CHAPTER 433: A DIFFERENT SCENERY

[You have entered Anchor - ACCB#0003]

[Area: 1 of 6]

[Threat Level: High]

[Current Entities: 1000 Argent Covenant Legionaries, 90 Argent Covenant Turmas, 50 Argent Covenant Decanus, 9 Argent Covenant Decurions (Exit Zone Guards), 5 Argent Covenant Centurion (Area Boss Guards)]

[Environmental Hazard: Aetheric Field (Suppresses spiritual energy by 15%)]

Surprisingly enough, the interior of ACCB#0003 was not a cave or a natural maze like the previous Anchors they delved into.

It was an open plain under an orange-tinted sky. Still, from afar, small strongholds housing at least tens of Argent Covenant Realm inhabitants each could be seen. The strongholds were lined up like they had drawn a specific path for explorers or adventurers to traverse in order to reach one of the five fortresses at the very back, where a Centurion was probably waiting.

Taking one of them down would already grant access to the next area, but Lin Mo had no intention of just charging forward. The system panel provided a wealth of information and a tactical overview that was both daunting and enlightening.

For just Area 1, there are over a thousand enemies, organized into a clear military hierarchy.

Legionaries as the basic infantry, Decanus as squad leaders of 10, Decurions and Turmas as cavalry units, and five Centurions acting as Area Bosses.

Patrols were being done by the infantry around their respective strongholds while the cavalry scoured the open plains for any signs of enemies before returning to their position at the Exit Zones.

Those were the initial intel the scouts gathered before they quickly used the escape talisman to leave.

"I expected this but it’s still amazing to see an Anchor’s interior turn out like this," Lin Mo mused, his eyes scanning the distant structures. "Not a nest or an outpost, but proper military encampments. It’s like we’re invading a province."

The Aetheric Field was an immediate problem. Except Lin Mo, whose Celestial Providence once again helped him adjust quickly to the foreign energy, everyone in the team could feel it, a subtle but persistent pressure that made circulating their spiritual energy feel like swimming through syrup. A 15% suppression might not sound like much, but in a prolonged battle, it would be a decisive disadvantage.

Fortunately for them, they spawned far from a stronghold, allowing the eight ten-man squads to converge first.

Clearly, it would be too difficult to clear Area 1 with only one team. Even if they’re stealthy enough to dodge the sentries and patrols to reach the fortress where an Area Boss resides, the open field can allow the fortress to call in reinforcements from the other stronghold and fortresses.

The Vindicators were disciplined, and their linked energy fields would make a stealthy approach end in being surrounded from all sides.

A single squad of ten Legionaries could likely hold off a Core Formation expert for a significant amount of time.

Lin Mo turned to his assembled team. They were all present.

Liu Zhongzu who had delegated command of the main force to his subordinates. The Crown Prince Wu Tianlong and his two formidable advisors, Dragon General and Scholar Wei. Jiang Jianxin, her Golden Core aura was like a sharpened sword of light. The rivals Yan Wei and Zhou Rui, their competitive energy practically buzzing in the air. And lastly, his most trusted assistants, Liu Xiaoyu and Wu Meiyu.

Ten in total.

Behind them were the other seventy cultivators who were a mix of Nascent Soul and Core Formation Stage experts from various backgrounds. Elders of cultivator sects, cultivator clans and nobles of the kingdom. There were also some Sect Masters of fairly smaller sects and rogue cultivators who made a name for themselves.

Naturally, all of them were patrons of the Divine Convenience Store.

"Shopkeeper, their formations are visible even from here," Jiang Jianxin observed, "They have patrols moving between the strongholds. Perfect coordination. Attacking one will alert the others. It’s a network of interlocking defenses."

"Their discipline is as admirable as ours," Crown Prince Wu Tianlong commented, his gaze analytical. "Each stronghold is a hard point. To assault one is to invite reinforcements from at least two others. This is a classic military strategy designed to bleed an attacking force dry."

Lin Mo nodded, a plan already forming in his mind. Brute force was the Vindicators’ game. They were inviting a head-on clash, confident in their superior formations and the suppressive Aetheric Field. He had no intention of playing by their rules.

