One year has passed since Noctis and Lumina successfully reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm, perfecting their 9 and 8 Affinity Pillars respectively. At the main headquarters of the Burning Sky Sect, far to the north, their son, Lux Noctis, was also showing steady progress. The soul of an engineer from a previous life imprinted within him, combined with Elder Liam's guidance and the Mobius Distortion ability, allowed him to steadily advance to the Tier 4 Qi Nurturing Realm. Although his realm is lower compared to his Direct Disciple peers who had reached higher stages, his foundation was unmatched in terms of stability and deep understanding of energy principles. His "Gray Phoenix" fighting style was beginning to take a unique shape, relying on precision and neutralization rather than raw power.
However, in Wildfire City, such progress came at a different price. Progress here was measured not only in tiers, but in survival from one dangerous mission to the next.
The atmosphere in Wildfire City that morning was as tense as a string about to snap. Word had spread that the "Fire Hawk" Reconnaissance Team, led directly by two Core Forging Cultivators, had returned from a long and dangerous expedition to the neutral border in the southwest. This expedition was not their usual patrol; they were assigned to verify intelligence reports of strange energy activity detected from a remote valley, strongly suspected to be the location of a high-quality spirit crystal mine.
The valley was located in a triangular area technically unclaimed by anyone, flanked by the Burning Sky Sect's sphere of influence to the northeast, the Shadow Viper Sect to the southeast, and the GaleFord Clan to the west. Its strategic and remote location made it a perfect location for disputes and smuggling.
As the main fortress gates opened, a damaged and battle scarred spiritual transport carriage entered the courtyard. Of the eight peak Foundation Establishment cultivators and two Core Forging leaders who departed, only six returned, and they were all in a miserable condition. The two Core Forging cultivators an old man with a gray beard and a woman with a cold gaze looked the best, though their robes were torn and their auras were slightly unstable. Of the eight Foundation Establishment cultivators, only four survived, including Noctis.
Noctis stepped down from the transport carriage with a staggering gait. His usually sharp face was now pale and covered in dirt. A deep burn, still radiating dark energy, ran across his left arm. His breathing was heavy, and his eyes, usually alert, were now filled with deep fatigue. He looked around the courtyard, searching for one face, and relief washed over him as he saw Lumina rushing towards him, her face white with worry.
"To the meditation room, now!" ordered one of the Core Forging cultivators, his voice hoarse but authoritative. "We must report to Commander Nera immediately!"
~
In the reinforced meditation room, the aroma of healing herbs and restorative energy filled the air. Noctis sat cross-legged, allowing Lumina to deftly clean his wound and apply a spiritual salve. Meanwhile, the team leader, a Tier 3 Core Forging Cultivator named Kaezam, reported to the Wildfire City Commander.
The Commander was a woman with an upright posture and an aura so strong it made the air around her vibrate. She was Nera Ironshield, a Direct Disciple of the generation before Lux, the granddaughter of Grand Elder Bram Ironshield, and a Tier 3 Nascent Soul Cultivator. In her presence, even the usually arrogant Kaezam bowed his head in respect.
"Report, Commander Nera," Kaezam began, his voice loud despite his weary body. "The verification mission was successful, but we faced unexpected resistance."
He continued with a detailed report. Their team had reached the Crystal Valley a deep gorge hidden among remote mountain peaks. From a distance, they could feel the undeniable radiance of pure and dense energy. The crystals formed on the walls of the gorge were not just ordinary spirit crystals they were High-Grade Element Crystals, with diverse affinities and astonishing purity. A treasure that could shift the regional balance of power.
However, they were not alone.
"A group from the Shadow Viper Sect was already there," Kaezam reported, his expression grim. "They had established a small outpost and were actively transporting raw crystals using spiritual transport carriages. We estimate there were fifteen Foundation Establishment cultivators and one Tier 2 Core Forging Cultivator leading them."
Nera Ironshield said nothing, but her sharp, hawk-like eyes narrowed. "Continue."
Kaelen explained how his team, after considering their strength and the element of surprise, decided to ambush. The goal was to slaughter the Shadow Viper escort group around the mine, secure the perimeter, and possibly seize some crystal samples as proof.
