Secrets of the Upper Echelons, Departing Together

A message from the ruler?

Lin Yi's heart skipped a beat, and his expression instantly turned serious.

He raised his hand and brought the dark golden information crystal, which seemed to contain the birth and death of stars, to his face. Then he separated a wisp of Soul Power and slowly probed into the crystal.

This is a pure white, empty space, boundless and limitless. In the Central District, there stands a simple stone house, a stone table, and two stone stools.

A middle-aged man was already sitting on one of the stone benches.

He was dressed in a simple gray cloth robe, with an ordinary face and a gentle demeanor, like a friendly neighbor.

But those eyes, though calm, held a profound depth, as if surveying the starry sky.

He is the sole pillar of Human Race, the Eternal Beginning Dominator!

Although Lin Yi knew that this was just a manifestation of a wisp of thought, he still felt a deep sense of awe in the face of this supreme being who single-handedly supported the entire Human Race.

He dared not delay, immediately stepped forward, and bowed respectfully. "Lin Yi greets the Lord."

The Eternal Beginning Dominator on the stone bench smiled slightly, a smile as gentle as a spring breeze, instantly dispelling the stagnation in the space.

"No need for formalities, please sit." His voice was gentle. "Due to the special rules of the Origin Universe Tower, only a wisp of my will is sealed within this crystal. Once activated, it will quickly dissipate. Let's hurry."

Lin Yi sat down on the stone bench opposite him as instructed.

The Eternal Beginning Dominator looked at Lin Yi, a hint of approval in his eyes. "First of all, congratulations, Lin Yi. You have successfully entered the Time Origin Law and, with your divine body, stepped into the Origin Law Hall. Our Human Race will gain another future Venerable Lord Rank powerhouse, and a Time Venerable known for his formidable combat power."

"You flatter me, Your Majesty," Lin Yi quickly replied humbly. "This junior has only gained some understanding by chance; I am still far from being a true master."

"No need for such modesty." Eternal Beginning Dominator waved his hand. "Xuan Yan and the others have already reported your achievements to me in detail. Reaching this point in such a short time is by no means a matter of luck."

He changed the subject, his expression becoming slightly more serious. "Of course, besides congratulations, there are a few important things you need to know."

Lin Yi's expression turned serious. "Please give your orders, Master."

"The first thing," the Eternal Beginning Dominator said slowly, "Is to find a suitable opportunity to emerge from the secret realm after you officially enter the 50th floor of the Origin Universe Tower and obtain the One-Star Origin Universe Mark. Then... publicize it widely and celebrate. Let all beings above the Venerable Lord Rank know that you have obtained the mark."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi felt a sense of doubt arise in his heart.

To publicize or celebrate extensively?

Given his low-key and cautious nature, he prefers to quietly amass wealth.

Receiving the mark is certainly a joyous occasion, but is it necessary to make it known to everyone?

As if seeing through his inner doubts, the Eternal Beginning Dominator continued, "The reason for doing this is to prevent you from becoming a direct target of the Spirit Race."

Becoming the Spirit Race's target?

Lin Yi immediately frowned.

Seeing Lin Yi deep in thought, the Eternal Beginning Dominator sighed softly, a profound meaning in his smile, "It seems Xuan Yan has told you quite a bit. The Spirit Race, or rather, the three top races, don't really care how many Venerables their subordinate races have. Venerables may be strong, but they can't shake the foundation of a top race's rule."

"But, the Overlord level... is different."

"You must understand, many Sovereigns working together are enough to pose a threat to a Supreme Being. Moreover, the next realm after a Sovereign is the Supreme Being." Eternal Beginning Dominator looked at Lin Yi and slowly said, "You are a prodigy who rose through the ranks of the Civilization Assessment; you should understand the key points."

Lin Yi's expression was solemn as he slowly nodded. "Nip potential threats in the bud, prevent problems before they arise."

But soon, an even greater doubt arose in Lin Yi's mind.

That's not right.

If the Spirit Race truly intends to kill any potential rulers among the various races of Mo Xia who have the potential to ascend to the status of Overlord, then how are the Overlords of these powerful races chosen?

