The days continued passing quietly.
But the elders of the sect had already begun preparing for possible complications.
Observation formations were placed across several mountain peaks surrounding the sect.
Formation specialists worked late into the night adjusting sensing arrays.
Officially, nothing had changed.
But those who paid close attention could see that the sect had become far more alert.
Lin Xuan noticed it the moment he left his courtyard one morning.
Two inner disciples were installing a small formation plate along the stone path near the training grounds.
He slowed slightly as he walked past.
One of them was speaking quietly.
"Make sure the sensing lines connect to the observation hall."
The other nodded.
"The elders want full coverage of the mountain range."
Lin Xuan continued walking without stopping.
The sect was clearly strengthening its monitoring network.
Which meant the elders expected more changes soon.
Later that day, Lin Xuan went to the outer training field to practice his sword techniques.
Several disciples were already sparring nearby.
The sound of wooden swords clashing echoed across the courtyard.
But something else caught Lin Xuan's attention.
The spiritual energy around the training field felt slightly denser than before.
Not dramatically stronger.
Just… more concentrated.
He raised his sword and began practicing slow, controlled movements.
Each swing guided the spiritual energy through his meridians.
The flow felt smoother than it had a week ago.
After several minutes, Xu Liang appeared at the edge of the field.
He watched Lin Xuan for a moment before speaking.
"You feel it too."
Lin Xuan lowered his sword slightly.
"Yes."
Xu Liang stepped closer.
"The elders confirmed it this morning."
"What?"
"The regional circulation density increased again."
Lin Xuan thought for a moment.
"That means the network is still adjusting."
Xu Liang nodded.
"Exactly."
He looked toward the distant mountains.
"The problem is that the adjustments are becoming easier to detect."
Lin Xuan understood what he meant.
If ordinary disciples could already feel the changes, then nearby sects would certainly notice them soon.
That evening, Lin Xuan was called once again to the small hall.
Instructor Han was studying a much larger formation map this time.
Several new sensing points had been marked across the surrounding region.
Senior Qiao stood nearby.
Yan Rui leaned casually against the wall as usual.
Han pointed toward the map.
"Look here."
Lin Xuan stepped closer.
Several faint lines connected the known convergence node beneath their sect to distant points across the region.
Some of those points were still dim.
Others flickered faintly.
Xu Liang spoke quietly.
"These are potential nodes."
Yan Rui added,
"Or fragments of the network."
Instructor Han nodded.
"We cannot confirm their exact function yet."
"But the structure suggests multiple linked formation points."
Senior Qiao folded his arms.
"How many have reacted so far?"
Han answered calmly.
"Two."
"The one beneath our sect…"
"And the eastern fluctuation."
The room became quiet.
Yan Rui broke the silence.
"If there are dozens of nodes like this, activating one will eventually affect the entire system."
Xu Liang nodded.
"Which means the changes will continue spreading."
Senior Qiao looked at Lin Xuan again.
"And the person connected to the system will remain the key."
Lin Xuan said nothing.
But he knew the responsibility those words carried.
The fragment within him was still the only known link to the ancient network.
And as the system continued stabilizing—
That connection might become even more important.
Far to the east—
The scouting team continued traveling through the mountains.
Their formation instruments glowed faintly as they moved.
One of the cultivators checked the device again.
"The readings are becoming stronger."
Another asked,
"How far now?"
The cultivator studied the instrument carefully.
"Two more days."
Their leader slowed his steps.
The mountains ahead rose higher and steeper.
Beyond those peaks—
Somewhere in that direction—
The source of the ancient network was waiting.
And soon—
They would finally begin approaching it.