Pretending to be a genius starts with the civilization advancement assessment.

Chapter 269 When I Appear Before You (4.8K)

Lin Yi straightened his expression and did not refuse Huiyao's overtures.

"Thank you very much, Brother Huiyao. I appreciate your kind gesture."

Upon hearing this, Huiyao's face broke into a hearty smile, and he raised the jade cup in his hand once more: "Good! Then I wish Brother Lin a speedy journey to the Extreme Realm."

"I will do my best!" Lin Yi raised his glass in response.

The gathering at Xinghai Pavilion lasted for several hours in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

As the moonlight climbed to its zenith, Radiant, as the host, raised his glass once more, delivered a brief closing speech, thanked all his fellow human beings for coming, and reiterated the importance of unity and cooperation among the geniuses of the human race.

Everyone responded enthusiastically, agreeing to stay in touch and share resources in the future.

Lin Yi bid farewell to Huiyao, Qingfeng, and several other key figures.

"Brother Lin, if you need anything in the training camp or on missions in the future, please don't hesitate to ask," Huiyao said solemnly. His promise clearly represented more than just his personal feelings.

"Of course. Thank you for your hospitality and generous gift today, Brother Huiyao." Lin Yi clasped his hands in a fist salute again.

Qingfeng laughed and said, "Lin Yi, next time we meet, we might have to work together on a mission. Don't blame us for holding you back then!"

"Captain Qingfeng is too kind. I look forward to fighting alongside you," Lin Yi replied with a smile.

Ling He nodded to Kenx again, everything was understood without words.

After the gathering ended, Lin Yi's consciousness exited the virtual network.

Almost simultaneously, Xuanji's notification sounded: "Master, a package has been received from the training camp's internal logistics system. The sender is marked as 'Huiyao,' the item has been confirmed as the Starry Twin Lotus, and the delivery address has been automatically set to the border fortress."

Two more days passed.

The transport ship "Morning Star" smoothly docked at the Border Regiment Fortress Airport No. 93778.

The hatch opened, and Lin Yi stepped out first, followed by the third batch of reserve members from the Silver Blue Civilization and the Xina family. They were wearing uniform training clothes, and their eyes were filled with a mixture of excitement for the unknown battlefield and awe at stepping into a military stronghold for the first time.

As soon as she stepped onto the cold alloy deck, a familiar figure came to greet her—it was Irelia.

She was still wearing that emerald green armor. Her blue eyes quickly swept over Lin Yi, and after confirming that he was unharmed, the corners of her lips lifted slightly: "Commander, welcome back."

"Thank you for your hard work, Ellie."

Lin Yi nodded, sensing that her aura was becoming increasingly concentrated, and her understanding of the rules of life was clearly deeper.

Just as Irelia was talking to Lin Yi, a slender young man with unusually sharp eyes suddenly trembled in the ranks of prospective members, his gaze fixed on a woman standing behind Irelia in the ranks of prospective members.

The woman had a cold and agile face and wore the combat uniform of a formal member of the Dongfeng Mercenary Group. Her temperament was like that of a lurking cheetah.

The star emblem on her epaulettes shows that she is no longer the same person she once was.

It was a nightingale.

Feeling that burning gaze, Nightingale turned her head to look, her cold eyes freezing the moment they met the thin young man's gaze.

Nightingale's fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly, her lips pursed slightly, and in the end she only nodded very slightly.

Without a word, the exchange of glances in that instant conveyed the hardships of separation and the complex emotions of reunion.

Irelia noticed the subtle interaction but didn't point it out, continuing to report to Lin Yi:

"Commander, the mercenary group operated normally during your absence. We completed seventeen routine missions, and all members have completed their grouping and adaptation training according to the new combat plan. In addition, as you instructed, we continued to monitor the K-439 area of ​​the Shattered Star Ring. Recently, the Kunmo tribe has been active in this area, and our Astral Army is under considerable pressure."

"Understood," Lin Yi said. "Ellie, you will arrange the reserve team members and get them into the adaptation training as soon as possible."

"Yes," Irelia replied.

Lin Yi then returned to his private lounge.

"Xuanji."

"Master, please give your orders." A phantom figure in palace attire quietly appeared.

