CHAPTER 437: STRAIGHT TO THE FORTRESS

The [Basic Training Puppet] glowed from the metallic energy that seemed to seep into it as the Legionary Set clicked into place. The Highland Crystal embedded into the dummy gradually dimmed as if its raw, chaotic energy was being steadily drained, refined, and channeled by the intricate runes of the armor.

Everyone in the concealed stronghold held their breath, watching the process unfold.

Scholar Wei’s golden eyes were wide with a scholar’s manic glee. "It’s working... The crystal is acting as a source of energy. It’s converting the puppet’s simple spiritual core output into a frequency the Aether-forged runes can understand and process. It’s... it’s a miracle of cross-realm engineering!"

The final piece of armor, the helmet, snapped into place with a definitive click. For a moment, the puppet stood inert, a lifeless mannequin dressed in the enemy’s uniform.

Then, with a low hum that vibrated throughout the stronghold, the hexagonal silver patterns on the armor flared to life. The dormant Aetheric energy, now jump-started by the makeshift converter, began to flow. The puppet’s simple crystal eyes, once dull, now glowed with the same cold, icy blue light as the Vindicators.

It took a single, stiff step forward. CLANK. Then another. Its movements were jerky and uncoordinated, like a newborn foal learning to walk.

"It moves," The Dragon General frowned as if he was looking at something bizarre, "but it is clumsy. A puppet is still a puppet. It lacks a warrior’s soul."

"Indeed. The equipment doesn’t even recognize the puppet as its new owner. It’s still unbound," Lin Mo nodded as his thoughtful expression relaxed. If it were that easy, the inhabitants of the Argent Covenant Realm wouldn’t send their people here. While there were cultivators specializing in golems and mechanical constructs, the armor set was akin to the cultivation path of the inhabitants of the Realm of Nine Heavens. It was as complex as defying the laws of heaven.

"Let’s stop here for now and continue it outside the Anchor. Clearing Area 1 comes first. Perhaps, there will be more hints about this in the data we can extract from the Area Core."

He deactivated the puppet and the Legionary Set automatically slipped off its body and clattered to the ground. With the Highland Crystal’s energy siphoned, it turned to dust. The experiment was a success, but it was incomplete. The puppet lacked the will, the consciousness, to truly bond with the armor.

"A pity," Liu Zhongzhu commented, having rejoined their group after setting up the decoy. "This could be a new path for those without spirit roots. A new path for the mortals to take."

"The thought has crossed my mind," Lin Mo admitted. "However, it is still something from another realm. Their invasion won’t stop even if they steal their ’path’. Anyway, we can continue researching this later. It needs a key component: a living, willing pilot. The armor needs to form a bond. It needs to accept the user’s life force."

A tense silence fell over the group. The implication was clear. To truly test this, someone had to wear the armor. Someone had to risk their own life force and meridians on a piece of alien technology powered by a chaotic energy crystal from yet another alien world. It was an insane proposition.

"I will do it."

Every head snapped towards the speaker. It was not the hot-blooded young master. It was Zhou Rui.

The Crimson Vale disciple stood with a quiet, unshakeable resolve, his hand resting on his saber. "My benefactor’s strategy requires a test. I am a cultivator of the Crimson Vale. We temper ourselves in the heat of battle. My foundation is solid. My will is strong. I will be the test subject."

"Absolutely not!" Yan Wei immediately interjected, his arrogance replaced by a rare flash of genuine concern, though it was quickly masked. "Don’t be a fool! This isn’t some sparring match! That thing could tear you apart from the inside! A task this dangerous is a job for someone with a truly... superior foundation. Someone like me!"

He puffed out his chest, striking a heroic pose. "If anyone is to pilot this inconvenient hunk of metal, it should be this young master!"

Zhou Rui didn’t even look at him. His gaze was fixed on Lin Mo, awaiting his decision.

Lin Mo looked at both of them and shook his head. This rivalry was proving to be a most convenient source of volunteers.

"Your courage is admirable, both of you," Lin Mo said, cutting through the budding argument. "But like I said, let’s set it aside for now. Master Liu, are we ready?"

"Yes, Shopkeeper. There are three more strongholds before the fortress. At the moment, we have only been relying on our own abilities and it’s still manageable. But I believe it is time to start making use of the store’s convenient products."

