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

Chapter 398 Mechanical Race Creations, Impacting the Sixth Law

Lin Yi had just steadied himself when he heard Yan Long's question, which carried a distinctly unusual tone.

His gaze swept over Yanlong's scrutinizing eyes, and in a flash, he understood what the other was thinking.

"It seems that Lord Yanlong subconsciously assumed that our team encountered a powerful enemy, that I was unable to defeat them, and that I might have abandoned my teammates and escaped back by using the laws of space alone when I returned alone after seeing me return alone with signs of battle?"

Lin Yi understood, but he wasn't angry.

In the mysterious realm, people's hearts are unpredictable, and in times of crisis, all sorts of choices are possible.

While Yanlong's conjecture may seem arbitrary, it is not entirely without merit.

He was too lazy to play those boring tricks of "deliberately keeping people in suspense, creating misunderstandings, and then revealing the results to slap them in the face."

That would only satisfy base desires and exacerbate unnecessary conflicts, offering no benefit to the current situation.

Lin Yi then smiled calmly and said frankly, "Lord Yanlong, there is no need to worry. My team members are safe and sound and are currently resting in a safe area."

Hearing Lin Yi's direct and frank answer, and seeing his composed expression without any panic or shame, Yan Long immediately realized that he had probably misunderstood.

His tense state relaxed slightly, but his doubts deepened.

Since the team members were unharmed and Lin Yi had clearly been in battle, why did he return alone?

Yan Long didn't want to speculate and asked directly, "Lord Lin Yi, judging from the lingering disturbances in the laws around you, you've clearly just been through a battle, and now you're returning alone. Did something happen on the way?"

"We did encounter an unexpected situation." Lin Yi nodded, his tone turning serious. "After we left the evacuation point area, we were ambushed by a targeted team."

"Interception?"

Yan Long's rock-like brows furrowed immediately. "They can track your movements? Could it be... just a coincidence? After all, if it were a targeted ambush, they should have some degree of certainty. Besides, you just said the team members are alright."

He paused briefly, then offered a plausible guess: "How many gods did you encounter? Four? Or five? Given the strength of your team, Lord Lin Yi, it's reasonable that you could have escaped unscathed if the numbers were roughly equal."

Lin Yi was not annoyed that Yan Long still had reservations about his assessment of being "ambushed" and even doubted whether it was just a "chance encounter".

Because he knew that Yanlong's thought process was a normal reaction.

If you don't have a certain degree of confidence and advantage, wouldn't it be easy to become a "good fortune child" who gives away points and treasures if you try to intercept another team?
Therefore, Lin Yi simply explained, "What we encountered was a team composed of a mixture of Abyss Clan and Eclipse Clan gods. There weren't many of them, only eight gods. Among them, two were at the peak of the High God level. Moreover, their goal was clear; they were coming straight for our team."

"what?"

Yan Long's body, composed of dark golden rock, seemed to tremble slightly. "Eight? And two more at the peak?"

This lineup is clearly not something that can be explained by chance!

"If that's the case, then it was undoubtedly a premeditated ambush," Yanlong said in a deep voice.

Then, as if he had thought of something, his tense expression relaxed slightly, and he even showed a hint of relief in his smile. "It's fortunate that your team has you as the captain. The spacetime law has a huge advantage in terms of mobility. As long as you are quick to react, you can teleport all the team members away from the battlefield before the enemy has time to use any space-sealing artifacts."

"If it were a team without a master of spatial laws, they probably would have succeeded in their attack against this kind of lineup!"

After saying that, Yanlong sighed again, "However, since they failed this time, they will definitely continue to look for other teams as targets. This greatly increases the danger in the surrounding area, and we need to find a way to remind the other teams to be on high alert."

Hearing Yanlong's reasonable analysis and concerns, Lin Yi was speechless.

Clearly, even now, Yanlong still firmly believes that their team was safe because he, as their captain, had acted quickly and used the laws of space to lead everyone to safety.

Therefore, Yanlong was first relieved, then worried—relieved that Lin Yi ran fast, and worried that the enemy, having failed to catch their prey, would harm others.

