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

Chapter 337 A Bond for the Future (Last Day of Double Vote, Please Vote!)

Lin Yi's gaze fell on Edith's outstretched palm.

The ashes of those crystal core remnants clung to her fingertips, like faded bloodstains.

He immediately became serious and said in a deep voice, "How long has this been going on? What exactly does it feel like?"

Edith withdrew her hand, her fingers unconsciously rubbing together the ashes.

Ashes fell softly from between her fingers, swirling in the light with tiny eddies.

She looked at the falling dust and spoke after two seconds.

“If we really want to trace it back,” she paused, her voice carrying a hint of wistful recollection, “there were signs of it about two hundred years ago.”

Edith looked up, her gaze somewhat vacant, as if she were looking at something far away through the air in front of her.

"Back then, when I absorbed the source crystal core, I would occasionally experience a slight discomfort in my soul."

She raised her left hand and gently pressed her temples with her fingertips. "It doesn't hurt or itch. It's just a very subtle feeling of fullness. It's like eating until you're about 70-80% full, and you can still eat more, but your body already knows you've had enough."

"But I didn't pay attention at the time."

Edith lowered her hand. "As you know, the effects of many high-level treasures diminish with repeated use, and they can even cause resistance or side effects. This discomfort at the soul level is nothing compared to the increased understanding brought by the source essence."

As she said this, a helpless smile appeared on her lips.

"So I didn't care. I continued to absorb and cultivate as usual. Anyway, the efficiency of source material conversion didn't decrease, and the speed of comprehension improvement remained very stable."

"But that feeling of fullness gradually became more and more obvious."

Edith lowered her voice and turned her gaze away, looking at the empty rock wall on the other side of the quiet room.

"It started as an occasional occurrence, then it appeared with every absorption. From feeling 70-80% full, to 90% full, and then..."

Edith paused for a moment, then spread her hands and sighed.

"A few days ago, we finally reached the top."

"When the source substance enters the body, the soul directly refuses to accept it. I tried three times, using three different methods, and the result was the same."

After she finished speaking, her arm fell to her side, and her fingertips unconsciously rubbed against the side of her armor, as if she were wiping away something unseen.

Lin Yi remained silent.

He stood there, his brows slowly furrowing.

Are you stuffed?
This metaphor is too straightforward, so straightforward that it's almost absurd.

The number of source crystal cores he absorbed was no less than that of Edith.

No, it should be said that it is much more.

But he never felt full.

there has never been.

No. Wait a minute.

Lin Yi's eyes flickered slightly.

His method of absorbing Source Matter was fundamentally different from Edith's, or rather, from everyone else's.

Others directly absorb the source essence from the crystal core, integrate it into their soul, and use it to aid in comprehending the rules and laws.

He first absorbed the source matter using the purple mist space, then transformed it into spiritual energy, and then used that spiritual energy to nourish his understanding of the laws.

Could the problem lie in this step?

Did the Purple Mist Space eliminate something that would cause "saturation" during its transformation?

Lin Yi's mind raced, but his face remained impassive.

He thought for a moment and then asked, "Have you asked anyone else about this?"

Edith nodded.

“I asked the top few.” She named a few of them, all of whom were top talents in the team, second only to her and Lin Yi. “They have also started to experience a slight feeling of soul fullness, just like I did at first.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi frowned.

If everyone does this, then it's going to be a problem.

Currently, it seems that Edith encountered this situation first, most likely because she is strong and has obtained and absorbed the most source crystal cores besides him.

Therefore, it took other people so long to start feeling full.

If everyone continues like this, then it won't be long before everyone's strength stagnates.

This thought made Lin Yi's heart sink.

Now the blood mist layer is constantly shrinking, and the blood mist beasts are becoming more numerous, denser, and stronger.

It's obvious that he can't get rid of them all by himself.

After all, the total amount of source energy and the speed of recovery are limited. Even if a single attack is strong, with source energy recovery severely suppressed, the camp needs the help of others to effectively clear out the blood mist beasts near the camp and maintain a safe space in the long term.

The camp needs others to maintain their fighting strength, to continue to grow stronger, and to have enough power to wield their weapons when the Blood Mist Beasts pounce.

Without the possibility of continuous improvement, the team's combat power will soon hit its ceiling.

In a deteriorating environment, stagnation often means a slow death.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Yi asked, "Does your Spirit Clan have any records of this situation?"

Edith shook her head upon hearing this, revealing a wry smile, "Of course not. Even our Spirit Race would not open up to Star Core-level beings to supply treasures of the Source Essence level, so naturally there would be no relevant records."

This answer is not surprising.

Source material is extremely precious. The fact that they are now trapped in the secret realm, hunting, obtaining, and absorbing source material crystals with almost no restrictions, is probably an extreme situation that the Spirit Race has never anticipated in its history.