"Lock onto the Blade Prince's real-time movements, analyze the areas where he is most likely to appear, and filter out human defense missions within those areas that are suitable for my hunting plan."

"The order has been confirmed. We are currently mobilizing all available intelligence nodes to analyze target biosignals, fleet movements, and energy signature data for screening."

A moment later, Xuanji responded: "Master, according to the latest Astral Army synchronization data, the last confirmed energy signal of the target, Talorank, appeared at the edge of the Shattered Ring K-442 region, approximately five standard days ago. Based on its past behavior patterns and the recent situation in the region, there is a greater than 78% probability that it will be attracted by the Dark Dust Belt war that is currently being fiercely fought between the Humans and the Kunmo Clan."

As the screen unfolded, a complex region composed of dense asteroids and interstellar dust appeared before Lin Yi, with several nodes highlighted.

"The Dark Dust Star Belt contains abundant Dark Ash Crystal veins, which are crucial auxiliary materials for forging Soul Weapons and have extremely high strategic value. Currently, the conflict in this area has escalated to a Level 2 battlefield. The Kunmo Clan's Crack Claw Assault Group is responsible for the main attack, while our Astral Army's 114th Battle Group under Border Legion No. 93778 is responsible for defense. Among them, the battle for the Broken Blade Outpost is the most intense. This base was built on the remnants of a giant asteroid and controls three important mineral veins. It is now semi-encircled by the superior forces of the Kunmo Clan. The base's defense system has been severely damaged, and the defending troops have suffered more than 30% casualties. They have sent out emergency distress signals multiple times."

"Broken Blade Outpost"

Lin Yi pondered for a moment. "This is it. Xuanji, in the name of the Dongfeng Mercenary Group, select and accept relevant defense missions to support the 'Broken Blade' outpost."

"Mission accepted successfully. Relevant information has been entered into the Legion system."

After the mission was clarified, the main fleet of the Dongfeng Mercenary Group quickly and quietly departed from the fortress, heading towards the "Dark Dust Star Belt".

Meanwhile, at Broken Blade Base, the headquarters of the 114th Astral Army.

Chapter Commander Bert stared at the constantly flashing red dots on the battle map of the "Broken Blade" base, his face ashen.

Over the communications channel, the subordinate commander reported hoarsely:

"Command! This is the third defense zone. The energy barrier generator is currently overloaded and damaged. We can hold out for at most ten days. Repeat, no more than ten days. Requesting immediate support."

Bert slammed his fist on the control panel, his voice low and menacing: "Reinforcements! Tell me, where are we going to get reinforcements now?"

"Report! We just received a message from the Legion Command that the Dongfeng Mercenary Group has taken on the mission to support the Broken Blade Outpost."

"Dongfeng Mercenary Group?"

Potter looked up abruptly, his eyes gleaming with hope. "Is it Lin Yi's Dongfeng Mercenary Group?"

"Confirmed! It is their main fleet, and Regiment Commander Lin Yi is confirmed to be accompanying them!"

Bert immediately grabbed the communicator and practically yelled, "Hold on! The Dongfeng Mercenary Group, Commander Lin Yi is personally leading a team to support you! You must hold the line! Reinforcements are on their way!"

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the communication line, followed by a reply: "Dongfeng Mercenary Group? Understood! Our unit swears to live and die with the position."
-
Six days later.

On the front lines of the Kunmo tribe, the "Cracked Claw" assault group.

A Kunmo tribe general, clad in heavy bone armor and with a ferocious expression, was listening to a report from his subordinate.

"General, the energy barrier of the Broken Blade Outpost has been destroyed. Our troops have already entered its outer positions and will soon be able to completely occupy it."

"Very good, speed up the process, don't give the human race a chance to breathe."

The Kunmo tribe commander's words were interrupted by his subordinate who suddenly barged in.

"Urgent report! Multiple high-energy transition signals detected approaching the Dark Dust Belt!"

After pondering for a moment, it asked, "There shouldn't be any regular Astral Army able to come to our aid right now. Mercenaries? Which one? What's their size?"

"Based on the insignia on the fleet's paint scheme, it is identified as the Dongfeng Mercenary Group."

"Dongfeng Mercenary Group?"

