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

Chapter 271 You're Famous (5K)

For a moment, the entire battlefield fell silent.

These rapid and unexpected changes were truly overwhelming.

When the Blade Prince Talorank's oppressive aura descended from the sky like a destructive storm, the Kunmo tribe's troops seemed to have been injected with a stimulant. Their morale, which had been low due to the prolonged siege and the strong intervention of the Dongfeng Mercenary Group, suddenly soared, and they let out bloodthirsty roars, making their offensive even more frenzied and reckless.

They seemed to have already seen the dawn of victory, and imagined the scene of that human prodigy wailing under the prince's blade.

On the other hand, everyone on the side of the Star Guardian Army and the East Peak Mercenary Group felt a sudden sinking feeling in their hearts.

Even though the members of the Dongfeng Mercenary Group had complete confidence in Lin Yi, their expressions couldn't help but tense up at this moment.

Bert, the Astral Army commander at Broken Blade Base, almost instantly changed his expression when he saw the falling dark red streak of light in the command room.

He immediately realized that this was aimed at Lin Yi.

Bert immediately instructed his adjutant to report the news of 'Prince of Blades Talorank appearing at Broken Blade Outpost' to Legion Command with the highest priority.

When the news reached the headquarters of the 93778 Border Legion, General Ruger received the report and immediately stood up.

"Order Broken Blade Base!"

General Luger quickly ordered, "Activate all pre-set 'fortress' level heavy firepower positions, disregard energy consumption, and conduct a sweeping attack to create conditions for Lin Yi's withdrawal. We must cover his retreat!"

In his judgment, Lin Yi's future value far exceeds that of a secondary battlefield, and even far exceeds that of a standard battle group under his command.

Even at a great cost, we must cover his retreat.

Orders were issued quickly.

Outside the Broken Blade base, several hidden heavy artillery positions began charging, their dazzling light converging at the muzzles, locking onto the area that was about to become the stage for a top-tier duel.

However, what happened next completely exceeded everyone's expectations.

Just before the heavy firepower was about to be launched, an even more powerful aura, like a sleeping dragon awakening, descended fiercely onto the battlefield.

Triple Realm!

What followed was a battle that was swift and unexpected, defying all expectations.

Teleportation through space, followed by a kick.

The Spear of Rending the Universe can sever limbs in a single strike.

Ultimately, the image of the spear piercing through the chest, slaying the arrogant Blade Prince like a trophy, was deeply etched into the eyes of everyone who witnessed it through the observation equipment.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, the warriors of the Astral Army and the East Peak Mercenary Group erupted in deafening cheers.

After the initial shock, Bert immediately seized the opportunity and ordered, "All troops, attack! Cooperate with the Dongfeng Mercenary Group and drive all these Kunmo tribe scum out of the Dark Dust Star Belt!"

At the same time, he almost roared at his adjutant, "Quickly, send back the battlefield footage we just recorded, especially the complete process of Commander Lin Yi killing Talorank, to the legion headquarters!"

When this footage was transmitted back to the headquarters of the 93778th Legion, it caused a far greater shock than the front lines.

General Luger watched the clean and decisive, almost overwhelming battle on the screen, especially Lin Yi's final vengeful thrust, and a look of understanding and shock flashed in his deep eyes.

"Triple Realm. I see."

He muttered to himself, "He's been hiding this for so long, never even using his second-level domain on the battlefield. He's been waiting for Talorank to come to him for the Crimson Star, the 'Helios' base."

He instantly understood Lin Yi's intention.

This is not a simple defense or counterattack; it is a meticulously planned and long-premeditated revenge.

Using the methods of the Kunmo tribe's prodigies, they treated him in the same way.

General Luger took a deep breath to suppress the turmoil in his heart.

He immediately realized that this was not just a victory, but a huge opportunity.

Meanwhile, at the front lines of Broken Blade.

Lin Yi, in coordination with the highly motivated Astral Army, launched a resounding counterattack.

This time, he held nothing back, unleashing the full power of his triple domain.

The entire battlefield turned into a one-sided massacre.

The Kunmo tribe's "Cracked Claw" assault group lost its command core and fighting will, and suffered a crushing defeat. It was relentlessly pursued by the allied forces and suffered heavy losses.

