Ten Years, One Third (45K)

Even after the virtual high-level meeting ended, Lin Yi did not stop.

He was well aware that once the "Starsea Cradle" project was fully launched, along with the explosive population growth, there would be not only unlimited potential, but also a surge in demand for supplies in the short term.

While living space can be adequately managed with existing technology and upward expansion, basic resources for survival and development must be planned in advance.

Lin Yi contacted the Purple Gold Star Union branch of the Human Race Chamber of Commerce again in the Virtual Network, and a massive procurement list was quickly issued, covering everything from high-efficiency nutritional supplements, basic building materials, modular ecological units, to primary gene optimization liquids, standard model educational terminals, and even large-scale low-power environment maintenance systems.

These supplies were not rare or exotic, but their sheer quantity and variety were enough to support most of a civilization's routine needs during the early stages of rapid expansion.

Lin Yi instructed that all supplies be transported directly to the outer space port of Silver Blue Star, where they would be received and centrally managed by a specialized agency established by the Silver Blue Community.

This purchase, enough to support Silver Blue Star's rapid development for a century, cost him a considerable amount of Star Crystal, but Lin Yi believed it was all worthwhile, as it would relieve the civilization of a heavy burden from its rapid growth.

After dealing with these mundane matters, Lin Yi once again immersed himself in the cycle of cultivation and Mercenary Group management.

Time flies, and ten years have quietly passed in the East Peak Mercenary Group's constant rhythm of mission execution, rest and recuperation, and then execution again.

For the rapidly developing Silver Blue Civilization, this decade has been a golden decade of population explosion, initial territorial expansion, and steady improvement in overall strength.

Thanks to Lin Yi's foresight in mobilizing a massive amount of basic resources through the Human Race Chamber of Commerce, and the astonishing demographic dividend released by the "Starsea Cradle" project, although the civilization was extremely busy, there was no serious shortage of resources or social unrest. Instead, it presented a vibrant and upward-looking atmosphere.

For the East Peak Mercenary Group, these past ten years have been a period of steady growth, forged in blood and fire.

Lin Yi intentionally reduced the frequency of his personal interventions. Unless he encountered a powerful enemy that the team members could not handle or an extremely dangerous situation, he served more as a stabilizing force, leaving the opportunities for combat and growth to the other team members who were gradually maturing.

This has greatly enhanced the East Peak Mercenary Group's overall combat strength, teamwork, and ability to complete missions independently, even though it has lost some of the legendary aura of "the Commander's single strike deciding the outcome."

Of course, every time Lin Yi had no choice but to take action, it was always earth-shattering. He would quickly dismantle the crisis with absolute power, and then lead the team to relocate without hesitation. His style of doing things became more and more calm and experienced, and he became more and more unpredictable.

On this day, the East Peak Mercenary Group had just finished an assistance mission and returned to its temporary rest base on the edge of the K-77 star system.

The team members dispersed, some to process what they had learned in the battle, others to relax.

Lin Yi then returned to his meditation room alone.

Instead of immediately immersing himself in cultivation or dealing with group affairs and messages from civilization as usual, he quietly sat cross-legged in the center of the cultivation room, adjusting his breathing and allowing his mind to return to absolute tranquility and clarity.

Ten years... it's time.

With a thought, a fruit radiating a rich life force and flowing with emerald light appeared in Lin Yi's palm. It was the Life Source Fruit that his Ninth Senior Brother had given him earlier.

Having explored the starry sea for so many years, Lin Yi has also confirmed the precious characteristics of "Spiritual Enlightenment Qi" through numerous experiments.

It can perfectly stack the effects of other enlightenment-related treasures without any attenuation.

This is precisely the source of their confidence in preparing to enter the Dual Domain market.

The Life Source Fruit, as a rare and precious item for enlightenment with constant effects and only a fifty-year interval between doses, is inherently of extraordinary value.

It can greatly enhance the user's ability to comprehend the Life Rule within three hours of consumption.

Over the past decade, with Aurelia as a partner who also comprehended the Life Rule as a reference, Lin Yi has gained a clearer understanding of the effects of using such treasures on himself.

He discovered with dismay that the effects of consuming ordinary Rule Comprehension treasures he possessed were only about one-third of Aurelia's. According to Aurelia's description after consuming the Life Source Fruit he had given her, consuming a single Life Source Fruit could instantly increase her comprehension of the Life Rule by nearly tenfold.

Based on this calculation, Lin Yi estimated that the effect of taking it would be about three times the increase in his comprehension.

Although it's somewhat low, it's enough for ten years' worth of accumulated wisdom to have the effect of thirty years.

That will be enough.

After a while, Lin Yi felt that he had adjusted his condition to its best, and then he swallowed the Life Source Fruit.

The fruit melted in his mouth, transforming into a warm and powerful torrent. At the same time, Lin Yi's thoughts stirred, and the Spiritual Enlightenment Qi he had accumulated over ten years suddenly erupted.

