In general, spiritual constructs that absorbed spiritual energy and provided specific functions were called structures.
Structures were divided into two categories: formations and arrays.
The biggest difference between a formation and an array was their power source and the way they were formed.
An array lasted for a short time and was powered by the person's spiritual energy. However, formations involved the specific arrangement of objects, lasted a long time, and could use natural spiritual energy.
Creating a formation usually took time and depended heavily on feng shui - the placement of objects. On the other hand, an array referred to creating a virtual domain by altering the flow of spiritual energy.
Setting an array required a deep understanding of the land, the type of energy, and the earth's veins. Arrays were quickly created and fed off the person's energy or an artifact.
Sargon demonstrated his superiority to those present using an illusionary array. He simultaneously used a two-layered array, with the first layer controlling objects and the second layer creating illusions.
As Jia walked with Sargon towards the city, she kept wondering how he managed to set up such an array.
Sargon was considered a genius. He knew many arrays and had many tricks up his sleeve. Sargon had delved so deeply into learning arrays that he lost his eyesight. However, using a cane and condensed spiritual energy beads, he had managed to permanently use a diagnostic structure.
Jia never involved herself in Sargon's secrets. He was a mysterious man with an aristocratic appearance who worked as a researcher, scholar, detective, protector, and more.
Sargon had a free spirit and never bound himself to anyone. Years of travel had acquainted him with every corner of the world.
Although Jia didn't always agree with this approach, she never parted ways with him.
Jia was Sargon's sworn protector, the Master of Structures. A reliable companion who accompanied Sargon in various situations. However, she also didn't know much about Sargon. To Jia, he was a savior, a companion, and someone she had to protect at all costs.
Jia thought, "Well, he has many secrets. He knows structure techniques and mechanical skills, is a capable strategist, and has a mysterious past; but I know that if it weren't for this mysterious person, I wouldn't be alive now."
As she thought, she remembered a distant time that now seemed like a dream. She smiled and ran towards Sargon.
**********
On a narrow path that only one person could pass, a group of warriors was moving quickly. They wore loose, light-colored clothes and had long hair. Occasionally, they glanced at the deep valley below and the tall branches of wild trees, then focused back on the path ahead.
"Young Master!! The path is safe!" one said telepathically.
Suddenly, a shadow disappeared above one of the trees.
The young master, a man leading the group, looked at the mountain range beyond the forest and recalled his father's words.
The night before, in the middle of the camp, in a large white tent surrounded by many cultivators, two dark figures sat behind a wooden table. One was an old man with a long beard, and the other was the young master who would lead a group behind the passage the next morning.
"My son, have you chosen your group?"
The young master placed his hands respectfully by his shoulders and said, "Yes, Leader."
"This mission must be completed successfully. You know that…"
But he left his sentence unfinished.
[You know that I don't have much time left…]
"Yes, Leader!"
A dry smile appeared on the old man's lips. As he watched the young man leave, he sighed and clutched his heart. He struggled to stand up and looked at the sword on the wooden stand.
"There is no other choice…" he muttered.
Thus, the night passed, and the next day, a group of sect elites bypassed the passage through a side route, entered a dark cave, and emerged on a narrow mountain path.
The old man didn't know, but the young master hadn't had a peaceful night either. He kept thinking about how everything had led to this point; that if he had known, perhaps things would have turned out differently.
Lost in these thoughts, several hours passed.
On the other side of the cliff, the path descended towards the end of the valley. There, a line of trees grew beside a wild river that stretched into the distance. The group gathered by the river to catch their breath.
One of the members approached the young master, bowed, and said, "Sir, according to the map we obtained, we should follow this green line for a few miles. But since this place is at the end of the plain, I think it's better to hide somewhere until nightfall and use the darkness to follow the path."
The young master nodded.
[He's right. If we continue now, we might be ambushed, but on the other hand, the night isn't very safe either, and assassins who specialize in dark attacks might target us.]
He looked around. The tall mountains on both sides extended for miles. The slope of the valley was steep, and he could guess how many casualties they would suffer if ambushed during the day.
"You're right. But don't forget, the enemy might have planned an ambush knowing we would choose the night."
The person hesitated for a moment and nodded. "But sir, we have to decide. Night or day; when should we continue?"
The young master hesitated. In that situation, he couldn't make a definitive decision. Finally, after a moment of silence, he replied, "Call two people; I need them to do something for me."
************
The reactionary Murim elites had been stationed in that valley for some time. The sun had reached the middle of the sky, and they were still halfway to the other side of the passage. The young master of the Tian family, Jing-Wei Tian, sat on a polished rock, sharpening the edge of a jade sword with his spiritual energy.
Some time passed in this manner.
As the eldest son of the Tian family, he had great skill in using the family's secret techniques. He knew the technique of swift steps and had high physical endurance; but at the same time, he was very cautious.
This caution sometimes turned into a disturbing obsession that prevented him from making decisions freely. Even at this critical time, he couldn't escape this obsession.
A while ago, he had sent two people down the plain, giving each some flares to signal if they encountered danger or anything suspicious. However, it had been some time since he had received any signal.
Those who remained with him kept watch in small groups. Some had climbed halfway up the mountain and were observing the valley from there. Others were cultivating by the water, while some were checking weapons, supplies, or reading maps.
Jing-Wei Tian clenched his fist and stared northeast, along the trees and the river's path.
[There's still no news… Should we go back? I don't trust the Beggars' sect much. They provide information to both Murim factions; we shouldn't have worked with them from the beginning!]
Suddenly, a green light appeared in the distance.
"The third signal is seen!!!"
"The path is safe!!! We can move!!!"
Young Master Tian stood up and sheathed his sword. He took a deep breath and summoned all his men with a gesture.
"We've lost a lot of time! We must hurry!! Now that we're sure the path is safe…"
He hadn't finished his sentence when one of the members pointed to a red light exploding in the sky.
"There!!! The fourth signal… there's a problem!!!"
The young master gritted his teeth and led his men up the mountain.
"Use your spiritual energy!! We've been exposed!!! Fly up immediately!!!"
[Damn beggars!!! Who did you sell this information to?!]
A little later, dozens of people soared on their swords. A trail of smoke could be seen rising and twisting in the valley.
"We must go there, Young Master!!!"
"Right!! We must take revenge!!!"
Their angry voices rose, but the young master, who was silently assessing the situation, silenced them with a gesture. "Split into two groups and approach that place from both sides. Be careful of possible structures. Move out!"
[That's right, we set out early in the morning, spent the whole night checking the map's authenticity and reviewing plans. Even if they learned about the map at dawn, there's no way they could have set up a strong trap there.]