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

Chapter 281 The Art of Cloning, Secrets of the Genius Battle (5K)

Qianhuan's slender fingers gently tapped the edge of the cloud couch, producing a rhythmic sound.

After a moment, Qianhuan raised her eyes and asked, "To choose a secret treasure that truly suits you and can be effective in the long run, we first need to confirm one thing. Junior Brother, is the next rule you plan to comprehend, as your senior sister predicted, the rule of death?"

Lin Yi did not hide anything from this and frankly admitted: "Senior sister is right, junior brother has the same idea. Life and death are mutually reinforcing and mutually restraining. If one can master both, one's understanding of the rules should be able to reach a higher level."

"Sure enough."

Qianhuan nodded, but her expression became more serious. "The rule of death is a high-level rule with considerable power. However, the problem is that you have already comprehended the rule of life. To comprehend the rule of death will be much more difficult than comprehending a high-level rule normally. Its difficulty is probably only slightly less than comprehending a superior rule."

"However," she changed the subject, "high risk also means high reward. Once you truly comprehend the rules of death and integrate them into your existing domain, based on spacetime, life and death will cycle."

"At that time, even if you are only at the fifth level of the domain, with this combination of rules, your power will be enough to crush ordinary seventh or even eighth level domains that only master a single high-level rule."

"Even now, with your fourfold fusion rule body, it is not impossible for you to fight against ordinary sixfold domains, or even win."

Lin Yi nodded, which was roughly in line with his own assessment of his strength.

The qualitative changes brought about by the quadruple integration, especially the inclusion of the two higher-level rules of space and time, are unimaginable.

However, he was also very clear-headed. The "ordinary sixth level" that his senior sister mentioned referred to those cultivators with ordinary rules and average foundations.

In the upcoming Pan-Spirit Alliance Genius Battle, those prodigies who are expected to break into the top ten, even if they have not mastered the superior rules, are at least possessors of four high-level rules. None of them will be easy to deal with.

Each of them is blessed by the destiny of their respective race, possessing unfathomable trump cards and terrifying combat talent.

Generally speaking, the cultivation paths of top geniuses are carefully planned.

The first rule is often a basic rule that is relatively easy to learn, which can be quickly used to break through to the domain level.

Starting from the second rule, one will choose the truly core, higher-level, or even superior rules based on one's own characteristics and long-term plans.

The remaining basic rules will be learned last.

After all, the more rules one comprehends, the greater the interference and resistance one encounters when comprehending new rules, and the difficulty increases exponentially.

It's wiser to put the simple things last.

Seeing that Lin Yi's eyes were clear and showed no sign of smugness, Qian Huan secretly took back her words of admonition and continued:

"Since your next target is the rules of death, and you are about to learn the art of clones, your ability to survive and your resilience are no longer weaknesses."

"Therefore, the direction you need treasures mainly focuses on two aspects: one is the ultimate attack type to make up for the instant burst of power; the other is the auxiliary type that can continuously and efficiently enhance source energy cultivation and help you save time in accumulating source energy."

"As for offensive treasures, I don't really recommend them, Senior Sister."

As she spoke, Qianhuan raised two slender, jade-like fingers.

"Because there are two."

"Firstly, the Star Core level is only worth ten thousand years. You spend a huge price to obtain a powerful offensive treasure in the short term, but its value will rapidly diminish as your cultivation level increases."

"Secondly, the core of your future path lies in comprehending the rules, and even in understanding the laws at a higher level. You must try to minimize the time spent simply accumulating source energy and concentrate your energy on exploring the more fundamental rules."

"so."

Qianhuan finally confirmed, "A cultivation treasure that can accompany you as you grow and greatly accelerate the efficiency of source energy condensation is the most cost-effective and the most urgently needed item for you."

She paused, then asked, "Um, you don't have one too, do you? What are you using to accelerate your source energy cultivation?"

Lin Yi answered honestly, "Replying to Senior Sister, we are currently mainly using the complete Star Heart."

"The Heart of the Stars?"

