First Battle in the Star Domain, That List

With this in mind, Lin Yi wondered if he could find someone who had just entered the Star Domain level to test his skills.

Of course, not in reality, but in the Virtual Network.

But here's the problem.

The virtual universe network naturally has the authority to simulate Star Domain level adversaries, but the cost is staggeringly high, far beyond what he is currently willing to bear.

The virtual battle arena in the Star Core level training camp could meet this need, requiring only a small amount of Points. However, the training camp is currently in a period of adjustment, and many high-level facilities, including the battle arena that can simulate Star Domain level opponents, have been temporarily closed.

After much thought, Lin Yi came up with an excellent candidate.

Senior Sister Thousand Illusions.

Senior Sister Thousand Illusions must have had access to the Virtual Network rules simulation long ago. With her mastery of the Illusory Law, simulating an opponent who has just entered the Star Domain level is a piece of cake for her.

Furthermore, Lin Yi also intends to listen to Thousand Illusions's advice regarding how to choose the next rule.

The remaining basic rules—earth, water, fire, and wood—are of roughly equal difficulty in understanding, but the order in which one is understood will have different impacts on one's future path.

Furthermore, after a significant increase in strength, I might be able to obtain some combat manuals from my senior sister that are more suitable for my current level.

With this in mind, Lin Yi no longer hesitated and sent a visit request to Thousand Illusions through the Virtual Network.

Shortly after the message was sent, a reply arrived, concise and direct. "Come on."

Lin Yi's consciousness connected, and he once again descended into that ancient world of Xia Country, where illusion and reality intertwined.

Distant mountains are like dark eyebrows, nearby waters are shrouded in mist, and pavilions and towers are hidden among the clouds and flowering trees.

Senior Sister Thousand Illusions was still dressed in a magnificent rainbow-colored robe, as if she had never left this world. She was sitting by the waterside pavilion, her bare feet lightly touching the clear pool water, creating ripples.

Seeing Lin Yi's figure materialize, Thousand Illusions raised her eyes, a slightly mocking smile appearing on her face, and said, "Junior Brother, it's been quite a while since you remembered your senior sister, hasn't it? Did you come to see me this time because you've finally grasped the Death Rule again?"

She was just joking, after all, Rule Comprehension becomes increasingly difficult as you progress, especially since the Death Rule conflict with the Life Rule.

Lin Yi's ability to comprehend and integrate the four rules of life, time, space, and gold in a short period of time is already astonishing. Even with exceptional talent, mastering the Death Rule would normally require a long and painstaking process.

However, Lin Yi's answer instantly froze the smile on her face.

"Yes, senior sister."

Lin Yi spoke calmly, as if stating a perfectly ordinary fact.

".???"

Thousand Illusions's beautiful eyes, which seemed to contain the endless cycle of birth and death of the universe, widened slightly, revealing a rare look of astonishment.

She looked Lin Yi up and down, trying to discern something from him.

The Lin Yi before them seemed to have a more restrained and profound aura than when they last met. It was a state in which all sharpness and power were perfectly contained within. Unless one deliberately probed, one could hardly sense any fluctuations in the rules, like an ancient pool with no bottom.

"Real?"

Thousand Illusions dropped her joking tone and became serious.

"Real."

Lin Yi confirmed it again, his gaze calm.

After a brief silence, Thousand Illusions suddenly broke into a smile, and even the surrounding clouds, mist, flowers, and trees seemed to become more vivid and bright because of her joy.

"Good! Good! Good!"

She exclaimed "Good!" three times in a row, her tone filled with joy. "The Death Rule are complete, the five Rule Domain are integrated, time and space are the foundation, life and death cycle, and the Golden Edge is hidden. Junior Brother, you have truly made your senior sister proud."

She stood up, her flowing robes billowing, and walked up to Lin Yi, her eyes gleaming with admiration. "With your current mastery of the rules, not only among Human Race, but also throughout the entire Pan-Spirit Alliance, you are more than capable of contending for the position of the new generation's number one."

Lin Yi smiled modestly, not becoming arrogant because of the praise.

