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

Chapter 363 Misfortunes Never Come Slower (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Lanhe's heart was pounding in his throat.

He never imagined he would have the privilege of witnessing this scene firsthand.

Lin Yi, the undisputed number one prodigy of the contemporary Pan-Spirit Alliance, a master of the Star-level Time Laws, and a legendary leader who led the current generation of prodigies to escape from dire straits in countless secret realms, was standing less than a kilometer away from him.

That wasn't an image on a virtual network; it was a real, living person.

Lanhe's gaze followed the deep blue figure intently.

Lin Yi's attire was simple, a well-tailored dark blue casual suit with no exaggerated decorations, but the calmness and profundity that emanated from within him were like invisible ripples, making all the perceptive geniuses feel a tightness in their hearts.

Especially on his brow, there seemed to be a very faint silver line that was faintly visible. Was that a mark left after the perfection of the law of time?
Lan He noticed that when Lin Yi's gaze calmly swept across the main hall, many figures in the Star-level group almost subconsciously made the same movement.

He bowed slightly.

It wasn't as formal as a bow; it was more like an instinctive respect for the strong and the legendary.

Lan He recognized many of those who bowed; they were all young talents who were quite famous on the virtual internet.

At this moment, their movements were surprisingly synchronized and coordinated.

Even Edith...

Lanhe sighed inwardly.

The current number one prodigy of the Spirit Clan at the Star-level, and the publicly announced direct successor of a Venerable-level family, also lowered her proud head slightly at this moment.

In an instant, the entire Star Swirl-level region seemed to be swept by an invisible wave, rippling with respect.

The star-domain level geniuses also remained standing, their gazes falling on Lin Yi with varying degrees of calmness, curiosity, or inquiry.

Although no one bowed, perhaps due to the dignity and pride of the Star Domain level, they did not salute a Star Vortex level person. However, the fact that they all remained standing and watching was enough to say a lot.

At this moment, Lanhe noticed that Lin Yi had moved.

He strode forward, walking unhurriedly towards the center of the hall. His steps were steady, each one seemingly following a certain rhythm, causing the surrounding air to vibrate slightly.

"Lord Lin Yi!"

"Brother Lin Yi, it's been a long time!"

Along the way, many Star-level geniuses took the initiative to greet them.

Lin Yi's face didn't show any exaggerated expression. He simply nodded slightly, his gaze meeting the greetings of each person. Occasionally, he would give a brief reply like "Hmm" or "Hello everyone," his voice calm yet carrying a peculiar sense of power.

He traveled through the area and eventually arrived at a relatively central location in the Star Swirl region, where there was a round crystal table carved from some kind of warm white jade, and several people were already sitting around it.

Edith, Qingye, Huiyao, and two other geniuses from the Spirit Clan and Crystal Spirit Clan whom Lanhe was unfamiliar with.

Lin Yi naturally sat down in the empty seat next to the table, and someone immediately handed him a crystal-clear drink.

He chatted quietly with the others at the table, looking relaxed, and occasionally a faint smile appeared on his face, as if it were just a casual chat between old friends.

And now, those star-level geniuses who had been standing and watching have finally made their next move.

They sat down one after another, resuming their previous postures.

Lan He observed intently and found that the vast majority of the star-domain level prodigies only showed thoughtfulness and pure curiosity, without any dissatisfaction or hostility.

In fact, seven or eight of them, after sitting down, deliberately raised their cups towards the round table where Lin Yi was, making a gesture of greeting.

Lin Yi seemed to sense it as well, and looked up to return the toast. His movements were natural and smooth, without the slightest hesitation.

The anticipated friction or undercurrents caused by "differences in understanding" and "unequal etiquette" did not occur.

After Lin Yi took his seat and chatted with acquaintances, the atmosphere in the main hall gradually returned to a somewhat noisy state, but the invisible atmosphere centered on him had already quietly formed.

It was only then that Lanhe felt he could breathe smoothly again.

He had been holding his breath, afraid of missing any details.

