In the heart of Dragon Spine County City lies the County Governor's Manor, a bastion of authority and governance in the region. Within its walls, an elderly figure sits with dignified poise, occupying one the chair on a rectangular table. Draped in robes reserved solely for members of the Imperial Council, he commands respect and authority as the Royal Advisor to the Emperor.
Tasked with the solemn duty of locating the individual who achieved a breakthrough to higher realms, the Royal Advisor's mind is focused and resolute. His years of experience and wisdom guide him in this crucial endeavor, knowing full well the implications of such a momentous event.
Seated opposite the Royal Advisor, a man in his early thirties, his hair prematurely white, addresses him with a tone of assurance. Clad in the distinguished uniform of the Dragon Empire's governance, he exudes an aura of authority befitting his position as the governor of Dragon Spine County—the most influential figure within its bounds.
"Royal Advisor," he begins, his voice carrying a weight of responsibility, "it is confirmed that the location of the individual who broke through is indeed in the Tail Region. Envoys have been dispatched to ascertain the precise whereabouts, and we anticipate their return within the hour."
With a measured nod, the Royal Advisor acknowledges the governor's report, his expression betraying a hint of anticipation mingled with apprehension. The fate of the empire hinges on the successful resolution of this matter, and every moment is fraught with significance as they await further developments. "Your assistance is invaluable, County Governor," the Royal Advisor acknowledges with a nod of gratitude, his demeanor reflecting the gravity of the situation at hand.
The county governor responds with a humble expression, his commitment to the empire evident in his every word and gesture. "It is my duty to serve and safeguard the interests of the empire," he affirms solemnly, his unwavering dedication resonating throughout the chamber.
As the Royal Advisor issues his directive, the room stirs with a sense of solemnity. Each member of the assembly listens intently, fully aware of the gravity of the impending conflict.
Among them, three individuals from the capital's prominent families stand poised and resolute, their demeanor reflecting a blend of determination and apprehension. Alongside them, five distinguished figures of the Imperial Council exude an air of authority and readiness, prepared to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
Seated at the head of the gathering is a man whose regal presence commands the room's attention. Draped in robes adorned with intricate motifs of dragons and qilins, crafted from the finest materials, he exudes an aura of power and prestige. His attire, a vibrant hue of blue, reflects the richness of his lineage and the strength of his character. As one of the Empire's esteemed Guardian ancestors, his name—Longwei Chen—carries weight and reverence throughout the chamber.
Addressing the Empire's Guardian with deference, the Royal Advisor outlines their strategy with precision and respect. He acknowledges the pivotal role of the esteemed Lord Guardian in their endeavor, seeking his support in the critical moments to come.
"Lord Guardian, we anticipate locating the individual within the next day. Should our initial attempts to discern their allegiance falter, we humbly seek your aid. If our probing proves unsuccessful, we implore you to restrain them for possibly just a single breaths of timr. This will afford us the opportunity to unleash the Heaven Razing Orb," the Royal Advisor humbly request.
As the Royal Advisor's words lingered in the air, the man nodded in solemn acknowledgment. Silence enveloped the hall, each occupant weighed down by the gravity of their impending task. Contemplation etched upon their faces, the Royal Advisor and the other eight individuals assessed the magnitude of the situation. The stability of the Dragon Empire teetered on the brink, their collective resolve tested by the looming threat.
However, amidst the somber atmosphere, the Imperial Guardian, Longwei Chen, remained an exception. His countenance betrayed no hint of worry, his eyes closed in serene contemplation. In the face of uncertainty, he exuded an aura of unwavering calm, like a beacon of reassurance amidst the storm.
In silent anticipation, they awaited the return of the envoys, their collective gaze fixed upon the entrance. Each passing moment held the weight of destiny, their actions in the coming hours poised to shape the fate of the Dragon Empire. With bated breath, they stood united, prepared to confront the challenges that lay ahead and safeguard the homeland that they held dear.
.....
Perched atop the highest peak of the Dead Man's Mountain Range in the Tail region, a mysterious figure cast a looming shadow against the sky. His form, shrouded in darkness, seemed to defy definition, leaving only an ominous presence in his wake.