Qianhuan slightly pursed her lips, and her expression, combined with her ancient-style attire, gave her a unique charm. "This thing is somewhat useful at the beginning, helping you quickly condense the first few hundred star cores. But the further you go, especially when you reach the Star Swirl level, its effect becomes negligible, as the energy level can't keep up."

She said no more, her eyes slightly closed, as if her consciousness was connecting to a resource database exclusively for high-level powerhouses for sifting through information, while she murmured to herself:
"Hmm, the core fragment of the Eternal Forge? The 18 clans' merits won't do; the energy is too violent and not suitable for precise control."

"The Matrix of All Streams Returning to the Source? The growth potential of the 20 clans is a bit low; it will probably peak at the Star Domain level."

"The Core of Time Origin? 23 clan merits... Hmm, this is not bad!"

Then, Qianhuan opened her eyes.

"This is it, the Core of Time Source."

As she spoke, she looked at Lin Yi and explained, "This object is not man-made. It is said to be a strange object naturally born when the core laws of time and life intertwined during the accidental collapse of an ancient space-time. Its interior is naturally engraved with complex patterns of time and life."

"By wearing it, it can spontaneously draw upon the surrounding cosmic energy, accelerate and refine it with fragments of the laws of time within it, and then purify and nourish it with the characteristics of the laws of life, transforming it into the purest and most easily absorbed source energy, greatly improving your source energy condensation and accumulation efficiency."

Then, Qianhuan added with a smile, "Although its effects will gradually diminish as your realm increases, it is long-lasting and gentle. Even if you advance to the Transcendent Realm level in the future, it will still provide some auxiliary effects, unlike the Heart of Stars which will be quickly eliminated."

"Moreover, it is an environmental enhancement type treasure, which will not conflict with other cultivation treasures you may obtain, and can be used in combination."

As Lin Yi listened to Qian Huan's description, his heart skipped a beat.

At this moment, the effect of the Source Core was practically tailor-made for him.

The combined laws of time and life perfectly align with his existing core rules, maximizing absorption efficiency.

The long service life further eliminated his worries.

However, 23 clan merits exceed the 20 clan merits that my senior sister just promised.

He couldn't help but speak, a hint of hesitation in his voice: "Senior sister, isn't this a bit expensive? It exceeds what you just mentioned."

Upon hearing this, Qianhuan waved her hand dismissively, her wide sleeves fluttering as she said with a smile, "Oh, I have something suitable, it's just a bit pricey. It's only 3 clan merits, I can afford it. I can't possibly find you something inferior just to save a little money, that would be penny-wise and pound-foolish."

Looking at Qianhuan's relaxed demeanor, as if "the mere 23 clan honors are nothing to worry about," Lin Yi suddenly felt a strange sensation.

In a daze, he felt that in Senior Sister Qianhuan's eyes, helping him choose treasures was probably just like when he occasionally felt like buying a toy for a junior on Earth that he liked.

Whether it costs 20 or 23 star coins makes no difference to her, as long as the product is good and the child likes it.

Perhaps, the fleeting beauty that I had gone through so much trouble to obtain, even at the cost of showing my face on the veterans' platform, was probably not that precious in the eyes of someone like my senior sister.

More likely, because there are few practitioners of the Time Rule and the demand is small, few people go to places like the "Time Order Relics" and the output is scarce. That's why Senior Sister had to make the trip herself.

"Thank you, Senior Sister!" Lin Yi suppressed his emotions and solemnly thanked Qian Huan.

"Small things."

Qianhuan smiled, then her expression turned serious. "Alright, the matter of the treasure is settled. I will arrange for someone to deliver it to you as soon as possible. Now, it's time to teach you the main topic: the technique of creating clones."

She stood up, her flowing fairy dress trailing on the ground, and walked up to Lin Yi: "Now that you have fully mastered the rules of time, you have the foundation to learn this technique. As I have told you before, its core principle is not creation out of thin air, but summoning."

"As my senior sister once said, it's best to summon your past self from the river of time." Lin Yi had been listening very attentively in class and immediately recalled the key points.