Its bony armor scraped together, producing a piercing sound, clearly indicating that it had heard of the name before. "That human prodigy's team? He came in person?" "At present, the possibility is extremely high."

The commander's crimson pupils flickered a few times before he immediately ordered: "Notify the frontline attack troops to strengthen vigilance and be alert for surprise attacks by elite enemy squads! At the same time, report the intelligence that 'the Dongfeng Mercenary Group has intervened in the Battle of Broken Blade Outpost, and the human prodigy is suspected to be present' to the cluster command and simultaneously send it to the 'Bloodfang'."

He knew the "Blade Prince's" quirks well, and this intelligence was exactly what he wanted.

At this moment, the East Peak Mercenary Group fleet has arrived at the edge of the war zone.

However, Lin Yi did not rush to send his team into the combat zone immediately. Instead, he used the Stardust Belt as cover to conduct a final tactical briefing.

"The situation at Broken Blade Outpost is critical. We will conduct an orbital airdrop to seize key defensive nodes."

In the flagship briefing room, Lin Yi addressed the core members and squad commanders involved in the operation, saying, "According to the information synchronized from the battlefield system, our main responsibility is to rebuild the energy barrier node in the eastern part of the base and stabilize the left flank defense line. The ranged squads will occupy the high ground to suppress enemy heavy units and small infiltration forces. The rest of you will be responsible for your respective defensive areas according to the pre-arranged plan."

"Yes!" The crowd obeyed, and the atmosphere became tense.

While the team members went to the airdrop compartment to prepare, Lin Yi went alone to the core control room of the flagship "Dongfeng". He concentrated and calmed himself, and the rules of space around him began to flow silently.

Then, Lin Yi raised his hands, his fingertips swirling with silver light, and slowly moved them in front of him, weaving together tiny spatial runes into the void.

These runes are not static, but rather slowly rotate along some profound trajectory, interlinking with each other to eventually form a complex three-dimensional structure that exists between the real and the unreal.

It is firmly anchored to the flagship's core energy source and spatial coordinates. Unless the flagship is completely destroyed, even under severe spatial interference, Lin Yi can sense and activate it to return instantly thanks to his absolute mastery of spatial rules.

Advanced spatial beacon completed!

Although, based on the available information, there was only one Blade Prince nearby, Lin Yi still chose to be on the safe side and leave himself a crucial escape route.

Meanwhile, inside the airdrop cabin, the atmosphere was tense yet orderly.

The team members are conducting final equipment checks.

As a reserve member, Skinny Monkey was not assigned to combat missions. Instead, he was placed in the logistics support group, where he was responsible for assisting the regular members with the final equipment adjustments in the last moments before the airdrop.

He jogged to the area where Nightingale's ranged squad was located and found Nightingale calibrating her heavy warbow.

"Sister Nightingale"

The skinny monkey handed over a fully charged energy crystal replenishment box, saying, "Here, spare energy."

Nightingale looked up at him, took it, and skillfully inserted it into the miniature storage slot on the side of her leg without pausing.

The skinny man looked at her calm profile, took a deep breath, and whispered, "Be careful."

Nightingale paused slightly as she prepared to close her visor, letting out a barely perceptible "hmm." Then, the cold composite visor fell away, obscuring all her expressions, leaving only the calm and focus characteristic of a sniper.

"All personnel, enter the airdrop pod! Repeat, all personnel, enter the airdrop pod! Countdown three minutes!" the announcement began.

Skinny Monkey watched as Nightingale and her teammates stepped into the orbital drop pod, which resembled a metal coffin, one by one. The hatch slowly closed, separating the inside from the outside into two worlds.

He stood there, his fists clenched.

Soon, the fleet's airdrop ports opened, and thousands of orbital drop pods, like steel dice thrown into the air, trailing blazing tails, broke through the thin atmosphere and plummeted toward the war-torn asteroid below.

Broken Blade Outpost, surface.

The Astral Army's frontline commander also noticed the blinding streaks of meteors in the sky and roared hoarsely, "It's our parachute brothers! Hold on! Reinforcements have arrived!"

The Star Guard soldiers, who had been struggling to hold on, rallied and mustered their last bit of courage, temporarily repelling the Kunmo tribe, who were trying to take advantage of the situation to press forward.

