The First Lesson

"Hiss..."

"How long has he even been out there?"

"There are actually this many monsters downstairs..."

"Did he kill everything downstairs in one go?"

A wave of irrepressible gasps erupted, followed immediately by a flurry of incredulous discussion.

The crowd's gaze instantly converged on those seven crystals.

Shock, longing, curiosity, a hint of latent fanaticism... various emotions spread silently through the group.

Lin Yi walked over to a cleared round table and gently placed the seven Spirit Shine Crystals in his hand onto it.

A gray radiance swirled across the polished desktop, forming a small focal point that seemed to hold infinite possibilities.

"Everyone, let's discuss other matters later. There is something more important that must be done first... A Yu."

Lin Yi turned his gaze toward Chen Yu, who was still immersed in excitement. "Help me set up the phone. Position it... facing me and this pile of crystals."

He took a deep breath, suppressing the exhaustion in his body.

"Now, while the network is still functioning, let's hurry and start recording the video."

"Right, right, business first."

Chen Yu responded, and soon, he had the phone set up, aiming the lens steadily at Lin Yi and the pile of "Spoils of War" in front of him. He then nodded firmly at Lin Yi, signaling that he could begin.

Lin Yi adjusted his posture slightly, then looked straight into the lens, his gaze seemingly piercing through the screen to reach countless corners where people were struggling in despair.

"Fellow citizens, my name is Lin Yi, an ordinary student who just finished the Gaokao. The person in that combat video just now was me."

He turned slightly to the side, allowing the camera to capture the majestic yet damaged, blood-stained Dark Armor on his body.

"This armor was a graduation gift from a friend. It was originally just a cosplay prop, but I never expected it to become life-saving equipment."

Lin Yi's voice carried a hint of complexity. "Until today, I, like everyone else, thought the world was peaceful and secure."

His gaze refocused on the lens, his tone becoming very heavy.

"Then, the disaster descended. The authorities call it the Abyssal Tide. As for the monsters I encountered, because of their appearance and habits, I have temporarily named them Abyssal Wolf."

"Based on my two experiences fighting them, these monsters not only look like wolves but also possess similar habits. They use tactical coordination, they scout, they call for companions, and likewise, they feel fear and will flee..."

Lin Yi briefly introduced the habits of the Abyssal Wolf he had discovered and the precautions for dealing with them.

"Furthermore..."

Lin Yi pointed to the pile of crystals on the table.

"After killing an Abyssal Wolf, its corpse turns to ash, but it leaves behind these gray crystals. I was lucky; the first time I killed two Abyssal Wolves, I obtained two crystals."

He picked up a gray crystal and displayed it to the lens.

"One of them contained a cultivation method called the Basic Source Energy Guidance Technique. I spent some time barely understanding and learning it."

Immediately after, he picked up another crystal with a slightly different shape.

"The other crystal contained an energy block known as a Level 1 Source Energy Crystal Body. Using the knowledge gained from the guidance technique, one can absorb it and attempt to cultivate source energy."

Speaking to this point, Lin Yi paused, as if recalling the sensation of that violent power scouring his body.

"The process was extremely painful, but the result... you saw it at the end of the video."

"I have initially mastered source energy."

He raised his Right Hand, and a Blue Radiance lit up at his fingertips.

"The power of source energy is beyond my imagination!"

Lin Yi's volume rose sharply. "It not only significantly strengthens the body and forms powerful attacks, but if cultivated to a high level, it can even increase one's lifespan! Although I have only just entered the path of source energy and am merely a beginner, I believe this is likely the key to our survival during the Abyssal Tide, and perhaps even the key to fighting back against those monsters."

"I suspect that when monsters appearing in other places are killed, they might also drop similar crystals! Inside, there might be cultivation techniques, energy crystals, or other resources..." Lin Yi's voice carried a strong sense of urgency. "But no matter what it is, time is life. The sooner you master source energy, the greater the hope of survival!"

He took a deep breath, placed the crystal back on the table, leaned forward slightly, and looked serious.

