The moment I confirmed the decision, golden light exploded from every formation marker around the property. But this time it was different brighter, more intense, almost violent in its radiance.
[Emergency Overcharge Activated]
[System Points Depleted: 0 Remaining]
[Formation Array Power: 150%]
[Duration: 60 minutes]
[Warning: After this, you're on your own]
The Phoenix Sect disciples recoiled from the sudden surge of energy. Even Feng Hua took an involuntary step back, her expression shifting from confident to wary.
"What is this?" she demanded. "This energy... it's far beyond what a simple roadside inn should possess!"
I stepped out onto the front porch, feeling the formation's power flowing around me like a protective cloak. My hands were shaking, but I kept my voice steady.
"This is The Lazy Dragon Inn. All guests are welcome here. All guests are protected here. And anyone who threatens that protection will be removed." I met Feng Hua's eyes across the distance. "That includes the Phoenix Sect."
[Aura of Sanctuary amplified by formation overcharge]
[Current Status: Innkeeper's Authority (Maximum)]
[Effect: Within inn grounds, Host's word carries the weight of absolute law]
Lin Mei appeared beside me, sword drawn. "Innkeeper's right. You want to get to him, you go through us first."
Jin took position on my other side, his massive sword resting on his shoulder. "And I'm a lot harder to go through than I look."
Wei moved to the second-floor window, talismans at the ready. Zhao Chen stood at the side door, sword in hand despite his injuries. And Yuki, in her human form with fox ears prominently displayed, stepped out onto the porch beside me.
"A spiritual beast," Feng Hua hissed. "So you are harboring our property. That's theft, innkeeper. The Phoenix Sect will have satisfaction for this insult."
"She's not property," I said firmly. "She's a person, a guest, and under my protection. The same goes for everyone else here."
One of the Core Formation experts beside Feng Hua sneered. "Bold words from a mortal. Do you think a formation can protect you from the might of the Phoenix Sect? We'll tear it down and burn your inn to ashes!"
"You can try," I said. "But you should know this formation isn't just defensive anymore."
I was bluffing. I had no idea what the overcharged formation could actually do besides create a really impressive light show. But I delivered the line with such confidence that several disciples exchanged nervous glances.
[Silver Tongue (Passive) + Innkeeper's Authority]
[Bluff effectiveness: Very High]
Feng Hua's eyes narrowed. "You're stalling. Waiting for something. Reinforcements perhaps?"
"I don't need reinforcements. I have my inn, my guests, and one hour to make you regret coming here."
That was apparently the wrong thing to say. Feng Hua's face flushed with anger. "Arrogant fool! You dare threaten the Phoenix Sect? Attack! Bring me that innkeeper's head!"
Twenty disciples charged forward while the Core Formation experts hung back, clearly planning to let their subordinates test the defenses first.
They hit the formation boundary and the golden barrier responded.
Not with gentle resistance with explosive force.
The first wave of disciples was thrown backward like ragdolls, their bodies tumbling across the ground. Those who tried to use spiritual techniques found their attacks absorbed and redirected back at them. One disciple attempted to launch a fire technique and ended up setting his own robes ablaze.
[Formation Array responding to hostile actions]
[Automatic countermeasures active]
[Enemy forces sustaining casualties]
"The formation is actively fighting back!" Wei called from his window. "Kazuki, what did you do?"
"Honestly? I'm as surprised as you are!"
The second wave came more cautiously, trying to probe for weaknesses in the barrier. But the formation adapted to each attempt, shifting and flowing like water to block every attack.
Lin Mei whistled appreciatively. "This is incredible. I've never seen a defensive formation this responsive. It's like it's alive."
"It's powered by the inn itself," I explained, understanding dawning as I felt the connection. "The inn wants to protect its guests. I'm just... channeling that intent."
Feng Hua had seen enough. "Useless fools! You three break that formation!"
The three Core Formation experts stepped forward, their combined spiritual pressure making the air heavy. These weren't common disciples these were real cultivators with serious power.
They attacked simultaneously, launching coordinated strikes at three different points of the barrier. The formation shuddered under the assault, cracks appearing in the golden light.
[Warning: Formation under heavy attack]
[Integrity: 85%... 78%... 70%...]
"They're breaking through!" Zhao Chen shouted.
"Everyone inside!" Lin Mei ordered. "We'll make our stand in the lobby where we have defensive positions!"
We retreated into the inn, and the moment we crossed the threshold, I felt the formation's power concentrate around the building itself. The barrier contracted, becoming denser, more focused.
[Formation Array: Defensive Protocol Activated]
[Power redirected to building protection]
[Integrity stabilizing at 65%]
The Phoenix Sect disciples poured through the outer barrier, rushing toward the inn. But as they reached the building itself, they hit a wall of force that was exponentially stronger than the outer barrier.
"The building is the true sanctuary," I realized. "The outer barrier was just the first line of defense."
Jin laughed. "So they pushed through the easy part to get to the hard part? That's hilarious."
