The Venerable Lord's Past, The Scheme of Laws

Sky Halberd Lord did not turn around, but continued to gaze up at the phantom of the stone spear, as if it were the only thing worth paying attention to in this place.

His body, though not particularly imposing beneath his Gray Robe, possessed an imposing aura; even his mere silhouette was enough to send shivers down the spines of ordinary cultivators at the World Derivation level.

Having dealt with Tian Ge several times, Xuan Yan knew his nature and didn't take offense. He continued, "I intend to nominate someone for the Special Genius Training List. This person is named Lin Yi. He has cultivated for over three hundred years, reached the Star Core level, and has comprehended the five rules of time and space, life and death, and metal."

Lin Yi.

Sky Halberd Lord finally turned around slowly.

It was a face with sharp, angular features, as if carved by a knife and axe, with short hair standing on end like iron halberds, and eyes so sharp they seemed to be able to cut through the laws of nature.

His gaze fell on Xuan Yan, and he asked directly, "Is he the one you're nominating?"

Xuan Yan nodded slightly. "Indeed, you know him too?"

"Know."

A sharp, almost razor-sharp smile appeared on Sky Halberd Lord's lips. "He's a good lad. He did something impressive fighting on the border. The Border Legion even made a promotional video about it. I watched it, thought it was good, and gave it a boost."

Xuan Yan suddenly realized.

He was so focused on his own affairs that he didn't pay much attention to these things.

"So it was you."

Xuan Yan's tone was unreadable, "Thousand Illusions didn't mention it; I thought it was just normal propaganda from the Star Realm Army."

"Normal advertising?"

Tian Ge scoffed, "The Star Realm Army fights countless battles every day, many more brutal and glorious than that. How could a battle at the Star Core level be so easily thrust into the limelight? It's just because that kid is to our liking, and it's also a way to give a warning to those so-called geniuses below who are afraid of battle and only know how to shut themselves away for arduous training."

He looked at Xuan Yan, "So, you want us to sign together and make an exception to include him on the list?"

"Yes."

Xuan Yan readily admitted, "Given his current potential and growth rate, the conventional resource supply cycle can no longer keep up with his needs. Only the special resource pool within the list has things that are more suitable for him."

Tian Ge remained silent for a moment, without answering immediately.

He turned his gaze back to the phantom of the stone spear, as if weighing something.

Xuan Yan did not urge him, but simply stood and waited.

He knew Tian Ge's personality; he was straightforward and hated beating around the bush.

Agree is a no, and disagreement is a no.

To Xuan Yan's surprise, Tian Ge did not hesitate for long.

"Can."

Sky Halberd Lord's voice was crisp and clear, "I'll add my name."

A hint of surprise flashed in Xuan Yan's eyes.

He knew that Tian Ge's attitude towards the list had always been complicated, even somewhat dissatisfying, so his quick agreement surprised him.

"Don't you want to ask a few more questions? For example, is he reliable? Is his future path clear? What controversies might arise from making an exception?" Xuan Yan couldn't help but ask.

"Why ask such nonsense?" Tian Ge turned around and faced Xuan Yan directly. "I promoted him within the Star Realm Army, so naturally I knew about his past. Otherwise, if something went wrong, wouldn't we become a laughing stock? Of course, the most important point..."

He emphasized, "I'm willing to give this kid my name. Not just because he's talented, but also because his performance in the Border Legion proves he's not the kind of person who only knows how to take and not give back, nor is he the kind of person who takes advantage of Human Race resources while thinking about the benefits of the Spirit Race!"

As he spoke, Tian Ge took a step forward, his Gray Robe fluttering without wind, and a chilling aura spread out, even causing the chaotic air currents emanating from the stone spear phantom in the hall to stagnate for a moment.

"Xuan Yan, as a resident member of the Supreme Council, you should know this better than I do." Tian Ge's voice deepened, carrying undisguised coldness. "The original purpose of establishing the roster was to concentrate resources and cultivate pillars who can truly support the Human Race."

