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

Chapter 379 Ambitions Before Entering the First Secret Realm

Under the cover of night, hundreds of brightly lit giant floating platforms above Dongfeng Military Academy resembled suspended star islands, illuminating this resting place of heroes as if it were daytime.

On the main platform, long tables are laid out in a crisscross pattern, laden with delicacies.

The aroma of wine mingled with the scent of food, drifting in the night breeze and creating a striking contrast with the solemn forest of steles below.

Nobody thought there was anything wrong with it.

Because those heroic souls who once slept in the Forest of Steles are now sitting beside them, raising their glasses in celebration and laughing heartily.

"Come on, Vice Principal, no, Lao Nie, this drink must be finished!" Chen Yu stood up with his glass in hand. "I've reviewed our entire experience carefully, especially the last moment, which I've watched over and over again."

Nie Chang sat opposite him, picked up his wine glass upon hearing this, and a helpless smile appeared on his face: "You kid, why did you watch it so many times?"

"Of course I miss it!" Chen Yu tilted his head back and downed the wine, wiped his mouth and grinned, "The destruction of our 83227 fortress was spectacular! In the footage, the entire jump point area was cleared out by our self-destruct energy wave! Not even a piece of meteorite debris was left."

He slammed his hand on the table and laughed even louder: "Hahaha! I didn't expect my death to be so tragic! It was worth it, really worth it."

The veterans at the surrounding tables laughed along, and someone jeered, "Deputy Regiment Commander Chen, your way of dying is certainly something else! Back in the day, our regiment was ambushing in the 'Shattered Star Belt,' and the entire bridge was hit by three energy cannons at the same time. We were blown to smithereens along with the ship, and there wasn't even a single intact body left in the records!"

“That’s nothing!” A burly man with a full beard stood up at another table, his voice booming. “When our Yongyuan-class supercapital ship was under siege and about to fall, it directly detonated the source energy reactor. Records show that the explosion energy was equivalent to the collapse of three stars.”

"Our team was on a covert mission back then, and we were surrounded in the 'Dark Eclipse Nebula'."

"When I was repairing a warship on 'Thunder Star'..."

"Our transport fleet was ambushed, and I rammed my transport ship, fully loaded with high-explosive supplies, into the enemy fleet."

Suddenly, the platform was filled with all sorts of people boasting about how they died.

There was no sadness, no pain, only an almost absurd sense of grandeur.

These warriors, returning from thousands of years ago, are confirming each other's existence in this way, confirming that missing but real history.

They used the virtual network to access records, learn about the honors they were posthumously awarded, and understand the impact of that battle on the overall war effort.

Then, they use these as topics of conversation and say them out loud at the dinner table.

Liu Yuan sat next to Lin Yi, and as he listened to these voices, his eyes reddened again.

He whispered to Lin Yi, "Commander, look at these bastards, they're still bragging even in death."

Lin Yi smiled, picked up his wine glass, and took a sip.

Li Zhenguo sat on the other side of Lin Yi. The chief administrator of the Silver Blue Civilization had finally shed all his burdens and wore a rare relaxed smile.

He listened to the endless stream of boastful deaths around him, a complex expression on his face, which finally turned into a long sigh.

"It's finally over." Li Zhenguo raised his glass, his voice trembling slightly. "Five thousand years of war, it's finally over."

The words were spoken softly, yet they silenced the surrounding tables for a moment.

Everyone looked at the highest-ranking official who had toiled for civilization for thousands of years and was now showing signs of aging.

Yes, the war is over.

The reason these dead people can sit here drinking and bragging is because the war is over, isn't it?

Lin Yi paused slightly in the hand holding the wine glass.

He was about to correct him that the war had not truly ended, but had only been paused for a hundred epochs.

According to the agreement signed by the three dominant races, war will reignite one hundred epochs later.

But he swallowed the words back down his throat.

He looked around.

The first batch of soldiers who sacrificed their lives lived nearly five thousand years ago.

Li Zhenguo and Zhou Donglai, these high-ranking officials of the civilized world, personally experienced the entire war process. They were exhausted and had to sacrifice their lives to survive until now. They yearn for peace more than anyone else.

