As Lin Mu continued to study the sphere’s Arrays, he began to understand just how plex it really was.
Many formations extended into hidden layers of the spatial fabric, interconnected arrays that shifted depending on the fluctuations of the Lesser Void. To study them properly, one had to stay here, to feel the pulse of the sphere and observe how it behaved under different conditions.
Lin Mu was not discouraged by the plexity. On the contrary, it excited him.
His interest in formations had only grown over the years, and this was an unparalleled chance to expand his knowledge. Even the great texts of the sects could not pare to seeing such work applied on this scale.
Each set of arrays told a story, not just of utility, but of philosophy. The Hidden Cave Sect had poured countless years into building this place, and though they had used it for sinister purposes, the craftsmanship was undeniable.
While Lin Mu immersed himself in study, events outside the sphere were in full motion.
The Xian Sword Sect and the Silent Lotus Temple had already begun the enormous task of dismantling the roots of the Hidden Cave Sect’s influence. Entire teams were dispatched to investigate spies, double agents, and hidden allies.
It was painstaking work because many of these individuals were not even aware of their affiliation. Some had been unknowingly serving the sect for years, manipulated through money or favors, while others were simply pawns in much larger games.
As such delicate handling was required.
The sects could not afford to create waves by openly accusing nobles, cultivators, or even merchants without absolute proof. The influence of the Hidden Cave Sect was deep, and pulling out the weeds too forcefully would risk tearing apart vital connections across the continent.
For this reason, specialists were brought in, and among them was Elyon.
The wolfkin had returned to the Silent Lotus world to lend his talents to the operation. With his background in information gathering and his strong ties to shadowy networks, he was a perfect fit for uncovering the truth behind sensitive affiliations.
He was tasked with investigating high-level connections, the ones too dangerous to be approached carelessly. Some spies had left behind trails of munication, while others hid behind layers of intermediaries.
Elyon excelled at tracking these subtle threads, and when his proof was delivered, no one could dispute it.
The work suited him well, and though he would have done it for free if Lin Mu had asked, the Silent Lotus Temple and the Xian Sword Sect decided to pay him generously. To them, he was not just a friend of Lin Mu, but a valuable contractor. Elyon took the fortune gladly, for there was no shame in being pensated for skill.
And it wasn’t just the wolfkin being paid, Cattaleya also found herself busy.
The mercenary had been hired to provide muscle in the more troublesome cases, where diplomacy was useless, and force was required. Some groups affiliated with the Hidden Cave Sect refused to surrender, while others posed political plications that the sect disciples could not be seen handling directly.
Cattaleya, with her expertise and power, was the perfect solution.
Her role was clear, and she did not mind the danger. pared to the great battles she had fought, this was simple work. The paycheck was large, and it was easy enough for someone of her cultivation.
She handled each assignment with precision, leaving the sects free to focus on the larger picture.
Back in the sphere, things were quieter.
The only ones remaining were Lin Mu’s panions, the elders and disciples who were still studying or cataloging what they had uncovered. Daoist Chu worked tirelessly on organizing the vast troves of documents, carefully cataloging each piece so it could be transported and studied later. His task was tedious but vital.
Without proper record-keeping, much of the information they had seized would be lost in confusion.
Meng Bai on the other hand, dedicated himself to his own growth.
He split his time between cultivation, formation study, and training with his spear. The environment was perfect for him, surrounded by elders and disciples with far more experience.
Every sparring session taught him something new. The elders did not hold back, and Meng Bai cherished the challenge. He had always been hardworking, but now his progress was visible with every passing day.
Little Shrubby and the twin snakes, Xiao Yin and Xiao Yang, supported him when they were not cultivating themselves. The three beasts had grown significantly, and they were eager to test themselves as well.
Their training helped Meng Bai polish his reflexes and develop new strategies.
Ashy, meanwhile, was far less concerned with cultivation. The little bird had found treasures in the vaults, glittering metals and bright gems that she carried back to the Sleepscape. There she had expanded her nest, decorating it with her newly found treasures.
She seemed perfectly content, watching the others while basking in her own joy.
Lin Mu, though aware of what his panions were doing, remained immersed in the formations. Days passed as he traced lines of power across the walls, testing the flow of energy and noting the variations.
Some formations stabilized the sphere within the Lesser Void, anchoring it against turbulence. Others were designed to mask its presence, making it nearly impossible to detect.
There were defensive arrays capable of enduring devastating attacks, and even healing formations that could restore vitality over time for those living within it. Though from the looks of it the healing arrays were kept inactive unless needed, their draw on power immense.
The sheer variety astounded Lin Mu.
This sphere was not merely a base; it was a living fortress, a culmination of generations of research.
He could feel his understanding of formations deepening with every passing day. Ideas formed in his mind, and he thought of how these principles could be applied elsewhere, perhaps even within the Sleepscape or in defenses for his allies or the mobile courtyard he had made.
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