Meanwhile, the Kunmo tribe's frontline observation post immediately reported: "A large number of orbital drop capsules have been observed. Identification of the external insignia on the drop capsules confirms that they are the symbols of the Dongfeng Mercenary Group."

The news quickly reached the Kunmo tribe commander, who sneered, "They've arrived as expected. Order the frontline troops to give these parachute pods a special 'welcome'! Annihilate them before they even land!"

However, the Dongfeng Mercenary Group's drop pods have clearly undergone special modifications, possessing not only extremely high mobility but also additional energy shields, making them perfectly capable of withstanding several attacks.

Therefore, the vast majority of them successfully evaded air defense interception, like a precise scalpel landing on the predetermined defensive nodes.

The hatch exploded open, and the fully armed East Peak Mercenary Group warriors, like tigers released from their cages, quickly threw themselves into the battle. With their superb combat skills and tacit cooperation, they instantly stabilized the crumbling defense line.

Lin Yi's parachute landed directly in the core position where the battle was most intense.

The moment the hatch opened, dense beams of energy and the roar of explosions filled the air.

Without the slightest hesitation, he took a step forward.

Facing the surging, elite Kunmo tribe squad attempting to annihilate the reinforcements on the beach,
"Keng!"

A metallic clang, seemingly capable of tearing apart the soul, resounded throughout the battlefield.

The Golden Realm unfolded fiercely, centered on him.

Within the area, the air seemed to transform into billions of invisible, fine blades. The energy shields of those low-level cannon fodder of the Kunmo tribe collapsed instantly, like balloons punctured by needles. Their bio-armor was easily torn apart like fragile paper.

At the same time, Lin Yi also pointed his fingers like knives and swung them around casually.

The golden light, condensed to its extreme, seemed to possess a life of its own, drawing a deadly trajectory in the air. Wherever it passed, the Kunmo soldiers at the Star Core level fell in droves like harvested wheat.

He didn't display any fancy techniques, only the purest and most extreme sharpness, demonstrating the destructive power of the rules of metal to the fullest extent.

Lin Yi deliberately suppressed his strength to the level of "first level domain", only showing the terrifying attack power of the metal rule.

Even so, he was still like a golden war god descending upon the battlefield, invincible.

His position instantly transformed from a precarious situation into a death trap, halting the Kunmo tribe's offensive.

"That's... Lin Yi, the leader of the Dongfeng Mercenary Group?"

"That's incredibly strong."

"Brothers! Let's fight our way back!"

Witnessing this scene, the garrison at the Broken Blade outpost was instantly ignited with low morale, unleashing astonishing fighting power.

The Kunmo tribe's frontline commander was terrified and immediately reported the situation to his superiors: "Lin Yi, the leader of the Dongfeng Mercenary Group, has joined the battle, and our vanguard has suffered heavy losses."

This urgent battle report, along with an assessment of Lin Yi's location and the strength he "demonstrated," was quickly transmitted through the Kunmo tribe's intelligence network.

In the nearby star system, inside the "Blood Fang," a dark red Kunmo warship shaped like curved fangs.

"Prince of Blades" Talolank closed his eyes to rest, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the armrest of the throne, enjoying the tranquility before the hunt.

A servant respectfully presented the encrypted intelligence that had just been received.

Talorank lazily opened his crimson eyes and scanned the intelligence report.

When it saw keywords such as "Lin Yi", "Dongfeng Mercenary Group", "Broken Blade Outpost Base", and "Showcasing the Golden Domain, with Outstanding Combat Power", its originally lazy expression instantly disappeared, replaced by an excitement and cruelty of discovering high-quality prey.

"Oh? This little bug finally couldn't stand it anymore and came out."

It stood up, its naturally emanating sharp aura distorting the light in the cabin. "Very good, saves me the trouble of searching everywhere. Order the Bloodfang to turn immediately. Target: K-439 area."

Talorank's lips curled into a murderous grin, his scarlet tongue licking his sharp teeth.

"A human genius? Ha, when I appear before you, your expression will surely be quite interesting. My hunting list is just missing a decent human prodigy as a collectible."

The Bloodfang spewed a violent stream of energy from its tail, like a bloodthirsty red lightning bolt, tearing through the starry sky and heading straight for the front line that was about to become a true hunting ground.

(End of this chapter)