After the battle, Lin Yi returned to Border Legion Fortress No. 93778 with the East Peak Mercenary Group fleet.

He had barely returned to his private area when General Ruger requested a visit.

Clearly, they were waiting on purpose.

Inside the reception room, Lin Yi politely received Luger.

"Commander Lin Yi, first of all, on behalf of the 93778 Border Legion and all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives on Crimson Blood Star, I thank you!"

Without any pleasantries, General Ruger gave Lin Yi a solemn, standard Star Guardian salute, saying, "You have avenged their blood debt."

Lin Yi calmly returned the greeting, "General, you flatter me. It's my duty."

General Ruger then sat down and got down to business.

"Based on the preliminary calculations of the battlefield assessment system and the conclusions of the Legion's General Staff's emergency meeting, your independent killing of the Kunmo Clan's prodigy 'Blade Prince' Talolank has had a significant positive impact on the current battle situation in the K-77 star system. Therefore, in addition to the regular rewards, we propose to apply for an additional 2000 million special military merits for you."

"It has been submitted to the upper echelons of the Astronomical Army for review, but there will be no major changes."

"2000?"

Even Lin Yi, with his calm and composed nature, couldn't help but be slightly moved upon hearing this number.

He has participated in dozens of battles, large and small, since he joined the war, but the total military merits he has accumulated are only 112 million.

This is almost twenty times the previous total.

As expected, hunting down these enemy prodigies is still the most profitable.

For a moment, even he was tempted, as if he saw a treasure mountain made of rare resources beckoning to him.

"but."

Lin Yi thought for a moment, "I reckon my head won't be cheap on the kill list of Talorank and even the entire Kunmo tribe. No wonder that guy was willing to wait for me on the battlefield."

"It'll probably be worth even more in the future, so we need to be careful."

General Luger, observing the subtle changes in Lin Yi's expression, understood and continued, "In addition, there is another matter I hope to obtain your authorization, Commander Lin Yi."

"General, please speak."

“We hope to obtain the right to use the battlefield footage of you killing Talorank,” General Ruger stated bluntly. “In exchange, the Legion is willing to pay 10 military merits.”

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow slightly.

10 military merits, just to buy the right to use a piece of video?
That's not a low price.

However, Lin Yi also knew that if it were an ordinary soldier or officer, the legion would simply requisition them without any compensation.

Clearly, this was General Ruger's way of showing him respect and goodwill.

The images themselves are not very important for keeping secret; after this battle, his triple domain strength has definitely been analyzed and transmitted back by the Kunmo Clan.

Lin Yi thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement: "Okay, I have no problem with that."

After agreeing, he asked with a hint of curiosity, "I wonder what purpose the general intends to serve with this footage?"

Ruger bluntly stated, "We're making a promotional video."

He then explained with a wry smile:

"Commander Lin Yi must also be aware that our human race is currently under considerable pressure on the overall front in the K-77 star system, and is at a relative disadvantage. The morale of our soldiers needs to be boosted, we need a victory that can truly inspire people, and we need a story that can ignite the passion of everyone."

"As for Commander Lin Yi, you are a prodigy, yet you still keep the hatred of the ordinary soldiers of Crimson Star in your heart. You set up an ambush and forcefully killed the enemy's prodigy to avenge your fallen comrades on Crimson Star. This matter itself is extremely legendary and inspiring."

"We need to pass on this strength to everyone fighting on the front lines."

Lin Yi suddenly realized that this was its purpose.

He didn't take it too seriously. After all, he had worked with the publicity department to shoot quite a few of these kinds of promotional videos on Earth, so he nodded understandingly: "I understand. If it can help the front lines, I will naturally support it."

"Alright! Thank you very much, Commander Lin Yi." General Luger thanked him solemnly, and after chatting for a few more minutes, he got up to take his leave.

After seeing General Luger off, Lin Yi returned to the quiet room. Although he was suppressing Talorank, his combat skills, especially his skill in combining and connecting rules, were not without merit.

Therefore, he planned to take a short break to digest what he had learned.
-
Five days later.

Inside the mess hall of the "Steadfast," a large Starforce transport ship en route to the front lines of the K-77 star system.

