199: Chapter 199 The Five Elements Earth Veins: The Beginning of Completion

Half a month later.

Little Star's plan to deploy the space warning Formation encountered a Bottleneck.

It wasn't a technical issue—this Formation Genius perfected the Formation diagram in just three days after receiving the first batch of space crystals provided by Lin Yue.

It was a resource problem.

"Sect Master, to cover the entire Southern Border, we need at least three thousand jin of space crystals."

Little Star held a long list of Materials, looking worried: "The two hundred jin you gave last time were only enough to deploy the pilot area around Luoxia Mountain."

"And besides space crystals, we also need a large amount of auxiliary Materials—Star-Fixing Sand, Void Vine, Star Track Stone..."

Lin Yue took the list and glanced at it.

It was indeed very expensive.

With Luoxia Sect's current assets, even if they emptied everything, they couldn't gather enough.

"Which of these Materials can be sourced locally in the Southern Border?"

"Star-Fixing Sand and Star Track Stone can."

Little Star quickly replied: "There are Mineral Veins of Star-Fixing Sand near Falling Star Valley, and we have some reserves of Star Track Stone in the Sect's warehouse."

"But Void Vine must be purchased from the Central Region. That thing only grows near void rifts; the Southern Border doesn't produce it."

Void Vine.

Lin Yue noted this name.

"First, use the existing Materials to deploy the warning Formation around Luoxia Mountain."

"As for the plan to cover the entire region... I'll think of a way."

"Yes."

Little Star breathed a sigh of relief, then remembered something: "By the way, Sect Master, Elder Star Radiance asked me to remind you that those three infiltrating forces have been very active lately."

"Especially the one suspected to be Remnants of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion; they seem to be searching for something."

"Can the specific location be determined?"

"Roughly in... the area of the Ancient Demon Clan Ruins."

Ancient Demon Clan Ruins?

Lin Yue's eyes flickered.

That place—he remembered the Star Track Pavilion Master mentioning it—was a possible location for one of the five-star keys, the 'wood key'.

What are the Remnants of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion doing there?

"Continue monitoring; report any abnormalities immediately."

"Understood."

After Little Star left, Lin Yue did not act immediately.

He first handled some daily Sect affairs—mainly distributing post-war compensation and allocating resources.

Lin Cang had arranged everything in an orderly manner, but the fatigue between his brows was unmistakable.

"Grand Elder, you should also rest for a few days."

Lin Yue looked at this old man who had toiled for the Lin family and Luoxia Sect for most of his life, his tone unusually gentle.

Lin Cang shook his head: "Sect Master, rest assured, this old man can endure."

"It's just... the resource gap is indeed too large."

He took out an account book: "Compensation distribution has already used up seventy percent of the Sect's reserves. The remaining thirty percent must sustain the daily cultivation of thirty thousand Disciples; it can last at most three months."

"Moreover, after the Spiritual Qi concentration in the Southern Border decreased, spirit field output has reduced by twenty percent, and Mineral Vein mining efficiency has also declined."

"If we don't find new resource channels soon, the Sect's operations will face problems."

Lin Yue fell silent.

This was the reality of post-war reconstruction—after the cheers of victory faded, came the heaviness of daily necessities.

"What about trade channels?"

"They've already been opened."

Lin Cang turned to another page: "Qinglan Sect and the Seven Star Alliance have both signed long-term orders, mainly purchasing Star Pattern Equipment and Star Iron Medicinal Pills."

"But their demand is limited, and... they're driving a hard bargain."

"After all, the Southern Border is in need now."

Lin Yue sneered.

This was the method of those Sects in the Central Region—openly offering aid, secretly exploiting.

Using a little charity to exchange for the Southern Border's core resources.

"Tell them the price cannot go any lower."

"If they're unwilling, we'll find other buyers."

Lin Cang hesitated: "But Sect Master, besides them, who else would..."

"The Loose Cultivator Alliance, Seven Star Pavilion."

Lin Yue uttered a name: "Didn't they establish a branch in the Southern Border?"

"Contact them, supply some Star Pattern Equipment at ninety percent of the market price."

"Additionally, open part of Luoxia Sect's task System, allowing Loose Cultivators to take tasks—exchanging contribution points for Medicinal Pills and Magical Artifacts."

