Month Four, Day Fourteen
The lockdown had been in effect for seven days, and Lin Feng was discovering that enforced confinement to Celestial Dawn's territory created its own form of intensive productivity. Unable to conduct external operations, he'd thrown himself into documentation work with focus that surprised even Qingxue.
"Fifteen thousand words on advanced void manipulation theory," she noted, reviewing his latest draft. "In four days. That's substantially above normal pace."
"Captive audience of one," Lin Feng replied, his three-stream consciousness coordinating writing, self-editing, and theoretical analysis simultaneously. "When external distractions are eliminated, documentation work becomes oddly meditative."
"Meditative isn't word I'd use," Xiao Ling commented from across the planning chamber where she was organizing alliance correspondence. "Obsessive focus enabling productivity through systematic elimination of alternatives, maybe."
"That's longer description for same thing," Lin Feng countered.
Through his limited spatial perception—still reduced during recovery but functional within twenty-meter range—he detected Han Shu approaching the chamber entrance. The bodyguard's spiritual energy pattern registered as tense, suggesting important information rather than routine check-in.
"Enter," Lin Feng called before Han Shu could knock.
The bodyguard stepped inside, his expression carefully neutral. "Azure Sky intelligence just delivered urgent update. They've identified the bounty hunter coordination operation."
All three occupants immediately focused attention on Han Shu.
"Who's organizing it?" Qingxue asked.
"Independent contractor called 'The Broker'—specializes in coordinating multiple hunters for complex targets. Azure Sky has incomplete file, but relevant details: Sovereign Monarch Level 2, operates through proxy network, success rate approaching ninety percent over fifteen-year career."
Lin Feng's three consciousness streams processed the information systematically. Sovereign Monarch Level 2 wasn't overwhelming combat threat, but someone who'd maintained ninety percent success rate for fifteen years was tactically sophisticated.
"How many hunters has Broker recruited for this operation?" he asked.
"Confirmed eight, suspected twelve total. Mix of capabilities—assassins, formation specialists, close combat experts, one suspected poison master. Combined payment pool suggests operation budget around fifty thousand spiritual stones beyond the bounty rewards."
"Someone's investing heavily," Xiao Ling observed. "Fifty thousand coordination fee plus two hundred thousand in bounties means total operation cost around two hundred and fifty thousand spiritual stones. That's more than opportunistic bounty collection—that's elimination contract."
"Do we know who's funding it?" Qingxue asked.
"Azure Sky is investigating, but initial assessment suggests demonic cultivator remnants from Shadow Serpent's organization. Revenge motivation combined with strategic elimination before you establish institutional protection."
Lin Feng's analytical mind calculated implications. Demonic remnants made sense—he'd disrupted their rebuilding effort, captured their leader, and facilitated organizational dismantlement. Revenge plus strategic elimination created strong motivation for expensive operation.
"What's Azure Sky's tactical recommendation?" he asked.
"Maintain lockdown for another week while they track Broker's proxy network. They're attempting to identify operation timeline and infiltration vectors." Han Shu's expression showed professional concern. "However, they note that Broker's success rate suggests he may have already positioned assets inside Celestial Dawn's territory despite lockdown and formation defenses."
The chamber fell silent as that assessment settled. If Broker had already infiltrated operatives, then lockdown wasn't preventing attack—it was just delaying inevitable confrontation until attackers chose optimal moment.
"We need to identify infiltrators," Qingxue said. "Can't defend against threat we can't locate."
"Patriarch Cloud Heaven has authorized core disciple access to sect's detection formations," Han Shu reported. "You can review spiritual energy signatures of everyone entering restricted areas over past two weeks, looking for anomalies or suspicious patterns."
"That's thousands of signatures to analyze," Xiao Ling noted. "Weeks of work even with consciousness division."
"Unless we're smart about filtering," Lin Feng said, his three streams already developing analytical framework. "We're not looking for obvious infiltrators—we're looking for people whose behavior patterns changed recently. Someone acting slightly different from historical baseline, someone accessing areas they don't normally frequent, someone whose movement patterns suggest reconnaissance rather than normal sect activities."
