283: Chapter 218: Guardian Mechanism, Mo Family Cleverly Solve Ancient Formation

The moment his fingertips touched the cold surface of the stele, Lin Zhou felt as if he were grasping a frozen slice of time, a sea of stars submerged in darkness.

Vast and majestic yet fragmented and chaotic information of civilization, mixed with endless sorrow, indignation, despair, and a sliver of "protection" obsession so faint it was almost imperceptible, turned into an invisible torrent that crashed against his mind. Had it not been for the Temple of Civilization acting as a central buffer and the Fire of Civilization tempering his Dao Heart, this single contact would have been enough to damage the Divine Soul of an ordinary True God, or even pollute them with that massive amount of negative emotions and rule fragments.

Lin Zhou's face was pale, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead, but his figure remained as steady as a rock. The Fire of Civilization burned fiercely in his eyes, like a lighthouse in a storm, firmly locking onto the scattered records of the essence of "civilization," "lineage," and the "Great Calamity" within that torrent of information. Although this information was incomplete and chaotic, it was a priceless treasure!

At the same time, the civilization points in the corner of his vision were ticking upward at an unprecedentedly frantic speed, with dozens or even hundreds of points coming in almost every second! This was merely the result of him passively receiving the information dissipating into the environment and the feedback from touching the surface of the stele.

"President!" Qin Qing noticed the violent fluctuations in Lin Zhou's aura and the change in his expression. She immediately stepped forward, the light of the Order Barrier growing even brighter as she attempted to block part of the information impact, while whispering a question, "Do you need to break contact?"

Lin Zhou shook his head slightly, his voice a bit raspy but still clear: "It's fine. The Sanctuary is analyzing; this is a rare Opportunity. You all... stay alert. I feel that this stele... is more than just a stele."

Just as he finished speaking, a sudden change occurred!

It didn't come from the information impact of the Giant Stele itself, but from beneath their feet—the Mysterious Black Square that seemed to have been silent for eons!

"Ka... Kachacha..."

A slight but dense sound of friction, as if giant gears were beginning to mesh and turn, or heavy chains were being dragged, came from deep beneath the square. The sound was faint at first but quickly became clear and loud, accompanied by a slight vibration of the entire square's ground!

"There's something underground!" Zhao Hao reacted the fastest. His dragon pupils instantly became vertical slits, and a dragon's majesty erupted from him as he alertly scanned the surrounding ground. Wang Meng stepped forward, a Behemoth phantom solidifying behind him, shielding Lin Zhou and Li Mo. Qin Qing did not hesitate to expand the range of the Order Barrier, the pale golden light of legal principles enveloping the entire team while she began to try and analyze this sudden disturbance in the rules.

Li Mo's expression changed, and he quickly operated several Scout Spiders clinging to the ground: "A large-scale energy reaction activation detected thirty meters underground! Seventy-two high-energy units are rapidly rising! Structure... non-living, similar to constructs! Energy reaction types... mixed, containing concepts of 'protection,' 'slaughter,' and 'Imprisonment'! They constitute a... complex linked Formation! It's starting!"

Almost at the same time Li Mo finished speaking—

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom...

On the square's ground, centered on the base of the Giant Stele, the stone slabs in seventy-two positions within a thousand-meter radius simultaneously bulged upward and exploded! Dust and rubble mixed with dim, mysterious light burst forth!

As the dust dissipated slightly, the objects within were revealed—

They were statues, three meters tall, cast entirely from an unknown dark green metal (suspected to be bronze but of superior quality)—Soldier Figurines!

The Soldier Figurines were uniform in form, all styled as warriors clad in ancient armor and holding long halberds or giant swords. Their faces were blurred, with only two gems (or some kind of energy core) emitting a faint red light embedded where the "eyes" should be, coldly "gazing" at the uninvited guests who had intruded upon this silent land. Their arrangement was not haphazard but aligned with certain mysterious positions, connected to each other by invisible energy threads, faintly forming a massive killing Formation that enveloped the five members of Lin Zhou's team along with the base of the Giant Stele!

"[Ancient Bronze Guardian Soldier Figurine (Damaged/Low Activity)]"

Type: Mechanism Creation/Formation Node

Rank Evaluation: Average about LV45 (Elite unit level), individual nodes (suspected Formation eyes) may reach LV50 (Hero threshold).

