"Where is the Life Crystal?" Bai Ye asked.
"That was another accident," Yimi replied. "After I arrived in the City of Ruins, I gathered some information about the origin of the crystalloids."
"The origin of the crystalloids is Dr. Dale, isn't it? He was the one who researched and created them."
"But he needed something to research," Yimi countered.
Bai Ye paused. "Hmm?"
"This goes back twelve years," Yimi explained. "During a hunt organized by the Rhine Corporation, they discovered a crystal. That crystal was the Life Crystal."
"According to Rhine Corporation's tests, the Life Crystal emitted special wavelengths and contained a terrifying amount of energy. Dr. Dale concluded that if the energy within the Life Crystal could be extracted and converted, 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 end of this world was primarily caused by resource depletion."
"Therefore, the energy of the Life Crystal is crucial. Although some things would remain unchanged, like the harsh environment, with such terrifying energy, rebuilding civilization to a certain extent would be achievable."
"Consequently, the Rhine Corporation began research into energy extraction. However, it wasn't an easy task, and the Rhine Corporation never succeeded. They could only extract a small amount of energy, insufficient for other fields. But there were some unexpected benefits."
"Crystalloids?" Bai Ye surmised.
"Yes," Yimi confirmed. "Dr. Dale accidentally discovered that the extracted energy could combine with human genes. Thus, he created the crystalloids. Following this, the Rhine Corporation wanted to replace artificial humans with crystalloids and initiated research into them."
Yimi's expression turned somewhat helpless as he spoke.
"For me, obtaining such intelligence was naturally of great interest. Looking at the background story of the Life Crystal, it was undoubtedly something valuable. I naturally wanted to find a way to acquire it. But only halfway through the operation did I discover it was related to the Divine Cult."
"However, since I had already started, I certainly couldn't give up. Moreover, I despise them. No, to be direct, I hate them. There's a saying in my world: 'A deceased person is paramount.' I can accept the death of a close friend of thirty years, but I cannot accept that he would be manipulated as a puppet even after death."
"As for what happened afterward, I probably don't need to elaborate, do I? You were involved!"
Yimi's voice grew melancholic, and he looked at Larelia's corpse, his sorrow gradually turning into pain.
He had failed again. He couldn't contend with the Divine Cult, and he had let another of his companions die.
From this point on, he was alone.
Bai Ye folded his arms. "Alright, I understand what you mean by 'accident.' So, you must be very concerned about this matter. But setting aside this accident, what do you plan to do?"
"Becoming stronger is a certainty," Yimi stated. "I currently lack the ability to fight them. The Divine Cult is very powerful and can continuously 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, I was completely outmatched at the time. If he hadn't suddenly recognized me, I would already be dead."
Bai Ye blinked, then nodded.
Indeed, that was the case!
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 even stronger versions of Bai Lu and Situ Chicheng in his previous life. Of course, they were stronger then than they were now.
But Bai Ye had forgotten that a previous life was a previous life, and this life was this life.
Yimi continued, "I have an idea, and I plan to put it into action."
"Hmm?" Bai Ye inquired, puzzled.
"I intend 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 stroked his chin.
Indeed, in his previous life, the Blood Ghost Yimi was one of the experts in the Hidden Dragon Society.
However, Bai Ye had no recollection of the two companions Yimi mentioned. He likely hadn't met them in his previous life.
But all three came from the same world and were very close. Whether in this life or the previous one, if both were still alive, Yimi should have acted with them.
So, did this fellow encounter a similar situation in his previous life?
Did Yimi join the Hidden Dragon Society in his previous life with the same investigative motive?
Bai Ye suddenly found the matter somewhat 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 experienced ten years in his previous life to reach the end. Did anyone know how Bai Ye had spent those ten years?
No, more accurately, 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 way to leave the World Battlefield, it would be for the best.
"You seem to have told me more than I asked," Bai Ye remarked.
Yimi shrugged. "I don't think there's anything I can't say. In fact, I haven't just told you, but they 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 line of thinking is very correct."
Yimi looked at Bai Ye in surprise. "Oh?"
"Are you interested in working together?" Bai Ye asked.
"What do you plan to do?" Yimi inquired.
"No, what do *you* plan to do?" Bai Ye countered. "Have you considered that if you enter the Hidden Dragon Society to investigate, a normal position won't grant you access to this kind of information?"
"I'm confident," Yimi replied. "With my strength, if I work hard, I'll eventually become a cadre!"
"On this point, I truly believe you can," Bai Ye conceded.
Bai Ye wasn't being polite. Yimi had indeed achieved it in his previous life.
"However…" Bai Ye continued, "How long will it take you? You are, after all, an outsider, and not from the same world as the core members of the Hidden Dragon Society. Besides strength, you need to build trust. One year? Two years? Three years? Don't you think that's a bit long?"
Yimi frowned. "You mean?"