Chapter 391 Infiltration and Deviation
Just as Jemin had predicted, as they continued their descent, they encountered several more waves of "sentinels" of varying shapes and sizes.
Some have evolved multiple photosensitive structures like compound eyes, capable of simultaneously monitoring faint light disturbances from multiple directions; some have flattened their bodies, clinging to the rock walls like glowing moss, blending into the background energy radiation; and some have even abandoned their physical form, transforming into extremely faint light mist that permeates the air in the cracks, causing abnormal flow of the light mist to occur whenever any entity passes through.
As Anya silently reaped the life force of these sentinels like the Grim Reaper, she couldn't hide her astonishment through the mental link:
"How could the same elemental creature differentiate into so many specialized variants for stealth and reconnaissance in such a short period of time? The speed and direction of this evolution are astonishing."
Jemin seemed to understand something, and roughly grasped the reason why this situation occurred.
The so-called "spiritual enlightenment" of the Starfall Wizard is essentially an initiation using spiritual energy.
In the wizarding worldview, these undoubtedly belong to the broad category of "light elemental lifeforms," but if we apply the cognitive framework of the cultivation world...
“They should actually be considered ‘demons’.” Jemin thought to himself, “The biggest characteristics of demons are, firstly, that individuals created through enlightenment are often different from their original species, becoming unique ‘alien species’; secondly, their racial divisions are extremely detailed, especially for beings like mountain spirits, water monsters, and nature spirits. Often, each individual that is enlightened may become a tiny, independent race due to differences in their origin, experiences, and the mind of the enlightener.”
"Therefore, from the wizard's perspective, this is a group of 'light element lifeforms'. But from the cultivator's perspective, this is simply a collection of 'light spirits' with similar origins but different races, who have just awakened their intelligence! It is precisely because each individual contains independent 'racial traits' at the moment of enlightenment that they will mutate so rapidly in completely different directions of specialization under pressure."
Despite Anya's swift and efficient methods, the repeated and silent disappearances of the sentries would inevitably leave traces.
Both of them knew that the underground light elemental race must have already become alert, knowing that a powerful "enemy" had invaded their secret base.
However, as long as their specific identities and forms are not exposed, and they remain in the vague perception of "an unknown threat infiltrating," it may actually prompt them to push forward their "grand plan" more urgently. This is an excellent window to observe their social behavior and crisis response.
After descending several kilometers, the crack gradually widened, barely wide enough for one person to stand upright and pass through.
The environment is becoming increasingly complex, with various energy turbulence and covert warning techniques emerging.
“It would be too much of a target to act together here,” Jemin said to Anya via telepathy. “We’ll split up. I’ll sneak into the core area for close-up observation and data collection. You stay here, manipulate the shadows and continue to deal with these sentinels, keeping their attention at bay.”
Anya thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "Understood. I will create the illusion that 'the enemy is still infiltrating and has not yet reached the core.'"
After finalizing the plan, the two split up.
After escaping the shadows, Jemin's figure blurred for a moment, as if erased from the main space by an invisible eraser, and he silently entered a temporary parallel phase space.
Once inside phase space, actions become more covert and convenient, and the surrounding reconnaissance and surveillance methods cease to be effective.
Jemin descended rapidly along the increasingly wide underground fissure, and after descending several kilometers, the view suddenly opened up ahead!
Through the spatial membrane of phase space, Jemin saw a huge underground cavity.
The cavity was much larger than expected, large enough to house a small city.
At this moment, the cave was densely packed with countless elemental creatures of light.
The light they emit is not a single hue, but rather a magnificent display of red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple, and even more complex colors, illuminating the originally pitch-black underground space like a dreamlike ocean of light.
Waves of light surged, and energy hummed, creating a solemn yet fervent atmosphere.
The most striking feature is the enormous ball of light in the very center of the cave, far exceeding the size of similar structures, with a diameter of over 100 meters!
It was like a restless little sun, its internal energy churning violently, releasing extremely unstable and terrifying fluctuations, its light flashing wildly between incandescent white, golden red, and deep purple.
Tiny bursts of energy lightning constantly erupted from the edge of the ball of light, striking the surrounding rocks and leaving scorch marks.
Judging from the continuous energy fluctuations and the intensity of its activity, this thing is like a super-giant energy bomb that has been forcibly restrained and could explode at any moment.
Around it, dozens of orbs of light were arranged in an orderly fashion.
The inner light clusters were continuously supplying pure light elemental energy to the central giant light cluster, and their own radiance was rapidly dimming as the energy was output.
