A Link to the Future

Lin Yi's gaze fell on Edith's outstretched palm.

The ashes from the remnants of those crystal cores clung to her fingertips, like faded bloodstains.

He immediately became serious and said in a deep voice, "How long has this been going on? What exactly does it feel like?"

Edith withdrew her hand, her fingers unconsciously rubbing together the ashes.

Ashes slipped through her fingers, swirling in the light with tiny eddies.

She stared at the falling dust for two seconds before speaking.

"If we really want to trace it back," she paused, a hint of reminiscence in her voice, "There were signs of it about two hundred years ago."

Edith looked up, her gaze somewhat vacant, as if she were looking at something far away through the air in front of her.

"Back then, when absorbing the Source Essence Crystal, I would occasionally experience a slight discomfort in my soul."

She raised her left hand and gently pressed her fingertips against her temples. "It doesn't hurt or itch. It's just a very subtle feeling of fullness. Like you've eaten until you're about 70-80% full, and you could still eat more, but your body already knows you've had enough."

But I didn't pay attention at the time.

Edith lowered her hand. "As you know, the effects of many high-level treasures diminish with repeated use, and they can even cause resistance or side effects. This discomfort at the soul level is nothing compared to the increased understanding brought by the Source Essence."

As she said this, a helpless smile appeared on her lips.

"So I didn't bother with it. I continued absorbing and cultivating as usual. Anyway, the efficiency of Source Essence conversion didn't decrease, and the speed of improvement in comprehension remained very stable."

"But that feeling of fullness gradually became more and more pronounced."

Edith lowered her voice and turned her gaze away, looking at the empty rock wall on the other side of the quiet room.

"From appearing occasionally at the beginning, it became appearing with every absorption. From feeling seven or eight tenths full, to nine tenths full, and then..."

Edith paused for a moment, then spread her hands and sighed.

"A few days ago, we finally reached the top."

"The Source Essence entered my body, but my soul directly refused to accept it. I tried three times, using three different methods, and the result was the same."

After she finished speaking, her arm fell to her side, and her fingertips unconsciously rubbed against the side of her armor, as if wiping away something unseen.

Lin Yi remained silent.

He stood there, his brows slowly furrowing.

Are you stuffed?

This metaphor is too straightforward, so straightforward that it's almost absurd.

The number of Source Essence Crystal he absorbed was no less than that of Edith.

No, it should be said that it's much more.

But he never felt full.

Never.

No. Wait a minute.

Lin Yi's eyes flickered slightly.

His method of absorbing Source Essence was fundamentally different from Edith's, or rather, from everyone else's.

Others directly absorb the Source Essence from the crystal core, integrate it into their soul, and use it to aid in comprehending the rules and laws.

He first absorbed the Source Essence using the Purple Mist Space, then transformed it into Spiritual Enlightenment Qi, and then used that Spiritual Enlightenment Qi to nourish his understanding of the laws.

Could the problem lie in this step?

Did the Purple Mist Space eliminate something that would cause "saturation" during its transformation?

Lin Yi's mind raced, but his face remained impassive.

He thought for a moment, then asked, "Have you asked anyone else about this?"

Edith nodded.

"I asked the top-ranking members," she said, naming several of the team's elite talents, second only to her and Lin Yi. "They've also started experiencing a slight sense of spiritual fullness, just like I did initially."

Lin Yi frowned upon hearing this.

If everyone does this, then it's a problem.

Currently, it seems highly likely that Edith encountered this situation first because she is strong and has acquired and absorbed the most Source Essence Crystal besides him.

Therefore, it took other people so long to start feeling full.

If everyone continues like this, then it won't be long before everyone's strength stagnates.

This thought made Lin Yi's heart sink.

Now the Blood Mist Layer is constantly shrinking, and the Blood Mist Beast are becoming more numerous, denser, and stronger.

It's clear that he can't clear it all out by himself.