"It is a pillar, not a decoration, and certainly not a parasite that only knows how to suck blood!"

"But look at the list these past few years, what kind of people have emerged? Talent? They certainly met the standards. They comprehended the laws rapidly and their realms improved dramatically. But then what?"

Tian Ge's voice echoed in the empty hall.

"He only cares about cultivation and his own future! He avoids the conscription of his clan whenever possible, ignores the flames of war on the border, and is indifferent to the power struggles within the alliance."

"It's as if they've become eternal, become supreme beings, only caring for their own freedom and comfort, at most looking after their own bloodline and family, which is considered more than enough!"

"Furthermore, some individuals have been flirting with the Spirit Race, maintaining overly close relationships. Their core family members and even businesses have secretly migrated to the Spirit Race's Spirit Race, and they themselves spend most of their time there!"

"They call it an exchange and learning session, drawing on the pinnacle of the Spirit Race. In reality, they've probably done more for the Spirit Race in dealing with their problems and exploring their secret realms than for the Human Race. At the highest meeting, all they talk about is how the Spirit Race is a top-tier race and how we Human Race should adapt and learn from them. It's utterly nonsensical!"

At this point, Tian Ge seemed to suddenly remember something, and paused, "Xuan Yan, what I just said wasn't about you."

"As everyone knows, you went to the Spirit Race early on, and even the key resources for your advancement to the Origin Law were provided by the Spirit Race, without using any resources from the Human Race. Later, you were willing to return to the Human Race with Thousand Illusions and have been working tirelessly for the development of the Human Race ever since. I, Tian Ge, respect this choice and sense of responsibility."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yan's face revealed a complex smile. "Tian Ge, you don't need to go out of your way to save face for me. The rumors circulating outside about storming the Spirit Race and snatching back our daughter are just a whitewash, a way to save face for both sides."

He shook his head slightly, his voice low. "Back then, which of you old buddies doesn't know that I was ransomed?"

"If it weren't for the Sovereign personally intervening and reaching some kind of agreement with the Spirit Race back then, I would never have been able to leave the Spirit Race's territory with Thousand Illusions, let alone return to the Human Race to assume an important position. As for what price the Sovereign paid and what conditions he promised, to this day, I still don't know the details."

The hall was silent for a moment, with only the faint sound of the stone spear phantom breathing out air.

Tian Ge noticed the fleeting complex emotion in Xuan Yan's eyes, and his sharp gaze softened slightly.

Why bother with that?

He smiled and comforted her, "No matter what price we paid back then, looking back now, it was all worth it."

"If you hadn't returned, the development of our Human Race's Virtual Network system would never have reached its current state. Although I don't understand those complex technologies and architectures, I've heard reports from my subordinates that our self-developed Virtual Network can now achieve instantaneous coverage at the Star Union level."

When Tian Ge mentioned the area he was in charge of, the bitterness in Xuan Yan's eyes subsided slightly.

"It's only Star Union- level coverage; it's far from sufficient."

"The stability, capacity, and depth of information penetration and rule simulation of Virtual Network, especially lossless Universe Ring level -time communication and consciousness connection across vast star systems—until these key bottlenecks are overcome, our network cannot be considered truly independent."

"It needs to achieve at least Universe Ring level coverage and stable core performance to be considered barely usable and able to partially replace reliance on the Pan-Spirit Alliance Virtual Network."

He sighed, "We're still far from it. The Virtual Network is the nervous system for communication, cultivation, and even war. As long as we don't have the ability to completely break free from the Pan-Spirit Alliance's Virtual Network, we will remain subject to others."

Tian Ge nodded solemnly. Although he was skilled in warfare, he also deeply understood the importance of information and communication autonomy.

"I'm only good at fighting and killing; I'm far inferior to you true geniuses when it comes to comprehensive things like construction and technology."

Tian Ge spoke frankly and sincerely, "Although we haven't had much contact, I've seen everything you've done over the years. I trust you as a person, and I believe that what you've done is for the good of Human Race. In the future, if you need any help with the construction of this Virtual Network, or other matters requiring military support or the removal of obstacles, please don't hesitate to ask."