"Behavioral analysis rather than direct detection," Qingxue recognized. "That's more sophisticated than standard security screening."
"Which is probably why Broker's infiltrators weren't caught by conventional formations," Lin Feng replied. "They're operating within normal parameters just slightly differently than usual. We need to identify the 'slightly different' patterns."
He turned to Xiao Ling. "Can you pull sect records for all disciples and staff who have access to core disciple quarters or administrative areas? I need historical movement patterns, cultivation schedules, known associates, and any behavioral notes from past six months."
"That's extensive data request," Xiao Ling said, already pulling out administrative jade slips. "But yes, I can compile it. Give me four hours."
"Make it two hours," Lin Feng requested. "If Broker has infiltrators positioned, we want to identify them before they choose to strike."
"Two hours," Xiao Ling confirmed, her organizational mind clearly already structuring data compilation approach. "I'll coordinate with sect administration."
After she left, Lin Feng turned to Han Shu. "What's your professional assessment of infiltration risk?"
"High," the bodyguard replied bluntly. "Celestial Dawn is mid-tier sect with good but not exceptional security. Someone with Broker's resources and expertise could definitely position operatives inside territory, especially if they'd been planning for multiple weeks."
"How many infiltrators would be optimal for their operation?" Qingxue asked.
"Three to five," Han Shu assessed. "More than that increases detection risk. Fewer than that doesn't provide sufficient redundancy if one is compromised. My guess: four infiltrators positioned as servants, outer disciples, or administrative staff—people who can access areas without attracting attention."
"Servants," Lin Feng said quietly, memory of his own fourteen years as invisible servant surfacing. "Perfect cover. Everyone sees them, nobody notices them."
"Exactly. Which makes identification harder—we're looking for people who are supposed to be invisible."
Lin Feng's consciousness streams engaged with the challenge analytically. Finding infiltrators who were designed to be unnoticeable required looking for negative space—places where someone should be but wasn't, activities that should happen but didn't, patterns that should exist but were absent.
"We're not looking for suspicious presence," he said slowly, working through logic. "We're looking for suspicious absence. Routines that were interrupted, relationships that were avoided, areas that were deliberately not accessed despite having logical reason to access them."
Qingxue's expression showed understanding. "Infiltrators avoiding their own normal patterns to prevent establishing baseline that could expose them later."
"Right. They're trying to remain invisible by not establishing predictable routines. But that absence of routine is itself a pattern we can detect through statistical analysis."
"That's remarkably sophisticated infiltration detection methodology," Han Shu said with respect. "Most security operations look for what shouldn't be there. You're proposing we look for what should be there but isn't."
"Inverse detection for infiltrators using inverse presence strategy," Lin Feng confirmed. "Let's see if it works."
Month Four, Day Fourteen - Evening
Xiao Ling had delivered the compiled data in exactly two hours—comprehensive records for two hundred and thirty-seven individuals with access to relevant areas. Lin Feng and Qingxue spent the next four hours analyzing patterns using their combined analytical capabilities.
Lin Feng operated three consciousness streams: one processing movement patterns, one analyzing social network connections, one identifying statistical anomalies. Qingxue used her ice cultivation's precision to calculate deviation from expected behavioral norms.
After four hours, they'd identified seven individuals showing suspicious absence patterns—people who deliberately avoided establishing routines despite having consistent duties.
"Three kitchen servants, two outer disciples, one groundskeeper, one administrative clerk," Qingxue summarized. "All showing behavioral patterns suggesting intentional unpredictability."
"Could be innocent," Lin Feng noted. "Some people just don't like routine."
"True. But all seven started showing these patterns within the same two-week period—right when Broker would have been positioning infiltrators." Qingxue's expression was calculating. "That's suspicious correlation."
Lin Feng's spatial perception suddenly flared—detecting spiritual energy fluctuation that shouldn't exist within core disciple quarters this late in evening. His three streams immediately allocated to threat analysis.
Someone approaching using spiritual energy suppression technique. Twenty meters out and closing. Movement pattern suggests combat training rather than normal patrol.
