When It Rains, It Pours

Lan He's heart was pounding in his throat.

He never imagined he would have the privilege of witnessing this scene firsthand.

Lin Yi, the undisputed First Heavenly Prodigy of the contemporary Pan-Spirit Alliance, a master of the Star Vortex level Time Laws, and a legendary leader who led the current generation of prodigies to escape from dire straits in the Myriad Secret Realm, was standing less than a thousand meters away from him.

That wasn't an image on the Virtual Network; it was a real, living person.

Lan He's gaze followed the deep blue figure intently.

Lin Yi's attire was simple, a well-tailored dark blue casual suit with no exaggerated decorations, but the calmness and profundity that emanated from within him were like invisible ripples, making all the perceptive geniuses feel a tightness in their hearts.

Especially on his brow, there seemed to be a very faint silver line that appeared and disappeared... Was that a mark left after the perfection of the Time Law?

Lan He noticed that when Lin Yi's gaze calmly swept across the main hall, many figures in the Star Vortex level group almost subconsciously made the same movement.

He bowed slightly.

It wasn't as formal as a bow; it was more like an instinctive respect for the strong and the legendary.

Lan He recognized many of those who bowed; they were all young prodigies who were quite famous on the Virtual Network.

At this moment, their movements were surprisingly synchronized and coordinated.

Even Edith...

Lan He sighed inwardly.

The current First Heavenly Prodigy of the Spirit Race at the Star Vortex level, and the publicly announced direct heir of Venerable Lord Rank family, also lowered her proud head slightly at this moment.

In an instant, the entire Star Vortex level region seemed to be swept by an invisible wave, rippling with respect.

The Star Domain level geniuses remained standing, their gazes fixed on Lin Yi with varying degrees of calmness, curiosity, or inquiry.

Although no one made any such gesture of bowing, perhaps due to the dignity and pride of the Star Domain level, they did not bow to a Star Vortex level individual. However, the fact that they all remained standing and watching was enough to say a great deal.

At this moment, Lanhe noticed that Lin Yi had moved.

He strode forward, walking unhurriedly towards the Central District the hall. His steps were steady, each one seemingly following a rhythm, causing the surrounding air to vibrate slightly.

"Lin Yi!"

"Brother Lin Yi, it's been a long time!"

Along the way, numerous Star Vortex level prodigies took the initiative to greet him.

Lin Yi's face didn't show any exaggerated expression. He simply nodded slightly, his gaze meeting the greetings of each person. Occasionally, he would give a brief "Hmm" or "Hello everyone," his voice calm yet carrying a peculiar sense of power.

He traveled through the area and eventually arrived at a relatively central location in the Star Vortex level region, where there was a round crystal table carved from some kind of warm white jade, and several people were already sitting around it.

Edith, Green Leaf, Hui Yao, and two other geniuses from the Spirit Race and Crystal Spirit Race whom Lan He was unfamiliar with.

Lin Yi naturally sat down in the empty seat next to the table, and someone immediately handed him a crystal-clear drink.

He chatted quietly with the others at the table, looking relaxed, and occasionally a faint smile appeared on his face, as if it were just a casual chat between old friends.

And now, those Star Domain level prodigies who had been standing and watching have finally made their next move.

They sat down one after another, resuming their previous postures.

Lan He observed intently and found that the vast majority of the Star Domain level prodigies only showed thoughtfulness and pure curiosity on their faces, without any dissatisfaction or hostility.

In fact, seven or eight of them, after sitting down, deliberately raised their cups towards the round table where Lin Yi was, as a gesture of greeting.

Lin Yi seemed to sense it as well, and looked up to return the toast, his movements natural and fluid, without the slightest hesitation.

The anticipated friction or undercurrents caused by "differences in understanding" and "unequal etiquette" did not occur.

After Lin Yi took his seat and chatted with acquaintances, the atmosphere in the main hall gradually returned to a somewhat noisy state, but an invisible aura centered on him had already quietly formed.

Only then did Lan He feel that she could breathe smoothly again.

