Let it come looking; the disciples gather (56K)

The request was granted quickly after it was sent.

Lin Yi did not choose his somewhat private virtual living room, but instead set the meeting place in the "Silverblue Space," a domain he had specially applied to expand upon, based on his personal space and the Pan-Spirit Alliance's permissions, which he had spent a considerable amount of Star Crystal on.

This is not simply a simulation of the scenery of Blue Star, but a harmonious blend of the vastness of the starry sky and the delicate beauty of Blue Star.

Beneath my feet lies the clear, rippling sea, reflecting the countless stars in the sky. On the distant horizon, the outline of a blue planet appears and disappears amidst the nebula.

Cang Ming's figure quietly materialized. He was still wearing that black robe, and his gaze swept around with a hint of curiosity.

"Junior brother, the arrangement of this place is quite interesting."

Cang Ming commented with a slight smile.

Unlike the grandeur or austerity of typical virtual spaces, this place possesses a unique tranquility.

Lin Yi didn't rush to ask questions, but instead led Cang Ming towards an elegant pavilion that suddenly appeared in the middle of the sea.

The pavilion, constructed of verdant bamboo and warm jade, blends strangely harmoniously with the surrounding starry backdrop.

He raised his hand in a gesture, and a set of simple and elegant tea utensils naturally appeared on the stone table in the pavilion, with a pot of clear tea steaming in the air.

"Please have a seat, senior brother."

Lin Yi, with a respectful yet composed demeanor, personally poured Cang Ming a cup of tea. The clear tea rippled gently in the jade cup. "This is a specialty drink from my junior brother's hometown. Please try it, senior brother."

Cang Ming readily accepted the suggestion, picked up his teacup, and only took a small sip at the very end.

He closed his eyes slightly, savoring the slightly bitter taste melting on his tongue, followed by a sweet aftertaste that rose in his throat. After a moment, he opened his eyes and smiled, "Bitter at first, then sweet, with a lingering aftertaste, not bad."

Lin Yi understood that at his Cang Ming's level, he had seen countless rare treasures and fine wines in the universe. His hometown tea didn't have a particularly unique taste; its value lay only in the sentiment and sincerity of his hometown.

He didn't point it out, but simply smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it, Senior Brother."

After finishing his tea, Cang Ming put down the cup and looked at Lin Yi. "Junior Brother, you certainly have patience. So, what's the matter that you rushed me here for?"

Knowing that he had laid enough groundwork, Lin Yi stopped beating around the bush, straightened his expression, and briefly recounted the attack on the Crimson Blood Star base, the tragic deaths of Tavik and others, and the legion's initial assessment that the Kunmo Race prodigy was after him.

"Oh? You mean this?" Cang Ming wasn't surprised, as if he had expected it. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "What, you want revenge?"

Lin Yi met Cang Ming's gaze and frankly admitted, "I do have such thoughts. My comrades were slaughtered because of me, and this grudge cannot go unavenged. However, there is a saying in my hometown: 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.' Therefore, I would like to humbly request that you, Senior Brother, provide specific information about the Kunmo Race, such as their exact strength, abilities, and current whereabouts."

Upon hearing this, Cang Ming's eyes flashed with approval, and he smiled, "Planning before acting, not bad. I've seen many talented people who had smooth sailing all the way, but ended up turning from confidence into arrogance, looking down on everyone, and ultimately perishing in obscurity."

"Did you know that, according to the Pan-Spirit Alliance's incomplete statistics, less than 30% of those who ultimately ascend to the position of Eternal Divinity are the most celebrated geniuses in each year's Genius Battle? The rest, like your senior brother, are stuck in the Evolution Realm and can't make any progress, but many more perish early on for various reasons."

He paused, his tone tinged with caution. "The information you want to know, I can tell you. That Kunmo Race Kunmo Race one of the more active ' Blade Prince ' of this generation. It has already left Crimson Star, and even left the K-77 star system."

