Chapter 169

In the main hall of the Star-Fixing Hall, the lights were bright, and the formation isolated the inside from the outside. Wei Gong stood with his hands behind his back in front of the huge Endless Hanhai star map, his brows locked, his gaze fixed on the coordinate in the southeast corner of the star map, marking the Return-to-Ruins Sea Eye area, which was currently flashing with dark red warning light. True Person Beichen, Elder Lingshuang, Elder Hunyou, and several high-rank Star Palace deacons responsible for the monitoring formation all stood solemnly to the side, their expressions one more grave than the other.

Lin Xuan's figure appeared silently in the hall, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

"Daoist Lin, you have come just in time." Wei Gong turned around, a trace of rare irritability on his aged face. He pointed to the star map. "Just half an hour ago, the deep-layer monitoring formation of the Return-to-Ruins Sea Eye transmitted abnormal fluctuations. The intensity is not great, but... the nature is extremely special."

A Star Palace deacon immediately stepped forward, holding a recording crystal that was emitting a faint light with flowing light and shadow inside, respectfully saying: "Venerable Lin, this is the energy ripple record captured by the 'Deep Sea Listening Formation.' There were three abnormal fluctuations in total, each lasting about three breaths, with irregular intervals. Their frequency and energy characteristics... are more than 80% similar to the 'resonance fluctuations' we previously recorded when the demonic seed within young master Zhao Yuan was active! And..."

He paused, his voice somewhat dry. "And, these three fluctuations were not chaotic. According to the formation's retrospective deduction, their source does not seem to be fixed at one place in the Sea Eye, but... is moving! Although the range of movement is small and the speed is extremely slow, it is indeed... slowly shifting toward the deeper 'blind zone' of the Sea Eye, where the 'energy veins' we previously marked are most dense!"

Moving? Toward the deeper blind zone where the "Distortion Core" might be located?

Lin Xuan's eyes tightened. He took the recording crystal, his Chaos Tribulation Pupils flickering with light, directly "reading" the information inside. The energy ripple landscape inside the crystal transformed into a more intuitive map of "existence" and "abnormality" in his eyes. Those three weak dark purple ripples were like the tongue of a poisonous snake flashing in the dark night; although short-lived, they carried the disgusting "activity" and "purposefulness" homologous to the demonic seed in Zhao Yuan's consciousness sea.

"Is the 'Distortion Core' actively 'summoning' or 'pulling'?" Elder Lingshuang's voice was icy. "Or... did the treatment process of the demonic seed within Zhao Yuan stimulate it, causing it to produce some kind of 'response' or 'vigilance'?"

Elder Hunyou stroked his beard, his face gloomy. "What is more troublesome is that it is moving... although slow, this means our judgment of its position may already be outdated. And, if it can really move slowly, does it also mean... it possesses a certain 'mobility' or instinct to 'seek advantages and avoid disadvantages'? Even, is it... 'avoiding' our investigation, or... 'searching' for a more suitable 'position'?"

This speculation made everyone's back feel cold. The threat and uncontrollability of a "living pollution hub" that possessed a primitive will, was slowly growing, and could move slightly, would far exceed a fixed source of pollution!

Lin Xuan put down the crystal, was silent for a moment, and said slowly: "During the treatment process, in the final stage, I once sensed a trace of extremely subtle cross-space palpitation, coming from the depths of Zhao Yuan's consciousness sea, pointing toward the Sea Eye. Although it was isolated in time, it may have been 'perceived' by the other party. The abnormality monitored this time roughly coincides with the end of the treatment in time, and it is very likely the 'response' of the 'Distortion Core' to the demonic seed being triggered."

He looked at Wei Gong: "It may have regarded the purification process of the demonic seed within Zhao Yuan as a kind of 'threat' or 'provocation.' This weak movement and active emission of homologous fluctuations may be a probe, a warning, or perhaps... an attempt to re-establish or strengthen some kind of connection."

