Becoming a Captain with Real Authority
Lin Yi stood in the pillar of light, his gaze calmly sweeping across the area below.
In the area where the Human Race players were located, Hui Yao, Xing Yu, Kenkes, and others all had bright smiles on their faces as they chatted with players from other races who had come to congratulate them.
Further away, the Human Race spectators in the stands were still cheering, and many of Human Race faces were glistening with tears.
He can understand that feeling.
Although the Human Race is one of the powerful races in the Pan-Spirit Alliance, it has been far too long since they have won first place in the Genius Battle, a grand event that is watched by the entire star system.
The last time the Human Race won the championship was millions of Epoch ago.
"Owner."
Xuanji's voice rang in my ears, "According to the schedule, after the coronation ceremony, we will proceed with the post-match interviews."
"Post-match interview?" Lin Yi asked in his mind.
"Yes," Xuanji explained, "As is customary, the champion can choose to be interviewed by top media outlets from the Star Sea in the exclusive interview area of Ultimate Arena. These media outlets have influence throughout the entire Pan-Spirit Alliance, making it an important opportunity to promote the image of the race and enhance personal reputation."
Lin Yi nodded slightly.
He wasn't surprised by this.
Although he was just an ordinary Star Core level in his previous life, he knew that after the top competition in the Star Sea ended, the champion would inevitably face a barrage of media attention.
"Furthermore," Xuanji continued, "We just received a designated clan honor mission from the system directly under the Supreme Council of our clan."
"Designated clan merit mission?" Lin Yi's heart skipped a beat.
There are many types of clan honor missions, including exploration, escort, research, and teaching missions.
However, "designated clan honor missions" are usually issued directly by the clan's high-ranking members. They are special missions for specific members, with clear completion conditions and often quite generous rewards.
Task: Give a post-match media interview.
Xuanji projected the mission information into Lin Yi's field of vision. "Mission Requirements: Participate fully in the joint interview with five media outlets and answer all reasonable questions. Mission Reward: 100 Clan Medals for each media interview completed, for a total of 500 Clan Medals."
A hint of surprise flashed in Lin Yi's eyes.
500 clan merits? That's no small amount; it's almost equivalent to completing a large-scale mission on a Species Battlefield.
"It seems the tribe is taking this publicity campaign very seriously," Lin Yi thought to himself.
But on second thought, it makes sense.
After he demonstrates the laws of time and wins the championship, the prestige and influence of the entire Human Race will increase accordingly.
The implicit benefits of this upgrade far exceed the value of 500 clan merits.
Moreover, he himself needs such a platform, and he wouldn't refuse it for both public and private reasons.
"I accept," Lin Yi said to Xuanji.
"The mission has been confirmed." A subtle hint of pleasure seemed to linger in Xuanji's voice. "The interview will begin in thirty minutes in the top-tier interview room attached to the Star Dome Hall. A Spirit Race staff member will guide you there."
Lin Yi stopped speaking and stood quietly in the pillar of light, feeling the nourishment of the warm, golden energy while sorting out his thoughts.
After all, saying the wrong thing during an interview with one of Xinghai's top media outlets could easily turn into a disaster.
--
Half a standard hour later.
Guided by a Spirit Race etiquette officer, Lin Yi passed through a corridor paved with glowing crystals and arrived at a ten-meter-high arched doorway.
The door is made of some kind of translucent silver crystal, with faint energy patterns flowing across its surface.
When the door is closed, the interior is completely invisible from the outside.
"Your Excellency Lin Yi, this is the Xingyu Hall, a venue specifically used for high-level interviews."
The etiquette officer was an elegant Spirit Race woman, dressed in a traditional Spirit Race robe. She treated Lin Yi with respect yet maintained a proper distance. "Representatives from the five media outlets are now in place. The interviews will be conducted in a question-and-answer format, with each media outlet having three opportunities to ask questions. The total duration will be limited to one standard hour."
Lin Yi nodded to indicate that he understood.
The protocol officer stepped to the side and gently touched the sensor area next to the door.
The silver doors slid open silently to the sides, revealing the interior.
It was a circular hall, about fifty meters in diameter and about twenty meters high.
The dome is shaped like a starry sky, with countless tiny points of light slowly rotating within it, simulating a realistic galaxy. The ground is made of a smooth, mirror-like black material, reflecting the starlight above.
In the center of the hall, six suspended chairs are arranged in a circle.
