I stayed up late that night installing the formation array Old Feng had sold me. The instructions were written in flowing script that somehow I could read perfectly another side effect of the system, I assumed but the actual installation process was complex.
"You're sure you know what you're doing?" Yuki asked, watching me place small jade markers at specific points around the inn's perimeter.
"Absolutely not," I admitted, consulting the instructions again. "But the directions seem clear enough. Place twelve markers in a circle around the property, activate each with a drop of blood, then connect them with spiritual energy channels."
"The blood part is worrying."
"Everything in cultivation involves blood, apparently. I'm getting used to it." I pricked my finger on the next marker, watching as it absorbed the blood and began glowing softly. "That's marker seven. Five more to go."
The formation markers were small jade stones carved with intricate patterns. As each one activated, I could feel something not quite spiritual energy since I didn't have any, but some kind of resonance between the markers and the inn itself.
[Formation Installation in progress...]
[Compatibility with existing Aura of Sanctuary: High]
[Estimated completion: 45 minutes]
"The system is helping," I told Yuki. "Says it's compatible with the passive protection already in place."
"That's good. Multiple defensive layers are better than one." She padded along beside me in fox form as I moved to the next marker position. "I can sense the energy building. It's like a web forming around the property."
By the time I placed the final marker near the back courtyard, I was exhausted but satisfied. The twelve markers formed a perfect circle around the inn, each one glowing with soft jade light that was barely visible in the darkness.
"Now comes the tricky part," I said, reading the final instruction. "I need to walk the circle while maintaining intent and connection to each marker. It'll form the energy channels automatically."
"What kind of intent?"
"Protection. Safety. Sanctuary." I closed my eyes, thinking about what the inn meant to me. A place where people could rest. Where guests were safe. Where even those running from powerful enemies could find shelter.
I started walking the perimeter, and something extraordinary happened. Golden light began flowing from my footsteps, connecting each marker in sequence. The light grew brighter with each step, forming lines of energy that crisscrossed the property in geometric patterns.
[Formation Array Activation: Successful]
[New Defensive Layer Added: Sanctuary Formation Array]
[Effects: Hostile detection, forced entry prevention, spiritual sense blocking, automatic repair function]
[Note: This formation is powered by the inn itself and Host's intent. Grows stronger as inn develops.]
The golden light faded, but I could feel the formation humming with quiet power. The air around the inn felt different safer, more solid somehow.
"It worked," Yuki breathed. "Kazuki, I can feel it. Anyone approaching with hostile intent will trigger warnings, and the formation will actively resist forced entry."
"Good," I said, swaying slightly from exhaustion. "Because after today, I have a feeling we're going to need it."
I couldn't have been more right.
It was just past midnight when the formation activated its first warning.
[ALERT: Hostile Individuals Detected]
[Count: 6]
[Threat Level: High]
[Distance: 200 meters and approaching]
I jerked awake from where I'd dozed off at the counter, the system's warning blaring in my mind like an alarm. Yuki was already on her feet, transformed to human form with a small dagger appearing in her hand.
"Company," she said tensely. "And they're not friendly."
I moved to the window, peering out into the darkness. Six figures in dark clothing were approaching the inn, moving with the practiced silence of people accustomed to night operations. No red robes this time these weren't Phoenix Sect disciples making an official visit.
These were assassins.
"Wake the others," I said quietly. "Now."
Yuki darted upstairs while I focused on the approaching figures. They reached the edge of the formation's boundary and stopped, clearly sensing something was wrong.
"There's a barrier," one of them hissed. "Strong one too. Boss didn't mention anything about formations."
"Doesn't matter," another replied. "We have formation-breaking talismans. Use them."
Lin Mei appeared at my side, fully armed despite having been asleep minutes ago. "Assassins?"
"Six of them. They're trying to break through the formation."
She looked out the window, her expression hardening. "Those are Shadow Blade mercenaries. I recognize their equipment. Someone hired professionals to attack your inn."
[Identified: Shadow Blade Mercenary Group]
[Cultivation Levels: 4x Foundation Establishment, 2x Core Formation]
[Threat Assessment: Extreme if they breach defenses]
Jin and Wei came down next, followed by Zhao Chen who was still recovering but looked determined to fight if needed.
"What's happening?" Wei asked, adjusting his glasses.
"We're under attack," I said simply. "Professional mercenaries. They're trying to break through the formation right now."
Outside, one of the mercenaries pulled out a paper talisman covered in dark red symbols. He threw it at the formation barrier, and it exploded with force, sending ripples across the golden energy field.
[Formation Array under attack]
[Integrity: 95%]
[Estimated time until breach: 5 minutes if attacks continue]
"The formation is holding, but not forever," I said. "We need a plan."
"We can fight," Jin offered, hefting his massive sword. "Six against five aren't bad odds."