Xuan Yan looked at Tian Ge, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "Thank you. I will not hesitate to ask if you need my help."

This little incident eased the tension in the hall, which had been somewhat tense due to the list issue.

But then, Tian Ge stared intently at Xuan Yan.

"I intend to formally propose amendments to the rules governing the list at the next Supreme Council. This would involve increasing the weight given to ethnic identity and past contributions during the review process, or adding some mandatory obligations."

"Since they enjoy resources far exceeding those of ordinary people, it is only natural for them to assume corresponding responsibilities for their community!"

"Even if we use massive resources to force some selfish geniuses to reach the Source Law level, what good will it do? What use is a Lord who only cares about himself and is indifferent to the rise and fall of his race? The millions of soldiers of our Star Realm Army shed blood and sacrificed their lives on the Frontline to protect such people?"

Xuan Yan silent.

What Tian Ge said, how could he not know?

Before the Human Race became a powerful race, things were fine. But after becoming a powerful race, especially in the last hundred thousand Epoch, as the Human Race gradually rose to prominence, it attracted more and more attention from all races, and various overt and covert methods came one after another.

In recent years, he has seen many exceptionally talented geniuses who, in the process of growing up, gradually regard "ethnic responsibility" as a burden or even a hindrance.

The resources provided to the list are almost unconditionally generous, with the initial intention of encouraging them to focus wholeheartedly on reaching new heights.

But when some people actually reach the top, they forget who built the ladder for them and who is guarding the foundation beneath it.

"There are a few who were nominated by you."

Tian Ge stared at Xuan Yan, "Now that you've become the Venerable Lord, you've repeatedly shirked your responsibilities when the Supreme Council assigned you tasks, either because you were in critical seclusion or at a crucial stage of your cultivation."

"Last time, when he was specifically requested to guard the Black Abyss Secret Realm, guess what? He immediately sent a message saying that he was currently studying an ancient secret technique and it was not advisable to interrupt it, so he suggested replacing him."

Tian Ge sneered, "Comprehend secret techniques? I had people investigate. During that time, he was clearly in his own Divine Kingdom, entertaining so-called friends from the Spirit Race. Did he really think that becoming a Venerable Lord meant he could transcend worldly affairs and disregard even the most basic obligations?"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yan gave a wry smile, "When the rules for the list were first established, we certainly didn't anticipate this situation today."

"As you know, for geniuses who aspire to become masters or even higher, overly strict rules and regulations might stifle their spirituality and potential. It relies more on self-discipline and traditional constraints."

"Tradition? Self-awareness?"

Tian Ge couldn't help but raise his voice, "For those who have long lost their sense of community and only have themselves left, tradition and self-awareness are worthless!"

"They had already calculated that as long as they didn't openly betray Human Race, and as long as they were strong enough, the clan wouldn't really do anything to them. After all, the cost of cultivating a Venerable Lord is too high."

Xuan Yan remained silent.

He knew where Tian Ge's anger stemmed from.

As a hardliner in the military, Tian Ge had witnessed the sacrifices of soldiers on the Frontline. What he found most intolerable was the indifference and selfishness of certain vested interests in the rear, especially those "refined egoists" who enjoyed the most resources but bore the least responsibility.

The list of geniuses, especially those who shirked their responsibilities after being promoted, or even those who harbored ambiguous relationships with the Spirit Race, undoubtedly touched a nerve with him.

"Rules changes have far-reaching implications."

Xuan Yan slowly said, "The existing geniuses on the list, the forces behind them, and those who have already advanced to the Venerable Lord level will face enormous resistance. Some might even say that this is a constraint on geniuses, detrimental to the cultivation of our Human Race's top combat power, and a step backward in history."

"Restraint? Reversing?"

Tian Ge scoffed, his voice resolute, "If even the most basic responsibilities to one's clan are seen as a constraint, then such a genius is better left untrained!"