Five of the seats were already occupied, or rather, occupied by people in different forms.
On the far left is a member of the Machine Race wearing a silver-gray uniform with a serious expression. His metal shell is inlaid with several faintly glowing crystals, which are the mark of high-ranking members of the Machine Race.
A recording crystal core the size of a fist floated in front of him.
Beside him was a Spirit Race, but not a physical entity; rather, it was a hazy energy projection, showing the outline of a middle-aged man. His face was obscured, but one could sense his gentle yet profound aura.
A vibrant green leaf floats in front of the projection, its surface shimmering with light.
The third is Holy Radiance Race. She is enveloped in a soft holy light, making it impossible to discern her gender or appearance; only her golden eyes are clearly visible.
The fourth is Crystal Spirit Race, a woman with light blue skin and a rhombus-shaped crystal embedded in her forehead. A multifaceted crystal floats in front of her, each facet reflecting different light and shadow.
Lin Yi glanced at the fifth person.
It was a somewhat ethereal, misty being, seemingly about to dissipate at any moment. Its overall color was dark purple, with only two eyes that appeared to be burning with Nether Fire clearly visible.
His presence was faint, but Lin Yi could sense that this media representative from the "Nether Shadow Race" was probably skilled in the reporting style of digging up secrets and tracking gossip.
The five seats were arranged in an arc, facing the one in the center that was clearly prepared for Lin Yi.
"Your Excellency Lin Yi, please." The etiquette officer gestured an invitation.
Lin Yi stepped into the hall.
The moment he stepped in, five pairs of eyes focused on him simultaneously.
His gaze held scrutiny and curiosity, and even a hint of barely perceptible pressure.
Although these media representatives may not be top-tier in terms of their own abilities, they represent a powerful force behind the scenes that can influence public opinion in Xinghai.
Lin Yi walked calmly to the central seat and sat down.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the overall champion of this year's Pan-Spirit Alliance Genius Battle, His Human Race Lin Yi of the Human Race," the etiquette officer introduced. "The interview will now begin. Questions will be asked in the order of media numbers, with three questions per media outlet. Please be mindful of your time."
The hall fell silent for a moment.
The first to speak was a female member of the Spirit Race.
"Congratulations on winning the championship, Mr. Lin Yi. I am K-773, a reporter from Star Ring Media."
Lin Yi knew the name Star Ring Media.
This is one of Xinghai's largest comprehensive media outlets, known for its objectivity, accuracy, and detailed data.
"Thank you." Lin Yi nodded slightly.
"My first question," a glint of light flashed in K-773's metallic eyes, "Is now spreading across countless corners of the world via the StarNet signal. First, could you share with us how you feel right now?"
Lin Yi was prepared.
He calmly replied, "Thank you. My feelings at this moment are primarily gratitude and joy. I'm grateful that I never gave up along the way, grateful for the nurturing and support my community has given me, and also grateful to all my rivals, whose strength has allowed me to constantly push my limits. This honor does not belong to me personally; it belongs to my community."
K-773 nodded slightly. "My second question is about the Time Law you demonstrated in the finals, which shocked the entire Star Sea. According to publicly available records, the last being to comprehend a higher-level law at the Star Core level level was the Spirit Race's Time Ruins Lord from 200,000 Epoch ago. May I ask how you managed to touch the threshold of the Time Law at the Star Core level? Did you have any special cultivation methods or opportunities?"
This question is sharp and direct, touching on the core curiosity of countless viewers and powerful figures.
Lin Yi knew that countless high-level cultivators were watching his answer, but he already had a plan in mind.
"It mainly relies on tireless efforts and the community's dedication to nurturing them."
Lin Yi's tone was very sincere, "Although our Human Race is not a top-tier powerful race, we are never stingy with resources for promising talents like me. From the most basic resource supply to the most profound guidance in inheritance, the race has paved the way for me. As for comprehending the laws..."
He paused briefly, seemingly choosing his words carefully, "I believe that the laws inherently exist within the workings of all things; the key lies in perception and alignment. I've spent a great deal of time immersing myself in the origins of the universe, observing battles of the powerful, and analyzing fragments of the laws, constantly trying to understand their operating principles. Of course, this also involves a touch of innate sensitivity, and an indispensable element of luck. Perhaps, I just happened to touch that barrier at the right time, with the right mindset."
He avoided the details of specific inheritance and opportunities, focusing instead on seemingly general but actually safest answers like hard work, training, talent, and luck.