Those soldiers who sacrificed their lives later and were just resurrected, although their memories were still stuck before they went to war, had already learned through the virtual network that the war had been suspended.

The 100th century.
Although it's just a pause, for ordinary people, this pause feels almost eternal.

The lifespan of a star core is 10,000 years, that of a star vortex is 100,000 years, and the theoretical upper limit of the lifespan of an ordinary star field is about ten epochs, or about one million years.

The Silver Blue Civilization, starting from the Blue Star era, has only existed for a little over 10,000 years, which is approximately 0.1 eras.

The war restarts thirteen million years later?
For the vast majority of people present, that was indeed "the end".

They will never experience that war again in their limited lives.

Thinking of this, Lin Yi's expression softened.

He raised his glass and lightly clinked it against Li Zhenguo's. "Indeed. The war is over."

The crisp sound of the collision was particularly clear in the night breeze.

Li Zhenguo nodded heavily and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

The surrounding veterans also raised their glasses, and cheers once again echoed through the night sky.

"The war is over!"

"cheers!"

"For peace!"

Lin Yi tilted his head back and drank the cold liquor, which slid down his throat.

He could sense that as soon as he uttered those words, the atmosphere of the entire banquet hall subtly changed, and the returning soldiers truly integrated into this "peace."

They began to proactively inquire about interesting stories from the past few thousand years from veterans like Liu Yuan and Elizabeth who had returned alive, asked high-ranking officials like Li Zhenguo about the development of civilization, and consulted with younger officers about the latest tactics and equipment.

The Yue family, numbering in the hundreds, gathered at one of the largest platforms, creating a lively scene.

The youngest, Yue Chengzhi, was surrounded by a group of "ancestors" who asked him all sorts of questions, and his face turned red with embarrassment.

Li Yue and the two Eldar elders sat beside Irelia, listening to her recount everything that had happened during this time, sometimes surprised, sometimes moved.

When Li Yue heard that Lin Yi had fought his way out of countless secret realms and was rampaging across the battlefield, her gaze toward Lin Yi became even more complicated.

Initially, the Hina family pinned their last hope for survival on a wisp of "tiger's might" from the eternal deity.

But now, in just five thousand years, Lin Yi has already become an eternal god whom she needs to look up to.

The banquet lasted until late at night.

When the last round of toasts ended, many soldiers were already drunk and fell into a deep sleep, leaning on their comrades' shoulders.

They were exhausted.

Whether it's those warriors who have just been resurrected and whose spirits are still tense, or those veterans who have returned alive and are burdened with five thousand years of heavy memories, or even high-ranking members of civilization like Li Zhenguo who have exhausted their life essence.

Lin Yi did not use his power to dispel their drunkenness.

Go to sleep.

Get a good night's sleep.

He meditated in his heart.

For the next fifteen days, Lin Yi did not rush to leave Silver Blue Star.

He attended several smaller "family banquets," including those at his own home, his uncle's home, Nie Chang's home, Chen Yu's home, Liu Yuan's home, and Yue's home. Each time, he dressed simply and casually, suppressing all his imposing manner, and sat at the table eating and chatting like an ordinary friend.

Nie Chang's wife had long since passed away, but his grandchildren were all Star Core level powerhouses. When they saw that this legendary commander had actually come to their home for dinner, they were so excited that they didn't know what to do.

Lin Yi smiled and chatted with them about cultivation and life, and even gave them some pointers on how to comprehend the rules.

The Yue family's banquet was the largest ever, with over a hundred tables set up. There were more than three hundred men who had been resurrected from the direct lineage, plus female relatives, making the scene comparable to a wedding banquet.

Lin Yi was pulled to sit at the main table by Madam Yue Qinglan, and listened to the old woman, who had experienced four thousand years of separation and waiting, calmly recount the stories of the Yue family generation after generation.

“My father was the first to leave. I was still young then, and I only remember that before he left, he patted my head and said, ‘Qinglan, take good care of your mother.’”

