Chapter 433: Rule Crystallization
After returning from the Bottomless Pit, Lin Ye stayed at the abandoned clubhouse for a full week.
After the elevator was discovered, the first wave of scouts successfully rode it deep into the Bottomless Pit.
There, they encountered all sorts of anomalous phenomena, and more than half of them died over there.
However, the loot they brought back set the entire Free City ablaze with excitement.
The reason anomalous phenomena are called 'anomalous' is because they possess the power to influence rules.
Only rules can affect rules, so anomalous phenomena themselves contain the power of rules. People can extract a crystalline substance called 'Rule Crystals' from within them through certain methods. It is said that these crystals are the key item for spiritual energy users to advance and become Controllers.
Therefore, the value of Rule Crystals is extremely high.
And the Bottomless Pit is full of anomalous phenomena. Those spatial floor fragments are also incredibly valuable. Some crucial parts can not only yield Rule Fragments but also extract other valuable substances.
If it weren't for the fear that the things inside might rush out and destroy the Free City, those major factions would definitely spare no expense to seal the news and then slowly exploit this precious 'gold mine'.
For adventurers, as long as there's enough profit, risk is just a factor to consider. Right now, every adventurer in the Free City wants to go deep into the Bottomless Pit to make a fortune. But only those who have obtained Parasitic Cards and biological samples can enter the depths of the Bottomless Pit. Consequently, the value of these two types of 'admission tickets' has skyrocketed.
Lin Ye seized the opportunity to make a small profit, selling a batch of 'tickets' to some familiar factions and old clients.
"The cleanup plan is proceeding smoothly. We've already negotiated with those factions. From now on, we'll give them forty percent of each batch of 'tickets'. The loot they obtain will be used to pay us for part of the 'tickets'."
Raymond's virtual avatar spoke up.
"How you guys distribute it on your end is none of my business. Please give my share directly to me."
Lin Ye was also very interested in Rule Crystals. To deal with anomalous phenomena, he even obtained an instrument for extracting Rule Crystals from Raymond.
"Of course, both of these are your products. Your share naturally won't be missing. However, I heard that Oliver and Liam seem to be looking for people to research other methods to enter that area..."
The Adventurer's Association is actually very interested in the 'tickets' too. If it weren't for the extremely urgent situation in the Bottomless Pit, things definitely wouldn't be this peaceful for Lin Ye.
"That's normal. As long as they don't set their sights on me, they can do whatever they want."
This whole week, Lin Ye has been fortifying the clubhouse base. He wouldn't entrust his own safety to others.
"The Adventurer's Association side definitely won't be a problem. You need to be careful of other factions. The value of Rule Crystals is very high; it's likely some people might take desperate risks."
This is the Free City; there are plenty of such people.
"It's fine. I'll deal with that kind of person."
Lin Ye said with a smile.
"That's good then. How much longer are you planning to stay at the clubhouse? Do you want to come out for a drink tonight?"
Raymond changed to a lighter topic.
"Better not. I still want to rest for a while longer."
Lin Ye still had some things he hadn't finished researching.
"Alright. I'm actually quite busy on my end too."
Raymond sighed. Recently, there had been many issues regarding the Bottomless Pit that he needed to handle.
"Well, good luck with that."
Turning off the communication device, Lin Ye walked out of the room. His life had been very routine lately. If Raymond hadn't contacted him, he would have started eating by now.
Arriving at the clubhouse's buffet, Lin Ye got his dinner from Wendy, found a seat, and began eating.
"Boss, I heard you got your hands on a batch of Rule Crystals?"
Bessie, holding a tray, sat down opposite Lin Ye. After coming here, she quickly learned the local language and became familiar with those young people.
"What, you want some? Aren't you only at the seventh tier?"
Lin Ye, eating his red soup noodle threads, glanced at Bessie.
"Rule Crystals have many uses. They can be used anywhere related to rules. I happen to know a secret art that consumes Rule Crystals."
Bessie put on a fawning smile, looking like a little fox sidling up to beg for food.
"What secret art? How much is needed?"
During this time, Bessie had been using her abilities to help Lin Ye handle external matters. Lin Ye didn't mind giving her a bit of a salary.
"One piece is enough. It's a blessing secret art. After using it, you can receive blessings related to the corresponding rule."
Bessie handed Lin Ye the prepared instructions for using the blessing secret art. She was smart and wouldn't wait for Lin Ye to ask for it.
"If you want to give that duplicate a hand, I could Alienate a brain similar to yours for it. That's much more reliable than using a secret art."
Lin Ye said casually.
"No, that wouldn't be right... Lin Ye, I'm actually very grateful to you. For a while, I truly felt like I was the only person left in the world. That feeling of loneliness was even more unbearable than the despair of being trapped. I need a companion, even if she's just a duplicate."
The moment Bessie Pro handed the duplicate to her, she genuinely felt something that could be called Fate.
"... Suit yourself. Consider it your salary."
A silver point of light appeared at Lin Ye's fingertip. He moved this point of light into Bessie's hand.
"What is this?"
This was the first time Bessie had seen something like this.
"A Fate Crystal of higher purity. If your secret art doesn't need the impurities within a Rule Crystal, then using this will do."
While using that instrument to extract Rule Crystals, Lin Ye carefully perceived its internal operating principles, thus learning the technique of extracting Rule Crystals from Rule Fragments.
Extracting Rule Crystals doesn't affect the Rule Fragments, but one Rule Fragment can only yield one Rule Crystal within a certain period.
"Thank you!"
Bessie, holding the Fate Crystal and her tray, quickly left the dining area.
Bessie Pro sat down in Bessie's spot and placed a report next to Lin Ye's dinner tray.
"Phase One is complete?"
Lin Ye finished the red soup in his bowl and asked.
"Mm. However, during Phase One, the peripheral nodes collected some information related to us. Based on the importance of the information, I categorized and recorded them at the end of the report."
Bessie Pro's dinner was a portion of Mutation Creature spare ribs. It really enjoyed the sensation of biting through different parts of Mutation Creatures.
"Good. Then begin Phase Two of the plan."
Raymond's worry was unnecessary. He didn't need to worry about those factions making a move against Lin Ye, because the ones about to make a move were on Lin Ye's side.
During this time, not a single one of the young people under Lin Ye's command had gone missing. This wasn't something that could be achieved just by the reputation of a few major factions, because there would always be reckless maniacs who didn't care about risk.
So, Lin Ye had made some preparations in advance. Once any faction was ready to move against the card business, Lin Ye would deal with them before they could act.