"Less laughing, more fighting!" Lin Mei snapped as several disciples managed to force their way to the windows, trying to break through.
The battle became chaotic. Disciples attacked from multiple angles while my defenders held the line. Lin Mei's sword work was poetry in motion, each strike precise and devastating. Jin was an immovable wall, his massive blade sweeping aside anyone who got too close. Wei's talismans created explosions and barriers, controlling the battlefield. Even Zhao Chen, injured as he was, fought with the disciplined technique of the Forest Guard.
Yuki was a whirlwind of silver and white, her spiritual beast nature fully unleashed. She moved with impossible speed and grace, her claws leaving trails of silver light. Any disciple who tried to enter through the windows found themselves facing a very angry fox spirit.
I stayed at the center of it all, maintaining my connection to the formation, feeling every attack and every defense. The inn was holding, but I could feel the strain building.
[Formation Integrity: 58%... 52%... 47%...]
[Time Remaining: 43 minutes]
"We can't hold for forty more minutes at this rate!" Wei called out, throwing another talisman.
He was right. We were outnumbered ten to one, and the Core Formation experts hadn't even entered the fight yet. They were standing back, letting their disciples wear us down.
I needed to change the dynamics of this battle.
"System," I said desperately. "You said I have Innkeeper's Authority at maximum right now. What can I actually do with that?"
[Innkeeper's Authority allows Host to enforce inn rules within the protected space]
[Current power level permits creating and enforcing temporary rules]
[Warning: More restrictive rules require more formation energy]
Inn rules. I could create and enforce inn rules.
An idea formed.
"Everyone!" I shouted to my defenders. "Fall back to the lobby! All the way back!"
They retreated as ordered, forming a defensive line behind the main counter. The Phoenix Sect disciples, sensing victory, pushed forward more aggressively.
Once they were all inside the lobby at least fifteen disciples crowding through the door and windows I activated my authority.
"New inn rule!" I declared, my voice resonating with power. "No weapons allowed in the main lobby!"
[Innkeeper's Authority: Rule Enforcement]
[Rule: No Weapons in Lobby]
[Formation Energy Cost: 15%]
[Activating...]
Every weapon in the room swords, spears, knives, even hidden daggers vanished in golden light. The Phoenix Sect disciples stumbled, suddenly finding themselves empty-handed.
Their shocked expressions were almost comical.
"What how?" one disciple sputtered.
"My inn, my rules," I said. "And you just violated them."
"Now!" Lin Mei shouted.
My defenders, who'd been warned and had already handed me their weapons before falling back, attacked with coordinated precision. Against armed opponents, the disarmed disciples might have retreated. But they were inside now, committed, and suddenly facing trained fighters in close quarters without weapons.
It was a massacre.
Well, not literally. We weren't killing anyone Lin Mei had been specific about that. But we were efficiently knocking out every disciple who'd made it inside. Jin's fists were just as devastating as his sword. Lin Mei used pressure points and joint locks. Yuki's claws were carefully sheathed as she used pure martial technique.
Within minutes, fifteen unconscious Phoenix Sect disciples were piled in the corner of the lobby.
[Formation Integrity: 32% (after rule enforcement cost)]
[Time Remaining: 35 minutes]
Outside, Feng Hua stared at the scene in disbelief. "What kind of sorcery is this? That inn is... it's impossible!"
"Should we proceed, Senior Sister?" one of the Core Formation experts asked.
She hesitated. For the first time, I saw genuine uncertainty in her expression. She'd expected an easy victory a mortal innkeeper and a few low-level defenders. Instead, she'd lost fifteen disciples and encountered abilities that defied explanation.
"Withdraw," she finally said. "We need to reassess and report this to the Sect Master."
"But Senior Sister"
"I said withdraw! That inn is not what it appears. We need more information before we attack again."
[Enemy Forces Retreating]
[Immediate Threat Level: Reduced]
[Warning: This is only a temporary reprieve]
The Phoenix Sect disciples collected their unconscious comrades and retreated into the darkness, Feng Hua casting one last measuring look at the inn before disappearing.
The moment they were gone, I collapsed against the counter, completely drained.
[Formation Overcharge ending in 32 minutes]
[Current Integrity: 32%]
[After deactivation: Complete shutdown for 7 days]
"We won," Jin said, disbelief in his voice. "We actually won."
"We survived," Lin Mei corrected. "They'll be back. And next time, they'll bring more force."
I looked around at my inn the damage, the unconscious disciples still piled in the corner, my exhausted defenders.
"Then we'll deal with them when they come," I said firmly. "But tonight, we protected what matters. Our sanctuary held."
Yuki transformed back to fox form and curled up at my feet. "Our sanctuary held because you made it hold, Kazuki. That was... that was amazing."
"That was terrifying," I corrected. "And expensive. I'm out of system points and the formation is going to be down for a week."
"But we're alive," Zhao Chen pointed out. "That's what counts."
He was right.
We were alive, the inn was standing, and we'd sent the Phoenix Sect running. For tonight, that was enough.
[End of Chapter 17]