"Just now... really," he murmured, his palms slightly sweaty.

"Shocking, isn't it?" The Star Spirit Clan prodigy sitting next to him murmured. This companion, with pale silver skin and eyes adorned like stars, also had a lingering look of astonishment on his face. "Although Lord Lin Yi is the undisputed number one prodigy of the Pan-Spirit Alliance and has mastered the Law of Time, his cultivation level is only at the Star Vortex level. And those Star Domain level prodigies, each of them has completely mastered a Law. To be honest, my heart was in my throat when they stood up just now. Could there be a conflict?"

The worries of the Prodigy of the Star Spirit Clan were exactly the same concerns that Lan He had vaguely had before.

A Star Domain level cultivator can master a law, and it's obvious they have an air of arrogance. But now, being overshadowed by a Star Vortex level junior and then standing up to greet him without even knowing why, it's hard to guarantee that no one will harbor resentment.

Just then, the spirit girl who had been sitting quietly beside her, with a gentle and serene demeanor, suddenly spoke up. Her voice was soft, yet very firm: "No, it won't happen."

Lanhe and the Star Spirit Clan prodigy looked at her at the same time.

At this moment, Lin Yi had already sat down to talk, and the Star Domain level geniuses also took their seats to pay their respects. The peaceful scene perfectly confirmed the words of the Spirit Clan girl.

Lan He breathed a sigh of relief, his curiosity immediately piqued, and he quickly lowered his voice to ask, "What do you mean?"

The spirit girl picked up the Dew of Tranquility in front of her, took a small sip, and said slowly, "My family has some information channels. Lord Lin Yi is not simply someone who has mastered the Law of Time at the Star Core level."

She paused, seemingly organizing her thoughts, "According to my elders, Lord Lin Yi's comprehension of spatial laws is also extremely high. Although the exact figure is unknown, based on some rumors, it is at least 70%, or even higher."

"That's not all."

The Spirit Race girl glanced at Lin Yi, who was sitting calmly in the distance. "He possesses the fearless war god mechanical divine body personally bestowed by the Spirit Race's Qingyan Overlord, combined with his level of understanding of the laws." She gently put down her cup. "Based on comprehensive assessment, Lord Lin Yi is now almost equivalent to a 'powerful' god."

A powerful deity!
Lanhe felt his worldview cracking.

"Moreover," the Spirit Race girl added at the end, her tone tinged with emotion, "Lord Lin Yi's talent is universally acknowledged as a potential Venerable Lord. Venerable Lord, in the absence of an absolute conflict of interest, who would offend such a terrifying being destined to rise and possibly stand at the top of the universe over such trivial matters as whether to bow or stand up? Those Star Domain-level geniuses aren't fools; they understand this perfectly well."

The Star Spirit Clan prodigy nodded repeatedly, "So that's how it is. Strength, potential, backing, and that fearless war god—no wonder, no wonder."

At this moment, the more agile spirit girl suddenly chuckled and replied, "However, on the other hand..."

Her gaze swept over the star-domain level prodigies who had returned to normal, chatting or sitting quietly. "Lin Yi's potential and status are matters of the future. His current actual realm is still at the Star-Vortex level. If he really encounters an opportunity that he has to fight for in the Sacred Tree Secret Realm, such as a high-level Sacred Source Fruit or a core comprehension position, I estimate that those star-domain level prodigies will not hold back because of his potential. When it's time to fight, they will not hesitate."

Her words were like a bucket of cold water, clearing Lanhe's feverish mind somewhat.

Yes, respect is one thing, and fear is another, but when it comes to the core interests that truly concern their own path to enlightenment, which of these star-domain-level prodigies who have fought their way out of countless competitors isn't as determined as iron and decisive in their methods?

They have also fully mastered a law, and their level is even higher, so how could they easily back down?
Lan He subconsciously looked at the round table where Lin Yi was.

Lin Yi was listening to Edith say something, his profile calm, occasionally nodding.

He seemed completely oblivious to the potential competitive pressure from the star-level geniuses around him.

