Going All In

Blood mist surged, and deathly silence reigned.

Inside the camp, more than 700 prodigies from various races of the Pan-Spirit Alliance were mostly sitting cross-legged, seizing every minute to recover their source energy or treat the injuries left on their bodies by the blood mist.

Twenty-three days.

Twenty-three days have passed since the Abyss Race and the Devouring Race left the Blood Mist Layer.

Centered on the camp, fifteen elite squads of about fifty people each radiated outwards like tentacles.

With their mission clear, the group set up repeaters, attempting to re-establish the extension of their senses in this eerie place where rules severely suppressed their perception.

They searched for and hunted large Blood Mist Beast at the early stage of the Star Domain level.

The team composition was decided upon after repeated deliberations between Lin Yi and Edith.

Fifty prodigies were enough to effortlessly grind down a Mist Beast at the early stage of the Star Domain level, even under the severe suppression of the blood mist.

It's not very efficient, but it's reliable.

This is about using numbers and teamwork to offset environmental constraints and differences in skill levels.

Lin Yi himself, along with his clone, broke away from the group and acted alone.

Instead of challenging the giant Blood Mist Beast, he set his sights on the Blood Mist Beast at the early stage of the Star Domain level.

Like the most astute hunters, the clones roam the deeper darkness, using the advantages of spacetime rules to avoid risks in advance and lock onto their targets.

Once a suitable prey is found, the Main Body will use the coordinates anchored by the clone to perform short-distance spatial traversal and strike with lightning speed.

Time stands still, then space is cut.

Highly efficient, energy-saving, and almost artistic.

One after another, the Blood Mist Beast disintegrated before they could fully react, leaving only their blood-red crystal cores.

That was a crystal core containing Source Essence, which, for Lin Yi, was a precious resource that could be directly absorbed by the Purple Mist Space and transformed into Spiritual Enlightenment Qi.

On average, they can successfully hunt two per day.

This was the limit of what Lin Yi could do.

Each battle may seem to end instantly, but in reality, it requires half a day of meditation afterward, along with highly effective energy recovery potions, to replenish the consumed energy.

Without medication, the recovery time would double.

In a corner of the camp, Lin Yi slowly opened his eyes, ending yet another round of recovery.

In twenty-three days, plus the gains from the first few days, the amount of these Source Essence Crystal he personally accumulated was roughly equivalent to forty years' worth of Spiritual Enlightenment Qi reserves.

This speed, under normal circumstances, would be enough to make people ecstatic.

But at that moment, it made him feel heavy-hearted.

"Xuanji, retrieve my hunting data from the past twenty-three days and simulate and calculate the total amount of Source Essence Crystal I can personally obtain within a year, based on the current efficiency," Lin Yi silently recited in his mind.

"Yes, Master."

Xuanji's voice rang directly in his mind.

"Data retrieval and simulation commencement. Based on the current average daily kill of 2 early-stage Star Domain level Blood Mist Beast, and deducting necessary rest, camp affairs handling, and buffer time for unexpected situations, the estimated effective hunting cycle per year is approximately 300 days, yielding approximately 600 Source Essence Crystal."

600 pieces.

Lin Yi repeated the number in his mind.

If we add in the previous accumulations, we can barely gather about 700 years' worth of Spiritual Enlightenment Qi.

It looks like a huge sum of money.

But Lin Yi's brows furrowed even deeper.

"No," he muttered to himself, a chill creeping up his spine.

When he estimated his progress in improving his strength, he subconsciously used the mindset he had in the outside world. But this was Myriad Secret Realm, Blood Mist Layer with bizarre rules that suppressed everything!

Those precious insights and treasures cannot be brought in at all, and cultivation treasures like the "Temporal Interstice" are simply wishful thinking.

Without any external assistance, relying solely on one's own understanding and Spiritual Enlightenment Qi.

Lin Yi's heart sank.

He slowly stood up, walked to the edge of the camp, and gazed through the limited Protective Light Screen at the boundless, thick blood mist.

