Source Essence reappeared-who would hunt whom was still anyone's guess

The suction force of the black vortex pulled him in. Lin Yi took one last look at the hazy gray world behind him and stepped inside first.

Edith, Hui Yao, Liu Yun, Green Leaf, and over seven hundred other prodigies followed closely behind, their figures gradually swallowed by the darkness.

After a brief period of weightlessness and loss of sensation, I felt a hard, cold touch beneath my feet.

The group quickly formed a defensive formation, drew their weapons, and the power of rules flickered around them as they warily surveyed this new world.

It's still foggy.

But the fog here has changed from the grayish-white turbidity of the first layer to a deeper, inky black.

The black fog was so thick it was almost impossible to disperse, and when it churned and surged, it seemed like a living thing.

Even Lin Yi's soul perception was suppressed to a range of less than thirty meters.

Here, both sight and perception become half-blind.

The oppressive feeling of rules permeating the air intensified, and every breath felt like a struggle against an invisible pressure.

The source energy felt noticeably sluggish when circulating within the body, and mobilizing it was at least 30% more difficult than the previous level.

The ground was rugged and undulating, with huge black rocks peeking out from the mist, their jagged edges like silent beasts lurking in the darkness.

"Communication relay signal completely lost," Xuanji's voice rang out. "High-power nodes need to be redeployed to restore basic communication."

Lin Yi scanned the solemn faces around him and said in a deep voice, "Three people per group, explore outwards. Deploy repeaters, and the exploration distance must not exceed the repeater coverage area."

"Remember, in any situation, retreat immediately or seek assistance. Safety first; do not act rashly."

"Yes!"

Everyone responded in unison and quickly dispersed into groups.

Lin Yi, Edith, and other key personnel remained in place and established a temporary command post.

Xuanji began to analyze the data of the new environment with all her might, attempting to build a preliminary terrain model.

The feedback from the exploration came quickly.

"Leader, we've encountered Mist Beast on the east side. Their energy levels are mid-stage Star Vortex level, and there's more than one."

A Spirit Race prodigy's urgent voice came through the communication channel, followed by the roar of colliding rules and some kind of inhuman roar.

Almost simultaneously, reports also came from other directions.

"Mist Beast has been discovered on the west side."

"The northern flank was attacked by a large Mist Beast, whose energy level has reached the peak of the Star Vortex realm."

Battles erupted instantly in various locations.

Just as Lin Yi had guessed, the density and strength of the Black Mist Beast in the second layer had both undergone a qualitative leap.

They were attacked almost every few hundred meters they advanced, and even the weakest among them were at the mid-stage of the Star Vortex realm.

Those large Black Mist Beast generally possess the energy fluctuations of a fully formed star vortex. The mist blades they condense are as black as ink, more solid, and the rule-corroding power accompanying their attacks is stronger. Each swing leaves deep corrosive marks on the black rocks.

However, this level of strength is still within the range that even the most talented individuals can handle.

Although the rules were suppressed, the three-person team was still capable of killing even Black Mist Beast at the Star Vortex Perfection level.

Therefore, Lin Yi did not act rashly.

His task was to be in charge at the central level, coordinate the overall situation, and be vigilant against potential threats.

His clones, like ghosts, roamed around the command post, efficiently eliminating any stragglers or Mist Beast that suddenly materialized from the mist.

The combination of time delay and spatial cutting makes it almost a one-hit kill.

Time passed amidst the intense exploration and battles.

The relay network painstakingly extended little by little within the Black Mist Layer. Although its speed was far slower than that of the first layer, it finally re-established a basic communication and monitoring framework.

About half a day later.

An exceptionally violent energy explosion came from the northwest.

"SOS! We've encountered a giant Black Mist Beast comparable to an early-stage Star Domain level monster."

Lin Yi's eyes narrowed.

The figure vanished from the spot.

The next moment, he appeared in the air above the scene of the incident.

Edith arrived shortly after.

Below, a black Mist Beast the size of a small mountain was launching a frenzied attack.

Its body is covered by a black mist structure resembling a carapace, and each swing of its eight thick, misty tentacles is accompanied by a shrill whistling sound that tears through space.

The energy pressure it emitted had clearly reached the early stage of the Star Domain level.

Three exploration teams, consisting of nearly ten elite warriors, are besieging it.