That composure, backed by absolute strength and brilliant achievements, is something that Lanhe admires.

"You all think," Lanhe couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "how long will Lord Lin Yi spend comprehending the Sacred Tree Secret Realm this time? The Spirit Clan's notification said it's adjusted according to his level of comprehension of the laws. He's already perfected the Law of Time, and his spatial level is so high."

The first spirit girl to speak shook her head: "The exact duration is confidential. But according to past practice, those who, like Princess Edith, have a comprehension level of over 70% in the laws of time have been granted fifteen days of comprehension. Lord Lin Yi..." She paused, "I heard it will be at least forty days or more."

"At least forty days?" Lanhe and the Star Spirit Clan prodigy exclaimed in unison.

The qualification to study the Sacred Tree Secret Realm for three days is a reward that countless geniuses dream of.

Forty days?
This was completely beyond their imagination.

"Forty days." Lanhe imagined the scene, feeling both shocked and proud.

After all, Lin Yi represents the entire human race!
His gaze fell on Lin Yi again, and the image of his idol became even more towering and clear in his mind, while also bringing a heavy sense of pressure.

His performance at the Star Core level was worlds apart from that of his idol.

I've already been incredibly lucky to get into this place, so I have to seize every opportunity.

After the initial tremors, the atmosphere inside the main hall gradually broke into smaller circles of communication.

The conversations among the Star Swirl-level members mostly revolved around Lin Yi, who had just arrived, while the Star Domain-level area was much calmer, though the occasional glances cast toward the central round table still carried a thoughtful and deliberate quality.

Lanhe withdrew his gaze, took a deep breath, and forced himself to calm down.

He picked up the cup of Qingxin Dew and drank it all in one gulp.

The cool liquid slid into my stomach, bringing a sense of clarity.

The qualification to study the Sacred Tree Secret Realm for three days is perhaps the greatest opportunity of his life.

He glanced at his companion beside him.

Excitement and longing gleamed in the eyes of the Star Spirit prodigy, while the two Spirit Clan girls exuded a calmness and knowledge befitting an ancient family.

Being able to sit here, in the same hall as these elites from all over the Pan-Spirit Alliance, and even witness the brilliance of legendary figures, is already a rare experience in itself.

Lanhe clenched his fist.

Three days, he only has three days.

We must go all out.
-
On the other side...

Lin Yi was unaware that a young human was silently striving to emulate him.

He sat down next to Edith, the crystal chair beneath him warm and comfortable to the touch. Drinks were already laid out on the table, emitting a faint fragrance that was calming to the soul.

"Your Excellency Lin Yi."

"Brother Lin Yi."

Qingye, Liuyun, Huiyao, Valerie, and others at the same table greeted him one after another. Their expressions showed respect, but more than anything, they were close friends who had gone through life and death together and fought their way out of desperate situations.

"I hope everyone is well." Lin Yi raised his glass in acknowledgment, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "It seems that you have all reaped considerable rewards over the years."

He could sense that the auras of the people at the table were much more solid than when they had just come out of the secret realm, and they were obviously making the most of their time to digest what they had gained and consolidate their realm.

Especially Edith, although she was very well restrained, Lin Yi could sense that the rhythm of the time law on her was more harmonious, and she was obviously one step closer to perfection.

"Thanks to you," Qingye said meaningfully, "but once we came out, the battlefield situation changed rapidly, far less simple than in the secret realm."

“Yes,” Huiyao replied. His demeanor was now more reserved, but there was a hint of sharpness honed by the battlefield between his brows. “When I first came out, I heard that the battle was fierce, and I was thinking of showing my skills. But I was assigned to carry out several defensive missions by the clan, which was very frustrating. Fortunately, the Sacred Tree Secret Realm opened this time, so I can finally get some fresh air in a different place and improve my strength in the process.”

He grinned, revealing his snow-white teeth, the meaning of which was self-evident.

In the secret realm, strength speaks for itself, and opportunities must be seized by oneself.

