If I let you practice martial arts, you'll compress your vital energy ten thousand times?

Star Source Pool.

It is located 300 feet underground in Longyuan Academy.

Strictly speaking, it is not an ordinary cultivation pool.

Instead, it is a complete energy settling system built upon the star gate cracks of Longyuan City.

To enter the Star Source Pool area from the ground, one needs to pass through three access gates.

The first step is to verify the student's identity.

The second step is to verify resource eligibility.

The third gate was guarded personally by instructors from the Resource Institute.

When Lin Yuan walked to the third door with the silver-white qualification token in his hand, the two instructors from the Resource Institute looked at him with complicated expressions.

Qi and Blood Realm, Level 1.

Old school uniform.

Students recommended for admission from the seventh district.

Yet this same person, just now in front of the entire rating plaza, managed to render Shen Xiuhe's three punches ineffective, ultimately forcing him to kneel on one knee.

Although everyone attributed the cause to the Blood-Faced Ancient Cultivator's protective seal.

But the image was too glaring.

At least for now, no one dares to treat Lin Yuan as an ordinary border region student who can be manipulated at will.

An instructor received the qualification certificate, confirmed its accuracy, and then said calmly:

"One-day access to the Star Source Pool".

"It can only absorb star energy from the periphery."

"Do not touch the patterns on the bottom of the pool."

"Entering the core subsidence zone is prohibited."

"Do not interfere with the star source channel."

As he said this, he looked up and glanced at Lin Yuan.

The tone became a bit stronger.

"This is a core resource of Longyuan Academy, not a small training room in the Seventh District."

"Did you hear me clearly?"

Lin Yuan looked at him.

"I heard you clearly."

The instructor frowned.

For some reason, he always felt that Lin Yuan's "Listen carefully" didn't seem like a sign of respect for the rules.

It's more like they simply heard it.

Another instructor waved.

"Open the door."

Rumbling--

The heavy, silver-white metal doors slowly opened to both sides.

A pure, almost viscous aura of primal energy instantly surged out from behind the door.

If we say that the energy source inside the Lungmen Tower is like a granary full of energy.

At this moment, the Star Source Pool behind the door is like a living river.

flow.

settlement.

Swallowing and spitting.

Each wisp of source energy carried the unique coldness and heaviness of the stargate rift.

Lin Yuan raised his eyes.

The system prompt appeared silently.

[High-level stargate energy detected]

[Activation requirements for the Ultimate Star Furnace have increased]

[Can perform physical compression of qi and blood]

[Current number of Qi and Blood Physical Compression Counts: 550000]

Lin Yuan stepped inside.

The silver-white gate behind him slowly closed.

……

The interior of the Star Source Pool is larger than it appears from the outside.

This place is like an underground palace that has been hollowed out.

The dome is extremely high.

The top is inlaid with rings of star gate array patterns, which continuously guide the source energy from the cracks in the sky, filtering it layer by layer before it sinks into the pool below.

The pool water is silvery-white.

It is not transparent.

The surface moves automatically even without wind, slowly rippling in circles.

With each ripple that spreads out, tiny specks of starlight shimmer on the water's surface.

The surrounding stone walls are covered with densely packed dragon patterns.

Lin Yuan stood by the pool, feeling the fluctuations of the source energy.

Very pure.

It's also very dangerous.

This energy is more than one level higher than the source energy in the Dragon Gate Tower in District Seven.

If an ordinary Qi and Blood Realm martial artist were to absorb this without proper guidance, their meridians would likely be burst in an instant.

No wonder Longyuan Academy restricts entry qualifications.

For ordinary students, this place is an opportunity.

But it's also a knife.

Lin Yuan reached out and his fingertips touched a wisp of starlight emanating from the surface of the pool.

hum-

As soon as Xingyuan got close, he was swallowed up by the extreme qi and blood in his body.

The system notification indicates that the beeping has started.

[Removing impurities from the stargate energy source]

[Physical compression of Qi and blood is underway]

[Current number of Qi and Blood Physical Compression Counts: 552000]

Lin Yuan's eyes flickered slightly.

This effect can be achieved simply by overflowing star energy.

If it's the core area...

He looked up and gazed into the depths of the Star Source Pool.

The silvery-white tide is strongest there.

It is also the deepest point where the Star Source Pool connects to the Star Gate Crack of Dragon Abyss City.

However, Lin Yuan did not go over immediately.

This Star Source Pool is connected to the Dragon Abyss City's defensive system.

