Yan Shu did not ask for permission.
He asked for stones.
"We need thirty-six anchor points," he said calmly.
Chen Wei blinked. "Anchor for what?"
"Basic Qi Stabilization Formation."
Mu Jian frowned slightly. "We don't even have spirit stones."
Yan Shu nodded. "We don't need spirit stones. We need alignment."
He picked up ordinary courtyard stones.
To most, they were debris.
To him, they were nodes.
Lian Zhou opened Yan Shu's system panel.
[Spirit-Enhanced Mind Activation: 41%]
[Micro-Formation Awareness: Active]
New option had appeared.
[Basic Defensive Array Blueprint — Cost: 5 TP]
He did not hesitate.
Confirm.
A schematic entered Yan Shu's mind instantly.
Not memorized.
Understood.
Yan Shu froze for half a second.
Then he began moving stones without explanation.
He repositioned slabs by centimeters.
Not meters.
Not dramatic shifts.
Precise adjustments.
Three degrees east.
Half-inch elevation.
Symmetry correction.
The others watched in silence.
It looked like rearranging rubble.
But slowly—
The air changed.
Subtle.
Smooth.
Chen Wei sat down to cultivate out of curiosity.
His breathing synced faster.
Qi intake improved slightly.
Mu Jian struck a practice post.
The impact felt more stable.
Xiao Rin circulated fire Qi.
Heat no longer dissipated outward as quickly.
Yan Shu stepped back.
"Outer layer complete," he said calmly.
"Outer layer?" Mu Jian repeated.
"Yes. Inner layer requires materials."
He looked at Lian Zhou.
"We need low-grade spirit stones."
"We'll get them," Lian Zhou replied.
Inside the system panel:
[Sect Structure Efficiency: +15%]
[Formation Coverage: Partial]
It wasn't a combat array yet.
It was a stabilization net.
But that alone reduced energy waste.
And during war—
Energy waste meant defeat.
Yan Shu spoke again.
"Crimson Blade will test the formation before formal duel."
Chen Wei frowned. "You think they'll attack early?"
"Probe," Yan Shu corrected.
"Small group."
He said it like certainty.
Not guess.
Three nights later—
It happened.
Two Crimson Blade disciples approached at dusk.
Foundation Early.
Testing.
They did not announce themselves.
They attacked the outer gate directly.
Palm strikes shattered wood.
But when they stepped inside—
Their Qi circulation faltered slightly.
Nothing obvious.
Just… resistance.
Like air thicker than usual.
Chen Wei intercepted the first one.
He felt it immediately.
His movements felt sharper.
Opponent's reactions slightly delayed.
Subtle.
But measurable.
Within twenty exchanges—
The Crimson Blade disciple retreated.
The second followed.
They did not pursue.
Testing complete.
Back inside the courtyard—
Yan Shu spoke calmly.
"They confirmed anomaly."
"Yes," Lian Zhou replied.
"They will escalate."
"Yes."
Mu Jian was sitting cross-legged.
Sweat ran down his back.
His Foundation preparation was reaching compression stage.
Unlike Xiao Rin's flame-like breakthrough—
Mu Jian's was silent.
Heavy.
Dense.
His bones felt like stone pillars.
His meridians locked tightly.
His breathing barely moved.
Foundation Anchor path was consolidating.
Lian Zhou checked his system.
Remaining Talent Points: 4
Strategic Acceleration Mode still active.
Host Spiritual Load: 31%
Stable.
Good.
He needed to conserve now.
The real breakthrough must happen naturally.
Manufactured growth without discipline collapses.
He would not allow that.
Yan Shu approached quietly.
"We need one more layer."
"Explain."
"If they bring Core Formation elder," Yan Shu said calmly, "this formation won't hold."
"I know."
"We need shock absorption."
Lian Zhou narrowed his eyes slightly.
"How long?"
"Seven days."
"Resources?"
"Minimal."
Good.
Very good.
Yan Shu was not asking for miracles.
He was designing probability control.
Meanwhile—
Crimson Blade's elder reviewed reports.
"They adjusted their courtyard."
"Yes."
"Formation?"
"Likely."
The elder's expression darkened.
"They shouldn't have formation expertise."
"Apparently they do."
Silence.
"Prepare the Foundation Late disciple."
"Yes, Elder."
The month was halfway gone.
Heavenly Ember had:
One rising Foundation Mid
One fire constitution nearing Foundation Mid
One silent stone about to break into Foundation
One formation mind constructing structure
Crimson Blade believed they were crushing a minor sect.
They did not yet realize—
They were attacking a system.
That night—
Mu Jian opened his eyes.
The ground beneath him cracked slightly.
Not from force.
From compression.
He stood slowly.
His aura did not flare.
It settled.
Foundation Realm.
But unlike Xiao Rin's heat—
Mu Jian's presence felt heavy.
Grounded.
Immovable.
Chen Wei inhaled sharply.
"You broke through."
"Yes."
Mu Jian flexed his fingers slowly.
"My structure doesn't shake."
Lian Zhou nodded once.
"That's the point."
Inside the system panel:
[Disciple Major Realm Breakthrough.]
[Authority Rank 3 Progress: 1/2 Foundation Disciples Required.]
Not yet full upgrade.
But close.
Very close.
War was no longer theoretical.
Heavenly Ember was no longer fragile.
And Crimson Blade was walking toward something far more dangerous than expected.