Taking the Initiative

Lin Yi withdrew his finger, the blue light at his fingertip slowly dissipating.

The Banquet Hall was deathly silent, everyone's gaze fixed intently on the desktop that had been reduced to powder, as if they were witnessing something that defied their understanding of reality.

Chen Yu's mouth hung slightly open, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed, though he couldn't manage to make a sound.

Zhou Yuxuan's glasses had slid down to the tip of his nose, but he was completely oblivious, staring fixedly at Lin Yi's finger.

"This..."

Zhou Jianjun instinctively took half a step back; his hand, which had weathered many storms and was accustomed to gripping weapons, was trembling slightly.

But Lin Yi did not stop his demonstration.

"Source Energy doesn't just transform attack capabilities; it also improves physical fitness."

He added this, as if he felt the shock factor wasn't enough yet.

Immediately, he took a deep breath and suddenly lunged toward the wall on the other side of the Banquet Hall.

The crowd only felt a blur before their eyes, and the figure in black armor had already appeared five meters away, moving so fast he almost left an afterimage.

Following that, he leaped violently, jumping over five meters high. He first hooked onto the crystal chandelier on the ceiling with one hand, suspending his entire body in mid-air, then suddenly let go, landing lightly amidst the gasps of the crowd.

That wasn't all. After landing, Lin Yi grabbed a sturdy wooden chair nearby. As he applied a little force with his five fingers, the back of the chair let out an unbearable "creak," and he had forcibly pinched five finger marks into it!

"My god..."

The broken chair leg in Li Jie's hand clattered to the floor, and Zhao Xiaowen, standing beside him, grabbed his arm involuntarily, her nails almost digging into his flesh.

Meanwhile, Ye Qingyu's eyes suddenly turned red.

She wasn't afraid; rather, an indescribable emotion surged in her heart.

She suddenly felt that the figure in her memory, who was always quietly doing homework, was now standing on an entirely different dimension.

"This is just the beginning."

Lin Yi's voice pulled everyone back to reality. "I have only just entered the threshold... no, I haven't even reached the threshold; I should be considered unranked."

He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over the older relatives present before finally settling on Zhou Jianjun.

"According to the knowledge in the Source Energy Guidance Technique, I've done some calculations. If one can absorb about 20 Source Energy Crystals, they can complete the initial Source Energy transformation of the body and become 'Stardust level'. Not only can one truly enter the world of Source Energy and gain greater power, but one can also... extend their lifespan!"

The last four words hit the hearts of the elders like a heavy hammer.

Lin Ruiming and Zhou Jianjun widened their eyes simultaneously, while the pen in Uncle Lin Ruiheng's hand dropped to the floor with a "clatter."

Extending lifespan...

To the young, this might just be a vague concept, but to middle-aged people who had been worn down by the passage of time, it held a fatal attraction.

"Xiao Yi, you just said..." Lin Ruiheng's voice was tight, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the cuff of his suit, "It can extend lifespan? Is that for real... no, Uncle isn't doubting you, it's just... how much can it extend?"

Lin Yi intentionally put on a thoughtful expression. "The Guidance Technique doesn't specify, but it does mention that the base lifespan of a Stardust level individual is at least twice that of an ordinary person."

This statement immediately caused a stir.

Several middle-aged people exchanged shocked glances.

Zhou Jianjun, being a straightforward man, walked quickly to Lin Yi and pressed his rough hand heavily on his shoulder, asking the question everyone wanted to know: "Good lad! Can you teach this skill of yours to others?"

Lin Yi wasn't surprised at all to hear this question; in fact, it would have been surprising if no one had asked.

He nodded. "Theoretically, anyone can do it. You don't even need the Guidance Technique, as long as you have Source Energy Crystals. However, the content of the Guidance Technique is too extensive, and we don't have the conditions to record it right now. It would be more convenient to find the crystals that contain the recorded technique."

In the corner, the Female Office Worker who had been silent all this time suddenly looked up, speaking with hesitation: "Um... if one is a bit older..."

"Age is not an issue," Lin Yi said affirmatively. "The Guidance Technique mentions that Source Energy prioritizes repairing damage within the body. Theoretically, older people might even feel the improvements more intuitively."

This answer caused the atmosphere in the Banquet Hall to shift.

The fear that had originally shrouded everyone seemed to be diluted, replaced by a subtle sense of anticipation.

Lin Yi noticed that even Su Xiao, who had been huddled in the corner, had looked up, a glimmer of light flashing in her red, swollen eyes.

He couldn't help but nod inwardly.

The reason he performed in such a showy manner was mainly to divert everyone's attention away from their grief and terror.

The best way to forget pain is to immerse oneself in something else.

And becoming stronger or extending one's life held immense appeal for both the old and the young.

Lin Yi looked around, noting the longing in everyone's eyes. He thought for a moment and added, "But I must give a warning: everyone's talent is different, and the speed of entry will vary."

Because he knew that after seeing him enter the threshold in three hours, everyone would surely underestimate how difficult it was to learn the Source Energy Guidance Technique. If their hopes were too high, the disappointment would be even greater, which was why he had to give them a heads-up.

However, judging by their expressions, it was clear they didn't take his warning to heart.

He shook his head inwardly, decided not to dwell on it, and got straight to the point.

"So, what we need to do now..." Lin Yi scanned the room, paused for a moment, and then raised his voice, "is to collect more crystals."

He pointed out the window. "Those monsters are terrifying, but every time we kill one, not only do we reduce the threat to our safety, but we might also obtain treasures."

"Kill monsters to get loot!" Chen Yu suddenly slapped his thigh. "Haha, I told you, it feels just like playing a game!"

Hearing Chen Yu say this, the young people, who were already incredibly envious of the move Lin Yi had just pulled off, now wore expressions of eagerness to try it themselves.

"No!"

Lin Yi's expression darkened.

Redefining the Doomsday Assessment as a game might greatly alleviate everyone's psychological pressure, but that was not what he wanted.

"A Yu, you must remember, this is not a game... you can get hurt... you can die." He scanned the group sternly. "If you die... there is no respawning. Therefore, I intend to handle the monsters downstairs alone to see if I can acquire more Guidance Technique crystals and help everyone get started with Source Energy first."

As soon as his voice fell, a chorus of objections filled with guilt and unease erupted from the crowd.

"That won't do!"

Lin Ruiming was the first to speak, his tone urgent and laced with worry. "You're going alone? That's too dangerous!"

"That's right, Little Yi!" Lin Ruiheng followed closely, his brows furrowed. "You've only just learned a few tricks, and there are so many monsters downstairs; if we all go together, we can look out for each other!"

Zhou Jianjun shook his head repeatedly, his tone full of disapproval. "No, no, how can we let you take such a risk alone!"

"Exactly! Brother Yi, take me with you, I'll go with you!" Chen Yu shouted, excitedly waving the makeshift club he had just crafted.

"Count me in too!" Zhou Yuxuan, usually a man of few words, also stepped forward.

Although the others didn't speak, their gazes were fixed on Lin Yi, clearly conveying the sentiment that they couldn't let him face the danger alone.