Tracking the Source, Eyes in the Desert Depths

The Thunder Temple's training ground returned to silence. Only the faint scent of ozone lingering in the air and the scorched marks on the floor told of the perilous cross-dimensional encounter just moments ago. Lin Ye calmed the surging lightning within him as [Thor Form] slowly disengaged, yet the coldness in his eyes did not fade in the slightest.

The Inheritors' methods had gone beyond mere provocation this time. It had been a genuine murder trap. Had he not been strong enough and responded properly, he might truly have been trapped in that damned Taotie Realm and slowly devoured.

"Remy, conduct a full scan of my physical condition. Focus on checking for any lingering traces of dimensional corrosion or energy markers." Lin Ye gave the order. When dealing with such a bizarre dimension, there was no such thing as being too careful.

"Scan complete. No abnormal residual energy or markers detected. [Soul Barrier] effectively isolated the deep corrosion of dimensional laws. Physical and energy expenditure is approximately 37%, within safe limits."

Lin Ye nodded, somewhat reassured. He walked over to the now-dull Void Hand and picked it up. The glove felt icy cold. The powerful spatial energy it had once contained had completely dissipated, while the strange crystals were covered in cracks and had lost all luster, as though they would shatter at a touch.

"Analyze this glove's material and internal rune structure. Try to reverse-engineer its technological principles, especially the parts responsible for stabilizing space and guiding energy."

"Command received. Analysis will require considerable time. Estimated completion time: 12 hours."

Lin Ye placed the glove on the analysis platform and turned his gaze back to the holographic screen. "Retrieve all energy data Remy recorded when I destroyed that black crystal in the Taotie Realm. Pay particular attention to the energy ripples generated at the instant of the crystal's collapse and their propagation pattern."

Complex streams of data and energy spectrum charts soon appeared. Lin Ye scrutinized them carefully. [Dimensional Energy Perception], combined with the knowledge he had learned from The Ancient One, allowed him to barely decipher the information.

"The energy ripples did not spread uniformly. There is obvious delayed attenuation in this direction." His finger tapped a specific vector on the energy chart. "Is the Dimensional Barrier weaker in this direction? Or... is something absorbing this portion of the energy fluctuations?"

He suddenly raised his head. "Remy, use this energy attenuation vector as the axis and reverse-calculate the real-universe coordinates it points toward! Cross-reference it with the previous Sahara Desert lead and triangulate the location!"

"Calculating. The reverse extension of the coordinate axis overlaps with a region in the real universe. Target locked: North Africa, Sahara Desert, eastern Tan-Tan Meteorite Crater region. Probability: 87.4%!"

An exact coordinate was marked on the desert map!

"There!" A sharp gleam flashed in Lin Ye's eyes. Those rats from the Inheritors really were hiding there! They had used the Taotie Realm's dimensional properties as cover, never expecting that the energy leak from the core's destruction would expose their lair instead!

"Immediately deploy all available satellites and remote detectors. Conduct multispectral, high-precision scans of that area! Don't miss any energy anomalies or signs of spatial distortion!" There was a trace of impatience in Lin Ye's voice.

"Detectors deployed. Scanning in progress. The surface terrain appears to be ordinary desert landscape. Optical camouflage is extremely sophisticated. High-intensity background energy interference detected, suspected large-scale illusion barrier. Penetrating scans obstructed."

"So there really is something there." Lin Ye was not surprised in the least. "Can we force a scan through it?"

"Conventional methods cannot penetrate it. Recommend a probing strike using high-frequency spatial oscillation waves. This may trigger a barrier response, but it will expose our reconnaissance intent."

"Do it!" Lin Ye did not hesitate. The dagger had already been revealed; what was there left to worry about exposing?

"Command confirmed. Calibrating satellite energy emitters. Simulating spatial oscillation frequency. Firing!"

Several heavily disguised reconnaissance satellites far above Earth's orbit made slight adjustments to their lenses, firing invisible energy beams at a specific frequency directly toward the target area in the Sahara Desert!