Attributes (Estimated):

Strength: 60-70 (Far exceeds biological entities of the same Rank due to material and structure)

Physique: 80-90 (Bronze body, extremely high physical defense, certain resistance to energy attacks)

Agility: 30-40 (Relatively clumsy, but Formation linkage can compensate)

Energy Resistance: High resistance to Metal, Earth, and Order-type energy; weak resistance to Fire, Chaos, and Erosion-type energy.

Special Abilities:

Formation Linkage: Seventy-two Soldier Figurines form the "Heavenly Deities and Earthly Fiends Demon-Suppressing God-Slaying Formation (Incomplete)." While in the Formation, all attributes of the Soldier Figurines are +20%, attacks carry [Law-Breaking] and [Imprisonment] effects, and they can jointly launch the area attack [Bronze Torrent] or a single-target finishing move [God-Slaying Strike].

Guardian Obsession: +50% attack desire and damage against units attempting to approach or damage the Giant Stele (Core Relic).

Energy Absorption: Can slowly absorb thin inert energy from the environment and energy dissipating within the Formation's range (including attacks) for minor replenishment.

Status: Due to the long passage of time and broken rules, the Soldier Figurines' bodies have 15%-40% damage, energy reserves are severely insufficient (about 10%), and Formation integrity is only at 62%. Reaction speed and intelligence have significantly decreased.

Threat Level: Medium-High (If the Formation is fully activated and has sufficient energy, it is enough to surround and kill a Peak Lesser Divinity). Currently, due to poor condition, the threat is reduced but should not be underestimated.

The seventy-two bronze Soldier Figurines, emitting a cold aura of slaughter, "turned their heads" in unison, their seventy-two pairs of faint red eyes locking onto the five people. The air on the square instantly froze, and invisible Killing Intent and Formation pressure surged like a tide, even pushing back the gray mist.

"Prepare for battle!" Zhao Hao growled, the phantom of a Blazing Flame Giant Dragon expanding behind him, its dragon majesty clashing with the Soldier Figurines' aura of slaughter. Wang Meng slammed his fists together, producing a metallic clanging sound as the Behemoth's berserk Battle Intent began to rise.

Qin Qing's Order Barrier rippled under the pressure of the Formation. She pushed her light of legal principles to the limit, attempting to analyze and interfere with the operating rules of this ancient Formation, but the effect was minimal—the rule foundation of this Formation differed significantly from the common systems in the current Universe.

"Wait!" Just as the battle was about to break out, Li Mo suddenly shouted, his voice carrying the fervor and urgency of a researcher. "Don't be in a hurry to fight! This Formation... the structure and energy circuits of these Soldier Figurines... are quite interesting!"

He pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting the dim runes appearing on the Soldier Figurines that flowed as the Formation activated. His hands moved rapidly in the air, deploying all scouting mechanisms to collect data from every angle.

"President! Hall Master Qin! Buy me some time! The core driving logic and energy node conversion methods of this Formation... I seem to have seen them somewhere!" Li Mo spoke extremely fast. "Yes! They are variations of the principles of the 'Non-Aggression Chain Pivot' and 'Heavens Will Defense Formation' mentioned in the Mohist Incomplete Manual! And the joint structures and energy conduction patterns of these Soldier Figurines... they have over 30% similarity with the 'Pre-Qin Mechanical Arts (part of the theories provided by Lin Zhou)' restored in the Tiangong Workshop! Although older and more complex, the underlying logic is from the same source!"

Lin Zhou's heart stirred, and he immediately understood Li Mo's meaning. Mohist thought, especially Mechanical Arts, originally stemmed from ancient Huaxia (perhaps there were similar Legacy fragments in this world). And this ruin before them was very likely related to the Huaxia civilization; it was perfectly reasonable that its guardian mechanisms shared similar principles with Mohist Mechanical Arts!

"Can you decipher it?" Lin Zhou asked, distracted, while maintaining information contact with the Giant Stele (civilization points were still skyrocketing).

"I need time to analyze and try!" Li Mo stared at the rapidly refreshing data stream. "Although this Formation is incomplete and lacks energy, its structure is still exquisite. Forcing our way through will trigger its full power. Even if we win, we will inevitably consume a huge amount of energy and might even trigger deeper Restrictions or damage this precious relic. If I can find its key 'pivot' or 'Formation eye,' using the Mohist concepts of 'Deconstruction' and 'Non-Aggression,' I might be able to stop its operation relatively peacefully, or even... gain control or the design blueprints!"

