Month Three, Day Fourteen
The Azure Sky intelligence compound occupied a nondescript building in the merchant district—deliberately unremarkable architecture concealing formations that would take a Sovereign Monarch serious effort to breach. Lin Feng's spatial perception detected at least seventeen distinct defensive arrays as he approached, each layered with sophisticated redundancy.
"Impressive paranoia," he murmured to Yun Qingxue, who walked beside him with Han Shu and Liu Feng flanking their position.
"Effective paranoia," she corrected. "Azure Sky's intelligence network has survived three major purge attempts over the past century. They've learned to protect their assets."
Patriarch Zhang Tian met them in a secure briefing chamber, his pragmatic demeanor unchanged from the ceremony two months prior. Four other cultivators occupied the room—all registering as Divine Domain Level 8 or 9, all carrying themselves with the controlled intensity of experienced operatives.
"Lin Feng, Ice Goddess," Zhang Tian greeted formally. "Thank you for accepting this operation. The mission is time-sensitive and genuinely dangerous—I want to establish that clearly before we proceed."
"Understood," Lin Feng replied. "Your preliminary documentation mentioned investigating suspected Sovereign Monarch level demonic cultivator attempting to rebuild Crimson Empress organization."
"Correct. Let me provide details." Zhang Tian activated a formation that projected three-dimensional map into the air between them. "Three weeks ago, our intelligence network detected unusual spiritual energy signatures in the Desolate Mountains region—approximately four hundred kilometers northwest of here."
He gestured, and the map zoomed to show rugged mountain terrain marked with red indicators.
"Initial reconnaissance identified a hidden compound containing at least forty demonic cultivators, including one individual whose spiritual signature suggests Sovereign Monarch Level 3 or 4. Intelligence indicates this individual is called 'Shadow Serpent'—formerly a mid-ranking lieutenant in the Crimson Empress organization."
Lin Feng's consciousness divided, analyzing the tactical situation from multiple perspectives. Forty demonic cultivators was manageable with proper support. A Sovereign Monarch Level 3-4 was concerning but not immediately fatal if engaged carefully.
"What's Shadow Serpent attempting to accomplish?" he asked.
"Rebuilding organizational infrastructure that collapsed when the Crimson Empress died. Our intelligence suggests he's recruiting survivors from various demonic sects, consolidating resources, and establishing new base of operations. If successful, we'll face a renewed continental threat within six months."
"And you want to eliminate this threat while it's still manageable," Qingxue said.
"Precisely. A Sovereign Monarch Level 3 with forty followers is dangerous but containable. Give them six more months and we're facing Sovereign Monarch Level 5 with two hundred followers—much harder problem."
Zhang Tian gestured to the four other cultivators in the room. "Elder Feng, Elder Shen, Commander Liu, and Master Zhao—all experienced in demonic cultivator elimination. Combined with your group, we have nine combatants total. The operation plan is straightforward: infiltrate compound, gather intelligence on Shadow Serpent's capabilities and plans, then neutralize the threat before they can consolidate further."
"Why do you need my specific involvement?" Lin Feng asked. "You have sufficient combat power without me."
"Because Shadow Serpent is paranoid and skilled at detection," Zhang Tian replied. "Standard infiltration techniques won't work—he has formations specifically designed to detect conventional spiritual energy signatures. But your void cultivation operates on different principles. We believe you can penetrate his defenses where others cannot."
Lin Feng's analytical mind recognized the logic. Void energy was fundamentally different from normal spiritual energy—detection formations calibrated for traditional cultivation might not register void techniques properly.
"You want me for reconnaissance," he said. "Spatial perception and consciousness division to map the compound while your combat specialists prepare assault."
"Exactly. Once we have complete intelligence, we can strike with overwhelming force. Without intelligence, we're attacking blind—much higher casualty risk."
Through his dao companion bond, Lin Feng felt Qingxue's analytical assessment. She was running probability calculations, weighing risks against benefits, evaluating tactical soundness of the plan.
"The reconnaissance role is dangerous," she said carefully. "If Shadow Serpent detects Lin Feng during infiltration, he'll be isolated deep in enemy territory."
"Which is why we'll maintain extraction capability," Zhang Tian assured. "Lin Feng's spatial anchoring technique allows emergency teleportation back to predetermined location, correct?"
"Up to one kilometer range," Lin Feng confirmed. "Beyond that, the anchor becomes unreliable."