"Not enough. Far from enough," he muttered to himself, his voice almost swallowed by the blood mist.

Now, there are two paths before us.

The first method is to use the Spiritual Enlightenment Qi over seven hundred years to forcefully challenge the Space Law.

His Space Rule were already perfect, and with his experience in challenging the laws of Time Rule, there was a high probability that he could push his Space Rule to the threshold of the laws within a year.

At that time, with the blessing of the two laws of space and time, even if he only has a preliminary grasp of them, it will be enough for him to break through the blockade and escape on his own.

However, the cost is that it starts with two rules, and with each subsequent step, the difficulty increases exponentially.

Moreover, this would almost certainly mean the death of the remaining seven hundred-plus people, and the pressure from the outside world would be immense for him to escape alone.

As for the second path

Lin Yi's gaze darkened.

If the old method of using auxiliary treasures to improve "quality" is no longer viable, then the only option is to improve "quantity".

But here's the problem.

There is a ceiling to the speed at which he can acquire Source Essence.

Limited by the energy recovery speed under environmental constraints, limited by hunting efficiency, and limited by the fact that he must be distracted to oversee the overall situation.

So, the ways to increase quantity

Naturally, it was the other people in the camp.

Apart from Edith, thanks to the unique nature of the Light and Dark Domain and her formidable strength, is able to act independently and kill a large Blood Mist Beast approximately every three days, the remaining seven hundred or so people operate in small teams.

The fifteen squads, each with fifty members, are, on average, able to hunt down one early-stage Star Domain level Blood Mist Beast per day, based on their current level of coordination and cautious approach.

In twenty-three days, each team theoretically harvested twenty-three Source Essence Crystal.

However, the distribution and use of crystal nuclei are not actually that simple and straightforward.

According to the previously established temporary rules, the Source Essence Crystal hunted will be given priority to the team members who have made the greatest contributions, so that they can purify and absorb them to enhance their strength to cope with the crisis.

After all, the prodigies had received training before entering the Myriad Secret Realm and knew that the most basic use of Source Essence was that, upon direct absorption, it could enhance their understanding of rules, laws, and even Origin Law to varying degrees.

However, purification and absorption take time, therefore, the actual number of crystal nuclei consumed by each team during purification is limited.

Most of the crystal cores were temporarily sealed away as "trophies" and "reserved resources".

But here's the problem.

Those Source Essence Crystal were obtained by the prodigies of various races through fierce battles.

They risked their lives, battling and fighting against Star Domain level Mist Beast in an environment where rules were enforced, to finally obtain these precious resources.

According to the unspoken rules of exploring secret realms, the elites can prioritize using the Source Essence -related resources they obtain within these realms; this is a tacitly accepted benefit of their clan.

Any unused portion, if taken out and handed over, will be considered merit and reward.

This is the core objective of their adventure into the Myriad Secret Realm.

Now, he's being asked to ask everyone to hand over these spoils of war, which they haven't even had a chance to enjoy yet, and which might even hold the key to their future cultivation paths?

On what grounds?

Just because he's the team leader?

A bitter smile appeared on Lin Yi's lips.

The leader's responsibilities include overall command, coordination among all races, and leading everyone to survive and explore in the secret realm.

But this power has its limits, especially when it involves everyone's most fundamental interests and future.

Forced collection?

I'm afraid that the camp will fall apart as soon as the order is given, and the people will start fighting amongst themselves even before any external enemy attacks.

Throughout his journey, Lin Yi has come to deeply understand the value of people's hearts and trust, and he is also keenly aware of the principle that "it is not scarcity that is a concern, but inequality."

Some decisions require the strength and prestige to back them up, and even more so, the heartfelt approval of everyone.

Otherwise, it is a path to death.

"It can't be forced. It can't even be something I bring up myself." Lin Yi quickly rejected the idea of directly proposing it in his mind.

That would seem like taking advantage of someone's misfortune, like using the leader's position to coerce everyone and tie them to his own chariot.

