Lin Yi and Yun Ge raced down the mountain path when the device interface popped up a prompt: [Partial spatial law modification permission activated]. With a thought, the mountain stones beneath his feet transformed into transparent energy springboards, each step propelling him tens of feet forward—in Yun Ge's eyes, this was merely "a masterful fusion of footwork and spiritual energy."
"There's a Blood Fiend Sect ambush five miles ahead." Lin Yi accurately predicted the enemy's movements, the device interface marking thirty - seven energy signatures in real time. He feigned exhaustion to slow down, secretly reorganizing nearby spiritual nodes into a trap matrix in the background. When the first wave of blood puppets surged from the forest, what flew from Lin Yi's sleeve was not an ordinary talisman, but a quantum containment field generated by the device.
"Meteor Sound: Star Binding Formation!"Yun Ge saw him trace the air with his fingertips, and the thirty - seven puppets were instantly bound by invisible chains. In reality, Lin Yi had locked their movement trajectories into a three - dimensional blind spot using star coordinates provided by the device. This "formation" beyond the cultivation world's understanding was essentially a temporary rewrite of spatial laws.
In the Nether Sect's secret lair, the black - robed man watched the crystal ball as the puppets suddenly malfunctioned, shocked to see Lin Yi's figure double—projections of the device across timelines. He trembled as he took out his treasured star meteorite iron compass, only to find the needle spinning wildly, pointing not to fragments, but to Lin Yi himself.
"He's the real key..." The man's pupils constricted, finally realizing why all fragments converged on one person. But he would never see that the cracks on the compass were the device's countermeasures against low - dimensional detection.
Within Myriad Sound Valley, the vanguard of the three sects' joint attack had reached the mountain gate. The Blood Fiend Sect Master's Blood River Formation spread across the sky, only to be automatically converted into spiritual mist when touching the protective formation—a basic defense mechanism after the device's energy core activated. Disciples cheered, believing it was the First Valley Master's blessing, while Lin Yi knew every light pattern in the formation was a visualization of device code.
"Valley Master, I need three minutes." Lin Yi pulled Yun Ge into the Pine - Listening Pavilion. On the surface, he was setting up a sound transmission array, but in reality, he was activating [Short - Range Star Track Reversion] on the device interface. Three timelines emerged in his sea of consciousness:
• Branch A: Yun Ge fought alone and was severely injured by the Nether Sect Leader
• Branch B: Lin Yi exposed the device's abilities, causing law disorder
• Branch C: Using the third fragment's inactive state to fake a star meteorite resonance
He chose Branch C decisively, tracing confirmation symbols visible only to the device in the air. When Yun Ge opened her eyes, Lin Yi held a forged star meteorite fragment—a holographic projection simulated by the device.
"Use this to hold the line. The real fragment is with me." Lin Yi stuffed the projection into her palm, the device interface generating a [Camouflage duration: 2 hours] countdown. Though puzzled, Yun Ge rushed to the gate with the "fragment," unaware of the device code shimmering at the corner of Lin Yi's mouth.
Deep underground, in the device's energy core chamber, the seventh fragment was automatically assembling. Through the device's vision, Lin Yi saw the emblem on the fragment resonating with the authority badge on his chest, while the chamber walls bore the failure records of the previous 426 adapters—either assimilated by the device or destroyed by low - dimensional beings before reaching full resonance.
427th adaptation progress: 28%The device's red warning light suddenly flashed. Lin Yi realized the true identity of the third sect—the cultivators with Nine Meteor Palaces lanterns were residual consciousnesses of former adapters, attempting to seize his body and restart their timelines.
At the mountain gate, Yun Ge activated the protective formation with the "fragment," unaware she was buying time for the device to reclaim the core chamber. Lin Yi watched the overlapping timelines in his mind, finally understanding: this game wagered not on Myriad Sound Valley, but the uniqueness of the multiverse—the device needed him as a perfect adapter, while the residual consciousnesses sought to prove they were the "right" choice.
As the blood lantern and star meteorite compass both pointed to Lin Yi, the device interface gave a final warning:[Detection of multidimensional competitors, recommend immediate temporal collapse to eliminate threats][Special reminder: Each elimination consumes 10% resonance. Below 20% will permanently lose adaptation qualification]
Lin Yi clenched the real sixth fragment, feeling the device and residual consciousnesses tugging at his mind. He knew every choice would determine which world bubbles survived and which were formatted—and he was the only one who could press confirm.
Lin Yi's Sea of Consciousness trembled violently as countless fragmented memories pierced his mind like sharp blades. The residual consciousnesses of previous adapters transformed into phantoms, constantly shuttling through his Sea of Consciousness, attempting to seize control of his body. "Hand over the body! You can't possibly wield the power of the device!" Piercing roars echoed in his mind. One of the phantoms was particularly distinct—the 426th adapter, his eyes filled with jealousy and unwillingness.
The red warning light on the device interface flashed wildly, with continuous prompts popping up: [Consciousness intrusion detected. Initiating Level 3 defense]. Lin Yi gritted his teeth and mobilized the power of the star meteorite within his body, condensing a star meteorite shield in his Sea of Consciousness. But the residual consciousnesses seemed endless, crashing against the shield wave after wave. Each impact sent excruciating pain through his head.
In reality, his body trembled uncontrollably. Yun Ge had just activated the protective valley - guarding formation when she turned and saw Lin Yi's face as pale as paper, veins bulging on his forehead, and his hands tightly clutching his head. "Lin Yi! What's wrong?" Yun Ge tried to approach, but an invisible barrier repelled her—it was a protective shield automatically generated by the device to prevent external interference.
In the secret lair of the Nether Sect, the black - robed man's eyes lit up with surprise (gleams of excitement) as he watched Lin Yi's abnormal state in the crystal ball. "This is our chance! Attack while his consciousness is in chaos!" The bone flute in his hand sounded again. This time, the sound was not a signal for attack but a rallying call to summon all the elite of the Nether Sect.
Above Myriad Sound Valley, the Blood Fiend Sect Master's Blood River Formation was upgraded once more. Countless ferocious faces emerged from the blood - colored mist, each representing a cultivator devoured by the Blood Fiend Sect. These faces let out ear - piercing screams, and the sound waves battered the protective formation, causing cracks to appear in its light patterns.
In the core chamber of the device's energy hub, the assembly of the seventh fragment was 90% complete. Through the device's vision, Lin Yi saw the failure records of the previous 426 adapters on the chamber walls starting to burn, as if foretelling his impending fate. "I can't fail..." He roared in his Sea of Consciousness and forced his attention onto the device interface, attempting to activate the [Consciousness Purge Program].
However, activating the program required 30% resonance, and his current resonance level was only 28%. The residual consciousnesses seemed to sense his intention and intensified their attacks. "Give up! There's no way you can succeed!" The phantom of the 426th adapter sneered, "I was one step away from success back then, but this damned device betrayed me. You'll end up just like me!"