"Buzz!"

Lin Yi felt a violent jolt throughout his Soul Origin. His vision remained unchanged, but his perception seemed to have been freed from the constraints of his physical body and transported to a completely new dimension.

He "saw" it.

It no longer relied on scanning with the Soul Power, but rather "saw" the omnipresent life rhythm in the surrounding space in a more essential way, closer to the origin of the rules.

The growth and decay of microorganisms deep within the metal floor beneath one's feet, the subtle exchange of energy particles and life force in the air, and even the few "tranquil flowers" planted on the walls of the quiet room to create a suitable environment—every minute process of their internal sap flow, cell division, and energy exchange with the outside world is as clear as the lines on one's palm.

This perception was amplified countless times, and carried a clarity that penetrated to the very essence.

Many previously obscure and difficult points about the Life Rule, as well as the subtle workings of life, have now become clear as if ice and snow have melted away.

He was so immersed in this unparalleled state of enlightenment that he forgot the passage of time.

The Spiritual Enlightenment Qi faithfully exerted its creative power, stretching every minute and second of this hour into a long and highly efficient journey of enlightenment.

After an unknown amount of time, when his understanding of the Life Rule reached a certain critical point, Lin Yi had a sudden inspiration. Instead of delving deeper, he changed his mind and began to activate the already perfected Metal Rule.

"Clang!"

It was as if an invisible divine sword had been drawn from its sheath within my soul.

A chilling, Sharpness, and indomitable will immediately spread.

That is the essence of gold: it is cohesion, order, and the sharpness that cuts through everything.

Initially, the two sets of rules came into contact under Lin Yi's guidance, but produced a violent repulsion.

The length and resilience of life, and the Sharpness and hardness of gold, seem to be two opposing poles.

The breath of life attempts to envelop and soften the sharpness of gold, while the Metal Rule instinctively seek to sever and cut off the connections of life.

Lin Yi remained calm and composed, unmoved.

He recalled the guidance of his senior brothers and sisters, the application of the two rules in countless battles, and with his understanding magnified to the extreme at this moment, he carefully savored the fleeting subtle moments in the conflict between the two rules.

Life needs structure to support it and order to maintain it.

The sharpness of gold can also cut away decay and pave the way for new life.

He no longer forced a fusion, but instead, like a master craftsman, guided the forces of the two rules, searching for an "interface" where they could coexist, or even complement each other.

Time passed second by second, and the effects of the Life Source Fruit were slowly fading, but the effects of the Spiritual Enlightenment Qi continued, buying Lin Yi the most crucial time.

Finally, at a certain moment, when a resilient life force wrapped around a golden light that had been condensed to its extreme, the anticipated fierce conflict did not occur.

The life force was not severed; instead, it cleverly coiled and permeated the structure of the golden light like vines, giving it a strange resilience.

That golden light did not reject the integration of life; its sharpness was restrained, but its structure became more stable and solid, as if it possessed the characteristics of "growth".

A single, dazzling point of light, blending verdant vitality with dark golden sharpness, shone in the center of Lin Yi's soul.

Like a spark igniting a prairie fire!

This successful integration instantly broke the deadlock.

Using this as a template and starting point, more Life Rule and Metal Rule began to converge, intricately weaving and inlaying together.

The length of life begins to blend into the solidity of gold, forming an "immortal" resilience and a sense of protection.

The Sharpness of gold began to be guided by the vitality of life, transforming into the "creative" power that cuts through shackles and opens up new life.

Lin Yi slowly opened his eyes, and it seemed as if golden lightning and green vitality flashed in his eyes at the same time.

Inside the cultivation room, a brand-new domain force field suddenly unfolded around him!

This realm is no longer the pure Sharpness of the Gold Domain as before, nor the gentle nourishment of the realm of life.

It exhibits a peculiar texture, with countless fine golden rays flowing around its perimeter, forming an invisible yet resilient barrier. Above this barrier, emerald green life runes twine and grow like vines, endowing it with powerful self-repairing and energy conduction properties.

Within this realm, life thrives yet harbors hidden dangers; the life force and the sharpness of metal coexist and transform into each other, forming a completely new system that integrates offense and defense.

Dual Domain, Achieved!

Lin Yi's heart remained calm and undisturbed, showing no great joy, only a sense of natural tranquility and understanding.

He savored the power of this new realm, feeling the qualitative change brought about by the fusion of the two rules.

Once you reach the second level of a domain, the scope, stability, control over energy, and ability to interfere with the rules themselves are far superior to those of the first level.

The effects of the Life Source Fruit lasted for two hours, but it had already lost its effect on Lin Yi.

Lin Yi only informed Aurelia about the breakthrough; he didn't tell anyone else.

Breaking through the Dual Domain means that he truly has the qualifications to stand among the prodigies of the Tiered Battlefield, and even to challenge the "Blade Prince" of the Kunmo Race.

But Lin Yi didn't rush to do that; he needed absolute certainty, he needed a single, decisive blow.

