163: Chapter 163 The Laws Begin to Emerge, Undercurrents Rise Again

On the third day after the purification of the void ancient tree seed was completed, the changes within the Grotto-Heaven had stabilized.

Atop the crown of the World Tree, that silver Dao Fruit had completely matured, its surface flowing with a mercury-like luster.

Inside, countless tiny spatial rifts could be seen flickering in and out of existence, exhaling pure void energy with every breath.

Lin Yue sat cross-legged beneath the Dao Fruit, his star dragon nascent soul hovering above his head, undergoing final consolidation.

His Mid Nascent Soul Stage cultivation had stabilized, and the four Origins—

Stars, Dragon Soul, Earth, and Space—had reached a delicate balance within the Nascent Soul's body.

At this moment, if he erupted with full power, his combat strength would not be inferior to an ordinary Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator.

But he was in no hurry to charge into the Late Stage.

“Master, the progress of Law Fusion is faster than expected.”

Haotian's voice echoed in his Sea of Consciousness: “The compatibility between the Space Law and the Star Law is extremely high. Currently, a prototype of the ‘Starry Sky Domain’ has been initially fused. Within this Domain, Master can briefly manipulate the spatial structure, and combined with the Power of the Stars, the power is doubled.”

“How large is the range? How long is the duration?”

“With Master's current cultivation, the Domain can cover a maximum radius of three li and last for thirty breaths. If deployed within the Grotto-Heaven, the range can expand to thirty li, and the duration extends to three hundred breaths.”

A sharp light flashed in Lin Yue's eyes.

A range of three li, a duration of thirty breaths.

It didn't sound long, but in a battle at the Nascent Soul level, this was enough to decide life and death.

Imagine deploying the Starry Sky Domain in the instant of clashing with a powerful enemy; the surrounding space would solidify like iron, and the Power of the Stars would turn into countless sharp blades... Below the Late Nascent Soul Stage, almost no one could withstand it.

“Very good.”

He slowly finished his cultivation, and the star dragon nascent soul returned to his body: “How much of the Void Dao Fruit's energy has been absorbed?”

“Thirty percent. The remaining seventy percent is stored within the World Tree and can be slowly released to provide for the Grotto-Heaven's growth needs over the next century. If Master needs to rapidly increase cultivation, it can also be directly refined, but it will overdraw the Grotto-Heaven's potential.”

“No need.”

Lin Yue stood up: “Steady growth is the Righteous Path. The current priority is to use the Grotto-Heaven's new abilities to quickly enhance the Sect's strength.”

He looked into the distance.

At the edge of the Grotto-Heaven was an area modified by spatial folding techniques.

Originally only ten mu in size, the internal space had now expanded a hundredfold, becoming a thousand-mu ‘Hundred-Fold Time Special Training Zone.’

Within the zone, a hundred Cultivators were already training hard—

All of them were Golden Core elites from the Luoxia Sect and allied forces. According to the agreement, each person could Cultivate here for three days (external time) per month, which was equivalent to three hundred days inside the Grotto-Heaven.

Three hundred days was enough to complete a minor Realm Breakthrough.

At this moment, the first batch of ten Golden Core Cultivators had begun to emerge from seclusion.

“Sect Master!”

Lin Mo was the first to walk out of the special training zone, his aura having impressively reached the Middle Golden Core Stage!

Behind him, the other nine people also had greatly increased auras, with even the weakest touching the threshold of the Middle Stage.

“How do you feel?”

Lin Yue asked.

“Incredible!”

Lin Mo said excitedly: “Three hundred days of hard Cultivation, combined with the thousand-fold Spiritual Qi concentration in the zone, I feel like I've gained more than I would have in thirty years of Cultivating outside! If not for the fact that my Foundation needs time to settle, I would have even wanted to push through to the Late Stage in one go!”

“Haste makes waste.”

Lin Yue cautioned: “Every step in the Golden Core Stage must be taken steadily. For the next three months, your main task is to consolidate your cultivation and temper your combat strength.”

“Yes!”

The ten men respectfully complied.

Lin Yue looked into the distance.

The second and third batches of Cultivators were waiting in line to enter.

At this rate, it was not impossible to Cultivate two hundred Golden Cores and a thousand Foundation Establishment Peaks within a year...

“Haotian, how is the testing of Void Creation proceeding?”

“Three tests have been completed.”

Haotian reported: “First, creating ten mu of first-grade spiritual fields consumed 0.5% of the Grotto-Heaven's energy storage and took three breaths. The quality of the spiritual fields is no different from naturally occurring ones, and they can grow all first-grade Spiritual Plants.”