It acknowledges the exceptional nature of the subject without revealing its true strengths, while simultaneously highlighting Human Race's emphasis on geniuses.
"The third question," K-773's voice remained calm, "What are your plans for the future? Do you already have a timetable for attempting to reach the Eternal Realm?"
This question is a bit overstepping its bounds, as it involves the cultivator's private plans.
But Lin Yi didn't mind, or rather, he had long anticipated similar problems.
"The path of cultivation is one step at a time," he said calmly. "I have just stepped into the threshold of the laws and need time to consolidate my foundation. As for future breakthroughs, I will let nature take its course. I will do whatever my clan needs me to do."
Not a drop leaks.
K-773 paused for two seconds, then nodded slightly on its metallic head. "My question is finished. Thank you for your answer, Lin Yi."
The recording crystal flashed, clearly indicating that the entire question-and-answer process had been completely saved.
The subsequent interviews with four different media outlets, each with a distinct style and focus, showcased Lin Yi's composure, humility, and confidence throughout. His answers were measured and insightful, perfectly embodying the spirit of Human Race champion.
As the last representative announced the end of the question-and-answer session, Lin Yi heard Xuanji's voice. "Master, all media interviews are complete. The designated clan merit mission has been completed, and the 500 clan merits have been credited to your account."
After the interview, representatives from the five media outlets greeted Lin Yi and then left.
Lin Yi sat alone in the Xingyu Hall, letting out a slight sigh of relief.
Although the problems were expected, we still needed to be highly focused when facing representatives from these top media outlets.
Every word can be amplified and interpreted, spreading to every corner of the cosmos.
"Master, Xuan Yan has sent a message," Xuanji's voice rang out again, "Inviting you to the Star Gazing Platform for a chat."
Lin Yi stood up.
He knew that the real show was just beginning.
The Observatory is located at the very top of the Ultimate Arena and is a private area reserved for Venerable Lord Rank beings.
Guided by the Spirit Race staff, Lin Yi rode a silent vertical lift platform, passed through several layers of energy barriers, and finally arrived at an open-air platform.
The platform is not large, about 100 meters square, with the ground paved with warm white jade. There are no fences around it, only a faint energy light curtain separating the platform from the outside world.
Standing here, you can overlook the entire Ultimate Arena.
The massive crystal pillars, spectator areas, and player rest areas below now appear as tiny as miniature models.
Further away, the starry sky, emitting a faint glow, is clearly visible, with countless stars shining silently in the deep sky.
At the center of the platform, Xuan Yan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant starry sky.
He wasn't wearing his signature long robe today, but rather a simple dark blue casual outfit. His aura was restrained, and if one didn't pay close attention, one might even mistake him for an ordinary middle-aged scholar.
"Your Excellency." Lin Yi approached and bowed respectfully.
Xuan Yan turned around, a gentle smile on his face, "You've arrived? Have a seat."
He pointed to two jade chairs placed at the edge of the platform, and a low table in the middle.
Tea sets were already laid out on the low table, and a pot of tea was emitting wisps of steam, its aroma delicate and refined.
Lin Yi sat down as instructed.
Xuan Yan sat down opposite him and personally poured him a cup of tea. "Try it, this is the Spirit Race's Tranquil Dew, produced from ancient tea trees deep within the Eternal Forest. It tastes quite good."
Lin Yi picked up his teacup and took a small sip.
The tea crystals are as clear as Amber, slightly bitter at first, then turning sweet. A cool energy flows down the throat, quickly spreading to every part of the body, and finally gathering in the depths of the soul.
He could feel his slightly fatigued spirit, which had been strained from dealing with a series of interviews, rapidly recovering.
"Excellent tea," Lin Yi praised sincerely.
Xuan Yan smiled, picked up his teacup, took a sip, then put it down and looked at Lin Yi: "How was the interview?"
"It went fairly smoothly," Lin Yi replied. "The problems were all within expectations."
"That's good." Xuan Yan nodded. "These media outlets have a great influence, and your answer will be spread throughout the Star Sea. However, there's no need to worry too much. Cultivators ultimately rely on their strength. Today you demonstrated the Law of Time, and tomorrow the entire Star Sea will know that Human Race has gained another future Venerable One."
He paused, then continued, "I called you here to discuss two things. The first is about the arrangements for the leaders of the Myriad Secret Realm."
Lin Yi's expression turned serious, and he listened attentively.
