Chapter 681: Xijing's Preparations

The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, Little New Year.

Xijing Huangcheng, the top level of the Stargazing Pavilion.

Here there are no elaborate decorations, only a smooth black stone floor, and huge window panes that run around the walls and almost reach the floor.

Outside the window, Xijing's streets are orderly arranged; farther away, a majestic light curtain shimmering with cold light under the winter sun can be faintly seen.

Chen Wen stood with his hands behind his back at the window, his gaze seemingly falling on the far west.

Behind him, Zhang Cheng and Zhao Lao Nian stood respectfully.

A piece of information from the most secret channel of the Peaceful Stability Bureau, encrypted with a specific momentum ripple, has just been decoded.

The content is not long, but the amount of information is astonishing.

"Huai Xi's Starfire has not moved westward."

Zhang Cheng's voice was calm, but carried a barely perceptible excitement.

"According to blurred feedback from the Pinhole Observation Station and analysis of Fortune Momentum ripples, the target area has recently endured at least three different forms of environmental intervention."

"One minor geological disturbance, two instances of biological guidance, and one information infiltration accompanied by an embryonic form of military intimidation."

"But the core halo of Starfire has not wavered; instead, it shows a tendency to gather inward and take root firmly."

"Latest situation assessment: guidance attempts have clearly been obstructed."

Zhao Lao Nian rubbed his rough fingers and said via the interface:

"The 'hand' over there is getting a bit impatient."

"The method is crude, but the force is increasing. What does that mean? It means that their scripted approach isn't very effective on that Starfire."

"At least, it's not so effective anymore."

Chen Wen did not speak.

What he 'looked' at was more.

Besides that textual information, through the subtle connection between the system and the national fortune, he could sense a cluster of "flames" in the distant west.

It is no longer as it was at first; although brilliant, it is somewhat fickle and flickering.

Now it is more like a fire seed cast into the cold earth; despite the surrounding wind and snow pressing in, and dark hands tampering, it stubbornly burns a steady cluster of light, even bearing a hint of piercing cold.

Resistance.

Clear, rational, and even carrying the meaning of research and analysis, resistance.

This is exactly what he has been waiting for.

"The time has come."

Chen Wen finally spoke, his voice sounding exceptionally clear in the empty hall.

"The Iron Crow Army's usual 'Fate Light Push' has failed; its strategy must adjust. Either increase investment for stronger intervention, or, as we previously expected, accelerate the cultivation of backup pieces."

"Either way, the window of opportunity left for us will not be long."

He turned his body, his gaze sweeping over the two senior officials.

"The matter of consolidating the foundation cannot wait any longer."

"Issue the order: begin preparations immediately according to the top-tier plan. The location is set as the underground chamber of the Heaven-bearing Hall. The time is set for the third quarter of the Zi hour on the 26th of the twelfth lunar month."

Zhang Cheng's spirit tightened, and he replied in a deep voice: "Your servant obeys the order. All required ritual materials and talisman layouts are already ready. I will immediately coordinate the Clan Court, the Imperial Workshop, and the Imperial Guard to finish the final clearing and deployment."

Zhao Lao Nian then scratched his head: "Should we first pause the secondary array of the Resonance Station? To avoid mutual interference. The matter of sending a signal to that Starfire..."

"No need to stop."

Chen Wen shook his head.

"During the ceremony, the convergence surge of Fortune Momentum will be intense; perhaps this is exactly the opportunity to send a stronger, clearer signal. Follow the plan, prepare for signal loading and transmission. The content…… can be more direct than before."

"Understood." Zhao Lao Nian nodded, "Just add some ingredients, so he can better figure out the ways of that Invisible Hand."

"Go."

Chen Wen waved his hand.

"Be meticulous, be steady. This matter concerns the foundation of our dynasty for the next hundred years; it cannot afford any loss."

"Yes!"

The two bowed and retreated, their footsteps quickly disappearing at the stairwell.

The Stargazing Pavilion returned to silence.

Chen Wen gazed westward again, his eyes deep.

"Has it taken root…… good."

He muttered softly.

"Only if the roots are deep enough can it grow tall enough to withstand the true storms and tempests of the future."

"Your path is yours to choose. What I can do is help you lift the fog before your eyes and give you enough time."

"Time......"

He raised his hand, and a faint golden halo almost imperceptible flashed across his palm.

That is an overflow of experience, the key to unlocking the next level of permission, and also…… the beginning of a massive consumption.

That same afternoon, the area around the Heaven-bearing Hall began to be placed under lockdown.

The surface reason given was that the year's end was approaching, and the routine fasting and hall inspections before the imperial ancestral sacrifice were underway.