Valerie gently swirled the crystal-clear liquid in her glass, her delicate face thoughtful: "This time, the opening of the secret realm is unprecedented in scale and the personnel are diverse. In addition to us, there are also powerful individuals who squeezed in based on their battle merits and their own understanding of the laws. I have heard that among the Star Domain level alone, there are several ruthless characters who have fought on the front lines for thousands of years and have extremely rich practical experience."

Liu Yun nodded and added, "Moreover, the distribution of Sacred Source Fruits is not uniform. High-quality fruits are often protected by powerful tree spirits, making the competition fierce."

Lin Yi listened quietly without interrupting.

He had anticipated these situations. The tacit understanding among the members of Xingyuan Society was to avoid internal strife and backstabbing, but when it came to face-to-face competition, no one would easily give up because of past friendships.

This is the norm for cultivators, and it's an unspoken rule among these top geniuses.

"Each person should compete fairly based on their own abilities," Lin Yi said calmly, setting the tone for the discussion.

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded slightly, and the atmosphere became even more relaxed and natural.

Some things are better said than kept hidden.

After exchanging a few words about the current situation of their respective clans and preparations for the Sacred Tree Secret Realm, Edith turned her emerald eyes to Lin Yi, her tone becoming slightly more serious: "Lord Lin Yi, there is some news that I think might interest you."

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow and put down his cup: "What?"

Edith's fingertips unconsciously traced the rim of her glass as she slowly said, "It's some information I overheard from a discussion among my family elders. It hasn't been made public or confirmed yet, but I think the possibility is quite high." She paused slightly, and seeing Lin Yi staring intently at her, she continued, "Our Spirit Clan's higher-ups may be considering an adjustment soon. It concerns the troop allocation for war support among the various races within the Pan-Spirit Alliance."

Lin Yi's eyes narrowed slightly: "Adjustment?"

“Hmm.” Edith nodded. “Rumor has it that the higher-ups are planning to withdraw a certain percentage of the Eldar support forces stationed on the various races’ fronts and then concentrate them on several more strategically valuable and contested locations to launch a counterattack.”

Lin Yi fell into deep thought upon hearing this.

According to the nearly five thousand years of battle data he had reviewed, in the early stages of the war, in order to stabilize the overall defense line of the Pan-Spirit Alliance, the Spirit Race did indeed disperse a large number of elites to support various races, especially powerful races such as the Holy Radiance Race, the Crystal Spirit Race, and the Human Race, which received special attention and largely relied on the support of the Spirit Race's high-end combat power to withstand the fierce attacks of the Eclipse Race and the Abyss Race.

This blood transfusion model stabilized the situation, but it also greatly restricted the Eldar's own mobile forces, causing the Eldar to be somewhat stretched thin in the struggle for some core resource points, and allowing their opponents to gain a lot of advantages.

It now seems that the Eldar are not satisfied with the current situation.

"Is there any information about the recycling ratio?" Lin Yi asked.

Edith frowned slightly: "The specific ratio is undetermined, but it may be based on the total amount of war merits that each race has acquired within the Pan-Spirit Alliance system since the outbreak of the war as an important evaluation indicator."

She looked up at Lin Yi, her emerald eyes holding an unreadable meaning: "Some high-ranking officials believe that in the early stages of the war, in order to help allies stabilize their positions, the Spirit Race sacrificed too many of its own strategic interests, giving up or delaying the acquisition of many important resource points. Now that the front lines have been initially stabilized, it is time to regain the initiative and launch a focused counterattack."

"The standard for assessing whether each race is worth continuing to support is to see how many victories they have achieved after receiving support, and how much merit they have contributed to the Pan-Elf Alliance as a whole. Because, it is said that some high-ranking officials have bluntly stated that some races almost collapsed at the first sign of the war, shifting the majority of the defensive pressure and casualties onto the supporting Eldar legions, while failing to produce any decent results themselves. For such allies, the Eldar does not need to continue to act as babysitters; their limited forces should be used where they can create more value."