What chance do they have of surviving?

Currently, other powerful races within the Pan-Spirit Alliance also have rulers in charge, which clearly does not conform to the principle of "eliminating threats."

The logic.

Thinking of this, Lin Yi didn't mince words and directly voiced his doubts. "Master, if the Spirit Race is going to take action, how did the masters of the various powerful races advance to their current positions? Would the Spirit Race just sit idly by?"

Upon hearing this, the Eternal Beginning Dominator smiled approvingly, "It's good that you thought of this. This is precisely why I asked you to publicize it so ostentatiously."

He picked up the teacup that had appeared on the stone table in front of him, took a small sip, and explained, "Because once you reach the 50th floor and obtain the One-Star Origin Universe Mark, you will be much safer."

"Much safer..." Lin Yi murmured, repeating the phrase thoughtfully.

"That's right. Because nobody knows if killing each other among those who have received the mark will have any negative consequences, or if there will be any punishments in the future." The Eternal Beginning Dominator chuckled. "Therefore, given the uncertainty of the risks, Supreme-level beings, and most Ruler-level beings who have already received the mark, will generally not kill those who have received the mark unless absolutely necessary."

Lin Yi suddenly understood upon hearing this.

It turns out that the One-Star Origin Universe Mark is not only a certificate, but also, to some extent, a talisman!

"Then, the real threat comes from..." Lin Yi mused.

"They come from those who didn't receive the mark, but later rose to the level of rulers through their own efforts or other opportunities." The Eternal Beginning Dominator continued, his tone calm yet tinged with coldness. "This group is the true fighters of the various peak races, and the main force that went all out in this three-race war. Because they themselves didn't receive the mark, they didn't care about the unknown risks that killing those who received the mark might bring."

He paused, then continued, "The Pan-Spirit Alliance is relatively better off; the internal strife between the Abyss and Erosion Clan is much more severe, which is why their individual strength is inferior to the Pan-Spirit Alliance. Moreover, the Spirit Race is not a monolithic entity either. The Spirit Race's Primeval Cosmos Supreme... well, how should I put it, is rather detached and doesn't concern himself much with worldly affairs, while the newly promoted Bright Moon Supreme belongs to the pacifist faction. Those who truly enjoy suppressing other powerful clans and preventing the rise of new rulers are a small group led by a few radical rulers."

"Therefore, since the Supreme Beings are unwilling to risk attacking those who have obtained the mark, each race only needs to focus on guarding against those few Overlords who do not have the mark and are relatively aggressive. Thus, as long as they are willing to look for opportunities, there is still considerable room for maneuver in advancing to the Overlord level."

"Becoming a ruler is crucial. The Battle of the Rulers is too massive; once the fighting begins, these underhanded dealings will be exposed, severely impacting the unity of the Pan-Spirit Alliance. Therefore, safety within the Main Universe is still guaranteed."

"Furthermore..." Eternal Beginning Dominator put down his teacup, "Those radical sovereigns used to be a bit shady, causing several major incidents. Now they've softened considerably, mainly focusing on winning people over and poaching them. But even so, we still have to be wary. Publicly announcing that you've obtained the mark is a form of protection."

Lin Yi couldn't help but sigh.

There are indeed many internal conflicts within the Pan-Spirit Alliance.

That's normal, though. If there are conflicts even within the same race, how can an alliance of different races truly be as close as family?

Interests, suspicions, and checks and balances are everywhere.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master," Lin Yi said solemnly.

"It's good that you understand." Seeing that Lin Yi had digested this information, the Eternal Beginning Dominator continued, "Also, there's one more thing you must pay attention to."

His tone became more serious, even carrying a hint of warning. "If, by some chance, you..."

I mean, in the unlikely event that there's a chance of reaching a higher level of the Origin Universe Tower, especially the 57th, 58th, or even... the 59th floor, then don't mention it to anyone except me.

Lin Yi's heart skipped a beat.