If it were to swallow the entire structure like the Lungmen Tower, the impact would be too great.

It might even affect the Star Gate Formation of Longyuan City.

Now is not the time.

Lin Yuan sat down cross-legged on the outer edge.

Strands of starlight were drawn into his body.

Unhappy.

But it is extremely stable.

The system notification keeps refreshing.

[Current number of Qi and Blood Physical Compression Counts: 560000]

[Current number of Qi and Blood Physical Compression Counts: 568000]

[Current number of Qi and Blood Physical Compression Counts: 575000]

After reaching 575,000 times, the rate of increase slowed down significantly.

Lin Yuan slowly opened his eyes.

"not enough."

Although the energy source outside the Star Source Pool is pure.

But to break the 600,000 mark, we still need an even stronger Star Source Tide.

or.

Higher quality stuff.

Just then.

From the deepest part of the Star Origin Pool, a very faint strange sound came.

It was like a door that had been asleep for a long time, being gently knocked on from the inside.

thump.

Lin Yuan raised his eyes.

In the depths of the silvery pool, a wisp of dark blue light flashed and disappeared.

……

Outside the Star Source Pool.

Waiting area.

Lin Xiaoya sat on the bench, holding her small schoolbag in both hands.

She glanced at the entrance to the Star Source Pool every now and then.

Although I know my brother will be fine inside, this is, after all, Longyuan City.

Everything around her was completely unfamiliar to her.

A towering energy gate.

The faculty members of the Resource Institute come and go.

Cold, silvery-white light.

And then there were those who looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze.

Su Qinghan sat next to her.

"don’t worry."

"Your brother will be fine."

Lin Xiaoya nodded.

"I know."

"But the people here don't seem to like us very much."

Su Qinghan remained silent for a moment.

She did not say "no".

Because that's too untrue.

The people of Longyuan City really didn't like Lin Yuan and his sister.

It's not because of hatred.

It was because they genuinely felt that people from the border region shouldn't take away central government resources.

This kind of disdain is more difficult to deal with than direct hostility.

Just then, Song Li and Ji Qinghe walked over from the other side.

Their courtyard was still undergoing safety inspections, so they were temporarily placed in the waiting area outside Xingyuan Pool.

Song Li wanted to say something, but when she thought of the scene on the resource arena where Lin Yuan made Shen Xiuhe kneel on one knee, she opened her mouth, then closed it again.

Finally, she couldn't help but ask in a low voice:

"Lin Xiaoya".

Lin Xiaoya looked up.

"Um?"

Song Li hesitated for a moment.

"Is your brother... really Senior Bloodthirsty's disciple?"

Lin Xiaoya shook her head.

"I have no idea."

Song Li was stunned.

"you do not know?"

"Didn't your brother tell you?"

Lin Xiaoya said earnestly:

"If my brother won't tell you, you can't ask him."

Song Li was speechless for a moment.

In her circle, siblings wouldn't act like that.

Ask about parents, family, mentors, and resources.

But when Lin Xiaoya said this, there was not a trace of grievance on her face.

I wasn't afraid.

It's more like a very natural trust.

I do not know.

But I believe him.

Ji Qinghe stood aside, quietly watching Lin Xiaoya.

She suddenly realized that this girl from District Seven was not quite the same as she had imagined.

She is indeed frail.

I was genuinely nervous.

But she wasn't empty.

She has a very strong sense of trust.

That trust came from Lin Yuan.

Just as the group was talking.

A cold voice rang out from ahead.

"Lin Xiaoya".

Su Qinghan looked up, her eyes instantly turning cold.

Qin Yue, accompanied by two resource institute recorders, was walking from the end of the passage.

His elder's robe was spotless, and the silver Resource Institute badge on his chest gleamed coldly under the light.

Lin Xiaoya instinctively shrank closer to Su Qinghan.

Qin Yue stopped a few steps away.

His gaze fell on Lin Xiaoya.

That look didn't seem like it was directed at a little girl.

It's more like looking at a research document that hasn't been opened yet.

"Lin Xiaoya's test results have been submitted to the Elders' Council for review."

"She is not suitable to leave the protected area of ​​Longyuan Academy before the review results are released."

Su Qinghan stood up.

"Scope of protection?"

"Is it still within the research institute's monitoring scope?"

Qin Yue looked at her indifferently.

"Miss Su, Longyuan City is not the Seventh Safe Zone."

"There are rules here."

Su Qinghan sneered.

"Is the rule simply to send a child to a research institute?"

Qin Yue said:

"If her health condition involves Stargate security, then it's not just a problem with one child."