He began, "Senior Sister, you flatter me. I've come today for two reasons. First, my strength has improved, and I'd like to truly experience the difference between myself and a real Star Domain level expert. I wonder if you could simulate an opponent for me and guide me through the battle. Second, I haven't yet decided how to choose the next rule, and I hope to hear your advice."

"Oh? Want to test your Star Domain level strength? And plan for the next stage?" Thousand Illusions's interest deepened upon hearing this. "It seems Junior Brother is quite confident. Very well, let Senior Sister see how talented you are in combat."

After speaking, Thousand Illusions waved her jade hand lightly, and the surrounding environment instantly changed.

The landscape and pavilions faded away like ink paintings, replaced by an endless dark void. In the distance, nebulae slowly rotated, and beneath one's feet lay a void that seemed capable of swallowing everything.

This is the perfect virtual scenario for a all-out battle.

"The biggest difference between the Star Domain level and the Star Core level Rule Domain and the qualitative change in the total amount of source energy brought about by the leap in life level."

As Thousand Illusions explained, he traced countless profound runes with his fingertips, which then merged into the void.

"The opponent I'm simulating for you is someone who has recently entered the Star Domain level. His Origin Source Sea Domain has already formed, and his Origin Energy is vast and boundless, far surpassing yours. However, his Rule Domain is only the most basic Fire Domain. He hasn't yet begun to integrate other rules, and his application of the domain is relatively crude. He's just an ordinary opponent who has recently entered the Star Domain level."

As Thousand Illusions moved, countless crimson light spots gathered in the void ahead, eventually coalescing into a figure three meters tall, engulfed in raging flames.

It had no distinct facial features, only a human-shaped outline, radiating a scorching, violent, and suffocating aura, like a walking star.

"Are you ready?" Thousand Illusions asked Lin Yi.

Lin Yi nodded, "Please enlighten me, Senior Sister."

The words had barely left his mouth when the Flame Star Domain level being, without even moving, merely stirred his mind.

"Boom!"

A scorching crimson domain, centered on him, instantly filled every corner of this virtual battlefield.

The entire void transformed into a sea of flames, with temperatures soaring to a terrifying level sufficient to instantly vaporize ordinary Star Core level powerhouses. The omnipresent power of the fire rules acted like invisible shackles, attempting to incinerate all the alien rules within the domain.

This is the most common method used by Star Domain level expert to deal with those of lower realms, using absolute energy and domain to create overwhelming power.

Lin Yi's expression changed slightly.

He could sense that if he opened his fivefold Fusion Domain, he could certainly suppress the flame domain in terms of "quality," but with the support of the opponent's vast and boundless source energy, the domain's range and stability far exceeded his own. Once they were locked in a battle of attrition, his own source energy would be depleted first.

"We cannot compete head-on in a single field."

In a flash, Lin Yi made a decision.

His thoughts raced, and the radiance of the five domains that naturally appeared around him suddenly receded, surging back like a tide. Instead of forming opposing domains, they tightly covered the surface of his body.

In an instant, an ancient and mysterious suit of armor covered Lin Yi's entire body.

The armor has smooth lines, and the surface faintly shows the phantom of the River of Time flowing and spatial ripples. The two energies of life and death rotate slowly on the chest like a Tai Chi diagram, and occasionally sharp golden patterns flash by on the joints and fingertips.

The power of the five-fold fusion rules was condensed to the extreme, forming this powerful defense.

Almost the instant the armor was completed, the terrifying pressure of the boundless fire domain descended upon it.

"Hiss hiss hiss"

The intense heat scorched the surface of the armor, producing a teeth-grinding sound.

The power of the flames was like billions of red-hot needles, relentlessly trying to penetrate the armor's defenses.

Although the armor, formed by the fusion of the five rules, possessed extremely high quality and greatly weakened these attacks, the immense power originating from the Star Domain level still pressed heavily on Lin Yi like a tangible mountain, making it difficult for him to breathe and severely restricting his movements.

Even more fatal is that maintaining this rule-based armor, which can resist the suppression of Star Domain level levels, consumes an astonishing amount of source energy.

Lin Yi could clearly feel his own source energy rapidly flowing away like a floodgate being opened.

"We must act quickly. The difference in Source Energy is so great; if we delay any longer, defeat is inevitable." Alarm bells rang in Lin Yi's mind.