"We have immediate contact," he said quietly, spatial perception tracking the approaching presence. "Single individual, Divine Domain Level 5 or 6, attempting stealth approach to this chamber."
Qingxue's spiritual energy immediately manifested defensive formations around the room while Han Shu moved to position between them and the door.
The approaching presence stopped just outside the chamber, apparently detecting that their approach had been noticed. For three seconds, nothing happened.
Then the door exploded inward with spiritual energy-enhanced force designed to kill through shrapnel and concussive blast rather than direct attack.
Han Shu's defensive formation caught most of the debris, but fragments still scattered throughout the chamber. Lin Feng used Void Step to relocate himself and Qingxue away from the door, spatial perception tracking as the attacker rushed through the destroyed entrance.
Female, mid-twenties appearance, spiritual signature registering Divine Domain Level 6. One of the kitchen servants from their suspect list. She moved with assassination specialist's efficiency—spiritual dagger manifesting in both hands as she targeted Lin Feng specifically.
"Broker sends regards," she said, voice utterly flat. "Nothing personal. Just business."
She attacked with speed that made Han Shu's interception nearly fail. The bodyguard managed to deflect one blade but the second got through, aimed directly at Lin Feng's throat.
Void Step carried him away again, his spatial perception allowing perfect dodge timing despite assassin's superior speed. Qingxue's ice formations manifested around the attacker, attempting to lock down movement.
The assassin demonstrated why Broker's success rate approached ninety percent—she adapted instantly, spiritual energy surging to shatter ice formations while maintaining attack pressure on Lin Feng.
Divine Domain Level 6 specialist versus my reduced capabilities. This is bad tactical position.
Lin Feng deployed spatial formation attempting to create dimensional pocket that would isolate the assassin temporarily. The formation deployed successfully, but the assassin's spiritual energy disrupted it within two seconds—faster than Lin Feng's reduced consciousness capacity could maintain stability.
Han Shu engaged directly, his Level 7 cultivation advantage allowing him to match the assassin's combat effectiveness. They exchanged seventeen strikes in four seconds, neither gaining clear advantage.
Then the window shattered.
Second assassin—one of the outer disciples from their suspect list—entered through window with spiritual energy-enhanced leap. Male, Divine Domain Level 5, wielding chain weapon that immediately targeted Qingxue.
Two attackers. Coordinated assault. Trying to divide our defensive attention.
Qingxue defended herself competently, her Ice Goddess combat training proving sufficient against Level 5 opponent despite surprise attack. But now Han Shu was occupied with first assassin, Qingxue with second, and Lin Feng was operating at reduced capacity with three-stream consciousness limitation.
This is exactly the tactical scenario they planned for. Divide defenders, eliminate primary target while support is engaged elsewhere.
The first assassin broke away from Han Shu through desperate gambit—taking serious wound to create opening—and lunged toward Lin Feng with both spiritual daggers aimed at vital points.
Lin Feng's spatial perception gave him exact trajectory prediction, but his reduced spiritual energy reserves and consciousness limitation meant his options were limited. He couldn't outfight Divine Domain Level 6 specialist in direct combat.
So he didn't try to outfight her.
He used Void Step to relocate directly beside her rather than away, spatial formation deploying point-blank range to disrupt her spiritual energy flow. The unexpected reversal—moving toward attacker instead of fleeing—bought him two seconds of confusion.
Two seconds was enough.
Qingxue's ice formation manifested around the first assassin, freezing her mid-motion. Han Shu's spiritual sword struck the second assassin's chain weapon, shattering it and creating opening for devastating counterattack.
Both assassins realized simultaneously that their coordinated assault had failed. The first assassin triggered suicide technique—spiritual energy explosion designed to kill herself and everyone nearby rather than allow capture.
Lin Feng's spatial perception detected the technique forming and activated emergency spatial anchor, pulling himself and Qingxue away from blast radius. Han Shu was caught at edge of explosion but his Level 7 defensive techniques absorbed most damage.
