The system is the proficiency panel

"Based on records and residual energy on the ground, we can infer that before the onset of corruption, the Yangyan Stone energy contained in this branch of the main earth vein was more active and purifying, and once served as a natural barrier to suppress the power of the abyss."

Master Olivier stood aside, and as he spoke, he gently pointed with the ancient wooden staff in his hand at a golden vein on the map that ran through the Quicksand Forest and was now dim and almost exhausted.

"But its exhaustion point coincides with the core area of ​​the Whispering Root."

Xiao Ningxue interface.

"Perhaps the remains of the Maw of Corruption aren't simply parasitic. They're more like an engine that can reverse the nature of energy, forcibly extracting and distorting the energy of the earth's veins, transforming it into a property that can nourish itself."

Master Olivier stroked the emerald gemstone on the tip of his staff, his eyes gleaming with deep thought. He nodded slowly, acknowledging Xiao Ningxue's judgment.

"The reversal engine... That section of wreckage is like another heart implanted in the earth's veins, forcibly changing the flow and nature of energy."

He paused, and his old but clear eyes cast on the intricate energy veins on the light screen map.

"Directly attacking or blocking the main vein is extremely risky, like trying to stop a flood about to burst its banks. It could easily trigger an uncontrollable energy backlash and even accelerate the destruction of the debris."

Master Olivier drew a graceful arc in the air with his staff, and several nodes far away from the core area but also connected to the main vein lit up on the light curtain map.

"My idea is more circuitous. Maybe we could try counseling."

"Guide?"

A sharp light flashed in Xiao Ningxue's eyes, and she immediately followed his train of thought.

"Exactly."

Master Olivier nodded and pointed his finger at one of the nodes. A soft silver light was injected, and the light screen map immediately simulated a subtle energy branch separated from the main vein, bypassing the core pollution area and flowing to a relatively desolate and geologically stable area.

"Instead of competing with it on the main vein, we should choose a few suitable nodes upstream, downstream, or on its flanks, construct ingenious guiding arrays, and open up several temporary energy tributaries. It's like digging a flood channel in advance for an overflowing flood."

As he spoke, he controlled the light curtain. The silver elven runes were like living vines, quickly constructing a complex and elegant three-dimensional magic circle model around the node.

"We can first conduct the experiment at a node with the smallest impact range and the easiest to control. If successful, we can effectively divert the energy supply to the core area, slowly but safely weakening the Whispering Root. Even if we fail, the scope and damage caused will be relatively limited and will not shake the foundation."

Master Olivier was absorbed in his deductions, his staff like a baton, guiding the runes on the light curtain to continuously combine, adjust, and optimize. His method of constructing magic circles was ancient yet efficient, imbued with the unique resonance of elven magic with the rhythms of nature. Many of his methods of handling energy circuits struck Xiao Ningxue as both unfamiliar and imbued with unique wisdom.

Xiao Ningxue stood aside, her cold gaze fixed on the light curtain as every rune formed, every energy circuit connected, every structural optimization adjustment. She made no noise to interrupt, but her consciousness, like the most sophisticated network, thoroughly observed and recorded Master Olivier's every step, every technique, even the subtle resonance between the magic array and the earth's energy.

She saw how the elven wizards more cleverly used the natural magical fluctuations in the environment to enhance the stability of the magic circle, how to achieve more precise energy guidance with fewer runes, and how to deal with the subtle repulsions caused by the conversion of energies of different attributes... These are the essence of Aetherius's native magic system that has been precipitated over a long period of time. Although they are different from the cultivation formation system she is proficient in, there are many things that can be learned from and even integrated in the essence of energy control.

"The master's control over energy is admirable."

After Master Olivier had initially completed the deduction model of a small guiding magic circle, Xiao Ningxue spoke softly, with sincere praise and thought in her tone.

"This method of using resonance instead of forceful control seems to minimize damage to the ley lines themselves."

Master Olivier smiled slightly, with a glint of admiration for the studious person in his eyes.

"The earth also breathes and pulses. If you forcibly suppress it, it will eventually backfire. What our clan has learned over the long years is how to dance with it, not tame it. If City Lord Xiao has any questions, please feel free to ask."

Xiao Ningxue was not polite either. She condensed a ray of azure spiritual power from her fingertips and tapped it on an energy intersection node of the magic circle on the light curtain.

"What if we add a rotating spiritual pivot here, imitating the shape of a water vortex, to further improve the efficiency of energy guidance?"

What she proposed was an improved idea based on the control of water mood and knowledge of formations.

Master Olivier looked at it carefully and pondered for a moment.