The quiet room was silent for a moment, with only the steady glow from the illumination crystal casting the shadows of the two people onto the rough rock wall.

Edith gazed at Lin Yi's furrowed brows and pensive face, her fingers clenching slightly before relaxing, as if she had made up her mind.

“Team leader,” she said, “you have absorbed far more source crystal cores than I have.”

Edith paused, observing Lin Yi's reaction. Seeing that he was just listening quietly, she continued, "I'd like to ask you how you solve this kind of problem."

After saying this, she seemed afraid that Lin Yi would misunderstand, so she quickly added, "I know this must involve secret techniques or treasures."

Edith quickened her pace, saying, "I know the secret technique of the Soul Origin Imprint and am willing to teach it to you. In this way, we can sign a Soul Origin Imprint. In addition, I am willing to pay an additional price in exchange."

Having said that, she seemed to find it difficult to say what followed, her voice lowered, and her gaze shifted slightly, landing in the shadows of the corner of the quiet room.

"certainly."

She pursed her lips, a hint of embarrassment in her voice, "I don't have any valuable treasures on me right now, so it might be necessary for us to get out of the secret realm alive."

Lin Yi was taken aback upon hearing this.

He looked at Edith with surprise.

"You know the method of the soul's origin seal?"

Edith could guess that he had special methods, and she wasn't surprised.

After all, Edith isn't stupid. The number of crystal cores he absorbed and the speed at which his strength increased are obvious. Denying it now would be an insult to his intelligence.

He had long been mentally prepared to be questioned or tested.

Most importantly, he didn't expect Edith to actually know the Soul Origin Seal Technique.

It should be noted that the Soul Origin Seal Technique is worth 1000 clan merits in the clan merit treasury, and it is clearly stated that only those who have mastered the law can use it.

Its sole function is to establish the soul's fundamental seal. This seal is rooted in the deepest part of the soul's origin. Violating the contents of the seal will directly lead to the annihilation of the soul's origin, resulting in complete demise without even a chance of resurrection.

When he examined the clan's treasure trove and discovered this secret technique, he was quite surprised.

This was the first time he had ever seen a method that explicitly claimed to "directly affect the origin of the soul."

It should be noted that ever since he completed the civilization assessment and obtained high-level authority, in order to prevent higher-level beings from discovering the clues of the purple mist space in his soul's origin, he immediately consulted a large amount of knowledge about the soul's origin.

The conclusions reached were almost unanimous: the origin of the soul cannot be directly explored by external forces, nor can it be replicated or simulated; it is extremely mysterious.

Many high-level experts have discussed this issue, wondering why, even though cultivators can use soul power, there are no independent "soul rules" or "soul laws" in the universe.

Therefore, he was deeply impressed when he saw the technique of the soul's origin seal.

Later, at a small gathering after becoming a member of the list, he subtly raised this question with Zhixing.

The other party told him that this Soul Origin Seal Technique was not created by the powerful beings of the main universe, but rather originated from an extremely ancient and high-level secret realm.

Currently, it seems that this is the only known method that can act on the essence of the soul.

Later, a ruler of the Spirit Race modified the "Soul Imprint Secret Technique" based on its principles and embedded it into the underlying protocol of the Pan-Spirit Alliance's virtual network, turning it into an essential "contract imprint" for large transactions or important agreements on the virtual network.

Lin Yi naturally learned that simplified version of the Soul Imprint Secret Technique, which only required a Rule-level skill to learn.

However, that kind of seal has great limitations; once the signatory dies, the seal will naturally dissipate.

However, the "Soul Origin Imprint Secret Method" is completely different.

According to the treasure trove's description, when a contract is signed, it will permeate the signatory's entire "life trajectory line" in the river of time.

Even if the signer dies and is resurrected, this seal will still exist in the soul's origin after resurrection.

In other words, once a soul is destroyed due to violating the fundamental seal of the soul, it cannot even be resurrected.

Because at the moment of resurrection, the seals are still present, the violation of the state still applies, and the soul will immediately perish again.

For this reason, the explanation of this secret method in the clan's treasury concludes with the striking words: "It must be used with utmost caution."

If Lin Yi hadn't been short of money and hadn't needed to prioritize exchanging clan merits for more urgent cultivation resources, he would have really wanted to learn this secret technique.

After all, this thing is extremely useful in certain situations, serving as the ultimate means of confidentiality and security.

Unfortunately, I was short of money at the time, and this secret method was not a necessity for improving my immediate combat power, so I put it aside for the time being.

Unexpectedly, Edith would actually do that.

Lin Yi looked at Edith in front of him and couldn't help but ponder.

Edith didn't even know the laws when she mastered this secret technique, yet she learned a secret technique that could only be used by those at the Law Realm, and it wasn't even a combat-related one. Truly... arrogant.