He had been holding his breath, almost as if afraid of missing any details.

"Just now... it was really..." he murmured, his palms slightly sweaty.

"Shocking, isn't it?" The Star Spirit Race sitting next to him whispered. This companion had pale silver skin and eyes like stars, and even he had a look of astonishment on his face. "Although Lord Lin Yi is the undisputed First Heavenly Prodigy prodigy of the Pan-Spirit Alliance and has mastered the Law of Time, his cultivation level is only at the Star Vortex level. And those Star Domain level prodigies, each of them has completely mastered a law, and they also stood up just now... To be honest, my heart was in my throat. Could there be a conflict?"

The worries of the Star Spirit Race's prodigies were exactly the same concerns that Lan He had vaguely harbored before.

Star Domain level cultivator can master a law, and it's obvious they have an air of arrogance. But now, being overshadowed by a Star Vortex level junior and then standing up to greet him without even knowing why, it's hard to guarantee that no one will harbor resentment.

Just then, the Spirit Race girl who had been sitting quietly beside her, with a gentle and serene demeanor, suddenly spoke, her voice soft yet remarkably firm. "No, it won't."

Lan He and the Star Spirit Race both looked at her at the same time.

At this moment, Lin Yi had already sat down to talk, Star Domain level geniuses also took their seats to pay their respects. The peaceful scene perfectly confirmed the words of the Spirit Race girl.

Lan He breathed a sigh of relief, his curiosity immediately piqued, and he quickly lowered his voice to ask, "What do you mean?"

The Spirit Race girl picked up the Dew of Tranquility in front of her, took a small sip, and said slowly, "My family has some information channels. Lord Lin Yi is not simply someone who has mastered the Law of Time at the Star Core level."

She paused, seemingly organizing her thoughts, "According to my family elders, Lin Yi's comprehension of Space Law is also extremely high. While the exact figure is unknown, based on some circulating information, it's at least 70%, or even higher."

"That's not all."

The Spirit Race girl glanced at Lin Yi, who was sitting calmly in the distance. "He possesses the Fearless War God mechanical divine body personally bestowed by the Spirit Race's Qing Yan, combined with his level of understanding of the laws..." She gently put down her cup. "Based on a comprehensive assessment, Lord Lin Yi is now almost equivalent to a powerful 'god'."

A powerful deity!

Lan He felt his worldview cracking.

"Furthermore..." the Spirit Race girl added at the end, her tone tinged with emotion, "Lord Lin Yi's talent is universally acknowledged as a potential Venerable Lord. Venerable Lord... In the absence of an absolute conflict of interest, who would offend such a terrifying being destined to rise and possibly stand at the pinnacle of the universe over such trivial matters as whether to bow or rise? Those Star Domain level geniuses aren't fools; they understand perfectly well."

The Star Spirit Race prodigy nodded repeatedly, "So that's how it is... Strength, potential, backing, and that Fearless War God... No wonder, no wonder."

At this moment, the more lively Spirit Race girl from before suddenly chuckled and replied, "However, on another note..."

Her gaze swept over the Star Domain level prodigies who had returned to normal, some conversing and others sitting quietly. "Lin Yi's potential and status are matters of the future. His current actual realm is ultimately still at the Star Vortex level. If he truly encounters an opportunity he cannot resist vying for in the Sacred Tree Secret Realm, such as a high-level Sacred Source Fruit or a core comprehension position... I estimate that those Star Domain level prodigies will not hold back because of his potential. When it comes to fighting for it, they will not hesitate."

Her words were like a bucket of cold water, clearing Lan He's feverish mind somewhat.

Yes, respect is one thing, and fear is another, but when it comes to the core interests that truly concern their own path to immortality, which of these Star Domain level prodigies, who have fought their way out of countless competitors, isn't ruthless and decisive?

They too have fully mastered a law, and their level of understanding is even higher. How could they easily back down?

Lan He subconsciously looked towards the round table where Lin Yi was.

Lin Yi was listening to Edith say something, his profile calm, occasionally nodding.

