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

Chapter 196 Base City Three-Piece Set
After saying that, Lin Yi decisively cut off the signal.

The moment the live stream ended, the shock and excitement around the world seemed to be muted, and it had nothing to do with him anymore.

Then, Lin Yi moved slightly, no longer using the slow, super-high-speed flight, but directly transformed into a golden streak of light, instantly crossing thousands of mountains and rivers, and landing in front of the office building of Dongfeng Military Academy.

After more than three years of renovation and expansion, coupled with the allocation of resources and the superior configuration of energy equipment, Dongfeng Military Academy has transformed from its initial simple campus into a futuristic military mecca.

Lin Yi knew that if he didn't have the highest authority, he would be locked onto by the military academy's defense system as soon as the escape light landed, and if necessary, the Arbiter mechanical guards he had deployed within the military academy would be activated.

He has acquired four of these mechanical guardians over the years, which are equivalent to the first tier of the Star Core level in terms of combat power.

One was placed at the military academy to oversee operations, and the other was placed at the Longyuan Supreme Command Center, primarily to protect Li Zhenguo and Zhou Donglai.

Another one was placed at the main camp of the expeditionary force.

The last one was deployed at the Blue Star Community headquarters building in Nanjing, serving both as protection and deterrence.

For reasons unknown, the Supreme Command Center did not place the headquarters of the Blue Star Community in the capital, but instead set it in Nanjing.

However, this did make things easier for Lin Yi, as it brought him much closer.

Amidst the greetings from the military academy instructors, Lin Yi strolled back to the principal's office.

Outside the window, the shouts from the training field could be faintly heard, carrying a vibrant and energetic spirit.

Lin Yi sat back down in his chair and immediately instructed, "Xuanji, please inform Nie Chang and Liu Qiying to come over."

"Received. I'm contacting Vice Principal Nie Chang and Office Director Liu Qiying," Xuanji replied immediately.

Not long after, footsteps could be heard outside the door.

Nie Chang was the first to push open the door and enter.

He was dressed in a crisp Yuanwu Army uniform, and his face showed considerable excitement.

Liu Qiying followed closely behind him.

Compared to Nie Chang's outward expression, he appeared more reserved, but his slightly accelerated breathing also betrayed his inner turmoil.

He habitually held a thin notepad in his hand, his posture respectful.

"headmaster!"

"Principal, you're back."

The two spoke almost simultaneously, their voices filled with obvious respect.

Although they were already very familiar with each other, they had just witnessed a mythical breakthrough and battle, and now, facing Lin Yi, their emotions were far more excited than ever before.

Lin Yi's gaze swept over the two of them, and he nodded slightly.

Without any further pleasantries, he casually picked up the golden-patterned blood-red crystal from the Thunder Dragon from the table with his right hand.

The crystal slowly rotated between his fingertips, its blood-red, gilded patterns inside meandering as if alive, possessing a strange beauty.

"then."

With a flick of his wrist, the crystal flew in a graceful arc, precisely towards Liu Qiying.

Liu Qiying dared not delay and quickly stepped forward, catching it steadily with both hands.

The crystal feels warm and smooth to the touch, yet it also has a heavy, substantial feel, as if you are holding a small piece of living metal.

The thought that this crystal, which was probably the only one of its kind in the world and was worth many times more than all his possessions if converted into points, made Liu Qiying's heart beat faster.

"Inside"

Lin Yi's voice drew his attention back: "It's a complete blueprint for a comprehensive defense system called 'Watchers'."

Nie Chang immediately listened intently, afraid of missing any crucial information.

Since he didn't actually hold the crystal, he couldn't directly read its contents.

Lin Yi continued to explain, his tone as calm as if he were introducing an ordinary tool: "Once this system is successfully deployed, it can mainly achieve two functions."

"First, it extracts environmental energy to generate an adjustable energy shield in a designated area, with a maximum coverage area that can theoretically protect most of the city."

Nie Chang's expression turned solemn.

An energy shield covering most of the city?

This was a scene that could only appear in the most advanced science fiction concepts in the past.

This means that the survival capabilities of human settlements will experience a qualitative leap.

"second."

Lin Yi extended his second finger, "The 'Watcher's Eye' high-altitude module equipped in the system can continuously draw upon and store energy to launch long-range precision strikes of varying power when necessary."

"According to the blueprint information, its full-force attack can theoretically reach the level of a first-tier star core."

A fixed defensive weapon with star core-level power!

This time, even the usually composed Nie Chang couldn't help but have his pupils contract.

Having already learned about the crystal, Liu Qiying felt as if the crystal in her hand was incredibly heavy.

This is not just defense, but a strategic level of deterrence.

Clearly, once this device is deployed, even in the face of a surprise attack from a leader-level abyssal beast, and even without source energy experts, humanity will have weapons to defend itself.

"However," Lin Yi said, seeing Nie Chang's excited expression, and promptly poured cold water on his enthusiasm.

"This thing is a huge consumer of energy, and it's difficult to drive it using energy crystals. It can only be deployed in areas with energy condensers."

"Moreover, the small energy condenser obtained from the micro-nest does not produce enough energy to support its full-power operation."

