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

Chapter 61 2000 o'clock

The news, like a pebble thrown into calm water, instantly created ripples in the command center late at night.

The officer on duty dared not delay and immediately reported the matter up the chain of command.

Soon, Zhang Weidong, who had been resting, was urgently woken up, Ren Yinuo also rushed over, and even some high-ranking officials from other non-military settlements were alerted.

When they gathered at the command center and confirmed Zhu Peng's continuous reports that the increase had exceeded 800 points, everyone's faces were filled with shock.

"Could this be...?"

Zhang Weidong immediately realized something, and his eyes flashed with an amazing light.

"Breakthrough! Major Lin is breaking through to the Stardust level!"

Ren Yinuo said with certainty and barely suppressed excitement, "He said it would take ten days, and today is the ninth day, but he's done it ahead of schedule!"

Without any hesitation, Zhang Weidong immediately led a group of senior executives to the rooftop of the old department store.

They carefully pushed open the fire door and, sure enough, saw Lin Yi sitting quietly under a makeshift shed in the distance, surrounded by an invisible yet unsettling energy field that seemed to slightly distort the air.

No one dared to approach and disturb them. Everyone held their breath and stood at a distance, their eyes fixed on the figure, as if witnessing the birth of a miracle.

Ren Yinuo quickly and silently set up a camera to record all of this precious moment.

Time passed slowly in silence, and every minute and second seemed exceptionally long.

But no one showed the slightest impatience; their hearts were filled with anticipation, tension, and a sense of historical participation.

The numerical values ​​were continuously reported by Zhu Peng and transmitted to everyone via the walkie-talkie in Zhang Weidong's hand: 1000 1200 1400
When the number displayed on the terminal finally broke through the 1500 mark and continued to climb without any sign of slowing down, a barely suppressed cheer finally broke out from the crowd.

"1500! It's over 1500!"

"This is really great..."

Zhang Weidong clenched his fists tightly, and his bloodshot eyes, which were filled with long-term sleep deprivation, shone with an unprecedented excitement.

The senior officers around him also looked excited, exchanging glances, and you could see the relief and elation in each other's eyes.

1500 points—this number holds extraordinary significance for them.

Besides the nearest and most dangerous nest number 3, there is another nest, marked number 4, further southeast.

The nest was quite aggressive, and moreover, based on limited reconnaissance and painful lessons, they confirmed that there were three leader-level abyssal beasts that always acted in groups.

According to a close inspection by the scouts carrying energy detectors, the energy intensity of each of the three monsters was consistently around 1500 points.

The presence of those three leader-level abyssal beasts was like a sword of Damocles hanging over the entire settlement.

The rescue team dared not approach the areas where they were active, and could only watch helplessly as the signals of survivors in that area disappeared one by one.

Although the higher-ups didn't say it aloud, they all felt a huge weight on their hearts, filled with a sense of powerlessness and deep anxiety.

If those three abyssal beasts were to wander near the settlement one day, or pursue a fleeing survivor and get close to the settlement, the existing defenses would probably be unable to withstand them.

Now, Lin Yi has not only successfully broken through, but his source energy intensity has also surpassed that terrifying numerical threshold.

This is not just a simple level breakthrough; it means that humanity has finally acquired the individual strength to directly confront and even suppress those high-level abyssal beasts.

The resulting boost to confidence and its strategic significance are immeasurable.

Meanwhile, the numbers were still soaring.

160017001800
The mood of the crowd rose steadily, and the previous worries and depression were swept away by this powerful new force.

At this moment, Lin Yi looked inward at the source crystal in the abyss sea and was quite satisfied.

After a period of replenishment, nine secondary source crystals gradually condensed around each core source crystal, resembling miniature galaxies, mysterious and beautiful.

When the last secondary source crystal was fully formed, and the twenty "miniature star systems" were stably suspended in the source sea, with a faint energy connection between them, forming a more complex and powerful whole, he finally let out a long breath.

The energy within my body flows continuously, but the previous feeling of swelling is gone. Instead, it is filled with a powerful, abundant, and controllable sense of strength.

Stardust-class is complete. "Sorry to keep everyone waiting."

Lin Yi thought to himself that he had sensed the arrival of everyone long ago, but at that time, when he was condensing the secondary source crystal in one go, it was inconvenient to greet them.

