Chapter 436: Cooperation

Translator: AnubisTL

The amount of information contained within these crystals was overwhelming.

After a moment of silence, Jieming suddenly burst into laughter. “As expected of me. I’m always so thorough.”

As he subconsciously toyed with the recording crystal that held the data from the battle where he had triggered Light Transformation, Jieming began to ponder how to warn his future self about the traps involving physical strength.

It’s a problem. In this cycle, I exposed my physical strength, so… I need to find a way for the next version of me to see this information immediately.

The request sounded simple, but it was actually quite difficult.

Based on his actions after this reincarnation, although he could sense that a loop had occurred, he didn’t have enough time to examine the information stored within the crystals.

After a moment’s thought, Jieming began searching for materials within the grotto-heaven.

He found a piece of silver-white, high-density alloy and quickly shaped it using alchemy, creating a square metal plate measuring half a meter on each side.

Then, he began to engrave characters onto the surface.

First, he wrote a large “3” to remind his future self how many cycles he had already gone through.

After finishing the main content, he added a line of smaller text beneath the “3”: a record stating that his physical strength had been exposed, along with a general summary of the previous battle.

Afterward, Jieming placed Board No. 3 beside Board No. 2.

Based on his previous actions, the only information he could have seen before the battle was what was recorded on the metal plates. Therefore, these plates were the primary tool for conveying the most critical information.

Once he finished, Jieming took a deep breath and pulled his consciousness back to the real world.

The battlefield had been mostly cleared. Wizards were constructing a temporary camp, treating the wounded, and replenishing their energy. Faint sounds of fighting could still be heard in the distance, but the overall situation was already decided.

Jieming stood up and walked straight toward the largest metal fortress in the center of the camp, which had just been established as the Legion Command Center.

The guarding wizard recognized him. “Wizard Jieming? Lord Frost is inside, but—”

“I have urgent intelligence,” Jieming interrupted, “concerning the survival of the entire legion.”

The guards exchanged a glance and stepped aside.

That’s right, Jieming thought. I plan to hand this information directly to the command center. Instead of trying to figure this out on my own, it’s better to let the entire expeditionary force get involved.

Inside the tent, Frost stood before a three-dimensional tactical map, his brow furrowed. The map was densely packed with red and blue dots, marking a jagged, interlocking frontline.

Hearing the footsteps, he looked up. “Jieming? Has your squad finished resting?”

“Master.” Jieming skipped the pleasantries and produced dozens of recording crystals.

He had carefully selected these crystals to provide crucial intelligence without exposing his own uniqueness. “Please examine these.”

Frost took the crystals, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes.

But as his mental power probed the first crystal and witnessed the “memory images” within, his expression shifted instantly.

He rapidly scanned through the dozens of crystals, then looked up, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

“These images… the timestamps show they are from ‘after this battle began,’ yet the content clearly depicts combat we have not yet experienced. So…”

“Yes, it is exactly as you suspect. These recording crystals were left for me by my past self from the previous loop.”

“You possess the ability to influence events across time reincarnations?!” Frost was utterly stunned.

Jieming had already prepared his explanation. “My Grandmentor is an eighth-tier alchemy master.”

He said no more.

At those words, the shock in Frost’s eyes intensified.

But this time, his astonishment wasn’t over Jieming’s ability. It was the realization that this kid actually has an eighth-tier wizard as his backer.

As for the ability to resist time reincarnation, any eighth-tier wizard could easily achieve it through law solidification. And if the opponent was also an eighth-tier alchemy master, they could casually craft anything to resist it.

As for the idea that wizards adhered to equivalent exchange, and that even masters and apprentices had to pay for resources—that was true, but it didn’t stop them from taking out loans.

Even if such a loan would be exorbitantly expensive, ordinary wizards didn’t even have the qualification to apply for one.

“So,” Frost said, tapping the crystal without asking further about Jieming’s abilities. “You’ve brought this information to seek a partnership?”

“Yes,” Jieming nodded. “I trust you won’t let me suffer a loss.”

In truth, Jieming could have used this information to continuously avoid enemy traps and employ various methods to secure benefits for himself.

Although each cycle of the reincarnation would reset everything, he could still gather more intelligence. Theoretically, with enough patience, he could reap even greater rewards.

But for Jieming, he was more interested in that time reincarnation ability.

Discovering an ability of this level meant it was definitely beyond the reach of a mere fourth-tier wizard like him.

Since that was the case, it was better to cooperate with the Military Department. He didn’t lack military merits anyway, so he might as well see if he could use this credit to earn the right to participate in the research on time reincarnation.

Frost understood Jieming’s needs and nodded in satisfaction. “If the information you provide is true, I will personally report your contribution to Starforger Artorius. When that time, regardless of the true nature of this time reincarnation ability, you will be granted the right to research it.”

Afterward, Frost fell into deep thought as he studied the intelligence stored in the recording crystal.

He turned back to the tactical map, his fingers tracing patterns across its surface.

“The underground nests are traps… The main force is actually teleporting through the earth veins… The triggering of reincarnation is linked to their population count, but they are also controlling it…”

Suddenly, he stopped. Clutching the recording crystal, a thoughtful expression crossed his face. “Interesting. So this is how the next war will be fought? It seems these bugs are truly dependent on the intelligence provided by time reincarnation…”

He walked to the edge of the fortress, pushed open the heavy gates, and gazed into the distance where the Scythe-Skull Race was retreating.

“They think they have infinite chances to learn from their mistakes. But they don’t know… death also leaks information.”

“Notify all commanders of the sixth tier and above. Meeting in one standard hour,” Frost ordered his adjutant, then turned to Jieming. “Will you be joining us?”

Jieming shook his head. “Thank you for the offer, Excellency, but there’s no need.”

He knew his place. With his strength and experience, he couldn’t offer any useful advice in a meeting of this level. He was better off playing the role of an information-gathering tool.

“Understood,” Wizard Frost nodded. “Then return and prepare for battle. This time, we will use their ‘reincarnation’ to hunt them down.”

Jieming bowed and took his leave.

As he stepped out of the tent, the setting sun was dipping below the horizon, staining the entire battlefield a blood-red hue.

He clenched his fist.

The next round of the war… would be upon them soon.

And this time, they held the informational advantage.

(End of the Chapter)