounded" and "sent off" by various contestants.

The muscles on the burly man's bronze face twitched, and the handle of the mining shovel in his hand creaked as he gripped it.

He had originally thought that once he entered the second round, he might be able to secretly contact some fellow sufferers who also harbored resentment towards the Paradise of Reincarnation, and cause some trouble for these two arrogant guys from the Paradise of Reincarnation.

just now……

He watched as the representatives of those races, who were usually considered powerful figures in the void, treated Lin Yi with politeness and even a hint of respect...

The burly man felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

The little girl beside him was even paler than before, her lips trembling, her weak voice choked with sobs, "We...were we...too close to them before? Will they remember us? In the second round...will we be targeted?"

She recalled how she had just thought Lin Yi was just lucky to have a powerful teammate, but now, looking at this exaggerated display of connections, all she felt was despair.

Ambush? You should be thankful if you're not surrounded and attacked in return!
The burly man took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, his voice hoarse: "Don't...don't scare yourself. This...this is a safe zone. They...they shouldn't...they shouldn't remember small fry like us."

Even he himself found it hard to believe when he said it.

At the same time, Lin Yi had already reached the window of the Goblin Merchant Guild.

The participant in front of him had just completed his transaction and left satisfied with a scroll and several small bags.

Behind the window, a middle-aged goblin wearing a monocle and with his hair neatly combed looked up, his face instantly breaking into a professional, enthusiastic smile: "Next, distinguished guest! Welcome to the Goblin Merchant Guild's Special Service Center for the Battle of the Strongest! I am Senior Clerk Grom Copper Coin. How may I assist you?"

The goblin clerk, Grom Coppercoin, had a smile so perfect it looked like it had been measured with a ruler, but his shrewd eyes, hidden behind his glasses, were subtly and quickly scanning the customer before him.

Benny, perched on Lin Yi's shoulder, curiously peeked out, examining the glittering decorations and the complex crystal panels operated rapidly by the goblin staff inside the window. Her nose twitched slightly, as if trying to discern the scent of wealth in the air.

Baha curled his lip and muttered under his breath, "Goblins...tsk, hopefully this isn't another bundled sales tactic."

Lin Yi simply nodded slightly at the goblin's enthusiastic greeting, without any further pleasantries, and directly took out two items from the inner pocket of his jacket, gently placing them on the smooth metal surface of the counter.

The first item is naturally the mining rights certificate for a large, high-seismic steel vein.

The second item was the VIP certificate from the Goblin Merchant Guild. (End of Chapter)