Welcoming a New Friend
Bi Ling was completely dumbfounded.
Two thousand five hundred years?
resurrection?
The overwhelming amount of information almost brought her thinking to a standstill.
She even subconsciously suspected that the Devouring Race who had ambushed her might possess extremely profound illusory rules.
Was he actually under an illusion all along, and everything he was seeing now was a lie?
However, reason quickly rejected this absurd idea.
No fool would create such an outrageous illusion.
The team leader Lin Yi in front of her should have only just begun to explore the laws of time, but now, the fluctuations of the Space Law intertwined around him were so powerful that even her soul felt an instinctive tremor!
And then there are the countless geniuses from various races surrounding them, their auras as deep and unfathomable as the sea.
She only needed a brief moment to sense it, and a wave of horror washed over her.
Each of the surrounding prodigies was emanating varying degrees of fluctuations related to the laws of nature.
Every single one!
What an absurd lineup!
An army composed entirely of geniuses at the Law Realm?
If this is an illusion, how stupid must the being who created it be? Would they even dare to think of such a thing?
But, since it's not an illusion
That can only be true.
Two thousand five hundred years?
What exactly happened after my demise?
How could those who were originally similar to or even inferior to him have grown so powerful?
What exactly happened?
How could Lin Yi, as the team leader, possibly reverse time and revive those of the same level?
Bi Ling opened her mouth, wanting to ask, but found her mind a complete mess, and she had no idea where to begin.
Lin Yi naturally noticed the question mark that Bi Ling had on her face.
But he didn't have time to explain in detail.
The resurrection of Bi Ling is just the beginning. Most of his main consciousness is still "hanging" on the River of Time, maintaining a fragile spacetime connection, while rapidly selecting and locating the next suitable resurrection target.
In order to fully unleash the resurrection technique and minimize interference and consumption, he even disbanded his clones and concentrated all the power of time into this one.
Therefore, Lin Yi only gave Edith a glance before closing his eyes again. The fluctuations of spacetime ripples around him intensified, clearly indicating that he had already devoted himself to the next "salvage".
Edith understood and quickly walked up to Bi Ling was still somewhat dazed.
"Bi Ling." She spoke quickly, getting straight to the point, "Two thousand five hundred years ago, you were ambushed and perished in the Gray Mist Layer by a prodigy of the Devouring Race. Lin Yi reversed time and resurrected you. Due to the conspiracy of the Abyss Race and the Devouring Race, we were forced to remain in the Myriad Secret Realm. The Gray Mist Layer where you originally were has collapsed. This place is the White Mist Layer in the Myriad Secret Realm."
"Our experiences in the Myriad Secret Realm involve many secrets and are crucial to the future safety of everyone here. Therefore, all those who know about these experiences must sign a ' Soul Origin Imprint Pact ' with the team leader to ensure that the secrets are never revealed."
Edith paused, her emerald eyes meeting Bi Ling's blank stare, and slowly said, "We, everyone here, including me, have signed."
Upon hearing this, Bi Ling felt a chill run down her spine.
Even Edith signed that insignia? Did everyone here sign it?
This meant that everything here was far more secretive and important than she had imagined.
Without any hesitation, Bi Ling immediately said, "I'll sign! I'll sign!"
Let alone the fact that the debt of resurrection should be repaid, even without this debt, in the face of such a situation, even a fool would know what to choose.
Edith showed a hint of satisfaction at her decisiveness and nodded. "Very good. The insignia will be signed uniformly later. You have just been resurrected, so adapt to this place first and don't wander around. The rules of the White Mist Layer are unstable. If you want to know what happened in the past two thousand five hundred years, you can go and ask the prodigies you know. They will naturally tell you what they know."
After she finished speaking, her gaze shifted to Lin Yi's side.
There, the second blurry figure began to slowly solidify within the ripples of spacetime, emanating an aura that suggested it was a Star Spirit Race.
Edith didn't linger and walked straight toward the newly formed figure.
Half a day later.
Lin Yi took a deep breath, as if a drowning person had finally surfaced, withdrawing his main consciousness from that cold and vast River of Time.