After a brief moment of reflection, Lin Yi brought his thoughts back to the problem at hand.

The secret method of the soul's origin seal.

Edith was willing to teach him this secret technique, which showed her sincerity.

The secret technique itself is worth more than 1000 clan merits, not to mention the additional cost she promised and her guarantee that it would never be revealed.

Lin Yi knew that she really didn't have any treasures to offer right now.

Having been trapped in the blood mist layer for so long, the resources available for cultivation and combat are running out, and most of the prodigies have used up most of their life-saving items.

But what he wanted was never treasure.

Lin Yi remained silent for a moment, his gaze falling on Edith's face.

This top genius of the Spirit Race was always proud. For her to take the initiative to ask for guidance, and even be willing to offer a secret technique of the Soul Origin Imprint level as an exchange, it was clear that Edith understood the seriousness of the matter. However, Edith didn't say anything, "If you don't tell everyone your method, we'll all die together," but instead offered the secret technique and future treasures in exchange.

This honesty has already begun to tip the scales in his heart.

Edith's situation is not an isolated case. Since those with higher strength have already started to show symptoms, others will follow suit sooner or later.

If this problem isn't solved, we'll all die here together.

After all, the higher the level of the laws, the more difficult it is to improve. Even if everyone stops and absorbs all the saved source crystal cores, how much improvement can they achieve?

5%?

10%?

Even though he became stronger, no one could cover for him while he was recovering his source energy, so he still died.

He didn't go to the other prodigies to verify what Edith said.

Edith had no reason to tell such an easily exposed lie. Moreover, in this secret realm, Lin Yi didn't believe she would be foolish enough to deceive him.
Therefore, he actually had to step in and help.

There was no other choice.

However, the Purple Mist Space must absolutely not be exposed.

That was his greatest asset in getting to where he is today, and it was also a secret that he could neither explain nor replicate.

Once leaked, the consequences are unpredictable.

He couldn't take the risk.

Therefore, it is necessary to disguise oneself.

Then, use the soul's original seal to add an insurance layer to this disguise.

Moreover, regarding this secret, if one dies in the secret realm, all will be lost.

But what if we manage to get out alive?
Lin Yi recalled the words that Venerable Xuan Yan had said to him after winning the championship.

“Cultivators cannot reach the peak by shutting themselves in. Interpersonal relationships, clan interests, and the overall situation of the star system are all things that must be faced.”

At the time, he thought the Lord was just teaching him how to handle interpersonal relationships in the Star Sea, but now he realizes that the meaning of those words goes far beyond that.

In this perilous and mysterious realm, he is the team leader, maintaining the team through his strength and the bonds forged through years of fighting side by side.

But these friendships are ultimately just friendships.

After they leave, the prodigies of each race return to their respective races. How long can this camaraderie of fighting side by side last?

How solid can this be transformed into in terms of personal connections and ties of mutual benefit?
The prodigies who have survived to this day are the cream of the crop, and with the massive boost to their source essence, they might even be able to take a considerable amount of source essence with them when they return to their respective races. In the future, they will most likely become important figures or even high-ranking members of their races.

This will be a massive and terrifying potential force.

He had to save them, because if he didn't, they would all die. That was the truth; there was no other choice.

But in the process of rescue, could we also pave the way for the future?

Lord Xuan Yan is right; cultivation is not something that can be done in isolation. He needs friends, allies, and those who will stand by him in the future interstellar landscape.

What if these prodigies and he share a common secret?
A secret that compels them to be grateful to him, depend on him, and even, to some extent, ask for his help.

And what could bind a group of people together more than a “shared secret”?

What can sustain a relationship better than a “consistent need”?
What could be more secure than the "Soul Source Imprint"?

Lin Yi took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.

We must help.

But he needs time to think of a prudent solution.

"I do have a way."

Lin Yi looked at Edith with a slightly apologetic smile on his face.

"But because it involves secrets, I can only help you after you teach me the secret method of the soul origin seal and we make a contract."

He spoke sincerely, but his tone revealed a bottom line that left no room for negotiation.

Edith did not show any offense or displeasure; on the contrary, she seemed relieved.

“I understand,” she said. “If it’s an important secret, caution is warranted. The soul’s source seal is the safest guarantee.”

She paused, then asked, "Shall we begin now?"

Lin Yi nodded: "Okay."

Upon hearing this, Edith did not hesitate for a moment and immediately raised her hand and pointed to her forehead.

A silvery-white light shone from between her brows, quickly condensing into a phantom mark woven from countless fine runes and threads.

The phantom was only the size of a fingernail, but the mysterious aura it emitted caused the air in the quiet room to distort slightly.

"The secret method of the soul origin seal is essentially about constructing a special soul structure."

"This structure can be anchored deep within the soul's origin, bound to the thread of an individual's existence in the river of time. Once successfully constructed, the contents of the imprint become part of the soul's origin, inseparable and unalterable."