The Eternal Beginning Dominator might have only mentioned it as a last resort, but he was actually capable of reaching those levels. He dared not say how high, but he was certain that he would reach at least level 58.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Is the Overlord afraid that the Spirit Race might react excessively?"

"That's right. Because of the example of Bright Moon Supreme, in the eyes of the higher-ups of various races, reaching level 57 or above means... a potential Supreme!"

The gaze of the Eternal Beginning Dominator became incredibly profound. "We dare not gamble on what the Spirit Race will think and react when they learn of this news. After all, even sacrificing a Sovereign is worthwhile if it can extinguish a potential Supreme. Therefore, we cannot gamble! The crystal's energy is about to run out, and this wisp of will is about to dissipate."

This point, remember it, remember it.

As the words fell, the figure of the Eternal Beginning Dominator began to blur, and the surrounding pure white space slowly dissipated like a faded ink painting.

Lin Yi's mind returned to normal, and the dark golden information crystal in his hand had already turned into fine dust, falling softly from between his fingers.

He remained silent for a long time, his fist clenched.

The messages brought by the Eternal Beginning Dominator were more explosive and more serious than the last.

The internal strife within the Spirit Race, the potential protection of those who have received the mark, the need to be wary of the radical unmarked overlords, and the need to strictly guard against the secret of their attempt to challenge the higher echelons...

"The Master's reminder is correct; it's foolish to place one's own safety above the kindness or uncertainty of others," Lin Yi sighed inwardly. "Gain the mark ostentatiously, then quietly make your way to the higher echelons."

Strength is the foundation for weathering all storms.

He pondered for a moment before looking up at Nuidize, who had been standing respectfully to the side.

"Nuidize, I have received the messages from the Overlord and the other Venerable Lords. Thank you for your hard work, you have handled this matter very well." Lin Yi's tone returned to calm.

Nuidize Nuidize deeply. "It is my honor to serve Your Excellency and the Lord!"

Lin Yi nodded, thinking that Nuidize was reliable, meticulous, and a capable person.

With a thought, he conjured a mark and transmitted it to Nuidize: "This is my Contact Mark. If you need anything in the future, you can contact me through this mark."

"Thank you, Lord Lin Yi." Nuidize's face lit up with joy; his previous efforts had indeed paid off.

"Okay, you can go ahead and get busy." Lin Yi waved his hand.

"Yes!" Nuidize again before turning and leaving the courtyard.

After seeing Nuidize off, Lin Yi stood alone in the courtyard, gazing at the starry sky outside, slowly calming his chaotic thoughts.

"Thinking too much is useless; only strength matters."

According to Xuanji's previous report, it will take approximately five to six thousand years to sell all the spoils.

Meanwhile, his two clones had spent this time figuring out the two newly acquired Tier 3 Time Source Treasures, "Eternal Instant" and "Time Amber," and had basically mastered their basic usage.

"It's time to let the clone get out and move around," Lin Yi decided.

With two quasi -Venerable Lord Rank clones and carrying Source Treasures, they would have virtually no rivals in exploring and collecting resources on the 47th floor.

Even if there's an extremely small chance of getting trapped in some cosmic wonder, the only loss would be the clone and the source treasure; the Main Body would remain unharmed.

"With two clones exploring for over six thousand years, even if their efficiency is average, they should be able to gather around six or seven billion Points of resources together without much trouble," Lin Yi estimated.

Even a mosquito's leg is meat, and besides, six or seven billion Points is not a small amount for him now.

In theory, if the Main Body goes out to explore and acquire resources, it can use Spiritual Enlightenment Qi to accelerate the comprehension of the <True Explanation of Time Source Rhythm>, which would be more efficient overall.

But after much consideration, Lin Yi gave up the idea.

"My Main Body's total energy is only equivalent to that of an ordinary high-level god. The 47th floor is vast and boundless, and certain extreme cosmic wonders are still enough to pose a threat to me. For this little bit of efficiency improvement, if I accidentally let my Main Body out of the secret realm..." Lin Yi shook his head, "The loss would be too great, and it would be too late to regret it."