Lin Yi's heart sank.

If this rumor is true, and the "total amount of war merits of each race" is indeed used as an important basis for reducing support, then for the human race, it is simply a case of misfortune never coming singly!

Because the human race lost the Eternal Ruler, their supreme warrior, at the very beginning of the war!
This not only represents a lack of top-tier deterrence, but also signifies a significant reduction in the human race's voice in strategic competition and resource allocation at the highest level.

Following this, in order to deal with the chain reaction caused by the Overlord's serious injury, the human race was also tied up with powerful figures like the Time Lord and the Time God. Furthermore, the resurrection order of the fallen god-level beings was very late, and the loss of combat power could not be effectively replenished.

In contrast, the Holy Radiance Clan, the Crystal Spirit Clan, and the Mechanical Clan may also have been under immense pressure, but at least their top combat forces are relatively intact, making it easier for them to achieve high combat merits in local counterattacks and mobile warfare.

With this shift in power, the ranking of the human race in terms of total battle merits within the Pan-Spirit Alliance is probably not optimistic among powerful races, and may even be at the bottom!
Because the other two powerful clans whose rulers fell did not have any Venerable Lords who were additionally tied down.

And if the Eldar use this as a reason to withdraw a large amount of aid
Lin Yi instantly deduced several possibilities in his mind: some already strained defense lines would collapse due to the loss of support from the high-end combat power of the Spirit Race; the Human Race would be forced to further shrink its defense lines, abandoning a large amount of territory and resource stars; battle casualties would increase, and the resurrection queue would become longer; the ability to acquire resources would decline, and the overall strength of the race would enter a vicious cycle.
This is by no means alarmist.

Space warfare is incredibly brutal, resources are limited, and the support of allies is not unlimited.

When allies believe that your "value" is not commensurate with their investment, reducing or even withdrawing support becomes an inevitable choice.

The Spirit Race has already fulfilled its obligations as the leader of the alliance by holding on until now. Now, it wants to adjust its strategy and concentrate its efforts on major tasks. This is in the best interests of the Spirit Race and is beyond reproach.

But for the human race, which is already going through a difficult time, this is nothing short of an impending storm.

Lin Yi's mind raced, and he instantly completed an analysis of the pros and cons and a deduction of the situation. An invisible pressure descended upon him.

But he showed no sign of it on his face; his eyelids simply drooped slightly for a moment before returning to normal.

"I see." Lin Yi nodded slightly, his tone calm and even. "The higher-ups have their own considerations. Concentrating resources and focusing on key breakthroughs is indeed the way of the world. Thank you for informing me of this, Edith."

He did not ask for details, nor did he show any anxiety or dissatisfaction.

At his level, he clearly understands that strategic adjustments at this level cannot be changed by personal will or temporary intelligence.

Edith was already taking a risk by leaking the information in advance, which shows her great trust and goodwill.

He remembered this favor.

Edith gave Lin Yi a deep look, and seeing his composure, she secretly admired him.

While her disclosure of this information was certainly related to personal connections and the Star Source Association, wasn't it also a form of investment?
Although she didn't know why the human race's total war achievements were second to last among the powerful races, she believed that with Lin Yi's intelligence and potential, he would definitely be able to grasp the key and respond accordingly.

If the time comes for the Spirit Race to adjust its support in the future, Lin Yi, who is well-prepared and destined to become a major figure in the human race and even the Pan-Spirit Alliance, may have a different attitude.

Of course, that's a long way off; for now, we're just planting a seed.

"It's good that you know what's going on." Edith picked up her glass and gently touched the cup Lin Yi had put down, making a crisp sound. "I hope it's just the wind."

The conversation ended there, and the two understood each other without saying a word.

The atmosphere at the table shifted subtly for a moment, but was quickly overshadowed by other topics.

Aoba mentioned some interesting battle examples from the front lines, Huiyao complained about the constant shortage of a certain scarce resource in the exchange system, while Valerie and Liuyun whispered about the pros and cons of a new battle formation.