Lin Yi shook his head inwardly, a bittersweet feeling flashing through his mind:

"Could it be that in Lord Iwataka's mind, because I didn't choose to stay and assist in the defense, but instead led the team away, he's labeled me as someone who likes to run away?"

"No wonder he addressed me as Lin Yi when we met earlier, and his tone and demeanor were all off. Now that I think about it, he probably really thought I had abandoned my team and escaped alone. Later, when he saw that I was calm, he changed his address to 'Lord Lin Yi,' but deep down he still believed that we had escaped by luck."

"Indeed, once a preconceived notion is formed, the prejudice in people's hearts is like a mountain, difficult to shake."

Lin Yi once again deeply realized how important a reliable "persona" is in the long journey of cultivation and adventure, as it can save countless unnecessary suspicions and troubles.

As thoughts raced through his mind, Lin Yi's smile remained unchanged as he echoed Yan Long's words, saying, "What Lord Yan Long says is quite right; it's always good to be vigilant. However, there's no need to worry too much about the interception team itself."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Long's spirits lifted, and he quickly asked, "Does Lord Lin Yi have a good solution?"

Lin Yi shook his head, his tone flat: "I don't have a good solution."

"However, I exchanged quite a few cultivation treasures at the evacuation point before, and I was fortunate enough to gain some, so my strength can barely be considered to have touched the threshold of the upper god level."

"Therefore, the mixed squad that intercepted us, along with those two peak gods, has been completely wiped out by me and my team."

Iwataka: ".????"

In that instant, Yanlong felt as if his core, made of hard rock, had frozen for a moment.

He's already at the level of a high-ranking god?!
Previously, it was already absurd that this human prodigy possessed the combat power of a peak high-level god, but how long has it been, and he has already reached the level of an upper god?
Yan Long did not doubt the truthfulness of Lin Yi's words. He remained silent for several breaths before his rock-like voice rang out again, solemnly saying, "Lord Lin Yi, I admire you!"

Immediately afterward, Yan Long seemed to realize something, and his eyes suddenly lit up with a bright light. He looked at Lin Yi and asked expectantly, "Lord Lin Yi, so why did you return this time?"

Oh, the form of address has changed to "you" again.

Lin Yi found it intriguing, but his face remained calm and composed. He stated the two purposes of his trip directly: "The first is to bring back news of our ambush and remind those who remain to be on high alert and guard against similar incidents."

"Judging from the spoils obtained by those interceptors, the surrounding Abyss Clan and Eclipse Clan teams have accumulated a massive amount of physical resources from the secret realm, but they have very few points, possibly even zero. They may not have discovered any other evacuation points yet. Therefore, they must have an extremely strong need for our evacuation point."

Upon hearing this, Yanlong's expression immediately became extremely serious.

"Lord Lin Yi's reminder is correct! This matter is of great importance. I will immediately discuss with Qing Ling to adjust the defensive deployment and contact friendly squads operating in the surrounding area as much as possible!"

Yan Long asked solemnly, then continued, "So, what are your plans next, Lord Lin Yi?"

Lin Yi naturally understood what Yan Long had left unsaid.

He slowly shook his head, giving an answer that instantly disappointed Yanlong: "Due to some reasons that are inconvenient to explain, I am temporarily unable to stay here."

But then Lin Yi changed the subject: "However, I will return here in about ten thousand standard years."

More than 10,000 standard years?
Yanlong was taken aback at first, then his mind raced.

Ten thousand standard years isn't a long time, yet Lord Lin Yi's strength has improved so rapidly. He just annihilated a powerful enemy squad and reaped unimaginable spoils. Now he chooses to leave, promising to return in over ten thousand years.
If Lin Yi is truly uninvolved, given his current strength as a high-level god, as long as he doesn't actively get involved in the evacuation point—a battlefield that's clearly going to become a meat grinder—he can practically roam freely in this 45th level of the secret realm. Who could truly threaten him?

Why go through all that trouble, promising to come back and wade into this mess more than 10,000 years later?