"How long?" Qin Qing asked calmly, her Order Barrier bearing the ever-increasing pressure of the Formation.

"At most three-quarters of an hour (time perception is blurred within the Grotto-Heaven, about 20 minutes in real-time)!" Li Mo gritted his teeth. "I need to get close to observe several key nodes; there might be some risk."

"Zhao Hao, Wang Meng, guard Li Mo and clear any approaching Soldier Figurines, but do not venture deep and trigger the full power of the Great Array," Lin Zhou ordered swiftly. "Qin Qing, assist Li Mo with the analysis with all your strength. Your Light of Jurisprudence's sensitivity to 'Order' and 'Rules' might be helpful. I will stabilize the situation and try to find clues from the information on the Giant Stele."

With clear roles assigned, everyone acted immediately.

Zhao Hao let out a low roar and transformed into a crimson dragon shadow. He didn't charge directly into the Soldier Figurine Formation but circled the perimeter, breathing Dragon's Breath to precisely pick off the stray figurines attempting to break Formation and attack Li Mo first. He deliberately controlled the power of his attacks, focusing on interference and repelling to avoid triggering a chain reaction in the Formation.

Wang Meng, like a true Behemoth Giant Beast, guarded the flanks of Li Mo and Qin Qing. Any Soldier Figurine that dared to step into his attack range was smashed away by his colossal fists, which carried terrifying power, leaving clear dents in their bronze bodies. His very presence was the strongest deterrent.

Qin Qing narrowed the range of her Order Barrier, focusing it to cover Li Mo and the key Soldier Figurine nodes he was analyzing. Her Light of Jurisprudence acted like a precision probe, following Li Mo's guidance to penetrate the energy circuits inside the figurines and the invisible threads connecting the Formation. She worked to analyze the "rule definitions" and "operational logic" within them, sharing the information with Li Mo in real-time.

While enduring the torrent of information, Lin Zhou diverted a strand of Divine Thought. Combining it with the Temple of Civilization's preliminary analysis of the Giant Stele, he attempted to find fragments of words or imagery related to "Guardian Formations" and "Mechanical Pivots." Simultaneously, he secretly mobilized the Fire of Civilization, using its inclusive and evolutionary properties to slowly "permeate" the surrounding space, subtly weakening the Formation's rule-based blockade of the area and creating a more favorable environment for Li Mo's analysis.

Li Mo entered a state of complete self-oblivion. He moved around the figurines marked as "suspected Formation eyes" or "energy nodes," sometimes crouching to touch the patterns on the ground, sometimes controlling miniature mechanisms to burrow into the joints of the figurines, and sometimes sketching complex energy flow charts and logical deduction models in the air. Sweat soaked his hair, but the light in his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

"The energy hub is at the third figurine in the Kan position... there are seven blockages in the conduction circuit... the ninth and tenth figurines in the Li position are key to the linkage; their high degree of damage makes them weak points... the essence of 'Non-Aggression' lies in 'Stopping Conflict,' not destruction, but rather deactivating the 'attack state' determination... I need to simultaneously interfere with the energy feedback of these five nodes and simulate an 'authorized' or 'harmless' signal..." Li Mo muttered to himself, his hands moving like lightning.

Minutes and seconds ticked by. The pressure from the Soldier Figurine Formation slowly intensified over time. Their ruby-like "eyes" grew brighter, and their attacks became more organized. Had it not been for Zhao Hao and Wang Meng's precise interceptions and Qin Qing's rule interference, they would likely have been surrounded long ago.

Just as the light of Qin Qing's Order Barrier began to dim noticeably and Zhao Hao and Wang Meng showed signs of fatigue—

"Found it! The cracking solution's deduction is complete!" Li Mo suddenly looked up, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. "Tiangong Dwarves, hear my command! Attack these five locations simultaneously according to the coordinates and energy frequencies I've marked! Note, do not destroy them; inject 'deconstruction' and 'soothing' energy waves of specific frequencies! The tools have been adjusted for you! Move!"