He seemed completely unconcerned about the potential competitive pressure from the Star Domain level geniuses around him.

That composure, backed by absolute strength and brilliant achievements, is something that Lan He admires.

"You all think..." Lan He couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "How long will it take Lin Yi to comprehend the Sacred Tree Secret Realm this time?"

The Spirit Race's notification stated that the adjustment was based on his level of comprehension of the laws. His understanding of the laws of time was already perfected, and his spatial abilities were also quite advanced...

The first Spirit Race girl to speak shook her head, "The exact duration is confidential. But according to past practice, those with a 70% or higher level of understanding of the laws of time, like Edith, have been granted fifteen days of comprehension. Lord Lin Yi..." She paused, "... I heard it will be at least forty days."

"At least forty days?" Lan He and the Star Spirit Race prodigy exclaimed in unison.

The qualification to spend three days in the Sacred Tree Secret Realm is a reward that countless geniuses dream of.

Forty days?

This was completely beyond their imagination.

"Forty days..." Lan He imagined the scene, feeling both shocked and proud.

After all, Lin Yi represents the entire Human Race!

His gaze fell upon Lin Yi once more, and the image of his idol grew ever more imposing and clear in his heart, while also bringing a heavy sense of pressure.

His performance at the Star Core level was nowhere near that of his idol.

I've already been incredibly lucky to get into this place, so I have to seize every opportunity.

After the initial tremors, the atmosphere inside the main hall gradually fragmented into smaller circles of communication.

The conversations among the Star Vortex level members mostly revolved around Lin Yi, who had just arrived, while the Star Domain level area was much calmer, though the occasional glances cast toward the central round table still carried a thoughtful and deliberate quality.

Lan He withdrew his gaze, took a deep breath, and forced himself to calm down.

He picked up the cup of refreshing dew and drank it all in one gulp.

The cool liquid slid into my stomach, bringing a sense of clarity.

The Sacred Tree Secret Realm... a three-day opportunity to comprehend it... this might be the greatest opportunity of his life.

He glanced at his companion beside him.

Excitement and longing gleamed in the eyes of the Star Spirit Race, while the two Spirit Race girls exuded a calmness and knowledge befitting an ancient family.

Being able to sit here, sharing a hall with these elites from all over the Pan-Spirit Alliance, and even witness the brilliance of legendary figures, is already a rare experience in itself.

Lan He clenched his fist.

Three days, he only had three days.

We must go all out.

On the other side...

Lin Yi was unaware that a young Human Race was silently striving to emulate him.

He sat down next to Edith, the crystal chair beneath him warm and comfortable to the touch. Drinks were already laid out on the table, emitting a faint fragrance that was calming to the soul.

"Your Lin Yi."

Brother Lin Yi.

Green Leaf, Liu Yun, Hui Yao, Valerie, and others at the same table greeted him one after another. Their expressions showed respect, but more than anything, they showed the closeness of having gone through life and death together and fought their way out of desperate situations.

"I hope everyone is well." Lin Yi raised his glass in acknowledgment, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "It seems you've all reaped considerable rewards these past few years."

He could sense that the auras of the people at the table were much more solid than when they first came out of the secret realm, clearly indicating that they were all making the most of their time to digest what they had gained and consolidate their realm.

Especially Edith, although she concealed it very well, Lin Yi could sense that the rhythm of the time law on her was more harmonious, and she was obviously one step closer to perfection.

"Thanks to you," Green Leaf said meaningfully, "But once we came out, the battlefield situation changed rapidly, far less simple than inside the secret realm."

"Yes," Hui Yao replied. He was more reserved now, but there was a hint of Sharpness honed on the battlefield between his brows. "When I first came out, I heard that the battle was fierce and I was thinking of showing my skills. But I was assigned by the clan to carry out several defensive missions. I was very frustrated."

Fortunately, the Sacred Tree Secret Realm has opened this time, so I can finally get some fresh air in a different place, and while I'm at it... improve my strength a bit.

He grinned, revealing his pearly white teeth, the meaning of which was self-evident.

