Bai Ye asked, "Where is the Life Crystal?"
Yimi replied, "That's another accident. After I arrived in the City of Ruins, I picked up some information about the origin of the Crystallized people."
Bai Ye said, "Isn't the origin of the Crystallized people Dr. Dale? He researched and developed them."
Yimi countered, "But he still needed something to research."
Bai Ye inquired, "Oh?"
Yimi explained, "This goes back twelve years. While the Rhine Company was organizing a hunt, they discovered a crystal. That crystal was the Life Crystal."
"According to the Rhine Company's analysis, the Life Crystal emitted special wavelengths 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 sustain 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 main reason for the world's doomsday was resource depletion."
"Therefore, the energy from the Life Crystal was crucial. Although some things would remain unchanged, such as the harsh environment, with such terrifying energy, rebuilding civilization to a certain extent would be possible."
"Thus, the Rhine Company began research into energy extraction. However, it was not an easy task, and the Rhine Company never succeeded. They could only extract small amounts of energy, insufficient for other fields, but there were some unexpected benefits."
Bai Ye asked, "Crystallized people?"
Yimi confirmed, "Yes. Dr. Dale accidentally discovered that the extracted energy could combine with human genes. Thus, he created the Crystallized people. Subsequently, the Rhine Company, due to this, wanted to replace artificial people with Crystallized people and thus initiated research into them."
Yimi's expression turned somewhat helpless as he spoke.
"For me, naturally, I was very interested in such intelligence. Looking at the background of the Life Crystal, it was definitely a valuable asset, and I naturally wanted to find a way to acquire it. It wasn't until halfway through that I discovered it was somehow related to the God Cult."
"But the matter had already begun. I certainly couldn't give up, and besides, I detest them. No, to be direct, I hate them. There's a saying in my world: 'A deceased person deserves respect.' I can accept the death of a close friend of thirty years, but I cannot accept my friend being manipulated as a puppet even after death."
"The rest of what happened, I don't need to continue, do I? You were involved!"
Yimi spoke with a hint of sadness, looking at the corpse of Lai Li Ya. His sorrow gradually deepened into pain.
He had failed again. He couldn't contend with the God Cult, and he had even let another companion die.
From then on, he was alone.
Bai Ye crossed his arms and said, "Alright, I understand what you mean by 'accident.' So, you were very concerned about this matter. But setting aside this accident, what do you plan to do?"
Yimi replied, "Becoming stronger is a certainty. The current me lacks the ability to fight them. The God Cult is very powerful, and they can continuously grow stronger. My companions and I were of similar strength."
"But after he died, I experienced a lot. So, theoretically, if he had only recovered to his previous strength, he shouldn't have been my opponent. Yet, the problem is, I was completely no match for him at the time. If he hadn't suddenly recognized me, I would likely be dead by now."
Bai Ye paused for a moment, then nodded.
Because, it was indeed so!
Bai Lu and Situ Chicheng were both significantly stronger than they had been 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 past life, when they were naturally more powerful 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 put it into action."
Bai Ye asked, confused, "Hmm?"
"I plan to join the Hidden Dragon Association!" Yimi declared. "Currently, I don't have the ability to confront the God Cult, but I believe they are key to finding the truth. And the Hidden Dragon Association is clearly a clue. Are the founders of the Hidden Dragon Association truly chosen ones who left the World Battlefield? I want to investigate this matter thoroughly!"
Bai Ye rested his chin on his hand.
He had to admit, in his past life, Xue Gui Yimi was indeed one of the top experts in the Hidden Dragon Association.
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 came from the same world and were deeply close. Whether in this life or the past life, if both were still alive, Yimi should have acted with them.
So, had this guy encountered a similar situation in his past life?
When Yimi joined the Hidden Dragon Association in his past life, was he also driven by a desire to investigate?
Bai Ye suddenly found the matter somewhat interesting.
While not completely agreeing, Bai Ye didn't deny that Yimi's idea had some merit.
And besides...
Ten years!
A full decade!
Bai Ye had taken ten years to reach the end in his past life. Did anyone know how Bai Ye had lived through those ten years?
No, to be precise, how had the chosen ones of the World Battlefield survived those ten years?
If possible, Bai Ye certainly didn't want to wait ten years in this life.
If there was any other way to leave the World Battlefield, that would be even better.
Bai Ye remarked, "You seem to be telling me too much. This goes beyond the scope of my questions."
Yimi shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't think this is something 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 approach is very correct."
Yimi looked at Bai Ye with surprise. "Oh?"
Bai Ye 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 enter the Hidden Dragon Association to investigate, a common position won't give you access to such matters?"
Yimi replied, "I have confidence. With my strength, if I work hard, I'll eventually become a cadre-level member!"
"On this point, I truly believe you can," Bai Ye stated.
Bai Ye wasn't being polite; the man had indeed achieved it in his past life.
"However..." Bai Ye continued, "How long will that take you? You are, after all, an outsider. You don't come from the same world as the core members of the Hidden Dragon Association. Besides strength, you need to build trust. A year? Two years? Three years? Don't you think that's a bit long?"
Yimi frowned. "You mean?"