The instant the energy beams touched the desert region—

Bzzzz!

Like stones falling into a still lake, the space above that stretch of desert suddenly rippled with clearly visible, water-like distortions! Though it returned to normal in an instant, the vast and extraordinarily sophisticated illusion barrier had been briefly disrupted, exposing a flaw!

Within that fleeting breach, the satellites captured a shocking sight:

What desert was there? It was a lush oasis valley enclosed by an enormous energy shield! At the center of the valley stood several pyramid-shaped structures built entirely from black obsidian, filled with an ancient and mysterious aura! Their surfaces were covered in intricate runes that radiated powerful energy fluctuations!

"Target confirmed! Inheritors Headquarters!" Lin Ye's spirits rose. "Enhance the image! Identify all structures and energy sources!"

The image was rapidly enlarged and enhanced. Figures could be seen moving through the valley, all dressed in similar hooded robes. At the peak of the largest obsidian pyramid stood a massive rotating crystal device that absorbed sunlight and spatial energy. It was clearly the energy core of the entire barrier and the key to sustaining the valley's ecosystem.

At the deepest point of the valley, there also seemed to be an even more secret area enclosed by a separate barrier. The satellites could not make out its details, but they detected extremely powerful and unstable spatial energy fluctuations coming from it. Some dangerous experiment or ritual appeared to be underway there.

"I've finally found you." A cold curve formed at the corner of Lin Ye's mouth.

At the same time, in the Sahara Desert, within the Obsidian Hall.

The three "arcane masters" noticed the anomaly almost the instant the barrier was disturbed.

"Someone is probing the barrier with high-precision spatial oscillation waves!" Hermit's voice carried a trace of shock and anger. "The frequency is very similar to the residual fluctuations from when the Norway Outpost was destroyed!"

"It's Thunder! How could he find this place so quickly?!" High Priestess's voice lost its usual laziness, filled with disbelief. "Even the Taotie Realm failed to trap him? He tracked us instead?"

"His power and methods far exceed our estimates." Hanged Man's low voice rang out, carrying unprecedented gravity. "Activate the highest alert immediately! Reinforce all barriers! Suspend all external activities! We must buy time!"

"The Void Hand plan has failed. The Portal plan must be moved forward!" Hermit said decisively. "We can't wait any longer! Begin preparations for the final stage immediately!"

The entire Inheritors Headquarters instantly shifted from covert research mode into wartime alert! Every barrier was activated at full power, blazing with light! Members within the valley ran about in alarmed yet orderly fashion as defensive runes lit up one after another, and an oppressive atmosphere of impending crisis spread through the area.

They had believed that hiding within a desert illusion, with a Dimensional Barrier as cover, made them absolutely safe. Yet they had never expected their enemy to strike straight at their heart so swiftly through such an unimaginable method!

Inside the Thunder Temple, Lin Ye watched the valley on the screen instantly intensify its energy output and enter full alert. He gave a cold laugh.

"Trying to hide now? Too late."

He had already locked onto the target. Next, he needed to consider how to crush this organization that had repeatedly plotted against him at the smallest possible cost.

Should he use the Sanctuary's orbital strike weapons for remote saturation bombardment? Or descend in person and sweep away everything with absolute power?

He needed a detailed plan of attack. The first step was to thoroughly understand this headquarters' defensive system and every potential threat.

"Remy, maintain surveillance. Build a complete three-dimensional model of the target area. Mark all energy nodes, defensive facilities, personnel gathering points, and that hidden area at the deepest point. Simulate the success rates and risks of various attack plans."

"Task established. Model construction in progress. Estimated time required: 1 hour."

Lin Ye sat back before the control console, his sharp gaze fixed on the mysterious valley hidden within the desert on the screen.

The flames of vengeance had already been ignited.

This time, he would take the initiative and completely eradicate these venomous snakes lurking in the shadows.

(End of Chapter Thirty-Seven)