"Our Human Race was able to rise from humble beginnings and stand tall in the Pan-Spirit Alliance, not because of a group of self-serving or even two-faced so-called geniuses, but because of billions of heroes willing to sacrifice their lives for their race!"

"Directory resources are a public resource for the community, not a private ladder for a few, much less a breeding ground for cultivating expatriate Venerable One."

Tian Ge looked at Xuan Yan, his tone softening, "Xuan Yan, I know you're concerned about balance and stability, but this trend cannot continue."

"If everyone follows those few role models, the list will become a breeding ground for selfish and powerful individuals, and even those who are disloyal, rather than a cradle for cultivating pillars of the community. If this continues, people's hearts will be scattered, their backbones will be weak, and no matter how many venerable leaders there are, they will be nothing more than a pile of loose sand, or even just doing the work for others."

Xuan Yan fell silent again.

The only sound inside the hall was the faint murmur of the stone spear phantom emitting chaotic energy.

After a long while, Xuan Yan sighed softly.

"You're right."

He raised his head, his gaze regaining its deep, still-deep quality. "This trend must not continue. It's time to re-examine the original purpose of the list; letting it run rampant will only lead us further away from that purpose."

"If you propose amending the list rules and improving the clauses on rights and responsibilities at the next Supreme Council, I will second it."

Upon hearing this, the sharp light in Sky Halberd Lord's eyes softened slightly. He nodded and said nothing more, "Alright."

The matter was settled, and Xuan Yan did not linger any longer.

"I will complete the nomination process as soon as possible," Xuan Yan said.

"Um."

Tian Ge responded, his gaze returning to the illusory stone spear, as if once again immersed in comprehending the supreme path of slaughter, leaving only one sentence behind.

"Tell that kid that the roster is both an opportunity and a responsibility. Make good use of that resource, and don't let me, or the soldiers on the Frontline who are inspired by him, down."

Xuan Yan nodded slightly, his figure fading away silently as he left the Hidden Edge Hall.

Silence returned to the hall.

--

Virtual Network, a space exclusively for Thousand Illusions.

Lin Yi had been waiting here for about half a standard hour.

He remained calm, standing quietly by the waterside pavilion, watching the koi carp gracefully swaying their tails in the pond. He sorted through his insights after the fusion of the five domains, while also pondering Senior Sister Thousand Illusions's suggestions regarding the Water Rule.

The senior sister told him to "wait here for a moment" and then disappeared on her own.

Lin Yi didn't think much of it, and he had no idea where his senior sister had gone or who she was talking to. He knew he could just wait patiently.

Suddenly, light and shadow shifted around them, the misty air condensed, and Thousand Illusions's figure quietly appeared.

Her flowing robes were still magnificent, her bare feet still as white as jade, and her face wore her usual gentle smile, as if she had only been gone for a short while.

"Junior brother, have you been waiting long?"

Thousand Illusions walked to the edge of the pool, sat down casually, and stirred the clear water.

"Senior sister."

Lin Yi turned and bowed, neither saying he was in a hurry nor that he wasn't, but simply asked, "Is there any result?"

"Well, that's a good start."

Thousand Illusions nodded and chuckled, saying, "Your nomination to be included in the list will be jointly submitted by the two Venerables. If there are no major surprises, it's only a matter of time before it's approved."

Lin Yi was immediately startled upon hearing this.

Although his senior sister spoke casually, he was no novice and naturally understood the weight of the words "joint nomination by the two venerable masters".

"Thank you so much, Senior Sister!" Lin Yi said sincerely.

He didn't know the specifics of the process, but he could guess that his senior sister must have put in a lot of effort.

Why thank me?

Thousand Illusions waved his hand, "It's because you're talented enough. If your talent wasn't up to par, the Lord wouldn't have agreed."

Then, she changed the subject, her tone becoming slightly more formal. "However, before you are officially added to the list, and for a period of time afterward, there is something you need to pay special attention to."