The light from various Rule Domain intertwined and flickered, yet it was unable to break through the defense of the Star Domain level Mist Beast, and was instead forced to retreat step by step.

Lin Yi noticed that two people were already injured, with blackened skin and flesh exposed where their armor had broken, corroded by the black mist.

Just as one of the giant Mist Beast raised its tentacle high, about to shatter the crumbling defense of a Crystal Spirit Race...

Lin Yi made his move.

However, he did not use the time-stopping technique.

After all, dealing with such a large, thick-skinned target would require too much Time Stop.

He took a step out into the air, and the silver-gray power of time silently spread around him, like mercury spilling onto the ground.

The tentacles that the Mist Beast swung out seemed to have struck an invisible gel, their speed suddenly decreasing. They grazed the side of the Crystal Spirit Race prodigy and crashed down, carving a deep trench in the black rocky ground.

At the same time, Lin Yi pointed his fingers like a knife and made a seemingly casual slash towards the core of the Mist Beast's body where the energy was most concentrated.

A tiny, almost invisible black spatial rift quietly appeared.

It precisely pierced through the constantly pulsating energy node within the Mist Beast's body.

The massive body of the Mist Beast suddenly stiffened, and the thick black mist that made up its body began to churn violently, disintegrating from the inside like an avalanche.

In just two or three breaths.

This giant Black Mist Beast, at the early stage of the Star Domain level, completely dissipated.

Only a deep, inky crystal core remained, which crashed onto the black rock with a "thud," emitting a faint black light.

The battle came to an abrupt end.

The group of prodigies glanced at the fallen crystal core, then looked at Lin Yi in the air.

Star Domain level Mist Beast... just like that, gone?

Lin Yi landed and took the black crystal core into his hand.

It felt cold and heavy to the touch, and inside it seemed to contain a viscous black liquid that was slowly swirling, completely different from the crystal core of the first layer.

Almost simultaneously, the portable Detector carried by the geniuses present all emitted a soft "beep" sound.

This is standard equipment issued to the Spirit Race before entering the secret realm, used for preliminary detection of special energy reactions.

Edith retrieved her Detector.

A short reminder was displayed on the screen:

[High concentration of unknown energy crystals detected, containing a large amount of unstable impurities and regular residues. Energy properties similar to the Source Essence: 67.3%.]

Everyone's spirits immediately lifted.

After all, what is the core objective of the Myriad Secret Realm?

Source Essence!

Although we are currently being hunted, finding clues about the Source Essence is undoubtedly something to be happy about.

Although the Source Essence in this crystal core is impure, likely containing a large number of harmful impurities and chaotic rules, this at least proves that they are on the right track.

On this second level, defeating even more powerful Mist Beast will reward you with items containing Source Essence!

Lin Yi handed the crystal core to his clone beside him.

The clone immediately connected to Xuanji and began a more detailed in-depth scan and analysis.

A moment later, Xuanji's voice rang out.

"Master, deep scan complete. The energy core contained within this black crystal core does indeed highly match the basic characteristics of the Source Essence recorded in the database. However, its outer layer is surrounded and mixed with a large number of fragments of chaotic rules and violent spiritual remnants unique to the Black Mist Beast, as well as highly inert misty Source Energy."

"Directly absorbing or using such unpurified crystal cores could very likely lead to the contamination of the soul and the rules."

"Is there any solution?" Lin Yi asked quickly.

"Based on energy structure simulation, the safest purification method is to continuously burn away these impurities using its own pure power of rules, according to preliminary estimates."

Xuanji paused slightly, "For Star Core level that has mastered one Rule Domain, purifying a single crystal core of this kind takes about half a standard year."

Half a year.

Lin Yi understood.

He thought to himself, it seems that only Star Domain level Mist Beast can drop such crystal cores containing Source Essence. At this rate, most geniuses can digest two Source Essence Crystal within the secret realm.

The resources related to Source Essence collected by the geniuses of each race within the secret realm can be used by them first; this is an implicit benefit of entering the Myriad Secret Realm.

After all, based on the experience of the three top clans entering Myriad Secret Realm so many times, the Source Essence- related resources in the secret realms are more or less flawed and need to be processed again. Even if the geniuses were to use them, they wouldn't be able to use much of them.