"As is customary, the champion of the Genius Battle will become the leader of the Pan-Spirit Alliance team entering the Myriad Secret Realm."
Xuan Yan slowly said, "But as you also know, the Spirit Race, as the core of the Pan-Spirit Alliance, actually wields the most power. In the past, when other races served as leaders, the Spirit Race would often pay a price to ensure that the leaders followed the arrangements of the Spirit Race's prodigies, thus regaining control."
Lin Yi nodded.
He already knew this information.
Leaders of races other than Spirit Race may have impressive titles, but they wield limited real power.
"But this time, the situation is different." Xuan Yan's lips curled into a meaningful smile. "I've spoken with Hui Guang. The Spirit Race has agreed that, with you as the leader in the Myriad Secret Realm, the Spirit Race's prodigies will generally follow your arrangements."
Lin Yi was slightly taken aback.
This was not what he had expected.
"However," Xuan Yan changed the subject, "On major decisions, you need to consult with Edith. Note, not just obey, but consult."
A hint of surprise flashed in Lin Yi's eyes.
Deliberation and obedience are two completely different concepts.
The former implies equal dialogue, while the latter implies a superior-subordinate relationship.
"Surprised?"
Xuan Yan looked at Lin Yi's expression and laughed, "With your talent, and your performance in the previous ranked matches, Huiguang wouldn't dare to ask you to listen to Edith."
"Even if you were to negotiate with Edith, the Spirit Race promised to prioritize us Human Race when intervening in Level 4 Tiered Battlefield. That's a much better offer than what I initially expected for Level 3 battlefields."
"Prioritize intervention in the Level 4 battlefield?" Lin Yi's heart stirred.
Level 4 battlefields correspond to the level of battles between Star Domain level expert.
Xuan Yan said slowly, "It may seem like just a change of order, but for our Human Race, it has great significance."
Lin Yi nodded silently.
Every Star Domain level expert is a core force cultivated with enormous resources and time. If they had received support from the Spirit Race's star-domain powerhouses earlier, even by just a few thousand or a hundred years, how many Star Domain level could have been saved?
"This is indeed a very generous gift."
Lin Yi nodded slowly, "Although it may seem like just an adjustment of the order, and the Spirit Race's own contribution is limited, it is of great significance to our Human Race."
He paused, then looked at Xuan Yan, "However, I didn't expect Lord Xuan Yan to explain the specific details of the exchange to me in such detail."
Generally speaking, in such high-level strategic transactions, "executors" like him only need to know the outcome and the surface arrangements.
The internal pricing information is a highly confidential matter.
The Xuan Yan's gaze was profound. "I'm telling you this because you are no longer just a seed of genius. After this battle, your status and influence within the clan are different. There are some things you need to know, and you need to start learning to think about problems from a higher perspective."
"This change in leadership, and the deal behind it, is the first lesson. Remember, in the Star Sea, strength and potential are the best bargaining chips to win respect and benefits. The Spirit Race's change in attitude stems from the fact that the value you demonstrated exceeded their initial expectations."
Lin Yi solemnly replied, "Understood."
"Good, I understand." Xuan Yan put down his teacup. "We will depart for the Myriad Secret Realm in three days. During this time, you will be the leader of this joint team. How you interact with Edith, how you make decisions, and how you handle things are up to you."
"Yes," Lin Yi said solemnly.
After finishing their business, Xuan Yan stood up. "Come with me, I'll take you to meet some old friends. They all congratulated you on your victory, so it's only right that they let you make an appearance."
Lin Yi followed Xuan Yan out of the meditation room and arrived at the "Star Sea Hall," a higher level of the Ultimate Arena.
This place is usually where Venerable Lord Rank beings gather and exchange ideas, and at this moment, several figures with auras as deep as abyss are already here.
Upon seeing Xuan Yan bring Lin Yi in, several pairs of eyes turned to them simultaneously.
"Xuan Yan, you've arrived." A loud voice rang out.
The speaker was a giant with bronze-like skin. Lin Yi recognized him as the Lord of the Mountain Race, the Giant Rock Lord.
The Mountain Race is one of the powerful races with close ties to the Human Race. They are known for their defense and strength and have fought alongside the Human Race in numerous Species Battlefield.
"Lin Yi greets Giant Rock Lord." Lin Yi greeted him politely.
"Haha, great! Nice to meet you, here, you can play with this little gadget."