Even if someone outwardly obeys, resentment will inevitably grow in their heart, which could lead to disaster at a crucial moment.

His gaze deepened.

None of these prodigies were fools.

Faced with a life-or-death situation, they knew how to calculate and weigh the options.

Perhaps I can try a different approach.

Be open about your difficulties and indirectly showcase your abilities and discoveries.

Then give them the choice.

--

Inside the largest cave in the center of the camp.

More than 700 outstanding talents were urgently summoned.

The cave was dimly lit, with only a few luminous crystals emitting a soft white light embedded in the rock walls.

The atmosphere was solemn.

Lin Yi stood on a slightly higher rock in front of him.

"I've called everyone here because there's an urgent matter."

Without wasting words, he cut straight to the point. "We've been in the Blood Mist Layer for twenty-three days. In these twenty-three days, we've established a camp, formed squads, and initially gained a foothold. We've also begun hunting Star Domain level Mist Beast to obtain Source Essence Crystal."

The crowd listened quietly; these were things they had personally experienced.

"But."

Lin Yi changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over everyone, "I just completed a detailed assessment. It's about our current hunting efficiency, the threats we might face in the future, and, based on our current resources, the potential breakthrough we might have a year from now."

He paused, allowing everyone to process the weight of his words.

The assessment results are not optimistic.

Lin Yi's voice deepened, "First, there's the issue of hunting efficiency. Under the suppression of the blood mist environment, the recovery speed of source energy is extremely slow. Even with highly effective recovery potions, it still requires a considerable recovery period after hunting down a Star Domain level early-stage Mist Beast."

"Taking myself as an example, with the help of my clones, my maximum efficiency is about two per day."

The team leaders were aware of these figures, but when Lin Yi summarized and presented them, it still sent a chill down many people's spines.

It turns out that even top-tier combatants like team leaders have their efficiency suppressed to such an extent.

"Based on this efficiency, I can personally obtain about six hundred Source Essence Crystal during a year of hunting," Lin Yi stated the first key figure.

Six hundred!

Many of the most talented individuals showed surprise and envy in their eyes.

They were all well aware of the value of Source Essence Crystal at the early stage of a Star Domain level.

Six hundred coins—that's an absolutely astonishing fortune.

Lin Yi continued, "I've done some calculations based on my own situation. Without external assistance, even if I used all six hundred Source Essence Crystal I obtained within a year to comprehend the strength I could gain, it would be extremely limited."

He did not give a specific percentage, as that involved his own secrets.

But his solemn expression and tone were enough to tell the whole story.

He didn't finish his sentence.

But the air inside the cave seemed to freeze instantly.

The horrific memories of the previous battles and being forced to retreat into the Blood Mist Layer resurfaced.

Back then they had a way out, but what about now?

This Blood Mist Layer may be the final grave.

"Then what should we do?" a Spirit Race prodigy couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

All eyes were once again focused on Lin Yi.

Lin Yi met their gazes and slowly said, "I have cultivated a special secret technique, and I have some unique insights into the local acceleration of my time laws."

"After experimenting these past few days, I've discovered that combining the two allows me to, to a certain extent, ignore the chaotic impurities within the Source Essence Crystal and directly extract the Source Essence from it for use at a speed far exceeding that of ordinary people."

These words shocked everyone present.

Ignoring impurities?

How to quickly absorb Source Essence?

The biggest challenge in obtaining Source Essence Crystal, besides acquisition, is purification and refining.

That would require a lot of time and effort, and would also come with risks.

Lin Yi actually had a way to bypass this step?

Edith's blue eyes flashed with a sharp light, Hui Yao suddenly looked up, and Green Leaf, Liu Yun and the others also showed expressions of shock.

In the current environment, this ability is invaluable!

Lin Yi remained silent, simply observing the crowd.

He laid bare his predicament and his own abilities.

Now, it's up to them to make their own choice.

Time passed slowly, and every second felt incredibly long.

Finally, a voice broke the silence.

It is Hui Yao.