Wei Gong took a deep breath. "In other words, our action to purify the demonic seed not only concerns the safety of Zhao Yuan alone, but may also directly stimulate the biggest hidden danger deep in the Sea Eye?"

"They are mutually causal." Lin Xuan nodded. "If the demonic seed is not removed, Zhao Yuan is in danger, and as an 'offspring' or 'beacon,' it could be used by the core at any time to trigger a greater catastrophe. But purifying the demonic seed may alert the core, accelerating its abnormality or catalyzing unknown changes. It is a dilemma."

The hall fell into silence. The invisible pressure was like deep-sea water, pressing heavily on everyone's hearts.

"Could it be... that we can only watch that thing slowly grow in the depths of the Sea Eye? Waiting for the day it fully awakens, or is completely controlled by the Demonic Abyss, becoming a weapon to devour this realm?" a Star Palace Elder couldn't help but say in a low voice.

"No." True Person Beichen immediately vetoed it. "The demonic seed within young friend Zhao Yuan has already deeply entangled with his Nascent Soul. If we delay, the erosion will only deepen, making it even harder to deal with, and the risk of it spontaneously triggering the core will also become greater and greater. Moreover, if we stop because we are afraid of alerting the core, wouldn't that be exactly what the Demonic Abyss wants? They planted this demonic seed, probably calculating that we would be afraid of damaging the vase to catch the rat!"

"Elder Beichen's words are very true." Elder Lingshuang said coldly. "The Demonic Abyss is good at schemes and tricks. If we retreat step by step, we will only let them get an inch and want a foot. The top priority is to strengthen the monitoring and response preparations for the Sea Eye's abnormality while continuing to treat Zhao Yuan. Since that thing might move, we must have the means to 'stare it to death' or even 'restrict' its movement when necessary!"

A flash of severity appeared in Wei Gong's eyes. "Elder Lingshuang is right! Pass the order: First, all monitoring formations are to be upgraded to maximum power, focusing on monitoring changes in the deep energy veins of the Sea Eye and any abnormal movement trajectories, regardless of spirit stone consumption! Second, mobilize the best formation masters from the Star Palace and the Imperial Ministry of Works to study the feasibility of deploying 'space anchoring' or 'energy hysteresis' formations at known 'energy vein' nodes. We don't seek to trap it to death, only to delay its movement and win reaction time for us! Third, accelerate the research on the purification power of the 'Star Essence' fragments, find a more efficient purification plan that causes less damage to Zhao Yuan, and at the same time... prepare a backup plan."

He looked at Lin Xuan and said in a deep voice: "Daoist Lin, the treatment of Zhao Yuan cannot stop, but the strategy needs to be adjusted. Can the progress be accelerated? Or, while purifying the peripheral tentacles, can you try to deploy more exquisite 'information isolation' or 'perception deception' barriers with Chaos Tribulation Power to minimize the stimulation of the core during the treatment process?"

Lin Xuan pondered: "If we accelerate the progress, the pain and risk Zhao Yuan bears will increase greatly; it depends on his own will and recovery. As for isolation and deception... we can try. The connection between the demonic seed and the core is based on homologous resonance and some kind of 'contract' residue. I may be able to simulate some distorted, chaotic 'noise' with Chaos Tribulation Power to interfere with the purity of its information transmission. But this requires extremely fine control, and the effect is unknown."

"In any case, we must try!" Wei Gong decided. "Daoist Lin, I entrust Zhao Yuan's side entirely to you. If you need any resources or manpower, speak at any time. Elder, Beichen, and Lingshuang will be responsible for the Sea Eye monitoring and counter-deployment. Daoist Hunyou, please continue to research the characteristics of the demonic seed and the way of purification."

The group acknowledged the order and left one after another, the tension of an impending great battle filling the air.