The Imperial Guard wore ordinary uniforms, but their eyes were sharp; in a formation that appeared loose but was actually tight, they quietly sealed off the Heaven-bearing Hall and the surrounding area of a hundred zhang.

All unrelated officials and palace personnel were politely persuaded to leave or reassigned elsewhere.

Inside the hall, the heavy stone door leading to the underground chamber was inspected again.

The stone door bore no elaborate carvings, only shallow and deep grooves forming a complex, orderly pattern that faintly connected with the vast momentum meridian beneath Xijing.

The master artisans of the Imperial Workshop, under Zhang Cheng's personal supervision, carried out the final environmental adjustments.

They are not practitioners of the mystic arts, but masters versed in the study of energy‑conducting materials and structural mechanics.

Barrels of specially prepared "energy‑conducting slurry", mixed with specific mineral powders and plant extracts, were carefully poured into the pre‑carved grooves on the floor of the secret chamber.

These grooves crisscross, connecting the five main "nodes" at the four corners and the center of the secret chamber.

At each node is inlaid an energy crystal stone hammered countless times, of extremely high purity (sharing the same origin as Nether Energy Crystal Ore but processed in the opposite manner).

The crystal stones are not exposed; they are sealed inside specially made transparent glass covers, the interiors evacuated to near‑vacuum to reduce interference.

The master artisans measured the depth and width of each groove segment with a specially made copper ruler, and used a highly energy‑sensitive "probe" to check the uniformity and activity of the energy‑conducting slurry.

Any minute flaw must be repaired immediately.

The air was filled with a peculiar smell, like wet earth mixed with metal after rain.

Officials of the Ancestral Temple were busy approving ritual documents and arranging ceremonial vessels.

This is not a public sacrifice, so no bells, tripods, or sacrificial vessels are needed.

But the necessary ritual symbols are indispensable.

They brought out and wiped clean the jade disc symbolizing the Chen dynasty's mandate, the "Mountains‑Rivers‑Millet" disc (made in ancient style), examined the specially made jade slips recording the names and achievements of this occasion's recipients, and repeatedly checked the timing and positions of each ritual segment.

Everything proceeded solemnly and efficiently.

Outside Huangcheng, the streets of Xijing still brimmed with the growing festive atmosphere.

Vendors hawked New Year pictures and kitchen candy, children laughed and chased each other, and occasional crackles of firecrackers sounded.

No one knew that deep within Huangcheng, preparations that would profoundly affect the dynasty's future fate had entered their final stage.

The Scouts of the Jing'an Bureau spread like an invisible net over the surroundings of Xijing, and even farther into the wilderness.

Their task was to ensure that no suspicious gaze could peer into Huangcheng's present secret.

In particular, they guarded against the "Crows" who might spy from afar using Nether Energy fluctuations or special means.

As night fell, Chen Wen returned once more to the underground chamber that would serve as the ritual site.

The energy‑conducting slurry had dried and solidified, and under the glow of the specially made ever‑lasting lamp it gave off a dark‑silver metallic sheen, forming a stark contrast with the black stone floor.

The crystals at the five nodes softly emitted a warm, restrained glow within their glass covers.

The entire chamber resembled a slumbering beast, awaiting the moment it would be awakened.

Chen Wen stood at the chamber's center and closed his eyes.

An intangible perception spread outward from him, carefully examining every pattern and each node, sensing whether their connection to Xijing's subterranean energy mainline was smooth and stable.

After a long while, he opened his eyes.

"It's ready."

He said to Zhang Cheng, who had been standing by his side.

"Notify Yue Fei, the Five Ministers, and the other four designated recipients. Have them bathe and calm their minds on the evening of the twenty‑fifth of the twelfth month, and await in their respective mansions."

"Before midnight, someone will come to guide them here."

Zhang Cheng solemnly accepted.

"Your Majesty, when the nation's fortune is drawn, celestial phenomena may shift; even deep underground at night, it will likely be impossible to completely shield against the fluctuations……"

"No problem."

Chen Wen looked toward the top of the chamber.

There, the same composite patterns for convergence and shielding were engraved.

"What ought to be seen will eventually be seen. What we want is for them to see the 'result', not the 'process'."

"Understood."

Zhang Cheng withdrew to make the arrangements.

Chen Wen remained alone in the chamber as it grew dim.

The ever‑lasting lamp's light cast his tall, upright silhouette onto the pattern‑covered floor, stretching it long.

The twenty‑sixth of the twelfth month, three quarters past midnight.

Everything will soon be revealed.

He needed Xijing to be ready.

He also needed to prepare himself.

To face the cleansing flood of the nation's fortune, to complete that crucial 'breakthrough', and then……

Bestow time.