The so-called “Mind Warriors,” as the name suggests, are still products of Balance.
Unlocking this Star Ring will further advance the physical and mental attributes of a spiritual energy user, but it will still be a very balanced, well-rounded progression.
The four spiritual energy skills directly lit up in the Star Ring are also like this.
“Chain Impact,” to put it plainly, is an enhanced and advanced version of the Spiritual Pulse. At this level, the mastery of spiritual energy conversion into kinetic energy and shockwaves has reached a new realm. Since the concept of “chain” is introduced, it means that the frequency and number of these impacts can be controlled by oneself, with no upper limit.
Although Yu Lian did not master this move in his previous life, he encountered it many times. He knew that this seemingly unremarkable move, when used by a true master, could cover the sky and be impenetrable. With a thought, hundreds of spiritual energy impacts could be unleashed in an instant, capable of even flattening the alloy armor plates of a Dreadnought.
Yu Lian estimated that with his current strength, utilizing his mental power to the extreme and unleashing his blue bar all at once, he should be able to unleash about ten impacts. He couldn't damage the main armor plate of a Dreadnought, but blowing up the rear of one or two assault ships or even destroyers would not be a big problem.
“Soul Labyrinth,” to call it an enhanced version of a mental shield is not entirely accurate. However, in fact, it is indeed a defensive mechanism for one's own spiritual domain.
With this ability, an extraordinary individual can construct a defensive fortification filled with forks and traps outside their own soul's homeland. Its existence is theoretically passive, but it requires the extraordinary individual to build this defensive system themselves.
When malicious mental attacks from external enemies invade one's soul, if caught by the “Soul Labyrinth,” they will be led down a wrong path and counterattacked. If the constructor is imaginative enough and malicious enough, they might even be able to reverse-derive through the malicious mental derivative and trap the enemy's soul.
However, the construction of the “Soul Labyrinth” involves very profound and obscure soul theories, making it the most profound and sensitive field in the extraordinary domain. To achieve some mastery in this area is much more difficult than becoming a master.
In this regard, even Yu Lian in his previous life only had a slight understanding.
...A slight understanding is better than “no one understands more than me,” so I should still try my best to build one for myself. This way, even against those old monsters who specialize in mental cultivation, I will have some ability to resist; if I encounter those half-baked, clanging amateurs, it will be very interesting.
“Super-sensory Intuition,” or what most uncultured mercenaries call “Super Agile Reaction,” as the name suggests, allows the body to possess reactions beyond common sense. Once a spiritual energy user adapts to this ability, being as swift as the wind and as fast as lightning will no longer be mere metaphors.
However, Yu Lian knew that this was less about physical reaction and more about a predictive ability to perceive danger.
With such an ability, one could truly use a Lightsaber to cut bullets, parry cannon shells, and even slice ion beams head-on.
Of course, even with such an ability, one should not think of themselves as immortal. Historically, there have been quite a few spiritual energy masters who died from concentrated firepower.
Yu Lian felt that this skill should not be used to cut bullets at all, but rather to deal with high-end combat in conjunction with advanced martial arts.
For example, I predict your move; you predict that I predicted your move; I predict that you predicted that I predicted your move... an infinite loop like that!
Then there is the so-called “Weapon Focus,” which is roughly an evolved version of weapon mastery. To put it simply, it is a quick mastery ability for unfamiliar weapons, and it also directly relates to the efficiency of martial arts training.
Of course, if one thinks not with the mindset of a mere warrior, but from a more macroscopic, broader, and more productive perspective, this might be a very suitable ability for technical personnel! But spiritual energy users are all busy showing off their muscles and haven't thought about becoming glorious laborers.
...You see, this is Balance; it is always about comprehensive development in morality, intelligence, physical education, aesthetics, and labor. It never goes to extremes; it always only considers practical basis.
In addition to this, the two blank Star Positions that could still be lit up would have to be filled by Yu Lian himself.
But he remembered that the Three Rings should also be able to open three blank Star Positions. However, now, one Star Position that should have been blank was already occupied by an ability that even Yu Lian in his previous life had never heard of.
“Source of Life...”