The first assassin's body disintegrated completely, spiritual energy consuming everything in five-meter radius.
The second assassin attempted similar suicide technique but Han Shu was faster—spiritual formation locking down the assassin's cultivation completely before self-destruction could trigger.
Silence fell over the destroyed chamber, broken only by harsh breathing and residual spiritual energy dissipating.
"Capture confirmed," Han Shu reported, maintaining formation around the surviving assassin. "This one's alive for interrogation."
Lin Feng's spatial perception expanded, searching for additional threats. His three consciousness streams detected no immediate danger, but adrenaline and spatial awareness combined into heightened tactical state.
"Two confirmed attackers," he assessed. "Broker's operation typically involves four to five infiltrators according to Azure Sky intelligence. Where are the others?"
His question was answered by alarm formations throughout Celestial Dawn activating simultaneously—indicating multiple security breaches across sect territory.
Coordinated assault. We weren't the only target—we were one of several simultaneous objectives.
Through his dao companion bond, Lin Feng felt Qingxue's combat readiness mixing with strategic assessment. They'd survived assassination attempt, but the broader operation was still active.
Xiao Ling burst through destroyed doorway—apparently she'd been in administrative building during attack—her expression showing controlled urgency.
"Multiple infiltrators just activated across sect territory," she reported rapidly. "Three confirmed attacks: core disciple quarters, administrative archive, and Patriarch's meditation chamber. Security forces engaging all three locations."
"Patriarch Cloud Heaven?" Qingxue asked immediately.
"Defending successfully. Whoever attacked him severely underestimated Cloud Transformation Level 7 combat capability." Xiao Ling's expression showed grim satisfaction. "The infiltrator targeting him lasted approximately eight seconds before capture."
"Archive attack?" Lin Feng pressed.
"Still ongoing. Two infiltrators attempting to steal or destroy sensitive documentation. Security forces have contained but not neutralized them yet."
Lin Feng's consciousness streams calculated tactical priorities. Patriarch was handling his own situation. Their immediate area was secured. Archive attack was potentially most dangerous—if infiltrators destroyed Celestial Dawn's sensitive records, the sect would lose decades of accumulated knowledge.
"We need to support archive defense," he decided.
"You're still recovering from consciousness infrastructure damage," Qingxue objected. "You just fought off assassination attempt. You need rest, not additional combat."
"Archive contains Celestial Dawn's cultivation technique documentation, alliance treaty records, and financial accounting," Lin Feng countered. "If those are destroyed, sect operations are crippled for months. We can't allow that."
Through their bond, he felt her recognize the necessity despite concern for his condition.
"Then we go together," she said. "Han Shu, secure the prisoner and coordinate with sect security. We're moving to support archive defense."
"Acknowledged," Han Shu replied, already binding the captured assassin with formations designed to prevent both escape and suicide.
Xiao Ling pulled out jade slip with sect maps. "Fastest route to archive is through eastern courtyard—approximately two hundred meters. Security reports indicate infiltrators have defensive position inside archive chamber, using stolen records as hostages to prevent aggressive assault."
"Using records as hostages," Lin Feng repeated. "That's tactically clever. Patriarch can't authorize destructive techniques if they'll damage what he's trying to protect."
"Which means surgical extraction rather than overwhelming force," Qingxue assessed. "Your spatial manipulation could be decisive advantage."
They moved toward the archive rapidly, Lin Feng's reduced spatial perception providing tactical awareness despite consciousness limitations. His three streams coordinated movement, threat analysis, and combat preparation.
Second engagement within thirty minutes of first combat. This is definitely not optimal recovery protocol.
But necessary nonetheless.
The archive building was surrounded by twenty sect security cultivators maintaining perimeter, but none had entered yet—apparently the hostage situation was preventing direct assault as Xiao Ling reported.
Elder Wei emerged from security cordon as they approached, his expression showing frustration.
"Two infiltrators inside," he reported. "Both Divine Domain Level 5, both competent with defensive formations. They've barricaded themselves in central archive chamber and threatened to destroy critical documentation if we attempt forced entry."