"Later it was my husband. When he left, our son was only three years old."

"Then came sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons."

The old man spoke calmly, without crying, but his eyes remained fixed on the Yue family men at the table, dressed in military uniforms from different eras, who were enthusiastically drinking together.

"Now it's all good," she said with a smile, "they're all back."

Lin Yi nodded silently, picked up his teacup, and offered a toast to the old man.

Besides these family banquets, the most important thing Lin Yi did was to provide treatment for Li Zhenguo, Zhou Donglai, and other senior executives of Yinlan.

The core managers of these civilizations were under extreme pressure for a long time during the war, and their mental and physical strength was severely depleted. They even forcibly burned their life essence to maintain high-intensity work.

Although their cultivation has reached the Star Core level and their theoretical lifespan is still thousands of years, if they continue like this, they will only last a few hundred more years before their lifespan is exhausted.

On this day, Lin Yi summoned Li Zhenguo, Zhou Donglai, and several other core high-ranking officials to a quiet room at Dongfeng Military Academy.

"Everyone, relax," Lin Yi said. "Don't resist."

The group looked at each other, unsure of what Lin Yi was planning, but knowing he wouldn't harm them, they sat down cross-legged and closed their eyes as instructed.

Lin Yi raised his hand, and a soft, pale green halo appeared in his palm, enveloping the group.

Li Zhenguo felt a warm power permeate his limbs and bones, reaching deep into his very being.

It was an indescribable feeling of comfort, like land that had been parched for thousands of years finally receiving sweet rain, and every cell was cheering with joy.

His long-strained mind relaxed involuntarily under the soothing power of this force, and the fatigue accumulated deep in his soul melted away like ice and snow.

The others shared similar feelings.

The treatment didn't take long; soon, Lin Yi withdrew his hand, and the pale green halo in the quiet room slowly dissipated.

Li Zhenguo and the others opened their eyes one after another.

Their appearance didn't immediately become younger; the loss of their life essence needed time to slowly make up for it. However, the weariness in everyone's eyes had dissipated, their complexion had improved significantly, and even their breathing had become longer and stronger.

The most obvious change is in his eyes. The lingering heaviness and sense of vicissitude that had been there before have lessened considerably, replaced by a long-lost clarity and vitality.

"Thank you, Commander!" Li Zhenguo was the first to stand up and bow solemnly.

"Thank you, Commander!" The others also bowed, their eyes filled with gratitude.

Lin Yi waved his hand: "This is what you deserve. You will need to rest and recuperate properly for the next period of time. Xuanji will formulate a detailed recovery and cultivation plan and supervise its implementation."

"Huh?" Li Zhenguo was taken aback.

Just then, the illusory figure of a woman in palace attire appeared in the quiet room, bowing gracefully: "Chief Li, everyone. The master has authorized me to take over the follow-up health management of you. Based on the recovery of your life essence, I have formulated a hundred-year recuperation plan, including all aspects such as rest, diet, and cultivation. The plan has been sent to your personal terminals."

The group looked at each other, then laughed.

With Xuanji supervising, there's no way to slack off.

"Furthermore," Lin Yi's tone shifted, his expression becoming more serious, "after I leave Silverblue Star this time, I don't know when I'll be back. To avoid a repeat of the situation when I was trapped in the secret realm, I've decided to establish a 'Civilization Development Guarantee Fund'."

He looked at Li Zhenguo: "I sold a lot of resources at the Derivation Realm and Star Domain levels this time. This fund will be managed entirely by Xuanji. The fund has only one goal: to ensure that the Silver Blue Civilization has sufficient resources to maintain normal operation and continue to develop in key areas, whether I am here or not."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhenguo and the others were taken aback at first, and then their eyes revealed excitement.

They all experienced the difficult five thousand years since Lin Yi disappeared.

Although Irelia and the remnants of the East Peak Mercenary Group fought with all their might, many long-term plans still had to be put on hold.