Through the mysterious feedback between his spirit and the Star Ring, Yu Lian fully understood its information and also knew that this was a name that should have been set by Earl Salwen.
More vigorous vitality, a stronger physique, more abundant qi and blood, as well as stronger self-healing ability, environmental adaptability, and resistance. This so-called “resistance,” in addition to conventional aspects such as temperature, pressure, and toxins, surprisingly also included the physical level.
If expressed in a game, it could be fully described by simply saying “all resistances increased.”
Moreover, this “Source of Life,” like the Spiritual Vein Circulation, could become stronger with one's cultivation. The current “Source” of life was just a delicate stream, but infinite vitality was already flowing continuously within the bloodline, as if injected into every single cell.
However, Yu Lian had a feeling in the depths of his being that as his abilities improved, this “stream” would turn into a great river, then into a vast, boundless ocean.
Yu Lian pondered for a moment, then suddenly pulled out a dagger and made a shallow cut on his palm.
...Sure enough, the shallow wound healed directly before even a drop of blood could seep out. He was becoming less and less like a normal human now. Fortunately, he seemed to be able to feel that the reserves three inches beneath his skin were still very active. At least it showed that in terms of low-level pleasures, he was still a normal person.
Yu Lian breathed a huge sigh of relief and began to consider whether to just shoot himself in the head, but decided that he wasn't confident enough yet, so he temporarily gave up on the idea.
He believed he could do it one day.
You know, in his previous life, he had shot Xia Li in the head, then cut off that (in human form) quite beautiful head with a knife, and then burned the body. But not long after, she appeared before him again, lively and kicking.
Xia Li was the Bug Swarm Queen, said to be able to share life with the entire Bug Swarm, but thinking about it now, the significance of this “Source of Life” in that context is something to be discussed.
The true legacy Earl Salwen left for Xia Li, besides that rare Ten-Thousand Head Demon God, was this. Or rather, it should be the opposite: only by mastering the Source of Life could she more smoothly devour and merge the power of the Ten-Thousand Head Demon Beast?
When “Source of Life” was used on Yu Lian, it was just a permanent buff that increased health, defense, all attributes, and mental resistance, but when applied to the inhuman Xia Li, who knew what insane effects it would produce?
Yu Lian looked at the painting of the pantheon and pondered for a moment. Letting his spirit brush over the painting, he once again felt the fierce roar that directly echoed in his soul. If he hadn't still had his mental shield active, he probably would have been trembling from a headache again.
That Abyssal Space beast, born in the Void Realm, was like a bear awakened from hibernation, in its most violent and ferocious stage.
Yu Lian retracted his spiritual perception, checked the time, directly took down the painting of the pantheon, crumpled it up and stuffed it into his ring's space, then took out an identical replica and hung it in its original place before leaving directly.
He returned the way he came, still without disturbing anyone.
He felt that he should find a quiet place to properly digest what he had gained, and also have a good meal and a good night's sleep.
His recent schedule was so tight, he still needed to seize the time to rest. Teacher Li told us that better rest is for better work.
Half an hour later, on a coastal boulevard a dozen kilometers from the memorial hall, he found a roadside barbecue stall open all night. He ordered oysters, sea cucumbers, and various fish and shrimp, a large platter of them grilled, and devoured them with large glasses of cold wheat soda.
The boss's cooking skills were only average, but the ingredients were indeed very fresh, so the taste was naturally far above average.
Not being bound by the future of the nation and the universe, not being constrained by a heavy sense of mission, at the moment of happily filling his stomach, Yu Lian's heart became unrestrained, feeling a true freedom unbound. The lofty act of enjoying delicious food undisturbed by anyone was the most “balanced” healing that a spiritual energy user like him could enjoy!
Anyway, Yu Lian felt very healed at the moment, so he ate three dozen grilled oysters in one go, a large portion of stir-fried sea cucumber with scallions and chili, a grilled razor fish a meter long, twenty skewers of grilled octopus slices, a large plate of seafood fried rice, plus two pitchers of wheat soda.
The boss's mouth twitched, but since Yu Lian had finished all his remaining ingredients and he could leave work early, it should have been a twitch of relief and emotion.