Under Li Mo's precise command, twenty elite Tiangong Dwarf Engineers (around LV38), who had been on standby and were temporarily transferred from Lin Zhou's Divine Realm, swiftly raised their modified [Mechanism Frequency Stabilizers]—complex, compass-like exploration equipment Li Mo had prepared earlier. They aimed at the specific stone slab pattern nodes beneath the figurines in the five different positions Li Mo had marked and activated the devices simultaneously!

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Five energy beams of different colors (corresponding to the Five Elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, which Li Mo had deduced from the principles of the incomplete Formation) and peculiar frequencies shot precisely into the ground nodes!

In an instant, the entire square seemed to vibrate slightly!

The movements of the seventy-two bronze Soldier Figurines came to a sudden halt! The red light flickering in their eyes pulsed violently like light bulbs with poor connections! The invisible energy threads connecting them fluctuated wildly, letting out a strained "sizzle" sound.

The operation of the Formation showed obvious stuttering and disorder!

"Now! Hall Master Qin, inject the highest purity 'Order Stabilization' Light of Jurisprudence into the central Formation eye (the third figurine in the Kan position)! Zhao Hao, Wang Meng, protect Hall Master Qin!" Li Mo spoke rapidly.

Qin Qing without hesitation withdrew all the power of the Order Barrier, condensing it into a solid, pale-golden beam of light, and shot it toward the chest of the figurine at the core of the Formation, which was slightly larger and had more complex armor patterns!

Zhao Hao and Wang Meng flanked Qin Qing, repelling several figurines that instinctively tried to block her.

The pale-golden Light of Jurisprudence sank into the core figurine's chest like a hot knife through butter, rapidly spreading along its internal energy circuits, smoothing out the turbulence and "redefining" parts of the rules.

Ka... Crack... Boom!

A muffled boom echoed from underground, as if a massive latch had been unlocked. Immediately following, the red light in the eyes of the seventy-two bronze Soldier Figurines extinguished completely. Their raised weapons slowly lowered, and their heavy bodies, like machines cut from power, remained in fixed poses, ceasing all activity. The invisible pressure of the killing Formation that had enveloped the entire field receded like the tide.

The square returned to a deathly silence, with only lingering dust and energy ripples slowly dissipating.

Success! Time taken: exactly three-quarters of an hour!

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief but remained vigilant.

Just then, a piece of armor on the chest of the core figurine (the third figurine in the Kan position) that Qin Qing had injected with the Light of Jurisprudence suddenly popped open, revealing a hidden, palm-sized compartment. Inside the compartment was not an energy core, but a scroll made of some unknown animal hide or silk, emitting a faint spiritual light and showing no signs of decay.

The scroll flew out automatically and slowly unfurled a corner, revealing content depicted with the same ancient script (though smaller and neater) and detailed structural diagrams.

Excitedly, Li Mo stepped forward, carefully lifting the scroll with Divine Power and scanning it quickly.

"This is... a design blueprint!" Li Mo's voice trembled with excitement. "The [Bronze Soldier Figurine Manufacturing Method]! And it's... a version with quite high completeness! It includes most of the key technologies, from material smelting (bronze formula), core rune engraving, energy circuit construction, and basic intelligent logic programming, to the arrangement of the multi-figurine linkage Formation! Although some parts need adjustment due to era differences and rule changes, its core concepts and craftsmanship are a massive supplement and elevation for our existing mechanical arts! The quality... is at least Epic (Purple) grade!"

He looked at Lin Zhou, his eyes filled with the ecstasy of their haul. "President! We didn't just crack a mechanism; we've... found a portion of a lost civilization's Legacy!"

Lin Zhou had also slowly withdrawn his hand from the stele's inscription. Though his face was still a bit pale, his eyes were incredibly bright. The Temple of Civilization's preliminary analysis of the Giant Stele's information brought more questions, but it also confirmed many things. And the design blueprint before them was undoubtedly the first substantial and massive harvest of this trip!

He looked at the seventy-two bronze Soldier Figurines that had returned to silence, looking like ordinary statues once again, and then at the ancient design blueprint glowing with spiritual light in Li Mo's hand, feeling deeply moved.

The Mohist skillfully unraveled the ancient Formation, not only turning danger into safety but also recovering lost techniques.

The first step of this Grotto-Heaven exploration could be considered a steady one.