"Xuanji," Lin Yi instructed Xuanji, "you will have full authority to oversee and operate this fund. The principle is to ensure the emergency resource allocation and basic operation of the civilization in the event of a sudden major crisis. In addition, it will provide additional funding support for groundbreaking scientific research projects and genius cultivation programs within the civilization."

"All operational records and fund flows of the fund must be completely transparent and subject to dual supervision by you and the Civilization Supervision Committee."

“Yes, Master.” Xuanji’s palace-clad phantom bowed slightly. “The ‘Civilization Continuation and Emergency Development Guarantee Fund’ has been established, and the regulatory agreement and operating charter have been generated simultaneously. I will ensure its healthy operation and provide long-term protection for the Silver Blue Civilization.”

Having done all this, Lin Yi felt a little relieved.

With this fund and Xuanji's in-depth management, even if he encounters a similar situation of being trapped in a secret realm again in the future, the Silver Blue Civilization will have enough confidence and resources to maintain its operation and will not fall into a helpless predicament.

Fifteen days later.

Above the East Peak Military Academy on Silver Blue Star, a dense crowd of people came to see them off.

Nie Chang, Chen Yu, Liu Yuan, Elizabeth, Zhou Yuxuan, and Andrei—all the veterans of Dongfeng—came.

Li Zhenguo, Zhou Donglai and other high-ranking officials were all present, along with the resurrected soldiers and countless civilians who rushed to the scene upon hearing the news.

Lin Yi, along with his Fearless clone and Irelia, stood at the forefront.

"Let's stop here," Lin Yi said with a smile, looking at everyone. "It's not like I'm not coming back."

Nie Chang stepped forward and saluted: "Commander, take care."

"Take care, Lao Nie." Lin Yi patted his shoulder. "Dongfeng is still in your hands."

"Yes!"

After giving a few more instructions, Lin Yi didn't linger any longer.

He took one last look at those familiar faces, then raised his hand and tore open the space.

A flash of silver light, and the two disappeared.

Purple Star, top floor of the Executive Committee Building.

Mingluo stood in front of the huge viewing window, deep in thought.

Sensing the spatial fluctuations, he turned around, a smile spreading across his face: "Brother Lin Yi, you're back so soon? Why don't you stay home for a few more days?"

Lin Yi and Irelia emerged from the spatial ripples.

"Everything has been arranged," Lin Yi said. "Next, I plan to return to Origin Star to cultivate, and then come back after the selection process in the First Secret Realm officially begins."

Minglu laughed upon hearing this, "Brother Lin Yi, there's really no need for you to come back. No matter how strict the selection criteria are, how could they possibly filter you out? As for the Zijin Star Alliance's selection process, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on it."

Lin Yi smiled and said, "What if? Here's what we'll do: I'll go back to Origin Star first, and you can let me know when the selection process starts."

“Okay.” Mingluo readily agreed.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Lin Yi got up to say goodbye.

After leaving the Executive Committee building, Lin Yi, along with his clone and Irelia, headed directly to the ultra-distant stargate port on Zichen Star.

After all, Zichen Star is still too far from the Origin Star. If we rely solely on long-distance teleportation, it will consume too much divine power. Unless it is particularly urgent, using a god-level spaceship for long-distance travel is more cost-effective.
-
Origin Star, Manor.

The Shadow Shuttle landed on the landing pad, the hatch opened, and Lin Yi and Irelia stepped out.

The manor remains exactly as it was when they left it, with intelligent servants quietly going about their business, and exotic flowers and plants in the garden growing peacefully under the simulated lighting of the artificial canopy.

"Ellie." Lin Yi called out to Irelia, who was preparing to return to her residence to cultivate.

Irelia stopped and turned around, her icy blue eyes looking at him: "Captain?"

Lin Yi took out a crystal box from his storage space and handed it over.

"This is..." Irelia took the crystal box, somewhat puzzled.

"Open it and take a look," Lin Yi said with a smile.

Irelia opened the box as instructed.

An extremely rich life force instantly spread out, and inside the box lay a crystal that was entirely emerald green, with what appeared to be liquid flowing inside.

The crystal surface naturally exudes the meaning of the laws of life; just one glance is enough to make one feel refreshed and as if one has become a few years younger.