After all, the total amount of source energy and the speed of recovery are limited. Even if a single attack is strong, with source energy recovery severely suppressed, the camp needs the help of others to effectively clear out the Blood Mist Beast approaching the camp and maintain a safe space in the long term.

The camp needs others to maintain their fighting strength, to continue to grow stronger, and to have enough power to wield their weapons when the Blood Mist Beast pounce.

Without the possibility of continuous improvement, the team's combat power will soon hit its ceiling.

In a deteriorating environment, stagnation often means a slow death.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Yi asked, "Does your Spirit Race have any records of this situation?"

Edith shook her head upon hearing this, giving a wry smile. "Of course not. Even our Spirit Race wouldn't openly supply Source Essence- level treasures to Star Core level beings, so naturally there wouldn't be any related records."

This answer is not surprising.

Source Essence is incredibly precious. The fact that they are now trapped in the secret realm, hunting, acquiring, and absorbing Source Essence Crystal with almost no restrictions, is probably an extreme situation that the Spirit Race has never anticipated in its history.

The quiet room fell silent for a moment, with only the steady glow from the illumination crystal casting the shadows of the two figures onto the rough rock wall.

Edith gazed at Lin Yi's furrowed brows and pensive face, her fingers clenching slightly before relaxing, as if she had made up her mind.

"Team leader," she began, "You've absorbed far more Source Essence Crystal than I have."

Edith paused, observing Lin Yi's reaction. Seeing that he was simply listening quietly, she continued, "I'd like to ask you how you solve this kind of problem."

After saying this, she seemed afraid that Lin Yi would misunderstand, so she quickly added, "I know this must involve secret techniques or treasures."

Edith quickened her pace, saying, "I know the Soul Origin Seal Pact Technique and am willing to teach it to you. In this way, we can sign Soul Origin Imprint Pact. At the same time, I am also willing to pay an additional price in exchange."

Having said that, she seemed to find it difficult to say the rest, her voice lowered, and her gaze shifted slightly, landing in the shadows of the quiet corner of the room.

"Certainly."

She pursed her lips, a hint of embarrassment in her voice, "I don't have any valuable treasures on me right now, which might be necessary for us to get out of the secret realm alive."

Lin Yi was taken aback upon hearing this.

He looked at Edith with surprise.

"You know the method of the Soul Origin Imprint Pact?"

Edith could guess that he had special methods, and she wasn't surprised.

After all, Edith isn't stupid. The number of crystal cores he absorbed and the speed at which his strength increased are obvious. To deny it now would be an insult to his intelligence.

He had long been mentally prepared to be questioned or tested.

Most importantly, he didn't expect Edith to know the Soul Origin Seal Pact Technique.

It should be noted that the Soul Origin Imprint Pact Technique is worth 1000 clan merits in the clan's treasury, and it is clearly stated that only those who have mastered the law can use it.

Its sole function is to establish the Soul Origin Imprint Pact. This seal is rooted in the deepest part of the Soul Origin. Violating the contents of the seal will directly lead to the annihilation of the Soul Origin, resulting in complete demise without even a chance of resurrection.

When he examined the clan's treasure trove and discovered this secret technique, he was quite surprised.

This was the first time he had ever seen a method that explicitly claimed to "directly affect the Soul Origin."

It should be noted that ever since he completed the civilization assessment and obtained high-level authority, in order to prevent higher-level beings from discovering the clues of the Purple Mist Space in his Soul Origin, he immediately consulted a large amount of knowledge about the Soul Origin.

The conclusions reached were almost unanimous: the Soul Origin cannot be directly explored by external forces, nor can it be replicated or simulated; it is extremely mysterious.

Many high-level experts have discussed this issue, questioning why, despite cultivators being able to use Soul Power, there are no independent "soul rules" or "soul laws" in the universe.

Therefore, he was deeply impressed when he saw the technique of the Soul Origin Imprint Pact.

Later, at a small gathering after he became a member of the list, he subtly raised this question with Starweaver.