Once a certain light cluster runs out of energy and becomes sluggish and transparent, an outer waiting light cluster will immediately fill the gap and continue to supply energy.
The whole process resembled a solemn collective sacrificial ceremony.
“This is it,” Jemin confirmed in the phase space.
Whether this huge ball of light is a "bomb" or something else, it is the core objective of this mission.
However, staying in phase space makes it impossible to perform sufficiently detailed data scans, especially to analyze the structure and energy flow patterns inside that huge light cluster.
After a moment's thought, Jemin had an idea.
He manipulated his body, which had been tempered and refined through the "Body Forging Method," and began to actively "collapse" in the phase space.
Under powerful control, his muscles, bones, and internal organs underwent microscopic reorganization and compression, aided by a body-shrinking magic spell, causing his body to shrink rapidly.
It eventually transformed into a slightly irregular energy sphere with a diameter of less than half a meter.
Next, he simulated the energy properties of light, covering his body with a soft and ever-changing light, and releasing light element fluctuations that were perfectly imitated.
From a distance, his current form was almost indistinguishable from the ordinary light elemental creatures inside the cave.
To make it more realistic, Jemin even adjusted the intensity of the light emitted by those elemental beings.
He identified an area near the cave wall specifically for housing those "depleted orbs of light" that had run out of energy.
Taking advantage of the brief shifts in light and shadow and the energy disturbance caused by the intense flashing of the central giant orb, Jemin seized the opportunity to switch back from the phase space to the prime plane, and like an inconspicuous little ball of light, "rolled" behind a protruding rock in that area.
Under the dazzling light of countless interwoven orbs of light and the constant bursts of energy from the central "sun," he, who looked "a bit weak and small," blended smoothly into the group of orbs of light without attracting any extra attention.
"The all-purpose eye".
Once he was at a sufficient distance, Jemin activated his All-Purpose Eye.
A massive amount of data flooded his mind, and his vision instantly pierced through the surface light, delving into the levels of energy flow, structural stability, and the interference of laws, beginning a comprehensive scan of the central giant light cluster.
At the same time, he used his mental power to connect with the terminal in his inner space, continuously transmitting massive amounts of real-time data—energy spectrum, pressure readings, structural stress, spiritual fluctuation curves—back to Viola in the ground laboratory.
The data stream transmitted smoothly for about fifteen minutes.
Suddenly, Jemin's wrist twitched slightly; the terminal had received an urgent analysis briefing from Viola:
"Jermin, the situation has changed. Data analysis shows that the structural fragility of the central energy aggregate has far exceeded the critical point, and the energy pressure has also broken through the theoretical limit. According to the current model, it should have undergone uncontrollable chain energy annihilation and disintegration as early as 7 minutes and 32 seconds ago. But the reality is that it still exists."
"The only reasonable explanation is that some kind of 'internal constraint mechanism' or 'core structure' is forcibly maintaining its shape, offsetting most of the internal pressure that would lead to collapse. Preliminary speculation suggests that the core may have extremely high energy affinity and stability, and may even be active."
"Be vigilant; the target may not be a simple 'energy bomb'."
Jemin felt a sudden chill run down his spine. Just as he was about to ponder the meaning of Viola's warning, the scene before him suddenly changed drastically!
boom!!!
It was not a physical explosion, but an overwhelming surge of energy accompanied by a powerful mental roar, which suddenly erupted from the center of the huge ball of light!
The entire underground cavity was trembling violently, and rocks were falling from the rock walls.
What shocked Jemin even more was that along with this energy tide, there was also a clear, vast, and rapidly rising life force!
That was not a simple superposition of countless light clusters of life energy, but a unified, higher life will that was awakening, expanding, and transforming!
"Not good!" Jemin instantly understood the meaning of Viola's warning and realized their previous misjudgment. "This thing is not a 'giant firework' at all! This is... they are concentrating the power and spirituality of their entire race, using some extreme method to forcibly catalyze the birth of a 'King' or 'ultimate weapon' capable of bearing the hopes of their race! This is forcibly breaking through the life level!"
In his perception, the energy level inside the central light cluster was soaring like a rocket.
The nascent will within rapidly solidified and grew stronger, its energy level fluctuations effortlessly breaking through the boundaries of level four and level five, and its momentum showed no signs of slowing down, advancing towards the higher level six!
That towering, sea-like, pure and scorching pressure of a Level 6 life form, like a tangible storm of light, instantly swept across the entire underground space!
All the elemental beings in the orbs of light, whether or not they were transmitting energy, simultaneously emitted a radiant hum filled with awe and ecstasy, their light flashing rhythmically, as if they were worshipping a newborn god.
(End of this chapter)
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