It was lunchtime, and the restaurant was packed, filled with the aroma of food and the hushed murmur of soldiers talking.

The prolonged war had created a somber atmosphere.

Suddenly, all the large light screens in the center of the restaurant and on the surrounding walls, which were originally playing combat regulations or interstellar news on a loop, went dark at the same time.

The deep and penetrating background music slowly begins, carrying a touch of tragedy and solemnity.

Many soldiers who were eating subconsciously looked up, some with confusion.

Then, the screen lit up, revealing an image that made everyone's heart skip a beat.

Everyone immediately recognized that this was a typical Astral Army-style and set-up combat command center.

In the footage, some officers appear to be deploying tasks.

Suddenly, everyone's bodies trembled violently, they coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground, and the lower-ranking personnel instantly turned to ashes. Then, a ferocious figure covered in dark gold armor slowly solidified.

"Kunmo tribe!"

A new recruit let out a soft cry, and everyone put down their utensils, staring intently at the screen. The restaurant fell into a deathly silence.

The video continues to play.

They watched as the Kunmo tribesman casually pierced a heavily wounded Star Realm officer with his serrated forelimbs, then held him up before them. The cold, metallic scraping sound rang out: "Tell me, where is your prodigy hiding?"

"Insect...aren't you going to run away?"

"You worthless worm, I'm not telling you, haha!"

"You want to find our human prodigies? You're not worthy!"

The officers' defiant taunts and curses echoed throughout the restaurant through the loudspeaker, each word striking the soldiers' hearts like a hammer blow.

Their fists clenched unconsciously, and their eyes blazed with fury.

Many rank-and-file soldiers were unaware of the details of the Crimson Star Incident. Witnessing their comrades being brutally murdered, they felt an overwhelming sense of frustration, anger, and sorrow that nearly burst from their chests.

Then, they saw the officer shatter into a bloody mist, and the others were brutally murdered one after another.

The final image freezes on the cold, burning compound eyes of the Kunmo tribe and their slowly disappearing figures.

Inside the restaurant, you could hear a pin drop.

Only heavy breathing could be heard, and an atmosphere of grief and indignation permeated the air.

Just then, the screen abruptly changed.

The background music suddenly became high-pitched and passionate, full of power.

The same perspective, the same arrival of a prodigy.

But this time, it was the Kunmo clan's prodigy who crashed onto the battlefield with boundless power.

The cheers of the Kunmo tribe seemed to echo in my ears.

However, the next moment, the figure clad in dark silver armor appeared as if a god had descended upon the world.

He teleported through space and kicked a powerful enemy to the ground.

The spear, gleaming with a cold light, shattered limbs and broken armor.

Finally, the image of Tarorank's chest being pierced and lifted high, mirroring his earlier brutal killing of the Astronautical Army officers, filled the entire screen.

Lin Yi's cold, judgmental voice rang out clearly:

"The feeling of being pierced and lifted up."

"how?"

Immediately following this was the final scene: the body of the Kunmo clan's prodigy exploded and turned into dust.

In the final shot of the promotional video, the screen is split in two by a chilling beam of light.

On the left, the image has a cold and somber tone.

A figure covered in dark gold armor used its signature serrated forelimbs to pierce the chest of an Astronaut officer, lifting him into the air. The officer's body twitched slightly, and blood dripped down the menacing serrations.

On the right, the image has a vibrant, fiery color tone.

Lin Yi stood tall and imposing, his dark silver armor gleaming with a cold light. He held the Rift Spear in one hand, and on the tip of the spear, the Blade Prince Talorank was similarly pierced and lifted up, his dark red bone armor shattered, his limbs powerless, and his scarlet pupils filled with fear and despair.

Two scenes, the same action, an extreme contrast.

Finally, the enormous subtitles, seemingly cast in steel, rose to their most exhilarating climax accompanied by music, before freezing in time.

Blood debts must be repaid with blood!
Every sacrifice will be remembered!

Lin Yi, the pride of our clan, offered the blood of the enemy as a sacrifice to the heroic souls!
".!"

Inside the restaurant, every face, whether that of a seasoned veteran or a new recruit about to step onto the battlefield for the first time, seemed to have an invisible force gripping their throat.