"Using the properties of fluids can indeed speed up the rate of energy guidance, but to stabilize this node, the materials required are also more demanding."

Xiao Ningxue responded seriously.

"There are gains and losses. In order to ensure the success of the plan, some sacrifices are necessary."

"You're right. It would be fine if we could put an end to this matter once and for all."

Two formation masters, one old and one young, from different systems, discussed the formation model they were constantly optimizing and adjusting on the light screen. Lilana and her two assistants quietly recorded and calculated, providing necessary data support from time to time.

In the temporary workshop, there was only the subtle hum of the light curtain and the quiet discussions of the mages. A guidance plan that combined the advantages of elven earth vein magic and cultivation formations was gradually taking shape.

……

Seeing the plan unfolding smoothly and taking shape, Lin Ji stopped staying in the command post. He knew his own strength was the key to coping with any changing circumstances, so he quietly returned to his quiet room and immersed himself once again in the profound contemplation of artistic conception.

The spiritual energy flowing through him slowly flowed like a tide: the fierceness and precise control of fire, the transformation and purification of water, the vitality and restoration of wood, the sharpness and domain of sword, the unpredictable and dominant power of time and space... these various artistic conceptions intertwined, collided, and merged within his heart, silently charging towards the threshold of the deeper fifth artistic conception. He had handed over full authority to Xiao Ningxue and Pang Bin regarding the affairs of the stronghold.

Time passed quietly during the practice, and three days passed in a flash.

On the outskirts of the Quicksand Forest lies a relatively flat valley, yet it connects several subtle earth vein tributaries. The aura of corruption here is much weaker than in the core area, but the land still exhibits an unhealthy grayish hue.

Xiao Ningxue, dressed in white, stood in the center of the valley, her white hair ruffling gently in the breeze. Behind her were over a dozen Xuantian Sect formation masters and disciples, as well as a team of elven mages led by Master Olivier. Though their attire and aura differed greatly, they all held their breath, concentrating intently on their tasks.

"Locate the main and auxiliary nodes, and bury the foundation pillars of the earth vein dredging spirit vortex array in order!"

Xiao Ningxue's cold voice sounded, giving orders.

Dozens of monks and elven wizards sprang into action, holding specially treated jade pillars or magic crystal stakes inscribed with fusion runes, and carefully drove them into the ground according to the precisely calculated directions and depths.

The disciples of Xuantian Sect were responsible for activating the cultivation array patterns within the jade pillar with pure spiritual power, while the elven wizard chanted melodious ancient spells, guiding the surrounding natural magic power to be injected into the crystal pillar, causing it to resonate with the pulse of the earth.

Xiao Ningxue and Master Olivier stood before the makeshift command center. The light screen before them clearly displayed the subtle changes in the underground energy flow after each pillar was implanted. The two of them exchanged whispers from time to time, quickly adjusting the angle of each pillar's implantation and the frequency of energy output.

The entire process was complex and precise, requiring no margin for error. Everyone was so engrossed in the process, they were oblivious to the sweat dripping down their foreheads.

The sun rises and the moon sets, and another seven days pass.

Within the valley, a complex, complex formation, spanning hundreds of feet, had taken shape. Rather than a traditional two-dimensional formation, it consisted of hundreds of jade pillars and crystals of varying heights, forming a three-dimensional structure resembling a vast vortex. At the formation's core, a gentle yet powerful vortex of light slowly swirled, silently drawing and guiding energy from deep beneath the earth.

Above the formation, the spiritual power of the cultivators and the magic power of the elves blended harmoniously, transforming into countless fine threads of light, which followed mysterious trajectories and enveloped the entire earth vein dredging spirit vortex formation in a hazy and powerful force field.

"Start the formation!"

Xiao Ningxue and Master Olivier exchanged a glance, and simultaneously injected the last spell into their core.

Om-!

The entire formation shook slightly, and the blue-silver vortex at its core suddenly accelerated! An invisible, massive suction force penetrated the ground, as if cleverly opening up a new tributary beside a rushing river.

The ground trembled slightly, and the dead trees around the valley trembled without a breeze. Through the magic array's light curtain, it was clearly visible that several weak but continuous earth veins, which had originally flowed directly towards the core of the Quicksand Forest, were cleverly deflected and diverted by this force. Like gentle streams, they flowed into the newly opened river channel, carved a huge arc around the core area, and finally led to a desolate and silent stone mountain area in the distance.

The formation ran smoothly, and the energy was guided smoothly, without causing violent resistance from the earth veins or an upheaval of corrupted energy.

It worked!