"It's gone?" Lin Yi frowned slightly, somewhat surprised. "Wasn't I its target? How could it leave so easily?"

"Since it didn't find you, it naturally won't linger on Crimson Star."

Cang Ming explained, "For a prodigy of this caliber, lingering in one place after being exposed makes them easy prey for their opponents, potentially leading to a trap. Its retaliatory destruction of the Command Center is both an act of revenge and a provocation against you, or rather, against Human Race. Once its objective is achieved, it will naturally move on. For example, if you stayed for more than five consecutive days after completing the Crimson Star mission, both the Border Legion and I would have reminded you to leave to avoid being targeted. Besides..."

Cang Ming looked at Lin Yi, his tone becoming more serious. "Even if it hadn't left, with your current strength, you would be no match for it."

Lin Yi's expression turned serious. "Please enlighten me, Senior Brother."

"Judging from the residual fluctuations of the rules it emitted, it has clearly mastered the fusion of the Dual Domain. Although it seems to be a beginner and not yet perfect, it has finally crossed that threshold," Cang Ming said slowly. "As for you, Junior Brother, judging from the methods you displayed on Crimson Star a few days ago, although your Gold Domain is perfected and your Life Rule are profound, you are still a bit short of fusion and taking that crucial step."

"The difference between the first and second levels of the Domain may seem like a small step, but it is actually a qualitative leap. If you were to confront it, your chances of winning would be extremely low."

Cang Ming earnestly advised, "Therefore, I must remind you, in the future, in the Tiered Battlefield, if you encounter an opponent who is clearly prepared to target you, and the situation is unclear while there is an opportunity to escape, try to escape first."

"Don't feel ashamed to leave without making a move. In the cosmic battlefield, survival is the key. Those arrogant individuals who think 'I'll test my strength,' 'How will I know if I don't fight,' or who are too proud to admit defeat, will most likely become stepping stones on their opponents' path to fame."

Lin Yi listened silently, knowing that Cang Ming's words were invaluable, the result of countless sacrifices and lessons learned.

He didn't let his competitive spirit get the better of him, saying things like "I'll break through soon." Instead, he took the advice to heart and said in a deep voice, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother. Lin Yi understands."

However, Lin Yi then added, "Senior brother, if I believe I can handle it someday, how can I find its trail?"

Cang Ming was not surprised that Lin Yi had not given up his desire for revenge. On the path of cultivation, some knots in one's heart must be untied by oneself.

He replied, "Finding its trail isn't too difficult. If it's still active within the Tiered Battlefield system, it'll be easy for the Star Realm Army's intelligence to detect it and pinpoint its approximate area if it strikes again. The difficulty lies in how you can quickly traverse potentially extremely distant star systems after receiving the information, and how to ensure it doesn't flee again upon hearing the news. Therefore, the conventional method is to camp out in its active area for an extended period. Or..."

He gave Lin Yi a meaningful look. "Find a way to make it come to you on its own."

"You took the initiative to seek me out?" Lin Yi's eyes flickered slightly.

"That's good. For example, do something that it can't ignore, making it or the Kunmo Race feel that it must send it to eliminate you. Or, appear in certain key situations where it is bound to appear."

Then, Cang Ming changed the subject, "But this method is extremely risky, like snatching chestnuts from a fire. You can't control who comes, nor can you guarantee that it will be just one. If it attracts an even more powerful character, or you fall into a carefully laid trap, then you're just courting death."

"It seeks me out. It can't ignore me."

Lin Yi repeated in a low voice, many thoughts already flashing through his mind.

He bowed to Cang Ming again. "Thank you for informing me, Senior Brother. Lin Yi understands now."

Cang Ming nodded, said no more, then gestured, his figure slowly fading away and disappearing into the Silverblue Space.

He has provided all the necessary reminders; the rest of the journey is up to this junior apprentice to walk.