Only now that his realm was stable did he slowly put down the last two source energy crystals that had turned gray and dull, open his eyes, and stand up.

Similarly, the oppressive aura surrounding him gradually subsided and returned to calm.

Zhang Weidong gestured to his deputy, who immediately looked down and whispered into the walkie-talkie, then looked up with an excited expression and reported in a breathy voice, "Report! 2000 points, stabilized!"

Two thousand points!
This number struck like a lightning bolt, hitting the nerves of everyone present.

Zhang Weidong took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in his heart, and a bright smile slowly bloomed on his face.

He straightened his collar and led the group toward the young man who had just created a miracle.

Seeing Zhang Weidong and his group approaching with barely suppressed excitement, Lin Yi smiled faintly and went to greet them.

"Officer Lin, congratulations on your successful breakthrough!"

Zhang Weidong spoke first, his voice loud and clear. With heartfelt joy and respect, he solemnly saluted Lin Yi.

The crowd behind him followed suit, saluting and congratulating him with fervent eyes.

"Thank you, Captain Zhang, and thank you everyone."

Lin Yi returned the greeting, his tone unchanged from the past, showing no alteration despite the breakthrough.

Zhang Weidong shook his head with a sigh, his tone still filled with shock: "We just asked the sentry, and Staff Officer Lin, your breakthrough was quite significant. Your source energy intensity jumped from less than 200 points to 2000 points in one go!"

"This is truly an eye-opener for us, and it puts our minds at ease completely."

Lin Yi smiled and explained, "Captain Zhang, you flatter me. This breakthrough is a leap in the level of life. The source energy has condensed from a gaseous state into solid stardust. It is a qualitative leap in a major realm breakthrough, which is why the leap seems so large. There won't be such good things again."

"Moreover, to be honest, this is my first time trying this myself, and I'm not entirely confident. I'm afraid that if I fail, it will only cause everyone to worry, so I'm trying it out in a quiet place first."

"We succeeded by chance, and at least we did not disappoint everyone's expectations."

Lin Yi's words not only explained the reason for the surge in values, but also cleverly resolved the question of why he broke through on his own, making him appear humble and candid.

Then, he looked at everyone and said with a slight apology, "It's so late, and I'm really sorry to have troubled everyone to make this special trip. You all have to be in charge of the operation of the entire settlement tomorrow, which is a great responsibility. Please make sure to go back and rest as soon as possible."

"I have just completed my breakthrough and need some time to stabilize my realm and familiarize myself with my new power. I also have new ideas for some of the cultivation techniques and combat skills I have been practicing. I'll take this opportunity to practice them while they're still fresh in my mind. There's no need for you all to stay with me here."

Although everyone wanted to see the power of the Stardust-level exercise firsthand, they also understood that Lin Yi was right. The settlement could not function without them, and there would be plenty of opportunities to see it in the future.

Zhang Weidong nodded: "Alright, Staff Officer Lin, you've just broken through and definitely need to rest and consolidate your strength. We won't disturb you any longer. If you need anything, just have the guards notify me!"

He gave a few more instructions to the guards at the rooftop entrance, then left with the still excited group of high-ranking officials.

Lin Yi's gaze shifted to Ren Yinuo, who was preparing to pack up her camera and leave:
"Captain Ren, please wait a moment."

Ren Yinuo stopped in his tracks: "Chief of Staff Lin, is there anything else you need?"

"The breakthrough just now mainly took place in the Origin Sea inside my body. There were no unusual signs on the outside, so even if I recorded it, I wouldn't be able to see anything. That's why I didn't notify you in advance."

Lin Yi explained, "Next, I'm going to practice using the techniques under the new realm, which can provide some reference."

Upon hearing this, Ren Yinuo's eyes flashed with surprise, and he quickly nodded, "Okay! Thank you, Staff Officer Lin!"

The ability to record the first Stardust-level expert practicing his techniques is of immeasurable value.

“However,” she hesitated slightly, then asked in a requesting tone, “I wonder if you could wait a little while? The news of your successful breakthrough to the Stardust level is too important; I must report it to the General Staff Headquarters immediately.”

“Okay, go ahead,” Lin Yi said, indicating his understanding.

Ren Yinuo immediately left and sent out the important news that "Lin Yi has successfully broken through to the Stardust level and his source energy intensity has stabilized at 2000 points" as soon as possible.

(End of this chapter)