He took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on Lin Yi. He smiled, a smile that held little bitterness, but rather a sense of relief and clarity.

"Brother Lin Yi," Hui Yao spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears, "I, Hui Yao, am definitely not getting out."

One sentence sent a chill down the spines of many.

Hui Yao seemed unconcerned and continued, "In the past twenty days or so, I've been with the team and received two Source Essence Crystal."

"These two crystal cores I have, and the share I might get in the team in the future," he looked at Lin Yi and smiled, "Brother Lin Yi, I'm entrusting them all to you. I hope they can be of help, and I hope you can lead everyone out of here."

He spoke calmly, as if he were deciding on a trivial matter.

The cave remained silent, but the stagnant air seemed to have been torn open.

Immediately afterwards, one figure after another took half a step forward from the crowd.

They were those forty-odd Star Vortex level.

Most of them were Spirit Race, but there were also a few prodigies from other races.

In the previous battles, they all broke through that boundary in order to buy time or to cover their teammates.

"Team Leader Lin Yi, I'm handing over my share to you as well," a Holy Radiance Race Star Vortex level prodigy said in a deep voice.

He lost his left arm, and the wound was wrapped with a temporary seal formed from light-attribute energy.

"Me too. Since we can't get out anyway, it's worth it to give everyone a way to survive."

Another Spirit Race Star Vortex level being with a hideous burn mark on his face grinned, his smile somewhat unpleasant, but his eyes were bright.

"That's right, I'm keeping these crystal cores. Do you expect them to perish with me in the blood mist?" a Star Vortex level Li Race said in a deep voice, patting his chest. "How about we give you, the leader, another chance?"

Count me in!

"And mine too."

The voices rose and fell, not loud, but carrying a resolute calmness.

They didn't make any grand pronouncements; they simply stated a fact calmly.

We can't get out of here. Giving us resources would be a waste. Giving them to you might create a miracle.

When these forty-odd Star Vortex level prodigies made this decision, their faces didn't show much tragedy, but rather a sense of calm after the dust had settled, and even a hint of relief.

As Hui Yao said, when the ending is already predetermined, many obsessions can be let go.

They used their doomed journey through the secret realm to pave a possible path to survival for their teammates—a calculation many can understand.

The atmosphere was subtly changing.

Those geniuses who had not yet broken through to the Star Core level felt a complex mix of emotions as they watched these Star Vortex level geniuses calmly hand over their final legacy.

Just then, Edith stepped forward.

This peerless prodigy of the Spirit Race, his silver armor still radiated a faint glow against the backdrop of the blood mist.

"Team Leader," she said earnestly, looking at Lin Yi, "Of the Source Essence Crystal I possess, excluding the one I'm currently attempting to purify, the remaining seven can be given to you."

She paused, then added, "And, any crystal cores I independently hunt later, after deducting the necessary portion for my own purification attempts, the remainder can also be used by you."

Edith's statement carries significant weight.

She is not only one of the leaders of the Spirit Race this time, second only to Lin Yi in strength, but also the strongest independent combatant among all the Star Core level geniuses who have not yet broken through, possessing the ability to acquire Source Essence.

"The reason is simple."

Edith continued, her gaze sweeping over the other Star Core level prodigies.

"Our biggest problem right now is that the speed at which our overall strength is improving is far from enough to cope with the blockade that will inevitably come in a year. No matter how many crystal cores an individual hoards, if they can't get out, they're just a broken rock."

"Concentrating resources on individuals who can most quickly convert Source Essence into combat power—that is, team leaders—is the strategy with the highest probability of survival in the current predicament."

Her words lacked emotional embellishment, consisting only of cold, logical deduction.

But this purely rational analysis struck a chord with many still-hesitant geniuses.

Yes, if you can't take it out, it's all just empty talk.

To die here guarding the crystal core is the stupidest choice.

A Star Spirit Race clenched his fist. His team had been assigned a crystal core, which he had treasured and kept close to his body.

At that moment, he gritted his teeth, took out the crystal core from his pocket, and took a few steps forward.