The other party told him that this Soul Origin Imprint Pact Technique was not created by a powerful being in the Main Universe, but rather originated from an extremely ancient and high-level secret realm.

Currently, it seems that this is the only known method that can act on the Soul Origin.

Later, a ruler of the Spirit Race modified the "Soul Seal Pact Technique" based on its principles and embedded it into the underlying protocol of the Pan-Spirit Alliance's Virtual Network, turning it into an essential "Contract Seal Pact" for large transactions or important agreements on the Virtual Network.

That simplified version of the Soul Seal Pact Technique only requires the Rule Level to attempt learning, and Lin Yi naturally learned it.

However, that kind of seal has great limitations; once the signatory dies, the seal will naturally dissipate.

However, the "Soul Origin Seal Pact Technique" is completely different.

According to the treasure trove's description, upon signing, it will permeate the signatory's entire "life trajectory line" over time.

Even if the signatory dies and is resurrected, this seal will still exist in the Soul Origin after resurrection.

In other words, once a soul is destroyed due to violating the Soul Origin Imprint Pact, it cannot be resurrected.

Because at the moment of resurrection, the seals are still present, the violation of the state still applies, and the soul will immediately perish again.

For this reason, the explanation of this secret method in the clan's treasury concludes with the striking words. "It must be used with utmost caution."

If Lin Yi hadn't been short of money and hadn't needed to prioritize exchanging clan merits for more pressing cultivation resources, he would have really wanted to learn this secret technique.

After all, this thing is incredibly useful in certain situations, serving as the ultimate means of confidentiality and security.

Unfortunately, I was indeed short of money at the time, and this secret technique wasn't a necessity for improving my immediate combat power, so I put it aside for the time being.

Unexpectedly, Edith actually did.

Lin Yi looked at Edith in front of him and couldn't help but ponder.

Edith didn't even know the laws when she mastered this secret technique, yet she learned a secret technique that could only be used by those at the Law Realm, and it wasn't even a combat-related one. Truly... arrogant.

After a brief moment of reflection, Lin Yi brought his thoughts back to the problem at hand.

The Soul Origin Seal Pact Technique.

Edith was willing to teach him this secret technique, which showed her sincerity.

The secret technique itself is worth more than 1,000 clan merits, not to mention the additional price she promised and her guarantee that it would never be revealed.

Lin Yi knew that she really didn't have any treasures to offer right now.

Having been trapped in the Blood Mist Layer for so long, the resources available for cultivation and combat are running out, and most of the prodigies have used up most of their life-saving items.

But what he wanted was never treasure.

Lin Yi remained silent for a moment, his gaze falling on Edith's face.

This First Heavenly Prodigy Spirit Race is known for her pride. For Edith to take the initiative to ask for guidance and even offer a secret technique of the Soul Origin Imprint Pact level as an exchange, it's clear that Edith also realized the seriousness of the matter.

But Edith didn't say anything, "If you don't tell everyone your method, we'll all die together," instead, she offered the secret technique and future treasures in an attempt to exchange them.

This honesty has already begun to tip the scales in his heart.

Edith's situation is not an isolated case. Since those with higher strength have already started to show symptoms, others will inevitably follow suit sooner or later.

If this problem isn't solved, we'll all die here together.

After all, the higher the level of the laws, the more difficult it becomes. Even if everyone stagnates and he absorbs all the saved source Source Essence Crystal, how much improvement can he achieve?

5%?

10%?

Even though he became stronger, no one could cover for him while he was recovering his source energy, so he still died.

He didn't go to the other prodigies to verify what Edith said.

Edith had no reason to tell such an easily exposed lie. Besides, in this secret realm, Lin Yi didn't believe she would be foolish enough to deceive him.

Therefore, he actually had to step in and help.

There was no other choice.

However, the Purple Mist Space must absolutely not be exposed.

That was his greatest asset in getting to where he is today, and also the secret he can neither explain nor replicate.