"Then we establish extraction point one kilometer from compound. You infiltrate using void techniques, map the facility with spatial perception, and anchor yourself for emergency extraction if detected. My combat team stands ready to assault if extraction becomes necessary."
Lin Feng's consciousness streams analyzed the plan from multiple tactical angles. It was sound—used his unique capabilities while providing reasonable safety margins. The forty thousand spiritual stone payment would solve resource concerns for three months. And eliminating a rebuilding demonic organization aligned with broader strategic goals.
"I'll need two days to prepare," he said. "Practice void stealth techniques, coordinate with my bodyguards, and ensure extraction anchor is perfectly calibrated."
"Acceptable. We launch the operation in three days—gives you preparation time and allows our intelligence network to provide updated reconnaissance." Zhang Tian produced jade slips containing detailed compound layouts, known demonic cultivator profiles, and Shadow Serpent's suspected capabilities. "Study these thoroughly. Questions?"
"What happens if Shadow Serpent is stronger than Sovereign Monarch Level 3-4?" Qingxue asked. "If intelligence is wrong and he's Level 5 or 6?"
"Then we abort mission and request additional support from Frozen Sky," Zhang Tian replied without hesitation. "This operation is calculated risk, not suicide mission. If conditions change beyond acceptable parameters, we withdraw and reassess."
The pragmatic answer reassured Lin Feng's analytical mind. Zhang Tian wasn't treating this as desperate gamble but as professional operation with clear abort criteria.
"Acceptable," Lin Feng confirmed. "We'll review the intelligence documentation and begin preparation immediately."
Month Three, Day Fifteen
The specialized training courtyard Azure Sky provided had formations designed to simulate demonic energy signatures—allowing Lin Feng to practice void stealth under conditions approximating actual mission environment.
"The key is minimizing all spiritual energy emissions," Elder Feng explained, the Azure Sky infiltration specialist watching Lin Feng's technique critically. "Even void energy leaves traces if you're not careful. You need to become genuinely empty—not just void-aligned, but temporarily absent from spiritual perception entirely."
Lin Feng divided his consciousness into seven streams, each analyzing different aspects of his spiritual signature. Normal breathing produced minor energy fluctuations. Heartbeat created rhythmic patterns. Even involuntary muscle tension generated detectable spiritual activity.
He systematically eliminated each signature source. Controlled breathing to minimize fluctuations. Used void cultivation to dampen heartbeat resonance. Relaxed every muscle group through consciousness-directed relaxation techniques.
His spiritual presence faded gradually—not disappearing entirely, but reducing to barely-detectable background noise.
"Better," Elder Feng assessed. "But not sufficient for Sovereign Monarch detection capabilities. Shadow Serpent will have formations calibrated to sense even minimal spiritual activity."
"What if I use dimensional techniques?" Lin Feng suggested. "Create a pocket dimension around myself that isolates spiritual signature from external detection?"
Elder Feng's expression showed surprise. "That's... theoretically possible, but dimensional engineering at that precision level usually requires years of specialized training."
"I've been studying dimensional theory for six weeks under Elder Wei's instruction. Let me attempt it."
Lin Feng activated his dimensional engineering knowledge, consciousness streams coordinating complex spatial manipulation. He created a micro-pocket dimension barely larger than his own body—just enough space to isolate his spiritual signature from external reality.
The dimension stabilized after three seconds of concentrated effort. Through his spatial perception, he detected that his spiritual signature had effectively vanished from external detection—the dimensional barrier completely shielded any energy emissions.
"Remarkable," Elder Feng said, and Lin Feng noticed the elder's spiritual perception probing the area where he stood. "I can see you visually, but my spiritual detection indicates empty space. How long can you maintain that?"
"Current sustainability is about five minutes before spiritual energy depletion becomes concerning. Ten minutes maximum before I risk collapse."
"Five minutes isn't sufficient for extended infiltration."
"No, but I can use it strategically—maintain normal void stealth most of the time, activate dimensional isolation only when passing through high-security areas or near Shadow Serpent's direct perception."
Elder Feng nodded slowly. "Tactical deployment rather than continuous effect. Smart. That gives you perhaps three or four uses during infiltration before energy reserves become critical."
They spent the next four hours refining the technique—practicing rapid dimensional isolation deployment, testing sustainability under movement, verifying that collapsing the dimension didn't create detectable spiritual disturbance.
