Departure, Helu City Settlement

After resolving the logistics for the rendezvous, Lin Yi began distributing resources.

He took out two Source Energy Crystals and handed them to Zhou Yuxuan. "You need one to activate the Mechanical Dog, and the other is a spare. Familiarize yourself with its performance, especially the detection range and tracking functions."

Zhou Yuxuan took them solemnly and nodded firmly. "I will master it as soon as possible."

Next, Lin Yi brought out three gray crystals inscribed with the Basic Source Energy Guidance Technique.

His gaze swept over the group, landing first on his uncle, Lin Ruiheng, and Zhang Haotian.

"Uncle, Haotian." He handed one crystal to each of them. "I hope you can master the guidance technique quickly; there will be many places where I need your help soon."

Lin Ruiheng took the crystal, his hands trembling slightly.

He was getting on in years, and memorizing the long-winded Basic Source Energy Guidance Technique was quite a struggle. Although he had been working hard to learn it, his progress was extremely slow.

Lin Ruiheng looked at the crystal in his hand with a complex expression. He let out a heavy sigh and gripped it tightly. "Xiao Yi, don't worry. Uncle... Uncle will definitely do his best."

Zhang Haotian, on the other hand, was full of excitement. Although he was young, as a sports student, his progress in learning the Basic Source Energy Guidance Technique was not much faster than Lin Ruiheng's. Originally, he and Li Jie could be called the "unfortunate brothers" among the younger generation.

However, things were different now. After saving a massive amount of time on rote memorization, his progress would at least be on par with the others, perhaps even slightly ahead.

Zhang Haotian looked at the seemingly ordinary crystal in his hand, then looked up at Lin Yi, finally managing to choke out, "Brother Yi! I... I absolutely won't let you down. I'll definitely practice until I drop!"

"Let you down... what a choice of words."

Lin Yi's mouth twitched, but he didn't say anything, merely patting Zhang Haotian on the shoulder. "Keep it up. Master it as soon as you can."

Their interaction was like needles pricking the eyes of Li Jie, who was staying by himself in the corner.

He kept his head buried low, not daring to look at anyone, his hands gripping the hem of his shirt tightly as he remained silent.

Regret, shame, and unwillingness—various emotions gnawed at his heart like vipers.

If... if I had stepped up back then, would I be one of the people receiving a crystal now? And there wouldn't have been any danger at all.

But there were no "ifs."

Li Jie could only curl his body tighter, as if trying to hide himself in the shadows and vanish completely.

Lin Yi held the final guidance technique crystal in his hand and said to the group, "I won't distribute this one for now. Everyone has already copied the introductory chapter of the guidance technique released by the authorities. Whoever truly understands the introductory chapter first will get priority for this crystal."

These words immediately ignited a fighting spirit in many of them, especially those who felt their learning ability was decent, as they secretly made up their minds.

With matters settled, Lin Yi said to Ren Yinuo, "Captain Ren, I'm going to the rooftop to recover and practice now. If you need to record, you can come along."

"I do need to film, but..." Ren Yinuo nodded immediately, "I still need to contact the General Staff."

"Film first. When I'm meditating to recover my source energy later, you can find a spot to set up the camera and then go back to contact the General Staff," Lin Yi smiled. "By the way, you can mention that I fully understand, support, and am willing to cooperate with the work of the General Staff."

"Uh...?"

Ren Yinuo was slightly stunned, but she reacted quickly.

However, she didn't say anything, just nodded. "Understood, I will convey that."

The two went up to the rooftop one after the other.

By now, the sky was bright, and the morning light had completely dispelled the darkness, but the city remained deathly silent. In the distance, the purple-black nest vortex rotated slowly, exuding an ominous aura.

Lin Yi walked to the center of the rooftop, took out the two Source Energy Crystals, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to absorb the energy within the crystals, rapidly recovering his nearly depleted source energy.

Ren Yinuo found a good angle, set up the camera, and began recording cautiously.

Time passed slowly.

When his state was fully restored, Lin Yi stood up and looked at Ren Yinuo, who had returned to the rooftop.

Ren Yinuo nodded, gave a gesture of affirmation, and then picked up the camera, preparing to record Lin Yi's practice of the techniques.

Next, Lin Yi began to practice the Wandering Star Steps and the Star-Splitting Spear Art.

He integrated the insights he had gained from the morning's battle into his movements; his footwork became more agile and unpredictable, and his spear strikes became sharper and more precise. Although he kept his source energy consumption within a minimal range, the condensed aura of slaughter made the watching Ren Yinuo secretly alarmed.

Ren Yinuo faithfully recorded everything, especially Lin Yi's fine, nuanced control techniques over his source energy.

About an hour later.

Suddenly—

"ROAR!!"

A dull, thunderous roar, filled with a violent aura, exploded from the direction of the nest, instantly shattering the tranquility.

"Looks like it's another Abyss Bear."

Lin Yi's movements stopped abruptly as he retracted his spear and stood still. He understood the situation, but he deliberately let a look of gravity appear on his face, walked quickly to the edge of the rooftop, and cast his gaze toward the nest.

Soon, the sound of hurried, chaotic footsteps came from behind him. Zhou Jianjun, Chen Yu, Zhou Yuxuan, and the others rushed back onto the rooftop, gasping for breath, each of them wearing a grave expression.

"Xiao Yi! Another one appeared."

"Brother Yi! Is it coming for us?"

Everyone's hearts were in their throats, their nerves, which had just begun to relax, tightening once more.

Lin Yi did not answer immediately, only furrowing his brows as he "observed carefully."

In the direction of the nest, the massive figure of a new Giant Rock Abyss Bear slowly coalesced into form. After it roared at the sky, its scarlet eyes scanned the surroundings, and finally... after pausing slightly in the direction of the Hongfu Restaurant, it turned around without hesitation, took heavy steps, and walked in the exact opposite direction of the restaurant, soon disappearing at the end of the ruined street.

"It left?" Zhou Jianjun was stunned, finding it hard to believe.

"It just left like that?" Chen Yu was also dumbfounded.

Lin Yi finally let out a slow breath, deliberately wearing an expression of relief mixed with speculation as he turned to the others. "It seems the nest lost an Abyss Bear and a large number of Abyss Wolves, so it has temporarily given up, or perhaps it has found a more profitable target."

He paused, making his judgment: "In the short term, it should be safe here. This works out well; I can head to the Helu City settlement with peace of mind."

Hearing Lin Yi's analysis and recalling the sight of the Abyss Bear actually leaving, the group felt their hanging hearts slowly settle, even though they were still shaken.

"That's great!" Zhou Jianjun let out a long sigh of relief, feeling that his back had been soaked with cold sweat just moments ago. "So, when are you leaving?"

"Now."

Lin Yi said decisively, "My Source Energy has recovered. While the nest has no immediate intention to attack, it's the perfect time to make a quick trip."

He didn't delay any longer, nodding to the group. "I'll leave this place in your hands."

With that, Lin Yi didn't hesitate, turning and striding toward the rooftop exit.