At the Treasure Pavilion of the Tenth Academy, the mustached old man looked at Lu Yin in surprise. "Impressive, kid. You overachieved. It must have cost you quite a bit."
Lu Yin was puzzled. "Cost me what?"
The old man smirked. "We all know what's up. Doesn't matter, as long as they confirmed you completed the task. No need to hide it."
Lu Yin was confused. Hide what?
The old man scoffed. "Finishing such a task in just two days? Do you take us for fools? Unless you're a Discerner. Anyway, look and see if there's another task you want to take."
Lu Yin didn't pay much attention to the old man's words and didn't take another task. After collecting his reward, which was just some Star Energy Crystals, he left immediately. The reward wasn't significant enough to interest him.
Since the Tenth Academy didn't have fixed accommodations, Lu Yin returned to the space station. He guessed that only there could he avoid the mentors' surveillance. It was time to roll the dice.
Having rolled the dice twice on the garbage planet of the Irto Company and rested for a few days, he figured he should be able to roll three times this time. Three rolls—he hoped he could gain something valuable.
He raised his hand, and the die appeared. Crushing a cubic Star Energy Crystal, he then pointed at the die. As the die spun slower and slower, Lu Yin's breathing became rapid. Finally, it landed on two.
Lu Yin was speechless. It wasn't useful since he didn't need to decompose anything. Crushing another cubic Star Energy Crystal, he rolled again. This time, the die landed on five. He cursed silently; it was still useless. Who knew if anyone around had a gift, and even if he found out, what could he do in ten seconds?
There was one last chance. Feeling a bit anxious, he pointed again. The die spun slowly and finally, five sides disappeared, leaving only the last one—six.
Lu Yin's pupils contracted. Six. He had rolled it once before. It had absorbed all his Star Energy Crystals and given him nothing in return. He remembered it vividly. What about this time?
Before he could think further, the die began to absorb energy terrifyingly. The Star Energy Crystals in his storage ring decreased visibly: one hundred, one thousand, two thousand, three thousand... until ten thousand.
As soon as ten thousand cubic Star Energy Crystals were absorbed, Lu Yin's surroundings changed. He found himself in a strange, dark space, his consciousness transformed into a light orb flying forward, slowing down as it moved. There were countless light orbs around, varying in size and intensity, some ordinary, some as scorching as stars.
Lu Yin was stunned. He now understood the purpose of the sixth face of the die—to experience someone else's life. The sixth face allowed him to merge with someone in the universe and live their life. Unlocking this required at least ten thousand cubic Star Energy Crystals, which was just the starting price. The light orbs he saw now represented those he could sense and merge with without getting harmed.
Lu Yin, now a light orb himself, looked around at the countless other light orbs, feeling overwhelmed. Such an ability existed?
Suddenly, a pulling force came, and Lu Yin knew it was bad news. His Star Energy Crystals were running out. If he ran out before merging with a light orb, it would be a wasted opportunity.
Without further thought, he rushed towards a nearby, slightly larger light orb. Instantly, they merged. Simultaneously, his storage ring's remaining fifteen thousand cubic Star Energy Crystals were all absorbed.
On a dim meadow, a beautiful girl was anxiously calling out, "Dalei, Dalei, wake up!"
Huh? Lu Yin heard the call and opened his eyes. Where was he?
"Dalei, you're awake! Thank goodness," the girl said, relieved, smiling at Lu Yin.
Lu Yin was confused. Dalei? Wait, it seemed he had merged with someone's consciousness after rolling six on the die. So, he was now this person?
"Dalei, what's wrong?" the girl asked nervously. The man in front of her was familiar, but his gaze felt strange.
Lu Yin rubbed his head, processing the person's memories. After a moment, he turned to the girl and smiled. "It's nothing, Ayah. Just teasing you."
The girl let out a sigh of relief. "You scared me. Don't joke like that again."
Lu Yin, now Dalei, nodded. "Ayah, I'm hungry. Could you get me something to eat?"
The girl nodded. "Stay here and be good. I'll go get some food."