With a flick of his hand, the Giant Rock Lord sent a beam of yellow light flying toward Lin Yi.
Lin Yi took it; it was a yellow crystal about the size of a thumb, with what appeared to be floating starlight inside.
"Stellar Essence Crystal can be of some help to your understanding of the Laws of Earth, or in tempering your physical body."
"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Excellency." Lin Yi could sense the powerful yet gentle energy within the crystal; it was definitely a priceless treasure.
Next, Xuan Yan introduced two other Venerables to Lin Yi.
One of them is the Lord of the "Crystal Spirit Race," the Phantom Light Lord.
The Crystal Spirit Race are a type of energy life form, skilled in manipulating light, illusion, and energy, and they cooperate closely with the Human Race in the fields of technology and energy research.
The form of the Phantom Light Lord is a soft halo that constantly changes color and shape.
"Lin Yi of the Human Race, this is a gift for you."
As he spoke, a wisp of seven-colored light fell into Lin Yi's hand, transforming into a transparent crystal like a Prism.
"The Myriad Prism Crystal can assist in analyzing complex energy structures, stabilizing soul fluctuations, and resisting illusions to a certain extent."
The other is the leader of the "Star-Eyed Race," the Stargazing Lord.
The Stargazing Lord resembles Human Race in appearance, but his eyes seem to hold the birth and death of countless stars.
He nodded slightly, and a complex rune mark, seemingly woven from starlight, floated towards Lin Yi.
"This is the Star Mark, which can ignore most conventional interference within a certain range and perform a random inter- Star Domain level teleportation. It might be useful in a critical moment."
Lin Yi accepted the gift solemnly and thanked him again.
These gifts were all precious and practical, representing both an investment in him personally and a continued signal of goodwill towards Human Race.
In addition to the gifts, the three venerable ones also left their Contact Mark. The value of this potential network of contacts even exceeds that of the physical gifts.
After a brief meeting, Lin Yi took his leave with Xuan Yan.
Lin Yi knew clearly that these lords valued not only his talent, but also the attitude of the Human Race behind him, and the potential impact he would have on the Pan-Spirit Alliance once he grew up.
But in any case, these connections and gifts are tangible gains.
After meeting the three powerful races' leaders, Xuan Yan led Lin Yi to a side hall.
More than a dozen Eternal Divinity have gathered here, all representatives of small and medium-sized races.
Players from their race performed poorly in this Genius Battle, with most failing to even reach the finals, but that didn't stop them from coming to pay their respects to the new champion.
"Congratulations on winning the championship, Mr. Lin Yi!"
"Human Race has gained another peerless genius; it's truly enviable."
"This is a special product of my tribe called 'Emerald Heart Spirit Liquid,' which has miraculous effects on nourishing the soul. It's just a small gift, nothing more."
Representatives from smaller ethnic groups warmly gathered around, presenting their congratulatory gifts.
These gifts are quite valuable, but they all have one thing in common: they are widely applicable.
Anyone who reaches a certain level of strength can use this.
Lin Yi understood. These races had obviously prepared gifts before coming to the Ultimate Arena. Regardless of whether he or Edith won the championship, these gifts would be appropriate and not impolite.
But Lin Yi didn't take offense, after all, this was the survival wisdom of these small and medium-sized races in the starry sea under duress.
He accepted the gifts one by one, expressed his gratitude politely, and at the same time quickly recorded the race, name, and type of gift of each representative through the Xuanji.
Although these small and medium-sized races are not strong individually, they are a force to be reckoned with when they unite.
Moreover, they often have unique advantages in certain resources, special technologies, or interstellar intelligence.
The interaction lasted for about half a standard hour.
Lin Yi breathed a sigh of relief after the last representative left.
Even with his current soul strength and willpower, he felt a bit mentally exhausted after facing so many powerful individuals of different races and styles.
The Xuan Yan said calmly, "Do you see? This is reality. The stronger you are, the more people will be willing to befriend you and add to your glory. These races may not be able to provide decisive assistance, but in many subtle ways and in a wide range of areas, their support can still accumulate into considerable power."
"Human Race's rise in the starry sea is inseparable from cooperation with these races. As you achieve eternity and even higher, such opportunities will only increase. Cultivators cannot reach the pinnacle by working in isolation; interpersonal relationships, racial interests, and the overall structure of the starry sea are all things that must be faced."
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency." Lin Yi nodded.
