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

Chapter 69: Answering Questions and Bearing Beads
With the upcoming battle to wipe out the lair, combined with his newly acquired abilities, Lin Yi quickly developed a clear tactical plan.

Then, he crushed each of the cultivation technique crystals in the box to learn them.

About half an hour later, he slowly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them.

Next, Lin Yi carefully put away the remaining crystal items, then got up and headed to the old department store.

Upon arriving at the rooftop, Liu Yuan and Ren Yinuo were already waiting for them.

Liu Yuan seemed to be still pondering something, his brows slightly furrowed, while Ren Yinuo had already set up the camera.

"Staff Officer Lin!"

Upon seeing Lin Yi, the two immediately greeted each other.

Lin Yi said to Ren Yinuo, "Captain Ren, if we're just recording, a fixed camera position is fine. But there's something I'd like to trouble you with."

“What are your orders?” Ren Yinuo replied immediately.

"Go and find Wang Wenhai, the officer in charge of logistics coordination, and ask him to collect some bicycle bearing balls, or similar-sized, smooth and tough steel balls, in the next couple of days. I need them," Lin Yi said, stating his request.

Although she didn't understand what Lin Yi wanted these small steel balls for, Ren Yinuo had no questions and immediately nodded: "Okay, I'll take care of it right away."

She adjusted the equipment and quickly left the rooftop.

After Ren Nuo left, Lin Yi walked to the shed in the center of the rooftop and sat down cross-legged. At the same time, he looked at Liu Yuan, who was hesitant to speak, and said, "Major Liu, you can tell me what's bothering you now."

Liu Yuanxiang quickly stepped forward, "Officer Lin, I apologize for disturbing your cultivation. I've been stuck on the last step of the 'Basic Source Energy Guidance Technique' for almost a week now. I can feel the source energy and understand how it should circulate in my meridians, but I just can't imagine how to construct the so-called 'Source Sea' in my dantian."

He frowned and continued, "I really can't understand it. According to the cultivation method, it is necessary to construct a core structure for energy storage and circulation out of thin air within the body. Wouldn't this conflict with the body's original physiological system? The guiding technique doesn't mention this at all."

After listening, Lin Yi immediately understood. This problem had troubled many people in the early stages of his previous life, including himself, who had been briefly confused at one point.

This is not a matter of talent, but rather a matter of fixed mindset and cognitive limitations.

He smiled slightly and said, "Major Liu, the key to your problem lies in the word 'thinking.' You are trying to use existing scientific knowledge and physiological cognition to 'understand' and 'solve' something that transcends the existing cognitive system, so it is natural to feel contradictions and obstacles."

Liu Yuan was taken aback, carefully considering the meaning of those words.

Lin Yi continued to advise, "Don't approach this with hostile thinking, always trying to resolve potential conflicts. Don't view the Source Sea as an external object that needs to be constructed and might conflict with your body."

"Instead, we need to change our mindset."

Lin Yi softened his tone, "Consider it as a dormant organ that already exists within your body, unactivated."

"What you need to do now is not to build something new, but to use source energy to awaken it, to activate this innate but hidden power."

"Calm your mind and use your spirit to feel its existence, guide the source energy to gently integrate into that area, and naturally discover and reveal it, rather than forcibly shaping it."

"Integrate, inspire, discover rather than solve; build, shape."

Liu Yuan murmured these keywords repeatedly, his eyes thoughtful.

He had been fixated on a single point, focusing only on designing and installing an energy core, while neglecting the fact that source energy cultivation itself leans more towards comprehension and guidance.

"I think I understand a little bit."

Liu Yuan suddenly raised his head, his face filled with excitement, "Thank you for your guidance. I... I think I need to go back immediately and try it out calmly."

He felt he had grasped a crucial spark of inspiration and needed to go back immediately to carefully contemplate it.

Lin Yi nodded: "Okay, go ahead. Don't forget to calm your mind and clear your mind of all distractions."

Liu Yuan solemnly saluted Lin Yi, then said no more. He turned and left the rooftop, eager to digest this sudden realization.

Not long after, Ren Yinuo returned.

"Staff Officer Lin, I've already spoken to Director Wang. He said there are many abandoned bicycles nearby, and it's easy to find some bearing balls. He can deliver a batch to you tonight."

"Okay, thank you for your help." Lin Yi nodded. With these steel balls, some of the tactical methods he had envisioned could be implemented.

Next, Lin Yi immersed himself in his cultivation.

He first activated the "Ninefold Origin Method," efficiently absorbing the energy from the Level 3 Origin Energy Crystal to construct a new Origin Crystal within the Origin Sea.

Afterward, he spent about half an hour practicing and familiarizing himself with the newly acquired techniques.

After the drill was over, he sat down again, preparing to spend some time using a level 2 crystal to replenish the slight energy consumed during the drill.

Just then, a series of slightly hurried footsteps came from the rooftop entrance.

Zhang Weidong hurriedly walked up with two staff officers, his face showing a serious yet excited expression.

"Staff Officer Lin!"

Upon seeing Lin Yi, Zhang Weidong immediately said, "The main forces of all units participating in Operation Dawn have arrived at the designated assembly area and are using the last remaining time for pre-battle checks and ammunition replenishment. The main commanders of each unit are now at our command center, and the operational meeting will begin soon. We're just waiting for you!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi slowly stood up.

The remaining energy reserves are not urgent; the pre-battle operational meeting is crucial, and he must attend.

"Okay, we'll head over now."

Lin Yi nodded, his expression calm.

He followed Zhang Weidong to the operations conference room located inside the old department store.

Upon opening the conference room door, one could see that the not-so-large room was already filled with more than twenty people.

Without exception, these people were all high-ranking officers wearing combat uniforms and bearing general's stars on their shoulders.

They all had cold, stern faces, sharp eyes, and an aura of battle-hardened warriors.

Large military maps and topographical maps of the lair's surroundings were spread out on the conference table, covered with dense symbols and arrows.

When Lin Yi followed Zhang Weidong into the conference room, the officers who were discussing in hushed tones or staring at the map almost simultaneously stopped what they were doing and turned their gazes toward him.

The next moment, something happened that left Lin Yi slightly dazed.

The twenty-odd menacing officers all stood up at the same time, their eyes fixed on him.

"Staff Officer Lin."

"Major Lin."

"I've heard so much about you, Major Lin."

Various forms of address rang out, all in a polite tone, even carrying a hint of respect.

This scene left even the seasoned Lin Yi momentarily stunned.

In his previous life, he enjoyed the admiration of thousands after reaching the peak, but that was a natural result of going through countless trials and tribulations and spending a lot of time climbing step by step.

In this life, he had only just begun to show his talent when such a familiar scene appeared, which surprised Lin Yi.

However, he quickly composed himself and nodded calmly to everyone: "Sorry to keep you all waiting."

Zhang Weidong immediately stepped forward and began to introduce each of the commanders present to him.

Each time someone was introduced, the other person would take the initiative to shake hands with Lin Yi, their attitude being very solemn.

Lin Yi was well aware that this respect was not only because of the absolutely crucial role he was about to play in the battle.

It is also an affirmation of his previous actions and a martial artist's respect for strength.

(End of this chapter)