Aside from the portion that might be used within the secret realm, you can hand it over to your clan after you leave, and you will naturally receive corresponding merit or resource rewards.

"However, the first level of the domain requires a year."

What about me?

A thought secretly formed in Lin Yi's mind.

Since the Purple Mist Space can directly absorb the subtle Source Essence within the Blood Crystal Coin, can it also directly absorb this crystal core, which contains Source Essence but is also full of impurities?

Thinking of this, Lin Yi's mind stirred, and the clone beside him nodded slightly. Then, the Space Rule around him rippled, his figure became blurry, and the next moment he disappeared into the thick black mist.

Watching his clone depart, Lin Yi sighed softly in his heart.

pity.

Although Time-Tracing Clone is powerful, its realm cannot surpass that of the Main Body; this is the fundamental limitation of a clone.

Because once the clone forcibly breaks through to the Star Vortex level, the time power required to maintain its existence will increase exponentially, and the clone will immediately dissipate.

Otherwise, if he and Edith's clones could both break through to the Star Vortex level, even if they were only at the initial stage of the Star Vortex, many of their current problems would be easily solved in conjunction with their Main Body.

"I'm still not strong enough," Lin Yi sighed, suppressing the thought.

On the other side, after separating from the main force, the clone avoided the dense Mist Beast and instead explored areas with abnormal energy reactions or unique terrain.

Lin Yi gave his clone a very clear task: to find Star Domain level Black Mist Beast.

Soon, at the bottom of a deep, misty ravine, the clone discovered a giant Black Mist Beast. Its aura was similar to the one it had killed before, indicating it was at the early stage of the Star Domain level.

The clone silently approached.

It still uses spatial cutting combined with time delay to precisely hit the core.

Before the Mist Beast could even mount a proper counterattack, it followed in the footsteps of its kind, dissipating into mist and leaving behind a black crystal core.

The clone picked up the crystal core, found a relatively secluded crevice in the rock, sat cross-legged, held the black crystal core in both hands, and tried to sink its consciousness into the crystal core, actively contacting the energy core that was covered by impurities.

Soon, the core of Source Essence energy seemed to be attracted by something and began to tremble slightly.

Immediately afterwards, wisps of golden energy actually penetrated those stubborn barriers of impurities and were slowly extracted.

Then, following some mysterious connection, it directly merged into that mysterious Purple Mist Space!

It really works!

A jolt ran through my body.

Moreover, this process is not a violent consumption, but more like an extraction, or rather, a summoning.

The Purple Mist Space directly extracted the most essential Source Essence from the crystal core, while the impurities were left inside the outer shell of the crystal core.

As the Source Essence was extracted, the remaining impurity energy structure collapsed rapidly, and the crystal core itself turned into ordinary black fragments, without any special fluctuations.

In just one minute.

A black Source Essence Crystal that required a first-level expert to purify for a year was completely absorbed by the clone in this inconceivable way.

The clone carefully sensed the Source Essence Crystal of this early-stage Star Domain level Mist Beast within the Purple Mist Space, and it actually provided Spiritual Enlightenment Qi equivalent to about a year's worth of natural accumulation!

This discovery filled the clone with an overwhelming sense of ecstasy.

The clone suppressed its excitement and immediately used spatial teleportation to return to the camp.

At the temporary camp.

Lin Yi is currently monitoring the exploration progress of each team.

At this moment, the clone suddenly appeared beside him and briefly explained the discovery of the Source Essence Crystal through Soul Transmission.

He remained calm, finished dealing with his tasks, and then carefully processed the information transmitted by his clone.

It can be absorbed directly.

Ignore impurities.

One early-stage Star Domain level crystal core is equivalent to one year's Spiritual Enlightenment Qi.

This is practically a shortcut tailor-made for him!

In this way, the meaning of killing the Mist Beast became completely different for him.

This is not just about completing tasks and obtaining the resources to be submitted.

This is an excellent opportunity to directly enhance his biggest trump card!

In the days that followed.

The exploration team radiated outwards slowly and steadily from the camp.

Lin Yi Main Body was in charge, coordinating all parties.

The clones then Incarnation the most stealthy hunters, roaming the depths of the black mist, specifically seeking out and attacking Star Domain level Mist Beast.

On average, each day, the clone can successfully hunt down one or two giant Black Mist Beast, and then bring the obtained Source Essence Crystal back to Lin Yi for absorption.