"Please speak, senior sister," Lin Yi said solemnly.

"Your Death Rule are complete, and you have successfully fused the five domains," Thousand Illusions said, looking at Lin Yi. "For now, do not reveal this to others, especially in public. Conceal this part of your strength as much as possible."

Lin Yi was slightly taken aback:

"Hidden? Senior sister is worried about the tree standing out from the forest?"

"That's one aspect, but not the main reason."

Thousand Illusions explained, "Recently, there has been a lot of undercurrent within the Pan-Spirit Alliance, and the actions of various races have been more frequent than before. While there may not be any god-level agents lurking in our Human Race territory, there are definitely Star Domain level and World Derivation level agents among the alien races."

Her tone was calm, yet carried a hint of warning.

"I didn't remind you of these things before because ordinary geniuses, even the best among the Star Core level, are not worth activating these precious hidden agents unless they reach certain core levels or demonstrate sufficient potential. The risk and reward are not proportional."

"But if you continue to showcase your talent and demonstrate the ability to win first place in the Pan-Spirit Alliance Genius Battle, then it's a different story."

Lin Yi frowned slightly. "They dare to make a move in the heart of the Human Race?"

"A direct assassination is extremely risky, especially against a target like you who's on the list," Thousand Illusions said. "But covert methods are hard to guard against; there are plenty of ways to poison you, lure you into dangerous secret realms, or incite conflict between you and other geniuses or forces."

"Although once you are officially included in the register, the clan will provide you with corresponding defensive forces, including covert protection and early warning mechanisms, it's always good to conceal your strength to reduce unnecessary trouble."

She looked at Lin Yi and added, "Of course, your Main Body is stationed at the Border Legion fortress, which is a key location for the Star Realm Army and is heavily defended. As long as it's not attacked personally by Eternal Divine level powerhouse, you're safe. When you go out, use your clones more often; even if there are losses, you can withstand them."

"Therefore, security risks are not actually my primary consideration when advising you to conceal your abilities."

Lin Yi astutely grasped the key point. "That..."

Thousand Illusions's lips curled into a sly smile, "It's to prevent the Spirit Race from targeting us prematurely."

"Spirit Race deliberately targeting us?"

Lin Yi was somewhat surprised. "Is it because of the Genius Battle? But isn't the Genius Battle a stage for fair competition among geniuses of all races in the Pan-Spirit Alliance? As the organizer and leader, would the Spirit Race openly target a particular participant? If this is exposed, how can the other races be convinced?"

"It's not the kind of hostile, alien-like targeting you're thinking of."

Thousand Illusions shook her head. "Instead, to ensure that the title of number one is absolutely not lost, they might resort to some... well, unconventional methods and resources."

She hesitated for a moment, then decided to give Lin Yi a heads-up. "Did you know that the geniuses sent by the Spirit Race to participate in the Pan-Spirit Alliance Genius Battle are usually not the strongest geniuses of their generation?"

Not the strongest of its generation?

Lin Yi was slightly taken aback; he truly didn't know such a thing existed.

Next, Thousand Illusions briefly explained to Lin Yi the internal selection process of the Spirit Race's "Primal Ancestral Court," where the top three winners received generous rewards but did not participate in the Genius Battle, and usually only the fourth-place winner was sent to fight. He also explained the strategy of sending the top three or even the actual first-place winner when the assessment deemed the fourth-place Lin Yi unstable.

"The true champion selected from within the Spirit Race 'Primal Ancestral Court, at the Star Core level level, has typically already pushed the rule fusion to the seventh or even eighth level."

Qian Huan's tone was filled with emotion, "Moreover, the rules they understand are by no means ordinary. More importantly, if they feel that a certain foreign genius is a big enough threat, in order to ensure victory, they may be allowed to use some normally forbidden or extremely precious treasures and secret techniques to greatly increase their strength in a short period of time."

She looked at Lin Yi, her gaze honest. "Junior Brother, it's not that I don't trust your talent and potential. But we must face reality."