After seeing Cang Ming, Lin Yi sat alone in the pavilion for a long time, then drank the now-cold tea in his cup in one gulp.

"Strength. Or is the strength still insufficient?"

Lin Yi muttered to himself, then his eyes regained their clarity and determination, and he once again immersed himself in the tedious yet fulfilling practice.

--

Time flies, and half a year passed quickly while I was engaged in arduous training and handling the affairs of the Mercenary Group.

On this day, Lin Yi, who was cultivating, was awakened by Xuanji's gentle voice.

"Principal, you have received a Virtual Network encrypted invitation from ' Ninth Senior Brother Cang Ming.' Note: Small gathering of the sect, please come immediately."

Lin Yi slowly opened his eyes, his gaze clear and bright, revealing a restrained brilliance.

He stood up, not rushing to connect, but first adjusting his mental state to its best before calmly giving the instructions:

"Xuanji, connect invitation."

The moment the command was issued, the surrounding scenery did not switch instantly as it would when accessing Virtual Network, but rather seemed to be gently wiped away by an invisible hand.

The scene in the training room dissipated like the receding tide, replaced by a strange sense of weightlessness and traversal, as if the soul was ascending along a passage constructed of pure intention and the power of rules towards some indescribable place.

There was no blinding light, nor deafening sound. When everything settled down, Lin Yi found himself in a wondrous scene beyond imagination.

He was standing above an endless void, his feet not on solid ground, but on a transparent base that seemed to be made of solidified Star Radiance.

Looking down, you can see a magnificent spiral galaxy slowly rotating below, as if you are viewing a living cosmic star map.

Above, there is a multi-layered, staggered spatial structure, where different nebulae and star clusters are born, die, and change, flowing with a dreamlike luster.

"Junior brother, over here."

Cang Ming's familiar voice rang out from the side.

Lin Yi turned his head and saw Cang Ming still wearing a black robe, smiling at him with a hint of "I knew you would be shocked".

"Ninth Senior Brother," Lin Yi said, regaining his composure and bowing.

"Let's go, our senior brothers and sisters should be arriving soon." Cang Ming called out and walked forward.

Lin Yi followed closely behind, and the Star Radiance base beneath their feet extended automatically with their steps, as if it were alive.

After walking a short distance, the scenery suddenly opened up before us.

A platform suspended against a backdrop of multiple starry skies appears before your eyes.

The platform has an ancient and grand style. The ground is made of an unknown material that is as smooth as jade and contains Starflare. There are no walls around it, only a few giant pillars carved with complex star trails and ancient runes, which define the boundaries of the area.

In the center of the platform are several square, floating stone platforms that resemble Star Shatter yet have been polished smooth. Soft halos surround the stone platforms, forming seats in themselves.

Further away, a stream formed entirely of liquid starlight flows gently, with occasional nimble light fish leaping out of the water, splashing specks of Star Radiance.

The air was filled with an indescribable fragrance, neither sandalwood nor cassia. Taking a breath of it made one feel refreshed and cleansed, as if the soul had been cleansed.

"How about it? This ' Star Banquet Platform ' was a temporary venue that I obtained at a considerable cost, through deep access to the Pan-Spirit Alliance's Virtual Network."

Cang Ming explained with a hint of pride, "Although it's virtual, the rules here are almost primordial. While they're of little use to us, they're extremely helpful for your level of understanding."

"A masterpiece of craftsmanship, truly breathtaking," Lin Yi exclaimed sincerely.

He could sense that every blade of grass, every tree, every ray of light, and every shadow here contained profound rules and truths.

"Haha, that's nothing. The real show will start when Senior Brother and Third Senior Sister arrive."

Before Cang Ming finished speaking, the space beside a giant pillar of stars at the edge of the platform rippled like water.

The next moment, a figure stepped out silently.

The newcomer wore a robe that seemed to be woven from countless shadows and fragments of starlight. He was not tall, and was even somewhat thin, but the moment he appeared, the entire "Star Banquet Platform" seemed to sink slightly.