“Second, creating one ton of ‘starfall iron Ore’ consumed 1% energy storage and took ten breaths. The Ore purity is as high as ninety-eight percent, far exceeding the output of external Mineral Veins.”

“Third, creating one first-grade Low Grade ‘Spirit-Seeking Mouse’ consumed 2% energy storage and took a hundred breaths. The Spirit-Seeking Mouse has normal intelligence, can autonomously seek treasure, and has a lifespan of about ten years.”

Lin Yue nodded in satisfaction.

The efficiency of Void Creation far exceeded expectations.

This meant that from now on, the Luoxia Sect's basic resources would no longer be restricted by the outside world and could be completely self-sufficient.

“Has the plan to create three first-grade Spiritual Veins per month begun to be implemented?”

“The first one was completed yesterday and has been secretly implanted beneath the Sect. The second is expected to be completed tonight, and the third tomorrow night.”

“Very good.”

Lin Yue looked toward the Grotto-Heaven's dome: “Has the dimensionally anchored portal been tested?”

“Tested three times, stability reached ninety-nine percent. From the Grotto-Heaven to the Burial Dragon Abyss frontline headquarters, the transmission time is about three breaths, and energy consumption is within expected limits.”

“What about security measures?”

“Divine Soul Restrictions have been set at both ends of the portal; unauthorized persons cannot use it. At the same time, triple spatial barriers have been set to prevent tracking or reverse intrusion.”

“Well done.”

Lin Yue finally revealed a smile.

The strategic advantages brought by the Grotto-Heaven's promotion were gradually being realized.

The next thing to do was to transform these advantages... into tangible combat strength.

Outside, in the Luoxia Sect.

After half a month of recuperation, Senior Tiangong's injuries had recovered by seventy percent. He was currently discussing the modification plan for the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Array with the Star Track Pavilion Master, Sect Master Mo, and others.

“It will take another month for the seed purification to be completed, but the array deployment cannot wait.”

Senior Tiangong pointed at the newly drawn array map: “I have redesigned the ‘Three Talents Array Eye’ plan—using star core crystal, dragon vein jade marrow, and the heart of the earth as the cores, combined with three hundred and sixty auxiliary formation eyes, it can similarly exert seventy percent of the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Array's power.”

“Seventy percent... is that enough?”

Immortal Master Qinglan asked worriedly.

“It's enough.”

The Star Track Pavilion Master took over: “Seventy percent power of the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Array is enough to suppress the Seal for three years. Three years is enough for us to find an alternative solution, or... completely resolve the Spirit Devouring Clan threat.”

He paused: “The key is the Materials. The Star Track Pavilion has a reserve of star core crystals, the Qinglan Sect should be able to provide one heart of the earth, but the dragon vein jade marrow... Sect Master Mo, regarding that drop in the Qinglan Sect's inventory, would you be willing to part with it?”

Sect Master Mo smiled bitterly: “To tell you the truth, that drop of dragon vein jade marrow was traded away by Sect Master Lin three days ago.”

“What?”

Everyone was stunned.

“Sect Master Lin exchanged it for three Starlight Nascent Soul Condensing Pills and five fourth-grade Magic Treasures. The terms were too generous, I really... could not refuse.”

Sect Master Mo spread his hands: “However, Sect Master Lin said that in one month, he will deliver the purified void ancient tree seed as the formation eye. At that time, the Three Talents Array Eye plan can be scrapped, and the seed can be used directly as the core.”

“One month...”

Senior Tiangong frowned: “During this month, the pressure on the defensive line will be very high. Although the Spirit Devouring Clan has delayed breaking the Seal, they will definitely not sit idly by while we set up the array.”

“Then we fight.”

Lin Yue's voice came from outside the hall.

Everyone turned their heads and saw him walking in slowly.

“Young Friend Lin, you've emerged from seclusion?”

The Star Track Pavilion Master's eyes lit up: “Your aura is even more mellow... it seems you've gained quite a lot.”

“A slight improvement.”

Lin Yue nodded and looked at the array map: “Senior Tiangong's Three Talents Array Eye plan is very good. We can start deploying the auxiliary formation eyes first. When the seed purification is complete, we can just replace the core formation eye.”

“As for this month...”

A trace of coldness flashed in his eyes: “If the Spirit Devouring Clan dares to invade, then we will make sure they... never return.”

As his voice fell, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.

“Report—!”

A War Department Cultivator rushed into the hall and knelt on one knee: “Sect Master! Urgent report from the front line!”

“Speak.”

“To the northeast of the Burial Dragon Abyss Seal, large-scale spatial fluctuations have appeared! At least... three Nascent Soul level monsters are tearing through the Seal, attempting to descend early!”

“What?!”

Everyone stood up abruptly.

Three Nascent Soul level monsters descending early?

This was no small matter!