Could it be that he intends to use this immense gain over the past ten thousand years to further advance his strength?
When they return, they will likely be far more powerful than simply "touching the threshold of a high-ranking deity"!

Yanlong thought about it more and more and felt that his speculation was reasonable, and the disappointment in his heart disappeared instantly.

He quickly replied, "Lord Lin Yi, please go with peace of mind! It's only been a little over ten thousand years; we will definitely be able to defend this place."

Lin Yi glanced at Yan Long, whose attitude had suddenly changed, with some surprise. Although he didn't understand what Yan Long had imagined, it was still a good thing.

He said no more and nodded slightly: "In that case, I'll go in first."

After saying that, Lin Yi's figure transformed into a silver-gray stream of light, heading straight towards the huge white energy vortex that was slowly rotating not far away.

A pure white light engulfed everything before my eyes, then quickly dissipated.

The pure white space was once again displayed before Lin Yi.

Lin Yi, familiar with the process, instantly appeared in front of a ball of light, communicating with the secret realm imprint through his mind and beginning the operation.

He transferred all the exchangeable resources he obtained from killing the eight-man ambush team from his divine kingdom within his body.

In an instant, a dazzling radiance appeared in front of the sphere of light, with various rare ores, energy crystals, and strange materials piled up like mountains, emitting a powerful and mixed energy fluctuation.

The sphere of light cast a soft beam of light, enveloping all objects.

The process was completed in just a few moments.

[Redeem complete.]

[Gained 24.6 billion points in the Primordial Tower.]

Adding the approximately 3.38 million points remaining after the previous allocation, his total points now amount to an astonishing nearly 28 billion!
Faced with this wealth that would drive any high god mad, Lin Yi remained calm and composed.

Points only become true power when they are converted into readily available resources and strength.

He immediately began a new round of exchange planning.

First, there is the understanding of the laws.

He chose a combination of several treasures, including the [Azure Wood Source Heart], the [Myriad Forest Origin Secret Scripture], and the [Eternal Source Tree Leaf], spending a total of approximately 2.25 million points.

Next comes the main event, and the core reliance that allows his strength to continue to improve at a high speed—Source Essence!
"Filter low-level source crystals and directly exchange them for 4400 units of low-level source crystals."

[Exchange for 4400 units of low-grade source crystals. Please confirm.]

"Confirmed." Lin Yi replied without hesitation.

The sphere of light flickered slightly, and 22 billion points were deducted instantly.

There are approximately 3.73 million points remaining.

Subsequently, mountains of treasures and source crystals were teleported out.

Among them, the 4400 newly exchanged low-grade source crystals, which were grayish in color, almost filled most of the space. They were about the size of a fist, inconspicuous in appearance, but faintly swirled with chaotic light inside.

Lin Yi swiftly absorbed the [Azure Wood Source Heart], [Myriad Forest Origin Secret Scripture], [Eternal Source Tree Leaf], and the 4400 Source Crystals into his divine kingdom. Having done this, he didn't delay any longer and immediately communicated to regain his access.

Enveloped in pure white light, his figure reappeared outside the massive white energy vortex at the evacuation point in the next instant.

Yanlong, who had been keeping a close eye on the vortex, immediately rushed to meet Lin Yi the moment he appeared.

"Lord Lin Yi, you've come out!"

"Hmm." Lin Yi nodded, then looked at Yan Long. "Is there anything else, Lord Yan Long?"

"There is indeed something I need to give to Lord Lin Yi."

As Yanlong spoke, he raised his giant hand.

In his palm lay a strange mechanical device with an extremely precise structure, a dark silver color, and a stream of eerie blue data flowing across its surface.

"This is?"

Lin Yi's gaze narrowed slightly. This was clearly a creation of the mechanical race, and it exuded an unusual energy fluctuation.

"Communication device".

Yanlong explained, his voice tinged with seriousness, "This is something I just borrowed from one of my mechanical race members. Well, to be more precise, it's what he thought should be given to you."