It's not a physical heaviness, but a sense of "suppression" stemming from the rules themselves.

The surrounding starlight streams seemed to slow down for a moment, and the leaping light fish quietly darted back to the bottom of the water.

His face was ordinary, and his exact age was hard to discern. His eyes were deep and dark, like black holes that devoured everything, with occasional Starflare appearing and disappearing within them. As his gaze swept over Lin Yi, he felt as if everything about him had been seen through, and a sense of instinctive awe rose from the depths of his soul.

"Senior Brother." Cang Ming immediately dropped his joking tone and bowed respectfully.

Lin Yi's heart skipped a beat. Not daring to be negligent, he followed closely behind, bowing and saying, "Lin Yi greets Senior Brother."

The newcomer was none other than the sect's eldest disciple, the Eternal Divinity — Prison Suppressor!

The Prison Suppressor's gaze lingered on Lin Yi for a moment. That gaze was not oppressive, but rather carried a sense of ancient vicissitudes and majesty that seemed to see through eternity.

He nodded slightly, his voice calm yet seemingly resonating deep within the soul. "Hmm, a decent foundation, and a fairly steady temperament."

He said only this one sentence, then said no more, walked to the main star stone platform, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest.

He sat there, as if he had become the center and foundation of this world, and all things were at peace because of him.

Lin Yi felt a chill run down his spine.

He subconsciously compared his senior brother with the other Eternal Divinity avatars he had seen in the training camp. He had a feeling that his senior brother seemed even more unfathomable than those eternally existing avatars.

Shortly after Prison Suppressor arrived, on the other side of the platform, at the source of the starlight stream, space shattered like a mirror, then instantly reformed.

A slender figure appeared, accompanied by a clear, crisp laugh like the shattering of ice and jade.

"Oh my, Xiao Cang Ming found a good place, that's interesting. Maybe I should let you organize it next time."

As soon as the voice faded, the figure appeared clearly in front of everyone.

This is a woman of unparalleled beauty, a masterpiece of nature, whose every smile and frown could stir the Star Radiance.

She wore a flowing, ever-changing rainbow dress, the colors of which were indescribable, as if encompassing all the magnificent sunsets and dreamlike hues of the world.

Her temperament was ethereal and dreamlike; in the blink of an eye, it seemed as if countless worlds were being born and dying within them.

Third Senior Sister, Thousand Illusions! Another Eternal Divinity!

Thousand Illusions smiled and swept her gaze over the people present, her eyes lingering on Lin Yi for a moment longer.

When her gaze fell upon him, Lin Yi was momentarily dazed, as if he saw countless versions of himself and countless possibilities for the future flashing before his eyes. He quickly steadied himself and managed to shake off the strange influence.

"Oh, so this must be Junior Brother Lin Yi? He's good-looking, but he seems a bit dull."

Thousand Illusions moved with light, seemingly slow steps, yet she arrived in front of Lin Yi in a single stride, curiously scrutinizing him. "I heard you even lured out the Blade Prince on the border battlefield?"

Before Lin Yi could answer, Cang Ming interjected, "Third Senior Sister, your information network is still so impressive."

"That's natural."

Thousand Illusions proudly raised her pointed chin, then smiled at Lin Yi, "Don't be afraid, little guy. I have high hopes for you. Come visit my ' Thousand Illusions Heaven ' sometime, and I guarantee you'll see something ten thousand times more spectacular than this."

As he spoke, he winked mischievously.

Faced with the unconventional and lively Senior Sister Yongheng, Lin Yi could only remain respectful. "Thank you, Third Senior Sister."

Thousand Illusions chuckled and stopped teasing him. She gracefully sat down next to her senior brother Prison Suppressor.

But once she sat down, she acted completely unrefined, her fingers tracing the surrounding starlight, weaving various strange patterns of light and shadow, a stark contrast to the still and unmoving Prison Suppressor beside her.

