Bai Ye asked, "Where is the Life Crystal?"
Yimi replied, "That's another accident. After I arrived in the City of Ruins, I overheard some news about the origin of the Crystallized people."
Bai Ye said, "Isn't the origin of the Crystallized people Dr. Dale? He researched and created them."
Yimi said, "But he needed something to research with."
Bai Ye asked, "Hmm?"
Yimi explained, "This goes back twelve years. During a hunt organized by the Rhine Corporation, they discovered a crystal, and that crystal was the Life Crystal."
"According to Rhine Corporation's tests, the Life Crystal emitted a special wavelength and contained terrifying energy. Dr. Dale's conclusion at the time was that if the energy within the Life Crystal could be extracted and converted for use, it would be enough to power thirty billion people for over five hundred years."
"So, in other words, if the energy from the Life Crystal could be utilized, it could end the wasteland. Because, according to the background of the City of Ruins, the apocalypse in this world was primarily caused by resource depletion."
"Therefore, the energy of the Life Crystal is of paramount importance. Although some things would remain unchanged, such as the harsh environment, with such terrifying energy, rebuilding civilization to a certain extent would be achievable."
"Thus, the Rhine Corporation began research into energy extraction. However, it was not easy, and the Rhine Corporation never succeeded. They could only extract small amounts of energy, which were insufficient for other applications, but there were some unexpected gains."
Bai Ye asked, "The Crystallized people?"
Yimi confirmed, "Yes. Dr. Dale accidentally discovered that the extracted energy could be combined with human genes. Thus, he created the Crystallized people. Afterward, the Rhine Corporation intended to replace artificial humans with Crystallized people and thus began their research."
Yimi's expression turned somewhat helpless as he spoke.
"For me, obtaining such information naturally piqued my interest. Given the background story of the Life Crystal, it was undoubtedly a valuable item, and I naturally wanted to find a way to acquire it. However, halfway through, I discovered it was somehow connected to the Divine Cult."
"But since I had already started, I couldn't just give up. Moreover, I dislike them, no, to be direct, I hate them. There's a saying in my world: 'The dead should be respected.' I can accept the death of a close friend of thirty years, but I cannot accept their corpse being manipulated like a puppet after death."
"As for what happened afterward, I probably don't need to elaborate. You were involved!"
Yimi's voice held a hint of sorrow as he spoke, and his gaze fell upon Lyra's corpse, his sorrow gradually morphing into pain.
He had failed again, unable to contend with the Divine Cult, and had even lost another companion.
From then on, he was alone.
Bai Ye crossed his arms and said, "Alright, I understand what you mean by 'accident.' So, you are very concerned about this matter. But setting aside this accident, what do you plan to do?"
Yimi replied, "Becoming stronger is a certainty. Currently, I lack the ability to fight them. The Divine Cult is very powerful and continues to grow stronger. My companion and I were of comparable strength."
"But after his death, I went through a lot. So, theoretically, if he had only recovered to his previous strength, he shouldn't have been my match. The problem is, at that time, I was completely outmatched. If he hadn't suddenly recognized me, I would likely be dead by now."
Bai Ye paused for a moment, then nodded.
Because, indeed, it was true!
Bai Lu and Situ Chicheng were clearly much stronger than they were during the Twelve Great Battles.
The reason Bai Ye hadn't realized this was because Bai Ye had seen stronger versions of Bai Lu and Situ Chicheng in his past life, and they were naturally stronger then than they were now.
But Bai Ye had forgotten that the past life was the past life, and this life was this life.
Yimi continued, "I have an idea, and I plan to act on it."
Bai Ye asked with curiosity, "Hmm?"
"I plan to join the Hidden Dragon Society!" Yimi declared. "Currently, I don't have the ability to fight the Divine Cult, but I believe they are key to finding the truth. And the Hidden Dragon Society is clearly a clue. Were the founders of the Hidden Dragon Society truly chosen ones who left the World Battlefield? I want to investigate this matter thoroughly!"
Bai Ye tapped his chin.
Indeed, in his past life, the Blood Ghost Yimi was one of the experts of the Hidden Dragon Society.
However, Bai Ye had no recollection of the two companions Yimi mentioned; he likely hadn't met them in his past life.
But all three of them came from the same world and had a deep bond. Whether in this life or the past life, if both of them were still alive, Yimi should have been acting with them.
So, did this guy encounter a similar situation in his past life?
Did Yimi join the Hidden Dragon Society in his past life with the same investigative purpose?
Bai Ye suddenly found the matter rather interesting.
While not entirely agreeing, Bai Ye didn't deny that Yimi's idea had some merit.
And besides...
Ten years!
A full ten years!
Bai Ye had taken ten years to reach the end in his past life. Did anyone know how Bai Ye had endured those ten years?
No, rather, how had the chosen ones of the World Battlefield managed to survive those ten years?
If possible, Bai Ye certainly didn't want to wait another ten years in this life.
If there were any other ways to leave the World Battlefield, that would be even better.
Bai Ye said, "You seem to be telling me too much, exceeding the scope of my questions."
Yimi shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't think this is something that can't be said. In fact, I haven't only told you; others thought I was crazy and didn't believe me."
"I don't think you're crazy," Bai Ye said, hooking his arm around Yimi's shoulder. "I think your approach is very sound."
Yimi looked at Bai Ye in surprise and asked, "Oh?"
Bai Ye then asked, "Interested in working together?"
Yimi inquired, "What do you plan to do?"
"No, what do *you* plan to do?" Bai Ye countered. "Have you considered that if you join the Hidden Dragon Society to investigate, a regular position won't grant you access to such matters?"
Yimi replied, "I have confidence. With my strength, as long as I work hard, I will eventually become a cadre!"
Bai Ye acknowledged, "On that point, I truly believe you can."
Bai Ye wasn't being polite; the man had actually achieved it in his past life.
"However..." Bai Ye continued, "How long will it take you? After all, you are an outsider. You don't come from the same world as the core members of the Hidden Dragon Society. Besides strength, you'll need to build trust. One year? Two years? Three years? Don't you think that's a bit long?"
Yimi frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"