When Lin Xuan returned to the side hall, Zhao Yuan was still sleeping, but his aura was much steadier than before, and the flashing frequency of the dark purple mark between his brows had also decreased somewhat. The pain and consumption of the first treatment were huge, but it was also like tempering in a raging fire, allowing his body and soul to gain a trace of consolidation after reaching the limit.

Lin Xuan did not wake him immediately, but sat cross-legged by the bed, closing his eyes to deduce again. In his mind, various information about the demonic seed, the core, Chaos Tribulation Power, and star purification power flowed and collided rapidly. He was looking for a fine plan that could efficiently purify the periphery of the demonic seed while "shielding" the treatment fluctuations to the maximum extent.

About two hours later, Zhao Yuan woke up leisurely.

This time, there was much less confusion and pain in his eyes, and more calmness and sharpness after experiencing hardships. The weakness of his body was still strong, and the cracks in the Nascent Soul and the heaviness of the consciousness sea had not disappeared, but he could clearly feel that his control over the Nirvana Sword Intent and star power, as well as the clarity of his inward look, had improved by a notch compared to before the treatment. The "parasitic feeling" like a maggot in the bone had also lightened slightly.

"How do you feel?" Lin Xuan's voice rang out.

Zhao Yuan struggled to sit up, although his movements were still slow and laborious, they were much better than before. "Returning to Senior, I feel... much clearer, and the operation of power in my body is smoother, but I am still weak. That demonic seed... seems to have quieted down?"

"The peripheral tentacles have been purified, and its activity is temporarily suppressed." Lin Xuan nodded. "But the core has not moved, and the hidden danger remains. And..." He briefly informed Zhao Yuan about the monitoring of the Sea Eye's abnormality and the situation that might be related to the treatment.

After listening, Zhao Yuan's complexion changed slightly, but there was not much panic, instead a bitter smile appeared. "Sure enough... this junior is a source of trouble."

"It was the Demonic Abyss that turned you into a source of trouble." Lin Xuan corrected. "Now, we need to turn the trouble into an opportunity." He informed Zhao Yuan of the adjusted treatment strategy—while continuing to purify the peripheral tentacles, try to deploy interference with Chaos Tribulation Power to reduce the stimulation to the Sea Eye core, but this also meant that the treatment process would have higher requirements for mind control, and the risk might increase.

"Are you willing to try?" Lin Xuan asked.

Zhao Yuan did not hesitate at all, his eyes firm: "Willing! This junior has already dragged down the Alliance too much. If I can use this body as bait to find the monster's weakness, even if my soul flies away and scatters, I will not regret it! Moreover, Senior is not letting this junior die, but seeking a glimmer of survival. This junior will definitely do his best to cooperate with Senior!"

Looking at the unquestionable determination in Zhao Yuan's eyes, Lin Xuan nodded slightly. "Very well. You should adjust your breathing first and adjust your state to the best. In one hour, we will begin the second treatment. This time, I will try to deploy a layer of Chaos 'maze' around the demonic seed in your consciousness sea, which requires you to cooperate with sword intent to stabilize it. The process may be uncomfortable, so be sure to endure it."

"Yes!"

Zhao Yuan immediately closed his eyes and focused, beginning to adjust his breathing with all his might. He knew that the next challenge would be even more difficult than the first.

One hour passed in tense waiting.

The second treatment began.

This time, Lin Xuan's movements were more exquisite. At the tip of his right index finger, a wisp of gray Chaos energy stream, extremely thin but containing complex and changing Dao rhymes, condensed and slowly pointed toward Zhao Yuan's brow. At the same time, the purification power of the "Star Essence" fragment in his left hand was injected simultaneously, but the rhythm and frequency were controlled more subtly.

Zhao Yuan held his breath and focused, guiding his own Nirvana Sword Intent and star power, like the most loyal guards, guarding around the Nascent Soul core and key memory areas, while at the same time dividing a part of his mind to actively "welcome" the wisp of Chaos energy stream pointing at his brow.