"Sacred Origin Crystal?"

Irelia immediately recognized the famous treasure and was startled.

She suddenly looked up at Lin Yi, "I can't accept this. You also cultivate the Law of Life, and you need it more than I do."

Lin Yi laughed upon hearing this, "Is it possible that I no longer need it? Keep it, and use it to break through the laws of life in one go when you try to do so in the future?"

"No longer needed?"

Irelia paused for a moment, then, as if realizing something, quickly said, "Could it be that your life law has already..."

Lin Yi winked at her and said, "Yes."

Upon hearing Lin Yi's words, Irelia immediately smiled and said, "Congratulations, Captain."

She wasn't too surprised that Lin Yi had mastered the laws of life so quickly; in her mind, it wasn't anything particularly surprising that it happened to Lin Yi.

However, after looking at the Sacred Crystal in the box, Irelia declined.

"But this is too precious, I can't accept it. You can sell it, leader, and exchange it for the resources you need for your cultivation."

She knew all too well the value of the Sacred Source Crystal. It was a top-tier strategic resource within the Spirit Race, coveted by countless Star Domain-level powerhouses.

"Just accept it as I tell you to." Lin Yi interrupted her directly. "If it were any other resource, I would sell it as I see fit, and I can always buy more when I need it. But this Sacred Source Crystal is different."

"First of all, it is one of the few treasures that can be used to comprehend the laws at the rule stage, which is of great benefit to the breakthrough of the laws to perfection."

"Secondly, this thing is too sought after. Even if you want to buy it after you sell it, you may not be able to."

Finally, Lin Yi slowly said, "Besides, with my current strength, the value of a Saint Origin Crystal won't increase much. Besides, you promised me something, so don't forget."

Irelia was stunned.

Looking into Lin Yi's deep and earnest eyes, and then down at the Sacred Source Crystal in her hand that radiated a powerful aura of life law, she finally gave up and held the jade box tightly in her hand, nodding emphatically, "I understand."

Lin Yi immediately laughed, "Go on, cultivate diligently."

Irelia nodded again, turned and left, her steps more determined than usual.

After watching Irelia leave, Lin Yi returned to his training room.

With a slight thought, he summoned Xuanji.

"Xuanji, help me connect to the Human Race Special Genius Cultivation Directory System."

"Command confirmed, connecting. Connection successful."

An invisible access control interface unfolded in Lin Yi's mind.

"Open my personal status page and find the 'Progress in Mastering the Laws' submission and reward claim module."

"Already transferred out."

Lin Yi focused his attention on the "Laws of Life" section.

[Mastery of the Laws of Life: 100% (Complete Mastery)]

[Status: Not submitted for review, reward not claimed]

"Xuanji, submit an application for 'Complete Mastery of the Laws of Life' using my own soul fluctuations and law imprints as proof, and simultaneously apply to receive the list points and resource rewards for this stage," Lin Yi instructed.

Although he had just acted very extravagantly in front of Irelia, seemingly not caring much about the Holy Source Crystal, Lin Yi knew his own situation.

Although he has some resources at hand, he is still quite poor considering the cultivation of the Law of Death, the purchase of treasures to upgrade the Eternal Armor, and the investment in secret combat techniques.

The rewards one can receive from the list of those who fully master a high-level law are quite substantial.

"Application submitted for review. Approved!"

Xuanji said, "Master, the Directory System has confirmed that your Life Law has reached the standard of 100% complete mastery. The corresponding reward: 1000 million Directory Points, has been issued to your account."

Ten million directory points!

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Lin Yi's eyes.

This amount of points is enough for him to exchange for a lot of rare resources that he urgently needs.

Furthermore, according to Lord Xuan Yan, the clan will also provide an additional clan merit subsidy to the geniuses who enter the No. 1 Secret Realm.

Lin Yi pondered to himself, "I wonder how much that clan merit subsidy will be. If the amount is decent, maybe with these ten million roster points, I'll have a chance to fully master the Law of Death before entering the First Secret Realm!"

(End of this chapter)