“This is the fundamental structure of the arcane art,” Edith said, her voice tinged with solemnity. “I will transmit it directly into your soul perception. Do not resist, follow its guidance. This process may be a little uncomfortable.”

Lin Yi nodded and sat down cross-legged opposite her.

"let's start."

Edith took a deep breath, and the silvery-white halo suddenly shone brightly.

The next second, it slowly floated towards Lin Yi and disappeared into his brow.

boom.

Lin Yi felt a massive flow of information flooding into his mind.

The moment that silvery-white halo entered his soul's perception, it spontaneously decomposed into countless tiny streams of light, each carrying a portion of the secrets of the mysteries of the secret technique.

Lin Yi closed his eyes, immersing himself completely in the moment.

He "saw" those silvery lights wandering deep within his soul, intertwining and weaving into a net, which then folded into a multi-dimensional structure.

Those structures are constantly changing form, and each change follows some profound law.

It's not the law of time, nor the law of space, but something more fundamental.

The learning process involves understanding this structure, mastering this power, and then using one's own soul to simulate it.

It's hard.

It is not merely a method of concluding a contract, but also a profound understanding and subtle manipulation of the origin of the soul.

What is the origin of the soul?
According to the description in the tradition, it is the "sole anchor point" of a life in the long river of time, and the concentrated manifestation of the "thread of existence" that runs through the past, present and future in the present moment.

It is formless and intangible, and cannot be directly observed or touched by external forces, but it does exist and carries the most essential "self" of a life.

The principle of the soul origin seal is to "imprint" the contents of the contract onto this "line of existence" through specific rule runes and soul resonance.

Once the imprint is complete, the contract no longer depends on the signatory's current will or state, but becomes part of their soul essence, covering the entire life trajectory along the timeline.

Even if the signatory dies and is resurrected, the resurrected "him" will still carry this mark in his soul.

This is why it is called the "Original Imprint".

The concepts and techniques involved in this secret method were completely different from anything he had ever learned before.

On several occasions, when he was building a key node, his soul structure almost collapsed, and those silver streams of light almost exploded deep within his consciousness.

But he held firm.

His understanding of the laws of time gave him powerful control. He explored little by little, trying again and again, like building an invisible bridge in the dark.

One day, two days, three days.
The only sound in the quiet room was the soft breathing of the two people.

Edith sat opposite him with her eyes closed, but Lin Yi could feel her soul perception constantly surrounding them, ready to intervene at any moment should something happen to him.

On the seventh day, Lin Yi finally succeeded in constructing the first complete miniature seal structure.

The moment he activated the structure with his soul power, a strange feeling descended upon him.

It was as if something had been "hooked" out from the deepest part of his soul and then bound to that structure.

It's a feeling of being "marked".

It was very slight, but undeniably so.

Once the structure stabilized, it transformed into a barely visible point of silver light, sinking into the depths of the soul and disappearing without a trace.

But he knew it was there.

Lin Yi opened his eyes.

The light in the quiet room seemed the same as it had been seven days ago, but it felt like a long time had passed.

There was a slight feeling of fatigue deep in my soul, as if I had undergone a high-intensity training session.

"Done?"

Edith also opened her eyes, her blue eyes filled with inquiry.

Lin Yi raised his hand, a thought flickering in his mind.

A similar silvery-white halo appeared in his palm, though it was much smaller and dimmer than the one Edith had shown before, but its structure was intact.

Edith stared at the halo of light for a few seconds, then nodded.

"It's faster than I expected. The next step is to master and refine it. Although this secret technique isn't difficult, it will take time to use it proficiently."

In the days that followed, Lin Yi entered a different rhythm.

During the day, he handled camp affairs as usual and cleared out the surrounding mist beasts. At night, he returned to his quiet room and immersed himself in the practice of the soul origin seal secret method.

The structures he built became increasingly complex, lasted longer, and were activated faster.

From initially being able to construct only a simple promise, it has evolved to being able to construct complex contracts containing multiple conditions and multiple layers of constraints.

He also became increasingly adept at mastering that power that could touch the very essence of the soul.

That power is peculiar; it can only be guided and utilized through a secret structure.

On the night of the twenty-fifth day, Lin Yi finally constructed a complex simulated contract.

The structure is complete, the constraints are clear, and the anchoring is stable.

Lin Yi opened his eyes and let out a long breath.

It became.

However, he needed to polish the details one last time, and also figure out how to draft the specific terms of the contracts with Edith and others that he might make later.

You need to ensure the safety of your secrets while also leaving enough room for the future.

　Yeah, these last few chapters are pretty important. A few more chapters and it'll be time for some fun! Last day of double monthly tickets, let's get some votes! Also, thanks to all the readers for the recent donations~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)