The moment the Chaos energy stream touched the edge of the consciousness sea, Zhao Yuan felt a strange "dizziness" and "weightlessness," as if the boundary of the consciousness sea was briefly distorted and stretched. Immediately after, the wisp of Chaos energy stream transformed into countless finer, smoke-like gray threads, spreading silently, not attacking the demonic seed, but like weaving a net, covering a thin, constantly changing and distorting "film" over the dark purple "tentacles" and external energy and information exchange "channels" around the demonic seed that had not yet been purified.

This "Chaos maze" was not solid, and its function was not isolation (complete isolation might trigger a violent backlash from the demonic seed), but "interference" and "confusion." It would make the resonance signal emitted by the demonic seed outward become blurred, distorted, and full of "noise," and at the same time, it would cause any probing or pulling fluctuations transmitted from the outside (especially from the direction of the Sea Eye core) to undergo unpredictable deflection and attenuation when passing through this maze.

The process of deploying the "Chaos maze" was another kind of torment for Zhao Yuan. It was not direct pain, but a strange and uncomfortable feeling of his soul being repeatedly kneaded by invisible hands and his perception being forcibly distorted, as if he were drunk, or as if he were in a bizarre kaleidoscope, his mind easily scattered. He had to hold fast to his sword heart at all times, use the Nirvana intent to stabilize his soul core, and use star power to maintain the reference coordinate of perception, to barely stay awake and cooperate with Lin Xuan to complete this extremely exquisite "surgery."

Time passed bit by bit.

Fine beads of sweat also appeared on Lin Xuan's forehead, which was rare. This kind of Chaos power manipulation at the micro-level consumed a huge amount of mental energy.

Finally, when the last wisp of Chaos thread returned to its place, the "maze," thin as a cicada's wing but ever-changing, covering the key areas around the demonic seed, initially took shape.

"Focus, hold fast! I am going to start purifying the next tentacle!" Lin Xuan shouted in a low voice, and the purification light of the "Star Essence" fragment in his left hand, like a precisely calculated water flow, bypassed certain specific "pores" of the "Chaos maze" and shot precisely at a dark purple tentacle that was slightly further from the demonic seed core but relatively thick!

With the buffer of the "Chaos maze," this time, the demonic seed's backlash seemed to be half a beat slower, and the intensity was also reduced. Although the pain Zhao Yuan felt was still intense, the impact of illusions and the erosion of evil thoughts were obviously much more chaotic and scattered, no longer as concentrated and sharp as before.

He gritted his teeth, guided the purification power and his own sword intent, cooperated with Lin Xuan's Chaos Tribulation Power, and began the slow and firm "cutting" and "burning" again...

The treatment continued to advance in a relatively "stable" but still difficult state.

And at the same time, in the endless dark abyss of the Return-to-Ruins Sea Eye.

That viscous "fluid," flickering with dark gold and dark purple starlight, was slowly squirming in the "void." That weak, cold primitive will seemed somewhat... "confused" because it had lost an expected "clear signal"? Its invisible and intangible "perception" swept over the dark red and dark purple veins that connected to it like a neural network around it.

The resonance fluctuation from an "offspring" above had become... blurred? Intermittent? As if separated by a layer of constantly shaking water surface.

It tried to emit a trace of weak pulling fluctuation again, but the information fed back was more chaotic and difficult to parse.

An instinctive uneasiness about "loss of control" and "abnormality" and... hidden anger was born in this cold will.

Its huge, slowly "flowing" body seemed to move... another trace extremely slightly toward a deep blind zone that it instinctively identified as "safer" and more "energy-rich."

And in the deepest part of its viscous "fluid," something like an "embryo" wrapped in layers of filthy star evil and blood resentment seemed to palpitate extremely weakly... because of the "interference" and "uneasiness" from the outside world.

On the monitoring formation, the light point representing its position shifted again in a way that was difficult to detect.

A storm was silently accumulating on the deepest seabed.