Green Spirit Radiance Crystal

Even Lin Yi, with his composure, couldn't help holding his breath for a moment when he saw what was inside the box.

The crystals inside were arranged in three rows, with seven in each row.

The top row held seven Spirit Radiance Crystals he recognized, each glimmering with a hazy gray light.

The bottom row also held seven gray crystals.

But the middle row was entirely different.

Six of the crystals had the warm, lustrous white sheen of the finest mutton-fat jade, their light restrained yet rich, as if they contained several times the energy of the gray crystals, both in quantity and purity.

At their center, nestled like the moon among the stars, was an even brighter crystal.

It was a deep emerald green, like the purest emerald. As its light shimmered, it seemed to pulse with a unique rhythm.

Six white, one green!

"White crystals are one thing. But there's even a green Spirit Radiance Crystal?"

Lin Yi was quite taken aback.

No one understood better than he did what the different colors of Spirit Radiance Crystals represented.

Gray corresponded to Abyss Beasts below the Stardust Rank, such as Corrosive Abyssal Wolves. Concentrated fire from ordinary small arms or a heavy machine gun could inflict effective damage on them.

White meant the slain Abyss Beast had surpassed the Stardust Rank, falling between Stardust Rank Tier 1 and Tier 3.

In other words, they were what his past life had called low-tier Stardust Rank Abyss Beasts.

The Stardust Rank was a threshold. Once an Abyss Beast reached it, its strength underwent a dramatic, qualitative leap.

Their skin and muscles were far tougher, and their speed and regenerative abilities far greater than those of ordinary Abyss Beasts. Conventional small arms could scarcely harm them; it often took multiple direct hits from heavy artillery or missiles to kill one outright.

Even so, they were still within the military's ability to handle.

That was why Lin Yi hadn't been particularly surprised to see white crystals.

The key was the green crystal.

Lin Yi fixed his eyes on the Spirit Radiance Crystal at the center of the box. It represented a powerful Abyss Beast whose strength had reached the middle tier of the Stardust Rank.

Abyss Beasts of this rank usually appeared only in medium-sized or larger Nests.

Based on what Lin Yi knew about Xia Kingdom's weapons and the Abyss Beasts, he believed the authorities had no effective means of dealing with one of this strength.

In his memories of his previous life, the authorities gave up after a few attempts. The first time they killed a middle-tier Stardust Rank Abyss Beast wasn't until the seventh year of the apocalypse.

That wasn't to say human weapons couldn't hurt it at all. A tactical nuclear warhead could still inflict effective damage at the center of its blast.

But the crucial problem was—hitting it!

Abyss Beasts of this caliber were already as intelligent as children around ten years old.

How could a middle-tier Stardust Rank Abyss Beast—with considerable intelligence and astonishing speed—let itself be hit by a second or third strike after taking the first?

If the first strike didn't kill it, hitting it with missiles afterward would be next to impossible.

And yet, on the very first day of the apocalypse, a green Spirit Radiance Crystal was already sitting before him.

Lin Yi felt a weight settle over his heart.

"What kind of price did the military pay to kill an Abyss Beast of this rank?"

He knew that before long, as more and more human powerhouses emerged, crystals of this rank would gradually become common.

But in these earliest days, when civilization teetered on the brink and every step forward was a struggle, the value of this box of crystals was beyond measure.

They weren't merely resources. They represented the Supreme Command's complete trust in him and its high expectations.

"This feeling... Sigh. The Supreme Command is getting a little anxious too."

Lin Yi knew the feeling well. After all, he had spent so many years carrying that burden in his previous life.

But he was Lin Yi. Another young man in his place might have reacted in one of two ways: either getting carried away with fervor or being crushed beneath the weight of such heavy expectations.

So this time, Lin Yi let just the right amount of shock, excitement, and disbelief show on his face, giving the reaction an eighteen-year-old boy ought to have when suddenly faced with such profound trust.

He lifted his gaze from the crystals and looked at Captain Tianpeng, his voice just a little hoarse. "This is too precious. I..."

Captain Tianpeng saw his reaction and smiled in understanding. A trace of regret flickered in his eyes, revealing that he knew how hard-won these crystals were.

He said solemnly, "Staff Officer Lin, you've earned them. Headquarters believes they'll be put to better use in your hands."

Lin Yi took a deep breath and nodded firmly. The excitement on his face slowly faded, replaced by a look of utmost seriousness.

"I'll study these crystals as soon as possible. I'll share any insights and results with the Supreme Command."

In truth, just as he had voluntarily posted instructional videos, he would have done this even if the authorities hadn't asked.

It wasn't only to repay their trust. Lin Yi knew that, in the Civilization Promotion Assessment's evaluation system, "being willing to teach and nurturing new generations of civilization" was an extremely important factor in an individual's assessment.

Selfish powerhouses who hoarded their knowledge would contribute far less to civilization as a whole. No matter how powerful they were or how high their initial individual strength rating, a low assessment factor would drag down their final score significantly.

Lin Yi didn't immediately examine what the crystals inside the box contained. He put the box away beside his feet.

No flowers, no applause. Everything was kept simple.

There, in the battered first-floor lobby, amid the dim light and tense atmosphere, Lin Yi accepted the appointment letter and credentials representing his rank of major and his position as a special technical staff officer with the General Staff.

With the formalities complete, Captain Tianpeng seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He checked the time. "Staff Officer Lin, our mission is complete. We have to head to the next assignment immediately. Take care!"

"Take care! Safe travels!"

Lin Yi stood at attention and returned a salute. It wasn't quite regulation, but it was solemn enough.

He didn't ask where the others were headed, but he had a general idea.

At this stage, missions requiring an elite unit like Tianpeng's could only be a few things:

Rescuing a top scientist or leading expert of national importance, securing critical strategic supplies, or conducting close reconnaissance of a high-level Nest.

Given the authorities' current strategy, the first possibility was the most likely.

Standing at the entrance of Hongfu Restaurant, Lin Yi watched as the armed helicopter roared to life once more, lifted off, and finally vanished into the pitch-black night. He remained silent for a long time.

Only after the helicopter's sound had faded completely did he turn and head back inside.

By then, his uncle, Lin Ruiheng, had arrived with several women, eager to help find a place for the female communications officer, Captain Ren Yinuo, to rest.

"Captain Ren, it's getting late. Shall I take you to a place where you can rest? The conditions are rather basic, so please bear with us." Lin Ruiheng's tone was respectful, with a hint of caution.

Ren Yinuo shook her head, her gaze never leaving the equipment that had been carried inside. "Thank you, but it's not time to rest yet. I need to set up the equipment immediately and establish a stable connection with the General Staff Command as soon as possible. That's our top priority right now. Please just find me a relatively quiet, safe corner where I can set everything up."

Lin Ruiheng turned to look at Lin Yi.

Lin Yi nodded in understanding. "Let's do as Captain Ren asks. Uncle, find a few people to help carry the equipment upstairs, and make sure it's protected. Captain Ren, just let us know if you need anything."

"Thank you, Major Lin." Ren Yinuo gave Lin Yi a polite smile, then waited where she was, ready to direct the people carrying the equipment.

Lin Yi didn't disturb her further. He turned and climbed the rope ladder back to Fujin Hall on the second floor.