"Six professional assassins, some at Core Formation level, against three Bronze-rank adventurers, one injured Forest Guard, and a mortal innkeeper," Lin Mei corrected. "The odds are terrible."
"Don't forget the spiritual beast," Yuki added. "I might be young, but I'm still dangerous when I need to be."
Another talisman exploded against the barrier. Then another. The formation was holding, but I could feel it weakening under the sustained assault.
[Formation Array integrity: 85%]
[Warning: At 50% integrity, barrier will fail]
"We can't let them inside," I said firmly. "There are guest rooms upstairs, people sleeping. This is supposed to be a sanctuary."
"Then we need to take the fight to them before they break through," Lin Mei decided. "Jin, Wei, with me. We'll engage them outside the formation. Zhao Chen, stay here and guard the innkeeper and Yuki. You're still injured."
"I can fight" he protested.
"You can barely stand," she cut him off. "Protect our host. That's an order."
Before I could argue that putting my guests in danger defeated the whole purpose of protecting them, Lin Mei was already heading for the door with Jin and Wei in formation behind her.
"Wait!" I called. "At least take this."
I rushed to the kitchen and grabbed three of the rice balls I'd prepared earlier. They weren't as potent as a full meal, but they still had spiritual energy infused in them.
[Quick Meal: Spiritual Energy Rice Ball]
[Effect: Temporary stamina boost, minor healing, enhanced reflexes]
Lin Mei took one, examining it with surprise. "Your emergency combat rations are spiritual food?"
"Everything I cook has spiritual properties. It's not much, but it might give you an edge."
She smiled slightly. "You really are something else, Innkeeper Kazuki." She bit into the rice ball, and her eyes widened as the energy flooded through her system. "This is... incredible. I feel like I could fight a realm above my level."
"Don't actually try that," I said quickly. "Just... be careful. Please."
"We will. Protect the inn. That's all you need to worry about."
The three adventurers slipped out through a side door, moving to flank the mercenaries. I watched from the window as they engaged, the sounds of combat suddenly shattering the peaceful night.
Steel clashed against steel. Spiritual techniques lit up the darkness with colorful displays of power. Lin Mei moved like a dancer, her sword work elegant and deadly. Jin was a whirlwind of strength, each swing of his massive blade forcing enemies back. Wei supported them from range with talismans and thrown weapons.
But the mercenaries were professionals. They adapted quickly, coordinating their attacks to exploit weaknesses.
"They're going to lose," Yuki said quietly, watching beside me. "The mercenaries are stronger and more experienced."
[Combat Analysis: Adventurers outmatched]
[Projected outcome: Defeat within 3 minutes]
[Recommendation: Evacuate or activate emergency protocols]
"I don't have emergency protocols," I told the system. "And I'm not abandoning my inn or my guests."
[Then Host must fight.]
"I can't fight! I'm not a cultivator!"
[Incorrect. Host has resources available.]
[Aura of Sanctuary can be weaponized at extreme cost to formation integrity]
[Emergency Measure: Sanctuary's Judgment]
[Cost: Complete depletion of formation array for 24 hours]
[Effect: Expel all hostile individuals within range with overwhelming force]
I stared at the notification. "I can weaponize the inn's protection?"
"Do it," Yuki urged. "Before they kill the adventurers."
Outside, Lin Mei took a blade through her shoulder, crying out in pain. Jin was overwhelmed by three mercenaries at once. Wei had run out of talismans.
They were losing.
I made my decision.
"System, activate Sanctuary's Judgment."
[Confirmation Required: This will leave the inn defenseless for 24 hours]
"I said do it!"
[Acknowledged. Activating Sanctuary's Judgment.]
The inn erupted with golden light.
Every formation marker simultaneously activated at maximum power, and the energy that had been creating a protective barrier suddenly reversed. Instead of keeping danger out, it was ejecting danger forcefully.
The six mercenaries were hit by a wave of pure force that sent them flying backward like leaves in a hurricane. They tumbled across the ground, their weapons scattered, their formation broken.
The golden light concentrated around the adventurers, healing their wounds and restoring their energy. Lin Mei's shoulder sealed itself. Jin's bruises faded. Wei's spiritual energy refilled completely.
And standing at the center of it all, I felt the power flowing through me not my power, but the inn's, channeled through my intent.
"Leave," I said, and my voice carried with unnatural authority. "This is a sanctuary. You are not welcome here."
The mercenaries scrambled to their feet, terror visible on their faces. Whatever they'd expected, it wasn't this.
They fled into the forest without a word, not even stopping to collect their scattered equipment.
The golden light faded, and I collapsed to my knees, completely drained.
[Sanctuary's Judgment: Complete]
[Formation Array: Depleted]
[Inn vulnerable for 24 hours]
[Warning: You are extremely exhausted]
Yuki caught me before I hit the ground. "That was amazing, Kazuki. And also incredibly reckless."
"Worked though," I managed to say before everything went dark.
[End of Chapter 15]