The Anchor Array Takes Shape

Deep in the Mine Cave stood an ancient stone chamber.

The Chi Dragon demon circled the array platform three times, patted its surface, then examined the Spirit Patterns on the wall. Finally, he sighed.

"Empty."

He kicked the base of the platform and looked back at Li Yuan.

"There's nothing inside. The Spirit Patterns are well preserved, but I can't make sense of them."

Li Yuan's palm was still pressed against the wall.

Myriad Image Retrospection swept over the outer Spirit Patterns on the wall. Nodes, spiritual power pathways, and openings that drew energy from the surroundings entered his sea of consciousness one by one. Now that he had reached Entry Level in Fifth-Order Array Dao, the patterns were much clearer to him.

When the scan was complete, Li Yuan withdrew his hand.

"Let's go."

The Chi Dragon demon shrugged and turned back.

The two followed the passage to the Deep Layer cavern, passed through the widened Mine Tunnel, and returned to the upper Mine Cave. All along the way, the Chi Dragon demon grumbled that the trip had been a waste. Li Yuan said nothing.

There had been no tangible treasure in the stone chamber. The array platform could not be moved, and the Spirit Patterns were carved into the rock wall. But those patterns were already in his sea of consciousness.

Outside the Mine Cave, the Chi Dragon demon settled the payment. He handed Li Yuan Spirit Stones and several pieces of spatial ore, covering both the array setup and each part of the restriction-breaking work.

"I'll come find you if there's more work."

Li Yuan nodded and left the mine as a streak of dark-gold Evasion Light.

Instead of returning to Stone City Market, he landed in a Valley fifty li north of the mine.

Mountains enclosed