Chương 214: Checkpoint

I took out the premium talisman from the case very carefully. Following the instructions of the shopkeeper, I directed my qi towards the middle symbol while visualizing the exact simulation I wanted to create: the light-refracting properties of the Moonlit Dew Flower petals, the spatial distortion around its glass-like centre, and the unique energy signature that made it so valuable. The talisman glowed, absorbing my mental image and qi, before dissolving into particles of light that settled over the flower.

For a moment, nothing seemed to happen. Then, slowly, the flower began to change in the way that it interacted with light and spiritual perception. The petals started to display that characteristic quality of shifting with each angle from pale blue to silver. The crystalline parts at the centre seemed to come out more and held orbs of spatial energy. But more importantly, this flower was now giving off a faint fluctuation in space energy, which was the unique signature of an authentic Moonlit Dew Flower.

"Now, time to bind the illusion to the formation," I murmured while sending qi carefully through the main node of the formation. The energy flew through the tangle of lines activating every anchor point into action. As the formation came online, the illusion bonded with the flower. As I finalized the last connection, I held my breath to make sure nothing was unstable or rejected. The formation readily accepted the illusion, and the two systems came together as one.

"It's done," I said finally, lifting the flower and examining it from all angles.

"So, what do you think?"

"That's quite impressive," said Azure after taking a moment.

"The base of the formation is very strong and adding the illusion has made it almost perfect. The formation appears stable and should keep up the effect for at least 48 hours, and possibly longer." I nodded, feeling a mixture of pride and relief. An expert in Moonlit Dew Flowers would be able to tell that the copy wasn't quite right if they inspected it closely. But for our purposes, a momentary switch in the chaos in the valley, it should do the job.

"Let's show the others," I said, placing the flower in a small box that I had brought for this exact purpose. When I came out of my alcove, I saw Liu Chang and Su Yue at the middle table sitting very close to each other with lots of maps and notes on the table. I noticed how Su Yue seemed to lean towards Liu Chang while his hand casually rested near hers on the table, suggesting something more than mere professional cooperation.

As I drew closer, they raised their heads and adjusted their postures ever so slightly as though to confirm my impression. They probably had a history there, maybe even a romantic one, which they kept compartmentalised during missions.

"I've finished the replica," I announced, ignoring what I had seen. Their personal relationship was their business, not mine.

"That's quicker than I thought it would be," said Liu Chang, clearing the table.

"Let's see it.". I placed the box on the table and opened it to reveal the carefully modulated fake Moonlit Dew Flower inside. Both leaned forward with an intrigued expression on their faces, Su Yue's hand hovered above the flower, but was careful not to touch it.

"It looks extremely similar," she murmured.

"The illusion talisman was clearly worth it." Liu Chang circled the table for a different viewing angle.

"Is this your formation around the base? It's quite elegant."

"It's a variation of the Mirage Sustaining Array with bits of a Spatial Fluctuation Mimicry Circuit," I answered automatically before realising that it only made sense to other formation enthusiasts.

"Smart…," Liu Chang slowly nodded.

"So, how long will it last?" Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"The estimated time it will last is 48 hours post activation, though we can change it if we need to."

"No need, no need," Liu Chang smiled warmly.

"This is more than I expected, Junior Brother. Your reputation as a formation expert is definitely well-deserved!" I felt a surge of unexpected pride at the compliment. Liu Chang's approval meant more than it ought to have. Maybe it was because, although he was quite friendly, I knew he did not offer praise easily.

"The basic frame I fashioned from my own wood arts," I explained, trying to be thorough.

"In the event that anything disrupts the illusion, it should still resemble the original flower closely enough to not raise suspicion, at least from a distance." Su Yue had been studying the replica with intense focus.

"The ice crystals at the center are very realistic. Without a special device, I don't think I would have been able to tell this is fake."

"That's the idea," I agreed.

"Well, we don't need to have it pass a very detailed examination from someone who's bent on spotting the fake. All we need is enough time to escape with the real flower." We discussed the plan further, refining details and making contingencies. The conversation flowed pretty naturally, and I found myself enjoying the tactical thinking of my companions. They were experienced, thoughtful, and pragmatic. All qualities that I valued highly. After half an hour of discussion, I saw Su Yue stifling a yawn.

We had a long day today and will likely have an even longer day tomorrow.

"We should go rest," I suggested as I placed the fake flower back in its box.

"We should prepare ourselves for valley day this evening. We need to be at our best."

"Sounds good," Liu Chang nodded in agreement.

"We'll wrap things up in the morning and spend the day gathering any last-minute intel from the city." I picked up our decoy box and nodded to the two of them.

"Goodnight, then. And… good job today," I smiled at them.

"With your help, I feel quite confident in our chances.".

Back in my little enclave, I had reactivated my privacy formations and sat on my bed. I thought back to what I had witnessed when I first walked in. It made sense, of course. Liu Chang, Su Yue and Chu Feng had been a team for quite some time. Maybe years. And now that Chu Feng was dead, it only made sense that the two of them would draw closer. This sort of thing happens all the time. Traumatising events strengthen existing bonds.

"You seem deep in thought, Master," Azure observed.

"Just wondering," I replied.

"Their relationship isn't surprising, just an aspect I hadn't really thought about before."

"Is it going to get in the way of our mission?"

"Not at all. If anything, it will make them more dependable. People who protect those they care about are often more focused, more determined to see their group succeed." I felt a twinge of something, not envy or jealousy, but maybe more just recognition of my own isolation. I have made more contacts with others, but I am still fundamentally alone in many ways. But I pushed those thoughts away. I had a mission to focus on.

"So, what's next?" Azure asked.

"You should probably rest before tomorrow."

"Rest?" I echoed.

"We've still got at least twelve hours before we need to get up again. We have plenty of time for a detour to the Two Sun's World." Azure paused to consider.

"The time ratio is approximately 720: 1, so two months there would be about two hours here. Still, there are risks. Your previous visits to that world have been... eventful." I chuckled at the understatement.

"That's one way of describing being dropped into the middle of a village raid." I sat down on the bed, breathing slowing down and consciousness taking a backseat while I transitioned into a comfortable meditation posture.

"First, let's secure the suns. I don't want any energy leakage when I arrive. Dying at Vayara's hand at the beginning of the loop got old pretty fast." My consciousness shifted as I entered my inner world. On either side of the Genesis Seed were two suns, one red and one blue. I focused hard and directed both suns under the canopy, so that their energy signatures would become hidden. With that, I reached out to the Two Suns world and sought the familiar tugging sensation that was a hallmark of connectivity.

There was always, a pull at the fringes of my awareness, like a string tied to me at my soul and stretching through the dimensions.

"I've found it," I murmured to Azure internally.

"I'll follow the connection." I grasped it firmly with my consciousness and pulled. The transition was disorienting, as always. A sensation of falling, of being stretched out across an impossible distance, and then sudden compressed into another body. I opened my eyes, expecting to see myself back in the village, defending against the raiders. What I saw instead rocked me. I was seated on a meditation platform in a chamber that appeared to be partly destroyed.

The ceiling had collapsed in one corner, with debris all over the floor. The walls that remained standing were scorched with blast marks, and the air was thick with dust and the acrid scent of burnt materials. Shouts and explosions echoed from somewhere nearby, accompanied by the distinctive crackle of runic energy being discharged in combat. I wasn't in the village at all, I was in what appeared to be the Red Sun Academy, and it was currently under attack.

"What the hell...?" I whispered, quickly getting to my feet. A/N The Blue Sun Academy Arc is complete on Patreon!