Lin Mo wryly smiled. He never told them not to use it but the cultivators of the Eastern Abyssal Domain naturally understood that they couldn’t always rely on store products, so... they’re testing their limits.

"Mhm. Do not hold back anymore. Lead the Nascent Soul and Core Formation Stage experts and maximize your efficiency, Master Liu. As for us, Foundation Establishment Stage, we’ll pick up the stragglers."

Upon saying that, he accessed his inventory again and pulled out the supplies he had stuffed from the store. Packs of [Energy Replenishing Candies], [Basic Card Talismans], [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seals] and [Windstrike Talismans] flew to every cultivator. A variety of pills, tablets and even cans of cold drinks were also distributed.

Most of them instantly chugged down a can of [Heavenly Dew Soda] and [Frosty Lotus Brew], releasing the tension in their shoulders with the satisfying fizzling sounds of it.

With Liu Zhongzhu at the lead, the main force of seventy experts became like an unstoppable train. They no longer bothered with stealth. They moved like a storm, a coordinated force of nature empowered by the store’s convenience.

The next stronghold fell in less than two minutes under the might of overwhelming power.

The Nascent Soul experts, led by Liu Zhongzhu, acted as the spearhead, their powerful techniques shattering the stronghold’s outer defenses before the Vindicators within could even fully form their shield wall.

The Core Formation experts flooded the breach, a tide of elemental arts and sharp artifacts that overwhelmed the Legionaries.

Lin Mo and his ten-man squad acted as the clean-up crew and rapid-response unit. A squadron of Turma cavalry, alerted by the commotion, charged from a nearby patrol route. But before they could even reach the main battle, they were intercepted.

"Your Highness, if you would," Lin Mo called out.

"With pleasure, Shopkeeper," Crown Prince Wu Tianlong replied and gallantly moved with his two royal advisors.

The Dragon General tanked the mounted charge of the cavalry. He used his Earth-Shaker Stomps to disrupt their disciplined formation. Scholar Wei pointed out weaknesses with a single word, his All-Seeing Eye Scripture unraveling their linked energy field.

The Crown Prince almost made use of this opportunity to show off his talent. A dragon amongst men.

Wu Meiyu, who remained at Lin Mo’s side, couldn’t help but shake her head at her royal brother’s display. Still, despite the various attempts of the royal court officials to pit them against each other for the throne, she retained a good relationship with him. She didn’t have that ambition, after all. Now, with her association with the Divine Convenience Store, even more so.

Jiang Jianxin and Liu Xiaoyu took down the Decurion rather easily after the formation shattered. And lastly, Yan Wei and Zhou Rui worked together to chase down the escaping Turmas.

Two more strongholds fell in a similar fashion. The raid force was a relentless, unstoppable engine of destruction.

The Vindicators, for all their discipline and formations, were simply outmatched by an enemy that came in like a freight train without any worries about running out of fuel.

And because of the nature of the Anchor, where every enemy killed could contribute to one’s progress in cultivation, a few experienced a breakthrough. There was even a low-tier sect’s Sect Master who finally broke through to the Nascent Soul Stage after being stuck at the peak of the Core Formation Stage for decades.

In his celebration, he personally took down a formation consisting of two Decanus.

Finally, they stood at their destination. One of the five fortresses housing an Area Boss.

The Aetheric energy radiating from the fortresses was immense. The presences they could sense inside were more than double their numbers. Not only that, they could already see the swarming reinforcements from the strongholds and other fortresses. Not only that, squadrons of Turma cavalry also emerged from the Exit Zones.

"Shopkeeper, the whole area has been alerted," Liu Zhongzhu reported. "We cannot turn back anymore."

"Mhm. Then let’s do what we need to do, Master Liu. Let’s take the Area Boss inside this fortress before their reinforcements arrive." Lin Mo grinned as he raised his arm, his [Celestial Duel Gear] shining beautifully.

Having used it all the way here, four units of different levels are already in his Celestial Field. And as for the cards floating in front of him, one was a Level 5 Unit.

Lin Mo ran his fingers on his imaginary cap as he placed down the card, "It’s your time to shine, Jadevein Qilin. Take that gate down!"