"What do they want?" Lin Feng asked.
"Unclear. They demanded negotiation with sect leadership, but Patriarch Cloud Heaven assesses that's distraction tactic rather than genuine negotiation intent. His belief is they're stalling while attempting to either escape through unknown route or complete some other objective."
Lin Feng's consciousness streams analyzed the scenario. Infiltrators using hostage situation as cover for alternative objective suggested the actual goal wasn't destroying records—it was accessing specific information or placing something within archive.
"They're not here to destroy documentation," he said slowly. "They're here to plant intelligence gathering formations or steal specific records. The hostage threat is cover to buy time while they complete actual objective."
Elder Wei's expression showed recognition. "That's more sophisticated than simple sabotage. If they plant intelligence formations, they could monitor our communications and planning for months before we detected compromise."
"Can your spatial perception identify what they're doing inside archive?" Qingxue asked.
Lin Feng extended his spatial awareness carefully, consciousness streams processing the complex three-dimensional information. His reduced capacity made perception more difficult, but he could still map basic structural information.
"They're in central chamber," he confirmed. "Both near formation control center—the node that powers all archive defensive and organizational arrays. They've deployed something that's registering as subtle spiritual energy fluctuation, but I can't identify exact function with reduced perception range."
"Formation that monitors or disrupts archive systems," Elder Wei assessed. "We need to remove them and neutralize whatever they've planted."
"I can create spatial opening through the barricade," Lin Feng offered. "Dimensional gap that bypasses their defensive formations entirely. But I can only maintain it for five seconds with current spiritual energy reserves—you'd need to infiltrate and neutralize them extremely quickly."
"Five seconds," Elder Wei calculated. "That's enough for three cultivators to enter and engage. I'll coordinate assault team."
He pulled aside three Divine Domain Level 7 security specialists, explaining the plan rapidly. They would enter through Lin Feng's dimensional gap, engage both infiltrators simultaneously, and neutralize the planted formation before it could activate or be destroyed.
"Dimensional gap will open in that wall—" Lin Feng indicated position calculated to put assault team behind infiltrators' defensive position "—in exactly thirty seconds. Prepare."
The assault team took position. Lin Feng gathered his limited spiritual energy reserves, consciousness streams coordinating complex dimensional engineering technique despite reduced capacity. This would deplete approximately forty percent of his remaining reserves—significant cost, but necessary.
"Twenty seconds," Elder Wei counted down.
Lin Feng began formation construction, spatial manipulation creating framework for dimensional gap between normal space and archive interior.
"Ten seconds."
The dimensional structure stabilized, requiring constant maintenance to prevent collapse. Lin Feng's consciousness streams were stretched across their entire capacity managing the complex technique.
"Five seconds."
The gap opened—perfect three-meter diameter portal bypassing all defensive formations and barricades to place assault team directly inside central archive chamber behind infiltrators' position.
"Go," Elder Wei commanded.
Three security specialists dove through dimensional gap, spiritual weapons manifesting as they emerged directly behind surprised infiltrators.
The combat lasted exactly four seconds.
First infiltrator was subdued by spiritual formation locking down his cultivation completely. Second attempted suicide technique but was countered before completion, spiritual energy contained through expert defensive work.
Both captured. Formation they'd planted was neutralized before activation—Elder Wei identifying it as sophisticated intelligence gathering array that would have monitored all archive access for months undetected.
Lin Feng collapsed the dimensional gap, spiritual energy reserves now down to approximately thirty percent. His consciousness streams were functioning but showing strain from compound usage.
"Successful operation," Elder Wei reported with satisfaction. "Both infiltrators captured, planted formation neutralized, archive secure."
Across sect territory, similar reports filtered in. All simultaneous attacks had been repelled or neutralized. Broker's coordinated operation had failed completely.
But Lin Feng's consciousness—even operating at reduced capacity—recognized disturbing reality: they'd successfully defended against this assault, but Broker had ninety percent success rate over fifteen years for good reason.
This wasn't the end of assassination attempts.
This was just the first attempt that failed.
End of Chapter 80