Lin Yi occasionally chimed in, but most of the time he just listened, his mind constantly processing the news Edith brought.

This news disrupted some of his original plans after the trip to the secret realm.

Originally, I planned to use the secret realm to improve my skills and then take on some high-yield missions to quickly accumulate battle merits and resources, but now it seems that I may need to be more aggressive.

After all, improving one's strength is the fundamental way to cope with any change.

As his thoughts wandered, the people at the table began exchanging rumors they had heard from other sources about how different ethnic groups had performed in the war.

As Edith said, some races performed poorly and were only carried by the Eldar; others secretly accumulated strength and launched several impressive counterattacks in certain areas; still others seemed to have internal divisions and their fighting spirit was unstable.
These fragmented pieces of information, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, gave Lin Yi a more vague yet more realistic understanding of the current situation within the Pan-Spirit Alliance, especially among non-peak races.

The sense of crisis did not diminish as I sat in the safe hall; on the contrary, it became even clearer.

Time slipped away quietly during the conversation.

About two standard hours later, a faint humming sound that directly affects the soul suddenly rang out in the hall.

The commotion quickly subsided, and all the prodigies, whether at the Star Swirl level or the Star Domain level, stopped talking and turned their gazes to the high platform at the very front of the hall.

Before anyone knew it, a figure had silently appeared there.

Although this figure did not have a grand presence or astonishing pressure, simply standing there made it seem as if it had become the center of space and the source of the laws.

Lord-level!
The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even the proud Star Domain level geniuses had restrained all their casualness, their expressions solemn, their eyes filled with deep awe.

The venerable one, dressed in a silver-white robe, with a gentle face and hair like flowing moonlight, took a small step forward.

His gaze swept calmly over the group of geniuses below. Although he did not deliberately exert pressure, everyone felt that he could see right through them.

"Distinguished members of the Pan-Spirit Alliance."

The Venerable One spoke, his voice not loud, but clear enough to reach everyone's ears, "I am Yuehua of the Spirit Clan. The opening of the Supreme Sacred Tree Secret Realm this time will be jointly presided over by me and four other Venerable Ones."

He paused briefly, giving everyone time to process the information, before continuing, "You were able to gain entry to the Sacred Tree Secret Realm, either through talent or through battle merits, but you are all the future hope of our Pan-Spirit Alliance. Within the secret realm, opportunities and risks coexist, and there are some things that need to be explained here."

"First, the Sacred Tree Secret Realm is the highest sacred ground of our Spirit Clan, containing countless treasures, the most precious of which is the Sacred Source Fruit. It can help you strengthen your foundation, enhance your source energy, and comprehend the laws of life. However, the Sacred Source Fruit is condensed from the essence of the Sacred Tree, and its quantity is limited and unevenly distributed. Moreover, it is guarded by the tree spirit. You must seek out and strive for this opportunity yourselves."

His words were straightforward and clear: there were benefits involved, but they had to be seized.

"Secondly," Lord Moonflower's tone was slightly solemn, "within the secret realm, fighting is not forbidden. For opportunities, for treasures, for a better position for comprehension, you may use any means necessary. My Spirit Clan only guarantees one thing: anyone who possesses the Sacred Tree Seal will have the seal automatically activated the moment they encounter a fatal crisis, teleporting them out of the secret realm and ensuring their safety."

These words caused a slight commotion below.

Fighting is not an option, but survival is!

This means that people can fight freely in the secret realm, which will undoubtedly greatly increase the intensity of the competition.

But at the same time, it also set a bottom line for everyone.

At least we won't actually die inside.

This is probably one of the reasons why the Spirit Clan dares to let so many geniuses from different levels and backgrounds in.

"Pay attention," Lord Moonflower emphasized, "Once the mark is activated, it will be considered as abandoning this trip to the secret realm. You will be immediately teleported back to the main hall and will not be able to enter again. Therefore, you need to weigh the pros and cons of the struggle and how to protect yourselves in the competition."