"Our Human Race's treasure trove is indeed inferior to that of the Spirit Race, who have ruled the Pan-Spirit Alliance for countless years. Their resource reserves are deeper, and their methods are more diverse."

"If they prematurely perceive you as a threat that requires unconventional methods to suppress, then before you even reach the finals, you might face an extraordinary opponent built with all sorts of precious resources."

This will put you in a very passive position.

Thousand Illusions concluded, "Unless we invest more and more valuable resources to help you deal with it, we cannot, like the Spirit Race, easily use some of our most treasured reserves for the sake of winning a Star Core level Genius Battle."

Lin Yi finally understood.

His senior sister told him to hide his abilities, not primarily out of concern for his safety, although that was a factor, but mainly to "steal a chicken."

As long as he only demonstrates the power of the fusion of four rules.

In this way, even if the Spirit Race suspects that he is hiding something, in their evaluation system, he may just be a very competitive genius, but not necessarily a threat level that "requires breaking with convention and using extraordinary means".

In this case, the Spirit Race will likely still only send their usual "fourth" member, or at most, the weakest of their top three.

He can then suddenly reveal his hand in the finals or crucial battles, catching his opponent off guard and seizing the greatest victory at a relatively low cost.

"I understand, Senior Sister." A thoughtful glint flashed in Lin Yi's eyes. "Feign weakness to the enemy, conserve strength, and unleash it at the final moment to secure the most reliable victory with the least cost. Essentially, it's about getting that first place more economically and efficiently."

"That's exactly right."

Thousand Illusions nodded approvingly, "It saves us some of our precious resources and increases our chances of winning, so why not?"

"After all, the top reward for the Genius Battle is fixed, and the resources on the list aren't just windfalls; each one represents the hard work of the entire clan. Wouldn't it be more worthwhile to use them on more crucial areas, such as helping you break through to the next realm and comprehend the laws, rather than wasting them on an arms race in the Genius Battle at the Star Core level?"

Lin Yi wholeheartedly agreed.

He was always accustomed to leaving himself room for maneuver and concealing some of his strength as a backup plan.

His senior's suggestion coincided with his own style of doing things.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister. I understand what to do now."

Lin Yi solemnly replied, "Before the Genius Battle, I will only demonstrate the realm of the fusion of the fourth level of rules. The matter of the fusion of the Death Rule and the fifth level will never be easily revealed."

"Yes, it's good that you know what's going on."

Thousand Illusions stood up, looking much more relaxed. "I've told you everything that needed to be told. As for the list, just wait for good news. I'll notify you when the process is complete."

"Next, proceed step by step and study the Water Rule. Carefully review the notes and techniques your senior sister gave you. Once you have a basic understanding of the Water Rule, feel free to ask me anytime if you have any questions."

"Yes, Senior Sister." Lin Yi bowed.

"Go."

Thousand Illusions waved her hand, her figure becoming hazy. "Cultivate diligently. Reaching the threshold of the roster is just the beginning; the road ahead is long. Senior sister looks forward to you bringing surprises to the Human Race in the Genius Battle."

As soon as she finished speaking, Thousand Illusions's figure vanished like a dream.

Lin Yi stood alone amidst the mountains and rivers, his thoughts churning.

"While stealing a chicken would be ideal, we also need to be prepared for a direct confrontation if we are exposed."

Lin Yi thought to himself, "The true number one among the Spirit Race is at the seventh or eighth level, let's say the eighth. If some special method is added, it might even reach the ninth level."

"Then, I need to reach at least the ninth level; otherwise, it's not necessarily safe."

"Although my senior sister didn't say it just now, it's clear from the fact that it required nominations from two Venerable Lords that it must have been no easy feat for me to be included on the list."

"Therefore, I must get first place to prove to my senior sister and to prove that the two venerable masters did not recommend the wrong person."

"And to secure first place..."

Lin Yi silently calculated in his mind, a sharp glint appearing in his eyes.

We need to find a way to grasp the rules as much as possible!