He carefully held the dark silver device and continued, "This is a special piece of equipment that can conduct ultra-long-distance point-to-point communication. Theoretically, its maximum effective communication range can reach 10,000 standard years of flight time!"

Communication range of 10,000 standard years of flight time!

Lin Yi's heart stirred.

This distance far exceeds the range of his communication equipment and the communication range of the god-like spaceship.

“However,” Yanlong changed the subject, “this thing is extremely expensive. A set of two is said to cost as much as a high-level divine weapon. Moreover, it is strictly bound together and can only communicate between the pair, unable to access other networks. More importantly, this thing cannot be bought or made on the market at will.”

He looked at Lin Yi and explained, "This is a set of equipment temporarily lent to the members of the Mechanical Race. In theory, every Mechanical Race deity who enters the secret realm will be issued a set of equipment of the corresponding level, allowing them to determine the appropriate use for themselves."

Yan Long paused, his expression becoming even more serious: "I explained your situation to that team member, and after careful consideration, he decided that one of the tokens should be given to you."

"In this way, no matter where you are cultivating and improving, we can notify you in time if there are any major changes on our side; conversely, you can also contact us if you make an important discovery or encounter an emergency."

After listening, Lin Yi understood.

This means that if he carries one and leaves one at the evacuation point, as long as he is within the range of 10,000 standard years, he can maintain contact with the evacuation point and keep abreast of the situation there, whether the evacuation point disappears or a large-scale conflict breaks out.

Therefore, the value and significance of this communication device are indeed extraordinary.

It's not just about transmitting information across long distances; it represents a strategic level of connection and trust.

Lin Yi hesitated slightly when he saw the dark silver device that Yan Long handed over.

Acceptance means he will establish a closer and more direct connection with the team at this evacuation point, and it also means he will bear more of their expectations.

But at the same time, this is indeed what he needs right now.

It allows him to stay informed about the movements of the potential "eye of the storm" at the evacuation point, providing a basis for his subsequent decisions and giving him an extra layer of security when he is far away.

After a moment's consideration, Lin Yi reached out and solemnly accepted the dark silver mechanical communication device.

"Thank you, Lord Yanlong. Please also convey my gratitude to that mechanical race gentleman."

"Good! Good!" Yan Long exclaimed excitedly upon seeing Lin Yi accept the gift. "Please be careful on your journey, Lord Lin Yi! We will be here waiting for your return!"

Lin Yi said no more, nodded to Yan Long, and then the silver-gray spacetime power around him surged again.

Ripples spread through the space, and his figure became blurred before finally disappearing from the spot.
-
A year and a half's journey from the evacuation point, the emerald green "Qingling" spaceship hovered silently in the starry sky.

Suddenly, the space in front of the spaceship fluctuated, and Lin Yi's figure appeared out of thin air.

"team leader!"

Serena, who was on guard duty, was the first to notice and quickly opened the hatch.

Lin Yi slipped into the cabin, and everyone immediately gathered around him.

"Captain, what's the situation? What about the evacuation point?" Hui Lie asked.

"The message has been delivered. Yanlong and the others are aware of the ambush and will increase their vigilance," Lin Yi said briefly, while taking out the dark silver mechanical communication device. "In addition, Yanlong gave me something good."

He showed the device to the crowd and explained its function and origin.

Upon hearing that this device could conduct ultra-long-distance point-to-point communication over a distance of 10,000 standard years, everyone marveled. Clearly, this thing, like the Fearless War God, was a technological reserve of the Mechanical Race, which had never been used before, so even these old gods had never heard of it.

"The Mechanical Race really knows how to hide things well. They've revealed quite a few good items this time. But now that's the case, we can operate more safely in the distance," Shi Feng said with a smile.

“Not bad.” Lin Yi nodded. “After all, this place isn’t far from the previous battle site. Let’s continue on our way.”

Soon, the "Azure Spirit" set off again, transforming into a streak of emerald light and heading into the depths of the starry sky.

Inside the spaceship, Lin Yi arranged the guard shifts and then returned to his own cabin.

The Kingdom of God within the body.