By the end, Lin Feng could deploy dimensional isolation in under two seconds and maintain it for reliable five-minute duration. Combined with standard void stealth, it gave him infiltration capability that Elder Feng admitted exceeded expectations.
"You're ready," the infiltration specialist concluded. "More than ready, actually. I've trained operatives for decades who couldn't achieve this level of signature suppression."
Month Three, Day Sixteen
Combat preparation with Han Shu and Liu Feng focused on worst-case scenarios—what happened if infiltration failed and Lin Feng found himself in direct combat against superior forces.
"Your instinct will be to fight," Han Shu said bluntly, "but your priority is extraction. You're Divine Domain Level 7 attempting reconnaissance against Sovereign Monarch Level 3 supported by forty demonic cultivators. You cannot win direct engagement."
"Understood. Survival over combat effectiveness."
"More than survival—extraction. The moment you're detected, you activate spatial anchor and evacuate immediately. No heroic stands, no attempting to complete reconnaissance, no tactical gambits. Just extraction."
Liu Feng demonstrated the extraction sequence they'd practiced repeatedly: spatial anchor activation, void energy surge for defensive barrier, Void Step toward extraction point, emergency signal to alert combat team.
"Three seconds from detection to extraction initiation," Liu Feng said. "That's your target. Any longer and you risk getting locked down by enemy formations before escape."
They drilled the sequence fifty times—detection alarm, immediate extraction response, no hesitation or analysis paralysis. By the end, Lin Feng's muscle memory could execute extraction in under two seconds.
"What if spatial anchor is disrupted?" he asked.
"Then you're in serious trouble," Han Shu admitted. "But Azure Sky's intelligence indicates Shadow Serpent doesn't have spatial manipulation capabilities. Unless that intelligence is wrong, your anchor should be secure."
"And if intelligence is wrong?"
"Then you fight your way toward extraction point while we assault compound from outside. Messy, dangerous, high casualty risk—which is why you prioritize not being detected in the first place."
The blunt tactical assessment matched Lin Feng's own analysis. This mission was calculated risk, not guaranteed success. If multiple things went wrong simultaneously, casualties were likely.
"Understood. Stealth over aggression, extraction over combat, intelligence gathering only within acceptable risk parameters."
"Good. Now let's practice combat extraction scenarios for the next three hours so you're prepared even if everything goes wrong."
Month Three, Day Seventeen - Mission Day
The Desolate Mountains lived up to their name—jagged peaks rising from barren landscape, spiritual energy thin and corrupted by demonic influence. Lin Feng stood at the extraction point with Azure Sky's combat team, all nine cultivators performing final equipment checks.
"Compound is two kilometers northwest," Zhang Tian confirmed, reviewing jade slip intelligence. "Updated reconnaissance indicates forty-three demonic cultivators now—three arrived yesterday. Shadow Serpent remains inside, spiritual signature consistent with Sovereign Monarch Level 3 or 4."
"Detection formations?" Lin Feng asked.
"Seventeen distinct arrays covering compound perimeter, plus additional internal formations we haven't mapped yet. Your approach vector—" Zhang Tian indicated on projected map "—follows this ravine, which has weakest formation coverage. Estimated infiltration time thirty minutes if undetected."
Lin Feng divided his consciousness into seven streams, each reviewing different mission aspects. Infiltration route, emergency extraction procedures, intelligence gathering priorities, combat contingencies, tactical abort criteria.
Everything checked. He was as prepared as possible.
"I'm ready," he confirmed.
Qingxue stepped forward, their dao companion bond intensifying as she reinforced their connection. "I'll maintain awareness through our bond. If I detect serious danger through our connection, I'm triggering extraction regardless of mission status."
"Agreed," Lin Feng said without hesitation. Their bond provided unique safety measure—she could sense his emotional state even at kilometer distances, providing early warning if things went catastrophically wrong.
He activated void stealth, his spiritual signature fading to near-invisibility. Han Shu and Liu Feng performed final tactical checks, verifying his equipment, confirming spatial anchor was properly configured.
"Thirty minutes to infiltration, one hour for reconnaissance, thirty minutes for extraction," Zhang Tian recited the timeline. "If you're not back in two hours, we assume compromise and assault immediately. Questions?"
"None. Beginning infiltration."
Lin Feng moved into the ravine, consciousness divided and spatial perception extended to maximum range. The void cultivation that had once been mysterious discovery was now practiced tool, allowing movement that left minimal trace.
