102: Messages via "Star Language" on the Eve of a Storm

The probing by Chen Feng and others from Tianshu Peak was like a stone thrown into a lake; although skillfully resolved by Wen Youyi, the ripples it stirred did not subside immediately.

In the following days, there were noticeably more "inadvertent" figures passing by Lijian Valley.

There were Inner Sect Disciples, curious Outer Sect Disciples, and occasionally, one could even detect a few obscure Divine Senses sweeping across the valley.

Clearly, the "abnormalities" in Lijian Valley had attracted the attention of more people.

Wen Youyi's excuse that the "Formation had flaws" might fool some, but it certainly could not deceive everyone who was paying attention.

Pressure descended invisibly.

"Boss, these bastards are endless!" Zhao Iron Pillar waved his fists in annoyance. "How about I take some people out there and 'persuade' them to leave?"

"Nonsense!" Wang Wu immediately objected. "That would only make us look guilty and would only bring more trouble."

Wen Youyi nodded in agreement. "Iron Pillar, stay calm. What we need to do now is speed up so that even if they figure something out, they won't dare to move against us easily."

He convened another core meeting.

"Everyone, a storm is coming. We must possess enough power to protect ourselves, and even make others wary, before the real storm arrives!"

Wen Youyi's gaze swept over everyone. "I have decided to initiate the 'Starfire' plan!"

"'Starfire' plan?"

"That's right!" Wen Youyi explained. "We are going to make two core Breakthroughs based on 'ark' 2.0."

He held up two fingers. "First, expand the scale of the 'Internal Testing Group' and begin limited instruction in the basics of 'Star Language'! We want more brothers to be able to use this secure method of communication and, at critical moments, become extension nodes for the 'ark' network!"

Teach 'Star Language'? Everyone was shocked. This meant that one of their most core secrets was going to be disseminated downward.

"Second," Wen Youyi continued, "The Research Hall will concentrate its strength and, combined with the scattered 'source code' we deciphered from that jade slip, attempt to develop a... portable Magical Artifact capable of briefly shielding or even interfering with 'spirit net' detection! Even if it can only be maintained for a very short time and cover a very small area, it will be enough to buy us a glimmer of survival at a critical moment!"

These two goals—one concerning personnel and organization, the other concerning technical equipment—were key to improving survival capabilities.

With the tasks assigned, the entire Lijian Valley began operating at high speed again, carrying a sense of urgency as if racing against time.

The scale of the 'Internal Testing Group' quickly expanded from ten people to thirty. The new members were all core backbones who had undergone strict screening and possessed excellent Heart-Nature and Aptitude.

Wen Youyi personally wrote "Star Language Basics (First Edition)" and began teaching the first batch of ten veteran members the simplest "vocabulary" and "grammar."

The process of learning 'Star Language' was not easy. It was a form of communication completely different from language and Divine Thought, requiring extremely high mental concentration and a unique perception of stellar fluctuations.

Fortunately, these Disciples had been Cultivating the improved "Hibernating Dragon Art" for a long time and were quite familiar with "ark" energy; although progress was slow, it was steadily advancing.

Meanwhile, the Research Hall led by Senior Brother Zhang faced an even greater challenge.

Interfere with or even shield the "spirit net"? This sounded like an ant trying to trip an elephant!

Their only reliance was the fragments of information about energy field independence and frequency interference contained in the incomplete "source code" provided by Wen Youyi.

Countless sleepless nights, countless failed experiments. Small explosions and the frustrated sighs of the Disciples could often be heard from the Research Hall's cave.

In the midst of this tense atmosphere, one late night, the star core fragment in Wen Youyi's bosom transmitted the intent of that "Co-frequency Person" once again.

This time, the signal seemed much clearer and more stable.

[... 'web weaver' ... frequent mobilization ... 'Scavenger' ... has locked onto ... three ... 'anomaly zones' ... one of which ... is near ... your location ...]

[... careful ... 'child of destiny' ... plan ... has been initiated ... 'bait' ... is very fragrant ... beware of ... 'good luck' ...]

[... persevere ... 'Starfire' ... can start a prairie fire ...]

The content contained in this message made Wen Youyi's spine chill!

The "Scavenger" had already locked onto three "anomaly zones," and one of them was near him! This meant that a large-scale purge operation might be about to begin!

"child of destiny" plan initiated? "The bait is very fragrant"? "Beware of good luck"? This sounded like a trap!

Could it be that "the higher-ups" had begun to actively deploy so-called "Opportunity" to Cultivate higher-quality "harvesting targets," or... to lure them, the "resisters," into taking the bait?

The pressure increased sharply!

Wen Youyi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Through the star core fragment, he attempted to send a response using the newly matured "Star Language":

[Message received. Thanks. We are preparing. You... how is the situation on your end? Do you need help?]

He sent the simplest "Star Language" vocabulary combination: [Received. Thanks. Preparing. You? Need help?]

The wait was long. Just when Wen Youyi thought the other party might not be able to receive this new type of communication, a faint but clear "Star Language" fluctuation crossed the endless distance and was transmitted back:

[Temporarily stable. Do not worry. Preserve... the spark.]

Although there were only a few words, they gave Wen Youyi a sense of certainty. The other party's situation seemed temporarily stable, and they were also responding in "Star Language"!

This meant his "Star Language" system was effective! They possessed a secure communication method that could span vast distances!

This was undoubtedly a huge Breakthrough!

He immediately shared the warning from the "Co-frequency Person" with the core members, and everyone's mood became incredibly heavy.

The threat of the "Scavenger" was imminent, and the trap of the "child of destiny" was treacherous and unpredictable.

"Speed up! We must speed up!" Wen Youyi gritted his teeth. "Before we are found by the 'Scavenger' or knocked unconscious by 'good luck,' we must possess enough power!"

The lights in Lijian Valley did not go out all night.

Everyone knew that the moment that would decide their fate might be coming very soon.

(End of chapter)