Despite the immense pressure from the domain, he suddenly looked up and locked onto the core of the fiery figure in the distance.

"The opponent's surrounding area and energy density are too great. If we suddenly teleport to their side, we'll inevitably be hit head-on. No, we need to create some distance and force them to reveal an opening."

Then, Lin Yi had a thought and focused the power of the Time Rule primarily on the inside of his armor and his movement path.

This made him appear to move more slowly than usual, yet he was still able to move effectively under the immense pressure of the fire zone, as if he were struggling to burrow through viscous lava.

Seeing that Lin Yi did not engage in domain-based confrontation but instead adopted a defensive and advancing stance, the Flame Star Domain level being let out a contemptuous snort.

He pointed, and the fiery energy within his domain instantly condensed into dozens of enormous fiery chains, which, as if alive, coiled around Lin Yi from all directions. The chains were covered in flashing runes, carrying a powerful binding force.

"Don't try to take it head-on!"

Lin Yi's heart tightened, and his body swayed as he performed a delicate dodge within a small space, aided by the acceleration of time.

Space Rule were also used to their fullest extent, causing his figure to blur at times, undergoing short-distance spatial refraction, and narrowly avoiding the chains that were winding around him.

When he couldn't completely avoid them, he would use his fists or hand blades, encased in the armor of rules, to forcefully sever the chains, combining the Sharpness of gold with the Annihilation Power.

But each collision increased the armor's energy consumption.

He was like a small boat sailing against the current in a storm, seemingly teetering on the brink of collapse, yet steadfastly moving closer to his Main Body.

The Flame Star Domain level seemed impatient. He clasped his hands together, and the energy of the entire Flame Domain frantically converged into his palms. A dark red energy ball, only the size of a fist, but exuding an aura that made one's soul tremble, quickly took shape.

That was highly compressed primal fire power; once unleashed, its power was enough to instantly annihilate stars.

However, at the same time, during the moment of gathering power, there was also a very slight stagnation in his control over the domain.

"Now!"

A fierce glint flashed in Lin Yi's eyes as he unleashed the last of his source energy without reservation.

Time accelerated to its current limit, and the Space Rule forcibly tore open a tiny crack in front of him. His body, like a ghost, pierced through the last distance and suddenly appeared in front of his opponent.

Faced with a formidable enemy at close range and the destructive energy sphere about to erupt, Cosmos Ripper was instantly activated. Dark golden rhomboid flying blades flashed and, in a fraction of a second, precisely combined in front of him.

"Clang!"

With a soft yet incredibly clear ringing sound, a miniature short sword about 12 inches long floated above Lin Yi's palm.

The sword blade is perfectly fitted together from the Cosmos Ripper Blade, forming a seamless and unified whole.

The blade of the short sword is not a physical object, but is composed of highly condensed spatial cutting power and the rules of extreme metal sharpness. With a slight tremor, it causes fine black cracks to appear in the surrounding space.

Within the sword, the flow of time is finely adjusted to a frequency favorable for attack. The two energies of life and death, like yin and yang fish, encircle the sword's spine, deeply containing a sense of "deathly silence" that signifies the end of all things and their return to stillness.

"Break!"

Lin Yi pointed forward, and the miniature short sword containing terrifying power let out a shriek that tore through the void, instantly transforming into a streak of light that was almost impossible to catch with the naked eye.

This strike transcended speed, containing a precise spatial and temporal positioning that guaranteed a hit.

This strike transcended Sharpness, containing the true meaning of death: the "disintegration" of the established rules.

The Flame Star Domain level clearly hadn't expected Lin Yi to be able to unleash such a condensed and terrifying attack even under its domain's suppression.

He tried to dodge, but found the surrounding space like an iron plate; he tried to speed up, but found his movements became incredibly sluggish.

He could only hastily guide the still-forming dark red energy ball behind him in an attempt to intercept the deadly streak of light.

However, it was too late.

There was a soft "hiss" sound.

The short sword pierced through the opponent's hastily assembled fire shield as easily as if piercing through a phantom, and finally stabbed with unparalleled precision into the very center of his chest, at the location of the simulated Star Domain level energy core.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

The next moment, a dark ripple spread rapidly from the point where the short sword pierced through, instantly sweeping across the opponent's entire body.