One cannot act recklessly without thinking, nor can one be overly timid; each person needs to find this balance for themselves.

"Third, the length of time you stay in the secret realm will depend on your individual circumstances, ranging from three days to as long as Lin Yi did, up to sixty days."

Lord Moonflower's gaze lingered on Lin Yi for a moment, drawing countless eyes back to him.

"When the time comes, no matter where you are in the secret realm or what you are doing, the Holy Tree Mark will automatically activate and teleport you back."

Sixty days!
Although there had been rumors that Lin Yi had been in the secret realm for a long time, the fact that the Venerable Lord himself confirmed it still caused a low gasp of surprise.

Many of the star-domain-level prodigies looked at Lin Yi with even more complicated expressions.

The longest-serving among them had only been in office for thirty days.

"The rules are clear." Lord Yuehua said no more, raising his right hand with his palm facing upward.

A strange light rose from his palm, then swirled and turned in the air, transforming into a hazy cloud of light.

"Congeal!"

Lord Moonflower gave a soft shout.

The light cloud suddenly contracted, transforming into thousands of tiny streams of light that precisely targeted each of the geniuses below.

Lin Yi felt a slight coolness between his brows, and a warm and vibrant mark silently merged into his brow, forming an extremely complex light green tree-shaped mark.

He quickly sensed it; the mark was solid, closely integrated with his soul yet not a burden. The triggering mechanism was indeed as the Lord had said, only activating at the moment of impending destruction.

Trying to take advantage of this mark, such as deliberately provoking a minor crisis to test the waters, will not work.

All the prodigies received the mark. Some curiously explored it with their divine sense, while others remained solemn and silently sensed it.

“The mark has been issued.” Lord Moonflower withdrew his hand. “In three standard hours, right here, we will join forces to open the entrance to the secret realm. You may use this time to make your final adjustments and preparations, or to have a final exchange with your companions. Remember, everything you gain within the secret realm belongs to you personally, but after leaving the secret realm, you must abide by the laws of the Pan-Spirit Alliance and must not incite vicious feuds between races. Violators will be severely punished.”

After speaking, the figure of Lord Moonflower rippled like water before disappearing without a sound, as if he had never existed.

With the departure of the Venerable One, the solemn atmosphere in the main hall eased slightly, but an even more fervent sense of anticipation began to spread.

The secret realm will open soon when the three standard times are reached!
Many prodigies immediately sat cross-legged, closed their eyes, and regulated their breathing, striving to enter in the best possible state.

Some people seized the last moments to whisper with familiar friends or clansmen, exchange information, and agree on possible meeting places or ways to help each other.

Although the information suggests that your location inside will be random, having a plan in advance is always better than nothing.

The atmosphere at the round table where Lin Yi was also became serious.

"Everyone," Lin Yi began, "We are randomly teleported within the secret realm, so we may not be able to reunite immediately. As usual, prioritize self-preservation and explore the surrounding area. If you encounter other members, you can decide whether to join forces depending on the situation. Also, try not to knock others out of the secret realm; just drive them away. As for us, if we encounter any major opportunities, we will rely on our own abilities. But remember, we all come from countless secret realms."

"understand!"

"That's exactly right!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The tacit understanding and trust among the members of the Star Origin Society were built during the bloody battles in the secret realm, making them much stronger than ordinary alliances.

Avoiding internal friction is the first principle, but fair competition is acceptable to everyone as long as it does not violate the principle.

As for kicking others out of the secret realm, those qualified to enter are all geniuses, and no one would be foolish enough to offend someone for no reason. Given a choice, they would definitely leave someone a way out.

After a brief exchange about their potential areas of expertise, the group fell silent, closing their eyes to regulate their breathing and bring themselves to peak condition.

Lin Yi slowly closed his eyes, but his consciousness did not fully sink into cultivation.

The news brought by Edith weighed heavily on his heart like a boulder.

The Eldar might reduce their support, putting humanity in a precarious situation. This fueled his desire for power and resources to a new level.

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(End of this chapter)