The first ten minutes were uneventful—traversing broken terrain using Void Step to cross difficult passages, avoiding areas where demonic energy concentration suggested patrol routes.
At fifteen minutes, he encountered first formation barrier—detection array designed to sense spiritual energy signatures passing through perimeter. He deployed dimensional isolation, his presence vanishing completely from spiritual detection as he passed through the formation's effective range.
Five minutes of dimensional isolation sustainability meant he needed to be past the formation within that window. He moved quickly but carefully, spatial perception mapping formation structure while consciousness streams calculated optimal path.
Three minutes to traverse the barrier zone. Dimensional isolation collapsed as he reached safe distance, spiritual energy reserves reduced by roughly fifteen percent.
Three more uses available if needed.
At twenty-five minutes, the compound came into view through his spatial perception—extensive cave system carved into mountain interior, formations reinforcing natural stone, at least fifty chambers visible within his perception range.
He activated dimensional isolation again, approaching the compound entrance while spiritually invisible. This was the critical phase—one mistake, one unexpected detection formation, and he'd be fighting for survival deep in hostile territory.
The entrance formations were sophisticated—layered barriers that would detect, alert, and potentially trap intruders simultaneously. Lin Feng studied them carefully with his spatial perception, identifying weak points where void techniques could slip through gaps between formation components.
He used Void Step to bypass the primary detection layer, slipped through dimensional gap in the alert formation, and moved past the trap formation by creating temporary pocket dimension that isolated him from its trigger mechanisms.
Inside.
His spatial perception expanded through the compound interior, consciousness streams processing overwhelming tactical information. Forty-three demonic cultivators distributed across seventeen chambers. Weapons storage in three locations. Formation control center in deep chamber. And at the compound's heart—
Shadow Serpent.
Sovereign Monarch Level 4, Lin Feng's spatial perception confirmed. More powerful than intelligence estimated, but still within mission parameters.
He began systematic reconnaissance, mapping every chamber, cataloging every cultivator's position and approximate strength, identifying strategic targets for assault. His consciousness divided into nine streams to process the complex information rapidly.
Twenty minutes of careful observation revealed complete compound layout, patrol patterns, and—most importantly—Shadow Serpent's current activity.
The demonic cultivator was conducting some kind of ritual, spiritual energy flowing in disturbing patterns that Lin Feng's void cultivation found viscerally wrong. Not just evil, but fundamentally corrupting—energy that ate at reality itself rather than harmonizing with it.
Demonic ascension ritual, Lin Feng realized with cold analytical clarity. He's attempting breakthrough to Sovereign Monarch Level 5.
If successful, Shadow Serpent would become exponentially more dangerous. The mission had just escalated from "eliminate rebuilding threat" to "prevent dangerous breakthrough."
Lin Feng activated his emergency communication jade slip, sending compressed intelligence back to extraction point: COMPOUND MAPPED. SHADOW SERPENT LEVEL 4 ATTEMPTING BREAKTHROUGH TO LEVEL 5. RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE ASSAULT WHILE RITUAL INCOMPLETE.
Response came within seconds: ACKNOWLEDGED. COMBAT TEAM MOVING TO ASSAULT POSITIONS. EXTRACT NOW OR REMAIN FOR TACTICAL SUPPORT?
Lin Feng's consciousness streams analyzed options. Extract safely and let combat team handle assault based on his intelligence. Or remain inside compound to provide real-time tactical updates and potential disruption of Shadow Serpent's ritual.
Staying was dangerous. But if Shadow Serpent completed breakthrough to Level 5 during assault, Azure Sky's combat team might not survive.
Through his dao companion bond, he felt Qingxue's growing alarm—she sensed his internal debate and the danger it implied.
He made the decision in three seconds: REMAINING FOR TACTICAL SUPPORT. WILL DISRUPT RITUAL IF OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS. BEGIN ASSAULT IN FIVE MINUTES.
The response was immediate: NEGATIVE. ABORT MISSION AND EXTRACT. DO NOT ENGAGE SOVEREIGN MONARCH ALONE.
Lin Feng ignored the order. His tactical analysis indicated that disrupting the ritual now would save lives during the assault. Zhang Tian would understand after the fact, even if he disapproved of the decision.
He moved deeper into the compound toward the ritual chamber, dimensional isolation active, consciousness stretched to maximum capacity as he prepared to do something either brilliant or suicidal.
Probably both.
End of Chapter 77