He opened his eyes, his face as pale as paper, his forehead covered in cold sweat, and a sharp, persistent pain emanated from the depths of his soul, as if he were being pierced repeatedly by countless ice needles.
"No wonder resurrection is so rare even with my limited authority in the Main Universe, and no wonder powerful beings who cultivate the laws of spacetime are reluctant to use them."
Lin Yi felt the exhaustion and pain originating from the Soul Origin, and sighed inwardly, "This work is truly inhuman. Regardless of whether the target of resurrection is strong or weak, single or multiple, as long as the consciousness travels through the River of Time, it's like running naked in the coldest winter wind. This feeling is bone-chilling and excruciating."
The consumption is too high.
It's not just the massive expenditure of source energy and soul power, but also the heavy burden and backlash from struggling against the rules of the entire spacetime.
Lin Yi let out a breath and looked up.
The open space in the center of the camp was now filled with people.
In addition to the original team members, more than 600 new faces have been added.
At this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on Lin Yi, and the gratitude in their eyes was so intense that it was almost tangible.
Especially some of the more humble-born prodigies clenched their fists tightly, their eyes reddened, and their bodies trembled slightly.
Lin Yi looked at them, feeling no contempt, but rather a sense of understanding.
He knew very well that for many prodigies, especially those from weaker races and remote civilizations, what they carried on their shoulders was often not just their own future, but also the hope and future of their entire family, their entire civilization, and even their entire weaker clan.
They are the Spark nurtured with all available resources, the future pillars for their race as they struggle to survive in the vast universe.
Bearing such heavy hopes, yet unexpectedly perishing in the secret realm, the despair and resentment were enough to crush any will.
He understood that feeling.
Now, they have been resurrected, given a new life, and even joined such an incredible group by chance.
Such a shock, from hell to heaven, makes it perfectly normal to lose control of one's emotions.
This is also one of the reasons why Lin Yi was willing to endure the intense soul fatigue and stinging pain, and keep going against the flow until the time limit of an Epoch, after resurrecting all the fallen teammates in this secret realm, he also salvaged more than 300 geniuses from various races from nearly 24 sessions of the Myriad Secret Realm.
These prodigies, who were able to stand out in the Genius Battle, possessed extraordinary talent and temperament.
Their deaths here are regrettable and a loss.
Bringing them back and giving them a new lease on life and a new platform is a life-saving grace for them, and for Lin Yi, it means gathering a group of people with great potential, providing a solid foundation for his vision.
Although the process was painful, this deal was worthwhile in the long run.
"Team Leader!" "Lin Yi!"
Seeing that Lin Yi had finally finished his work and seemed to have regained his senses, the newly resurrected prodigies, at the signal of the core veteran members, quickly stepped forward and respectfully bowed.
Lin Yi accepted everyone's gratitude without feigning modesty.
After all, they really suffered, and the physical and mental strain was real.
Then, Lin Yi's gaze swept over all the newly resurrected individuals, his tone solemn.
"Edith and the veteran team members have probably already briefly explained the necessary information and rules of this place to you. Now, I'll confirm it one last time."
"Sign Soul Origin Imprint Pact with me, keep all the secrets of this place, and abide by the rules to be established thereafter, in exchange for new life and the right to join the group. This is voluntary; I will never force you."
He paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Now, is there anyone who is unwilling?"
After a brief silence, a unified voice suddenly rang out.
"Yes! We are willing!"
"I am willing to sign this pledge and swear to follow Lin Yi to the death."
The sound of the crowd's voices caused the surrounding white mist to ripple slightly.
No one who's gotten this far is a fool.
The grace of resurrection, new opportunities, a powerful collective, and strict but reasonable constraints.
The choice is obvious.
"Very good."
A satisfied smile appeared on Lin Yi's face.
Then, a thought crossed his mind, and he raised his hands in a gesture.
In an instant, hundreds of silver-white "Soul Origin Imprint Pact" light imprints, as if they had come to life, flew precisely towards each of the newly resurrected geniuses, hovering in front of them.
Without further ado, all the newly resurrected individuals, including Bi Ling was the first to be resurrected, readily and proactively absorbed the light seal.
The light imprint transformed into a stream of light, seeping into the center of each person's forehead.