Within the Purple Mist Space, the reserves of Spiritual Enlightenment Qi began to increase at a visible rate.

Five days later.

They initially explored an area of nearly a thousand kilometers around the camp, which was already a very large area given the severely suppressed perception and the constant dangers.

During this period, the group killed more than thirty Star Domain level Mist Beast, and countless Star Vortex level Mist Beast.

The number of ordinary black mist crystal cores obtained was also considerable.

Lin Yi noticed that these ordinary black mist crystal cores also possessed fusion properties.

Once they accumulate to a certain quantity in the storage space, they will spontaneously attract and merge with each other.

But this time, the fused crystal core gradually turned an ominous dark red color.

From deep black, to black with a reddish tinge, then to dark red and deep red.

Finally, after fusing with over a thousand ordinary black mist crystal cores, a blood-red crystal core the size of a pigeon egg was formed, emitting chaotic and violent fluctuations.

This blood-red crystal core had a dark red aura flowing inside, resembling congealed blood.

Even more eerie is that simply holding it in one's hand allows one to faintly hear chaotic whispers and roars echoing at the edge of consciousness, making one uneasy.

Lin Yi had Xuanji perform an emergency scan on him.

The results showed that the energy structure of the crystal nucleus was extremely unstable, filled with violent conflicts and chaotic turbulent flow of rules.

Its energy properties are the same as those of the black mist, but it is highly compressed by some unknown mechanism, containing extremely strong spiritual erosion characteristics and the risk of rule pollution.

"Crimson Crystal Core."

Lin Yi frowned as he looked at the crystal core in his hand, which exuded an ominous aura.

The gray crystal cores merged, ultimately opening the black channel.

The black crystal cores fused together and transformed into this chaotic and violent blood-red crystal core.

The black passage leads to the second layer of Black Mist Layer.

Does this crimson crystal core signify a path to some more dangerous place?

Or is it simply a product of some kind of flawed fusion?

Lin Yi did not rush into the experiment.

He sealed the crimson crystal core with the power of multiple layers of rules, carefully stored it away, and ordered the collection to continue, but temporarily suspended the large-scale fusion of ordinary black mist crystal cores, while strengthening the monitoring of the fusion process.

Time passed day by day.

With the efficient hunting by his clones, Lin Yi gradually accumulated more and more black Source Essence Crystal, and the Spiritual Enlightenment Qi within the Purple Mist Space also rose accordingly.

After adapting to the environment of the Black Mist Layer, the main force's efficiency in killing Star Vortex level Mist Beast also improved, and the collection speed of ordinary black mist crystal cores increased.

And so, ten days passed in the blink of an eye, filled with careful exploration and cautious hunting.

Until this day, Xuanji sent an emergency alert to Lin Yi.

"Master, monitoring the network edge has detected a large-scale energy reaction. Analysis of the energy characteristics confirms it is Abyss Race or Devouring Race life form."

"The number exceeds 1,800, and the vast majority are Star Vortex level."

Lin Yi's eyes narrowed.

They've arrived.

Moreover, it arrived sooner than expected.

Based on the rough signal analysis provided by Xuanji, the two teams have split into two directions, forming a pincer movement, and have begun searching the second layer. Their advance speed is not fast, but the area they are covering is very wide, resembling a carpet search.

The atmosphere inside the camp suddenly became tense.

All the prodigies received the warning and quickly entered a state of maximum alert.

Lin Yi quickly weighed the options in his mind.

They are currently in an area that is still quite a distance from the detected enemy search vanguard.

However, given the enemy's pace of advance, they could enter their outer perimeter within three to five days at most.

Although the second floor is large, the enemy has a large number of people, and it's only a matter of time before they are discovered after the search is divided among them.

A head-on clash?

Even though he has a clone Source Essence harvesting machine and has accumulated a lot of Spiritual Enlightenment Qi, the time is still too short to allow his strength to make a qualitative leap immediately.

The opposing force consists entirely of Star Swirls, and their numbers far exceed ours; the chances of winning a direct confrontation are slim.

Even if he were to achieve a Pyrrhic victory, he would inevitably suffer heavy losses, which would not align with his original intentions.

But should they continue to hide and maneuver?