"That's right, but knowing that alone isn't enough."

As she spoke, Qianhuan extended her index finger and gently touched Lin Yi's brow with the tip of her finger. "The clone technique that Senior Sister has learned was taught by Master. This technique is called the 'Time Reversal Clone Technique.' Senior Sister will let you experience it for yourself."

The next moment, Lin Yi felt the scene before him shatter. The sea of ​​clouds, the immortal mountains, and the pavilions all disappeared, replaced by a vast and boundless expanse.

His consciousness seemed to float above an endless river.

This river is not made of water, but is formed by the convergence of countless trajectories that shimmer with billions of possibilities, flowing silently and eternally in one direction.

It exudes a magnificent aura that transcends time; merely sensing its existence evokes feelings of insignificance and awe.

Time flows!

But ahead of the river of time, or more precisely, at the end of this great river, lies an even deeper void.

There is no light, no darkness, no matter, no energy, and not even the concept of time itself.

Only the most primordial nothingness.

Qianhuan's voice resounded directly in Lin Yi's heart, "Feel this river, feel the unique life trajectory that belongs to you within it."

Lin Yi suppressed the shock in his heart and tried his best to focus his senses on the vast river below.

Gradually, he saw it.

Among those endless trails of light, some resonated strongly with him. They connected together, outlining a clear and unique trajectory line belonging to him, Lin Yi.

The guidance of the Thousand Illusions came once again.

"Now, using your perfect power of time rules as a guide and your own life imprint as a coordinate, try to anchor yourself along your own trajectory line one second ago."

With a thought, the silver-gray fourth-level domain rune at the core of Lin Yi's soul lit up slightly, and a pure power of time rules surged out, mixed with his unique life aura, transforming into an invisible anchor, carefully casting it toward the node one second before his own trajectory.

"Anchoring successful. Now, using spatial rules as a bridge and source energy as fuel, we summon you from that point in time and project you into the present."

This process was extremely difficult, as if it were pulling something incredibly heavy against the flow of the entire river of time.

Lin Yi felt his source energy being rapidly depleted, and his soul was also experiencing waves of tearing sensations.

But he gritted his teeth and persevered, and the rules were fully operational, building a stable channel.

Finally, a second before his own trajectory line, the anchored point of light suddenly lit up.

A figure, sharing the same aura as the original body but appearing somewhat illusory, traveled upstream along the bridge constructed by the rules of time, slowly emerging from the phantom of the river of time, and then appeared beside him.

Lin Yi noticed that the figure's face was exactly the same as his own, and at the same time, it was also radiating the same four-fold domain fluctuations as his own.

It worked!
This is Shi Su's clone.

"Very good!" Qianhuan's voice carried a hint of approval. "Remember this feeling, remember the entire process of anchoring and summoning. The clone needs you to continuously consume time power to maintain it. What the clone sees, hears, thinks, and understands will all merge into you when it dissipates."

With Qianhuan's explanation, Lin Yi gained a deeper understanding of this magical clone technique.

Therefore, this is not only a life-saving talisman, but also a powerful tool to aid in exploration and cultivation.

Although the most important auxiliary understanding of the rules is not very feasible, it can still be used to help cultivate combat techniques and secret methods!

"Alright, that concludes the experience. Go back and practice diligently until you master it."

As Qian Huan finished speaking, Lin Yi's consciousness was suddenly pulled back, returning to the virtual immortal mountain shrouded in clouds and mist, as if the shocking experience of facing the river of time was just a dream.

But he knew it wasn't a dream.

The cultivation method of the Time-Traveling Clone Technique, and the experience of successfully summoning it for the first time, were deeply imprinted in his soul.

"Thank you so much, Senior Sister!" Lin Yi expressed his gratitude once again.

Qianhuan lazily sat back on the cloud couch, resuming her leisurely demeanor, and waved her hand: "Alright, junior brother, the clone technique is certainly important, but I suggest that once you have a basic grasp of the clone technique, you can consider taking some time to explore a few undeveloped secret realms that are restricted to those at the star core level."