Those who are healed have a “balanced” sense of happiness, while those who are pursuing the Future also enjoy a “balanced” sense of tension.
And so, millions of kilometers away from this beach barbecue stall in New Seville, on a planet named “Lumina,” within an ancient fortress filled with ancient charm, surrounded by lush forests, and atop a tower built on a mountain peak, a gathering was taking place.
Flores Wanda, with a pair of beautiful green eyes, fair skin, handsome features, and a tall stature, gently tapped the table with his finger and nodded slightly.
He was wearing a cream-colored casual suit, which looked very high-quality fashion at first glance—in fact, it was indeed a custom-made suit from Marensa, and this single outfit alone could be worth ten years of income for an average middle-class family.
The famous leader of the Undead Unity Sect, Flores Wanda, did not resemble a traditional cult leader. He was indeed a handsome, elegant, and tasteful middle-aged man, more like a highly sociable business elite, or a top-tier host for older women.
It's understandable upon closer thought. Before his downfall, this sect leader was a frequent guest of many high-ranking officials and nobles, and many wealthy young ladies, rich socialites, and even true political and business magnates were his fans. How could he not have some aesthetic appeal?
“So, is the time ripe?” He smiled, seemingly talking to himself, and also seemingly addressing the people in the room.
“Yes, the will we can perceive has become clearer and clearer recently. Just now, I already felt His distinct emotions. His recovery has indeed reached its final stage,” a gloomy man said with a cold face.
“Or rather, if we want to, we can bring Him into this world at any time,” an elderly Lumina man said.
“The ritual requires one month of preparation,” another Lumina man said, “Will everyone not regret it?”
“Then let's start preparing. This was our purpose in cooperating anyway,” Leader Wanda nodded.
“Please wait a moment, Leader,” the youngest Earth man Present, in his early thirties with an intelligent and cautious face, spoke up in protest.
“At this time, Yu Lian suddenly appeared and just happened to deliver the last sacrificial artifact. Don't you think it's too much of a coincidence?” He said, looking at the only person who hadn't spoken yet, the oldest human Present, who was, however, a holographic projection.
He was none other than old Mr. Berulf, the director of the New Seville Independence Memorial Hall.
Old Mr. Berulf pondered for a moment and slowly spoke: “I understand your concerns, and I indeed suspect this point... However, I have already checked the state of that sacrificial artifact, and it is indeed exactly as described in the ancient texts. Its current spiritual energy effect is also exactly the same.”
“I have already sent a special person to deliver it to you for your personal inspection!” he said.
Leader Wanda, who resembled a top-tier host for older women, nodded and asked, “What did Yu Lian do afterwards?”
“I dared not send anyone to follow him... Current intelligence indicates that he should be a highly talented and extremely vigilant spiritual energy user. Even though he only awakened less than a year ago, he should not be underestimated. However, what can be confirmed is that he left the military guesthouse tonight, purpose unknown.”
“...He really has another purpose! This is very likely a trap!” the intelligent and cautious young man said loudly.
“That's not strange. We know the clues to the secret treasures left by Earl Salwen and Duke Kalsar, so it's certainly possible for others to know as well,” the gloomy middle-aged man said. He was probably the only one Present who had a cult-like demeanor.
“His arrival, on the contrary, shows that we have not found the wrong place.”
“Yes... This is also why we are willing to cooperate with you,” the Lumina elder looked directly at Flores Wanda and said in an almost emotionless tone: “We have waited too long, so are you still going to wait?”
The middle-aged Lumina man said, “The people of that Highness will arrive soon. With Him, with that sky god, there will be the foundation for everything else!”
In the words of this Lumina leader, the so-called “sky god” seemed to be merely an object that could be used for trade with “that Highness.”
Flores Wanda looked out the window at the vibrant green stretching to the horizon. This planet had changed hands countless times, but it was still far from its decline.
Annoyingly green!
He thought, then said to the Lumina elder, “Begin preparing the ritual.”
“Leader!”
“No need to be nervous. We have waited for a hundred years and finally proved ourselves correct. It would be a pity not to try when the time comes,” Leader Wanda said.
Anyway, it's just a try, and it doesn't cost money! He smiled affably, expressing the above meaning with a relaxed attitude.