Although the second layer had a complex environment and a dense concentration of Mist Beast, which was indeed conducive to concealment and guerrilla warfare, the Mist Beast were ultimately somewhat lacking in strength. In addition, the enemy had also adapted to the environment and had divided their forces to search, thus compressing their space for maneuver.

The longer the time drags on, the deeper the other party's understanding of the second layer becomes, and the more passive their situation may become.

So

Lin Yi's gaze fell on the bracelet, and he thought of the blood-red crystal core that was tightly sealed in the independent space.

He recalled the discoveries he had made during this period.

The area of the second layer is much larger than that of the first layer.

The strength and density of the Mist Beast have also significantly increased.

Based on this pattern, we can infer...

If there is a lower level.

Its area may be even larger.

The environment is even worse.

The Mist Beast are likely stronger and more numerous!

The crimson crystal core in his hand, obtained through an abnormal fusion, is dangerous, but perhaps it holds the key to an even more perilous place?

"Perhaps," Lin Yi decided, "Going down is the only way out."

Thinking of this, Lin Yi announced loudly, "Everyone, the Abyss Race and the Devouring Race have caught up to the vicinity. Although the second level is treacherous, it doesn't pose much of a threat to them."

"Through this period of exploration, we have gained a preliminary understanding of the Black Mist Layer, and at the same time..."

As he spoke, he took out the crystal core, which was enveloped by layers of rule power yet still emitted a faint blood-red light, and showed it to everyone.

"Ordinary black mist crystal cores, when accumulated in sufficient quantities, will fuse into blood mist crystal cores."

Edith, Hui Yao, and the others focused their attention on the crimson crystal core.

They sensed the chaotic and violent aura that even the seal couldn't conceal, and their expressions turned serious.

Lin Yi continued, "I speculate that this crimson crystal core is likely related to a passage leading to the next level. Based on our experience with the first level, the environment on the lower levels must be much harsher, the area much larger, and the Mist Beast must be much stronger and more numerous."

He looked around at everyone and stated his judgment.

"We'll continue to engage them on the second level. The space will gradually shrink, and if they manage to catch up with us using any special means, a fierce battle is inevitable."

"But if the third layer, as speculated, has stronger Mist Beast and more chaotic rules, it will become a huge obstacle to their advance, while we will have more room to maneuver. Even if they discover our tracks and want to pursue us quickly, the powerful Mist Beast will become an obstacle for them."

Upon hearing this, everyone reacted with varying expressions.

The aura emanating from the crimson crystal core instinctively made them uneasy.

But Lin Yi's analysis does make sense.

When facing an overwhelming disadvantage in strength, entering a place that is equally unfamiliar to the enemy and even more dangerous is indeed a way to create variables and strive for survival.

Hui Yao coughed twice, looked at the blood-red crystal core, and said with a wry smile, "This thing doesn't look very friendly. However, Brother Lin Yi is right. Staying here and being found out is a dead end anyway, so we might as well take a gamble."

Edith stared at the crimson crystal core for a moment, a thoughtful look flashing in her emerald eyes, before finally nodding slowly. "Although dangerous, it may be the only way out. I agree."

The leading prodigies of various clans, including Green Leaf and Liu Yun, exchanged glances and successively expressed their agreement.

At this point, there really isn't a better option.

"Good."

Seeing that everyone was in agreement, Lin Yi didn't delay.

"Then, let's prepare immediately. Each squad, check your equipment, clean up any traces, and prepare to move."

"Yes!"

Everyone responded in unison and immediately sprang into action.

Watching everyone bustling about, Lin Yi's gaze deepened.

His reasons for agreeing to go down were far more than those he had just mentioned.

Deeper thoughts swirled in his mind.

If there are more Mist Beast at the third-tier Star Domain level, their density will also be greater.

Therefore, for him, who can directly absorb the Source Essence Crystal through the Purple Mist Space, it will no longer be a simple danger.

Instead, it was a vast and incredibly fertile land.

The hunting grounds.

Slay the Mist Beast, obtain Source Essence, and transform it into Spiritual Enlightenment Qi.

Once this cycle is established in the lower levels where monster density is higher, his strength will experience a surge.

At that time.

The situation of being hunted down and forced to hide may be completely reversed.

"Who's chasing whom?" Lin Yi murmured to himself, a barely perceptible glint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"Not necessarily."