He understood that Xuan Yan was telling him not to become arrogant because of temporary glory.
The universe is vast and relationships are complex. These races that greet each other with smiles today may change their stance in the future due to interests. But at least at this stage, maintaining good relations is beneficial to both sides.
Xuan Yan checked the time. "It's almost time. The banquet is about to begin. Go back and prepare. Hui Guang will be attending in person tonight to announce some important arrangements."
--
As evening fell, the "Star Dome Sanctuary" in the Core Zone of Ultimate Arena was brightly lit, where a grand banquet was being held.
The enormous dome of the hall simulates a dazzling nebula, with soft light streaming down from suspended crystal chandeliers, illuminating the dazzling array of delicacies below and the diverse figures of geniuses from various races.
Lin Yi entered the temple surrounded by the Human Race race.
His appearance once again drew everyone's attention.
Lin Yi remained calm as he walked towards the front row seat, guided by a Spirit Race attendant.
This position highlights his special status as a champion.
The atmosphere at the banquet was somewhat delicate at first, but it gradually became lively as the geniuses from various races began to freely exchange ideas.
Many contestants, including some geniuses from the Spirit Race, Holy Radiance Race, and Crystal Spirit Race, took the initiative to come to the Human Race's seats to toast and congratulate Lin Yi.
Midway through the banquet, a gentle yet boundless pressure quietly spread, instantly silencing all the noise.
The figure of the Radiance Lord, shrouded in a hazy glow composed of countless tiny feathers of light, appeared on the main platform at the very front of the temple.
He didn't deliberately release any pressure, but the majesty that originated from the level of life and accumulated over countless Epoch made every contestant present unconsciously hold their breath.
"Gentlemen."
The voice of the Radiance Lord clearly reached everyone's ears.
"First of all, congratulations to you all, especially this year's champion, Lin Yi of the Human Race. You represent the strongest level of the younger generation of Star Core level in the Pan-Spirit Alliance. Your glory is also the glory of the Pan-Spirit Alliance."
After a brief opening, the Radiance Lord changed the subject, his tone becoming serious. "After the celebration, let's get down to business. As is customary, and this is also the most important objective of your trip— the Myriad Secret Realm."
The entire temple fell silent; you could hear a pin drop.
All the contestants, regardless of what they had been doing before, were now focused intently on the main stage.
"The Myriad Secret Realm are the only known ultimate secret realm capable of reliably producing Source Essence, and are crucial to the foundation and future destiny of our race."
The Radiance Lord's gaze slowly swept over the young and energetic faces below. "Its internal rules are unpredictable. Each time it is opened, the environment, terrain, and even the spacetime structure can be drastically reshaped. Danger and opportunity coexist."
"Three days later, all one thousand contestants who have qualified will be escorted by our clan to the star field where the entrance to the secret realm is located."
After announcing the departure time, the Radiance Lord's voice suddenly turned serious. "Before entering the secret realm, there are several ironclad rules that must be followed."
"First, during the exploration of the secret realm, all members of the Pan-Spirit Alliance are prohibited from attacking or harming each other. Violators will be considered to have betrayed the Pan-Spirit Alliance, and they and their respective clans will be subject to the most severe sanctions stipulated in the alliance."
"Secondly, when encountering the other two powerful clans, you must help each other and fight together. Inside the secret realm, you are one entity."
"Third, the core objective is to explore secret realms to acquire resources. The final reward will be determined based on the value of the resources you submit after exiting the realm. The reward is generous enough to allow any Star Core level cultivator to ascend to the highest level in one step, so I hope everyone will give it their all."
Three ironclad rules, simple and clear.
All the contestants nodded solemnly, indicating that they understood.
No one dares to treat matters involving "Source Essence" and the fundamental interests of their race lightly.
Finally, the Radiance Lord's gaze fell upon Lin Yi, and his voice softened slightly. "According to the ancient rules of the Pan-Spirit Alliance, the winner of the Genius Battle will automatically become the leader of the Pan-Spirit Alliance's team when exploring the Myriad Secret Realm together in the future."
"Therefore, Lin Yi is the leader of our Pan-Spirit Alliance for this trip to the Myriad Secret Realm."
As soon as he finished speaking, hundreds of eyes focused on Lin Yi.
These gazes were incredibly complex, especially among the geniuses of the Spirit Race. Although they already knew the outcome, hearing the Lord announce it with their own ears still left them with mixed feelings.