In the center of the camp, Lin Yi could clearly feel that deep within his soul, a series of covenant connections had been established with those six hundred-plus people, reaching directly to their very origins.
The core secrets regarding "Purified Source Essence" and Star Source Space have been locked away with the strongest possible security.
At the same time, a faint centripetal force centered on him began to quietly emerge through this network of contracts.
The contract has been signed.
Lin Yi looked at Edith and instructed, "Edith, please take all of them to the Star Source Space. Have them obtain the space's soul imprint."
This is a crucial step.
Without this mark, one will be unable to return to the Star Source Space to cultivate every Epoch in the future.
Edith nodded. "Understood."
She turned to the crowd, "All newly resurrected, follow me." Then she led the way to the golden mist passage in the center of the camp.
The newly resurrected prodigies quickly followed and filed in.
Edith paused slightly as she passed Lin Yi, glanced at him sideways, and whispered, "Take good care of yourself."
"Um."
Lin Yi responded.
Three days later.
After three days of adjustment, Lin Yi's condition finally recovered somewhat. At least his face was no longer bloodless, and the stinging pain in his soul had lessened to a tolerable level.
Although his combat strength had indeed decreased by about 30% as he had expected, and the feeling of exhaustion at the soul level still lingered, it no longer affected his basic actions.
He gathered everyone in the expanded camp square.
The combined number of new and old members is a dense, dark mass, exceeding 1,300.
"Gentlemen," Lin Yi's voice rang out clearly across the plaza, "Based on our previous explorations and speculations, the Myriad Secret Realm follow a certain cycle. They contract for the first two thousand five hundred years, and expand for the next two thousand five hundred years. Currently, we are in the White Mist Layer, precisely in the expansion phase."
"Based on this calculation, the entrance to the secret realm will reopen in 2,500 years. And the exit will appear in 2,501 years."
"That will be the time for us to leave this secret realm and return to the sea of stars!"
Leave the secret realm!
These four words possess unimaginable magic for those who have struggled to survive in the secret realm for thousands of years.
A murmur rippled through the square. Many veteran members looked on with a mixture of emotion and anticipation, while the newly resurrected members felt a sense of longing mixed with trepidation.
"But."
Lin Yi changed the subject, "Many of our companions, nearing the end of their lifespan, had no choice but to break through to the Star Vortex level within the secret realm. According to the rules of the secret realm, those who break through cannot leave through the exit."
The Star Vortex level prodigies tensed up, but there was no fear in their eyes, only anticipation.
Lin Yi continued, "Therefore, we now need to calculate the remaining lifespan that each of you has when you are at the Star Core level, enough to safely remain in the secret realm. I will then arrange for your resurrection according to the optimal schedule."
"In other words, you need to terminate your own lives first, and then I will resurrect you in your Star Core level state. This will ensure that your life form meets the requirements for leaving the secret realm and that you have enough lifespan to last until the exit opens."
He spoke calmly, but his words left the newly resurrected prodigies dumbfounded.
suicide?
Then resurrected?
Just so he can revert to Star Core level so he can get out?
This is a mistake.
But there were no gasps of surprise in the audience, only understanding and excitement.
Lin Yi even chuckled and added in a relaxed tone, "By the way, before you all end your lives, it's best to arrange your legacy, such as any unused personal belongings, any words of advice you want to leave for your resurrected selves, etc. Also, remember to record your memory crystals at the end."
His gaze deliberately swept over several couples in the crowd who were clearly very close. "Especially those who developed a relationship beyond friendship during this time. Make sure to keep a good memory crystal and record everything in detail. Otherwise, after you're resurrected, you might see a partner who's completely infatuated with you but can't remember who they are, and if they start fighting, I'll have to mediate."
Hahahaha!
The square erupted in good-natured laughter, and the couples who had been called out blushed, but amidst the laughter, there was a greater sense of relief and warmth.
Even the Star Vortex level geniuses were laughing heartily, their faces no longer showing the despair and gloom of being trapped in a desperate situation and waiting for the end.
Half a year passed in the blink of an eye amidst intense training and preparations for my future departure.
On this day, everyone felt a slight jolt, and a clear understanding naturally emerged.