Secret realm?

Lin Yi was slightly taken aback.

He had considered exploring the hidden realm.

The universe is vast, with countless unknown realms and ruins, which often contain both opportunities and dangers.

However, his main motivation for exploring the secret realm was to obtain military merits and rare resources to support his cultivation.

But now, these words are spoken by the third senior sister, an eternal deity, who has just bestowed upon him precious treasures and secret techniques. The significance of this statement is entirely different.

This is by no means an ordinary suggestion for exploring secret realms.

To be specifically mentioned by an eternal deity must involve something deeper.

"Junior Brother"

Qianhuan's lips curved slightly, her voice still carrying that uniquely lazy and magnetic quality, "Do you have some doubts about Senior Sister's suggestion just now?"

Lin Yi felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that his momentary turmoil of thoughts had not escaped his senior sister's notice.

He immediately composed himself and frankly admitted, "Junior Brother does indeed have some doubts. Exploring secret realms, while offering opportunities and military merits, also carries considerable risks. Furthermore, the discovery of new secret realms is quite common; the Astral Army issues exploration missions almost every so often. Among these, while not numerous, there are still quite a few secret realms that restrict the level of strength required."

“Junior brother didn’t pay much attention to these things originally, but since you, senior sister, pointed this out yourself and specifically emphasized that mastering the clone must have a deeper meaning than ordinary training.”

Qianhuan seemed quite satisfied with Lin Yi's honesty and insight; her smile deepened slightly, like the moon shining brightly after the clouds had parted.

She didn't answer immediately, but instead extended her slender, jade-like fingers and gently brushed away non-existent dust from the edge of the cloud-like couch before speaking:
"Junior brother, you have now perfected the rules of spacetime, and are no longer comparable to ordinary geniuses. There are some secrets concerning the future, even the rise and fall of our races, that I would like to let you know in advance, so it is not unreasonable."

As she spoke, Qianhuan's gaze seemed to pierce through the virtual immortal mountains and pavilions, casting its light into the depths of the boundless starry sky, and she asked a question that seemed unrelated to the previous topic:
"Junior brother, do you know why the Pan-Spirit Alliance is willing to spend enormous resources and mobilize countless forces to regularly hold this Pan-Spirit Alliance Genius Battle, which sweeps across countless star fields and involves thousands of vassal races?"

"The scale of its operation and the generosity of its rewards far exceed the ordinary meaning of selection and incentive. Is it really just about identifying geniuses and encouraging the next generation?"

The topic suddenly shifted from the secret realm to the battle of geniuses.

Lin Yi was taken aback at first, but his brain started working at an unprecedented speed.

Is there some unknown, deep connection between these two?
Recalling his senior sister's earlier mention of exploring secret realms and linking it to mastering the clone technique, an astonishing conjecture, like a supernova suddenly illuminating the dark void, instantly brightened all his thoughts.

Lin Yi took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and looked intently at Qian Huan:

"Senior sister, do you mean that the core purpose of this genius battle, which is regarded as the highest honor stage for the younger generation of the Pan-Spirit Alliance, is not, on the surface, to select geniuses, encourage the younger generation, and showcase the potential of the race, but rather to select those who are qualified to enter a certain extremely important secret realm?"

This conjecture was too bold, and even overturned his long-held beliefs.

The Battle of Geniuses, a stage that countless geniuses would fight tooth and nail to reach, could it be that beneath its glorious and grand exterior lies such a realistic, even utilitarian, core?
A hint of appreciation flashed in Qianhuan's eyes, and she nodded slightly.

"His reaction was quick, and although his guesses weren't entirely correct, they weren't far off."

She didn't give Lin Yi much time to process it, and then dropped an even more shocking bombshell:
"Not only that, Lin Yi, are you aware that, besides the Spirit Race, the other two top races, the Abyss Race and the Eclipse Race, will hold top-tier talent competitions with remarkably similar specifications, formats, and selection criteria, almost within the same timeframe as the Pan-Spirit Alliance's Genius Battle?"

(End of this chapter)