Bai Ye asked, "Where is the Life Crystal?"
Yimi replied, "That was another accident. After I arrived in the City of Ruins, I picked up some information about the origin of the Crystallized humans."
Bai Ye countered, "Isn't the origin of the Crystallized humans Dr. Dale? He was the one who researched them."
Yimi shrugged, "But he needed something to research, didn't he?"
Bai Ye hummed in acknowledgment.
Yimi explained, "This dates back to twelve years ago. When the Rhine Company was organizing a hunt, they discovered a crystal. That crystal was the Life Crystal."
"According to Rhine Company's tests, the Life Crystal emitted special wavelengths and contained terrifying energy. Dr. Dale concluded at the time 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 apocalypse in this world was primarily caused by resource depletion."
"Therefore, the energy from the Life Crystal became crucial. While some things would remain unchanged, such as the harsh environment, with such terrifying energy, it would be possible to rebuild civilization to a certain extent."
"As a result, the Rhine Company began research into energy extraction. However, it wasn't easy, and the Rhine Company never succeeded. They could only extract a small amount of energy, insufficient for other fields. But there were some unexpected benefits."
Bai Ye asked, "Crystallized humans?"
Yimi confirmed, "Yes. Dr. Dale accidentally discovered that the extracted energy could combine with human genes. Thus, he created the Crystallized humans. Afterwards, the Rhine Company intended to replace artificial humans with Crystallized humans and initiated research on them."
Yimi's expression turned somewhat helpless as he spoke.
"For me, obtaining such intelligence was naturally very interesting. Based on the background story of the Life Crystal, it was definitely a valuable item, and I naturally wanted to find a way to acquire it. Only halfway through, I discovered it was somehow connected to the Divine Disciples."
"But the matter was already in motion, so I certainly couldn't just give up. Moreover, I dislike them, no, to be direct, I hate them. There's a saying in my world that the dead deserve respect. I can accept the death of a close friend of thirty years, but I cannot accept them being manipulated as puppets even after death."
"As for what happened after that, I probably don't need to elaborate, right? You were involved!"
Yimi's voice became tinged with sadness as he spoke, his gaze falling on the corpse of Lailiya. The sadness gradually morphed into pain.
He had failed again, unable to contend with the Divine Disciples, and had even caused the death of 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’re very concerned about this matter. But setting aside this accident, what do you plan to do?"
Yimi replied, "Becoming stronger is a given. Currently, I lack the ability to fight them. The Divine Disciples are very powerful and constantly growing stronger. My companion and I were on par in strength."
"But after his death, I've been through a lot. So, theoretically, if he were to simply recover to his previous strength, he shouldn't be my opponent. Yet, the problem is that I was completely outmatched at the time. If he hadn't suddenly recognized me, I would likely be dead already."
Bai Ye paused for a moment, then nodded.
Indeed, that was the case!
Bai Lu and Situ Chicheng were both significantly 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 in his past life than they were now.
But Bai Ye forgot 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 with a hint of confusion, "Oh?"
"I plan to join the Hidden Dragon Society!" Yimi declared. "Currently, I don't have the power to oppose the Divine Disciples, but I believe they are key to finding the truth. And the Hidden Dragon Society is clearly a lead. 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.
He had to admit, in his previous life, the Blood Ghost Yimi was indeed one of the top experts in the Hidden Dragon Society.
However, Bai Ye had no recollection of the two companions Yimi mentioned, implying he hadn't met them in his past life.
But these three came from the same world and were deeply bonded. Whether in this life or the previous one, if both were still alive, Yimi should have acted with them.
So, had this guy encountered a similar situation in his past life as well?
When Yimi joined the Hidden Dragon Society in his previous life, was he also driven by a desire for investigation?
Bai Ye suddenly found the situation rather interesting.
While not entirely convinced, Bai Ye didn't deny that Yimi's idea had some merit.
And besides...
Ten years!
A full ten years!
Bai Ye had spent ten years in his previous life to reach the end. Did anyone know how Bai Ye endured those ten years?
No, rather, how did the Chosen Ones of the World Battlefield survive those ten years of struggle?
If there was a possibility, Bai Ye certainly didn't want to wait another ten years in this life.
If there were other ways to leave the World Battlefield, that would be even better.
Bai Ye said, "You seem to be telling me more than I asked for. You've gone beyond the scope of my question."
Yimi shrugged, "I don't think there's anything I can't say. In fact, I haven't only told you. But they thought I was crazy and didn't believe a word I said."
"I don't think you're crazy," Bai Ye said, slinging an arm around Yimi's shoulder. "I think your approach is very sound."
Yimi looked at Bai Ye with surprise. "Oh?"
Bai Ye continued, "Interested in working together?"
Yimi asked, "What are you planning to do?"
"No, what are *you* planning to do?" Bai Ye countered. "Have you considered that if you go into the Hidden Dragon Society to investigate, a regular position won't give you access to such matters?"
Yimi replied, "I'm confident that with my strength, if I work hard, I'll eventually become a cadre-level member!"
"On that point, I truly believe you can achieve it."
Bai Ye wasn't being polite; the man had indeed accomplished it in his previous life.
"However..." Bai Ye mused, "How long will that take you? You're still an outsider, and the core members of the Hidden Dragon Society don't come from the same world. Besides strength, you'll need to build trust. A year? Two years? Three years? Don't you think that's a bit long?"
Yimi frowned. "What do you mean?"