[Star Source Space is about to enter a period of dormancy and will close after one standard hour.]
They've arrived.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and waited for the final moment.
Lin Yi naturally received this message as well, but in addition to this message, he also suddenly received another message.
[New Permission: During each Epoch space opening cycle, one additional life form with a life level no higher than your own and who is willing to enter.]
Lin Yi was suddenly startled.
Can I bring people in?
One per Epoch?
Why didn't this information appear when we first entered the Star Source Space, but only after the space was about to close?
With that thought, Lin Yi flashed and appeared in the center of the camp.
As he notified everyone via the communication network, "The Star Source Space is about to close; everyone prepare to transfer to the White Mist Layer," he looked at Edith, who had also appeared.
"You received that message too?" Lin Yi asked directly.
Edith nodded and said, "Yes, it's time to leave. However, a year's leave was expected."
Lin Yi looked at her. "Nothing else?"
Upon hearing this, Edith's blue eyes flashed with surprise.
No. Did you receive any other messages?
Lin Yi nodded, his mind racing.
This extra access was clearly granted only to him.
If this access is to be used, when people are brought in during the next Epoch, this secret will most likely not escape the notice of the astute Edith.
Rather than arousing suspicion later, it's better to be honest now and take the initiative.
"Hmm." He said in a deep voice, "I received an additional message. Each Epoch, when the Star Source Space reopens, I can bring one additional life form into it."
Edith was slightly taken aback. "What? You can bring people in?"
She quickly processed the information, recalling Lin Yi's earlier question, "It seems only you have this information; we probably haven't received it either."
"It seems so at the moment," Lin Yi nodded.
Edith frowned slightly, lost in thought.
After a moment, she raised her eyes and looked at Lin Yi, "I'm afraid this is related to your performance within the space, or perhaps to your status and role among all of us."
She analyzed, "I suspect that the rules behind the Star Source Space, or rather, the Myriad Secret Realm, may involve some kind of observation mechanism or evaluation system that we cannot understand."
"During the opening of this space, you not only cultivated yourself to perfection in the Law of Time, but also spearheaded the large-scale resurrection of your companions, greatly stabilizing and strengthening our group of bound beings. This behavior may have aligned with some purpose or preference of the space's existence, thus triggering a higher level of authority."
Lin Yi nodded silently.
Edith's analysis coincided with his thoughts.
This Star Source Space is definitely not simple; it may involve deeper secrets of the Secret Realm, and may even be related to the unknown higher being that built or influenced the Secret Realm.
"Given the level of the Myriad Secret Realm and our current strength, delving into the reasons behind them now is meaningless and may only create more trouble," Lin Yi said slowly after a moment of contemplation. "In any case, this is a good thing. Having one more spot per Epoch might play an unexpected role in the future. Let's focus on the present and leave this place."
Edith collected her thoughts and nodded, "That's true."
The two said no more, stood side by side, and looked at the golden passage in the center of the camp, where the light was gradually dimming.
Other prodigies gathered around, preparing to leave.
--
The year 5512 of the New Era.
From the depths of the White Mist Layer came a series of violent and furious energy explosions, accompanied by the dying roars of the Mist Beast and the resolute shouts of the prodigies.
"Brothers, I'm going first. Remember to collect the crystal cores!"
"Hahaha, it explodes!"
"Great! Great! A lot of top-quality stuff has been gathered here. This is a good deal, let's go for it!"
One after another, figures radiating Star Vortex level energy surged into the densest area of Mist Beast, like moths drawn to a flame. They fought until they were exhausted, and then exploded with a deafening roar.
Brilliant light burst forth repeatedly in the white mist, briefly clearing away the fog in large areas and leaving behind countless Source Essence Crystal.
Meanwhile, the other members of his squad, who were waiting at a safe distance, quickly stepped forward and collected the crystal cores left behind by their self-destructing comrades.
No one felt sadness, because everyone knew this was not the end.
Soon, after the last Star Vortex level prodigy exhausted all his power and self-destructed with a joyful smile, Lin Yi made his move.
It was still in the center of the camp.