Initially, their ambush went smoothly. Two Shadow Viper Foundation Establishment cultivators fell before they realized what was happening. However, the resistance put up by the Shadow Viper Sect was fierce and treacherous. They used qi corroding poisons, concentration-breaking illusions, and devastating suicide attack techniques. The battle was intense and chaotic.
"We were outnumbered, and they fought with insane desperation," Kaezam said, his voice trembling at the memory. "They seemed to have orders to defend the mine with their lives. Two of our Foundation Establishment comrades were killed instantly by the poison. The others... were severely injured."
Noctis, who was listening, clenched his hand. He remembered the chaos clearly. He saw a comrade next to him fall, his body blackening and blistering in seconds. He himself was nearly killed by a last-ditch attack from a Shadow Viper cultivator who detonated his qi core. Only thanks to his new Pillar of Resistance and battlefield-honed reflexes was he able to survive with only an arm wound.
"Seeing the unfavorable situation and the casualties beginning to mount," Kaezam continued, "I ordered a retreat. Storming the mine directly with our remaining forces would be suicide. The priority was to bring this information back."
He bowed his head in shame. "We failed to secure the mine, Commander. Only six of us returned. But we brought proof." He took out a spiritual pouch and produced several light blue crystal shards that radiated a steady, cold energy. "These are Frost Spark Crystals, high-grade crystals with Ice and Lightning affinities. Their quality is far above ordinary spirit crystals."
Nera Ironshield took one of the crystals, her fingers sensing the energy contained within. Her usually cold face showed a hint of interest.
"You did not fail, Kaezam," she said, her voice deep and authoritative. "You have brought back invaluable information. The existence of this mine and the fact that the Shadow Viper Sect is already moving quickly to exploit it is crucial intelligence. You have done well to withdraw and report."
She stood, her aura suddenly becoming more intense, filling the room. "Rest. Treat your wounds. Wildfire City owes you a debt."
The wounded team, including Noctis, could finally breathe a sigh of relief. They were ordered to withdraw and recover.
~
In their treatment room, Lumina carefully bandaged the wound on Noctis's arm. "This is deep," she whispered, her voice trembling. "The dark energy is trying to corrode your meridians."
"I know," Noctis replied, enduring the pain. "But we succeeded, Lumina. That information... that mine... this could be a turning point."
"Or it could trigger an open war," Lumina added worriedly.
While they spoke, a decision had been made at command headquarters. Nera Ironshield could not allow the Shadow Viper Sect to consolidate their power at the mine. Every day that passed would make the enemy's position stronger. She could not deploy a large force because it would trigger a similar response from the Shadow Viper and possibly attract the attention of the GaleFord Clan. What was needed was a swift and deadly operation.
A few hours later, an announcement was issued. A small elite team was being formed for a raid mission. This team would be led directly by Nera Ironshield herself. She would bring with her three other Tier 2 Nascent Soul Cultivators the best peak forces Wildfire City had to offer. Their mission was simple: infiltrate the Crystal Valley, crush all Shadow Viper resistance, and secure the mine site for the Burning Sky Sect.
This decision sent shockwaves throughout the city. Deploying four Nascent Soul Cultivators at once was a clear declaration of war. It showed how valuable the crystal mine was in the eyes of the leadership.
Noctis, who was still recovering, heard the news. A fire blazed in his eyes a fire of ambition and hope. If the Burning Sky Sect succeeded in securing the mine, the contributions that would flow to the mission participants, even those who only provided initial information, would be enormous. It might, just might, be enough to push him and Lumina past the threshold into the Core Forging Realm.
He looked at Lumina, and in his wife's eyes, he saw a reflection of the same hope. Their journey of blood and tears on this frontier might finally pay off. However, behind that hope, there was anxiety. They had seen for themselves how fiercely the Shadow Viper Sect defended the mine. The upcoming battle between the four Nascent Souls from the Burning Sky Sect and the Shadow Viper defense forces in the valley would not be a battle; it would be a high-level massacre.
The fate of the Crystal Valley and the future of many, including Noctis's family, now hung on the edge of Nera Ironshield's sword and her elite team.