In the center of that vast and orderly divine kingdom, within a specially designated cultivation area, his main body sat cross-legged opposite his ordinary clone, with the crystal box containing the nascent form of the Origin Treasure placed between them.

The pure, primal power of the Law of Water is continuously emanating from both of them, gently and steadily nourishing the strange water droplet.

Lin Yi then withdrew his hand, leaving his clone to continue nurturing it for the time being.

"Next, it's time to prepare for further improvement in strength," he thought to himself.

The Law of Wood will be his main focus going forward.

He needs strength! Merely touching the threshold of a high-level god is not enough.

Only in case unforeseen events occur during these ten thousand years will he have enough power to cope.

"However, we still need to lay a foundation first."

Lin Yi did not rush to burn his spiritual energy to sprint forward.

He was well aware that a solid theoretical foundation and a systematic cognitive framework were crucial for understanding a completely new set of rules. This would greatly improve the efficiency of subsequent practical insights and reduce the unnecessary consumption of spiritual energy.

So he took out the inheritance crystal of the [Wansen Chaoyuan Secret Scripture] and immersed his consciousness into it.

In an instant, a vast stream of information flooded into his consciousness.

It is not a simple written record, but a three-dimensional knowledge system containing the spiritual imprint and rhythmic principles of the inheritors.

He seemed to have instantly traversed endless time and space, finding himself in a primeval forest composed of endless ancient trees and vines, where an ancient being whose face he could not see was telling him the secrets of the Law of Wood.

From the "beginning and hope" contained in the tinyest seed breaking through the soil and the sprouting of tender buds, to the "absorption and growth" represented by seedlings growing against the wind and absorbing sunlight and rain; from the "prosperity and dedication" embodied in the lush foliage, flowering and fruiting of trees, to the "silence and return" hidden in the falling leaves and withered branches in autumn; and finally to the "reincarnation and rebirth" revealed by withered trees coming back to life and new buds sprouting again.
【Wansen Chaoyuan Secret Manual】systematically elucidates the core aspects and advanced meanings of the Law of Wood, supplemented by a large number of practitioners' insights, annotations on difficulties, and even some lessons learned from failures.

Time slips away quietly amidst deep reading and reflection.

Lin Yi was completely immersed in the profound world of the Law of Wood. With his knowledge and foundation in the two superior laws, he digested and absorbed this knowledge at an astonishing speed.

Ten standard years have passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, a glimmer of enlightenment flashed in Lin Yi's eyes.

He was no longer unfamiliar with the Law of Wood; a relatively complete and clear cognitive framework had already been established in his mind.

Then, he spent another four standard days absorbing all 4400 source crystals.

"The foundation is in place; we can now begin to formally gain insights."

Lin Yi took a deep breath and put the [Azure Heart] on his chest.

The emerald green, heart-shaped crystal pressed against his skin, immediately providing a warm and smooth sensation. A gentle yet resilient rhythm of the Wood Law spread out, slowly permeating his body and soul, subtly enhancing his affinity for the Wood Law.

Then, he carefully put the leaf of the Eternal Source Tree into his mouth.

The leaves melt in your mouth, transforming into a cool and vibrant torrent that rushes straight to the depths of your soul.

In an instant, Lin Yi felt as if his soul was being immersed in the purest essence of wood. His perception and understanding of the profound truths of the laws of wood, such as "creation of life," "nourishment of all things," and "continuous life," instantly soared to an unprecedented level of sensitivity.

External support conditions are already at their maximum.

Finally, there's the core element: "fuel."

Lin Yi's thoughts sank into the purple mist space.

"Spiritual energy, ignite!"

A purple flame of enlightenment suddenly ignited.

"start!"

Lin Yi closed his eyes, focusing all his attention on comprehending the Law of Wood.

From the germination of the "seed law," to the flourishing of the "growth law," and finally to the blossoming of the "prosperity law,"
The underlying principles were quickly understood and grasped.

Outside the spaceship, the starry sky was vast and the journey was long, but deep within Lin Yi's soul, a grand feast of enlightenment about the laws of wood had just begun.

(End of this chapter)