Their eyes were fixed on the screen, deep within their pupils.

All the gloom that had accumulated due to the unfavorable battle situation and the uncertain future, and all the frustration of witnessing the brutal killing of comrades but being powerless to change it, were now completely ignited, turning into flames that were almost bursting forth.

An old soldier with a scar on his chin, his jaw muscles taut.

His hands, resting on his lap, made a slight "crackling" sound as he clenched his fists, and the veins on the back of his hands were bulging.

The young private beside him was breathing heavily and rapidly, his chest heaving violently, as if he had just gone through an extreme run. The previous confusion was gone from his eyes, leaving only a fierce look of someone about to risk everything.

The air seemed to have turned into viscous explosives, needing only a spark.

"Hold!"

Someone, from the depths of their throat, squeezed out a short, violent word, like a stone thrown into a stagnant pool.

The intensely suppressed silence was instantly shattered.

"Fuck you!"

"Kill! Just kill them all!!"

"eye for eye!"

The soldiers suddenly stood up and pounded their fists on the table, the alloy tabletop emitting a dull, continuous thud, like the beating of war drums.

Their eyes were red, the veins in their temples throbbed, and they roared their most fervent battle cries at the now-darkened screen and at the unseen enemy.

The officer maintaining order stood in the corner and did not stop it.

He simply watched the group of soldiers, who resembled awakened lions, his tightly pursed lips twitching slightly—a complex expression that mixed pain and pleasure.

The promotional video has ended.

The boiling roar echoed and surged through the restaurant, as if it would lift the roof off the cabin.

This roar coalesced into an invisible torrent, carrying the entire warship as it resolutely sailed towards that crimson star field.

It's not just the HMS Steadfast.

At the same time, throughout the K-77 star system frontline, countless Star Force outposts, warships, and fortresses were playing this propaganda video titled "Every sacrifice will not be forgotten."
-
Three weeks passed quickly.

Lin Yi slowly opened his eyes in his private quiet room. A glint of light flashed in his eyes, then disappeared into a deep gaze.

He has already begun to digest and consolidate the lessons learned from the battle against Tarorank.

After his brief period of seclusion, he habitually connected to the virtual network to prepare for handling the backlog of tasks.

However, as soon as the personal communication interface popped up, the densely flashing information notification dots almost blinded him.

The number of unread messages had reached a staggering three digits, densely packed together, far exceeding the usual number.

Lin Yi was slightly taken aback, a hint of doubt rising in his heart.

He immediately activated the information filtering system, sorting messages according to the importance of the sender's identity.

First, there are the senior brothers and sisters from our sect.

The senior brother's message was as concise as ever, consisting of only four words: "Well done."

The third senior sister's message carried her characteristic teasing tone: "Hey, junior brother, that last move was pretty cool!"

My second senior sister's message was equally brief and powerful: "Well done!"

The others also sent messages that were different in style but all conveyed affirmation and care.

After reading this, Lin Yi's doubts deepened.

The sect is well-informed and it's not surprising that they knew he had killed Talorank, after all, Senior Brother Cangming was the supervisor. But this reaction seems to be more than just about a successful hunt.

He continued to look down.

Huiyao's message: "Brother Lin, I admire you! My grandfather asked me today if I knew Lin Yi, and I told him he's my good brother."

Qingfeng's communicator: "That was so satisfying! It makes me want to come to the front lines. Do you guys need any more people?"

Not only them, but also Kenx, Mo Yuan, and even Ling He and others.

Almost all the human geniuses in the training camp, whether they were acquainted or had only met once, sent messages.

The core content revolves around "slaying the prodigies" and...
"Promotional video".

Lin Yi seemed to have grasped the key point.

He immediately called out, "Xuanji."

A phantom figure in palace attire quietly appeared, bowing slightly: "Master, you have emerged from seclusion."

"Ah."

Lin Yi pointed to the screen full of unread messages and asked directly, "Xuanji, what has happened during this time? Especially this, the promotional video."

Upon hearing this, Xuanji raised her head, a proud smile spreading across her face.

"Simply put, Master, you've become famous."

(End of this chapter)