Lin Yi used the laws of spacetime to revive those Star Vortex level geniuses one by one in their Star Core level state.
When the last resurrected prodigy opened his eyes in a daze, and was immediately rushed up by his companions to hug and beat him, the camp erupted in deafening cheers.
The obstacles have been cleared!
At this point, everyone was qualified to leave the secret realm.
--
The New Era in 6720.
The area White Mist Layer has expanded to an unimaginable extent, and the strength and density of the Mist Beast have also increased significantly, but they still cannot stop this team whose strength has long since transformed into monsters.
Lin Yi recalled all the teams that had been hunting and honing their skills scattered throughout the White Mist Layer.
The camp square was once again bustling with people.
More than 1,300 prodigies stood solemnly, their auras contained yet not revealed, exuding a calm and collected presence forged through thousands of years of blood and fire.
"Gentlemen," Lin Yi's voice rang out, "According to calculations, tomorrow should be the day the new round of entrances to the Myriad Secret Realm reopens."
It's finally coming.
The square was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; the only sound was the intense gaze of the gazes.
"Before I leave, I'd like to reiterate one last time."
Lin Yi's tone was solemn, "Everything about the Star Source Society, including the existence of the Star Source Space, the Purified Source Essence, and the network of relationships among us, is top secret! We must strictly adhere to the constraints of the Soul Origin Imprint Pact; not a single detail must be revealed at any time, to anyone!"
"Yes, President!" Everyone responded solemnly in unison.
No one dares to joke about the Soul Origin.
During this period, after discussing with everyone, Lin Yi decided to establish the Star Source Society under the name of Star Source Space.
There is currently only one objective.
That means sharing resources and helping each other, and not killing one another.
As the president, Lin Yi has the sole authority to develop new members. The Star Source Society holds a large-scale gathering once per Epoch, and the location is naturally the Star Source Space.
After emphasizing confidentiality, Lin Yi paused, then continued, "Also, regarding the amount of Purified Source Essence that you have entrusted to me for future cultivation, if you need to retrieve it after you leave, please inform me in advance. I will arrange the retrieval order and time according to the situation."
"Of course, if there are any special circumstances on my end, I will notify everyone in advance to adjust the time. Does anyone have any objections to this?"
"No objections!" the crowd responded again.
Everyone knows that, as is customary, once they leave the secret realm, all resources obtained, especially those related to Source Essence, must be handed over to the clan, and their storage equipment will also be inspected.
Only this Purified Source Essence stored in Lin Yi's Soul Origin is something they can fully control and will be their greatest reliance for future cultivation.
As for the portion of the Source Essence Crystal to be handed over to the clan, they had already reserved them in advance, which could be used to pass inspections and also to exchange for clan merits and other resource compensation.
Although the compensation value is far less than that of the Source Essence itself, it is still necessary.
"Finally," Lin Yi's gaze slowly swept across the entire room, "Regarding our experience in the secret realm, we've already agreed on a story. Once we're out, when faced with inquiries from the higher-ups of your respective clans, be sure to answer according to the agreed-upon version. Don't try to be clever; if you accidentally trigger the confidentiality clause in the seal and suffer a backlash, it would be too unjust to die."
"Understood!" the crowd responded in unison.
Seeing that everyone looked serious and understood the situation, Lin Yi nodded.
"Alright, that's all for the important stuff."
Lin Yi flexed his wrists, a flash of silver-gray and silver-white light appearing in his eyes. "Let's give these noisy white bugs in front of our house one last clean-up. Then, tidy up."
He paused, then his voice suddenly rose.
"Get ready, we're about to meet you."
"New friend!"
When Lin Yi uttered the last three words, the icy glint in his eyes sent a chill down the spines of all the team members.
Immediately, a fighting spirit and rage that had been suppressed for thousands of years, like an awakened volcano, roared up in everyone's chest.
"Yes, President!"
The roaring responses dispersed the thick white fog surrounding the camp.
New friend?
Indeed, with the opening of the secret realm, it's time to catch up with our Abyss Race and Devouring Race friends who are about to enter.
I'm exhausted after updating 1.3W, but it seems there was a slight miscalculation in the plot estimate, so I won't be able to leave until tomorrow.