The Northern Border [Pt 2]

Spiritualists were fundamentally different from Martial Artists.

While the latter required their bodies to fight, while also harnessing the supplementary strength of any weapon they wielded, Spiritualists did the opposite.

Their true strength did not lie in their individual strength… but rather, in how much 'Mana' they could command. And this Mana was then used to conjure the desired results. That was the very fundamental principle of Spirit Arts.

There were three major disciplines Spirit Arts; Spells, Talismans, and Arrays.

For the Heavens Foundations Sect, one of the major Sects that practiced Spirit Arts, they were most versed in one of these disciplines…

"[Grand Dispersal Array!]"

… The use of Arrays.

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The Spiritualists took their respective positions, each standing in different areas as they burst open their Mana and stared at the incoming swirling storm.

Zhongcheng had told them the formation they were going with already—the [Grand Dispersal Array].

Arrays had to do with setting patterns, and are often-time used by more than one Spiritualist. However, with enough Spirit stones to serve as conduits, a single person could make an array. While it was indeed possible for only Zhongcheng to handle the incoming storm, he must have seen it fit not to onsume any Spirit Stones.

Perhaps because they could only bring a limited amount, and he was saving them for a much bigger emergency.

Regardless…

>WHOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!<

The imposing torrent of ice and wind grew closer, and just as it was about to near the group, a blinding light erupted from their center.

Magic Circles covered the group, creating an intricate design of layers of tiny Arrays in order to produce the kind they were aiming for. Usually, Arrays took time to established, but not for Zhongcheng and these masters from the Heavens Foundation Sect.

>WHUUUUUUUUUUMMMMM!!!<

In no time at all, the blinding light from their Magic Circle reacted to the incoming twister, sending a wave of dispersing energy towards it.

And then….

>SHUUUUUUUUUUUU…<

… The blizzard ceased.

In no time at all, everything seemed the same as before. Ah, there was a small difference, though.

"The snow has stopped. Well, I suppose that's a good thing." Zhongcheng smiled as he looked at his men.

They nodded with reliefs and smiles painted on their faces.

'Well job, everyone.' He was sure their Sect Leader would reward everyone for their active participation in this assignment even when they knew the risks.

'If we are caught, and we can't silence the witnesses, the Heavens Foundations Sect will cut off all affiliations with us. We'd be labeled renegades—rogues who abandoned the Sect.'

There were many reasons for this tactic, but it was simply the way for the Heavens Foundations Sect to avoid any omplicated backlash for their intrusion on the Eastern Continent.

That said, success meant the bestowment of more glory and power than they could have thought possible at their current stages.

'High risk, high return, I suppose…'

Zhongcheng didn't know about everyone else, but despite the alluring offer put on the table, he ddin't at all care for the rewards. There was only one reason he was doing what he was doing.

'The Young Lady's safety…' He muttered, remembering her innocent, pale face.

He had always looked after her since she was a child. It was the duty of the Fifth Squad to guard the Young Lady's life, and cater for her needs, after all.

Watching a flower like that grow so much, and now falling into illness… he could hardly bear it.

'No matter what, I will secure the Frost Mandrake!' Tightening his fist and keeping his gaze ahead, he turned to his subordinates and roared.

"Let's keep going forward!"

*******

'Who are these people?' Liu thought to himself as he hid his presence while observing the troop that marched forward.

He was covered in white snow, and his face could hardly be made out from the pure white landscape. Besides that, he also erased his presence, preventing any form of detection.

Since none of the men had detected his presence, he had to assume they weren't very adept at sensory arts.

'All thirty of the subordinates are at the Master Stage, though currently at Level 5. As for the leader, he is at Level 9. It seems he's reached a bottleneck in his growth. I can sense a lot of stale energy…'

The reason he was here, observing this group, and not busy searching for the Frost Mandrake, was because of their interference with his task.

'I already handled most of the traps and arrays around, which means the Spirit Labyrinth must be close. I would have gone further, but I suddenly sensed these Practitioners coming my way.'

Using the [Flying Blizzard Techniqe] his master taught him, he had sent a massive twister their way—just to test their level of skill.

'As expected, they're strong. Still, what are Spiritualists of this level doing in the Eastern Continent? I know we're far north, but…'

They had insignias on their outfit, but it wasn't like Liu had particularly studied Sects, so he couldn't tell where they were from.

Judging by the pace of their march, though, the group was in a hurry. They were bound to have caught up to him sooner or later, especially since he would be slowed down by the traps that existed all around.

'Rather than allowing that, maybe I should conserve my strength and allow them to handle the rest of the traps for me.'

However, as he thought this, a slight thought pricked his heart.

'Are they here for the Frost Mandrake too?

There could be other reasons, but that seemed like the most reasonable conclusion. If they sought the Labyrinth of Eternal Glaciers for the same prize he did, then Liu had to make a choice.

'There's no guarantee that the Frost Mandrake exists in pairs.' No, considering it was a Deity Grade Item, it was most definitely one that existed there.

The problem was that he also desired the same item.

'What should I do?'

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[A/N]

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