In the secret realm, strength speaks for itself, and opportunities must be seized by oneself.

Valerie gently swirled the crystalline liquid in her glass, her delicate face thoughtful. "This time, the opening of the secret realm is unprecedented in scale and the personnel are diverse. Besides us, there are also formidable individuals who squeezed in based on their battle merits and their own understanding of the laws. I've heard that among the Star Domain level alone, there are several ruthless characters who have fought on the Frontline for thousands of years and have incredibly rich combat experience."

Liu Yun nodded and added, "Furthermore, the distribution of Sacred Source Fruit is not even. High-quality fruits are often guarded by powerful tree spirits, making the competition fierce."

Lin Yi listened quietly without interrupting.

He had anticipated these situations. The tacit understanding among the members of the Star Source Society was to avoid internal strife and backstabbing, but when it came to face-to-face competition, no one would easily give up because of past friendships.

This is the norm for cultivators, and an unspoken rule among these top talents.

"Each person should compete fairly based on their own abilities," Lin Yi said calmly, setting the tone for the discussion.

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded slightly, and the atmosphere became even more relaxed and natural.

Some things are better said than kept hidden.

After exchanging a few words about the current situation of their respective clans and preparations for the Sacred Tree Secret Realm, Edith turned her emerald eyes to Lin Yi, her tone becoming slightly more serious. "Lord Lin Yi, there is some news that I think might interest you."

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow and put down his cup. "What?"

Edith's fingertips unconsciously traced the rim of her glass as she slowly said, "It's some gossip I overheard from a family discussion. It hasn't been made public or confirmed yet, but... I think the possibility is quite high."

She paused for a moment, and seeing Lin Yi's focused gaze on her, she continued, "Our Spirit Race's higher-ups may be considering an adjustment soon. It concerns the allocation of troops to support the various races within the Pan-Spirit Alliance in their wars."

Lin Yi's eyes narrowed slightly. "Adjust?"

"Hmm." Edith nodded. "Fengsheng said that the higher-ups are planning to recall a certain percentage of the Spirit Race support forces stationed on the various races' fronts, and then concentrate them on several more strategically valuable and contested locations to launch a counterattack."

Lin Yi fell into deep thought upon hearing this.

According to the nearly five thousand years of battle records he had reviewed, in the early stages of the war, in order to stabilize the overall defense line of the Pan-Spirit Alliance, the Spirit Race did indeed disperse a large number of elites to support various races, especially powerful races such as the Holy Radiance Race, the Crystal Spirit Race, and the Human Race, which received special attention and largely relied on the support of the Spirit Race's high-end combat power to withstand the fierce attacks of the Devouring Race and the Abyss Race.

This blood transfusion model stabilized the situation, but it also greatly restricted the Spirit Race's own mobile forces, causing the Spirit Race to be somewhat stretched thin in the struggle for some key resource points, allowing their opponents to gain a lot of advantages.

It now seems that the Spirit Race are no longer satisfied with the current situation.

"Is there any information about the recycling ratio?" Lin Yi asked.

Edith frowned slightly. "The specific ratio is undetermined, but it may be based on the total amount of war merits each race has gained within the Pan-Spirit Alliance system since the outbreak of the war as an important evaluation indicator."

She looked up at Lin Yi, her emerald eyes holding an unreadable expression. "Some high-ranking officials believe that in the early stages of the war, in order to help allies stabilize their positions, the Spirit Race sacrificed too many of its own strategic interests, giving up or delaying the acquisition of many important resource points. Now that the front lines have initially stabilized, it's time to regain the initiative and launch a focused counterattack."

"The standard for assessing whether each race is worth continuing to support... is to see how many victories they achieve after receiving support, and how much merit they contribute to the overall Pan-Spirit Alliance. It's said that some high-ranking officials bluntly stated that some races collapsed almost immediately after the war began, shifting the majority of the defensive pressure and casualties onto the supporting Spirit Race legions, while failing to produce any significant achievements themselves. For such allies, the Spirit Race have no need to continue acting as babysitters; their limited forces should be used where they can create greater value."