Radiance Lord continued, "The leader has the authority to coordinate the various factions of the Pan-Spirit Alliance within the secret realm and formulate action strategies."
He paused, then added, "Of course, the rules of the Myriad Secret Realm are unpredictable. In a secret realm where everyone fights alone and cannot cooperate, everything depends on individual skill. But in a secret realm where the rules allow cooperation, or even require teamwork to survive and explore, then Lin Yi will be your leader."
These words not only clarified Lin Yi's identity and authority as the team leader, but also pointed out the premise for the team leader's authority to take effect: that the rules of the secret realm allowed it.
But everyone present knew that, given Lin Yi's demonstrated time-law and absolute strength, as long as the secret realm environment wasn't extremely averse to cooperation, his leadership position and influence would be a tangible reality.
Under everyone's gaze, Lin Yi slowly rose and bowed slightly to the Radiance Lord and everyone present, officially accepting this responsibility.
He didn't say much; any words would be superfluous at this moment. Strength and subsequent actions would be the best proof.
The banquet continued for some time after the departure of the Radiance Lord, but the atmosphere had changed.
Many contestants began to communicate with each other more seriously, especially those geniuses who were ranked lower and had relatively weaker abilities. They were intentionally or unintentionally moving in the direction of Lin Yi, hoping to become familiar with him in advance.
Lin Yi did not adopt an arrogant attitude. He gave basic responses to contestants who took the initiative to talk to him, as long as their attitude was sincere.
A multi-standard period passed quietly in this atmosphere.
When Lin Yi finally shed the last pleasantries and walked out of the Star Dome Sanctuary, the night in the Ultimate Arena was already deep.
He stood on the high skywalk, gazing into the distance.
The night view of the Ultimate Arena is magnificent and dreamlike, with countless energy light bands flowing like aurora borealis in the deep night sky, outlining complex and beautiful patterns.
In the distance, the enormous energy rings surrounding the arena slowly rotated, emitting soft, multicolored light that shone in harmony with the eternal stars in the sky.
The hustle and bustle, cheers, battles, and social engagements of the daytime seem to be absorbed by this tranquil and magnificent night scene.
A cool night breeze, carrying a pure and energetic scent, brushed against my face.
Lin Yi took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, as if trying to expel all the fatigue and troubles of the day.
Strolling back along the transparent corridor to the contestants' exclusive accommodation area, the surrounding noise gradually fades away.
The accommodation area is tranquil, with each lounge being independently suspended and separated by an energy barrier to ensure absolute privacy.
Lin Yi's lounge is located at the highest point of the accommodation area.
The door slid open silently, revealing an interior in a typical Spirit Race style.
Lin Yi took off his coat and casually hung it on the energy hook by the door. Then he walked to the jade platform in the center and sat cross-legged on the round cushion.
The cushion felt slightly cool to the touch, and then a gentle and pure energy flowed out from the cushion, slowly seeping into the body.
This energy is not domineering, but rather has a calming and fatigue-relieving effect.
Clearly, this is one of the benefits the Spirit Race have prepared for the participating geniuses, helping them quickly recover their form during breaks in the intense competition.
Lin Yi relaxed his body, letting the energy from the cushion flow through his entire body.
He raised his hand to rub his slightly tense temples and let out a long breath.
"It's finally... temporarily over."
He needs to concentrate and handle everything carefully during the day.
This intense social and political maneuvering took a toll on his mental energy, in some ways even more than the final match against Edith.
After all, physical combat can be achieved through sheer strength, but these intangible clashes require wisdom, a sense of proportion, and a grasp of the overall situation.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly.
Not only did it go smoothly, but the results far exceeded expectations.
Clan honors, Lord's mark, various precious gifts, an increase in the leader's actual authority, and the Spirit Race's promise of priority support in the Level 4 battlefield—these are all tangible benefits, greatly advantageous to him personally and to the Human Race.
However, Lin Yi knew very well that this was far from the time to relax.
"The daytime social engagements are over."
He closed his eyes to rest for a while, then opened them and looked at the bands of energy flowing outside the viewing window. "But this isn't over yet."
In the Virtual Network, there are still a lot of things waiting for him to handle.
After the competition, his virtual Contact Mark was probably overwhelmed with all sorts of requests and messages, all of which he would have to filter and process through Xuanji.
More importantly, how could such a hard-won championship only yield such a small reward?
The most important part of the gains has not yet been taken stock.