“Specific location? How far from the front line?”

“Seventy li to the northeast, exactly at the intended position of the ‘tianshu array eye’ for the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Array!”

Senior Tiangong's face changed drastically: “The tianshu array eye is the starting point of the entire array. If it is occupied by monsters, the array deployment will be delayed by at least three months!”

“They are coming for the formation eye.”

The Star Track Pavilion Master said in a heavy voice: “The Spirit Devouring Clan knows we are setting up the array. This is a... strategy to cut us off at the root.”

The atmosphere in the hall was solemn.

Lin Yue, however, smiled.

“They've come at just the right time.”

He looked at everyone: “I was just worried about having no place to test my new abilities, and they've delivered themselves to my door.”

“Pass the order—all Star Guard assemble, and the War Department enter first-level combat readiness.”

“Notify all Cultivators at the Golden Core level and above to gather at the Martial Arts Field in half a quarter of an hour.”

“In this battle, I want the Spirit Devouring Clan to know...”

He gripped the starfall sword tightly: “The Luoxia Sect's blades have already... been sharpened.”

Half a quarter of an hour later, at the Martial Arts Field.

Forty-three Star Guard stood in formation, and three thousand War Department Cultivators were filled with Killing Intent.

And even more eye-catching was that beside Lin Yue, a... silver mirror had appeared.

The mirror was about three feet high, its surface rippling like water, but what it reflected was not the surrounding scene, but... a real-time image of the location seventy li northeast of Burial Dragon Abyss!

In the image, three dark red figures were slowly squeezing out from a spatial rift.

Each figure was fifty feet tall, covered in hideous bone armor, and their auras were all at the Early Nascent Soul Stage!

And behind them, hundreds of Foundation Establishment and Golden Core level monsters were surging out like a tide.

“Do you see that?”

Lin Yue pointed at the image in the mirror: “Three Nascent Soul monsters, and over five hundred middle and low-tier monsters. Their goal is to occupy the tianshu array eye and destroy the array deployment.”

“Our mission is to... annihilate them all.”

He paused: “But this time, we'll use a different tactic.”

“All Golden Core Cultivators will pass through the portal to arrive directly behind the battlefield and set up the ‘Seven Stars Dragon-Trapping Array’ to cut off the monsters' retreat.”

“War Department Cultivators, in units of a hundred, form the ‘Starfall Battle Array’ to flank and encircle them, dividing and destroying them.”

“As for those three Nascent Soul monsters...”

Lin Yue looked at those beside him: “Immortal Master Qinglan, True Person Xuan Jian, Sect Master Mo, I'll trouble the three of you to each stop one. No need to kill them, just tie them down for thirty breaths.”

“After thirty breaths, I will... finish it.”

The three looked at each other and agreed in unison: “Good!”

“Then...”

Lin Yue raised his hand and pressed it against the silver mirror.

The mirror's surface shone brightly, and a ten-foot-tall spatial gate slowly opened in the center of the Martial Arts Field.

Behind the gate was exactly the battlefield seventy li northeast of Burial Dragon Abyss!

“Depart!”

With one command.

Forty-three Golden Core Cultivators were the first to rush into the portal.

Three thousand War Department members followed closely behind.

Immortal Master Qinglan, True Person Xuan Jian, and Sect Master Mo looked at each other and also stepped inside.

Finally, Lin Yue put away the mirror and stepped out.

The spatial gate slowly closed.

Only the Star Track Pavilion Master and Senior Tiangong remained on the Martial Arts Field.

“Pavilion Master, that mirror...”

Senior Tiangong stared at the spot where the spatial gate had disappeared, his eyes full of shock: “Could it be... Dimensional Anchoring?”

“More than that.”

The Star Track Pavilion Master slowly shook his head: “That mirror can reflect the scene seventy li away in real-time; it is clearly the technique of ‘Void Projection.’ To be able to simultaneously perform Dimensional Anchoring and Void Projection...”

He looked in the direction Lin Yue had left: “This Young Friend Lin has more secrets than we imagined.”

Senior Tiangong was silent.

Yes, too many secrets.

Time Secret Realm, Void Creation, Dimensional Anchoring... any one of these placed in the outside world would be enough to cause a bloodbath.

And all of these were concentrated on a single young Nascent Soul Cultivator.

“Pavilion Master, should we...”

“No need to delve deeper.”

The Star Track Pavilion Master waved his hand: “Everyone has secrets. As long as his position is consistent with ours, the more secrets... the better.”

He looked toward the Burial Dragon Abyss: “Now, let's see how many... trump cards this Young Friend Lin has hidden.”

In the distance, the battle had already begun.

And a battle that would truly test the Luoxia Sect's strength had only just started.