The massive body of the Flame Star Domain level being shuddered violently, its movements completely frozen.

The raging flames around him seemed to be frozen by an invisible, eternal cold, and quickly extinguished. The violent aura also disappeared rapidly like the receding tide. In the end, without even a trace of mental fluctuation, his entire body transformed from the inside out into the purest energy particles, and was completely annihilated in the void.

"Swoosh"

The short sword completed its mission, instantly disintegrated, and transformed back into the slightly dimmed Cosmos Ripper Blade, which Lin Yi retrieved.

The virtual space returned to boundless darkness, leaving only Lin Yi kneeling in the void, the light of the rule armor covering his entire body dimming and eventually dissipating.

His face was as pale as paper, his breath was extremely weak, his source energy was completely depleted, and his spirit was almost overdrawn from controlling that attack.

But he propped himself up on his knees, forcing himself not to fall, and his eyes were unusually bright.

He won!

Thousand Illusions's figure quietly appeared, and looking at Lin Yi, who was almost exhausted but had a burning gaze, a look of amazement appeared on her beautiful face.

"Using rule-based armor to withstand the domain, drawing the opponent into an opening, and then delivering a fatal blow with rule-enhanced blades. Junior brother, your combat intuition is truly remarkable."

Her tone was filled with undisguised admiration, "It seems that ordinary people who have just entered the Star Domain level are no match for you without some special opportunity or special means."

Lin Yi took several deep breaths to calm his churning blood and nearly exhausted spirit, and said with a wry smile, "Senior Sister, you flatter me. It was just a trick. If the opponent's domain were stronger, or their rules were more advanced, I would have been the one to lose."

"It's good that you know when to advance and when to retreat, and you understand gains and losses, but you don't need to underestimate yourself."

Thousand Illusions nodded in satisfaction. "So, do you have any ideas about the next rule?"

Lin Yi composed himself and earnestly inquired, "I was just about to ask you, Senior Sister. The basic rules of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wood seem to be of similar difficulty in terms of comprehension. I wonder which one you think I should start with to be more beneficial for my future path?"

Upon hearing Thousand Illusions, Qianhuan lightly tapped her slender finger, and a simple diagram of rules appeared before her.

"The core you have constructed, with time and space as its framework and the cycle of life and death within, conceals a golden edge within. Its fierceness, speed, and decisiveness are already taking shape, and its sharpness is fully revealed."

She spoke slowly and deliberately, her voice ethereal, "If one seeks to maximize immediate combat power, fire might be more effective. But if we're talking about what's most beneficial for breaking through realms..."

Her gaze fell on the blue mark representing the "Water Rule," which was ever-changing, sometimes like a trickle of water, sometimes like a vast ocean, sometimes as solid as ice, and sometimes vaporized into nothingness.

"I suggest you, next, study the ' Water Rule '."

"Water?"

Lin Yi seemed to be deep in thought.

"Good."

Thousand Illusions affirmed, "The Water Rule are the most gentle and benevolent, yet also the most powerful and fierce. Its characteristics of resilience, penetration, nourishment, transformation, and inclusiveness are precisely the opposite of, and even in some sense, the Sharpness, hardness, and immortality of metal that you have already mastered."

"Precisely because of its opposition, it will be more difficult for you to comprehend than other rules."

Thousand Illusions explained, "Therefore, comprehending it first will take less time in total."

"Moreover, the Water Rule can make the foundation of your principles more well-rounded and resilient. It's like forging a divine weapon; simply adding hard metal will make it sharp, but it's also easily broken. Only by incorporating materials with excellent resilience can you achieve a balance of strength and flexibility, making it invincible."

"Furthermore, once you have mastered the Water Rule and gained a deep understanding of its gentleness, adaptability, and inclusiveness, you can better comprehend the rules of fire, which are opposite to its characteristics but are more violent, intense, and sublime. This will allow you to grasp the mysteries of energy transformation and master the means of harmonizing water and fire."

"As for the earth's weight and its ability to bear weight, and the wood's vibrant life force, these can both be placed after water and fire."