In the valley, all those involved in setting up the formation breathed a sigh of relief, their faces straining with tired yet excited smiles. Xuantian Sect disciples and the elven mages nodded in greeting. While ten days of close collaboration hadn't entirely erased any rifts, they had established a preliminary understanding and trust under a shared goal.

Xiao Ningxue gazed at the steadily functioning Spirit Vortex Formation, a subtle flicker of relief crossing her eyes. She raised her hand and sent out a communication talisman, which streamed straight towards the canyon stronghold.

The first step of the plan has been successfully taken. Next, we need to observe the effect of this magic array on the Whispering Root and prepare more subsequent diversion arrays.

……

As the earth vein dredging spirit vortex array continued to operate, the huge and filthy energy circulation in the core area of ​​the Quicksand Forest quietly showed a subtle stagnation, just like a rushing river being quietly divided into several small streams.

Buried deep beneath the twisted earth, a vast root network stretching for hundreds of miles was the first to sense this subtle shift. The vast consciousness of Whispering Root Agares slowly awakened from its slumber and agony, revealing a mixture of surprise and rage.

Energy... the sweet energy from deep within the earth that supplied it, had diminished? Though the decrease was extremely subtle, for it, deeply integrated with the earth's veins, almost symbiotically, it was no less than a wake-up call ringing deep within its soul.

It was not one of those ignorant believers who could only pray madly. It possessed an ancient and twisted wisdom, and immediately linked this anomaly to the recent fall of Harken and the collapse of the external forces.

It was the blasphemers! Those enemies who had severely injured it and wiped out the priest. Their clearing of the periphery was by no means the end. They were using a method it had not yet fully understood, slowly but surely strangling the source of its power.

Panic, like poison ivy, coiled around its vast consciousness. It vividly remembered the Sword of Rule cleaving through its torso, even damaging its master's remains. If it were allowed to continue weakening, once its power dwindled to a certain point, the next blow would likely be complete destruction.

We cannot sit and wait for death, we must speed up and complete the final transformation before those blasphemers are ready for the final offensive, so as to welcome more power from Lord Morgaros and even allow part of His will to truly descend here!

A mad and malicious thought rapidly grew and expanded within Agares's consciousness. It required energy, immense energy, pure life energy and soul power, to accelerate the resurgence and resonance of the obsidian debris at its core, to forcibly break free from the constraints of this plane, to draw upon the power of the abyss, and to forge a temporary clone capable of carrying the Master's will.

Since the supply of earth energy has been slightly reduced temporarily, we can use the existing fuel.

Its consciousness, like an icy tide, instantly swept across the core ruins. There, thousands of the last Rotmaw cultists crouched, praying to it in despair. These lowly insects, their flesh and blood, their souls, and their twisted and fanatical faith in the abyss, now became the most suitable firewood.

"For the glory of Lord Morgaros, dedicate everything you have."

An incomparably powerful spiritual wave, a mixture of command and temptation, like a physical shackle, suddenly descended upon the depths of the minds of all the surviving believers. It was no longer a vague whisper, but an incomparably clear infusion of will.

The believers, who were praying frantically, even resorting to self-sacrifice, suddenly froze. Looking up, a flicker of bewilderment flashed through their cloudy eyes, then they were filled with irresistible fervor and fear. They felt the will of the Holy Tree Agares, a will that demanded their ultimate and most complete devotion!

The next moment, the nightmare began.

Countless dark red roots lurking in the shadows around them or directly emerging from the ground, like poisonous pythons that have been hungry for ten thousand years, suddenly launched an indiscriminate attack!

"Ugh—!"

"Holy Tree! Why..."

"For my Lord! For..."

Screams, shouts, desperate curses and fanatical shouts instantly broke the silence in the core area.

Thick roots easily pierced the cultists' chests and heads, entwining their limbs and frantically draining their flesh and souls! Blood gushed out like a fountain, staining the already dark crimson earth. Broken limbs and arms splattered everywhere. The cultists entangled by the roots withered at a visible rate, their life energy and souls forcibly drained away, transforming into foul streams of dark red blood that raced along the roots toward the core of the Whispering Root—the corrupted ancient tree and the debris hidden within.

This sacrifice was not voluntary, but a naked massacre and plunder.

Agares showed no mercy. It regarded all survivors as nutrients to accelerate its own transformation. The huge trunk trembled slightly as it devoured a large amount of life and souls.

The obsidian debris buried deep in the tree core, with the tiny crack on its surface cut by Pu Jianxing, began to heal at a slow but noticeable speed under the infusion of such a huge and surging energy.

The light flowing on the surface of the wreckage grew brighter, and the breath of the abyss emanating from it became richer and more active. A biological embryo appeared out of thin air, wrapping the wreckage inside and absorbing the power within.