Pretending to be a genius starts with the civilization advancement assessment.

Chapter 165: All Members are Stardust Level, Explaining the Rules
There are only two days left until the planned small-scale nest eradication operation.

Lin Yi was processing documents in his office.

At this time, there was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

Lin Yi didn't look up and spoke directly.

Liu Yuan pushed open the door and entered, his face beaming with undisguised joy.

"Principal, good news!"

Liu Yuan's voice was filled with excitement, "Everyone in the training class has been promoted to the Stardust level!"

Lin Yi put down the documents in his hand, looked up at Liu Yuan, and a hint of approval flashed in his eyes: "Two days ahead of schedule, not bad."

His tone remained calm, but those who knew him well could hear the satisfaction in it.

“In that case,” Lin Yi thought for a moment and continued, “Tomorrow I will give a long lecture and talk to everyone about the rules! After reaching the Stardust level, it’s time to come into contact with these.”

rule?

Liu Yuan was overjoyed and immediately replied, "Yes! I'll go and inform everyone to prepare."

Lin Yi watched Liu Yuan's departing figure, a smile playing on his lips.

The trainees in the special training program did not disappoint him; their progress even exceeded his expectations.

On the training field, the trainees were even more excited after learning that Principal Lin would personally explain the rules the next day.

They all knew that every lesson Lin Yi taught contained valuable cultivation insights and practical experience.

"The rules! Finally, I can hear Principal Lin's personal guidance again!"

"I've been looking at that stone tablet at the school gate for a while and I'm starting to get a feel for it. I'd definitely learn more if I could just listen to the lectures directly from there."

"I'm still a little short of merit points to exchange for a special skill, and I'm really torn. After listening to the principal's explanation, I'll see if I have the talent."
-
The next morning, the large lecture hall at Dongfeng Military Academy was packed to capacity.

The trainees arrived at the venue early, and any instructors who were available also came to listen in.

Liu Qiying, and even Nie Chang, were among them.

Lin Yi slowly walked onto the podium, his gaze sweeping over the students below.

The entire classroom fell silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on him.

"Today, I'm going to explain the rules to you."

A slight commotion arose from the audience.

"First," Lin Yi continued, "what are the rules?"

"I need to tell everyone that rules are not a specific move or a fixed method of cultivation. Rules are an understanding of the laws of the universe."

He paused for a moment, allowing the students to process the meaning of his words.

“When you learn to utilize the rules,” Lin Yi’s voice became serious, “your source energy attack power will increase dramatically. This is not a simple accumulation of energy, but a qualitative change.”

"And the forms in which rules are expressed are not limited to one style."

Lin Yi explained, "As long as you like it and can accept it, any form is fine. Of course, some established forms are more compatible with specific rules."

He raised his right hand, and a wisp of energy shone from his fingertips.

"For example, I am the rule of the metal element."

As Lin Yi spoke, the energy at his fingertips began to change.

Purple lightning danced at his fingertips, constantly changing shape.

Sometimes it condenses into spheres, sometimes it stretches into filaments, and sometimes it spreads into a net.

“I prefer to express my understanding of the rules through the form of lightning,” Lin Yi said calmly. “Because I believe that this form of expression of lightning can easily incorporate the connotations of the metal element, such as sharpness, violence, and destruction.”

The trainees below the stage held their breath, afraid of missing any detail.

"Watch closely," Lin Yi's voice echoed in the auditorium, "the purple lightning is the basic form without any added meaning." The purple lightning at his fingertips suddenly turned golden, radiating a chilling sharpness.

"Gold, which embodies a sharp edge."

The lightning changed again, this time turning into a fiery red, and the violent aura seemed to be felt in the air.

"Red embodies a violent connotation."

Lin Yi withdrew his thunderous voice and continued, "Of course, I can also use other forms of expression."

He raised his hand again, and this time the source energy condensed into a golden short spear, the tip of which gleamed with a cold light and exuded a chilling sharpness.

"For example, a spear."

The short spear spun slowly in his hand, every inch of it exuding a dangerous aura.

"The way the rules are presented depends on your understanding of the rules and your personal preferences."

Lin Yi looked around at the students below the stage, "Some people like to use swords, some people like to use fists, and some people like to use elements. There is no right or wrong in these."

He made the golden spear dissipate and continued, “The important thing is that you find the form of expression that best suits you. This form should perfectly embody your understanding of the rules and make you feel comfortable and at ease with them.”

"Rules are not rigid dogmas. They are alive, they have a life of their own. You must learn to engage with the rules, to understand their essence, rather than simply imitating their appearance. It's like water; it can turn into ice, it can turn into steam, but its essence is always water."

The students below the stage nodded, their faces showing thoughtful expressions.

Lin Yi withdrew all his source energy and looked around at the students below the stage.

"remember."

His voice turned serious. "The way rules are expressed is not static. As your understanding of the rules deepens, your expression of them will continue to evolve."

"Now," Lin Yi's voice pulled the trainees back to reality, "I will demonstrate the application of the rules in actual combat."

He raised his hand and conjured a golden lightning longsword.

“Watch closely,” Lin Yi said. “The same metal element rules, the same form of lightning, but I will choose different combinations of meanings in different combat situations.”

The longsword suddenly erupted with blazing red lightning.

“When facing a group of enemies, the connotation of violence is more appropriate.”

The crimson lightning spread out, transforming into countless tiny electric snakes that hissed in the air.

"When facing a single strong opponent, a sharp edge is more effective."

The electric snakes reformed, the longsword turned pure gold, and even the space at the blade's edge showed subtle distortions.

“When facing situations that require precise control, the basic form is actually more suitable.”

The gold faded, and the longsword transformed into pure purple lightning, stable and restrained.

Lin Yi concluded, "The key to applying the rules lies in assessing the situation. You must learn to choose the most appropriate form of rule expression and combination of meaning based on the actual circumstances."

"Finally," Lin Yi said solemnly, "I want to tell you an important lesson."

"The way the rules are expressed actually reflects your inner state."

"A person with a violent heart is not suited to expressing rules in a gentle way, and a person with a cautious heart is also unlikely to express rules in a wild way."

"Therefore, while you are learning the rules, you must also cultivate your inner self. Only when your inner self and your outward expression are in harmony can you truly master the power of the rules."

"This principle also applies to discovering which aspects of the rules you should focus on understanding."

The classroom was silent as the students digested the deeper meaning of these words.

That concludes today's lesson.

Lin Yi said, “Go back and think carefully about what I said today. Remember, rules are not tools; they are part of your body and an extension of your will.”

　It burned out... thankfully I kept my promise. Tomorrow's update will also be tonight.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)