A year has passed since Crystal Valley became the epicenter of a storm of conflict. What was initially hoped to be a quick mining operation has turned into a grueling and bloody war of attrition. What keeps all parties going is the bitter and exhilarating reality that the mine is far larger and deeper than initially estimated. The reserves of high-grade crystals seem endless. Every time the miners think they have reached the end of a vein, a new tunnel, a new geode chamber filled with sparkling crystals opens up, tempting and sustaining the greedy desires of each faction.
However, this blessing has also become a curse. The immense value of the mine means that no party is willing to back down. The Burning Sky Sect and the Lightning Roar Sect, now operating under one banner, have transformed Crystal Valley into an almost impenetrable fortress.
Inside the valley now stands an impressive defensive complex. Two stage 3 Nascent Souls from the Lightning Roar Sect, twin siblings named Orion and Lyra Voltaris whose lightning combo techniques are legendary, have reinforced Nera Ironshield and her team's position. Their core strength is supported by 2 stage 1 Nascent Souls from Burning Sky, 20 Core Forging of various stages, and 87 Foundation Establishment. From Lightning Roar, came reinforcements of 8 stage 9 Core Forging and 20 peak Foundation Establishment. In total, the fortress is guarded by 4 Nascent Souls, 28 Core Forging, and 107 Foundation Establishment.
This is enough power to destroy a large city or any second-rate faction. They built energy watchtowers, qi cannons, and layers of interlocking defensive formations a combination of Burning Sky Fire and Lightning Roar Lightning that created a blazing barrier that simultaneously rained lightning strikes on intruders.
However, their enemies were not idle. Such massive defensive reinforcements signaled to all parties that the value at stake in Crystal Valley far exceeded initial estimates.
"They wouldn't invest that much for just an ordinary crystal mine," grumbled Morvan, commander of the Shadow Viper border, in a secret meeting with representatives of the Hugo Clan. "There must be something more inside. Maybe a unique Core Crystal, or even a spiritual crystal vein."
The Hugo Clan, already paid a large sum of cash, now saw the potential for far greater profits than the promised 20%. They increased the level of assassins deployed.
On the other hand, the GaleFord Clan and the Red Lotus Empire, who were also observing these massive troop deployments, became convinced that they could not allow the two sects to control the treasure alone.
Finally, the battle of attrition turned into an open battle that occurred almost every week.
A combined frontal assault from the GaleFord Clan and the "independent cultivators" of the Red Lotus Empire, consisting of 3 Nascent Souls (one stage 4, two stage 3) and dozens of Core Forging, attacked the north gate of the fortress. The battle lasted for six hours. Nera Ironshield and Orion Voltaris led the defense. Nera's spiritual art Eternal Flame Herald collided with GaleFord's spiritual art Wind Severing, while Orion's lightning rained down on the Red Lotus forces. Casualties fell on both sides. Two Core Forging from Burning Sky were killed, while one stage 3 Nascent Soul from Red Lotus was seriously injured before retreating.
A few days later, a cunning attack from Shadow Viper and the Hugo Clan followed. They did not attack directly, but poisoned the underground water source used by the fortress and infiltrated assassins to kill key formation experts. A stage 9 Core Forging from Lightning Roar who was an expert in formations, was found dead in his room with a subtle needle hole in his neck the signature of the Hugo Clan. The water poisoning was successfully dealt with by Lisa and the support team, but it took a great deal of time and energy.
This chaos greatly disrupted mining operations. The speed of mining dropped drastically. Every time the miners started working, an attack came, forcing all cultivators to combat readiness. The atmosphere inside the fortress was filled with fatigue, tension, and suppressed despair.
Increasingly urgent emergency reports were sent to the headquarters of both sects. The message was clear: "We are overwhelmed. The mine is larger than expected, but the enemies are too many and too strong. We need massive assistance, or we will fall."
In Wildfire City, Noctis, who had almost recovered from all the poison and injuries a few months ago, and Lumina felt the impact. The city became a logistics center and emergency hospital. Lumina, with her improved formation skills, was often called upon to help repair damaged energy equipment or detection formations. Noctis, now fully recovered and getting closer to the peak of Foundation Establishment, was assigned to the city's tightened perimeter patrol team, vigilant for intruders or sudden attacks on the city.
They witnessed firsthand the impact of the war. Flying transport carriages carrying the wounded and the dead continued to arrive. An aura of death and despair enveloped the once-proud city.
"This has become madness, Noctis," Lumina whispered one night, after a day of repairing a damaged communication formation. "How many more have to die for a handful of crystals?"
Noctis looked at his wife, his eyes also full of fatigue. "We can't do anything, Lumina. We are just pawns. But remember, every day we survive here, our contribution increases. That is the key to our future... to Lux."
The name of their son hung between them, a reminder of the purpose behind all this suffering. However, for Lumina, the shadow of Lux only strengthened her longing and desire to get out of this hell.
Finally, a response from the Burning Sky Sect headquarters arrived. And it was a response that shook the entire border region.
Sect Master Klahan and the Grand Elders, after lengthy discussions, decided to deploy their best forces. They sent Grand Elder Bram Ironshield himself, who had just achieved a breakthrough to stage 7 Nascent Soul. This was a rare peak force deployment, indicating how serious the situation was.
The team led by Bram numbered 20 people, an elite team whose every member was an elite 4 stage 4 Nascent Souls (Members of the sect's Supreme Defense Council) a special team of grand elder bram's bodyguards, and
16 peak Core Forging (stage 9, veterans ready for Nascent Soul)
They did not go directly to Crystal Valley. Instead, they settled in Wildfire City. This decision was strategic by placing a large force in the city, they could respond quickly to the valley while securing the command and logistics center. Bram's presence alone was a statement that the Burning Sky Sect would not back down.
Their arrival was greeted with a mixture of relief and awe. The aura of a stage 7 Nascent Soul was so mighty, making all the cultivators in the city feel like ants in the presence of a giant.
Shortly thereafter, the Lightning Roar Sect, also realizing the true value of the mine, increased their commitment. They sent their sect's Young Master, Raiden Voltaris, a genius who had reached stage 5 Nascent Soul at a relatively young age. He was accompanied by four personal bodyguards, each at stage 3 Nascent Soul. This small but very powerful team was also stationed in Wildfire City, based at the Lightning Roar embassy.
Wildfire City had now been transformed. The harsh border town was now filled with giants. The auras of a dozen high-level Nascent Souls plus dozens of peak Core Forging mixed in the air, creating a constant spiritual pressure that made cultivators below Foundation Establishment feel breathless.
For Noctis and Lumina, the presence of these forces was a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the chances of defending the mine increased. On the other hand, if a high-level battle truly broke out near the city, the devastation inflicted would be unspeakable.
The stage for a much larger and more terrible conflict had been fully set. All eyes were now on Wildfire City and Crystal Valley, awaiting the devastating eruption that was sure to come.