"Hmm, the one who broke through to the Divine is in the Tail County," his voice, gravelly and enigmatic, echoed from the depths of the shadow. "A Divine breakthrough? How intriguing. Hehe," a sinister chuckle emanated from the figure before he dissolved into nothingness, leaving behind an unsettling aura of foreboding.
...
Close to the Fang Clan's Isolation Area, reserved solely for the direct descendants of the Fang Clan, a silhouette gradually materialized. It was Lin Wei, emerging from the Servant's quarter with a deliberate pace. Instead of teleporting directly to the Patriarch's location, he opted to adhere to the clan's rules, a gesture of respect for the warmth they had shown him.
The Isolation Area sat atop an artificial mountain, more akin to a towering cliff with caves carved into its face, serving as isolation rooms of varying sizes. Lin Wei gazed upwards, noting the summit, that peirce through the clouds. "The Patriarch is currently at the summit," he murmured to himself, recalling the clan's rule that one must ascend the stairs rather than leaping or flying to the cave abodes. "Ordinary servants like me aren't permitted on the plateau," he added with concern, "but things are different now." Still acclimating to his newfound strength, Lin Wei shook his head, while slowly walking up to the stairs.
"In order for me to understand this continent, I need to seek guidance from someone both strong and knowledgeable," Lin Wei muttered to himself. "While I could have approached the Governor directly, I prefer not to establish any connections with him, given our lack of familiarity."
Ascending to the summit, Lin Wei's mind was not idle. He extended his spiritual sense, reaching out to cover both the county library and the governor's library. "How stupid of me," Lin Wei slapped his head, "I never thought of using my spiritual sense to gather information," Lin Wei mumbled, not realizing the potential of this abilities sooner. With his newfound understanding, Lin Wei began to gather more insights from the surrounding libraries: from the Fang Clan Library, to the public library, and up to the Governor's Library. He delved into the depths of knowledge contained within, seeking to uncover the secrets and intricacies of the Dragon Empire and the whole continent.
Lin Wei paused at the top of the stairs, considering his options. "Since I'm already here, why not just go see the Patriarch and pay my respects before leaving the county?" he reasoned. With his spiritual sense still fully extended, he decided to gather as much useful information as possible before departing.
Despite his sealed strength, Lin Wei's spiritual sense still held significant power. It could cover two-thirds of the entire county city, allowing him to glean valuable information. The county city itself sprawled across a vast land area of roughly 222,000 square kilometers. Lin Wei's spiritual sense spanned approximately 148,000 square kilometers, a testament to the extent of his abilities even in his suppressed state.
Halfway to the summit, Lin Wei found himself surrounded by a dense fog, formed by the materialization of the surrounding energy due to the energy gathering array. With a casual glance from his Golden Eyes, Lin Wei grasped the fundamentals of creating an energy gathering array, albeit at a basic level. Delving deeper, he sought to understand the essence of array construction, gradually refining his skill until it surpassed the grade of the array enveloping the Isolation Area, reaching a level of perfection in line with the standards of this world.
Now equipped with this knowledge, Lin Wei realized that he could enhance the Fang Clan's array to dramatically increase its efficiency, potentially allowing for a million fold increase in the speed of gathering spiritual energy. Considering that the current array was at level 7, elevating it to level 9 with such a significant enhancement could lead to the formation of liquid spiritual energy within the fog.
Indeed, while the enhanced spiritual energy density would accelerate cultivation, the capacity of one's Dantian to contain such energy is limited. Even the most talented cultivators would struggle to accommodate such a vast influx of spiritual energy without risking damage to their Dantian or even their physical bodies. Therefore, while the improved array would undoubtedly benefit the Patriarch, it would be ill-advised to expose all clan members to its effects. So despite wanting to repay the clan by upgrading the whole array, he didn't.
Understanding the potential risks of enhancing the array for all members of the Fang Clan, Lin Wei decided against upgrading it on a large scale. However, he saw an opportunity to make a difference on a smaller scale by improving the energy gathering array within the Patriarch's exclusive Isolation room.
With this modification, the Patriarch could benefit from a more concentrated and potent source of spiritual energy, aiding in his cultivation without posing a threat to others. It was a small gesture, but one that Lin Wei hoped would demonstrate his gratitude to the clan for their kindness towards him.