Lin Yi's heart sank.

If this rumor is true, and the "total amount of war merits of each race" is indeed used as an important basis for reducing support, then for the Human Race, it's like adding insult to injury!

Because the Human Race lost its supreme warrior, the Eternal Beginning Dominator, at the very beginning of the war!

This is not only a lack of top-tier power, but also signifies a significant reduction in the Human Race's voice in high-level strategic competition and resource allocation.

Following this, in order to deal with the chain reaction caused by the Overlord's serious injury, the Human Race was also tied up with powerful figures like the Time Lord and the Time God. Furthermore, the World Derivation level order of the fallen god-level beings was relatively late, and the loss of combat power could not be effectively replenished.

In contrast Holy Radiance Race, the Crystal Spirit Race, and the Machine Race may also have been under immense pressure, but at least their top-tier combat forces are relatively intact, making it easier for them to achieve high combat merits in localized counterattacks and mobile warfare.

With this shift in power, the ranking of the Human Race in terms of total battle merits within the Pan-Spirit Alliance is probably not optimistic among powerful races, and may even be at the bottom!

Because the other two powerful clans whose rulers fell did not have any Venerable Lord Rank who were additionally tied down.

If the Spirit Race use this as a basis to drastically withdraw their aid...

Lin Yi instantly deduced several possibilities: some already strained defensive lines would collapse due to the loss of support from the Spirit Race's high-end combat power; the Human Race would be forced to further shrink its defensive lines, abandoning large amounts of territory and Resource Star; battle casualties would intensify, and the resurrection queue would become even longer; resource acquisition capabilities would decline, and the overall strength of the race would enter a vicious cycle...

This is by no means an exaggeration.

Space warfare is incredibly brutal, resources are limited, and the support of allies is not unlimited.

When allies believe your "value" is insufficient to match their investment, reducing or even withdrawing support becomes an inevitable choice.

The Spirit Race has already fulfilled its obligations as the leader of the alliance by holding on until now. Now, it wants to adjust its strategy and concentrate its efforts on major tasks. This is in the best interests of the Spirit Race itself and is beyond reproach.

But for the Human Race, which is already going through a difficult time, this is nothing short of an impending storm.

Lin Yi's mind raced, and he instantly completed his analysis and situational deduction. An invisible pressure descended upon him.

But he showed no sign of it on his face; his eyelids merely lowered slightly for a moment before returning to normal.

"I see." Lin Yi nodded slightly, his tone calm and even. "The higher-ups have their own considerations; concentrating resources and focusing on key breakthroughs is indeed the norm. Thank you for informing me of this, Edith."

He did not press for details, nor did he show any anxiety or dissatisfaction.

At his level, he clearly understands that strategic adjustments at this level cannot be changed by personal will or temporary intelligence.

Edith was already taking a risk by leaking the information in advance, which shows her great trust and goodwill.

He remembered this favor.

Edith gave Lin Yi a deep look, and seeing his composure, she secretly admired him.

While her disclosure of this information was certainly influenced by personal relationships and ties with the Star Source Society Association, wasn't it also a form of investment?

Although she didn't know why the Human Race's total war achievements were second to last among the powerful races, she believed that with Lin Yi's intelligence and potential, he would definitely be able to grasp the key and respond accordingly.

If the time truly comes for the Spirit Race to adjust its support, Lin Yi, who is well-prepared and destined to become a major figure in the Human Race and even the Pan-Spirit Alliance, might have a different attitude.

Of course, that's a long way off; for now, we're just planting a seed.

"It's good that you know what's going on." Edith picked up her glass and gently touched Lin Yi's cup, which he had just set down, making a crisp, soft sound. "I hope it's just the wind."

The conversation ended there, the two of them tacitly understanding each other.

The atmosphere at the table shifted subtly for a moment, but was quickly overshadowed by other topics.

Green Leaf mentioned some interesting battle examples from the Frontline, Hui Yao complained about the constant shortage of a certain scarce resource in the exchange system, while Valerie and Liu Yun whispered about the pros and cons of a new battle formation.