Lin Cang's eyes lit up.

Right.

Although individual Loose Cultivators have weak purchasing power, their numbers are vast, and their demand is stable.

Most importantly—they aren't affiliated with any Sect and won't be controlled by those major Sects in the Central Region.

"I'll go handle it right away."

Lin Cang left with renewed vigor.

In the quiet room, Lin Yue rubbed his temples.

Sect management was more mentally draining than he had imagined.

Fortunately, he had capable assistants like Lin Cang to handle most of the trivial matters.

And he only needed to grasp the general direction.

His consciousness sank into the Small World.

Half a month had passed (about seven years in the Small World), and Star Spirit Valley had undergone earth-shaking changes.

The three wooden huts had expanded into a small village, with neat houses arranged along the spirit fields. A simple meeting hall had even been built in the center.

Star One, Star Two, and Star Three's cultivation had reached the Middle Foundation Establishment Stage.

And the two new Star Spirit Seeds nurtured by the World Tree had also hatched three days ago—they were two Star Spirits in the form of young girls, named Star Four and Star Five respectively.

Now, the Star Spirit Clan had five members.

"Master."

Haotian sensed Lin Yue's arrival and manifested his form.

"How's the progress?"

"Star One has preliminarily mastered third-tier forging techniques and can refine Foundation Establishment Stage Magical Artifacts."

"Star Two has cultivated three new types of spirit plants, among which 'moonlight grass' can accelerate Star Spirit growth."

"Star Three has discovered three new Mineral Veins—two star iron veins and one space crystal vein."

"Star Four excels at Formations and is researching a simplified version of the Spirit Gathering Formation."

"Star Five has a special perception for medicinal herbs and is compiling a spirit plant atlas around the World Tree."

After hearing the report, Lin Yue felt satisfied.

Clear division of labor, each with their own strengths.

The potential of the Star Spirit Clan was gradually being revealed.

"What about the mining of the space crystal vein?"

"It has already begun."

Haotian waved his hand, and starlight projected the scene of vein mining.

Star Three, along with Star One and Star Four, were busy in front of a mountain wall.

They held specially made Star Iron Picks; each strike precisely chipped off a fist-sized piece of raw space crystal ore.

The efficiency wasn't high, but it was stable.

"Current daily output is about fifty jin."

"If the Star Spirit Clan's population reaches ten, it can increase to two hundred jin per day."

Ten people.

Lin Yue looked at the time tree.

On the tree crown, three new light clusters were condensing.

"How much longer for these three?"

"Natural incubation takes thirty years; if resources are invested... three months."

"Accelerate it."

Lin Yue didn't hesitate: "Also, have Star Two focus on cultivating moonlight grass; that's key to accelerating Star Spirit growth."

"Yes."

Haotian acknowledged.

Lin Yue observed the Star Spirit Clan's life for a while longer and was about to leave when Haotian suddenly spoke:

"Master, should the Small World's Five Elements completion plan be initiated?"

Lin Yue stopped.

"Do you have an idea?"

"Yes."

Haotian raised his hand, and starlight condensed into a map of the Southern Border in the air.

On the map, dozens of light points were marked.

"This is the distribution of the main Spiritual Veins currently existing in the Southern Border."

"Among them, there are three to five earth veins each of the metal, wood, water, fire, and earth attributes."

"But most are damaged, with severe Spiritual Qi leakage."

Haotian pointed to five of the light points: "These five earth veins have single attributes, high quality, and moderate damage."

"They are most suitable as sources for completing the Small World's Five Elements."

Lin Yue examined carefully.

Geng Metal Earth Vein—located on the outskirts of Falling Star Valley, lightly damaged due to the protection of the Star Miasma Dragon Lizard tribe.

Qingmu Earth Vein—deep within the Ancient Demon Clan Ruins, but sealed by ancient Restrictions, difficult to obtain.

Hanshui Earth Vein—hidden in an underground river, requiring descent three thousand li underground.

Yanhuo Earth Vein—inside the Southern Border's largest volcano, 'Molten Heart Mountain', guarded by a Nascent Soul-level Fire Spirit.

Houtu Earth Vein—located in Qinglan Sect's ancestral land, the foundation of their Sect establishment, almost impossible to borrow.