The consequences of a leak are unpredictable.

He can't take that risk.

Therefore, disguise is necessary.

Then, use the Soul Origin Imprint Pact to add an insurance layer to this disguise.

Moreover, regarding this secret, if one dies in the secret realm, all will be lost.

But what if they manage to get out alive?

Lin Yi recalled the words that Xuan Yan had said to him after winning the championship.

"Cultivators cannot reach the pinnacle by simply shutting themselves away; interpersonal relationships, the interests of their clan, and the grand scheme of things in the cosmos are all things they must confront."

At the time, he thought the Lord was just teaching him how to handle interpersonal relationships in the Star Sea, but now he realizes that the meaning of those words goes far beyond that.

In this perilous and mysterious realm, he is the leader, maintaining the team through his strength and the bonds forged through years of fighting side by side.

But these friendships are ultimately just friendships.

After they leave, the prodigies of each race return to their own. How long will this camaraderie forged in battle last?

How solid a network of connections and ties of mutual benefit can this be transformed into?

The prodigies who have survived to this day are the cream of the crop, and with the massive increase in Source Essence, they may even be able to take a considerable amount of Source Essence with them. After returning to their respective races, they will most likely become important figures or even high-ranking members of their respective groups in the future.

This will be a terrifyingly large potential force.

He had to save them, because if he didn't, they would all die. That was the truth; there was no other choice.

But in the process of rescue, could we perhaps also pave the way for the future?

Xuan Yan is right; cultivation is not something that can be done behind closed doors. He needs friends, allies, and those who will stand by him in the future interstellar landscape.

What if these exceptional talents shared a common secret with him?

A secret that compels them to be grateful to him, depend on him, and even, to some extent, ask for his help?

What could bind a group of people together more than a shared secret?

What sustains a relationship better than a "consistent need"?

What could guarantee secrecy better than the "Soul Origin Imprint Pact"?

Lin Yi took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.

We must help.

But he needs time to think of a prudent solution.

"I do have a way."

Lin Yi looked at Edith, a slightly apologetic smile on his face.

"But because it involves secrets, I can only help you after you teach me the Soul Origin Seal Pact Technique and we establish a contract."

He spoke sincerely, but his tone revealed an uncompromising bottom line.

Edith did not show any offense or displeasure; on the contrary, she seemed relieved.

"I understand," she said. "If it's an important secret, caution is warranted. The Soul Origin Imprint Pact is the safest guarantee."

She paused, then asked, "Shall we begin now?"

Lin Yi nodded. "Okay."

Upon hearing this, Edith did not hesitate for a moment and immediately raised her hand and pointed to her forehead.

A silvery-white light shone from between her brows, quickly condensing into a phantom mark woven from countless fine runes and threads.

The phantom was only the size of a fingernail, but the mysterious aura it emitted caused the air in the quiet room to distort slightly.

"The Soul Origin Seal Pact Technique is essentially about constructing a special soul structure."

"This structure can be anchored deep within the Soul Origin, bound to the thread of an individual's existence throughout the river of time. Once successfully constructed, the contents of the imprint become part of the Soul Origin, inseparable and unalterable."

"This is the fundamental structure of the arcane art," Edith said, her voice tinged with solemnity. "I will transmit it directly into your soul's perception. Do not resist, follow its guidance. This process may be a little uncomfortable."

Lin Yi nodded and sat down cross-legged opposite her.

"Let's begin."

Edith took a deep breath, and the silvery-white halo suddenly shone brightly.

The next second, it slowly floated towards Lin Yi and disappeared into his brow.

boom.

Lin Yi felt a massive Information Flow into his mind.

The moment that silvery-white halo entered his soul's perception, it spontaneously decomposed into countless tiny streams of light, each carrying a portion of the secrets of the mysteries of the secret technique.

Lin Yi closed his eyes, immersing himself completely in the moment.

He "saw" those silvery lights wandering deep within his soul, intertwining and weaving into a net, which then folded into a multi-dimensional structure.

