Joint Defense

After completing their battle plans and consolidating their resources, the families joined forces to build a powerful joint defense system. Like an enormous, intricate fortress of spiritual energy, it was designed to withstand the incursions of the evil forces of the Black-Robed People. First came the construction of defensive checkpoints. At the chosen mountain passes and key routes, the Lin Family's defense masters led disciples from all the families in a flurry of work. Taking advantage of the terrain, they skillfully laid out defensive formations. These formations no longer followed a single pattern, but instead incorporated the distinctive spiritual energies of every family. At one checkpoint on a vital route between two mountains, intricate spiritual energy patterns were carved into the ground. Using their superb control over spiritual energy, the Lin Family members channeled streams of power into them. The patterns gradually lit up, forming the basic framework of the formation. Next, the Su Family disciples embedded spiritual energy crystals imbued with healing power at designated points. The crystals gave off a gentle glow, their energy mingling with that of the formation. Whenever the formation came under attack, the healing power would automatically repair the damaged sections, as though the defensive formation had been granted a living body capable of healing itself. The Ye Family members installed spiritual energy mechanisms for concealment and misdirection around the formations. They made clever use of their surroundings, combining spiritual energy with rocks and trees. Some patches appeared to be ordinary grass, but actually concealed spiritual energy fluctuations that could disrupt reconnaissance by the Black-Robed People. Some boulders were infused with special concealing energy, shrouding the entire checkpoint in an illusory facade that made it difficult for the enemy to discern the true layout of its defenses. Meanwhile, at crucial points within the checkpoints,