"She enjoys the protection of Longyuan Academy, so naturally she must also undergo necessary observation."

"This is being responsible to her, and also to Longyuan City."

That's a beautifully said statement.

She was so beautiful that even Song Li felt a little uncomfortable.

Lin Xiaoya lowered her head, her fingers gripping the strap of her schoolbag tightly.

She did not refute it.

Because she knew she couldn't win an argument with these people.

Qin Yue glanced at her reaction and continued:

"Of course, this is just a preliminary arrangement."

"I will personally inform Lin Yuan when he comes out of the Star Origin Pool."

Su Qinghan stood in front of Lin Xiaoya.

"Then let's wait until Lin Yuan comes out before we talk about it."

Qin Yue frowned.

"Ms. Su, you have no right to obstruct the recommendations of the Resource Institute's Executive Elders."

Su Qinghan's hand was already on the hilt of the sword.

"You can give it a try."

The atmosphere instantly turned cold.

Right at this moment.

boom--

The gate to the Star Origin Pool behind them suddenly shook violently.

The silver lights in the entire waiting area flashed simultaneously.

On the wall, energy array patterns lit up, only to be instantly corrupted by a ghostly blue light.

The guard's expression changed drastically.

"Star Source Pool is contaminated!"

"Seal the pool!"

The piercing alarm instantly resounded throughout the underground palace.

Rumbling--

The three silver-white protective gates surrounding the Star Source Pool fell down simultaneously.

But before the protective door could be completely closed, a cloud of dark blue mist suddenly surged out from the depths of the pool.

Faintly visible patterns on the door were emerging from the mist.

Qin Yue's expression changed slightly.

Then, as if he had immediately grasped something, he suddenly looked at Lin Xiaoya behind Su Qinghan.

"Did you see that?"

"As soon as Lin Yuan entered the Star Source Pool, the Star Source Pool became polluted."

"Whether the blood-red protective mark on his body will trigger a reaction from the Black Gate must be investigated."

"Lin Xiaoya must also be quarantined immediately!"

Su Qinghan's eyes turned cold.

"Qin Yue!"

Qin Yue's voice was even colder:

"This is for the safety of Longyuan City."

"This is not the time for you to talk about personal feelings!"

Lin Xiaoya's face turned pale.

She could sense it.

That door has appeared again.

It's not the black door from my dream.

It's not like the kind of real-world rifts that hang over the civilian district of District Seven.

This time, it was hidden deep within the silvery-white star source.

It's like there's a third door sandwiched between the Star Gate and the Black Gate.

It is watching her.

They are calling her.

Lin Xiaoya instinctively gripped the strap of her schoolbag.

She really wanted to call him "brother".

But she knew that her brother was in the Star Source Pool.

She shouldn't cause trouble.

So she simply whispered:

"Sister Su."

Su Qinghan immediately grasped her hand.

"Don't be afraid."

"I am here."

Song Li stood to the side, her face also turning pale.

She had just thought Lin Xiaoya was just a girl from a border region who was being given special protection.

But now, as those dark blue patterns appeared on the door, she realized it for the first time.

What Lin Xiaoya was facing was not the trivial matters they usually discussed, such as jealousy, resource comparisons, and family backgrounds.

It's something that can really kill you.

Ji Qinghe stared at the entrance to the Star Source Pool.

She felt that the moment that dark blue aura appeared, the red lotus pattern on Lin Xiaoya's wrist lit up again.

It's very light.

But it seemed like he was protecting her.

The resource institute recorder behind Qin Yue had already begun activating the isolation rune array.

Su Qinghan drew her sword.

"Let's see who dares!"

Qin Yue's eyes turned completely cold.

"Su Qinghan, are you going to defy the Elders' Council?"

Su Qinghan drew his sword half an inch from its sheath.

"You do not represent the Elders."

Just when the two sides were about to completely break off relations.

Deep within the Star Source Pool.

The dark blue door, hidden beneath the silvery-white primordial tide, finally opened a crack.

A muffled whisper came from behind the door.

"Those who are pure in their ways."

"The gates of Longyuan City."

"I've finally seen you."

Lin Xiaoya's face turned pale instantly.

She heard it.

This time, it wasn't in a dream.

But in reality.

At the same time.

Inside the Star Source Pool.

Lin Yuan slowly raised his head.

Deep within the silvery-white pool, a wisp of pale blue light from the doorway was gradually spreading.

His eyes were slightly cold.

"really."

"The food was brought to me by itself."