"At that time, your rule system will encompass more dimensions such as strength and gentleness, movement and stillness, life and death, creation and destruction, laying an unshakable and solid foundation for your future evolution of the Internal World and even your ascent to the realm of eternity."

After listening, Lin Yi felt enlightened.

The guidance from the Eternal Divinity was indeed insightful and went straight to the heart of the matter.

"I see!"

Lin Yi was sincerely convinced. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister. My next step will be to focus on understanding the Water Rule."

Seeing that Lin Yi listened to her advice, Thousand Illusions nodded with a smile, then waved her jade hand lightly, and two streams of light emanating different Daoist charms flew towards Lin Yi.

"These two books, one of which records some techniques for applying the Death Rule and a move called <Nirvana Return-to-Void Finger>, may not be entirely compatible with your fifth level of domain, but by analogy, they might give you some inspiration."

"The other book contains some reflections on the Water Rule that I gleaned during my early travels, as well as several basic water-based techniques such as <Thousand Currents Guide> and <Water Transformation Art>, which can serve as a reference for your practice of the Water Rule."

Lin Yi was overjoyed.

Although Thousand Illusions spoke lightly, he knew very well that, given her temperament, what she gave him was definitely something good.

He quickly thanked her, saying, "Thank you so much for your generous gift, Senior Sister. I will certainly study diligently and live up to your expectations."

Upon hearing this, Thousand Illusions waved her hand, her beautiful eyes, which had seen through countless ages, fell on Lin Yi, a hint of helplessness mixed with amusement, and she gently shook her head, saying, "It's just a small token of my appreciation. Junior brother, I've misjudged you this time."

She paused, her tone tinged with emotion, "I originally thought that although you are exceptionally talented, the Death Rule are profound and mysterious, requiring a long period of refinement. I even specially reserved a ' Withering Fruit ' that was about to ripen for you in a secret realm."

"This fruit contains the pure essence of death, which will greatly benefit your understanding of the Death Rule. I originally thought that this fruit would ripen in less than a hundred years, at which time it would be of great help to you."

As she spoke, she looked at Lin Yi with a meaningful gaze. "Who could have predicted that before my fruit was even ripe, you had already comprehended the Death Rule and even completed the fusion of five domains? Your speed has truly caught even your senior sister off guard."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi quickly replied, "Thank you for your trouble, Senior Sister. I didn't expect that you would be so compatible with the Death Rule."

Thousand Illusions chuckled and interrupted, "No need for that. This is your good fortune, and your senior sister can only be happy for you."

She changed the subject, her expression becoming more serious. "However, this incident has made me realize that conventional enlightenment treasures like the ' Withering Fruit,' which require long periods of waiting or are extremely rare, are probably no longer suitable for you. Your growth rate exceeds the supply cycle of these treasures."

She gazed at Lin Yi and said, word by word, "Senior sister believes that with your current qualifications— Star Core level cultivation, a fifth-level superior rule Fusion Domain, and foundations in time and space, life and death, and metal—you should already meet the threshold for entering that list."

"That list?"

Lin Yi was startled, keenly grasping the possible meaning behind this word.

The "list" that Senior Sister Thousand Illusions mentioned so solemnly is by no means ordinary.

"Um."

Thousand Illusions nodded slightly. "This list is called the Special Genius Training List. It is not made public, and even many World Derivation level may not know its full details. Those who can be included on this list are all deemed worthy of their clan's most core resources for cultivation. They are true seeds."

"Furthermore, this list is linked to a separate resource repository. It doesn't contain treasures circulating in the market, but rather items accumulated by Human Race over countless years. Some are limited due to their extreme rarity, others are sealed away due to stringent usage conditions, and still others are unique treasures obtained from other races. Among them are many rare items that can directly and efficiently enhance your Rule Comprehension, which might be just right for your current situation."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi's heart raced.

One can only imagine what kind of treasures would be contained in the core resource vault controlled by the highest levels of the Human Race.

"Senior sister, how can I get onto this list?"

Lin Yi suppressed his excitement and asked in a deep voice.

"How can we get in?" Thousand Illusions looked at Lin Yi, a smile playing on her lips. "Junior Brother, don't rush. Please wait here for a moment."