"Team leader! I... I'll give you this one too."

"Yes! Staying alive is the most important thing. I'll give the team leader the crystal core that was allocated to my squad first." Another prodigy stepped forward.

"And me too. Although I'm not strong enough to get a share yet, as long as the team gets a share of the spoils later, I'll give my share to the team leader." A slender Machine Race shouted.

"Me too!"

Count me in.

More and more people are stepping forward.

Not everyone is without struggle.

Many of these prodigies had gleaming eyes and tense facial muscles, clearly undergoing intense internal struggles.

The allure of the Source Essence Crystal is too great; it represents a visible future and tangible power.

Giving it away is tantamount to giving up this almost-obtainable opportunity and placing all your hopes on someone else.

However, all around him was a churning mist of blood.

He recalled the previous experience of being chased and fleeing in a sorry state by the allied forces of the two races, suffering heavy casualties.

I think of those companions who have already broken through to the Star Vortex level and calmly entrusted their future to them.

Weigh the pros and cons, and calculate the gains and losses.

No one who makes it this far is a fool.

Perhaps a few individuals still harbored resentment, but under the prevailing trend, led by the forty-odd Star Vortex level powerhouses, with Edith's rational analysis and the growing support from more and more people, they ultimately chose to follow suit.

It wasn't blind obedience, but rather a rational choice made jointly by a group of top talents in a desperate situation after a brief but efficient calculation.

Lin Yi stood there, watching the scene unfold before him.

These prodigies came from different races, with varying appearances and distinct personalities, yet at this moment, they made similar choices.

In truth, the scales that had been slightly tilted in his heart had been completely set the moment Hui Yao spoke.

The subsequent responses from the crowd, like continuously added weight, made that weighty entrustment feel real and concrete.

Lin Yi slowly exhaled.

The aura left a long white trail in the blood mist before quickly dissipating.

He had prepared for both possibilities before asking the others.

If everyone is reluctant to part with their respective Source Essence Crystal, he will use his Spiritual Enlightenment Qi, which he estimates will last for seven hundred years, to challenge the Space Law.

Although that means the future will be more difficult, at least there is a chance to break through on your own and remain useful.

As for the others, he will do his best, but the outcome is unpredictable.

But now.

Looking at the scattered Source Essence Crystal on the ground.

Lin Yi suddenly felt a tension in his heart ease.

He is not afraid of death.

The Blue Star Civilization has gotten on the right track, and with the support of its senior brothers and sisters, its development is assured.

He left his Parents, younger brother and sister, Ellie, and the East Peak Mercenary Group with abundant resources.

Ellie's Xina Family also reclaimed their territory.

The regrets of the past life have been made up for in this life, and the promises owed in this life have been fulfilled.

To cover for everyone, Hui Yao didn't hesitate to ignite Xingxuan, cutting off his own path.

These prodigies at the Star Vortex level were able to calmly entrust their final value even in despair.

So many talented individuals were willing to trust him, a team leader they had only known for a short time, and hand over resources that would determine their future.

If no one else is afraid, what does he have to be afraid of?

Thinking of this, Lin Yi bent down and began to collect the Source Essence Crystal one by one.

The movements were slow and deliberate, as if what they were holding was not a crystal core, but a stake bet involving more than seven hundred lives.

His clone silently walked to his side and began to help.

Two identical figures silently gathered the things that would determine their future beneath the crystal pillar shrouded in blood mist.

One after another.

In the distance, deep within the blood mist, the faint roars of Mist Beast could be heard.

The sound was long and violent, seemingly endless.

But this time, Lin Yi didn't look up.

His gaze was fixed on the crystal core in his hand, on those "chips" that carried the hopes of more than seven hundred people.

A silvery-gray light flowed silently deep within his eyes.

Since everyone trusts him and is willing to place their bets on him.

Then

Let's go all out and make a big bet!

Something came up and I'm a bit delayed. There will be an extra chapter around midnight. Those who go to bed early can read it tomorrow.