Lin Yi occasionally chimed in, but most of the time he just listened, his mind constantly processing the news Edith had brought.

This news disrupted some of his original plans after the trip to the secret realm.

Originally, I planned to use the secret realm to improve my skills and then take on some high-yield missions to quickly accumulate battle merits and resources, but now it seems that I might need to be more aggressive.

After all, enhancing one's strength is the fundamental way to cope with any changing situation.

As his thoughts wandered, the people at his table began exchanging rumors they had heard from other sources about the performance of various ethnic groups in the war.

Some races, as Edith predicted, performed poorly, relying entirely on the Spirit Race to carry them; others secretly amassed strength and launched several impressive counterattacks in certain areas; still others seemed to be experiencing internal divisions and wavering morale...

These fragmented pieces of information, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, gave Lin Yi a more vague yet more realistic understanding of the current situation within the Pan-Spirit Alliance, especially among non-peak races.

The sense of crisis did not diminish even as I sat in the safe hall; on the contrary, it became even clearer.

Time slipped away quietly as they talked.

After about two standard periods, a faint humming sound that directly affects the soul suddenly rang out in the hall.

The commotion quickly subsided, and all the prodigies, whether at the Star Vortex level or the Star Domain level, stopped talking and turned their gazes to the high platform at the very front of the hall.

Before anyone knew it, a figure had silently appeared there.

Although this figure did not possess a grand presence or astonishing pressure, simply by standing there, it seemed to become the center of space and the source of the laws.

Venerable Lord Rank!

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even the proud Star Domain level geniuses had restrained all their casualness, their expressions solemn, their eyes filled with deep awe.

The venerable one, dressed in a silver-white robe, with a gentle face and hair like flowing Moonlight, took a small step forward.

His gaze swept calmly over the group of prodigies below. Though he didn't deliberately exert pressure, each of them felt completely understood. "Distinguished prodigies of the Pan-Spirit Alliance."

The Venerable One spoke, his voice not loud, yet reaching everyone's ears with perfect clarity, "I am Moonlight of the Spirit Race. The opening of this Supreme Sacred Tree Secret Realm will be jointly presided over by me and four other Venerable Ones."

He paused briefly, giving everyone time to process the information, before continuing, "You were able to gain entry to the Sacred Tree Secret Realm, whether through talent or battle merit, but you are all the future hope of our Pan-Spirit Alliance. Within the secret realm, opportunities and risks coexist, and there are some things I need to explain here."

"First, the Sacred Tree Secret Realm is the highest sacred ground of our Spirit Race, containing countless treasures, the most precious of which is the Sacred Source Fruit, which can help you strengthen your foundation, enhance your source energy, and comprehend the Life Law. However, the Sacred Source Fruit is condensed from the essence of the Sacred Tree, and its quantity is limited, its distribution is uneven, and it is guarded by tree spirits."

Opportunities must be sought and earned by yourselves.

His words were straightforward and clear; there were benefits involved, but they had to be seized.

"Secondly," the Moonlight Venerable said solemnly, "Within the secret realm, fighting is not forbidden. For opportunities, for treasures, for a better position for comprehension, you may use any means necessary. My Spirit Race only guarantees one thing: anyone holding the Sacred Tree Seal will have the seal automatically activated the moment they encounter a fatal crisis, teleporting them out of the secret realm and ensuring their safety."

These words caused a slight commotion below.

Fighting is not an option, but survival is!

This means that people can fight freely in the secret realm, which will undoubtedly greatly increase the intensity of the competition.

But at the same time, it also set a bottom line for everyone.

At least I won't actually die inside.

This is probably one of the reasons why the Spirit Race dared to let so many geniuses from different levels and backgrounds in.

"Attention," Moonlight Venerable emphasized, "Once the mark is activated, it signifies abandoning this journey into the secret realm. You will be immediately teleported back to the main hall and will be unable to re-enter. Therefore, you must carefully consider how to manage the intensity of the struggle and how to protect yourselves during the competition."