Each one was a tough nut to crack.

"Directly extracting earth veins would cause too much commotion and provoke backlash from all Sects in the Southern Border."

Lin Yue shook his head: "We need a different approach."

"Master is wise."

Haotian's eyes shimmered with starlight: "I've deduced a plan—under the pretext of repairing the Southern Border's Spiritual Veins, deploy the 'Five Elements Rotation Grand Array'."

"Nominally, it slowly nourishes the damaged Spiritual Veins, but actually... during the array's operation, we can intercept part of the Five Elements Essence and channel it into the Small World."

"This way, we won't damage the earth veins' foundation and can still achieve our goal."

"Moreover, because it's a 'repair project', the Sects in the Southern Border won't oppose it; instead, they'll actively support it."

Lin Yue's eyes lit up.

This idea was clever.

Using a public cause to handle private matters.

The key point—everyone would owe him a favor.

"Can the Formation achieve this?"

"Yes."

Haotian affirmed: "As long as Master provides sufficient Formation Materials, I can deduce the complete Formation diagram."

"However... we need a Cultivator proficient in Formations to oversee it."

"Little Star?"

"Yes, he is the most suitable candidate."

Lin Yue smiled.

This was called killing three birds with one stone—repairing the Southern Border's Spiritual Veins, completing the Small World's Five Elements, and allowing Little Star to improve his Formation skills through practical experience.

"Let's do it this way."

"Start with the Geng Metal Earth Vein."

"Within three months, I want to see results."

"Yes."

Haotian bowed.

Lin Yue's consciousness returned.

He walked out of the quiet room and came to Luoxia Sect's highest point—the Star Gazing Platform.

This was where Little Star and Star Radiance often stayed.

Sure enough, both were there.

Little Star was lying over a huge Formation diagram, scribbling and drawing. Star Radiance had her eyes closed, concentrating, with starlight flowing in her hands, as if deducing something.

"Sect Master."

Star Radiance noticed first and stood up to bow.

Little Star also hurriedly stood up.

"Sit."

Lin Yue waved his hand and looked at Star Radiance: "Any new discoveries about the Ancient Demon Clan Ruins?"

"Yes."

Star Radiance's expression was grave: "That group seems to be breaking the ruins' core Restrictions."

"And... they used Spirit Devouring Clan methods."

"Using the Star Gazing Technique, I sensed that evil qi is slowly spreading deep within the ruins."

Spirit Devouring Clan methods.

Lin Yue's eyes turned cold.

The Remnants of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion indeed still had connections with the Spirit Devouring Clan.

"Can their purpose be determined?"

"No, but it's likely related to the 'wood key'."

Star Radiance paused: "Sect Master, we need to stop them."

"I know."

Lin Yue nodded but wasn't in a hurry: "But now is not the time."

"Why?"

"Because we need a reason."

Lin Yue looked into the distance, a sly smile curling at the corner of his mouth: "A legitimate reason to enter the Ancient Demon Clan Ruins without arousing anyone's suspicion."

Little Star blinked and suddenly understood something: "Sect Master, you mean..."

"The Five Elements Rotation Grand Array."

Lin Yue looked at Little Star: "I need you to oversee this grand array to repair the damaged Spiritual Veins in the Southern Border."

"And the first stop... is the Qingmu Earth Vein near the Ancient Demon Clan Ruins."

Little Star's eyes lit up.

Star Radiance also showed a look of realization.

Entering the ruins under the pretext of repairing earth veins would allow them to monitor that group while legitimately investigating.

Even if discovered, they could say 'to repair the earth vein, we had no choice but to break the Restrictions'.

Perfect.

"I'll prepare the Formation diagram; you list the Materials."

Lin Yue said to Little Star: "In three days, I want to see a preliminary plan."

"Yes!"

Little Star excitedly acknowledged.

Lin Yue then looked at Star Radiance: "Continue monitoring, but don't expose yourself."

"After we enter the ruins... we'll have a good 'chat' with them."

"Understood."

Star Radiance's eyes flashed with cold light.

Lin Yue turned and looked toward the direction of the Ancient Demon Clan Ruins.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, his figure was cast long.

Wise, sly.

Everything was within his calculations.