Those structures are constantly changing form, and each change follows some profound law.

It's not the law of time, nor the Space Law, but something more fundamental.

The learning process involves understanding this structure, mastering this power, and then simulating it with one's own soul.

This is difficult.

It is not merely a method of concluding a contract, but also a profound understanding and subtle manipulation of the Soul Origin.

What is the Soul Origin?

According to the descriptions in the tradition, it is the "sole anchor point" of a life in the long river of time, and the concentrated manifestation of the "thread of existence" that runs through the past, present and future in the present moment.

It is formless and intangible, and cannot be directly observed or touched by external forces, but it does exist and carries the most essential "self" of life.

The principle of the Soul Origin Imprint Pact is to "imprint" the contents of the contract onto this "line of existence" through specific rule runes and soul resonance.

Once the imprint is complete, the contract no longer depends on the signatory's current will or state, but becomes part of their soul essence, covering their entire life trajectory along the timeline.

Even if the signatory dies and is resurrected, the resurrected "him" will still carry this mark in his Soul Origin.

This is why it is called the "Original Imprint".

The concepts and techniques involved in this secret method were completely different from anything he had ever learned before.

On several occasions, when he was building a certain key node, his soul structure almost collapsed, and those silver streams of light almost exploded deep within his consciousness.

But he held firm.

His understanding of the laws of time gave him powerful control. He explored little by little, trying again and again, like building an invisible bridge in the dark.

One day, two days, three days.

The only sound in the quiet room was the soft breathing of the two people.

Edith sat opposite him with her eyes closed, but Lin Yi could feel her soul perception constantly surrounding them, ready to intervene at any moment should something happen to him.

On the seventh day, Lin Yi finally succeeded in constructing the first complete miniature seal structure.

The moment he activated the structure with his Soul Power, a strange feeling descended upon him.

It was as if something had been "hooked" out from the deepest part of his soul and then bound to that structure.

It was a feeling of being "marked".

It was very slight, but undeniably so.

Once the structure stabilized, it transformed into a barely visible point of silver light, sinking into the depths of the soul and disappearing without a trace.

But he knew it was there.

Lin Yi opened his eyes.

The light in the quiet room seemed the same as it had been seven days ago, but it felt like a long time had passed.

There was a slight weariness deep in my soul, as if I had undergone a high-intensity training session.

"It's done?"

Edith opened her eyes as well, her blue eyes filled with inquiry.

Lin Yi raised his hand, a thought flashing through his mind.

A similar silvery-white halo appeared in his palm, though much smaller and dimmer than the Edith had shown before, but its structure was intact.

Edith stared at the halo of light for a few seconds, then nodded.

"It's faster than I expected. The next step is to practice and refine it. This secret technique isn't difficult, but it will take time to master it."

In the days that followed, Lin Yi entered a different rhythm.

During the day, he handled camp affairs as usual and cleared out the surrounding Mist Beast. At night, he returned to his quiet room and immersed himself in the practice of the Soul Origin Seal Pact Technique.

The structures he built became increasingly complex, lasted longer, and were activated faster.

From initially being able to construct only a simple promise, it has evolved to being able to construct complex contracts containing multiple conditions and multiple layers of constraints.

He also became increasingly adept at mastering that power that could touch the Soul Origin.

That power is peculiar; it can only be guided and utilized through a secret structure.

On the night of the twenty-fifth day, Lin Yi finally constructed a complex simulated contract.

The structure is complete, the constraints are clear, and the anchoring is stable.

Lin Yi opened his eyes and let out a long breath.

It's done.

However, he needed to polish the details one last time, and also figure out how to draft the specific terms of the contracts with Edith and others that he might make later.

You need to ensure the safety of your secrets while also leaving enough room for the future.

Well, these last few chapters are a bit more important. A few more chapters and it'll be time for some fun! Last day of double monthly tickets, so please give me some! Also, thank you to all the readers for your recent donations~