One cannot act recklessly without thinking, nor can one be overly timid; each person needs to find this balance for themselves.

"Third, the duration of your stay in the secret realm will depend on your individual circumstances, ranging from as short as three days to as long as... like Lin Yi, sixty days."

Moonlight Venerable's gaze lingered on Lin Yi for a moment, drawing countless eyes back to him.

"When the time comes, no matter where you are in the secret realm or what you are doing, the Sacred Tree Mark will automatically activate and teleport you back."

Sixty days!

Although there had been rumors that Lin Yi had been in the secret realm for a long time, the fact that the Venerable Lord himself confirmed it still caused a low gasp of surprise.

Many of the Star Domain level prodigies looked at Lin Yi with even more complicated expressions.

The most senior among them had only served for thirty days.

"The rules are clear." Moonlight Venerable said no more, raising his right hand, palm facing upward.

A strange light rose from his palm, then swirled and turned in the air, transforming into a hazy cloud of light.

"Condense!"

Moonlight Venerable gave a soft shout.

The cloud of light suddenly contracted, transforming into thousands of tiny streams of light that precisely targeted each of the geniuses below.

Lin Yi felt a slight coolness between his brows, and a warm and vibrant mark silently merged into his brow, forming an extremely complex pale green tree-shaped mark.

He quickly sensed it; the mark was solid, closely integrated with his soul yet not a burden. The triggering mechanism was indeed as the Lord had said, only activating at the moment of impending destruction.

Trying to take advantage of this mark, such as deliberately provoking a minor crisis to test the waters, will not work.

All the prodigies received the mark. Some curiously probed it with their divine sense, while others remained solemn and silently sensed it.

"The mark has been issued." Moonlight Venerable withdrew his hand. "In three standard hours, right here, we will jointly open the entrance to the secret realm. You may use this time to make final adjustments and preparations, or to have a final exchange with your companions. Remember, everything obtained within the secret realm belongs to the individual, but after leaving the secret realm, you must abide by the laws of the Pan-Spirit Alliance and must not incite vicious feuds between races. Violators will be severely punished."

After speaking, the figure of Moonlight Venerable rippled like water before disappearing without a sound, as if he had never existed.

With the Lord gone, the solemn atmosphere in the main hall eased slightly, but an even more fervent sense of anticipation began to spread.

The secret realm will open soon when the three standard times are reached!

Many prodigies immediately sat cross-legged, closed their eyes, and regulated their breathing, striving to enter in the best possible state.

Some people seized the last moments to whisper with familiar friends or clansmen, exchange information, and agree on possible meeting places or ways to help each other.

Although the information suggests that your location inside is random, having a plan in advance is always better than nothing.

The atmosphere at the round table where Lin Yi was also became serious.

"Everyone," Lin Yi began, "We are randomly teleported within the secret realm, so we may not be able to reunite immediately. As usual, prioritize self-preservation and explore the surrounding area. If you encounter other members, decide whether to join forces depending on the situation. Also, try not to knock others out of the secret realm; simply expel them. As for us, if we encounter a major opportunity, we'll rely on our own abilities. But remember, we all come from the Myriad Secret Realm."

"Clear!"

"That's exactly right!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The tacit understanding and trust among the members of the Star Source Society were built during the bloody battles in the secret realms, making them far stronger than ordinary alliances.

Avoiding internal friction is the first principle, but fair competition is acceptable to everyone as long as it does not violate these principles.

As for kicking others out of the secret realm, those qualified to enter are all geniuses, and no one would be foolish enough to offend someone unnecessarily. Given a choice, they would definitely leave someone a way out.

After a brief exchange about their potential areas of expertise, the group fell silent, closing their eyes to regulate their breathing and bring themselves to peak condition.

Lin Yi slowly closed his eyes, but his consciousness did not fully sink into cultivation.

The news Edith brought weighed on his heart like a heavy boulder.

The Spirit Race might reduce their support, and the Human Race's situation is precarious... This has brought his desire for power and thirst for resources to a new level.