Besides, as a breached Anchor, they’re more focused on sending out their troops outside to set up bases in the First Heaven, unaware that the initial legion had already been routed. Before they realized that, Lin Mo had to clear this area and deploy the store beacon that could aid further exploration.

"Indeed. That should be the case," Lin Mo said as he pulled up a holographic map of the area that the previous scouting teams had partially uncovered. "Which means they’ll be predictable. For now."

He zoomed in on the map, highlighting the nearest stronghold. "Our first objective is not to fight, but to test. We need to understand the mechanics of their ’Aether-forging’ and their linked energy fields firsthand. We need data."

"A test?" Yan Wei scoffed, ever the glory-seeker. "Shopkeeper, with our strength, we could charge straight to one of their ’Centurion’ fortresses! Why waste time on these small-fry strongholds?"

"Because charging in blindly is a convenient way to get ourselves surrounded and killed, Young Master Yan," Lin Mo retorted in a calm tone. "Their Centurions are at most Nascent Soul Stage equivalent. And with their formations and linked power, they can likely project a strength equivalent to a peak Nascent Soul or even early Spirit Severing Stage. Your Solid Foundation is impressive, but it won’t be enough to shatter an entire fortress by yourself. We approach this with strategy, not arrogance."

Yan Wei’s face flushed but he bit back a retort. The Shopkeeper’s words stumped him, and even he knew better than to continue acting up.

Lin Mo’s gaze fell on the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, you have your experience in defending a siege. I heard from Meiyu, I mean, First Princess, that your Dragon General is also quite skilled in breaking human formations, correct? And Scholar Wei is a master of analyzing them?"

Wu Tianlong nodded, a look of keen interest on his face. "That is their specialty, Shopkeeper. The Dragon General’s [Coiling Dragon Halberd Arts] can disrupt the flow of energy in a linked formation, while Scholar Wei’s [All-Seeing Eye Scripture] can perceive weaknesses in their structure."

"Good. Let’s target a patrol first, then make our way to one of the fortresses. Master Liu, please take command of the other teams for now. We can’t move all at once, so it’s best if you advance and avoid direct engagements."

"I understand. We’ll set up a decoy to draw their attention while you carry out your plan," Liu Zhongzhu replied. He then turned to his daughter, handing her what appeared to be an artifact. With that, he took command of the seventy experts and moved independently from the main group.

After watching them gain some distance, Lin Mo pointed to a small, isolated patrol of ten Legionaries moving between strongholds.

"That should be our target. We have to conduct a controlled engagement. Dragon General, you will lead the initial assault. Your objective is to engage their ten-man squad and test the limits of their linked energy field. Scholar Wei, please observe and analyze, identifying the ’nodes’ of their formation."

He then looked to Jiang Jianxin. "Sword Fairy, once the nodes are identified, you will be our scalpel. Your sword is the sharpest here. A single, precise strike to sever their connection. Can you do it?"

Jiang Jianxin’s hand rested on the hilt of her sword as she nodded. "Consider it done, Shopkeeper."

"Good. The rest of us will provide support and secure the perimeter. We need to make this quick and silent. We capture one, neutralize the rest, and extract what we can before the cavalry patrols notice," Lin Mo commanded.

"Let’s move."

Their small team moved with silent coordination. They used the sparse cover of strange, metallic rock formations to close the distance, their spiritual auras suppressed to a bare minimum.

Lin Mo’s newly acquired [Stellar Domain] proved invaluable, its passive field subtly masking their presence, bending the light and sound around them just enough to fool the Vindicators’ non-spiritual senses.

The ten-man Legionary patrol marched in synchronized steps, their heavy silver armor clanking with an intimidating cadence.

Their leader, a Decanus, had a crimson plume on his helmet. And the intensity of his aura was akin to that of a Core Formation Stage expert.

"Dragon General, Scholar Wei, begin," Lin Mo ordered through a voice transmission.

As they stepped out, Jiang Jianxin also went into position, ready to accomplish her task.

Meanwhile, Liu Xiaoyu, Wu Meiyu, the rival duo and the Crown Prince huddled close, ready to respond if an unexpected variable appeared.