"Furthermore, I suspect that even if this thing can be manufactured using a large photocopying device, the cost would be considerable. Its star core-level attack looks impressive, but what level of energy condenser it would require and how long it would need to accumulate energy are still unknowns."

After saying this, Lin Yi instructed Liu Qiying:

"Qiying, give this crystal to the Logistics and Equipment Department and have them organize top experts in the relevant fields to analyze and conduct a feasibility assessment. They should formulate specific plans based on actual resources and technical reserves, including how to integrate it into the existing system and in which strategic locations to prioritize its deployment."

"Yes, Principal! I understand."

Liu Qiying solemnly put the crystal away.

Despite the principal pointing out a host of potential drawbacks, he remained keenly aware of the strategic value of the blueprint, which he believed could form the cornerstone for building a future urban defense system.

Watching Liu Qiying's cautious movements, a barely perceptible hint of emotion flashed in Lin Yi's eyes.

The Watcher Defense System, which has a chance to drop from Star Core-level bosses, the Deep Space Energy Condenser, which drops after a nest is destroyed, and the Large Nutrient Generator, which, for some reason, has a chance to drop from large nest bosses from the beginning but has yet to appear.
In the years of struggling to survive in the previous life, these were known by the survivors as the "base city three-piece set".

This is a symbol of the helpless choice and vulnerability of civilizations forced to retreat and defend themselves under the oppression of higher abysses, with most people having to rely on rationing to maintain a minimum level of survival.

But in this life.
His gaze passed over Liu Qiying and fell upon the neat school buildings under the clear blue sky outside the window, and the faint outline of the city that was regaining its vitality in the distance.

Under his leadership, the fate of the Xia Kingdom, and indeed the entire Blue Star Community, must not, and will never, repeat the same mistakes.

What he wanted was to take the initiative, to sweep away the gloom, and to let the flag of civilization be planted again in every corner of the planet.

Instead of letting the people cower behind a cold, hard shield of stance, surviving on meager nutrient solutions.

Over the past four years, the pressure and opportunities brought about by the civilization advancement assessment have quietly changed this planet.

Within the Xia Kingdom, over 90% of the micro and small nests have been completely wiped out, and nearly half of the medium-sized nests have also turned to dust.

The remaining nests, though temporarily difficult to eradicate due to their proximity to the giant nest or even the main nest, are firmly confined by the effective "cage" tactic.

Nearly one-third of the country's territory has been successfully recovered, and the sounds of human laughter and the roar of machines have returned.

Looking at the Blue Star Community, although other member states have made varying progress, they have all basically eliminated micro-nests and most small nests within their borders.

If viewed from outer space, the azure beams of light projected by the energy condenser resemble an inextinguishable torch of civilization, stubbornly burning on the earth once shrouded in darkness.

This report card was impressive enough, but the ripples in Lin Yi's heart quickly subsided.

He knew better than anyone that the civilization advancement assessment was just the beginning.

The real challenge lies in the vast, boundless starry sky, where powerful beings abound—that is the final testing ground.

Now is far from the time to let our guard down.

With a slight thought, but without any visible movement, one of the doors of the seemingly ordinary solid wood office cabinet behind him silently slid inward.

Inside, there were no partitions, but a silver space.

Immediately afterwards, three simple, silver-gray metal boxes, as if lifted by an invisible hand, floated out steadily and silently hovered in front of Liu Qiying.

"These three boxes of Spirit Crystals," Lin Yi said calmly, "are the crystals I used to exchange for merit points. Take them to the Logistics and Equipment Department as well. Go."

Liu Qiying was already used to this, so he wasn't surprised at all. He simply replied respectfully, "Understood, Principal! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"

He then carefully picked up the three boxes, nodded to Lin Yi and Nie Chang, and quickly left the office.

Only Lin Yi and Nie Chang remained in the room.

Lin Yi turned to Nie Chang and said, "Old Nie, contact the Supreme Command Center and propose a Supreme Meeting in my name."

Upon hearing this, Nie Chang paused slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

In recent years, although Lin Yi has a superior status and is recognized as a pillar of strength in Xia Kingdom and even Blue Star, he has rarely taken the initiative to propose to convene a joint meeting at the highest level.

Every time he took the initiative to propose something, it was inevitably accompanied by a major decision or key turning point that would influence the entire course of civilization.

Nie Chang didn't ask another "why".

His soldier's instincts and unconditional trust in Lin Yi made him straighten his back immediately and reply in a deep voice, "Yes! I'll take care of it right away!"

Without any hesitation, he turned around and began to make arrangements.
-
In the afternoon, a golden streak of light rose silently from Dongfeng Military Academy and then disappeared into a mountain range in the north.

The entrance to the Longyuan underground command center.

The light faded, revealing Lin Yi's figure.

Immediately, everyone, regardless of rank or position, stopped in their tracks, straightened their backs, and gave him the most solemn salute, as if welcoming a triumphant monarch—no, a guardian deity.

"Principal Lin!"

"Congratulations to Principal Lin on breaking through to the Star Core stage."

"."

Excited voices rose one after another.

Lin Yi's expression was calm. He nodded in response while continuing to walk toward the conference room located at the deepest part of the command center, which symbolized the highest decision-making power of the country.

(End of this chapter)