Chapter 355: Network Collapse, Danger Lurks on All Sides

Lin Xuan stood on the mountain peak in the southeast region, looking at the ruins before him, his mood heavy to the extreme. This place was originally a key Fangyu Jiedian of the energy network, where the Ancient Guardians had laid down a powerful protective Array. However, now, apart from scattered energy fluctuations and some broken Runes, everything had disappeared.

"This is already the seventh failed node." The Qingbai Jushe coiled beside Lin Xuan, letting out a heavy sigh.

"According to ancient records, once eight nodes of the energy network fail, the entire system will completely collapse." Lin Xuan's expression was grave, "We only have one last buffer space left."

The Qingbai Jushe slithered to the center of the ruins, sensing the residual energy fluctuations. "The way the protective Array here collapsed is different from the previous ones; it seems to have been disintegrated from the inside by some kind of force."

"Disintegrated from the inside?" Lin Xuan frowned, "Has the extraterrestrial civilization already mastered the internal structure of the energy network?"

"It is very likely they obtained the information through those controlled Practitioners." The Qingbai Jushe analyzed, "We always thought the energy network was the secret of the guardians, but now it seems the extraterrestrial civilization's understanding of it might be deeper than our own."

Lin Xuan was silent for a moment, took out a communication talisman, and quickly contacted Li Yan and Ling Bo: "The seventh node has failed; the situation is more critical than anticipated."

Almost simultaneously, news from various places became even more worrying. Spirit Qi across the globe began to show severe abnormalities. In some areas of North America, the concentration of Spirit Qi plummeted to the point of near disappearance; local Practitioners were unable to cultivate normally, and the operation of their techniques became extremely difficult. Meanwhile, in some regions of Europe and Asia, phenomena of Spirit Qi running wild appeared, with large amounts of Spirit Qi gathering together and losing its original order, leading to drastic changes in the local ecology—plants grew wildly, animals mutated, and even some peculiar creatures never seen before appeared.

Even more worrying was that following the Yi Hua Qu established by Saide, several similar areas formed spontaneously. These areas had no clear boundaries, but once one entered, they would find that traditional cultivation laws completely failed. Replacing them was a brand-new law of energy operation; those who had accepted the methods of the extraterrestrial civilization were like fish in water here, while traditional Practitioners were like people whose martial arts had been crippled.

"The situation is spiraling out of control." Li Yan responded through the communication talisman, his voice filled with anxiety, "The Shushan Sect just sent word that a large number of ordinary people are starting to be affected by extraterrestrial energy. Some inexplicably manifest special abilities but cannot control them; others have fallen ill because they cannot adapt to the energy changes."

"The Mysterious Organization is also taking the opportunity to expand its influence." Ling Bo added, "They have publicly declared that only by accepting 'extraterrestrial evolution' can one survive in the new era. Many small sects and some ordinary people have already been persuaded by them to voluntarily accept transformation by extraterrestrial energy."

Lin Xuan clenched his fists, feeling a deep sense of powerlessness. The energy network was about to collapse, Spirit Qi was in chaos, the Yi Hua Qu were spreading, ordinary people were being affected, the Mysterious Organization was fanning the flames... the crisis was closing in on them from all directions.

"We must meet immediately to formulate the next step of the plan." Lin Xuan decided decisively.

A few hours later, the three of them met at the Yuangu Jidi. They each brought the latest intelligence, and the picture was even bleaker than imagined.

"According to the Green-Robed Person's intelligence, the extraterrestrial civilization has established multiple strongholds on a global scale." Ling Bo displayed a map marked with abnormal areas, "These strongholds have formed a special energy network that is gradually replacing our energy network."

Li Yan nodded: "Although the Star-Extinguishing Flame can counter extraterrestrial energy, its range of effect is limited. I have already taught it to some trusted sect experts, but in the face of such large-scale mutation, it is far from enough."

The Qingbai Jushe suddenly spoke: "I have an idea, it might be feasible."

Everyone's gaze turned toward it.

"I noticed that although the Extraterrestrial Civilization Mark on the Houxuanzhe comes from outside the world, it presents a certain characteristic of opposing balance." The Qingbai Jushe explained, "The Array formed by combining these marks might be able to, in turn, counter the extraterrestrial civilization."

"You mean using the enemy's weapon to deal with the enemy themselves?" Lin Xuan's eyes lit up.

"Exactly." The Qingbai Jushe continued, "The energy of the extraterrestrial civilization is not entirely uncontrollable, but requires a special way to guide it. The marks on the Houxuanzhe are very likely the key to this guidance."

Ling Bo was thoughtful: "This coincides with my findings while researching the Heaven Origin Instrument. The Heaven Origin Instrument seems to be a device designed to guide and Zhuanghua extraterrestrial energy."

Li Yan added: "And the principle of the Star-Extinguishing Flame is also to Zhuanghua extraterrestrial energy into pure fire elements, rather than simply resisting it."

The three exchanged glances, seemingly all realizing the same thing—the key to countering the extraterrestrial civilization lay not in resistance, but in Zhuanghua and guidance.

"Then, we have three key tasks now." Lin Xuan summarized, "First, find all the components of the Heaven Origin Instrument as soon as possible; second, protect the remaining Houxuanzhe and study how to utilize the Array of marks on them; third, try our best to maintain the stability of the last Fangyu Jiedian to buy us more time."

The three soon split up to act: Lin Xuan headed to the last intact Fangyu Jiedian to try his best to maintain its stability; Li Yan was responsible for contacting major sects to organize joint actions against the Yi Hua Qu; Ling Bo focused on researching how to utilize the Houxuanzhe Array while continuing to search for clues about the Heaven Origin Instrument.

Lin Xuan arrived at the last Fangyu Jiedian located in the Xibei Gaoyuan. This was an ancient temple that looked ordinary on the outside, but the inside was carved with complex Runes, forming a powerful energy Core.

"Must reinforce the defense." Lin Xuan said to the Qingbai Jushe, "Although I know this is only a temporary measure, every extra day we hold out is one more hope of finding a solution."

The Qingbai Jushe nodded and began to assist Lin Xuan in checking and repairing the weak links in the node. They discovered that this node already had multiple energy leaks, like a sinking ship with more and more holes.

"Not enough, still not enough." Sweat beaded on Lin Xuan's forehead, "With our current strength, we can only hold on for seven days at most."

Just at this moment, a group of Practitioners arrived from afar. Leading them was a white-haired old man, none other than Xuan Qingzi of the Taixu Temple.

"Little Friend Lin, we have come to lend you a hand." Xuan Qingzi cupped his hands, "Although we suffered a great loss in front of Saide last time, protecting the world is our shared responsibility."

Lin Xuan nodded gratefully: "With Senior Xuan's help, my confidence has greatly increased."