It's best to prioritize stability.

While the clones explore, the Main Body remains at the base, allowing for focused cultivation and enlightenment.

With this thought in mind, Lin Yi conjured two Fearless War God Clone in the quiet room.

One of them was surrounded by subtle fluctuations of "Eternal Instant," while the other had a phantom of "Time Amber" floating beside him.

"Go, focus on exploration and resource gathering," Lin Yi instructed.

"Understood." The two clones replied simultaneously, then their figures faded and disappeared.

After arranging his clones, Lin Yi closed his eyes and sank his mind into the depths of his soul.

The subsequent cultivation path, starting from 11% in the <True Explanation of Time Source Rhythm>, unfolded slowly in his consciousness like a vast star map.

Although his current comprehension of the Time Origin Law is only 4.21%, which is still a long way from cultivating the content beyond 11%, he has nothing better to do than to study and understand the theoretical framework in advance.

This will give him a clearer understanding of the path ahead and provide him with greater direction when his Spiritual Enlightenment Qi is ignited.

Time slips away quietly in deep contemplation.

The quiet room isolates it from all the disturbances of the outside world.

One hundred years, one thousand years, three thousand years...

The Main Body is immersed in the ocean of Origin Law, while the two clones traverse and explore the vast and dangerous 47th layer of starry sky.

6194 standard years have passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Lin Yi was sitting in meditation, was awakened by Xuanji's gentle reminder.

"Master, the spoils you entrusted to sell are almost sold out. Only 17 extremely rare pieces of equipment and materials remain completely unsold, and are not expected to be liquidated in the short term," Xuanji's illusory figure appeared, reporting.

Lin Yi slowly opened his eyes, the silver-gray light in them deep and unfathomable.

Through over six thousand years of continuous contemplation, he has studied 15.5% of the cultivation path of the Time Origin Law.

"Okay, I understand." Lin Yi nodded.

This result was within his expectations; the remaining stock was insignificant.

As early as 194 years ago, his two clones had already finished their exploration and returned to the base, bringing back various resources worth 5.3 billion and 3.9 Points Points, totaling 9.2 billion Points.

Although it couldn't compare to the spoils of a major battle, it was still a decent amount of extra income.

"It's time." Lin Yi stood up, his aura becoming harmonious and restrained.

With the loot processed and Points nearly complete, the clone's exploration concluded, bringing back additional resources. Furthermore, my theoretical knowledge of the <True Explanation of Time Source Rhythm> has reached a point of saturation.

Staying on the 47th floor is no longer of much use.

"Xuanji," Lin Yi instructed, "Contact Ellis and invite him over for a meeting in my name."

At the same time, he vanished from his private training room in a flash, and the next moment he appeared in the elegantly decorated courtyard of his residence.

The bamboo table and stools remain, and the potted plants emit a faint yet calming energy.

Almost immediately after his figure solidified, a subtle ripple appeared in the courtyard.

Ellis, dressed in a dark gold robe, appeared opposite Lin Yi.

"Your stuff, all sold out?" Ellis asked bluntly.

Lin Yi nodded and sat down on the bamboo stool. "That's about it. There are only a dozen or so left, and I doubt they'll sell. I'm too lazy to wait any longer."

"Same here." Ellis said succinctly, sitting down opposite him. "I also have some leftover stock. Since yours is settled, I don't need to linger any longer. Let's let's inform the base and Ready to Depart."

He paused, then looked at Lin Yi, "We might be able to have a good collaboration on the 49th floor then."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi thought to himself, "It seems the cooperation is not going to work out."

He has a clear understanding and plan for himself.

With his current 4.21% understanding of the Time Origin Law, plus the massive amount of Source Essence Crystal he's about to acquire through Points exchange, once he enters the 49th floor, his goal will definitely not be to slowly explore there or cooperate with others to find treasure.

He will get straight to the point, rapidly improving his abilities using available resources to acquire that crucial "One-Star Origin Universe Mark".

Ellis might stay on the 49th floor for quite some time, steadily improving his skills, but Lin Yi is destined to be just a fleeting visitor there.