Immediately afterwards, above the platform, a previously peaceful starry sky was suddenly torn open like a curtain, and a scorching, explosive aura surged out.

A figure resembling a humanoid star strode out from within, its body engulfed in an inextinguishable golden divine flame, scorching even the void itself, causing it to distort slightly.

"Haha, you're not too late, are you? Cang Ming, the starlight you chose is too cold here, not exciting enough."

The newcomer's voice was booming, making the platform vibrate.

He was tall and strong, with a rugged face and a head of red hair like burning flames. His eyes shone with golden light when they opened and closed. He was none other than the fourth senior brother, Lieyang.

Before the others had even fully landed, their burning gazes swept over Lin Yi. "This is the new junior brother? I heard he went straight to the border battlefield as soon as he joined the sect? Not bad. If you get the chance, your senior brother will teach you a few moves, I guarantee you'll have a good time!"

His aura was wild and unrestrained. Although he tried to restrain himself, the intense aura that seemed capable of burning the starry sea still made Lin Yi feel a faint stinging sensation on his skin.

"Fourth Senior Brother." Cang Ming seemed used to Lieyang's style and greeted him helplessly.

Lin Yi quickly bowed and said, "Lin Yi greets Fourth Senior Brother."

"Alright, alright!" Lieyang waved his hand, and a scorching wind swept by. "Don't be as reserved as your sixth and seventh senior brothers and sisters. In our sect, we settle things with our fists! Once you reach the Derivation Realm, no, even the Star Domain will do, then we can have a proper sparring session."

He emphasized the word "exchange of skills," his eyes filled with anticipation.

Lieyang sat down, the space beside him rippled out calmly like water, and a figure quietly appeared, as if he had always been there.

The newcomer wore a simple gray robe, had an ordinary face, a gentle demeanor, and deep, serene eyes that seemed to encompass all things.

The moment he appeared, the blazing heat emanating from the Lieyang seemed to be soothed by an invisible force, becoming much gentler.

"Fourth brother, calm down, don't scare our junior brother." The newcomer's voice was calm, carrying a reassuring quality.

"Sixth Senior Brother." Cang Ming and Lin Yi bowed simultaneously.

The visitor was none other than the sect's chief steward, the sixth senior brother, Xuanshu.

Xuanshu smiled and nodded to Lin Yi, his gaze gentle yet wise. "Junior Brother Lin Yi, it's a pleasure to meet you. Our master has exceptional insight; you must possess extraordinary abilities to have become his disciple. If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation or in the outside world, feel free to seek me out anytime, if it doesn't bother you."

His words were like a gentle breeze, completely different from Lieyang's wildness, Thousand Illusions's unconventionality, and Prison Suppressor's majesty, yet they possessed a convincing power.

"Thank you very much, Sixth Senior Brother," Lin Yi said gratefully.

This sixth senior brother gives people a feeling of extreme reliability.

Just then, a faint chill quietly spread out, and at the edge of the platform, specks of ice crystals condensed out of thin air, forming a cold and aloof figure.

She was dressed in a plain white gown, her face exquisitely beautiful, yet with a sickly pallor, like an eternal, unyielding ice.

His aura was restrained, but the chill that penetrated deep into his soul could not be completely concealed.

It was none other than Seventh Senior Sister Bingling.

She nodded slightly to the crowd as a greeting, her voice clear and cold as snow. "Senior Brother, Third Senior Sister, Fourth Senior Brother, Sixth Senior Brother, Ninth Junior Brother."

His gaze finally settled on Lin Yi, and he nodded gently, "Junior Brother."

"Seventh Senior Sister," Lin Yi greeted her.

Bingling didn't say much. She silently walked to a star-shaped stone platform a little further away, sat down, closed her eyes to regulate her breathing, and faint phantom images of ice phoenixes hovered around her.