For the next year, Lin Yi returned to his previous simple and repetitive life.

He lived a secluded life, devoting all his energy, except for handling necessary Mercenary Group affairs, to familiarizing himself with and refining his skills in the Dual Domain.

One year later, at the Star Core level Training Camp.

The training camp remained bustling, with geniuses from all races coming and going, exchanging insights or practicing in various facilities.

Lin Yi's appearance did not attract much attention. As usual, he went straight to the rest area where his team often gathered.

"Commander!"

"Lin Yi!"

Kenkes, Amber, and the others, who were discussing the mission in the rest area, greeted Lin Yi when they saw him.

After years of getting along, they had long since come to admire and respect this Human Race Commander.

Lin Yi walked to the middle of them and calmly said, "I'm going to try out the Endless Tower solo mode."

"Challenge the tower? Now?" Kenkes's heart skipped a beat. "Commander, you... it's only been a little over a decade since you cleared the 17th floor, right? You wouldn't happen to be...?"

After all, when Lin Yi recruited these team members, he said that they would break through to the second level of the Domain within fifty years.

Amber also looked surprised. "Commander, are you... are you serious?"

Seeing the shocked expressions on his companions' faces, Lin Yi simply smiled and offered no further explanation, "Go give it a try."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the Endless Tower.

Kenkes, Amber, and the others exchanged glances, all seeing the same shock and curiosity in each other's eyes, and then followed without prior arrangement.

Soon, the group arrived at the foot of the Endless Tower.

There weren't many people taking the challenge at the moment, and soon it was Lin Yi's turn.

As Lin Yi's figure disappeared into the teleportation beam of the Endless Tower, the status next to "Lin Yi's" name on the Endless Tower's leaderboard quietly changed to "Challenging".

At first, the other people waiting to challenge the tower didn't pay much attention. After all, people came to challenge the tower every day, and even geniuses at the third level were not uncommon, let alone those at the fourth level.

However, when the floor number indicator representing Lin Yi's progress started jumping from the 17th floor at an extremely fast speed, a few scattered glances began to be drawn to it.

18th floor. Passed!

19th floor. Passed!

There was almost no pause in between.

It was as if the barriers that most fourth-tier geniuses would struggle to overcome were as fragile as paper in his eyes.

"Look! That Human Race, Lin Yi! He's reached the 19th floor!"

"What? Didn't he just pass the 17th floor more than ten years ago?"

"That speed is outrageous!"

"Send a message quickly! This speed is suspicious; he might be aiming for the 20th floor today."

--

Meanwhile, in the Endless Tower, on the 20th floor...

This is a desolate area of rubble, with chaotic energy flows permeating the void.

Lin Yi's opponent was an energy phantom covered in dark red scales and wielding a double-edged battle axe.

Upon its appearance, it unleashed Dual Domain, directly enveloping the entire space.

Lin Yi's eyes were calm, and with a thought, he simultaneously unleashed his Dual Domain.

However, instead of using his domain to counter or neutralize it, he instantly gathered and condensed the power of his domain towards his Main Body.

The power, flowing with golden light and emerald runes, quickly materialized on Lin Yi's body, forming a set of ancient and majestic full-body armor.

The armor is dark gold in color, with green energy veins flowing at the joints, providing unparalleled defense as well as strong mobility and recovery capabilities.

This is precisely a high-level application that can only be mastered at the Dual Domain — Domain Armorization.

After transforming into armor, area-of-effect attacks of the same level are practically ineffective, like tickling.

Therefore, in true battles between prodigies, very few people actually use domain coverage; instead, they choose Domain Armorization and the Rule Blade for close combat.

As the armor materialized, nine "Nine Radiance Thunder Pearls" flashing with violent lightning were also linked together in the air. The lightning intertwined and compressed, eventually condensing into a thunder Long Spear surrounded by purple lightning!

Lin Yi reached out and gripped the gun barrel, the power of the Fusion Domain surging wildly into the gun.

He didn't use any fancy ranged attacks; instead, he moved and charged directly at the alien phantom.

"Roar!"

The alien phantom battle axe slashed down fiercely.

Lin Yi neither dodged nor evaded, but thrust out his thunderous Long Spear.

At the tip of the spear, the Sharpness of the Metal Rule and the decaying essence of the Life Rule were compressed to the extreme, forming a Rule Blade that was imperceptible to the naked eye, yet emanated a terrifying aura.

"Clang!"

The spear tip and the axe blade collided violently.

Lin Yi flicked his wrist, deflecting the battle axe. Then, the spear tip, with undiminished momentum and carrying the power condensed to its peak, instantly struck the core of the alien phantom's chest.

"Puff!"

A soft sound.

The alien phantom's forward momentum came to an abrupt halt. It looked down at the empty hole in its chest, completely annihilated by the power of the rules, then looked at Lin Yi in disbelief. Before its massive body shattered inch by inch and dissipated into space.

Level 20, passed!