Of course, he wouldn't be foolish enough to say that out loud.

He simply met Ellis's gaze, a smile appearing on his face, and nodded. "Of course, it's a good thing to have a partner like you, Ellis, to look after us. Let's say hello to the gods in the base and then set off."

Since Prison Suppressor is still exploring and has not yet returned, as for the other gods in the base, although they get along well, there is no need to say goodbye to each of them individually; a general notification will suffice.

At his level, getting too involved in social interactions might become a burden; maintaining a proper distance and goodwill is sufficient.

"In that case, let's set it for three days from now." Ellis was decisive and efficient. "We can simply send a joint notice to all the gods in the base. No need to go into details."

"Okay." Lin Yi agreed.

A moment later, a brief message jointly signed by Lin Yi and Ellis was transmitted to every deity within the Frost Eternal Base through the base's public communication system.

The message was short and the tone was calm, yet it instantly stirred up a huge wave within the base.

"Lin Yi and Ellis are leaving!"

"We'll move to a higher level in three days!"

"So soon... Although I knew that you two would leave sooner or later, I didn't expect this day to come so quickly."

"Yes, since the two gentlemen took charge, our base has enjoyed a long period of peace and prosperity."

O

"The alien races and the Abyss-Devouring Allied Forces are terrified and have retreated to who-knows-where. It's much safer for us to go out and explore now."

"That's right. This is all thanks to the two gentlemen!"

"We need to go deliver it in three days!"

"Absolutely!"

Throughout the base, whether they were cultivating, trading, or resting and discussing, the gods were all talking about this matter.

The presence of Lin Yi and Ellis is not only a guarantee of high-end combat power, but also a symbol and a source of confidence.

However, while their departure was certainly disheartening, it also filled the hearts of many gods with reverence.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Outside the massive white energy vortex where the evacuation point was located, the once empty platform area was now densely packed with deities.

All the gods who remained in the Frost Eternal Base spontaneously gathered here.

Human Race, Spirit Race, Thunder Mist Race, Li Race, Crystal Spirit Race, Machine Race... the gods of each race stood in familiar circles, conversing in hushed tones, their gazes all fixed on the quietly rotating entrance of the vortex, waiting.

When Lin Yi's figure quietly appeared outside the evacuation point, he was slightly taken aback when he saw the dark mass of people.

He had anticipated that someone might come to deliver it, but he didn't expect almost everyone to come.

Lin Yi's gaze swept over the faces, some familiar and some merely vaguely recognizable, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.

"Thank you all so much! Lin Yi thanks you all!"

The sound was not loud, yet it reached the ears of every deity clearly.

"Lin Yi!"

"Respectfully seeing off Lord Lin Yi!"

A chorus of responses erupted from the crowd, creating a lively atmosphere.

Almost at the same moment Lin Yi finished speaking, the space on the other side slightly distorted, and Ellis's signature dark gold figure appeared.

Seeing this grand farewell scene, a rare, clear smile appeared on his perpetually icy and aloof face. Though faint, it dispelled his usual aloofness.

He nodded to the crowd in response.

The two main characters have arrived, and the atmosphere in the square has reached its peak.

No one needed to organize it; all the gods gathered here, regardless of race or strength, seemed to be of one mind at this moment.

They all turned to face Lin Yi and Ellis, their smiles fading and their expressions becoming solemn.

The next moment, they said in unison, "Respectfully bidding farewell to Ellis! Respectfully bidding farewell to Lord Lin Yi!"

Lin Yi and Ellis exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of emotion in each other's eyes.

At their level, ordinary flattery and favoritism are commonplace, but this kind of respect and blessing spontaneously formed by the entire group is extremely precious.

Without hesitation, the two turned around simultaneously to face the slowly rotating white energy vortex.

Lin Yi's gaze was calm and resolute as he took a step forward.

Ellis walked almost side by side with him, his steps steady.

Two figures, one silver-gray and the other dark gold, simultaneously disappeared into the dazzling vortex of light.