Lu Yin watched her leave, then looked at his body. He sighed. He was Dalei now, but for how long, he didn't know. It shouldn't be too long.
Raising his hand, he felt the immense power within. This Dalei was an Extremity Realm expert!
So this was the power of an Extremity Realm expert. Not only that, but Lu Yin was thrilled to discover that this person had reached the Myriad Changes Realm in star energy control. He was a renowned genius on this planet, preparing to join the Imperial Thirteenth Squadron.
To think this was the Thirteenth Domain, the edge of the Tsang Lan Territory. Ten thousand cubic Star Energy Crystals had brought him here. If he had more, would it send him directly to the Inner Universe?
Lu Yin concentrated star energy in his palm, gradually transforming it from formless to tangible, eventually taking on a fiery form that heated the air with its vibrations. This was the power of the Myriad Changes Realm.
He couldn't believe it. Myriad Changes Realm—this was the Myriad Changes Realm. This person wasn't even forty yet, still considered young, but he had mastered star energy to this level. A true genius!
The same battle techniques at the same realm, with different star energy control, had vastly different power.
Unfortunately, this person had no special battle techniques, only knowing common ones. He didn't understand how to find support or make money and was too shy to express his feelings to the girl he loved. He was a blockhead.
"Ah!" A sudden scream broke the silence. Lu Yin quickly stood up. It was the girl.
In the distance, Ayah lay unconscious on the ground as several cultivators emerged from the shadows. A young man looked at Lu Yin smugly. "Dalei, long time no see."
Lu Yin narrowed his eyes. From Dalei's memories, he knew this person was named Ramos, the son of the most powerful man on the planet. Ramos had always been jealous of Dalei's talent. He had once tried to bribe Dalei to take his place in the Imperial Thirteenth Squadron's selection but was refused. Now, it seemed he was making a move.
"Ramos, I've already turned you down. Let Ayah go," Lu Yin said sternly.
Ramos sneered. "This is your last chance. Give up your spot, and I might let you live and even give you some battle techniques. Otherwise, you'll never get any techniques, just like before."
Lu Yin now understood why Dalei knew no techniques—it was a deliberate suppression. No wonder he, an Extremity Realm expert, only knew common techniques, unable even to leave this planet.
"I won't agree," Lu Yin said again.
Ramos shrugged. "A blockhead will always be a blockhead. Do you really think you can catch the Imperial Thirteenth Squadron's attention? The universe is full of geniuses. Right now, the Empire is more interested in those who entered the Skywar Academy from the Purple Mountain King. You? You've been forgotten. Even if I kill you tonight, no one will come after me. Do it."
Immediately, several Extremity Realm experts attacked Lu Yin. He instinctively tried to use Void Flash to dodge but almost stumbled, forgetting this body was Dalei's. Even if he knew Void Flash, he wasn't familiar with this body's abilities yet.
Boom!
With a loud crash, the ground shattered. Lu Yin leaped into the air, and behind him, a middle-aged Extremity Realm man roared, unleashing a battle technique.
Lu Yin raised his hand, gathering star energy to the extreme, and struck out. The man was sent flying, crashing into the ground.
This was the power of the Myriad Changes Realm, able to counter battle techniques.
Simultaneously, several other Extremity Realm experts surrounded Lu Yin. He gritted his teeth and used Void Flash again to dodge successfully this time. His body vanished, and their attacks missed.
Lu Yin reappeared behind an Extremity Realm expert, his star energy forming a blade and slashing out. The expert reacted quickly, dodging, but the blade still cleaved through the air, cutting the ground in half and causing a nearby river to flow backward.
Such a battle should have drawn the army's attention, but they were conspicuously absent.
Ramos had planned everything, intending to bury Dalei tonight.
He never planned to let Dalei go, even if he agreed to give up the spot. Ramos wanted to see Dalei's despair and regret, to watch this genius fall before him.
Panting, Lu Yin chuckled. Dalei was indeed lucky. If he hadn't taken over this body, Dalei would be dead tonight.
"Dalei, your little girlfriend is quite pretty," Ramos said, moving towards Ayah, crouching beside her, and reaching out to touch her.