"Next, I want to share some of the Key Node difficulties I encountered while practicing this Basic Source Energy Guidance Technique and the solutions I figured out. I hope this helps friends who have obtained similar crystals avoid taking unnecessary detours."

Lin Yi's explanation began.

He did not recite the obscure and profound terminology from the guidance technique; instead, he used the most straightforward method to break down and explain the core difficulties of the technique, such as the perception of Source Energy Particles, the initial construction of the guidance circuit within the body, and the delicate coordination between intent and energy flow.

"The hardest part is the first step: perceiving those extremely weak Source Energy Particles drifting in space."

Lin Yi closed his eyes slightly, as if feeling the source energy, then opened them again. "The guidance technique describes it very vaguely. My experience is to find a relatively quiet environment, try to sink your intent deep into the center of your brow, imagine it as a warm vortex core, and use patience to capture that extremely subtle, tingling sensation, like the warmth of the winter sun..."

Everyone in the hall stared at Lin Yi without blinking; whether they could understand or not, they were all trying hard to memorize his words.

Ye Qingyu pursed her lips, quickly recording keywords on the back of a menu. Although she couldn't understand it, she was still trying hard to grasp every word.

Zhou Yuxuan was even whispering Lin Yi's words to himself, his eyes flashing with excitement.

When it came to the construction of the basic circulation circuit of source energy within the body, Lin Yi even raised his finger, slowly tracing diagrams in the air to illustrate the Key Node and the flow paths.

"When source energy is initially condensed in the body and you attempt to release it for an attack, the key lies in the coordination between the concentration of intent and the instantaneous burst."

Lin Yi's voice was extremely serious. "Don't think about releasing all your energy at once; that will only blow your fingers off. You must first focus your intent, determine how much you can control perfectly, then condense it into a single point at your fingertip. Imagine it as an extension of your will, and then... like pulling a trigger, release it in an instant."

"The force must be fierce, and your intent must be resolute!"

As he spoke, he subconsciously made a pointing gesture in the air.

Although there was no Blue Radiance at his fingertip, it still projected a sharp, imposing aura that made Chen Yu, who was facing him, instinctively shrink his neck.

The explanation came to an end, and Lin Yi's expression became even more solemn, carrying a hint of warning.

"Finally, a very important point!"

He picked up a crystal representing a Source Energy Crystal, his gaze sweeping across the camera and the people in the hall. "The process of absorbing this energy crystal is extremely painful! That feeling... is like having countless red-hot steel needles darting through your body, tearing at your muscles and nerves."

Everyone had witnessed what Lin Yi looked like when he absorbed a Source Energy Crystal, and being reminded of it now, their expressions couldn't help but change slightly.

"Therefore, before deciding to absorb it, you must be prepared!" Lin Yi's voice was heavy. "Ensure you are in a safe environment, preferably with someone guarding you. Adjust your breathing and mindset, and have the resolve to endure immense pain! And..."

He paused, his tone incredibly grave. "Once you begin the initial absorption, you must never interrupt it halfway! As mentioned in the Guidance Technique, once a Source Energy Crystal is activated and absorbed, it is like a reservoir with its floodgates opened. If you force an interruption, the energy inside will not obediently stop and wait for you; it will only dissipate violently and uncontrollably within your body. At best, you will be severely injured; at worst... you will explode and die!"

After a moment of silence, Lin Yi finally let out a breath. "Everyone, that is all I know for now."

He took one last look at the camera. "I hope this helps everyone. If you can, please help share this with more people."

After speaking, Lin Yi nodded gently toward Chen Yu.

Chen Yu immediately pressed the stop button. He looked at Lin Yi's exhausted yet determined face on the phone screen, and the pile of crystals emitting a mysterious gray glow behind him, letting out a long sigh. He felt his palms were covered in sweat.

He hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and asked Lin Yi:

"Brother Yi, once I add the combat footage to the beginning, I can send it out... um, how about I post it from my account? You know, I still have a few followers."

"Of course. Even if you didn't suggest it, I would have asked for your help. To spread this quickly, using my blank account won't work..." Lin Yi first smiled and patted Chen Yu lightly, then pointed to the pile of crystals. "Hurry and get it done... soon, we'll have to arrange these things."